Special Notes: My keyboard on my main laptop gave out, I'm using a cheap backup laptop until I can find a replacement. As such, none of my tools, like photoshop and the program that converts to audio is loaded on this slow doorstop that is masquerading as a computer. I'll try to load an image later, if possible. I've set aside some time to go computer shopping tomorrow. [The White Raven, Chapter 61, Homeward] [Research Facility, Planet Demonia] “Clear the corridor,” ordered Prince Vengeance. “That means you.” “I’m a Demonian too,” complained Malice. “You are half-Demonian, and not even a full Demonian hatchling could withstand these temperatures,” replied Prince Vengeance. Prince Malice muttered something under his breath and backed into the observation room with his father, Emperor Sionnach. “You must know your limitations, son, and then only can you know what you can do,” said Sionnach. Malice gave his father a withering glare that clearly stated the fatherly advice was falling on deaf ears. Malice poked at the soft reptilian skin of his forearm, he was certain the thick armored plating of an adult Demonian would never come in. Other boys his age were already forming the over-lapping scales that would protect them from intense heat or injury in battle. Sionnach smiled as he watched his son search for any sign that his scales were hardening, it was no different than a Kitsune boy desperately searching the mirror for any sign of facial hair to mark his passage into manhood. Prince Malice pressed his face against the glass, and quickly backed away. Prince Vengeance had opened the outer door to the tunnel beyond the research facility - the heat pouring through the window was intense. Malice could see Vengeance disappear around the corner, he would have to find a control panel and close the vents to the planets core - other Demonians were heading the other way into the firestorm that pulsed through the defense tunnels. “How long do you think it will take?” asked Malice. “Couple hours just for this section, probably weeks to close down the entire defense network,” replied Sionnach. “There’s no telling how much damage was done during the eruption that destroyed the Temple and much of Denamaus City. And Master Ring said the terraforming machines sealed many of the external shafts that are suppose to vent and cool the sections being shut down; there is a lot of work to get the tunnels habitable again.” “I was little, but I remember there were people trapped in some tunnels,” said Malice turning away from the window. “What about them?” “Demonians cremate their dead,” said Sionnach. “I don’t know any details, but I imagine you will have to attend the services.” Malice flopped down in a chair, there was nothing else to do and he was bored. “Won’t you go to the services, father?” asked Malice. “The Kitsune caused this mess, they are only allowing me to be here now out of respect for Lady Tempest,” replied Sionnach. “I don’t remember mother,” said Malice. “You were too young,” said Sionnach. “Grandfather killed Prince Destroyer for killing mother, huh?” said Malice. “Yes he did. Does he allow you to call him grandfather?” asked Sionnach. “He doesn’t like it, but I do it anyway when we’re alone,” replied Malice. “I don’t think he likes half-breeds.” “I’m certain he doesn’t,” said Sionnach. “Prince Vengeance is old-fashioned, and old ways die hard. Does he treat you well when you’re with him?” “Yes, father, I’m his blood and he has to, he’s Demonian,” replied Malice. Sionnach sat in a chair next to Malice and picked up a book to occupy the time. Malice decided he looked to be in a good enough mood to bring up the subject again. “Father, I’m tired of being a mute,” said Malice, referring to his inability to speak the natural Demonian language due to being hatched without a tail. Sionnach glanced up at his son; this was an old argument. “It’s not that dangerous of a surgery,” continued Malice. “The Pyrans have reattached tails before, and they can easily grow me one.” “You could be paralyzed,” said Sionnach. “I’m almost out of time, it has to be done before I’m twelve,” said Malice. “How can I ever rule Demonia if I can’t speak?” “We could buy a Battle Carrier for what a tail would cost to be genetically grown,” said Sionnach. “It doesn’t cost that much, and I’ll pay you back,” promised Malice. Sionnach looked back down at his book. “You have a vast financial Empire to draw from do you?” “How about payments,” offered Malice. “It can be a loan, and I’ll never ask for anything ever again.” Sionnach remained silent, waiting for the threats Malice would come up with next; any moment now the boy would revert to his namesake. Previous immature attempts had included holding his breath and covering the Imperial Throne with honey and molasses. Malice sat up in his chair and turned his head away. “You know best, father.” This was a new tactic, Malice was attempting maturity. Sionnach grinned, his son had turned his head away to hide his eyes. Malice’s eyes always betrayed when he was using the genetically implanted knowledge from the Dragon. “Does Dragon need a tail?” asked Sionnach. Malice turned his head back to his father, his eyes flaming with both the red of Demonian temper, and the Dragon gift. The flame in his eyes died slightly as Malice turned his gift back off, but the Demonian temper remained. “I need a tail,” replied Malice. “And what act of maliciousness do you promise this time?” asked Sionnach. Malice sighed and sank back into his chair, the flame leaving his eyes entirely. “None, father, they never work on you. I need a tail, that’s all.” “I believe that is the first sign of maturity that is your own,” remarked Sionnach. “I’ll tell you what, you can go to Pyra and see what the surgeons say, we don’t know if it’s really an option for you until they do some tests.” “Deal,” said Malice, jumping up and forgetting his promise not to ask for anything else. “And I’ll need to go shopping for new clothes and…” Malice froze, staring at the observation window. ***** [Lake Ruffee, Planet Demonia] Zam walked along the shore of Lake Ruffee. The invaders hadn’t come back to the lake yet, but they were still at the mountain cave. Ruffee sniffed at the bright orange rope the invaders had left laying all over the place. “Ack-ack-ack,” chattered Ruffee, telling Zam the invaders shouldn’t have left their garbage laying around. “I got an idea, lets give them back their garbage,” replied Zam. Zam and Ruffee spent the next hour collecting all the rope, and it only took that long because Ruffee discovered the rope was fun to play tug-of-war with. Zam had the rope collected into a pile and was ready, but Ruffee wasn’t quite done pulling the rope out of the pile. “Can I play too?” asked a soft voice. “Ruffee won’t play with you,” said Zam, not bothering to look, he already knew it was Corae. “You’re just a girl.” Corae ignored Zam and took the end of the rope Ruffee was holding and pulled on it, and the game was on. Ruffee and Corae pulled back and forth on the rope while Zam tried to ignore his traitorous friend. “I have important things to do,” said Zam, picking up the pile of rope and walking away. “Don’t be jealous,” said Corae. “I’m not jealous,” snapped Zam. “Wait, I have to tell you something important,” said Corae, remembering why she had come to visit. “Tell me while we walk,” said Zam. “Please, this is super important, just listen,” said Corae. Something in Corae’s tone of voice made Zam stop and turn around. She had a very serious expression on her face. Ruffee nudged her leg a few times trying to get her to keep playing with the rope. “Lets sit down,” said Corae. “Fine, what’s so important?” asked Zam, sitting down on the log and tossing the pile of rope on the ground next to him. Corae sat down on the log next to him. “Just listen, okay. I have to tell you something.” “So tell me already,” said Zam. “You don’t belong on this world, there was an accident and you lost your memories,” said Corae. Zam stood. “I don’t have time for your make-believe.” “He will not listen, daughter,” said a voice. Zam spun around; a woman was standing behind him. Zam jumped away, but something… like a big hand… grabbed him and pulled him back. Zam looked wildly at Corae, then the woman, and then Ruffee; the fox was just sitting quietly, with the rope hanging from his mouth, and watching the woman. Zam tried to jump again, and was pulled back… he jumped and jumped, trying to escape, but each time he was pulled back until he fell on the ground panting, exhausted. Corae fell down next to Zam and put her arms around him. “He’s scared, mother, don’t hurt him.” “I will not hurt him,” said the woman to Corae and then knelt next to Zam. “Child, I can not repair the damage that took your memories, but I can show you what happened.” The world spun away and Zam was looking at a little boy walking with two people in a big cave. The people stepped into a shiny box, and the box flew up into the darkness. Zam watched the little boy crying for them to come back. The little boy waited for a long time, then jumped away; just like the way Zam could jump. The little boy went to another cave, with smooth walls, and food. Zam watched the little boy, waiting, alone, day after day for the people to come back. Somehow, Zam understood that the years were passing, and the boy grew taller, and more lonely. Zam watched as the boy left the cave, and one of the big metal-monsters told him to go back and stay inside the cave. The little boy gave the monster a toy fox… for a moment… Zam thought he knew the toy. Yes, the toy, he remembered, the toy’s name was Ruffee. Zam wept, the little boy was him. More time passed, and the little boy Zam grew more lonely than he could bear. Zam the little boy went outside, and into the mist. Zam the watcher, could see that something was wrong. Zam the little boy had been okay, but now he was acting odd, confused, as if he didn’t know he lived inside the cave with smooth walls. The world spun again and Zam was kneeling on the ground with Corae. He sniffled once and wiped at his nose. “Were those people my mother and father?” asked Zam. “No, but I can take you to your father,” said the woman. “You must return to your own world now.” “I can’t leave Ruffee,” said Zam, sniffling again. The woman reached out and stroked Ruffee's head. “Canidae Vulpes, the fox,” said the woman softly. “It has been a very long time since I have seen one. They are not from this world, they are from your world and could not survive here on their own. The large predators are afraid of you, it has been you protecting them from being hunted.” “Ruffee and all the foxes can go with you,” said Corae. “What if I don’t want to go?” asked Zam. The woman ignored the last efforts of Zam’s resistance, he had tried and learned the hard way that a Corax adult could easily snatch a child back from a jump. “The world you are from is named after the fox, though it is an older word from a language no longer spoken.” “The planet is called Kitsune,” said Corae. “Are there lots of other foxes there?” asked Zam. “No, the last fox died nearly ten-thousand years ago,” replied the woman. “You will be a hero for bringing the fox back to your world.” Zam stood and squared his shoulders. “Are there lakes there?” “Yes, many beautiful lakes?” said the woman. “And caves to hide in?” asked Zam. “Yes,” replied the woman, patiently. “And forests?” asked Zam. “Yes, and no predators to hunt your foxes,” explained the woman. “What will they eat?” asked Zam. “The planet is over-run by squirrel and mice,” said the woman. “Your foxes will be much appreciated.” “And what about…” “It is time to go,” said the woman interrupting Zam. “Call your fox to you.” Zam lifted his head and cried out. “Ack-ack-ackawoo.” Ruffee joined in with the call and chattered for the other fox to come. ***** [Research Facility, Planet Demonia] “…father, look, he’s attacking,” shouted Malice, running to the observation window. Sionnach stood and went to the window. Prince Mischief had emerged from the forest and was walking up the hill towards the launch tunnel, and the Cargo Ship outside refueling - Zam was holding the hand of a small girl, and with them were the army of foxes. Sionnach grabbed the Com-radio. “Raen, I need you up here.” ”I’m on the way, replied Raen. Prince Mischief, the little girl, and the foxes, stopped half-way up the hill and stared at the window; the other foxes were running around excitedly. There was a larger fox with bright intelligent eyes, much larger than the others standing next to Mischief. Sionnach had the feeling the large fox was very aware of everything that was happening. “What’s going on?” asked Raen, running into the room from the hanger bay below. “Look at this,” said Sionnach. Raen approached the window and looked outside. “Well, I’ll be. Are they attacking?” “Not sure yet, they just walked out of the forest and have been staring at the window,” replied Sionnach. Raen scanned the army outside. “Damn, if it is an attack, we are in a lot of trouble.” “What do you see?” asked Sionnach. “Do you see that big tree with the broken branch, directly behind the Prince, look thirty feet to the right,” replied Raen. “Who is that?” asked Sionnach, seeing the figure now, standing in the shadow of the trees. “That’s the Raven Goddess,” said Raen. The little girl holding the Prince’s hand pulled at his arm and they walked toward the Cargo Ship; the foxes followed. “This isn’t an attack,” said Sionnach. “Lets get outside and find out what this is all about, and why the Raven Goddess is involved.” Prince Malice tried waving at his brother, but got no response, and then noticed Raen and his father were already heading down the stairs. Malice ran to catch up with them. “Is he coming home, father?” asked Malice. “I doubt it’s of his own free will,” said Raen. The group made it to the entrance of the launch tunnel in time to see the little girl pulling Prince Mischief up the ramp of the Cargo Ship. The foxes followed into the ship, chattering and barking, excited about the adventure. “There must be a hundred of them,” said Malice. Several fox, with smaller baby foxes, eyed the ramp suspiciously. The baby foxes were too small to get up on the ramp. Mischief and the little girl came back down the ramp and carefully carried the babies into the Cargo Ship; the mama foxes fretted and chattered warnings to be careful the entire time. “Apparently, they’re going with him,” said Sionnach. The Crew Chief stood to the side of the Cargo Ship watching his ship being invaded by the orange furry army and looked at Raen for instructions. “Son, go tell the Chief not to start the engines yet, and leave the ramp open for the moment, lets not spook them,” said Sionnach. “And keep an eye on your brother, but don’t get too close. Remember, he’s as wild a creature right now as those fox of his.” Malice laughed nervously. “You don’t think he would try to bite me, do you?” “Possible,” said Sionnach. Raen and Sionnach walked across the hill to the trees. The Goddess was inspecting a budding leaf on a tree as if she were merely out for a walk in the garden. “Greetings and honor to you, Goddess,” said Sionnach. “Ah, Raen, you’ve been bad,” scolded the Goddess. “I warned you about trying to steal faith from others.” “What did I do this time?” asked Raen, coldly. “You tried to steal Lord Sparrow’s faith,” replied the Goddess. “You will be punished this time.” “You are not my Goddess, the Eagle Goddess is, and I call upon her protection,” said Raen, smiling innocently, knowing full well they were both the same person. “Don’t try to be overly-clever, it doesn’t suit you, my favored Hawk,” warned the Goddess. “Are you publicly admitting they are one person?” asked Raen. The Goddess stepped up to Raen and brushed her hand against his cheek. “I don’t want to punish you, my dearest child. Very well, you have the Eagle Goddess’ protection from the evil Raven Goddess.” “Are you responsible for bringing my son home?” asks Sionnach, filing the knowledge away for later thought that there appeared to be a serious rift between the Goddess and the Eagles - or perhaps it was just Raen. It appeared that Raen held a place in the Goddess’ heart that allowed him great latitude for defiance. “It is time for the Kitsune to leave,” said the Goddess. “The Demonians are returning, this is their world.” “I thank you for your help,” said Sionnach, bowing slightly. “Nothing is free with her,” said Raen. “There is always a cost.” “I would gladly pay any cost for bringing my son home,” said Sionnach. Raen was surprised the Emperor had just made such a horrible mistake, he was blinded by his relief at having his son back. “Your son is the cost,” said the Goddess. “The girl with him is my daughter, and they will marry in the fullness of time. I charge you with caring well for my daughter, Emperor, and may our worlds enter a new era of peace.” The Goddess vanished, leaving Raen with his mouth hanging open. This was far worse than he could have imagined; a new Goddess was in the galaxy. Raen turned red with anger. “Calm down,” said Sionnach, remaining oddly calm at the news that his son was slated for an arranged marriage, but then, the Kitsune were used to such things. “There are many years before such a thing will come to pass, and many things can change in that time.” Sionnach walked back to the Cargo Ship, with Raen following and fuming in anger at the Goddess. Raen followed Sionnach into the ship, there was a commotion inside the ship. Prince Malice was backed up against a bulk-head, and a ring of foxes around him barking angrily. “All I did was try to pet one of the baby foxes,” said Malice. Sionnach looked at Prince Mischief and smiled. “Do you know me?” asked Sionnach. Mischief was sitting on a jump-seat, his knees pulled up to his chin. “That woman said you’re my father.” “So you can speak,” said Sionnach. “I want nothing more than to take you in my arms and welcome you home, but I will give you all the time you need to learn what you have forgotten.” Sionnach and Raen carefully stepped past the foxes and climbed the ladder up to the bridge. “Father,” cried Prince Malice. “You should not have tried to touch one of your brothers foxes,” said Sionnach. “I suggest you make peace with your brother.” Sionnach and Raen entered the bridge, leaving Malice to deal with the angry foxes. Malice could hear the engines warming up. The ramp closed, startling the foxes, but not enough to let Malice go. “Mischief, come on, I wasn’t going to hurt them,” said Malice. Mischief twisted his head to the side, staring at the odd horned boy. “That’s your name,” said Malice. “My name is Zam.” “Huh? No it’s not, that was just a game we used to play,” explained Malice. “You were Zam and I was Zan, Superheroes of the Galaxy. We’re brothers, don’t you remember?” Zam made a warbling sound and the foxes backed away, all but Ruffee who walked up to Malice and snarled at him. “He says not to try and touch a baby again,” said Zam. “Okay, I won’t, I promise.” Ruffee continued snarling. “I said I promise,” repeated Malice. “Stop looking him in the eye, unless you’re challenging him for leadership,” said Zam. Malice dropped his eyes and Ruffee stopped growling. “I thought you were the leader.” “Of course not, Ruffee is the leader,” replied Zam. “Ruffee is just my best friend.” Zam warbled again at Ruffee, telling him that the horned boy was his brother, even if he wasn’t really sure. Ruffee turned around and kicked a back leg up at Malice, giving Malice the lowest place in the pack, and then jumped up on the seat between Zam and Corae. “Who’s that?” asked Malice, carefully and slowly taking a seat against the opposite bulk-head. “I’m his wife,” said the girl. “And I have ears, you can talk to me directly. I guess all boys really are dumb.” “You’re not my wife,” said Zam. “Will be,” said Corae. “Will not,” said Zam. “Stop being stupid.” “Do you want me to leave?” asked Corae. Malice noticed Zam turned pale at the threat. “I don’t care,” said Zam dropping his head. Corae, satisfied that she had put Zam back in his place, stroked Ruffee’s ears. “Hold on,” ordered Corae. “We’re leaving now.” Zam grabbed the edges of the jump-seat, his eyes widening as the ship lifted into the sky. He decided he didn’t like flying.