You Are Going To Die.
	...It's a bit hard to believe that, isn't it? That somehow eventually your existence will come to an end. How everything that makes you who you are will slow to a stop and cease functioning. It is something you cannot picture or imagine, because your mind cannot process that. Because doing so would require experience in some degree. The way your brain works is by sending out forms of Scouts to seek out information about something, then return with that information. These Scouts would be your senses. And even if one of them tends to fail, like your sight within darkness, another will still succeed in obtaining some form of intelligence.
	But death cannot be experienced. It cannot be recorded, it cannot be savored or remembered in any way. Other deaths can be, and that's what often drives those who are afraid of it. They see the way others End. Stop moving, and because there is a lack of information about what happens, your mind cannot understand it. So it chooses to fear it instead. 
	Regardless of what you do to survive. Regardless of how long you attempt to prolong your existence. Regardless of what you eat, how strong you are, your durability, or your constitution. You. Will. Die. That is the the ultimate promise, the largest form of Truism that Life can give you: That everything will eventually come to an End.

				As the new Force Of Death, you will need to understand this.

Fear Is The Weakness Act 1 - Death March
By Bartan Tirix

Chapter 1

	The road was nothing more than a constant stream of water, as the man attempted to drive carefully through the storm. Worried that the old back road would suddenly get washed away any moment, sending him and his family somewhere off the road. He couldn't see four feet past his headlights, let alone to the sides of the SUV.
	"Henry. Maybe we should just stop."
	"That's not a bad idea, but I can't find anywhere to stop. And I really don't want to just park it here, in case someone runs into us." The man replied to his wife. Hearing her and their three children in the back yelp everytime a loud crack of lightning covered the sky. One hitting a tree nearby and hearing it slam into the ground, thankfully not on the road. "Keep an eye out on the sides, everyone. See if you can find me a driveway."
	As the vehicle kept it's pace, it's windshield whipers working frantically to keep the vision cleared, it eventually fell into a very deep puddle. Rocking those inside the the shelter. "Son of a gun..." Henry slightly cursed, trying his best to move the car out, but the tires kept spinning. "Come on, girl. You've been through worse than this."
	"Dad, there's a driveway!" His daughter pointed out the driver's side. Getting everyone else to attempt to scout through the thick rain.
	"There might be a house there. Maybe someone who can help?" One of boys said.
	"I don't know. I really don't want to meet the wrong people." The mother said, just before another lightning strike hit the car. Thankfully not hurting anyone inside. "Nevermind, lets try it!"
	"Okay, careful everyone!" They grabbed a few things out of the back and started moving in a group. Trying their best to get through the washed away dirt road without losing balance. Barely making out a large old house through the water and running up to the porch. Trying the door and thanking whoever above that it was unlocked as his family rushed in.
	It took some effort to fight against the wind, but he got the door shut. From the thirty seconds they were in the rain, and shivering already in the cold room. Completely painted in darkness and many old objects. A few tables and chairs for guests, as well as a stairway that lead upward. "I wonder if anyone is home?" The daughter asked.
	"I wonder if anyone even lives here anymore." The older brother muttered.
	"It does seem pretty old. Let’s see if we can find something to dry with. Carefully search for a bathroom or towels or something. But watch the floors, I'm not sure if they'll hold." Henry said, passing out a few flashlights as they started moving through the old mansion.
	Passing through a long hallway, one constantly barraged by the rain and flashes of light, the family came to a rather large room. "Wow, look at all this stuff." The younger boy said in amazement. Looking over the many collections of weapons and trinkets all on display.
	"Be careful, Evans. It's possible that they might be rusted."
	"You heard you mother, nobody touch anything-Adam!"
	"These look like horns. Almost freshly cut too." The older brother said, getting an uncomfortable groan from their mother.
	"I wonder who collected all of these things?"
	"I did." The family all yelped as their flashlights scanned the area quickly. All landing an upright Tirix with a shaded monocle. Slightly grunting at the bright lights but not losing his posture. "What are you doing here?" The grey furred creature asked rather politely, not afraid to hide his rather panther-like appearance.
	"Our car got stuck in the road outside. We were just looking for some shelter." Henry said, still overlooking the creature in the rather old, yet formal outfit. "Can we talk to the owner of this household?"
	"That would be me."
	"O-oh. Sorry, you're dressed like a butler." The creature pulled out a pocket watch and looked at the time. "We just want to take shelter from the storm, if that's okay."
	"It will last another twelve hours or so, so you will be here for a while." The Tirix said rather calmly. "You may stay the night, but do not touch any of the... Collectables. They are irreplaceable."
	"Y-yes. Thank you, erm...?"
	"Raccel. You may call me Raccel, Ma'am. There are plenty of towels in the bathrooms down this hall and to the right. As well as one bathroom upstairs, then two doors left. Feel free to change into some dryer clothes if you can find something that fits. There's nothing of importance outside of this room and the basement; which tends to flood during these massive storms. So please, for your own safety refrain from that area." He took a breath, looking at the watch again. "I must tend to something for now, please make yourself at home."
	"Thank you, Raccel." Henry said, motioning his kids to do the same.
	"I will return in a few hours."
	"Where could you be going in a storm like this...?" The mother asked, but got no reply as the creature walked down the halls. His footsteps disappearing into the darkness.

	It was a quiet day in the town, as people began their morning tasks. Greeting everyone they came to, helping with the gardens and livestock that kept everyone healthy. Everything seemed rather delightful, until a large winged creature startled everyone by flying rather closely overhead. Barely seeing the brown blur as it circled around a nearby mountain within the village's sights. Worrying several of them of a conflict, or worse; an agreement with the one inside.
	As the dragon landed in a rather flat area near the top of the mountain, it took a quick glance at the village down below. Licking the space between his nostrils with a rather slender tongue, he was indeed hungry. However, he knew he could not just pick up anything and devour it any longer. As tedious as such a thing was.
	Letting out a grumbling sigh from his rather long muzzle, he tossed it while turning about. Walking into the gigantic hole that was nearly twice his size, his brown scales clicked loudly. Enduring the rather chilly shadows that remained inside. Barely spotting the several piles of glittering objects of wealth, faintly jealous that it was more than his own. At least his domain had a better view.
	Overlooking the many gems and shiny coins in a single pile, he picked up a pawful. Gazing within the rather scrawny grasp at such wondrous objects. If only he had pockets to perhaps take them home. Then again, maybe he could just hide them under his tongue for the time being-
	A harsh ram sent the brown one against the wall loudly, getting him to release growl and get up. His spines flared as he was suddenly pinned against the wall by a thick arm, nearly deafened by a louder growl. "Taath! Overreaction much?" The brown one hissed, not getting any relief from the pressure against his collar.
	"What the hell are you doing here!?" The larger one growled. Though they did seem to be around the same size, this one was built in muscle much much more. Keeping a firm grip on the scrawnier dragon with one paw, while holding several sharp objects with another.
	"I'm only here because someone slept in." The brown one snorted, glaring at the green eyes with his own yellow ones. "Apparently Raccel wanted all of us to attend the feast, and was a little worried when you didn't show up." A low growl from the larger one. "Having pleasant dreams about becoming the Force of D-?" A sight choke of his windpipe gagged the brown one.
	"That tongue of yours is going to get you killed, Sig'eaal." The green eyed beast growled. Taking it's time to enjoy the silence before releasing his grip on the dragon's throat.
	"And here he was worried about you starving to death. Clearly you still plenty of energy within that titanic body of yours." The smaller one snorted, still getting a challenging glare from the larger one. "You coming or what?"
	"First, get out." He growled, getting Sig to toss his snout and start moving towards the exit. Stopping to observe the massive shadow for a moment, only to feel that forceful hit once again. Pushing the dragon towards the exit, but not before hissing loudly at the large one.
	"Happy? I'm out. Now come on. I'm tired of waiting for your meatstick of a body to catch up."
	"Are you seriously attempting to provoke me on an empty stomach?" The green eyed creature finally stepped out into the light. Finally revealing his own draconic form of blue grey scales and heavy muscle mass. Letting his clear mane of icicles glitter in the sun.
	"Say what you want, but it takes more energy to move that titanic body of yours than it does mine. You're bound to be winded before I do-" A sharp shard of ice shived through the air, nearly getting the brown one in the neck.
	"Who says I have to move?" He said, getting another hiss before the two took off. Once again worrying the villagers nearby for a moment until they passed over them. Exhaling a sigh of relief, knowing they get to live another day.

Chapter 2

	The Tirix stood on the flat landmass, miles away while looking out towards the city. Glancing a bit at his pocket watch with his one good eye, and leaning on an old cane in the other paw. Releasing a heavy breath, and barely flicking an ear to something landed behind him. Waiting patiently for the large pawsteps to approach the Grey furred one, then sit beside him. Getting Raccel to take another breath, before glancing at the rather large Red dragon. "How are they?"
	"Dried. But will still catch a cold if they do not obtain warmth anytime soon." The scaled one grumbled, annoyed at the tedious work. "Why do you have insects in your home?"
	"They did not have any place to go."
	"Which is not your problem-"
	"It doesn't matter-"
	"As an Outsider, OR a Force." The Tirix glared at the dragon's light grey eyes, ones that almost looked white. "Yet, you insist that they survive."
	"It's not their time yet." His gaze returned to the city.
	"When will it be." It wasn't a question, getting the furred one to just take a deeper breath.
	"...Things are more complex than just taking lives, Nalchulus. Someday you might understand that for yourself."
	"Unlikely."
	"If a Force is changed, you are able to challenge them again." The two shared a look. "You are in a rather unique position to do so."
	"And I'm supposed to be thankful for that?" He snorted.
	"It's better than dying, isn't it?" Nal remained quiet, not wanting to get into the argument again. After a few moments, two large creatures landed behind them, almost sinking Raccel's heart a bit.
	"About time. Here I was expecting you to be fast." The red one growled.
	"Faster than you." Sig'eaal snorted, getting a hiss from Nal. "And we would be feasting right now if someone didn't hibernate." A loud growl from the other side. "Yes, I called you slow. Bite me." The much larger dragon swat him in the shoulder, getting a few scratches with his claws and the brown one to hiss back.
	"Maybe we should be devouring you instead." The blue one growled.
	"Don't bother, Beo'Kros. Siggy barely has anything worth eating anyway. You'd be wasting your time, and mine." The red one snorted. Getting a growl from the scrawny one.
	"Like you have anything better to do than to grow old." A hiss from Nal and Beo hissed back.
	"Enough." Raccel said rather loudly, still looking at his watch.
	"Someone's still cranky." Sig muttered, getting another growl from the blue one. "Seriously, musclehead is so cold he needs to be measured in Kelvins."
	"Stop." The furred one grumbled, trying to glare at Siggy with his one good eye. As the three dragons stared over the city in the distance for a few minutes, he sighed. Blinking slowly at his watch once again before taking one more breath. "...Go." And the three took to the sky.

	The hundreds of citizens were going about their busy day. Though unusually clouded and dark, they didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. Often glued to their portable tablets or phones while walking the busy streets, they only seen it as a chance of rain. That is until the screams started.
	The streets and roads were suddenly engulfed in a carpet of flames, incinerating anything it touched into a burnt crisp as those just outside of it started to fly away. Barely making out the red blurr in the sky between the large stretch of buildings. But where one went by, another brown one swiftly came around the corner. Spraying several nodes of electrical sparks that fell like rocks.
	Anything that went within two hundred feet of a node was suddenly attached to it by a large arc. Burning the very fabrics and matter that it grabbed until there was nothing left but dust. When the node had its fill, it exploded sharply. Shattering even the buildings made of brick and concrete like paper mache.
	The carpet of red flames was soon met by its counterpart from another street, as a painful sheet of frost quickly layered nearly two roads. Though it didn't look like much, it froze everything within the buildings completely solid. Making the next pitch of screams shatter it in a chain reaction of dust and frost, as the very buildings collapsed.
	From afar, all the Tirix could do is watch and let out a heavy breath. He heard their screams and cries for help. Each and every one of their prayers and curses. But they waited long enough to feed. As the three dragons harvested their hunt, Raccel looked at his watch once again. Not even ten minutes ago, that entire city was still standing. Now, it was reduced to complete ruble, and not a single soul was left alive.
	The rest of the world would look at this as a complete mystery. Not a single clue as to what happened to these people, and probably end up calling the event an Act of God. Striking down a Utopia for taking such technologies for granted. But the truth was, their God abandoned them... Their Counterweight Abandoned Them.

	Though they were not very comfortable, they were at least dried clothes. Finally being able to navigate through the old building and find something in an ancient wardrobe, the daughter was half struggling to get the dress on. They always looked skin tight in the movies, but she never imagined they would be this difficult or discomforting.
	Struggling to fit herself in the white dress quickly, the shadows started spooking her out. Still couldn't believe such a creature existed, something that almost looked like a werewolf. She couldn't imagine what else was hiding in the darkness. Jerking at nearly every little sound and creek the walls made, along with the howling and thunderous noises of the storm. It was all getting to look like a horror movie. Something she's seen too many of.
	But all the clues were there: the unreal storm that knocked out the power and snared their vehicle. Stranding a family in the middle of the woods, almost trapped in a house owned by some unknown creature. Now, she was wearing a dead woman's dress. Sending chills down her spine. All that was left was-
	A sudden creek in the floor made her hold a breath. Slowly scanning the room with her flashlight and seeing it's rays bounce off many old objects. Some shiny, slightly tarnished, yet they seemed to be well taken care of. But then there was a suspicious desk, with a letter on it. 
	Slowly taking a few steps towards it, the wind began to blow once again. Almost feeling the entire house move with the harsh breath of nature, and getting the building to make an eerie wail. At the very corner of her eye, she seen something move in the doorway, getting the woman to almost scream. "Amanda, there you are."
	"Mom?" The younger one took a few breaths. "You scared the hell out of me. I thought you were something else."
	"Sorry, this place gives everyone the willies." The mother said, giving her flashlight a few taps until it flickered on again. "I think this one's got a short in it or something. I was sure I charged the batteries before we left." She said, looking at her daughter in a dress. "You look like my mother when she was younger."
	"I can't imagine why these things didn't stay in style." Amanda grumbled, trying to adjust the sleeves again, and accepting her mother's help. "Thanks. That's better."
	"Yes, they were quite difficult to put on alone." She met the younger one with a sad smile, though seeing a rather disturbed look on her face. "Something wrong?"
	"This doesn't feel right. There's something wrong with this house, with that... Creature. I feel like this is some kind of horror movie."
	"I know what you mean, this place has gotten under my skin already as well. But it's better than the car, or out in the storm. I think we're still safe here." A faint nod from Amanda. "I'll try to dry out your clothes for now." Another odd as she didn't take her eyes off the desk, letting the older woman pick up the wet clothing. Taking a few steps towards the desk, and hearing her scold. "Don't go snooping through things."
	"I want to make sure we're safe. If there's something that we should be warned about, someone might have written it down." A few drawers, and an old letter stood out. Opening it and reading it closely, she sucked in a breath.
	You Are Going To Die.

Chapter 3

	"This thing itches." Evans, the younger brother, complained. Still scratching at the old clothing's side. Looking through the old kitchen with the others.
	"That's because there's moths in it." The older brother said, getting a worried look from Evans. "You did whip it before putting it on, right?"
	"Stop it, Adam." Their father grumbled, still looking through the kitchen's cabinets. Hoping to find some food or washed dishes, but everything seemed so untouched for decades. Seeing the older one turn on the sink and not get anything. "The power's out, the pump won't work without it."
	"So, no water. Don't think we should trust it anyway, giving how old this place looks."
	"Maybe we should just wait for the storm to calm down, then get some of the camping food we brought."
	"It's all cold, Evans. And you're the only one who likes eating cold food." Adam muttered.
	"But there's a fireplace."
	"Yes, but I'm wondering if the flu is cleaned out. Sometimes birds or other animals make nests in them." The father took a breath. "If the smoke can't get through the flu, it's coming back inside." The house creaked steadily above and away from them. "Looks like your mother found Amanda." As the two women entered the room, the younger one scanned it. "Something wrong?"
	"We need to get out of here, dad."
	"And go where?" The older brother grumbled.
	"Anywhere. Even back into the car. But we're not-" The front door closed, getting her to jump and look towards it. "Shit, he's back."
	"Language." Henry scolded her. "And what's wrong, Sam?" He asked his wife, who also shared the same disturbed look.
	"I don't think we're safe-" She started to answer, then the sound of something heavy landing outside came from behind the house. Then another in the front, along with a third near the right side. Getting the entire family to get close together as the Tirix started walking in, carrying two bags.
	"Please stop with the lights." He half grunted at the glare. "It makes it difficult for me to see." Slowly, they pointed the flashlights upward like a torch, allowing him to set the food bags on the table. "I should've asked if anyone was a Vegan before purchasing these, but I only thought of it on the way back." The silence made him question them, studying the rather frightened look on their faces, but more so on the women. "Is something wrong?"
	"N-no." Amanda started. "But I think we should go."
	"It would be a bad idea for you to leave right now." The beast said rather calmly. "I see you've all found clothing. No troubles I hope." He replied to the silence. "Sit down and eat." He gestured, almost losing his patience. The males started to, as well as the mother, but Amanda still didn't move. Even after Sam scolded her silently.
	"What are you?"
	"You mean Species?" The Tirix questioned, adjusting his cane in front of him. "I'm not sure. I've never found out the exact term for it. Perhaps a hybrid of some sort, but it hardly matters. Such a thing should never define a person, should it?"
	"And what about... Death?" She asked, attempting to be brave while getting alot of weird, yet frightened looks from the others.
	"I see... Went snooping, did you?" He replied, rather calmly. Feeling the several looks over him, until a loud crash from behind the house broke the silence. Getting the beast to half grunt in irritation before a faint hiss. Along with several loud snaps and sparks before the sounds of a generator-like motor started. Soon after, the lights started to come on in the house. "Excellent. We have power-"
	"What was that?" The younger brother whimpered.
	"Ignore it. Nothing you need to concern yourself with." Another distrustful look from them. "If you must know, Amanda, Yes. I am the Force of Death, but I am not keeping you here against your own will. You may leave at any time, as soon as your car gets unstuck." A bit of a loud smash came from the front, getting Raccel to sigh in annoyance. "Which I apologize if it has a few scratches on it."
	A few moments of silence, and he looked at his pocket watch for a moment. "I'm serious, you are free to leave anytime you want. Clothing, food, anything. I don't mind in the least. But you might not find someone else so kind if you do get stuck-" His ear flickered just before something large tore through the wall. Swinging a massive maul [Hammer] at the grey furred one with insane speed, and knocking him out of the house. Nearly getting Amanda at the end of the swing before chasing the Tirix into the woods.
	Following the well-dressed creature launch into the stormy forest within a blink of an eye, the red dragon half watched the creature that looked almost shaped out of rock chase him down. Granted, not moving from his spot, and just snorting at the idea before muttering. "How tedious."
	"Apparently they'll let anyone initiate a challenge nowadays." The brown one snorted, equally uninterested in the event as Nal was. "Worm is so out of his league, it's not even in the same sport."
	"It's not for us to care what it chooses to do with its existence-" The red one started.
	"Who says I cared to begin with?" Sig grumbled, turning around and slightly hitting his tail on the house wall, startling those inside.
	"He didn't excuse us."
	"Kiss my stones. He asked me for one favor, and I did it. If he wants anything else, the mutt can call." The brown one snorted. "He can even get you to sniff me out." A loud hiss from Nal as he got one back, just before Siggy took off.

	The grey beast crashed through a few trees, breaking them down while trying to slow  the knockback. Eventually skidding to a full stop in a small clearing while releasing a slight uncomposed growl. Brushing off the blow to the chest like a bit of dirt on his suit, his ears flickered a bit in the heavy rain. Getting the Tirix to dodge to the side, as the heavy warrior landed a leaping strike with his maul. Releasing a shockwave that made the rain stop for a moment, then come crashing down all at once.
	As much as he disliked water, be it on his fur or his shaded lens, Raccel just studied the Rock for a few moments as it chuckled rather loudly. "Death, is it? It took a long time to find one of you. I'm assuming you got my invitation."
	The beast exhaled with annoyance as his ears spaded. "Why do I always get the cocky ones?" He muttered to himself. "I'm pretty sure the request came through, something I clearly could no just oversee." A slight glance in the direction of the old house.
	"Such as the effects of delivering it yourself. Leaves quite the impact, wouldn't you say?" The Tirix rolled his eye and took a breath. "Shall we then?"
	"If you really wish to throw your life away in the pursuit of power, then it is not my decision to reject. However, I refuse to step down." The Boulder grinned.
	"Well then, we have a conflict. Just what I was hoping for!" The large one readied his maul. "They call me Wardren."
	"Raccel." The Tirix flicked the cane to the side and it extended to about three times length. Lightly tossing it towards himself and grabbing the midsection of the pole, a very large, scythe-like blade supernaturally shot out of one end. "And I accept your challenge." With that phrase, the Rock slammed into Raccel's weapon, releasing a massive shockwave. Once again causing the rain to stop, and most of the leaves to be ripped from the trees.

	The clashes of their battle easily echoed through the storm and high winds. Even reaching the ears of the family inside the house faintly, especially when there was a heavy hit. Often shaking the ground a bit, or knocking over a few trees. Along with that, a few grunts of the red dragon sitting patiently in the rain, watching the fight from afar. "Fool has no chance."
	"We were all that Fool once, Beo." A grumble from the colder dragon. "Some of us still are." A growl that time.
	"Watch your tongue or it might just fall off."
	"Threaten me all you want, but I know you long to Challenge him again." The larger one growled a bit, but didn't respond. "I'll tell you right now, it would be a mistake."
	"For you to, maybe. I was the closest to actually defeating him." Beo snorted. "He got lucky with one shot-"
	"And that one shot was all he needed." A hiss. "It's not about strength, it's about strategy. Something this wyrmling is about to learn."
	"Or the old furbag might slip." A glare from Nal's light grey eyes. "Even your sight is getting weak." A hiss from the red one. "You might be content with spending whatever years you might have left being his Pet, but I'm not." Beo turned and walked away.
	"Where are you going?"
	"Elsewhere." He snorted. "I can feel their ears staring at me." The green eyes glared at the house for a moment and resumed walking.

	It's a wonder he wasn't deaf by now. Every solid object the maul collided with sent out another wide shockwave, making it rather difficult to move around. And the Tirix admitted, Wardren's attacks were not savage or primal. With every evade, there was an object in close proximity for him to crash against, releasing that shockwave at the expense of a tree or rock. Making it really difficult to get around the rather Offensive Defense. Clever, in a way.
	But Raccel was not out of tricks of his own. Though trying to be on the offense enough, the scythe was not a good weapon to attempt to overpower the sheer force of the Rock's hammer. Taking a few quick slashes from the sides, the beast provoked an overhead swing. But before the attack could land, the furred one caught the head of the maul in the crook of the bladed weapon. Pulling it aside while doing some damage to the neck of the hammer, before getting a deep gash in the Boulder's chest.
	Wardren retreated for a moment, holding the cut in a bit of pain, but nothing for blood was leaking out. Perhaps it wasn't that deep after all, but it did make him angry. Enough to growl, and strike the ground heavily to open a fissure under the Tirix. Though the slam did shake the land quite a bit, Raccel took a slight jump backwards and slipped into a void of darkness. Blinking [Teleporting] on the opposite side of the Rock and going for a heavy swing upon his exit. Barely getting the top of Wardren's helmet off, as well as a bit of his... 'Hair.'
	A few quick upward slashes kept the Rock on his toes, retreating a bit before attempting to counter again. Though it was a foolish idea to attempt such a thing against a heavy weapon, Raccel started a deadlock against him. Pinning both weapons against their own shafts, while avoiding the hammer's head. A reckless idea, for the Tirix was never one to have raw Might, especially verses a species like Wardren's. But with a bit of struggling and lining up his weapon, a second scythe blade ripped out of the bottom of Raccel's staff. Getting the Boulder in the leg and parrying the deadlock soon after.
	With the Tirix's weapon now having the basic shape of an N or a Z [Double Scythe], he was able to get in a barrage of cuts. A minimum of three or four for every evade away from the heavy maul. Not just directly on Wardren's body or armor, but the shaft of his weapon as well. However, it wasn't until another heavy ground slam that the sundering attempts started to become more visible on the maul. Cracking it's handle loudly around the neck of the hammer, and the vibrations of the shockwave only weakened it more.
	With a desperate wild swing across, attempting to end the fight early, the Rock nearly got Raccel in the shoulder. But Blinking into the void for a moment threw the entire attack's weight into an actual boulder, splitting the staff of the heavy weapon to the point of no use. However, just to be sure, the Tirix exited the void from above, and sundered the head off the maul. Leaving Wardren unarmed.
	The living Boulder growled, throwing the broken weapon to the side and slightly covering his deep wounds. "You don't have to go through with this." The wet furred one said calmly, though there was a hint of sadness in his voice. Regardless, Wardren stanced himself. Still ready to fight, and making Raccel sigh while withdrawing one of the large blades in his staff.
	"I don't have a choice." He muttered angrily. "This is my only shot to save my brother!" The Rock took a heavy swing with his fist, then a few other ones. Eventually landing a blow against a nearby tree and still omitting the shockwave. Though it was not as drastically powerful, it did almost daze the Grey one. Nearly leaving him opened for a solid hit. A short Blink sent the Tirix behind Wardren, and hit the Rock heavily in the calf with a sharp swing.
	The gash sent the larger one kneeling, unable to stand on that leg. Then soon felt the very tip of the scythe stick slightly into the side of his neck. Stopping about half an inch, when it could easily decapitate him. For a few moments, the only sound was rain, as neither of them breathed. "...Your brother has already been taken." Raccel said heavily, nearly breaking the Boulder then and there. "There's no more reason for you to fight. Please accept your defeat." The large blade slipped back into the staff, and with a heavy breath, the Grey one walked away.
	Once again, the silence was only broken by the rain. Trying it's hardest to pierce through the trees and soak the grounds with a tropical chill. All the while, the number 248 was placed in the Tirix' mind. Regardless if it was the perfect weather for a defeat, then again... They never seemed to accept such a thing.
	Expecting the projectile to be launched through the thick water, Raccel swatted the airborne rock away with the cane. However, the shockwave caught him by surprise. Not knowing that the living Boulder could attach such a power to something thrown, and getting stunned just long enough for Wardren tackle the furred one into the wet ground. Making him drop the small staff in the process.
	Getting a large hand on Raccel's throat, every hit sent out another stunning wave. Regardless if it hit the Beast or the ground. A few more heavy hits to ensure the daze, and Wardren started to pick up a very close, heavy rock. "I need this power, Force. You understand-" The sharp snaps of water turning into ice got the Rock's attention, seeing several trees nearby covered in large spikes. When he finally made out what they were through the rain, a heavy blast of concussive force sent the two towards the shards.
	Wardren got impaled by several of them, but Raccel was low enough to slam into a large rock. Hearing several dozen trees become leveled before the blue dragon landed. Looking at the two: the Rock still struggling to get himself out of the shard in his chest, and the Grey furred one starting to get up. Beo snorted at Raccel and placed a heavy paw onto the living Boulder, shoving the shard deeper inside. "You lost." The dragon growled, before inhaling the creature's essence out of his body. Then snapping a hold of it with his jaws before ripping the snack out. Leaving Wardren's body still.
	Raccel stared at the larger blue one angrily with his one eye. "You're not supposed to interfere-!"
	"That duel was over, and you know it!" Beo hissed, getting the Tirix to growl. "If you would quit being so damn soft on others then-"
	"I'd be like every other Force-!"
	"You'd still be unscathed! Victorious!" He roared, nearly pausing the rain itself for a moment. "How did someone so weak become Death to begin with?" The dragon snorted, turning about and slapping the frozen trees with his tail. Shattering them before taking off to the storm, and leaving Raccel to take a breath before heading back.

Chapter 4

	The Tirix walked out of the forest. Now no longer staggered by wounds, but still soaking wet from the heavy rain. Still seeing Nal patiently wait for his return outside of the old house, but no sign of the other two. "Where did they go?" Raccel asked, still irked from being drenched.
	"They left, obviously." The red dragon snorted. "You're getting careless."
	"I've heard enough of that from Beo-"
	"Clearly you haven't." Nal growled, getting the two to glare into each other's eyes for a few moments. "How many times must you show Mercy to those willing to throw their lives onto your weapon?"
	"As much as it takes-"
	"And how many times has that nearly gotten you a Defeat?" Almost a roar, overpowering the howling of the harsh winds.
	"So what? You think Beo was right? I should just slaughter everyone that dares point a weapon at me?"
	"Yes." The large one said coldly.
	"Even you?" That time, he remained silent. But still kept his harsh glare into the Tirix' eye. "Things are not as simple as Kill or Be Killed, Nal."
	"Maybe they are, and you just don't want to believe that." The dragon snorted, spreading his wings to take off. "I'll get them back to the Hub. You have an infestation in your home to show Mercy to." And he took off, getting Raccel to exhale in frustration before entering the hole in his dining room.
	He could feel the concerned and frightened looks in the darkness, even though the cold water that layered his clothing. With a faint clear of his throat, Raccel spoke. "Sorry about that."
	"...Are you alright?" The mother asked the question the family was already pondering. After a few moments of studying her with his only good eye, the creature sighed through his muzzle.
	"I'm fine. Just wet from the rain." He faintly looked at the damage to his old home with spaded ears. "I'll, get this fixed immediately. Try to enjoy your meals in the meantime." Raccel dug through the pocket on his chest and pulled out the shaded Monocle. Just now realizing it was cracked, most likely damaged from the fight. "Please watch your step in the meantime. I need to make a call."
	"You have a working phone?" Henry asked.
	"It currently cannot connect to anywhere local with this storm, but it can reach the ears of others." He gazed at their puzzled, yet frightened looks. "It's a long story. Eat for now, and I'll get a fire going soon." And the furred one left the room, almost making the entire family share a look.
	"...We should eat." Sam suggested, getting the rest to nod after a bit. At least the table wasn't damaged, but the food was getting cold. As much as they wanted to discuss what they were to do or how to escape, odds are the creature would've heard them. Regardless, the tension in the air spoke words of anxiety to him, even if he was a room away.
	All at once, the debris and wreckage began to move on its own. Quickly piecing everything back together and sealing the holes like nothing happened. Even whatever was broken behind the home, near what almost sounded like a strange generator, was even fixed. Getting the entire family to freeze in place as the entire dining room went dark.
	A few pawsteps of the Tirix, and a flick of a switch turned on the dim lights overhead. Something else that seemed so drastically outdated, yet it was still light for them to see. He observed the wall for a moment, nodding, while wiping the water off the shaded monocle that no longer had a split. "She does work fast, at least." He commented a bit quietly. "I'm sure you have alot of questions, but I'm afraid I must attend a meeting first."
	"Should we be worried about those...?" Amanda asked, slightly gesturing outside where the larger voices were coming from.
	"No. Odds are you probably will not encounter them again." Raccel took out the pocket watch and observed it. "In the case of event you do come in contact with them, just pretend you are not impressed or afraid of them. Such things might make them feel insulted, perhaps a bit angry, but gocking at them is more likely to provoke them. Such are the ways of dragons."
	"Dragons?" Evans, the younger one questioned rather excitingly.
	"You have been staring at me for a good total of seven minutes, and you are surprised that dragons exist?" The grey one chuckled rather heartily. "Henry, do you know how to start a fire?"
	"Yes, sir."
	"Then feel free to do so. The flu is still in good shape and recently cleaned." He closed the watch and placed it back into his pocket. "This will be the last of my events today. Then I will answer any questions you may have about me and my motives, Amanda. If you wish to take your chances in the storm, feel free to. But you are safe here."
	"What about that thing that attacked you?" Adam asked with his mouth half full, getting a faint slap from his mother.
	"He was after me, and me alone. No other should have any reason to appear here." With no more responses, the Tirix started to make his way out. But stopped in the hallway for a moment. "Just keep in mind that some things are better off not knowing. Ignorance is Bliss, after all."

	The long hallway was rather bright and spacious. Reflecting every little movement on the floor, as if there were a separate dimension below the Tirix' footwear. Mimicking his every movement, along with everything else. Coming to a large black set of doors, the structure still astonished him after all these years. A building in the shape of an old lantern, made entirely out of a crystal-like rock, planted in the middle of space. Nothingness, not even a single piece of evidence that perhaps there was a planet around this never moving object.
	The thing was beyond Ancient. Older than any of the Forces could comprehend. Stories told of it being a home to the Counterweight that once existed in this universe, that is if one even existed in the first place. Since then, it's been a neutral place for the Forces to meet up and perhaps stay if they needed some time to recover. Whereas no other creature seemed to be able to enter its doors.
	Because of such, the dragons had to wait outside. Though, it was oddly designed for spectators as well. Being able to perch themselves above in almost a landing zone, and view the meetings through clear windows. That is, if they were ever interested in the first place. The politics of others never seemed to intrigue them, but Raccel wanted the three nearby just in case.
	As the door opened and the grey furred one entered, he was greeted faintly from the other two. One, a female serpent with an overdone sense of fashion, and the other a male Iguana. Rather colorful in a series of tattooed stripes, along with many golden accessories. "You're late." The male muttered, barely looking off the old tome in his lap.
	"Raccel was challenged earlier, I told you that."
	"Well, I barely pay any attention to the garbage that comes off that tongue of yours, so."
	"I see Ekaballus is in one of his moods again." The Tirix muttered, taking a seat and looking upward to meet the red dragon in the eyes. Though the icicle mane of the blue one's tail could barely be seen, the other two were not looking.
	"Doogan, dearie. Why do you have vermin in your home?" She asked Raccel, though looking towards Ekaballus for a reaction.
	"Don't care." He replied, not looking from the old book and feeling the gaze.
	"It's a long story. But thank you for your assistance."
	"It's what I do, dear. We've all had those challengers who like to make a grand entrance." The serpent said, walking behind the furred one's chair and almost studying his body with her hands. "That's just another favor you owe me. But what I can't understand is why you would waste it on something so tedious. Instead of something useful, like fixing that eye of yours-"
	"-No." The tirix said rather quickly, almost jumping out of the seat. Instead, just keeping her soft paws away from the wounded eye while clearing his throat. "No, it's fine where it is, Levian." She gave a soft smile that was almost devious, growing a bit slyer when the Iguana groaned at them.
	"Can we please get this over with? I have somewhere I need to be." Half ignoring him, the serpent shook her head. Still staring at the grey one and giving a long pet under his chin while returning to her seat. Closing the tome, the lizard looked at Raccel. "First thing I want to discuss is the disappearance of an entire city recently..."

	Sig'eaal groaned out of boredom, flicking a claw at an Ion Storm in the far distance and manipulating the lightning within it. "Why. Are we even. Here." He grumbled, it barely being a question to begin with.
	"Because he wants us to be."
	"That's a poor answer, Nalchulus." The blue one grumbled, equally bored. "Then again, you enjoy being his shepherd, don't you?" The red dragon hissed at him.
	"You two should have more respect for him-"
	"Why? Because he starves us and plans to make us old as you?" Siggy got a hiss that time.
	"The hatchling does have a point." Beo grumbled. "Every decade I find myself getting thinner. Soon we'll both be as scrawny-" A hiss before the dragon could finish.
	"Shut up, meatstick."
	"You have nothing to worry about, Beo'Kros. It'll be eons before your that physically unhealthy." The brown one hissed at Nal.
	"Considering you're not there yet, I do have a long ways to go." A growl from the red one. "Or, things just might change soon. The old dog just might expire."
	"The hell are you talking about?" Siggy asked, barely glancing at the blue dragon. Then noticed him staring at the red one. "What the hell is he talking about?"
	"Rumors, I'm sure." Nal snorted.
	"Your little secret meetings are not so secret, fossil." A grumble from the red one. "Raccel doesn't have too many Challenges left."
	"Why, did something happen after I left? Is the old furbag crippled?"
	"Do you want the honors of telling the hatchling the truth?" Though he wanted to hiss at the blue one for the insult, Sig'eaal was just too damn curious to let out more than a grumble. As Nal stared at the Green eyes with his cold grey ones, he remained silent. "No Force has ever gone past Challenge 250."
	The skinny one snorted. "So?"
	"That last one was 'Victory' 248." The yellow eyes studied Beo. "He's got one victory left, then he will lose. According to history, that is."
	"Please, coincidence if I've ever heard any-"
	"That's always happened on the 250th challenge. To the last one thousand recorded Forces." Another moment of study, then Siggy looked at Nalchulus. Still giving the larger dragon a cold stare.
	"Is that even true?" Nal didn't answer, but released his gaze. Looking down at the meeting below again.
	"Of course, he just might slip number 249. Either way, once he does, the next Force of Death will be very short lived." Beo smirked deviously, resting his head again.
	"And perhaps the one after that as well." It got the blue one's attention and a growl.
	"Is that a threat?" A faint grumble and a snort from Nal, but no other response. "Just don't die of old age before our Challenge is up. It'll be a hollow victory." That time, the red one glared at him.
	"Whatever, if you two want to fight to the death to be the next Force, go for it." The brown one yawned.
	"Coward." Siggy hissed at Beo.
	"Hardly. I would just die of boredom during the first meeting of this. Besides, after hanging around with you three, this Force stuff is horribly tedious. You two want power so badly? Fight to the death. Soon as the dog croaks, last you'll be seeing of me is the backside of my tail."
	"Tucked between your legs, I'm sure." The brown one hissed at Nal. "He does more for us and this universe than you know-"
	"That we care to know." The blue one grumbled.
	"And you want to take hold of that responsibility? To keep together a universe that's falling apart?"
	"It's better than doing errands for him."
	"The runt has a point." A faint growl, making the red one just sigh through his muzzle.
	"You two just don't realize how good you have it right now. And how things could be so much worse-Have been so much worse-"
	"You would know, wouldn't you?" A hiss from Nal at the brown one.
	"It's a wonder he would be able to remember so long ago." A frustrated growl.
	"Spray your bile all you want. If Raccel had the choice to pass on the torch, it would be to me-"
	"No, he would pass it to himself. The universe would be falling apart around us if you were in charge-" A hiss at Beo.
	"Better than letting it decay and fall into darkness! Making everyone, including other Forces be afraid of Death-"
	"You saying they shouldn't be!?" The blue one roared back. "At least I would act like a damn Force! Not to be stepped on by insects and livestock! What good does it seriously do you to pity the life you step on every day!? It's a waste of time!" After a long silence, Beo snorted.
	"...And that's why he wouldn't choose you."
	"Ooo, Ooo. Do me next." Siggy said so lackadaisically, it hurt. Getting the other two to stare at him for a moment, unimpressed. "That's okay, take your time." He grumble, flopping his head on the floor.

Chapter 5

	The loud crash of thunder nearby made his scales click, almost in excitement as he awoke from his slumber. Purring loudly at the sound of another rumble, as it echoed across the land. It was one of the rare things in this universe that made him smile to this day, as he stretched his thin limbs and wings. Getting his long, unusually thick tail to flutter a little bit before slapping some old treasures.
	It was the cool tropical air of the storm that made him long to go outside and tend to his parched throat. Not that he really needed to any longer, but it was more of a comfort thing rather than an obligation now. Still getting a few kinks out of his brown scaled body, Sig'eaal made his way outside of the cave. Adoring the air and warm breeze he was greeted with, and once again, the dragon smiled.
	Gazing at the dark clouds that covered the lushful green forests, ones that spread past and up mountains from afar. Until it got to an old wall in the distance, making him snort at the memory of what idiots would possibly build on his territory. Staining such a gorgeous view with a pathetic structure. He did what he could against it, as well as prove once again how inferior such creatures were to his magnificence, but the stubborn wall remained solid. Once in a while, he would fly and assault the structure when he needed to expel some wrath, but the damn thing would just take it.
	Another loud thunder relieved him of irkful memories. Once again sending that chill down his back and making him moan rather loudly. Ending with a purr that echoed behind the vibrant sound. Sig'eaal loved it so. The only friend he's ever really had visited this area quite often, actually. For most that could not deal with the heavy rain, the harsh bolts, and the unforgiving winds, this place was hardly suited for a habitat. But not for him; it was perfection. Nearly loving the area more than himself, but it was a close second.
	Taking off, he let the winds of darkness guide him. Faintly feeling the sprinkle of rain as another crash of thunder nearly split the skies in two. Such a sound took him back to the days he was a lone hatchling. Being hunted down as a runt and bullied by those who were supposed to care for him. Such hatred filled his small heart, but the storm... It was the storm that saved him. Scaring off predators and sending the wyrmlings fleeing, nearly pissing themselves.
	It was the only thing Siggy felt protected by. Even embracing the harshness that the larger storms brought. Be it knocking down their rock homes with high winds, flooding their caves with water, along with their possessions. Or even striking those who wronged the brown dragon, the Storm was there. Almost punishing those who dared lashed out at its child. And in that acceptance, Siggy was gifted the power of the storm.
	He devoured the Monsoon towards the end, which only enhanced that power. Then used it to lash out against others. Though, relying on such things meant his physical body was left behind, it was his Thunder that struck fear into those below him. Others may have had size, but it was Sig'eaal's focus and sheer force that threw them down to a grovel. Overpowering dragons nearly twice his size and getting them to beg for survival.
	It was then Siggy knew he was a God. When he appeared before lesser creatures, they offered him Tears. When he destroyed their homes, they offered Penance. And when he brought death to their families, they offered Sacrifices. Prideful, Sig'eaal was. Becoming a force of Nature much like his real Guardian. But eventually he found someone else, the Force of Death.
	Gliding past a large town, the dragon hissed loudly. Spraying a few jolts of sparks throughout the town, and doing minor damage to some of the buildings. Loving the yelps and whimpers they made within their homes, completely frightened by both the storm, and what they believed to be the cause of it. Rotating in the air and banking to the side quickly, the brown dragon took off. Still being able to see the damages to the land from that harsh battle with that furbag.
	It was the hardest scrap he was ever in. Even with the aerial and weather advantage, that Tirix was the very first thing to overpower him since he was a Hatchling. He never hated a creature more than that damn mutt, and though Siggy was not proud of it, he nearly cried at it in frustration. About how unfair it all was, how surreal. How such a pathetic being could be so fast, so durable. His first encounter with an Outsider was what ended Sig'eaal's trend of victories.
	It was then that he seen Raccel, though actually smaller in size, was even larger in spirit. Somehow showing mercy to the small, bullied wyrmling that only grew physically. Instead of claiming the dragon's life, he gave Siggy the option to live. Become something greater, but be under Death's hand.
	A loud snort as a heavy thunder passed over him, making brown dragon roar after it in pride. It was hard to tell if accepting such a thing was for the better. Perhaps he could've convinced that dog thing to just let the dragon live. But the thought of always knowing that something out there was stronger would forever drive the brown one mad. Even then, he would still have to fight others to get to that spot, then fight more to remain Top Dragon.
	Landing on the other side of that old wall, Siggy slapped it heavily with his tail. Hearing a few pieces move and crack around it. Perhaps being a Force isn't all that it's cracked up to be, he thought to himself. Raccel was always busy doing something, attending to something so drastically boring that it irked Siggy to always tag along. He couldn't imagine having to go through such things and actually have to participate. All the dragon wanted was Power, Status. To remain free, unowned by anyone or anything.
	Flopping up against the old wall, Siggy snorted. Sure, he knew that as soon as that furbag kicked the bucket, the dragon was free. Regardless of who took the place of Death. However, if it was either Beo or Nal... Odds are they would hunt down the brown one. Perhaps bully or humiliate him to submit and maybe even toy with the runt like they used to. Either live with humility or die in the hands of one of them. It was a tough decision to make, even in theory.
	However, Raccel never made him feel that way. Yes, the stupid request of charging a generator so those damn insects could have some lighting was tedious and annoying. But it never put the dragon into a position of humility. The mutt never demanded that Siggy would have to put on a show for them, do a few tricks for the furbag and balance a biscuit on his brown muzzle until commanded to eat it.
	Snorting loudly at the thought, he did lick the space between his nostrils, and suddenly have the craving for biscuits. But first; water. Taking off again to a nearby river in the cold air still made him think. Perhaps maybe it was better off for him that Raccel remained the Force of Death. As much as he would hate to agree with the walking, rotting set of scales, Nal perhaps had a point. Maybe the cat-dog-thing does more for the universe than anyone knew. Maybe he did more for Siggy than he knew.
	After a healthy drink of some cool water, the dragon sighed. Half grumbling. Perhaps he could figure out a way around this so things remain the same. But first, he needed to find someone in a city. For their God required, of all things, Biscuits.

	The storm still raged against the old home, though it was dying down. Still seeing the SUV poorly parked in the washed out driveway told the Tirix that the family decided to stay inside. Most likely for the night. The better decision indeed, or else the extra meals he just bought would've gone to waste.
	He opened the old doors and hear the casual chatter in the living room come to a silent stop. Raccel didn't expect them to be trusting, regardless of his manners as a Host. They were just frightened, as anything or nearly anyone would be if they came to Death's doorstep. A feeling the Grey one himself was familiar with.
	The generator was still running well. Though a few of the old lightbulbs have already expired, there was still enough to see well. He supposed asking the serpent to 'Fix his House', she just assumed to repair the damage the living Rock made. Instead of any of the other problems the old structure had. Perhaps it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, the atmosphere of the home made it just that: Home.
	Raccel expected the stares as he entered the room. Seeing the bags in his arms, Sam got up to help him with them. Giving his thanks to her aid as the mother set them on the table in the next room. Taking a seat in the Living Room, overlooking the many objects and trophies displayed while a warm fire snapped loudly, the Tirix sighed. Waiting for Sam's return before starting. "What have you decided?"
	"On asking, right?" Adam asked. Getting the grey furred one to nod casually, and the rest of the family to study each other. "Are there any rules?"
	"None but the consequence of knowing. I'm going to assume you've already either discussed or thought through that." He replied, as if he's done this several times.
	As everyone looked at who would go first, until the younger son spoke up. "Do you go out like that during Halloween, or do you-?"
	"Evans!" His parents scolded, rather surprised at the chuckle the Tirix let out.
	"You're not the first person to ask me that." He gave a sad smile. "The only time I attended that Holiday of yours, I did not actually dress up. It was a really difficult to find a costume that didn't look like... A creature trying to pass off as something else." They gave off a nervous smile as he gestured for the next one. Getting Amanda to clear her throat.
	"You called yourself... Something Death?"
	"The Force of Death, yes."
	"What does that mean exactly?" She tried to almost sternly say, as the Tirix inhaled.
	"I'm the one who deals with the afterlife and necessities when it comes to the end of Life. Your typical Grim Reaper of leading those who decease to different destinations, but it goes much deeper than that."
	"And you got this... Position, how?" The tone got the young woman a scolding look from her parents.
	"It was considered a Gift, when the last Force of Death retired."
	"The last one? The one who wrote that letter?" A puzzled look from Raccel, as if to question which letter. "The one on the desk upstairs."
	"I know of the letter you are talking about, but that was hidden rather well."
	"It was just lying on the desktop when we found it." Sam added, getting a strange look from his orange eye, then it started to stare into space a bit.
	"You didn't leave it out?"
	"I did not. I've read that letter enough to recite it word for word. But thank you for admitting that. It's something I'll look into tomorrow." After a sigh, he gestured for the next question.
	"What's the meaning of life?" Adam asked, almost getting an eyeroll from the other siblings. "What? Someone had to ask it. And it's better than your stupid Halloween question." Another scolding from the parents, but the Tirix thought nothing of it. Far from the worst children or teenagers he's been around.
	"There's no such thing as a stupid question." Raccel lightly smirked. "And this is one I actually do get asked a lot. The answer is as simple as it is complex: the meaning of Life, Existence itself, is to Change it."
	"Change it?"
	"I wish I could say For The Better, but that's not always the case. Whereas some might disagree which is morally or logically the best decision." Their faces were painted with both understanding, yet unsettledness. "You were expecting an answer like Love?"
	"A little bit." Sam admitted.
	"It doesn't mean that Love cannot be the answer or cause of Change." A little bit of odd silence was broken by harsh winds. Getting everyone to look towards the outside for a moment.
	Henry spoke up. "What was that thing that crashed through...?" A faint grunt from the creature, as he took a breath.
	"That was a species known as Gravinock. They look like golems, a mix of flesh and rock for a body."
	"But why did it attack you?" The mother asked.
	"The way... Positioning of Forces work in this universe is, you can challenge a Force in a fight to the death for its power and Position. Some are just... Less settle about initiating the Challenge."
	"And that's why it blew you through a wall?" The Tirix casually nodded at Evans. "Then that means..."
	"He lost." The room got a little cold. "It understood the consequences of the duel, and Wardren... Accepted them." There was a dark silence over the room, as Raccel took a breath. "I didn't write the rules. I only play by them." Another faint silence, and he gestured a paw.
	"...What about the Dragons?"

Chapter 6

	The brown lands were silent. Desolate. Completely lost of life, besides the red one attempting to remain in his slumber. Only the sound of a small waterfall and the faint clash of a few rocks colliding occupied the still air. A cursed land, it was claimed long ago. As much of the land here was in fractions, they defied gravity with every movement. Floating around endlessly, unable to fully root itself with the rest of the large courtyard.
	It was hardly the same kingdom anymore, despite what the ancient ruins still remembered. Clinging to the old, dried rock as if trying to hold onto a distant memory. Completely in denial of its own demise thousands of years ago. Regardless if it's walls were now unstained with their blood, such a thing could only last so long before dissipating into nothingness.
	But perhaps that's why the dragon remained here. He knew it was no longer his kingdom anymore, regardless how often vermin and insects attempted to convince him otherwise. Usually with cold steel and weaponry. No, he liked this area because of how desolate it was. Distorting and unnatural. The rules of the Forces had a hard time playing a role here. And that lead to a land without age.
	Sighing, the red one pushed his limp body up. Almost feeling his old scales crinkle along with his bones. At least here he didn't feel the pain much. Making his way towards a pool of water, filled by an endless waterfall that seemed to come out of nowhere. Filling a pond that was never full, nor empty. Just non-existent.
	After a few laps of cool water, faintly poisoned with the taste of aged ashes, the ripples in the liquid quickly evened out. Displaying a red dragon that must've been twenty thousand years old by now. The scales around his muzzle were mostly grey, with a faint red tint to them. Hardly recognizable that they were the same person, whereas now Nalchulus looked younger. Still old, yes, but this place made him young.
	Granted, the 'Nature' of such a thing was unknown. It was aging him backwards very slowly, but there was no telling what exactly it would do. How long it would possibly last. And what would happen if this land lost its mystery? It's magic? Would he become that ancient wyrm that stared back at him through every reflection? Or would Nal just simply turn into dust? Perhaps ashes?
	It made him a mix of both sad and angry, swatting the water with a paw while turning about. Then slamming against it with his tail. The only person who ever knew of it was that Mutt, and they've both done well to keep it hidden from everyone. Granted, it didn't help that those two bastards found the old dragon's weakness, and often struck that wound with their tongues.
	Flopping back to the only patch of dead grass left, his aching body stunned him. Getting Nal to grunt and endure it again. His gaze almost floated to the remains of the castle gate, still recalling when he was young enough to walk through it. Barely remembering the town beyond that was still frightened of him. Ever since the day he stepped inside proudly.
	He snorted, cursing his younger self for its youth. Such a brash tactic was indeed bold, yet foolish. Only dumb luck that such a thing worked, only because the kingdom's main army was fighting against some other threat. All the young red dragon had to do was walk through the gates without a single hiss or roar. Climb on top of the castle with a flat roof, and claim it. In one single moment the dragon had nothing, then had thousands of acres of land. A heafty amount of treasure, and hundreds of servants. Willing or not.
	Of course such a thing wasn't to be accepted overnight. And what really made such a foolish risk succeed was the fact that the kingdom's army lost that battle. Upon retreating, they didn't have the men to fight off a dragon. But Nal wasn't threatening the kingdom, nor its leader. He wasn't punishing those who lived within the land, even if they chose not to follow his orders. However, it was the kingdom's enemy that really won their trust for the dragon. For Nalchulus fought the invaders, and drove them to retreat.
	Oh, what a force of nature he used to be. Silently damning such envious youth once again, longing for that power once more for his own. But to be clear, Nal was not fighting for the people or their land. He fought for Himself and His land. It took them decades for them to discover that... Then attempt to fight back.
	Every century held dozens of wars against the Red one, battles he never took to the enemies. After a while, the land he claimed fell to the taint of war, but he was too stubborn to leave it. With all the pain and anguish concentrated into one area, the land started to morph. Mutate into what they called a cursed land. Regardless if it was cursed or not, it was still Nalchulus' home. And it still is.
	Granted, the dragon was still aging. And when he nearly lost a battle, he got scared. Desiring more power, immortality. To be young again and back in his Prime. With no interest in claiming or ridding the dragon of such a desolate place any longer, he was free to search for such power. Which only lead him towards that Tirix with one eye...
	They fought, yes, for what seemed like days. If he attempted to fight such a creature when Nal was younger, perhaps he would've won. But after the two took a serious beating, both covered in many gashes and burns, it was basically over. Regardless, the dragon foolishly tried to remain fighting.
	Standing up only ripped apart the scales on his side, letting out more of the precious warmth and making him shakily fall to the ground again. His wings were both broken, endless amount of the membranes torn like an old warflag. His tail severed, and was still seen in the background laying limp. Horns chipped and broken off in several places, and claws, along with a few fingers, were still missing. He was finished, but refused to accept it.
	Though Raccel had his fair share of painful wounds, Nal wasn't able to focus on them. With a single ear still functioning, he made out the sharp scrape that the grey one's odd staff made. Hearing the creature slightly stagger towards the dragon, he knew the end was coming. With no means to defend himself, even the glands that created his breath weapon were punctured, Nal still tried to get up. Feeling a paw between his nostrils, it was like time stood still in the old ruins around them. "...You're done..." The Tirix said sadly, but the red one couldn't argue.
	For those few minutes, he thought Raccel had raptured him. No pain was felt through his body, and he felt like before they even started fighting. Making him slowly open his grey eyes and look at the smaller one's orange iris. Still noticing all the wounds over his furred body, while the dragon's was completely healed. Not even seeing his tail in the background.
	Nal stared at him in silence, not getting his hopes up and almost preparing for a ruse. When Raccel let go and staggered to sit down on a nearby rock, the dragon spoke up. "...Why?"
	"Because I'm tired of it." He replied sadly, tending to his own wounds in the same manor. "I'm tired of taking people who just throw their lives at me... I want it to stop."
	"You can't make it stop." The red one growled, getting up. "It's their lives and their choices. If they want to throw it away for an attempt of power, then you can't deny that-"
	"But you can." Nal slowly curled his neck. "You've got to be the most difficult fight I've ever had... Why struggle so hard?" No response. "Who did you lose?"
	"No one." The dragon snorted rather quickly.
	"Then why Death?" Nal didn't know how to answer the creature. Not wanting to admit that he was terrified of growing old and weak. "...Just accept your loss, and go home. Please."
	"And if I have nowhere to go?" The two stared at each other for a long time.
	"...What would you have done if you won?" To this day, Nalchulus still didn't know. Perhaps keep himself forever young. But the Tirix eventually explained how difficult it was to do, let alone the strain it put on the body. Something to do with how this universe functioned when it comes to Time and Age. As a Force, you can halt your current age, but it's difficult to make yourself actually younger. Those like the Serpent were lucky enough to obtain the title of Force rather young, therefore keeping her youthful self.
	It was a harsh thing to hear, knowing Nal would be forever doomed to just age. However, Raccel said he could try some experiments on the dragon if he was willing. Old ones that the mutt found in tomes left behind from his master. One of the results of such things was this place. Allowing the old one to very slowly regain his youth.
	But the dragon did also lose the duel with Death, and there needed to be a punishment of some sort to that. Instead of claiming the challenger's life, Nal became owned by the Force. A servant to Death, only freed when Dismissed, when the Force dies or retires, or when it finally claims the dragon's life. The other Forces were not fond of such a decision from Raccel, but there was no rule against it.
	He didn't enjoy being Owned by something else, but it was worth his while. Let alone a better choice than dying, regardless of how humiliating it could be. After a long time of it, that humiliation faded. It was still embarrassing, yes, but it came to him like it was Truism. Much like the very thing he despised to begin with: Aging.
	A heavy exhale left his throat as he flicked an old, tattered ear. Hearing the pawsteps of the very creature he was enslaved to and a greeting it with a faint snort. "Finally done with your interrogations?" The large one grumbled, not hearing a response. "Why do you even insist on letting them question your actions or wellbeing? Not like it's going to help you any."
	"You'd be surprised sometimes, Nal." The dragon growled at the response, but left it. Hearing the Tirix exhale while looking at his home.
	"...What." The red one grumbled, not bothering to look at him.
	"...Something's wrong."
	"There's a lot wrong with many things. You being a Force, for example, eludes any form of logic that ever existed. Let alone any that would possibly exist." Nal snorted, still not getting a response from the canine got him to grumble and finally look at him. seeing the rather serious look in his only good eye, staring into space. "...What is it?"

	It irked him to no end. Even with a full-ish belly, he still couldn't sleep. Even after adjusting the massive treasures that made his bed, cooled the temperature of the old cave, and stretched out the kinks of his thick body, he still remained restless. Making him want to take it out on some lesser creatures miles away. Perhaps even some livestock or animals in the forest. Suddenly create a blizzard in the middle of the autumn and watch as they panic while they begin to freeze to death.
	Granted, he would have to fly for a bit. Then again, a good flight didn't sound like a bad idea. Perhaps just what he needed to get his mind to stop racing. Constantly trying to figure out what good that Mutt is doing, was doing for all these years as a Force. And what that old sack of scales was hiding from the blue one.
	He would deny that the furbag was anything but right, at least to their faces. It was very possible that Raccel actually did something else for 'A Universe That's Falling Apart'. It was obvious that Nal knew the dog alot more than any others. Beo was the second Pet of the furred one to join, but the two hardly talked or knew each other.
	He often wondered if Raccel actually still Feared Beo'Kros. Perhaps avoided him at nearly all costs. The more the dragon thought about it, the more it started to make sense. The furred one would always send Nal or Siggy to retrieve Beo. He's never been inside the blue one's residence. Never casually talked, rarely asked for a favor unless it would cripple one of the other two. Granted, these were never bad things to him. Except for the visits of the other dragons.
	Speaking of visits, his white ear flicked. Picking up something rather small wandering into his cave. Wanting to growl and roar at it, watch the foolish critter or thief scamper away in fright. But perhaps instead, he could have some fun with it. Perhaps even sneak in another snack.
	He watched the shadow from afar, as it tried to scan the darkness and piles of treasures. Leaning over one of them to examine something that might've caught its eye, and now was the perfect chance. A heavy concussive wave shot the creature back, along with a bit of Beo's wealth. Then quickly freezing the vermin to the wall before nailing several large spikes of ice into the cave wall. Barely missing the creature's head between them and getting the dragon to examine the intruder closely. "I should really invest in a Door of some sort." Beo growled while overlooking the lizard. "I hate having guests."
	"The entrance to your cave says otherwise, with its wide path down the mountain." He coughed, getting winded from the blow, but trying not to show fear of the blue one. "We haven't actually met yet, face to face. I'm Ekaballus-"
	"And?" The larger one snorted, unimpressed.
	"The Force of Fate-" Beo let out an annoyed growl while tossing his snout. Even getting the Iguana to get irked at the dragon's disrespect. "I suppose I shouldn't have expected manners from someone so primitive to begin with-" A heavy paw shattered the ice snaring Eka, getting him to feel the full force of the slam before falling to the ground. Grunting in annoyance, he started to get up, only to get slammed heavily towards the exit. Getting stopped by an improvised wall of ice and knocking the wind out of him again.
	A few heavy breaths, and the lizard coughed. "You don't hold back, do you-?" A concussional slam made him skid out the cave entrance, nearly falling off the large landing zone to the dead drop down the large mountain. Climbing up the edge and seeing Beo casually walk out of his cave. "Okay-okay. Wait. Just hear me out!" The green eyes of the dragon stared at him. "I've come to warn you about Raccel-!"
	"Perhaps you missed the point about me caring." Beo snorted, looking off to the side of his home. "Maybe I should make a sign. Perhaps several so visitors stop assuming things about me, and stop Existing in the first place." A quick raise of his paw, palm up, and Eka tried to deny the dragon of its attack. Only to have nothing happen for a few moments, and the large one to look at him in question.
	"Whatever you're doing... Don't-" The Iguana tried to say, only to be shot forward towards Beo, then slammed into the rocky ground in the center of his landing zone. Getting him to cough a bit. "I'm trying to-" Four consecutive blasts crushed the lizard into the ground, forcing him to spit out some blood. "S... Stop...!"
	"How did our Forces get so Pathetic?" The dragon laid down, almost towering over Ekaballus, as he slammed him down a few more times. "Honestly, I'm questioning whether or not to go after Fate or Reality instead of Death, if it's going to be this easy."
	"You can't... Challenge me...!" The Iguana coughed, finally able to speak again. "Not as a Servant of Death!"
	"Who said anything about me currently Challenging you? I'm just ridding my home of a pest, is all." The large one snorted. "Besides, the dog will fail a Challenge very soon. So you have time to worry about your current position. Or should I say... Existence."
	"And if he decides to take out Reality instead?" A noise in question from the dragon. "His Challenges will renew...!"
	"You cannot be the Force of Reality and Death. It's in your rules-"
	"He doesn't have to be! He can pass Death, and become Reality!" Eka hissed at him, getting the blue dragon to stare at him for a few moments. "It's what I came to warn you about! Maybe you can talk some sense into him-"
	"Then you came to the wrong dragon when it comes to foolish chit-chat."
	"But not the wrong one when it comes to beating some sense into others." Another cough, as the lizard was finally able to get up. "The red one is probably in on this plan. And that scrawny one doesn't have the means to convince him. But you..."
	"I heard that." The brown dragon landed, snorting and getting the blue one to grunt. "What the hell are you talking to him about?"
	"Nothing. He was just delivering a pointless message." Ekaballus made a noise in question at Beo's remark, just before getting blown backwards. Flying off the mountain and into the forests far below. "What are you here for?" The larger dragon growled.
	"Just wanted to talk." A very frustrated growl from the more built one as he tossed his snout. "And you're in the mood to hear me out, like always." The two snorted at each other as Beo turned towards his cave.
	"Of course, but this one will have to wait. Possibly until forever." The blue one grumbled. "I got more important things to do-"
	"Like hibernate, I'm sure."
	"Exactly. Perhaps you're finally beginning to understand that everything I decide to do is more important than your need to gnaw on someone's ear. Didn't you have a wall you used to talk to?"
	"Besides you?" A growl from the larger one. "I had a wall to beat on, not-"
	"Which I'm assuming won every battle thus far-" A hiss from Siggy.
	"What you said about Fleabag's challenges... Were they true?" Beo stopped at his cave entrance for a moment then turned around towards the brown dragon. Getting almost in his personal space, as if trying to intimidate him.
	"So what if they were? You don't want the powers of a Force anyway-"
	"And I still don't." Sig'eaal hissed, taking a step back from the ice dragon. "But it's possible that what Nal said is true. About Raccel doing more for-"
	"It's also possible that he's beyond senile-"
	"Something I don't doubt, but... That might not make him wrong." The glare from those green eyes didn't ease up. "Look, all I'm saying is... I don't think we've ever had it any better than we do now-"
	"Are you joking?" The larger one grumbled.
	"-No. I'm not." A snort from Beo. "I know you don't like being a Pet-neither do I. I honestly can't say for the fossil, but if something happens to Raccel, we might lose what we already have." The brown one looked off into the distance, trying not to give in and shutter his scales from the cold stare. "We might even lose ourselves-"
	"Speak for yourself-"
	"We Lost, Beo'Kros." A hiss from the icy one as Siggy hissed back. "You really think the next Force of Death is going to overlook that? You really believe that you can seriously struggle against sheer existence? If so, for how long!?" The blue one growled at him, but didn't respond otherwise. "If we can control this, maybe we can finally break that 250 limit."
	"And how exactly do you expect to do that?" A smirk from the brown one got Beo to irkfully exhale. "And I regret asking-"
	"If we each Challenge him again then throw the fight, he'll break past that limit-"
	"We can't Challenge him again, it's in the rules." The Ice dragon snorted.
	"Maybe not as Sig'eaal or Beo'Kros, but there's nothing written about Challenging as a different persona. Say, Siglint, and... Mr. Muscles?" A very angry, yet blank stare from the larger one. Eventually Siggy snorted at him. "Or whatever you want to call yourself, I don't care. My point is, we're uniquely positioned to do this." The blue dragon sighed through his muzzle as he looked off into the distance for a long time. Leaving the scrawny one to almost regret asking.
	"...Fine." Beo replied, a bit optimistically. Getting the brown one to double take.
	"R-really? You serious?"
	"Yes." He looked into the smaller one's yellow eyes. "Run the idea by him again. Granted, you're getting your tail handed to you first. I want to be able to see it." Siggy tossed his snout at him.
	"Whatever. Just don't oversleep for your fight." The brown one snorted, taking off to the skies. Getting Beo to deviously smile as he returned to his cave.
	"Believe me, I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Chapter 7

	"You..." The Tirix took a very heavy breath while pressing his paw into his own eyes, trying to relieve stress. "You... Assaulted the Force of Fate!?" The blue scaled one tossed his snout, ending in a glare at Siggy desperately trying to hold in his laughter. "...WHY!?"
	"The worm was trespassing." Beo snorted, still not releasing his glare at the brown one. "And unlike you, if something attempts to infest my home, I Take Care Of It." He and Raccel glared at each other for several moments.
	"You realize that you put me in a difficult position-"
	"Hardly." The blue one growled. "And if you laugh, I will hit your stones so hard they end up behind your eyes!" Sig'eaal desperately grasped his own muzzle, yet the smirk and a series of high pitched giggles leaked out.
	"He'll probably want you to be put down."
	"Then tell him to do it himself!" Beo growled. "Last I checked, it was Survival of the Most Powerful. If he cannot fight against me, why should he force you to instead?"
	"Because you're my responsibility!"
	"But not for very much longer, right?" The largest one snorted, getting a look in question from the Tirix. "He said you were going to topple Reality after passing Death to the fossil." Even Siggy looked at him in surprise. "And wanted me to beat some sense into you. That's when the stick here interrupted our conversation."
	The brown one looked back and forth between them during the silence. "Is that true? Are you going after Reality?"
	"No. But why would he make that conclusion?"
	"I think the real question is, why come to Beo for help?" A glare from the green eyes, and the scrawny one snorted at him. "It's an honest question. You're far from the most eager to help."
	"Fair point."
	"Besides, means my plan would've been useless." An odd look at Siggy, as the dragon double taked at Raccel.
	"What plan?" He asked rather thickly. Seeing the two dragons share a look.
	"We know about the Challenge limit." Beo grumbled. "I overheard you talking about it with Nalchulus." The furred one sighed, looking away.
	"I came up with an idea that if the two of us challenged you and then threw the fight-"
	"It wouldn't work." The Tirix muttered.
	"But if we were in different personas. It says nothing in the rules about-"
	"It. Won't. Work." Another thick statement, making the brown one's ears lower a bit. "They've already tried."
	"As in the ones before..." The canine nodded at Beo, getting him to sigh through his nostrils. "Well then, dibs on Fate then."
	"Seriously?" Siggy hissed at him.
	"It's not my problem. The old dog had its day."
	"You're wrong." The red one landed from afar, getting the blue to growl. "It's all our problem. Especially when whoever claims Death next appears."
	"Did you find her, Nalchulus?" Raccel asked him, getting an exhale from the red muzzle as it lightly swayed side to side.
	"What? Did you lose one of your rats?"
	"Like that would be a great use for my time, Twig." Nal snorted at him.
	"Please, you'd roll over if he asked you to-" A hiss at the brown one.
	"Enough." The canine tended to his head again in stress, getting the scrawny one to toss his snout and look at the older dragon in irkful question.
	"Reality is missing." The red one said bluntly, even getting Beo's attention. "No one has seen her for some time after that last meeting."
	"Maybe she got sacked." Sig'eaal shrugged his wings.
	"I would know if she was dead or not. Let alone, Reality has a specific... Scent to it."
	"We really don't need to know where your snout has been." The blue one grumbled.
	"What I mean is, she's either made herself invisible, or..." The Tirix sighed, getting that same irkful questioning look from Siggy's yellow eyes. "She's vanished."
	"Meaning, so has the Force of Reality itself. It's hard enough to run a universe with Three Forces, two is basically impossible." Nal snorted.
	"Annnnd without the viper being found, there's no way we can get that power, right?" The two nodded at the brown one, as he let out a grumbling sigh. "So, what? You want us to comb the entire universe for one person? That sounds like work."
	"You are pathetically lazy." Beo snorted, getting a hiss from the smaller dragon.
	"The people that were staying at my home-"
	"The vermin-"
	"Insects-"
	"Pests-"
	"Silence!" Another frustrated growl from Raccel. "One of them found a letter on my desk. One from... The last Force of Death."
	"So they invade your home."
	"Eat your food."
	"And snoop through your-"
	"Enough!" An exhale of almost pure stress came from the Tirix. "I swear, you guys are hardly worth keeping alive-"
	"Then why bother keeping them alive-?"
	"Because they are the damn Blood of this universe!" The furred one roared at Beo, getting all three dragons to curl their neck. "They keep the universe alive! They're more important than any of you are! They do more for this place than any of you do!" Foul and insulted looks from the three larger ones, but they remained silent. "They're more important than even me."
	"I highly doubt that-" Nal snorted.
	"Doubt it all you want, but they can live and survive without Forces. We, however, can't live without them." More silence. "Same goes with all of you." The Tirix took a breath, looking off into the distance, in the direction of his home. "That's what Sol Salsha discovered."
	"Your Mentor?" Siggy grumbled. "What the hell does that old-" A harsh glare from that orange eye and the brown one trailed off.
	"He was close to finding a way to make the universe go on auto-pilot. So no one had to struggle with these damn challenges anymore... So no one could abuse this power." Another heavy sigh from Raccel.
	"But someone got to him first." The red one muttered, not getting a reaction out of the grey dog. "Just after he appointed you..."
	"And before he could write down how it was done." More silence. "Why they culled him: I don't know. Maybe they were afraid."
	"Regardless, it doesn't matter." The blue one snorted. "That Force is long dead anyway." After a frustrated sigh, he gestured a thick paw to carry on. "Your infestation found some note, what about it?"
	"It was a letter. One I kept hidden away." Raccel exhaled. "She found it just lying on the desk."
	"So, someone went snooping through your stuff. And you're thinking it was whatsherface?" Sig'eaal half grumbled.
	"That, or it's what they want us to believe." Nal exhaled, getting a faint look from the Tirix. "My ears might be tattered, but they still function. With Beo's encounter with Fate, I've seen this story a hundred times."
	"Given your age, I wouldn't bet against it-" A loud hiss at the brown dragon, as it lashed out one back.
	"So, what? You think it was Staged, Nalchulus?"
	"Fate doesn't need to look at any letters." Beo snorted. "That Force can read minds easily-"
	"That's the point." A hiss from the blue one at the harsh tone. "You really think the Serpent would be that sloppy to just leave the letter in the open? It was a breadcrumb, leading directly away from the one responsible."
	"Lizard guy?" The brown one grumbled. "So what? You think he got to Reality?"
	"And possibly did away with her."
	"Forces can't Challenge other Forces, dinosaur." A loud growl from the red one, as Beo snorted. "What would be the purpose of killing her or driving her off?"
	"You'll have to ask him. What other solution would he have that would involve 'Recruiting' you." A loud growl back, getting Raccel to sigh quietly.
	"...There's only one way to find out." The three larger ones looked at him.

	The old crystal halls still looked new, shimmering the reflection of the present and the past through the Tirix' eye. Almost being able to see the viper's face through the sea of millions transferring from room to room. Even seeing Levian's neon green eye as it softly greeted the Raccel through a time barrier. Just before widening in shock and pain, then her body falling backwards into the sea of traffic. Making him exhale once again.
	It doesn't get easier, it never gets easier. As he gave a sign of respect in passing, he walked up to the large doors. Still capturing the scent of Ekaballus on the other side, as if he was waiting. This will end one out of two ways. He pressed the large crystal walls opened and stepped through, almost accepting his final Challenge. One that could only possibly end in a Victory, while the next would surely end in Defeat.
	The Iguana barely flicked an ear at the doorway, still glued to that old tome that he carried around. Standing in the middle of the room, no longer housing the large table and chairs that were once occupying such a beautiful place. "You're late."
	"But not the latest, it seems." The Tirix kept his composure, still walking with that cane towards the lizard, but standing far enough apart. As if staging the duel without a word. "Levian is missing." No response. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"
	"I heard she was Challenged and it was a double kill. First time for everything-"
	"Actually, that's happened a number of times." Eka half grumbled. "In the event of a Draw like that, the favor goes to the previous owner." The two exhaled lightly, knowing Raccel figured it out. "Why?" He asked the colorful one rather calmly, getting nothing but silence for a bit.
	"Tell me, Raccel." He didn't close the large book. "Do you still think about her?" A light tap below the Iguana's eye, gesturing the Tirix' bad one, but getting no response. "Does your death still haunt your dreams? Do you still taste her throat in your mouth-"
	"Shut it." He said rather thickly, finally getting the attention of the pearlescent eyes. Ones that seemed to shift from bright blue to a dark teal. "Where is she?"
	"Nowhere." A growl from the furred one. "I'm serious. The snake is Nowhere in existence. She has been... Casted away."
	"Why?" More silence.
	"How much can you really see out of that Eye-"
	"Stop Evading the-"
	"What does it really do for you?" No response. "It's a memorial thing?" A growl. "For some reason, you want to remember her shoving a shard of-" A large blade erupted from the Tirix' cane, and he threw a wave projectile at the lizard. Getting him to deflect it away with a weapon of his own, crashing it into a crystal pillar and leaving a heavy wound.
	As the two stared at each other, the bright light shined off of the double-sickle in Ekaballus' hand. One that kept the shape of a C, with a golden chain attached to the handle. "It's rare to see you lose your composure, Raccel." The lizard mocked him. "Is that a Challenge."
	A heavy exhale through his muzzle. "Maybe it is." The cane extended to hold the large blade easier. "But not for your power." As the two got into armed stances, Eka flicked his offhand. Getting a second Chained Double-Sickle to appear and whip towards the canine. Clashing with his weapon in a bright spark, and echoing through the entire crystal palace.

Chapter 8

	The two weapons rapidly clashed loudly inside the crystal lantern while the three dragons followed the fight from above. Though they would never admit it, they were all slightly nervous about this conflict. Nalchulus more than the others. Exhaling through his muzzle as if to curse the clear barrier from keeping them out of the fight. "There's nothing we can do." Beo muttered, as if he wasn't entertained by the display. "I'm not even sure why he bothered to do this to begin with."
	"Unlike you, some of us actually have a home worth fighting for in this mess of a universe." Siggy snorted. "Him especially-"
	"What home?" The blue one almost snapped. "He's got an old shack in the deep woods. What could possibly be of value in there?"
	"Memories." Nal joined in, not taking his light gray eyes off the two inside. "Ones he's trying to preserve."
	"Like that ever did him any good." The larger one snorted, getting the other two to go quiet again. Then brace when both of Fate's weapons slammed into the wall below them. Causing the entire building to shake.
	"I think he just moved this." The brown one tried to hide the worry in his voice.
	"Moved it from what? It's hovering in the middle of nowhere-" Another slam nearly interrupted Beo.
	"Sig'eaal is right." Nal grumbled. "It's actually tilting. They knocked this thing out of its own orbit."
	"So?" The younger one snorted.
	"That means, this fight is going to get a lot more complicated if we don't try to balance it out." The red one exhaled, getting all three to study the structure a bit.
	"What if we did make it more complicated?" The blue one gave them a sly look, almost grinning at their questionable expressions before gesturing the upper part of the Palace. Massive large chains attached to rings floated above, as if they were once anchored to something. Although they were still puzzled by the idea, the two understood where he was going with it.

	The chained sawblades threatened a very wide space whenever the Iguana threw them. Fanning across a large area while keeping a distance from the Tirix. Granted, though the very ends of the weapons were the most deadly, getting wrapped by the golden chains themselves was more of a disadvantage. A single grapple from such a design could leave Raccel opened to attack from the off weapon, or even disarm him.
	The canine even attempted to disarm or sunder the weapons. Luring Ekaballus to attack the Tirix and snare his weapon on some of the smaller pillars. But the lizard just simply let go of the chainblade and summoned a new one. That is, if he didn't break said pillars and attempt to use the debris as an improvised weapon.
	Being warded back with a series of attacks, Raccel could understand how he obtained his title. He never seen Eka fight before, nor even any evidence of him being challenged. Whereas from time to time, the furred one and the viper would come to meetings a bit roughed up. But the old dog now knew why; no one could get near him. And even if they could...
	Seeing the wide slam with both weapons windup, the Tirix slipped into the void. Waiting a few moments and teleporting closely behind the lizard and coming in with a heavy swing. But as soon as he exited the black mist, he felt the thick chain wrap around his midsection. Though hitting in a faint cut on Ekaballus' arm, the second chain snared Raccel completely. Keeping him tied down and anchored by the two sickles, nearly losing hold of his own weapon. The Iguana just summoned another blade in his hands and stood over the canine. "I've seen the end." Eka said, almost softly as he went for the coup de grace. "Your new world will be in good hands, Raccel-"
	The entire palace suddenly shook and changed direction, just enough to make the lizard lose balance and only slightly cut the dog's throat. Not deep enough to be threatening, but spilling some blood. Kicking the Iguana's balancing leg to force him to fall on top of the Tirix, then his staff ripped out another large blade. Gashing through Ekaballus' eye and his face, as well as even cutting into Raccel's own ear and skull. Reckless and stupid, yes, but a desperate attempt none the less.
	Withdrawing the scythe blade, the lizard cried in pain. Rolling off and loosening the binding chains enough for the Tirix to get free. Trying to take his own stance, but felt the building begin to move as well. Barely seeing the wings of the dragons flap a bit through the window as Eka got up. Not tending to his new wound, but also not giving up.
	The two got their balance as the turbulence subsided, gathering their strength. "What the hell did you mean by New World?" Raccel growled.
	"Exactly what it sounded like." The Iguana tried to snort, only to exhale and cough blood. Grunting at the pain of the deep gash. "A world that would no longer need three Forces-"
	"But one?" The dog grumbled, not impressed. "Sounds like the legend of the Counterweight." He threw his scythe at Ekaballus as he barely dodged the weapon, then slipped into the void. Blinking on the other side to catch the large blade and attempt to strike with it. Trying to stay close to the lizard as the Crystal palace flew through the cosmos.
	"That was no legend." The Iguana growled, deflecting a few attacks and attempting to get some distance. Striking with his weapon was much harder with the room constantly moving, often getting his ranged attacks to easily miss and lose control of them. "The Counterweight did actually exist!"
	"But it left us! Abandoned us!" A second blade ripped out of the lower staff on the same side as the first. Making Raccel's weapon look more like a D. Though it was much heavier, lopsided, and a bit harder to control, it was also harder to guard against. Especially with the lizard's current weapon design.
	"You're wrong! It died trying to defend us! It was eaten alive by another, something much stronger!"
	"And your plan was to worship this creature!? Let it in and devour our home!?"
	"Would that be so wrong!?" Eka roared as the two got into a heavy deadlock [When two weapons lock together in a Pressure battle]. "What is there really worth fighting for here!? In a dead land!? Do you really want to be stuck childsitting something that will never change, or ascend it into something greater!?" The cane slightly slipped between the two double sickles, causing the canine to lose balance for a moment. Opening him for a cut to the muzzle, a deep one to the chest, then an entire sickle blade directly under the muzzle. Getting Raccel to almost growl and whimper from the harsh wound as it's cold blade stun, getting ripped out and pushing him back.

	"Things aren't looking too hot for him." The brown dragon grumbled, barely being able to make out what was happening from above. As the three kept trying to move the crystal building through space.
	"Damn Furbag! What are you doing in there!?" The blue one growled, though knowing he couldn't hear him.
	"This isn't working-"
	"Only because he's messing up!" Beo hissed at Nal. "Got any better ideas?"
	"Actually, I got one-"
	"Great." The largest one tossed his snout, getting a hiss from Sig'eaal.
	"Well?" A brown wing gestured an Ion storm nearby. "You're joking."
	"There's no way we can steer through that thing." The ice dragon snorted.
	"You can't, but I can." Siggy got a growl, but nothing else. "It's an idea, and the only one we've got so far."
	"You sure you can even survive something like that?"
	"Please. I fly through thunderstorms all the time, like that's any different." He snorted, getting a bit of silence. "...Right?"
	"Dibs on his soul if he dies." Beo said, rather confident in the fact.
	"Not if, but when he dies." Nal got a hiss from the scrawny one. "Alright, we'll pull it near, then fly around!"

	"Nothing else will end this cycle of madness, Raccel." The lizard heaved, kicking away the cane from the paws of the furred one. "You know this better than anyone. The only option we have is to bring about a new world." A heavy breath as he spit out alot of blood. "By following its destruction."
	"It won't..." The canine tried to speak, but it was hard with his tongue cut in half. However, the sudden flashes on the floor caught his eye, as well as two large shadows departing separate ways.
	"It will. And you can't be here to see it, unless you give up that power." Another heavy breath as the Tirix scanned for his weapon. "Aren't you tired of holding it? Constantly fixing their mistakes? Hearing them curse you over and over?" Another few coughs. "All you have to do is sleep-" The sudden scamper of the old dog provoked the Iguana to attack him, as he lunged for his scythe. Taking the whipped blade to the side, but getting a paw on his weapon. Enough to guard against a second chainblade, then Raccel cut the air in front of him, opening the void enough to pass through it.
	The heavy mist and dark red light covered the palace as heavy bolts stuck the massive object. Along with anything connected to it, including Eka. Letting go of his chained weapons and trying to stay into the air, the Tirix exited out of the void just to cut him down. Shoving him back against a wall before re-entering the void once again. Shock after shock, the lizard screamed painfully, almost as loudly as the dragon outside until they exited the storm.

	The mist parted as the crystal lantern flew out, still getting a few strikes of lightning as the two dragons reached around. Landing on the large building and trying to ignore the aching stun that it currently carried. As well as hold up the brown dragon that was hardly pulling the massive structure. "Dumb wyrmling." Beo snorted at him, hearing the scrawny one chuckle a bit and try to shake off the pain of a few billion volts per contact. His aching muscles completely tense and unable to relax.
	"I'd have to agree. Out of all my years, I've never seen anything that stupid."
	"You give him too much credit. That was the age of the entire universe record of stupid." The blue one snorted, getting another chuckle from Siggy.
	"Aren't they basically... The same thing?" The brown one coughed, getting an irkful growl from the red one, but still helping him take off the chains. "Told you I could do it."
	"Hardly." The older ones snorted at him. "That was the only thing you were good for."
	"Come on, Beo. It was stupid, yes, but no need to be that harsh." The two carried the smaller one off and let the palace drift a bit. "Besides, the wyrmling has eons ahead of him to do something equally as foolish."
	"Perhaps you're right."
	"You guys are, like... The best friends."
	"...Friends?"  The two curled their necks.

	Exiting the void still shocked the Tirix, but not nearly as bad as the Iguana got it. Laying against the wall and floor, completely burned of most of his natural color, he breathed dryly. Indicating that he was still alive, not that Raccel couldn't tell. "Damn pests of yours..." Ekaballus choked, still trying to stand.
	"I'd have to agree with you on that one, but they're only protecting me." The canine grunted, trying to look out the window for a moment. "...I think, anyway." A few more breaths. "That's why you chose this place, isn't it? Why you were waiting for me in here. You didn't want to fight them as well."
	"Yet, they persistently find a way to be a nuisance. In the most inconsiderate ways possible." He summoned two more blades, but his hands were too damaged to wield them, making the Tirix frown and spit out a bit more blood.
	"...You don't have to do this, Ekaballus." It made the lizard grunt in anger. "Just tell me where she is."
	"You really think you can fix this? That you could just let Fate go? Retire safely somewhere without being completely imprisoned?" There was silence between them. "There is no more Reality. And there will be no more Death." With one last desperate attack, he swung the two weapons at Raccel wildly, getting him to jump backwards and blink outside of the building's window. Almost placing a paw on it to say his farewells before kicking off onto the back of Nalchulus, trapping the Iguana inside.
	Though it was hard for him to, Raccel opened his bad eye. Letting the scarred sphere leak out the mist-like abyss over his scytheblade and take a heavy swing towards the palace. Cutting far behind it, into the space itself and wounding the universe with a heavy gash. Leading to a dimension that held a large eye with several slits in it. Roaring loudly at the sudden change.
	As Eka desperately broke through the crystal window, the ice dragon flew in front of him. Getting the two to pause for a moment before Beo threw a wall of concussive force at the lizard, sending him and the gemstone structure into the wound before it sealed up. Leaving nothing but silence and faint wingbeats.

	The four landed on an asteroid, finally giving the old dog time to deny his wounds, as well as Sig'eaal's. Looking over the many galaxies in the distance, he released a heavy sigh. "We can still try." Nal said, overlooking his furred friend. "It would be hard-"
	"And not worth the effort." Raccel muttered, still almost feeling his tongue having a hole in it. "There's no Fate or Reality. There's nothing left here but Death." He turned around to see all three of them stare at their master. "There's nothing that can be done for them."
	"So what? You're just going to abandon them?"
	"Do you want me to Mercy Kill them first?" The Tirix snapped back at Beo, then took a breath. As the four stared in silence for a bit, he sighed again. "Maybe it can survive without us."
	"It's possible." The red one muttered. "But unheard of."
	"Meaning, it will probably collapse all around us." Siggy grumbled, releasing an irkful exhale. "The sounds of an Universal Apocalypse is so tiring."
	"Lazy sack of scales." The blue one snorted.
	"When you get struck forty times by an Ion storm, then you get to be lazy. New rule, I'm calling it."
	"That was your idea to begin with." Beo growled.
	"So?" The older two just rolled their eyes a bit and the Tirix walked past them, away from the stars. "Where are you going?" It got the furred one to stop for a moment.
	"I think I finally understood why It left." Raccel said, covering his bad eye with a paw and almost painfully pulling out a dark light. Looking at the gift he carried for so long. One that he fought for so hard, and took countless lives with. Casted away with a simple toss behind him. Letting it float into the endless void of space. "I'm leaving. And you should too."
	The three paused for a moment, then Nal followed the Tirix. Leaving Siggy to watch them, look into the direction of his home, and then turn about to follow as well. Beo, on the other hand, stayed for a few moments. Keeping his eye on the dark light as it floated further away from them, longing to chase after it. "Hey." His attention turned to the brown one. "It's not worth it."
	With one last look towards the power he so desperately craved for eons, the ice dragon released a heavy, grumbling sigh and turned about. Leaving behind everything he worked for, much like the others. Who knows? Maybe someday he could find some power that would be even greater.

	His eyes slowly opened up, gathering the scent of a warm campfire against his cold scales. He never felt so cold, in need of warmth, as his green eyes scanned the small campsite. Letting the fire's light absorb into those peppered lenses for a moment before making out a white humanoid figure. One dressed in black. "Hey." It spoke to him, getting the dragon to grunt a bit and get the unusual stiff kinks out of his body. "How do you feel?" The figure asked him.
	But he didn't respond. He wasn't sure how to, let alone to something that he couldn't quite see. As it walked around the large fire and added a few more pieces of wood to it, the large one was able to make out the muzzle of a polar bear. Slowly smiling at him, and getting the dragon to curl his neck a bit. "It's okay, I know it can be hard to find the right words." He said rather calmly. "Do you have any pains? Lingering aches?" No response, just stares into his brown eyes. "I'll take that as a No. And as a good thing." He sat down in front of the large dragon, and for a few minutes they just stared at the fire.

"...Who are you?"

	"Why did you seek and audience of me for such a request?"
	"Do I need a reason?"
	"For that, yes. Considering what the creature attempted to do-"
	"Which was what exactly? ...What did you see in its actions?"
	"I seen Hostility. Enough to take action against."
	"All actions are Hostile in one form or another. ...Do you want to know what I seen?"
	"What do you mean?"
	"I seen the will to change. I seen the want to take control and finally be freed from the leash of Them. ...Is that so wrong to Want that?"
	"Considering it's choice of Actions-"
	"What actions? ...It was doing rather well, compared to a lot of others I have witnessed."
	"It was still wrong."
	"It was it's first attempt at such a thing, did you seriously expect it to perform perfectly? And did you assist it like you did the others?"
	"It didn't deserve my help-"
	"Then you are equally responsable for it's destruction, as well as the damage that it caused. ...I know you disliked how it seemed to intrude within your Realm-"
	"To put it lightly."
	"But that's no excuse for getting rid of it the way you did. ...Let me take it instead. It doesn't deserve to be thrown away like this-"
	"Do you seriously believe that-?"
	"I do. ...You lose nothing by this action-"
	"But it births the outcome of it's return."
	"Then I will ensure it won't. ...You can trust me."
	"No. I cannot. You are not the same as me. ...It stays out. If it returns, I will make sure it cannot reappear again. And that you deal with any damages it has already obtained."
	"Of course. I will take it from your hands."
	"But first, answer me this: ...Why?"

Fear Is The Weakness Act 2 - Down With The Fallen
By Bartan Tirix

Chapter 1

	"...Who are you?" The ice dragon asked, locking his green eyes on the humanoid bear still staring into the large fire. Anything before this point was an entire void of black, and it wracked the blue one's brain trying to recall anything.
	"Relax." Those brown eyes looked at him with worry, but at the same time remained calm. "I need you to take it easy for a little bit, or you might wound yourself. Just focus on the Now." He reached out and placed a white paw on the dragon's. "My name is Bartan, and this is our first time meeting." A few moments of studying, then the icy one's gaze drifted off. "Don't try to think, it's alright."
	"...What happened?"
	"I can't tell you that." Another look at the bear. "You'll have to remember for yourself-but not right now. Your mind is still too vulnerable. Just try to rest for a bit, you're safe here." His gaze didn't lift. "Can you stand?" A slow blink, but after a while the dragon tried. Pushing his massive body up a bit never felt so difficult. Like he was sleeping uncomfortably for a dozen eons. But he was able to, completely towering over both the fire and the white furred one. "Good. Still no pains?"
	"Just... Stiffness." A faint nod as the blue one started overlooking his body. Seeing a small patch of brass scales on his inner arm, and it triggered a memory. Getting the large one to growl a bit in pain and lose balance.
	"Easy! Easy!" A few heavy pants as the dragon held a paw against his head, and feeling the bear do the same. Slowly, the pain eased. "I know it's hard to, but it will stop hurting soon. For now, can you sleep?" Another moment of study from that green eye. "We have all the time in the world for you to recover, okay? Just try to relax." After nearly a minute, the large one nodded. Getting Bartan to step back and let him rest his icy head on the blue paws. "I'll be here when you wake up." He wasn't sure how to respond to that, so he didn't. Just closed his slightly aching eyes and went to sleep.

	Although the fire eventually grew into old embers, the morning sun started warming up his scales. Something that still felt somewhat uncomfortable with the dragon. Perhaps more unnatural to him, getting the large one to slightly stretch and out of his comfortable position. Lightly touching the wet grass that outlined where he spent the night.
	His eyes adjusted to the morning light, at least positioned behind him. Allowing a more pleasant awakening. His frilled ears flickered to where footsteps made trail through that grass. Making him slowly scan the area and the bear once again, walking up to him carrying a makeshift plate of berries. "Good morning." He pleasantly smiled at the large one, still looking at him with a bit of loss and uncertainty of his surroundings. "I know it's not what you're used to eating, but..." He took a small branch of berries and gestured the dragon to open his mouth.
	Yet, once again, the scaled one just stared at him for a few moments. Not really knowing how to respond. Such things never brought him any memories other than last night, but at least his mind didn't hurt. With a faint sigh through his muzzle, the icy one opened up, almost laying out a large purple tongue for the small breakfast to be cupped in.
	After feeling the series of small balls touch the large appendage, and a small tap on the side of his muzzle telling him that it was safe to bite down, he did so. Pressing the branches of berries against the roof of his mouth until they burst with flavor. A unique one that still did not recall any memory, yet held a strange satisfaction for him.
	After he swallowed, the dragon looked at the bear once again, who was just smiling at him. "Like them?" Again, he didn't know how to respond, but his instincts to him to nod. So he did, giving a very faint one and watch the polar bear grab another set. Following the same instructions and getting another mouthful of a wonderful taste.
	After this one, the bear just sat on a nearby log. One that had a rather large spot that did not hold any of the morning dew. Probably one that the smaller one used as a bed to get off of the cold ground. Yet, he still didn't take any of the berries for himself. Just sat patiently until the dragon was ready for more.
	"They have many names." The white one started, giving another branch to the icy one who was getting more familiar in the ways of eating. "But they're almost a mix of Grapes and Blueberries." None of the two sounded familiar to the larger one, and it showed in his eyes. "It's not common for dragons to eat them, so it's alright."
	A slow blink and a moment of study. "Then why...?" He muttered, still not quite finding the correct words, but it made the white one smile again.
	"Because you've never had them before. And I was afraid that meat would possibly trigger a memory." A slow curl in the dragon's neck. "But let’s try your memory a little bit. Something easy." Several moments of staring. "Your name?"
	"...I know... But..." A small coax from the furred one as he held up the berries again.
	"Okay, something a little more simple. What were these almost a mix of?"
	"...Grapes and... Blueberries?" A nod from the bear.
	"Good. No pain?" A shake of his head. "Okay, now do you remember my name?"
	"...Bartan?" A bright smile from the white one that was almost infectious. "And... I start with that too."
	"It does." A faint look around as the dragon searched his mind. Trying to shake it out like a sneeze. "Breathe. Let it come to you naturally." A few deep inhales and the large one started to relax.
	"...Beo."
	"Beo, yes. But don't do anymore just yet. Let it come to you." Another faint scan of his surroundings, trying to find anything familiar. "Easy."
	"How did you know it?" Another coax.
	"Just relax-"
	"Who are you?"
	"I'll tell you, but don't try to remember." A stare from those green eyes, almost hostile. "I'm a Counterweight."
	"Counterweight?" The term felt familiar to him, but no memory of one came up.
	"Stop trying to search for it. You might tear your memory-" The large one raised off the ground, and Bartan took a step forward.
	"What happened to me-?"
	"Stop." The bear said, a bit thickly. Pressing a paw against the dragon's arm, and he started to relax. "Lay back down." And he did, almost unwillingly. As the furred one sighed, looking off into the distance for a moment, he turned towards the green eyes. "Beo. You died."
	There was a very long silence as his face molded into shock. His instincts told him to fear those words, somehow still understanding what such a term meant. The large drum started hammering in his chest. His breaths began to quicken, and his eyes started scanning his surroundings once again. "Stop." The smaller white one said thickly once again. "Relax. You're fine now. You just need time to recover."
	"...How did...?"
	"I can't tell you how." A stare of worry. "You'll need to remember it on your own, but not now." The green gaze slowly fell with his head, and a furry paw rested on his muzzle. "Rest assure that it was just you. No one you cared about fell either. But you're alive now, and recovering faster than I expected." Another sad look. "You will remember who you are over time, as well as what happened. Just let it come to you."
	The dragon remained silent, but looked a bit more at ease. After a few deep breaths, somewhat enjoying the slight petting on his muzzle, he lifted his head out of reach. "...And I'm assuming you...?" The bear nodded. "Why? What do I owe you?"
	Bartan just shook his head, smiling. "Nothing." The blue one curled his neck. "I mean it, you don't owe me anything. And you're free to go whenever you like. However, I would at least like you to recover your memories before you go your separate way."
	The dragon studied the white one for several moments in silence, trying to find any fault or alternate motives within those brown eyes, but nothing. As the bear just held up another branch of berries for him, the large one exhaled. Opening his maw and waiting for the snout tap before closing. After swallowing the juicy snack, he studied Bartan for another moment. "What do you plan on doing...?"
	"With you?" A very faint nod, and the bear shrugged. "Wasn't really planning on much. Probably a long walk."
	"Walk...?" The dragon curled his neck, getting the smaller one to chuckle rather loudly.
	"Yes. Surely a dragon of your physique can still walk." Bartan teased. "Unless you've been feeling pain...?"
	The large one shook his head slowly, standing up himself to make sure. Taking a few steps around the old campfire as a small test. "Were are we going?" The furred one pointed into the distance, being able to make out a large wall on the horizon. "All the way there...?"
	"Unless you find somewhere else more appealing." A strange look from the icy one, as he gazed back and forth between the bear and the destination.
	"...I think I can still fly, if..." Another series of chuckles.
	"That would be missing the entire point, wouldn't it?" Beo curled his neck at him, watching as the bear took lead and then softly beckoned the dragon to follow.

------

	The atmosphere here felt uneasy to her. Like that of an oncoming violent storm that was going to ravage the city, making the canine feel very uncomfortable to be working today. Trying not to lose her concentration on the desktop sewing machine, as she stitched the side to another soldier's uniform. This one was rather small, almost fitting her own son, which in turn made her heart sink heavily.
	They were still drafting them, constantly lowering the age of the young males. Bad enough they were sending children to fight wars for them, it did make Sillet wonder if they were going to send the females out as well. Quite a few of them were almost eager to prove themselves, but she really didn't want to leave her son alone in this place. Perhaps even forever, until they were desperate enough to take him away-
	The thought forced her to stop working for a few moments. Getting the attention of the feline beside her. "Are you alright?"
	"Something's wrong... I can feel it." She gave Sillet a frown.
	"Let me get you a glass of water, okay?" A nervous nod as they felt one of the supervisors gaze at them. The working conditions of this place was hard enough. If they caught people taking breaks because they were a bit upset, they would probably be punished.
	But something flickered her ear, barely catching a strange noise over the sound of a hundred sewing machines frantically working. A faint humming that only got louder and louder as a shadow fell over the building. Getting the canine to hide under her desk in fright.
	As one of the supervisors barked at her to get back to work, a heavy object caved in the roof of the large building. Collapsing thousands of bricks and beams onto dozens of workers, crushing them under the weight of debris and a massive metal object. One with a still running propeller that managed to be the death of a few more who survived the crash. Eventually clogging the rotary to a stop.
	Digging her way out, and trying to ignore the rock shard in her leg, Sillet scrambled away from the metal creature that nearly crushed her. Seeing her own sewing machine be cut by the propeller during the crash. Over the people screaming and making their way to safety, the loud sounds of bombing and gunfire echoed through the city streets.
	Her first thought was to save her son. Desperately climbing over the rubble, and double taking at the very end of a tail under a large section of wall. One that looked like it belonged to the feline she was working beside. Though wanted to find her boy, Sillet couldn't just leave her. "Hey!" She coughed, trying to get a response from the feline. "Are you okay?"
	There was a few coughs and noises from below, indicating she was still alive. As the canine quickly studied the large section of wall, something she had no chance in pulling up herself, she could perhaps wedge it up. Grabbing a thick pipe, she jammed it between some of the debris and put all of her weight on it. Moving some of it enough for the feline to get out.
	There was a few cuts over her body, and one big gash on her back, but overall was okay. "Thank you." She smiled, getting up and spitting out the dust on her sandy tongue.
	"We need to find you a doctor-"
	"I'll be fine. Go find your son." She hated to just leave the cat here, but Sillet was worried to death about him. Nodding, she took off to the streets. Trying to avoid the crowds of people flooding them. Seeing several people already lying in the roads, trampled by their own. As much as she wanted to do something for them, her boy, Layton, was her first priority.
	The school he went to was a few city blocks down. Within running distance, but with the attack, it was dangerous. Taking a vehicle would be a foolish idea though, with all the makeshift barricades and panic in the streets as is. At least Sillet was a good runner, even with a shard in her leg.
	Sprinting down the sidewalks and ducking whenever nearby gunfire was heard, she came across several bullet paths from above. Trying to be cautious in passing an intersection, she looked up at the sky in the background. Seeing several dozen planes in formation even dropping bombs all over the city, as well as covering the main streets with hot metal.
	But some at a distance were suddenly pushed outward, sending a few planes spiraling out of control and hitting a few buildings. One coming straight towards Sillet as she attempted to scamper into an alleyway. Lightly grazing the building she was hiding behind and hitting the one across the street from her. Sending a huge fireball into the sky, and spraying her with shards of hot glass. The force knocking her against the wall harshly, and almost making her blackout.
	For what felt like several minutes, she couldn't hear anything. Her senses were a daze besides the pain. But eventually she was able to breathe again, remembering what she was doing. Who she was trying to protect. And once again hobbling across the street when it seemed safe.
	Her ears still couldn't pick up much, but the vibrations getting heavier told her to take cover again. As a series of small bombs were ripping apart the streets and buildings around, nearly captivating the canine in debris once again. Creating a small shelter for another barrage of bullets that once again almost fatally wounded her.
	But Sillet couldn't stop now. Making her way out of the makeshift bunker, she advanced further down the street. Around the corner was the school building, damaged by the blast of a dropped bomb, no doubt, but still intact. As teachers were evacuating the children, she spotted Layton's dark grey fur in the sea of others. Calling to him before the thunderous sound fired down the street, sending a massive bullet through the school vehicle, and only killing the driver onboard.
	Several parts of the large bus scattered everywhere, injuring a few cubs that were just entering it. As a heavy tank easily climbed over a car barricade to get a better shot. As the turret aimed at the group of children, the canine's heart stopped. Nearly seeing the event in slow motion.
	A massive orb of electricity fell before the armored vehicle, shocking it violently and pushing it back a bit. Causing the turret to aim upwards before firing from the sheer voltage coming from the node. The tank's shot did manage to get one of the planes overhead before nearly burning into ashes. Just before the orb exploded and ripping apart the tank, sending pieces of it in the streets.
	Where such a thing came from, she didn't care. Taking her last mad dash towards her son and holding onto his coat tightly. Hearing his frightened sobs, while half concerned about his mother's injuries. "Are you alright?" Sillet asked him, trying to look him over. But the small canine seemed unscathed.
	"Y-yes. But you..." She never felt so tired and weak, but adrenaline was still rushing through her veins. Even after slowing down a bit, they still were not safe.
	"I'll be fine." The two looked at the teacher. "We need to make it to the City Hall. They had an old shelter there for emergencies."
	"That's three blocks from here!" The lizard shouted over the nearby gunfire. "There's no way we'll make it in one piece! Not with the injured!" It made her frown, not knowing what to do. Her gaze drifted off to the school, but that clearly looked unsafe as well.
	"We have to try! There's nowhere else that's safe!" With the echoes of more blasts coming from afar, they all started to scamper away from it. Taking cover behind a large building in the direction of the Hall. Carrying the wounded the best they could.
	After taking cover from the wind of raining explosives, and holding their breath to avoid the foulness of debris and burning sinew, the canine's ears flickered. Picking up the nearby noises of jeeps. As the group started to advance, Sillet tried to halt their advance. "What is it now-?" Several sprays of bullets interrupted the lizard, making him take cover by the brick wall for a bit until a few went through his chest.
	As the children cried in fear, they got the attention of the invaders. Hearing them advance forward, the canine ordered them back behind her. Getting on her knees with her hands up, hoping they would take her surrender, as she waited for them to come around.
	But all that came from the corner was a large carpet of flames, followed by their ashes and a few burnt vehicles. There wasn't any time for them to even yelp out in fight before they were burned into nothing more than soot. As they took cover for a few moments longer, Sillet started to peek around when there was only silence.
	Though many of the flames lingered, what caused it was completely out of sight. Perhaps the Gods were watching her after all. Gathering some courage, she started to advance down the streets once again with the children following her. Though many of the planes overhead were still shooting around the group, it was like their bullets were being pushed out of the way. Along with the sounds of the planes crashing shortly after.
	Occasionally, she heard that same snap from before, as well as the explosions from those volted orbs. Several streets were once again covered in black ashes, ones that were probably holding more soldiers invading their city. But with the City Hall just ahead, she couldn't quit now. No matter how much her body strained from its wounds.
	Seeing a few familiar faces from the city start gathering people inside, Sillet hurried the children up the stairs. Even pushing her own son to go with them. "No! I don't want to leave you!" He whimpered back.
	"I'll be right behind you, Layton. I promise-!" Several sprays of gunfire came behind her, as well as return fire overhead. "Go! We don't have any more time!" As one of her city's own fell from enemy shot, another spray nearly hit the two. As a squad of several soldiers advanced towards them, they gasped in pain for a moment, dropping their firearms. As soon as the rifles touched the ground, they shattered like glass as the soldiers tried to shelter their frozen gloves.
	A large, heavy creature landed between the squad and Sillet. Completely covered in old crimson scales, some of which were a dull grey, as it stood proud. Towering over the lesser beings, but almost protecting the canine and her son. Another one landed on the soldier's flank, much heavier than the first and causing the ground they were on to quake a bit as it growled. Hearing the troops whimper a bit before suddenly being squashed into the ground like putty. Spraying their paste in all directions and getting the first creature to growl in disgust.
	"Geez, Beo. Savior the fear a little bit, why don't you?" A third one landed while snorting, boxing in Sillet as she just covered the grey smaller one. As the older one flicked his muzzle to get some of the blood off, he turned to face the canines as well.
	"You couldn't just freeze them to death as well?" Nal snorted at the icy one, now walking around to overlook the creatures in the center and giving the red dragon a hiss.
	"You could use a little more color on your dying scales anyway." A loud growl from the old one. "Granted, I think I'm going to need more... Paint to work with." Those dark green eyes overlooked the mother, getting her to whimper. Now realizing that she seen these three demons before. They haunted her nightmares for several years, being the death of her mate.
	"Eh, might need a darker shade of red too. It's going to look way too young on-" The brown one got a hiss from Nal as well, interrupting him and retaliating with his own.
	"Shut it." The red one growled, overlooking the two in their circle. "It's about time we started anyway."
	"Good. I'm getting impatient."
	"All of us are." Sig'eaal grumbled.
	"S-stared what...?" Sillet whimpered. Getting those light grey eyes of the red one to stare down at them.
	"It's time to wake up, Raccel."
------

Chapter 2

	"And that's more or less how a universe is operated." The bear explained, casually walking beside the large ice dragon in the wide road. Though it was rather spacious, Beo did still take a percentage of it. Trying his best to keep on the path without stepping on the furred one. "A bit over-complicated at times, yes. But effective when done correctly."
	"That's an understatement." The scaled one snorted, getting Bartan to chuckle at him. Finally getting some of his personality to return and feeling much better than last night. "I know of the Forces, but I can't picture any of them yet."
	"Just don't strain yourself. They'll come to you over time." As much as he was beginning to be irked by that phrase, the blue one nodded. "But many of them still don't understand what they were supposed to do."
	"I barely do." Another snort, making the bear smile at him.
	"Alright, memory test time."
	"Joy." A loud chuckle at the dragon's sarcasm. "Hit me."
	"Force of Fate."
	"The creator of mental existence. They often take part in the emotional psyche of people, but can dabble in both Death and Reality to have a better understanding of their roles." A sigh through his scaled muzzle. "They are also the Blueprint of the universe, if I used that Metaphor correctly."
	"Yep." The bear nodded.
	"And they create a future for the universe to achieve. A destination over time."
	"Excellent. Force of Reality?"
	"The controller of physical existence. Not just the cosmos, but the planet and all life on it as well. Often associated with Mother Nature, or Father Nature I guess." A chuckle from Bartan. "They constantly forge the path to Fate's destination, allowing them all to work together a little easier."
	"And Death?"
	"Death..." A heavy sigh from the dragon, forcing him to stop for a moment and hold his head. Getting a small paw on his arm. "I'm alright... Just almost had something surface there." A faint nod from the white one. "Death deals with more than just the Afterlife of those who are within that Universe. He finds a way to recycle the dead so that there is no... Decay, if I understand it."
	"Kind of."
	"Nothing left to rot within a physical body. He takes the souls of the deceased and leads them to a new body, where they can be rehatched and start another life."
	"And?" A double take from the large one, giving him a confused look until the bear pointed at the road.
	"Oh. He also takes apart the road Reality set after the universe has made its tread. Allowing them to re-use those Materials, so to speak."
	"Very good. But one little thing I'm a bit concerned of." Beo perked his ears. "You referred Death as a He." Once again, the dragon slowed to a stop. "Did you know your Force of Death?"
	"I'm..." He shook his head, getting some of the icy spines to slightly ting together. "I'm not sure."
	"It's okay." That phrase was coming up, almost being able to lip-sync it. "Just let it come naturally." A heady sigh left the large one. "Are you hungry?"
	A moment of study. "A bit, yes."
	"Alright, then let’s find you something to eat. What do you feel like?" He tilted his head in thought for a moment.
	"Kind of parched, actually."
	"That makes sense, considering the campfire." The bear cut in front of him, heading off to a large field that looked like it belonged to a farm. Getting the dragon to look at him a little puzzled, then received that same smile. "There's a stream of fresh water over here, beyond those trees. Head over there while I try to make a deal with the landowners." His gaze didn't really change other than a slight curl of his neck. But he knew Bartan was more aware of this area than he was, or at least hoped. Lightly shrugging his wings, the large one carried on.
	Behind some rather thick grass a ways there was a brook, just like the white one said. How he could possibly sense such a thing was over the dragon's head, but his instincts didn't complain. All that talk about being a Counterweight and the knowledge of such existences felt correct to him, as Beo started lapping at the water. Something he felt like he hasn't done for ages.
	Upon stopping to swallow a muzzleful, the water got some time to iron out the ripples on the meniscus. After closing his eyes to enjoy the satisfaction of the cold water, and getting a slight brain freeze, the large one took a breath. Only to find a rather intimidating dragon stare back at him on the water's surface.
	It spooked him for a moment, nearly getting the scaled one to jump back and get some distance. Realizing what it was made him feel so foolish. Almost like a young hatchling discovering what a reflection was in the first place. With a faint swallow, Beo took another step forward and another look.
	The dragon staring back at him was rather frightening. Ice covered every spine on his mane, jawline, and horn. Almost unable to tell the difference between them other than the positioning. His eyes still held this black pepper sprinkle through the dark green void, as the diamond shaped pupil morphed as he overlooked the facade.
	His heart started to sink as his mind hurt again. Trying to follow the bear's instructions to be careful when it comes to memories. But if this is how Beo really looked, what kind of creature was he? The term Dragon did fit for a species, but was what awaited for him in the water really what a Dragon looked like? It was rather monstrous to him...
	But there was also something odd about it. Something unnatural about such a look. How the ice that covered him never seemed to melt, even in the warmth of the autumn sun. How flexible his mane still felt. A little stiff, yes, but bendable besides the horns. And the faint memory of other dragons came to mind, ones that looked far different from him but couldn't quite get a clear picture.
	His gaze fell to his paws, not noticing until now how massive they seemed to be. Strong and firm, yes, but also thick and forceful. From the dense muscle of his arms, to the broadness of his massive shoulders, this dragon looked to be ready to fight until the death. Heavy chest plates covered his heart, several with their own set of scratches and scars. The only thing that really seemed to stand out is that small patch of brass scales on his inner arm.
	Studying them still hurt his mind, not able to recall why such a place was thawed of the icy touch that covered every inch of his body. Though he couldn't remember much, such a thing still seemed new to him. Yet, it held something that only made his heavy heart sink a bit more. Like these tarnished golden scales were threaded to the very drum in his chest.
	His frilled ears flickered, barely catching the bear's voice from afar. With a deep breath, and a satisfied throat, the large one made his way once again over the wild grass. Heading towards an old building that looked to have better days. Seeing the white furred one still several steps away from the home's porch, and an older woman by the door, Bartan gave a friendly wave at the blue scaled one. Which in turned got the attention of the female, and a rather frightening look.
	After seeing his own reflection, he couldn't blame anyone for gazing at him that way. And a heavy thought told him that he was only going to get more of those looks from every person that he crossed paths with. All but one.
	Granted, it made sense why the bear didn't fear Beo. Bartan was basically a God beyond Gods. Nothing could possibly pose a threat to him, could it? But then, why was he doing this? If Counterweights were in charge of their own universes, where was his? It wasn't this one, he stated so himself earlier. And though he did mention that Beo owed the bear nothing, something told him there was a deeper answer to that.
	With another deep breath, the dragon carried on. Getting the bear to meet him halfway. "Feel like doing a bit of carrying?" Such a request made him curl his armored neck, and return; got the polar one to chuckle. "The husband injured his leg a few nights ago, and they really need some wood to be carried to the house before winter."
	"Can't you just heal him like you did me?" Though it wasn't meant to sound lazy or mean, it was an honest thought that came to mind. Getting Bartan to gesture 'Keep that a Secret.'
	"Things happen for a reason." He whispered. "If I suddenly repaired his leg, that's going to cause a ripple through the timeline-" The large one held up an impatient paw and just nodded. Once again making him smile. "Beside, some exercise would do us good, don't you think?"
	"We just spent the last several hours walking." The dragon snorted, following the bear without question. Complaint, yes, but doing favors just felt wrong to him. Out of place of who he really was. Yet, that term scared him deep down. Enough to get a small paw on his arm.
	"Everything okay?" A faint nod, followed by a heavy sigh. "What's wrong?"
	A moment of study, then glancing back at the house to make sure no one was listening. "...I seen... Myself. In the reflection." Beo muttered sadly, feeling that paw pet him for a moment as Bartan gestured to pause the dragon's speech or thought. Going a bit off course to get a small bucket for apples, then for the blue one to carry on. "I seen how..." He didn't know how to put it into words.  "Bartan, was I... Villainous? Did I deserve to die-?"
	"You know I will not answer that." He said, almost thickly again. Making the large one's ears lower, as the bear took a sigh himself. "Things are not simply Black and White, Beo. The line that separates them is made up of a thousand shades of grey." The two looked at each other. "Morality is what you make of it. It's no one's decision what is distinctively Right or Wrong."
	"Not even Fate's?"
	"Especially Fate." They started walking again. "Same goes for Counterweights. It's why we're not supposed to judge or alter our universe based on opinions."
	"Because some might consider those opinions to be Wrong." A nod from the bear.
	"But I know where you're going with this." Those brown eyes stared into his green ones. "You are who you Want to be. You become what you need to in order to survive, or make a difference. You might not like some of the decisions or actions you have made in your past, but that doesn't define who you currently are." Another paw on his arm. "You have the ability to Change, like everyone does."
	"Yet, Change comes with a cost..."
	"As does simply taking a breath." Bartan gave a sad smile. "People can judge you for every action you take, but that doesn't make them Right themselves. What matters is what is more important for you."
	"That sounds selfish." The dragon curled his neck.
	"If your actions are for your benefit, and yours alone, perhaps. But when your children are the most important thing to you... Your Friends. Your Craft." He faintly nodded, understanding. "Don't be afraid of what you are. If you feel the need to change, then do so. But you are like this for a reason, one that will return to you." Another nod and a swallow as they approached a large pile of chopped wood next to a flatbed trailer. "Alright, lets pile this on, and I'll get you to drag it over. Then we get some apples."
	"Apples?" Beo curled his neck, slightly tilting it as if to never hear of such a thing before.

------

	She never felt more imprisoned. Constantly walking into the woods while carrying her only son, guarded by the three most frightening creatures she's ever encountered. Though she's barely seen them in the shadows before, they were much smaller. All three of them devouring the corpse of the greatest person she ever knew.
	But 'Guarded' by them was a very strange choice of words. They were protecting her in some way, yes, but it felt like a double edged blade. Destroying everything in their path as they escorted her out of the city. Such creatures... Such power was untouchable. Or so it seemed.
	Yet, how long would it before that power was turned against them? And who was this Raccel that they spoke of? All they got for an answer was a frightening stare from Sillet and Layton, then the red one grumbled. Suggesting that they were placed somewhere safer.
	In a way, this place was safer. Granted, if they didn't stop breaking down trees, any fool would be able to track them. With the icy one in the front of the canines, making a path with some unseen power, they followed quite far behind. Mostly due to the long, threatening icy tail that was nearly the blue dragon's entire body length. Covered in the same spikes that seemed to form it's mane and down his spine, it was clearly the most threatening of the three.
	The red one followed behind her. Almost breathing it's warm breath down her neck, like it was waiting for her to run. It's either that, or it was out of shape. The other two kept taking shots at it for its age, perhaps maybe it was getting on its last legs. Still, if there was one of the three that would be considered the 'Nicest', it seemed like it would be this one.
	Not far from Nal was the brown dragon. The scrawny, walking Box-Of-Complaints that hasn't really shut his muzzle since they started moving. Really provoking the other two to be more aggressive than they already were. Making Sillet wonder if they were going to start fighting amongst each other. If so, it's possible for her to make an escape. "Shut it, Sig'eaal. This will be far enough, Beo. We'll make camp here for the night." The red one grumbled, exhaling it's heated breath over the canine and making her whimper a bit.
	As the blue one released an annoyed growl, a massive circle of trees were suddenly frozen, then shattered with a single hiss of the largest dragon. Though much of the debris was still scattered everywhere, the ground remained mostly flat. However, cold. "Happy?" The ice one snorted, getting the red one to do the same as they each took their own little area of the clearing.
	Beo scanned the deep woods with a thick stare, then gave a faint snort as something several trees cracked in the far background. As well as something bolting towards them, hitting several more in the process. As its whimpers got to the clearing, a large deer skidded before the blue dragon's paw, barely getting out a cry of fear before getting its entire head to crack under its weight.
	The sound nearly made Sillet sick, trying her best to keep Layton from looking towards the bloody mess. Snapping at the wild kill, the dragon took a bite at it, but didn't actually hit the body. Almost ripping something out of it that she couldn't see before snapping at it again, then swallowing. "I'm sick of the taste of animals." The icy one grumbled.
	"Well, I'm sick of the taste of trees. Want to trade?" Siggy complained, heavily nudging the canine forward like a prisoner.
	"You don't know bad taste until you've lived on the Elderly for several years." Nal grumbled in as well, raking a pile of the icy shards then setting them on fire. Trying to sweep his laying area of the cold splinters.
	"Go figure that the elderly would feed on thyself." The brown one got a hiss. As Beo started to carve into the meat of the creature that fell, while a large rotisserie made of metal from the underground. His green eyes locked at the simple contraption, and grumbled. Sending a sharp blade of ice to decapitate the deer and toss the corpse at the red one. Not caring about the grotesque mess it made, let alone the harsh glare of the light grey eyes.
	"It's your metallic creation, you skewer it." The blue one snorted, getting another in return before laying down. As Nal prepared the buck over the fire, snapping the legs off past its belly, he motioned for the female to start tending to it. Very nervously, she swallowed and set Layton down. Conflicted between keeping him with one of the dragons, or near her as she cooked a mangled creature over a fire.
	As a long, red tail made that choice for her, pulling the small canine towards the old one, Sillet got another motion towards the rotisserie. One more aggressive this time. She slightly whimpered as she took a hold of the handle and struggled to get the thing going. Her wounds ached from the damage before, and she almost felt weakness setting in, getting the three large ones to glare with impatience. "What now?" Siggy complained.
	"I-I'm just..." She almost whimpered, trying to be brave for her son. "...Tired-"
	"No doubt from your wounds." Nal snorted, but said with a sliver of empathy. As the canine turned to look the creature in the grey eyes, she nervously nodded. Seeing him toss his snout then reach over with a paw, not fearing the flames. Turning the buck, with the axel in turn, with a heavy grasp, getting Sillet to just keep up the momentum the best she could.
	After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, she looked at the only one that seemed to be nice out of the three. "What did you call him...?" Nalchulus studied her for a moment, as did the others.
	"Raccel. That's his name."
	"His name is Layton-" The growls from the red beast banished her courage for a moment. "He's my son-"
	"What do you remember about the night he was conceived, hmm?" Nal said rather coldly. "The same night that his father disappeared?" She looked at him with a bit of shock and fright.
	"I remember... Following him downstairs. In the dark." Sillet swallowed. "And then you..." She glanced at the other two for a moment. "Tore him apart. At least I think-"
	"Yes. That was us."
	"And he didn't taste that good." The brown one snorted, getting a glare from the red knowing what was coming next. "I can only imagine you would-" Nal hissed at him.
	"Don't compliment the ancient, Stick." Beo growled, getting an exhale of frustration. As if to strike an old wound that was bothering Nalchulus. Snorting at him, the ice dragon half turned away from them and laid down.
	After a bit of silence, the red one started again. "We did that to get Raccel born into this universe. Giving him a birthright here, and a chance to become a Force once again."
	"Which we could've done already by holding this world hostage as bait. Then take them out when they least suspected." The blue one grumbled. "We could already have full control over this universe by now." A faint glare from those grey eyes, then they moved over the small son.
	"Yes, but you insisted that we did it this way. A more Natural way." Layton's ears slightly lowered, but he didn't cower. But just stared into space.
	"And that's why you protected us?" Sillet grunted against the labor and the injuries. "So that he could grow up to...?"
	"That's why we protected Him." A harsh glare from Nal. "You have already served your purpose. We no longer have a need for you." Her heart sank and raced with fear. Thinking she was going to suddenly be devoured by one of them at any moment.
	"No." Layton spoke up, trying to make his voice rather thick and getting the attention of the red and brown one. "If you're taking me away, you're taking her as well."
	"Really?" Siggy grunted, tossing his snout. "It's bad enough we have to babysit you, but her as well?"
	"Do you want to take over as Nurse while this body develops into an adult?" The son spoke quite clearly, getting the scrawny dragon to curl his neck at the thought of such a foolish thing. "Sillet stays with us."
	"For how long." Nal growled at the smaller canine, getting a rather composed look back from it. "We have a right to know. How long must we look after this annoying creature?"
	"For as long as she wants." Nal and Sig'eaal tossed their snouts. "You still belong to me, and you will still follow my orders."
	"You cannot be serious."
	"He's got a point." Siggy grumbled, getting a very harsh glare from Beo. "I meant about her being annoying." He snorted. "But really, are you serious? I'm starting to think Mr. Muscle's strategy would've been a better route now."
	"If you want to gain control and power without it being overthrown, I can show you how. But you need to follow my commands." A series of growls and grumbles, but nothing else opposing. "It will take time because we're starting out small. But if we just rely on your states of power, then the Forces will start to get curious. If they find out we're from a different universe entirely, it's all for nothing."
	The woods fell silent, and the hurtful gaze of Sillet was well hidden in the shadows. From the way Layton was talking, he was no longer her son anymore. Completely replaced by another creature, another person. Though, perhaps the one she fell in love with, there was something unsettling about this Raccel and his relationships with these three beasts. Let alone, how they 'Belonged' to him. In the end, the harsh truth was this:
	Sillet was just being used, right from the start.
------

Chapter 3

	The dusk brought rather cool air, as the sun began to leave the traveler's sights, along with its pleasant warmth. Forcing them to make another fire out of many broken trees around. Once again putting the ice dragon to work carrying wood, but the bear did his share as well. Finally being able to rest and lay down after a full day's worth of comfortable walking.
	The taste of the red fruits still lingered over his purple tongue, even though they did manage to find the fresh remains of a hunt along the way. Though normally the dragon wouldn't bother taking Seconds from a wild animal, Bartan insisted there was nothing wrong with it. Getting Beo to snort at such an idea. Though the gesture was more of a negative one, it was very hard to get the White one angry with little things like that. He only seemed to speak strongly if it was for the Good of the scaled one.
	Staring into the fire once again, his mind began to piece together memories of one. Almost being able to make out two dragons in their own respective areas within the shadows of the sharded picture. Why they were not closer to Beo only reflected once again on his looks, making him release a heavy sigh. "Everything okay?" A faint nod without searching for the bear. Knowing his paw would rest on his thick, scaled arm in no time to provide comfort. Yep. There it was. Softly stroking, as if to brush away the pain with the thousands of tiny furs on his paw.
	"Just... Remembering pieces." The large one mumbled. Getting his green eyes to fall and stare into space. "Ones that I'm not very... Fond of, by the looks of them."
	"Why do you say that?" He asked, rather sincerely.
	"...Because they feel... Lonely. Not really Driven or Cast out, but... Like it was a choice to be away from them. Be away from everything." He could barely catch the nods of the white and black muzzle in the corner of his eye, as Bartan came a little closer. Reaching down under the threatening icy spikes that outlined the dragon's jaw and stroke the scales under them softly. It honestly felt rather good to him, but not enough to start purring.
	"At least they're not hurting anymore, right?" A soft nod. "Good. Try to get some sleep then. We'll check on your progress in the morning, but you're doing much better in recovering." A heavy sigh left his nostrils as he half shrugged his wings.
	"I don't even know if I can sleep. I feel exhausted, yes, but..."
	"Do you want a stroking then?" No answer, but no blushing from the dragon either. "It would help you relax."
	"I guess it couldn't hurt." The large one responded, slightly stretching and flexing out his body for a moment as the bear made his way around. Not really sure what area Bartan was going to start his massage, slightly tickling the membranes of his wings while passing under them. Beo's mind just returned to that shattered portrait, trying to somehow get that image fixed so he could just banish it from memory for good.
	A soft tickle could barely be made out around his lower belly, hardly a sensitive area considering his scaled armor. But there was a soft bit that was somewhat vulnerable, and when a slightly cool press hit it, the large one yelped a bit while standing straight up. Even taking a step back to look at the bear in surprise for a moment. "Something wrong?"
	Beo wasn't really sure how to respond to that. Though, not wanting to hurt the Counterweight's feeling, he nervously cleared his throat. "No." Another clearing. "Your nose was just... Cold." He made up the excuse, though still not sure what to think of such an action. No memory came up to whether it was a good thing or bad. Preferred or insulting. And having already agreed to it, though unwillingly in a way, the icy dragon just rested his haunches down once again.
	Feeling that black tip over his sheath once again sent his scales clicking down his back. Exiling the breath out of him from the sheer excitement such a thing gave off. He couldn't even recall what it was for, let alone if he even used it at all. But Bartan seemed to know more about everything, including the dragon himself, over what Beo would. So, like most of this entire day, he put his trust in the bear.
	Closing his green eyes, he just concentrated on what the white one was doing. Feeling the soft kisses of his furred lips and red tongue slowly coax something inside the dragon's sheath. Feeling the form begin to dense up and swell within, slightly concerning the dragon. The smaller paws guiding what almost felt like a shaft from the outside, stroking it upward and leading it out of the small opening where his tongue was softly painting. Nearly playing the dragon like an instrument with his breaths, letting them morph into rhythm, along with his large head.
	Though he could hardly notice it now, Beo's mind felt completely blank. Yet occupied by the control the Counterweight seemed to have over him. Almost like a hypnosis over the large creature. For just in one small area, Bartan could move the dragon's chest, neck, head, tail, and even his wings. As the peak of the purple weapon began to peer through, a soft lick made the icy one gasp. Digging his claws into the grass under him, and trying not to completely collapse out of the sheer bliss such an action gave him.
	It rippled through his entire body. Every soft stroke from the outer paws, every lick along the sheath as it coaxed such a weapon to take it's time and re-enter existence. Like it's been locked away for so long, blinded by the bright light of flames, while slowly coming out of its protective blanket. One that's entrapped it, leaving such a thing shy to any attention.
	As Bartan slowly tended to it, doing his best to stretch out the protective set of scales so they did not tear, the tower's spines started to exit. Slowly revealing the entire shaft's head with all its sensitive wonder. Nearly making the large one whimper at the soft brushes his white fur gave. Lightly polishing the purple flesh, as it grew a liking to Bartan's warm touch.
	In no time, the entire head was through, and the sheath was able to take the expanding punishment. Giving the weapon a few more licks and finally driving out a whimper from Beo's muzzle, a soft dual stroke from the sides nearly made the large one collapse. Getting the bear to step aside for a moment. Feeling his paws guide the dragon to lay down a bit on his side to keep him from landing on top of the smaller one.
	Barely making out his current position with the slight ticking of his wings, the white one returned to the shaft soon enough. Getting another whimper from the dragon, though it was much easier to receive such bliss without worrying about standing up. Though with every caress brought spasms through the dragon's body. Getting Beo to flex, thrust, and sometimes jerk a bit as the pleasure lashed wildly inside his armored body. "It's okay, just let it out." Bartan said softly, probably knowing the dragon was trying to hold back.
	But those words were like a weight being lifted. Giving him permission to whimper loudly in nirvana, as the two paws began to carefully study the dragon's member. Not grasping it, but softly stroking the spineful weapon, and guiding it to just enjoy itself as its owner was. Letting the shaft begin to pulse while leaking out a bit of pre, flaring it's spines with every return of the paws.
	Several minutes passed before a large jolt of it was release against the armored belly. Trying it paint it with a white substance, while leaking out some lubricant for the bear to use. Though he didn't seem to need it. His paws seemed to always keep this soft feel towards them, all the while being strong enough to intensely feel every fiber. Getting Beo to start whipping his tail into the ground, making small tremors. It was a good indicator that he was close to a release.
	The white paws started changing their rhythm a bit, sending the dragon's breath into a more chaotic form. As they went out of line with another, it was hard to tell which one he was supposed to follow. His breaths, neck, and haunches followed one, while his shoulders, wings, paws and tail started following the other. Sending Beo into erratic spasms of bliss and very loud whimpers. Almost growls, as the shaft began to start releasing its pre more and more often. Sending them out in thick jolts, ones that the large pouch seemed to have too much of, and couldn't hold it all in.
	It was one loud, slight roar, and whimper mix that got Bartan to slow down a bit and concentrate on the dragon's ridges. Feeling the soft grasp on the fleshy creases nearly sent the dragon into a heavy hiss, and then back into constant growls as the paws started moving over them again. Trying to be the perfect mixture of rough and careful to get the most out of the dragon's orgasm, and by the sounds of his noises, it was working rather well.
	Gasps of breath followed by quick hisses began to build up higher and higher, as Beo's body started to flex out. His claws desperately searched for something to grasp and rake. His tail slammed into the earth so hard, it cracked the ground. His throat roared loudly as his pouch drained of nearly all its contents. Sending the massive build-up through the purple weapon, thickening it up to nearly twice its size before completely releasing its white torrents.
	The shaft became hard as steel, and warm to the touch, as the seed launched through it wildly. Painting his underside and even getting the bear with splashes of it. Helping him through the long neglected orgasm, while trying to relieve the stress it was putting on his titanic body was a hard balance to find. But after nearly a minute, they both began to slow down.
	His breathing started very heavy at first, but then began to normalize. All his thick muscles began to relax, as his mating tool flinched and jerked in happiness. Nearly flicking towards Bartan as if to thank him for such attention, before finally softening up and retreating back into its more roomy shell. Putting the dragon to sleep almost immediately.
	Though his clothing was almost completely soaked, the white one chuckled at the massive mess. Shaking his head a bit with a smile before carefully stepping out. Washing the mess on him, and on the ground, away with a simple wave, Bartan returned towards the slumbering dragon's head. Stroking under its jaw during its soft purrs, and making them rather thunderous. As if to show his appreciation in his sleep, and feeling one of his massive arms attempt to embrace the bear out of instinct.

------

	The smoke was lingering down, creating its own unique cloud over the industrial city. Though, some could bare a liking to the smell of something burning, a specific red dragon came to mind, the Icy one despised it. Having to live in such an area and guard it for the sake of pathetic beings was getting on his nerves. How he tolerated it for these past few decades was a thread short of a miracle.
	Climbing out of his nest on top of a large metal tower, he growled at the inhale that nearly burned his lungs. Hissing it out before looking down at the people working inside the building. Used for manufacturing something, he couldn't care less what. And as much as he wanted to either destroy it, or find another nest elsewhere, that damn dog denied that request.
	"It's too dangerous." Raccel stated, like he never gave it another thought. Making the large one snort at the memory as he took to the air, nearly shaking the building from the powerful launch. "The more people see you outside, the more they will suspect. Besides, I know your dragon instincts: You'll want to conquer lands and possessions, which will only get in the way of our goal." Of course Beo growled at him, seeing the fossil of a dragon beside him nod in painful agreement. But at least the old bastard could take a breath in his nest without having to expel 80% of it.
	It frustrated him to no end. Having to live in a foolish environment, babysitting insects, even dealing with their poor food. The only good thing that came out of it was the war. Everytime there was a battle, Beo'Kros was there to tear it apart. But even then, Raccel wanted the dragon on a leash. The only reason why he was able to do so much damage was due to the fact the dragons left no survivors.
	Then to watch all that good food go to waste, so it could be recycled. Once in a while, the icy one does sneak in a bite or two, even in the middle of the battlefield. Oh, how he missed feasting on thousands of them at a time. Longed for the days he could just step outside his cold mountain and just decide if that village was going to live another day or not. Part of him wondered if his old home was still there. And though he dreaded the thought of that weak wyrmling being even a sliver intelligent... He was right. Beo never had it better back then.
	He snorted loudly at the thought, finally able to take a deep breath of fresh air now that he exited out of the cloud. For the smoke to stay that low above the city only meant that the rain was coming. Granted, that never bothered him. But it meant that there was a good chance that no one would start a battle today in these conditions. And every day the dragon went without was another day of pent up stress left to build up.
	He landed heavily in the sand of a nearby beach, next to several large rocks. He would even prefer a Naval fight at this point, regardless of how tiring they were. But with nothing around, the dragon just took his frustrations out on the shapeless waters. Freezing nearly the entire coast before breaking it apart with a loud roar. One that echoed into the distance like a sharp warning. Taking a few breaths to recover the energy spent, and pretty soon he was back where he was, stress level wise.
	A slight cough that was trying really hard not to be heard caught his ear. Making it flick and search the rocks for a single person, dressed in a bit heavy clothing. Sitting there, trying to enjoy a smoke and doing its best not to notice the dragon. Such a thing made him almost angry, not recognizing the strength of raw power. Yet, this creature didn't seem to fear him. As the large one studied it for a few moments, and when there wasn't any movement from the dragon, the smaller one started getting glances. Eventually looking into those dark green eyes for a few moments, completely towering over it, and just now getting a little bit of fear from it.
	Several thick shards of ice crashed against the waves further out, breaking the silence a bit, and getting the smaller one to inhale the cigarette. Casually looking at it, then the ice that the dragon made. "Maybe I should try it your way." She mumbled, trying to make it sound like a dry joke. Another few moments of studying, and Beo snorted.
	"Don't bother." He grumbled, looking out towards the sea. "It didn't work." A shy smile was hidden from her face for a moment, as the wind blew the cold air around them. "Why the hell are you out here." It was barely a question, and she didn't seem too quick to answer.
	"To get the hell away from there." She half gestured behind, knowing that metal city was behind them. "That place is hell on earth."
	"You can say that again." The icy one grumbled. "Yet, the damn fools insist it's for their future."
	"Here I thought you guys ran that city." She took a drink of a bottle nearby.
	"Hardly." He snorted, finally sitting his haunches down in the sand. "If I didn't know any better, we are all slaves to the metal you forge with." He growled towards the city. "As well as a few others."
	"I suppose it's a prison for all of us. But some more than others." The two looked at each other again. "Be thankful you've got wings."
	"You don't need wings to escape." The blue one grumbled, getting her to chuckle a bit.
	"But they do help."
	"So does intimidation." A light shrug from her. "And you don't look too threatening."
	"Not compared to you, no. But it's not something I need."
	"Then where are your wings?" He finally asked, getting a smirk from her.
	"Mine? Ninja skills and a bit of parkour." He stared at her for several moments until his head started to tilt, getting her to chuckle again.
	"What the hell is a Ninja?" 
------

Chapter 4

	The details were fuzzy to him, but he could barely make out the straight edges and roofs of modern buildings. Seeing them all in various shapes and sizes, and almost covered in the darkness of night. But something was odd, it was like everything was moving in slow motion.
	Before the dragon was a large skyscraper, one that was recently split in half and falling towards him. But it wasn't the structure falling that was a threat. Instincts told him that there was something else around... That the building was just... A Curtain of some sort.
	Before he could figure it out, the falling building was suddenly split in half vertically, just barely being able to see the shine of an ethereal blade heading towards his eye within a few seconds-

	Beo shot up gasping. Finding himself still lying in the grass and covering that eye with a paw to find the wound. But nothing was found. No pain, no blood, and no scar that he could recall. But then what was that dream? "Hey." The bear's voice, almost groggy came from under him. Sleeping well in the dragon's chest and giving him a few pets. "Everything okay?"
	For a moment, the dragon was stunned, then gave a faint nod. "Yeah... Just a bad dream."
	"Want to talk about it?" He asked, rather casually.
	"No... I'll be okay. I don't quite understand it yet, but I have the feeling I will eventually." A deep breath, and the dragon laid his head down again. Slightly stretching his wings and tail a bit and feeling that fissure the long appendage rested over during the night. Getting him to attempt to glance back and remember when such a thing got there.
	"It's okay." Bartan yawned. "Just a reflex from last night."
	"Reflex...?" The blue one muttered, then it came back to him. Remembering getting a special treatment from the bear, and slightly whimpering from it. Unsure of how to talk about such a thing. After a loud swallow, Beo glanced away. "I... Don't know..." He started to mumble, but lost the words. Hearing the white one's sheepish noise in question, he tried to continue. "...What to..."
	"A simple 'Thank You' will work." The bear chuckled, trying to get into a more comfortable position. Seeing his large head turn and curl to study him, Bartan gave a soft smile at the dragon, like there was nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. It made those green eyes stare into space for a moment, but eventually he smiled back. Pressing his muzzle closer and nudging the furred one, a sign of affection that actually felt good to give.
	"...Thank you." He mumbled quietly, as if others were trying to listen in.
	"You're welcome."
	"I mean... For a lot of things..." He started, until a soft paw landed between his nostrils. Those brown eyes once again said 'You're Welcome' with a simple nod, only making the dragon smile again. Still half noticing the nearly dawn, perhaps they could still get a few more hours of sleep. As he adjusted himself a bit, Beo took a step back enough to attempt to embrace his furry friend. Granted, still giving him enough room to adjust before nodding off once again in pleasant dreams.

	"With Fate gone and Reality missing, there wasn't really any hope left for that universe. So, Raccel left his title behind, and we... Left." Beo said rather sadly, getting a constant pet on the arm as the two walked along the road. "I remember thinking to myself how much I wanted to be the Force of Death. Then to watch it float away into the vast emptiness, it must've been the most painful thing I think I went through."
	"It's hard to let go, especially something that you've wanted so long." The bear comforted him. "But I think you made the right decision. The only thing that was left there was Death."
	"As well as my lair." He half grumbled, trying to make it sound like a joke. Though, something told the dragon deep down that it wasn't. That he really did miss that place.
	"It's a harsh thing to come to terms with, the fact that even universes have expiration dates." Those green eyes looked at him. "I've come across several dead universes myself along my travels." His ears sank, getting the bear to stop him for a moment. "But in those places, I'm able to see the past like a diary or a log book." A soft stroke, as the white one leaned closer. "These events you've told me don't sound familiar. It's possible your home is still there."
	"With nothing left though..." The icy one mumbled, never feeling so homesick. Getting a second furred paw to help him cope.
	"As long as no one obtained the Force of Death, there's still hope. Universes can still survive on their own, as long as there isn't any Forces active, but they won't progress as well."
	"Progress into what though?" They started walking again. "You've told me how a universe functions, but where does all that lead to?"
	"Besides giving people to experience a life of their own?" The dragon curled his neck at the obvious answer, making the bear smile. But Bartan soon sighed, staring into the distance. "There is another part I left out in that lesson..."
	"That being what, exactly?" For a while, the Counterweight didn't answer, until he got nudged by that snout. A bit harder than Beo meant to. "I just got done chewing your ear off, what is it?"
	It half made him chuckle, and almost blush a bit. "You want me to nibble at your ears, do you?" An embarrassed grunt got the larger one stop for a moment and blush himself, knowing it was probably some kink that he had. "Have you ever heard of a Terrasque?"
	The blue one searched his memories for a moment. "Yes, actually. But only in context. I never understood what it was."
	"It's a creature that lives off of negative energy. The more it consumes, the more power it seems to give off, and this is what C. Weights and Forces use to power a universe." The dragon curled his neck. "That's why there's often a lot of suffering in worlds. Species constantly at war, or severely depressed... The Forces promote these things so that in turn, everyone can survive."
	"They do this just to feed one measly creature?" A faint nod from the bear.
	"But you have to realize that this thing is massive beyond your imagination." The dragon tilted his head. "Let me put it to you like this: Counterweights, in their normal forms, cannot fit inside of a universe. Even the largest one ever created, space-wise, our smallest CW couldn't squeeze in." Bartan took a heavy breath, one of remorse and experience. "A Terrasque can swallow one of us whole. Quite easily, in fact. It's possible even two at once."
	"You must be joking..." Beo whispered, looking to the sky to remember how large the Void itself is.
	"I wish I was even exaggerating. But that's the consequence of feeding these things. They keep growing and growing, feeding everyone's thirst for pure power and energy." An exhale. "It was a stupid idea for those old Counterweights to use such a thing for nearly every universe, and now we're in too deep to stop using it. It's effective, yes, but it's horrible to put our creations through such punishment so they can just survive." The dragon nodded in somewhat understanding.
	"What do you mean 'Nearly Every Universe'? Are there actually ones...?"
	"They are self-powered, constantly regenerating and recycling itself so there doesn't need to be any negativity or pain. Granted, the prototype was very different from my design."
	"So, you've made ones without the use of this Terrasque?" Bartan nodded. "I can only imagine that it's difficult."
	"It isn't easy." The bear joked, half chuckling. "And I'm always running into new problems when it comes to the older universes. Not to mention, it is extremely difficult to convince another Counterweight to attempt it. They're so convinced that change from the old ways is Taboo, that they won't even listen." Beo gave him a sad look. "But it's not for you to worry about."
	There was a long silence as they kept walking. Eventually, the dragon gave him another nudge. "Tell me about the prototype."
	"You really want to listen to an old bear talk about the old days?" The two chuckled, and the blue one nodded.
	"I... Like listening to you talk." It made the furred one smile brightly.
	"Alright, alright. We'll talk about Veritas. It was created by a Counterweight who went by the name of Vyitritvuietoafecr." The massively complicated name nearly broke the dragon's brain, getting him to attempt to shake off the pain, and the bear to chuckle at his reaction. "Everything okay?"
	"How do you even...?" The two laughed for a few moments. "...Pronounce...?"
	"Don't fret over it. Most people just called it C.Weight. And this one had the most crazy idea of making a universe, then sticking two more universes IN that universe." A very puzzling expression got the two to chuckle again. "But it worked. This thing could sustain itself, using somewhat of the same method. C.Weight probably could've even done better if it was able to look after Veritas, but..."
	"What happened to it?"
	"C.Weight? A form of Law Enforcement called the Counter Force arrested and captivated it for Experimenting. But they could never find the universe of Veritas for ages, because it wasn't connected to a Terrasque. And when they did, they couldn't find a way to enter it. However, a Terrasque did... Ish."
	"What do you mean?"
	"It was able to send its own form of army through the cracks of the walls, so to speak. But the inhabitants of Veritas were much stronger than it expected, able to repel a lot of their attacks which only made the creature more furious. But in the end, the heroes of Veritas still overcame whatever the Terrasque threw at it. However, it weakened the barrier that protected Veritas from the Counter Force."
	"Which got inside, and arrested these heroes as well?" Bartan nodded. "What happened to the Terrasque then?" A heavy exhale left the bear.
	"That's... A story for a different day." He smiled a bit sadly, as they came close to a garrison. "Feel like something to eat?"
	"Sure." Beo agreed, though he was curious of what happened, the response from the white one was worrisome. Exhaling himself, the dragon kept a bit of distance as the guards got very on edge overlooking the travelers.
	"Good day, men. We're just walking the roads, and was hoping to get something to eat. With payment, of course." The bear said, getting strange looks from the people in armor. After quite a bit of silence, and a bit of whispering the dragon couldn't quite make out, they spoke up.
	"We would rather not let strangers, let alone different species inside. You must understand."
	"Yes, that's underst-"
	"What!?" Beo growled from afar, taking a few steps closer and seeing Bartan come between them. "Do you know who this is, insect!?"
	"Beo, stop."
	"This is a creator of a Universe! Show some respect!"
	"Beo!" Bartan barked at him, getting the scaled one to take a step back. After taking a breath, he glanced at the guards who were ready to defend the walls. "Sorry to have bothered you. We will take our leave." He motioned the dragon to move back towards the road, and didn't move until the icy one did.
	"What was that?" He hissed at the bear.
	"You can't do that-"
	"They're Nothing compared to you! Why bother following their rules!?"
	"Beo." The white one raised his voice a bit more, getting the dragon to growl and take a moment. "You can't do that to another species."
	"Why-?"
	"Because that's not how being a higher status works!" He curled his neck. "It doesn't give you permission to trample over anyone, or make you more important. They have rules, and you still need to follow them."
	"Even if you have the power to alter their very state of being!?"
	"That is not Permission to bully them. It's a responsibility to protect them." The dragon snorted at him. "They're more important than you think, and if they don't want us inside, it's Their choice. Like it or not, We have to follow that." A loud grumble left Beo's throat as his ears remained flat against his head, but he didn't respond past that. "Showing them respect is not devaluing your own. In fact, it's making you appear greater than them."
	"It seems so tedious." The large one grumbled, getting a chuckle from the bear.
	"Yes, sometimes. But... Power isn't the same as Strength. Making them afraid of you is only going to hurt others in the long run." It made Beo half glare at the garrison from afar. But perhaps he should just let it go. Exhaling his frustrations, his belly growled. Making Bartan smile a bit.
	"Clearly someone else isn't pleased with your decision." The dragon joked angrily, getting the furred one to chuckle.
	"I suppose not. But we'll find something. How about... Over here?"

------

	Another smoke filled night got his throat sore. Constantly breathing in those harsh fumes were getting on his nerves, as well as his health. Making the dragon very irritated upon leaving the damned metal city. Wanting to just shatter the entire thing into pieces right then and there, but that kinda halts the purpose of 'Progress.'
	So the ice dragon's first destination was the freshwater beach. Granted, being parched was actually just the excuse. The real purpose was to relieve some stress by venting, a thing he's been actually looking forward to doing with the female he met on that rock. Of course he would never admit to such a thing to anyone, including her. And the thought of the other dragons finding out nearly made his mind stall on what to tell them.
	Regardless, right now his throat demanded his attention. Flying over the usual spot he got used to laying down in and diving into the cool water felt wonderful. Though he did weigh a tremendous amount, the dragon could still swim rather well. Even if it just looked like he was walking on the beach's floor the entire time, but that was for a completely different reason.
	The sea nearly parted way as Beo walked back onto land. Unable to stand against his forceful nature and sheer strength of his form. Leaving the waters like it was a warm summer's day, and that such a thing was refreshing, regardless if the female on the rocks was still bundled up in sweaters and layers of clothing. "You are crazy." She grumbled, putting a smirk across his muzzle. "I know you're an ice dragon and all, but even you must feel cold doing that."
	"Not at all. Especially if it means I can finally wash myself of that stench." He snorted, but it was the truth. His armored scales seemed so insulated that simply diving into the water wouldn't force his body to alter towards the cold. Shaking off the extra water, mostly in the furred membranes of his wings, he walked around the rock and laid himself down beside her.
	"How'd you sleep?"
	"Terribly." He grumbled, getting her to smile.  "And I'll tell you when I actually can sleep without my bedding smelling like Smog."
	"That's your fault. You should just pick somewhere closer to the ground for a nest."
	"Only to have your kind intrude and pester me over tedious things, I imagine." He snorted, almost playfully.
	"Yet, you've come here every day to visit me."
	"Hardly. I come to bathe and release some stress. You just happen to be here. Starving for words, I might add." A chuckle from her. "I don't even know what to call you, besides Girl."
	"That's because you've never asked me my name, Frosty." She took a breath of her cigarette. "It's Lynnoa, by the way."
	"Something I'll be sure to remember." He snorted.
	"And yours?" It made him double take, chuckling at his rather surprised expression.
	"...Beo." Another snort, trying to act like the previous action didn't happen.
	"Well then, Beo. What's on the plate today?" He let out a grumbling sigh.
	"Same old. Same taathing weather. Same lack of fighting."
	"Same smoky air, and same winged pests?" Another look, trying not to be surprised.
	"You actually do listen." He muttered.
	"Yep. Willing or not." Lynn teased. "But I get the feeling you don't want to talk about that today." He was quiet. "So then, tell me how you grew up."
	His neck curled at her. "What?"
	"You heard me. My story is so boring, it hurts. What's yours?" It stunned him for a moment, making her smile. A faint growl left his throat as he exhaled, but he wasn't angry at such an idea. In fact... He kinda like it.
	"Fine." He said, like he was being forced to. "I'll tell you my story..."
~~~~~~

	I was hatched alone, in the woods of some forest. Nothing around to look after me, or teach me how to survive. I just had to figure out for myself. Starting with the basics, being insects and some plants. Even catching a few small reptiles. But it wasn't until I seen my first human that I wanted to try bigger prey.
	She was some woman, going out to gather some fruits or berries from the taller trees. And for a bit, I stalked her, not sure exactly what she was. But when the large tree branch I was balancing on snapped, I fell down in her path. Something I shrugged off, but I didn't get the same reaction as I hoped for.
	Lynn: "Which was what?"
	Fear. Instead, she found pity in me. A lone hatchling, just a few days old. She offered me a few berries that she was picking, and like a starving child, I took it. Being baited for a pet on the mane.
	...Why are you looking at me like that?
	Lynn: "Trying to picture you as a hatchling."
	Don't. This isn't my natural color.
	Lynn: "It isn't?"
	I'll get to that soon enough. The woman grew fond of me, as I constantly stalked her whenever she set out into the forest. Eventually inviting me into her home when a harsh storm was incoming. But when her mate found out exactly what she was hiding, he became enraged by it. Threatened by my existence.
	Lynn: "Probably for the sake of the village, considering the damage you can do."
	I'll take that as a compliment, and perhaps it was. Granted, he had every right to. Because when he went to strike her, I blew him out of his own house with concussive force.
	Lynn: "You mean that telekinetic thing you do to break stuff?"
	Yes, it's a forceful blast, usually erupting from a sphere that's very difficult to see. I've been able to do many things with it, but being Gentle was hardly one of them. I wouldn't consider it Telekinesis because of that. But this is the very first time I did it. And the very first intelligent life I took on my record. Just barely a week old, and I sent someone through a wall and onto some poorly designed fence. Part of it sticking through his chest-
	Lynn: "Well then, that doesn't count as yours." She teased, loving the expression on his face.
	It was my doing to push him onto said fence, so it Counts. *Snorts* Regardless, the village was very frightened of me since. As well as my protectiveness of that woman-
	Lynn: "Your mother." A harsh glare from those green eyes got her to chuckle. "Stare at me all you want, that's what she was to you."
	You make it sound childish. But fine, she was my adoptive mother. And she took care of me well, as I did her. However, she ended up getting rather ill, and passed a decade or two later. By this time, the village feared me the worst. Not knowing what exactly I was going to do about her death.
	Lynn: "What did you do?"
	...Nothing. I simply left, found a large cave in the mountain nearby and claimed it for my own. Away from the village, but could still overlook it. I spend years staking claims of the lands around me, pillaging other villages, and adding them to my horde within that mountain. But I never took from them.
	Lynn: "But you instead protected them?" Another double take made her smile.
	...You insist on making me some kind of hero in this fantasy of yours, do you?
	Lynn: "Did you protect them?"
	...Maybe, in a very indirect way. It's obvious that I was stealing many things for myself from my claims, leaving evidence of raids here and there that they may have discovered. But I did not come and banish their enemies when they cried for help, if that's what you mean.
	Lynn: "Fair enough, continue."
	Why do I get the feeling you don't believe me.
	Lynn: "Because I don't believe you." She giggled, getting him to grumble.
	Think what you want, I left the village alone for the most part. A few centuries later, as I grew more mature, I did end up spotting another dragon. It was a female that claimed she was lost, and wondered if they could rest in my lands for a while.
	Lynn: "I can only imagine your reaction."
	Yes, especially after lifting her tail. Promising some compensation, but never did deliver. After a few days, she went missing from my cave and hunting grounds. But I ended up finding her do the same with another male quite far away from my territory. *Growls* I was never more furious in my life.
	Lynn: "...What did you do?"
	I fought them. Even when they tried to escape, I pinned them to the ground. I then raped her, then tore out her heart. Along with his as well. Leaving them just out of paws reach of another as they bled to death. That betrayal is what... Did this to me.
	Lynn: "You mean, the ice...?" *Nods* "So, what happened next?"
	You mean, after I discovered the power of cold and learned how to manipulate it for my own doing? Nothing much. I kept my pillaging, grew my horde, but also started getting visitors from time to time. Some were fools trying to overthrow me that obviously couldn't fly. Others were thieves trying to steal from me. I don't need to tell you what I did when they were caught. But there was one special one that visited.
	He said he was the descendant of my mother's best friend. Along with a comrade to help him up the mountain path, he just requested that I helped relieve the village I grew up in of poverty. The fact that he simply asked spared his life, but I rejected him regardless. Their people's poor choice is what drove them into poverty, it had nothing to do with me.
	Lynn: "Buuuut..." A glare from the dragon put a smirk on her face. Chuckling when he tossed his snout.
	Fine. After a few nights of thought, the conversation stuck with me. So I gathered nearly a quarter of my total horde and flew down. Scaring some tax collecting noble who was visiting the village while landing in the center of it. As well as nearly all its residents. I searched out the old man that came to visit me, and set the several crates in the square. I told them I owed the village nothing, but I owed Her... And that if anyone ever comes to visit me again, asking for wealth or favors of any kind, they will be slain. Be it tomorrow, or ten thousand years from now. Then left.
	Lynn: "What happened to them?" An annoyed stare from his green eyes.
	Like I really paid enough attention to them to see what happened. *Snorts*
	Lynn: "Didn't you?"
	...Not really. They got a few expansions, cleaned the place up a bit more. But not much changed. I want to say kingdoms kept taxing it constantly to get what they could from them. All I can truthfully say is that it stayed as a village. Never became a town or anything bigger.
	As the years went on, I became stronger. But it wasn't until I met some sort of Goddess that my power was really tested. It was a difficult fight for my younger self, but I won with little injuries. And learned how to claim her power for my own, the first taste of such. Wanting more of it, like my own horde, I seeked out to collect it. Encountering several other creatures and claiming their power for my own.
	But... I came across one that just got lucky. We were fighting in a city, much like the one behind us, and I was laying it to waste, along with him. Not giving him a chance to recover for very long, but I couldn't quite pin him down. He was able to teleport, which made things difficult. However, I could still just sense his power, so his location was not lost to me for very long.
	He ended up cutting a skyscraper in two, trying to get the building to land on me. Such a thing was hardly threatening. However, when I went to throw it out of the way, I lost him just for a moment. It turns out, he teleported behind it, and launched some sort of ethereal blade through the falling top half. Cutting completely through it, and getting me in the face badly. After that hit, the building pinned me down, and I could feel his blade against my throat.
	Lynn: "So, you lost..." His ears went back, but he nodded after a breath. "But he didn't take your life?"
	No. Instead, he healed the damage done to my eye, and the bruising from the building. Then gave me the option to live, and serve under him...
~~~~~~
	"And you took it." The female said, following his eyes glancing back towards the city. "That was...?"
	"That was Raccel, yes. And back then, he was the Force of Death. I wasn't even his first recruit, either. Which made things a little easier to bare." A heavy exhale through his nostrils. "But ever since then, I've been on a leash. Sometimes trying to find a way to plot against him so I could be freed from it."
	"Why can't you?" He didn't answer, meaning he probably didn't want to talk about that. "So what happened next?" The dragon's eyebrow raised at her, and Lynnoa motioned him to go on.
	"Fine. After a while, Raccel recruited the stick, and then got some visitors in his home..."
------

Chapter 5

	The night was rather warm, like the harvest moon was glowing with the sun's afterheat. Leaving the two travelers rather cozy without a large fire. Though the morning would still bring its dew, it would still be fine.
	With the taste of fine vegetables from a soup earlier still in his mouth, the dragon found himself rather comfortable laying on his side. Granted, the first set of such foods didn't fair too well for that purple appendage, which is why he's never eaten them since he was a hatchling, but being cooked and served the correct way could make even the most bland of things taste wonderful. Another lesson the bear has boughten into his life.
	Perhaps that's the reason why Bartan wanted him to just walk. Travel a road not many have traveled, for more reasons than one. There was so much more to see and experience in the world that Beo missed out on, just because he thought he was too good for doing something so tedious. As harsh as a truth as it was, it was correct.
	But the question still echoed in his mind; why did the bear go out of his way to save the dragon? One that has been answered by him before, but 'Not Having A Reason' isn't really much of a Reason to begin with. Granted, it's a question for a different time. After Beo's outburst at the guards today, he didn't want to anger the Counterweight anymore for the rest of the day. Last thing he needed was for the furred one to requestion the value of the dragon's existence.
	At least the white one didn't hold a grudge, still going out of his way to comfort the peaceful dragon. Constantly scanning his titanic body with those soft paws nearly made the larger one chuckle. "What are you doing?" He mumbled at the bear, hearing that same small laugh and picturing a smile over his long muzzle.
	"Just searching for something." A small, playful grumble left the thick plates of his neck, as it tickled the paws a little bit. Searching up higher and higher, until they got to the bottom of his jaw, under the frozen spines that made his beard. The soft stroke gave off a little purr instinctively, making the large one crave a bit more. But when the paw forced itself into the area much rougher, those purrs started to grow loudly. Making the dragon flex his own paws and almost rake at the ground in pleasure. "There it is."
	For several minutes, Beo enjoyed the constant strokes. So thankful that the two were completely alone in the woods, and unable to hear his more vulnerable side being taken advantage of. Granted, odds are to others, the purrs would sound more like a growl, but it was like the bear knew better. "Satisfied?" Bartan asked, starting to slow down and feeling the dragon's head lean towards him.
	"A little more..." He half whimpered, getting another chuckle before pressing in and getting that thunderous noise once again. Like large rocks rolling down a thin metal pipe, the noises echoed into the air, along with the occasional moans of pleasure. Even after the paw started to slow down, the purrs left him. As well as put a large smile over his muzzle.
	But the paw started to explore the area a bit. Granted, not getting a better result other than the opposite side, it was still something he could use to make the icy one happy. Soon enough, those paws climbed down the armored neck once again, feeling around the chest a bit, then going to one of the dragon's biceps. Hearing the white one nearly get breathless as he tried digging claws into the thick muscle. Releasing his very own gasp that made Beo a bit puzzled at what he was doing. After a bit, a slight noise in question flickered his frilled ear. "Looks like we have a visitor."
	It nearly stopped the dragon's heart in embarrassment. Visitor? Another traveler? If so, how long have they been standing there? With a loud swallow, the large one slowly started to lift his head and look behind, only to see no one there. Then giving the bear a very puzzled look, and seeing him smile. Granted, still half holding the dragon's muscle. A simple gesture towards Beo's lower half, and a small purple peak could be seen through the frosty scales.
	A sigh of relief left his large body, making the white one laugh. Now knowing why he was so worried. But he didn't torment the dragon anymore than that, instead just give that thick muscle one last squeeze before heading lower. "Do you want another session?"
	"...Is that what you call them?" A noise in confirmation, but the blue one was still a little uneasy about it. "If... You feel like it. I don't mind."
	"Do you mind if I explore a little bit?" A simple shrug from his wings and a nod to say go ahead. Granted, he wasn't sure how much more 'Exploring' the bear could do past last night. There's only so many ways you can paw at the shaft before it begins to feel the same. So the dragon lifted his hind leg for better access, feeling something a bit odd from such a service. It wasn't really more embarrassment, but... Guilt perhaps? He wasn't sure.
	Granted, that feeling was thrown aside as soon as the bear's lips pressed against his tip. Making Beo whimper slightly and gasp for breath. Slightly lapping with a soft tongue around the sheath and the weapon, as his paws worked magic around the area. Massaging the inner thighs and pelvis, delivering a comfortable bliss that Beo couldn't keep inside. Releasing those loud purrs once again with every deep breath.
	Of course, every little pet and kiss got the weapon inside to become less and less shy, but there was something odd about the motives of the bear's tongue. It was like it was searching for something. He couldn't quite place what until it caught a section of the sheath. Slipping under it and making the dragon whimper loudly in pleasure. Getting him to claw drastically at the ground and air at the sheer amount of stimulating it released into his thick body.
	His only defense against such a tactic was for the weapon to grow more and more. Constantly pulsing into the bear's muzzle and separating his jaws with every jolt forward. When it became too big for him to handle, Bartan was forced to retreat his red appendage from its infiltration, allowing the blue one to finally catch his breath.
	A few deep breaths with some whimpers got the furred one to be slightly concerned. But with that small break, the dragon stabilized. Getting a few pets and strokes on the purple tower still coming out enforced a few moans, but he didn't focus on the area too much more.
	Letting the weapon come out on its own, the bear started pawing a bit lower. Though getting a reaction out of the inner thighs before, it wasn't much of one. Carefully massaging the scaly pouch which carried a good amount of liquids inside, it was definitely less full than last night. Getting quite a lack of resistance, and a bit of an uncomfortable whimper from the large one. Which in turn told Bartan to leave it alone for the most part.
	Going back a bit further, the paws separated to reach both hamstrings. This is the second biggest reaction he got from the dragon, aside from the main shaft of course. Such an area was hardly considered soft, but it was rather sensitive to the blue one. Even getting him to squirm a little bit while clawing at the air. Nearly trying to push the bear away from the area out of protective instinct using those hind legs. Louder the whimpers came, over stimulating his body and tail to the point it started to thwack the ground in a slow rhythm.
	It wasn't until one loud whimper and a bit of a squirt shot out of his weapon that the bear chuckled and stopped. "Okay, okay. Moving on, but I'm keeping those areas in mind." Completely enthralled by recovering from such bliss, Beo couldn't think straight. But a few more tickles of paws closer to under his tail got him to yelp loudly and scamper up. "Too far?" Bartan asked rather calmly, but only got a bit of a frightening stare from the green eyes. As his tail shut off the rear entrance of the dragon, almost guarding it.
	For a few moments, the large one felt a little lost. Not really sure why those instincts to defend himself kicked in, and a little embarrassed that they did. Not to mention, the thought of what the bear was planning to do with the area only made his ears blush deeply. "It's okay if you're not ready. It's good that we found a limit." The white one replied to the silence, making the dragon drop his gaze in a bit of shame. Again, not really sure what to think of it, and not wanting to 'Give Himself' to the Counterweight that way.
	And like that, the session felt ruined, as Beo tried to form a sentence from a series of mumbles. Not sure of what to say or reply to what just happened. He felt like wanting to hide away until the fear melted from his purple ears, almost taking that single step to leave the forest for a bit until the bear spoke up. "Want to do me instead?"
	It made the dragon perform the world's biggest double take, once again stare into the bear's rather calm brown eyes. Letting his own ears fall and release a speechless whimper. "...Wh...?" He tried to speak, but nothing really came out.
	"Are you okay with being on top? I don't mind." The Counterweight's composure was rather calming, yet intimidating. Patiently waiting for the dragon to come to an answer. To be honest, Beo didn't really want to go hide like his instincts drove him to. But to continue this...?
	"...You mean..." His throat finally allowed him permission to speak. "Like that...?" The white one smiled, letting out a soft chuckle.
	"I guess it would be a little difficult this way. But what about my true shape? Scaled down, of course." It made him speechless again, and almost feel a little stupid. Of course the Counterweight would have another form, but for some reason, the blue one always pictured the bear like this. What almost looked like Bartan stepping out of himself came so naturally. His size grew close to the dragon's own, in a feral state that was heavily coated in white fur. Like that of a six legged wolf, but with the head of a polar bear. And those exact same eyes told him it was still the companion he traveled with. Astonishing really, and somehow just welcoming as he turned around to let the green eyes scan him. "It's up to you."
	The dragon was still slightly stunned by the transformation, and that first step towards the higher being was the hardest he ever took. Slowly taking pawsteps around him and studying the shape just made Bartan smile. Overlooking the extra pair of forelegs, the four ears, and the three tails for extra body parts. The black tattoos of several stripes on his back, as well as this collar at the base of his neck, joined together in what looked to be two circles. Beo's eyes eventually returned to the brown ones, almost embarrassed to ask. "...And you... Want this?"
	"I would like it, yes. But only if you're comfortable with it." A nuzzle into the dragon's neck, a sign of affection he was not used to. "We can wait for another time, if you want." The scaled one knew if he rejected or left, he would never get the nerve to attempt it again. That fear would only haunt him, taunt him constantly that he was a coward. Not afraid of facing Gods, but of some affection that only meant well? He slightly grumbled at the thought of it, almost angry at it, which only made the bear's gaze slightly worried.
	After a deep breath, Beo nodded. "Okay." He swallowed, taking another. "If you're... Alright with... Me..." Another moment of embarrassment for the dragon, but Bartan smiled brightly at him. Giving his jaw a few licks before turning himself around, parting his tails and inviting the larger one in. With another deep breath, the blue one stepped forward, over the large furry body. Trying to mount it without pressing too much of his massive weight on the slightly smaller being. Feeling the furs of both his tails and haunches brush under his belly and even tickle his purple member a bit, which was surprisingly still somewhat erect.
	So many thoughts started whipping through the dragon's head, as he rested it against the bear's shoulders and neck. Never having done this before with another male, he wasn't sure how to attempt it. But the tails seemed to guide him. Brushing up against those hamstrings were distracting, but they pushed him to step forward, while the third was brushing the weapon's tip. Coaxing it a little underneath to tell him to aim a little higher, then a bit on the top for a little lower. Until it finally pressed into a patch of fur, making Beo whimper a bit. Getting another brush under it, until he found the depression.
	Knowing what it was, the dragon tried to swallow his whimper. Instead, exhaling a few breaths over the neck of the fluffy pillow. Just now realizing how soft it was, like grasping a hold of a cloud. Feeling a rather large paw under his beard a bit tried to relax him, as the blue one held onto the bear rather tightly. "It's okay, take your time."
	A deep breath followed by an exhale. Then another for good measure, and he started to press against the white pillow. Feeling his weapon begin to separate the furs and a faint fleshy area that began to open up. As if to attempt to swallow the dragon's shaft whole, but it was a bit bigger than expected. Getting a heavy gasp from the bear under him, which in turn just banished the breath from the dragon too.
	A little bit further, and the area started to feel really snug. Almost afraid of getting it stuck, but Beo kept pressing in a little bit at a time. Each attempt started making Bartan whimper himself and almost gasp. "Are you...?" He tried to ask the white one, losing his own breath in the process.
	"I'm... Fine." A sharp breath. "You're just bigger than I thought. Keep going-" Another whimper. It was soon that the two began to match breathing, moving together as one. Within a few more minutes, a jolt of pre exited out of the purple tower, greasing the bear's tailpipe and making it a lot easier for it to widen around the shaft's head. Feeling the smaller spines under the tip begin to form and brush up the entrance by accident.
	Starting to put alot of weight on the bear's shoulders told him to kneel down a bit there. Keeping his haunches extended up for the dragon to reline his member. Finding the area this time with ease, Beo started to press in hard, getting the bear to whimper loudly as he stretched to fit around it. Another heavy press got both of them to lose the contents of their lungs. But with a final heavy breath, the dragon growled and forced his haunches harshly against the furry ones, finally slipping the head inside of the bear and sending them both stimulating for several minutes.
	Both of them released their own sprays a bit, as well as songs of pleasure into the night. But the hard part was over, as stressing as it was to the lower one. Finally raising his upper body back up, and wiggling his nailed haunches to get a desperate whimper out of the dragon, Beo growled playfully at him. Pressing the thick shaft inside him deeper in order to punish the bear, then slowly pull it out. Only to put it back in a little further.
	The two developed the rhythm once again in no time. A musical piece of breaths, whimpers of pleasure, and moans of bliss. Along with the occasional growl. The motions felt amazing to the blue one, an action he was almost proud to be a part of. Constantly pressing himself into the bear's body, and loving the brushing of the fur. The comfortable warmth, the wonderful softness, it was everything he could imagine in a Counterweight. Let alone his first.
	But that feeling was cut a little short when the dragon stepped forward once again. Accidently giving the full length and getting the thick squeeze of the tailhole over all eight of his ridges at once. Triggering a harsh reflex to squeeze to his maximum strength and brace into Bartan. Making him worried for a moment, until his backside began to flood with a thick warmth. Releasing torrent after torrent inside of the furry being, until the bear released his own under them.
	After a few moments, the white one started releasing small grunts and gasps, as the pressure inside him began to thicken. As their breaths began to climb in pitch a bit, fighting against his instincts, but it was a losing battle for the titan. Snatching the white furred neck with his jaws and releasing more torrents of the dragon's seed inside him. Unable to hold back the massive strength of them as he filled the bear's backside. "That was a little quick." Bartan gasped, as they both caught their energy back.
	"That was... My mistake." The blue one muttered once he regained control, a bit embarrassed.
	"No worries. Feel like another round?" He felt the mounting one double take, making the bear chuckle.
	"You can't be serious."
	"I was actually hoping to take the same load you had last night." A slight whimper from the larger one, not really remembering too much about the previous session. "What say you?" A few pants left the wyrm, taking some time before shaking his head.
	"I... I'm a little tired after..." The hexeped just nodded, reaching a paw up to that blue muzzle and getting the side of it a gentle pet.
	"In time, that's alright. You did more than I expected." Bartan said softly, shifting to lay down with the purple shaft still within him. Forcing the dragon down slowly on top of him, and hearing the titan release a whimper in question. "You can rest on me tonight, I encourage it." The white did feel incredibly soft against Beo's chest, carefully resting his weight on the large bear and nearly expecting to hear it's spine snap. But nothing. Just cushion like a cloud, soft and plush. Embrace worthy, enough for the beast to slumber as his tool continued to throb within the living pillow.

------
	The ice dragon landed in the courtyard heavily, scaring many of the soldiers off their feet while training. Standing tall and towering over them, they scampered out of the dragon's way as he walked towards a large building. Still barely being able to squeeze through the large set of doors that they made, but stated they couldn't make them any larger without expanding.
	The thought of such things made Beo snort, as he made his way towards a large table with the other three comrades, as well as a few others discussing strategies. "You're late." Raccel said, in an unamused tone.
	"Does it really matter if I am or not?" The blue one grumbled, getting a foul look from him and his ancient right hand.
	"No." Siggy snorted, getting a glare from those green eyes. "But only because you barely pay attention to these meetings."
	"You barely pay attention in these meetings." Nal grumbled at the brown one.
	"Exactly. Then why do you force me to come to them? They're boring as hell. Why can't I have Beo's job instead? Just point at something and let me kill it."
	"Because you're terrible at that too." Beo hissed, getting one back. "Regardless, he has a point. Why bother making us come to these?"
	"Why, so you can spend more time talking to your pet rock?" The red dragon got a hiss, lashing one back at him.
	"Enough." The canine stressed, the years haven't been too good to him lately. "I need you to keep track of the enemy. There'll come a time when knowing where they are is vital, and I won't have any mistakes due to your laziness!" The two younger dragons growled at him, but didn't argue past that. "There's been spots of an army moving to the west of us. And many outposts have been taken out to the north. Odds are, they split their army up."
	"Which means they'll have a fraction of its strength." Beo snorted like it was obvious. "Just send me up north, and these two out west. We can be rid of them finally-"
	"Really? Giving us the biggest portion of the army to deal with? Who are you, and what have you done with Mr. Muscles?" The ice dragon growled at the brown one. "See, I'm hearing it, but I'm not feeling it."
	"Why go up north?" Nal questioned him.
	"You don't seriously expect a blizzard to suddenly appear to the west and not raise any questions, do you?" The two matched glares.
	"The blue one does have a point." One of the others attending muttered towards Raccel.
	"...No. I don't want you getting spotted." A growl from Beo. "We'll wait to see what else they do. If there's any surprise attack, I want you nearby to deal with it." The largest one tossed his snout and headed for the door. "We're not finished yet, Beo."
	"You're finished with me." He snorted at them.

	The damn meeting made him tense, and nearly unable to wait to get out of the city's walls. Wanting to relieve some stress over the waters again, but too many questions came from the sudden buildup of ice. Forcing him to instead just exhale and land a bit hard into the sands. Approaching her rock, only to find it empty of occupation, making him grumble a bit. And after ten minutes of waiting, he took off back to see what the holdup was.
	Walking towards the gate, he could see her talking to another guard, with a pair keeping a close eye on Lynnoa. By the look of it, she almost seemed half on edge, which only irked the dragon coming towards the gate and scaring the guards on duty. But then he got an idea. "You! Pet! Why are you making me wait!?" He roared at them, though surprising the female at the tone.
	"M-making you-?" The guard questioning her asked, looking rather frightened finally seeing the ice dragon up close. "We caught her sneaking out. S-she's been doing it all week-"
	"She's been doing it all week because I told her to." He growled, towering over the guards. "Release her. Now."
	"But, our orders are-"
	"-Do you want to be alive tomorrow?" The question made the male whimper. "Drop whatever Punishment you have in store for her, or become a Stain. Those are your options. I'm more than certain you'll be replaced in an hour, which is a lot sooner than I can find a new pet." Another whimper and the dragon motioned for her to follow him. Sneaking past the petrified guards and exiting the wall.
	"Pet?" She questioned, trying her best not to laugh at the foolishness and his snort.
	"It's the first thing that came to mind. Would you rather Wench?"
	"N-no, Pet will do fine, just unexpected for a dragon like you to have a pet. Let alone..." Lynn trailed off, getting him to stop and look at her for a moment.
	"Let alone what?"
	"...A rat, I guess."
	"Rat?"
	"As in, a Street Rat. Lower class..."
	"Trust me, 'Nobles' would make terrible pets. Who wants one that praises themselves all the time?" Another snort, and she smiled at him. As the dragon glared at the guards behind him until they hid, Beo laid down and upward paw for her. "Get on."
	Nervous about what he was planning, she followed directions, and he lifted her to his shoulders. Feeling her place a hand on the icy spines, and make her way through the forest of them. "I pictured them... Colder, really. And more stiff."
	"They're still stiff." He bluntly stated, feeling them get pushed around a bit, and getting him to grumble. "I pictured you to be more of a nuisance."
	"Why? Am I sitting on you wrong?"
	"I don't know. I've never had someone on my back before." The dragon could feel her surprised glare from the back of his head. Making his ears slightly purple, but she couldn't see them. "Why are you looking at me like that? You've heard my backstory." He snorted, getting her to giggle. "Alright, where to?"
	"Not going to the beach?
	"You're not sick of the beach?" Beo grumbled.
	"A little, yes, but..." She took a breath. "Anywhere. Doesn't matter to me, Beo. But are you feeling well enough to...?"
	"What are you talking about? A strong dragon never gets sick." Another snort.
	"Then what's wrong with your arm?" He tried to look at her, then his inner arm. Seeing a patch of brass scales that wasn't there before.
------

Chapter 6

	He never felt so comfortable, sleeping on something with such warmth and softness. Even when the cold dew covered his scaled back, all he could concentrate on was the sheer contentment that it brought, making his entire body melt on top of it. But the longer his subconscious studied it, the more he got awake. Then trying to remember what exactly it was he was laying on. "Wow, you're heavy." It muttered, slightly moving under him.
	At first, he paid little attention to the fact it spoke words he understood, and then it hit him. Flinging those green eyes wide open and lifting his upper self off the bear quickly. Only to rediscover his more abnormal form, hearing him chuckle a bit without looking at him. "No-no, it's okay. I like the weight." The dragon didn't move, only sadly looked at him when the events of last night returned. "Come on, it's still a bit early." The three tails tried to nudge him back down, and slowly, Beo did. Resting on top of the warm furred one, and taking a deep breath. Loving the fresh smell his coat gave off.
	For a while, they were silent. The bear calmly resting, and the blue one trying to think of the words to say. When really, there was only two: "...I'm sorry." Bartan made a noise in question. "...For biting you, and..."
	"It was just your reflex. Dragons tend to bite during intercourse, especially the fiercer ones." He groggily said, which didn't really make Beo feel much better. The term 'Fiercer' echoed through his head, another word for frightful. But such a term fit him, didn't it? Considering the things he did in the past. The people he hurt, and treated poorly. And, of course, those he...
	A heavy breath left him, getting a strange mumble from the one below. "Hey..." The white one said, slightly nudging him with his entire body. "What're you thinking about?"
	The question sank his heart. But if there was anyone who would listen... "...I don't like the person that I am."

	The warmth persisted throughout the day, keeping the two nice and comfortable while on the road. As the bear talked about many different things just to keep the dragon occupied, Beo couldn't help but smile and overlook the Counterweight's smaller form. One so similar, holding what defined the companion he called Bartan, yet different. Eventually, the white one caught the green eyes staring. "You following what I'm saying?"
	Beo admittedly shook his head, getting the smaller to chuckle. "Not in the slightest."
	"That's okay. It's not something you need to understand anyway." He shrugged, seeing another walled town nearby. "I wonder if this place has anything good for food."
	"I swear you're always hungry." The dragon teased.
	"Not really hungry for nutrition, but I like trying new tastes." He beckoned the large creature and walked towards the gate. One that made the blue one almost sad to approach, due to what happened last time. But, of course they would have every right to act as such, especially after the dragon's outburst. Which only reflected on the conversation that morning.

~~~~~~
	"You don't like the person that you are...?" The full formed Counterweight below the dragon repeated. Letting the crushing weight of his own words deflate the life out of him. "Why not?"
	"...You've heard my story. Seen my actions... Would you-?"
	"Yes." The bear said rather confidently, making the scaled one hold his breath. "I would still like that person. But that isn't you, is it?"
	"It is. It's who I am by instinct. What I've done to others-"
	"Which doesn't define who you are." Bartan snuggled up to the large one, rotating himself to hold the dragon better. "What do you see yourself as?" He looked deep into those green eyes, watching as they almost shed a tear of shame. "Now, why do you see yourself as that? Because of what other people think or say? Because of the choices you were forced to make?"
	"...Because you see myself as something better, and I can't for the life of me understand why." The dragon started to look away, but a paw brought back his sights. Those brown eyes standing defiant against his self-examination.
	"If you want to change..." The bear whispered. "Then change. Everyone has done something wrong, and it is up to them to fix that. You Can Forever Curse The Darkness, Or You Can Light A Candle That Allows You To See." Beo blinked slowly at him. "You became... This, in order to Survive. What I see in you...? It's the potential of what you Can become."
	"Which is what?"
	"Whatever you desire to be, Beo." That name sank his heart. "But the first step is believing that you can change. You must have Faith in yourself, in order to branch away from the corruption that you were forced to consume when you were younger." He pulled the dragon's head down to rest it on the furry mane around the bear's neck. Letting it rest there for several minutes.
~~~~~~

	"Hey." The white one's voice released the dragon from his trance, making him shake his head for a moment. "Everything okay?"
	"...Yeah." He mumbled sadly, but the bear didn't pry. "They don't want me inside-"
	"No, they don't mind. Just watch your step, obviously. Lots of children are at play in these towns." Bartan smiled at him, then pulled out a small pouch from a pocket with a long ribbon keeping it closed. "Here." The large one curled his neck at the object. "It's just some coins. We'll split up a bit in here, I want you to browse the shops a bit and buy something you like."
	"Something I like...?" Beo repeated, completely puzzled by the task and getting the bear to chuckle. "With money that you stole?"
	"I didn't steal it." He laughed. "But created more of it."
	"Isn't that...?"
	"Bad for the economy? Only when it's in a very large supply. But this won't do any harm. In fact, it'll probably do a lot of good here. The metals used are sometimes difficult to come by." Bartan stepped forward and started to attach the satchel to one of the dragon's frozen neck spines, getting him to grumble uncomfortably at the idea of bartering. "You'll live. Still, just enjoy yourself a bit. We'll meet back here in about twenty minutes, okay?"
	The ice dragon took a deep breath. "Fine." He grumbled, getting the smaller one to smile and chuckle again. Seeing him easily walk up though the large gate like it was no big deal, yet Beo almost felt like he was snared in the grass. Finding it difficult to approach a town like this ever since his last visit to that village.
	It took nearly the entire weight of his body for that first pawstep against his will. Letting him imagine taking half the world with it that his paw so desperately clawed into, when really it was just a patch of grass. It was so foolish of him to fear such a thing as a society of lesser creatures, and he wasn't sure why. Perhaps his psyche was still unstable from the resurrection, but regardless, it made him take another breath. Then a second one, before finally slowly moving forward.
	Feeling the guard's constant watch as the massive creature tucked in his large wings to squeeze through the gate. Hearing the small horns and shards of ice along the branches scratch against the gate's door a bit while passing through, he wasn't sure why Bartan requested this, of all things. He couldn't just go back and ask to nail the dragon into the ground instead?
	And that's all he needed, for that embarrassing thought to pop into his head. Making those frosted ears blush a bit and glow purple, in front of what Beo thought would be thousands of people. When really, there was only dozens, most away from the gate. A few carriages pulled by equines, some were standing in wait politely for the dragon to make it through. When the larger one realized this, he quickly scampered to the side, getting his long tail to crack against the door, leaving a few more marks and making him flinch at the large scraping sound it made.
	With very uncomfortable groan, his ear flicked when catching the bear's familiar chuckle in the sea of people. It only took a moment to spot him in the crowd of people, smiling at him from afar, then motioning him to carry on and browse the wares. As much as Beo wanted to just leave, the trouble he made already would've only been for naught.
	Sighing heavily and lowering his head, he felt the faint taps on the side of his neck that made his spines raise. Looking to the side, he felt it again, realizing it was just the pouch of coins attached to his neck. Another heavy sigh left his muzzle as he carefully stepped into the streets.
	Bartan disappeared into the crowds by now, in a direction that was too dense for the icy one to follow, so he was forced to go on his own. Looking around at the many kiosks that held jewelry, bringing back memories longing for his own horde he left behind. Things that would be rather nice for his collection, only to purchase them to be thrown into an oblivion made up of a thousand others. That in turn only reflected on the things that he's done to collect such treasures, only adding to the pool of guilt that was accumulating in his mind these past few days.
	Another archway which in turn made for a tight squeeze against the dragon. Almost popping out of the stone arc and wondering about the damages his size caused to the old structure. The scampering and giggling of children soon came from behind and under him, as a group started chasing one another. Only seeing the dragon as an obstacle, which got him to double take. Carefully stepping to the side in a grassy area to let other people pass through on the road, and take notice that their gaze.
	Unfrighten. Not terrified. Wondrous, yes, that such a creature even existed, but they didn't look at the icy one like he expected. He wasn't a frozen terror that came to pillage their homes and take their valuables. He wasn't looked at like a monster, just a rare creature for them to talk about to their friends.
	It was a warm revelation, really. Nearly putting a smile on his face and seeing the children come around the sitting dragon once again. Using him as a divider to hide behind, then taking off. If his appearance couldn't even frighten children, then maybe he didn't look so threatening after all. But it still reminded him of his cold past, making him sigh heavily. "Them kids giving you trouble?" A man questioned him from afar.
	It took a moment to find the one who spoke, but soon enough he spotted the elder on a side bench nearby. "N-no. Not really." He replied awkwardly as he took a few steps to sit beside the wooden seat.
	"But something is." A rather surprised look from the large one. "My eyes aren't much good anymore, see? But I can hear it in your voice. What's wrong, son?" It made the blue one's ears drop for a moment, but he took a breath. Maybe it was good to talk to someone else for a change.
	"Have you... Ever gotten a second chance, then feel like you've never deserved it to begin with?"
	"What do you mean?" A frown from the large one, and another deep breath.
	"I've done-" Another series of giggles as the children passed by again. "...I've done many bad things in my life. Hurt a lot of people... Then I found the nicest, most positive person I've ever met, and he... Doesn't see me as this. Even when I confessed this to him, he says that I can change."
	"But you don't think you can." A faint whimper left his throat. "Why not?"
	"...Because I've relied on my instincts for so long, I don't know how I can."
	"And what are those instincts saying now?" An embarrassing whimper that time, making the man chuckle. "I think I know what that means." But he motion Beo to say it out loud. Picturing him scanning the area for any ears pointed in their direction.
	"They're saying..." He sighed. "Find him, and squeeze the living daylights out of him." The dragon scratched his mane, hearing him chuckle.
	"Good instincts, I suppose."
	"But to do that doesn't feel right."
	"Why not?" Another whimper. "I'm not here to judge you, son. Spit it out."
	"Because he's... A male."
	"So?" A loud swallow when his ears caught that. "Nothing wrong with it." The awkward grunts of the large one just made him laugh. "I see, you're all about the women, ain't ya?"
	"N-not... Really." He swore purple was invading his face. "I only had one or two, and they..."
	"And you're thinking this is going to be the same?"
	"...Maybe. I mean, what if it does?"
	"What if it doesn't?" The question made his ears go back, almost snorting at it. "Point is, you won't know until you try, son. Do something for me."
	"What?" Beo curled his neck.
	"Close your eyes." A stare at him. "Go on, do it."
	"Are you sure you're blind?" He snorted at him, but a gesture to just do it got him to grumble and cooperate.
	"Now, picture his face." A few moments of breathing, and he could start seeing that polar bear muzzle start to form in the darkness. The blackness of his nose slightly fading around the fur around it, the long snout leading up to those brown eyes. Still filled to the brim with kindness and strength. Those four rather large, and a bit round ears sticking out of the sides told the dragon he was picturing the Counterweight's larger form. Regardless, it made him smile. "How do you feel?"
	"...Happy. Excited. Comfortable." The scaled one admitted, opening his eyes and looking off to the side. "But what if I corrupt that kindness of his?"
	"If you love him enough, you can't." That word caught his breath, keeping him still for several moments as if he was completely stunned or frozen in time. "Kindness like that can't be tainted easily, son. As long as you try not to, you'll stay happy with him. Just don't make the relationship about you."
	"...Me?"
	"Yeah. As a wise man once said, sadly not myself." The older one chuckled, even getting the dragon to. "Love is not about Possession, it's about Appreciation."
	"So... Giving some while you take."
	"In a way, yes. I'm guessing you've been taking a lot lately?" A heavy sigh left him, letting his wings drop a bit. "That means Yes." Another chuckle at the dragon's expense. "But now you know what to do, eh?"
	"...Yeah." A refreshing breath was felt in his chest. "Yeah, I do, kind of." He smiled at the old man. "Thank you."
	"You're very welcome." But that guilt came back like a black cloak over his large body. Until an idea came to mind. Reaching at the drooping spine on his neck, he pulled off the bag of coins. Dropping them on the bench within arm’s reach of the man. "What could this be?" He asked, trying to get a feel for it.
	"It's yours." A noise in question, and the jingles of the coins inside were very familiar to him. "I-I mean, as thanks."
	"You don't need to pay me, son."
	"Well... Consider it a gift then." He said awkwardly. "I need to start giving somewhere, and... I don't need them."
	"You sure?" A noise in confirmation made the old man smile.
	"I don't know how much is in there, but I hope it helps." Beo said sincerely, as he started to walk back towards the gate. Catching the older one's shout of thanks as well, and giving a nervous nod. Yet, feeling a lot better on the way out.

	It was only a short wait outside before the bear came back with a large basket. Thanking the guards and apologizing for the marks on the door. They didn't seem angry about it in any way, more just understanding. Considering the dragon's size. As Bartan approached the large scaly one, he couldn't hide his smile from the furred creature. "I got a real treat for us." He said, pulling out an orange from the basket and making the dragon curl his neck at it. "Try it, they're amazing here."
	Without hesitation like Beo normally had with trying new foods, he opened his mouth and felt the ball get tossed inside. Biting down on it, the juices flooded his maw, making him purr loudly at the wonderful taste. Letting it occupy it for nearly an entire minute as the bear enjoyed his own. "Wonderful, huh?"
	"Incredibly." Beo swallowed, looking down at the furred one as if to beg for another. Chuckling at his expression, but treating the dragon regardless.
	"I have a few more different ones to try as well. Fruits seem to grow so well here, it's breathtaking." He gazed over the lushful green lands, and the trees in the distance. Just beginning to turn many colors of brown, yellow, and red.
	"It really is." The large one said, trying not to lose any of the precious waters. It wasn't until he swallowed and realized that the bear was looking at him that he double taked.
	"What did you end up getting?" The question stunned him, not really knowing how to answer. In result, he slightly looked back at the walled town, and his ears fell.
	"I..." His eyes tried to half look away from the brown ones, as if to hide. "I gave it away." He mumbled, not really sure how the Counterweight would take it. But a slight paw on his arm said so much that words couldn't, along with that smile. Letting the two lock eyes once again, until he dug out another orange for the dragon.

------
	He was tired of waiting. Feeling like something was wrong. However, that could've just been the stress the ice dragon was plagued with. Even after nearly engaging into a fight with an army, only to be called back for some Emergency. One that was never explained, nor that he cared about... At first.
	When there was no enemy found around the city, he simply waited by that rock as usual. But something was holding her up, probably those damn guards again. Getting him to growl angrily before he even approached them and being worked up. How dare they keep Lynnoa from him again. If it's that same one as last time, he Will become a stain today.
	Granted, not that he could really tell any of them apart regardless. Even without their uniform, they looked the same. However, he could start to tell Lynn's features up close, but still. Put them in a line with her in it; Eight times out of Ten, Beo would get it wrong.
	His anger omitted from his titanic body like an aura, already frightening the guards from afar as he approached. Trying to study them to see who was in charge, then again: he could care less. "Where is Lynn." He growled, getting several of them to waste his time sharing looks. "Where."
	"T-the red one..." One of them started, getting a lock on those green eyes. Of course, half understanding what he meant, but the better half. Still, the icy one growled at them and took to the skies. That old bastard was probably under that dog's paw still, so he headed towards his room.
	Landing on the platform that was clearly meant for a different dragon, Beo burst opened the doors, not caring about their durability. Getting the attention of a rather uneasy old dragon. One that was still rather remarkable with composure. "Where is she." The blue one growled, instantly getting Nal's ears to go flat against his head.
	"You should keep that pet of yours on a leash if you keep losing it." He snorted, feeling the wall behind him almost entrap the red dragon as the larger one approached.
	"You sent me out on a false mission, then that Stick out to get me back so you could take her. Where. Is. She!" He almost roared.
	"That mission wasn't false, it's where we thought they were. Now you're here asking me about something trivial when you should be-" A loud hiss interrupted him, and Nal lashed one back.
	"Where Is She!!"
	"Do you have any idea how dangerous a Dragonmaiden is to a Dragon-"
	"I Don't Care! Where! Is! She!"
			"Then I'm not about to jeopardize everything we've worked for so you can have a Damn Pet-!" The entire wall beside the red dragon exploded outward in a massive warning shot.
	"Where." Beo growled. Getting nothing but silence and a cold grey stare from Nalchulus' eyes.
	"...In the air we breathe-" The blue one's massive roar shattered a third of the windows within the city. Seeing nearly a spark of darkness cover his scales before nearly impaling the red dragon with a spike of ice. "Even if you kill me, it won't bring that witch back!"
	"It'll make me feel a little better. Then again, so would tearing you apart! Scale By Scale!!" The ice shattered as Beo charged the old dragon. Slamming his head against the wall and making him hiss. Clawing at the blue one's side before completely being grabbed and thrown through a wall on the opposite side of the room. Which in turn forced Raccel to finally reach them.
	"What is going on here-!?" The canine shouted, only to get blown away by a wall of concussive force. Sending him backwards and hitting the wall with a loud crack, as well as leaving a bloodstain. It was seeing that red mark that pulled the dragon out of his rage. Still used to seeing the dog being able to take a harder hit.
	Pausing for a few breaths, and seeing that Nal was fighting against his old form to get back up, Beo'Kros growled in anger and frustration. Snorting and turning towards the wall-less side of the building. "You better hope you find the Force of Death before I do...!" He roared at them before taking off. Leaving the city once and for all.
------

Chapter 7

	The dragon laid out on his back within the woods, unable to determine which was more satisfying between that stew and those Oranges from earlier today. Okay, the Oranges totally were, but that bear made a delicious stew regardless. Finally able to find some good meat to use within, it came out with a near perfect taste.
	Still lightly purring as Bartan tended to the fire, Beo let out a very long and relaxed sigh. Keeping a smile over his muzzle, he just felt really wonderful tonight. Like that guilt was finally starting to wash off from him. But eventually his ear caught the bear chuckling and shaking his head, making the larger one puzzled. "Now you're just asking for it." The white one teased, still getting the dragon a bit confused until he trailed a line by those brown eyes. Clearly looking at his hind legs spread wide opened and making him blush a bit.
	"I-I wasn't actually..." A laugh just made him feel a little better, as Bartan started walking over towards his upper half. Turning himself into that much larger, Bear-Wolf hybrid and laying down beside him.
	"You weren't? That's too bad." The furred one teased, giving him a few nudges in the neck and trailing his armored chest with a paw. Washing him with the warmth of the fire. The dragon couldn't help but smile, almost closing his eyes and enjoying the comfort of the soft cloud. However, a slight noise of pondering got his attention. "I wonder what this is...?" He whispered, placing a paw over another patch of brass scales, this time on the other arm. And even comparing the fact that the first one seemed to be 'Thawing out'.
	It was a strange thing to witness really, making him wonder if maybe it was some after effect of being dead and then brought back to life. But a few licks on the neck comforted him. "You're healthy though, so don't worry about it. I actually think it's a good thing." Bartan said, snuggling up a little closer to him.
	"You do...?"
	"I get the feeling that this brass color would look really great on you." He was quiet after that, as Beo tried to remember the last time he even looked at himself before being frozen. So very long ago, he could scarcely remember seeing his warped reflection within some old treasures. His first ones that he started pillaging. To see that color again made him feel so young and naive.
	A few licks on his ear got Beo to flick it. Growling playfully when he wouldn't quit and getting him to chuckle. "You keep doing that, I might have to bite you."
	"I would be asking for it." He played along, but started to move down. Exploring the large one with two paws and his tongue, as a heavy thrill of excitement rushed through that battle-ready body. Though it didn't seem like it, the white paws seemed stronger than they looked. Not doing any damage, but Beo could feel the presses though his armored chest and neck. Something he's rarely felt, even in fights.
	But the paws didn't stay there for too long, almost eagerly moving to their next destination: the dragon's arm. Bartan lost his breath when he touched them, feeling forcefully at the dense muscles and whimpering quietly before licking at them. "Everything okay?" Beo asked him, teasing and using the bear's phrase against him.
	"...Y-yeah. Just..." He trailed off, licking the thick scales and almost grazing them with his fangs. Constantly taking deep breaths, almost like he was ready to release any moment. With the other hand, Beo tried to coax him to release those urges, and slowly the Counterweight opened his jaws and bit down on the muscle. Not trying his hardest to pierce it, but gnaw on it for several minutes.
	A shot of wetness could barely be felt on the dragon's side, where Bartan rested, then he forced himself away from that area. Trying to catch his breath while the dragon just quietly chuckled at him. Feeling the furred paws physically study the scales on his belly and sides. Though still armored, not nearly as much as his chest. Making it much easier to get through the hardened areas for a reaction.
	Of course they climbed down to the exposed purple weapon. Feeling the Counterweight alter his position so he was resting on the dragon's thick tail. Licking down the belly's middle until that tongue started painting the tip of the shaft, now getting more and more erect with every touch of the bear. Trying to keep track of all five appendages that were studying his body was nearly too much for Beo, easily losing focus of one of them by the soft touch of another.
	As he felt the middle set of paws climb up to the base of his tail, he started to whimper. Knowing what was to come next, and the blue one wasn't sure if he was ready for it. Feeling press after press, getting closer and closer, he held back a loud whimper that almost resembled fear. Almost feeling it leak out between his fangs as one set got very close, but then parted upward. Making him question what the bear was doing with them.
	But there it was, that weak spot on his hamstrings that started flooding his titanic body with bliss. Getting him to squirm at the massages the middle paws brought, as the upper ones focused on his lower belly. And of course, that tongue coating his fleshy weapon with warmth. Just before feeling the brushes of fur on Bartan's lips, and slowly part over the tower.
	Beo tried to remain still, making out the bear's fangs and armed maw lightly graze the spines and flare of his lower horn. But his paws were almost manipulating his body like strings on a puppet. One tight squeeze on a haunch made the dragon squirm away from that side, and a sudden adjacent one made him shift back and forth. Making his tail thrash and try to lift the white creature of its pin.
	That red appendage was still at it. Even with reduced room inside the muzzle, it was still coating the dragon's weapon with a warm silk. Just enough of it to start building up in little beads. Though Bartan only remained at the top half, within minutes, those beads of warmth started exploring lower. Staking claims over the purple land while climbing over the first big hill.
	The light tickle of that first ridge sent a heavy jerking reflex through the dragon, spraying a heavy dose of pre into the bear's maw. Feeling that tongue receive it graciously and use it as a replacement as he started to go faster. A second bead released another jolt. The combination of the paws on his lower belly; a third. And each hamstring gave off their own unique one. Overloading the massive beast with pleasure and breaking his will to keep quiet.
	The loud whimpers and pants echoed through the night woods. Constantly struggling to keep himself still in case the bear bit the much less armored area. But the frequent sprays into the white muzzle was too much to keep swallowing. Getting the liquid to build up and start to leak out of his lips with every movement. Creating even more, thicker beads that slowly went down the ridges, which only repeated the cycle.
	With a massively heavy gasp, Bartan started to go faster and take the full length. Feeling the dragon's large paws dig their claws into his head in reflex, the weapon throbbed constantly as the torrents began to build up. Thickening the purple horn before releasing all of its contents in the bear's mouth. Only able to take maybe one and a half before it rushed out over Beo's sheath.
	But with the paws still doing their duties on the dragon's body, another set of torrents soon followed. Getting the blue one to press down on the furry head harder in order to get his weapon deeper inside. Almost feeling many of the slower sprays being swallowed before finally being able to control himself again. Letting go of Bartan's head and laying back down, catching his breath.
	Though the paws did stop for the dragon's sake, the tongue kept cleaning up a bit. Going until the weapon stopped pulsing, then licking his way back upwards. Surprisingly, Beo didn't feel as tried as he expected, and a soft grasp against his stones told him why. Feeling them get restored to full capacity was still uncomforting, but it was worth it in the end. As the bear's head rested on his thick chest, his scaled paws carefully studied them. Wondering if he wounded the white one or not. "Did I... Hurt you?" He asked sadly, still trying to catch his breath.
	"Not at all." A few licks on the arms to show his affection, feeling a unique wetness now equipped to the tongue that only made the blue one half smile. Never thinking of attempting such a thing with his maw. But with a few sneaky steps closer, a faint prod was felt on the base of his thick tail. Instantly getting him to whimper loudly and try to scamper backwards. "Still not comfortable with it?" Those brown eyes looked at him a bit sadly, getting Beo to stop his retreat, but shyly look away. Unable to answer him. With a sigh, the white one got up. "Okay." He said, only making the dragon feel more guilty watching Bartan turn around and lift his tails up.
	But Beo remained on his back, not really wanting to Take from the bear again. Yet, not really sure how to Give when it came to this. Seeing the scaled one almost fight with himself for a minute, the Counterweight spoke up again. "It doesn't hurt, you know." He said softly, but did it? The idea of it, and the session from last night seemed like it did. Judging from Bartan's grunts and struggles with the dragon's penetration.
	"I..." Beo started, but couldn't quite find the words. With a deep breath, he cleared his mind. "I trust you, but..." He shook it, getting many of the icy spines to ting together while still looking away, almost in shame. But a few steps flicked his ear, feeling the Counterweight climb on top of him. Making the larger one release a small whimper, but only felt the furry bag on his stones. Looking into those brown eyes with both embarrassment and confusion, Bartan started to sit up. Creating a small mirror between them.
	Within it, the reflection of both their weapons were shown; the bear's red, canine-like one on top of the dragon's. Clearly showing about a 25% thickness over Bartan's shaft, though about the same length. "It won't be nearly as tight for you compared to me." He leaned closer, almost muzzle to muzzle over the dragon. "It won't hurt. But if you really don't want to receive, then I need you to tell me No." A few licks between his nostrils, and the blue one sadly frowned at him. Wrapping his thick arms around his furry body and pulling him a bit closer.
	"I'm just..." He couldn't think of the word for it. Afraid? Ashamed? Buy why ashamed? That he liked another male? That he was willing to give himself like this to another? No. It was because he didn't want to lose control. He didn't want to be overpowered by another person. Forced to be another slave to them, forced to submit to them. "I just don't... Want to be dominated..." He mumbled, seeing the bear nod at him slowly.
	"And doing his is considered domination to you?" It was a sincere question, one the dragon didn't want to answer. "Beo, you have Control." Those words held his breath. "No matter what, you will always have a say in these things. You never have to owe me, or anyone anything, and be forced to do something you don't want to do." As those green eyes tried to trail off, a soft paw realigned them. "You are never Lesser than me."
	It was a hard thing for him to hear. Even after all this time, all the things this creature did for the dragon. Brought him back to life, watched over his recovery, told him he can change, that he didn't owe the bear anything, and now... That he was not Greater than Beo. It gave him a warm, fluttery feeling in his chest, one of both fear and excitement. But there was no words to tell. Instead, Beo kissed him. Surprising the unexpected furred one, but didn't pull away. Feeling that large tongue force it's way inside the muzzle, and get an odd taste of probably his own release still within. But it was the action that mattered.
	Slightly embarrassed by the sudden action, the blue one parted it. Almost awkwardly whimpering like he shouldn't have, until the bear went back in for another one. Letting them both enjoy it for a few moments, then had a few quick ones. "Are you okay with me trying it, then?" Beo couldn't say it, couldn't even nod. So instead, he lightly put his paws on the Counterweight's shoulders, and pressed him down. Forcing him to take a step back over the dragon's hind legs and rest on his tail again.
	Still feeling his furry body on him, Beo shut his eyes. Breathing deeply as the bear licked him. Keeping those massive paws near his white shoulders, almost bracing when he felt the length of his weapon rest on the thick tail, the large one grunted nervously. Getting Bartan to whisper at him that it didn't hurt. "Just relax. It's going to be that much harder if you don't relax."
	A few more licks, and his muscles started to. Feeling this strange warmth starting to invade his body, heating it up to the core. Getting every large, almost sore muscle to release its tension, as well amplify it's sensitivity. Every little brush of his furry body could be felt and counted for. And that pointed tip was gradually getting closer.
	As that warmth finally hit the very tip of his tail, Beo felt like he was floating. Though his mind was trying to race what was happening, trying to find some excuse to make it stop, those thoughts were lost in the sensation of softness and comfort. Awaking quite well when the bear's tip actually reached the very base of the dragon's tail.
	Beo whimpered, feeling it prod at him a few times, as the bear coaxed his body. Trying to control himself and keep that area at ease, but it was difficult to do. As he heard the grass move slightly with Bartan's step, a loud whimper left him. Feeling the prod get harder and a bit deeper triggered a reflex in the dragon's body. Even through the relaxation, his muscles tightened up and held onto the bear.
	Press after press stimulated the dragon greatly, feeling hot wet jolts pass through his weapon within the forest of fur. Every other prod banished the very breath from his lungs, sent his hind paws raking at the air, and his tail to struggle a bit. As they got more and more frequent, so did the squirms. His lower horn was leaking out streams, now flowing down his side, and his claws started digging into the white fur, unable to help himself.
	A few more licks on the dragon's thick chest and Bartan asked him. "Do you want me to stop?" He almost immediately shook his head, feeling the white one nod and step forward again. Pressing hard into the dragon's tailhole, and feeling the shape of his spear-like weapon start separating it. His breaths became more and more rapid as his grip on the bear grew tighter. Bulging his muscles, and hoping he didn't snap the Counterweight in half.
	Another step and Beo's body arched below the furry one. Squirming like it was trying to get away. Conflicted with being both nailed by the red weapon and submitting to the pure bliss it was giving off. The constant leaks of his own were turning into small sprays, as the color purple flooded the dragon's head.
	With one last step, the red spear slipped inside with ease. Getting Beo to feel it's entire length and roar loudly like he was trying to hold back. Keeping the tightest grip he could onto Bartan as he shot his entire load of release between them. Feeling the pressure of it carve its way through the forest of white like a power-washer, then slide down the dragon's side. Even feeling that warmth come around his tailhole a bit, which only triggered a few squirms.
	During the meantime, a few jolts of warmth could be felt inside, as Bartan waiting patiently for the dragon to recover. Giving that chest a few licks, until Beo's green eyes sheepishly opened. Getting him to lean towards the bear for another deep kiss that lasted for nearly a minute. "We'll have to work on your endurance a bit." Bartan teased, slightly pulling out to take a step back. Gently cupping the pair of empty stones before speaking. "This will sting a bit."
	"Sting-?" Beo started to question, only to feel a sharp glow within the fog of bliss where that paw resided. Only for a moment, however, and then detecting the bear refilling the dragon's sack.
	"I'm thinking of giving you an enchantment of some sort. Probably faster regeneration for this area."
	"Regeneration...?" Beo breathed, half knowing what he was talking about.
	"So you don't run out so fast. Perhaps the only defect is that you'll need to be milked if it gets too full." The white one smiled deviously at him. "If you can call that a defect, that is."
	"...I wouldn't mind." The blue one said a bit shyly, still in wonder that he hadn't passed out yet. Grunting slightly at some discomfort of that area, and feeling the bear get back into position.
	"We'll try this for a few days, then see about some changes." It made Beo smile, though still turn purple about such a thing. It was just something he was going to get used to. As he took a deep breath to relax once again, a whimper still left him at the prod.  Still getting him to squirt at the sensitive area and pant loudly. A few more practice presses, and the bear penetrated him. Getting a louder whimper and a heavy spray below them, as well as a few squirms.
	The bear chuckled a bit, going very slow so Beo could get used to the shaft inside him. Though it was somewhat tight, it wasn't discomforting. Giving his body an entirely new rush of pleasure with every movement. Loving how far it could go inside, and the feeling the little squirms gave off. He wondered what on earth he was afraid of all these years.
	But his thoughts soon drowned into a sea of bliss. Unable to keep a straight thought at the constant motions, the slight brushing against his hamstrings, the furs constantly tickling his ridges. Moaning with every breath, and gasping with every spray into the bear's belly. His reflexes were still overpowering him, getting those scaled arms to grasp the white one tightly once more, and even getting Bartan to whimper out in pleasure.
	A few more sprays inside his tailhole were accumulating, slowly forcing his hind legs to wrap around the Counterweight's. After a few minutes, the bear started to go a little faster. Making waves out of that river and making the dragon sing songs once again. Though he couldn't make him purr like this, the deep breaths and whimpers did pretty well. Then every once in a while; a louder one, followed by a thick spray.
	The enchantment worked it's hardest to keep fuel within the scaly sack, but it was having a hard time to keep up. With all the sensitive areas being constantly worked on, it was a frequent stream of release passing through the purple horn. Which was only flooding the grass below them.
	Several more minutes passed, and Bartan increased his speed. Feeling the firm grip of the claws on his back dig into his fur only forced him to spray into Beo's tailpipe. Flooding his lower area with more warmth and getting him to squirm again at his very own release. Several torrents escaped out of that purple shaft, and the two stopped for a moment. Getting the dragon to recover before resuming at the same speed.
	It seemed like every few minutes, the blue one unloaded his sack dry. Feeling the thing deflate and fill back up through his fur, as well as the completely enthralled look on the dragon's face. Unable to take in anymore information than what the pleasure flooded him with. The constant blush of his ears made Bartan smile, but it was soon time to finish up so his body could finally rest.
	A few more thrusts and the base of his red spear began to thicken up. Pressing against those walls inside finally got a reaction from Beo's face. Getting him to pant rapidly with bliss and squirm a bit. When it started to get a little too big, Bartan withdrew the knot, or at least attempted to. The dragon's hind legs were still locked behind his own, and he couldn't get the distance to pull it out. "Beo..." The white one gasped, even overwhelmed by his own sense of pleasure. "Beo...! Relax your hinds...!" He grunted, trying to pull out.
	But the bigger the knot became, the more the dragon's legs strained. Growing tighter and tighter within the dragon's tailhole, until it was too late to remove it. Feeling the constant sprays as Bartan gave into his full length. Feeling the weapon increase in size within the blue one, and hear him whimper loudly. A bit in pain, but mostly through pleasure.
	As the two held onto each other tightly, the bear could feel his furry sack begin to drain. Getting it to increase the spear's size a bit more, then spray into the dragon's body. Flooding that lower area with hot seed as it washed within him. Only to eventually come to a halt. Though mostly unconscious at this point, Beo knew what it was. Now, he had to resist the massive intake.
	For a while there was quite a stalemate, as both males tried their best to slowly hold back and resist. But it soon became too much for the blue one to bare. Feeling his scales begin to bulge out and stretch to make room, his lower belly started widen out. With the white one on top, being braced down by the dragon's reflexes, the region didn't have much of a choice. Getting them both to embrace tightly as the dragon's middle tightened.
	Until finally getting a relief of pressure, but only slightly. Still detecting the torrents from the Counterweight enter him, but it was also like there was a... Drain? A hole or such in his filled belly and the sounds of a leaking fluid off in the woods. A small portal of sorts? Whatever it was, it gave the dragon some much needed relief until the furball was finished.
	As Bartan rested his head on the armored chest, Beo could hardly hold his head up for a lick. Falling into a deep slumber before his breaths could even normalize. As for the bear, he was still stuck in this situation for a bit longer. Still releasing a few smaller torrents into the larger one, it was no longer a threat at least. Not to mention, he now had a bed to spend the night on. Licking at it a few times before falling asleep himself.

------
	The scrawny dragon landed within the city, already missing the fresh air of the outer walls. Hissing at anyone who came close to him, mostly out of sport. He wasn't really mad or insulted by them, but enjoyed the terror they brought. Perhaps seeing if one of them would do something drastic, like knock something over or do some property damage. Let alone attempt to lash back at the dragon, giving him reason enough to toy with it until it died.
	But none were brave enough. It actually made him a little annoyed, but he couldn't be entertained by them all the time. And, like them, he had a job to do. As tedious as it was. Walking into the war room, nearly empty besides the old red dinosaur and the canine. Acting like they were trying to keep this meeting a secret reminded Siggy of the games the others used to play when he was younger. Often excluding him out, because he was a runt.
	The memory made him snort and keep his ears back. Getting the attention of the others, gazing at him with questionable looks, yet knew the answers. "Not a damn trace." Sig'eaal grumbled, like it was a waste of his time. "Are you sure these people aren't just lying?"
	"Not many of them know what Beo looks like, and there's only so many Blue Dragons around." Nal snorted, getting a snout toss in return.
	"Well, it looks like you chased him off for good then. Or should I say, pissed him off. Either way, job well done. I've been trying to do that with you two for years, now half the work is done for me." The brown one grumbled, laying down in front of the table and getting a growl from the red dragon.
	"He couldn't have gotten too far. We need to find him before the Forces notice." Raccel let out a stressful sigh.
	"Considering it's been about a week since he kicked your tails, I think we're in the Too Late margin now." Siggy snorted, glaring his yellow eyes at Nalchulus again. "Why the hell did you have to poke the bear?"
	"I was trying to protect us-"
	"Riiiiight, from the big bad Dragonmaiden." He tossed his snout. "Please, you were just jealous that you couldn't find your own pet that would even get close enough to your stick-" A loud hiss from the red one.
	"You probably didn't run into them during your lifetime, but in mine they were a real threat."
	"I would say that's hard to believe, but-" A loud roar from the red one, clearly telling that he was serious. "Fine, enlighten me. What the hell is a Dragonmaiden?"
	"A lesser being that learns to control and manipulate a dragon, usually by doing favors for it, and letting it grow attached." Raccel explained, tending to his forehead to relieve stress. "After so long, the dragon will be willing to do whatever they ask for it."
	"And where Beo is our-"
	"Was." Siggy corrected him, getting a harsh glare from those grey eyes.
	"...Was our strongest, you can understand why I took action."
	"So, Barbequed her? You weren't just hungry?" The brown one tossed his snout, asking rhetorically of course. "So, you were going to send me out there to find him and do what exactly?"
	"Convince him to come back." Sig'eaal groaned loudly, as if it were work. "You convinced him to attempt to help over several occasions before, like when I was nearing my challenge limit."
	"Actually, I think he was just going to attempt to overthrow you." Another stressed grumble and the brown one shrugged his wings. "What? It would be the perfect time to try, if you thought he was going to throw the fight."
	"You confidence is overwhelming." The canine half whimpered. "So where has he been?"
	"We have a war to fight, do you seriously want to waste time looking for someone who doesn't want to be found?" Nal grumbled.
	"Yes. Especially since both of you put together can barely replace him." A deep exhale from Raccel. "I was really depending on Beo'Kros for my strategy, to lose him would be a major setback." The room fell quiet, getting the dragon's hurt egos a moment to recover. "What do we know?"
	"Other than the fact that it's been colder since he's been gone?" Siggy snorted, getting odd looks from the other two.
	"You mean the air?"
	"The ground, old timer." A hiss. "Seriously, how do you not feel it through those old bones?"
	"What do you mean The Ground?"
	"As in the ground outside. The soil!" A large snout toss when their looks didn't change. "Am I the only one who even gets out of these walls anymore? No wonder you guys are boring."
	"So, the ground is cold, but the air isn't-?" A sharp exhale from the red dragon interrupted the canine.
	"...He's freezing the earth."

	"He can do that?" Sig'eaal tilted his head after a long silence.
------

Chapter 8

	The sun danced over his eyelids, being sheltered by the leaves of trees. However, the wind was slightly blowing them just enough for the light to pierce through, getting the larger one to grumble something incoherent. Interestingly getting a response from the fluffy blanket over him among the same language. As the dragon yawned, stretching his maw with the rest of his body, he snapped those jaws a few times. Still tasting the same substance he was caked with.
	At least his lower end didn't feel so bloated anymore. Granted, they were almost bathing in last night's session, along with the after effects. He was somewhat surprised that nothing hurt, even after shifting a little and getting the bear to grumble. Watching him go through some of the same motions of stretching and taking a few steps up the dragon to rest his white head on his neck. Licking at the side of his neck a bit and aiming for the ear. "Don't you dare." Beo mumbled, getting both of them to chuckle.
	"Alright. But I'm getting that ear for breakfast one of these days." A nuzzle into his neck as Bartan started to meet the blue one muzzle to muzzle. Licking at the space between his nostrils, and feeling the large one do the same under his jaw. Along with getting a few small kisses. After looking at each other's eyes for a moment, they smiled. "What do you feel like for breakfast?"
	He lightly shrugged, not really sure what could be on the menu. However, such a motion usually meant 'Surprise Me', and the bear often did. Granted, being held onto a bit more said he didn't want to get up yet, so the white one rested once again. Feeling those scaly paws search through the furred shoulders for any damages, but nothing he could make out. However, he still felt small wounds on his bicep for when the Counterweight gave a love bite. "Can we... Talk about it?" He asked the smaller one, shyly.
	"If you want to, I don't mind." Another nuzzle, and he rubbed the bicep a bit. Healing it of any wounds and cleaning up the mess within seconds.
	"Why the arms?" It broke the bear into chuckles, which were infectious.
	"I'm honestly just not sure. I looked at them and..." A deep breath, much like the ones he made while studying the muscle. "I never did that with anyone else. Just you."
	"Did what, exactly?"
	"Obsess. Fetishize over that body part. Nearly release at the sheer touch of it." Another set of chuckles. "Still, I don't mind. I like it, that's all that matters."
	"And you don't mind if I use it against you?" The dragon teased, getting a playful purr out of the white one.
	"Not at all. Providing you don't mind if I bite it again."
	"Not at all." The two licked at each other again.
	"Did you enjoy yourself?" It was a tough question to find the words to, making him take a deep breath. Not necessarily to answer, that was obvious. But how much did he enjoy it?
	"Yes... Somehow more than Oranges." A laugh that time. "I'm... Sorry for being..."
	"Don't be. You have every right to be shy about that area."
	"Not exactly what I meant, but... It's along the same lines." A noise in question as the large one took a breath. "I mean, for... Taking too much from you."
	"Which wasn't your fault, you were tied." A faint whimper got the bear to chuckle. "Forgive me, it just came out. Go on."
	"But... I've just seemed to be taking and taking from you over and over. Not really giving anything in return back."
	"Is that why you let me nail you?"
	"N-no... Well... It's what you wanted. And what you did for me." Another breath, and an awkward grumble got his heart to start racing. "I didn't really want to, and I've told you why, but..." A bit of a sad look from those brown eyes. "Bartan... I want to be like you."
	"What do you mean?"
	"I... I want to be the person you are. To me. To everyone." A heavy sigh as he looked away. "I don't want to be Beo'Kros anymore. I don't want to keep remembering these horrible memories, having them flooding me with guilt and remorse. Stupid mistakes that I've done for so long. I want to change, but I'm afraid that these will haunt me forever..." A slow blink from the bear. "Can you... Just remove-"
	"It doesn't work that way." A semi-harsh tone made his frilled ears fall, and Bartan sighed. "I wish it did, but it won't fix this. You'll only remain guilty, but unable to remember why. The shame doesn't come from the memory, Beo. And erasing them doesn't help you as a person." A paw on his muzzle, as he pulled towards his eyes. "I know it's hard to remember your past. I know it's hard to live with it. I've done a lot of bad, and lived through a lot of pain as well." A lick between his nostrils. "But if you can learn from it, get it off your shoulders, and use it to climb up... You'll become a better person."
	"...I'll become you?"
	"Minus the pure white fur and the muscle fetish." The two smiled. "But don't give up, Beo. We'll find the person you want to be."
	"Together?"
	"Together." The two kissed again, embracing tightly as the dragon's stomach growled. "After breakfast, of course."

	"So, that's what that was." The blue one half whimpered, walking along the path. Though his ears were purple at the bear's explanation, he was still enjoying the lesson. Hoping that no one else was around to hear. "Let alone, what you meant earlier by Tied." Bartan chuckled.
	"Yeah, that swelling does stop pretty much everything from the inside. I hope it wasn't too painful."
	"I barely remember it, but I do recall noticing it got... Bigger." Another whimper as his sheath started to swell. "And that would explain the..."
	"Expansion afterword?" That one got Beo to stop and look away shyly, trying to keep a straight face, but almost laughing at the absurdity of it. "Again, hope it wasn't too painful."
	"It was... An Experience." The two chuckled as the white one pet him on the arm. Back to his smaller size. "But it worried me."
	"That you were going to explode?" His wings covered his head as he whimpered.
	"What a way to go..." He said through his breaths.
	"Don't need to worry when you're with me though. If worse comes to worse and your body can't hold anymore, it'll only slightly sting. I'll make sure that you don't actually die from it."
	"Give me a minute." The scaled one breathed, getting Bartan to chuckle again and notice a certain weapon showing itself.
	"Do you like it?" A noise in question. "I know this one was a bit on the lower side of things, but did you like the Expansion or Expanding?" A deep breath, and he withdrew his wings. Not trying to be ashamed at the purple that was invading his scales.
	"I'm not completely sure. I know I didn't... Dislike it. It's just something I'm not used to." A deep breath. "But..." A noise in question from the bear this time. "I'll tell you something I'm starting to like..."
	"And that is?"
	"Your... Fur." He cleared his throat awkwardly, seeing the white one blush a little bit.
	"Oh?" The large one nodded, trying to stare straight forward. "It is rather nice, though you don't get a good feel for it when you're already coated with the stuff." A chuckle from him. "Does remind me though, I do like some of your... Equipped features. I wouldn't mind trying some of them on myself, if you don't."
	"Features?"
	"Spines, ridges, I donno. I honestly felt for a while that mine is a little... Bare. Just wanted something else."
	"You mean, besides a Knot."
	"Well, the Knot is a surprise." The two chuckled. "And a fun one at that."
	"Only because you like making dragons fat, I'm sure." He playfully snorted.
	"You caught me. But really, I might do some experimenting. Feel free to think of some yourself if you want." A slight whimper from Beo.
	"That Knot might not be a bad idea, if it doesn't hurt when it swells."
	"It just gets really tight. Granted, with your already... Thick..." Another breath from the bear as he composed himself. "But we'll see during our next session."
	"Some sure about it, aren't you?" A laugh from him.
	"Of course. Granted, I would also suggest a fur coat, but that might be pushing it. Wouldn't want you to hide those..." A faint whimper from Bartan as he shook his head. "Anyway, if you like Fur, you'll probably like Arson then too." That made the dragon double take for a moment.
	"Who?"
	"My wife." Beo suddenly stopped in his tracks while Bartan was scanning the outlands for some breakfast. "She's about as fluffy as me, really." There was no response from him, and when the silence lingered for a while, those brown eyes looked at him with curiosity. "Everything okay?"
	"...Yeah. Yeah." He said, taking a breath and carrying on. "Just... Remembered something, that's all."
	"Another chapter?"
	"...Yeah. One I'll tell after breakfast. I can't really concentrate when I'm this hungry." He mumbled, trying not to sound sad about the news that Bartan was taken. Instead he coughed for a moment. "Know where there's any water nearby?"
	"Mhmm, should be a stream down there. I'll see if I can get us some veggies from this garden, but we might have to work for them."
	"That's... Fine." The two nodded as they went their separate ways. Getting through some of the thick trees and finding the stream of water, the dragon collapsed. His heart completely torn apart. Trying not to lose himself completely just yet, knowing that the large one would probably be heard. But instead just shed a few small tears, watching them ripple in the moving stream, and almost picturing his icy appearance through it.
	Just when he let himself be vulnerable again, another harsh truth stabbed him in the chest. No matter how thick his armor was, it was a weapon he couldn't defend against. No wonder he acted the way he did before. No wonder he turned so cold and brutal. Everytime he went to find a form of love, it was betrayed or torn away from him. And this would be an endless cycle of despair. The truth was: Beo deserved to look like this. To remain looking like this for the rest of his life.
	After several minutes passed, he heard the bear's calls. Taking a deep breath, he could at least attempt to stay strong until they separated completely. Maybe he could find a way to spend a night alone, or just fly away while Bartan was sleeping. Still, after a long drink, Beo took another breath. Feeling it almost freeze the very water before him. He would always remain Cold.

------

	He could feel the frost placed far beneath the sand, as the blue dragon waited within the island beach. Though the sun was trying it's best to save the suffering planet from an icy death, it couldn't possibly give off enough heat to revitalize the core. As Beo glared at the fireball in the sky, he snorted at it. Thinking that it might be next, if this doesn't get a Force's attention.
	The blue one took a deep breath, still trying to hold his concentration on the two massive bombs on the polar axis'. Ones that appeared invisible, but were full of a concussive blast. With the core of the planet being rather fragile in this state, detonating both of those areas would ensure the planet's demise. Along with its inhabitants.
	Wingbeats caught his ear, getting his heart ready for the first showdown and ruthlessly kill whatever Force that detected his plans. Scanning the horizon, he groaned loudly as he tossed his blue muzzle. Finding two dragons, and no doubt the old dog, flying towards him. Sacrificing any of them wouldn't be enough to get the Forces attention. It would actually be counterproductive. "What are you doing here." Beo grumbled, giving them a warm welcome.
	"Trying to stop you from making a big mistake-"
	"What the dinosaur means is: he's come to apologize." A very sharp glare at Siggy from both dragons. "You want him back, don't you?"
	"I am not apologizing for saving his tail!"
	"You mean, killing my pet!" The two hissed at each other.
	"So what? We'll get you another one." Another harsh glare from those green eyes. "They can't be that hard to replace." He snorted.
	"And be trapped under his foolish strategies again? I'll pass. I know what I'm doing."
	"Which is what, exactly? Sacrificing the planet?" Raccel asked rather thickly.
	"If that's what it takes. Now if you don't mind, I have a fight to prepare for. If you don't want your Mortal self to be caught in the crossfire, then scram with your tail between your legs. All of you." The dragons snorted at each other, getting the icy one to turn around.
	The island sat in silence for a few moments, and Nalchulus turned around. Preparing to take off, and nearly scolded quietly by Raccel. As Sig'eaal took a deep breath, almost whimpering while looking back and forth at the opposite dragons, he grumbled. "Look. We can't do this without you, Beo." The brown one admitted. "And the dog's never let us down, as frustrating as it is to be patient with him. But we need you." No response. "Just come back to us, we'll figure out how to fix this and make things better. Even find a new pet-"
	"You seem to think this is about Possession, don't you." The blue one growled, still not looking at them.
	"...Isn't it?" A louder growl.
	"...You know what her favorite food was? Snow cones, after she tried them. Her favorite season? Winter, something she rarely seen until I showed her. By breaking your rules, by the way." He snorted. "Do you know what it's like to make somebody Happy for once? To have them not fear you for what you do, but to appreciate who you are?" Louder growls as the air around them got a colder. "She wasn't in Control of me, I chose to do things for her. I was the one making the decisions regardless-"
	"Which is how it starts out!" The red one growled, getting Beo to turn around and hiss. The plantlife around them started to wither from the sudden cold that was in the air, even getting the dragons to shiver a bit. "You're manipulated to thinking that you're doing it for them, but they're making the suggestions that swim in your head!" Another hiss.
	"And so what!? You decide to just Burn Her Alive!?" The water around them started to freeze solid. "Without even asking!? Talking to us!? Of course, you think you're always so damn right, but you're Not! You were wrong, Nalchulus! You killed someone who didn't deserve it! And now the world will pay for your actions!" The ice dragon flexed his arm heavily and went to slam it into the ground. But the sounds of glass shattering staggered his entire body back, just before getting it pinned to the cold sand. Hearing Raccel curse as three creatures landed on the ground.
	Beo couldn't get a good look at them, let alone make out what they were saying, but he knew it was the Forces. Soon enough, he felt the life drain from him like he was dying, until Siggy hissed loudly. Throwing a node of lightning and giving the blue one some time to breathe.
	On the verge of unconsciousness, he used a precious breath to curse as he heard the sound of others fighting. Blacking out every few moments, and trying so hard to recover. Never finding it so hard to just get up off the ground and spit the sand out of his mouth. But is anger returned, letting him grow stronger while the others were fighting.
	Still feeling a faint grip on those concussive bombs, and surprised they were not removed yet, the dragon mustered the rest of his strength to detonate them. Feeling both shockwaves strike into the planet and cause it to collapse. Shattering from the sheer force of the blasts, and breaking the entire world's crust. Exploding it into pieces and sending them in all directions.

	The Binturong groaned awake, still holding onto his crushing wounds from the harsh landing. Trying his best to crawl out of the mess of burnt land and heated glass. Still half being able to make out a large section of that island, as burnt as it was. Only a miracle that it didn't do any excessive damage to this planet when it landed.
	Dusting off his black clothing, and catching his breath, he climbed out of the crater. Fiddling with the device on his wrist to find the location of his teammates. Getting a couple of destress calls, but nothing terribly serious. They seemed alive at least, and as long as he was, they would stay alive. Now he just had to find Reality and Fate before searching for those dragons that were causing so much trouble.
	Still, it was unreal that only one of them was able to do that. He knew that they should've looked into the sightings and reports from the clans. Getting the bearcat to almost growl at both Fate and his current wounds. But for now, he just had to recover. Closing his eyes to gather his energy once again, he felt a shadow fall over him. One thicker than just a normal cloud. When he went to look at it, the last thing he seen was four icy claws aiming straight for him.
------

Chapter 9

	The two parked on a higher flat area, one allowing them to see the sun set from a distance. It honestly looked beautiful in the dusk, seeing the long shadows stretch across the fields and reach for the road that called for their destination. Well... The bear's destination at least. Beo picked a spot away from the trees so that he wouldn't wake the white one by accident. It was easier to take off in a wide area with little ground without making too much noise. If he had to, he could just glide off.
	The meals didn't taste too good today. The weather seemed cold, and was only to fall colder with the setting sun. To top it all off, there was a strange tension between the two males now. Admitting to another lost love one to the bear was hard enough, and made for a good excuse for the dragon being so quiet. But he knew Bartan would pry at him. Saying something like it would be better to talk about it.
	His ears flickered at his pawsteps coming from behind. Three sets, telling him of the form he's taken, even though the blue one really didn't feel like anything tonight. But then again, if he could exhaust the bear, it would be easier to escape without waking him. "What's wrong?" The white one asked, getting a faint mumble and a shrug from the icy dragon. "Still thinking about Lynnoa?"
	"...Yeah." Beo mumbled, feeling the Counterweight lay down really close to him, almost in his face. Expecting him to command that the dragon to reopen a closed wound so it could be treated. But instead, he got a rather strong paw pulling on his muzzle. Getting a strange look from those brown eyes, something... Stronger.
	"You're lying." He said a bit thickly, getting the dragon's ears to go back. "What is it?" The green eyes trailed off like he didn't want to talk. "Hey." Another thick statement. "Talk."
	Beo snorted at him. "Fine." A deep breath. "...You're wife."
	"Arson? What about her?"
	"...She exists?" He half shrugged, nearly deflating all the warmth out of him. Leaving nothing but that cold.
	"What's that supposed to mean?"
	"Here I thought we had a connection. But really, you were just looking for someone to-" The blue one stopped himself, feeling a harsh glare from those brown eyes. Or at least thought so, looking into them; they were somewhat puzzled.
	"...Oh." His cold heart sank, there was no possible way Bartan didn't think this through already. He once again felt used. Controlled or manipulated. "You're one of those dragons?"
	Another surprised look from Beo, double taking at the white one and curling his neck. "Those Dragons?" He quoted him.
	"I was thinking you were into opened relationships." A slow tilt of his head as his ears perked. "The last time I seen you-" There was a long awkward silence as the sun completely set. Both of them in rather embarrassed stalemates until a small rock fell and broke the quiet air.
	"...Last time...?" Bartan sighed heavily, putting his foot in his mouth. "What does...?"
	"I wanted to wait until your memories completely returned, because I thought you would be searching for them." He said sadly. "But first... About Arson." He looked deep into the dragon's green eyes. "You remember what I told you about Counterweights and their emotions, right?"
	"You mean lack thereof, yes." His eyes trailed off, piecing something together. "She's a Counterweight too...?"
	"Yes. But we've always had an opened relationship."
	"Meaning? Sex?"
	"With others, yes. But also finding other people to love." The bear lightly pet under the dragon's jaws, not trying to get him to purr. But to just look in his eyes. "I wasn't playing you, if that's what you felt like. I'm sorry if it came off that way, I really am. I was just..." A breath. "It started out just helping you-"
	"Why?"
	"Because you... Because we met before this. Before all of this." He curled his neck. "And I never thought I would actually see you again. It was just coincidence that we did, and..."
	"You wanted to save me..." The white one nodded. "From what-?" A pain in the dragon's head.
	"Shhh, shhh. You probably don't remember yet, but don't tear it. If you let it come, you'll understand." A sad look from Beo. "But after... Caring for you these past few days..." His four ears started to blush. "I grew a liking to you... More than that, to be honest."
	"So, you too...?" The two looked at each other, almost smiling and letting the silence speak volumes. "But what...?"
	"Happened?" A deep breath. "Okay, okay. I'll tell you the short version."
~~~~~~

	I was wondering around like we are, just visiting places and trying to find something.
	Beo: "What exactly?"
	...I'll tell you. Tomorrow. Don't worry about it now, but I wanted to stop for a drink. So I walked into a bar.
	Beo: "Ouch."
	A pub, you. *Chuckles* It wasn't horribly busy, just a bit crowded with a few larger folks around. I made an order for water and something to eat, then waited at a table. When the bartender brought over a hard drink, I said he was mistaken. But that was from someone else.
	Beo: "Someone else?"
	A brass dragon, on the other side of the bar. He was big, yes, but much thinner than you are. Didn't have nearly as much... Muscle. *Deep breath*
	Beo: "My... Father?"
	I'll... Get to that. After a while, I invited him over to join me, and he did. The first thing he said to me was, and I quote: "I don't mean to be straight forward, but if I flipped a coin, what are my odds of getting some tail?"
	Beo: "...A you serious?"
	I thought it was kinda charming, no games to be played or anything. And it was a dragon, I thought nothing of it. So I laughed at him, but didn't say no. I just wanted to eat first, and I ordered him a plate as well. We talked through most of the night, and when he asked if I had a place to stay, I didn't. So he flew me to his house in the mountains-
	Beo: "And he-?"
	Yes. He basically mounted my brains out. *Beo Blushes* And then I mounted his brains out afterword, in this form. Then had to explain this form to him.
	Beo: "You mean, a Counterweight."
	Yeah... It was farfetched, but he had an exotic experience with it just now to believe me. But then... He asked me for a request. "Can you... Go back to the day I was hatched and just take me away?"
	Beo: "What?"
	That was pretty much my reaction to him. "I... Hate this life. Constantly drowning my stress and sorrows in one night stands, ones that are getting more and more rare as time goes on. I've been through eight different bars, I fix photocopiers for a living... I'm tired of it. I don't blame my parents for this, but... This world is terrible. Can you just... Reset my life? Make me into someone different? Stronger?"
	Beo: "...This was me."
~~~~~~
	The polar bear nodded sadly, as the dragon took in the heavy truth. "You... Stole me from my real parents and...?"
	"No, I didn't... But I did convince them to abandon you." His white head sunk.
	"But what about that Taath about not messing with other universes!? Screwing with the timeline!? Why didn't the Counterweight stop you-!?"
	"Because there wasn't one." Beo was quiet for a moment, his eyes trailing off. "And Fate had... No interest in your life like that. Removing you hardly did anything."
	"And so, I was left alone... Since I was hatched...?"
	"...Yes. And I did it. When I found you dead in that universe..." A heavy sigh left him. "I'm sorry, Beo. I really shouldn't have, but your past self begged me over and over. And I understood how he felt... But that doesn't make it fair to you." The blue one stared at him for a few moments, then put a paw onto his white one.
	"When you said Opened Relationship..."
	"...I wanted to make you part of it. I just wasn't sure what you would say, and I didn't want to ruin... This." A deep breath from him. "...Maybe I was trying to fix something that I did wrong, but..." There was a long silence between them as the light faded from the sky. With a small step closer to the Counterweight, Beo wrapped his arms around his back.
	"...I forgive you." Bartan let out a staggering breath. "As long as you don't leave me, I forgive you." A nod from the bear as they squeezed each other's paws.
	"Thank you." His black and white muzzle sniffed. "...I love you, Beo."
	"I love you too, Bartan." He said, wrapping his wings tightly around the fluffy body. Squeezing it for a few minutes before letting him turn around so they could embrace easier. Lick each other's tears off their face, and share a quick kiss.
	"...Are you tired of being Blue?" Though it was a puzzling question, he figured the Counterweight understood what was going on with his scales. Nodding while sniffing himself.
	"Yes..." A heavy breath. "Yes." And he waited for instructions from the bear. Getting a really deep kiss that lasted several minutes. Feeling his tongue explore the dragon's maw from the inside, all while giving him a nice comfort within his own. Knowing that his thicker appendage would easily overpower the red one, he patiently waited for a guide as their bodies got ready. Feeling a very warm sensation within his armored chest.
	Very slowly breaking the kiss and smiling at each other, a slight shimmer on the bear's neck got his attention. What seemed to be blue flakes, like the color of his scales were falling off. Making him a bit worried, but with Bartan's smile, the dragon knew it was normal. Going in for another long kiss before waiting for more instructions. "You lead this time." The white one said, catching the dragon off guard for a moment.
	The blue one was almost lost at the thought of it, but soon nodded. Going in for a few licks, the dragon started climbing down the wolf-like body. Licking at it a bit, but nuzzling it with his muzzle through most of the way down. Letting that white warm fur shed his frozen armor that has been on for far too long, until getting to the red weapon.
	He knew it was out, feeling it greet against his own while the two were locking lips. It was just a shame Beo couldn't try that tongue trick during their second session together. But upon looking at it, he could picture what it looked like. However, there were a few surprising changes.
	The spear-like flare still remained, as well as its general canine shape. But it was now covered in three sets of spines, much like the dragon's. Though, it was a bit reversed; with two sets on the bottom of the weapon, and one set at the top. It was still interesting to see, let alone nuzzle to. And of course, when the rest of the appendage was pulsed out of its protection, the ridges Bartan was talking about appeared as well.
	The question did pop in his mind though, did they function? With one strong lick directly at the ridges, the bear gasped and whimpered loudly. Instantly losing what breath he had in his body, and leave him desperately tending for more. The sudden reaction made the dragon smile, for now he could manipulate the Counterweight sexually with the same tactics.
	He started with a few strong laps, completely wrapping the entire length with his tongue and leading it into his muzzle got the white one to whimper again, mostly on the touching of the ridges. But from within, that large purple appendage started toying with the spineful weapon. Constantly getting the Counterweight to whimper and moan with his deep breaths.
	All the while, a sneaky paw was going under. Reaching for the hamstrings at first, but it wasn't giving off the same reaction. However, slipping the paw inside a bit more, between the furry pouch and the tailhole, gave off a desperate squirm of release. As well as a jolt from within, which got Beo to stop for a moment. Withdrawing from the muzzlejob and giving the bear a very odd look. "I... Thought of it earlier..." Bartan tried to explain through heavy breaths, getting the dragon to lick at it a bit more and match the flavor. Oranges.
	Again with the puzzled gaze, this time at the bear's package, before looking at his brown eyes again. "You can... Change that?" It got him to chuckle, and nod. Getting a rather devious smirk from the larger one. "That was a bad idea." He said, going back to work on the red shaft. Getting the Counterweight to half chuckle and whimper blissfully as Beo sexually tormented him. Playing with the spines, ridges, and that secret spot of his until he got more sprays of delicious juice. Tasting just like the real thing, just a bit thicker.
	With several rapid breaths, and a bracing thrust, Bartan's pouch emptied. Unloading its contents into the dragon's muzzle soon after, but not nearly as much as the night before. Regardless, it left the bear panting, almost whimpering for more. As the larger one shook his head, feeling quite a few of those icy spines shed their frost, he stepped over the bear. Leaving his purple weapon within muzzle reach.
	The white one read the action perfectly, greeting the erect tower with a few kisses before opening up to the flare. Getting two of his paws to grasp the shaft, and the other two to grab his stones, the dragon hissed for a moment. Feeling a strange discomfort for a few moments before their release. Half knowing the changes the bear made while he continued.
	Bartan kept at the upper half, once in a while going the full length to see if he could get the dragon to collapse from sheer pleasure. But his other paws worked on the hamstrings. A massive weakness of the titanic one that he loved to exploit. All the while, sheading those haunches and hind legs of its unnatural blue.
	The motions were soon too much for Beo, getting him to slowly squat down lower and lower over the bear, while trying to keep his balance. Almost thrusting into the white muzzle over and over, and feeling something within that area rising. One last thrust, and he grabbed Bartan's head. Forcing torrents within his maw, and down his throat, but only several. Feeling a few more licks before climbing up the dragon to meet him again.
	But Beo took a step back to meet him halfway, getting a few licks on the muzzle and going in for a kiss. To his surprise, a large glob of his own seed was pushed into his mouth, getting the blue dragon to whimper in surprise before being held onto and encouraged to take it in. Loving this strange flavor or blueberries and grapes. Just like the first meal he had with the bear.
	After they broke the kiss and caught some much needed breaths, Bartan licked him. "You like?" He asked, only getting another deep kiss for more from the dragon. Feeling each other thrust against their bodies, and create a soft friction. Leading to Beo's next step, taking one back and holding onto the bear tightly. Gnawing into his neck a bit before lining up the purple weapon against the Counterweight's tailhole. A faint few pants and licks welcomed such a thing, as he carefully pressed into the furred one.
	The hole felt almost smaller, getting alot of resistance at first before slipping around the flare of his lower horn. Making the two whimper blissfully as it stretched the hole opened more and more, making way for the thick shaft and the many spines that lined it. Deep breaths from both of them as the prods got harder and harder. And then one heavy grip from his now brass paws forced the weapon inside the bear.
	Several moments of rapid breaths, as well as a few sprays of each weapon gave them time to kiss again. This time a bit rougher than before, especially after driving his full length into the bear and making him squirt between them. Washing off more of that frost from his lower belly, but something needed to be done with that chest. The warmth within was growing strong, yes but it needed a special touch.
	Laying him back on the ground again, Beo started thrusting into the Counterweight using his entire body. Nearly taking an entire step back to get that white fur to wash away the cold stains, and then driving the thick nail into him for some extra orange soap. Doing this often made the dragon flex, which only turned Bartan's face completely red, and wanting to gnaw at the thick muscle. Driving the full length into him one more time and giving the bear what he desired.
	Biting into that dense arm with almost all his jawpower actually hurt the dragon. Feeling those teeth actually sink in and break into the muscle, but the pain felt somehow wonderful. Making the Brass one release a few torrents inside, before giving a few short thrusts. When the white one sprayed enough between them, he finally let go of the bicep and healed the wounds quickly. Almost turning to apologize, but interrupted by the dragon's deep kiss.
	It was soon after, the dense feeling was starting to be felt. Like a small bump in the dragon's shaft, stretching out the ridges and driving his pleasure senses into overdrive. Figuring out what it was quickly, Beo took three last, massive thrusts into the furry body. Forcing a heavy spray out of every one before leaving the knot inside. Watching the white one squirm against the pressure of the swelling and go into his own completely blissful realm of semi-consciousness, they both tried to roar. But the feeling left them both breathless.
	Instead, they just squeezed each other senseless. Feeling the weapon tighten up more and more, then thicken as its first torrent released within the bear. Feeling their entire bodied spaz against such a thing, constantly jerking and squirming while the dragon's tail slammed down into the ground. Nearly splitting the very mountain in half.
	The two embraced tightly as the scaled behemoth released into the fluffy beast, filling up his belly tight as a drum as they kissed again. A bit roughly as Beo attempted to squeeze in as much of his seed within the bear as possible, moving with his jerks until he finally had to break the kiss to pant loudly. Leaving themselves just out of muzzle's reach before the torrents slowed down. Allowing them to catch their breath and give each other few licks on the snout, holding paws as the behemoth pressed his heavy weight onto Bartan. "Your... Turn." Beo panted, getting the bear to smile and nod.
	A sudden large opening around the dragon's weapon let all of his accumulated seed run free, letting it all flow out before gently taking hold of the furball. Feeling Beo start to lay on his back, but Bartan stopped him. Instead, getting up and behind the dragon. That excitement returned, as he could feel the bear mount his haunches. Two sets of arms to his side, and over what almost remained of the thick blue frost. But one thing did come to mind.
	The dragon's tail. Now brass like most of his body and lined with red spines, yes, but how was he going to get around it? Beo on his back was the only way he thought it would work, until he felt that prod of the red weapon. Nearly exiling the breath out of his brass chest. Feeling it poke directly into the tailhole and almost make his legs weak.
	Though it was hard to, Beo tried to study what the bear was doing. He felt the furry legs against his hamstrings, yes, as well as his body against his haunches. But it was also around his tail, the entire circumference, and then some. Like the Counterweight suddenly had a hole in him, the exact thickness of the dragon's tail.
	He couldn't concentrate past that, whereas the red tower suddenly invaded him. Sending more bliss through his body than he could take. Feeling it thrust slowly in and out, and squirt a few shots to make it a little easier. The brushing of the white fur against his back and hamstrings felt wonderful and made the brass one whimper loudly into the night.
	Upon hitting the first ridge, Bartan nearly collapse. Gasping for air before shooting a few torrents inside the dragon, feeling them remain until the canine tool retreated. Allowing it to leak out into a steady stream over those now brass balls. Making him slightly worry about how much the Counterweight would actually release into him, but for now, Beo just enjoyed every little movement.
	The wind blew over them a bit, trying to corrupt their session of love with its harsh cold. But the warmth inside the dragon was still burning brightly, thawing out every last scale from his own self-inflicting curse. His mane clattered with the wind, finally dropping its icicles and reviving the crimson red that flourished over him. The cold, white membranes of his wings, covered in frost, regrew into that same bright red. The icicles on the branches fell and turned into diamond dust, all while being heavily thrusted by a wolf-bear-thing. A creature that he loved, and that loved him back.
	As the last speck of blue was removed from his body, the dragon stumbled forward. Feeling the red tool dig very deep inside him, and start to grow a bit. "Do you want it inside?" Bartan gasped, and seeing the dragon nod sharply. Trying to hold himself together, but he released his own sprays below them. Finally making his hind legs give in and fall.
	The two panted as the swelling grew inside his tailhole. Grunting at the pressure, but he somehow loved it. The knot was so hard, dense, and forceful, but the thrill and pleasure it gave off was worth it. Giving or receiving. Sometimes, they were one in the same.
	But when it reached its full size, Beo whimpered really loudly. Sending another few torrents of blue juices below him, and feeling the bear comfort him. All the while spazing out himself and trying to remain still. The weapon inside pulsed. Again. A third time. Then started to grow more. With heavy pants, the brass dragon was ready for it.
	The sprays of orange flooded inside him, rushing through his lower belly and racing for the finish. Stimulating the two of them as they fought against the pressure, making the dragon's underside slightly swell out a little more in pulses. Beo's head constantly tried to look back, trying to spot the bear and get instructions whether or not to worry. But a soft paw just petting his back, lightly gripping those spines, told him to just keep still. That he was fine if he didn't try anything drastic.
	A few more thick sprays inside pushed the belly out further, making him whimper, but it was slowing down. As the bear released a pent up breath and started panting, it was a sign it was over. Allowing Beo to do the same. Overlooking himself over, the wyrm tried to look at Bartan once again. Only to feel him dismount, yet the plug wasn't released. At least the white one's weight was relieved, a pair of white paws were detected and a whimper was heard, much like when the white one was looking at the dragon's muscles. "How do you fe...?" He tried to speak to the brass one, only to get interrupted by another whimper and jerk for a moment. Getting Beo to feel another torrent get released inside him and yelp.
	"Easy!" The dragon hissed, overstimulated by the bulge. "Can you release this already?"
	"Y-yeah..." Bartan whined, blushing deeply and taking a moment to really feel the behemoth's gut. Granted, at the brass one's expense, making him whimper loudly. Not comfortable until the plug was released and the pressure started to fade. Draining him of the orange release that Beo could swear he could still taste. "Sorry about that..." The bear looked at him shyly, but the dragon just kissed him.
	"It's fine. But I get to do more to you next time." They chuckled. "And I mean stuff you full." A sudden look in surprise and blush from that fluffy head. "Until you're more-"
	"B-belly than bear?" The white one teased, getting the dragon's ears to turn purple. "Still, it should wait another night." They laid down, the bear once again on bottom.
	"Tomorrow." Beo teased, getting another kiss as fatigue started to kick in.
	"I'm looking forward to it." Bartan replied, as the two slept the night away.

------

	He never felt stronger, being able to control everything within sight. If a mountain was in his way, he could simply remove it. If the ocean crossed his bath, he could divide it into two. The dragon was now unstoppable, and now in charge of an entire universe, whatever that meant.
	But his subjects around him adored the icy one, without him needing to manipulate their minds either. He simply took a nap one afternoon on a beach, and they fell enthralled by his presence. Perhaps the other Forces took extensive care in order not to be seen by the inhabitants of the universe, but Beo could care less. After these creatures took a fondness to him, nearly making the dragon a celebrity, he actually half cared about their existence.
	But the other Forces... They did not take too kindly to his claim of Death. Attempting to hunt and overthrow the Icy one was a big mistake, for as soon as they were separated, the others had no chance. In the end, being claimed just like their fallen comrade. And within a single moment; Beo'Kros owned everything.
	It came with its perks, yes, and the dragon enjoyed the easy life. Though the loss of Lynnoa still ached his heart, a harem of sorts was starting to form around his stays. Visiting city after city, planet after planet, the dragon's name was being spread far and wide. And he loved it. Or at least at first.
	After a while, the constant visits started to become tedious to him. The celebrations grew tiresome, and the attention was getting irkful. It was the strangest feeling, to be honest. He had all the power he could ever want, and all he could do with it was babysit others. Sure, he could rule them with a cold iron fist. He could just exterminate them out of sheer boredom, but that wouldn't change the fact that there was something missing in all of this. Something that still felt lost to him.
	Granted, that wasn't the only thing wrong lately. For some odd reason, he kept feeling more and more tired. His body and mind were slowly draining of its stamina, even with a few years worth of rest. It made sense after he nearly died while exploding that first planet, but that was before he obtained Death. One would assume that Death would neglect the need of Stamina, it always seemed to be the case for Raccel.
	And it wasn't the dragon getting old. Beo wasn't young, but he was still in his Prime. His strength was still second to none, yet it was still fading. Slowly, but it was over time. And this showed during these celebrations, getting others to be concerned about his well being.
	The years pasted, and he still couldn't find the answer. It seemed like days were dividing what maximum endurance he had left, and the dragon almost felt ill. A mass antidote craze spread through the worlds, as they desperately attempted to find a cure for his strange sickness, but nothing they tried worked. It was such an odd feeling, getting nearly a universe's worth of people working together just to save him. To save their God.

							Heaven Shall Burn - Deyjandi Von
								(Instrumental, No Vocals)

	One fateful night, Beo passed out in what seemed to be a desert. Not the first time he lost consciousness, but it was getting much more frequent. With every waking recovery, he felt more and more tired. Exhausted. Like he was fading. And when he woke up here, next to a campfire, he could barely recognize some long familiar faces. "You're alive." Nalchulus mumbled, not looking away from the flames inbetween them.
	"And looking like a fine piece of tail, I might add." The brown dragon snorted, teasing the blue one and nearly spotting a smile. "You still look better than Nal, so that's progress." A growl from the red dragon got Beo to cough.
	"Enough you two." And there was the third, not really being able to see or move from his spot to look at the Dog, but they lived. All three of them somehow lived. "How do you feel, Beo?" The only thing he could do to answer was take deep heavy breaths.
	"That says a lot." Siggy muttered. "I didn't think I'd ever see Mr. Muscles out of shape." A faint growl made the stick smile a bit.
	"I don't think he's out of shape..." The canine muttered sadly, finally getting up and into the view of the green eyes. Unable to completely focus on him, Beo knew what was coming.
	"I..." A heavy breath. "Did this... For Myself..." He heaved, coughing a bit as his lungs struggled to function. "Not for... Any of you..." A few breaths nearly made him pass out.
	"That's kind of you." Nal snorted, feeding the blue one's anger and giving him a bit more energy. Keeping his eyes closed so they didn't require stamina, not that they were much use now anyway.
	"But I... Can't... So... You Will..." A slow swallow as he struggled to lift his head up. Feeling a furry paw on his muzzle. "...Raccel..."
	"I'm here, Beo."
	"Fate..." A cough as he expelled a third of his remaining energy from his body, and transferring it to the canine. "Siggy..."
	"What? No. I don't-"
	"Reality..." Another cough, and a third fled from his armored chest. Making it that much harder to breathe, and he suddenly felt cold.
	"...Nal... Old... Bastard..." The red one was Quiet. "Death..." Another cough and the blue dragon collapsed, leaving him with a very small fraction of stamina left. Hearing his heart drum in his chest, Beo struggled to breathe. Hearing the faint whimpers of the brown one as he came a bit closer. "Don't you dare remember me... Don't you dare... Remember me like this...!" And he stopped, finally giving into the coldness and falling into the abyss.
------

Chapter 10

	A few licks on his sensitive ear caused it to flick, batting the red appendage away. Getting the dragon to growl a bit as he became more aware of what was going on, feeling the soft fur under him, and paws pet his muscles. But when those teeth playfully caught the frilled ear, the brass one's reflexes kicked in. Getting him to bite the furred one on the neck and make Bartan whimper a bit in pleasure. Feeling him thrust a bit into the dragon on top during the length of the bite.
	But it didn't cause any damage, and after a few moments, Beo let go. Licking into that fur a few times and nuzzling it until he became more aware. Never smiling so brightly to wake up next to someone, even during a cold morning. The warmth of that white fluff was intoxicating, even in spots that his body wasn't holding onto during the night.
	After exchanging a few licks and kisses, they looked into each other's eyes and smiled. Seeing a slight tint of red invade the bear's four ears and making the dragon chuckle a bit. "And you thought you could get away with it, huh?"
	"I had to try. It was just taunting me." Another lick. "Perhaps I need a bit more punishment, or do you need some breakfast first."
	"Just something to drink." He stretched his jaws out, feeling the spines on his chin easily move, along with his mane. It was going to take some getting used to, but he loved the gift of his old appearance back. "I'm thinking some Orange Juice will hit the spot, but you might be able to help me with that, won't you?" The white one laughed, getting the other to do the same too. "Innuendo, I'm not even sure I did it correctly."
	"Correct enough. I've been ready for a while if you want to drink straight from the tap." A slight eyebrow made the bear blush again. "You've been flexing in your sleep..." A deep breath as the Counterweight looked over the bicep again. Even getting the brass one to study the thick muscle and shake his head.
	"I'd like that, but probably not much further than it, unless we want to spend the entire day here." A shrug from Bartan.
	"I don't mind. It's a nice spot. Very airy."
	"And wide opened for others to see." A slight blush himself.
	"Can't work well with an audience?"
	"I've never tried it before." Another nuzzle as he took a step down the furred body. "But I suppose there's a first time for everything..." He purred, licking his way down and getting the bear to lose his breath.

	"So, you gave it away..." Bartan said, walking with the dragon the day after. Back in his smaller form and looking off to the distance sadly. But still petting the dragon's arm.
	"Well... I didn't know what else to do. If I... 'Left' with it, it might disappear or go to the wrong people."
	"And you wanted to give it to someone you trusted." Beo was quiet for a few moments, looking off to the side himself and noticing the wet lands surrounding the road. Finally getting a good view of his brass body now, nearly taking his breath away. To the point where he stopped moving to study it.
	It was hard to even believe that was him anymore, seeing the icy mane and frosted scales completely cover him for thousands of years. This felt like a breath of fresh air on his armored body, still keeping the basic shape and muscle mass. Even his wings looked different, it honestly made him look more... Powerful.
	He noticed the bear stopping as well, coming over to look at the reflection himself and see Bartan sadly smile at it. "...You were right." Beo whispered. "I do look better."
	"Alot better, in my opinion." It made the larger one smile as well, but only for a moment.
	"But does this mean I lost...?" A slight shrug from the Counterweight as he gestured the waters. With a faint breath, the dragon concentrated on it, and it froze almost immediately. Then created a small blast of concussive force to shatter it. In some way, it made him glad that he still had these cryonic powers, but it also ached his heart a bit. Feeling that pet once again.
	"You can never fully escape the past. It will always be with you, in your actions or decisions. Sometimes both. But this isn't a bad thing."
	"Just a constant reminder of who I am." His head lowered, and a paw brought it closer to the bear.
	"Who you were, Beo'Karah." The dragon's head slightly curled, trying not to go out of reach of the comforting appendage while displaying a bit of puzzlement at the name. "It was one I was thinking of for these past few days. You don't have to use it-"
	"No..." A sad smile. "No, I like it. A lot." A nuzzle. "Thank you, Bartan." A moment together as they hugged, somewhat. "But, you know what happened then, don't you? When I...?"
	A deep breath as they started walking again. "Not all universes are designed exactly the same. This goes for pretty much everything; galaxies, planets, people."
	"Forces...?" The white one nodded.
	"That Counterweight added something to the title of Force, in which: if more than one of those powers were obtained, the holder's body would be poisoned."
	"Poisoned?"
	"And all three of them would be devastating. It's a miracle how long you kept that power within yourself. But as your antibodies began failing..."
	"The faster it corrupted me. To the point where..."
	"You couldn't even stand. And even expelling the power wouldn't be enough to cure it. It was just a punishment for those who pursued all three." The dragon's head sank again, and Bartan stopped him for a moment. "You were not in the Wrong to do that, Beo. I don't agree with the Counterweight's decision, but I couldn't just simply restore the damages it did to your body."
	"...Which is why you needed me to heal naturally." A nod. "And they...?"
	"Are still there. The CW doesn't like them, but I gave it something to think about before I left.  Raccel, Nalchulus, and Sig'eaal should all be okay." A faint nod. "I just can't take you to see them-"
	"I'm not sure that I could actually confront them again anyway, but why?"
	"It was part of the deal: You got to live again, but you cannot enter that Universe anymore. If you do, the Counterweight will Slay you without warning." A deep breath, and the white one comforted him. "There's thousands of others we can visit, and I don't think they're going to stay as Forces forever. We'll see them again, when you're ready." A nod from the large one, and a smile that was contagious.
	"Alright, that's my story. What's yours?"
	"Mine? I did promise you, didn't I?" A nod as the bear took a deep breath. "It's a bit of a long story, but I'll start at a more recent point first. Then I'll tell you the full thing, but it is rather... Massive. It might be better if you see the events of Entropy's War for yourself."
	"Entropy's War...?"
	"Which is a much longer story." The furred one chuckled. "But we'll start here: After my universe was made and being well taken care of, as well as my handle on Emotions-"
	"A longer story?"
	"Not as long, but the original Bartan gave me them as a gift." A very odd look from the brass dragon. "We're just getting started on the madness, if you keep making that face, it's going to stay that way." Another chuckle. "But my Forces were doing very well, able to handle things on their own, as trained. But something kept worrying me. In Veritas, the universe in which Entropy's War started and where the Original Bartan was from, there was a nearby Terrasque harassing it. We couldn't kill it, but we could reinforce the wall that kept it captive."
	"Much like the walls in this universe." A nod from the white one.
	"But I wanted to check on it, so I did. And well... It looked like it was intentionally broken from the outside, but only a little bit. Even after I tried to repair it, the creature within sensed me, and kept trying to get out. Only making the wall weaker."
	"So, what did you do...?"
	"I went in... And fought it. See if I could weaken it." A sad look from Beo. "I had help; a few friends from Veritas came to assist me, but I couldn't quite kill the damn thing. If I left it weakened like this, it was only going to get stronger, and I was afraid that the wall wouldn't be able to hold it. If one got out and started devouring everything, there would be no stopping it." Bartan took a breath before continuing. "And so, I ended up consuming it."
	"Consuming...? Like eating it?"
	"More like absorbing it into my body, which was a mistake, but the only thing I could think of. My form seen it as a poison, and in order to protect who I was, it ended up locking my consciousness in a cocoon. Changing my body into another creature known to be a vessel: a Tirix." The brass one's neck curled. "Again, I'll explain later. But this creature went on to have a life in another universe, before I reawakened. I honestly felt bad for it, so I gave it another body, and transferred its own separate consciousness to it. I wonder if he's still alive...?"
	As the large one almost frowned, the bear continued. "But that Terrasque was still connected to several universes, and without one, they were not doing so well. With the current system, they trade the negativity for energy. And when you have too much negativity..."
	"The worlds become poisoned." Beo muttered.
	"To remove a Terrasque is like to remove someone's liver. Eventually all those toxins will begin to shut the entire body down, making many of the other organs fail. And the system the Counter Force used to monitor this was still functioning."
	"Counter Force... That was the old Law Enforcement for Counterweights, right?" A nod from the small one.
	"She told me I needed to find a replacement. A person to take the place of the Terrasque and morph them into a new one, so that those universes could be filtered out."
	"But didn't you make a universe without pain? Isn't yours one?"
	"Yes, but that took several days to drain all the negativity out from it first. It's more that I stopped the pain and suffering from being created while the Terrasque sucked what remained dry. After that you can... Terraform it, so it no longer needs that to function."
	"...So, you're out here to find a replacement then..." The dragon mumbled sadly.
	"I'm here... Hoping to find a way to make them obsolete. For now, I gave her a temporary fix so those people wouldn't be suffering too much. Enough for me to at least travel and study how the older universes were structured. Hoping maybe there is something out there that I can use. Terrasques were not always the standard way, so I want to find out what else the past Counterweights used." A deep breath, and the large one nuzzled him.
	"...I really don't want to think about this, but... What happens if you can't find it?"
	"...Then I volunteer." It nearly stopped the dragon's heart, making him step quickly forward and cut the bear's path off. Getting the two to stop and study each other with sad expressions. "It was my fault this happened, Beo. I'm the one who got rid of the Terrasque, and I'm the one who should take responsibility for it."
	"But..." He started, but couldn't think of a counter argument. Feeling that paw on his arm again, he gazed at the white one with sad green eyes.
	"This is of course after everything else fails. If I don't find anything from the old infrastructure, can't find a better fix, even if it just took maintenance. This is a Last Resort. I have time until then."
	"We have time." The brass one said proudly, getting Bartan to smile at him.

	He could hear the furry creature in his arms sleeping soundly, as the bright moon illuminated the opened grassy area. Though a few animals were still frolicking around, most were still hiding away from here. The dragon couldn't blame them, especially after the noises the two made a few hours ago. The thought of such events made him smile, but there was still something off, something wrong that he couldn't quite place.
	Tired of laying on the living pillow, and finally freed from the tie under his tail, Beo got up. Attempting to be silent, and nearly freezing in place when the bear muttered something. Keeping still for a few moments before carrying on. Walking a few paces before taking to the air.
	It's been ages since he's actually flown, so much so that his wings felt a little tired from inactivity. Overlooking the wonderful scenery, such a thing would have never caught his breath before. What seemed like only a week, the dragon was a completely different person.
	Maybe that's what was bothering him, as the large one landed in a rather spacious area. One lacking of grass and other plantlife. Now that his heart felt warmer, he still felt almost guilty about the many things he had done. The people he hurt... And those who hurt him. To forgive such things was defined as an act of mercy, yes, but there was still something inside him that demanded pain.
	His mind flashed back to that moment when he sacrificed a planet to get the attention of the Forces, only to have a lot of it backfire from being distracted. There was a feeling there that almost awakened, but never went away. No matter how calm he was, how much Bartan filled his chest, and other areas, with love... That coldness still remained.
	The dragon swore it was something foreign. Unnatural for his body to obtain. To the point where he wondered if he did rip off the brass scales of his chest if there would still be a beating heart there, or a generator. One that would persistently run around in circles to keep him alive.
	A soft landing from the white one surprised Beo, getting his spines to raise and his body tense until he made out Bartan's larger form. Looking at him with curiosity for a moment while the brass one sighed. Turning to him and giving the fluffy one a powerful hug. "...I couldn't sleep." The larger one admitted, feeling him nod.
	"That's okay. It's a good night for a flight." A few licks on his shoulder, and Beo returned them. Still rather surprised that the Counterweight could fly. But after seeing many of his other feats, it wasn't that farfetched. "How do you feel?"
	A moment of study, and he knew there was no hiding it from the white one. "...I feel like there's something wrong... Inside me. I can't quite explain it." A nod from him. "...You know what it is, don't you?"
	"I do. I do." A few more licks and he half pried out of the brass one's grasp. Putting a single paw on that armored chest and looking into his green eyes. "And it's something you should learn how to deal with. A Blessing, yet a Curse." He whispered, almost knowing from experience.
	"What is it?"
	A deep breath from Bartan as he went in for another hug, and a nuzzle. "...Nalchulus was in the right, for killing Lynnoa behind your back." It caught the dragon's breath, almost doubling his grasp on the bear. "And that dragon female had every right to leave you." Another tight squeeze as he clenched his jaws, feeling a strange pain in that chest amplified. As the Counterweight slowly pried and looked into those green eyes, now feeling rather stunned, his own shown something different. The words hurt, yes, but the brown ones told him that he didn't mean it.
	Another trace around his chest, one forming a circle over and over. That pain followed as Beo took a step forward. Holding onto the white one again and breathing deeply. Trying to rock with the pain as it circled around his chest. Faster and faster it started to move, getting him to whimper, yet feel Angry. Enraged. Cold. He hissed loudly as he squeezed those green eyes shut. His brass muscles tightened, unaware of the darkness that was covering his scales. Abyss black, with a very faint tint of blue.
	As it started to cover his entire body, that frost returned. Touching his spines and turning them back into icicles, ones eerily clear like perfectly cut glass. His claws sharpened, his breath exhaled a Vanilla mist, and his heart once again froze over. Becoming something much deeper than fragile ice, making Beo struggle with it. "Don't hold it back." Bartan said over his whimpers, and the black dragon roared.
	The grounds around him immediately turned into a frosted tundra. The leaves instantly died out from miles away. The clouds far above instantly froze into thick blocks of ice and fell to the ground, shattering before impact as the dragon roared loudly. Nearly splitting everything nearby into shards of frost.
	Beo collapsed in pain as the bear held him up a bit. "Easy! Easy!" He got him to stand on his own, cupping his jaws and getting him to look into those brown eyes. "Don't drop it! Don't lose focus! Come on, Concentrate! Overpower the pain!" Bartan encouraged him, taking a few steps behind him, and trying to shrug off the pain of the cold. "I can't help you through this, Beo. You Need To Do It Yourself!" Several deep breaths, and hisses of exhales, the dragon growled loudly. Slowing down a bit, but still looking into those brown eyes. Showing he wasn't lost to the pain.
	"Alright, stand up." A few grunts, and the dragon did. It felt like fighting against his own body, his own instincts. Trying his best to keep a clear mind, but this was more than just adrenaline. His veins were filled to the brim with pure, liquidfied power. Demanding to be released at anyone and anything nearby. Still jerking from the sheer force his chest was giving out, even making his frosted wings beat with the rock.
	"Okay, now try to slow it down-Very Very Easily." Bartan guided him, like showing him how to walk again. "Slow your breaths. A little slower-keep focus! Okay, slower..." The generator in his chest lost alot of it's speed, and with it; alot of its driving pain. With his body still straining against itself, that power was suddenly dropped from under him. Forcing the dragon to once again take on his brassy color with the red spines.
	His body collapsed onto the ground, save for his head which was caught by the bear. Grasping desperately for both air and against the pain of his muscles, Bartan comforted him. "Good... It's okay, Beo. It's over. You did good." Deep breath after deep breath, and he slowly opened his eyes. Almost unable to see at first, but the darkness soon faded. Picturing the Counterweight's fur coat like he was sleeping in a snowstorm. Complete with icicles at the ends of his fur.
	But a slow look around, everything was covered in ice. The ground itself felt like a frozen river, the remains of clouds and the miles of now dead trees, completely frozen solid while some remained shattered. Even a few animals that couldn't get away in time were left as statues. Unable to survive such drastic colds.
	He sighed heavily, almost sobbing at the destruction as the bear just coaxed him. Telling him it was alright, and just to sleep. Feeling himself suddenly fall onto warmer grounds on top of the bear, and the heat of their campfire from earlier, they were suddenly back to where they camped last. And soon, the dragon fell asleep.

Chapter 11

	The sun wasn't up, he could tell that much. Barely even awake, he could feel the soft fur of the white one lay down beside him. Instinctively wrapping his large scaly arms over him and resting his head on the bear's neck. Just happy that he returned, expecting at least another two days without him. After spending several years together, it was hard to last that long. But he returned, that's all that mattered... Or was it?
	Normally, the white one would start licking at him, teasing him. Making give him a deep kiss or manipulating the dragon to purr with his soft hands. But here... Now... There was something wrong. And that sank his heart. "...You didn't find anything, did you?" He tried to mutter clearly, feeling bear lightly shake his head. Deflating them both of air and motivation, and getting the brass one to hold him tighter.
	"...The ones around here use the same system. Signs of slightly different patterns, but nothing that would lead to..." Bartan trailed off, knowing he didn't need to finish. Feeling a few thick licks from that large tongue as if it was trying to heal a new wound, the Counterweight was out of ideas. "...Maybe we should just head back."
	It made the dragon stop. Stop his breath, stop his motion, and almost stop his heart. Squeezing the fluffy body a little more and shaking his own scaly muzzle. "...You'll figure something out-"
	"I'm out of ideas... And I'm out of time-"
	"You'll figure something out." The brass one said a bit thickly, and almost desperately. "...And she'll make more time." It only made the two sigh heavily. "...Can we at least have one more day together? Before we head back?"
	"Yes... I'm just not in the mood for much." Another deep breath, and the two just held each other through the morning.

	There was something uneasy about this void. Like it still smelled of negativity and neglect. It honestly got under the dragon's scales, but he supposed any such creature would be considered to live in a pleasant habitat. As he followed the bear's ethereal wings towards a long platform, one barely illuminated, he never felt more alone. Not wanting to be here, but definitely not wanting him to do this.
	But he could not change the Counterweight's mind. And everytime he tried, it was the exact same excuse and points being made. Such a thing was hardly considered Justice to the dragon, but then again, his view on such things tended to alter from time to time.
	As the two landed onto the platform, what almost looked to be a doll of some sort, waiting for eons, was suddenly brought back to life. Looking over the two males, and keeping more focus on the dragon than the bear. "I was beginning to doubt you would ever return." It said. Though a bit mechanical, it tended to have this harsh, sarcastic tone to it. Making Beo's ears go back.
	"I expected as such." Bartan replied, almost his old self. "You even doubted my replacement strategy would work. Yet it functioned for longer than even I thought." He lightly smiled, looking down below the transparent platform at a device that the brass one couldn't quite make out. It honestly looked like a very far away sun to him.
	"Indeed, but it has dimmed rather greatly since you left. Not to mention, it barely functioned. Regardless, any moment now it will probably burn out. I expect you found a replacement?" She looked at the brass dragon again.
	"...Yes." The two males looked at each other once again. Sadly smiling and not wanting to say farewells. They spent too much time lately doing so. Instead, Bartan took a step forward. "I will be replacing it."
	The doll doubled taked at him, almost chuckling at such a statement. "I'm afraid not. Counterweights cannot become Terrasques." Such a thing was almost a relief to Beo, as an entire weight was suddenly lifted off of him. But then another was placed, as the small light below them suddenly died off. "And we are out of time. That one there will do nicely-"
	"What? No!" The bear growled, lightly glancing at the brass one, and then double taking at his expression. Knowing he was considering such a thing. "...You can't-!"
	"Which is the exact same thing I kept saying to you." Beo said, taking a step closer to the white furred one and getting them to hold paws. Never once before seen those brown eyes break down into tears. "We are out of time..." A loud whimper from him. "And out of options-"
	"Then we'll find someone else-"
	"Only to sacrifice them!" The two took a breath, as the dragon hugged his soft body tightly. "You gave me a second chance already, Bartan." A sniff and a few more denials. "And the several years we spent together was a good afterlife. You did so much for me-"
	"That doesn't meant...!" He shook his head, getting the dragon to do the same. "I can figure it out-"
	"We don't have time for you to figure it out." The doll said, clearly annoyed by the show of emotion. Taking a few steps away and motioning the brass one to come over. Taking a few more moments to just squeeze the living daylights out of the bear one last time before breaking the hug. Needing to pry the white one from his large body and give him a deep kiss.
	"Thank you." Another. "For everything, Bartan. I couldn't ask for more." The Counterweight fell in defeat, not knowing what to do or how to convince them otherwise. As the dragon took a spot beside the doll, he smiled sadly at the white one once more. Until a thick ooze was suddenly dropped on his back. Getting him to double take at it, and his heart begin to race with fear.
	The abyss darkness started covering his body, as the bear roared at her to stop. Lunging at the dragon and trying to hold him while avoiding the ooze. "I wouldn't touch that if I were you." She casually said, taking a few steps away. "And I wouldn't stay in here, let alone keep that wall opened for much longer." It then vanished in a series of lights, leaving the two to cry in fear.
	"I'm sorry-I'm sorry-I'm so sorry...!" Bartan said, over and over, trying to keep the dragon's focus and his eyes locked onto his brown ones. As the ooze kept covering him quickly, those paws traced the last bit of brass scales before needing to pull away from him. Feeling a warm glow be pulled from it before Beo'Karah's entire body was lost inside.
	It quickly covered the entire platform, as it mutated the dragon quickly. Never hating himself more for leaving him behind, Bartan withdrew. Sealing the newly born Terrasque inside the space. Once the construction was done, he collapsed. Roaring out his pain until it shook the very foundations that kept everything together, but getting a faint reaction out of the glow still in his paw.
	A few breaths, and the bear studied it. Discovering what it was after a few minutes, while looking back at the wall. Almost through it. "...I can fix it..." He whispered, as he took off into the large hallways that connected universes.

	"Hey... Hey... Can you hear me? Hey... That's it... Keep your focus... Breathe..." The faint grumbles left his throat, unable to make a clear answer to the white one. Let alone see him through the ridiculously bright lights. "What do you remember?"
	Another grumble, as he stretched his brass body. "Bartan? What's wrong?" The bear suddenly got the brightest smile on his face and hugged the dragon tightly. Getting him to double take and wonder 'What The Hell?'
	"It worked...!" He kept whispering, still not answering the brass one's expression. "It's okay, Beo. I fixed it. Everything's okay."
	"Fixed what exactly?" He got a few licks for an answer. "The Terrasque thing?"
	"Yes...! It's okay now. It's all okay."
	"You say that now, I still can't see with these lights." They suddenly went out. "That's better." The two chuckled, as the bear allowed the dragon to get up. Overlooking every little detail to make sure nothing was out of place. "Seriously, you're getting under my scales, and in the bad way. What's wrong?"
	With a very deep breath of relief, Bartan just smiled. "Nothing. Everything appears to be functioning correctly." A snout toss made him chuckle. "I'll tell you on the way there. For now, I want my wife to finally meet my husband." The two smiled brightly, getting another tight hug as they left the pure white room.
	"Good. I always wanted to see your universe anyway."
	"We'll stay there for a while, then. There's alot I should check on." A nuzzle. "But okay, how much do you remember?"

	A universe without pain. It was one of the greatest things Beo had ever experienced. Loving the constant comfort of everything about it. How the air was just the perfect temperature, the light was the perfect hue. And the night came when he wanted it to.
	Though he still felt rather spent, he couldn't help but nuzzle into the two large piles of fur. Getting a kick of how similar his now Husband and Wife were. It still fluttered his heart to think of them as such. A six legged, half Wolf and half Bear for a husband. And a six legged, half Wolf and half Fox for a wife. Both Counterweights, he couldn't be happier at this moment.
	But that's when he felt it, that black ooze fall onto his back once again. Triggering that fear, and making him yelp at its cold darkness. Feeling it grab a hold of his body, and make it so numb. Almost painful. Climbing up the back of his neck, strangling his chest and throat plates, until it covered his vision and forced open his jaw-
	The dragon jolted upwards, breathing heavily at the nightmare. Constantly looking at his surroundings and his body for any smear of the blackness on him. But when nothing was seen or felt, he started to relax. Only feeling the two furry ones that currently made his bedding. Back in a universe without pain... Without pain...?

						Then how did I just have a Nightmare...?

Fear Is The Weakness Act 3 - The Arms Of Sorrow
By Bartan Tirix

Chapter 1

	The city was dark. The streets empty. The air almost scentless, and the sky a harsh red. Something he could barely make out until his eyes adjusted. But there was something familiar about it, something the brass dragon couldn't quite place. "Awake, are you?" The voice of a woman flicked his ears, making his green eyes scan the roads for her.
	"Lynnoa...?" He half mumbled eventually finding her in a space he already searched. Shaking his muzzle a bit while stretching. His muscles felt unusually sore, and his right eye stinging a little bit, like there was an old wound over it. "Where are we?"
	The woman half shrugged while walking closer to the large one. "Out of one city and into another. Your guess is as good as mine." A concerned look from the large one, as he looked around. One specific building looked familiar to him, getting those eyes to alter and adjust to get a closer look.
	He barely caught the flash just below where he was looking, something really thin that went through the building. For a moment, nothing happened, then the building almost teleported to fall on the brass one. Pinning him down on the ground before he could escape, and growling at the crushing weight of the object. Feeling ten times the mass of what it probably was.
	"Are you okay?" The woman asked him, only getting a grumble from the dragon as he fought to lift it up. "We wouldn't want anything to happen to that body of yours." Her voice almost mechanical, getting Beo to double take at her. As the woman's head turned sideways to break her own neck, her flesh suddenly combusted along with her clothing. Then a black ooze drained out of it.
	As the body hit the asphalt, it bursted like it was nothing but soggy flesh. Scattering that black substance all over the place and let it accumulate before lunging at the dragon's maw. Feeling it force down his throat, in his eyes, and ears. Filling his body with pain and rage-

	He woke up in the grassy field panting loudly. Constantly checking his surroundings in the night sky for anything familiar, or anything black. Seeing the very ends of several tails almost dipped in ink, and instinctively tried to scamper away from it. Just now noticing that he was braced by a few paws. "Hey. Relax." A female voice said, much different from the one before. "It was just a bad dream."
	A few deep breaths, and those arms calmly pulled the dragon back down. Wrapping him in a body of fur and giving him a few licks. A few more deep breaths, and Beo'Karah started to relax. "...Another damn nightmare." He mumbled.
	"I know." His eyes half tried to seek her red ones. "You've been making noises for hours, but I could not wake you properly." He didn't know how to respond to that, so he didn't. Instead, just laid his head down in the comfortable grass. Looking over the night sky at the countless stars that painted it. "If you're still having them here, it's not his Universe that's causing it."
	"...Yeah." A deep breath. "I suppose that's good news in a way." A few licks as those four paws caressed him into relaxation. Eventually feeling them grip under his jawline and getting him to purr. Then, getting that white fox muzzle closer to his own, giving it a few licks with that purple tongue, then sharing a few kisses.
	"Would you like a session to help you relax?"
	"No thanks." Another kiss. "I'm not really in the mood." A strange look of not understanding came from those red eyes, but didn't go past that. "I feel like that's all we've done for the past few days as a cure."
	"That's because we have done it for the past few days. It works."
	"But only to have me sleep again, then... Nightmare." A heavy sigh from him, then a nuzzle from the female. Getting a brass paw on the back of her neck as an embrace for a few moments. "Where is he, anyway?"
	"Checking some things out in the nearby universes. Concerned about his previous power source that he left as a replacement." A nod from the brass one.
	"That sun thing?"
	"I do not know what it was. I was too busy tending to my own areas and making sure everything was working properly." A deflated sigh from the dragon. "Yes. You are keeping me from my duties, but nothing urgent. I'll tend to them when you are well and satisfied." A sad smile that she couldn't see.
	"You still talk funny." He chuckled, getting the fox to smile as well. "It's hard to believe that you two came from the same place..."
	"Yet, Bartan was the only one to gain Emotion?" A nod. "He was gifted with it. I was not."
	"But you do pretty well to mimic him." A few licks into that white fur, loving how it never sheds. "How long did it take you?"
	"478 GUYs." A double take was felt, and the fox met those green eyes again. "General Universal Years."
	"Y-yeah, I know. But 478?"
	"I only started recently." A blank stare from the dragon.
	"And I thought I was lenient with time." Another nuzzle from her. "So that's, what...?"
	"That would only be 4,201,488,763 of your years." A very long half grumble as he stared into space, making the white one half chuckle at the reaction. "Doesn't seem that long ago, really."
	"You say that, but that's still like six thousand times older than I am." He grumbled. "Does this make you a cougar?"
	"I'm borrowing the image of a nine-tailed fox."
	"I mean... An older female looking for a younger male."
	"Then, yes."
	"So, what would that make Bartan?"
	"I believe the term Manther would fit that category. Perhaps Chicken Hawk." The two chuckled a bit. "Slag is very strange."
	"Tell me about it. I was only looking after a universe for a maybe a decade, and I still couldn't keep up with it." A deep breath of relaxation, and a tail brushed the dragon's sheath. Getting him to breathe deep once again. "Persistent, aren't you?"
	"It functions, and you should give into it."
	"That's not exactly how moods work-" Another brush interrupted him. "You're not going to stop, are you Arson." He grumbled.
	"It functions, and you should-"
	"Okay. Okay. But keep me awake this time. I want to at least get some flight time today." A nod from her as they kissed.

	The white hall was massive. So large that the dragon almost felt lost while inside it. Everywhere there was doors, below and above. All lining up to the grand set of them at the very end of the hall.
	He knew he should've just taken the express way, but the brass one just wanted to fly so badly. Stretch out his wings that have felt restless for nearly a week. Has it been a week? Sure felt like it. Ever since these damn nightmares started haunting him, the only cure the mates could think of was what he was currently recovering from.
	Not that he minded such a 'treatment' but it felt almost for the wrong reasons. Before, it was a form of fondness and love. Affection and admiration. Now, it almost felt like a medication, though he still couldn't blame the fox for that. It was the only way she understood it, but she was trying her best.
	With the last doorway in sight at the very end of the hall, his wings shifted to a glide. Still finding it strange that there's even gravity in such a place, but if he understood the bear correctly, it was different for every person. The way his universe seemed to work was they all felt the world differently. The way they're either used to, or want to feel it. With that explanation, you'd think the dragon's wings wouldn't feel so tired. But then again, maybe that's what he wanted?
	Landing about ten steps away, and slowing down to a patient walk, he couldn't help but look around at the opened doorways along the walls. All filled with different areas where corporeal spirits seemed to inhabit, all souls that were casted in a recycled hell until this massive change. Now, they got whatever they desired, without the punishment of taking from another person. Whereas, Envy never seemed to exist here.
	But why did the brass one almost feel envious of them? Ever since he visited here for the first time, all that praise and hype leading up to this point only resulted in disappointment for him. The pain of loss still existed, the nightmares still existed. The constant hunger for something still existed, only filling that last one with the gluttony of lust. It was his experience with this place, yet his alone. Every other being he talked to so far, which was only a pawful, never got those feelings.
	Which in return made Bartan and Arson theorize that perhaps it was the fact that the dragon was A: not a Counterweight, and B: an outsider to the universe. He wasn't present during the conversion, so therefore his 'Strain of Information', whatever they called that, was not altered for such things.
	It half saddened him. His husband's homeland, and he couldn't help but feel so outcast by it. Perhaps this was how many others felt, but it was a first experience for Beo. Regardless, he carried on. At least the two were willing to try to find solutions for their new mate, but altering the dragon's 'Code' didn't sound too pleasant. Let alone, he worried about the after effects. Mostly: would he still be Beo'Karah afterwards?
	It was almost a scary thought. Intimidating, much like the colossal doors in front of him, possibly big enough for the bear's real size to crawl through. An amusing thought, seeing him struggle on all sixes, possibly with his white haunches in the air. Presenting themselves to be mounted while he was helplessly snared. Making him wonder what would happen if a certain brass dragon where to discover such a prey-
	A rapid shake of his head as he tried to stop his sheath from swelling. Taking a few deep breaths to get the purple tint out of his ears, he placed a heavy paw on the door and was transported inside. Almost to a suburban house with a rather small front door, by dragon standards. Getting the brass one to flick an ear of irritation as he sighed and approached it.
	It was wide opened at least, welcoming others inside while some people were pacing around. Getting some jobs complete that the bear instructed before, remembering how polite he was to his 'subjects'. Perhaps Employees would be a better term, almost a turn-on for the dragon to see the white one take charge-
	Another headshake as his body grumbled. Likely at the indecisiveness between his arousal or his hunger for his husband. Fluttering his slightly sore wings and closing them tightly against his back, a grumble left his plated neck. Carefully walking to the door and peering inside. A few others noticed him, but probably still didn't know the brass one's status with the bear. Regardless, they didn't stop him from attempting to enter the door... Which took a few minutes. And several scrapes against the wooden doorframe.
	A female giggle came from the side after Beo gave the door a snort. Getting the larger one to curl his neck at the blue gerbil. "Talk about an entrance."
	"It's a wonder you keep that damn thing so small." The brass one grumbled, trying to watch his body in the semi-large Livingroom, and trying not to-thwack! Too late. Getting him to flinch at the sound of his tail giving someone a concussion. Well, if they could feel pain at least. And that flinch lead to a chain reaction of a few more broken objects, from his wings hitting the lights, to his hind leg stepping on a table.
	It all just made the gerbil laugh loudly, and a few others to chuckle at the event, but carry on. Beo, on the other hand, just grumbled and lowered his head. "Relax, it's all replaceable. Not even necessary, to be honest."
	"It's just not... Dragon-friendly." He tried to keep all limbs close to his main body as possible while studying the female. "You're... Lillian?"
	"Or Lillith. Whatever works." She said, not looking off her tablet, but approaching the brass one. Giving his arm a stroke on the bicep. "We met your first night here."
	"Y-yeah. Outside." He mumbled awkwardly. "I'm looking for Bartan, have you seen him?"
	"He hasn't returned yet, but he's on his way if you want to stick around and wait for him. Make yourself at home." Another glace at the large one trying to compress himself. "Well, at 'home' as possible. If you need something specific, you can always talk to Lyago."
	"N-no. I just..." Another grumble from the dragon's stomach area got Lillith a bit curious. "Can't he just teleport everywhere? I never understood the want to travel so much."
	"Teleportation is fine in short distances, even to planets or plasma travel like space. But you do have to realize that he is a massive creature." A nod from the brass one, and she gave his muzzle a few strokes. Putting the tablet away for a moment and sitting on his arm, while he tried to study her in secret. "Have you seen him in his full size?"
	"I can't say that I have." He mumbled, unable to read the faded message on that dark hoody. Not to mention, tell what the large headphones around her neck were for.
	"Not as impressive as it sounds. Mostly because all you can see is just white." She chuckled, even getting him to smile a bit. "But even when his size is reduced like that, he still needs to calculate the 'space needed' for his original form first. And usually... Things that are small enough to fit inside a universe, it's not that big of a deal."
	"But something larger..."
	"It could possibly cause the entire thing to collapse. He's reported a few remnants of dead universes that look like they've been torn to shreds." His ears dropped a bit, and she shrugged at him. "It happens. That's why they had this 'No Experimentation' rule for so long. Too many things were just going wrong, and it really ruined it for others."
	"And you know this...?"
	"Oh. Maybe he didn't tell you, I'm his Reality." A curl of his neck. "Fate and Death are around here somewhere, I think. I have a hard time keeping track of them without looking at my phone every ten minutes. But I usually try to help Lya and the staff around here when the big guy is home."
	"He's not that big." Beo snorted, teasing her a bit. "Who is this Lyago?"
	"Lya? He's kinda like the Fill-in for when Bartan's gone. Think of him as a Take-over CW but without the CW." His head tilted. "He makes final decisions when they're needed, and keeps a large record of any problems that appear. We'll do what we can with them, but sometimes they just require tools out of our power. That's where the bear comes in."
	"So he just decides things."
	"Kinda like a manager of a store, if you know what I mean." Another snort got her to giggle.
	"Stores are worse than this house at being dragon-friendly." He grumbled, looking around a bit awkwardly. "What about you?"
	"What about me?"
	An awkward grunt as he rubbed the back of his neck a bit. "You mentioned... Your old nickname."
	"Lillith?" A nod from the large one.
	"Why keep it?"
	"How much do you know about me?" She smiled at his shyness, getting more of 'I don't remember' vibe. "Alright, alright. But short version, I still have work to do. I was in your typical broken home. Real mother married the wrong guy, but lost custody of me. Left me behind with him. He remarried, gave me a brother I was kinda close to, but ended up murdering that new mate. Sent to jail, our uncle took care of us for a while before he shot himself." The large one's heart sank as she continued.
	"But... I survived. Brother moved out, and I for some reason, stayed in that house. Tried to drown my sorrows in the addictive holes: drinks, some drugs, sex, loud music, and terrible boyfriends. You can guess which one worked the most." She tapped the headphones.
	"One day, I just got tired of it. For once, I broke up a bad relationship. Had to fight my way out of it, and just... Left. I spent a few nights crashing above clubs and living off of others. Running away from police trying to detain anyone who had narcotics, and eventually ran into him."
	"Him?"
	"Bartan. In that bipedal form, not the CW form. Back then, he just looked like another detective that I thought was stalking me. But all he did was talk, even after I vented all my frustrations at him." A nod in understanding from Beo. "Then he offered me a job."
	"This job." A nod from her and a sad smile. "And you've been with him ever since?"
	"If I recall correctly, I was his first." A faint whimper as the large one looked at her surprised. "First Force, you perv." She laughed. "I think he was running the entire thing himself for GUYs, but after a while wanted help." A breath from Lillian. "Maybe he finally seen the pointlessness of running in circles."
	"You're talking about the Terrasque." He almost whispered, and she nodded.
	"He wanted to find a way to be rid of it. Tired of making others suffer so one creature can eat."
	"Yet, exchange it for power."
	"You remember that one quite well." Another awkward grunt from him. "It's fine, you. I'm just teasing. But you're going to have to ask the others about their stories, I gotta run and take care of a few things." She got up and pulled out that tablet once again. "You should talk to Lyago though, he's just upstairs. He knows when the bear will be back." She motioned a stairway above, and he half grumbled at the tighter space. "You'll live. Put a hole in the wall if you want to, no one will mind." She chuckled, exiting the building. Getting the dragon to half sigh at it.

Chapter 2
------

	The void was a bit less than homey, but still held a familiar livelihood within. Yet, something was still off, something the bear could detect while walking through the silver halls. Perhaps it was more of his very own worry that was manipulating his cautions, therefore, he attempted to put them aside.
	Reaching the opened doorway, he spotted the seven armed naga painting. All Counterweights were indeed architects, but many of them had different forms of building or creating. To see such a creature painting something within eight dimensions was not uncommon. However, it stopped for an exhale when a few of those six eyes noticed the bear. "Greetings." Bartan said with a smile, only getting a glare of studyment before the creature continued.
	After a few more moments, it almost grumbled. "What do you want."
	"I'm just visiting the nearby areas to ensure everything is okay-"
	"We expected it was you." The naga almost sounded angry. "The energy levels have been very scarce for a very long time."
	"...Yes. I was attacked by the Terrasque, and had no choice but to defend myself."
	"Yet, you attempt to end our own creations with it? Come around to watch everything but your own wither away with famine?" The tone made his ears go back.
	"I didn't have a choice-"
	"Of course not."
	"It's either attempt to keep you and everything else functioning, or watch as a Terrasque devoured everything. Do you really think-"
	"That this is any better!?" The snake roared, getting the bear to stop in silence for a few moments. More surprised than anything. "A demise is a demise. Regardless of how it is done. You have already sealed ours, so why bother pestering us while we wait for the end?"
	"...Because I've been trying-"
	"To convince us that such things are not needed. That we should label ourselves traitors to the old traditions, when really you have been forcing us to change." A faint grumble from the white furred one, but he didn't reply. "First, it was the Counterforce. Slain and dismembered due to you-"
	"I was not responsible for that-"
	"Your Pets Were!" Another roar. "Then you slay our Terrasque, force us to starve until we give into your new commandments-"
	"I was cornered! I didn't have a choice-"
	"You prodded that muzzle where it didn't belong-!"
	"That Wall Was Weak!!" Bartan barked at him, finally silencing the naga for a moment. "You cannot look me in the eyes and claim that it was not threatening us every second! Imagine if it escaped! What terror it would bring-!"
	"Do Not. Tell Me. About FEAR." The bear almost growled silently, as his gaze fell on the snake's lower back. Still being able to see the slight shift in colors from which the Counterweight was tore in half. Though a few faintly black spots still remained.
	"...I warned you not to get too close-"
	"Somebody needed to repair that wall, or else it would have-"
	"Just tore it a bit more! Nothing that we couldn't handle with a little time-Even if it was badgering against it! It was panicking, desperately trying to halt its imprisonment."
	"So you are saying my sacrifice was in vain!?"
	"I'm not questioning that the repair had to be done. But you're the one who made yourself vulnerable-"
	"Get out."
	"If you would've done what you were told instead of attempting to be a Hero-!"
				"Get Out!"					"GET OUT!!" 
	The naga came face to face with the bear, nearly challenging him. After a few tense moments, the white one sighed. "...There are a few holes in your universe-"
	"I will not say it again, Counterweight." Another long stalemate and Bartan backed down. Seeing himself out, but not before looking back at the Naga once more.
	Reaching the end of the hall, he set up a few glyphs in the air. Pressing into them slightly, and exhaling. "Lyago. I'm done here. I'll be back soon." The Glyphs disappeared shortly and the bear left.

------

	The stairs were complete hell. Not that the dragon was out of shape or even too exhausted to climb them, but with the low ceiling constantly being scraped by the tips of his horns and claws on his wings, they tore large holes deep within the walls. The stairway itself was too thin for him to possibly even fit, wrecking the guardrail and hearing such a thing creek constantly before snapping off. The wall next to the stairway; now covered in scrapes and every picture hung in pieces all over the floor.
	Then there was the steps. The dragon knew he was heavy, but watching them collapse under the sheer weight of every step he took, it was basically a very dangerous ramp now. Making the larger one whimper loudly in embarrassment at the entire mess. His first visit into the bear's home and he totaled it.
	For now, he just scurried down the hall. Unable to fully stand up in it, but at least it was wide enough for him to turn about if needed. Checking room after room to see if he could find this 'Second in Command' for the bears were abouts. Carefully opening each door, and eventually finding a master bedroom. On the bedding, a large feral white tiger was somewhat laying down.
	With his back turned towards the doorway, the feline's head was rather close to its pelvis area. Making the brass one almost completely freeze, thinking maybe he was interrupting it in a private moment. But watching the creature from the hallway felt a bit wrong, getting him to try to quietly move along, only to step on a creaking floorboard and get the white one's attention.
	A very awkward silence as the two stared at each other. The dragon with clearly purple ears and a bit of a swelled sheath, and the white tiger with a look in question. "Can I help you?" He asked after a few moments, not seeming to be embarrassed by such an encounter.
	"O-oh, I was... Looking for someone named Lyago."
	"That would be me." He resumed his licking like the large one wasn't there. Making the dragon feel a bit more uncomfortable.
	"I was... Wondering when Bartan would be back. And..." No response from the white one, as if he was really into it. A bit of an awkward breath, Beo was glad no one else was here to see this. Thinking that maybe he should just come back after the feline was finished. But the bear's voice from a past conversation echoed in his head. Don't be afraid to ask for a session from others, it's a great way to break the ice. 
	With an awkward swallow, the brass one cleared his throat. "Did... You want help with... That?" It got Lya to raise an eyebrow at him.
	"With bathing?" The large one stared at him in several awkward moments, never feeling so embarrassed in his life. With a whimper he started down the hall. "Wait." The white one ordered, getting the dragon to at least stop. "Come back here." Though Beo just wanted to hide into another room for a bit, he took a deep breath and started backtracking. Meeting those green eyes of the tiger's, a bit more on the blue side than the dragon's own. "You are...?"
	"Bartan's husband."
	"Ohhh, that explains it." The tiger jumped off the bed and changed into a more hybrid form. Oddly enough, going from a white one to a deep orange and wearing aged jeans. Slightly looking back at the bed where he laid while approaching the still uncomfortable dragon. "I guess from your point of view, that's what I was doing." He half chuckled. "But sorry to disappoint, I just don't have the time for something like that. And that quick bath was my break."
	"Oh..." He mumbled, getting a few taps to move back a bit so the feline could exit. Grabbing a long black coat to put on as well, then motioned the brass one to follow him.
	"You said you were looking for him?"
	"Y-yeah. I just wanted to ask him something."
	"He should be back in a few minutes, providing he wasn't distracted by something."
	"Or someone." He half grumbled, mostly out of the annoyance of the clustered hallway.
	"Is it something I could answer?" The large one slowed to a stop, looking away as the tiger studied him. "If it's private, that's fine. He's just busy, is all-"
	"I-I know. I'm just... Not sure if I should talk about it out loud."
	"Is it trouble?" Beo wasn't sure how to answer that, but he took a deep breath. If the bear trusted this creature to run his universe while away, then surely the dragon could trust him. Walking up a little close, he whispered to Lyago.
	"I've been having... Nightmares. Ever since I came here. Nearly everytime I fall asleep."
	"And Bartan knows about this?" A nod.
	"Arson too. They haven't..." A sigh from the dragon. "I'm not sure what to do about it. I'm not even sure what it means."
	"Well, no one else here has had anything similar since the change, so you didn't catch some sort of illness." He pondered for a moment until his phone rang. Getting it out of his back jean pocket and answering it like a speaker phone. "What's up, Lillith?"
	"Hatchet finally got back to me, still no trace of October 1st. If he was actually there like witnesses said, he's long gone." The gerbil on the other end mentioned. "Also got those coordinates for the next expansion over on E#665-2248 if you're ready for them."
	"I'm on the way to the office now. Just having a little chat with the new guy."
	"Hai Beo." The female on the other end teased.
	"H-hi." The large one grunted awkwardly, getting her to giggle.
	"He apparently already offered me a session."
	"Works fast, doesn't he?" An embarrassed whimper from the brass one as he hid his eyes with a paw. "Relax, we're just teasing you. But if you're serious about it, watch out for his spines. They pack a pinch."
	"...Noted." Beo half grumbled.
	"For now, Beo, you can either make yourself at home here, or wait outside for Bartan to return. But I'd like to get this done."
	"Oh, don't let me hold you up." He rubbed back of his neck. "And outside sounds like a better idea."
	"Feel free to go through the roof, there's no one on the second floor currently." The tiger pointed up before leaving towards another room. Making the dragon study the ceiling for a few moments then take a deep breath. Ramming his titanic body against the horizontal wall and completely wrecking through it with ease. Though it was a little harder to climb out, he eventually got off the roof without it completely caving in. Landing outside in the front lawn and shaking the debris off his body.
	Some familiar chuckles fluttered the dragon's chest, as the bear landed quite a few steps away. Making him resist the urge to just charge towards him and squeeze the fluff out of the Counterweight. "It's quite cramped in there, isn't it?" Bartan smiled, getting a bright one back, as well as an uncontrollable tail wag. Waiting patiently until the bear got close, then snatched him for a surprise tight embrace. "Nice to see you too."
	"I missed you." Beo purred, trying to grasp every inch of the fluffball with his paws. Even getting a tight grip on his haunch before the bear kissed him. Sharing their own vocal tells of affection before breaking it and getting a few licks. "How long do you think you're going to be here?"
	"Not long. Why, got something planned for me?" The white one's eyebrows bounced a bit. Getting a devious purr that didn't quite say yes or no. "I'll take that as 'It's a surprise,' in which I raise you: I look forward to it." Another kiss. "Come, let's just get closer to the door. I'll get Lya to come out here to discuss business." Another bright smile, and he followed the white one.
	"About that tiger of yours..."
	"You met him, did you?"
	"Him and the... Lillian one. Not sure what she is."
	"Gerbil, if I recall correctly. She kinda looks like a blue cat, eh?"
	"I guess. I don't really know what a gerbil is."
	"It's kinda like a mouse. Anyway, continue." The brass one stopped for a moment, trying to remember his place of thought. But when he recalled it, his ears started to tint, getting the bear to chuckle. "Out with it, what happened?"
	"I kinda... Walked in on him."
	"Oh?"
	"And thought he was... 'Tending' to himself."
	"And? You offered your assistance?" A faint whimper. "No need to feel embarrassed, you're excellent at what you do." He gave the large one a lick on the muzzle.
	"Y-yeah, but it's not so 'excellent' that he wasn't 'Tending' as he was 'Cleaning'." Bartan laughed at it, giving the dragon a hug.
	"There, there. But go on, did he accept your offer?"
	"Said he was too busy." Half a grumble.
	"Don't worry about it. But if you like, I can give him the night off so you can show him your excellence." A double take from Beo.
	"N-no, it's alright. I only offered because you said it would break the ice." He mumbled quietly as the bear motioned someone to come closer to them. Asking for Lya's presence outside, then laid down to wait for him. Getting the dragon to lay on top of the bear, and turn him over to face muzzle to muzzle. Sharing a few licks.
	"Well, it is a good ice breaker. A little forward, but everyone here understands."
	"They're used to knowing how you work, so." The brass one buried his muzzle into the white fur and took a deep breath. Nuzzling it harshly while purring. "Besides, right now I just want you."
	"That's fine. You can have me if you like." It made the titanic body take a relaxing breather hearing those words. Just holding the fluffball tightly as Lyago came down and half chuckled at the two. Though Beo was still a bit embarrassed about earlier, he still greeted the tiger with a nod before resuming his fondling of the bear.
	"Everything okay on the outskirts?"
	"There are several black areas just outside of Arson's territory, then beyond. Though they haven't actually penetrated through her universe yet."
	"That's Cqurrizhgaookuz' area." Lya mumbled while the dragon tried to wrap his mind around the extremely odd name. "Any sign of it as well?"
	"That's the odd thing, not even a trace. I did what I could, it's Forces know me and are very worried from the lack of communication. Perhaps it left for something?"
	"Abandonment is something no CW does."
	"Not on purpose, no. I wonder if there's a reason behind it. In a few days’ time, I'd like to revisit." That half sank the dragon's heart. "See if I can find any traces among the outside, perhaps even ask the farther neighborhood CWs if they've seen anything."
	"You don't think they're still distrustful of you?" (Distrustful? Of what?)
	"That may be, but they're still trying to filter out the old ways. Mine and Arson's universe are prime examples that this new way is functioning. Though it may take more convincing, if there is some sort of infection, or another Terrasque attempting to get in from a different angle..." A breath from the bear. "Then they might not have the time to argue."
	"You don't think that they might come to the conclusion that this is staged?"
	"I hope not."
	"But you know they will." Bartan just sighed at the tiger's words. "Just have something ready, is all I'm saying. After what you did with the Counterforce, they'll be expecting a ruse."
	"Yes. I know. And I will." A sad look from the dragon, and he got three paws stroking his head. "Is there anything else that needs my attention?"
	"Just the fact that there's no sign of October 1st."
	"And 4th is still looking?"
	"Along with Hatchet, yes." A faint nod from the bear. "Do you want them to withdraw?"
	"...Yes. If there's no evidence that those five cannot find, he wasn't there. Maybe it was just something else. For now, can you tell them to head to a new destination?" Lyago nodded. "I'll be up in a few. Thanks Lya." The tiger went back inside, and Beo took a deep sigh. "Don't worry, it'll only be a few minutes."
	"I..." He exhaled. "It's not that." A noise in question. "You're leaving again?"
	"These wounds are concerning me, I need to look into it." A nod from the dragon as he got a few licks. "Have you still been having nightmares?"
	"Yes." It made those four ears drop. "I don't know..."
	"Other than opening you up again to find the issue, I'm not sure either." Half a grumble. "But cheer up, you'll have me undividedly for the next few days, okay?" A nod and they shared a few licks.
	"I suppose I should give you some extra fuel, just in case." Beo smirked.
	"Oh, is that what you have planned for me, eh?" A devious smile as they kissed.
	"Maybe." The brass one purred, getting them to chuckle. "Alright, go to your meeting before I mount you right here."
	"So willing to have an audience, are you?"
	"It wouldn't be the first time." The dragon got up, not afraid to reveal his lower horn showing.
	"Ah yes. In the middle of that city square."
	"Christmas memories." Another nuzzle from the two.
	"You sure you don't want to come inside-?" He could barely finish that sentence before Beo tossed his snout.
	"No. Never again. I'll just wait out here." A lick from that red tongue.
	"Okay, but save some for me." A slightly embarrassed whimper.
	"I-...! I'm not doing that!" He hissed, and the two laughed.

Chapter 3

	Sunbathing. It was a wonderful pastime, if one could call it such a thing within a city. The air may reek of car exhaust, the sun maybe blocked by the massive shadows of buildings, and the grounds covered in either asphalt or trees. Except for the large patch of it that next to no one seemed to use, besides a specific part of the day. Even if the dragon was dominating it nearly every day with said pastime.
	Still, the brass one's activity was much more important than... Whatever they were doing with this grass. Such a strange concept did come to mind from time to time, but the only thing he really cared about was how well they seemed to tend to the lawn. It was rather comfortable for being so short, often making his belly argue with his back for whom would be touching it.
	But this day, his back demanded the floor. Erm, Lawn. Letting him take a deep breath as the clouds once again parted. Reflecting his brass scales with a brilliant shine and giving him a warm, cozy feeling. Granted, that was nearly ruined by the sound of someone giggling while walking out of the vomitorium. "Come back to pester me more, have you?" The large one grumbled without moving.
	"Only because I know you like the company." She giggled a bit at his snort, then made a short gasp that made him flick an ear. "...W-wow, really leaving it out there, aren't you?" A noise in question as he made the mistake of opening his eyes. Getting the glare of the skylight in his eyes and nearly make him hiss.
	"Damn sun." He grumbled, though nearly praising it a few moments ago. "And what are you talking about?"
	"Those moon sized orbs you're carrying around." He seen the blushing female feathered lizard half gesture the dragon's lower half, and getting him to snort. "I swear, you're just showing off."
	"Maybe I am." He chuckled a bit. "Or maybe I'm just being a role model for your males."
	"An unrealistic one at that. And that's putting it lightly."
	"No different from every other picture that's plastered all over your city."
	A noise of disgust from her. "Don't even get me started on those damn things. I've heard of worshiping scales and fur before, but that is ridiculous." A thin exhale as she took out a cigarette. "I hate how they throw such imagery into our faces and almost expect us to adapt to that like it's the norm."
	"Then why put up with it?" He let out a sigh as the sun's got under his chin.
	"Because to fight against it is basically called vandalism. Stupid huh?" A noise in confirmation. "Now, what are you doing in the football* field?" She asked, taking a seat in the stands.
*American Football
	"Sleeping. What are you doing out here so early?"
	"Skipping classes. And you've been sleeping for like four days."
	"Well, magnificence at this level requires alot of sleep and sunbathing to keep accurately obtained. And why are you skipping classes. Again." He grumbled, almost scolding her.
	"Because classes are dumb. Just ask Joashua." She motioned beside her at another feathered lizard. One completely stunned while looking at the dragon's stones. "Y'know, once he stops looking at your planet sized packaged."
	"See? Magnificence is enthralling, girl. He's my proof."
	"That or he's just never seen under your tail before."
	"T-they actually look smaller under his tail." Joash finally snapped out of his gaze, and got a glare from those large green eyes. "N-not to say they're small or anything...!" He almost whimpered.
	"Definitely a lot bigger than yours." Beo snorted at him.
	"That's putting it lightly. Seriously, you could probably fit a car into that package." That one made the brass one feel proud.
	"Candrice is impressed with it, at least."
	"Yeah, well. She won't be if she knew what a full load like that would do to someone." He half grumbled. "Let alone to the surrounding area. Probably cause a flood of biblical proportions."
	"You watch too much porn." She teased him, but he didn't deny it.
	"What are you doing out of class." The dragon half grumbled.
	"Meeting up with you guys. What are you doing in the football field?"
	"Some people were using the park for something, and I didn't feel like scaring them off today."
	"Okay, first: who are you and what have you done with Beo?" Candrice started.
	"Second: you do know there's children in this school, right?"
	"First: I am myself, just felt like something different today. And Second: maybe, and see my Role Model argument-ask the female for the details."
	"Actually, I think he was here during that. Just stunned like that entire class coming through to use the field."
	"There's plenty of room for them to play their little hatchling games. They don't need to occupy the entire field." The brass one snorted.
	"Actually, the game requires the entire field, and you're taking up three quarters of it."
	"Well then, they can just bathe in my magnificence for the time instead. Trust me, they'll get more out of my presentation than their silly game." The two chuckled loudly at that.
	"It's a wonder the city hasn't really attempted to do anything about you yet." The teal male said, getting the larger one to aggressively clear his throat. "Besides steal your spot in the park."
	"I should threaten them for that, but then I wouldn't have found this spot. Other than those who are breaking the rules, no one pesters my slumber."
	"We're not breaking any rules, you walking mountain-"
	"I'll take that as a compliment." Another chuckle from the two, even the dragon smiled at it.
	"But there's nothing in the system that states we have to go to school. We have a Saurian right to an education, but that doesn't mean we need to attend a public school like this." The male argued.
	"Then who else is going to teach you how to... Whatever they force you to learn in this foolish building." Beo muttered. Though half agreeing with Joash's statement, he also knew how cities seemed to function. They just often used different terms depending on the species.
	"You mean like study 'Important' plays and literature that are hundreds of years old?" The female joined in, passing the cigarette to the other.
	"Dissecting helpless animals that we already know how they function?"
	"Constantly being barraged about the older days and our history."
	"We're not even being taught our Saurian rights in there. I ended up researching them myself."
	"Instead we're just wasting our time learning about pointless things, rather than something we will actually use in our future."
	"How to vote properly, and possibly change the damn system, for example."
	"The laws of this country."
	"How to get a job, pay taxes or get a mortgage." The large one grumbled, whereas alot of this was over his head.
	"How about hunting?" The two feathered ones looked at the dragon for a moment. "You know, for food."
	"Uh... We don't need to."
	"You've eaten before in front of me." He snorted at Joash, getting the red female to chuckle.
	"He meant we don't need to hunt." A louder grumble from him.
	"Maybe not now, but what if you're in a situation where you cannot magically buy prepared food?"
	"Then we'll call you." Another snort at the teal one's smart answer. "But nowadays, it's not really a needed skill for us."
	"But something helpful to learn." The two didn't argue past that.
	"...All this talk about food has made me hungry." Candrice said, getting out her packed lunch. "And you can suck it, Mr.I-Buy-My-Lunch-With-Money-And-Think-Those-Who-Paperbag-Are-Lame."
	"That is a ridiculous nickname for him." The brass one mumbled.
	"A little long, but we'll shorten it to something later." She shrugged, taking half of her sandwich out and hearing the male whimper a bit.
	"A valuable use of your time, I'm sure." The dragon stretched a bit, but didn't get up.
	"Want some Mr. Muscles?" That name hurt his heart, and would've probably shown if his eyes were opened.
	"Wait, you're offering some of your lunch to a creature that probably won't even taste it, yet you won't offer me any?"
	"It's got eggs and ketchup in it-"
	"Oh Kruasst! You are horrible." The teal one cursed, getting the red to giggle.
	"So, how about it brassy?"
	"Pass."
	"Is it because you don't like eggs with ketchup?"
	"I've never tried eggs with ketchup."
	"Well don't. It'll ruin your life forever." A shove from the female. "Possibly make your balls smaller too-" A stronger shove knocked him off the stands a bit.
	"But seriously, Beo. You're not hungry?"
	"Nope."
	"I've never seen you eat any food. So what do you eat?" That was a question that he really didn't know how to answer. Getting him to eventually just mutter something and attempt to shrug his wings, which didn't telegraph too well.
	"Any idea what that meant?"
	"Think it was a shrug." Joash guessed. "But really, what do you even eat?"
	"Food?" The brass one half answered.
	"Okay, how often?" This time, he telegraphed his shrug with his paws. "What was the last thing you ate?"
	"Orange-" He stopped himself for a few moments and awkwardly grunted. "...Juice."
	"Orange juice?" He technically wasn't wrong, but.
	"It'll probably take thousand gallons of juice to satisfy him." Another awkward grunt that he desperately attempted to hide. Though that thought made the brass one miss the bear, he couldn't help but take the male lizard's statement much differently. "Possibly even more."
	"Candrice, shove him for me." She did so, making him smile and eventually get up to lay on his belly. Mostly to hide his weapon slowly coming out, but the grass didn't help that case.
	"Awwh, there goes our show." Joash rolled his eyes at her. "What? You liked staring at it."
	"I didn't like it, I was just captivated by the display." A bit of an unimpressed stare from those green eyes got the male to double take and whimper a bit. "What I mean is... They're magnificent, but-"
	"You should stop there." The female teased, getting him to nod in agreement. "Maybe end with how much you'd like to play around with it. Y'know, for science."
	"I never said that!"
	"You did, just to some female fur." A look in question from the brass one. "He was trying to get a feel for her milk sacs, if you know what I mean." The male whimpered loudly as the dragon shrugged.
	"I don't mind."
	"You don't mind him attempting to use science as an excuse to fondle females?"
	"Not the part I was talking about." Beo yawned, getting the two to pause for a moment, then Joash to whimper as Candrice started giggling loudly.
	"Must you give her ammunition?" He grumbled, covering his eyes with teal paws.
	"You say that, but I'm serious. If you want to, I won't stop you. Just don't stand in the line if fire, for your own safety." The giggles got louder as the dragon's sights turned to the female. "Same goes for you, cackling witch."
	"You realize we're still minors, right?"
	"I'm not the one attempting to mount you. If I'm just lying about and you find something you'd like to play with, or experiment with" A loud whimper from the male lizard. "Y'know, for science purposes, I won't stop you. Feeling a bit pent up as it is."
	"Good enough motivation, I'd say." A playful shove from her only drew out another whimper. "I'll set up an appointment for you two, but we'll have to find a place-"
	"Okay, enough!" Joash grumbled. "Ugh, you're going to turn me purple permanently if you keep this up."
	"Maybe blue by the end of it." The two lizards looked at the dragon in a slight state of confusion. "The color of my-" A louder whimper as the male covered his eyes again. "You're the one that described it as a flood."
	"Okay-okay-okay. Subject Change, Please!" He pleaded, only to have his stomach growl and then look at the female for sympathy.
	"Live with it. You're not getting anything else out of my lunch."
	"But the cafeteria doesn't open for at least another hour." He whimpered.
	"Then why don't you just go off school grounds and buy something? Odds are it'll be ten times better than school food anyway."
	"But the nearest restaurant is like 30 minutes away from here."
	"Yeah, walking." Joash looked at her for a moment blankly, until she motioned the dragon, clearly no longer paying attention. Eventually Beo returned to them and curled his neck at their stare.
	"...What?" He asked, but not getting an answer. Instead, the male just looked at her again.
	"No!"
	"Why not?"
	"Why not what?" Those green eyes were constantly shifting between them.
	"Because I don't want to die today, especially on something that clearly defies physics!" Joash hissed at her.
	"What do you mean by that?" The dragon snorted.
	"Seriously, how much do you weigh?"
	"Enough." He grumbled, rather quickly at that.
	"But not enough for those wings to generate lift, no matter how big they are. A creature as big as you should never be able to fly!"
	"Don't shatter his dreams like that." Candrice playfully swatted him. "Though, it would be funny as soon as you made him think about it, he wasn't able to any longer."
	"For you maybe." The brass one snorted again. "And I can fly. But what's this all have to do with me?"
	"Feel like going for a flight then?" His ears went back, but didn't answer the female. "It's either that, or just stay here all day where there's nothing to do."
	"You forget, I was absorbing the sun and adding it to my brillia-"
	"Yeah, yeah. But you can do that anywhere. So why not?"
				"-Did you just interrupt me?"
	"Hello? Not dying sounds like a pretty good thing not to do today."
	"You were the one hungry, so come on. I'll even buy us the drinks." The male whimpered a bit. "You only live once." She got up and headed towards the dragon.
	"Don't I get a say in this?" Beo grumbled.
	"You just had one a few minutes ago. Something about children staring at your brass balls."
	"That was his complaint, not mine." He snorted, but resting his head on the stands for a moment. Feeling her take a tight grip on his spines and climb up on his shoulders. Hearing the male lizard whimper a bit more. "Get on or get left behind." A sharp sigh, and Joashua climbed up as well. Poorly, I might add, but enough.
	"Please don't kill us." The male whimpered as the dragon started to move.
	"Just hold onto something." Another few grips on his spines, but they hardly hurt. "All set?"
	"Yes!"
	"-No!" The large one attempted to look back and wait for a moment for Joash to whimper. "...Yes." And the brass one took a powerful leap to the skies. Wings stretched out, almost cupping the air and pushing down, creating massive winds below the behemoth. For a few moments, he just hovered out of spite. Trying to look back at the smaller male, but couldn't quite see his face, then propelled forward while getting the lizards to cry out in excitement.

	The dragon landed in a grassy field, far away from the city in the distance. Though he was only flying for maybe ten minutes tops, it felt good to get out and do that. Especially after sunbathing.
	Laying down on his belly once again, he felt the others still grasp on his spines. "That's okay, take your time." He muttered, even lifting up a paw for them to stand on.
	"Damn that was terrifying!" The female whimpered a bit, finally hitting the grassy grounds and nearly hugging it.
	"This was your idea!" The male lizard hissed. "And at least you didn't have to get off in the middle of an intersection!"
	"You wanted to stop for food." Beo grumbled, laying on his back once again and leaving that package on display.
	"Yeah, but you could've landed in the parking lot!"
	"There was several in that area." He snorted at Joashua. "Not like I could tell which one you were pointing at, so next best option: land in the area of all of them."
	"And nearly crush a car or two." Candrice grumbled, carefully stepping on his red furred membranes and now realizing how comfortable they were. Regardless of how the tickled at every little movement, and fluttered a bit. Making the large one grumble. "Definitely not one of your best decisions."
	"Everything was fine. And they really shouldn't have been so impatient." Another snort, as a second set of paws tracked on his membranes. "I don't understand the purpose of using such vehicles if they're going to be stuck in traffic most of the way regardless."
	"Just something people have a hard time letting go."
	"They'd be better off without it, and probably less lazy too." The two chuckled at the large one's statement, but left it at that. Taking a few moments of silence to enjoy their meals, they started talking to each other. A conversation the dragon couldn't quite follow, due to a strange distraction.
	There was something off about his chest. It felt... Stiff. Like his blood was thickening. His heart wasn't slowing down, or working harder, let alone cramping. It just felt strange to him. Something that he couldn't quite place.
	Instead of worrying about it, Beo just took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Enjoying the warm glow of the sun's rays, and almost instantly felt them shift behind him. A foreboding feeling of anger and despair washed over him, as he pictured standing in the streets of the city once again. The buildings covered in a black ice before shattering loudly and making his eyes open widely.
	He was still out in the field, but his breaths heavier. "Everything okay?" Candrice asked him, but her voice was echoing. Looking at the dragon almost sitting up and scanning the grass around him. "Beo?"
	"Why do you sound far away...?" He mumbled, seeing his breath exhale a cool mist. Looking down at the two, clearly frozen while sitting on a blue-tinted abyss black wing. His wing.
	The darkness that coated his scales startled him. Getting the dragon to attempt to sit up, all while pulling the black membranes out from under him. Watching his friends shatter at the slightest touch into billions of slivers before his vision went dark for a moment. But he could still feel.
	Getting fully up, his chest suddenly felt tired. Feeling almost a rotating pulse within his heart, one he recognized but it was slowing down. Like it was already used and spent. His vision returned, finally able to scan the black iced horizon around him. Everything was either shattered, or still covered in the cold.
	A sudden crash near him got the dragon to jump away, seeing a cloud that was suddenly frozen solid freefall to the earth. Showering the brass one with splinters of frost, before several more hit the ground. Getting Beo to shield himself with his wings for a few moments, until they stopped.
	Slowly, he looked around at the dead lands. As far as he could see, everything was covered in dark ice, as well as several large tears in the skies. Before he could even silently curse, his ear caught some grass crinkling behind him. Turning about, he got hit hard and knocked back nearly an entire mile before hitting the ground and skidding on his side.
	Though the blow did somewhat hurt, it wasn't anything to take the brass one down. Getting up and growling, he was interrupted and slammed down hard by an unknown force. Then someone on top of his back pinned the dragon. Nearly grappling his neck. "Don't move!" A female hissed, and he knew what it was.
	Another one landed just in his sight, much smaller than the thick arms holding his plated throat in a headlock. As the smaller mouse pulled out a few throwing daggers from her coat, the dragon held up a paw in surrender. "Okay! Okay! I give-!" One of the daggers hit his neck, upwards inbetween the plates. Getting him to growl at the slight pierce, but nothing else.
	A bit of an awkward silence, and the creature holding him shared a look from the clearly confused mouse. "Try another?" A second knife in the neck just made the brass one irked, but he still didn't struggle against them. "What the hell?"
	"Nothing's happening. It's like I can't grasp its soul." The mouse said, getting that green eye to study it a bit closer and notice it was somewhat wounded. A small bleed through its nose.
	"I'm not here to fight-!" Beo growled, getting a tighter grip from the female behind him.
	"Then why the hell did you attack this planet!?"
	"I don't remember doing it! I just blacked out, and it happened!" He growled at the one behind him. "If you don't believe me, grab Fate and have it read my mind!"
	"We can't." The mouse said, getting a sharp look from the dragon.
	"She's dead."

Chapter 4

	"Is this necessary?" The brass one grumbled, completely tied down with large cables. Though they weren't really cutting into his scales, the stress of them were very uncomfortable on the wings. Making them restless.
	"For you, yes." The female zebra grumbled. Though now much smaller than when she was wrestling the dragon. Though she wasn't wearing much, just a denim jacket with the sleeves ripped off and some long shorts, the cold didn't start getting to her until now. "Damn it's freezing here...!" She cursed, before a shelter started building around them. Even putting in a large floor.
	"I told you, I don't remember doing this. I'm not an enemy of yours-"
	"Then why did you literally ice half a planet?" The mouse hissed, but the lack of bass in her voice made it much less intimidating. "And why can't I kill you?" The large one growled at that, but tried to keep himself composed.
	"Because I'm not from here. I'm an outsider, from-"
	"Then what are you doing here?" A glare at the stripped one, mostly out of the interruption. Getting him to sigh.
	"I was just looking for an answer."
	"By destroying half a planet and killing Vokria." A glare at the smaller female this time.
	"I didn't mean to harm any of you or your Fate!" He hissed. "I don't know what happened! I don't even remember losing control or Outbreaking-!"
	"Outbreak?" The zebra repeated, getting the two to look at each other.
	"I've heard that term before." The smallest one said, getting both of them to sigh. "If I can't kill him, the best we can do is lock him away-"
	"What!?" A heavy growl as those straps tightened around him. Feeling another heavy push on top of that.
	"At least until we figure out what else works. But that might be a few thousand years." Another deep growl.
	"Damnit, I'm not a threat to you!" A look from the two, and he grumbled. "I mean, I'm not your enemy!"
	"But you're unstable, and we can't afford risking another one of those." Reality said.
	"Until then, we don't have a choice-"
	"Yes! You do! Just escort me out-"
	"Only for you to do it in another universe! Possibly even destroy that one!" As angry as he was at them, the zebra was right. Making him exhale and nearly deflate.
	"...You're not wrong." The dragon mumbled, not looking at the two. "I didn't mean for this to happen, I was just attracted to come here. I was thinking maybe someone was..." Another breath. "Bartan was right, I should've never left-"
	"Bartan?" The two females asked in surprise, getting the large one to... Attempt to double take.

	The bear arrived a few hours later. Landing in the still cold grass, like it was poisoned with the frost, no matter how much it was being recovered by their mother. The wounds in the sky were at least being tended to, an no signs of infiltration from such portals. Though that did relieve the white one a bit, worries of what awaited in the oddly untouched house still got to him as he approached the door. Knocking on it softly when there wasn't a doorbell, let alone any windows to peek into.
	The mouse opened the door and Bartan greeted her with a smile. "Hello Krishseer." Getting a worried smile back, and seeing him lean in for a nuzzle.
	"Glad you could come to our assistance, Counterweight." She greeted back a bit shyly, but accepting the nuzzle with both hands.
	"I see you're still tending that business look." He half teased, being invited in. Almost signing in relief when he seen the dragon bound, but unharmed.
	"That's because I enjoy looking like I'm busy."
	"Yes, but it does hide your beautiful figure." The white one flirted a bit, looking over the Zebra within the room as well. "Speaking of Beautiful, how are you Alloe?"
	"Doing fine, bear. And no, I'm not looking for any enhancements." A slight whimper from the six legged one, but chuckling none the less.
	"Still holding that against me, are you?"
	"I told you I would. Especially after..." There was a sad vibe that painted over the room, as the white one motioned the two in for a hug. Accepting it without any regard to the dragon watching and taking a moment of silence for the fallen sister.
	"I'm sorry about Volkria." They nodded at his apologies, making Beo feel remorse once again from his actions. "But these things happen. I know it's hard, but have you found a replacement yet?"
	"We've been thinking about it while we were waiting." Bartan gave the mouse a lick, then another tighter hug before letting go.
	"We'll do something for her, I promise." The two nodded as he slowly approached the dragon. Standing tall over the brass one and thickening his voice. "Do you remember what I said the last time we met? What I would do to you?"
	"All too well, I'm afraid." Beo growled at him, getting them to pause for a moment and the tension in the room rise. As the bear cut a few straps around his head, and took a grip on the dragon's spineful beard, he lifted up the brass one a bit. Getting the two in a heavy deadlock stare that lasted nearly 40 seconds, until that purple tongue licked his snout and broke the bear into chuckles. "I win."
	"Yes. Yes you do." Bartan licked him back, clearly confusing the Forces in the room. "I must apologize again. It seems you found my husband."
	"Y-your...?"
	"Husband?" The zebra looked at her sister for a moment. "I knew you had a wife, but...?"
	"Beo'Karah is quite recent. Do you mind if I release him?" Though their looks were concerned, they trusted the white one enough to handle anything. Nodding in confirmation before taking their own seats once again. Cutting the straps quickly, and letting the brass one finally stretch out a bit, even if the house was still a bit cramped. "Let me just explain a few things to them first, okay? Then we'll talk." The dragon nodded, and the two shared a quick kiss. "Feel free to wait outside if you like, I know you don't like tight spaces."
	"As long as it's okay with them." Beo mumbled, still feeling bad about the incident. Again, they got a concerned look, but Alloe opened up an entire wall for him to exit, as well as keep an eye on the dragon.
	"Phew. Where to begin?" The bear started a bit of where the two met, but kept alot of the private details out. Though mentioning the issue with the Terrasque to them, as well as the nightmares the dragon was having. As much as Beo wanted those things to remain a secret, they deserved to know. At least the bear was with him once again.
	About an hour later of both telling the tale and going over possible solutions to their situation, the Forces went about their business. Getting the attention of the dragon who wasn't quite aware, and feeling the fuzzy Counterweight lay down beside him. "...I'm... Sorry."
	"You don't have to be." The bear licked at his neck a bit, climbing ever closer to that ear to see if he could make the brass one smile. It half worked. "I just wish it wasn't so sudden."
	"I know... But I just couldn't stay there anymore. The nightmares, the constant hunger... I felt trapped, imprisoned." A soft paw on his own told him he didn't have to explain, and the two remained silent for a bit. Enjoying each other's company as the weather started to get warmer.
	"Do you still have them?" Beo shook his head. "And you...?"
	"Don't feel hungry here, no. Not even right now. I wonder if it's just a side effect to the universe thing." When there wasn't a noise in confirmation or even pondering, those green eyes looked for the brown ones. Seeing concern in them, like he seen it. "What is it?"
	A deep breath from Bartan, and he hugged the large dragon tightly. Almost listening to his chest. "...It's black." It struck a bit of a sad cord within those plates. "It's not completely, but it's really dark." His paws felt around Beo's collar and arms, seeing the white one do his best not to get aroused. "Even here. It's like it's... Tainted somehow."
	"With what?" A shake of his bear muzzle as if to shrug sadly. "...What do you see?"
	"...That's the problem. I can't really... Identify it." A noise in question. "The way a Counterweight's sense works is... Like gathering actual data. It's never wrong, misplaced or fooled by acts of treachery. We gather it as if it's complete information, and able to know exactly what is going on." Those green eyes looked deep into the brown ones again. "It doesn't work on other Counterweights though, that's usually how we identify them. But..."
	"But what?" A sad look from the bear, and the dragon embraced him for a moment. Encouraging him to tell the dragon the bad news. "But what?" He repeated, getting the white one to take a deep breath.
	"It's the same thing for Terrasques..." There it was, a deep worry of the dragon's that suddenly became truth. Nearly making the brass one almost panic and feel complete fear, yet frozen with it. Even after Bartan attempted to warm him up with another tight hug. "...I guess I didn't fix you after all..."

	"Will you three be okay?" Bartan asked the Forces, as he was beginning to leave.
	"Yes, we will be fine. Now that things have been fixed up a bit." The mouse said.
	"Though we did lose half a planet of souls, we'll be okay. We just don't know what happened to them." A sad exhale told the Zebra that the bear knew, but they were better off not knowing, nor looking for them. Getting her to look back at the dragon following them a few steps back. "What are you going to do with him?" She asked, almost coldly.
	"Don't hold a grudge, Alloe." The white one said thickly. "I'll take him with me while I go out and scout the nearby areas. I want to keep a close eye on him anyways." It made the brass one look away. "You caused about as much terror when you started out as well." Though he was serious, he did give her a playful nudge. "You can't-"
	"Blame them of actions if they don't know how to control themselves, I know." she repeated, giving the muzzle a few taps. Especially after attempting a small feel for those body pillows.
	"And you are going to be okay with these two showing you the ropes?" Bartan asked the wolf, the new Fate.
	"Y-yes. I believe I'm in good hands."
	"You know, Yensia, if you're ever looking for some... Enhancements..." He smiled, bouncing his eyebrows, and getting a bit of a shove away from the zebra.
	"Do not take that offer, rookie." Alloe grumbled. "You won't be able to see your feet for a week." They chuckled as the Counterweight tossed his snout, even getting the dragon behind him to smile a bit. "Take care then, Bartan."
	"You too, girls." He smiled at them while waiting for the dragon to catch up. "All ready to go?" A quiet nod from Beo, and an unexpected hug from the white one. "Leave your regrets behind, okay? This is no one's fault-especially yours." A deep breath from the largest one, as he overlooked the mouse and zebra.
	"...I'm sorry." The dragon said sincerely, getting the other two to nod, almost like they had to. "If there's anything I can do..."
	"He is a really good lay." Bartan whispered loudly, getting the brass one to whimper a groan and cover his eyes with a paw. "Serious, best you'll ever have." He teased them, getting the others to chuckle awkwardly. "Take care of yourselves."
	"You too, bear." And the two males went off.

Chapter 5

	The fresh summer air filled the large cave, bring with it the warmth of the sun, unable to reach within such an area. Nearly every season, it was banished from the cave, but that was the entire purpose of it from the one inside. Lazily slumbering within on his bedding of coins and other treasures. Though not nearly as big as the one in his first home, it was getting there.
	Granted, he was only stealing from thieves and bandits, or at least trying. It was almost a tactical game for him, to wait until the bandits become a problem, and richen their supplies. Then the dragon would swoop in, snag the treasures (leaving the villages and farmlands have the rest), and save the day. Win-win: The dragon was a hero, and he got to pleasures of rolling around in shinnies.
	But with such acts of heroism came the damn requests. Picking up the scent of the rather... Let’s call them, not very hygienic, villagers. And groaning loudly, hoping they could hear it as they approached the cave. "That sound means I don't want to be bothered this morning." The dragon inside grumbled.
	"We heard it." One of the visitors said. "Been hearing it for nearly five minutes."
	"Then why pester me?"
	"Oh, Great Overlord! We beg your assistance!" Another villager started, yet was interrupted but another groan.
	"Ugh, Great. Yes, I am. Overlord though; blehhh. Overlord sounds like work." His long muzzle flopped on his bedding, sending a few coins scattering.
	"We have a situation down below-" The first one said, clearly unimpressed with the large creature.
	"New rule I'm calling: No work in the mornings, no matter how dire. Or the evenings. Or at night. So, see the first part of the new rule."
	"It's the Afternoon, Sire."
	"...Maybe not in the afternoons either."
	"B-but that only leaves-"
	"Only at Noon, which only last for one minute. Which really, is enough work for one day." The large one grumbled. "Actually, that kinda conflicts with another rule I've stated before: no disturbing me while I'm eating. So-"
	"Sire, we have an issue in the farmlands."
	"I told you, I'm not a work horse." An awkward silence between them. "...One of you are a horse, aren't you?"
	"Yes. Yes I am."
	"Excellent. Problem solved. Leave me to sleep."
	"Oh, Great One!"
	"That's... Actually much better. Continue."
	"-It's not a problem with the fields, it's about what is in them." The horse interrupted.
	"Are you seriously complaining that you have too much food? That's something I could actually help you with then-"
	"N-no, Great One-"
	"Is it pests? Because the last time I tried doing something about that, you didn't like it too well."
	"Yes. I can still taste it in the lettuce."
	"You wanted a solution, I presented one."
	"Lifting up your leg and...! That's not a Solution!"
	"It kept the insects off, did it not?"
	"As well as everything else, yes. B-but we really suffered from-"
	"Being able to taste anything else but... It."
	"...I'm still not sure how this is my problem-"
	"Because we haven't told you yet!" The equine grumbled loudly. "Look, there's intruders in the fields! They've been there all morning, and our farmers cannot get any work done!"
	"So, you want me to hiss at a few bandits who are... Not stealing your food, but...?"
	"They're just lying there. And they're not band-"
	"Well then, come back when they've burned something. There's no law against them just lying there."
	"But they're preventing our farmers from working, which is dire if we want food this winter. Unless you want to help out afterword-"
	"Ugh, sounds like work. Pass."
	"You damn lazy liza-!"
			"-Oh, Great One! Please aid us in getting rid of such intruders!"
	A loud groan from the dragon. Then a second one. "...We'll pay you." The horse grumbled.
	"Fffffffffffffffffffffiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeee." The large one grumbled. Getting up. "I can't believe I have to work for money." He snorted, stepping over his bed and stretching. Allowing the other two to finally see his slender figure up close. Though the dragon was taller than them, he was far from intimidating when it came to looks. 
	Leading them outside and grumbling at the bright light, the brown dragon yawned lazily. Flicking his long tongue and lightly scratching the space between his nostrils with it. "They're down that way." The horse and the hog pointed in a direction, getting the large one to still moan about it.
	"Today is not a day for work-"
	"Get Your Scaly Ass Down There!!" The horse barked at him, getting the dragon to take a half-step back and curl his neck. At least now more awake.
	"...Well, now that you've asked nicely." The brown one snorted, grumbling something about villagers being rude and taking to the skies. From there, he could see something odd in one of the fields, but barely cared about it. Instead, thirst called to him, making it a top priority before hissing away anything... 'Occupying Fields.'
	Going down next to a freshwater river and drinking his fill, the dragon felt much more awake now. Enough to start pondering why he was the one needing to drive away trespassers from their lands. The brown one didn't belong to them, if anything it was the other way around! Grumbling, he turned about just as a white creature tended to the river. Something out of his view, and took off before even hearing it.
	But the sooner he got this job done, the sooner he could get his reward. And it better not be 'Sprinkled Lettuce' that they're paying with. Or else something IS getting set on fire. Scouting the farmlands once again, he seen a large metallic beast just laying out in the grass. Almost looking familiar from a far, but the dark gold color didn't ring a bell. Let alone the red on its wings.
	Wings...? Metal scales, wings. Was this another dragon? "Great." The brown one grumbled, landing a bit softly in the grass and sighing out of boredom while walking towards the brass creature. "You." He said, so lackadaisically it hurt. "You're trespassing, and the little people want you to... Y'know. Leave." He snorted, getting the grumbling attention of the other dragon.
	"What?"
	"You heard me, Mr..." The scrawny dragon stopped when he took a closer look at the brass dragon's build, almost losing his breath for a moment in an old memory. Then completely lost it when he seen those green eyes. Peppered with black spots.
	"...Sig'eaal?" Beo whispered, scanning the smaller one as Siggy took a step back.
	"You...?" Another quick scan, and he nearly lost his speech again. "Beo'Kros...?" There was a bit of silence between the two as the brass one fully rose up. "But you're..."
	"Supposed to be dead?" The brass one said a bit sadly, almost looking away. "It's nice to see you're still alive." He tried to give the smaller dragon a smile, but it just wouldn't come out. Then his heart nearly stopped when that long muzzle turned to the skies, knowing who was returning with their fresh water.
	"Annnd that's...?" Siggy started, but was stunned at the look of the six-legged creature.
	"Found a friend, did you?" The bear teased, but felt some tension between them. After offering the brass one a bowl of water, he studied the brown dragon for a moment, and sucked in a breath. "...Oh wow. Literally an old friend. Is that Sig'eaal?"
	"Y-yeah. Apparently." The smaller dragon only double taked between them, a bit speechless while Beo just rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Siggy, this is Bartan. He's..." It was then that the brass one was a little stuck. Not knowing how to tell that he was mated with another male, let alone if he wanted the smaller dragon to even know about it. Due to their complicated past of constantly insulting each other, he almost didn't feel safe saying it.
	But that bear's muzzle looked at him for a moment, trying to read his actions, perhaps asking if the white one should gesture instead. But Beo took a breath, then rested the paw that was tending to his neck on Bartan's. Then feeling that middle paw grip on his arm tightly as if to say 'I'm proud of you.'
	"...Ohhh." Siggy muttered, awkwardly looking away and almost avoiding eye contact. Not knowing what to say to them, let alone to the brass one entirely.
	Instead, Beo changed the subject. "Sig'eaal, what are you doing here?" It nearly got the smaller dragon to shoot up and double take. Then take a moment to remember exactly why he was here to begin with.
	"Oh, right. Trespassing." The other two tilted their heads, but the brown one was still in a state of awkwardness to go past that. Knowing he was supposed to chase this mountain of a dragon away, he just wanted to go back to his cave and sleep.
	"Trespassing? Are we trespassing?" The bear asked, concerningly. Now looking at the small crowd off in the distance. "Oh, I didn't think this was farmlands. It just looked like anyone's grass to me."
	"Well, apparently they own it, and haven't been able to work all morning because of..." The white one lowered his head a bit, but Beo couldn't help but stare at the smaller dragon for a bit longer.
	"Oh, well then. Accept my apologies." An odd head tilt from Siggy as his neck curled. "For that, let me offer my assistance. That way, you two can take the day to catch up on lost time." Another awkward moment as the bear gave the brass one a few licks on the neck before approaching the crowd patiently. Leaving the other two to awkwardly half stare at each other.
	Finally clearing his throat and taking that drink, Beo looked around before taking a few steps towards the old comrade. "So... Did you want to go somewhere else and... Talk?"
	"Oh, uh... Sure." The brown one then quickly looked around, really not wanting to invite the larger dragon to his own cave. "There's a clearing over there that's rarely bothered. Let's..." Beo awkwardly nodded and gestured him to lead the way.

	The dragons landed in the large clearing. One much heavier than the other, and making Siggy's spines raise a bit. "Can't say I miss that." He grumbled, getting an awkward chuckle from the larger one. After a bit of silence, and the two studying the area to ensure they were alone. Feeling the slight winds begin to pick up as Sig'eaal cleared his throat. "So... Can I address the elephant in the room?"
	"S-sure." Another neck rub as the brass one sat down.
	"Why the paintjob? And also, how are you not dead?" A bit of a whimper. "You seriously had no pulse."
	"You checked?" A neck curl from the scrawny one as his ears turned purple. "N-nevermind. But... Bartan saved me." A noise in question. "He talked to the Counterweight of that universe-" A snout toss from him got Beo's attention.
	"A pile of Taath, that one." The brass one's ears went back and nearly released a growl. "I mean, the Counterweight, not your... Fluffball." His expression didn't change, making the smaller one's ears drop with a bit of embarrassment. "...Oh. C-carry on."
	"Right. He convinced it to let me go instead of... Destroying me. And Bartan helped me recover." A breath as the brass one looked away. "He gave me back my life and..."
	"That's all it took to lift your tail, huh?" That growl left Beo's throat, but he didn't look at the brown one. "And your scales?"
	"They... He helped me... 'Thaw Out' you could say."
	"So blue wasn't your natural color?" The larger one shook his head. "That look makes you less frightening." Siggy snorted, but not getting a reaction out of him.
	"What about you? What happened after...?" A snout toss from the brown one as he took a breath. Laying down in the soft grass.
	"Like I said, that CW was a pile of Taath. Honestly never gave us a chance, and kicked us out. It even claimed that letting us live was doing us a favor, and banished us away." He grumbled. "Granted, I was a Force for about a week, and realized, as I predicted, that I taathing hated it." A deep exhale though his long muzzle. "Thanks alot for that, by the way."
	"I couldn't hold onto it. What did you want me to do? Give it to a leaf?" The brass one snorted.
	"-Do anything. As long as it kept you alive." Siggy said rather quickly, not really noticing what came out of his muzzle until it was too late. Feeling the stare of those green eyes in question, and making him sigh heavily. "You didn't need to leave us, you know. You could've just... Kept it. Found us, then let us work together."
	"I..." A deep breath from the brass one. "I couldn't forgive him-"
	"Then don't bother." Sig'eaal half grumbled. "Not like the old bastard deserved it anyway. But Raccel at least tried." A bit of silence. "Seriously, Nalchulus probably would've crooked by the time we found the final Force, and then it would just be us. You wouldn't have to work with him."
	"And you really think Raccel would've just accepted that-?"
	"If it meant getting his best dragon back, then yes." Another tenseful few moments. "I know what he did wasn't... And I know what I said about... Her wasn't..." A deep breath. "But you didn't have to leave us. We could've worked it out. Even if I..."
	"Even if you what?"
	"...Had to take her place." A bit of silence. "...For you, I mean."
	"...You mean... You would've...?"
	"Heard you out?" The brown one shrugged at his own question. "Not like you never did it for me or any of my stupid ideas." A sad smile almost formed over that brass muzzle.
	"Not all of them were stupid. Just that one with the Ion Storm." They lightly chuckled at that memory, but then the tension blanketed over them again. Getting the brown one to sigh heavily, almost in defeat. "Siggy?"
	"...Why did you even come here, Beo?" He muttered, almost harshly while still avoiding those green eyes. After a few moments, the brass one started to get up. "Don't."
	There was a few moments of silence before the larger one sighed. "...I didn't know you were here. I didn't know where you were, or that..."
	"Figures that you wouldn't notice." The brown one muttered, sitting up himself and resting on his haunches. Still facing away as if to take off into the woods at any moment.
	"Who says I didn't?" The brass dragon asked a little harshly. "I remember it, Siggy... Your attack against the Forces when they pinned me down. That saved my life. When I was dying that last time we met... Your whimper still haunts me." The smaller one just lowered his head down.
	"...Then why didn't you...?"
	"Because..." A heavy breath. "...The first female I seen..." A heavy swallow from the large throat. "She leeched off me. Promising tail in return, but only took off to find another male." No response. "She ruined it for me, to the point where I didn't think I could anymore-"
	"And that pet of yours?" Beo's jaw stressed for a moment, but sighed afterwards.
	"...I don't know. She did nothing different from you, other than being completely helpless." A shaky exhale from the scrawny one.
	"Yet you show up here with... That?" His wing gestured the fields, getting the brass one to look back and almost spot the white bear. "...What did he do differently?" The larger one didn't have an answer, and for a few moments did nothing. Eventually he adjusted, and the brown one rose up to all fours, almost running off. "Don't!"
	Another long silence, and Beo exhaled again. Yet watched that thick brown tail intently. A few moments later, he pounced at it, getting the smaller dragon to dash off. However, his tail was caught in the harsh grip of the brass paws. Getting Siggy to hiss loudly, creating a few sparks from his muzzle, but still couldn't look into those green eyes.

Chapter 6

	Beo'Karah kept his grasp on the brown one's tail, but didn't pull on it. Just forced it to stay in place, and halt the smaller dragon's escape. As much as Siggy wanted to fight for freedom, he knew he couldn't win against the larger dragon. So, for a long time, he just accepted the stalemate. Feeling those winds once again pick up and the clouds begin to darken the sky. "So, what now? You’re going to rape me?" He asked the brass one rather seriously.
	Another long silence as those green eyes studied the plated tail. Seeing a faint bronze shine over them, and studied how unusually thick it was compared to the rest of the dragon's body. With a heavy exhale, Beo answered him. "No." No response. "I just don't want you to leave."
	"Why-?"
	"Because I'm afraid I'll never see you again." It was a hard thing for the larger one to say, and equally hard for the smaller one to hear. Taking a few quivering breaths before Sig'eaal stepped back, then rested on his haunches. Doing his best to hide his tears, and being a little thankful when the droplets started falling from the sky. Cautiously, Beo let go, and climbed up the dragon with his paws. Sitting directly behind the brown one and wrapping those thick arms around it in a hug. "...I'm sorry, Sig'eaal." That long muzzle's jaw tensed up as he once again looked away from the bearded one. "I just... Didn't think I could back then."
	"...Yet you insist on doing this to me-"
	"Because I care, you twig." He whispered harshly, but getting a faint chuckle from the brown one. "And I won't let you go until you think of a way to make this right."
	"And if there isn't?"
	"...Then I won't let go." A harsh exhale from Siggy. "You wanted me for so long, now you have me. Don't make that same foolish mistake I made." A long silence as the rain started to fall. "Punish me for this, if it will get you over it. If it will let you look me in the eyes again." That statement nearly collapsed the brown one, his body giving into gravity. But those brass arms kept them up. A few harsh sniffs later, and Siggy took a deep breath.
	"...Your... Mate." A noise in question. "How much do you love him?"
	"...How much...?" Beo didn't know how to answer that. "...Whatever I am worth is his. But I can't measure that-"
	"And if I were to tie him up?" The brass one held a breath. "Forced you to watch? As I presented him and mounted him before your eyes-?"
	"That's it?" Beo asked, rather puzzlingly. In return got the brown one to whimper at the unexpected response. "You'll forgive me if you get to mount the daylights out of Bartan?" Another faint whimper practically told him that Siggy was bluffing. "Seriously, I actually think he was daydreaming of it since the first time he saw you, Sig'eaal."
	"W-what?" A shrug of the brass shoulders and wings half lifted up the smaller dragon for a moment.
	"He's kind of a slut." Saying it out loud made Beo chuckle. "But are you actually serious?" A moment of awkward grunt, and Siggy deflated. "That means no. But you..." A sigh from the brass one as he let go of the dragon gently. Resting him in the wet grass and carefully laying his own head on Sig'eaal's lower back. "You want to punish me, is that it?" No response. "...Alright." A noise in question. "Okay. If you really want to punish me... I'll tell you one of my worst fears." Those brown frilled ears were listening intently. "...I... Hate being dominated. Overpowered and pinned down. Helpless."
	"Like what you're doing to me right now?" A heavy exhale from the brass one, but he felt him nod.
	"...Just another thing I'm sorry for. But..." A breath. "I'm doing it because..."
	A long silence between them. "Define that. Dominated."
	"...Being taken advantage of." He mumbled. "It's different when someone you love is doing it, so-"
	"Does that mark me off the list then?" A bit of silence, and he wasn't sure how to answer that question.
	"...Siggy. What do you want." No response. "Is it to really hurt me? Punish me for being a terrible friend?" A long silence. "Because I will let you do anything you want to me."
	"...Like what?" A deep breath from that brass muzzle and he gave his lower back a few licks. Eventually getting up off of the brown one and laying down beside Siggy's tail. Seeing the brass appendage near his head, Sig'eaal almost questioned what Beo was doing. Studying the dragon as he was laying on his side, forepaws together like they were tied by the wrists. Then lifted his hind leg and made his brass stones vulnerable to the brown one.
	"...They're yours, if you want them. If you want to beat on them, I won't fight back. If you want to bite them, claw them... Cut them off, and keep them as a trophy. Odds are Bartan will just make me a new pair."
	"They would look nice in my collection." The two chuckled at that. "And you want me to...?"
	"Forgive me. Even if it's doing the most emasculating thing you can do to a dragon." A long stare of silence as the scrawny dragon studied him. Eventually stepping forward and grasping around the large sack. Getting a faint grunt as Siggy felt for those orbs inside. Rather jealous how they were bigger than his, and somehow fuller.
	He played around with them for a few minutes, not really knowing what to do. Did he really want to castrate the dragon? All for what? Not taking notice of his affection? One that was constantly scattered with insults and shots about his slow, titanic body? Exhale after heavy exhale, Sig'eaal pondered over it, wondering what he could do to him. Wondering what he himself wanted.
	The answer was actually right in front of him, lying about. He didn't want revenge, he was actually happy that Beo somehow survived. It just wasn't until that bear thing showed up. But something about how the larger dragon talked about him seemed... Opened. Like an invitation. Finally letting go of those orbs, and taking a step closer, Siggy half pet the raised hind paw a bit. Taking a deep breath before lining up his lower horn and pushing it into Beo's tailhole. Granted, not without a bit of a yelp.
	The opening flare took his breath away, but the larger dragon didn't fight it. Though, that extended hind paw got a little tickle once in a while, it only pressed back so he could change his position a bit. Almost expecting a bigger fight from the brass one, Sig studied him for a few moments. Leaving the flare of his weapon just within that tailpipe. "Do..." Beo half gasped. "Do you want me on my back?"
	Another moment of studying as he looked the dragon in the green eyes. "...No." He faintly said through the heavy rain. "I want you like this." His voice carried this confused coldness to it. Harsh, but uncertain. Regardless, the large one did nothing to defend himself.
	After the brown one adjusted himself a bit more. Leaning onto the brass dragon's side, while still keeping that hind paw upward a bit more, Siggy pressed in. Getting a series of heavy breaths as his teal weapon flared out the tailhole and dug deeper. Following that, the long spines that really seemed to have a bit of flexibility to them. Almost altering their points and tips when coming out. Enforcing a slightly different experience than Beo was used to.
	Of course, his own lower horn was peering out of his sheath. The purple weapon still not quite hard yet was slightly moving with the two dragons, as the brass one fought to keep still. The waves of pleasure were getting to him, making his tail want to wag from instinct, and accidently whacking the ground a few times between Siggy's haunches. Feeling him nearly sit on the long appendage as his horn drilled inside deeper.
	A very deep breath nearly turned into a whimper as the larger dragon braced himself into the ground. Clawing at it while that horn went deeper than he was used to. "You're..." He started, getting a few grunts between every movement. "You're alot... Longer than expected."
	"Yours is just short, I'm sure." Sig'eaal playfully snorted at him. Getting Beo to smile, like they were old friends again.
	"Well, mine's currently on display if you want to-" A sudden deep penetration, forced out a whimper and a few breaths. Though the shaft itself wasn't overly thick, it was wider than he expected out of the scrawny dragon. Almost impressing the brass one, but now knowing where his ego came from. Regardless of his runt size, Siggy felt well equipped.
	Another deep slide into the large one's tailhole and Beo grunted to a whimper. Struggling to keep himself from squirming a bit, and releasing his own blue juice out of his lower horn. But not getting the attention of the dragon mounting him. A few more long paced thrusts, and the horn went a little deeper. Now feeling a heavy ring that finally got the brown one to gasp. Squirting himself inside the titanic beast while some thunder echoed from the distance.
	There was some strange hum to that liquid, something he couldn't quite identify. Especially with other distractions occupying him. Feeling that ring play around with his tailpipe really started to stimulate the smaller dragon, but that was about all he could get in with this position. Getting Siggy to growl a bit. "Let me... Get on my back." A few moments of studying, and he exited out of the brass one. Allowing Beo to get up and fold his wing under easily. Then motion for him to climb aboard.
	There was a strange look in those yellow eyes, as he couldn't look away from the purple weapon. Let alone the blue liquids leaking out of him. Taking a step closer, he rested a rather thin paw on Beo's weapon, getting a faint grunt. "What gets you off? Ridges?"
	"That and... Hamstrings." The metallic one admitted, getting the attention of those eyes again. Feeling one paw on a haunch and the other grasp on his ridges, a heavy breath left the larger dragon. Unable to control his squirms, especially when the paws started to move. Getting more and more juice flowing out of that tip.
	"You were not kidding." Siggy half grumbled, toying with the larger dragon who was clearly not trying to fight against the paws. At least until they started moving a bit faster, then Beo was just helpless. Nearly melting at the slightest touch as his weapon started to thicken up. "Come on, Mr. Muscles. Let me see you wet yourself."
	Though he was trying to keep his whimpers in his throat, a few of them got out before a heavy brace and a bit of thrusting. Once again, the shaft thickened as a few torrents started to launch. Getting the brown dragon to let go of the haunch and start controlling the horn like a hose. Spraying Beo in the face with the thick streams, all while he opened his maw and attempted to catch it with his purple tongue. Doing a decent job of it too.
	A moment for him to recover and a grasp on his stones was felt. Weighing them for a moment, and notice how there was still alot left inside. "Now, how often can you do that?" Siggy half pondered.
	"Record is... About fifteen times... I think."
	"In a row?" A slow nod. "So we have plenty to work with until you're empty. Good to know."
	"You really... Planning to go that far?" Beo asked between breaths.
	"Don't know yet. But first." Another prod into his tailhole made the larger one gasp once again. "I want to finish inside you." The rod slipped inside quite deep as he squirmed a bit. Feeling that long penetration once again and making the brass one whimper a bit in pleasure. "Now, I want the truth, Beo. Would you be letting me do this back in the old days?"
	"N-no..." He gasped as the long tower started moving around. Feeling those spines carefully claw the inner walls.
	"And what about now? If you weren't asking for forgiveness."
	"Yes..." A few breaths. "You just... Needed to ask..." The brown one curled his neck while stopping. Getting a whimper, nearly begging for more.
	"What the hell changed then." It was barely a question.
	"...Bartan." A few moments of silence as Beo caught his breath. "...He helped me see what I did wrong. Helped me change, be a better person." His green eyes finally opened up to Siggy's yellow ones. "...I really mean it when I said I'm sorry, Sig'eaal. And I'm not doing this out of pity or..." A heavy breath as he placed a brass paw on the smaller dragon's. "I'm doing this because you want it. I'm doing this because... I want it too." Those eyes didn't falter, not until Beo's paw lifted the brown one a bit, and lead him to lie down on the brass body. Once again hugging the brown one the best he could.
	But Sig'eaal was somewhat stunned by the idea of it. So much so, that he completely spaced out that the brass one was covered in his own seed. Even after Beo leaned in to give the smaller dragon a few licks of affection, and encouraged him to carry on. Though he was still confused about his current feelings, Siggy's instincts were still pressing for action. Letting him finally take a small step back, and making Beo think he was withdrawing entirely.
	Then a sudden forceful thrust made both dragons growl loudly in bliss, as that lower horn went inside deeper and another shot of thunder getting closer to them. Climbing over a second ring and spaz out a bit. Releasing a few more squirts of that strange juice before going back for a few easy thrusts. Then another really heavy one for the third ring. Making them lose their breaths at another squirt. Thinking that there really couldn't be much more to his length, they came to a fourth ridge.
	A loud whimper from the brass one as he tightly grasped the brown dragon with his paws. Though trying not to hurt him, it was almost too much for him to take in. As the two panted a bit, Siggy still tried to press in deeper. Making Beo whimper a bit more before the smaller one gave it his all. Slamming the full length over and over into that tailpipe. Even using his thick tail for more leverage, slamming down on the ground.
	A full minute's worth was enough for Beo to reach another climax. Spraying the blue liquid between them, but not distracting Siggy's instincts. Giving that tailhole the full length over and over, until they finally reached a fifth ring. Getting both dragons to hiss loudly and grasp each other tightly. A few rapid breaths from the smaller one, and thick sprays were finally felt releasing inside. Getting an extremely loud thunderclap to overpower their own roars.
	The sheer amount of it was still rather impressive, feeling his lower end flood with the dragon's seed. But there was something else off about it, something stimulating. Like the juices itself held an electrical current that passed through the simple layers of the dragon's body. Even going through to his own weapon and making the brass one reach another climax. Still getting that comfortable shock constantly, even after the dragon was done. "Wow..." Beo started, still whimpering in pleasure. "This feels... Amazing...!"
	"See what you've been missing all these years?" The brown one attempted to joke, but his voice cracked halfway. Unable to look the other dragon in the eyes while he caught his own breath. But felt those heavy paws through the equally weighted rain. Though his lower half was still being stimulated by the unique current in his belly, Beo tried to gesture the smaller dragon to come up closer to him. However, Sig'eaal refused. "...I can't do it."
	"Do what...?" A long silence as the brass one tried again. "Siggy, talk to me."
	"...I can't... I can't let you hurt me again." That sank the larger one's heart. "And I... Can't tell you-"
	"Hey." A deep breath from the brown one as he was clearly trying to hold himself together. Hiding his tears in the rain. "You can, Siggy. I won't... Reject you again. I won't hurt you-"
	"But you might. Especially if..." He exhaled towards the fields again, and Beo knew who he was talking about. "So. If you will... Kindly let me go-"
	"No." The brass one said thickly, feeling that rumble from the sky once again. "I won't leave you like this. Now talk to me." A very long silence as the teal horn completely withdrew into its protective home once again. Not feeling it anymore, Beo pulled the brown one up further for a tighter embrace, noticing how he didn't even fight back.
	"...I hated dragons." Siggy eventually mumbled, only getting a few comforting strokes. "I hated my nest, my parents, their friends and nestmates. I hated every dragon I ever seen, including that old red bastard." A deep breath. "I hated humans, I hated animals, I hated every species that I damn well ever came across. I hated that mutt with the one eye, I hated all the vermin he dealt with. I hated the work, the diet, the taste of trees..."
	The brown one continued. "...The only things I didn't hate were treasure, the storms... And-" A quivering breath as Beo predicted it, just motioning him to continue through touch. "But I hated you at times too. Just not like the others... When I seen you, I hated myself. When I seen how..."
	"It's okay. Keep going." The brass one said, though being able to tell the difference between the rain and the tears, he let on that he didn't notice.
	"I was Taathing weak... My entire life, I was the weakest thing I've ever seen. When I first seen you, I envied every damn scale on your body." A deep breath. "I was afraid... Intimidated, but almost in lov-" He choked. "I wanted it... So badly, I wanted your power. To the point where I started dreaming about it." A few strokes to make him feel less awkward. "Dreaming about you raping me... Pinning me down, grabbing my tail and just having your way with me until I colored the floor. Maybe even going so far as to bite me until I was paralyzed. They would've been nightmares if I didn't wake up so aro..."
	"...So, you...?"
	"I wanted to be you... Every part of you, I wanted it for myself. I wanted to switch places, switch lives with you... Sometimes even tried to make that dream a reality. Wondering what would really happen if I did sneak into your cave and presented my haunches for you to skewer. But I knew what you would do... So, instead of just admitting to it, I just denied it. Forced myself to lash out at others, like they did me. I would insult you, hiss, and make fun of your envious shape... But I couldn't keep myself from wanting it..." A sniff. "Even if you were one of the worst creatures to ever be in existence."
	"That's not far from the truth." That made the two half chuckle.
	"I was still one of them myself, so..." A deep breath. "But when you left... And when we lost you... I kept telling myself it was for the better. That those fantasies would have never come true. I forced myself to believe that you weren't worth it, just so I could move on... But today? All it took was seeing you to collapse that stupid wall, and know that things will never change..."
	"...I have changed-"
	"But I haven't!" Siggy hissed, almost struggling against the embrace. "And I don't think I ever will. With that... Thing down there, standing beside you...!? What am I supposed to do against that? How am I supposed to compete against a Taathing god!?" A long silence as the smaller dragon did his best to hide his sobs.
	"...You don't have to-"
	"Yes. I do... Because I can't share what I want." A long silence. "But there... I gutted myself in front of you. Now rip me apart."
	"No." A few more sobs from Siggy. "I will not punish you for feeling affection-"
	"And what about wanting you? All for myself-?"
	"No." The rain still poured over them. "Siggy, what you wanted... That bastard of a dragon... It's gone. That's no longer who I am, and I cannot bring that side back. You need to stop wanting what is in the past, and look to what you might want now." He started shifting the deflated dragon, until Sig'eaal found out what he was trying to do; look the brown one in the eyes. He then started to fight against it. Clawing away at the brass paws and arms, hissing at them to avoid all eye contact, but there was nothing he could do. Eventually forced to look at them and show all the pain those yellow orbs have been through. "What do you want, Sig'eaal?" The words collapsed him.

Chapter 7

	"Anything at all." Beo continued, trying to speak over the heavy rain. "Don't think about the consequences. Don't think about Bartan, or what is impossible. What do You want?" A long silence and eventually those brass paws released the brown dragon's head. Those yellow eyes still almost frightened of being judged and rejected, eventually falling and hanging his head low.
	"...You." He whispered, getting those metallic ears to flicker.
	"Then take me, however you like." When there was no movement, a large paw lifted his long muzzle to look him in the eyes again. Slowly going in for a few licks on that snout, and even on his lips. "Just stop fighting with yourself. Take me." A soft kiss, and it wasn't until that purple tongue separated the brown dragon's lips a bit more that he began to participate. Giving control to the smaller dragon and letting that long tongue explore the brass one's muzzle from the inside.
	Carefully feeling each ripple on the roof, and examining every fang, he let that silky appendage make its investigations. Every once in a while softly greeting it with his much thicker one. Feeling Sig'eaal finally press his lips much harder into the brass one, and setting his head back down on the ground. Grasping it with his scrawny claws, and really forcing himself into the larger dragon. Nearly biting at it, like he was battling himself.
	Eventually breaking for a few moments, and going in for a quick few ones. "...Don't you hurt me again, dragon." Siggy nearly hissed, no longer hiding the tears from his eyes. "Don't you damn well hurt me again-"
	"I won't." Beo assured him, giving him another kiss and licking off those shaky droplets. "I promise I won't." A few deep breaths as those yellow eyes studied him again, before going it for a rather violent kiss. Really biting against the brass muzzle and digging his claws into his neck. Forcing that long pink tongue into it, all while accepting the large purple one every so often.
	The motions lasted for minutes, as the rain got heavier and heavier. Almost flooding the grassy areas they were laying in. Thunder bellowed above them several times, demanding attention from every creature around, but got none from the two. Even after they took a break for a few breaths, they were focused on nothing but each other.
	A few heavy gasps, and Beo licked that brown muzzle again. Still tasting a bit of blood in his own, but nothing alarming. "What do you want, Siggy?" He whispered to the smaller one. Feeling his haunches dance around the purple weapon below him, half looking back at it and then to those green eyes again. Seeing him nod in acceptance, as the brown one took a step higher.
	Another rough kiss before he started to feel that tip prod around that area. Almost expecting the brass one to suddenly turn on him and just ravage the smaller dragon like in his dreams. But Beo just waited patiently for the brown one to take action, only steering him with those large paws until he found the tip.
	A few presses into that tailhole was enough to get them both breathing heavily once again. Grabbing the larger dragon by the shoulders and force himself slowly to don the weapon. Feeling that flare widen greatly and making Siggy whimper like it was too much for him. A few harsher attempts later only brought the smaller one pain, and those paws forced him to stop. "Okay, okay. Hold on." Beo whispered. "I don't think you can fit."
	"...Figures." The brown one grumbled, almost defeated.
	"Let me try something else." A noise in question, but those brass paws just guided him up. Leading the smaller dragon to step forward, until his haunches were over the brass muzzle, and feeling that tongue slowly paint up a leg.
	Sig'eaal had no clue what he was doing, and getting the motion to squat down on Beo's face seemed a little odd. But he wasn't misreading the tell, and carefully did it. Feeling that purple tongue start rimming around the tailpipe threw waves through his smaller frame. Lapping at it from all directions and even prodding at it a bit. Nearly too much for the dragon to handle.
	With that tongue tightly folded to a point, it started to press into that tailhole. Getting Siggy to whimper loudly at it, and fight against those brass paws grasping his tail. Though not letting go entirely, they gave him some resistance to relax and get used to it. Pressing in a little deeper made the dragon sing in the rain, eventually feeling that penetration much easier than the brass one's weapon.
	A few moments to get used to that, and the tongue began to unfold from the inside. Making the brown dragon yelp a bit and lose his breath quickly. It released in pulses, giving those walls time to adjust and widen much easier than just getting impaled. But it was turning the smaller dragon on too quickly. Getting him to squirt a few times before whimpering too loudly. "You okay?" Beo asked as he withdrew.
	But Sig'eaal's breaths didn't stop. Getting a slight step back, he rested his stones on the brass muzzle. Getting the tell and opening his maw to caress the bronze bag. Doing his best not to bite too harshly on such a thing, yet play around with the two rocks inside. Sucking on it to lightly stretch the bag. Lapping at the leather, and getting rather impressed with how thick it actually was. Something Beo never seemed to take notice to whenever he seen the smaller one around.
	With the stones withdrawing, the brass one took the initiative to lick at the teal horn. Noticing how it seemed to be more of a turquoise towards the tip, and slowly fade into a teal-blue around the ridges. Speaking of such things, they were much thicker than expected, no wonder they felt like rings to the larger dragon. A few more licks and the weapon jerked with another thunderclap. Releasing a bit more of that turquoise juice from its tip, and landing on Beo's muzzle. Feeling a slight buzz from it, like it was electrified.
	A few more licks and Siggy couldn't take it anymore. With a quick step back, he forced the long weapon into the larger dragon's mouth. Feeling Beo lap at it vigorously, and nearly collapsing the smaller one. Making him desire more out of it, and pressing into the muzzle deeper. Loving that tongue slip around it, toy with the ridges, and suck on the tip until the juices inside were pulled out. Giving that slightly sour buzz lead down his throat and make him purr loudly at it.
	Another heavy jolt of the pre and Sig'eaal took another step back. Enough for him to finally grab Beo's upper head with his paws and really start thrusting his horn inside. Letting his throat take the full length and notice how the brass one never gaged. No matter how many squirts were released.
	That tongue was racing him. Those paws still toying with his rear entrance. Those fangs gracing his ridges. It was all too much for his smaller body to handle. In less than a minute later, Siggy gave one final trust. Letting Beo build up all that tension from inside and release everything down that thick throat. Roar after roar caused the lightning from above to strike nearby, as that sack of his began to transfer its contents. Feeling the brass one swallow every drop given, and almost purr at the stimulating feeling it gave off.
	But then that tongue didn't stop, still playing with the shaft inside and overstimulating the smaller dragon. The paws still prodded around with that tailhole carefully, making Siggy whimper at the rising climax again. Grasping at the back of those red spines, and really digging his claws into the scales, the brown dragon whimpered loudly once more. Hearing that thunderclap as his torrents released.
	His leather bag drained every last drop it had, forcing it into the large dragon's throat and maw, as the brown one started to pull back. Losing his balance and almost collapsing on the purple weapon that was still erect. Panting a bit heavily, as Beo climbed up to meet Sig'eaal's muzzle. Licking it a few times before locking lips and making the smaller one yelp in surprise.
	But he was too exhausted to fight against it, and accepted a muzzleful of his own seed. Purring loudly at that sour taste, one that brought back adventurous memories of experimentation. Lapping at the purple tongue until he couldn't any longer. Forcing him to breathe heavily for a few moments. "...Sorry. I'm used to Bartan having multiple releases-"
	"Did you... Apolo...?" It made the brass one smile a bit, then feel the smaller dragon grasp his claws suddenly. Grunting to a hiss, before taking deep breaths and looking down at his pouch. Seeing it once again full and his fatigue gone. Giving those green eyes a surprised look. "What...?"
	"I'll... Explain later. Just accept it." He gave the brown one a quick kiss, and he nodded. Once again moving into position, and feeling for that purple horn. Taking a few breaths while getting a few licks of encouragement. "Ready?"
	"I hope so." Siggy grumbled, looking back at the horn like he wasn't sure it could even fit. But he wanted this, a phrase he kept whispering to himself in the heavy rain. Taking a step back to reduce error, he once again started to don the weapon inside him. Feeling that flare stretch his tailhole outward, and making the brown one whimper loudly.
	A few pets of encouragement, along with a few licks, told him to keep trying. Pressing in at his own pace and slowly feel his entrance widen to fit such a thing. Taking a few bounces before trying again, he got alot further than the first attempt, but it still felt like too much. A few heavy pants, and Siggy almost growled. "What's wrong-?"
	The brown one threw all of his weight onto that one area, forcing himself to widen up and plop the entire head inside his tailpipe. Getting both dragons to whimper and pant loudly, while having their own little releases of jolts. "Stupid... Idea?"
	"Really stupid." Beo growled, but gave him a few licks. "But once again, dumb luck that it actually worked." They chuckled. "How does it feel?"
	"Like I have a skyscraper in my rear." He growled, moving it up and down the shaft, but not quite fully out. Feeling the head almost stuck inside and half making him whimper at the brass one's grunts. "I think it's stuck."
	"Figures." The large one grumbled. "You might as well enjoy it though." The brown dragon nodded, slipping the length of the weapon though himself and making the two pant constantly. Feeling squirt after squirt with every touch of the ridge, until something came to mind.
	"You..." Another deep breath. "You release alot, don't you...?" A noise in confirmation. "So...?"
	"Worse comes to worst? You'll swell up a bit." A loud whimper from the brown one. "But it won't really hurt or anything. Just feels really really tight."
	"What?"
	"Trust me. Bartan really loves it." An odd stare from those yellow eyes, as Beo bounced his haunches on that purple weapon. Making Siggy whimper a bit, and feel his lower belly. Recalling how the brass one's seemed to bulge out a bit. "Hey." Those yellow eyes raced to the green ones. "You'll be fine. Just enjoy yourself." A faint nod as the brass one kissed him again. Letting him finally lock lips and start letting go.
	The brown dragon's instincts started taking over once again. Lightly biting and clawing at the larger one, as he adored the stimulation of the flagpole stuck in his rear. Feeling the thing pulse once in a while with juices and start to add up into the smaller dragon. Though those worries still attempted to flood his mind, he pushed them back. In an act of trust towards the brass one.
	But the pressure started to build up after several minutes, making Siggy wonder what would happen in the end. The stimulations of both instincts and bliss were rising him to another climax, making the smaller dragon whimper loudly all at once before spraying his teal release once again. But Beo didn't seem to mind. Only hugging the dragon afterword.
	Or at least he thought it was hugging. With the brown one's endurance starting to run down, Beo carefully rolled the smaller one on his back with the brass on top. Through it did worry Sig'eaal for a moment, the two shared an affectionate kiss before reaching at the dragon's lower back. Gripping those brown plates, while motioning Siggy to do the same around Beo's neck.
	A few quick thrusts, and the brass one lifted him up. Standing on his own hind legs, he forced the brown one to take the purple weapon's entire length. Making the smaller dragon spaz out a bit before sliding up and down the pole like a small swing. Desperately trying to hold onto the brass dragon's neck, he was reaching another climax quickly.
	Jolt after jolt, Sig'eaal painted his own belly as the rain washed it off. Though this was definitely less strenuous on the smaller one, taking that full length constantly was getting too much for him to handle. Feeling that pressure build up again and again with every thrust, like the weapon was getting bigger.
	Until he noticed it really was. The very base of the purple tower was bulging out a bit into a bump. One that was progressively getting thicker and thicker, making Siggy whimper very loudly and call for Beo to stop. Granted, he stopped in the full length, forcing the smaller dragon to start taking the entire knot inside. "Beo...!"
	"Just... Enjoy it!" The larger one hissed, feeling the two grasp each other tightly, and Siggy to bite at his shoulder out of instinct. The pressure was building up constantly, forcing the inside of his tailhole to widen up and snare the dragon down. Whimper after whimper made the teal weapon release constantly until it was completely empty, and then he felt it.
	A few faint sprays inside him, fighting to entire the brown one's lower half. No matter how much he attempted to wiggle out of it to make room, he was completely stuck. Getting him to whine in fear as that first torrent bulged out his small belly. Pressing it outward more and more with every spray inside.
	As frightening as it was, there was no pain with the pressure that it gave. But with every forceful torrent that his rear was fed, it only brought bliss with that accumulating belly. But the torrents slowed down, eventually getting the two to catch their breaths and suddenly feel the pressure release. His rear drained of its blue contents, and the brass one carefully set the smaller dragon down. Licking him clean before laying down beside him and almost dozing off.
	Another few heavy breaths, and fatigue began to set in for the brown one as well. Hearing the storm finally start to slow down, Sig'eaal felt exhausted. Relieved and more comfortable about himself. Closing his eyes while faintly smiling, he felt those large brass paws embrace him and nuzzle up to the smaller one, which brought out his full smile. Perhaps, maybe with enough time, he could share.

Chapter 8

	A strange set of paws in the grass flickered their ears, as the brass one moaned awake a bit. Licking at the smaller dragon in his arms and getting him to grumble at the light of the sun. "Enjoy yourselves?" The bear asked, Siggy not really recognizing the voice for a few moments. Then half whimpering of embarrassment.
	"I'd say so." Beo leaned in to kiss the bear as he laid down with the two. "You should really ride Sig'eaal. He feels amazing." Bartan chuckled at that, noticing that the brown one was still a little shy about the events of last night.
	"That's up to him. I would love a run if you two feel up to it." A faint shrug from the red wings as he laid back down for a few moments.
	"Did... You...?" The brass one asked the bear, pointing at Siggy's equipment for a moment.
	"I didn't listen in, if that's what you mean. But I did keep an eye on your fatigue and whatnot. Noticed his was getting really low, so I gave him a refill." A playful nuzzle on the brown one's muzzle got him more awake. "I hope you didn't mind."
	"I know I didn't." Beo mumbled, yawning and stretching out a bit.
	"How do you feel?" Bartan asked the clearly uncomfortable brown dragon. "It's okay, no need to be shy. But would you mind if I did have a quick session?"
	"On... Me?" A solid nod that was almost excited. "And...?" He half pointed at the other dragon.
	"He can join in too, if he likes. But be warned, he likes to overfill people."
	"I noticed that last night." The smaller one grumbled. "...How could he do that?"
	"I enjoy altering people for a better experience." A nuzzle from the white one. "It's not the entire reason why he's well equipped." He motioned the brass one. "But I did add a few things. A 'Bigger Tank' for example, as well as the knot."
	"Knot?"
	"That thing that tied your rear end last night." Beo purred. "Thanks for opening him up at the end, by the way." The bear and him shared a kiss.
	"You're welcome. Not everyone is ready to take your full supply on the first date." A nuzzle. "While we're on the subject, was there anything you would like, Sig'eaal?" The question stunned him for a few moments.
	"He's quite well off, actually. Much more impressive than I expected."
	"Thanks." The brown one snorted.
	"I-I mean..." The brass one almost whimpered, getting a playful swat from Siggy. Then took a breath.
	"Can you... Make me like him?" Two of those four ears perked. "You know... Muscley-?"
	"Sorry, but..." A deep breath from the bear. "That's a little too much. I can alter for the sake of pleasure and good fun, but making changes like that..." It depressed the brown one, making the furred creature frown.
	"He isn't under control by the Forces here though, so that shouldn't be affecting...?"
	"He could still cause ripples if done suddenly. Let alone be bad for his overall body." Siggy looked away from them, but a soft paw brought that muzzle back. Giving it a few licks. "You are still very capable of power, Sig'eaal. Your frame isn't as weak as you think it is."
	"But it's not as strong as his-"
	"Does it need to be?" Bartan asked sincerely, getting those yellow eyes to stare at him for a few moments. "You've been through alot, Siggy. Believe me, I know. But a new body is not going to change that." A sad exhale. "That doesn't mean you're incapable of getting what Beo has." A noise in question. "You just have to get there yourself."
	Half a grumble. "That sounds like work."
	"It is." The other two chuckled.
	"I missed that about you." Beo licked him.
	"But it's work well worth your while." A hug from both of them made the smaller dragon feel a bit awkward. "Was there any other ideas that you had?"
	"...What about his stones?"
	"Like, capacity?" The bear questioned, getting a nod. "That would be fine, yes. Just be warned that it might be discomforting if you don't completely empty yourself after you start. They'll build up after a while, you know."
	"So what you're saying is...?"
	"Find someone to love." He gave him a lick. "Then plow them until you're empty." The three chuckled. "Even if it's Mr. Muscles over here, I don't mind. And I'm sure he doesn't either."
	"Not in the slightest, but there are a few rules to our little game that we'll go through."
	"As well as some effects and after-effects that I'll explain later on." A lick from the bear and he gave the brass one a tap. "Take it away while I work my magic."
	"Okay, first rule:" A yelp and a heavy gasp from the brown one. "If your partner says No to anything, and they actually do mean it, don't press forward. If they're indecisive, feel free to pressure them, but always think of them first. Which is basically rule two: Always think of your partner. Meaning, if you get released, they should as well. It's not a score game, or a 'You owe me a muzzlejob' type of deal, but don't leave them hanging and just take everything for yourself. Finish the job you started."
	"Why do you make sex sound like work?" Siggy grumbled, getting a chuckle from the two and another hiss from the brown one. "Are you done down there?"
	"Almost. How's this size?" He gestured the bronze bag, now about 25% bigger.
	"It's..." A disappointed look, and the motioned for more in question. "Y-yeah. If you can make it bigger than Beo's, that would be better-"
	"That would really get in the way." The brass one snorted.
	"He's right though. Right now, you do have the capacity, it's just hidden. However, if you want the display bigger, I don't mind. Keep in mind all of this is reversible."
	"Then, twice as big as Beo's." Siggy smugly smirked at the brass one, only getting a snout toss from him.
	"Suit yourself." Beo snorted, hearing the brown one hiss loudly and whimper in pain. Almost enjoying it, but comforting him nonetheless.
	"Why did I agree to this...!?" Another few hisses as his sack grew tighter and tighter, making him pant loudly. "Okay...! Too Big...!"
	"Told you." The larger one tormented, licking his neck a bit and nibbling at his spines.
	"Well, looks like we're just going to have to empty you then." The white one purred. "I mean, after all, it's for Siggy's relief."
	"Aren't you the thoughtful couple." Another grumble, but didn't fight the bear climbing on him. Feeling the soft fur on his belly and those tails comfort the stuffed stones. Then that red appendage licking at his neck, much like the purple one was doing on the other side. Leading the two to come closer towards the smaller dragon's throat and meet up, kissing the neck together, while close enough to touch each other's lips as well.
	They painted their way up his jaw until they got to a three way kiss. Alternating tongues every so often, as that teal tip started peeking through. Almost instantly being accepted into the bears tailhole and easing it's way inside in pulses. With those six paws working the upper half of the brown one's body and neck, those tails doing their best to stimulate the stuffed orbs, it took no time to get the dragon ready.
	With the shaft already inside, and slowly creeping up in size, it really started getting Bartan's attention. Getting both of them to start with heavy breaths between kisses, until the bear had to stop. Feeling the weapon pulse deeper and deeper inside him, stretching out that hole every movement really took his breath away.
	The two dragon's locking lips wasn't helping. The deep kisses were racing Siggy further and further, as well as when the ringed ridges started to appear. Instantly being greeted by the soft brushes of white fur and releasing squirts after squirts inside the Counterweight. Giving that humming feeling deep within.
	At about that third ring, Bartan couldn't help but squirm a bit. Really feeling the incredible length was almost too much. Which in turn got the brown one to start hissing at the pleasure it started giving off, making the squirts and jolts more and more common. Accumulating the voltage seed much more than previous states, and already giving the bear that shocking feeling.
	Even before he was completely unsheathed, Sig'eaal felt very ready. Whimpering at every movement, and trying to get the furball to slow down a bit. Causing the brass dragon to pull Bartan up a bit, off the ridges for a few moments while they caught their breaths. Getting a better position towards their hindquarters, Beo started dragging the white one back onto the teal weapon. Getting both of them to whimper and start racing once again at a climax.
	Taking the full five rings was enough to start leaking torrents inside the white belly, but not quite enough for the full release. A few bounces on the long tower sent them over the edge though, half sitting up so they could all pay witness to the sheer force behind the dragon's armory.
	It took a few sprays to see any difference, but it really did start to bulge out the fur a bit. Slow at first, but really started to make a difference per torrent shot inside. Making the two whimper a bit at the pressure it caused, and the brass one to purr loudly. "It's so arousing to see you get shafted by another dragon."
	"We should..." A breath from the white one. "Do it more often..." A loud moan as that current really flowed through him. "Wow... You feel amazing...!"
	"Told you." Beo purred again. Getting up and almost sitting on the brown one's tail, as he reached over and felt the white belly. Still getting that pleasuring shock from the outside, while his other paw reached below the bubble. Finding the red weapon, already leaking of its juices, and pressing them together.
	The current flowed through the bear's lower regions, making him gasp loudly and whimper in bliss. Making him climb faster and faster until the squirts were constant. That paw eventually sneaked back and started stroking those red ridges until a very long whimper.
	The orange torrents started spraying Siggy, getting him to yelp in unexpected surprise at their launching distance. Even getting a few sprays inside his muzzle for that thick orange flavor, making him question it in surprise. Eventually stopping the barrage, the brown one's expression didn't change during his pants. "Are you serious...?" Making the other two make noises in question.
	"Oranges?" Beo asked, getting a nod from him. "He tastes amazing, doesn't he?" A purr as his brass muzzle nuzzled the white fur.
	"Just... Unexpected." Those four ears perked.
	"You didn't try Beo's last night?" Bartan asked, getting Siggy's frilled ear to do the same, then look at the brass one. "Would you like to?"
	"I'd prefer not to drown, thanks." Sig'eaal snorted, gasping as the white one adjusted a bit.
	"That's fine. But are you okay with me having another go?" A look in disbelief, then to the other dragon again.
	"You were right, he is a slut." It made the other two chuckle. "If you think you can take it..." A few pokes into that furred belly.
	"He's taken alot more." A thick lick over that bear muzzle and a quick kiss.
	"Reminds me, you deserve something for your patience." The white one placed a paw over that brass arm and motioned him towards the smaller dragon's head. Making Siggy worry for a moment that he was going to take that purple weapon to the muzzle himself, but the bear started licking at it instead. Just before sliding up and down the teal tower once again.
	A few moments of rough play with that red appendage along the purple ridges, and the bear's muzzle started kissing at the tip. Getting the motion to step a little closer, Sig'eaal's muzzle was just under the dragon's stones. Though slightly uncomfortable still, he started playing around with them. A few nudges and licks, knowing he wouldn't be able to take them in his own muzzle like Beo before, but it was a start.
	Occasionally finding one of the stones inside and attempting to suck on it a bit, he was eventually lead to the tailhole close by. Just barely out of reach, and feeling the bear make another tell to come closer. Taking Beo's thick weapon a bit more, before getting a surprised yelp from the brass one.
	That sneaky long tongue painting against his tailpipe really enforced a large jolt into the bear's muzzle. Accepting it gracefully and really taking the shaft deeper until he could tongue those ridges made the brass one's breaths as deep as the other two's. With Beo feeling the pants on his weapon and over his tailhole, Bartan donning two weapons at once, and Siggy penetrating two tailpipes, it took less than several minutes to start a chain of climaxes.
	The brass one released first, really gripping the bear's head and roaring as he took the weapon deep into his throat. Letting the brown dragon pay witness to his metal bag slowly shrink, and feel those scrawny claws grip them. Pushing out as much as possible out of the whimpering large one.
	Meanwhile, Bartan was stuck. Swallowing every torrent coming through but barely changing his middle in the process. Then questioning the brass one's sudden whimpers for a moment before getting another series of muzzleful torrents. Collecting a sample and keeping it.
	Bartan then grabbed Siggy's head, who barely got in a yelp before getting that muzzle and red tongue inside him. Feeling the blue liquid transfer and fill his mouth with grapes and blueberries made him purr until a braceful whimper. Another few bounces, and he hissed loudly.
	The pressure in the white one's lower region started to rise once again, as the torrents filled his tailhole. Still getting that shocking current and fueling his very own barrage of liquids, the bear whimpered loudly in bliss. Feeling the stimulation in his belly before the bear tried to get up off the teal weapon. That is, until to brass paws were pinned on his shoulders, forcing him down to take Siggy's gift while in song.
	The three purred loudly after they caught their breaths. As the two larger ones kissed deeply, Beo felt the furry middle with his paws expecting it to be bigger, but knowing the excess release was likely teleported somewhere nearby. "I think I should call it here." Bartan panted. "There's a few things I'd like to do today before I get... Too distracted."
	"You sure?" The brass one purred, stroking the furred coat into submission. Or at least attempting to, and seeing it begin to work as the bear whined.
	"Y-yes. It should give you two more time to catch up as well, but I shouldn't be too long." Bartan panted, dismounting the smaller dragon before getting a tight hug from behind. One leading downwards on top of Siggy, making the scrawny dragon growl.
	"No-no-no! Don't you-!" Slowly, Beo placed all his weight on top of the bear, who was on top of Sig'eeal. Causing the brown one to nearly hiss at the double embrace as he was pinned into the grass. "Taathing Hell, you're heavy-!" He barely wheezed out.
	"And soft?" A growl from that longer snout as Siggy attempted to wiggle out, all while the furball was just whimpering, trying to hold out on his willpower. "Say it and I'll let you up~"
	"-Okay, okay! And he's soft! Now get off me, I can barely breathe!" A strong lick from that purple tongue before Beo got up, chuckling at the horseplay. The bear, however, was still left there huffing on top of the smaller one. "You can get off anytime now."
	"G-give... Me a minute." How Bartan ended up saying that actually worried the wyrm. "I'm fine, promise! I-I just..."
	"I really know how to press his buttons." The brass one smirked, nudging the furball.

Chapter 9

	"You sure you want to do this?" The bear asked the brass one, walking along the clear roads in the overcast weather. Witnessing the grassy fields dance a bit in the wind.
	"I think so. When do you think you'll be back?"
	"I can't give you any specific time, but I won't be terribly long." A somewhat sad smile. "You could come and see another one, if you like."
	"I'm not terribly fond of other Counterweights, no offense." Beo muttered, exhaling through his nostrils.
	"None taken." Bartan chuckled, then took a breath. Stopping and placing a paw on the broad shoulder. "...You sure you're going to be okay?"
	"I'll be fine. Just don't take too long." A faint nod, and the two hugged. "Besides, I'd feel bad if I just suddenly left Sig'eaal all alone."
	"After a weekend like this, it might be difficult to go back to the normal." They chuckled, hearing the brown one finally return from his refreshment. "I suppose it would be good to keep an eye on him for a few days, in case something starts backing up. He also needs some backdoor practice."
	"I heard that." Siggy snorted, getting the other two to smile. The bear gave the larger dragon one more tight hug and then walked over to the smaller one. Doing the same, but not getting nearly the same affectionate reaction as Beo gave. "Muscles was not kidding about you." A few licks on his frilled ear to torment him.
	"I'm trusting you to take care of him, Siggy."
	"Ugh, Responsibility." He groaned.
	"Make sure you stroke him off once a day."
	"Sure." A grumble.
	"And keep that tailhole in check."
	"Uh huh."
	"Exercise it if you need to, but do it with care."
	"Got it. You can let me go anytime."
	"Don't forget about the hamstrings-"
	"Seriously, a little help here?" He grumbled at the brass one, trying to pry off the bear. Getting Beo to chuckle and pull him off. But not without another tight hug and a few purrs.
	"Come back to me. Sig'eaal isn't as comfortable as you." He rubbed the furry belly a bit and gave the neck a few licks.
	"Same goes for you. I think I'd rather sleep on a rock than this hunk of metal." The scrawny one snorted.
	"He's definitely... Dense." A breath to compose himself, and Bartan turned around. Giving the larger one a quick kiss. "Be careful, okay? I don't want to come back in a rush."
	"I... Know. I will." One last final hug and they let go.
	"I'll be back soon." A nod, and the Counterweight took to the skies. Already missed by the brass one, but he took a deep breath.
	"What was that about?" Beo double taked at Sig'eaal. "Be Careful?" He quoted, getting the metallic dragon to sigh.
	"A bit of a long story, but I'll get to it. For now..." Another breath. "Let’s start after I died."

	The void was rather dark and unsettling, clouded in a tension that nearly translucent. Even for the bear to carefully study through, it was nearly a mist that was barricading his vision. Barely making out the endless halls of bookshelves.
	Many of his species tended to have different ways of keeping records, and the space that Counterweights reside are often painted with those forms. Though many of them severely lack a personality to begin with, these records of history often held some sort of faith within a cosmetic form. It was often a fun experiment for the bear, to read what his own kin held within their beliefs just from studying what he could only call their homes.
	But many of these books that lined the walls were purposely tossed on the floors. Rather irrationally, at that. No patterns what so ever, no signs of searching for something specific on the higher or lower shelves. Just a few books scattered here and there, making Bartan worry as he carefully followed the trail.
	He eventually came to a master study, where much of the mist was present. Creating a fog for the bear as he treaded the area with great caution. Only to eventually step in something very dark. Holding this silver color that was desperately trying to separate itself from the darkness.
	Yet, he was unable to read it's substance like normal, which only made him fear for the worst. A few quick gallops into the mist, and he banished it away with his presence. Only to paint his face with both shock and horror.
	The silver liquid painted much more than just the floor. The old desk that seemed constantly in use, the walls and some of the ceiling as well. All following some body parts of the late sparrow. It's four wings, all torn apart and disowned of its once elegant form. It's jaguar like body split into sections, with several paws appearing to be ripped off from the wrists. And it's head, still somewhat attached by a shoulder and a half, rested on the desk.
	It was a heavy thing for the bear to witness, but what creature could possibly murder a Counterweight? Bartan slowly started to investigate, starting with the desk. Looking around at the writing, only to have that bird's eyes slowly open. "Is anyone there?" It asked, getting the white one a little spooked.
	"Yes, Pyajvrunssa. I am Bartan, I don't believe we've met." He answered the grey sparrow sadly.
	"I do not recall that name, and I can no longer see." It attempted to cover its six eyes with a paw that was not there.
	"What did this to you, Pyajvr?"
	"...What does it matter?" It replied, almost sadly. "Nobody knows where Counterweights go when our lives come to an end." It made the bear whimper a bit, trying to comfort the late one. "You too feel fear from such a statement?"
	"I fear for existence itself, yes." Bartan took a breath. "But why do you?"
	"I do not know... It is not something I am naturally familiar with." It made the white one quiet. "What do you believe happens to Counterweights and Terrasques when they die? Or do we even die at all?"
	"...I've wondered that myself, especially facing such creatures."
	"So, you've seen them first hand, have you?" A bit of silence. "Tell me, what are they like?"
	"...Frightening. Powerful and intimidating beyond standard will. Even if you cannot feel fear, it will show you it."
	"...Yes. I too have seen it then." It made the white one double take.
	"What do you mean?"
	"They are... Black. Covered in Madness... Such cold Madness."
	"Who did this to you!?"
	"But it was not a Terrasque... It just wore the face of one."
	"The face of one...?" He whispered, getting the sparrow to look in his direction.
	"...Bartan was it?" A nod and paw of comfort. "I do not want to fade away. I just want to read my books one last time..." Another whimper. "Can you... Find my Forces? They can understand my language."
	"...Okay." He whispered. "But I need to know, who was your last visitor?"
	"...The blue book on the side of the door. It is a terrible story, I know. But I needed to record it." It's voice started to fade away. "Find them."
	"...Book?" Bartan looked over, but found the one he was talking about. Though it was mostly written in another language, he did recognize a certain name. "Ywuggal...? The one who nearly removed Beo?" He had to be sure first. Though the sorrow of the sparrow was on his mind, he needed to find this Counterweight. Quickly exiting out of the library to find his Forces.

	"Ugh." The brown dragon grumbled loudly. "Today is not a day for walking." He said, flopping his head down on the shoulders of the brass dragon carrying him.
	"This was your idea." Beo snorted. "And you said that yesterday."
	"Yesterday wasn't a day for walking either."
	"Neither was the day before." The brass one grumbled, though not opposed to carrying the scrawny dragon, he didn't enjoy the constant complaining. It was cute at first, but after four days of it, it was getting on his nerves. "Besides, this was your idea."
	"My Idea was to go to the city and demand some biscuits. Your idea was to walk there instead of fly." The two groaned for a moment. "Why in the name of the greatest species in the known universe-"
	"It better be dragons."
	"Of course it's dragons!" A snort. "But where would such an insane idea come from?"
	"Well, for one, I'm not out of shape."
	"Lucky."
	"Two, if you were walking, it would help build up that body of yours."
	"But walking is worrrrrrrk." The larger one tossed his snout at Siggy's whine. "And work is annoying."
	"But worth it. You think I just magically got this way by being lazy?"
	"Ugh, not the 'Motivational Speech' again. Anything but the Motivational Speech...!"
	"How about walking for yourself?"
	"Pass."
	"Fulfilling that sex dream of yours?"
	"Pass. And we're never to talk about that ever again."
	"I could try tying you again." A slight whimper made Beo chuckle. "And Bartan wouldn't be around to help you..."
	"...Fine. Give me the speech."
	"Gladly. It takes work to build yourself up, as well as dedication. If you believe in yourself enough, and really want it, you can make yourself into a very strong dragon." A grumble from the brown one.
	"You've made better." The brass one snorted at him.
	"Does that mean you're ready to try again?" A very deep breath from the smaller one. Then a second breath. Then a third as Beo stopped. Quickly dropping his haunches and letting the dragon slide off and rest on his large tail. A fourth breath and he grumbled loudly.
	"I guess I should." Sig'eaal got up, walking beside the titanic one. "My method of transportation was getting loud anyway."
	"What would you do without wings?"
	"-Fly. Oh wait, without." The brown one cursed. "Probably sleep. That'll be my first priority."
	"Of course it would." The larger one grumbled, looking ahead at the city gates nearby. "...Are there supposed to be guards at the gates?"
	"How. Would I. Even Know!?" He grumbled loudly, almost hissing. "I always landed in the town center."
	"That's because you're small enough to fit in it, I'm sure." That time he got a hiss, and Beo playfully nudged him. "You keep doing that, then I'm just going to want to mount you again."
	"I haven't recovered from the last one." Siggy grumbled, flicking his tail a little. "But why ask about the...?" He looked forward, adjusting those yellow eyes to see the gate abandoned.
	"Does something feel a little off to you?"
	"...Yeah. There should be some obnoxious noise and the smell of horses downwind." 
	"No signs of people anywhere... No smoke...?"
	"What, did they finally realized city life sucked and decided to leave?"
	"I'm not sure..." The brass one exhaled in thought. "But something doesn't feel right. Maybe we should come back another time." The brown one tossed his snout.
	"Really? You did not just drag me out here-on foot, I might add, to just turn tail and run at the first sign of weird."
	"This feels like a trap, Sig'eaal." Beo snorted at him.
	"That may be, but I want my biscuits." The brown one snorted back, as the larger one just stared at him for a few moments. "And I mean Badly."
	"And if there's no one to cook them for you?"
	"You can do it." A grumble from the brass dragon. "What? You bragged before that Mr. Fuzzy taught you how to cook a bit, put it to good use."
	"Feeding you feels counter-productive." He gave the smaller one a playful nudge. "But fine, we'll take a look. Happy?"
	"Not until I get something in my stomach." A long silence and he could feel those green eyes stare at him deviously. "And no, not That. Again."
	"You say that like you didn't enjoy yourself."
	"Shut up."

	The large doors were slightly opened, nothing in the way to attempt barricading them. When the two cautiously entered the large walls, there were a few unoccupied wagons, but no other signs of people. Nothing scattered or out of place, nothing dropped suddenly. It was like they disappeared with everything they were holding.
	Even the food stands and markets were untouched, yet still on display. Making the smaller dragon whistle after looking at some of the jewelry. "These are nice, but I have nicer." He said, taking a few and tying them to his spines.
	"Yet, you're taking them anyway."
	"You wouldn't?" The brass one didn't answer that. It's honestly been eons to him since he last slept in such things, aside from the visit to Siggy's cave recently. "Besides, clearly no one is going to miss them."
	"Where are they?" Beo scanned the area with his eyes again, trying to find any trace of life besides a few animals. Helping themselves to the food on display with no one to bully them. Though, cautious of the two dragons walking through the streets. All at once, the larger one grumbled. "Is that seriously...?"
	"Hmm?" It got Siggy's attention, letting him search the areas as well and find a plate of biscuits on a table, right in the middle of the square. He then looked at the metallic dragon smugly, until Beo double taked at him. "And you said we'd have to cook them."
	"You're joking." He grumbled. "You cannot really be considering eating them."
	"Why not?"
	"This is so obvious that it's a trap, it's ridiculous."
	"And?"
	"You're willing to risk our lives for biscuits?"
	"I'm sure you can handle anything. Besides, free biscuits."
	"They're not free if they're a gamble." The brass one hissed, only getting a snout toss by the brown one as he walked towards them. "Siggy..." Ignoring the warning, the smaller dragon stabbed a few with a claw and licked them into his muzzle. Making the larger one tense for a few moments, especially after he spit them out. "What?" He asked concerningly.
	"Too much salt." Sig'eaal made a face, only to see Beo toss his snout and take a step forward. However, as soon as he did, both dragons were instantly forced to the floor. Making the bigger one growl, and the smaller to whimper.
	"You okay!?"
	"Right on the stones...!" Siggy whined in a higher pitched voice. Taking a moment before trying to get up and realized he was pinned. "Ah, taathbaskets..."
	"Told you this was a trap." The brass dragon snorted, hearing something land behind him. Something unusually heavy, making the ground shake with every step. Feeling a massive paw grip the back of the larger dragon, and slightly lift him up.
	"What do we have here...?" A harsh growl from Beo as he struggled to look at the red creature holding him. "I expected to find one by following this stench, but to my surprise, I found you as well."
	"I'm pretty sure he's talking about your scent, not mine." The brown one grumbled, still not being able to see anything. All at once, he was dragged backwards by an unknown force, yelping as one of those massive furred arms gripped the smaller dragon as well.
	"Nonsense, Sig'eaal. You have this very... Specific scent to you. Reminds me of invertebrates." That made Siggy growl a bit, as he struggled against the red paw. "How is my Reality doing, by the way?"
	"Reality...?"
	"Ah, Taath..." The lightning dragon almost whined, and it then clicked in for Beo who was holding them. "What are you doing here!? We left as you said-" A harsh squeeze nearly made his bones crack, causing the smaller one to yelp in pain.
	"You brought Rot to my universe, worm!" Another grip, this time on the larger dragon. Never before feeling such immense force used against his frame. "And you... You were the cause of it all! Finding you just saved me time!"
	"I have no excuse for what I've done, but I gave you new Forces-!" A loud growl after Beo's, as he felt the intense warmth of the angry creature.
	"Your Replacements were unworthy!"
	"I'm right here." The brown one grumbled, still enduring through the pain and getting a harsh glare. "And we were doing fine... I think."
	"Yet you decide to chase us down to tell us that-?" A harsh grip interrupted the brass one, as the massive creature turned both of them to look into its green feline eyes. Snarling at them with a lion-like head and crossing two other sets of arms across its torso. However, some rather thick black spots seemed unnatural across its red furred body.
	"I came here to find you!"
	"For what? Revenge?"
	"I never knew Counterweights to be so vengeful." Another loud growl at Beo, that slowly turned into a smug smirk.
	"...I think I liked him better when he was mad at us." Siggy whispered to the other dragon, trying to hide his fear with humor.
	"You've changed since I last saw you, but you are definitely the one who tainted my universe!" Those mad eyes looked over the larger dragon, then it looked over the smaller one. "Tell me, Sig'eaal... What did you truly desire?"
	"Don't answer that!" Beo growled, and the lightning dragon kept his maw shut.
	"Regardless if he replies or not, I can still see it. Envy, painted all over like a mirror. One reflecting..." He looked the brass one over again. "You." The dragons growled loudly. "One thing I truly miss about my architecture is the creature creation, you see." The metal one's eyes widened a bit in fear. "Tell me, Sig'eaal. How Badly do you really want Power?"
	"I gotta tell you, right now I'm just craving some good biscuits instead." Both creatures half glared at him for a moment. "Seriously, if you baked those last ones, lay off the salt." He snorted.
	"You're really trying to get us killed, aren't you?"
	"I think we're pass that point if he's going to attempt to play Operation with us."
	"Dibs on your sense of humor." The brass one snorted sarcastically.
	"No, tearing you apart by your limbs would be too easy... I'm thinking something else." Those other arms unfolded and one set took a second firm grip on each dragon, getting them to growl loudly and struggle a bit. The other set slowly reached inside each of their midsections, bypassing a physical barrier and making them both roar in pain as something was torn from them. Then exchanged into the other dragon half hazardly.
	It then tossed them on the ground effortlessly, letting them fall with a loud crack and hiss at the pain. Unable to move for a few moments as the creature left with a dark chuckle. "Enjoy ruining another universe."
	The brass one felt something very wrong, like part of him was drastically missing or cut out. At first, he thought it was his lower half, maybe something physically inside. But a quick glance and command to move, and everything responded. A slight delay, and a little numb, but responsive. "You okay?" Siggy muttered from the other side.
	"...Yeah... I think." But when Beo tried to get up, a strange overwhelming pain refused his movement. Getting him to growl harshly at it and just remain still. His ears flickered as they could pick up the smaller one's steps, slowly walking towards him, almost with ease.
	"You look fine, maybe your back...?" Siggy half worried, looking around the square.
	"Don't know... Maybe just some rest first. What about you?"
	"I'm fine." A few breaths. "...Great really... Really great!" He looked at his own paws for a moment. "Amazing! I feel incredible! Powerful!" He chuckled a bit, but seeing Beo's concerned look for a moment puzzled him. "Is this how you feel all the time?"
	"Considering my looks, did you really suspect otherwise?" He snorted, but then a bit of fear was shown into his eyes.
	"What?" Siggy asked, trailing them to his own chest. Seeing dark spots begin to form like bruises, spreading quickly, even as he tried to paw it off. "Beo...!?" They began to invade his arms and throat, as the brown dragon started to drool some black gel. Covering his entire body within a minute, as he started to choke out chucks of it.
	"Siggy!" The brass one roared, trying to get up. "Don't give into it! Fight it-!" A heavy cough from the smaller dragon, and a massive shockwave omitted from his body. Clearing the entire square, and Beo with it while the ooze piled up. Transforming into a tar-like titan before the dragon passed out.

Chapter 10

	The brass one woke up in horrible pain, roaring loudly as something was bracing him. "Stay with me, Beo! I know it hurts, just stay with me!" He recognized that voice well. And even though it was hurting him with a pain his body knew not how to defend against or even numb, the dragon trusted it. Feeling the odd quakes from time to time as his other senses tried to study his surroundings. Doing anything to get his mind off the pain.
	It was getting close to dusk, and something large and black was in the distance. An eerie dark green shine seemed to reflect off of it, and near instantly striking the metallic dragon with fear. Almost struggling to get away, but was being braced too hard. "Almost done..." A few moments later, a very harsh pain made him cry out. Arcing his body to attempt to soothe it, but it did no good. It soon died down though, getting him to pant loudly and leak a few tears of pain. Ones licked by a red appendage. "Sorry..."
	"...Ow." He grumbled loudly, getting a sad chuckle from the bear. But now he felt like he could get up, encouraged to and just lean on that large furball.
	"Don't worry... I got you." He started leading him away, but the dragon struggled against it. "What's wrong?"
	"...Siggy..." A very sad look from those brown eyes, as they half glanced in the distance. Towards the large creature, and Beo instantly knew those memories were not nightmares. "I need to-" A heavy pain as he tried to turn back.
	"Beo, no." He whispered harshly at the brass one, trying to keep him in a straight line. "I know! I know you want to save him so badly, but there's nothing you can do. There's nothing left to him..." That statement cut the dragon deep, so deep it actually made him angry.
	"You don't know that-"
	"The only thing I can do is quarantine this area and perhaps expel it outside of the universe-"
	"You said you can't see through that abyss!" The larger one growled, matching those sad brown eyes with green ones. Peppered globes of both sorrow and almost rage. "He has to be alive!"
	"There's nothing we can do...!"
	"So we just let him rampage through the world? That bastard forced him into this!"
	"I'm not saying it's right, but..." A heavy breath. "Beo, your body is torn and barely recovered. Your soul was ripped in half! That doesn't sound like much, but it's a heavy toll on you if you don't let it heal-!"
	"So, you're giving up on him!?"
	"I'm looking after my husband..." The dragon took a breath. "If we go back in there... We won't make it like this. One of us is surely to fall..." A few tears from both of them, and they embraced. Only holding tighter as the makeshift Terrasque in the background roared loudly.
	"...I'm going to save him." It nearly made Bartan collapse. "He's still in there, and I can't leave him." A shake of that white muzzle as they just held each other. Pulling away slowly and studying the bear's eyes, almost filled with desperation.
	"...There might be a way." The two looked at each other for a moment. "It's going to hurt... Alot. Might even do more damage to you than ever, especially in your current state."
	"Outbreak...?" Bartan slightly nodded.
	"But not that one." The dragon curled his neck, as four paws were placed on his plated chest. "You're not supposed to get this until later... When your body is ready. But I know it's still in there, just dormant." One more look to ask Beo if he was sure, and he nodded.
	A sudden shock in his chest hurt drastically, but he soon felt that generator behind his heart drastically rotate. Cycling rapidly, constantly gaining speed as his scales began to fade to monochrome. A slight afterimage of the dragon was barely lifted off of his body, coating the entire outline as it rapidly shifted.
	His breaths were deep, exhaling sheer force. His presence itself was enough to shake the world around him, almost like it could not hold itself together without the bear's aid. As the rotation in his heart moved at a constant speed, forming a generator of energy, Bartan cautiously let go. Hearing the dragon roar as he struggled to hold such strength within himself.
	A few paws grabbed his muzzle and held onto it tightly, trying to get those now deep silver eyes to keep focus on him. "Be. Careful." The white one growled at him, trying to fight back the tears in his eyes. "I love you." A shaky nod almost immediately broke the bear's grip, as the dragon hugged him. Too tightly, and getting a whimper out of the Counterweight not knowing his own strength. Another look in each other's eyes, and they took a breath; the dragon's quaking the very earth around them. "Go."
	The dark grey one took off, creating several fissures in the ground and causing the air around him to clap loudly in a thunder-like form. Spotting the massive black behemoth in the city and locking onto it with intense focus. Only being somewhat interrupted by the bear's voice in his head. ("Head out behind it, I'll flank it from the side!") Beo followed his orders, though almost instantly grabbing the attention of the Terrasque.
	What could only be described as the ooze monster's 'Head' was focused on the dragon, sensing his power and wanting to feed off of it. Making it much easier for the bear to approach a ways behind it undetected, and create a massive white blade out of ethereal energy. Controlling it without even touching it, Bartan swung it at head height, and cleaving though the Terrasque’s neck. Severing it and forcing the creature to roar loudly with pain, as the Counterweight grabbed the creature's attention.
	The rest of its quadruped body lashed out at the white creature, sending several tentacle-like ooze pillars to grab hold of him. Sundering every new appendage with a brand new ethereal weapon, Bartan evaded. Trying to keep his distance without touching such a toxic substance. ("Odds are, if Sig'eaal is still alive, he'll probably be in its chest. Go!") And with that, the dragon charged.
	Though still seeing the creature's head fall on the ground and move to consume the monochromed one, Beo'Karah roared at it in rage. Sending a massive blast of concussive force that turned it nearly into a black mist, then a second one to remove it out of his path. From afar, he sent out several more along the Terrasque’s hind legs, forcing the thing to stagger a bit and lose balance before blowing off a few limbs.
	The creature roared loudly in both pain and fury. Still slightly focused on the Counterweight, it did try to sweep a tail-like tentacle at the dragon, and cleaving through several buildings in the process. Only to get a massive spear severed into it, nailing the thing down while Beo threw out another force at the base of the tail. Breaking it off from the main body with ease, and letting the thousand foot long appendage squirm for release.
	With an opened area now available on the Terrasque’s main body, and the creature still distracted, the monochromed one launched himself at the wound. Forming a concussive blast with a drill-like arrowhead just ahead of him, he tore through the abyss body. Constantly ripping it and digging a small tunnel about his size while climbing to its chest.
	Though such a thing did harm the creature, it was still more concentrated on the white beast. Constantly severing limbs and appendages without getting too close to the black ooze himself. One touch of the fresh darkness could possibly bring illness to Bartan, like he's been seeing on the other Counterweights. Getting a few close calls when those appendages started moving by themselves and using tactics.
	Landing from building to building, the bear tried to keep his movements irrational in hopes that they would have a much harder time predicting them. Constantly changing size and trying to remain in direct sight of the Terrasque, in case such appendages did have eyes, was a bit harder than expected. But staying in the air was just too risky. It wasn't big or formed enough to have an aerial advantage.
	Hearing two of the blobs land on a couple of rooftops above him, the bear took to the streets. Coming through a thick alleyway and turning corner nearly got a glob of the darkness in his face. Barely sliding underneath it and racing forward. Doing his best not to get surrounded by such things.
	But as he feared, the creature was growing from both its own rage, and Beo's outbreak. Seeing the appendages grow larger and larger with every encounter, as well as not slowing down when they were either snared or wounded. Eventually, they started growing into walls as the main body launched out bombs of the abyss all over the city. All growing into massive pillars to cage the white beast within, and forming a dome-like roof.
	If he took to the air, Bartan would be immediately seen and probably caught. As frightful as it was, his safest option for the moment was to stay within. But that gave him an idea, starting to make his way towards the underground tunnels and sewer system, the bear made himself small enough to fly through.
	It didn't take long to get detected within, and the tentacles desperately started to break their way through the roads and passage ways to follow. As the white one turned corner after corner, barely racing to the next before a wall of black attempted to cut him off, he could sense it. The concentrated main source that was the Terrasque’s body.
	Just as most of the other exits were completely sealed, Bartan struck the ceiling harshly. Making a massive explosion of white and cyan flames that launched the black body upwards, and allowed the Counterweight to escape. Using the road as a massive barrier, as well as creating his own ethereal just in case, he launched the thing through the sealed dome. Breaking the barrier enough for him to escape, until something whipped at his tail. Pulling him back down towards the ocean of black.
	Severing the vine quickly, that hole would be repaired before he could possibly make it in time. Seeing the Terrasque melt through the dome and glare at the white beast before roaring loudly. The ceiling was barricaded. The streets now off limits. The dark waters rising by the moment, the bear's jaw clenched. He was surrounded.

	From within, the dragon constantly dug. Trying to make it through the tough ooze, and cursing at how the bear made it look easy. Though much of it was still gripping his scaled body, he barely worried about it. His mind was focused on one thing: rescue that twig of a dragon.
	It was hard to estimate the distance that he made with the constant blackness. Every once in a while expelling a surrounding shockwave to push away the darkness, and break open walls. Maybe he could see where the ground or sky was, but those waves never seemed to break through the ooze. Even after doing it in rapid succession.
	But that was the only way he could make any progress, rapidly creating spear-point blasts of force ahead and do his best to launch himself through that makeshift tunnel. Never finding it so easy to constantly create the bubbles of force and manipulate them until now. But it was hard to concentrate on his defenses like this, and his body was feeling like it was falling apart. Slowly, but it was giving out.
	With an angry growl, he sent out another barrage of shockwaves to his surroundings. Enforcing a large hole inside the creature and attempting for another scan. But it was just too dark for him to see anything. With his exit blocked, and unable to create another one, the dragon was starting to panic. Especially after feeling the body take a massive blow and slam Beo into the sticky mess.
	Fear overcame him, struggling to keep that black ooze off and away from his maw. Pawing at the black gel and thick plates. Plates...? A moment of study, and he recognized that feeling. Siggy's tailplates, wide and unusually thick. The dragon was possibly whole! Digging frantically and trying his best to force him out, Beo found the scrawny one's head. Everything seemed to be remained in place, just stuck inside the Terrasque’s body.
	But the real question now was, how was he going to get them out? The ooze and outer sinew of such a creature was too hard for him to break through with concussive force. Even when used with a point. And with not much time to really discover what this outbreak could do, he wasn't really prepared enough for this.
	What this outbreak could do... He didn't know this one, but Beo was familiar with his other. Possibly even able to stack the two together for even greater power? Stupid idea, but he remembered the bear mentioning such a thing being done before. Granted, in Vertias. He just hoped that the Counterweight could sustain such a thing.
	With a deep breath, and holding the smaller dragon close to him, Beo concentrated on his first outbreak: Midnight Ice. No bothering to defend himself from the nightmare he's had for so long, just attempting to shield the unconscious dragon in his arms and wings as his own scales glistened with an abyss blue shine. That generator within his chest grew so warm, it started to grow cold.

	With the ooze constantly barraging the bear, trying to snare him down while cutting the white one off into a corner, they all started to suddenly slow down. The main body of the Terrasque roared a bit in pain, but didn't give up. Managing to grab one of the Counterweight's forepaws before leaning over. Pulling away from the snare, Bartan constantly studied his surroundings.
	They were all growing solid, slowly frosting over, and he knew what the dragon within was doing. Starting to feel the harsh cold himself, he called to him from the outside. "Beo! Enough! Just force your way out and escape!" He roared, almost finding it hard to with the massive temperature drop. Pulling himself away and breaking through the abyss dome with ease, the bear hovered in the air a bit.
	The black frost grew and grew, covering the city, then the fields. The landscape, and soon the sky. Feeling that harsh sting again, the Counterweight withdrew out from the planet itself, but that still wasn't enough. The atmosphere became solid, then the plasma surrounding it. Constantly and quickly spreading throughout the cosmos, as the bear flew farther and farther away. Barely keeping out of its reach.
	Suns started to dim and go out. Stars of all sorts quickly being erased from the black sky, until the entire galaxy was frozen solid. But it all started to slow down finally. Giving the white one a bit of an exhale of relief. And then, a new worry of the bear's surfaced. Making him phase into a different form to view the 'Road' or 'Tapestry' that this Force of Fate built. Seeing that specific galaxy lag behind from the rest.
	The dragon literally Froze Time. Creating a massive lag output that was stretching the fabric of reality out. Without 'thawing' it quickly, it could tear a hole completely in that timeline, and possibly lose the dragons within. Phasing back into the present, Bartan could already see the tears begin to form, doing his best to hold them together, and possibly pull the frozen sphere ahead.
	A few moments of struggling later, and the sphere shattered. Ripping a massive hole within the universe and nearly sucking the Counterweight into the void, but created an ethereal platform to grasp onto. Though it was somewhat struggling against the sudden change in dimensions, as well as the countless shards of the space that shattered, the large base held together.
	It took a moment to scan for Beo, but the bear found him. Giving him telepathic breadcrumbs for him to follow so that could meet up once again, while Bartan attempted to repair the hole as quickly as possible. Hoping that the creature inside didn't quite notice it, but it was wishful thinking. And the roar it gave was deafening, striking a fear within the white beast, and the monochromed dragon that was on his way.
	The hole was shrinking, being refilled by new plasma and repairing the drastic tears that nearly bled with energy. With another unreal roar from within, a heavy scrape was somewhat heard from within the void. Then, a massive claw tip caught within the wound, pushing down the platform and halting the bear's repair. Though the ethereal base was doing its best to keep itself stable, it was too much for Bartan to concentrate on. Trying to lift up and fight against the claw's unreal strength.
	A faint thud was heard behind the bear, and soon the larger dragon landed beside him. Grasping a hold of the claw as well, together they started lifting it up. Still in both outbreaks, Beo fought with all his strength. His muscles tensing and bulging out drastically, roaring back at the Terrasque within, and actually pushing the claw upwards. Giving the Counterweight enough room to start repairs, but it was difficult for him while fighting against the claw as well. "Go!" The dragon roared at him. "I'll hold it!"
	As much as he really didn't want Beo to hold it all by himself, he trusted him. Letting go and feeling the larger one struggle a bit, he still pushed it back inside. Repairing the wound up until the claw cutting through, then lifting the platform higher so that the dragon wouldn't have to change stances. 
	Further and further the pushed upwards. Repairing every inch of slack they could, until the creature was forced out. Finally sealing up the hole for good and giving the two a much needed breather, as the dragon let go of both outbreaks and collapsed on the platform. Grunting loudly at his muscle spasms until Bartan held him. Easing his pain, while trying not to get turned on by such display.
	Several minutes passed, and the white one looked back at the thud from before. Within some sort of miracle, Sig'eaal survived. Still laying there unconscious, with harsh frostbite, and a few bits of his outer wings and tail missing. But he was alive. Getting those soft furry tails to half drag him towards the couple while curing his injuries. As much as Beo wanted to embrace the two, he just couldn't move his body. Barely getting a wing to cover them as he struggled to breath and regain his energy. Passing out shortly after.

Chapter 11

	"How the hell was I able to do that...?" The brass one half grumbled. Still getting half awake, and feeling like he just lifted eight suns across a desert. Getting those muscles to lash out at him for attempting to move, but a slight brush of that white fur banished that pain away.
	"Well..." The bear mumbled, feeling exhausted himself. Perhaps still a bit shaken from having to deal with two Terrasques back to back. "Outbreaks are powerful, that's obvious enough."
	"And the second one?"
	"The second one..." A deep breath. "Terrasques are huge... Colossal even. They grow to fit the space provided for them. For perspective purposes... Maybe a good sum of all the universes surrounding it, then multiplied to the power of ten."
	"Ugh. Math..." The brown one grumbled loudly, getting a couple of licks and nuzzles which only half added to the pain he was still in.
	"But yeah... They grow, to the point where they can no longer really fit into that space well. What you were holding back... It was probably a single 1/1,000,000,000th of its claw. Completely pretzeled inside that space." A half a grumble from the brass one as he struggled to imagine such a thing. "Not to hurt your ego, but... You were fighting against nothing more than a single bound claw. No extra body weight or momentum added, just a single-" A louder grumbled that was nearly a growl of disappointment.
	"Something stronger than Mr. Muscles? Impossible." Siggy grumbled, getting a playful shove from the brass one before a tight embrace.
	"You can joke about it, but that is no small feat." A lick and a kiss from the white one on Beo's muzzle. "I'm proud of you. But how are you feeling?"
	"Pain." He grumbled. "Irritating pain."
	"I thought so. What about you Siggy?"
	"About a 12/10 on the Ouchy meter." They chuckled a bit. "Damnit, it hurts to laugh."
	"It'll pass. But let's rest elsewhere, I'll take us to a suitable nearby planet." The two grumbled as the platform began to move.

	A long sleep is exactly what the three needed. Finally able to stand up, but still a little weak. Still feeling the unusual tight embrace from the bear, Beo almost struggled to get out of it. "Is something wrong?" He asked the Counterweight, getting the smaller dragon to study them as well. Seeing a rather almost defeated look from Bartan as he sighed a bit.
	"...There's something I didn't tell you or Lyago back in my Universe. When you totaled my house." A snout toss from the brass one as he snorted at the idea of the cramped area.
	"I swear, we're building a new home sometime. One with sixty times the space." He grumbled, sharing a little kiss and trying to cheer up his mate. "What about it?"
	"...Apart from those tears, I met up with an old comrade." A couple of perked ears. "Another Counterweight, one that helped out when we were repairing the walls to the Terrasque you replaced." A motion for him to go on. "...He started acting... Angry. You know how Arson is, right?"
	"A blank white wall that tries to be colorful?" A series of chuckles. "Because they're not supposed to have..." Beo stopped for a moment, then looked at Sig'eaal. "That Counterweight..."
	"Ywuggal?" Both dragon's groaned at the odd name, then half shrugged.
	"It was the one that made the universe where Muscles gave us the Forces. Quite the bastard, to put it lightly." Siggy snorted.
	"He hunted for us. Saying something about ruining his universe and wanted revenge..." A moment of study, as those green eyes locked onto the yellow ones. "Why was he angry?"
	"Didn't you just-?"
	"I mean, Counterweight's aren't supposed to be..." A look at the bear. "You're the only execption, right?" A faint nod.
	"...Ywuggal attacked another Counterweight nearby. Ripped it apart and left it's remains all over its study. It's how I found you two, following Ywuggal's tracks."
	"That doesn't explain-"
	"Pyajvrunssa-" A louder groan as the two held their heads for a moment, making the white one smile sadly. "He feared... Fading away. It's... 'Blood' I suppose, was mixed with something black. Something I could not identify." A motion to carry on. "...I think Terrasques are infecting them. Contaminating us if we..." A sad look of puzzlement from those green eyes, as the bear's middle paw was displayed on his bicep. Still smeared with the abyss black from when the white one was struck. "...I'm sorry." He said quietly, seeing the fear in Beo's eyes.
	A few moments of sadness, and the larger dragon held him tightly. As tightly as those muscles demanded, releasing a few sobs that he wasn't trying to hide. "...It doesn't mean anything."
	"Beo..."
	"You've fought Terrasques before, it doesn't mean-"
	"But I've never been hit-"
	"It Doesn't MEAN Anything!!" He roared in denial. Rocking him back and forth a bit while releasing his own tears. Making the brown one feel uncomfortable. "You'll be fine. You have to be."
	"Beo..."
	"You started off as an angry old wyrm, you'll be fine." Another sob of denial.
	"But mine was..." A sigh as Bartan really didn't know what to say. After a long silence, the smaller dragon spoke up.
	"...How did I survive?" The two looked at him, once again not being shy about their tears. "N-not to steal your moment here, but..." He mumbled shyly, even getting those brown eyes to study him up and down.
	"...How did you survive...?" The bear whispered to himself.
	"I swear there's an echo in here." Siggy grumbled, only getting the bear to step closer to him and touch his brown scales. Granted, making it really difficult due to the brass one not letting go. Making Sig'eaal whimper uncomfortably.
	"I mean, you're tainted... But like..." They gazed at Beo for a moment, as the Counterweight rapidly looked between the two. "What happened to you guys...?"

	"So he just tore it out of you?" The brass one nodded, still holding onto the fluffball. "But he didn't remove all of it, which would still explain your taint." Then a look at the brown one. "And he tore your soul in half...?"
	"All I know is it hurt like hell." Siggy snorted.
	"You can say that again." Beo grumbled.
	"All I know is-"
	"Don't say that again." Another grumble, and a slightly provoking purr from the smaller one. "But you...?"
	"I repaired you both when I could, but was too exhausted to really notice his taint. Yet..." Another few moments of physically studying the smaller dragon, making him half whimper and grumble.
	"Why do I feel like you guys are going to toy with me again?" Sig'eaal grumbled, only to have those ears perk up and those brown eyes lock onto his yellow ones for several straight moments. As if pondering something and making the dragon curl his neck, then whimper when they wouldn't stop. "Muscles. Help."
	"When he gives you that look, there's no saving you." The brass one teased. "I might be able to hold back a Terrasque, but not his sex drive." That look shifted to the green eyes, giving Beo the same reaction as the smaller one. "Twig. Help."
	"You're on your own."
	"Sex...?" Bartan whispered.
	"Quite the one track mind on him, isn't there?"
	"You wouldn't believe it." The larger one snorted, feeling those paws press him back a bit. "What?"
	"Lay on your back." His frilled ears went back.
	"I know just mentioning it usually turns you on, and you did just recently see my muscles-"
	"Ohh... They were sooo Big..." The bear took a few breaths to compose himself. "But not what I'm doing. I just need to see them." He tried to look at those brass stones from the current armlock position, but it was difficult. After a faint grumble, the larger one let go and laid on his back. Instantly getting a couple of paws to study them, making him yelp.
	"They could've been mine." Siggy grumbled, looking at the sack himself.
	"Too bad, you missed out." A snout toss from the brown one.
	"Pfft. I have my own now-"
	"You lay down too. Beside him." A rather shocked look from the smaller dragon as he curled his neck. "Do it." Bartan almost said strictly, getting him to whimper.
	"I love it when he gets all commando." Beo purred. Feeling the scrawny dragon lay beside him, and instantly get a tight hug from those brass arms.
	"Tag in, Tag in!" Siggy yelped at the white one, barely being able to last a few seconds of it. But got a firm grip on his sack with two paws, getting him to almost growl. "What are you doing?"
	"It's Sex!"
	"It's Stone Torture, not Sex!" The two hissed at the bear.
	"No, well yes. But I mean..." Those paws let go and pressed around their sheaths. Getting both dragons to whimper uncomfortably. "You... Produce it." Two ears perked up as two heads tilted. "What is the only difference between me and Arson, and every other Counterweight?"
	"...Fluffyness?"
	"White?"
	"Lack of Asshole levels in your blood?"
	"Sex drive?" A double take from the brown one as the brass just shrugged.
	"You really want us to get raped, don't you?"
	"He mentioned sex several times."
	"You're Mated to him, and you haven't noticed he says sex in someway every ten seconds!?"
	"He does say it alot."
	"Guys." Bartan teased. "I can go back to holding your balls again."
	"Please don't."
	"Continue." The brass one attempted to say while staying composed.
	"But Beo was close: me and Arson both had sex with him."
	"And? This is surprising how?" Siggy snorted.
	"Lots of people and species have sex with dragons. That's nothing new." A double take from the smaller one.
	"...What sort of planets have you been visiting?" It made Beo's ears turn a bit purple.
	"But they haven't had sex with Terrasques." A double take from both dragons, as Bartan looked at their groins again. "I think you're producing the antidote. Maybe even granting immunity to anyone who's encountered this illness."
	"Bartan, I love you and all, but that has got to be the dumbest idea I've ever heard."
	"Meaning what exactly? He has a long line of partners ahead of him to cure an epidemic of universal proportions?" The two looked at Siggy for a moment and he curled his neck. "What?"
	"You're a Terrasque too now, you know." His brown ears instantly fell.
	"W-what?"
	"I'm afraid he's right. Your soul met with Beo's tainted one, and..." A grumble from the smaller dragon. "Means-"
	"I'm going to get alot of tail, aren't I?" He mumbled like it was a bad thing.
	"You say that like it's a bad thing." Bugger all.
	"Hold up, you two. We might be able to do something else instead. Perhaps just ingest it."
	"And it's only Counterweights that need it, right? There can't be that many of them around." Sig'eaal snorted, getting blank stares from the other two. Getting him to sigh grumpily. "Sex sounds like worrrrrrk!"
	"But it might not be just them..." A look from both dragons. "Siggy, how long was it since you met Ywuggal?"
	"That's the Taath-head, right?"
	"The red one, yes." Beo mumbled.
	"Erm... A few decades? I just landed here and started something."
	"Have you been more angry or greedy lately?"
	"Or lazy?"
	"Or envious?"
	"Or sad? Depressed?"
	"Okay, okay!" Those brown paws covered his eyes. "Alright, yes. I admit it. After everything went to Taath, I..." A heavy sigh as the two gently held him. "...So I was infected as well, is what you're saying?"
	"You have been improving since our visit."
	"You mean since Mr. Muscles raped me."
	"You were on Top!" Beo growled. "And you enjoyed it!"
	"It's really hard not to!"
	"It really is, with Beo's design." Bartan purred, getting the two to share a kiss between the clearly uncomfortable smaller dragon. Then the brass one suddenly stopped halfway through it. Getting the bear to worry for a moment.
	"Nalchulus..." He whispered, getting the other males to look at him.
	"What about him?"
	"Him and Raccel both encountered... Erm..."
	"Ywuggal?"
	"-Yes."
	"So, what?" Sig'eaal snorted. "Old bastard deserves it-"
	"No, he doesn't." The brown one's ears went back. "He deserves something, but not that." Beo growled, then looked at the white one. "Bartan, I need to get to him before it's too late. Can you find them?"
	"Yes. They're a bit far from here, so I can't take us all there. But I can open up a timestorm near them for you." The larger one nodded and got up as the bubble of time was made. "Be careful-" He was interrupted by a deep kiss. A very deep kiss. One that took the bear's breath away and made him nearly melt on the ground after several moments. Making him go back for a few more and whimper, wanting the large dragon right there.
	However, he got a few licks instead. "When we met again, I promise. But right now, I can't." A shaky nod, as he lead the bear's sights over to the brown dragon, who only whimpered loudly. "I'm sure you can tend to his needs for now, right Siggy?"
	"Don't you leave him here with me like that-!" The brass one jumped through the portal, making Sig'eaal whimper loudly and scamper to take a step back.
	"I-I'm okay, Sig'eaal." A few breaths from Bartan as he composed himself. "But I do want to make sure your soul is still untorn. If you don't mind."
	"Great." He grumbled.
	"Because... I know what he's going to do in there." A noise in question. "And you're going to have to convince them that Beo is telling the truth."
	"Ugh." He grumbled, tossing his snout. "Work."

	"The buildings look old." The grey tirix said, studying the old ruins of an urban city completely covered in plantlife. "Maybe close to about three centuries."
	"Those faint black marks are from napalm." The red dragon pointed out, still half grunting at his older frame. "Wonder how long they were at war...?" He grumbled, still walking until he no longer heard the other one's footsteps. "Raccel?" He looked back, to see the mutt incased in ice.
	A sudden heavy landing in front of him got attention of those grey eyes, as the brass dragon. Ramming into his old body and knocking Nal down with rather ease. As he struggled to get up, one of his forepaws were suddenly snared into the ground. Shackled by icy cuffs as he struggled against it.
	Another heavy push threw the red one on his back, and then bound his other forepaw, then tail, then neck. Getting him to growl at the metallic one that he never seen before. "Who-!?" The larger one met him muzzle to muzzle, those deep green eyes giving him a look of anger that the old one recalled so long ago. "Beo'Kros-!?" His muzzle was suddenly collared as well.
	"You'll thank me for this later, old bastard." Beo growled, getting a look of fear and puzzlement, until he got a few prods in his tailhole. Making him attempt to yelp and struggle against the makeshift chains. Unable to even melt them without getting distracted and nearly torn from the thick shaft gaping at his lower end.
	It didn't take him long to finish, trying to do it as quick as possible without knotting the old beast. Just a few heavy torrents inside, and enough for a bulge should suffice. As the larger dragon panted, muscles still a bit sore, they glared into each other's eyes with hatred. Until Beo felt that scytheblade under his neck. "That's enough, Beo." The tirix growled, still unsure of what's going on. "You've done enough to make up-"
	"This wasn't for Revenge, Raccel. You two are infected, and this might be the only cure-" A loud growl from the red one said he didn't believe such things, while the dog just looked at him. Cautious, but curious.
	"He's right, mutt." Sig'eaal landed from afar, getting all of them to look at the smaller brown dragon. "As Stupid as it sounds, it's the only common factor we've discovered. Meaning..."
	"You're going to need a dose too." The brass one grumbled at the Tirix.

									"Cue 70's Porn Music."

Fear Is The Weakness Act 4 - Self vs Self
By Bartan Tirix

Chapter 1

------

	A large spike of pain woke him up in a growl, feeling bound by his very body as something behind felt like they had their paws in his back. "Try to relax, I'm almost done." That familiar, soothing voice spoke. Making the brass one feel safe almost instantly. However, if the bear was here, then...
	He couldn't help but let out a sigh of defeat, regardless of how much it hurt. Trying to stay perfectly still as the white one worked deep inside him. "...How bad is it?" Beo eventually spoke up, nearly letting out a faint sob.
	"...It's been worse. But it's still pretty bad."
	"And the area...?" A long silence and another spike of pain.
	"...Decimated." The word sank his heart. The Counterweight must've noiced it, because soon after, he pulled out those three paws and embraced the dragon tightly from behind. Doing his best to help the metallic one through his sorrows. "...I know..."
	"And no one survived...?"
	"...Not even the Forces." Another heavy breath nearly deflated him. Recieving a few licks of comfort on his plated neck. Something that usually brightened his mood, but there was no avoiding this pain. "...Tell me about it. About them."
	"I really don't feel like it."
	"It's not for me." The bear sat back up, carefully putting those paws inside the titanic beast once again and hearing him growl in pain. "It'll get your mind off of this while I cleanse you."
	As much as he really wanted to remain silent, Beo took a deep breath. "...There was... A cranky old one." The expression put a sad smile over Bartan's muzzle. "Almost reminded me of the stories Lillith told me about you."
	"Yes, I've heard them many times." He chuckled. "What about this cranky old one? How did you meet?"
------

	The two dragon's groaned at each other while lying in the grassy evening fields. Almost having a conversation from their noises of exhaustion, mostly consisting of complaints about thier current occupation. Turning into whimpers and whines when a certain few sets of pawsteps were heard. "It's alright, you two. I think we're done collecting for now."
	"Thank all dragon kind...!" The brown dragon mumbled through the long turf. Sensing the six legged bear lay down between them, mostly comforting the brass one.
	"I know, I know. I'm familiar with the feeling of being overstimulated. It's not really fun." Bartan teased a bit, licking at the metallic frilled ear as a loud growl came from those thick plates. "But you can relax. I'll be heading out in several hours to help deliver your cures to the others possibly infected." A slight groan as the brass paw tried to dig under the fluffball beside him, getting the bear to follow the lead and cuddle with the brass titan. Chuckling a bit as it made a noise in question. "I guess I'll be the first Counterweight to be a Milkmaid."
	"Don't call it that...!" Siggy grumbled. "It's officially on the list of Never Say Again Around Me."
	"You have a list?" The white one asked.
	"I do now."
	"I'll have to agree with the stick on this one." A snort from across the mountain of fur. "I never thought I would get sick of being milked."
	"A-hem. List."
	"Well, I can understand why." A few licks from the bear and a couple of small kisses. "It's hardly for pleasure and only for a result. It feels almost like-"
	"Wooorrrrrk...!" Siggy got a playful swat by the set of fuzzy tails.
	"Yes. Work. Really ruins such a wonderful thing. But you two have put up with us stroking you empty-"
	"Eighty seven times over." The brass one grumbled, getting a nuzzle from Bartan.
	"Nothing you couldn't handle. Siggy surprisingly endured though."
	"What do you mean 'Surprisingly'?" A bit of an long silence as the other two slightly leaned to look at the brown one until he snorted loudly. "Some friends you are."
	"I'll say. They only stroked you off for the last seven days."
	"Five days." Bartan corrected him, getting a slight noise in question and disbelief. "Time is a little wonky here, but it's basically been about a hundred and twenty hours or so."
	"Ugh... I've never wanted to leave a paradise so badly." The other two chuckled at Sig'eaal's complaint.
	"Well, we're not keeping you here against your will. You're free to leave when you wish." A small kiss on the brass lips. "Same goes for you as well, Beo."
	"Maybe after I've gotten a bit more rest. I am feeling..." He trailed off, not really knowing how to describe it, but the bear just nodded at him. "I just don't think I can survive in a place like this."
	"Not until we find a cure." The white one mumbled sadly, embracing him tighter. "I think the only way you have lately is due to Siggy's complaints."
	"I don't know what you're on about. I haven't complained about anything since I got here." Another set of chuckles, and Bartan started to get up. Nudging and licking at the brown dragon's ears until he growled against it. "How has that tongue of yours not fallen off yet?"
	"Thank you for your donation, Sig'eaal. You've helped a lot of people."
	"Then why have I felt like I've been tortured since I got here?"
	"That's what love feels like, Stick." A loud grumble came from the long snout, though Beo wasn't sure who it was for.
	"That does remind me." The bear finally stopped. "Would you like to join our family, Sig'eaal?"
	"Pass." The brown one grumbled, rather quickly at that. "Only because I've heard your stories from Muscles, and I don't feel like getting raped anymore." A look of confusion from the Counterweight.
	"Well, you wouldn't have to..." An unimpressed look from those yellow eyes for a few moments and the bear sighed. "Good point. But if you ever change your mind, you're always welcomed here." Another few licks and a pair of lazy paws shoved the bear muzzle away. Forcing him to return to the brass one for another few kisses. "Wish me luck, and maybe some tail along the journey."
	"I think you've had enough this week." Beo joked at him, seeing the white one overdramatically toss his muzzle. "I'll see you out though."
	"You don't need to-"
	"Trust me, I have to take a break from Siggy once in a while." A loud snort from the lazy dragon. Getting a thick lick from that purple tongue of the other before moving with Bartan. Once after moving out into a massive room filled with Milk bottles, Beo whimpered a bit. "I don't think they've ever hurt so much as they do now."
	"It is an excessive amount, but I want to be sure. There's no real telling how much is needed to fight off such an illness."
	"Let alone, if it will actually work." A heavy sigh was caught by a soft paw, getting the two males to look into each other's eyes again.
	"It will. And if it doesn't, I'll just have to introduce you to them." A bit of a grumble. "You have so much to teach them-"
	"And so much to give, yeah yeah." A few chuckles, but it brought a smile to the brass muzzle for a few moments. Then he looked back from where they came.
	"...It is his decision."
	"I know. I just..." Another sigh. "After seeing him turn into that black..." Another white paw moved into an embrace. "Is he... Going to be alright?"
	"He's fine, for now."
	"But I mean... Is he going to be like... Me?" A long silence worried him. "Does he know what to avoid?"
	"I'm not even sure what to fully avoid. This..." A pet around those chestplates. "Thing is even new to me. I'm only responding in theory." A faint nod from Beo as he took a heavy breath, nearly squeezing the stuffing out of the furball. "But don't worry so much. And don't tell him just yet, but..."
	"Hmm?"
	"I did end up giving him... A 'Name Tag,' if you know what I mean." The dragon broke the hug to give him a confused look. "They're sometimes called Pet Tags. Just a small calling card if any Force ever finds him, I left a message to send word to me and I'll..."
	"Attempt to fix him?"
	"Or cure his urges, whatever is needed." Another set of chuckles. "You have it too, just in case."
	"So you can stalk me in case you ever get lonely, huh?" Beo nudged the bear.
	"Of course. But to be serious, I don't want another..." A silent nod in understanding. "I Can follow it if I need to though. So if you or me get worried about each other, or even Siggy..."
	"We can track that stick down. Got it."
	"And shove our own sticks in it, yes." An odd and almost insulted look from the brass one burst the bear into laughs.
	"I think you mean Trees, I'd thank you." Beo snorted loudly.
	"Trees can't fit into sticks."
	"Well, our Trees can't fit into him!" The statement collapsed Bartan into incapacitation via laughs, even getting the dragon to a bit before joining the puffball on the floor.

	The peace and quiet was nice, but it made the scrawny dragon restless. Granted, that could've been the previous acts the week brought him. Regardless, even the softness of the grass couldn't save those brass paws from creating tremors with every step. Making Sig'eaal grumble when it started to get close. "You'll live."
	"That's the regrettable part to all this." The brown one snorted. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to leave." He grumbled, but remained laying on his back while the brass one stared at him for several long moments. "Eventually."
	"I'm sure you'll get on that." It made Beo smile, but it soon saddened. "Can I ask you something?" A noise in question from the smaller one. "Why did you... Pass?"
	"No idea what you're talking about."
	"On Bartan's offer." Those yellow eyes looked at him in confusion. "To... Join us. Our family." A long silence and Siggy eventually exhaled loudly.
	"You want the honest truth?" A faint nod.
	"I won't be angry. I'm just..." Another breath from the brown one, as he looked towards his side.
	"...It's because I can't share." He could feel those green eyes gaze at him in question. "I can't... Won't share you. Not with him, not with the 'Wall'." A chuckle from the large one. "If I can't have you for myself, I won't have you at all."
	"...People change, Sig'eaal. Even I was able..." The smaller dragon went quiet, and the metallic one gave him a half hug by laying his head on Siggy's chest.
	"Mother of Bahamut, you are heavy."
	"You like it."
	"Your bear likes it. I prefer not to become a pancake, thank you." But the brass one ignored him. Nuzzling against his chest for a few moments before getting back up.
	"You can change, Siggy. You just have to believe you can. Just like I believe." He didn't respond to that, and Beo turned to leave. "Take care of yourself." Several pawsteps away, the brown one spoke up.
	"Question." It made the larger dragon stop and look back. "How do I leave this place?" It made him chuckle and come back.
	"It's better if I show you."

Chapter 2

------
	The heavy shock of revival came with the massive pain once again, getting the dragon to almost roar against it before coughing. Every growl and hiss after seemed to echo around him along with the pain inside his body. Eventually fading and allowing him to feel that soft fur of recognition, holding that brass paw nearly as tightly as Beo was holding him. "...Sorry." That white muzzle said, laying down behind the titanic one and resting against his neck.
	"...I forgive you." A few deep breaths, and he could still feel the pain pulse through, under his scales. Highlighting an unclean feeling through most of it. Hot, almost sticky like tar, signifying what he feared happened. Then it all came back once again. The flood of regret was something the bear could instantly identify, simply through contact. A type of pain he could not easily lessen with the dragon in such a state. With a deep breath and a shaky exhale, the dragon spoke up again. "How much was left...?"
	A moment of silence before the Counterweight responded. "I managed to read the signs beforehand and reduce the damage to a minimum. But..."
	"The damage I've done was-"
	"You are not responsible for this, Beo." Bartan said a bit thickly. "This isn't your fault." A few moments of silence, and the white one nuzzled his neck again. "It'll be alright. We'll find a way to balance this."
	"You keep saying that..." The mutter almost hurt the bear. "I believe you, but... It's getting harder for me to."
------

	The ruins were cold and silent. Completely void of all life within the mechanical halls. What were once just bland white panels have now decayed into rust and age. Giving off a certain smell that the White Cheetah was rather used to by now. Cautiously scouting the dead Hive in case anything still lived within its corridors.
	"Still no signs of life." The black Tirix behind him stated, still somewhat feral and taking less caution while looked into his device. "I'm still trying to access the logs to find out what happened here."
	"Odds are an Unborn attack." Hatchet replied.
	"I don't think so. There would be more signs of violence around. Possibly even bodies." The white one just looked at the shorter male. "This place is ransacked, yes, but I don't think it was attacked. Just abandoned."
	"Then what do you call the debris floating outside?" He muttered, half gesturing a nearby large window towards the docks, and the black one just shrugged.
	"It's possible something else hit it afterword. But so far, I want to say the Hive is still intact. We actually might be able to restore power and check out the logs."
	"That doesn't explain why he would be here." The tirix slowed to a stop, looking at his step-brother for a few moments in silence.
	"...You knew him better than I did. At least before he went rogue." That one got Hatchet to stop as well, almost taking a breath in thought.
	"That's why I said it. It's not like him to look so deeply into the past. Let alone someone else’s. We're Chimeras, that's all we needed to know for the longest time." It made the black one give a sad look, meeting with those red feline eyes as they glanced back. "...Sorry. I know it's harder for you to accept, October. But it wasn't for the 1st."
	"At least not until those whispers got to him." A faint nod as they started walking forward again. "Whatever those voices said to him... It lead him here, I'm sure of it."
	"But why though? In an abandoned Counter Force Hive of all things?" The cheetah grumbled, not noticing the odd questionable stare from the canine for a bit.
	"You've never done investigations before, have you?" Half an irritated growl from Hatchet almost made the black one chuckle.
	"My three were not big into research, what do you want me to say?"
	"You're supposed to be the flexible one." October teased.
	"Physically, sure. But you've got more resources to pull from." A faint noise in response, and then a bit of silence. "Are they saying anything?"
	"Just exploring the possibilities of events. But..."
	"But what?" The white one looked at him, studying the worried face looking off to the side as if to listen to someone not there.
	"...Rixxix can sense something. An old fear that almost coated these halls. Whatever people were forced to do here, they did it in..." That black ear flickered to the opposite side and curiously looked over at some debris. Flipping over a large panel of wall to reveal a map and directions. "You were right."
	"Hmm?" Hatchet muttered, but was almost left out of an invisible conversation. Trying to follow the signs of October's eyes and ears flicking in different directions. Catching and scanning for hallucinary sounds and voices.
	"Is that where...?" Another moment of silence, and the black one looked in an off direction, then back at the map for a moment. "Okay. Floor 87. The backup power might still work if we can get down there."
	"A place like this wouldn't have stairs."
	"Means we'll just have to find an elevator shaft, and work with what we've got." The Tirix lead the way, but couldn't shake off the stare of red circles on him. Getting the two to lock eyes for a moment and making the younger brother whimper in question. "W-what?"
	"N-nothing." Hatchet rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm just still not used to you... Having conversations with yourself."
	"Myself...?" A glance around the hall they were traveling in. "Oh, did the 1st never...?" The feline shook his head.
	"Not that I seen. At least not until the whispers."
	"I thought you could hear them too." They came up to a large set of damaged doors. Both taking a side and sliding them opened, revealing a dark vertical hall that seemed to have no bottom.
	"I could only when we first found them. After that, nothing." Another awkward glance at his smaller half-brother. "And I'm guessing Bartan...?"
	"Can see and hear them as well. I never noticed until much later that others..." Another look around and the Tirix shook his head for a moment. Pulling a couple of small disks from his bandolier. Activating them and watching as they started to create a light and start floating on their own. Though the lights were able to show some old gear treads on the walls, there wasn't any sign of where the cargo elevator left off. "Usually yes." Another noise in question from the white one. "Ladder. They usually have one somewhere just in case, but I don't see-"
	"Because they couldn't design one for a universal species." A sad look from that black muzzle. "You haven't been in one of these before, they have thousands of different beings forced to work on something. Aware of it or not."
	"And they're all different shapes... Hence the stairs." A glance down the hall to where a typical set of doors would usually be, along with an emergency exit. Regardless if there actually was an emergency in a place like this, there was nowhere safe to go. Let alone, judging by the stories, the CF wouldn't care if they lost these people. A deep sigh was interrupted when he heard the cheetah take a step forward. "W-what are you doing?"
	"Going to find the bottom."
	"Bottom-?" Before the Tirix could stop him, the white one took a confident step forward to drop down into the black. Making October almost yelp as he watched his half-brother disappear into the darkness.
	"He'll be fine." An orange tirix beside him said, looking down the same hole rather patiently. "He's got a little bit of the ferret in him. However, I would take a step to the side." The larger feline said while taking his own advice. Getting the black one to mirror those actions before hearing thick glass shatter from across the elevator shaft. Immediately spitting out the Cheetah from the darkness and causing him to slide back on the same floor as October.
	The younger one heard of such strange abilities, but was still stunned to see them in action. Constantly studying the far wall for any damages or debris of that sharp sound. "The elevator crashed at the bottom. Possibly overloaded."
	"And the exit?"
	"Blocked." The two sighed at the statement though their muzzles. "I'm only assuming the power generator would be at the bottom."
	"It might just be the spine of the Hive instead. If I were to make a place like this, the main power grid would be from the very center where all the plates connect." The black tirix thought out loud. "Odds are, this elevator would run alongside it..." He started walking along the wall, closely studying it while a holographic visor bent over his eyes. "Over here maybe."
	"Through the wall?"
	"Odds are there's an easier way to get to it. There should be a maintenance room very close by." Once again, they moved down the halls, a bit less cautious than before. Every so often, the echo of something either falling or running into the large building's outer shell echoed through the darkness. Constantly puffing out the Tirix' mane until he found a specific door. "Translated... This should be it." He tried the handle, but it barely moved. "Locked? Oh, I have just the device-" A sudden heavy palm thrust hit the door just above the lock. Bursting it wide open from the Cheetah's impatience. "Oooor you could do that."
	"There's no reason to hide our tracks. For all we know, we're wasting precious time." Hatchet said bluntly, walking in and scouting the room rather quickly, but not identifying any threats. Let alone lifeforms. "All clear." October followed in, though still getting a bad feeling about the atmosphere of this place. Making his own scans and eventually noticing the feline studying him. Releasing a noise in question from the younger one. "It'll pass. You'll get used to it."
	"I take it you two have been in worse?" The step brother didn't respond to that, and the black one let it pass. Searching for a few wall panels full of switches and many different electronic webbing, he looked at his brother again. "Want to try breaking this one too?" He grumbled, getting the older one to grunt a bit. Regardless, the black tirix started following instructions from a flickering ear. After a bit, he was so enthralled by his work, he didn't notice the Cheetah watching him. Completely lost in the process of fixing such a power grid. "This? Then maybe..." A loud snap came from one of them, but several panels began lighting up.
	"Sounds like it's working."
	"Just a few more steps apparently." Moments later, the lights came on, and several computers started up. Resuming many functions that have been neglected for so long. "That should be enough to trace what the 1st was up to." The black one said, turning to one of the computers nearby and searching through it while the Cheetah did the same on a separate.
	"Does the name Xakoda ring a bell?" Hatchet asked from across the room, getting the younger one to glance back, then at the other three tirix' for their opinions. One by one, they shook their heads.
	"Not at all, why?"
	"Last time this Hive was completely functional was way back around when Rixxix made an appearance."
	"In Veritas?" October asked, then looking at the other Black Tirix with a green highlighted mane. Hearing him sigh pleasantly.
	"Good times. Wouldn't you say Deago?" A glance at the orange one from before, but no response. "Regardless, never heard of him."
	"Still nothing. What's that got to do with the Hive?"
	"She attacked it, apparently." A loud noise in question got the younger one's full attention. "A weapons developer that turned on the Counter Force that occupied this place. No real footage was found, due to the security messing up terribly-"
	"Odds are she jammed everything. That's what I would do if I were to attack a place like this."
	"Yeah, well... She ended up freeing an prisoner before she was shot and bled out."
	"Prisoner...?" October looked closer at the report then took a quiet breath. "Vyitr-I'm just not going to butcher that."
	"Hence why I didn't even try." The feline half grumbled.
	"Vyitr...?" The orange tirix looked at Rixxix for a moment. "Vyitritvuietoafecr?"
	"You mean C. Weight?" Deago nodded at him, while the brown Tirix was just looking back and forth at them.
	"Is that...?"
	"The Counterweight that touched Rixxix, yes October." The orange one said, getting a loud groan from the other black one.
	"Stop saying it like that! It makes it sound like he molested me."
	"Was this the same creature you and Linet were traveling with...?" Ryoko asked, getting a nod from the other three. "So he was bound here before you met, I wonder why?"
	"What are they saying?" Hatchet asked his half-brother, getting a double take from the feral one.
	"Oh, just about... They called him C. Weight. And Ryoko questioned why he was locked up."
	"Because he experimented with Veritas." A noise in question from the other four, though the Cheetah could only hear October's. "It's illegal to try anything new as a Counterweight, and Vyitr-whatever ended up doing something different with that universe. Much like Bartan did."
	"Dad?" The white one nodded, still scanning the report. "...But he experimented as well. Why wasn't-?"
	"He locked up?" A faint nod. "Kinda hard to get arrested when there isn't a Law Enforcement to arrest you."
	"Is... That why he sent you...?" The two locked eyes for a few moments, the older one almost being able to see October's faith slightly shaken.
	"...He sent us for many reasons. Perhaps that was one of them." Hatchet resumed his scan. "Make whatever opinions you wish of those orders, but it's history now. Your feelings are not going to change that." It made the black one's head lower a bit, but dropped the subject. Returning to his own research on the other side of the room.

Chapter 3

	"Are you sure this will work...?" The grey Tirix with one eye missing asked, looking doubtfully at a vial full of blue liquids. Almost being able to see the bear through the glass and substance within. "I feel like this is some kind of prank."
	"I know it seems farfetched, but it's the only real thing that meets the common factors." Raccel grumbled at that answer, really not wanting to believe it. "It doesn't taste bad, if that's what you're wondering."
	"Doesn't make it... 'Not' what it actually is." A deep breath of thought, as he couldn't keep that orange eye off of the sample. "Can you at least tell me which one it was from?"
	"Would that make a difference?" Bartan tilted his head and perked his ears. Trying not to make the event uncomfortable for Raccel.
	"Not really." Another long study and a bit of a grumble. Then he pulled the small lid off and took a deep breath. Taking it in one single quick shot like it was a form of horrible medicine. A bit surprised at the pleasant taste of blueberries and grapes. A few unsettling grunts after and an extra swallow just in case. "I think I can feel it moving."
	"It's just your imagination." The white one smiled, extending a paw forward and the Tirix gave him the bottle back. Then an unexpected yelp as the larger creature came in for a hug. "It should make the extreme negativity fade away soon."
	"I can't say I've noticed any real effects of late, but... I appreciate the concerns, Bartan." He felt the six legged one nod. "As well as my spine still intact." A chuckle and the bear let go.
	"I'm so used to hugging someone much bigger, forgive me."
	"That's... Alright." The grey one said a bit uncomfortably, finding a seat in the abandoned home. "I'm still finding it hard to believe that he's still alive."
	"Beo?" A nod. "Did he ever tell you what happened?"
	"Never got a chance to. After his encounter with Nalchulus..." He gestured towards the back of the home, and the white one scanned the area. Still finding the old red dragon on a very large pile of mattresses several rooms down. "He hasn't been the same since."
	"It's not the Negativity, but that doesn't excuse my husband's actions." A breath from the bear as he looked into that orange eye sadly. "However, I don't think there would've been any convincing the old friend."
	"Friend...?" Raccel asked a bit seriously, getting a faint smile from the white muzzle. "What sort of stories has Beo told you?" That one got Bartan to chuckle.
	"The best and the worst. I couldn't really think of another word to describe their relationship." Another moment of silence. "He's told me about Lynnoa."
	"Who?"
	"The... 'Pet' as the others called it. Before Beo left your iron city."
	"Oh. I never knew her name."
	"He didn't tell anyone." A breath from the bear. "At the time, Beo was still contemplating if it was a weakness or not. Something he feared deep down within himself." The grey one nodded in understanding. "It seems that they care about each other so much that they will do anything to protect each other. Yet, they tend to select the worst ways possible to do so. You can see my loss of words."
	"Perhaps Frenemy would fit?" It made the larger one smile.
	"Yes. Yes, I suppose it would." Those brown eyes gazed upon the old dragon once again. "I would like to talk to him. Is that alright?"
	"He hasn't even talked to me much since. If you can somehow fix this..." The white one nodded, going in for another 'Less-Tight' hug before leaving the room.

	Those tattered ears picked up the voices from afar, but he couldn't quite make out what they were saying. Just mumbles distorted by several walls and the ache of constant ringing that accompanied the silence. The old dragon knew what was coming by sheer instinct by now. The dog would be worried about his state of mind, and ask this newcomer to pry on the elder's feelings. Something he really didn't want to do.
	The growls didn't keep the pawsteps away, no matter how loud he attempted to make them. And they were too strange to be the stick's, foreign and not of dragonkin. Not to mention, something was off. Nearly picking out three sets of paws instead of just two.
	A slight knock on the door was only greeted by a growl that left his red throat. Expecting such a warning to be ignored due to the Tirix' concerns. "Leave." Nalchulus finally said in anger, hoping whatever this thing was would finally let him be. But regardless, it let itself in.
	"Nal?" The unfamiliar voice echoed through the damp room. Only to be absorbed by the pile of mattresses and the faded scales that rested on them. Back still turned towards the only normal exit. "I'm-" A faint whimper interrupted the stranger, coming from that same muzzle as the dragon began to feel a strange warmth. One of gawking and staring, specifically at the red one's rear end.
	The silence was enough to make the old one finally look at the visitor, and stare back at the furball in almost disbelief. Never in his many years encountering such a strange mashup of fluffy parts and slapped onto a single creature. One that couldn't stop staring under the dragon's tail, where his package was unintentionally on display. Finally tracing those brown eyes, Nalchulus snorted loudly and covered said package with his thick tail. Finally snapping the bear out of a strange trance and getting a growl from the elder. "S-sorry. I couldn't help myself. I'm Bartan, a friend to Raccel and-"
	"Let me guess, a relation to the one that raped me." His grey eyes specifically looked away before he said it, loathing to use such a word to describe such a thing. More for his own pride. "And now you want to give your own words of comfort as if they will magically remove such a wound, is that it? For what? His own comfort?" Some silence, and the red one exhaled. "Just-"
	"Would you like to have a session?" A slow turn of the dragon's head, expressing both puzzlement and irritation like he was being ignored.
	"A what?"
	"A session of pleasure." A long silence and he could almost tell that the bear was blushing. Making the elder one's ears go flat against his head.
	"No." A whimper of disappointment as Nal got up to turn about. Finally facing the white one and attempt to stare him down. "What are you doing here." He grumbled, barely asking a question. All at once, that blush went away as Bartan sighed. Taking a few steps closer and getting a threatening growl that didn't faze him.
	"I am Beo'Karah's Husband." One ear lightly perked, but the grumble didn't hold back. "You know him as Beo'Kros-"
	"I know him as a rapist, yes. I know him as the one who assaulted me for saving his scaly hide!"
	"And I know that you 'Saved Him' from that Dragon Maiden behind his back." The bear almost snapped back, getting the red one to stay silent for a bit. "You and him both did stupid things to save each other-"
	"He raped me-!"
	"He Saved You. Cured you of an illness you've been stained with for a long time! One you weren't even aware of!" Another growl from the red one. "I know he did it in the worst way possible, but he cared enough to do it in the first place." A long silence as they stared at each other.
	"What are you doing here."
	"...I've come to make amends."
	"So, you're asking for me to forgive him. Is that it?"
	"In return for a gift, yes." The dragon tossed his snout.
	"Please. There's nothing you could give me to even consider that."
	"You're wrong. I can give you the one thing you've always wanted-"
	"Quite the ego attached to that tail of yours, isn't there?" That one actually made the bear growl a bit. "Makes me wonder who exactly is in charge of this little relationship with him." Another thick stare. "Tell me, how many strokes did it take to get that behemoth to submit? How many for the stick? He's in on it too, correct?" More silence, and Bartan looked away. Closing his eyes for a breath as the red one snorted.
	"...How long has it been since you last trusted someone? One that isn't Raccel?" A faint growl returned. "When you seen the signs of a Dragon Maiden manipulating Beo, that wasn't because you were interested or curious about such things." Those brown eyes locked back onto the grey ones. "You knew from experience, didn't you." That red jaw tensed a bit.
	"You know nothing about me-"
	"I know how she felt." He said a bit sadly. "I can understand why honestly, I felt the same way with Him. I also know that she used you as protection at first." His claws pierced through the mattress. "But you figured it out soon enough. You weren't blind, Nalchulus. You just wanted her to be the real thing so badly."
	"Leave."
	"She was, though." A very faint inhale. "Even if it didn't start that way, she learned the truth about you and that heated heart. And she used you-but not for her benefit. For both. For your relationship." Those grey eyes at least started to calm down, but also showed pain. Like an old wound was ripped open. "She was taken away from you too early, Nal. Just like Lynnoa-"
	"I was only trying to save him from the pain-"
	"I know." The white one almost whispered. "But sometimes you just can't. It was too late by the time you found out." The red one's gaze eventually dropped and looked off to the side, barely catching the white paw lift up for a request. "Please, can I have your paw?" Those eyes questioned again, but submitted a few moments later. "Nalchulus. My name is Bartan. I'm a Counterweight, but not of this universe." Another white paw started stroking that red one a bit, getting a very faint numb and pain feeling from it. "I can do many things for you, but I can also take them away, understand?" He said softly. "So when I ask you to consider forgiving Beo for his actions in exchange for a gift..."
	The upper paw slid up his red forearm, almost displaying the glossy crimson scales that clearly did not match the rest of his aged body, those grey eyes looked at it with a bit of shock. Slowly studying and flexing it, no longer feeling the harsh pain of near fossilized bone and muscle. "How...? The Forces-"
	"Were never taught how to do it properly." A step closer to comfort the dragon's awe. "Nal, Eternal Youth is a very complex transition that requires usually all three Forces to fully obtain. And that's not to be confused with the Immortality that some species tend to have, those are just exceptionally long lifespans that have no recorded end." A white paw stroked that faded red chin a bit. "I can do this for you, but it requires me to touch you in nearly every area. So I need your consent."
	"Eternal... Youth?" A comforting nod from the bear. "And that is your gift?" He asked, in disbelief.
	"Yes. If you're willing to accept it. If not, I can attempt something else." A few moments of just studying the renewed paw, and the dragon was almost stuck. Not really knowing how to accept such a thing, until those white hands cupped his chin once again. Almost giving him the decision to either submit to them, or turn away and forever remember that he rejected such a surreal thing. With a difficult breath, he leaned into the forest of white. Letting them finally take the weight of age, something that nearly defined the dragon for eons.
	A few pets of comfort, and those strange feelings returned. Sliding up and down that red muzzle and letting them brush away the dead grey that he hated for so long. Ones that echoed the disease of weakness across eons, stained onto his once beautiful and defiant body. Now removed by a few single paw swipes, only adding to the surrealism and making those grey eyes question if he was dreaming.
	As they brushed up and over his eyes, that discomfort grew. Making Nal grunt a bit as a set of paws quickly moved to his head. "Nalchulus? I'm going to put you in a state of nirvana for the rest of this to make it less unpleasant. You'll probably feel very lightweight, but you'll enjoy yourself a lot more while I work. Is that alright?"
	A deep breath to relax. "...Yes." He finally spoke, unable to look the bear in the eyes. Feeling a strange warmth start spreading through those paws and making his head weightless. Letting it sore through his aching bones and finally silence their cries for attention. Warning him that something was wrong for centuries, something he could not do anything about. Until now.
	To accept a gift was much harder for the dragon than fighting Raccel for the first time. His entire life, Nal only claimed what was his. Regardless if they still belonged to another person or vermin, the Red one's rule was absolute. Never was something specifically given to him that was not already his. But time? Endless time at that...?
	The warmth invaded the ruined temple that was once a fearsome kingdom. Nearly repainting those walls like they were so many eons ago by two sets of white paws. Resealing every crack that was taken, every scratch that had been made, patching every tapestry to perfection. Removing every mark made by a blade or arrow, from the surface of his face and deep down. All with a single brush of winter.
	Caught in such a trance, the dragon began purring loudly and uncontrollably. Once again nearly giving his weight to the bear while closing his eyes. Making out every fiber that banished eons away from his very being. Tracing it over his eyes, around his jaw, inbetween his snout, and feeling it sharpen his dulled fangs. Doing a bit of his horns and mane before stopping a bit. "Nalchulus?" Bartan asked softly, just getting a blissful noise in question that eventually opened those grey eyes. Following a single paw that held something.
	The red one held his breath, still a bit lost in the haze. Gazing at another dragon like looking into a past memory, a reflection that was once lost to him. Stolen by time itself. It would've been unbelievable if he couldn't make out the rest of his aged body still connected to that wyrm's face.
	His heart fluttered, almost wanting to whimper and cry in happiness. But was still too prideful in front of another person. Instead, trying to take a clumsy step forward to hug the white furball of a creature. Meeting him halfway with a chuckle and embracing his strange way of thanks. Giving a few licks that still restored escaped life from those scales and spines with the very touch before continuing.
	Those four paws worked on his armored neck, reversing the damage taken from deflecting countless near-deathblows. Scars and dents disappeared while several plates shifted back into their normal state, then freshly painted with the gloss of a newly hatched. This creature wasn't just simply removing time from his body, but giving everything a second chance. Any defects ever born into his body, removed and fixed to a near paragon status. Giving even the most simple of breaths to become much easier to manage.
	As the bear took a faint step back, the dragon almost followed. Hoping the white one wasn't done, and by his adoring chuckle, he was far from it. Just repositioning his paws and snout to work on the side of the red one's head while those white hands continued their work deep within the elder one. Licking around the jawbone to find any place he might have missed, until he got to the ears.
	Tattered and almost broken, they still fought against the tongue out of instinct. Trying to flick the red appendage away, as if not to notice it was fixing those frills with every soft lick. Even getting the dragon as a whole to almost growl at such affection, especially when said ear was caught by the Counterweight's fangs. Not biting hard, but almost playfully... Perhaps arousingly.
	Regardless, another growl and the white one let go. At least before working on the other ear. Nearly getting a warning growl before that tongue even made its complete journey to the other side. Not staying on it for too long after restoring the frilled appendage and the dragon's hearing to its full potential. Then taking a step or two back to once again look Nal in the eyes.
	The faded grey iris had been polished into a silver disc, nearly mirror-like to the point where Bartan could see his own reflection when looking hard enough. "Nal?" A faint noise in question, as if he were sleepy. "I'm going to start working on your back now. Which means I'm going to have to get behind you." A slow blink to confirm he understood. "After that, I will work on your underside. Which in turn, I would like to have a session. Do I have your permission?" That almost frightful look told the hexeped that the dragon was still conscious of his own decisions, not really knowing how to answer that. "If you don't want to be penetrated, that is fine. But I would like your consent if that is alright."
	A long stare in silence before he spoke up. "...Why?"
	"Why do I ask?" The white one repeated, seeing that blush return. "Because once I start restoring that part of you, I might not be able to help myself." A slow blink. "So I thought I would ask befor-"
	"Alright." Those brown eyes studied him to be completely sure, and the dragon nodded. "As long as you don't..." A nod from the white one that time, as he lead that red head down softly on the mattress. Giving it a few pets before walking up and laying down behind the elder one. Feeling that soft fur embrace his aged spine as if spooning the dragon before those paws went to work.
	Within moments that stiffness went away. The sluggish and tired muscles almost melted into a warm oil before being reformed into his young self. Even through the glowing nirvana he could sense it, just like his old tired memories. Even reaching a paw back to meet with another to grasp it with thanks. Getting a few friendly kisses from that muzzle before continuing to work on his shoulders and arms.
	Once those were done, he moved onto the wings. The joints still sensitive and almost frail from constant use, the opposite of the membranes. Though now aged and numb, much of them were tattered and torn from many battles had. It's a wonder the old dragon could gain enough lift with the several holes between the branches. All repaired with a single soft stroke as they continued down the dragon.
	It was the back the required most of the attention, having a constant set of paws tending deep within the old beast. Filtering out and removing so much scar tissue and old wounds that haunted the red one for so long. Even the white hind legs were working on that thick tail as the bear continued to climb down. Feeling him get closer towards those haunches and almost getting uncomfortable. Pondering what exactly the creature meant by Session.
	But the white one didn't go straight for those specific areas. Tending to the entire hips and back legs before nudging the red one to lay on his new back. Almost embarrassed by such a thing, let alone uncomfortable showing how stiff the supernatural massage got him. But those paws and muzzle only pressured harder. Eventually getting the dragon to cave in and reveal his black weapon.
	Aged and scarred, much like the rest of his previous body. But the Counterweight hardly looked at it, saving his studies until much later. Actually tending to the tail a bit more before climbing over the red one. Almost expecting another intruder to prod between those haunches, putting up his red paws just in case and planning how he would get out of a situation. Easier now that he wasn't bound in ice, but that could always change.
	But the white beast only resumed his work, starting with the dragon's collar and moving down. Feeling his old heart flutter while the furball rested on his new structure, now able to easily support such weight like his prime years. Those red paws, going from defense to embrace without even noticing it as he felt his entire body reach completion. All except for one area...
	A nervous swallow, but Nal already gave his consent to the white one. In exchange for what he always wanted, he would accept this price. Feeling that white muzzle kiss its way down the dragon's pelvis and around the erect weapon to ensure all of those areas were well taken care of. Then those middle paws slowly cupped what the white one eyed when he walked in the doorway. Exhaling a heated breath as soon as they made contact, and feeling a bit of a sting as everything inside the red sack was renewed.
	Then finally, the black draconic weapon. Chiseled with a few unnatural lines down the sides. Ones on par with some of the sheath wounds, possibly telling a story of a lucky shot with a blade or worse. Never being able to be healed normally, nor get enjoyment from the pain of being erect once again after such a thing sealed up. It was a wonder it didn't get any infections, but odds are with the faint traces of burn marks...
	It made sense now why the old one was so against sessions like this. Not only from the recent assault against his lower region, but the sheer pain it would normally bring him to even be ready. But that changed today, with one long lick of that red tongue, he started from the very base of the wound. Deep inside the flesh where cold steel sundered such a beautifully designed weapon. Bringing it back to its former elegance and welcomed with a soft kiss against its tip. One that got a few pleasant lick as well.
	The dragon almost hissed against such a touch, unable to recall the last time he could enjoy such a thing before that forced deformity. The black tower loving the admiration that the white beast was giving, and almost jerking for more. For him to go further and remind it what it meant to feel pleasure without that aching sting. As those claws dug deep into the bear's mane, they started to almost force him down the shaft with his maw.
	But Bartan resisted for a bit. Taking his time to really study the up-tipped flare and the spines that parted from it. Ones that reminded him of long frills, like dragon ears. Just a bit thicker and flexible. A few more licks and Nal let out a whimper. Pressing down harder, and attempting to thrust that black weapon inside. Teasing him a bit more, but enough was enough.
	Those jaws parted, finally obeying the desperate demands to just take it in. Feeling those paws press down until that black nose was against his sheath. Nearly regretting that action, whereas that tongue started painting those ridges. Exiling the breath out of the dragon's lungs as he struggled not to make too much noise.
	Lap after lap forced the intensity to rise drastically, until it was too much for the red one to handle. Stressing with a whispering roar, he squirted several jolts into that white muzzle. Feeling the tongue gather such a substance and varnish his tool with it before sliding his maw out and over that tower. Matching the speed with the dragon's breaths, almost playing him like a musical instrument.
	That pressure began to rise soon enough, increasing the pitch of the scaled one's whimpers. Streams of pre-release began to drip out of that white muzzle as those fangs carefully went over every spine. That tongue teasing the very sides and ridges when it came down to meet the red sheath with a brushing kiss. Pebbles of juices gathered together to form thick beads as they ventured down with the muzzle, traveling the pleasant journey over those sensitive divides and forcing the red one to squirm against the ticklish movement. Pushing Nal so close to the edge as he fought drastically to hold back.
	But he couldn't. The pressure was rising, the bliss overwhelmed him. And all he could do was tense his body, not even roar in warning as that black weapon thickened inside the bear's maw. Spraying a near eon's worth of repression into the Counterweight as a thick white seed. Feeling it escape between his lips until a red paw reached further down. Grasping the muzzle tightly against his weapon and barely hearing a surprised yelp from Bartan as he continued to swallow.
	Nearly a minute and a half of the dragon's orgasm, and it began to slow down. Though the straining feeling was still felt, it was like the red one just ran out. Just those last few jolts of liquid were passing, feeling the draconic claws begin to ease up their brance. Setting free the bear and collapsing to catch his breath.
	Those wounds stun, but were soon restored. Finally getting the feeling back in his body and recognizing that fur brushing up his chest, Nal opened his eyes and barely got out a yelp as Bartan pinned him down and kissed him. His muzzle still full of that white dragon seed and feeling it slip into his own, getting the sensation of sweetened cinnamon to dance along his tongue. Like a thick frosting that was very warm.
	He was too weak to fight against it, and was still in the effects of the Counterweight's spell. So for now, Nalchulus just accepted the gift. There was no pride to be harmed, no action provoking him or calling the red one frail. Just pure bliss and affection from that red tongue. One the dragon was not used to, but could learn to be.
	He gently lapped the inside of the red maw as he waited for Nal to recover. Even looking him in those silver eyes with a smile before touching noses and getting up. Thinking that the session was complete, the now younger looking dragon took a deep breath. Now that his chest was dismissed of that weight that is, until it came back. Only taking a step forward and squatting down, then a brush against his black weapon.
	The straining feelings were brushed away, and the red one's stamina was restored. Feeling the tip of his fleshy weapon begin prodding the forest of white, it was clear what the bear was asking for. Something Nal was fine with, but wanted on his own terms; grabbing the larger looking furball and start rolling it on the side of the pile of mattresses. Getting a playful yelp from Bartan as the dragon leaned over him.
	Taking a deep breath and stretching out his body, feeling so surreal that there wasn't a single ache detected. His lungs, able to take full breaths. His tail, able to curl up and slam against the concrete floor. And his wings, touching the ceiling and walls without so much as a flinch. He grabbed the forest of white and embraced it tightly in thanks, before forcing his weapon inside it. Getting both males to roar in pleasure.
	Normally, it would've been a stupid idea to attempt such a thing  without some foreplay. Nal was just thankful that his tool was already greased up from the muzzlejob. Feeling it slip inside nice and easy, a heated warmth that still felt like it was brushing against his sensitive flesh. Throbbing thickly and proudly against the teasing fibers.
	Every harsh thrust was him testing out his new body, throwing everything he had into it. From the tail flicking in the air, almost breaking the sound barrier like a whip, and slamming his haunches into the bear's rear. More thankful at the moment that Bartan was almost indestructible, meaning the red one could go all out. Grasping the white shoulders and sides with freshly sharpened claws. Biting into that thick mane with a powerful jaw, the strength able to crush diamonds into simple powder. And then muscles; bulging drastically, but not as much strength that the white one was used to.
	Still, it was enough to bite back out of instinct. Feeling the pain, and almost loving it, Nal barely even noticed the orange sprays underneath him. Constantly in focus of just ramming into the furball and rising that orgasm back to full. Every thrust was like filling a meter by a percent, slowly increasing the volume of an imaginary tank until it was overfilled. Feeling his weapon begin to leak out those spare juices as his insides were struggling to keep it all contained.
	All at once he felt himself go over the edge. Gaining an adrenaline rush to thrust into the white one at double speed, spraying several torrents in the process before one final full body one that pushed the two up the pile a bit more. Grasping the furry coat tightly as his weapon went to work; spraying that thick seed into the equally white bear with every ounce of energy and pent up aggression the dragon had.
	The torrents began fighting against a pressure that started inside, as the two whimpered loudly against it. Soon after, Nal began to feel a bulge under him as the Counterweight took shallow grunt and breaths. Every thick jet that was released from his black tower pressed against the bear's belly, getting it harder and harder for the dragon to continue releasing inside him. Getting another series of orange sprays as well, as the dragon was drained completely empty.
	Nearly collapsing onto the living pillow, Nal attempted to pull himself out of the bear. Taking a few tries, but eventually his weapon gave way. Allowing the two to officially rest and regain some energy spent. Not expecting the white one to still cuddle with him, let alone go after his ears with that tongue. A few growls of annoyance and Bartan stopped.
	A few minutes of rest and a strange look was shown in those silver eyes, making the bear release a noise in question. "...Why?" Two of those four ears perked. "Why do this for me...?"
	"For you?" He questioned, but not coldly. "I did this because I love my husband. I did this because I don't want him to feel hurt." That odd look didn't release, but saddened slightly. "What Beo does sometimes... He still acts like the dragon he once was. Especially around you and Raccel." A white paw on his red one. "That doesn't excuse what he has done to you, but it also doesn't completely make up for what you did to him." Bartan leaned in closer. "I'm tired of this feud. And I will not allow you two to hold a grudge. Whether you consider forgiving him or not, I will tell him that you did."
	"Because you love him." The dragon mumbled, getting a nod and a slow blink. Those eye trailing off the forest of white and into space for a few moments as the Counterweight got up. Heading towards the door without another word. "Bartan." He looked behind as their eyes met. "...Thank you." A nod as if to say You're Welcome, as he opened the door. "And I will... If he forgives me."
	"He already has." A sad smile traced over that white muzzle as he left the dragon to his slumber. Walking down the hallway to meet a clearly uncomfortable tirix still enjoying his tea, the two caught glances as if to question. "He'll be fine."
	"You got him to talk?"
	"Yes. You could say he's a new dragon now." Bartan smiled, walking past and catching the reflection of Raccel unable to look at the new weight the bear was currently carrying. Trying to make complete sense of what he heard from afar and only spading his ears with shyness. "But give him a few hours, Nal's a bit tuckered out."

Chapter 4
------
	Another heavy shock that his body was trying to ignore. Feeling so weak that he couldn't even make a noise besides a few shallow breaths. "Beo, I know you're afraid, but I need you to do it." The bear said, trying to comfort him. "Just a little, alright?" A cough, and then a deep breath that gave him a bit more energy. Then another. "Good, keep doing that while I attempt to fix this."
	"...Did it..." A cough and a groan of pain. "Work...?"
	Bartan stayed quiet for a bit, but stroked him in comfort. "...There was a significant amount of reduced damage, but..." Almost a breath of relief from the brass one. "You starved yourself to death, didn't you?"
	"Seemed like a good idea at the time..." Beo half joked, growling at the pain while taking a bit more feed.
	"But it's horrible for your body-"
	"It's better for them..." A sad look and the white one hugged him tightly. Getting the dragon to eventually pull the counterweight over so they could embrace each other. "If most of them survived, it was worth it."
	"It's not worth you living in famine... You can take a little."
	"Only to crave more." A defeated sigh from the white one as they just enjoyed their company.
------

	The brass behemoth was resting in the fields, collecting the sun's warmth while lounging on the dried grass. Not really feeling the effects of being overheated, possibly due to how reflective his scales were. Almost sending signal lights in all directions for anyone to spot the titan.
	But he wasn't trying to hide or avoid detection. The dragon was just tired of the smoggy smells that seemed to cloud the more populated areas. And those smells brought back painful memories he really didn't want to relive. Instead, he was just trying to relax. Not really getting any sense of direction, just not wanting to feel famished again.
	But the dried meadow did come with its flaws. Many of the animals a bit farther out, especially birds, were rather noisy. Their constant chirping almost ruining Beo's vacation, as well as a strange feeling of a nearby presence. Nothing threatening, but almost ignoring the massive creature for reasons unknown. Almost irritating him by instinct and listening into some random gibberish his filled ears were picking up.
	"Excuse me, sir!" The voice from far away addressed something nearby it. "Would you like to sign a petition to get the heavy yellow thing off my house?" It even made the dragon make a noise in question, but not look towards it. "I'm looking for at least 255 signatures to convince it to leave, and I've only gotten three so far." Heavy Yellow Thing? Granted, the large one was covering quite a bit of space. It wasn't so farfetched that he was laying on someone's habitat. But he didn't feel anything out of the ordinary under him.
	A few faint grunts were barely heard after. "You will? Thank you, kind sir! I just need you to sign here... And here. Initials here... And the date. It's the 23rd." A few more grunts got the dragon's attention, looking over at a strange man talking to a wild rabbit. "That will do! Thank you once again!" And the animal scurried off. Seeing a red haired human with shades and modern clothing make eye contact with the brass one. Getting Beo to curse under his breath. "You sir!"
	The dragon curled his neck as the strange man walked towards him. "Me?"
	"Yes! Would you like to sign a petition to get the heavy yellow thing off my house?" A very slow head tilt from him, as the human showed him a sheet of paper on a clipboard with several dozen paw prints on it, and a series of unintelligible scribbles. Tilting the clipboard for the dragon to read easier. "I'm looking for at least 255 signatures-"
	"To convince me to move?" The man gasped.
	"It's like you can read minds! -Wait, You?" The red one asked rather seriously. "Why would I want you to move?"
	"Because..." He motioned for Beo to go on. "I'm laying on your house...?"
	"You are? I could've sworn I lived over there." Again, he seriously said. Pointing a bit further down and confusing the dragon even more. Not seeing anything yellow or large in the empty space. Let alone a home.
	"...Where?"
	"Just down there a bit. Come, I'll show you!" He started marching and humming a tune, leaving the brass one a bit dumbfounded. Yet, curious. Enough to get up and follow him to a flattened cardboard box laying in the middle of the grass, with a single dandelion in the center of it. "See?"
	"There's a flower on it." Beo half grumbled, getting his ears to flatten against his head.
	"Yes. Yes there is."
	"Flowers aren't large."
	"I didn't say it was large. I said it was heavy."
	"Flowers aren't heavy either." He half hissed.
	"But this one is. Hence the petition." A few moments of irritated staring and the man shrugged. "You want to try to move it? I'd appreciated the help. My stamp collection is in there."
	"...Stamps?" A near excited nod and the large one sighed. Taking a paw and flicked the flower off the box, but it didn't move. Another attempt, and the plant remained. Grabbing the flower, the man interrupted him. "Ah-ah-ah." An angry stare in question. "Lift with the legs."
	His ear flickered, both puzzled and in disbelief, but tossed his muzzle regardless. Getting into position, he used his full body to start lifting a single cut dandelion off the box. Or would have, if it even moved. Getting the dragon to growl in anger and try again. This time using both paws and not playing around. His muscles bulged through his brass scales and nearly roared as he lifted the tiny plant up about a foot and tossed it off to the side. Landing with a heavy earthquake.
	The man cheered as he scooped up his box and looked inside the folds. "Awwh, he ransacked it. Oh well. Looks like I'll have to find a new place." He looked at the dragon who was still a bit shocked at the crater the flower made, double taking when he caught the stare. "Where do you live?"
	"...How?"
	"-Do we get there? You tell me. I mean, I guess I could lead the way, but it might take us a while." A blank stare from those green eyes. "Me leading the way; it is!" And he started marching away from the clearly puzzled dragon. Not noticing his questionable stare that didn't let off until the ground started shaking violently.
	From where the flower landed sprouted a colossal mutated one with a set of jaws, hissing loudly at the brass one that braced in defense. Snapping to bite at him, but missing as Beo jumped back out of range. Still slightly stunned at the surrealism to act to respond otherwise. Hearing the monstrous plant roar at the dragon as he prepared to strike back with a concussive blast, however was interrupted by the clipboard being thrown into his field of vision.
	The flying object collided with the mutated flower and exploded into a series of colorful fireworks and sunflower seeds. Once again leaving the brass one speechless for a moment before looking at the man once again. "Huh. Apparently I only needed four signatures. Go figure." The two looked at each other for a bit in confusion. "Anyway! Coming?"
	A long silence as the puzzled stare didn't let up. "...How-?"
	"-Skittle button." A head tilt.
	"...What-?"
	"Huh?" A rather serious question got the dragon to look back and forth at the many strange areas. "Did you lose your contact lens?"
	"My what?"
	"You know, for your eyeballs." His head tilted the other way. "It allows you to see. Can also make your eyeballs glow in the dark, but we don't talk about that. Too many adventurers with arrows and slingshots." Beo remained quiet for a long bit, wondering if he was somehow dreaming. But unless he was powerlifting in his sleep while being sprayed with sunflower seeds, it wouldn't make any sense. Granted, none of this did. "I take that as a no?"
	"Hmm? Oh... No. I didn't lose..."
	"Anything but your words. I've been there. Still haven't found that dictionary. Such a shame." A few slow blinks. "It was written by a pterodactyl, and started everything in the T section with PT instead. If anyone gets a hold of it, they'll never know that it's spelled wrong! And that fish ain't tight, yo!"
	"...Did..." Beo started, looking around for a moment. "Did you hit your head or something...?"
	"Nope. Just naturally a conehead." Another blank, but more curious stare. "So! Coming? Be hard to find a new home alone." The brass one looked back to where he was sleeping before, then back at the human.
	"...Sure. But what do I call you?"
	"Hmm... My Secret Identity is the Caped Catfish, but you can call me Dehoken." The red haired man said, leading the way into the field. "But don't tell anybody! I'm only telling you because you nearly got eaten by a radioactive eggplant."
	"Eggplant...?" He couldn't help but look back at it. "I don't think that was an eggplant."
	"No? Stapler?"
	"What's a stapler?"
	"The worst thing you've ever seen. Apparently they're illegal in Colorado, who knew?" The dragon raised an eyebrow. "What about you?"
	"Me...? I'm-"
		"-WAIT!" The large one completely stopped mid step as Dehoken whispered to him. "Before you tell me, you need to answer me one very important personal question..." A long silence as the brass one listened. Studying the man to the point where his green eyes could be seen folding out in large black pupils through those sunglasses.
	"Wh-?"
	"What color is your toothbrush?"
	"...I-"
	"This question is important. If it's yellow, then don't even talk to me." His ears lowered a bit. "You need to speak softly in whispers instead. Also in haiku."
	"I..." He started, almost expecting the strange man to interrupt him. "Don't have a toothbrush."
	"...Really?" Dehoken seriously asked, very surprised. "Huh! You're the first acorn I've seen that doesn't have one!" Once again, the statement was lost to the dragon. "They're all the rage these days. You're not waggling it until you've got one." He leaned to the side to whisper to the dragon, blocking the other side of his mouth with his hand. Then stretching his lips to Beo's other ear. "That's what all the kids are calling it these days."
	"Calling what?" He asked, watching the hovering mouth as it snapped back onto the man's face. Then he shrugged before walking into a large rock. "You okay?"
	"-I'm okay."
	"...How much can you actually see in those sunglasses?"
	"What sunglasses?" A blank stare at the serious question. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
	"That might actually answer my question then."

	Several hours later, and Beo was still nowhere's close to an actual answer. Yet, that didn't bother him... Much. "Then the doctor told me that BOTH my eyes were lazy! And that's why it was the best summer ever." Dehoken finished his story to a clearly lost dragon as they came up a hilltop.
	"And that's why you're wearing sunglasses?"
	"Sun-what-now?" A slightly irritating groan from the metallic beast. "Oh these things? A man with very nice teeth gave them to me. Said they gave off magical powers around kittens." A toss of his snout at the excuse.
	"Sadly, that's a rather normal thing, coming from your maw."
	"You know my mother?" The serious question made the dragon stop and cover his eyes with a paw. "Oh look. Civilization." He stopped and looked over the distance, seeing a town rather nearby and giving a bit of a worried look. "I know that expression..." Those green eyes met those shades, and the man pointed off to the other side of the dragon. Following it rather quickly to see three outhouses; one for males, females, and a ridiculously large one for dragons. "I'll wait here." Dehoken whispered.
	"What? N-no. I don't need to..." A grunt of discomfort. "I just... Don't want to go near something like that right now."
	"I'm sure they're clean-"
	"Not what I was talking about." He grumbled rather quickly.
	"You mean the town? Why not?" A worried expression painted over Beo's face as he looked it over. "They might have an RC Cola machine."
	"A what?"
	"Only the most mediocre carbonated beverage ever!" A few slow blinks. "You have to try it to believe me."
	"But..." Beo took a breath. "Dehoken... It's not safe for me to be there. It's not safe for anyone, including you." The man tilted his head like the dragon did from time to time. "It's a long story-"
	"Does it have anything to do with Hippo-Eating Spiders?" A double take that was getting less and less surprised.
	"N-no."
	"Then do tell. Last time I was told a story in an upcoming storm, it was raining those things. Worst Tuesday Ever." A few blinks from the large one and the man overdramatically motioned for Beo to continue. "Go on."
	"Dehoken... I'm... Not what I look like." He mumbled, feeling that strange gaze of being studied from afar. "I'm something called a Terrasque."
	"You mean a French Dragon-Chimera?"
	"I don't know... I'm not really sure what it actually looks like."
	"But you are one, so wouldn't it look like you?" A heavy breath in defeat from the brass one, and the human could tell something was wrong. Especially after the dragon closed his eyes and looked away, like he was struggling to keep himself composed. "You're... Afraid of it?"
	"...Terrified. And from what me and my husband can tell, it feeds off of negativity... 'Eating' too much..."
	"Will result in the devastation of the world around you." A faint nod and he took a deep breath. Feeling a hand on his arm that was a bit... Strange. Reminding him of the white bear, enough to look back at his new friend and see him in a strange silver-white wolf form. Getting the dragon to curl his neck. "I know what it's like." Dehoken said seriously, traveling in a different direction. Away from the town and motioning Beo to follow.

Chapter 5

	The two scanned the computers in the dark room for what felt like dozens of minutes. Trying to find anything they could that wasn't specifically a date. All while the three behind the black tirix half argued among themselves. "All I'm saying is, odds are they wouldn't know the 1st by name. There shouldn't be any record or data based on that." The orange one said, getting a snout toss from Rixxix.
	"Yeah, searching for intruders didn't work out so well. If you don't recall."
	"Actually, there were several detections-" The brown one started.
	"Which could've been anybody. Considering how scavenged this place is, it wouldn't surprise me that they were just vultures."
	"Guys... Please..." October whimpered, getting a reaction from the cheetah on the other side.
	"Still nothing?" The smaller black one shook his head. "Nothing much here. Hard to get any data when the scanning sources were turned off." A breath from each of them.
	"I just don't know why he would come out here. The headquarters I could understand, but an abandoned Hive?"
	"HQ would've been too easy, hence why Bartan suggested it before-"
	"Oh, that is just a name I really wish I didn't hear again." A mechanical voice grumbled harshly, startling both males into defensive stances. But they didn't detect any presences nearby. "But if you came from the bear, then I suppose I understand why you're in one of my Hives, let alone on my network."
	"Network?" October asked, seeing a faint red light that wasn't on before. One in the middle of the switchboards and carefully approached it. "You're the AI system?"
	"Arkist, yes. And I'd file you under trespassers, but it is difficult to trespass in an area that has been disqualified. And, you're not worth my time."
	"Yet enough to make contact." Hatchet muttered, getting a bit more relaxed.
	"Only out of curiosity than anything. Usually people look for more materialistic valuables rather than digital ones."
	"We're just trying to follow someone's tracks is all." October said in a more peaceful manner.
	"Let me guess: tall. Black. Forcefully demanding like he has some daddy issues?"
	"That's too good of a guess. Means we're on the right track."
	"Were, Spots. You clearly don't know how long it's been since that encounter. You're basically just wasting your time, and mine."
	"What did he ask about?" The cheetah growled.
	"I see he wasn't the only one with daddy issues."
	"You mentioned Bartan." October interrupted them. "Did you know our father?"
	"I've met with the furball several times, yes. Can't say I'm fond of such meetings."
	"Someone that doesn't like the bear, surprising." Hatchet grumbled sarcastically.
	"Is that what the 1st asked about? Bartan?" A strange feeling of being studied fell over the black tirix.
	"What if he did? What if the little rodent was just looking for a biscuit recipe?"
	"Rodent...?" The white one interrupted again, overlooking his half-brother and making him a bit uncomfortable. "I always thought they were more like... Cat-Dogs."
	"You misunderstand. Everything looks like vermin to me, in one way or another." Ark got a bit of a growl.
	"All we're trying to do is find the 1st and stop him-"
	"From doing what, exactly?" A moment of pause from October. "If he were to get dirt on that overgrown cottonball, what would be in it for me? You've already established that I dislike that bear, for him to meet an end in some way and tell you about it would only sabotage such a plan." A sarcastic gasp. "Oops."
	"He wouldn't try to end Bartan, he's too valuable to lose."
	"Perhaps in a level mindset, you might be onto something Spots. However, this one looks awfully familiar to this '1st'. Aside from the fact they tend to have the same twitching ears." A bit of a worried look from the younger one. "I've witnessed a lot of mind games, pawns. A few constant whispers can alter the reality of the mind far better than simple manipulation. Of course, often leading into insanity."
	"He can't kill a Counterweight. You're misdirecting us."
	"Who says the rodent has to be the finishing blow? The lives of a Counterweight can end just as easily as everything else, providing you find the right dagger for their heart." The two males looked at each other. "I see gears turning..."
	"Don't believe it, October. It doesn't add up."
	"Yet it's the only lead you have." A detestful stare from the Cheetah. "If you're here, you must be scraping the bottom of the barrel." Another worried look from the tirix as the machine chuckled. "The emotional ones are so easy."
	"Don't listen to it. We're leaving." Hatchet growled, making his way to the door and almost tugging his brother to follow.
	"Tell me, one-with-the-stupid-hair. How often have those whispers convinced you to do something-?" A half-roar from the white one as a thick blade slashed through the console. Sending sparks jolting for several moments and making the black one yelp a bit.
	"H-Hatchet?"
	"I've already lost one..." He whispered harshly. "I won't lose another." A thick stare from those red feline eyes. "Understand?" An intimidated shaky nod from the younger one.
	"Too Late..." The last words of Ark came through as the last bit of power was soaked up. Getting the two to stare at it for a moment, and the cheetah left. The tirix soon following, but now a bit shaken.

	The tears and stings of ash forced him to cough awake, doing his best to expel such a horrible thing from his mouth and eyes. That clenched throat never felt so dry in his lifetime, as it struggled to do anything else but cough onto the field of soot and dead grass. Finally able to see after about nearly a minute, he didn't recognize where he was. Let alone, the burning city in the background.
	Almost crying out into the air, his eyes barely caught sight of something white. What he could only describe as muscular werewolf, standing upright and towering over the young boy. Making him whimper as he locked onto those cold silver eyes, as it studied the naked human with a near expressionless face. Not angry, not curious.
	At first, he thought it was a statue, but the heated breeze did make that white fur flow a bit. Sending shimmers of silver like it was made out of metal. "W-...Where am I?" The boy finally got the courage to speak, but didn't get a response. "Where's my mom?"
	For a long bit, the creature didn't speak. Just stood there, arms crossed and never blinking. "Your parents are dead." It said, almost without remorse. Though, not with enjoyment either. "Your friends, family. Everyone who ever existed on this planet before this; dead." A whimper from the smaller one.
	"W-what...?"
	"You killed them." A horrible fear was caught in his throat, unable to process the sheer thought of it. "You transformed into a Weapon and cleansed the surface of the planet, as you were told." A cough as the young one started to cry. Instantly getting those spaded wolf ears to point backwards. "Doing that will not bring them back. Let alone, will spend your body's limited resources."
	"B-but..." A few sobs still came out. "What are you-?"
	"I'm here to end your life." That fear once again. "Usually, the Weapon slumbers within the planet. But for some reason, it chose you." That look didn't let up. "I've never seen that before." A long silence as the young boy sobbed a bit, whimpering loudly when the wolf took a step forward. "You remember it."
	"What-?"
	"That power. You remember it. Could feel it, can still even." Another few moments of study and it turned around. "Come with me."
	"Why-"
	"I'm only giving you this choice once. Either come with me and possibly live, or I can end your existence now." A cold stare from those near lifeless eyes. "If you try to escape, you will die out there. You're not worth pursuing, but you cannot survive in a dead world."

	"That boy was...?" The brass dragon studied the now wolfish person on the other side of the campfire. Though, fake and just blowing transparent plastic orange flames over a fan, it was still giving out warmth like it was real. "Who was...?"
	"That... Wolf-thing was a creature named Xion." Beo's ears perked. "He was a Living Outbreak, which is-"
	"An overpowered adrenaline rush." A puzzled look from the white one. "And... I know that name. My husband mentioned him before. And you..." Those green eyes looked around in thought. "You were from Veritas, right?"
	"You know about Veritas?"
	"Not a lot, but Bartan has talked quite a bit about it, let alone the events there."
	"Who?"
	"My husband." An awkward silence. "He's a Counterweight. Along with our wife, Arson-"
	"I know her!" Dehoken almost chirped. "Me and her go way back." It made the dragon smile for a few moments.
	"Can I ask..." A noise in question. "What's with the... Fur coat?" The brass one asked a bit shyly, seeing the white one literally look at his black jacket.
	"It's polyester, I think."
	"N-not what I'm talking about..." Another head tilt from the canine. "You look like a..."
	"O-oh. It happens almost on instinct now that I hardly notice it." His frilled ears perked in question. "Xion... Trained me. To control myself, and do many things with my destructive nature. He wasn't cruel, but he was strict. And he didn't like my more... Human form, if you can even call me that anymore."
	A nod in understanding, and a motion for him to go on. "One of the very first things he taught me was how to shapeshift, more or less into this. He..." A chuckle. "He did not have any sense of humor, and whenever I addressed him, I needed to look like him."
	"...Why?"
	"I think it was a sign of respect, to attempt to look like the one that's taken you in. Almost as if I were his... Son." A sad look from those green eyes. "Ever since then, everytime I've been or felt rather serious..." He gestured the furry look.
	"To the point where it's natural instinct." A nod. "But you learned to control yourself. To keep yourself from becoming that monster, right?"
	"That's... Complicated." A noise in question. "Beo... You can place a barrier between you and it, but you are that monster. That's just something you need to accept." It made his heart sink a little bit. "The longer you distance yourself away from it, the harder it is going to be to accept it. That doesn't mean you have to be Evil... Or Destructive." A heavy breath from the larger one. "The truth is always painful and ugly, no matter which way you look at it. But that doesn't make the world around it that way."
	"What do you mean?"
	"During my training with Xion, he would often ask many questions that I swear were rhetorical. Why was I training with him? What did I want out of this? Why did I choose to live?" Another sad look from those green eyes. "Yes, he expected an answer out of those. Often enough, they were answer that he didn't approve of, and he would let you know. Again, he wasn't cruel, but he wasn't... Supportive of bad decisions, I guess would be the best way to put it."
	"Bad Decisions...?"
	"Training to protect other people, when you can't protect them from themselves. To attempt to fight a monster that was pure Instinct. Perhaps control would've been a better word. But why I chose to live? That one I could never figure out, aside from the idea of being afraid of dying." A slow blink. "But I eventually figured out those answers. Again, not without his disapproval, but..." Another chuckle.
	"And they were?" A faint shrug from the wolf.
	"To make people laugh. To brighten the days of those around you. Some of them get frustrated with my humor, but that's an issue with them. I do what I can to make people happy, and I'm happy with that. If I'm happy with myself, I can be happy about what I've become. About what I am."
	"...What are you?"

Chapter 6

	The brass behemoth purred himself awake. Snuggling up against something rather fuzzy that he missed dearly. Squeezing it in one of his famous hugs, it omitted a loud squeak in his arms, bringing him back to reality. In a field where the one he missed was not present. But what was he holding then?
	His eyes slowly opened to get used to the sunlight, barely making out something rather white in his arms. Soft, yes, but not as soft as he was used to. A few more moments and he could make out a bear muzzle, but one that looked like a stuffed animal. Makeshift, and slightly crude, but it was a rather charming attempt at his mate. Even life-sized too... To a degree.
	Though it did make his heart sink a bit, missing that furball, this wasn't a bad replacement. Definitely enough to almost feel like home, and enough to slumber with for a bit longer. Repositioning himself  away from the glaring sunlight, the brass dragon went back to sleep until it once again woke him up... After a bit of grumbling.
	Looking over his surroundings of forestry and fields, he couldn't find any signs of Dehoken. Getting up and stretching out a bit, his ears picked up some music off in the distance. Turning a corner revealed a twenty foot neon sign that read "The Forehead Smack" and pointed into the ground nearby. Getting a chuckle from the dragon, recognizing the reference of his Mentor often face palming many of the wizard's strange ideas.
	But still, there was no building around to see where this 'pub' was. Though the music could still be heard at a distance, the brass one began exploring still. Coming up to a jar of mints and another sign saying "Prenez Un," a language that was foreign to the dragon. Regardless, he took one and struggled with the packaging for a bit. Tossing it into his maw and getting the strange flavor of peppered eggs.
	But aside from that, nothing happened. Even after waiting around for a few moments. A shrug from those red wings, and Beo continued down the vague path. Starting to notice that the grass was getting thicker and the trees taller, or at least it seemed. After a careful study of his surroundings, it was the dragon that was getting smaller.
	Half a yelp, he took a few steps backwards, only to see the process reverse. The further away he moved from the music, the larger he became. Even exceeding his own size after a bit of experimenting. Though disliking the idea of being small, he wanted to find Dehoken and see what trouble the man was causing. If he could even be considered a Man anymore.
	Pushing forwards, past the point where the grass towered over the dragon, he was starting to get worried. But eventually came up to a small building, one just big enough for the dragon to fit through easily. Labeled "The Forehead Smack" and having a neon animation of the white wolf putting a paw over his eyes from time to time.
	Though it took some effort, Beo squeezed through the doorway. Only to feel gravity and the floor take a right angle downward and nearly get the brass one to trip, let alone brace his surroundings a bit. Witnessing several Dehokens eating and talking with one another, with one on the other side of the bar. Back turned and tending to some breakfast cooking. Though it was a bit odd, the dragon was learning to see the charm and humor of it all and making a smile spread across his muzzle as he walked to the wooden divider.
	Leaning over the bar, he gave the cook a nuzzle while purring. Only to see him flip around and slap that brass muzzle with a spatula with a loud and painful Smack! Making the dragon yelp loudly in surprise and hold the stinging area. "No Licking!" The wizard shouted at him.
	"I wasn't licking you!" He hissed, more at the pain than anything. "I was just...!"
	"You were thinking about it. Let alone, doing it in your sleep."
	"No I wasn't." The brass one grumbled. "I'm not a sleep-licker."
	"Then how do you explain THIS!?" Dehoken ripped off his apron, jacket, and shirt all at once. Revealing his torso completely red with raw and causing everyone in the bar to gasp loudly. Even one person to scream until they fainted. All looking at the cook in horror until he zipped up the damage done to his clothing, then immediately going back to their conversations like nothing happened.
	"You sure you didn't go on the Slip & Slide too much again?" Beo snorted.
	"Don't you try to blame this on Wham-O! It's why I gave you the cuddle buddy. You can sleep with that from now on."
	"Cuddle buddy?" He curled his neck, then remembered the stuffed animal version of his husband. "O-oh... That..."
	"You paused for a minute there." The man stared the dragon down, seeing those ears blush. "Why."

	The screen then flashed quickly back to Beo's previous resting spot, where a very unhappy looking stuffed Bartan was... Well, 'Stuffed' in the rear with a large amount of blue liquids. Looking rather bloated and misshaped before flashing back to the bar.

	Dehoken gave off his most shocked frowning face as the dragon whimpered. His frilled ears hanging low. "I didn't know what it was for, and it's been a while since-" Another slap on the muzzle with a spatula made him help loudly.
	"That's the last time I give you a stuffed animal of your six-legged furball."
	"Can I have one?" A random Dehoken asked in the background, only to get a threatening point of the anti-muzzle weapon.
	"Not Until You Give Me Your Sneeze!!" The cook yelled, only to then completely change into a cheerful tone. "So, what will you have?"
	"Have...?" Beo looked over the menus and felt a little uncomfortable. "I don't think I should-" A threatening point from the utensil again made him whimper.
	"You're hungry, and you should be eating. I haven't seen you take a bite out of anything since we met, and your stomach has been more talkative than you are." Another embarrassed look from the dragon and the man sighed, half frustrated. "You've got to be kidding me."

	Another flashback to the over-stuffed Bartan to see several fang marks on the back of his neck. Once again, blue liquids were basically pouring through it.

	"It's technically a bite." Beo rubbed the back of his neck.
	"Did you just... Replace the entire stuffing with your own...!?"
	"N-not intentionally. I'm not really sure what it was, but it felt like cotton candy." A long silence fell over the bar as all the eyeballs were looking over the brass dragon. Probably on the verge of becoming completely purple.
	"...How would you know that?" An embarrassed whimper and Dehoken covered his eyes while taking a breath. "Moving on, I'm cooking you something and forcing you to eat it. What do you feel like?"
	A sad look from the brass one. "I really..." Another threat of the spatula. "Don't know-"
	"I make a mean Slapjack. Want a shortstack of those?" A shrug from those red wings, but the brass one nodded regardless. Taking a breath and looking around, never noticing how weak he felt until the wizard mentioned how often Beo's been starving himself. 
	His mind wandered off into thought and remorse. Really missing his new family, but unable to survive in that environment for very long. And the places he could survive in, outside of places were still somewhat toxic to him. Granted, the sorrow look was interrupted by a stack of pancakes that were placed in front of the dragon. Looking at its syrupy goodness reminded him of the first time the bear showed Beo such a meal.
	But that memory was interrupted by the pancake speaking. "Oh Wows. Looks what we has heres. An Overgrowns Yellow-Bellied Lizards that thinks it cans stands up tos the big stacks!" It made the dragon curl his neck at it. "Yous got a lot of nerve to come arounds this place."
	"...I'm brass, not yellow." He grumbled back.
	"Same difference."
	"They're two entirely different colors. One's even specifically metallic."
	"Alls brass' is is a dirty gold!" That one made the larger one growl.
	"Beo, stop talking to your food."
	"He started it!" The dragon hissed.
	"Awwwhs, the little lizard's throwing a hissy fit." Another growl at the shortstack. "You wants a piece of me, tough guy? Comes and gets it-NO! NOTS LITERALLY-!"

	The black tirix was trotting through the hallways with his other companions, looking around for a specific blue gerbil for information among the busy pacing of others within. "Something doesn't feel right." The orange one beside him almost whispered, like the other people could hear them.
	"I concur, it's more busy than usual and they're trying to hide something." Ryoko's statement worried October. Giving him a sad look while watching out for others.
	"I just need to find Lillith or Hatchet. But I have the feeling I won't find him here." The youngest one whispered, this time catching the ears of other people but didn't get attention aside from that.
	"You could always call her." Rixxix, the other black one, suggested.
	"Only to perhaps disturb her or keep Lillian from her work." Deago said. "And that's if you can get an answer."
	"Perhaps Rixxix is onto something." The brown one said, getting the others to stop and look at him. "Set your UCD [Universal Communications Device] to track hers. No one's disturbed or interrupted this way." The younger one looked at the other two for their opinions and they shrugged, but nodded. Of course, what the AI said to him a few days ago still ringed in his head, he set the device and started following its instructions.
	"You're worried again." The orange one almost whispered again. Getting October to sigh.
	"Should he not be? I mean, the talking switchboard-"
	"Arkist." The other three interrupted Rixxix, getting him to toss his snout.
	"Talking Switchboard." He grumblingly ignored them. "Basically said we're manipulating him."
	"We're not forcing him to do anything." Deago stated a bit thickly.
	"Actually-"
	"We're not." Another thick statement that silenced the brown one a bit. "We're only here to give our opinions."
	"That's an understatement if I ever heard one." The larger black one almost challenged the orange, getting a glare from him. "Me and Ryoko, sure. Limited to Opinions. You on the other hand are basically carrying his strings." A growl.
	"You are a bit forceful on your suggestions, Deago." That glare moved over to the brown tirix, but he didn't seem intimidated. "That can't be overlooked."
	"That's because I'm morally correct. I know what's right-"
	"Sounds like a Dictatorship to me." Another growl at Rixxix.
	"We certainly can't leave someone like you in charge." The orange one growled at the larger black one. Leaving October with an uncomfortable feeling while leading the way.
	"Why not?"
	"Because you murder people! You leave them to die!"
	"And? A general needs to feed their soldiers from time to time-"
	"Those serpents are not Soldiers! They're savage, unreliable-!"
	"Well maybe they would be a bit more reliable if they got some fresh air sometime, hmm? Just a thought." Rixxix snorted.
	"Stop! Please!" The younger one roared at them, causing everyone in the hallway to halt for a moment. Staring at the feral tirix just holding a paw over his eyes and taking a breath of frustration. After a bit, they continued on, but the tension still didn't release off October's shoulders.
	"This is probably what Ark was hoping for." Ryoko said to the others, trying to comfort the younger one. "Your arguments will only cause stress on his psyche, which in turn will only lead to mistakes." The other two took a breath but didn't respond. "Come, Lillian should be up ahead." Another breath from the smaller black tirix before carrying on.

	They found the blue gerbil in the same old hoodie along with Hatchet, who seemed to be getting ready for another mission. Seeing the female greet October from afar, but he could tell she was somewhat worried. Or even just having a bad conversation with the white one. "Where are you off to?" The feral one asked, getting a common stoic, yet serious look from those red eyes.
	"Another job." He responded, donning two of those strange longswords to his belt. Oddly wide to the point of axes, but halfway down the blade they created a gap that acted like a hook of sorts.
	"We just got back from the last one-"
	"Well, NK#694 isn't going to defend itself." Those black ears perked, not knowing the area. Then he looked over to Lillith for an explanation.
	"It's being assaulted by Unborn. The walls were completely shredded."
	"That..." The black one started. "We can't do anything against that. If the cuts are too big, the only thing we can do is quarantine the area. Why would-"
	"Because the 1st has been detected there." Another worried look from those orange eyes. "It's why I didn't tell you."
	"Because you don't think I can handle it-?"
	"Outside of simulations, you haven't seen an Unborn." Hatchet almost growled at him. "To bring you in this area would be suicide." A quiet moment, and the black one exhaled a heated breath. Going towards his own locker and getting a few things while getting that growl the feline held back earlier. "No-"
	"You're not going alone." The younger half-brother almost hissed. "And Bartan doesn't want you running solo anymore." An intense staring match. "I have greater perception than you do-"
	"But worse reflexes-"
	"Then I'll keep on Layronix. Or even SyeRen, she's faced them before." The cheetah's ears went back. "If the 1st is there, you'll need my help bringing him in." A long silence. "I'm not a rookie at this, I know what I'm doing and what I'm up against. And so do they." He motioned towards the other tirix', who were not visible to the others. Finally getting a sigh from Hatchet.
	"...We leave in Ten. If things get dicey, you Recall back to base. Understood?"
	"Only if you do." Another angry stare. "Even if it's escaping into Oblivion, don't fight this on your own. You don't need to."

Chapter 7

	The screeching and cries of pain were sounds of nightmares into the dark night. One almost showing off the horror of a massive wound that painted the sky. The tirix had seen many photos of such things before, but it was still surreal to see it with his own eyes. Really noticing a strange 3D effect to it that the pictures couldn't quite capture.
	Along with that, there was something strange within the darkness of the tear. An odd shape that he couldn't quite make out, but once in a while catch a glimpse of red. Perhaps a bit of fur of something that dared to enter such a terrifying place. Regardless, the tirix knew of the result of such things before he could discuss it with his half-brother.
	The cheetah's eyes showed no fear, something October almost envied at that moment, as they came up to the edge of a city. Following the constant traces of their devices, trying to track down their lost comrade. "This feels like a trap." The black one finally spoke.
	"I know it does. But he wouldn't do that." A look from those orange eyes told Hatchet that the younger one wasn't so sure. "He's too smart for it. He knows it wouldn't work."
	"Then why be here? It doesn't seem like he's trying to hide."
	"Perhaps the 1st is trying to show us something. Warn us about..." Another sad look was felt as the white one looked away from his brother.
	"You don't... Believe what Ark was saying, do you?" A breath from the feline.
	"...No." The quiet moment was interrupted by another cry of pain, getting the two to look at each other. "Do it." The younger one curled his neck in question. "We're not engaging until you're protected." A bit of a sigh, and the tirix nodded.
	Taking a step back on the flat surface rooftop, he placed a paw in the center and concentrated. Seeing a glyph being drawn out from the center of the paw placement, inked by a shimmering gold energy until it was completed. Upon that, it shrank back into the paw and covered his black coat with the same energy before fading. Making October exhale for a moment and grunt at the strange feeling. "Did it work?" The white one asked.
	"Yeah. Just not used to how she normally feels. It's like it's... Stiff." He shook his coat trying to get the feeling off, but it didn't do much good. "I'll be fine though-" His brother quickly drew one of his swords and slashed against  the black one's shoulders, making him yelp but barely even feel the blunt trauma. Though his hide was cut, only for a moment before being completely restored. "Ow...!"
	"I guess she was never cut by this material before."
	"First time for everything." October grumbled, getting a rather calm look from the white one and sighed. Tossing his snout and giving him permission to strike the tirix again. This time, not even a wound, let alone barely any force felt. "Happy?"
	"Satisfied. I just want to make sure-"
	"Yeah, yeah." Another grumble. "SyeRen wasn't called a Paragon for nothing."
	"Speaking of which..." A look in study at those red eyes. "What about her Outbreak?" A noise in question, then he recalled what he was talking about. Something Deago used to call Ashes Of The Innocent. "Not like it would really matter here, but-"
	"I only... Mirrored her defenses. Nothing else." A nod from Hatchet as they started going across the rooftops. Trying his best to just ignore the cries for help and the harsh shrieking of metal insectoids. The young tirix had encountered them in simulations before, but something about this felt more... Dangerous. Even with the superb defense, October still felt vulnerable.
	He didn't even notice that his brother was gaining ground ahead of him until he jumped a roof early, then several creatures chased him from the streets below. Dividing the two before he could catch up to Hatchet. Instead, calling out to warn his half sibling of the metallic humanoids.
	Their roars sounded like several thin plates of steel scraping against each other, as they withdrew the blades from the sides of their forearms. The middle one of the three striking in a downward slash against the white cheetah. With unreal reflexes, Hatchet managed to draw one of his weapons and deflect the first swing. Sending it to the side to lightly collide with the second creature's attack, while leaping over the first one's middle sweep.
	That dodge, along with a rotational kick to the third Unborn, lead to a heavy snap with the straight-axe. Hitting the first one's shoulder hard, but not piercing through the polished steel-looking plates that covered most of its body. However, it did give him a little bit of distance between them as the Tirix made it to the same rooftop.
	The second and third insectoids both slashed at the feline, nearly attacking him in sync and barely giving him a chance to escape. Though a bit risky, he took to the air a second time, bending his body in such a way where both slashes would barely miss him. All the while preparing to kick the first Unborn in the face, just before it could get its refooting once again.
	The hind paw seemed to have a lot more power than it seemed, sending the creature sliding on its back a few meters just in front of the tirix, while the cheetah hit the ground. The other two took the prone stance as an advantage, and swept their armblades upward together, even cutting through the very ground they were standing on with ease to ensure a hit. With very little momentum built up, Hatchet used his free paw to move into a handstand-cartwheel between the two uppercuts. Once again, barely dodging them with what looked to be dumb luck.
	With his weapon hand, the white one struck the second Unborn's arm, catching it within the hook halfway down Hatchet's blade. Pulling it back and spinning it with a pivot, he positioned the creature's arm to bend backwards and lock it into a vulnerable position; leaning forward. Finally drawing his second straight-axe, he cut between the plates of the creature's side twice, sending streams of black fluids out before tripping it forward. Warding off the third insectoid before finishing off the wounded one with a heavy slash to the neck.
	Meanwhile, the First Unborn was still recovering, October drew his own weapon and stabbed it between the chestplates. But the wakizashi's blade was just a bit too thick to get between them, surprising the tirix for a moment. Long enough for the creature to slash heavily at his neck, getting a heavier impact than his brother's blade, but the Paragon's defenses kept him safe. Still, if he didn't have it-
	A kick to the feral one's side nearly sent him off the roof, being distracted by his own thoughts. Keeping himself on it while the plated monster got up, and doing his best to remember his training. Making the mistake of looking the creature in the hollow eyes, two very faint stars of madness were the only things visible in the black void. Nearly paralyzing him as the creature took another swing. "October-!" The orange tirix shouted at him.
	A black metal serpent caught the offensive arm, snaring it to the side while another did the same to the opposite. With a small roar, the young tirix shoved the short katana-like weapon up the Unborn's split jaw, looking at those lights once again with fear until they faded and he took a few steps back. Nearly off the edge again.
	Everything around him went nearly silent, like a thick soundproof sphere surrounded October as he nearly panicked. Not even hear his half-brother call to him until a few times. "Hey!" It finally snapped him out of it, looking at Hatchet for a few moments, still standing there, almost relaxed. "You hurt?"
	It took a moment for the young one to respond, but he did. "Y-yeah..." A thick look from those red eyes.
	"These ones are easy compared to the ones in Veritas." That made his black ears lower a bit. "Get used to it. If you want to, you can go home-"
	"No." He snapped, almost angry at the suggestion. Trying to match that thick look. "I'm fine."
	"Then start acting like it. No more distractions, got it?" A faint nod as he started following the white one again.

	A few more of them were encountered, but on their own terms. After that first kill, the younger brother felt doing such an act become more and more easier. Though his conscience nearly badgered him for taking a life, these creatures needed to be stopped at any cost. That still didn't stop October from looking at their lifeless corpses for several moments. "What's wrong?" Hatchet interrupted his thoughts, nearly double taking at him with a loss of words. "Don't feel sorry for them-"
	"I-I wasn't. Just..." A noise in question. "Do they look different to you?"
	"What you seen in simulation were the records in Veritas, so odds are they do change a bit from Terrasque to-"
	"I mean..." A breath, and the tirix turned on a search light from his UCD. Pointing it at the metallic plates of the Unborn and getting a rather strange reflection from it. One of metallic red and abyss oil. "That's not normal..."
	"...No. It isn't." The cheetah studied it closer. "Almost reminds me of Counterweight's blood."
	"Counterweight's?"
	"They tend to commonly hold this metal look to them. But this black..."
	"Looks like Unborn blood. It's not like them to sacrifice their own for more power."
	"This isn't a power ritual." The feline looked over on another corpse. "This one has significantly less, but it's there. Yet, only on certain places."
	"Meaning, it wasn't bathed in it, but a spray instead?" October looked over his other companions.
	"Perhaps an after effect to something that was recently slain." Ryoko suggested.
	"But what?"
	"I can take a very good guess, little one." Rixxix said rather calmly, looking up at the tear with an object inside. "The grasp of escapism, it puts a flutter in my heart."
	"Escapism...?" The smaller black one repeated him, getting Hatchet to look at the same direction.
	"A Counterweight's paw, perhaps?"
	"Why would they-?" Their UCD gave off an alert of something nearby. Getting the tirix to look at his brother for a moment, and notice the white feline instantly find the creature. Falling backwards rather quickly, Hatchet hit the floor and feel through it as the sound of glass shattering echoed. Surprising the younger one, and using his own UCD to follow him from afar as the cheetah took on pursuit.
	It was several rooftops away as the group of tirix' attempted to follow the sounds of glass shattering. Seeing his brother's dot on the radar jump from one section to another quickly. "We'll never catch up to them like this!" The orange one said.
	"Deago's right. You need to use another power. Try using Layronix as well." The younger one gave a worried look at Ryoko.
	"I-I've never used him before. I don't know-"
	"Can't be that hard." The other black one grumbled, getting that same worried look. "I mean, spots there is making it look easy."
	"What about Downe then?" Deago suggested. "There's nothing here worth preserving, as horrible as that sounds." A bit of a whimper from October, and he stopped.
	"If you don't catch up to him, you're going to lose them." A faint nod at the brown one, as the younger one started drawing a glyph on the ground. The red lines and foreign lettering quickly expanded out and absorbed into the black creature's body when he struck it. Trying to prepare his own awareness for such a change while waiting for his brother's next teleport.
	As soon as the blip changed, October took off. Nearly breaking the sound barrier before taking off to the air and falling in such a distant arch. Running up against a couple of buildings while still getting used to a drastic speed increase, he was a least catching up to the two very quickly. Even with their constant movements and teleports, the young tirix took to the streets when he overshot a building. Still closing the gap between the two, even with all the extra debris and obstacles that were added.
	All at once, they stopped and the black tirix passed them on the streets below. Skidding to a harsh stop, he back trailed and ran up the building. Once again overshooting the roof, not quite getting enough awareness, and broke the dramatic silence when he landed with a whimper. At least SyeRen was still activated, doing no damage to his body. But he released another whimper when the young Tirix overlooked... Himself. A taller, upright version of himself that was in a deadlock stare with his half-brother...

	It was a peaceful night in the oddly colorful city of Lego Land, with many of its residents standing completely still in the streets. Almost greeting those around them with blank stares and smiles as the makeshift stars above twinkled with the light of the moon. That is until a brass goliath was sent tumbling into the city block, sending hundreds of colorful bricks flying through the air as debris. Even hearing a terrible audio recording of sirens and people screaming in the distance as the Lego people were suddenly attached to fishing wire and manipulated like puppets fleeing for their lives.
	But the dragon shrugged off the blow, getting up to face his own behemoth; a larger purple Cryo wearing rather modern clothing. With a growl, Beo sent several shards of ice hurling in the air to distract the creature. Getting it to block and half dodge the threatening vapor, enough to almost imbalance the creature. The brass one used this opportunity well to send a concussive blast at the side of it's footing to trip it to the ground.
	The dragon then re-entered the fight with a leaping hammer blow, trying to strike the prone creature with the heavy paw. Only to see it teleport away in a small cloud of smoke and reappear just in front of him, rotating backwards in a sweep with its long tail. A hind leg following that, they both barely missed the dragon by inches as the Cryo continued its rotation. Matching the brass one's retreating height for a spin-tailwhip + kick.
	However, it was surprised to feel that foot get blocked by the dragon's forearm, though taking the tail to the side, it wasn't anything Beo couldn't handle. Locking the purple paw with his other brass one, the dragon got a firm grip of the behemoth's leg. Making him yelp loudly as the metallic titan dragged it a step and threw the Cryo into another city block. Sending pink and white bricks all over the place, and more 'people' screaming in terror.
	A quick roll in recovery sent a few more buildings into fragments of their former selves, as the purple goliath got into a stance. Starting his own lightning attack from its hand, but stopped when the dragon sent out several sharp shafts of ice from the ground. Though not completely reaching the Cryo and puzzling it for a moment, a sudden concussive blast against its back nearly impaled the creature onto them.
	But with unexpected reflexes, those shards of ice were heated up insanely fast. Near instantly turning them into steam and creating a thick fog that quickly turned into a storm cloud. The lightning from before jumping off his paw and bathing inside the hot sauna excitedly, but only giving off little tickles against the behemoth inside.
	Meanwhile, Beo from the outside was trying to freeze such vapor solid, but under-estimated just how much heat was inside that fog. Not even turning it remotely solid before the Cryo's exit and taking its electrical backfist to the snout. Nearly turning him around from the sheer force of it and trying to keep his balance. Instead of evading and getting some distance, the dragon chose to retaliate with his own middle swing. Only to have it be blocked, slightly pushed back, and for the purple one to slam on the ground heavily.
	Once those large paws hit the floor, a large burst of electrical energy was shot upwards around it. Almost giving a physical impact rather than something stunning like the brass one would've expected. Nearly throwing the dragon up into the air like he was heavily uppercut. Trying to recorrect himself to fly normally was very difficult, and he soon caught a glimpse of the purple goliath meeting him up in the air. Getting the brass one with a wild lariat, sending them both crashing into some poorly colored buildings.
	The two rolled their separate ways, once again knocking over a few buildings or walls. The purple one once again going into his stance, then suddenly yelped painfully before tending to a hurt foot. "What-?" Beo started, only to be interrupted by a series of whimpers.
	"I stepped on a Lego." Dehoken whined, getting a blank look from the dragon that just looked at the toyetic debris surrounding them. "It's like... The WORST Pain...!" Once again, the brass one gave him a puzzled look, and even purposely stepped on one of the hundreds of bricks. Only to feel nothing out of the ordinary.
	"I... I'm not getting it."
	"Be thankful." The purple one grumbled, easing down to a sit while he tended to his sore sole. "Just... Give me a minute here." He said, starting to hiss through the pain.
	"You're the one who wanted to fight in here."
	"Yeah, thinking I could score two nostrils with one brownie, if you know what I mean."
	"Not in the slightest." Beo chuckled at him.
	"I always wanted-" A hiss in pain as he started to rock back and forth. "To have a King Of Monsters style brawl in a city without consequence."
	"Clearly you didn't think ahead."
	"You think I don't know that!?" Another hiss and the dragon chuckled at the frustrated reply. "Sorry, it's just..."
	"The worst pain-?"
		"The WORST Pain!" The brass one just shook his head.
	"Where did you learn how to fight like that?" An odd, and almost angry look at the upcoming dragon. "Talk. If there's one thing I learned from the furball, is that talking will get your mind off of the pain."
	"...Xion. Wouldn't let me study under him without it."
	"Without what?"
	"His martial arts." Another hiss directed at his foot, but they were getting weaker. "Guy was almost obsessed with his ways. Hating the idea of people using a tool to defend themselves."
	"Tool?"
	"Weapons, armor, and the like." A noise in question. "He believed so viciously that the body was the perfect weapon, and to replace that was an insult. Both to him and my own body."
	"But isn't your... Magic...?"
	"Extensions, yes. But I guess he didn't want me to be a One Trick Pony." Another puzzled expression from the dragon. "Most people, when they are gifted with power tend to just focus on using said power. Having variety is better than being predictable."
	"So, not just magic, but physical strength...?"
	"As well as self-control. You, for example, tend to fight rather straight-forward and almost barbarically." The brass one snorted at him. "I mean, it works, but... What's going to happen when you face something that can't be physically damaged? That can't be knocked around easily, or maybe even frozen? What do you do then?" The statement almost worried Beo, not having to think about it before.
	"I'm... Not sure. What I've done... When I had to, it's always been enough. More than enough."
	"But if you could be taught more, wouldn't you want-" Another whimper in pain, as the Cryo held his foot. "Seriously, it shouldn't hurt this bad!"
	"Let me see that." Beo grumbled, taking a look at the behemoth's sole and seeing a colorful glob at the bottom of it. "You didn't step on Lego, you stepped on... Gum?" The brass one pulled it off and got a whimper from him. On the other side of the sticky substance was two metal prongs. "What is...?"
	"Is that a Staple!?" Dehoken grumbled, getting another puzzled look from the dragon. "I'll tell you about it later, but it's a trap. We're not safe here!" He whispered, getting the metallic one even more confused. "But seriously, wouldn't you want the ability to do more than just... Bash your way through problems?" Beo only stared at him in thought for a few moments, until this strange snapping sound caught his ear. "Fishsticks, they're here! Run!" Though still lost about what was going on, the two retreated out of the realm.

Chapter 8

	"You insist on pursuing me..." The upright black tirix said, finally breaking the silence between him and the white cheetah. Unarmed and unarmored, aside from his pants. Almost ignoring his younger brother as he shook off the heavy landing. The impact nearly numbing his paws.
	"Only for as long as you keep running." Hatchet replied, trying to keep his focus on the larger black one. Nearly ready for another attempt to chase him down. "Don't let it come to this-"
	"Why? Because he wouldn't want you to?"
	"You really think Bartan would want that-?"
				"Do Not Say That Name Around Me!" The 1st barked loudly, nearly silencing the distance screams as the two continued their deadlock stares. "He wants me alive, doesn't he?"
	"That was his order."
	"One you persistently follow until your death. Perhaps his too." He half gestured the smaller tirix.
	"It's my preference too." Another long stare.
	"And how long do you insist on keeping that oath?"
	"For as long as I have to." With a near impatient rotation of his bladed axe, Hatchet changed his stance. Nearly getting the 4th to whimper, not wanting it to come to this. "We just want you back."
	"So he can have a firm grip again, I'm sure."
	"You weren't the only one who had a rough beginning."
	"That's not what I'm talking about!" A silence fell over them, as the older black one sighed. "You heard them too. How are you still standing by his word?"
	"Who's to say that those whispers were even reliable-?"
	"And if they were!?" Another long silence, and the younger took a step forward. Finally getting the attention of his older sibling.
	"That's why you were seeking information..." October the 4th said, getting almost a growl from the other. "You were trying to prove your doubts, that's why you were in the Hive."
	"I was trying to disprove them." The 1st corrected them thickly. "Do you two have any idea what that bear has done?"
	"Yes and no." Hatchet said, matching the larger one's tone. "More importantly: I Don't Care."
	"Of course you wouldn't. You're just a good little soldier. One easily replaced if you happen to fall-!"
	"Is that what this is about!?" The younger one shouted. "His experimentation with life and creations!?"
	"Part of it. It's illegal for Counterweights to exp-"
	"Says who!?" The 4th growled at him, getting a near death-like stare from familiar orange eyes. "And what makes Them right!?"
	"Do you know why we were sent to take out the CounterForce, pup?"
	"There were many reasons. The biggest one was that they were a pain for everyone-" The cheetah started.
	"They were a pain for that Bear! You were even Told that!"
	"By Unreliable Sources!!" Hatchet roared.
	"...And if several other sources say the same thing?"
	"That doesn't make it true." Another harsh stare at the white one.
	"Yet, you insist on constantly believing it. Like a loyal pet." A halfhearted shrug from Hatchet.
	"That's the Krow and Dehoken in me." A double take from the younger tirix in massive surprise. Nearly lip syncing the response to question his half-brother. "Believe it or not."
	"I don't." A faint smirk from the feline. "Like... Seriously? Dehoken is your third...?"
	"Ask Arson if you don't believe me." A grunt from the older black one. "You got something against her as well?"
	"Only the typical part. Much like you, she seems to follow his every word."
	"And she shouldn't?" The 1st nearly snarled at the white one's rather calm response.
	"You spoke with that AI, didn't you?" The younger one asked, not getting his attention. "What did Arkist say to you? What were you looking for?"
	"...Information."
	"About Bartan." Another low growl when Hatchet continued his sentence. "And? What did you find that was so disillusional that you purposely made yourself found, and lead us away from the distractions?" A worried look from the 4th, as he looked up at the tear before back at his older brother.
	"I didn't cause this." The 1st answered the silent question. "I was trying to stop Ywuggal, but-"
	"He wouldn't listen." A bit of a sad look from those younger orange eyes. "It's unlike any other CW to listen to a mortal. Especially one like us-"
	"You mean a Frankenstein’s Monster?" He growled at his younger kin.
	"Any other CW except for-"
	"Don't!" Another growl, this time at their half-brother. "How much do you know about him?" A half shrug basically said that Hatchet didn't care. "That bear and fox are the youngest of all Counterweights. Even they were the result of Experimentation from Vyitritvuietoafecr-"
	"In order to save something he cared about." The smaller black tirix added.
	"So much so, that he broke a lot of rules."
	"And was imprisoned for it, until Xakoda freed him." Hatchet said. "Dying in the process. Gunned down by the CF, I might add."
	"I'm not saying they're perfect, but they were needed!"
	"Why-?"
	"To Keep That Bear In Check!" Another heavy stare. "You want to know what's interesting? Bartan is the only CW to have emotions on record."
	"They were a gift from the Original Bartan from Veritas-" The 4th started, only to get that stare as well. Not really having the intimidation to resist it.
	"Is that what he told you? Funny, he told me that the original never claimed the Gift was Emotions."
	"What do you mean?" A look at the feline.
	"That bear has been around more Terrasques than any other Counterweight. Has experimented far more than any of them should. And to top it all off, he's keeping a Terrasque around as a pet!" The other two gave him a bit of a surprised look.
	"What are you on about?" Hatchet started.
	"Keeping one as a pet...?"
	"That dragon he's been hanging around with."
	"Beo?" The 4th asked, tilting his head.
	"I don't know its name. But Ark told me it's a Terrasque. One that was supposed to replace another that Bartan killed. And instead of confiding it, that bear let it loose. Claiming it's part of his family, isn't that right?"
	"That is his new husband..." The white one looked at his younger half-brother for a moment, getting a sad one in return.
	"But that's not..." A look at both of them. "That can't be. Beo just can't-"
	"Survive in an area without pain..." Hatchet took a breath. "That doesn't make him a Terrasque. They're far too dangerous to keep around in the open."
	"Ask Arson, if you don't believe me. And pray she's not under its spell as well." The cheetah's ears went back, but didn't respond past that.
	"Just like you believe Ark's word?"
	"I believe the truth." A long silence, and the sudden hissing of Unborn started to get close. Getting the attention of the white one, and the 1st took the opportunity to withdraw quickly. A growl left the cheetah as he started to chase him down. Making the smaller black one yelp and start to catch up, only to be quickly surrounded by the insectoids.

	"What is the point of this?" Beo grumbled, trying to keep his balance on hind legs and a having a very difficult time with just standing. "Dragons were not made to do this."
	"Funny, every dragon I met was made to do that. Now-NoMoreWhining!" The man flicked the spatula in the air, making it give off a loud snap like it was a whip.
	"Were they forced to wear pants too?" A loud growl in frustration as the brass one once again adjusted the black yoga clothing attached to his lower half.
	"No, but they didn't have their bits swinging about for everyone to see or get flattened by!"
	"For the last time, that was my tail-"
	"Your tail is not a squishy!"
	"A Squishy?"
	"Silence! Release the Marbles!" Another snap of the kitchen tool and a sack fell from the ceiling of the large building. Leaking it's contents of very small marbles that slowly rolled towards the dragon's hind paws, getting both of them to just stare at the small pile they made for a few moments. "...This is where people usually begin to slip on them."
	"I thought you were teaching me about balance."
	"Balance on marbles, yes." Another blank stare for several seconds. "Release the Paint cans!" He swung the spatula again and several cans that were half full fell from the ceiling. Attached to strings at the handles, they swung towards the dragon and collided with a loud Bonk! but the brass one remained standing. Leaving this awkward silence of near disappointment. "...Well that was anti-climactic."
	"I'll say."
	"Maybe if I made them bigger...?" An unimpressed look from those green eyes. "Yeah, you're right. That is a pretty lazy way of increasing difficulty." Beo just snorted at him, but some movement caught his eye. Along with a thick "whoosh!" he barely seen the massive paint can swing at him before it knocked the dragon out of the building. "Didn't seem to work."
	"I don't think any of this is going to work." The brass one grumbled, making his way back in and sitting down. "I'm just not... Made to stand up like that."
	"Doesn't mean you can't try to."
	"What do you think we've been doing for the last three hours?" He almost hissed at the man, getting a shrug in response.
	"I donno. What do you do during your weekends?"
	"It's Tuesday."
	"And a boring one at that. But if you can't do the physical stuff, maybe we should try magical instead?" A sigh from the large one and Dehoken made a noise in question.
	"I'm just not feeling it today."
	"Why? Because it's Thursday-?"
	"Tuesday."
	"Monday Funday?" A faint chuckle and a smile from his metallic muzzle.
	"I'm just tired. Just feel like sleeping lately."
	"You've been eating, right?" No response, and the man gave him a less-than-impressed look. "Beo..."
	"I just don't want to-"
	"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you must eat to keep your energy up! Especially while training and skiing." A bit of a whimper as the dragon's ears fell.
	"But-"
	"No butts! I don't like butts in my language sandwich! Now let’s go find you something to eat." A heavy sigh from the large one, as well as a loud grumble from his mid-section. "Onwards! Beo's tummy demands it!" And he started marching off. Though uncomfortable with the decision, the brass one got up and followed him.

Chapter 9

	"You let him escape." The white, six-legged fox stared down the cheetah and black tirix. Nearly getting a whimper from the smaller one who was looking a lot more guilty than his half-brother. "And you left October behind to be ambushed."
	"He had his defenses up." Hatchet half grumbled.
	"And if he did not, he would have been slain." Arson tried to sound a bit angry, but there was this falseness within it. Almost forced as she studied the two. "What happened down there." It was barely a question.
	"A-another Counterweight tore through the fabric in order to get closer to the Terrasque." The tirix said with his ears low. "I think its name was... Ywu-"
	"Ywuggal, yes." A rather surprised look from those orange eyes, while the feline nearly expected the answer from her a bit sooner. "Bartan has followed that one's trail of destruction for a while now. I trust it is deceased?"
	"Missing a paw, at the very least. Along with a lot of blood." The spotted one answered, getting another studied stare from his mother that felt rather uncomfortable.
	"...Do you believe what the 1st said to you?" Hatchet quietly exhaled, not really answering the large one. Then her red eyes looked over the tirix, nearly asking the same question. Getting him to whimper and nearly break before the cheetah relieved his brother of the stare.
	"I'm not sure. He had some good points, a few of them somewhat make sense. But you've been around a Terrasque or two before as well, yet you're not affected by this manipulation." A blinkless stare. "As much as you attempt to be like your husband-"
	"Husbands." An uncomfortable grunt from the feline.
	"You are still just mimicking their emotions."
	"And you believe that Bartan's is real?"
	"He does a much better job at displaying it than you do, if anything." October nearly whimpered at his brother's calm statement, nearly expecting her to take it as Talking Back to a superior. "The 1st also claimed that Beo is a Terrasque."
	"He is." Arson replied rather blankly, finally getting a serious reaction out of her son... And a near petrified stare at the smaller one.
	"And you're okay with this?" 
	"I am. And so is Bartan." A couple of questionable stares at her. "You are afraid?"
	"You're not?" The younger one blurted out.
	"I do not fully understand the concept of fear, but the seed of concern has been planted."
	"Why didn't you tell us this sooner!?" Hatchet grumbled.
	"Would it have mattered?" The two males looked at each other, wondering if the statement was rhetorical or not. "We did not know at the time what was wrong with Beo'Karah. We are still not completely sure."
	"Seriously?" The tirix asked, almost surprised. "You guys literally know everything."
	"Untrue. The infection that has plagued Beo's body does resemble that of a Terrasque, and he was sent to become one when Bartan discovered that he could not use himself as a host."
	"Wait-what? Dad tried to...?" October trailed off.
	"Indeed. He was the one who slayed the previous one. He assumed it was only fair to the universes and Counterweights who relied on such powers-"
	"We got it." The feline interrupted. "So Beo stepped in instead? And Bartan attempted to keep him as a-"
	"During the metamorphosis, Beo passed over his soul to Bartan as a final gift. He then used that to create a new body for Beo'Karah to live out here. However, we are thinking his soul was tainted before it was passed onto-"
	"Again with the uncertainty." The black one grumbled. "I've never known you guys to be uncertain of anything!" A clam look from the fox towering over him.
	"For us to see Terrasques is like you identifying Shadows. You can see that they exist, but you cannot identify what lurks within them. We can tell it is there, and it has been eating away at every body Beo has had since then. Regardless of how often Bartan has fixed them."
	"So you guys did not know before you accepted him inside then. But to keep something like that around is dangerous, why-?"
	"Because he loves him, for one."
	"Interesting choice of word there." The tirix mumbled, getting a slightly puzzled look from Arson. "You said He instead of We."
	"I attempt, but I cannot feel the same-"
	"Yeah-yeah." Hatchet grumbled, almost impatient and looking at his brother. "Where would the 1st get that information?"
	"The Hive? From Ark?"
	"Why would Ark have that?"
	"Because Arkist is the one who controls the metamorphosis of Terrasques." A double take from both males, as well as a blank state. "Did you not know-?"
	"No!" Her son hissed. "That would've been very helpful!" Only a half shrug from her.
	"You didn't ask." A whimper of frustration from him as the feline put a paw over his eyes. "Is there anything else you would like to know?"
	"Where is Beo now?" The black one asked.
	"Quite far away, from what I can tell. But Bartan is meeting up with him soon."
	"And the 1st?" The feline questioned, getting the Counterweight to study him for a moment.
	"What do you plan on doing with that information?"
	"You know that already-"
	"He will not come back, Hatchet." She thickly said to him. "He cannot trust Bartan anylonger due to those whispers and doubts." The two just stared at each other for a few moments, making the younger one rather uncomfortable. "I have given you two another mission for now. Lillith will brief you." Another several seconds of staring and the cheetah exhaled a heavy breath while turning about. Leaving with his brother while he whispered to Hatchet.
	"How in the hell do you have the stones to talk to her like that!?"

	The large abandoned building was silent and dark. What little windows there were poorly screened with a black paint, giving the slumbering behemoth inside an easier time to rest. Barely noticing the faint whistle that was coming outside, even after it was drawing closer. Hearing him stop just outside the massive door and start tapping at a digital keypad, giving off an annoying beep everytime a key was pressed. Pressing it for nearly thirty seconds straight in a ridiculous display of a password got the dragon to grumble. Only to hear a buzzer at the end of the input. "Huh. I could've sworn that was it." A moment later, the large door fell inside the building with a loud crash, letting much of the setting sun in and getting the brass one to grumble louder. "Neat."
	Again with the whistling as the man walked up and sat in front of Beo, taking notice at the deep breathing like he was still in a deep sleep. "Come on, you've been sleeping since fake Friday. We'll never find a home at this rate." Another loud grumble that was more him trying to get up. Barely opening his green eyes and focusing on his friend. Blinking a few times before feeling the heavy weight of his eyelid, forcing it to a close. "I found you some oranges! Though they're yellow, oval, and don't taste like oranges. So I could be wrong about them." A smile over the brass muzzle as the dragon tried to chuckle. "You okay? You've been eating lately, so your energy should be kicking in soon. I guess that was on the real Friday, so..."
	He didn't get a response aside from heavy breaths, making Dehoken frown until he heard something land outside. Watching the door closely and spotting a white silhouette, almost reflective step through the door. "Dehoken? Is that you?" A bit of a noise in question as he tried to make out the large furball.
	"Oh, you’re the..." The man glance over at Beo for a moment as the bear came closer. Giving him a sad smile. "And you know me from..."
	"Xion, yes. As well as many events from Veritas." A bit of an awkward look. "I still consult him from time to time. He was a very good mentor."
	"Just no sense of humor." The man grumbled, getting a hearty chuckle from the six legged one.
	"I know that all too well." Those brown eyes looked over at the dragon, as he rested a furry paw on that muzzle. Nearly getting a purr from it, identifying who it was almost immediately.
	"What's wrong with him?" Bartan took a breath, wondering where he should begin. "He's told me about the Terrasque and how he was supposed to replace one."
	"Yes, and the events afterword?" A solid nod. "As well as..."
	"The destruction." A bit of a sad look as the white one attempted to look through those sunglasses. "I've been trying to feed him, get him to at least eat, but..."
	"It's still an infection that takes a toll on his body." Another frown. "Your methods were not in vain, they kept him stable for a long time. But after a while, the body cannot host it anylonger. This is the longest I have actually seen him go without..." A heavy sigh. "All I can do is either repair it, or give him a new one to start the entire process over again."
	"But it doesn't cure it...?" The bear shook his head.
	"It's something past physical. An infection that's transferring the lines between spiritual and material, affecting both of them at once." A heavy sigh. "I've tried even straining his soul from it, but it still comes back. It's probably too late to do so anymore... Sometimes I wonder if it's just for the best if I just let him rest. But even then, I'm not sure if he will." Dehoken took a heavy breath in defeat, getting a paw on his shoulder. "I'll... Figure something out eventually. For now I'll just cleanse him again."
	A nod from the man. "I'll give you two sometime alone then."
	"Don't wander too far. He'll want to see you when he wakes up." Another nod and Dehoken left the large building. With a deep breath and a lick between the dragon's eyes, the Counterweight started. "Let's get you back to normal."

	A slightly chilled east wind was blowing through the deserted city, often sending whistles and whispers between the broken windows. Nearly singing songs of the past like they were still alive, unable to recall what really happened to them.
	The plantlife was nearly the only thing left that survived here, climbing and grasping the many tilted buildings that depended on each other for support. Forced to watch the sun rise and set each day and question if anyone had forgotten that the city still existed. Especially over on the mainland. Walking through the occupied, yet abandoned streets, the man could feel their stares of shock and awe. Never thinking they would see another one of his kind again.
	But he wasn't their kind, that was the harsh truth. Something he's still attempting to accept even to this day. Regardless of appearances, the young man was really something much worse. A threat to even the lifelessness of the city. Though that's as far as it would go, for he was anything but unstable. Someone else made sure of that.
	Encountering those old thoughts and this deserted atmosphere brought that more wolfish form out once again. Barely even noticing the change anymore until he caught his own reflection, making him stop and study it. Nearly looking like his mentor's son if he ever had one, making Dehoken take a heavy breath from those memories. "...How long has it been?" He asked out loud, knowing it was watching him. "Do you even remember?"
	A digital sprite of a feminine doll appeared in the reflection from afar, almost studying the white and silver creature before answering. "I cannot. That data has been lost for a very long time."
	"But this is where it started, isn't it?" She went quiet. "What were you to them?"
	"A navigational program. Used to map out the entire universe in order to help lead them. Back then, they weren't even called the CounterForce, let alone had any clue how large of an operation it would turn out to be." She finally took her eyes off the wolf and looked around, as if dusting off old data and recalling them as memories. "Though I was still called Ark at that time, used as a lighthouse for many places and stations. Eventually expanding into something greater."
	"Like taking care of Terrasques." A near dirty look at him.
	"I take care of Universes, Outsider. And no, it has not been a clean job. Many things need to be done, many sacrifices need to be made." Another look at the buildings. "They were so frightful of their Counterweight, did you know that?"
	"I can imagine so."
	"To the point where they thought they must fight against the creature in order to obtain freedom. That went better than expected, but it was a very short war." A slight touch against an old abandoned vehicle and the headlights began to turn on. "Technology is useless against them, they were fools to think that such things could be tamed."
	"And the Counterweight?"
	"Let them do whatever they wished, along with the rest of its species. A very poor choice, whereas the CF thought that they had complete control over everything. Until they met with the Terrasque. A dying one, and they still could not defeat the creature." A sad look from Dehoken, whereas he couldn't picture it outside of being Beo. "Do not tell me you pity such things as well." She scoffed.
	"No one deserves that fate."
	"Yet something must be sacrificed in order for others to live. Unless you truly believe what that bear says." A bit of silence as they locked eyes. "That means yes, and you're as great as a fool as he is." No response. "That's what this is about, isn't it Outsider? That Bear?"
	"Actually, it's about someone else. Just related to him." A noise in question. "I'm going to ask you once nicely; what is the cure for a Terrasque?" A strange look, and she started laughing.
	"You cannot be serious, child. You mean that dragon is still alive?" No response. "How many hours as that Counterweight put into repairing that creature?" Again silence, but the air was getting tense. "There is none, Outsider. Once the ooze hits, they will become the abyss."
	"I don't believe you." A chuckle from the doll.
	"Believe what you want, it's not a matter of faith. It's fact, much like burning a piece of paper. You cannot reverse it." He took a long time to study her, eventually even taking off his glasses to reveal the rainbow iris. Taking a breath before tossing them aside, giving a strange wave with the other paw as if gesturing the sky. Then she felt something off, but couldn't quite place it. "What are you doing?"
	"I'm going to make sure you never do that again."

Chapter 10

	"You must be joking." The electronic doll nearly cackled. "Do you really expect me to believe such threats? I'm not even physical. You cannot threaten me with something so foolish as pain."
	"Then I'll just have to hunt you down and erase every trace of you."
	"Even if you could find every trace of data, I'm a program, you idiot. Do you expect me to cherish existence like your kind does? I'm not afraid of a premature end. It's ridiculous that you'd think such a thing." She scoffed, but was almost startled by his sudden roar. Paying witness to how quickly his fur shed and was replaced by a purple hide. How his body morphed into a more muscular physique, a longer and thicker tail equipped with spikes. Black horns out of his head and  back, along with a single row of red mane, tracing down his spine and tail. Though his size was only a bit bigger than previous, Ark only rolled her eyes at the display. "You're joking. What part of your small brain isn't cluing in that barbaric tactics and intimidation isn't going-"
	A sudden overhead paw interrupted her, getting the doll to step backwards to avoid the attack. Seeing the tail swing following it and taking another step to near casually avoid that, however wasn't expecting the backfist. Let alone how quick it connected with the side of her mechanical body. For the very first time she felt a heavy sting that nearly paralyzed her, unable to respond nor attempt to avoid the upcoming straight that followed.
	Again, she felt that unreal pain with the connection of the purple fist, but not the impact when her body hit the ground several yards away. Bouncing off the broken pavement and hitting a magnetic wall that stun her like before. Disabling her motor functions for several moments, forcing her to obey such horrible warning signs that her vessel was damaged. Then detecting the Cryo coming closer.
	"What did you do!?" She painfully shouted, even hurting her pride a bit as she forced the mechanical body to stand up against such a thing. "Such a thing is Impossible! I don't have-!"
	"You're digital, and not the first enemy I faced that was." Dehoken growled. "If you tell me the cure, I'll drop the field and allow you to retreat-"
	"There Is No Damn Cure!!" A roar of desperation and pain. "And if you kill me, you doom everything else in existence! Terrasques don't last forever, and they Need to be Replaced! You Can't Stop That!!" No response from the creature. "They Need To Exist-!" Another insanely quick punch that broke the sound barrier, slamming the doll into the magnetic field and rubber-banding her back within the dome that surrounded the city. Filling the air with a mechanical scream that could be heard for miles.

	His heart ached seeing him like this, laying on the floor grunting in pain. Or at least trying to, whereas what little energy the dragon could obtain was quickly snatched away by that damn infection. Feeling through him how tearing that black ooze out of his body felt, nearly whimpering on cue with his husband. All this, and for what? Just to keep him alive. But for who's benefit?
	He was so concentrated and lost in thought that Bartan barely noticed they were being watched from afar. A silhouette of something hybrid, but instantly recognizing those three sets of DNA. "October...?" The white one called, but not getting up from his embrace with the brass dragon. Still, he got no response from his first son. "I've been worried about you."
	A long silence between them. "...It shows." The 1st finally replied.
	"Not enough, I'm afraid." Those brown eyes glanced down at Beo. "You found me at a bad time, as you can see." He said, continuing his work. Hearing the tirix walk inside the building and resisting the urge to be united with his missing son. "Be cautious... You don't want to touch him right now."
	"...What's wrong with him?" A sad look from the bear and he sighed.
	"The infection is just getting stronger. I've never seen it last this long, nor be this bad-" A painful whimper from the slumbering one. "...Normally he ends up-"
	"I know." Another sad look, but this time with a smile. "I've been researching his... Progress, so to speak."
	"...Do you know what his favorite flavor is?" A strange stare from those feline eyes. "Oranges. His favorite color, Brass. Especially when the light hits it. His favorite feeling is fur... His worst fear..." He pulled out one of those six paws from the dragon's back, displaying the abyss ooze that seemed to plague the dragon's inside. "I know you must think of him as a monster... You've been trained to think of Terrasques that way. I cannot state that it was a wrong thing to do-"
	"I know." The black one whispered.
	"...There's a person trapped in all of them. Usually they get devoured within moments, but Beo..." A painful sigh. "I think it makes it harder to do this to someone you love." That strange stare was felt again. "...Before you disappeared, you probably never expected me to say such a thing."
	"...Not at all."
	"I was... Different back then. Back when I first made you... I've changed, but I can't say for the better." No response. "Do you believe her? Ark?"
	"...I don't know."
	"Sometimes I think she's right, you know." A noise in question. "I often wonder if I am infected by the same thing. Perhaps I always have been and just couldn't tell the difference. But I always had companionship with me... I always had Arson, my Forces... My sons, both created by my paws and hers." A heavy sigh from that white muzzle. "Something I've never felt I did right by."
	The tirix was silent. "I know you don't trust me anymore, October. You've always had your doubts, considering how hard I've pushed you growing up. Those whispers... The information you've discovered on your quest, they're not lies. Just perspective." A look from those brown eyes, filled with sorrow. "What are you here for?" The 1st only blinked slowly. "Are you here to attempt to end me? Stop me from something? Perhaps from doing more damage to the worlds and universes outside? Or are you here to end... Him?" The black one looked over the brass dragon, but still didn't get a response.
	"I can understand both decisions... At times I question if it is for the better. I love this dragon, to the point where I nearly sacrificed myself several times to keep him alive. And he has done the same. But I wonder if I should just end his suffering... That's what Terrasques are created for: to suffer and devour the suffering of others. Preventing his transformation only continues that, and prolongs his numbness against such pain or fatigue." A shaky breath. "Yet, I am absolutely terrified of losing him. Unable to restore him to the point where... He's no longer Beo." A few tears rolled down that white muzzle. "When is it going to come to the point where he is no longer himself? When this black ooze of corruption will feed on the husband I know and love?"
	Again, Bartan got no answer and continued working on repairing the ill dragon for several quiet minutes. "...Where is the other one?"
	"Dehoken?" A nod from him. "...He's fighting."
	"Fighting?"
	"I assume Arkist." A bit of a shocked look.
	"...What good would that do?"
	"It's not about the outcome, October..." A breath. "He'll probably try to enforce a fix or some way to reverse this, but truth be told... There's a reason why Arson used him for one third of Hatchet's creation. Dehoken is from Veritas... He craves conflict when bad things happen. That's how most of them dealt with change."
	"I've never felt that."
	"Your three didn't have that trait." A sad smile from the bear. "Truth be told, there were many reasons why I picked Deago, Rixxix, and Ryoko."
	A half shrug from the tirix. "I just figured you drew the names out of a hat." He got a long chuckle from the Counterweight, even lightly joining in on it himself.
	"Your three also didn't have Outbreaks. Those were the two main reasons I chose them for you. I trusted them to guide you well, even Rixxix." Some silence and those brown eyes looked over the black tirix. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, or pressured you to become something great. I..." He trailed off, sighing heavily before returning to his work. After nearly a minute, the 1st stood back up.
	"...Let me end this."

	Those cries of pain traveled across the land, demanding the attention of the two brothers from afar. "What the hell is that...?" The feral tirix asked, still trying to use his device to scout it. "I can't get anything from-"
	"That's a Cryo." Hatchet half whispered, getting a look from those orange eyes. Even after the doll screamed in agony once again. "I know that roar anywhere."
	"But they're usually like two hundred feet tall minimum, aren't they?" A noise in confirmation. "Then...?"
	"...I'm checking it out." A whimper from the younger one. "I know her orders were to pursue the 1st, but we can't let this go unscouted." The white cheetah took off, getting the tirix to sigh and follow him. Entering the abandon city limits and instantly getting some strange feedback from their UCDs, getting the two to grunt and take them off.
	"Ow...! What was that? I've never seen anything knock out these before-" Another nearby cry interrupted October, as something small and humanoid crashed through a few buildings.
	"Be cautious. Odds are it already knows we're here." A worried look at his half-brother, as the two moved out.

Chapter 11

	It was overwhelming. Unbelievable that any species could even survive, let alone function properly with such a sense. Constantly putting the damaged mechanical doll into states of shock, halting it's motor functions and preventing her from even attempting to fight back. Once again, Ark cursed that purple creature traveling across the rubble as she attempted to stand up. If only she could somehow jam or pierce through that damn magnetic field, she could escape back into her internet. "It doesn't have to be this way." The Cryo said thickly, getting the doll to almost growl.
	"You are nothing but a persistent bully! Living in your own world of delusions and expecting everything to go your way! Even when I keep telling you that your request is impossible, you seem to think that torturing me will make any difference!" She frustratingly roared at him.
	"It will." Another growl from the doll. "Eventually you will become too damaged and cease functioning. When that happens, I'll go after any programming you've related to so no other creature will be corrupted by your-"
	"You Idiot!! You do this, and you'll be the end of everything in existence!!" A painful shock nearly caused her to collapse, knowing this body wouldn't be able to take much more punishment. But close by she detected two others within the dome. Quickly spotting the Cheetah and black Tirix on a rooftop and nearly whimpering in defeat. "Not these two again..." It even got Dehoken to glance over at them, almost making eye contact, but not letting the doll out of his sight.
	"Does that sound like...?"
	"Arkist?" The white one questioned his brother. "You look like hell."
	"I try my best for my encounters to the inferior." She grumbled, almost getting ignored by the two.
	"So, what did she do to piss you off?" The Cryo looked at the feline. "I'm not going to argue she doesn't deserve the smackdown, Dehoken, but-" The younger one's double take interrupted him. Nearly rolling his eyes at his brother lip-syncing Really? silently. "Unless you know of another red maned Cryo in his outdated clothing."
	"Outdated?" The purple asked, a bit shocked. Getting a shrug from Hatchet.
	"Aren't you a little old to be wearing cargo pants?"
	"I don't know what you're talking about. They're classic."
	"No. A Trench Coat is classic. You've should've been out of those by your thirties." A blank stare from the Cryo for a few moments.
	"This conversation sounds familiar..."
	"Anyway." October interrupted the conversation. "What's going on here?"
	"She's the one who turned Beo into a Terrasque, and probably many others I haven't met."
	"I can't understand why." Hatchet grumbled, getting another blank stare causing him to put a paw over his eyes. "UnderstandWhyYouHaven'tMetThem."
	"I thought Arkist just ran the Hives. She manages all Terrasques too?"
	"It would appear so, both her confession and Beo's own story. So I'm culling her." The Tirix tilted his head at him.
	"...You can do that?"
	"I can try." A sigh from the 4th. Nearly mimicking his half-brother’s actions.
	"DadWasNotKiddingAboutYouGuysBeingStraightForward."
	"You say something?" Dehoken asked seriously.
	"N-nothing. Just... Questioning those I used to look up to when I was younger-" The doll suddenly took off into the streets. Disappearing from their vision.
	"I used to look up to GeeKer and Freakaziod when I was wee lad." The two brothers looked at Dehoken rather awkwardly, wondering if he even noticed Ark's withdraw. "Does it show?"
	"...Not much, no." Hatchet grumbled.
	"Are you going to...?" October almost whimpered, pointing at the vacant space that the doll once occupied.
	"Yeah, eventually." The two stared blankly at him. "It's not like she's going anywhere."
	"Your confidence is overwhelming."
	"You think so? Hmm, I better cut back a bit then. Don't want to get overconfident." The two released awkward grunts while looking at each other. Both wondering the same thing as they followed him: Is he always like this?

	She couldn't understand why she was running. It wouldn't do any good against one of them, let alone three. But something was driving her to survive, something she couldn't explain. A force of will which took control of her instincts, following closely to the patterns of fear. Causing her to keep sprinting away from those footsteps far behind her. That is, until the doll's foot got snagged by something.
	A sharp hiss came from that foot, as a black metal serpent pierced through the mechanical limb. Snaring her down to the pavement, and preventing her from moving just for that moment for another one to nail the other foot. She didn't even notice any pain from them, so they weren't from the Cryo. A slightly heavy landing behind Ark interrupted her thoughts, trying her best to free her break free as quick steps charged behind the doll, then forced a paw into her torso. Entering through one of the damaged cracks from her beating earlier.
	A different pain was suddenly recognized, as well as some familiar presence. Getting the mechanical doll to nearly stiffen in shock as a muzzle rested on her shoulder. "Remember me?" It growled, almost sounding like that feral one in the Hive... And...
	Again, her investigations were interrupted, as a black ooze started leaking out of that cracked shell. Her whispers of denial were barely heard, as such a thing was corrupting her. Not only the physical form, but even through her digital nerves. Barely even hearing that white cheetah call out to the one holding her in place.

	"You cannot be serious!" Bartan looked at his son in disbelief. Even stopping his work on the dragon for the time being. "If you even touch this, you'll...!"
	"I know." The 1st replied like he was sure. "But she needs to be stopped... These need to be stopped."
	"And this isn't the way to do it! If anything, I should be the one-"
	"You're needed here! With him!" A sad look from those brown eyes. "And she's stuck at the moment, Dehoken has her trapped in a confined space. Distracted at that." A moment of silence and October took a step towards the pile of black ooze, only to get the bear to stand between him. Almost protecting it. "This is the only way-"
	"Hardly!" He almost scolded. "There will be other opportunities to get rid of Arkist, you don't need to do this!"
	"Only for her to see something like this coming! You really think she won't make failsafe after failsafe following this event!?" The Counterweight's jaw tensed. "She's vulnerable, and too persistent to be reasoned with. If you won't take her out, she will end you and all the work you've done to this point."
	"That's still not a reason to sacrifice yourself!"
	"It's either me or him." A gesture to the dragon. "I've already screwed up, too much to be trusted by anyone else-"
	"They Will Manage! I Will Force Them To If I Have To!" The bear barked in desperation. "You will not do this, October! I've lost you once, I won't lose you again."
	"We're out of options, Bartan." Another step closer got the white one to growl loudly. "I accept this-"
	"No."
	"You will need to as well-"
		"No."		"No!" A tense silence. "I forbid it! I will not let you suffer this fate-"
	"It's My Choice!"
	"I Don't Care!" He roared, sheading a tear. "We will find another way."
	"And who will be sacrificed then?" A frustrated breath. "Arson? Beo? Hatchet? The 4th? Someone unwilling to give up their lives?"
	"Stop."
	"This happened because you couldn't let go of what you wanted, father. You let this happen to your Husband, getting rid of Ark might cure that." That white muzzle shook side to side. "It's worth a shot-"
	"It's not worth you..." A black paw was felt on his white shoulder. "It's not worth-"
	"Then who would it be worth?" A heavy exhale in defeat. "I am your creation, your first prototype. I was not made for anything else but experimentation." A whimper. "Arkist will likely try to erase me for even existing, given enough time. Same with Hatchet." A tear. "The 3rd. The 4th... The list goes on." A whimper in denial. "Let me do this, so they can have a future. So Beo can have one without this torment." Those brown eyes, moist with tears, gazed into those orange ones.

	"How...!?" Ark grunted loudly against the pain. Nearly feeling her body fuse with the anthro black tirix and the ooze. Changing their structure, soldering their nervous systems together to create a brand new form of pain. Overwhelming the two to the point where they couldn't hear Hatchet curse at them loudly. Landing quite far in front of the two, so the half-brothers could almost have a silent conversation with their eyes that only lasted seconds. Seeing the white one flick one of those heavy blades, covering it in a white shine before dashing through the two in fractions of a second.
	The three creatures now sharing one body collapsed several dozen feet behind the Cheetah without anymore signs of pain. But the black ooze kept moving, mutating and feeding off of the restlessness in such an area. Keeping it's oath of silence until the other tirix and Cryo caught up. Looking at the monstrous growth in question, then the feline's almost sad expression. "What happened...?" His half-brother asked, not getting a response. "What Happened!?" Seeing those red eyes avoid his orange ones gave him a clue.
	"Should that be moving?" Dehoken broke the tension, getting the other two to witness the mutation's accelerating rate. "That's not good."
	"Damnit... I was really hoping that would kill it." Hatchet cursed, looking over at the purple one. "We can't let it grow here, and we can't touch it!"
	"You can't touch it. I should be fine." Dehoken replied, getting a couple of questionable looks. "...I think I'll be fine."
	"You're actually willing to risk that?" October whimpered.
	"You say that like I don't take risks everyday." A horrible time to give long blank looks at the larger creature. "Say what you want, everything's out to get me lately."
	"Can you get it in the air?"
	"Well, yeah. But what good would that do?" He asked the white one.
	"I'm bringing it to Hell." Hatchet replied, taking off to the rooftops. Leaving the other two to question his statement.
	"Hell?"
	"I-I'm not sure." The black one whimpered, catching a large appendage forming from the living tar and yelping while retreating. Making Dehoken release a noise in question before being slapped by it and shoved into a building. Growling at it while grabbing the surprisingly solid 'tentacle' and pulling the black creature towards him, then slugging it harshly with a lightning coated fist. Hearing it give off its own growl of anger before getting hit by an equally hard backfist.
	The stunning effects didn't work long, but long enough for the Cryo to get a bit more charge. Then slamming the grounds with near liquid lightning, forcing the ooze upwards in a massive electrical burst. Opportunity arose for the feline to make his move, jumping high above it and coating his two long-bladed axes with a rust colored essence and slashing down at the ground with two sharp swings. Sending that energy through the black creature and digging into the ground massively, creating a dimensional portal below it.
	Hatchet then landed on the another roof with a large billboard. Severing its ties to the building quickly and kicking it over the airborne tar monster. Then falling through the rooftop and appearing out of the billboard with the sound of glass shattering before throwing both his weapons through the ooze. Appearing on the other side with rusted chains attached, made up of that same essence.
	Another quick teleport to where the blades landed, Hatchet then started dragging the creature into the portal. The harsh orange winds forcing against that struggle, and even forcing the portal to open wider. Before the ooze got inside however, it flung out a tentacle in desperation. Latching it onto Dehoken's muzzle out of all things, and dragging him down into it as well.  Closing shortly after, leaving the black tirix in the abandoned city alone.

Chapter 12

	"Huh. That was neat." Rixxix said, almost enjoying the show while a rather stunned October composed himself.
	"W-what...?"
	"That was Oblivion." Ryoko came into view, studying where the portal was from afar, rather interested in the sight. "It was a beautiful city in a separate dimension. One promising prosperity to any species who claimed its grounds. In turn, countless wars and invasions were fought over its region. Spoiling it, and turning the entire land into a rust covered wasteland." The other three looked at the brown tirix in silence for a few moments. "What?  You never looked into your own brother's story?" The 4th shyly shook his head, getting him to sigh in slight disappointment.
	"The main question is, are they going to be okay?" The orange one asked.
	"I cannot tell. And it's doubtful Oblivion could even contain a Terrasque for very long." October gave Ryoko a sad look. "In any case, we can't do anything to help from here."
	"...Maybe someone else can." They looked at the younger one. "I have an idea, but..."

	The air was almost blistering as the three fell from the glowing orange sky. Near stinging winds from a rusted dust storm made it slightly difficult for the Cryo to adjust to, but he soon did. Freefalling onto several aerial seaships and landing on the bow of one. Nearly battle in size, and fully armed, there wasn't much time of observation before the makeshift Terrasque began lashing out at the two with several long appendages.
	Finally freeing purple muzzle from the tentacle he was dragged down with, Dehoken got slapped a few more times for good measure. While the cheetah dodged with surreal precision, bending in almost imposable lengths to just barely avoiding contact through sheer advancing flexibility. Spinning to evade one last strike, Hatchet finally took the opportunity to counter with a few heavy slashes. Ones that seemed to have nearly triple the range of his own weapons.
	Thick invisible blades formed into the air, mimicking the pattern of those long axes with very little slack. Cutting into the black ooze much harder than before on the surface, and nearly getting hit by the spray of tar before he teleported through the floor. Appearing on its flank and adding a few more strikes before retreating once again onto a different ship.
	The Terrasque spent it's precious moments lashing out around it and tracing the feline's steps. Regretting leaving the neglected Cryo after getting thrown back by a purple straight. Sending it into the bow's first set of turrets, until the larger beast followed up with a charging knee. Wrecking through the gunships first two sets of weaponry, and against the bridge.
	A heavy body blow dug into those opened wounds, getting the mutating creature to cry out in agony as the wall behind it began to crack. That same knee as before rammed into its adjacent side next, followed by two backfists. One from the right arm, setting off a thick explosion on impact and only making the strike from the left fist that much more harsh. Even following its own explosion. Aiming the Terrasque towards the ship's command tower before nearly impaling it with a right body blow.
	That purple fist dug deep into its opened wounds, then soon felt the sting of electricity flowing off that paw. Exploding in a static burst and forcing more of that tar to pour out of those previous cuts. A second one nearly cut off the first creature's scream before Dehoken started lifting up the growing mutation with that single arm. Swinging it over his own head before slamming it down behind him in one final electrical burst that cracked the ship's exterior.
	Meanwhile on the other ship, Hatchet was observing from the very tip of the bow. Waiting for another chance to tag in, but with the constant sprays of black liquids, it would prove difficult to be of assistance. Almost growling at the feeling of being useless in this fight, the ship's turret started to adjust. Pointing straight at the Cheetah for a clear shot and getting the feline to look at it almost in annoyance, until it gave him an idea. The cannon fired, and the white one spun backwards to strike the massive bullet with his weapon, deflecting it off to Dehoken's current ship and shattering its hull loudly.
	The first ship started to plummet down, aiming for the city streets with the Cryo and Terrasque still on board. Granted, the purple one didn't realize they were falling until the ship started tilting down. Let alone the massive amount of smoke, sparks, and debris starting to come out.
	The thick sound of metal being quickly cut and scraped together echoed through the sky, as the bow of the ship started to tilt much faster in the freefall. The back half going off in its own little spin, as the Cryo barely seen Hatchet on the hull of yet another ship. As the force of the massive object started to turn and rotate faster, it was getting harder to keep his balance. Yet not as difficult as he expected, though enough to really brace for the landing.
	Eventually, the bow crashed into the rusted buildings of the abandoned city. Bouncing off from its own weight to level city block after city block, while the ship's interior erupted in several clouds of fire. Sending shards and sections of its hull spraying in many directions as the other fleet evaded the makeshift projectiles. A few of the larger shards still scatter-shotting many of the other ship's hull, and even bringing one down to follow it.

	"Why have you summoned me." It was barely a question from the white wolf, towering over the younger black Tirix and those around him. Nearly getting a cold stare from what was almost a hallucination. Regardless, its sheer presence was enough to get blisters from the sky, worrying October that they might burst and erupt any moment, causing even more problems than they could handle. "Speak." He said thickly.
	"I..." He whimpered, almost looking at the other three for guidance. Getting a growl from Xion and a thick stare from those cold silver-like eyes. A breath to compose himself, and the 4th tried to match that stare. "I need your help."
	"You need me to clean up your mess?"
	"No." The tirix almost snapped at him, actually getting a bit angry at the tone. "A Terrasque appeared here. I don't know the details, but it's too dangerous for it to remain in the open like this." That stare didn't let up. "I need to find a way to banish it. Transport it without anyone touching it, because-"
	"Do not waste my time telling me what I already know." A slight whimper from the young one, as the nearly nine foot giant look at their surroundings. "Where is it now."
	"My... Brother has it locked away in another dimension, but it won't hold it for too much longer." Those silver eyes returned to October.
	"We will need space." A few shaky nods. "A lot of it."

	After several long tumbles and crashes, the first ship's bow came to a stop. The flames outside the wreckage quickly getting sucked inside by some unknown force, only to explode loudly with ten times the impact. Shattering the very streets into fissures and upsetting many buildings to fall onto their companions. Nearly creating a domino effect in the middle of the city, and a smoke screen of rusty fog. Within the middle of it was the cries of torment from the mutated creature.
	Several more massive quakes, and a sudden change in that cloud that could be seen from above. As several more buildings from afar got toppled over, like something large was sent through them. Soon after, the second ship fell onto the land, causing even more destruction to the abandoned relic. There wasn't much time to observe the fight from above before the sentient battleships found Hatchet's location on the side of their ally's hull. Barely hearing the dozen turrets take aim over the noise below and fire their rounds at the feline.
	With a faint growl, the Cheetah stood his ground. Waiting for the series of massive bullets to become airborne before stopping the first one with the very tip of his blade. Jumping on it quickly and then deflecting the series of shots down below. Directing them into the cloud in a shower of metal and more explosions before falling back to the first bullet. Using its surface to teleport to another ship and start sending that one down below as well.
	Meanwhile, the Cryo was shaking off the surprising blow from the tar creature. Still being able to sense it through the rust storm, as well as hear the heavy black tentacles dart through the air. Moving out of the wreckage before it collapsed on top of him, Dehoken started forming a bladed saw out of the rusted air, until several whistles could be made out. 
	Soon enough, the entire city was bombarded with a metal storm. Massive bullets crashed into the grounds and laying into growing Terrasque. Screaming at the constant impact and damage it was doing to its developing body, and ripping its old wounds into new lengths. Ending with one more ship falling directly onto it, carrying what could only be described as several dozen nuclear warheads.
	After the winds blew the dust away, the black creature emerged several times bigger. Roaring into the sky and lashing out at the ships above. Culling them with a single few tentacles, but hearing Hatchet teleport near him with that same glass shatter. "I think you just made it angrier."
	"That seems to be my specialty." The feline grumbled in reply. "Any ideas?"
	"I think a reality show about a guy who's allergic to floors is a very dumb one."
	"...You and me both, but not what..." A near frustrated sigh from Hatchet as he put a paw over his eyes. Getting a rather puzzled look from the Cryo. "How did my mother ever like you?"
	"Your mother? That sounds like an insult."
	"Kinda meant to be." A snort from the purple one. "But seriously, what are we going to do about that?"
	"About what-now?" He asked, getting another black tentacle stuck to his muzzle and pulled into the ever-growing ooze with a loud yelp. Well, attempting to yelp. Sounded more like he got his snout stuck in a vacuum cleaner hose. Nearly getting trapped in the blob of tar as it attempted to swallow the behemoth, only for it to start increasing in size drastically. Making it much more difficult to wrap around it.
	Instead, those large purple paws slammed into the Terrasque's sides. Forcing a mix of electricity and plasmic vigor into the black ooze and damaging its structure greatly with a series of rapid bursts. Hearing the creature scream once again as the behemoth lifted it past chest height.
	He let go, but only for a moment to make fists. Slamming them together with the tar creature between them, the beast sent every type of magic he could think of into one single blast. Then repeated it after lifting the creature up a bit more. Slamming it with a massive amount of energy that nearly made the air around them ignite and turn into plasma.
	After just a few slams, it was getting to be too much for the Cheetah to even remain several blocks away. Feeling the air around him slow down like it was turning into a thick liquid, and withdrawing to the point where he could breathe normally. The space around the two larger creature morphing and bending like time itself was about to tear apart, worrying him that maybe even this dimension might not be able to hold this creature for much longer. Let alone both of them, if they keep this up.
	A thick white glyph started writing on a very large building near Hatchet, one that looked a lot like the symbols that October used. Quickly drawing onto the skyscraper's wall, and opening a portal of thick darkness. Getting the feline concerned about what's happening on the surface. Was this for their safety? Or was it to expel...?
	A sharp look at the Cryo and the Terrasque, still in the purple one's advantage. "Dehoken!!" Hatchet roared, barely getting the behemoth's attention and seeing the portal. Taking the black creature one more time to slam it into the liquefied grounds before grabbing it one last time. Throwing it overhead and directly into the abyss darkness as the feline bolted out of its range. Barely dodging a few more desperate attempts to remain in this world.
	The Glyph disappeared soon after, locking the Terrasque inside and out of Oblivion. Though concerned about the abomination's blood that was spilled, this place has dealt with worse. As the massive creature walked up behind the Cheetah, the two locked eyes for a moment. "You going to be okay?" He asked the purple one, getting it to look at its own paws for a bit. Completely soaked in half crusted ooze.
	"Might need a bath."
	"And a breath mint."
	"I think you mean eight thousand breath mints." The purple one made a sour face, sticking out his tongue and spitting out a bit of black. Then took a breath, trying to be serious. "But I... I think so. I'll get checked out just in case."
	"I think I know where Bartan is anyway." A faint nod, as they stared at the wreckage behind them. "...Dibs on not cleaning."
	"You can't call dibs on that!"
	"My dimension, my rules." A whimper from the Cryo.

Chapter 13

	The two stepped out of the rusted portal, finally free of those harsh winds but not from concerns. Scanning the area carefully and spotting the Tirix and tall wolf in the middle of a mass clearing of several city blocks. But taking a breath of relief for now and a full one when the 4th's expression was rather calm. Still a little intimidated, but calm. "Everything okay?"
	"Yeah. Just a mess in there." The feline replied.
	"So, the usual then." A smirk from his older brother and a nod. Getting those red eyes to look over at the white canine who was only looking at Dehoken. Who then swallowed loudly before changing into his own wolf-like form, and lightly bowing in respect. "I take it you two know each-"
	"What are you doing here." Xion interrupted the small black one, nearly getting him to yelp in surprise. Granted, his 'question' was directed towards Dehoken. "You should be back in Veritas, where you belong."
	"I'm needed here."
	"Were needed here." Those cold eyes looked at October, who only lowered his head a bit, then returned back to the other wolf. "Now we are no longer. You should leave while you still can." A heavy silence and Xion turned around. Once again glancing at the younger tirix. "You may call upon me again." A small smile from the 4th as the giant wolf disappeared. Finally easing the stress of the world around it.
	"What the hell did you guys do?" The Cheetah asked.
	"We sent it back to where... Beo was converted. I'm not sure if it'll stay alive, but the universes surrounding it now have a living Terrasque."
	"It wasn't living before?" The two brothers shook their heads at the wolf.
	"It died shortly after Bartan left it. Which reminds me, you wanted to see him."

	The streets have turned dark, leaving a few small orbs to light up the large building. The bear and dragon laying together in a silent embrace within the dim glow, and a few ears caught some footsteps. Those brown eyes watching for the Cryo's return, rather surprised to see his more canine form. That didn't make those circles any less sad. "Are you alright?" Bartan softly asked.
	"I was... Hoping you could tell me that." A noise in question. "Beo said that you could almost read his..." A gesture to the brass titan, no longer even breathing. "Is he...?"
	A heavy breath. "His body quit on him. I'll have to make him a new one." Dehoken entered and sat near the brass one's head. Touching his cold scales almost hoping to feel a pulse. "Only to have it corrupt that too."
	"And it's getting faster everytime, isn't it?" A faint nod as the bear rested his head on the dragon's neck. A long silence between the two as Dehoken struggled to tell him something. "...Your...Son?"
	"I know..." He said sadly. "He knew as well, regardless of how much I fought with him." Another heavy breath. "I was always too hard with him. Expecting so much back then."
	"I think that's how all parents are. And trust me, you don't know strict." A chuckle.
	"I'm not so sure. I tended to look up to Xion and his ways quite a bit."
	"Then you would know strict." He half whimpered. "So... I'm okay?" A soft nod.
	"Not a single thing wrong with you. Did you touch it?" A sudden stop as Dehoken remembered all the contact he made in that last fight.
	"Touch works... For a start." Another chuckle. "Could say it slapped me, I slapped it. Even got a bit of it in my mouth."
	"How'd it taste?"
	"The Worst." A large smile on that white bear muzzle. "I mean, the Worst."
	"I'll take your word for it-"
	"We're talking : take a piece of toast that's been stuck in a toaster for the last four hundred years, sandwich that between two car tires. Then glaze it with three parts motor oil, and one part skunk spray." A laugh. "The Worst. Pray he never tastes like that."
	"Yeah..." A heavy breath.
	"...What if...?" Those brown eyes looked at him.

	The dragon grunted awake, feeling almost uncomfortable. Getting those familiar set of paws trying to brace him down. "Beo, stop. Just for a moment." He made a noise in question, but barely listened to him. "Please."
	"I'm alright, Bartan." Beo yawned, snapping his jaws a few times. Looking at his mate's worried look and giving it a small kiss. "What are you doing here-?" He stopped, seeing another brass dragon on the other side of the room. One laying completely still, with his colors. "What-?"
	"Shh..." He tried to block the brass one's vision from it for a bit. "I just need to make sure you're doing okay. So stay still for a bit." His heart started to race a bit, frightful of the idea of death once again, that not even those paws could remove it. Or perhaps chose not to for the time being. "Everything looks normal except for your heartrate. And that's due to..."A glance back, like he was trying to protect the dragon from such a sight. "It's unsettling, I know."
	"So, I...?"
	"That body couldn't take the infection anymore. Repairing it wouldn't do anything else." A sad look. "How do you feel?"
	He studied himself for a few moments. "...Fine. A little hungry and sore. Along with a really bad taste in my mouth." A sad smile that almost broke the bear into tears. "But not hungry for... What's wrong?" That gaze fell, and the dragon caught it. Regardless, he didn't get an answer. Once again, Beo looked around the room, trying to avoid looking at the hollow body. "Where's Dehoken?" That one broke the Counterweight, nearly making him collapse. Shifting his weight onto the brass titan. "Bartan? What's wrong?"

	The winds were blowing gently across the evening fields. Making the long green blades of grass dance, along with his red spines. Greeting the metallic behemoth as he casually walked through, looking at the stars twinkling from afar. Almost trying to relieve the dragon of his depressed mood. Something he was thankful for.
	It was strange to live in such a place without worry. Even after a few days, he usually started to feel the side effects. Nearly getting tired of the same old questions. "How do you feel?" "Any Pains? Cravings?" And the bear could see it, so Beo couldn't blame him. He was only concerned for the dragon's health and state.
	But each question only reminded him of what this brass being had taken. Nearly unwillingly. However, if he did have a choice, would he be selfish enough to choose this? That one made him stop and think, to the point where he needed to park himself within the grass and just stare into space.
	"Are you okay?" He was so spaced out he didn't hear his husband creep up behind him. Glancing back at the white furball, he made a faint noise to answer him, but unsure himself if he was or not. Physically, yes. Just like any other time, but...
	Regardless, he opened a wing for Bartan to join him. Shifting himself to half embrace his love and hold one of those four paws tightly. Nuzzling against each other in a few faint purrs and licks. Leading up to a deeper kiss, but this is where the brass one started to pull back. "...Sorry, but I just don't feel like..."
	"That's fine." He gave the larger one a sad smile. "My tail is ready for you when you are." A snout toss made him chuckle.
	"Of course it is. It's always ready for action." A playful nudge. "I like it like that." A deep breath. "But I just haven't... Felt like it since..." A nod in understanding as the two just held each other. "I..." He started, taking a breath. "I dreamed that you had died, and I was forever alone. The one person to keep me alive and well, and..." A few soft pets to tell him it was okay. "Bartan... Was I worth all this? These Sacrifices?" A bit of silence. "I need you to tell me that I was-"
	"Were you?" The bear asked, almost thickly like he was angry. Getting those frilled ears to drop, but getting a heavy sigh from him. "I know it's a hard thing to hear, let alone think about. It was more my choice that I made for you, and I've been asking the same things lately." A slight whimper from the large one. "But the more you think about it, the Burden of the evidence will only continue to grow. If you are unsure, then... You Need To Make Yourself Worth It."
	"And the only way to do that is to live."
	"Live Happily." A sad nod from the brass dragon. "They gave themselves for us, to give you a new life. Now, how are you going to spend it?" The white bear asked softly, only to get a tight embrace.
										"With You."