[center](Alien) Seed (Capture) Scramble[/center] “So, who’s bringing the tent?” “That’d be me.” “What are you bringing again, Ver?” “Beer, beer, and more beer.” “Better buy a cooler then!” “Already got one, Rick!” Racing through the shelves, eyeing jar after jar, wrapper after wrapper, the badger glances around. Brand after brand, smell after smell. Grains, fungus, roots... Reaching up, he pushes his glasses into place. Mumbling to no one, “Hmmmm... What did Terry like again? Did he just want to forage? I know that I can dig up my own food, but still. For a couple nights, just a few snacks will do. If Rick is allergic to peanuts then no-go on the butter. Ver’s not going to be happy, but maybe I can grab him some of that honey he loves... Though what’ll we use it on? I could use it on fruit...” Tapping his foot on the ground, he gently presses the wrinkles from his red polo. Only to have it wrinkle again as a furry arm wraps around his shoulder. “You still picking snacks, Gunther?” “Yeah...” “We don’t have all day! You know that meteor shows up over own neck of the woods t-o-n-i-g-h-t. Tonight! Pick up the pace!” “A-Alright... Just don’t complain if I don’t get anything you like then, Ver...” “I’m not picky!” Waving farewell to his friend, the big, bulky bear bounces off to the refrigerated isles. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “One dark, lonely corner of the woods. Beside the pine tree, up the hill, and...” “To Grandma’s house we go?” The fuzzy muzzle of a wolf pokes out between the seats. Grinning maddeningly. One large paw taps that snoot. Forcefully. “Ah!”, the snorting wolf shouts as he falls back into his seat. “Terry, you jackass!” One large, fluffy mane starts to bounce with laughter. Slowly blinking, the lion’s paw rests on his chest as he casts a look of disbelief back. Staring out the window, Gunther watches the sky. A sky lighting up as one solid streak crosses it. Followed by another. Then yet another. Stars fill his eyes. “Guys!” Tapping the glass with the blunt side of his claw, his voice squeaks, “It’s started!” [b]Thump![/b] Rattling around, another set of stars appear in Gunther’s eyes. Streaks of black and white fur becoming a messy whirl as a large lupine sniffer slips past. Pointed up, the claws clutch his shoulders tightly. Soft swishing starts to echo in the car. “Gunther’s right! Badger’s got good eyes on him!” Pressing one paw against the glass, his jaw drops. Streak after streak slashes the sky. White, green, gold, and red. Up the hill they go, the only noise coming from the humming engine. Darts of light crossing the sky and getting closer... closer... closer... Arching sharply, a dart of green bounds down... down... down... [b]Thooooomp!!![/b] Silence hangs. Jaws drop. A second later, a rumble rocks the ground. Four sets of eyes continue to blink slowly. A wave of wind washes over the car a few seconds later, rustling the leaves on the trees surrounding them. “Hey... Gunther?” “Yeah, Rick?” Paws leave the badger’s shoulders. With the car coming to a stop, the wolf leaps from the backseat and starts racing up the hill. A loud grunt follows. “Terry, you mind following? He’ll probably get himself hurt. Again.” Nodding hard enough to shake the vehicle, the sight of a fluffy mane and big bubble butt bounce just behind the bulky lupine. Running up to the top of the hill where the two men look upward. Taking a minute before they disappear beyond the crest. Sighing, Ver shakes his head. “Well, Gunther, I guess we’ll be setting up camp.” Pedal back to the metal, the car crunches gravel beneath it, climbing upward inch by inch. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Dink. Dink. Dink.[/b] Tapping gently with the mallet, Gunther wipes his brow. Sighing deeply as he gets off his knees to stare at his handiwork. Loosing his grip on the mallet, he hears a dull thud as it drops onto the dirt. “Alright... Tent’s ready. Everything set up, Ver?” “Yep... Just... about... done!” [b]Cu-clang![/b] Rattling glass scrapes inside the cooler, releasing a sharp, hollow sound. Flinching, the badger tenses up, the stripes of white becoming a shooting star in their own right. “Can you not?” “Look, dude. I’m tired. It’d be easier if a couple others would come back and help...” Groaning, the badger scratches his chin. One quick glance around shows him all he needs to know. Slumping forward slightly, he waves one paw by his ear. “Have they at least IM’d you?” “No. They’ve not been online since they left the car.” “Let’s try calling. I hope they remembered to charge their phones...” Two soft clicks fill the air as the bear’s claws dexterously dance over the screen. The small, ovular device illuminating his face in a stark, cream white. [b]Bring-ring... Bring-ring... Bring-ring... Bring-ring... Bring-ring...[/b] “Figures... Guess I’ll go look for them this time. Stay here in case they loop back.” Pocketing his phone, the bear starts descending the hill. All he gives as he goes is a warm smile. “Understood... Just don’t get lost yourself, Ver.” Onto his rear the badger falls, staring up at the sky. Watching streak after streak cross the night. Slashing the darkness in white, green, gold, and red. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Crunch... Crunch... Crunch...[/b] Rock cracks apart, releasing steam. Hissing steam, with bits and pieces of the ground crackling from heat. Extending branches out and out. Spreading out farther and farther. Reaching out to a star-stunned wolf. Binding a shocked lion. Drawing the two gagged and bound figures deeper into the steam. Foggy, mystifying steam as wiry ropes reach out from the rock. Swallowing them whole into bands of otherworldly, green vine. Faster than light, now faster than sight, and faster than thought. Muddled, muddied thoughts as the two claw at the dirt. Drawn, dragged, and dropped. Hissing coils of otherworldly green vine swirling around them, swallowing them, syphoning... Barely a minute later, the outside of two giant, green, veiny husks form. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- White, green, gold, and red. With phone and badger gazing up toward the sky. Streaks of light continue to cross. Distantly, steaks of light continue to fall. Bound for the ground. One after another. With outstretched hands, Gunther blocks his sight of one after another. Green, gold, and reaching out for red... [b]Bzzt bzzt! Bzzt bzzt! Bzzt bzzt![/b] Sitting up, the badger’s eyes turn to the small, polyester tent. Flashing light pours out of the white flaps. Walking in, the phone shakes on a small sleeping bag. Eyes wide, he lets out a loud sigh. “Come quickly. Down the hill. Path we took. Need some help.” “...Ver. What happened down there?” Gulping, the badger pokes his head out. Gazing down at the sea of trees. A streak of black and white fur quickly rushes down the hill. Leaves crunching underpaw as branch and brush are pushed through. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shrubs blocking sight are brushed aside as Gunther carries on. Surrounded by the sounds of the woods. Wind rustling the leaves, crickets singing their tune all around, and now the sounds of a distressed man, eyes gleaming in the dark under the canopy. “Ver! Rick! Terry!” Hauling himself across old, fallen trees. Clothing turning green with chlorophyll from fresh grass, black with sticky mud, and fraying with sharp sticks and thorns clinging and tearing at them. Wandering through dark, dirt roads and around narrow bends. Over small stones and through foliage. Breathing heavily, tensely, while a faint green light snakes through the trees. “Ver? Rick? Terry?” [b]Thu-thump... Thu-thump... Thu-thump...[/b] Audible beating. Faint and quiet. Distant and echoing. [b]Thump-thump... Thump-thump... Thump-thump...[/b] Tangible beating. Loud and horrid. Close and contained. [b]Thu-thump... Thump-thump... Thu-thump... Thump-thump...[/b] Twin beats in synchronicity. Atrium of resin and vine housing the green light and the large, spiny, flowering plant. Twisting, crunching, into place as the flower’s stem and dexterous pedicel arc. Facing the badger, a set of five petals. Blots of white on a body of red, with golden needles lining the lip of the petals. Petals that curl into a cruel smile, bending and beckoning to a dark, long gullet. Wide eyes, loud panting, and a shot of adrenaline. Overpowering the sounds of nature, natural terror. One loud, long scream as the sound of tearing fabric screeches in the night. None of that noise enters Gunther’s ears. Only one sound rings in his head. [b]Thump-thump! Thump-thump! Thump-thump![/b] From his chest, the drum refuses to stop. Beating at an accelerated rate and only growing louder. Tearing through shrubbery, snapping branches, tripping on old roots. Running in a panic, running in a confused haze. Eyes glinting at the sight of a lion’s mane in the distance. “Terry!!! Terry! Come on, we’ve got... to... run...” Disheveled, dusty, golden-brown fur. A squeak fills the air as the badger’s heels and claws dig into the dirt. A gasp as the lion’s bare glutes greets him. Trapezius and deltoid’s tensing while Terry turns. Twigs and leaves caught on the mane, a shelf of pecs hovers above Gunther, and a set of cold eyes stare down. Methodical breathing, heavy and low. Soft growling interrupts the chirping crickets. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Gunther. Come along. Your genes will be welcome.” Those eyes. Staring at the badger’s soul without flinching. Two strong, large paws reach out. Wide eyes and jaw dropping, the badger bumps his head against a tree while backing slowly. Terry’s march towards him is stiff and measured. Dick and balls swinging freely. Each step making a soft shake in the ground. “T-Terry... Nooooooooooooo!!!” Panting hard, the badger’s pace accelerates as he hops off the trail. Underbrush pushed aside while the lithe figure forces his way through. Fumbling with his pockets as he pries his phone free. Tapping twice as he puts the phone to his face, hearing it ring. “Come on! Ver! Ver, pick up!” [b]Brrrring... Brrrring... Brrrring... Beep![/b] “Hello! This is Verdigrande T’vunth! I can’t come to the phone now, so please leave--” “FUCK!” Gritting his teeth, Gunther grips the phone tighter as he wheezes. Rushing through the dark woods, paws scrapping against the coarse bark of trees, and lungs alight he cocks his head up at the thinning canopy. “Car! Just... got... get... Oomph!” [b]Thump! Ding... dink...[/b] One small bundle of plastic and metal skids on the dirt. Flipping over some pebbles until its face is up. Shining a light on Gunther and a large, naked wolf. Disheveled, dirty fur with traces of viscous liquid shining on his head. Lean, tall, and tense. Muscles flexing underneath layers of fur. Staring with half-dead eyes. Gulping, Gunther jumps back. “R-Rick? Are you...?” “Your presence has been formally requested. Do not resist. Sundalla is eager to meet you.” Not a hint of tone in the wolf’s voice. Stiff and rigid as his arms extend, claws glinting in the phone’s light. Mechanical step after another, the power of his figure on full display with each silent stride. Sleek and sizable in all regards. Dark black nose sniffing about, broad shoulders with long arms giving reach, manhood swaying out without care or attention, and soft paws with long claws gripping the dirt tightly. “At ease, Gunther. You will be treated well.” Backing up, Gunther’s body takes a turn. Deep into the dark woods. Racing around. Breathing hard. Rushing down in a hazy blur. Pushing off trees, stumbling over roots, and tumbling through the narrowing confines of the unnatural nature. “Hah! Hah! Hah! Please... let... this... end... OOMPH!” [b]Thud-dunk![/b] Eyes half shut. Stars dancing in the sky and through the canopy. White, green, gold, and red. Stars that shine bright in the badger’s reflective eyes. Obscuring the big, burly bear bearing down on him. First, dropping an outstretched arm that blocks the path. Large paws and long claws reach out. Reaching down. Dragging from bottom to top. [b]Shrrrrrrrrip![/b] Everything feels free. Cool, nighttime air washes over the badger’s fur. Shudders rock his body from head to toe. Wincing, a low groan echoes in the trees. “Oooooh... V-Ver? Please... not you.” Brown fur blurring before Gunther’s blinking eyes, detail fills in. Naked, powerful, bulky, well-endowed. All the friendly, inviting traits of the massive teddy bear rendered a mesmerizing nightmare as he brutally hauls the badger along the ground. Pebbles kicking him in the head and drawing forth a grunt. “Your invitation is not to be denied. We shall proceed. Your own pod is in need.” Sluggish, awkward kicks to bear’s rotund rear accomplish nothing. Ringing in his ears. Blood pumping in his head. Dragged deep into darkness with only a whimper. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pulsating membrane canopy greets Gunther’s bleary eyes with its network of dark veins. Green light radiates inside each misshapen hexagon. Trails of milky white vines hold hanging pods. Translucent green showing the captured contents of the fruit. Arcing his head weakly, the badger limply reaches out to them. “Terry... Ver... Rick... Haaaaah... Found you.” Wolf, lion, and bear suspended in three pods. Green fluid swaddling their sleeping figures. Suspending their bare bodies. Around a center of red and gold. Unfurling petals opens to a wide stigma. Speckles of gold amongst the whirling storm of unfurling red. With a loose curl, the plant’s unearthly beckon shudders the ground. Waving dirt and dust around, creating a cloud that obscures Gunther’s vision. Everything becomes a shifting, swirling blur. Blood rushes to the badger’s head as wind whips one side of his face. Around and around the axis of the bear he spins with disorienting speed. Heaved upward with a loud grunt. Floating in the air for what feels like an eternity... before things start to feel dark and warm. Sliding down the slick surface inside. One long tube tunneling him into green light. Taking each slight curve or bend as a bump in the road before finally dunking him into warm, relaxing wetness. A breathable, glowing water as his fur grows heavier. Muscles relax with a tingling warmth washing over in waves. Bobbing up and down in the thick yet fluid liquid. Wave after wave of tingling warmth washes over. Drenching down to the skin and dragging him deeper into a closing pod. Cracking sounds distorted by liquid precede an odd rising. Bouncing around in the rumbling liquid frothing as he ascends to the canopy ceiling. Thin tendrils catch and secure him up to the top. Breathing the substance in, Gunther’s eyelids flutter shut. [b]Thump-thump... Thu-thump... Thump-thump... Thu-thump...[/b] Pulses from his own chest and from one external. Two hearts beating in tandem with his blood flowing down. Weighed down with the pleasing sensation of his cock rising. Tall and hard with the plant’s viscous snare gripping it. Bobbing up and down... up... down... up... down... Throbbing, pulsing. Shuddering, rocking. Gunther’s eyes shut as his rod starts firing. Bubbles creep up around his face as he moans into the liquid. Hips rocking with each shot. Seeing a sharp white trail into a wispy tail in the thick green. Shutting his eyes as he bathes in the afterglow. Watching that stream of cum coalesce and flow up the tube to the canopy. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Crrrrrackale!!! Puysshhh...[/b] One sticky paw pries its way free from the shattering pod. Streaks of black and white fur flying out. Tumbling to the ground in a clumsy crash. Gasping, panting, while standing automatically. Not a thought with an immediate salute. Sharp eyes stare around. Taking in the sight of the green canopy. Four full pods dangling from the ceiling. Wolf. Lion. Bear. Badger. “Gunther.” Turning to the trio of voices, the badger stares at the three naked figures before him. Clearing his throat while puffing up his chest. Lowering his arm with a nod. “Rick. Terry. Ver. Thank you.” Collective grunting follows with the badger walking forward to them. All four with blank faces. “We have more targets arriving. Two simians and a dog. Are you ready to assist?” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Branches crack. Cracking to the tune of four sets of paws. Wandering through the dark woods. Wandering to a hill. A hill with a tent, a car, and three figures. Stepping from the foliage, the stars twinkle on the badger. “Targets acquired.”