(This story has been a long time coming. I always wanted to tell the tale of Ebony's first food pet. As many who rp with me know Ebony has many pets. But he had to start somewhere. This story, set between Servanus and Disgaea S tells how it all began, when a lonely Ebony makes some friends.)

The House In Fairton
By Misterebony

PRELUDE 

Ebony walked around the large city that had become his new home. All around Furs and Humans were walking side by side, eating, laughing, playing, and generally happy. Thanks to gifts left for them all by the alchemists, they now had a life much like was enjoyed on the dimension of Earth in modern times.

But two were not happy. And for different reasons. Ebony had yet to find a place he could call his own, as the city life was not for him. He began exploring the vast forests and plains beyond the city to find a place he could live. His human friend Servanus was unhappy because of the guilt he felt. In his mind he was still responsible for the Seraphim Massacare, as it came to be known. That terrible event in the newly named Hunter's World where only 144,000 furs and fur liking humans survived and retrested to this safe haven.

The city of Fairton.

"Are you sure you have to go?" Ebony asked as they walked. Derek Servanus sighed and nodded.

"I have to Ebony. Someone has to keep an eye on the hunters in other dimensions, and I have to find Lillibell. Besides, Idon't belong here. You see in their eyes they blame me for what happened. I know they do and they always will. I just cannot stay among that, among their hatred."

Ebony nodded. "You must do what you must but they do not blame you. They would welcome you if you stayed. You know I at least would old friend."

"Knowing that makes it easier to go Ebony." Darek said sadly. "Knowing I have somewhere to come back to is nice. But I have a duty."

Ebony sighed. "As you wish." He shook Darek's hand and stepped back, watching as he opened a portal to a random dimension. In a flash he was gone, and Ebony, despite being surrounded by furs and humans, felt alone.

"What do I do know elder?" He said to the sky. "What task do I do now in this new land?"

CHAPTER 1

A little boy sobbed in the bedroom. Not much of a start for a day, but it was how his started. His brown hair had scars, his pale skin covered in black and blue marks, and his eyes were red with tears. for the 8 year old, this was a typical start.

He had just been yelled at again by his parents. And not for stealing or not picking up his room or things like that. No the reason they yelled at him was far far worse.

He had just brought home a report card with stright A+'s, much higher than his sister.

The parents were gromming her for great things, such as medical school or maybe Harvard. The boy, whose name they never said anymore and even he had a hard time remembering, was groomed to be a servent and to work at home. Every time he was successful and especially when he was more successful than his sister, he was scorned, yelled at, and even beaten.

Last night he had all three. The sores on his face, arms, and backside were still tender, and becaue of how they looked he was locked in his room, forced to stay home from school. He wondered ofen why he was made to suffer so, when he was just trying his best. And really he stopped doing that awhile back. He was a very smart kid indeed, able to do things naturally. So why did his parents hate him?

Why?

**********

"Eat your eggs dear, they will make your brain strong?" The dark haired woman said. She was not pretty by any standard, and the joint in her mouth made it look even worse. In the easy chair nearby her husband sat, reading the paper as the sports news played on the radio.

"Joey isn't coming down again?" The girl said, trying to hide her anger. She had just been cleaned up, her pretty hair in a style she hated, her eyes colored to make her look beautiful, and her skin perfect. And she hated it.

"No, he isn't feeling well. You best get to school soon." The mother quickly said. But Alicia knew better. She heard the sounds after she went to bed. She heard the yelling and the smacks. She knew they had beaten him again.

She pushed her plate aside and got up. "I have to get ready." She said coldly. Her mother smiled that sicky sweet smile, made worse by the pot she lit up. As she went upstairs her anger flowed. It was not right! SHE was the one who should be beaten, she got D's! But instead her brother was punished fro doing good, and she was rewarded even when she did not deserve it.

Last night it was a Wii and about 20 games, which she was certain her father stole. No that was not fair, his financial schemes had made them rich, and Alicia reaped the benefits.

And she HATED it. Her room looke dlike a toy store or fancy boutique, while her brother's room looked like a prision cell. And worse of all, his looks of sadness and refusal to even speak to her anymore made the life she led impossible. She felt like one of those stupid dolls her parents bought for her. A display item that didn't deserve to be.

But she couldn't rebel. She had tried once, tried to run away. But her friends told her how Joey, little Joey, was beaten every night until she came home... then was beaten near to death for, according to them, tricking her. She helped him to her room, but was scared out of her mind when Joey was shoved into his, and she was warned not to go near her.

"Tjose welts have a deadly disease!" her mom had said, lying like a rug. "I don't want my little Einstien to get sick."

"I know what you..." She started, but her mom had already left the room.

By the time she collected her thoughts she realized she was fully dressed. Een her worse outfit, which she wore now, was high class and expensive and probably stolen. SHe wished she could just go to school naked to spite her family... but they would just beat him again.

He was the tool they used to keep her in line. And she had no choice but to obey.

She cried the whole way to school, scared fro her little brother. She had to get him out of here. But where could they go?

They tried to leave together before. And that failed.

CHAPTER 2

It was two years ago they made their escape attempt. Alicia was in 2nd grade then and Joey in first, but they ran away that night.

They ran to where they hoped they wold be safe. After al, school told them to tell an adult if there was trouble. So they went to some.

They ran to the police station down the road. They ran there because they knew that police officers kept children safe. So they went in to stay safe.

"I see." The officer at the desk said when they told the story. "So if I get this stright, your parents beat him all the time because he is smart huh? And spoil you because of your D's?"

"Yes sir!" Alicia said. "Look at him!" He shied away, trying to hide his bruises. But it did not matter, the officer's smile said it all.

He didn't believe them.

And why would they? It sounded impossible! Too unrealistic to ever be true, even if it was. Besdies, the source was two kids saying their parents, who in the public eye were well respected officials, were child beaters. So they led them into a little room with a soft couch.

Then they did the impossible. They calle dtheir parents.

When they arrived, Alicia was sicked at how different they looked. They were professionals at hiding the truth, the mother looking pretty, no pot in her mouth then, and her father actually in a snice suit. They fauned over her like she was dead and now alive again. But when they left they forgot something.

Joey.

"We left him there!" Alicia had screamed. "Go back!"

"Left who there dear?" The father said. "We have everything."

"Dad Joey is there!" 

"Who is Joey?" The mother said. Alicia couldn't believe what she heard. She sobbed all the way home, and sobbed even worse when they presented her with a welcome home present: A silk PJ set easiloy valued at $500. She ran to her room and cried, knowing Joey had been left alone at the station.

So when the cop car came into the driveway of their large home, Alicia prayed it was to arrest them. Instead, out came Joey with the officer. Alicia watched from the steps in secret as they talked.

"You brought him?" The father said.

"Yes, he was... hiding." The officer said.

"File that." He said, handing the officer an envelope. "And if he ever tries to stal my daughter again I want him shot on sight."

Alicia was wide eyed. Even as young as she was she knew what was going on. Daddy was rich. Cops like money. Daddy gave money to keep them quiet. Everyone wins except the kids.

And who cares about them? Not her mom and dad, who, as soon as the duo left, they began to yell at him. They said how rotten and selfish he was, trying to take away a sweet, innocent girl who was preparing for the future so he could ruin her life. They said how he was a mistake that was never to have been born. And they said worse things.

Terrible things.

Then the hitting began. The face. The sides. A kick while he was down. Then right to bed.

Alicia cried as she sat in her room among her toys. They were reminders of who gave her everything and who would hurt if she ran. In their own way, they held her prisoner.

Oh she tried other things since.

She told her teacher. The eacher soon dissapeared for some reason. No case was filed.

She tried to rebel by smoking, even as young as she was and even though she hated it. Joey was not alowed to eat that night.

She tried to steal some money to buy Joey a present. Joey had that present broken apart, and was told it was too good for a worthless little waste like him, trying to outdo his better half.

FOr two years she tried to just find some way to get her and Joey out of this. None worke,d and Joey was always punished. So she stopped trying.

There was no hope left. They were doomed and she knew it now.

Until that ight, when everything changed.

CHAPTER 3

With a click, Joey saw the door opened, the lock picked again. He turned away and shivered, knowing they had come to kill him at last. At last he would be free.

"Joey." A voice said. It was his sister. He turned and looked, but his eyes showed no love.

"Go away." He whimpered. "Dad will hurt me if you come, and you like it when he does, so go away."

"Joey that's not fair and you know it." Alicia said, helping him up. "Think you can run?"

Joey nodded. "why?" He asked.

"We are running away. Forever. Until we find some place where no one will ever find us. I'm taking everything you deserve and stuff we need to survive." She smiled. "I even got all the money Dad uses to bribe people. Took some doing but I got the lock."

Joey shook his head. "If you run they will beat me every day, and if I run they will shoot me. If we both run both will happen."

Alicia hugged her brother. :Not this time." She said. "We will run far and far away, until they never heard of us. We can just dissapear somewhere."

Joey looked and sighed. "I wish I could dissapear. I read that book, Hansel and Gretel? If that witch eer caught me... I'd jump right in her oven." He sighed, getting up. "That's what we should do. Go to some zoo or somewhere with a big mean animal who can eat me."

"Don't say that!" Alicia said, louder than she should have. She heard movement and knew she had to go. "Come on!" She said, grabbing his hand and heading for the door. But they did not get there.

For standing there was a form that made them both stare. It stood at 6 feet tall and, in the dim light, it was clear it was not human. It was big and black, save for what looked like a red vest on its chest. Green cat eyes stared at them. In fact, the creature looked like someone had taken a feline and made it into some kind of person. The kids were froze in fear.

"Huh..." The form said, holding up a device. "Do all children in this dimension look like you two? I hope not, especially the boy. He could use a little love I think, perhaps in Candara."

The two stared in fear. They said nothing as he came close. "Well... If you two promise not to scream while I catalouge this dimension I appreciate it, okay?" he began to press buttons on the little device, which looked like a fancy remote control. Another device was brought out on which the fleine looked at what appeared to be a world map, but showed so much detail that it could not be real.

Just to see, Alicia poked the creature and pinched herself. Both times she felt it. She was clearly awake, and this thing... whatever it was... was alive.

"There. Catalogued as dimension 431. Now what to name it..."

"Name... what?" Joey said.

"Don't talk to it Joey, it could be dangerous!"

The form, however, sighed. "Dangerous? Me? Your not a Hunter are you?" He looked her over. "No... I doubt it. More than likely children of Hunters looking for an escape. As for what I am naming... I plan on naming this dimension. A common name here seems to be Earth, so I will call this one Earth."

The two were speechless. Who was this thing?

"Now then, if you will excuse me, I need to head home." He took out the little device again, punched i a few numbers, and the duo watched with shock as they saw a swirling portal appear before them. It was like a miniture black hole that had a picture on the other side. And that picture was of a big forest.

Alicia realised, instantly, that if this was real, this whatever it was... if it was real... was a way away from this hell. No more abuse, no more pressure, and they would be safe.

So imagine the creature's surprise when the duo lept into the portal, the girl carrying a large suitcase with them. 

"HEY!" The creature called, but it was too late. They had gone through. And as the portal closed, the creature saw something else, something that had just walked into the hall.

Standing there, wide eyed, was a woman with a weird looking cigarette hanging off of her lip, and a man staring with wide eyes. 

"Guess there really are no furs here. Ah well. Excuse me." He quickly reopened the portal and lept in, the duo still standing there.

For all that is known, they are still standing in that position today. They had no idea what happened to their kids just then.

But then again... neither did the kids!

CHAPTER 4

Joey was the first to open his eyes. He figured it had to be safe, when they heard no growls and snarls of monsters. What he saw was a sight never seen by him or his sister.

It was a vast forest that seemed to go on forever. Overhead they heard birds singing, and in the distance the soundof the ocean. The air was sweet and warm, and the boy breathed deeply of it. The trees, mostly pine and oak, seemed to grow on forever, as if no person had ever been here before.

Alicia opened her eyes to this sight, and the duo stared briefly at the world they now were in.

"What.. happened?" Joey said. A voice behind them spoke up, half in anger and half in wonder.

"I'll tell you what happened! You just came to MY dimension!"

The two turned to see the figure from before. In the sunlight they could see he was a feline after all, but one with hands and feet... or at least the paws seemed shaped like them. Joey also noticed he had sharp teeth... this was no herbivore.

It looked at them and tamped his foot on the gorund. "Well?"

"Well what?" Alicia said.

"Well why did you come here?! Just because I open a portal does NOT mean everybody and his cousin can leap through! I use them to explore other dimensions, not to take on freeloaders."

"FREELOADERS?!" Joey said. "We are NOT freeloaders!" He then tuned to his sister. "What's a freeloader?"

"And YOU were the one with the A's?" Alicia said. "And as for you, Mr. feline thingie..."

"Hey, I have a name kiddo." He said, chuckling. "Name's Edward Broa'd Ebony. But everyone just calls me Ebony. Now do YOU have names, or do I just call you RunawayOne and RunawayTwo?"

"We have names." Joey said. "I'm Joey and this is Alicia my sister." He looked about where he thought the portal had been. "Mister... can anyone follow us?"

“No mister stuff here. Just Ebony. As for following you I doubt it. Not unless they have a dimensional transporter like this.” He held up the remote. “Why?”

Alicia was wide eyed and hopeful. “You mean... our parents...?”

“No they can’t follow you. I should send you back-”

“NO!” Alicia shouted. “No please let us stay!” Joey blinked as Alicia took his hands. “Joey we did it! We’re free!” She hugged him tight and eventually he hugged back, leaving the feline very confused.

“O.... kay.” He finally said. “I think I better have the whole story.”

**********

The trio were sitting in the grass as Ebony heard the last of the tale. The sighed some as he heard it all, the whole of it ringing all to close to home in many ways.

"We were going to run away again," Alicia finished, "but we had no idea where we were going to go. The police are in dad's pocket, our teachers disappear, we have no other relatives, and the orphanage just sends us back. No one will help us. So I wanted to help ourselves, just find someplace where we can be free. And then you showed up..."

"And I can tell the rest." Ebony said. "Quite the tale."

"You don't believe her do you?" Joey said, hoping he did.

"Boy you have NO IDEA. I actually believe more than most would. I guess Hunters exist in other forms than those made by the Slayer." He shook his head. "Your tale is similar to those of several others here. Welcomed outside of their families but nearly killed by the ones who are supposed to protect them. Things like that make me sick to say the least."

"So can we stay?" Alicia said, hopeful.

"I didn't say that." Ebony said simply.  "I for one cannot keep you. For the past few months since a freind of mine left I have kept myself busy trying to explore new areas. I don't even have a home of my own. I was certain exploration was my destiny when I found this by the old portal in this wood."

"The old what?" Joey said, a little curious.

"Come, I'll show you." He stood up, taking the hands of the two children and heading down a long-overgrown path among the trees. The grass was thick on the path and a few flowers bloomed on it. They did not walk very far when they found a large stone circle, held up with two large metal rings stuck into the ground. Beside it was a stone table that looked like it once held something, and a place at the side of the table for a hand or paw to go.

"I found this on my first day after Darek left." Ebony said, stroking the smoothed stone. "It was made by those who left the dimension and came to Seraphim, and was likely widly used then. Now it is a hidden treasure of these woods, as was the dimensional key."

"You mean that remote control you have?" Joey asked, Alicia stroking the smoothed, cold stone. it was unlike any she had ever seen before, and looked almost alien.

"That's right." Ebony confirmed. "It was on this pedastal, waiting to be claimed. By chance I put my paw in the relief and the force protecting it faded away. I found the remote and began to catalogue the dimensions, using knowledge the device gave me."

"How did it do that?" Alicia asked, walking over. 

"When I touched the device I heard a voice in my head, the voice of my old Elder, may he rest in peace. The voice told me how to use the device and what it could be used for. 'But,' the voice had said, 'what you choose to do with the device is your own decision. If you look hard enough, the purpose of it will be found.' I still recall those words, even a few months later. Ever since I have used this device to catalogue various dimensions. Only up to about 30 so far, but the results are astounding."

Joey stroked the stone of the table. "I wish I could have found somethinglike this. Maybe it would have taken me aay to someplace where I could disappear. Maybe a grove of hungry lions..."

"JOE!" Alicia said, taking his shoulders. "Don't say things like that please! I couldn't lose you now. Besides, we never have to go back there. Right Mr.... er... Ebony?"

Ebony was silent.

"RIGHT?"

Ebony sighed. "I wish I could say so. Your tale says that perhaps you should not return. But this dimension was meant to be a safe haven for the survivors of Seraphim, not a hiding place for everyone. I'm sorry. I will look around your dimension to find you a better home, but I cannot do any more than that."

"What about this Candara place?" Alicia quickly suggested. "Surely we could go there, you said it might be possible."

Ebony pondered this. "That I could do. At least for now. But don't expect to stay there forever. Candara is a nice place to visit, but living there... not thanks." He chuckled some and took out his remote. "I hope you kids have a BIG sweet tooth."

"Why?" Joey asked, though when the portal opened he did not need to. He knew the answer as he saw the dimension.

His mouth was watering as they stepped through.

CHAPTER 5 

As the trio arrived in Candara, the two kids thought they had really stepped into a dream. They had to poke each other several times just to make sure. But where they were was real... and it looked delicious.

Candara might as well have been called the Sweet World. Everything looked like the CHocoloate Room of Willy Wonka: edible and delicious. forests of cookies, lollipops, and gumdrops were all about them. Candy paths were everywhere. Mountains of cakes and ice cream could be seen all about, and everywhere were random gingerbread men, candy cane grasses, and all sorts of other goodies. All the land was broken by rivers of chocolate, butterscotch, and caramel.

The bellies of the two kids began to growl, and their mouths watered. Ebony chuckled some.

"Go ahead." He said, motioning them to eat. They hesitated only a moment, remembering what happened to Hansel and Gretel.

Then they dug in. Massive amounts of cake vanished into their hungry little mouths. To their suprise, every bite they took seemed to grow back, as if nothing had happened.

"Candara was a world created to be eaten." Ebony explained. "It has to be fed on, or it would grow out of control. Children sometimes wind up here  in their dreams, unaware that their dream bodies are feasting at a real live place. No doubt you two dreamed of this world yourselves."

Alicia nodded, her face messy with icing. Joey was to busy chewing on a big chocolate chip cookie to say much.

"BUT," Ebony said. "There is a catch."

They froze. "What is it?" They ased. And in no time at all they got their answer.

Nearby, one of the cakes began to move. It was a double layer cake, with a huge bottom part and an upper part where the side looked like a face had been made with an icing mouth and gumdrop eyes. When those gumdrops blinked, it was clear it was a face, confirmed as the icing mouth opened and closed. It got up on candy cane feet and began to waddle to the kids, extending two strnads of licorice to catch them.

"Relax." Ebony said, seeing the two start to go white with fear. "Even if the residents here eat you, they cant hurt you, and you just eat yoru way out of them. They just do what they do because... simply put... they want to get eaten first."

Alicia blinked. "You mean... it WANTS us to eat it?"

Ebony nodded as, gently, Joey was lifted up. In a flash the boy was hoisted high, the licorice strand tickling at his tummy. He giggled and screame,d the first time he had laughed in a long while.

"Don't eat them please!" Ebony called to the cake, which froze and looked his way. "They are kinda new, and don't quite understand yet. Justs et them on you for now."

Thje cake nodded and obeyed, setting the boy on top of it amongst thick, gooey, delicious icing. It was chocolate flavored and the boy just slurped it up happily Alicia then climbed the cake herslef, shoving handfuls of the sponge cake into her mouth, moaning in delight. Ebony smiled as the cake got a happy face on it, clearly liking the kids.

"They will be safe here for now." Ebony said to himself. "I'll leave them here for tonight, and go back to Earth. There must be someone there who can help these kids." He began to punch in the location for it, leaping into the portal. "This should not be too hard. I mean, not like they are hunters hating furs right?"

If he only knew what was to follow.

CHAPTER 7

Arrival on Earth had to be in secret, because there were no furs there, except maybe two or three who tried as best as they could to stay hidden. Ebony knew he would need a disguise. So, he emerged in an alleyway, where darkness swallowed him up easily. And then, he whipped out a potion that was inky black in color. He drank it down fast, the taste of it like root beer.

In an instant, his whole body shook as he began to shift his form. His fur slowly faded out to a set of black clothes: a T-Shirt and black pants, with his red vest over them. His face shifted and changed to look more like a human face, with a sharp nose and no whiskers, though he did have a little bit of peach fuzz. His fur on his head thickened and grew longer to be like hair, and his ears moved to the sides of his head. His tail vanished into himself. In the end he could pass for any human, save for that he still had the feline teeth. He looked in a nearby window (Thankfully it had been closed) to get a look at himself.

He didn't look too bad. He was somewhat handsome and had a similar build to his feline form. His skin was cream color, and his eyes like a humans but still deep green.

"Not bad, for my first polymorph potion." He said. "Would have been better if I had an actual lab or potion room of some sort." He sighed, remembering that, while he was trying to find a home for those two kids, he himself had no home. He was like Darek in that respect, a homeless of Fairton just looking for where he belonged and what he had to do.

He still held that thought when he heard the scuffle. He looked to his right and saw a woman being attacked by a masked man. Ebony didn't have to know much to realize he was watching a robbery and possible murder attempt taking place.

"Hey!" He caled, rushing to them. The man looked at him and drew a knife. "Oh come on. That all you got?"

"Shove it Asshole!" The man said... and was replied to with a fist to his face. Ebony stroked his fist after the punch, his hand muscles not as strong as they were as a feline... but it was still enough to take the guy down.

"I hate language like that." Ebony said. "I really do." he looked to the woman beside him, still sobbing, her clothes partially torn from the struggle. He watched as she tried to strighten her clothes up, staing back as she did, not wanting to frighten her.

"What will you do to me?" She asked.

"Nothing." Ebony said, just walking down the road. "I'm just passing through, looking for a home for a couple kids."

He left there, the woman blinking some. She was unsure who he was or why he had saved her. But something in her made her wonder. Mad eher think that, maybe, this was no regular guy. 

**********

"Sorry sir, but I can't help you." The owner of the orphangae said after hearing Ebony's story. "If the parents are still acively searching for the child, then we cannot take them in. We have to return them to the parents."

"But this is a special case." Ebony insisted. "The parents are very abusive. They..."

"Wait a minute." The owner said. "The names of these kids wouldn't be Joey and Alicia would they?" 

Ebony blinked. "WHy do you ask?"

The owner sighed. "I thought so. I don't know how you got involved, but I hope you know where the kids are, becasue the parents are looking for them. See, their daughter is a prodigy, the credit to such a noble, wonderful family. And the son... well I am sure he must have SOME talent. After all he has his mother's blood."

Ebony almost exploded, hearing this. He had already confirmed the story of the two kids by watching the parents in secret, and this man is BELIEVING the abusers?!

"Trouble is he is also the worst child anyone could imagine. Keeps trying to steal his older sister away and ruin the family, just because she is so smart. She may do most of the talking but most of us here in the city know better."

Ebony just couldn't believe it! It was like he was surrounded by Hunters, who turned a blind eye to those in need. But STILL the man lectured.

"My advice? Take the kids back to the parents. Sooner or later the son will realize how wonderful the parents really are, and stop being so jealous of the sister."

Ebony had heard enough, and walked out the door. He had heard this kind of speech already from the policemen, from the lawyers, from everyone who could have helped the kids in this city. He now wondered about extended family, if any of them would be willing to help. He would find out soon enough.

He started down the road, hopeful for some kind of home for these kids. But no matter what he had tried so far nothing seemed to be working out. He walked into a fast food place and ordered some of the local food. Nothing much, just a burger and fries. 

He wished he could have had a mouse, or at least a kid. Being a furson, he could eat and reform his food thanks to potions he took. But this was not Seraphim or Fairton, nor one of the fur-filled dimensions he had come across. Tis was Earth, and vore was, at most, a fetish of the few and one frowned on by the masses. Reformation also was impossible: no doctor researched its possibilities, and most from what he saw cared only for profit. Earth was seeming less and less like the ideal place to send these kids.

Still he had hope. After all not all the people here were bad. Perhaps he would find the answer soon.

***********

"They asked a lot about you." The officer told the man who came in. He hmphed some and looked out the window.

"And you said he wore all black and was asking about my kids?" He said.

"Yes. I told them it was silly what he was saying."

"Good." The man replied, stepping out of the shadows. It was the father for the two children. "I want him found and placed under arrest. If he knows where my little girl is, not to mention the boy who stole her, then find him."

"I'll put out an all points bulletin for them." The officer said, nodding to one of the secretaries who sat nearby. "If he is anywhere in the city, we will hunt him down."

"Make sure he is and you will be rewarded." The man said, walking out. He pulled out a cell phone to call his wife. It was crazy what they had seen last night. A big cat stealing the kids, HA! That only happens in fairy tales. No they ran away and had to be found.

The girl had a duty, and the boy had to DIE.

CHAPTER 8

Ebony walked up to the old house in the suburbs. It was his last hope. Here lived the mother's sister, who people had said was a real nice lady. He strightened his clothes and knocked on the door.

No answer. 

"Hello?" He called. He waited a little longer. Still nothing. Ebony was getting worried. Could something have happened to this woman? He was hopeful that was not the case. 

But there was still no answer. Ebony sighed and turned around, looking right into the face of the woman he had saved only a little while before. She was wide eyed as she looked at him.

"Oh! It's you again!" She said with a smile. er clothes were all cleaned up now and she had a smile on her face. "You were sure an odd duck, running off without een a thank you. I could have at least given you some money. Come in! I owe you that!"

Before Ebony could say no the lady escorted him in. He was wide eyed at what he saw. There had to be cats everywhere! Cat pictures on the wall and stuffed cats on the couch. There was a tiger rig on the floor and a few tiger statues on the desk. He was wide eyed as he saw this, and she blushed.

"Odd I know. I am kind of the black sheep of my family. But I just LOVE cats." She said with a giggle, heading for the kitchen. "I hope you don't mind."

Ebony was tryng not to laugh. He almost laughed out loud at his luck. He WAS a cat after all. How would she react...

Wait. He had a reason to be here. "Forgive me for asking... but do you have a neice and a nephew, Joey and Alicia?"

The woman came back out, glasses of wine in hand. "Sure do! But I don't see them very much. My sister and I are not really on speaking terms since she married that jerk."

Ebony took the wine. "You mean...?"

"Yeah Roderick. You must have met them. Only way you could have seen her kids and not be at the school is by meeting them. And we used to all be so close. But not anymore."

Ebony was curious. "What happened?"

"HE happened. He was a self-hating bastard. He likes women, so he is not mean to her or anything... but men he has to time for. He sees them all as theives and bastards. Guess his dad did that to him, but The sins of the son cannot always be blamed on the father. It wasn't long after they were dating that Suzy, my sister, started saying bad things about my brother and our dad. We argued about ti a few times.

"Then one day, my brother went missing. I still do not know what happened to him, the police refuse to investigate, saying that he probably just moved away. But I know better. I know he would have contacted us if he had moved, online or otherwise. I know that something terrible happened."

Ebony took this all in and relaised what he might propose could endanger her life. It was then that he knew he had no choice: the children could not return.

"By the way, why do you ask?" The woman said, but she got no answer. Outside a blowhorn sounded and both Ebony and the woman got up.

And there, standing with a pistol, wa sRoderick by the chief of police, the sister with a rifle in her hand. The wman was wide eyed with suprise.

"Suzy?!" The woman called. "What the hell are you doing!"

Her answer was the woman firing at the house. She screamed and ducked low, her eyes showing the attack was by suprise. Ebony realised he had gotten her involved like it or not.

"Alright, this is your last chance!" The policeman called. "Surrender the man and no one gets hurt, or we are coming in!"

Ebony sighed. He could leave the dimension, but if he did now the woman would be in danger. But if he surrendered they STILL might kill her. No there was only one option. He hated it, but he had to. 

"Go get everything to want to take with you." He said. The woman stared in curiousity. "Just do it! If you want to live you will trust me."

The woman nodded, About to leave when Ebony stopped her. "Wait... what is your name?"

She turned and chuckled. "Odd time to ask, as we are about to be shot." She sighed. "Ah well. Names Kira." She went on upstairs, Ebony knowing he would have to show his true form. He sighed and took out the antidote for the potion from before and drak it down.

His clothes changed back into fur.

His ears returned to their normal position.

His whiskers and tail grew back.

His hands and feet were paws again.

"Ahhhh.... much better." He said, waiting. Slowly the door opened, and at the door way stood Suzy and Roderick, weapons in hand.

"Meow." Ebony said, chuckling and slamming the door in their face, then stepping away as they unloaded their weapons into the door. He tossed a potion he made out the window, which exploded and spread out a cloud of green gas. Those who breathed it in suddenly went unconscious.

Then the door reopened, Suzy and Roderick standing there. They only held their weapons for a moment before Ebony knocked them away with his paws. 

"I know the truth." Ebony said. "I know what you will do to them. So I will tell you now: I won't bring them back here. Nor will I let you hurt your own sister. I saw people liek you two once before, who killed my family and the families of my friends."

"So you wil lkill us then huh freak?" ROderick said, reaching behind him.

"No." Ebony replied. "I am going, with your sister, and leaving you two to whatever fate history has. Though at this technology leve I doubt I will  see you again."

Ebony turned and pulled out the device, but stepped aside as ROderick charged, a buoy knife in hand. His rage had him slicing at everything that he could find, trying to get at Ebony.

"Rod stop!" Suzy said, watching this happen. But he did not stop.

So se ran after him. Ebony tried to warn her. Her sister, who had walked downstairs at that time, tried to warn her.

But when the knife impacted her chest, driven deep, it was too late.

"No...." Roderick said, wide eyed. "Oh God, Suzy!"

"Why?" Suzy wispered, stepping back. "I... .I supported you...."

Roderick stepped back, blood on his hands. "I never wanted to kill any woman. they ar eperfect. I am not... I never was... daddy said I would..." He began to babble. He didn't even relaize the wound on Suzy was far from fatal, his mind was already slipping away. Suzy watched and was wide eyed in shock.

"This is what I married?" She said simply, a tear in her eye. She turned to the feline and looked for answers.

"I have no answers." ebony said simply. "His kind, like I said, I see before. But perhaps he can be cured, and you cna cure him. But the children must not be harmed anymore."

Suzy nodded in understanding, knealing over her husband. Ebony stepped back, looking at Kira. She turned to look at Ebony briefly.

But then she turned away, looking to her sister. Ebony sighed in understanding, opening the portal back to Candara. There was nothing for the two kids here now, and no reason to bring them back.

As the portal bean to close, Ebony watched as the police came in to find the woman stabbed, the man taking blame, and the sister welcoming Suzy back into her life. Ebony watched Kira to the last. He might have enjoyed her.

But not now.

CHAPTER 9

Sitting on a beach in Candara, Ebony felt like a failure. He had not found a home for the two kids, nor had he been able to win over a woman who could easily have loved him. All he had managed to do by trying to find a home for the two children was destroy the mad father, but all that did was destroy the family.

Destoryer. It fit his medallion. The one like Darek's that told the future. But his destruction meant to destroy a person's life. He sat there, sobbing, waiting for answers.

None came.

"Well... I better tell the kids. They can stay here perhaps in Candara....no, they like it now. But they need a real home. And I cannot give it yet. What can I do?" He looked up to the heavens. "I know you are watching me Elder. But what would you say to me now I wonder? All I have been able to do with others is destroy their lives." 

He stood up facing an uncertain future. He was tempted to go back to Earth, just to make sure everything turned out okay. But he had not the heart to face Suzy and Kira. Let them fidn their path for now. Besides, he had to check on the two kids.

**********

In the days since Ebony left, Joey and Alicia were in heaven. Round and full of goodies, the two lay down on the mint grass, sighing happily. 

It had been a wonderful change for Joey especially, who was able to play with his sister again, and relaly get to know her. Alicia was happy to, seeing him healthy and happy once more. It was as if all the pain their mom and dad had inflicted was gone in a heartbeat, replaced by a hild who was finally free and happy with life again.

They were never going back. Alicia ad made up her mind. They would never return to that home, no matter what.

"I see him!" Joey said, looking up, seeing Ebony walking towards them. Alicia nodded. "I want to tell him Alicia. Please."

"Ok." Alicia said, ruffling his hair. Ebony came close enough to talk to them, but before he said a word, Joey hugged Ebony and spoke.

"Thanks for saving us." He said. "We decided we want to go back to Fairton. You said there are others like you there. Maybe one will want to adopt us if you don't."

"Yeah, but we rather stay with you." Alicia chimed in. "Maybe we can find you a home together?"

Ebony sighed some. "Well, going back to your home is not an option anymore. See... my interfeeing got your mom hurt by your dad and... well, he lost his mind."

He was silent for a moment, remembering the moment he stabbed his wife. It reminded him of the arrows in his mother at Seraphim, of the cold murder there. it reminded him of the Hunters. He was now afraid for the wife and sister, but knew that he could not do anything now.

But the kids did not seem to care. "Ebony," Alicia finally said, "dad was mad since we were born. You didn't change him. He just finally let it control him is all."

Ebony stoked her hair some and nodded. "I suppose you are right. Still, We got to find you two a home." He took out his dimensional portal and opened a gate back to Fairton.

"We will find ours when you find yours." Joey finally said, just bfore they stepped through the portal. Ebony chuckled and realised he had been soundly tricked into keeping the kids, and he couldn't have been happier.

Funny how life is, how things sometimes work out. 

CHAPTER 10

The threesome reemerged in the vast forests of Fairton, the feline smiling as he began to explore again. His mind actually wondered if he could eat the kids and reform them sometime, seeing how Joey at least seemed t like the idea. But the idea fled his mind again as he thought once more of Kira.

He sighed some, walking and thinking. But when he collected his thoughts, he realised he was in a part of the forest he had not been to before.

"This is new..." Ebony said. They were nearing the edge of the forest, and could see through the trees a vast open area. The three ran for it and emerged on top of a high cliff, overlooking the oceans.

"Well.... the great oceans of Fairton." Ebony said. Alicia smiled as she wandered closer.

"It's pretty." She said simply, then she noticed something in the water. "Those are big fish down there. What kind are they?"

"mermaids." Ebony said. "The texts of Fairton say how the oceans are filled wit them. But don't get too close, they love to eat land dwellers. They are supposed to have a queen as big as a city herself, taller than a hundred redwoods."

"Like that one over there?" Joey said, pointing at a single tree overlooking the ocean. It was near the edge of the cliff, though it had some flat, grassy land about it. But it was what else was there that caught everyone's attention.

It was a building. It looked small but cozy, in the ranch style of home. It was white, thought he paint on it looked cracked in a few places even when seen from afar. As they got closer, the three saw that the house was bigger up close than seen from afar, and the tree HUGE, providing it shade. Ebony looked the building over, heard the sound of the sea, and smiled.

"Children," Ebony said, "I think I may have found a home at last." He smield, pushing open the door. And what the three saw defied explination.

The whole of the entryway was taken up with a large living area, with several couches and chairs, all looking comfortable. Several games filled a large cabinet, though the two kids admited to only ever seeing one or two of them before. An opening nearby led to a HUGE kitchen, with everything in it oversized. Joey chuckled when he saw that the oven was big enough for himself and Alicia, and maybe a dozen more. A door to what had to be a pantry was on the far wall, and a fridge was there beside it. In the center was a countertop, larger than any the two kids had ever seen before. The other side of the living room had anothe ropening that led down a hall of doors. One last door at the back of the room seemed unusual, as it had a lining of dust. 

"Wow... this place is enormous!" Alicia said, looking about in awe. Ebony nodded in agreement, his paw running along one of the countertops.

"Not a bit of dust. Alchemic seals froze this place in time." He chuckled. "I wonder how to undo it..."

"Shouldn't be hard." Joey said without really thinking about it. "Right?"

"Most of them are not." Ebony said. "Just have to find the right place to look. And I think I know where." He went right for the dusty door.

With a push, he opened the door. All at once a cold breeze filled the room, Ebony knowing it was the sign that the seal had been broken. Sure enough, the sounds of the home began to be heard. A clock on the wall began to tick. appliances hummed to life. A radio the three had not noticed before began to play soft music.

But Ebony did not notice any of it, looking into the room with shock. For this room to him outshined anything else he could have seen. It was filled with books, vials, and containers marked with various ingredients. It was an Alchemic Labratory, exactly like Ebony had always hoped to find, but was never present in the city.

On the work bench there rested a note, covered with dust. Ebony went to it and carefully brushed the dust away, so as not to damage the paper. On it was a message, and Ebony chuckled as he read these words:

"TO THE FINDER:

"I am Bruin Warrick, Elder of this time. I leave this lab and all else in this house to whomever finds it. I pray that whoever does will use this in a way far different than I used it. Our ancestors warned us. They warned us not to make weapons and war, to stop the pointless fighting we had engaged in for a thousand years, even after some of our number fled, giving us the warning. 

"We should have listened, as we brought on ourselves the wrath of Undine, Queen of the Ocean. Mllions now lay submerged below the sea, drowned or imprisioned for all time. Undine has told us on this, the last continent above the oceans, to leave this dimension. We have agreed provided that we be allowed to make it a safe haven for thsoe who come.

"We saw a vision. A vision that whereever we go will have a terrible fate, with only a few survivors. We are going then to find the desendents of the first exodus in Seraphim, and pray they will welcome us. We leave the masses the city. Fairton. Large and comfortable enough to allow for a peaceful life and even growth under Undine's watchful eyes. But for myself I leave something more.

"If you read this you will know what that is: my home. I used to be a dimensional traveller, capturing specimens from everywhere and keeping them here as family. They are long gone now, and the 10000 Rooms of Comfort are empty and barren, waiting for new tennets. Here in this house, you who found it, you will find these rooms. They will be empty for you save one, meant to be YOUR room. The others will be for other tennets, and will shift to their liking as people come and go. Only you are to know that this home will make the rooms for your guests.. your new family.

"This home also has one room at the end of the hall I call the Holoroom, a place of high technology, a gift of a sort from Technus, the dimensions of machines. Use it as you wish, for children's games or for adult pleasures, for training or for fun, or even just for amusement of any sort. It is yours.

"My final gift is the kitchen. As a bear I ate very big meals, often 40 or 50 children a sitting. As such it may seem oversized, but it is all for you. The pantry is of special note: It is to be for your willing food, and will be as large or larger than the rest of your home. Fatten your food up here and eat as many of them as you want. I am sure you will.

"I wish you well noble finder, and pray your time in this house is in peace and not in war. You will find a use for this home. I know it.

"Signed, Bruin Warrick."

Ebony chuckled, as Bruin was the nameof the elder, and he was the direct desendent of this Bruin. Had to be, the names were the same and even the attitude. He chuckled a little at the finding, wondering if this was meant for him.

All he knew was that he was home. He had found where he ws to live at long last. But now he had the children to think about. He had to...

Wait. Perhaps the house has more than one answer to it.

************

"And that is the deal children." Ebony said, looking at the two. "If you want, you may stay with me, or I can find you a home in the city. But I warn you: I may eat you."

Ebony had shown the two a book on how reformation worked when he told them this, showing how they would not be harmed. Both chuckled a little, the kids in the pictures looking like they were having fun.

"I leave the choices to you..."

"No need to decide." Alicia said. "You saved us Ebony, and we want to be nice in return. We will stay in the pantry. If you want, you can eat us right now."

Joey nodded. Alicia had noticed he was getting into this, and figured she better as well.

"I appreciate that you two, and I think I WILL take you up on that offer. Perhaps a nice slow roast while I check on one last errand?"

The duo nodded, and headed into the kitchen. Ebony quickly handed each one a vial o body coolant so they would reform afterward, and would not be hurt by the cooking. Then he found a roasting pan big enough for the two of them and opened the fridge, giggling when he saw it was fully stocked with everything neede dto make roasted children. He pulled out fruits, especially two apples, as well as a jar of spicy sauce to spread on the two.

"Ok... Being our first time, I think perhaps if you find some edible clothes in the pantry put those on."

The two agreed, leaving Ebony to his thoughts. He realised now what is purpose was. Sometimes there is no other choice for people but to leave to a safe haven. Ebony could provide that. Perhaps Kira would liek to come as well, he would have to...

He lost this hoguht as out the two came, making him laugh! They had put on edible pig snouts, and were wearing undershirts and underpants made of edible pastry. Ebony motioned with his hand to have them get on the table, laughing again when he saw they had even attached little pigtails... and not the kind you put on your head!

"Oh my goodness!" He choked out admist the laughter. "Why?"

"Oink oink!" Alicia said, snorting like a pig, Joey squealing. Soon all three were rolling about with laughter at the comedy of it all, Ebony laughing harder than he had in a long time.

Eventually the two kids were smothered in the sauce, had apples in their mouths, and were in the oven, roasting on a ver low heat. They were not being hurt thanks to that potion,and would stillbe fully awake. Ebony, for some reason, felt he could leave them here and not worry. 

Good thing, he had an errand to make.

CHAPTER 11

Kira sat in her home, petting the big rug on the floor, her hand toying with the tiger's tounge. They had thought her odd when she asked them to make it hollow, so she could "climb in if she were cold", but really to pretend it was eating her bite by bite.

And now she was sighing in sadness. Her sister was free sure, but she wouldn't let herself be. In spite of that bastard stabbing her, she STILL went to see him! Now that the whole city knew the truth, she figured that they must have killed their own kids... just like they killed Kira's brother.

More than ever she wanted to dissapear forever. TO have gone with that... feline. Oh the word made her sway and sob at the same time. Sure he was no tiger, but she bet he would chew her up and free her of the misery.

Sure enough, the moment she thought of him, there he was, poppig back out of one of those portals he had left in, not hiding behind a false human form. He had saved her life twice really. Least she could do was be a meal.

"Kira?" He said.

"Let's not waste time." She said, hastily undressing herself. "You want me raw or would you like some sauce on me?"

Ebony blinked. "Hoh boy, now I know where Joey is getting it from."

Kira sighed. "He's dead. My nephew and neice are dead. I know it."

Ebony smiled and tok her hand. "Nope. They are very much alive. They are with me at my new home, where I want to take you. You and Sara can be safe there..."

Kira shook her head. "She won't go. I tried to tell her again how mean he was. But she won't listen. She insists he is a great guy, who was simply trying to kill a monster. You is who I guess she means I am sorry to say. As for me, I got nothing left here, so either eat me awya to nothing or kidnap me and take me to your den."

Ebony was silent for a moment. "You thought your fantasy out pretty well huh?"

Kira blushed and nodded. "Not like it was a secret in my family. Since I was little I watched those old cartoons, always wishing the cat would eat the mouse. I must have read Red Riding Hood a thousand times. Cats were my favorite thing though. I imagined so many senarios of being lost in the jungle, no weapon or food, coming on some starving lion who thought that I looked tasty, then he would pounce and..."

"Ok ok I get it." Ebony said with a chuckle. "Well I COULD eat you. But you wouldn't die."

Kira blinked. "isn't that impossible?"

Ebony tilted his head. "Impossible? Kira, I have been doing it since I was a kitten! I used to eat my one mouse neighbor three times a week! But... that was..." He sighed and shook his head. "No matter. I have a new home now, and I want you to come with me."

Kira smiled. "Are there other cats where we are going?" She asked.

"HUNDREDS." He replied with a smile.

"Ooooo.... Oh let's go now. I won't take a thing, just run somewhere so they can catch me and imprision me." She stod ready... and naked.

"Well I think you better take some clothes at least." He said with a chuckle, as she went to put hers back on, then went up to get dressed. Ebony knew she was right about Suzy. She wouldn't leave and if he took her he would be no worse than a Hunter. It mad ehim sad, but it had to be this way. He prepared the return portal, waiting as Kira returned, a small suitcase filled with clothes and a few plush tigers. He chuckled some and took her hand.

"What's it like where we are going?" She asked, holding the paw tight.

"You'll see." He said, and they went on through. He could imagine her face when she saw her neice and nephew, roasted up like little piggies.

************

A few hours later, she was sitting with her neice and nephew, the threesome hugging and cuddling. FOr a bit there she thought she had lost them, as when she and Ebony arrived here they were all roasted up. She hated to admit it but they smelled pretty good.

"Relax." Ebony had told her, holding up a little vial. "I gave them a dose of body collant, so they are alright. It numbs out any pain and turns it to pleasure. I also mixed in a reformative agent into the vial, so you will be seeing them again very soon."

Sure enough, Ebony was dining on two giggly little morsels, Joey enjoying this immensly, Alicia liking it though not nearly as much. It took awhile for Ebony to eat them both, something Kira had wished that Ebony had not spent a lot of time on, but soon after they were back to normal, reformed and unhurt.

Now, a short time after that, Ebony was sitting in one of the big squishy chairs across from the threesome, rubbing his fat belly.

"I like that look." Kira said. "I admit I am not much for panthers but you ARE very handsome. Why are you by yourself? I am sure a bunch of other cute felines would LOVE to have s....er.... love you." She blushed, realizing there were children present.

Ebony just shrugged. "I never was really in a relationship. Not the kind of guy to fall for someone to be honest. I am an adventurer, an explorer. I like to see new things and very rarely settle. Not much of a prospect for a happy marriage. But relax Kira. I'll tell some of the tigers in town about you, and you can meet them. I know there is one that will just love you."

She shifted in anticipation. "Ohhhhh... please hurry. I wanna tiger guy."

Alicia spoke up. "And what about us Ebony? We still going to stay in the pantry?"

Ebony nodded. "Absolutely. You don't have to, but I am glad that you will. And don't worry, you won't be alone for long. I think I was meant to find you three, to find people like you who maybe have nowhere to go and need a home. I intend to find them all and bring them here. I have a funny feeling we were meant to be together in this little house in Fairton."

"Will there be a lot of felines?" Kira asked.

"I ave no doubt." Ebony replied, the aunt standing up and her neice and nephew chuckling.

"Ok, show me to my room I am staying no way I will leave FOR SURE!!!!!" She practically skipped off, Ebony close behind.

It was everything he had not to bust out with laughter.

CHAPTER 12

A few months later, Ebony had returned from another trip to a far off dimension, bringing with him a family of mice, three bunny orphans, and some children whose grandparents had just died, leaving them alone. He smiled as he entered the house in Fairton, eyeing the first residents.

Joey was in the kitchen, wrapped in sweet dough and laughing as a big monster began to eat at him. The monster was from another of Ebony's trips, and he wasn't scary anymore and was forced to retire. here he didn't HAVE to be scary to get food.

Alicia was sitting with a cute mouse in the living room, playing on an electronic game they had found on Earth. Kira sat behind them, sporting a pair of mouse ears and a tail, sittign by a handsome tiger from Fairton that  Ebony had introduced her to. As she had hoped, he agreed to be like a slavemaster to her, but he was a good one, keeping her plumped on cheesecake between sessions in the oven. At the moment they were snuggled close, Kira sneaking the occasional kiss.

"Make yourselves at home everyone." Ebony told the new residents. Almost all were heading to the pantry, but one of the kids, a girl named Sarah, was eager to head for her room. Most of those were still empty, but Ebony was sure they would fill up as time passed.

It was to his own room he then went, after saying hi to the two kids he had first met several months ago and to the newly enslaved aunt , and then opening the door to his room. It was a cozy room with a big bed and a shelf of books, as ell as a lamp to read by. Other rooms had been  a crazy mix of styles. A wolf who moved in got a room with a large cooking pot and a big couch, as well as a shelf of cookbooks. A group of colorful dinos got what looke dlike an indoor island, filled with fruits. Another room was for Kira and her tiger master, and had a cage in it as well as a roasting spit, whip, and verious other bondage implements. Ebony just laughed at how each room was different for each person who lived in it, as if the house itself had a special magic connected to each soul who stayed.. For a brief moment, he wondered what kind of a room Servanus would have if he chose to stay. 

And then he wondered about Kira's talk of a girl of his own. Ebony hadn't ever really thought much about what to do with his life now, just explore dimensions and, now, search for those who need a home. Not much of a life for a girl really, but maybe there would be one who would help him in this life. The elder had never spoke of HIM falling in love, but he had never really spoke of this new life he had now. The future was a strange and changing thing, nothing was set in stone.

He drifted to sleep, thinking of the future, so many ways it could happen playing in his head. He wondered just what fate would throaw at him next, and where he would go.

EPILOUGE

Back on Earth, Roderick was fuming in his cell. He had seen what he saw, he had seen the cat. That big walking cat. Crazy they had called him, but it was there. And now his life was falling apart, his perfect plan of the greatest family ever. His children were corrupted and stolen by the feline, his wife a foolish woman who thought she was crazy and did NOT see what she saw, and he himself a murderer who had failed to remove the weak elements. He stared with anger a the walls of the cell.

The he heard a scuffle outside. There were some raised voices, and then silence. A door opened, and then the man saw his wife, running for the cell door, a look of fear in her eyes.

"Help me!" She screamed. But she said no more as an arrow impacted her back, the reddened tip poking through. As she fell, Roderick saw the killer.

And he liked what he saw. Chainmail armor ordained with skulls and red blood. A large bloody sword made of ivory. A grin of malice on a handsome face.

"Roderick I assume?" The man said. The prisioner nodded. "I heard you fought a furson today."

"A what?" He asked.

"I have a proposition for you. The men in this little station, the imperfects, are all dead. If you wish, I can get you out, but in return you work for me."

"Doing what?" Roderick asked as the cell was inexplicably unlocked.

"KILLING IMPERFECTS."

Roderick chuckled. "Like myself right. I hurt my own wife trying to kill that... thing."

"You were right to hurt her. She was weak." The figure said. "And that thing you fought is my enemy. And you know what they say: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. So, friend, do we have a deal?"

Roderick looked at the wife. FOr some reaosn it made sense to him. She was imperfect, that was why she was hurt. His kids were imperfect, that was why the one tried to steal the daughter and the other was not working. And that thing was clearly imperfect, a freak of nature who steals kids probably for food.

"DEAL." He said, offering his hand to the man. "Who is my new employer?"

"Call me Xerathos." The figure said, chuckling evilly. This made 30 new recruits in this dimension alone. All he had to do now was find where those furs had escaped to.

But that time would come later. He would lead this human back to the base to be trained by his chief lieutenant, a woman named Zalena. He would continue to build his force in the Hunter's Realm and in the new dimension he found, a regular Hell full of monsters and lost souls. And he would bide his time. His force, as it was after the infighting, was too weak to kill of the imperfects.

But he would have his revenge. The time for it was coming. And he would be ready.

THE END

(A couple notes for people. I know some readers want me to tell Zalena's story. Well, I am NOT going to. I would like it if someone told the story based on inforfation in Disgaea S, but I don't thnk I have the heart to do it myself. On the plus side I hope fellow roleplayers will recognize the setting at the end. For a long time I wanted to say how and when he found it. Now I have. On a final note, I have NO IDEA where the inspirations for Joey, Alicia, and Kira came from. They just popped into my head this past week!)