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Chapter Text

Six Years Ago…

(Final Fantasy XV - Careening Into Danger OST Starts)

       A 12-year-old Legosi and Riz were training with wooden swords, with Gouhin supervising the training duel of the two young carnivores. Bill Jack, Durham, Miguno, Collot, Voss, Tem, watched the whole thing in excitement, at the strength of their friends. Riz's swings were nothing but raw strength that had Legosi on the defense, while the young prince's fighting style focused more on speed and precision, only using his full strength when he knew he would be winning.

Legosi blocked an uppercut slash from Riz, that sent him skidding four inches from the ground, only for him to warp-strike shoulder bash the young grizzly bear.

“Oof!” Riz said as he felt Legosi slam into him. It was amazing how Legosi was strong even without eating meat. The rest of the guys were cheering for the two of them. Bill, Jack, and Durham cheered for Legosi while Miguno, Collot, Voss, and Tem cheered for Riz. After all, it was evenly split.

“Not bad, Legosi.” Riz said with a fanged smile, “But just because I’m big doesn’t mean I’m slow!” Riz yelled as he rushed Legosi causing the wolf to let out a yelp of surprise as he was forced to blink and dodge and phase to some of the bear's attack, then he managed to dodge claw swipe from Riz, the young wolf struck at his back earning a cry of surprise from the Riz who responded by a kick to Legosi’s stomach the wolf let out a grunt of pain from impact, good thing the two of them where wearing sparring armor. 

The two of them rushed at each other again, and Legosi blocked and dodged an attack from Riz as he hit the bear on the chest with a poke to his chest, but Riz jumped backward and rushed at him with a war cry. Legosi decided to end things by throwing his sword into the air and warp-striking Riz with a downward slash, only for Riz to block it and push Legosi off him with all of his bear strength.

“Whoa!” The young pup cried out in surprise only for him to warp out of the crash that would have Riz win the duel, he then warp-strike the brown bear with a dropkick to the chest, causing him to crash to the ground and skid a few feet on the ground, he was about to get up only for Legosi to warp in front of him and point his wooden sword at his face.

“Looks like I won this time, Riz,” Legosi said with a smirk, causing Riz to let out a good sportsmanship chuckle as he offered the young prince his hand to help him to his feet.

(Final Fantasy XV - Careening Into Danger OST Ends)

         The others laugh at the intense training that the young prince and Riz display. In truth, they are all tired from the training, as Gouhin and Ben happened to be very strict regarding lessons in self-defense and combat. Miyagi, Gosha, Ben, Toki, and Leano were busy dealing with some annoying Council members from Cherryton about trade disputes and complaining about something tribute about Cherryton’s citizens, much to the dismay of the Royal family.

“Good job, you two.” The panda said with a smirk, “Now let me check all of you before we head to the arcade, I'd rather not get an earful from Your Majesty and his Shield and my parents.” Gouhin said in an annoyed tone, referring to Lugosi’s and Bill’s father and his parents.

“Oh, come,n, Gouhin-san, lighten up! It can’t be that bad!” Jack said in a playful tone to the 27-year-old Panda, who only let a grumble of annoyance.

“I mean it, you little demons! I’m supposed to go back to Cherryton in a few days again, I went out of my way to supersize your training for my short stay,” Gouhin said in a grumpy tone, causing them all to giggle, only for Tem to tease the panda again.

“Really? Or just doing this to avoid being yelled at by your wife and kid~” Tem said in a teasing tone causing them all to snicker at that the Panda felt his eyelid twitch at the taunt of the little shits he let out a sigh of frustration.

“Your kids are going to be the dead of me.” Gouhin lamented to himself, regretting his decision to divorce his wife Polina, in his opinion, he was never father material and Berry would be better off with her than him as Gouhin had a savior complex of wanting to help as many beasts in the Black Market of the Government of Cherryton.

“Then I guess I won’t take you to that new arcade for those rude comments,” Gouhin said out of the blue, stopping the laughter of the children, only for all of them to apologize immensely, causing the panda to smirk at his victory.

****

         Legosi’s tail was a hurricane as he and the others were excited about going to the new arcade that had opened in the city of Insomnia, so much so that its citizens looked in amusement at how the young prince and his friends swarmed a grumpy panda. Prince Legosi was the legacy of King Miyagi and Queen Leano, The young pup was destined to take the throne; everyone knew that, so it was a refreshing sight to see the prince act like a child. It was also very clear to the citizens of Insomnia that their King and Queen cherished him with nothing but love and affection, some still remember the day their king broke a Cherryton’s Council nose for rudely pushing aside an 11-year-old Legosi in a firework show causing Leano to yelled at him for doing that to Legosi only for the Council member to do the mistake of slapping her and making her cry by insulting her hybrid appearance. The scene of an angry Miyagi warping and spinning the Council member and punching with all his strength is something that everyone will remember to this day.

“Oh man, this is going to be good!!” Tem said in his cheerful self, jumping in excitement like the wool ball of energy he was.

“If there’s a Justice Monsters Five arcade or pinball machine, I’m going to dethrone your top score, Legosi!” Bill said challenging the young prince with an arrogant cocky smirk causing the young prince to defend his honor.

“Oh, please!” Legosi said with an exaggerated eye roll and crossed his arms, causing Jack to agree with his fellow canine.

“Yeah, Legosi is the king of that game, you can’t possibly -” Jack was cut off by a yelp of surprise as the young tiger got him in a playful headlock.

“Of course, you of all beasts would be on his side, canines got to stick together, right, Jack?” Bill said in a playful, mocking tone as the labrador tapped his arm, as he protested at the tiger's roughhousing headlock, causing the others to chuckle and laugh, and Gouhin to groan, the 27-year-old glaive and medical student lamenting that these children had a lot of energy to burn through.

****

           When they arrived at the arcade, they all split up and enjoyed themselves playing as many games as they could, while Gouhin had to make sure that the little devils wouldn’t get carried away or fight each other and cause a scene. Legosi was sitting at a table with Durham and Miguno eating an ice cream that Gouhin had bought for them for dessert while Jack was busy playing a shooter game arcade with Bill after the Bengal tiger had challenged him to see who could get the top score, the tiger lost to one surprise as Jack was a gifted marksman. Voss and Collot were playing a game of Basketball Arcade with Riz. Tem was busy playing a dancing arcade game.

“Do you guys think that I would ever live up to my ancestors' reputation?” Legosi said out of the blue, catching the attention of Durham, Miguno, and Gouhin.

“I mean…I can’t even stomach the sight of meat and the smell without feeling nauseous.” Legosi said with his ears flat on his head and tail curling at feeling insecure about his carnivore nature, almost as if he was ashamed of it.

“Legosi..we talked about this before, your biology is different than others, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Gouhin said in a gentle tone noticing how troubled Legosi seemed by that issue still.

“I know…it’s just, most of my ancestors eat meat and…those Council members of Cherryton said that my mom and I won’t be real carnivores,” Legosi said in a solemn, dejected tone.

“Then they don’t know what they're talking about, remember eating meat is a choice, despite our biology, you know some of us don’t eat it,” Durham said as he petted Legosi’s back.

Yes, it was true that Jack, Voss, and even Miguno didn’t eat meat, unlike Bill, Riz, Collot, and Durham, eating meat was acceptable in the Kingdom of Lucis unlike Cherryton and those Council members were all about toxic carnivores, and herbivores pride, how was that Tem put it in words, ah yes “Yeah, and most plants are living things, so is meat, it doesn’t matter what we eat, what matters is that we respect it.” The young alpaca put it in a simple way that made sense.

        Legosi smiled at Durham's words, and Miguno offered his own words of comfort to the young prince to get rid of the sad mood that he often shows whenever he feels insecure about himself. He was lucky to have such good friends.

“Yeah, whether you eat or don’t eat meat, it doesn’t determine your legacy. I’m sure your ancestors will be okay with it. Not all of them ate meat. Your family sure doesn’t mind, it’s like they said before in those boring meetings, you are his son and legacy. He gets really scary whenever people badmouth you, your mom, your grandparents, and even Ben…well, you get the idea.” Miguno said, stopping himself from rambling.

“Your father is a compassionate wolf, Legosi. He doesn’t care if you can eat meat or not. Remember when he was panicking when you threw up at the first taste of it?” Gouhin said as he took a bite out of the leftover pizza, they all had eaten.

“Yeah, he was freaking out, so as grandpa and grandma and I think mom almost pass out,” Legosi said with a soft smile remembering how his family had ordered Ben to drag Gouhin to check what was wrong with Legosi.

“And who knows? Maybe when you get older, you might be able to eat meat or not, but none of that matters right now, what matters is that you finish your ice cream before it melts.” Gouhin said, pointing at which Legosi panicked and started to eat it, causing the three to laugh.

Chapter Text

      It’s been five days since the Invasion, and so far, the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak hadn’t shown any signs of aggression but that didn’t mean things were better in Cherryton, the damage was present as its citizens still mourned for the loss of their loved family, friends, and loved ones. Memorials had been set up in Cherryton Grand City Hall for all its victims and one in Cherryton Academy for the students who didn’t make it. The weight of it was heavy on the Academy as they all knew that their schoolmates would never have a future thanks to Deschio and his Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak. Things for Louis and the Drama Club members who had lost their families were still tough as they were still processing the grief of it all.

However a realization had hit Legosi for the last five days since the invasion, their enemies were getting tougher and stronger to beat which led to another issue their last fight against Thomas, and his magitek cybersuit mechanical bat mech and the MA-X Angelus-0, Bloody Eye Carnivore pilot had left him to drain of energy along with Jack, Voss, and Miguno. Legosi had concluded and realized that it was time to address their biological need for meat, which was an issue in itself as Legosi wasn’t sure if his hybrid biology had changed to stomach it now that he was eighteen, sure he could stand the smell now, but the taste?

Not to mention that they were going to need to explain this to the Drama Club, which included Louis and Haru, and to an extended Myuzki and her friends that now helping Haru with the gardening club, who knew that those two would become even closer after Haru comfort her at the lost of their families.

In the short term, Legosi wasn’t sure how his mates would react to it, with Louis past as livestock and Haru attempting kidnapping, and them being kidnapped by the lions when Jason and Nikolai were still the major threat. Legosi’s thoughts were interrupted by Jack.

“Never thought the day of us needing meat would come, right Legosi?” Jack asked playfully but even he too was troubled by it as he didn’t how his body would react to it, Bill could only pet his boyfriend's head, as he now knew his limits of how much meat he could digest thanks to his condition ever since that day he had Struck with a VOID dart when they where all fourteen-years-old.

“You said it,” Legosi said scratching his right shoulder where his 7/5 tattoo was located, he had gotten the tattoo from Melon two days ago, and Melon had told him the Melon leaves tattoos on his body represented his love for Melon fruits since it was one the things he can taste that didn’t taste like sand, Legosi sympathizes with Melon’s disability to only taste certain foods.

       Before any of them could say anything the door to the rooftop opened as they were joined by Tem and Riz, who were also in casual clothing at the moment, since it was clear that all of them had been excused from classes by Gon seeing that the throne of the Kingdom of Luciswas calling to Legosi to reclaim it, to make matters worse he hasn’t been able to contact his family, Brandon and his cousin Solani. Yafya and Lupus had told them that the Kopi Luwak and Bloody Eye might have been jamming the signals, and they also had to wait for a moment.

“Sorry we're late, Dom and the stage crew are still working on our Cronwsguard fatigues, putting the final touches with the help of Moonshade and Nightshade,” Tem explained casually as the stage crew had agreed to help make them their battle clothes, Fudge had joked that they were going to look like an Emo boy band, only to be smacked in the head by Dom.

“So, had you guys figured out how to explain things to the rest of the Club?” Tem said as he leaned against a wall next to Riz.

“Not really, but we were thinking of getting Gouhin-san to help us explain it better,” Durham said towards the alpaca and brown bear.

“Figures, if anyone can explain things carefully to the herbivores and centriole, it's him,” Riz said with his arms crossed.

“Yep, and we still need to figure out how to head to Insomnia, we can’t just go guns blazing,” Tem said as even he realized they needed a plan.

“And there are the radio towers that keep jamming the signals towards the rest of the nations. Melon, Sam, and Cliff are still scouting the areas and see which one will be best to clear out,” Collot said as he was sitting legs crossed with Voss resting on his shoulder.

“There’s a lot thing going on right now, we going to have to take one step at a time,” Bill said in a serious manner causing Voss to agree with him.

“You can say that again, the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak still have control over some parts of the city.” Voss pointed out the obvious, as Blossom was a huge city in the Government of Cherryton, and if what Yafya and Lupus said was true about the Cherryton Royal Armed Forces detecting bases with prisoners, then everyone was busy, not to mention the search teams and rescue teams looking for survivors in the wreckage.

“Let’s just focus on getting Gouhin to help us explain the meat issue for now.” Legosi let out a sigh as he thinks how Louis was doing now that he was Uncle Yafya’s and Ibuki’s apprentice and teaching the young deer self-defense lessons, since Legosi didn’t have the time to teach Louis swordsmanship but they did, his thoughts were interrupted by Jack.

“Sounds like a plan then,” Jack said in a cheerful tone, the labrador's smile lifting their mood and causing the canine's tails to wag, move like a snake in Bill's case, and for Riz and Tem to wiggle a little.

****

          It didn’t take them long to reach the Black Market. However, on their way towards it, they could still see the damage that the invasion had caused to the city and even managed to spot a lot of Cherrtyon Arm Forces and S.W.A.T police officers patrolling the streets. It was clear that Yafya and the remaining survivors of the Council had issues with high-security measures. Louis was put in charge of the rescue operations, it almost seemed like he and Legosi barely had any free time to spend with Haru. Legosi could only hope that his Uncle Yafya was doing his best to help Louis with the stress of being a young Beastar.

Yafya and Louis had told the surviving Council members that they had lost all control of how to handle things, they do not take things lightly and all Legosi could remember was Louis shooting twice an Impala Council member in the leg when he had attempted to get physical with him after Louis insulted their leadership, it was clear to everyone that the young red deer was beyond pissed after losing his father, right now Louis was at the Academy with Gon making sure everything was in order. 

Heck even his Uncle Savon and dare he say, Aunt Ten, were busy working alongside Ibuki and the rest of the King's Pride and Dragon's Kitsune in helping Gouhin, Azuki, Cosmo, Brigs, and Wiz repair the Market turns out Melon had given full permission to or authority to do as they please even having some of his men help them and making sure that the kindergarten for hybrids daycare center was protected, Emily and Stacy were a relief to have some security.

It had dawned on everyone that Melon was also extremely upset at the Council, as he legally was the owner of the Black Market and had seen how badly the Kopi Luwak and Bloody Eye damaged his home district. So far, there haven't been signs of their enemies emerging again, but they knew they were out there. Soon Legosi and his friends reached Gouhin’s clinic, where Azuki and Cosmo were helping the panda where helping attend to a female fox named With and see if she was healthy enough to join the Dragons Kitsune.

'Gouhin-san, can we talk?’ Legosi said as soon as the Panda turned their gaze to them he already saw annoyed but let out a sigh as he knew that whenever it involved Legosi and his friend things were either simply complicated for the panda, yet they were also his responsibility and their expressions were serious so to meant they weren't here for a mere visit, and he was willing to listen to whatever was troubling them.

****

         Gouhin could only let out a deep sigh as he munched on his Bamboo stick, of course of all times they would bring up the issue of meat, one of the many topics that was a pain in the ass in the medical department. The poor panda felt way too old for his age, sometimes he found it easier than bushing skulls in than being a doctor but then again there was nothing that he enjoyed more than helping beasts in need, some said that he had a savior complex while others said he was just following his dreams, in the end, all that matter is that he was a well respected medical panda, so he spoke his mind.

“So let me get this straight?” Gouhin started as he had his arms crossed while glaring at Legosi and his friend, who stood there nervously at the panda’s grumpiness. “You want me to explain to what I could guess to a bunch of shelter carnivores and herbivores about why you need meat?” Gouhin’s tone was one of no-nonsense and strictness at the moment.

“Y-Yeha, Uncle Yafya said that you were the best beast out there of all of us to explain our biology and is not afraid of talking about it in front of others or saying it for what it is.” Legosi nervously said to the panda, with Tem adding his own two cents on the reason why Gouhin should be the one to explain it to the Drama Club.

“Not to mention that the old horse plans to address the issue of meat publicly, as a herbivore that was born in Luci’s I know that a carnivore's biology is just as important as those of our kind,” Tem said with a nonchalant shrug, causing Riz to pet him on the head.

The panda could only let out a sigh of “Fine, you win, how’s everyone doing by the way?” Gouhin asked with a huff, as Azuki, Cosmo, and Ai were busy gossiping about girls' stuff, and Wiz and Brigs were busy talking about battle strategies, to listen to them.

“They’re managing, Aoba wants to enlist in the Cherryton Armed Forces to honor his brother's memory, and Kibi is still training with Tao. I’ve never seen him so determined before. In other words, everyone needs therapy at some point.” Bill said with a solemn tone.

“Figures.” Gouhin grumbled under his breath, “Alright, let’s get going. I still have a lot of things to do around here.” The panda said as he popped some of his aching joints.

“Azuki, Cosmo, you're in charge of the clinic until I get back,” Gouhin said as he, Legosi, and the 701 boys left through the door.

“You got it, old man,” Azuki said casually as she waved at the panda, who could only grunt at the words that left the doe’s mouth.

Chapter Text

        Louis was exhausted as he had just come to the Academy after a brutal training section with Yafya and much to his shock finally discovered why Kyuu and San were familiar when he had to face the two of them in a duel, they were their old cellmates bach when they where nothing but livestock, naming themselves after their numbers he found out when he saw the number on their feet whenever he had to block a kick or stomp.

Right now, he was in a predicament as Aoba wanted to enlist in the Cherryton Armed Forces, and as a Beastar, he had the authority to approve of the avian's documents that he had printed. Haru and the others in the club could only watch in anticipation of how Louis would handle this.

“Are you sure about this Aoba?” Louis asked in a concerned tone to the bald eagle, who had a deadly serious expression on him, yet he let out a sigh as he crossed his arms leaning against a wall, the club had never seen Aoba so devastated before.

“I am, and you know why,” Aoba said straightforwardly as he could only think of his brother, Bodhi.

“Aoba, this is war we are talking about,” Tao said to his friend in a concerned tone, as he wanted to let him know that this was a serious decision that could cost him his life, Aoba snapped.

“You think I don’t know that!!” Aoba screamed angrily but immediately composed himself, seeing some of the herbivores flinch at this outburst, looking at the floor.

“Sorry…I…I know that I could die out there, but Bodhi was always there for me when Mom and Dad died in that house fire.” Aoba said in a somber tone.

“I know just as well what I’m signing up for, I’m tired of being scared, I want to save lives,” Aoba said as he tried his hardest not to cry.

Louis let out a sigh “I’m guessing there's no conniving you out of this one, aren't I?” Louis said in a much gentler tone, causing Aoba to let out a chuckle and a smirk.

“You damn well,” Aoba said with nothing but seriousness about his decision, just in time for Legois, the 701 boys, Tem, Riz, and a Gouhin to enter the room, causing the others to focus their attention on them as the young prince addressed them.

“Everyone, can I please gather your attention?” Legosi said in a rather nervous tone filled with anxiety, as he knew this next part was going to be awkward and extremely uncomfortable for some of the drama club members.

“Legosi, is something wrong?” Haru asked with her cute, innocent bunny face, while the others awaited the young prince's response,

“No, nothing’s wrong…it’s just…well, you might want to sit down for this…You see…” Legosi had never felt this anxious before, not even the speech on his first day was this bad.

****

         There was an awkward, uncomfortable silence in the Drama Club building as Legosi had just told the club that he, Jack, and Miguno might need meat and as well as other carnivores such as Aoboa, if they wanted to join the Cherryton Arm Forces; the sight of Aoboa’s feathers puffing up was comedic despite the heavy atmosphere. Legosi noticed that some herbivores were uncomfortable, but that was expected for them since meat and non-feral meat were illegal in the Government of Cherryton, compared to the Kingdom of Luci’s, the Kingdom of Tenabre, the Republic of Accordo, and the Nifleihm Empire, where meat and non-feral meat and even feral fish were legal and morality was okay to consume. Then Loui’s voice rang out.

“Do you really need it? I see how strong you are without it.” Louis asked with a deep questioning gaze at Legosi squinting his eyes at his boyfriend.

“He does bring up a point, Legosi,” Haru said as she agreed with Louis's point, causing some of the drama club members to mutter in agreement until Gouhin stopped their yapping in his usual snarky self.

“Of course they do!! You little shits!!” Gouhin yelled at them all, causing them to flinch from his harshness. The panda was not pulling any punches as he interrupted Louis, “Before you say anything stupid, it’s in their biological needs, biological needs that prevent malnutrition or any bodily harm!!” The panda's harsh tone caused them again to flinch as they felt as if they were being scolded like little kids.

Gouhin took a deep breath to calm himself down and started to explain things more calmly.. “Look, I understand how this subject seems uncomfortable for some of you.” The panda could only glare at some of the herbivores and carnivores such as Juno and Mokochi, who seemed sensitive about the subject, Sheila could shift awkwardly as she was going to explain a lot to Peach and Juno about her secret meat-eating habits, he loved her two mates and she wanted to be honest with them, truth be told Gouhin wasn’t here to cuddle them he was here to be as brutally truthful with them, not caring about their feelings.

“That’s understanding,” Louis mumbled under his breath but shot down Gouhin's glare at him, and told him off.

“You of all beasts should listen, Louis, now that you're a Beastar,” Gouhin growled in annoyance as he gave the same glare to the others, making them squirm.

“Right as I was saying it’s time you all get that “eating meat is wrong” mentality out of your heads, as you all know there are two types of meat in the world of Eos, non-feral meat of carnivores, herbivores and omnivores and fish that are capable of intelligence and have evolved from our feral counterparts. For feral meat, it mostly consists of the bestiary wildlife of Eeos.” Gouhin said in a professional, wise manner, showing his experience, and reminding everyone of the creatures that looked like some of their feral ancestors but were not different from them.

“Yet your government had the 'brilliant' idea of making it taboo.” Tem said making air quotes in the word “brilliant” in a childish with a cocky smirk, Els find it cute while Pina wondered how Tem confident sounded with his words even more so than him, he always admired him despite their arguments and beliefs when it came to dating.

“So you're saying that there would be fewer devourings if meat were made legal to eat?” Ellen asked in a skeptical tone.

“Not exactly, devourings can fall in different reasons and scenarios that are different topics, but if we are to get specific some carnivores do it out of malice because, for every good carnivore, there is a bad carnivore that only wants to cause suffering,” Gouhin said with gruff as he took another bamboo stick from pocket to munch on.

       Riz also added something to the conversation as he reminded them of the Bloody Eye herbivores that saw them nothing as scum, this caused Louis to flinch as he remembers those hateful eyes and how they look more like monsters than herbivores. How they had no second thoughts about killing children and having their corpses fed to the carnivore Bloody Eye members or claiming their skulls as trophies, their taunts would forever haunt the Drama Club. Gouhin spoke once again as he gave them another reality check.

“If you were to ask what I consider the greatest evil in the system the Council ever made, I would answer that there is nothing more evil than to deny someone’s biological needs and carnivores suffer more from it, their biology and insanities mess with them so much that some end up harming themselves in horrific ways to avoid eating their herbivore friends and loved ones. Others give in. They can’t take the malnutrition and starvation any longer because they become overwhelmed by their insects.” Gouhin said in a somber tone, his eyes screaming with experience as he had seen so much suffering on the carnivores of Cherryton more than in any place, but he was far from over it.

“Hybrids have it worse, because of their special biology and mixed blood, and don’t even get me started on the herbivores' cases, they aren’t pretty either.” Gouhin seriously stretched the last words to cause some herbivores to raise eyebrows at that, until a realization hit them, mostly for Louis, Moro, the rhino, and Dolph, the hippo. Some herbivores got special treatment than others, and some were scorned for their size and advantages over others, as Moro’s horn and Louis's antlers can be considered weapons, and Dolph because of his powerful jaws.

Legosi, me, and everyone else with a connection with the Royal Lucis bloodline are lucky to have magic to suppress our instincts, herbivores lose their fear of carnivores, and carnivores their desire to hunt, unless we're talking about Hunters that hunt the wildlife for habitat control and balance the ecosystem.” Gouhin continues to elaborate further with a professional tone.

“He’s right, you know.” Kibi said earning their attention “Tao’s uncle is a Hunter and they need their instincts for their job and protecting their herbivore Hutners from the wildlife, trust me I saw the wildlife of Eos when I and my family visited Tao and his uncle, and it’s no joke, it’s a dangerous job.” Kibi said in a serious tone, his eyes holding nothing but the truth as he glared at them, almost as if daring to think he was wrong, some had to admit that Kibi looked cute or scary, mostly scary because of his prosthetic magitek arm, Gouhin’s stern harsh voice cause them all again to turn toward him.

“You want to know what's funny as well? Magic gives us a boost in strength, speed, and endurance, but the real kicker is that it can only do so much, we are in a war, and some of them are being pushed to the limit and being drained by each battle, their biology needs the proper nutrition for their body and that includes meat for some of them just like some herbivores can only found the nutrition in their specific diet.” Gouhin finished with a scoff as he had just given the biggest biology bomb to those in the drama club. Tem put the final nail in the coffin.

“Look, I’m a herbivore who is aware that some of them eat meat, Legosi, and the others have done nothing to protect us; we are at war. The Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak are only getting stronger and tougher to beat, and like my mama always said, “Yeah, some plants are living things, and so is meat; it doesn't matter what we eat as long as we respect it.” Tem said in a harsh serious tone with none of his joking and cocky attitude showing everyone how deadly serious he was and the meat situation was for them to address.

A minute of silence greeted everyone, and the first one to break it was Mizuchi of all the beasts, as she found the perfect moment to share what she thought about this whole conversation. She knew what to say as she felt about her family.

“My family may not have been the best, but if it means bringing this stupid war to an end, then I say let them eat meat.” She said with a huff.

“Wow, never thought I heard you say something so cheesy as that,” Haru said in a sarcastic play before changing her attention to Legosi, the 701 boys, Riz, Tem, and Gouhin, and ignoring Mizuchi’s glare.

“I’m going, to be honest with all of you, I don’t care if you eat meat at this point, I’ve been through so much already at this point, and besides I think my Uncle Frank was a cannibal,” Haru said with a shrug of her shoulders causing others to stare at in horror or wide eyes at those words.

Haru scoffed in an annoyed tone with an adorable pout, “What!? It's not my fault he always jokes about homemade rabbit stew! He was always weird and…. Never mind…look…that’s not the point! The point is that I don’t want my wolf boyfriend to die, and if that’s what it takes to get him to spend time with me and Louis, then so be it!” Haru stomped her foot down as she got up from the makeshift seat of her crate chair.

Els stepped in as well “I always had sneaking suspicion that some of the carnivores like Bill ate meat, but that doesn’t mean they are bad beasts, I always felt safe around Bill, Riz, and Tao” The angora goat said with a shy meekness manner, causing Tem to give her a thumbs up.

“I don’t completely agree with it or fully understand it, but if it means bringing those bastards that took my family down, then who am I to complain?” Ellen said with a sigh before offering a sincere smile toward the Legosi, the 701 boys, Riz, and Tem.

Fudge, Dom, Dolph, Moro, and the rest of the Drama Club give their approval, making their tails wag, swiftly move, or wiggle in support. The truth was they were all nervous about how they would react to such a topic that was considered taboo in Cherryton’s government. Louis and Haru walked to Legosi while the others talked or asked questions to a grumpy Gouhin, who was trying his best not to snap at them, and the two of them had neutral expressions on them.

“Louis…Haru…” Legosi said in gentle concern tonetone but Louis stopped him by putting a finger on his muzzle.

“It’s funny you know, all my life I believed that I would spend the rest of my time hating carnivores for what they put me and other herbivore kids on that accursed tower, but then I meet you Legosi, a big bad wolf that only wanted to protect and help others, you change my perspective, risk your life countless times to save me and Haru and countless others…” There was pausa e from Louis gentle words “....and if what you said is true, then I don’t want you to suffer because of our instincts, you have my full support.” Louis gently caresses his fur cheek.

The young prince let out a happy canine whine at affection, tail wagging at impressive skills, leaning into the effective gesture. “I want the both of you to know this, my fangs, my claws, my blades, and my magic are for you and I use them to protect you and the world no matter what,” Legosi said with nothing but joy as he hugged the two of them, showering them in affection, then something dawn on him.

“You know that’s funny?” Legosi said as both Haru and Louis stared at his dumb, handsome face with genuine primal curiosity as to what was making the wolf smile

“I never noticed before, but now…it’s obvious.” Legosi's voice was filled with confidence as he had just figured something out.

“What’s that?” Haru asked with a cute tilt of her head, while Louis stared at him in that curiosity that can only be found in deer.

Legosi let out a chuckle “That when I was fighting for my life, I took a bite of the Shishigumi’s boss's shoulder and raw meat tasted disgusting, I didn’t bother swallowing it since it was not cooked, but I think my biology would prefer it if it was cooked, I never threw up when I went to the Black Market twice because I was so focused in protecting you and the entire Academy.” Legosi smiles warmly at them, ruffling their heads, causing them to giggle and whine in protest.

“Was it worth?” Legosi asked as he fixed his head fur to a presentable state, while Haru glared at Legosi for ruffling her fur as well, she looked so cute and fierce.

“Yes, aside from having part of my right ear shot off” Leogosi playfully and lightened nearly pointed at his twitching crop right ear that was shorter than his left ear.

“Well, I think you look sexy that way~” Louis playfully said with a suggestive look. Haru also decided to tease the wolf.

“Yep, and those scars do things to our bodies~” Haru also had a naughty expression on her face, Legosi could only blush at that and ruffle their head fur again as payback, causing Haru and Louis to giggle at a grumbling Legosi, yet all was right for the three of them and Louis kenw that Haru and Legosi would help him heal from the pain of losing his father.

****

       Later tonight, Legosi, the 701 boys, Riz, and Tao were hanging out again on the rooftop seeing the night sky before they headed to bed again as tomorrow was going to be a busy day for them in a meeting with Yafya and the Council to see which Radio tower they should tackle first to open up communications with the Kingdom of Lucis and figure out their next plan of action. But that wasn’t the only reason why they were here, Savon and Ten had brought them meat, which Tem and Kibi had picked on the front gate.

The door to the rooftop pool opened once again with the alpaca and neater walking in with plenty of bags the smell of meat and vegetables assaulted their noses.

“Well, here it is boys, bon appetite, pork meat egg sandwiches with steaming vegetables burritos for me, and Kibi,” Tem said with a smile as he handed the bags to each of them, which contained chips, soda, and their meal for tonight.

“So, who are we eating?” Bill asked out of respect for the meat they were about to consume tonight, wanting to know who the person who they would be taking the strength from and praying for in the afterlife.

“Well Gouhin said that he was once a good hard-working vendor in the Black Market who only wanted carnivores to respect the meat of his establishment as it was everything he had left before his wife divorced him and took everything, some said that he found solace in getting to know dying herbivores who were okay in providing meat and money for their families,” Tem said in a somewhat somber but respectful manner.

“That sounds kind of him,” Voss said in a low voice as he eyed his sandwich, with sorrow mixed with respect knowing that was about to eat someone that used to have a tragic life.

“Then let us pray so that his meat can give us strength and prey that his spirit lives knowing that it was put to good use,” Legosi said as he and the others started paying their respects then they were ready to eat.

“Welp, here we go, let’s hope for the best,” Jack said, taking a deep breath before munching on the pork egg sandwich before swallowing, and to everyone's relief, the labrador didn’t look sick after a few seconds that felt like minutes.

“Not bad, a little strong but not bad,” Jack said in a tone that expressed that he was fine with this.

“It’s strange knowing that I can stand the flavor after years of not standing it,” Legosi said casually as his taste buds didn’t scream or reject the flavor, he would have known if they had spit out immediately as he did to Nikolia’s shoulder meat, yep hybrid biology was weird just like Gouhin said, but since he was a hybrid of two carnivores he needed nutrition from meat, he wonders if Melon required more meat or more fruit and vegetables or a balanced diet of it.

“Hmm, I dare say, I think Riz and I can’t replicate this with a new recipe and substitute of meats or proteins,” Durham said as he and Riz began writing down the ingredients on their notepads, as they were cooking buddies.

Miguno let out a loud burp, causing them to blush in embarrassment and excuse himself, causing everyone to laugh at the hyena for having ordered a soda that made him burp easily. The young prince could only feel a sense of calmness before the morning as Legosi kenw that small moments like this with anyone he cared about were just small breaks before they made their next plan of action, they were just regaining their strength back for more battles to come.

Chapter Text

        Today was the day, the day when Legosi and his friends would meet up with Yafya and Lupus along with Melon, Sam, and Cliff for their operation in taking don the radio tower jammers, right now they were in the cafeteria having lunch, they were going to need all the energy they can conjure up. Early this morning Yafya had a press conference and publicly stated loudly that those who wish to join the Cherryton Arm Forces or police force will required to eat meat with no room for arguments, that resulted in mixed reactions but the sublime Beastar wars where the law and thanks to the Council poorly response of management of past incidents no had the energy to protest or complain.

The surviving Council members were rabid at Yafya’s words and declared to legalize meat but there was nothing they could do, as the revelation that some Council members were part of the Bloody Eye had left the citizens of their government shocked to the core and demanded answers for the pain and loss of family, friends and loved ones. Legosi was spared by the headache of the press conference as Gouhin had stepped up and put his medical knowledge to good use, even Melon stepped up and offer some insight as well into how biology can be bullshit and if they didn’t like that some carnivores and omnivores where eating meat, then they can cry about it, and that this war, tactics, and measures had to change and take action.

Legosi’s ears perked up at the sound of his phone ringing, he looked at the others who were curious as well as to who was calling him, Legosi saw that it was Dom calling him so he answered the call, and put it on the speaker carefully not to scratch the screen.

“Dom-senpai, what’s going on?” Legosi asked in his familiar, gentle, friendly, soft-spoken tone that everyone has come to know him for.

“Legosi! So glad to hear from you! Listen you’d be happy to know your crownsguards fatigues are officially finished and ready to wear!” Dom exclaimed in a cheerful upbeat tone from the other end of the phone, causing the group tails to wag or wiggle in excitement, ears flickering in joy.

“Really!? That’s great! We’d be on our way then!” Legosi said with a big fanged smile, as his tail was causing a small breeze and causing some students to look at them but shrugged the behaivor off, the other ones were excited as well to finally wear their battle garbs, so Legos hung up the phone and soon all of them, finished their meal of meat and vegetables and fruits, with the only expectation of Tem’s plate that was a healthy salad with black beans. With their bellies full, the group finally headed to the drama club to get their battle uniforms, It was time for them to be dressed in all black.

****

       It turns out that Legosi and his friends were not the only ones that had a destination, Aoba was also going to be joining them, since he was eighteen and now an official recruit for the Cherryton Arm Forces Scouts he and a few other recruits would be going under intense training under the guidance of Vance, the vampire bat at the police academy.

Dom, Fudge, Kibi, and Kai walked up to Legosi and the others with their Crownsguard fatigues, with big prideful smiles on their beak and muzzles, as they had worked hard on sewing the outfits and making the adjustments, Dom had to thank his grandpa, Pollina for teaching sewing lessons, he always wanted to be a fashionista when he was little.

“Your Majesty, your battle uniforms are ready. I have a feeling you're going to love them,” Dom respectfully and formally addressed Legosi as he and the others handed over their new clothing design for battle.

“We worked so hard that Kai poked himself multiple times with the needle.” Kibi snickered at the embarrassed mongoose, who could glare and growl at him, causing the others to chuckle or giggle at that.

“Whatever” Kai grumbled in his usual grumpy self, but despite that he had fun working with them and being acknowledged for his sewing skills, despite poking himself multiple times with some final touches here and there.

“Thanks, guys, we appreciate it, we change into them right now,” Legosi said toward them in a genuine tone of appreciation for their hard work and so he and the others headed to the locker room to get dressed in their battle uniforms.

After a few minutes, Legosi, the 701 boys, Riz, and Tem stepped out of the locker room, all dressed in their Crownsguard Fatigues, clothing of black and dark gray, their fur color clashing gorgeously with their clothing, Louis couldn’t help a cute chuckle, earning the attention of the others.

“What’s so funny?” Legosi asked in a playful growl, that made Louis feel all sorts of excitement, he blamed his prey instincts and attraction to Legosi, his boyfriend was handsome, a beautiful beast, a good contrast to Haru’s cute and innocent appearance, then there was there himself a handsome elegant red deer, with an almost doe. The three of them made such a good trio of lovers and colors, personalities, and appearances.

“Oh nothing, it’s just that all of you looked like a boy band~” Louis said a with playful smile, this caused Legosi, the 701 boys, Riz, and Tem to roll their eyes at the young red deer and those who agreed with him.

“See, I told you!!” Fudge said sticking his tongue out to to Dom, who could let out an annoyed huff at the red panda’s victory, regardless the outfits still looked cool, a few more jokes and Legosi, Louis, the 701 boys, Aoba, Tem, and Riz said their farewells to the Drama Club, with Haru kissing the two on the lips for good luck. Mizuchi and her friends tease her about it while asking her for advice on how to get boys.

****

         The small group was standing in front of the gates where they would be traveling by an armored vehicle to their destination. Louis was joining them in the meeting of the operation as a learning experience, while Aoba would be heading to the police academy building with the approved documents that Louis had signed for him. However, they couldn’t help to see that he was nervous; they glanced at each other. Legosi, Louis, and Bill decided to comfort him and show their support.

“Hey, are you alright?” Bill asked his avian friend, the bald eagle, who turned to face them with a troubled look before shrugging it off.

“I-it’s nothing, just nervous, as you know,” Aoboa said to compose himself. Legosi decided to gently place a hand on the bald eagle's shoulder, and the avian could feel something stir inside him.

“You’d be alright, you’d always been a strong guy Aoba, remember that you won’t be alone, you have comrades at your side, and as a friend, I’m granting you the ability to use magic, the power of the kings of Lucis and their magic will protect you and aid you,” Legosi said with a gentle smile.

“So that’s what I felt?...I-I don’t know what to say, Legosi…thank you,” Aoboa said as his eyes grew teary at the kind words that left the wolf’s mouth.

“Just don’t do anything stupid, alright?” Bill said with a smirk, with a light pat on the avian's back, almost causing him to stumble forward with a squeal of protest.

“I hate to ruin this moment, but we should get moving,” Louis said with a soft smile at the interaction of the three carnivores. So with those words, they board their respective vehicles.

****

          Inside one of the rooms of the Grand City Hall, Legosi, Louis, the 701 boys, Riz, Tem, Yafya, Lupus, Melon, Sam, and Cliff were inside a room staring at a holographic map of the city of Cherryton, were the only ones allowed in the room and no Council member was allowed to enter by Yaya’s order and authority.

“Alright, so what do you know?” Yayfa said, getting straight to the point, as he turned his attention toward the gazelle-leopard hybrid that had been scouting the areas.

“Well from what I gather, there are four radio jamming towers scattered through the city, the nearest one is the one in the north at the Grand City Plaza, the one south is located a good distance away from the History Museum, the west is the farthest in the Rocky Mountain Canon Residency, the one in the east is at Cherryton’s Airport.” Melon briefed them as four red dots appeared in the designated locations, and then Cliff spoke, giving more information about what to expect.

“Each of them is heavily forfeited with the Bloody Eye MTs, soldiers, and at least four Kopi Luwak High Ranking Bats pure blood zealot supremacists and not to mention that the east one and west surve as prison camps as well,” Cliff explained to them, in the display of images in a projector showing footage that prisoners both police officers, Cherryton Arm Forces soldiers, and civilians, some of them were hybrids, all of it captured by the surveillance drones that Cliff took pride in as he was tech wizard.

“Then our best way to attack would be at nightfall,” Lupus said as it was a matter of fact with no room for argument because he was right, the night could help them make things easier.

Durham who knew what he meant said his own to bits of the black wolf’s logic “Use the night for cover, by sticking to the shadows, smart.” Durham approved with an upbeat casual tone.

“Yeah, they won’t see us coming!” Jack said in a cheerful, upbeat tone, as stealth was one of the things he was good at when it came to combat.

         Louis who had been listening to the whole thing was in astonishment at the level of concentration and efficiency they were putting on this meeting, he knew that this was not his area of expertise but as Yafya’s apprentice and a young Beastar, there was room to learn, room to be perfect, looks like some old habits die hard. So he eagerly listened.

“That just leaves us to choose our target,” Bill said as they all came to the same realization that they were going to split up, as tackling one at a time would waste time.

“Right, Lupus and I can take care of the west one with a squad of Cherryton Arm Forces specialists,” Yafya said as he claimed the west radio tower.

“We can manage the east one, my men and I can guarantee you those prisoners are getting out alive,” Melon said as he claimed the radio jamming tower for him, Sam Cliff, and his men to dismantle and rescue those beats.

“That just leaves the north and south,” Louis commented as he listened to who would claim the last two, and he did get his answer.

“Riz? Tem?” Miguno asked as the alpaca and brown bear were looking at each other before coming to the same conclusion.

“Tem and I can handle the south one,” Riz said as Tem high five him, the alpaca had a feral grin, but it was still amazing how much of an adrenaline-cocky junky he was.

“I have Nightshade and Moondust, assist the two of you,” Lupus said towards the alpaca and brown bear, who could only nod at his words.

“In that case, we take the north one,” Legosi said as it was the obvious choice, since that was the only one they had left to take care of, now all they had to do was wait for night to come, so they killed time by talking and giving each other advice.

“Promise you'll be careful,” Louis said as Legosi kissed him on his forehead, showing affection to his mate.

“I promise,” Legosi assured his boyfriend with a kiss on the lips, causing Louis to giggle and earning a raised eyebrow from Legosi.

“Haru, it’s going to be jealous, again~,” Louis said in a sing-song voice as he had to brag about getting a kiss from Legosi to his girlfriend.

“Oh stop that, I kissed her before coming here,” Legosi said with a scolding tone at how much his two mates competed for his affection when they were supposed to be older than him by a few months, not that Louis cared as he ruffled Legosi’s fur check in a teasing manner, in an attempt to annoy his wolf boyfriend.

The 701 boys, Melon, Sam, Cliff, Yafya, and Lupus stare at the whole scene in amusement, Bill turns to Jack with a mischievous grin as the to wanted to mess with his boyfriend, Jack gives him a glare and warning growl but he got a playful headlock in return, causing some to chuckle, laugh or rolled their eyes, relishing on the moment of peace knowing that it was not going to be for the rest of the night as they hand an objective to compete.

        Dusk was here, and they needed to make haze to get to their objectives, they would all be troubled by vehicles as the radio towers had anti-aircraft defense so the choppers were out of the equation as for Louis he would resume his duties as both a Beastar and heir of the Horns Conglomerate from the academy. The surviving Council members would answer to him and follow his orders just like they did to Yafy; some were not happy to listen to someone as young as Louis, but they didn’t want to get shot like that Impala did.

“Hey, good luck,” Melon said, tapping Legosi on the arm, and extended his hand in a closed fist for another fist bump.

“Yeah, same here.” Legosi returned the fist bump to Melon while giving Yafya and Lupus a respectful nod of good luck. Sam and Cliff are doing the same with hugs, fist bumps, or nods to the 701 boys, Tem, and Riz.

With nothing else being said they all hop on their respective vehicles and make their way to their destination, Legosi and the 701 boys in a truck same as Melon, Sam, and Cliff, and Yayfa and Lupus in an armored vehicle with another one tailing them with Cherryton Arm Forces Specialists soldiers, meanwhile, Louis butler Yuta took Louis back to the Academy.

****

       On top of the building that was close enough to Cherryton's Grand Plaza, Legosi and the 701 boys could feel the cooling breeze of the night, all of them were overlooking the base and jamming the radio tower. Melon wasn’t kidding when he said that it would be heavily fortified. They can see magitek infantry, magitek cybersuits, armored vehicles and tanks, and crates of supplies and ammunition. Oh, and there was also an electric sort of field fence surrounding the jamming tower, looks like they had their work cut out for them. 

“So what’s the plan, guys?” Legosi asked Durham and Jack, the two smartest members of the party, who could come up with effective strategies and tactics on the battlefield.

“Well if we're going to remain undetected, our best method would be to stick to the shadows and avoid those searchlights of the guard towers,” Durham said as he spotted at least five scattered on the base of the plaza, his tone one of seriousness and professionalism, it was always impressive how Durham attitude to his usual blunt one can change to one of composure and analytical analysis that rival Jack’s IQ. Both of them were good at coming up with battle plans and strategies; in short summary they were mostly the brains of their battle tactics.

“Those crates and tanks can also provide some cover for us, we might have to take down a few of the enemy along the way and take down that electrical fence if we going to take down that tower.” Jack's tone was one of calm demeanor, as he put aside his usual, carefree attitude, putting his mind to work.

“Our best course of action would be to split up and cover more terrain that way,” Miguno said, also adding his info on how they can approach this.

“Got it, Durham, Miguno, you're with me,” Legosi said, pointing at the coyote and spotted hyena who nodded at his words.

“Voss, Collot, see if you guys can take care of the guards in those towers.” Legosi turned his head towards the English sheepdog and fennec fox.

“Right.” Both of them said at the same time at Legosi’s orders.

“Bill, Jak, see if you two can take down that electric field; there must be a switch around here.” The tiger and Labrador retriever nodded their head at Legosi’s words.

“Alright, let’s do this,” Legosi said with a commanding tone, filled with confidence and determination. He wanted to call his family and take down these towers that were key to that goal, to see how they were doing.

****

(Final Fantasy XV - Imperial Infiltration OST Starts)

      Legosi, Miguno, and Durham move through the shadows, avoiding the enemy as they move through some crates. They manage to dispatch Bloody Eye soldiers stealthily with a quick neck snap or stab to the heart, etc. Legosi then warped-kill another Kopi Luwak bat by warp-killing as he warped to his location and stabbed the blade of his engine blade through the cockpit of the suit, a quick death. 

Durham, on the other hand, stabbed a Bloody Eye herbivore through the heart by covering his mouth as his Delta dagger pierced the chest of the surprised gang member. Miguno’s Katana made very quick work of a feline VOID gang member, as the blade pierced through the chest like butter, instantly killing the large-breed carnivore. Despite being enemies, they wanted to grant them quick deaths as much as they could; killing was never easy for any of them. It still haunted them how even their magical flask grenades could leave messy results of cooked flesh and frozen enemies. Elemancy was as terrifying as their fangs and claws. Another warp and Legosi found themselves on the catwalk, as he warp-killed a Bloodbone gang member. From a distance, he also spotted Collot and Voss warping out of the second tower and moving the third one.

“Good.” Legosi thought to himself, yet they still needed to move fast it was only a matter of time before the enemy became aware of what was going on and confronted them, they would need to set up an EMP detonation to disable the magitek cybersuits or infantry, otherwise it would a brutal fight, that would be better off to avoid even if they had recovered from their last fight.

           Collot took down a Kopi Luwak bat by slashing the legs of the suit with his Dodanuki Katana and finished it off with a stab through the cockpit. Voss on the other hand took down a medium-sized carnivore as he sliced his ankles causing him to collapse in pain before finishing him off with a quick quick throat slit and stab to the side of the head.

Bill put his arm in front of Jack to stop him as two herbivore Bloody Eye gang members walked past them, the shadows hiding them from view, the tiger moved his head so his boyfriend could know when to move. The two of them made their way to two Bloodbone gang members who were standing near some ammo-supplied crates. Jack snapped the neck of one with his legs, and Bill used his brute strength to slam the head of the startled carnivore into the crate before getting him in a headlock and snapping his neck.

****

         On the west of the radio jamming tower, Yafya and Lupus lead a squad of Cherryton Arm Forces Specialist Soldiers, they didn’t waste any time on reaching the part of the mountain that contains the radio jamming tower base, not without clearing some Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak soldiers that where patrolling the residency area. Rocky Mountain Canon Residency was a small neighborhood that mostly consisted of elderly or rich elite beasts, mostly herbivores and carnivores. Lupus and Yafya managed to figure out that the residents were inside their homes, as most likely the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak enforced a curfew with consequences.

They were proven right once they reached the base and saw the cages with prisoners; they wasted no time liberating them and quietly wiping out the base, all with deadly precision. Silencers allow the soldiers to drop their targets down without noticing blades meeting flesh or a neck snap here and there. The electrical field of the tower went down when two of the soldiers found the switch, allowing Yafya and Lupus to put some explosives on the tower courtesy of the Dokugumi. They were lucky that this base didn’t have any Magitek cybersuits or infantry, just soldiers patrolling the base. The Rocky Mountain Residents showed their appreciation with tears of relief, and Yafya and Lupus couldn’t blame them, so if these beasts looked like they had been tortured or worse, with their objective complete, Yafya pressed the button, detonating the explosives and bringing down the radio jamming tower. 

****

       In the south radio jamming tower base, Nightshade and Moonshadhe are stealthy making their way to the switch of the radio jamming tower's electrical force field, using the shadows to avoid any detection, staying out of the line of sight and avoiding any lights that would give their position away, necks where snaps, others were shot dead or stab. Tem and Riz also wasted no time on making sure to take down the enemy as quietly as possible, the alpaca warp-kill a large herbivore by stabbing both its kukri daggers into its back before snapping its neck. Riz, on the other hand, warped-kill two VOID carnivores; they didn’t get the time to scream as the grizzly bear slammed both their heads on the hard concrete with enough force to shatter their skull.

The electrical force field of the radio jamming tower went down as they were joined by Moonshade and Nightshade, the two wolves having done their job in taking down the electrical force field of the radio jamming tower. 

“Alright, good work, you two,” Nightshade said towards the two of them.

“Thanks,” Riz gave a nod of appreciation at the praise.

“Alright, let's bring this thing down,” Moonshade said as he summoned his tune saber.

“Couldn't agree more!!” Tem said with an upbeat tone.

 The four of them wasted no time on the control panel of the radio jamming tower, hitting it with all their strength, the lights of the tower went off, and now it was time to book out of there.

****

       At the airport of the radio jamming tower base, the tower lights went off and its control panel was destroyed by Cliff while Melon's men freed the prisoners, among them was Luke Frost, a snow leopard an actor convicted for devouring a duck in a movie set after he confess in live television after a concentration with his co-star Rose, the snow leopard and some convicts didn't expect to be recruited to fight in a war in a way to find some redemption or offer another chance at civilian life.

“Alright we're done here, you all did a very good job at trashing this base,” Melon said to his men whom the Cherryton Arm Forces had known over the past days, freedom fighters that oppose the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak, most of Melon's men were hybrids and beasts in interspecies couples and pureblood that believe in hybrid rights, somewhere ex-convicts, ex-cops and ex-military of the Cherryton Arm Forces.

           For Luke, the hybrid was someone who could play the role of a herbivore and a carnivore well. The snow leopard could only see the destruction of the base he and others had inflicted a couple of minutes ago; they had stealthily placed some explosions, and as soon as the electrical force field went down. Well, all hell broke loose, the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak didn't know what hit them, and it was loud and over in a few minutes. The snow leopard made up his mind, Melon De La Fruit was a genius or someone who liked to make a point, place bombs in the dead of night, blow up the enemies' stuff, use their confusion and panic to their advantage, and save the prisoners.

Luke also remembers the hybrid pulling into cover to avoid getting his head shot off by a sniper rifle on one of the towers, he would have to thank him for saving his life. Cliff and Sam had scolded him for going blindly into an open field like that and for not getting too trigger-happy or guns blazing despite having the heave, he keeps that in mind next time.

****

        Back with Legosi and the others, the electrical force field of the tower was down as Collot, and Voss warped to where Legosi, Durham, and Miguno were, it wasn't long before Jack and Bill joined them as well. 

“Nice work you guys.” Legosi complemented with a big fanged smile, “You ready?” They all nodded at his question as they took out their own lighting flask grenades to shut down the radio jamming tower ready to cause a small EMP explosion, they would also be destroying the tower's terminal.

“Get ready to run, this is going to be loud and bring a lot of attention,” Miguno said to everyone in a serious way that they could nod in agreement at his point, that this was going to be loud.

Without wasting time, they all three the grenades at the terminal, and immediately electricity engulfed the radio jamming tower and terminal in a violent display of sparks, the result was a small EMP explosion that shot down the tanks, Bloody Eye MTs, and magitek infantry cybersuits followed by screams of alarm and orders being bark.

Legosi and his friends quickly smashed the terminal apart with their weapons and dashed, sticking to the shadows to leave the plaza and the remaining confused rabid Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak troopers behind. They all received confirmation from the others that they had taken down the other radio jamming towers. Mission accomplished, however, there was one thing left for Legosi to do before they could rest for the night and make their next move tomorrow morning.

(Final Fantasy XV - Imperial Infiltration OST Ends)

****

        Once the seven safely made out of the place back to their armored vehicle, Legosi immediately dialed his dad and put the phone in speaker mode and they all waited with anticipation and anxiety, waiting for the King to pick up the call, praying this night was not wasted. Then it happened.

“Hello? Legosi is that you!?” Myiasis' voice sounded from the other end of the phone, much to everyone's relief, more so for Legosi. The rest of Legosi's family turned his attention to the King; he gestured them closer and put the phone in speaker mode as well.

“Yes Dad!! It's me!!” Legosi's voice cracked with nothing but raw emotion as his eyes were watery.

“Thank the Astrals you're okay, my little pup.” Miyagi also displayed emotion as he wiped some tears from his eyes.

“How's everyone else?” Legosi sniffled, wiping some of his tears at hearing his father's voice, and then the rest of his family spoke from the other side of the phone.

“We're managing…we lost so many friends…but we're still standing strong.” Gosha's voice sounded tired, making Legosi whine at hearing his grandpa's voice.

“Grandpa…I miss you. I miss Mom and Grandma, I'll miss you all.” Legosi sniffled some more as his friends comforted the wolf.

“I miss you, too, my little light.” Leano's voice was weighted with emotion; she wanted to comfort and hug her son so badly, her little boy.

“Legosi, don't cry, we're right here, tell the others that their families are okay and that they wish they could see them or speak to them.” Toki’s voice also cracks with emotion. 

“I will, Grandma…I will, Grandma.” Legosi managed to say, despite the level of emotion leaking from him, and then Miyagiii spoke up again.

“Legosi…is Bill with you?” Myiagi's voice contains nothing but regret as the others comfort him as well, Ben's death still weighed heavily on them. It's been five days since they buried him in Cleigne, Cape Caem, and even managed to make it inside the city again by some miracle. However, they had spotted two Bloody Eye bases already built outside of the city, however that had to wait as Legosi answered the question.

“Yes, he's with me,” Legosi said as he eyed Bill who had a face of relief as well, the tiger always considered the king to be like an uncle sort of figure, now that he thought of it, Gon was like a second uncle to him.

“Your Highness,” Bill said to Miyagi in a heartwarming tone of fondness.

“Bill..I’m sorry about your father…I wish…I could have saved him.” Miyagi said as he wiped some tears from his eyes as he composed himself, the poor wolf missed his Bengal tiger so much, and it pained him to know that Bill had lost his father.

“Don’t, don’t apologize. It’s not your fault…uncle Magi…my father was following his duty, just like I tend to do for Gosi. Decscio killed my father, not you, that bastard shows what he did.” Bill said in an assuring tone toward the older wolf, to assure him that he was not angry at him for what happened to his father, he was furious at the civet, not his King.

“I..see… you're a good kid, Bill,” Miyagi said in a hoarse voice while the others were still comforting him.

“Dad…listen… we're going to find a way to get back to Lucis,” Legosi said in a much calmer tone as he felt the night breeze delicately on his fur.

“What!? No way!! It’s too dangerous!!” Leano protested from the other side of the phone, fearing for her son's life as she knew that Deshcio wanted her son to do that.

“But I have to!! I’m not going to stand by and let you face Deshcio alone!” Legosi let out a whine in protest at his mother's wishes not to return home.

“Legosi Ardyn Lucis Caleum!!” Miaygi hated raising his voice at his son, but he was a father, and it was his responsibility to set his foot when his protective instincts screamed at him to be a parent for his pup.

The poor pup's ears lowered and tail tucked between his legs at being scolded by his father, he let out a sad whine, just like he got caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to be doing, like playing with scissors when he was little.

Myaigi composed hismelf and spoke in a much gentler tone. “Legosi, please listen, we can’t bear the thought of that monster taking you away from us, that’s what he wants, he wants you to fail in his trap,” Miyagi said in a gentle kind stern tone, the fear of loosing Legosimotivated him and the rest of the family to set their foot down.

“But-” Legosi was cut off by his grandpa Gosha using a much more stern tone than Miyagi, as he wanted the pup to know that his father was right. 

“Legosi, listen to your father, believe me when I say this, you do not want to pick a fight with Deshcio,” Gosha's voice was stern and straight to the point as he remembered the terrifying resistance the bear-size civet magitek suit had to his venom.

“Your father and grandpa are right Legosi, we know you're strong, but please let us handle this. The people of Cherrtyon need you, just promise us that you and the others won’t return to Lucis.” Toki said in her heartwarming caring voice of a sweet lovable grandma to her loving grandson.

Legosi looked at the others, who knew that he was about to lie to them, no matter how painful it was for the young prince to do so. Legosi had to break that promise, and so he lied to them.

“I promise,” Legosi said with a somber, solemn tone as it left a bad taste in his mouth to lie to his family that he would stay at Cherryton; this was his battle, as to whether they liked it or not. Deshcio would pay for everything he had done.

“We love you, Legosi, always remember that, stay safe…all of you..” Miyagi said as he hung up the phone, leaving the others to let out sighs of tiredness. This night was surely less chaotic but still stressful, The next step was to figure out the best way to travel to the Kingdom of Lucis, their home nation.

****

        Meanwhile our favorite hot-headed drama club mongoose wast at Headmaster Gon’s office with Louis and a child, a hybrid child, now there were many things that Kai had never expected in life and one of them was losing his family in the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak invasion, he still couldn’t believe that hyenas that raise him where gone. However, this was not the reason he thought would be called; he would have expected therapy, and so he voiced his confusion.

“Huh!? I’m sorry, but you want me to do what again!?” Kai asked with a baffled expression toward the older tiger and the young red deer.

Louis could only let out a sigh as he didn’t like repeating himself but this was Kai they were talking to, “We want you to look after her and be her legal guardian?” Louis said gesturing to the hybrid child who was no older than eight years old holding a toy teddy bear, shy and timid as she stood behind Louis's legs, hiding herself away.

“But-but-but why me!? I don’t know anything about raising a kid! I’m only seventeen!!” Kai protested at the idea of him being considered, of all people, to raise a child.

“Kai, I understand this seems so sudden and too much responsibility for someone of your caliber, but -” Gon approached the mongoose to explain why he was chosen by this, but was cut off by him, much to the old tiger's annoyance.

“You think!?” Kai rudely interrupted Gon but immediately shrank down, with his ears lowered and tail curving up at the frown and glare the tiger gave him for raising his voice at him, “Um, sorry, Headmaster Gon.” Kai apologized.

The poor old tiger let out a tired sigh, he was getting too old for this “As I was saying, you’d be handling the necessary resources and advice to help you raise this child and if you need anything don’t be afraid to ask me or Louis anything.” Gon said in his professional authoritative manner, but immediately softened up upon seeing Kai’s troubled expression.

“But why me? Of all beasts, surely there are better candidates out there.” Kai lamented in a tone that screamed nothing but self-deprecation as he knew these faults and his hot temper would not be suitable for the task.

Gon did not think so, the old Siberian tiger could only place a gentle hand on Kai’s right shoulder and spoke in a much more fatherly caring tone to the mongoose, it was his job as Heamdaster to help his students after all, and help them grow and so he spoke his reasoning.

“Kai, you were raised by hyenas,” Gon said, causing Kai to look at him with his ears still folded down, but Gon continued to speak. “Believe when I said there is no one better for this task than you, we talked to the rest of your clubmates and schoolmates and Miguno, and they all said the same thing about you.” Gon’s voice carries nothing but a softness of fondness for the teenage mongoose in front of him.

“What’s that?” Kai asked in a somewhat challenging tone, despite how quiet it came out, a curious tone that only can be found in felines seeping from him.

“That you’re headstrong and stubborn as they can be, and we believe that your child needs someone like you in her life. She lost her family, a family of a hyena and mongoose couple.” Gon said, causing Kai’s eyes to widen at that, and now looking at the hybrid child, he could see the features of a hyena on her ears and muzzle, while the rest of her scream mongoose. Louis's voice brought him out of his thoughts.

“Kai, she needs you, you are this child's second chance at having a family again, just like your family gave you one. I understand that we might not always get along, but know that I know that I made the right choice in choosing you to be her guardian.” Louis said to Kai in a tone of respect and genuine praise.

         For a moment Kai thought about it, he thought about arguing and storming off and slamming the door whenever he let his temper get the best of him, but he didn’t instead he thought of the family of hyenas that raised him as one of their own, how they cherish him and love him and no matter what anyone said, he would always be their little angry ticking time bomb and that they didn’t regret taking him in, his beloved family…his family that was taken away by the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak bastards…just like the parents of that child…Kai then felt his face getting wet, much to his shock, as he brought a hand to his eyes, trying his hardest not to break down into a sobbing mess. What would his family think of him? If he had chosen to abandon this child, who was the offspring of a hyena and mongoose, two different species that love each other, to create a new life. So he made up his mind.

“Okay….okay…I take her in.” Kai sai, wiping his eyes as Gon simply nodded at him with a heartwarming smile, while Louis looked proud of the mongoose, then he gestured for the little hybrid hyena-mongoose girl to approach Kai.

Kai could only kneel down and give her a friendly smile, not caring if his eyes were wet with tears and so he spoke in the most gentle fatherly tone he could conjure up “Hey there little one, what’s your name?” Kai said aware that his incites were developing a protective parental side.

“Kylea.” The little hyena-mongoose child said in a meekly shy tone.

“Kylea, huh? That's a nice name. You don't have to be alone anymore, I take care of you, alright?” Kai gave his best friendly smile and put all his effort into having a fatherly, caring tone.

“O-okay,” Kylea said as she hugged Kai, taking the mongoose by surprise, and causing his heart to ache so he gently hugged the child, some tears fell from his eyes but found some level of peace.

Gon and Louis could only smile at the heartwarming gesture, knowing that they had made the right choice and that Kylea would find comfort in Kai. 

Chapter Text

        Early in the morning, Legosi and the 701 boys were helping the Drama Club clean the club’s warehouse as it was officially confirmed that the Academy had been converted into a shelter for those who had lost their homes in the invasion. They were making room in the warehouse for crates and bags of food, as the Academy cafeteria became one of the five soup kitchens of the city that Yayfa and Louis had enforced and Gon was full on board with the idea, as students volunteered to help around the cafeteria or any community programs would be given the chance to bring their grades up. Peach, Sheila, and Juno had eagerly volunteered at a nursery program, the same program that they would use to help Kai raise Kylea.

The young prince was about to pick up four boxes when all of a sudden he was hit with the biggest headache he had ever received in his hea.Thisis caused him to rear in pain and kneel, causing the others to rushtot him in concern. He whimpered and snarled from what felt like a headache turning into a migraine.

“Legosi, what’s wrong!?” Haru asked her boyfriend with concern, as the others shared the same level of worry for the young prince.

“My-my head, it feels like it’s going through a hangover!” Legosi whines then that’s when it hits him, eyes widening as images of the Astrals flash through his mind.

****

At the Kingdom of Tenabre, Princess Solani Nox Fleurrent gasped as she dropped the tea kettle,e startling Brandon, who had come to visit her to see how she was doing,g as a beautiful black wolfiness introduced herself, and Solani knew who this wolf was; she was Gentiana, a messenger of the gods…no, she was Shiva, thee Glacian, goddess of Ice. This could only mean one thing: that both Solani and Brandon came to a realization, the Astrals were referring to her world, yet Solani had to ask.

“Why? Why no,w of all times?” Solani asked even if it was obvious why the goddess of ice would present herself to her after the young arctic wolf was descendantnt of the Lunefreya Nox Flurent, the oracle and wife of Noctis Lucis Caelum.

Solani had taken pride in her family side of the Flurent family, and both the Caelum and Flurent families had always supported each other in times of grief. Like when the time her parent, Rachelle Nox Flurent and Simmons Wolfheart, who were also Legosi’s uncles, were assassinated by anarchists. The Flurent and Cealum family tree extended by generations ever since the wedding of Noctis Lucis Caelum after they had saved Eeos from the starscourge and Bahumut, the Draconian, God of War, and so Solani got her answer.

“By the threads of fate and the prayers of the beasts of Eos, it is our calling to aid the Flurent and Caelum bloodline, the young prince like his ancestor is destined to bring the light of the Beasts of Eos once again and free the hybrid known as Melon from his burden, for he and the Kings of Yore had seen the outcome of three futures, in which only one must be secure by all means and for the sacrifices of others to be honor in their name, for fate can’t always be denied or fully controlled ”Gentiana/Shiva spoke up in a kind-hearted tone of wisdom and compassion while showing sorrow at the same. As she places both her hands on Solani’s and Brandon’s foreheads and they see everything, Melon and Leogsi’s role for a better future, all kinds of emotions pour out at the same time.

“Such as it is…” Solani said in a somber, solemn tone, and even if she knew Melon’s role, she could only blame Deshcio for all the pain and grief from the past, present, and future.

“Dammit…dammit it all.” Brandon could only curse, cursing Deshcio's name and his goals of conquest that had triggered the threads of fates.

****

        In the Kingdom of Luci’s, Swagan tensed up as felt, a storm was approaching and the sea goddess, Leviathan, the Hydraen would test the will and strength of Legosi, as she did to his ancestor Noctis and if there was one thing that Swagan knew about his life as a sea animal/beast was that the sea culture knew about Levithan’s dictate about land animals/beasts. The young prince would be in for a rough time.

“Is there something wrong?” Miyagi asked his spotted seal friend, butler, and drive,r who had trouble frowning as others looked at the spotted sea for an answer.

Swagan let out a sigh and spoke seriously, with a stern expression that took everyone off guard. “Yes, you might want to sit down for this o,ne Your Highn.ss, I’m afraid the issue is a serious matter, one that I hope Legosi would be prepared for.” Swagan's tone of expression contained nothing of his good-hearted nature; it was one of professionalism and sternness.

Legosi’s family could only look at each other and so as the Crownsguard and Kingsglaive, they knew that when the spotted seal had something important to say he meant business, and this worried them to all types of alarms, They could only hope that whatever it was, especially if it involves Legosi it wouldn’t lead to his death or those of his friends. Deschio was a danger himself, and they didn’t need more danger to worry about, but little did they know that only applied to Legosi of all beasts at the moment of his calling of a Lucis.

****

           Legosi couldn’t believe what he had seen, the Astral gods were returning to their world, he had seen them, Titan, Ramuh, Leviathan, Shiva, Garuda, and for some reason or unexplainable way Ifrit. Good thing the Draconian, Bahumut wasn’t as his spirit was destroyed by Noctis and Ardyn.

“Legosi?” Jack’s voice brought Legosi out of his thoughts ,and so Legosi spoke in a sigh of disbelief once the headache had subsided.

“You're not going to believe what I just saw.” Legosi's expression was one of tiredness, causing the others to look at him worried, and if Legosi was sm, they kenw what awaited him and his friends, then to make matters worse. His phone rang, and he saw that it was none other than Savon calling him, so he picked up the phone.

“Yes, Uncle Savon?” Legosi spoke in an extremely concerned tone, and he had every right to be, as the Komodo Dragon spoke seriously.

“Legosi, we need to talk. Are Yafya and Lupus at the Academy right now?” Savon asked urgently.

“Yes, they're running over some things with Louis, why?” Legosi was extremely concerned because if it wasn’t one thing to worry about, it sure was the ot, her one and that was not something to worry about.

“We explain everything once I, Ten, and Ibuki head over to the Academy,” Savon spoke urgently and hung up the phone before Legosi spoke up again.

“Legosi, what’s going on?” Legosi turned to see Haru looking up at him with a worried look, the others doing the same.

“I don’t know…but gather everyone in the Drama Club building, I don’t want to let you all out of whatever is going on. I’ll call Melon, Sam, and Cliff and let them know what’s going on as well.” Legosi said as he turned to the others. The Principal Price stated without any second thought as he kenw that the others also had the right to learn what was going on.

****

        So for the next three hours, Durham, Bill, Durham, Miguno, Voss, Collot, Tem, and Riz had to go on a wild goose chase to get the rest of the Drama Club in the main room, and shortly after the others arrive as well, but what they weren’t expecting was for Legosi to drop the bombshell of him seeing visions of the Astral Gods, the young prince figure out that it would be best to let them in on what had just transpired a few moments ago.

“So that’s why our sixth sense was going off,” Bill spoke with a baffled realization upon hearing what Legosi said and he wasn’t the only one who shared the same feelings of shock.

“No wonder my tail was going crazy,” Tao said as he felt something big was approaching from the heavens.

“It is our feline nature to sense the sup, such as ice, or any upcoming danger.” Gon pointed out the feline superstition of their sixth sense.

“The benefits of some species.” Jeffrey, the club advisor cat said with a small prideful tone.

For Melon to share somehow a sixth sense, thanks to his leopard genes and even if his carnivore feline and herbivore bovid instincts were going haywire, he already knew what was at stake, having the ability to see the future through his dreams and being in contact by Kings of Yore, Legosi’s ancestors and to this day Melon wasn’t sure if his insight was a gift or curse. Magic works in mysterious ways. Before he can ramble any further, Legosi’s voice catches his and everyone's attention again.

“Yeah, that's much about it, ” Legosi mused to himself, but he wanted to hear what his Uncle Savon and aunt Ten had to say as they sounded so urgent on the pho.ne “Anyways, what was it that you wanted to tell us?” He hoped that it wasn’t any more bad news, little did he k,now he got his answer.

“We finally figured out what the Madargumi had been up to, and you're not going to like it one bit,” Savon said as he went to the computer, connected his phone, and managed to upload some photos before rampaging through some documents on both devices and finally uploading the footage and images of said leopards shaking hands with some Bloody Eye High Ranking officers near the docks.

Savon was right, as everyone seemed concerned or confused as to what the Leopards were doing with the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak. Still, one thing was clear for them in the pictures and video that were secretly taken by some of the Dragon’s Ki:sune, an alliance was being made with the leopards, but for what reason? Ibukihad had a growing suspicion ever since he had seen the leopards on the Black Market the day of the invasion; however, before he could say anything, G Melon beat him to it.

“Well, son of a - oof!” Melon was caught off guard by Sam elbowing him in the wrist, gesturing to his head that Kylea was still present, and everyonegaveg a look to not curse in front of the child as a certain angry mongoose had reached to cover his daughter's ears.

“Right,” Melon coughed awkwardly, before continuing “Makes sense that the Madarugmi would ally themselves with them, if they managed to get the VOID and Bloodbone gang under their control who’s to say they wouldn’t have a plan B after we prevent you from joining them,” Melon said gesturing to Ibuki, who could only nod and offer his insight of the situation.

“A perfect opportunity to seek glory and undermine us, Miso had always been an ambitionist in the turf wars and day of depravity, it alarms me to know that he would do whatever is necessary to seek full control of the Black Market and get even with us gumis,” Ibuki said with nothing but facts about the leopard's ambition.

“However, if what Legosi says is true, then that would mean…” Yafya said, gesturing to Legosi, encouraging the young prince to voice his concerns.

“That and as felines, they could probably sense what Ibuki, Gon, Bill, Tao, Ibuki, and even Melon felt to some degree, and if they are as smart as they seemed by allying with someone with that much power and intellect…” Legosi said with hea,vy horrific realization as his eyes widened at what the Madargumi could say or influence, his thoughts were finished by none other than Durham and Jack.

“Then they could tempt him to enslave the gods and find a way to utilize their power by doing his bidding  or steal it from them.” Durham's tone of voice was as serious as the situation presented to them.

“That and assuming that they know Luci's history or how to do it,” Jack s,aid offering two centscent on the topic.

“Okay…that’s bad… like really bad,” Tem said in a rather bold, blank manner at the stakes.

Yafya let out a sigh at the ridiculous obstacles that kept piling up against his nephew. Egosi, the poor wolf, had a lot on his plate already; at this rate, it was just getting ridiculous. Just how much can he take? He didn’t deserve any of this, and the horse could only blame the Council for their gross negligence in enabling Kopi Luwak's controversial medical experiments on hybrids and military research that allowed them to grow in political power.

“So what happens now?” Riz's voice rang out in concern as everyone turned to look at Legosi, Lupus, Louis, Yafya, and Melon for answers, but mostly Legosi, and before the young prince could respond his phone rang, the young wolf looked that it was none other than his dear cousin calling him and so he immediately answer putting it on speaker.

“Solani.” Legosi greeted his cousin from the other side of the phone with a big, fanged smile and fondness.

For the next few minutes, Solani and Legosi brief each other about the presence of the Astrals returning with Solani confirming that she had made contact with Gentina/Shiva, The Glacian, Goddess of Ice, this wasn’t a surprise to him as he and few others where aware of his cousin’s oracle blood, even Brandon had joined in the conversation and brag how he was now dating Legosi’s cousin.

“What!?” Everyone exclaimed in a shocked tone at the Emperor of Nifleim's flex of dating the Prices of Tenabre and this of course restled on Solani elbowing hard on the stomach in embarrassment.

“Right, listen, that’s not important right now, Brandon believes that he has an idea of how the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak managed to gain Nifleim militaristic technology.” Solani's voice went from embarrassment to seriousness on the other side of the phone.

“He does?” Legosi asked with a raised eyebrow, he got his answer shortly from the young Emperor.

“I do, and I hope it's not who I think it is, you know my history with him, Legosi,” Brandon said in an almost dejected ton,e with his charisma and arrogance when he boldly stated that he was dating Legosi’s cousin and there was nothing he could do with him.

“I know,” Legosi stated as he was aware of Brandon and Ivan's relationship of friendship to enemies after the tragedy that befell the labrador wolf and how the incident made him resent hybrids for tainting his handsome face. Solani's voice rang out again as everyone listened to the main issue at hand.

“Legosi I’ll be leaving for Cherryton in four days, to help you forge a covenant with Titan and Levithan, The Glacian will be visiting you right about now and tell you the rest, also Umbra will be joining you as well,” Solani said heartwarming tone, masking the pain of keeping the secret of the future that she has seen shown to her and Brandon and she could only pity him and Melon for the cruel fate that awaits their friendship all because of the bastard Deshcio, the one that has taken everything from them and seeks to reach godhood by any means necessary, fate can’t always be denied and it is cruel, a beast like Deshcio had offended the universe and the universe seeks to fix that mistake by any means necessary and so she hung up, leaving a baffled Legosi who could only let out a sigh as he fidgeted with the Ring of the Lucci, the ring of Luci’s bloodline, his family ring that contains such power that he hasn’t used it on his enemies yet.

(Final Fantasy XV: Prayer of LUNA OST Starts)

Then just as Solani said, they all felt a motherly heartwarming presence and they looked to see her, Shiva, The Glacian, Goddess of Ice in her messenger disguise, Gentiana, now it was a good thing that thanks to Gon and Yafya enforcing Luci’s history of the world Eeos, the students didn’t freak out as they had seen pictures of the Ice Goddess disguise as Gentian, pictures that were taken by Prompto, Jack ancestor when Noctis had his journey to become king and reclaim the throne. It is ironic how the Cherryton Government, a still young nation, tried to forget its roots. However, they were all still obligated to address the history of Eos, as some reasonable Council members had stated that it would be dishonorable or a shame to prevent students from learning about the history of their world and their grandparents' nations.

Everyone knew that they were in the presence of a divinity now, and so they chose to liste, to the ice goddess's words. Legosi softly spoke her name as he stared at the gray wolf in front of him, who was in reality a divine arctic wolf.

“Shiva..” Legosi said respectfully as Gentiana/Shiva spoke motherly, reaching for the young prince's hand.

“It is by the Oracle’s will and word, that a covenant is forged, and like his ancestor before him, he would prove his worth to bring the light in the darkest time of beastkind facing hardship after hardship yet enduring, and it for her prayers of the safety of her beloved cousin that I should grant you my blessing.” Gentina/Shiva spoke in a heartwarming, compassionate tone as she revealed her true self, a beautiful, divine Arctic wolf.

Everyone gasped in wonder, not bothered by the temperature of the room that now felt like a mini fridge. Now with some light icing on the floor, they were too enthralled by the divine figure as Legosi’s eyes flashed purple, and so he spoke.

“Thanks, it is an honor,” Legosi spoke softly towards the ice goddess, as she let out of his hands.

“Oh, hear me, child of light. Hear the call of the Stormsender, on the eye of the storm, seek where thunder will strike, and you should find his Runestones. The oracle's prayers had been answered for her beloved cousin.” With those words being said, Gentiana/Shiva was banished in the flash of light, leaving her instructions clear. Then there was bark, everyone followed the directions, and saw a feral black dog with white markings, a blitz-type dog.. This was Umbra, a messenger of the gods.

(Final Fantasy XV: Prayer of LUNA OST Ends)

“Puppy!!” Kylea being her innocent naive self child could only gush over the messenger as she approached him to pet him, the messenger honored her wishes and let out happy whines, while the others muse over the new obstacles and challenges.

“Looks like things just got more interesting,” Lupus said with a smirk as it was the most obvious thing that had just occurred.

“Yeah, that would explain why the weather has changed, even though today was supposed to be sunny, looks like Ramuh expects us to go on a little scavenger hunt,” Legosi said as he recalled his love for weather reports to everyone while also pointing out what was their next plan, and soon as he said that they heard a thunder crush, with Kylea jumping and clinging into Kai for comfort causing the mongoose to grumble in embarrassment, but ultimately petted her head to calm the frightened child.

“Looks like someone is taking to being a mother well” Pina teased the embarrassed mongoose to stick his tongue out this caused the others to laugh and giggle at the interaction, however, another thunder rang out and reminded them of their next objective, and Umbra bared at Legosi, and head to the door waiting for the others, the young prince couldn’t help but sigh.

“We'd better get going, otherwise the storm won’t end,” Legosi said towards the 701 boys, Tao, Tem and Riz, Melon, Sam, and Cliff.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Savon said towards his nephew Legosi, as they all needed to return to their duties on the Black Market.

“Promise us that you will be safe, right?” Haru said as she and Louis looked at their mate, their loving wolf boyfriend.

Legosi could only walk up to them with a soft smile as he hugged the two of them and kissed them effectively on their forehead, having crouched down to kiss Haru on the forehead.

“Don’t worry about me, okay,” Legosi softly said to the two of them Louis responded to the young prince's words ever since he lost his father, he just couldn’t help to be clingy to Legosi and Haru, it was clear to everyone that the poor deer was still recovering from his trauma just as some of the others where.

“How can we not? You're always leaving and every day we're afraid you won’t come back.” Louis whined at Legosi’s words, trying not to cry in front of the others again, he wanted to be strong but the worry was too much.

“I know…but you all have to trust me to always come back, okay?” Legosi could only tenderly assure Louis, Haru, and everyone in the room who looked at him with concern, that his words eased their nerves and worries which they could nod, in this case, Louis and Haru could only meekly nod in approval and allow Legosi to show them affection by rubbing his muzzle on them and allowing him to pet him and scratch behind his ears, causing his tail to wag and ease their worry for them.

        Farewells were exchanged as Legosi, the 701 boys, Melon, Sam, and Cliff, along with Tem Tao and Riz, were off to find the runestones for Legosi to forge a pact with the Fulgurian, God of Thunder. While Lupus, Yaya, Kyuu, and San will be busy at the Grand City Hall and ready to send reinforcements just in case the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak had plans to capture the Astral God, but something tells them that won’t be the case for today and as they stepped outside they where greeted by heavy rain, looks like the storm was already here and heart another thunderstruck and saw a bolt of lighting on the distance. Legosi knew that Umbra would be their guide to follow the runestones, as what better way to find them than to follow a messenger of the god; he just hoped that their enemies would be one step behind them.

Chapter Text

       At the Madaragumi mansion that overlooked the city, Nigel, Omar, Miso, Ponzu, and Su were looking at a holographic screen where an image of Deshico looked intrigued after what he had learned from the leopards. Civet's eyes glared at them, but also sparkled with a burning wonder of ambition or worry of having his plans ruined again by the young prince and the owner of the market, his two biggest adversaries.

“Is that so? You don’t say.” Deshico said in a demanding tone towards the leopards.

“Yes, it is as we claim to be Your Excellence, a feline sixth sense never lies,” Su said towards the civet on the holographic screen.

“Re,x forsaken hybrid as he wasn’t a problem enough, now he seeks the support of the God themselves!?” Deshico growled from the other side of the screen. “No…I won’t allow him…I’m the only God that should be worshiped…I’ll exterminate them…people will flock to me as their only deity.” The Civet's voice contained nothing but sheer arrogance of rage, taking the leopards by surprise at such a bold claim, and before Nigel and Omar could say anything, Miso interrupted them to gain favor over the others.

“Your Excellence, pardon my intrusion, but wouldn’t it be best to keep them alive?, The Astrals possess power beyond our imagination, and the oracle is the key to subjugating them. Nay, High Commanders?” Miso said, turning to both the dingo and polar bear, who could only glare at the leopards for stealing their spotlight.

“Yes, Lord Miso.” Nigel could only say as he held back a growl, while Omar could only scoff at the leopard as the dingo turned to the Civet on the screen. “It would be in your best interest, Your Excellency.” An encouraging tone was addressed to the civet, whose fire in his eyes burned brighter.

“Very well, I should seek this power by myself…Lord Miso, you're in charge of subjugating the Gods for our cause, do what you must.” Deshico said in a dismissive ton,e but Nigel and Omar were not pleased with who had been in charge of the operation.

“What!?” Omar growled at the idea of a common crook, a gumi being in charge of something so gradual towards the Bloody Eye ideology.

Your Excellency, with all your respect, you can’t be serious!?” Nigel said with a vicious snarl while Miso and the rest of the Madaragumi grinned promptly at being given more authority.

“My word is final Nigel!! The same goes for you, Omar!! We must maintain our alliance if we are to succeed in reaching our enemy.s, You will have your chance at seeing the revenge you desire! You all dismiss!” Deshico firmly and harshly scolded them as he ended the transmission, leaving the argument like that for no further reason.

       The dingo was beyond furious at being denied at having a chance to exact revenge against that accursed tiger that had humiliated him and stolen his left arm, all because of the damn leopards that were in the room, the same room he and Omar were in. Nigel wanted to hurt the damn cat and before he could promise violence of threat if they ever spoke before either him or Omar to gain favor, another voice interrupted them.

“You're all fools if you think you can subjugate the Astral Gods.” Bertram/Bahamut said as he deactivated his cloaking device, scoffing at the leopards, dingo, and polar bears.

“Bertram, how long were you standing there?” Nigel asked with a growl at the audacity of the golden eagle insulting them once again.

“Long enough to hear everything, and I repeat you all fools, the Astral Gods will not go down without a fight. The young prince might already be on his way to forge a covenant with them as we speak.” Bertram/Bahumut mock them with nothing but cold facts, all without revealing that some of the disgruntled Bloody Eye soldiers who wanted out due to no longer believing in the cause after losing many of their comrades had revealed that they had spotted Legosi making his way to the runestones.

“What!? No, I won’t allow it to happen!” Miso growled, fearing that his failure might demote him or cost him the favor he had just gained, and so he turned to one of his top leaders. “Su! You know what to do! Find them and stop them at any cost!” Miso said urgently towards the smiling leopard.

“It will be done, Lord Miso.” Su said with a bow as he turned to Ponzu, “Wish me luck, old friend.” Su said as the other leopard nodded his head towards his friend, and Su left the room to gather some of the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak troops and a few Gumi members.

“He’s wasting his time, marching to an early grave.” Bertram/Bahaum could only scoff at the eagerness of the leopard as he purposely had a mocking pity tone that seemed to agitate everyone around him.

“There is nothing that the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak are capable of doing, the power of the Gods will soon be ours, now get out of our sight!!” Omar growled towards the avian with nothing but disdain as he used his full height, yet the avian could scoff and leave the room.

****

        Legosi and his friends, his royal retailers follow Umbra to the first runestone that landed on Cherryton’s National Bank where there is a crowd and several police officers and Cherryton Royal Arm Guards, guarding the runestone among them was Aoba with some of the recruits, no doubt it was a field exercise and upon spotting the wolf the avian waved to him with a smile on his beak. This got Aboa’s superiors to have the crowd make room.

“Your Majesty, I am to assume that you are here for the runestone?” A gruff bison, the superior of Aoba and the other young recruits, said, looking at the runestone and then back at Legosi and his companions.

“That’s right,” Legosi said as he noticed that the bison had a rough-looking exterior, almost as if he was someone who had no time for nonsense or excuses; he was straight to the point. “I never imagined that Ramuh would send one where someone could get hit,” Legosi said as he tried to make light of the situation.

“Makes you wonder if the Astrals truly care about us? It was a good thing the bank was closed and nobody was inside, you might proceed.” The Bison let out a gruff, amused scoff as he gave them entrance to the bank.

The lightning-shaped stone was embedded into the ground where Legosi and the others noticed the hole in the ceiling and the scorch marks of a lightning strike.

“Ma,n looks like that bison was right,  that it was a good thing that the bank closed, somebody would have been given a real shocker.” Melon joked about the grim situation, only for Sam to elbow him in the stomach.

Legosi paid no mind to it, as he could feel the energy coming from the stone, and so he reached for it, placing his hand on it. His pupils glowed purple as lightning shot from the stone, signifying that the covenant was being forged.

“Wow.” Legosi simply said at the weird sensation that ran through his body, not expecting it to feel that weird at all.

“That’s one down, two to go,” Durha said, pointing out that there were two more places they needed to go, making Umbra bark in agreement at the coyote's words.

Once again, they followed Umbra outside of the doors, where it was still raining and Aoba was still busy with the new recruits, the group wished the bold eagle good luck on his training along with the recruits, under the bison known as Colonel Bronco Stronghold who Cliff managed to remember upon reading, apparently the large herbivore was a respected war hero.

****

         The second runestone was a bit tricky to get to as they had to navigate to an old abandoned building that looked unstable condition. It was also a good thing that Melon bought face masks due to the level of dust and mold in the area. To others' amusement, Jack and Cliff were whining about the possibility of getting jumped by the enemies, and Bill took this opportunity to scold and tease his boyfriend.

“Imagine if the building were to collapse on us or we were to fall through the door,” Bill said sarcastically, earning a glare from Jack.

“Bill, I love you…but please shut up!!” Jack whined while Cliff let out an equal amount of agreement. Labrador's words.

“Come on, you guys, knock it out. The last thing we want is for that to happen. I doubt that the floors could collapse; they seem sturdy enough to whoa!!” Collot said attempting to get them moving as he too was on edge but before he could finish the floor collapsed beneath them they all let out a startled yelps as they fell the floor beneath them, while Umbra let out a bark as he was lucky not to fall and look at them from the edge before safely jumping down on Riz belly, who let out as small oof.

“You were saying?” Tao let out a groan as he rolled off Miguno, who looked reasonably annoyed.

“Aw, man, my wool, my beautiful wool,” Tem whined as he had more dust in his wool.

“Let’s just keep moving,” Legosi said with a sigh as he shook some of the dust and debris off himself and popped some of his bones, wincing a little from the sound.

The party eventually reached the basement where the runestone was located, and just like on the national bank, Legosi reached for it once again, feeling the energy as lightning emitted from the lightning-shaped rock, pupils glowing purple for the second time.

“Alright, only one more left!” Melon and the others cheered, now it was time to leave this scary place that could collapse on them at any moment, they just had to be careful on their way out to avoid another incident like they did earlier, and so on the party left the building, following Umbra one more time and to everyone surprise it was the same park where they battle Sulfur.

****

        For them to be here brought good memories and bad memories, such as the time Kibi lost his arm to Sulfur, but the party refused to allow him to be haunted by those memories, mostly Tao, as the anteater was still alive and cheerful as ever. They all brush those thoughts away and their spirits brighten up as they spot the second runestone on the other of the pond, but before they can continue following Umbra, the messenger stops and lets out a growl as if something is amiss seeing this they all tense up as the messenger was right to do so as the enemy revealed itself towards the party as some teleported in while others drop their cloaking device. Legosi couldn’t help but feel annoyed and frustrated as, just for once, he wished he didn’t have to fight. He was tired of seeing his friends and allies get hurt, so it was natural for him to growl, baring his fangs at them. The leopard that they could only assume was associated with the Madargumi greeted them with a menacing fanged smile.

“Greetings, Your Majesty, what an unpleasant surprise to see wandering around these parts. I am Lieutenant Su of the Madaragumi,” Su said in a mocking tone toward the party that could glare at them.

“So it’s true, you ally yourselves with Deshico, what couldn’t make it on your own?” Legosi spat back with a growl at the leopards.

“Our alliance is the golden ticket for full control of the Black Market! The time of Madaragumi has come to show their worth!” One of the leopards growled with hatred towards the wolf and his companions.

“Let me tell you something, Su, the beasts of the Black Market would never bow down to you, Gouhin, The King’s Pride, The Dragon’s Kistune, and everyone there would wipe the floor with all of you,” Melon said in a cold tone towards the leopard.

“You would say that of all beasts, Melon, half-breeds like yourself would never know what it feels to have pride in a species, to be pure of imperfections.” Su snarled as he made a fist in their direction to the point he drew blood from his hand due to how intensely he was clutching it.

“Oh, I have plenty of Pride, I just don’t spend my whole life spewing and living in bigot xenophobia all the time,” Melon said in an almost pitiful tone towards the leopard.

“You know, you don’t have to do this, turn yourselves in, it would only end badly for you!” Legosi loudly declared to their enem,ies hoping for them to turn themselves into prisoners but much to his dismay and sorrow, again, he got the answer he never wanted, the answer that always made him and his friends choose violence to end someone's live;, it was a life or death situation.

“Oh, but I do,” Su said with a vicious snarl as he drew his Katana, while he was joined by two Bloody Eye Dragoons, a buzzard bird anda  Flemish rabbit, two heavy Kopi Luwak Elite Bats and a heavily scarred lithe Bloody Eye Berserker hippopotamus.

“Shit, Everyone get ready!!” Legosi shouted as he summoned the Katana of the Warrior, Royal Arm, the others reading their weapons as well, and then the young prince turned to Umbra, who let you worry, bark, and whine.

“Don’t worry about us, Umbra, you go somewhere to hide,” Legosi told the messenger of the gods, and with that, the dog ran away as the battle to get to the third runestone began.

(Final Fantasy XV - The Fight is On! - OST Starts)

          Legosi and his friends engage the enemy as soon as they charge at them. Legosi warps towards Miso as they clash blades, as he attempts to warp-strike him on the chest with a slash, however, the leopard feline's instincts block the attack. Legosi was thrown then off and forced to dodge a high jump attack from the Bloody Eye Flemishish rabbit dragoon, whose ice magitek spear had left several icicles. Melon blitzed toward the rabbit and attempted to deliver a kick to the stomach, but the rabbit was fast enough to block the attack and push Melon off.

“Look out!!” Durham shouted as he and Jack avoided the buzzard bird dive attack and the flames from the magitek spear. Jack rolled on the floor and shot to the sky, before sprinting back to his feet and rejoining the fight.

“Collot!” Sam shouted as Collot joined on a blindside link attack to one of the heavy bat mech pilots the caiman-wolf hybrid dodged two sword strikes before slashing at the torso of the Kopi Luwak bat with his magtiek claws, while Collot delivered a slash to one of the arms, the bat inside the mech curse at them as he engages them in battle once again as another other one joins them in the fight 

Miguno slashed two Madarugmi members dead with his blade and stabbing another one in the chest, only for him to be rammed by the hippo who sent him crashing to the floor before the hippo could get his hands on him, Cliff shot at him with his grenade launcher making the hippo stumble, allowing the spotted hyena to retreat to safely as he looked at the pig and gave a nod of appreciation. Cliff returned the nod as he put his grenade launcher away for now and pulled out his electric baton.

         Tao struggled against the powerful jaws of a crocodile holding him at bay with his Heavy Lance, The giant carnivorous lizard was snarling and attempting to overpower the poor panther, who could barely keep his footing. Voss saw this and let out a snarl as he warped to the sky and used his momentum to spin and throw two delta daggers at the crocodile who let out a roar of pain as the blades went past cut deep into him, allowing Tao to desummon his Heavy Lance and slide under the caiman as the crocodile crush and turn to look at the panther who was joined by the fennec fox.

“I’ll kill you!! Nobody disrespects the Bloody Eye!!” The Caiman roared at them as he engaged them in battle once again.

Tem slashed at the Buzzard bird as he warped-strike him, only for him to be sent crashing to the ground painfully by the flemish rabbit courtesy to a painful kick to the face as the two dragoons laughed at the alpaca's pain,Tem’s eyes widened as they both took the skies again and saw them came crashing down in an attempt to impale him, only for Bill and Riz to block both of them with an ice shield and fire shield this cause the two dragoons to snarl as they were pushed off, they both took the air again, the rabbit jumping and the bird flapping his wings.

However, Jack, seeing an opportunity, shot one of them with his Alea Bazooka, the explosion making the other cry out in surprise, only for him to get hit again with another shot from Jack. Durham and Jack saw the kill shot as the two of them left in a vulnerable state. The buzzard avian Bloody Eye dragoon meet his end with multiple crack shots from Jack from his Lionheart pistol. Durham finished off the Flemish rabbit Bloody Eye Dragoon with a barrage of flaming daggers, each of them hitting their mark.

        Back with Collot and Sam, the two of them were finishing off the last of the Bloody Eye troops and Bloody Eye thugs, however, the two bat pilots were still giving them trouble along with the MT's mechanical bats, and those were just as dangerous despite being nothing but mechanical beings.

“Dead to those who are allied with Captain Vance!!” One of the bats declared proudly, as he was one in the bat community that hated the vampire bat; in fact, the bat community had a lot of civic disputes over loyalty and who they should serve.

Sam and Collot were already fed up, so they conjured up a plan; they both decided to end this in one quick shot.

“Hey Sam, see if you can freeze them!” Collot shouted toward the hybrid, who only let out a feral grin at the enemy.

“You got it!!” Sam shouted as he enchanted his magitek claws with ice and wind and so he ran and slide, dragging his claws to the ground, creating an icicle mini glacier, clawing it with his right hand and punching it with his right one creating a blizzard, freezing the enemy in place and the cursing bat pilots.

“Collot now!!” Sam shouted as he jumped out of the way.

“Have a nice nap!!” Collot shouted as he unleashed his Impulse technique, sending a powerful shock wave at them and shattering them into pieces, delivering the killing blow.

       Miguno and Cliff, were having a hard time dodging the hippo's powerful fist that threatened to crush them and shock them with explosive electric fire, Miguno managed to jump out of the way of a bite attack from the hippo's jaws that would have injured him or downright kill him but the hippo predicted this, grab him by the foot and threw him at Cliff the two of them let out painful anguish cry as Miguno crushes into the pig, groaning in pain, the two of them reach for their phoenix down’s and heal themselves.

“Oh, you gotta be kidding me!” Cliff said in an alarmed tone. Miguno's eyes widened as they both jumped out of the way of a tree that had been sent at them.

“So this is what it feels like to be in bloodbone, I love it!!” The hippo shouted in a maniacal laugh and just as he was about to rip out another tree, a mass of brown fur closed in on him, making him stumble and fall to the ground, as Riz had warp-strike him.

“Why won't you pick on someone your size, asshole!!” Riz said as he prepared a charge attack and delivered an upper slash with his Iron Duke Greatsword at the Elite Berserker's torso and stomach, shattering some of the armor.

“You son of - ahhh!!” The hippo didn’t get to finish setting up as the attack made him growl and in a rage, he charged Riz, the brown bear easily outmaneuvered the punches and bashed the hippo's face with his Kite Shield but this only enraged the hippo who let out an explosive aura of fire taking Riz off guard as he shields his face from the heat that was a mistake. As the hippo took this opportunity to place a hand on Riz's chest and started shocking him with electricity, the poor bear cried in pain.

“Yeah, you feel it, don’t you!?” The hippo laughed sadistically but was cut off by several ice grenades as Cliff shot at him with his grenade launcher, this allowed Riz to headbutt his assailant and push him off him, as he struggled to get to his feet but he didn’t have time as Miguno ran at the hippo who shattered the ice of his armor and had an enraged look.

The hippo raised his fist to crush the hyena with an explosion of fiery, but Miguno was faster as he drew his Katana and delivered his lion’s roar technique, killing the hippo. The hippo had failed to realize that he was hit with blizzaga grenades, allowing Cliff to calculate that the hippo would shatter the ice and a good portion of his armor. Riz smiled at their victory, healing himself with a Hi-Elixir.

         Voss let out a cry of pain as the crocodile grabbed him and threw him to the ground, where he painfully rolled, and it was thanks to his new meat diet that he was more resilient from such impacts. His eyes widened in alarm as the crocodile Bloody Eye thug came running at him on all fours in a panic. Voss shot a fireball at his face, the crocodile stabilized on impact as it exploded, the fennec fox saw that as a mistake, and it became enraged. 

“Leave him alone!!” Tao's voice rang out as the crocodile made the foolish mistake of turning to see where the panther's voice came from, that was the last thing he saw as Tao struck him dead with a Dreadnought mace, the impact to the head instantly killing the crocodile, Voss felt relieved that they have won against the Bloody Eye thug.

           Legosi let out a growl of pain as he felt some ninja stars dig into his right arm. He was fast enough to summon the Shield of the Just, and fight through the pain, he dodged gunfire from Su's high-caliber pistol. The leopard let out a grunt of pain as he felt a bullet wound to one of his legs, only to turn and slash at Melon's arm, as he attempted to Blitz him.

“Fuck!!” Melon shouted in pain at feeling the cut from Su’s Katana the leopard laughed at the hybrid's pain only to let out a cry of his own, as Legosi punched him with a warp-strike sending him flying a few feet away and shooting him with the Bow of Clever Royal Arm two times in mid-air as the leopard landed painfully on the ground and groan as he struggled to get up 

(Final Fantasy XV - The Fight is On!- OST Ends)

The party dared not to let down their guard even if most of most of the enemy was already defeated There was no telling what Su was capable of They watched as the leopard rose to one knee, and to everyone's surprise, he seemed almost unbothered by the losses of his comrades. Instead, he spat out blood and glared at them more, but Legosi still wanted to end things by not resorting to taking another life.

“Give it up, Su!! You lost, this is your final warning!” Legosi pleaded for the leopard to surrender and not engage them in the battle, as they would not hold back at all, but in his pleading tone, there was also anger at his friends and mates being put in danger again.

Instead, Su simply healed herself with his one Hi-Elixir and let out a scornful scoff, before he defined them and headed to the party.

“Like hell, I would, as long as I breathe, I’m bringing you all down one way or another!! The Madaragumi would rule the Black Market and should know our glory!!” Su passionately yelled as he rose to his feet and enchanted his katana with fire, ice, and lightning magic as he swung it. Standing menacingly in front of them. 

It was sad in a way that despite being their enemy, the party could only see another person throwing away their freedom as the kimono he wore was black with the light armor that proudly displayed the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak logo in a merged manner, a civet with a Bloody holding a sword. The leopards had thrown away their white Kimonos but kept the Madaragumi name as part of their alliance.

“Looks like we're in for a tough fight, don’t let your guard down,” Melon said towards the group as they all nodded in agreement.

(Final Fantasy XV Daemon Battle (Episode Prompto) OST Starts)

        The party immediately moved out of the way of several flaming waves that were sent in their direction from Miso’s Katana that exploded in impact, soon everyone began to assault the leopard however Su’s lighting speed magic allowed him to easily catch up to him, to make matters worse Melon realize that the armor he wore allowed him to change between different elements, making him unpredictable. The leopard then delivered a devastating spinning slashing attack of electricity, making the party scream in pain before changing to ice elegance, stabbing the ground and creating icicles that erupted and hit the group. They exploded as he unleashed a heat wave, as he jumped and stabbed the ground.

“Seems like the Bloody Eye landed some of their equipment to Madaragumi,” Riz groaned as Melon and Legosi healed the party with two mega-phoenix downs, it was a shame they didn’t have any Spirti ZX potions to defend against such devastating elemental blows, Melon and Durham know knew that it was never fun being on the opposite side of side attacks as they where devastating enough to cause harm or dead.

“Then we just have to be careful,” Legosi said, summoning the Star of the Rouge Royal Arm that offers some elemental protection engaging Su in combat, giving the others a moment to recover from the assault they received. The rest watch how Legosi fought in mid-distance combat with Su, throwing the star of the rouge in a deadly dance with the leopard sending waves of elemancy energy at Legosi, the two of them dodge one another, and the young prince had enough of this dance, he warp-strike Su striking him dead center but not without the leopard counter attacking with a charge attack, and despite Legosi blocking with the Royal Arm found himself being sent flying backward as the combine elements make him crush to the ground letting out a growl.

“Stay down on the ground like the filth that you are!!” Su growled as he blitzed towards Legosi, stomping on his chest and aiming his high-caliber pistol at him, but before he could fire, the leopard cried out in pain.

        Jack and Melon immediately took action, the Labrador shot the gun out of his hand, while Melon shot him in the right shoulder but this only enraged Su who retailed by using his momentum to spin rapidly using lighting magic, and combining fire and ice  magic to send a large energy wave at their feet that exploded in fire and sharp icicles that they had to roll out of the way.

The rest of the party soon join in the combat with Su again, with Melon jumping to avoid a cut to his feet and slashing at Su with the clever part of his Redeemer as he split it on two again to use it as daggers. Jack found himself blocking a sword swing that would have slashed him down with his Rapids SMG, kicking the leopard on the stomach where Riz would ram into him with his Clarity Shield, sending him flying back.

“You pay for that!!” Su growled as he sprinted back up to his feet before leaping into the air with a fiery explosion and attempting to swing down with his katana, which was a mistake as Cliff knick him out the sky with a blizzard grenade from his grenade launcher, causing him to crash down onto the floor. Collot and Bil saw this as an opportunity to blindside Link and strike him with a downward slash by Bill an uppercut slash by Collot with their War Sword greatsword.

“Heads up!” Voss said as he warp-strike kicked Su on the snout before slashing him with his assassin daggers in an attempt to poison him, but the fennec fox cursed at seeing how the armor was still not completely shattered, as it had an ice layer now.

“Enough of this!!” Su yelled in an enraged tone as he was preparing the same devastating attack from Early but was interrupted by both Tao and Durham who performed a high jump technique on him the shockwave of the impact made him stumble and cry out in pain but not before shattering his ice armor sending ice shards at the both of them who hissed at feeling the sharpness of it.

The leopard once blitzed again this time, engaging Tem, Miguno, and Sam in melee combat, the poor hyena let out a cry as he was clawed on the chest by Su’s lighting-enchanted claws the leopard retaliated when Miguno parried a strike before being elbow on the face with an ice-covered shoulder causing him to let out a cry as he stumbles backward. Poor Tem let out a cry of anguish as Su slashed at his back with an ice-covered katana when the leopard dodged Tem’s kukris that would have spilled his guts open, Sam on the hand managed to catch the blade from skewing him but still felt the tip of the flaming blade stab at his left shoulder as he pulled the leopard to knee him on the groin causing him to let go as the leopard let out a cry of agony and for the poor hybrid to rip the katana off his shoulder fighting through the agonizing pain, grabbing Tem while Miguno kicked the leopard on the face as they sprinted back to the others for safety.

“Finish him off, Legosi!!” Tem cried out to the wolf who was now beyond pissed at seeing some of his friends hurt in such a manner.

“Gladly! Melon, let’s go!!” Legosi shouted towards his friend, who eagerly responded to the young prince.

“Right behind you!!” Melon shouted as he finished, as the others healed their friends, exhausting the last of their curatives for today.

         Legosi activated his Arminger Unleashed and Melon his Blade Dancer limit break. Legosi warped-strike the leopard, who had recovered in time to get a devastating attack of Legosi warp-striking him with the Shield and a stab with the Trident of the Oracle, only to be blitzed by Melon, who slashed at him with the dagger mode of his Redeemer before splitting it again on its third state and sending the clever and kine into the air, before unleashing non-elegancy bullets at point blank. Melon then catches the clever and knife part of his redeemer as he puts the gun part away and delivers a stab to the leopard's stomach, the knife barely digging into the stomach and enchanting the clever with ice and slashing the chest and kicking Su away.

Despite all that, Su was still standing, panting but coughing up blood from the assault, and he was beyond angry at this point.

“You think you can win!? Huh!? You have no idea who you're messing with!!” Su growled at them, pointing his katana at them, light armor completely shattered at this point, and his kimono was torn in some places.

“Give it a rest already, you lost!!” Legosi shouted towards the leopard, still glowing that crystallizing blue from his Arminger Unleashed, while Melon’s body still had the aura of fire, wind, ice, and lightning.

“Is your pride worth it over your life!?” Melon challenged the leopard in a pleading tone as his leopard instincts screamed at him to reach the leopard, but Su was far beyond reason, as he only pulled out his high-caliber pistol and roared at the top of his lungs.

“YOU KNOW NOTHING OF PRIDE!!” Su fired his gun at Melon, but Legosi only got in front of him in a blink, the royal arms blocking the bullets.

“YES, WE DO!! WHY IS IT HARD FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND!?” Legosi howled in an enraged tone at the leopard, who could have easily surrendered to them and not met his demise.

“BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT NATURAL, NONE OF YOUR HYBRIDS ARE! YOU'RE ALL MISTAKES OF NATURE!! Su yelled, throwing his gun away before charging himself with lightning, and it hit Legosi and Melon that the leopard xenophobia had blinded him beyond any reasonable argument, and so they knew what they had to do.

“Now shut up and DIE!!” Su yelled as he blitzed at Legosi, attempting to cut him down there with a fatal blow, but Legosi was faster thanks to his training session with Melon. The young prince had learned how to counterattack Melon’s blitzing attacks, and Su was no different. So he blocked the attack and parried a wide eye Su with all thirteen of the royal arms that cut through him as he cried out in pain at feeling the light burn him, then Legosi finished him off with the Royal Cleave technique as the leopard stumbled backward and felt the slash of holy light, completely shattering what was left of his armor and burning some of his black kimono, victory was achieved.

(Final Fantasy XV Daemon Battle (Episode Prompto) OST Ends)

           Both Melon and Legosi detected their limit break as they and the others stared at the leopard with pity clinging to his last moments of life, a situation of bloodshed that could have been avoided if their enemy had just surrendered again. Pride is damn, taking a life was never easy for any of them, no matter how much their opponent or enemy deserved it. Melon, however, believed there were some expectations, yet it still was not a healthy idea to have for Su, someone who was in his thirties, had thrown his life away for giving in to a life of hate and ignorance, and so the leopard spoke his last words.

“Tell me what you know about pride, if you're not pure?” Su said as he struggled to remain on his feet, as he felt his life slipping away, and so Legosi gave him his answer, the best one he could.

“To be honest, I’m not exactly sure myself, but I know damn well when that pride is not worthy over the lives of others or to prove a point,” Legosi said in a sincere tone, as Bill walked next to him.

“It’s more about being prideful, it’s about knowing humility as well.” The Bengal tiger said in a sympathetic voice.

“I see…I see now…that selling our pride was not worth it…at all.” With those final words, Su dropped dead in a moment of clarity that joining Deshcio and his Kopi Luwak and the Bloody Eye in their crusade was a moment of selling their identity and pride to someone who saw them as disposable and his final moments he could only hope that Ponzu and Miso would meet the same fate as him as they had dishonored the Madaragumi, Miso’s father was right, pride isn’t always worthy it when Matias died by Miso hand that night, so did the rest of the Madaragumi perished. Now they all condemned because of Miso's patricide and Su's prayer that Miso's death would be as painful as possible for condemning all.

“We should bury him, along with the others,” Melon said, interrupting the silence that lingered on the group as they all shared the same thought. There was something tragic in the last words of the leopard, almost as if he realized that he had so much to live for.

“I agree, but first, let’s go get the last runestone,” Legosi said towards the group as they all heard Umbra barking at them where the runestone was located on the other side of the pond, and so they made their way towards it.

****

         Legosi could only stare at the last lightning shape runestone, and for the third time, he reached for it as his pupils glowed purple and electricity danced from the stone. The covenant with Ramuh had been forged, and with that, the thunderstorm would be over in a few minutes.

“This is the power of the storm,” Legosi softly said, feeling the connection with Ramuh.

“Alright, we did it!!” Jack exclaimed as the group and Umbra celebrated; however, their victory was cut short as a loud mechanical screech was heard and another giant mech bat landed on the pond, much to their dread and horror.

“Oh come on!! How the fuck is this fair!? It was nice knowing you guys!” Tem said as the group avoided a sonic wave attack, this was the last thing they wanted, as they no longer had any curatives.

“I don’t think anyone’s piloting that thing!!” Cliff said as he moved out of the way of a giant claw coming down at him.

“He’s right, its movements are too unpredictable to read!!” Durham said as the tackle avoided a mechanical swipe.

“You think so!? I’m starting to think that Deschio keeps figuring out ways to be more practical and squash us, that civet is too smart sometimes!! Jack said as he tried to shoot at the eyes of the Mech; however, the eyes had a force field this time.

“Hey Ramuh, not to be rude or anything!! But we could use some divine intervention right now!!” Legosi said as he phased through several attacks and found himself warping away from a fiery slash from the mechanical bat. That’s when he heard it, and his pupils glowed purple, and what followed next would be forever remembered in this generation to the next one.

(Final Fantasy XV - Nox Divina OST Starts)

“Legosi Ardyn Lucis Caeluem, you have proven yourselves worthy, and I shall smite thy enemies!!” Legosi heard Rahumuh's booming voice as he spoke in the language of the gods, and then he saw him in the sky as the rain lit down on the mechanical mech.

It was safe to say that the sight of the Fulugraian, the divine goat known as Ramuh, God of Thunder and Lightning, floating in the sky, raining down light on the park where Legosi and his friends were saving them from the mechanical giant mech bat.

Everyone could see it as the news was broadcasting it, from a safe distance, leaving others with their jaws wide open at the sight of divinity.

Somewhere, Bertram/Bahamut was smirking at the sight and feeling good that there was no chance in hell that Deshcio could subjugate such a divine being.

With that amount of electricity pouring into the mechanical bat, it shut down as the circuits and core exploded, causing Legosi’s party to cheer in triumph as Ramuh returned to the Beyond or whatever realm he belonged, giving the party a soft smile.

“Yeah!! Now that’s what I call divine intervention!” Bill said slapping Lugosi's back who let out a chuckle and was happy that the divine goat of thunder and lightning had saved their lives, however, there were still the other Astral Gods that would prove more challenging, but now it was time for them to rest, his cousin Solani would be arriving in two days and help him with the rest of the Astrals Gods and Legosi knew it would be as easy as either as walk in the park.

(Final Fantasy XV - Nox Divina OST Ends)

Chapter Text

         On one of the sectors of the city that the Bloody Eye still occupied thanks to the invasion a small group of Bloody Eye friends of soldiers and thugs were hanging around in a storage unit container, playing poker and drinking whiskey awaiting new orders from Ruby Eye Rogan a red falcon and crime lord with a missing right eye that was replaced by a shiny red ruby jewel. This small group was thinking of doing the impossible, and that was deserting the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwa; however, it was not easy to just say and do, they were fearful for their lives and families, who had no idea of their involvement in the supremacist organization.

“Maybe it’s best we don’t.” A Bloody Eye Thug by the name of Jeremy said with a nervous glance as he stood, arms leaning against a crate of supplies.  The sound of a glass slamming into the table startled everyone as a middle-aged mastiff had heard the young monitor lizard say those words.

“Jeremy, do you want to die for nothing?” The mastiff growled at the monitor lizard, who seemed uncomfortable under the intense glare from the large mastiff canine.

“N-no, n-not at all Henrik.” Jeremy stuttered as he gulped from the intense rage in the mastiff's eyes that promised him a painful death if he sold them out.

“Henrik…” The Mastiff looked in the direction of the gorilla sitting across from him who only looked at him with sympathy and concern “You do know what will happen to us if Rogan were to find out about this, right.” The gorilla's voice was cautious in how he approached the mastiff.

“You know of all people know why I’m doing this, Morgolio.” The mastiff said with a hardened glare but his eyes screamed of pain and loss as he looked he took out a photo of him and his son, Cody who he lost during the invasion under the command of Ruby Eye Rogan.

“Cody was the last good thing my Nora left for a drunken cheating bastard, who she had the misfortune of falling in love with…despite everything I put her through, she still chose to let her son see her father before she died of a broken heart because she was too easy to forgive others. How do I repay her? Drag him into my world of prejudice and bigotry only to get him killed when he wanted to be like his pop.” Henrik said in a bitter, depressed tone as he served himself another glass of whiskey and finished his rant, as the others heard the mastiff's almost somber voice, the death of his son, Harper, had taken a mental toll on the old mastiff. The young pup had been so eager to follow in his father’s footsteps and serve the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak that he and a few other young recruits were sent to the front lines of their invasion.

“A life of bigotry and prejudice ain’t worth dying or living if it means to lose those close to you, ain't just worth dying, you guys,” Henrik said as he swallowed the whiskey before slamming the glass on the table.

        There was a moment of silence as they let the words of Henrik sink in on them, reflecting on everything they had to believe and done, those who were wrong, interspecies couples, sympathizers, and supporters who believe in the rights and existence of hybrids. How many have they killed, run out of town, or out of the government of Cherryton? How many lies have they told their families, who wondered where they were? Dreading to think what they might think of them if they find out their involvement, Hernik’s words spoke volumes, but was he right tho? Was everything they did in vain? One of them, a Big Horn sheep, spoke up with a scoff.

“So what? You expect us to believe that there’s a way out, you know damn right that Deshcio would hunt us down if we were to just fuck off.” The Big Horn sheep snorted at the canine who spoke of such words that could have them all executed for treason.

“I’m aware of the risks, Warren, I wouldn’t be speaking my mind if I wasn't, It’s time to realize that the world is growing and that our children go to school with hybrids and might fall in love with different species for the next step of evolution, there is no room for our bigotry in this world. Do you want to die and leave your children and wife alone, all to serve all madmen to believe himself a God?” Henrik coldly glares at the big horn sheep, who fall silent at those words.

“We figured things out, I’m not about to let you all continue down this path and if you all have a problem with that then feel free to inform Rogan, it would be your last mistake, because if I’m going down then you all coming down with me,” Hernik said with a threatening tone and growl toward everyone in the room as he served himself another glass of whiskey.

No one in the room said anything, because they were also thinking of the comrades they lost during their invasion and the disgust their friends and families might feel toward them if they were to discover their involvement. The mastiff’s word and Deshcio's promises of a new world order became all the clearer to them; one was a road to redemption, while the other was the road to death for them, plus the civet had proclaimed himself a god. Someone who put himself above others, and to some, that screamed massive red flags, maybe they did deserve to die in the invasion. Still, here they were alive and breathing in fear of death if Deshcio or any of their superiors deemed them worthless, traitors, or liabilities. They had nothing to blame but their prejudice and bigotry against anyone of mixed blood. Suddenly, working under someone with the same beliefs didn’t seem the best outcome when those beliefs had caused them more problems than before joining the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak joint crusade.

****

          Cherryton’s Commanding Center was the biggest police department of its government and nation where many of its police officers were destined to join Cherryton’s Special Forces, the national army, and pride, Aoba would never have thought that he would be training aside his new comrades, young men, and women that have willingly signed on its army after the lost of their friends, families and loved ones. Right now the young bald eagle was sitting on the bench with his fellow comrade rookies of the Police Academy locker room, staring at the flame of his hand, feeling the magic of the Lucis coursing through his body as he was still getting the hang of it, Dope and Victor from the King’s Pride had taken upon themselves to teach him how to use it after they where inform about the bald eagle ability to use magic. It turns out felines and birds can get along, and the stereotype of felines eating birds like mice is still true to some degree, The lions were good company whenever they stopped by to see how Aoba was handling his magic; the avian wanted to make sure that Legosi’s gift was put to good use.

“Hasn’t anyone told you that playing with fire is unsafe?” Aoba looked to see a young fossa named Grant leaning against one of the locker rooms with a smirk on his muzzle. Flint’s death the night he tried to kidnap Haru had restored the reputation of the fossa of Cherrtyon everywhere, as for a while, their species faced backlash and discrimination because of that bastard.

“Haha, very funny, Grant,” Aoba said, looking at the young Fossa who came from another boarding school with an amused expression.

“What? I’m just saying.” The fossa shrugged his shoulders with that shit-eating grin on his face, lucky for Aoba, another one of his new comrades got the fossa to leave him alone, but to his dismay, he also poked fun at him.

“Lay off the golden rookie, Grant.” A Mustang horse named Micah was drying his mane with a towel while another was wrapped around his waist as he went to his locker.

           It was no secret that now that Aoba possessed magic, everyone expected him to be assigned leader of their squad and be able to come on top of their training sections, he was also the little brother of Bodhi Storm, a legendary hero among the hall of Cherrtyon’s Special Forces, the one to bring down a notorious red falcon drug lord. Bohdi had always tried to persuade Aoba not to follow in his footsteps and be his person, but the young, bold eagle was just so awestruck by his big brother, his big brother who had raised him by himself when he was just a hatchling after they both lost their parents in a house fire. It was big shoes to fill in, his brother's sacrifice was nothing to scoff at, the older bald eagle was gunned down when he took the last of his comrades to safety. Another voice joined in the conversation, this one filled with enthusiasm.

“Hell, if you get the Prince of Lucis to grant you access to the Lucian magic, then you bet someone like that is destined to be team leader!” Milo, the pangolin, exclaimed towards the eagle.

“So, how does it feel? To wield such power?” A hybrid of a maned-wolf and a lion, named Howard said as he took a bite out of his meat rations.

“Yeah, tell us!!” Matt, a whitetail deer, said as he joined the conversation, not bothered by the meat that the hybrid was eating.

Aoboa let out a sigh. “Fine, I’ll tell you. Just give me a minute to find my thoughts.” Aoboa said in an annoyed tone and so he began his way of understanding the feeling of using magic how it often felt that he was pulling something from inside him and feeling a weird warm tingling sensation, he also explained that he was still getting used to warping, the first time had left him somewhat dizzy and nauseous, magic was weird, he also explained that he was able to use fire, ice, lighting, and wind magic. 

The last one was able to come to him naturally for he was avian-like many other birds more than the other elemancy elements wind and water magic were the only element that came naturally towards all avians and sea creatures, this was because it was believed that the Goddess of Wind, Garuda, The Lady of the Wind, had blessed all avians with her presence, for the sea creatures it was due to their connection and worship to the Astral Sea Goddess, Leviathan. The rest, such as fire, ice, and lightning, were far easier to use than wind and water, as that magic was exclusively granted to the avians and sea creatures by Garuda and Levithan.

“Yet you all can learn elemancy as well, you won’t just be able to warp like me, Lucis magic is different than the magic that lingers on the air. According to Legosi, it has something to do with the power of the Kings of Yore, but even I have trouble understanding how it works most of the time, only Legosi and his lineage, as well as those from the rest of the world, know of its true nature and capabilities.” Aoboa said with an expression of deep thought.

“That doesn't sound as far-fetched as you put it, I mean Cherryton is mostly a technological state where the thought of magic is not a priority but a fantasy that shouldn’t be bothered to study and there’s still so much to learn from previous generations,” Milo said agreeing with Aoboas' words.

“Whatever nerds, just don’t get cocky, we are here for a reason and that reason is to save lives while kicking ass,” Grant said with an eye rolled as he tried to wrap his head around the avian’s words.

“Aww, is the little fossa mad? he can’t comprehend words.” Howard teased the fossa, who grew red and attempted to lash at the hybrid, but soon both the hybrid and the fossa were in a headlock by the big, muscular horse, causing the entire locker room to laugh. Aoboa let out a sigh of disappointment at such childish behaivor, he hoped he wasn’t assigned team leader because of his magic but something told him that wasn’t going to be the case as he was being personally trained how to use his magic by two lions of the Kings of Pride and Colonel Bronco Stronghold had been keeping track of his astounding performance in the obstacle course, gun range and hand to hand combat, even Victor and Dope had stated that he wasn’t bad with his blade work and much to the bald eagle surprise he had to discover that he’s exceptionally great with, shuriken and a katana.

“Bodhi, I hope you're proud of me wherever you are. I know you didn’t want me to follow in your footsteps, but this is the only way I can find peace within myself. Thank you for everything, big brother.” Aoboa thought to himself, quickly wiping away his tears and composing himself before everyone saw him. He needed to be strong for his new comrades, comrades who would fight by his side in this war, just like Legosi said.

Chapter Text

           The sound of gunfire and explosives echoed throughout the snowy woods of the mountainside of the Nifleihm Empire. A unit of Imperial scout troopers was engaged in a fierce firefight with a unit of Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak soldiers that had ambushed them on their way back to base. The Niflehim's scouting troops were tasked to scout terrain where they would set a prison camp as Emperor Brandon had been heavily invested in finding if the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak hidden factory base after suspecting that his former friend Ivan had sold blueprints to the enemy to build their own magitek infantry, similar to their own.

“RPG!” An arctic fox around his thirties, by the name of Winter cried out as some of the Imperial troopers took cover as the rocket exploded into the ground sending snow to the ground, followed by more rockets from four Ma Veles-Bis gamma models, taking out two of the Niflehim own Ma Veles-Bis magitek cybersuits the imperial troopers inside meeting their grisly demise upon the mechs explosion.

“Goddammit!! We are completely outnumbered!!” A young brown Swiss cattle by the name of Clayton cried out as he and a few more imperial troopers were taking cover behind some trees and rocks.

“Michael!! Sully!! Take those two cybersuits down!!” Winter yelled to an Ox and Alligator, the two Imperial artillerymen nodded to their commander, and aimed at two of the magitek cybersuits with their rocket launchers, taking them out. Some of the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak cried out in agony as they were caught in the explosion of the degree.

“Ha!! How do you like that!!” Clayton yelled from behind his cover before letting out a war cry and continuing to spray the enemy with his imperial rifle.

“Come on, we need to keep pushing them forward!! Stick to the over! Aim for the weak spots!! Eva, make sure to give us some cover!!” Winter yelled through his radio, his helm hiding the arctic fox's calm and hardened demeanor as he ordered his unit as efficiently and strategically as he could.

“Roger that, sir!!” Eva, a Big-eared flying fox pilot of a magitek cybersuit MA-X Patria said through his coms with a cheerful tone.

“Alright, everyone!! Move, move, move!!” Winter yelled as they advanced on the enemy, trying to avoid getting gunned down or blown to bits through the chaos of snow, wood splinters, and shrapnel from the dirt, rocks, and shells of exploding rockets, a small part of the fox knew that despite the looming dread of death, he was having a hell of a time fighting alongside his men, he was going to save as many of his comrades as he could and take as many prisoners as he could if the enemy was smart to surrender, they where beasts of Niflehim, pride of the Imperial army and it’s infantry.

****

        A king protects his citizens, including his family for Miyagi that was clear as day, blocking the attack of a Bloody Eye canine commander followed by parry, the pit bull terrier let out a cry of anguish as he was slashed on the chest, a flash of crimson red blood flew and he dropped dead to the floor. The remaining Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak froze at the sight of their commanding officer getting slain by the King. At the same time, the civilians who were about to be executed could only look in awe at the grey wolf, who had a strong, cold conviction in his eyes. Miyagi knew that tension in the air was suffocating for everyone as he and his family and comrades awaited his command or move, so far the rescue mission was going well having successfully tracked down an enemy convoy vehicle that was heading to execute some civilians in one the camps the Bloody Eye have set near one of the cities commercial districts.

“Your commanding officer is dead!! Surrender now and I promise you’ll be spared, try anything and we'll cut and gun you down where you stand!!” Miyagi's voice was loud with command, leaving no room for argument, as it had an edge to it as it came out as a growl.

The Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak soldiers and a couple of VOID gang members looked at each other and came to the same conclusion: there was no way they would get out of this alive if they chose to keep fighting. Their unit had failed Deshcio, Nigel, and Omar far too many times; This was their last chance. Reporting their failure if they somehow escaped would result in their execution to discourage any further failure or thoughts of rebellion and surrender. So without any hesitation, they drop their weapons, as they would rather be prisoners to someone who was considered more merciful, despite being an enemy to them.

Upon seeing them stand down, members of the Kingsglaive and Crownsguard immediately moved to apprehend the enemy and make sure they won’t be escaping or attacking them, as they were tied down and moved away from the eye of the civilians. Miyagi could only let out a sigh as he and the others relaxed their muscles as no more blood was spilled than it had to be spilled, it wasn’t foolish to be merciful to their enemy as some of them were still young men, no older than eighteen to their early twenties, scared and confused, with the oldest being the deceased commanding officer.

“I could only hope that I made the right choice,” Miyagi said in a tired tone, as he felt Leano gently squeeze his than, leaning her head against his shoulder.

“Some of them were just boys, someone’s baby.” Leano’s voice was filled with sadness as she said that she couldn’t get the image of how scared some of them looked when they saw some of the older Bloody Eye, VOID, and Kopi Luwak soldiers die in their hands.

“That still doesn’t mean that we should be wary of them, they still pose a threat…yet it’s not like they had any alternatives,” Gosha said as he petted his wife Toki’s head to try to calm her down after they witness the pit pull terrier beat to death one of the young Bloody Eye members, a dhole, in cold blood for disrespecting him after demanding medical attention after one the civilians fought back and injured the dhole, stating that he couldn’t properly fight or do his job and that he would report him to high command for the negligence of his troops.

             It was a cruel death, the poor dhole had begged for help but none of the other Bloody Eye, VOID, and Kopi Luwak members had moved to help him, frozen by fear, the commanding officer slowly but surely beat the poor young dhole to death, it was cruel and it also brought back the bad knowledge that the Lucis Caluem family had some tyrannical rulers in their family tree. Somnus Lucis Caleum was a prime example of that, yet it was still an awful thing to witness.

“Let’s just get moving,” Miyagi said as he thought they would feel better if they just left this place or from the area as they needed to rest up anyway, so they all silently agreed, but then in five feet, they walked Miyagi soon collapse to his knees as he started to cough up some blood feeling the VOID drug attack his body again.

“Myagi!!” Leano cried out for her husband, as she and her mother helped her husband to her feet moving him to a nearby crate where he could sit down.

“D-don’t w-worry, I-I’m fine,” Miyagi said in a shaky voice as he reached for the medicine that only delay the effects of the VOID drug, the damn poison that was sealing his fate.

“No, you’re not, we set up camp here I’ll radio Swagon and the others to let them know that we won’t be returning to the tunnels any time sooner, you need your rest, Miyagi, the Bloody Eye, and Kopi Luwak don’t nowhere here yet,” Gosha said in a fatherly tone the middle age wolf as he knew that his King could be stubborn and not know when to take a break, it was heartbreaking seeing the health decline of the wolf that has been kind to him, his daughter and best friend Yafya, knowing that he was using all his strength so he could see Legosi one more time, they all miss him, as a mother, a father, a grandpa, and a grandma.

“Fine.” Miyagi let out a huff as he felt Leano let out a sad whine as he allowed her to cuddle with him Gosha and Toki excused themselves to allow them some time alone as they went to check with the glaives and crossguards and civilians they had rescued, leaving the King and Queen alone to the comfort of each other.

“Do you think Legosi is okay, deary?” Leano asked as she still found herself taking comfort in her husband’s presence making sure to cling into him as if she were afraid he might disappear.

“I’m pretty sure he is, my little flower, our little one is strong, he has allies he can rely on, it’s cruel that he has to endure such hardships as well. I should have known, put pressure on the Council, and never backed down. I knew that Civet was not to be trusted; I just knew there was something twisted and evil about him, and yet…I was weak. Weak to not push forward and confront him myself.” Miyagi said in a sad, dejected tone, but Leano wouldn’t let himself talk himself down.

“It’s not your fault deary, you couldn’t have known this would happen. You did everything in your power to prove that he was dangerous, none of us could have seen this coming, he was always two steps ahead of us, lying and deceiving everyone within his grasp purebloods and hybrids.” Leano said, knowing her tail was wagging thanks to the affection Miyagi was giving her as he gently petted her head.

“I…you’re right…I just wish I could have done more, some King I am, huh?” Miyagi said with a sigh as he closed his eyes before glancing at his wife with affection.n She always knew how to cheer him up as he let her words muse over his head, and she was right that Civet was scarily smart and possessed a very high IQ.

“King or not, you are still my loving husband, and our citizens love you, always have, I just happened to be a dumb ditzy airheaded girl from Cherryton who happened to fall in love with the wolf who protected me from those bullies in my first freshman year when I move here with mom and dad and uncle Yafya of course,” Leano said looking at Miyagi with an innocent cute expression.

Miyagi let out a chuckle at those words “Please don’t talk about yourself that way, those poodles have no right to pick on you they should have known better as your upperclassmen and picked on you because their ego couldn’t comprehend that a wolf was just as smart as them, they where lucky they didn’t resolve to make fun of your beautiful scales our blood lineage otherwise I wouldn’t have held back.” Miyagi said as he gently kissed her on the forehead, causing her to giggle and blush.

“You still managed to beat them up,” Leano said as her tail wagged in a happy rhythm, just like Miyagi’s.

“They were shoving you, trying to provoke you to fight back. That wasn’t very nice of them to treat a cute girl like that.” Miyagi said with a smirk.

“Oh,h stop. Were you always this much of a dork?” Leano said playfully, causing Miyagi to let another chuckle at her wife's words.

“I don’t know you tell me, and your tail is wagging a lot,” Myagi said, pointing towards Lean,o who could only roll her eyes.

“So is yours.” As she gestured towards his tail, as he glanced at it, and so it was, brushing against one of his wife's, in a teasing manner of affection.

“I guess we're just both happy that I’m still alive and kicking…for now,” Miyagi said with a solemn chuckle, causing Leano to hold his hand as they intertwined their finger together.

“But you keep fighting as long as it takes, for you to see our son, our little light again, right?” Leano said with teary eyes, voice solemn as well.

“Like I said before, and I say it a million times, I don’t plan on dying until I know that our son, our pup, our little light, your greatest gift to me is okay and hold him in our arms once again,” Myagi said as he fought back tears, wiping those of his little flower as he leaned to kiss her once again, showing Leano that his love for her and Legosi would keep him alive for as long as fate decided even in their darkest time.

****

         Legosi, Savon, Ten, the 701 boys, Melon, Sam, and Cliff along with Louis and Haru to Legosi’s great reluctance had joined him on the docks to await Solani’s arrival, the young wolf had insisted that it was too dangerous for them to be with him out in the open, but Haru and Louis had persisted that they wanted to meet his cousin saying it was rude of him to not introduce her to them, as their mate. Plus, the two of them were both stubborn, making him cave in. A couple of minutes went by, and they could see a boat approach, eventually making its way to the docks. From there, Legosi's cousin, Princess Solani Nox Fluere, and some Tenabre Guards disembarked from the boat.

“Gosii! How are you doing!?” Solani said as she hugged her little cousin, the younger wolf returning the hug, tails wagging as they felt the familiar canine bond of family.

“I should be asking you that question, now that you and Brandon are together.” Legosi with a soft smitords his cousin with a small smirk.

“Oh, hush, it’s not that big of a deal,” Solani said with a dismissive, overdramtic wave, causing Legosi and the others to chuckle and giggle at arctic wolf mannerisms.

“If you say so. Anyways, Solan,i this is our Uncle Savon from Grandpa and Mom's side of the fami,ly and Aunt Ten of the Dragon’s Kitsune of the Dokugumi and Inargiumi alliance.” Legosi said, introducing Savon and Ten to his consuming, the Arctic wolf finds their family tree to be quite an interesting one.

“Our family just keeps getting more diverse by each generation, taking comfort and trust in other species,” Solani said with a ,warm soft smile, as she let Savon and Ten hug her.

“It’s nice meeting more of my family,” Savon said with the tone of a loving uncle towards the Arctic wolf.

“Thanks, Mom and Dad would have loved meeting you as well,” Solani said toward the Komodo Dragon with a hint of somber reminiscence, she missed her parents a lot, she was forced to take the throne at the young age of sixteen as the sole heir when those anarchists gunned down her parents in one of Tenabres annual celebrations of peace and prosperity. Their deaths had hit the entire family. Hard, Rachelle, and Simon were both loving parents to her and good aunts and uncles to Legosi.

“I’m sure they would have loved too, after all, he is just an adorable dork despite his scary appearance~,” Ten said in a teasing tone as she needly hugged and nuzzled agianst the blushing Komodo Dragon who voiced his complaint of his reputation and image being ruined.

         The group all laugh at the Kodo Dragon’s dismay at being teased by his mate, his unapologetic flirtatious smoking hot girlfriend. The small cute interaction caused Solani's mood to brighten as she giggled at how cute the small interaction was, then her cousin's voice brought his attention to her as he awkwardly coughed his throat.

“Solani, I would like you to two meet my two mates, my boyfriend Louis and girlfriend Haru,” Legosi said with a sheepish smile as Solani gave him an amused glance for bagging himself two cute herbivores, one of them being a young noble Beastar.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you in person, Your Majesty,” Louis said in a kind nd polite tone as he and Haru bowed respectively to the Princes of Tenabre.

“Your fur is really pretty by the way,” Haru said as she admired the arctic wolf's white fur that looked so smooth and shiny by the touch, she would have to ask what kind of shampoo or conditioner she used from girl to girl of course.

“Thanks, that’s very kind of you, also there’s no need to bow, I’m not much for formalities,” Solani said as she kindly waved her hand, turning her attention towards the 701 boys.

“How have you boys been doing?” Solani asrds the canines that had playfully called her big sister when they were younger whenever she and her parents visited the Kingdom of Lucis.

“Oh, you know the usual, trying to save the world and not get killed,” Bill said in a joking manner, only for Jack to smack him in the elbow for that answer, earning an oof as he figured that his boyfriend didn’t like that answer.

Solani let out a chuckle at that “It’s good to see you all doing well,” Solani said addressing the 701 boys who could only return soft smiles as their tails softly wagged behind them, the arctic wolf then noticed that a certain brown bear and alpaca was missing from the group.

“Where’s Riz and Tem?” Solani asked, soundinggenuinely concernedn for the two of them, luckily for her, Legosi assured her that they were safe.

“They are back in the academy resting after our last encounter with a Madaragumi member by the name of Su, they really took the worst injury of all of us, but something tells me that’s not the case, I’m just glad they didn’t suffer any fatal injuries,” Legosi said with a solemn tone but quickly brushed it off and softly smiled back to his cousin and assure her that they where both okay “They will be okay, both of them are tough, with Riz being a bear and all that, and Tem…well…hes just Tem for a small alpaca he sure can take a lot of punishment.” Legosi with admiration and respect for two of his friends.

“Then that’s a relief,” Solani said with a sigh of relief, then Melon, Cliff, and Sam spoke, getting the attention of the two of them.

“Hey don’t forget to introduce us,” Melon said with a chuckle as Legosi sheepishly smiled rubbing his head as he had completely forgotten to introduce the three of them to his cousin.

“Right, sorry about that. Solani, this Melon, Cliff, and Sam.” Legosi said, introducing the three of them to her cousin.

“Yes, I heard about him, Melon De La Fruit, owner of the Black Market, you have no idea how whiny some Cherryton nobles of the Council were every time they heard his name, and hybrid to hybrid I find it admirable that you managed to get under their skin more than Uncle Yafya,” Solani said in a serious manner and it was no secret.

         Simon Wolflock, her father, was a kind-hearted, wealthy wolf-dog noble from Tenabre who married her mother, Rachelle Nox Fleuret, an arctic wolf. The term hybrid was so loosely used that pureblood beasts that had some odd fur color or features of other biological subspecies were also labeled in that category for being slightly different. Classified as sub-hybrids, differing from actually mixed blood hybrids from two different species of carnivores and herbivores, and yet they still suffer the same discrimination in Cherryton’s government, the other nations of the world of Eos had been trying to push the Council to at least protect their citizens if they where to be a free and newly independent nation and abolished their pureblood purity ideology as interspecies mixed blood relationships where considered inferior to some beasts as it defines nature herself not recognizing the potential of evolution as a species.

Solani was a hybrid like her cousin Legosi, a wolfdog-artic wolf hybrid, her muzzle, eyes and ears, and tail, and the coloration of her back fur, a beautiful splotch of grey and black running down to her behind, was a clear indication. A sensual, feminine pattern of beauty that she was certain would drive any male crazy, and she was certain that once she and Brandon were comfortable enough to move to that step in their relationship, the snow-leopard hybrid would be unleashing his inner beast on her.

“Well what can I say, all I did was call the Council's bias towards purebloods and managed to make them look bad and kept bringing up concerns and issues they kept dismissing or deemed as important and sweeping under the ragged, by those who actually care about our kind such as Headmaster Gon, who if you ask me made the most healthy decision quitting that circus,” Melon said as he had witnessed the toxic unstable and dysfunctional workforce of the Council whenever he would demand audience or answers as why they haven’t done their job of reducing hate crimes against hybrids or other species of purebloods that suffer discrimination.

“Let’s change the subject to something more positive, I don’t want to go in another rambling about the Council’s incompetence,” Melon said as he rather focused on something else that involved the mess of Cherryton’s government and its politics.

“Yeah, I want to introduce you to the Drama Club,” Legosi said with an upbeat tone, wanting to introduce Solani to his friends in school.

‘That would be lovely.” Solani said finding the idea of meeting new people to be something pleasant she was always sociable and friendly to new faces.

“Yes, but let’s not forget we still need to forge a covenant with the rest of the Astrals. I don’t want to imagine what the enemy would do if they managed to subjugate a god to their will,” Durham said as he reminded them all of the high stakes.

“Right,” Legosi said as Solani also nodded in approval, the party said their farewells to Savon and Ten who would be returning to the Black Market while, Melon, Sam, and Cliff would be joining Legosi and the others at the Academy to see how things where going before they made their next plan of action to forge a covenant with Titan, who according to Haru’s dad had been very active as those in the countryside of the mountain can feel slight tremors in the area.

Chapter Text

        At the Academy Juno, Shiela, and Peach were hanging out with Kai and Kylea in one of the art classes as part of the nursing program. The three girls were helping the mongoose with the roots of parenting and encouraging him to spend time with Kylea. The mongoose was still getting used to being a parent, and the torment of teasing from the Drama Club had only started, and it won’t end anytime soon, of course, it was in harmless playful fun. It was almos surreal in a way that he, of all beings, was given such responsibility, and he was thankful that the girls were helping him through the steps of parenthood. Him as a parent? Such a ridiculous idea, but here was the now legal guardian of a little, not even a week, and the little hyena-mongoose hybrid girl was attached to him, never leaving his side, and being shy around others, he supposed she found more comfort around him than others, being part mongoose.

“Papa, look! I drew a picture of us!” Kylea’s joyful voice brought Kai out his thoughts as he stared at the drawing she held up it was a drawing of a cartoony mongoose that looked more like a poorly drawn cat with an arrow pointing at it and the word Papa, and one of a little hyena-mongoose hybrid that again looked more like a black cat with brown stripes.

“That’s great Kylea, I make sure to hang it on my dorm,” Kai said with an awkward smile, knowing that his roommates would never stop teasing him about being a father, yet he wasn’t about to make his daughter cry and face the girl's wrath.

Hearing those words, made the little girl hug her papa causing Kai to stiffen up and let out a sigh as he gently petted her head, this caused Juno, Shiela, and Peach to giggle at the usual grumpy mongoose showing his soft side, Kai glare at the girls, as they also took pictures of the heartwarming moment.

“Come on girls, why do you torment like this?” Kai let out a grumble as he rested his head on the table and Kylea went back to picturing more drawings with her crayons.

“Cause it’s fun,” Peach said with a cute giggle, causing the mongoose to let out an irritated grumbling grunt.

“True, but moments like this also make for a great family photo,” Juno said as she was now teaching Kylea how to fold a paper into an airplane.

This made the mongoose raise an eyebrow at that, but also grumble more burying his face in embarrassment all this talk about him being soft was too much for his ego “Please stop.” Kai whined hiding his face but only made the trio of lovers more giggle at his childish display while Kylea was just confused about what was so funny.

“Kai, part of being a parent is to appreciate small moments like this even if they are embarrassing or not. We agree to help you with the roots of parenthood because we care for you.” Sheila said in a kind almost motherly tone towards the mongoose almost taking the role of a big sister as she helped Kylea apply glitter to her paper airplane.

“Yeah, I know…it’s just I’m worried I might do something to upset her or make her hate me,” Kai said as he raised his head from the table with his ears splayed down with a troubled look at the trio of girls who seemed more fit to raise her than him.

“That’s why we're here, to help you, they don’t call a nursery program for nothing, you know,” Peach said in a kind tone towards the mongoose who lazily played with a pencil.

“That’s right peach, what better way to teach a rowdy mongoose to be a parent than by embarrassing in front of his daughter” Juno said with a mischievous grin as Kai fair puffed in annoyance.

“Which reminds me of the time he and Pina threw water balloons at us and ruined our sunbathing on the camping trip we took with Legosi and Melon,” Sheila said with a mischievous grin as the mongoose's eyes widened in horror.

“You wouldn’t…” Kai said in a voice filled with fear.

“Dare what? Tell Kylea how we torture you and Pina with soda balloons?” Sheila said with that still predatory, dangerous, mischievous smirk.

“Soda Balloons?” Kylea asked in a confused tone, with a cute tilt of her head.

“That’s right, Kylea, your papa…” Sheila started but didn’t get to finish as he interrupted.

“Okay, that’s enough art & crafts for today! Kylea would you like to play some board games.” Kai said in a nervous tone causing the girls to giggle at the mongoose's reaction as the little hybrid girl, tail wagged, and nodded her head.

“Of course, Papa!” Kylea happily said, going towards the collection of board games in the room, causing the mongoose to let out a sigh of relief and glare at the girls, letting out grumbling in response at using such dirty methods against him., Was learning to be a parent this exhausting? Or was it just the three girls that made him feel this way? He thought of pranking them again on one of their dates, but that wouldn’t end up well for him; he shuddered to imagine the revenge they would inflict on him.

“Tha’ts low you know,” Kai said in his usual grumpy snarky tone, only to feel more embarrassment as the three girls petted his head and assured him that they won’t torture him any further, Kai knew the three trios of lovers were lying, if only Pina was here to share his torment. Yet part of him felt that three of them would make good aunts for Kylea.

****

            Ellen, Els, Moro, Mina, and some of the girls from the dance team, were sitting on the benches of the gym, with some students as they saw Rokume, Atari, Gon, Tem, Tao, and Riz drilling Kibi, Dolph, the hippo and the two wolves known as Benny and Billy and Roger, Lycaon, and Kitsune who wanted to make amends by participating in Cherrtyon’s Security Training Program, it also will look good for their career resume if they wanted to go for a career in the military, law enforcement, and Security.

“Alright Kibi, you and Lycaon and Kitusne would spare with me and Tem,” Atari said toward the anteater, wild dog, and fox, the three of them looked rather nervously while Tao could only give Kibi a thumbs up and so they stepped up.

To say the least Tem and Atari were showing no mercy to the three, Kitsune found himself tripping to his feet and letting out a yelp as he rolled out of the way from a stomp to his stomach from the tiger, while Lycaon managed to land a punch on the white tiger face, but quickly yelp as he was picked up and thrown towards the poor fox, Atari could shake his head as the two scramble and argue among themselves in how to approach the tiger.

Kibi was somewhat faring better towards Tem, as Tao had taught him some basic combat skills, but still found hismelf having a hard time keeping up with the Alpaca. Kibi, in a flash of instinct or panic, blocked a kick with his magtiek prosthetic arm to avoid a devastating kick to the head.

“Ahh fuck!! Oh fuck that hurts!! Fucking hell! Oh fuck something definitely broke, you got me Kibs!” Tem hissed in pain as he let out a laugh of pain and praise, while the others winced at hearing the nasty impact and crack. The alpaca healed itself with an elixir, as if nothing had happened, and was good to go again.

Els couldn’t help to worry about Tem, she still remembers gasping in a horrified manner when they all saw the new scars the boys had come back with, the others had the same reaction. She still couldn’t get the image of that diagonal scar out of her head, Tem had told her that it was not as bad as it looked, she would like to differ if it wasn’t for the magically enchanted clothing to resist all punishment he and Legosi and the rest of the guys wore she was certain that it would have been much worse.

“Els, are you okay?” The angora turned her towards the zebr, who only looked at her with concern, the rest of the girls sharing the same expression plastered across them.

“No…I’m worried and scared for Tem and the others, they just keep getting hurt.” Els said as she hugged her knees, her voice filled with sadness as she sniffled, she composed herself and continued her frustrations towards her clubmates.

“It’s just…I’m afraid that they won’t come back one day and Tem…he’s amazing, but he thinks he’s invincible…and….and…I just don’want want to lose anyone anymore.” Els said wiping some tears as she saw continued to see Tem spare with the others, a cocky smirk never leaving his grin and she still couldn’t help but cringe as she saw Riz grab his foot and slammed him into the mattress as he caught him mid warp strike letting out a painful chuckle as Riz helped him to his feet, completing him for almost knocking him out as he kept aiming for his nose, one of the many weak spots on a bear, they where supposed to be resting after fighting that leopard named Su.

“Oh, Els,” Ellen said as she wrapped a hand around the angora goat, “You loved him, don’t you?” Ellen asked in a soft tone, knowing that the angora goat was still recovering after the loss of her parents, just like she was recovering from the loss of her family.

“I do, but I can’t bring myself to tell him, and I…I kind of resent him for always making me worry about him. Is it wrong for me to feel this way?” Els said as she wiped some of her tears. This time, she was answered by Mina, the giraffe.

“No, you’re right to feel that way, it just proves that your love for him is real,” Mina said in a kind tone seeing why Els had fallen in love with the cocky arrogant alpaca, he had a charm to him and the determination to keep on fighting.

“If you ask me, I think he’s also afraid of confessing his feelings towards you, you just have to have faith in him besides he never fights alone,” Moro said in a cheerful tone trying to cheer up the Angora goat.

“I never thought of it that way…thanks girls, I feel a lot better,” Els said with a soft little smile, at hearing those words from clubmates, her friends feeling more relaxed and at ease, as she and the rest of the girls continued to watch the sparring section some finding joy in watching Roger get to thrash around by Tao, happy that creep and pervert were still getting his desserts due to all the times he stole their clothes, it looked like the rivalry between the panther and kangaroo won’t end anytime soon, even when there was a war going on.

****

            Dom, Pina, Fudge, and several students were listening to a lecture about how to enhance clothes or accessories with magic or how some materials contain properties that resonated with magic. Their professor, an elderly caribou and war veteran from Nifleihm, gave the importance of how magic was one of the ways both carnivores and herbivores in the Carinvore-Herbivore protected them on the battlefield.

“And that’s why my dear students magic is onsidered bullshit sometimes or not reliable at all.” The elder caribou said with an amused expression as he eyed the students and saw who was paying attention or not.

“Thank you, Mr. Galloway, you see magic can help you survive a few things but it only offers some resistance, and magical items or clothing won’t still stop you from getting killed at all, but if it means having an edge on the battlefield than so be it, and tha’ts why your all here taking this class right now, to help contribute to the war effort in learning how to enhance clothes and craft accessories that would greatly help us win this war.” Nightshade of the moonpack said toward the students.

“Dom and Fudge, had already taken our lessons to heart and that is the reason why Prince Legosi and his companions are still alive and you can do the same by learning these ropes,” Moonshade said as he spotted a familiar dall sheep raised his hand.

“Yes, Pina?” Moonshade said, raising his right eyebrow, where he had his signature grey splotch of fur shaped a moon crescent around his whole eye.

“Pardnon is this sound unrelated, but are your suits magically enhanced?” Pina asked in a genuine curious tone as he found the lecture to be quite interesting.

“Ah, an excellent question, Pina? Yes, our suits are magically enhanced to resist all types of elemancy; however, that doesn’t mean it’s bulletproof or a blade from cutting through us.” Moonshade said in a serious, dark tone, causing some students to shift uncomfortably from the grisly image that formed in their heads or remember the bodies they saw in the streets ever since the invasion. Some still had nightmares of losing their loved ones, families, and friends.

Fortunately, with the help of Gouhin, Gon established a pamphlet with the help of the newspaper club and art department that encouraged his students to seek counseling from their school counselors or any form of therapy. He had also encouraged and pleaded for the Seniors to be there for their underclassmen as it where their responsibility to help the younger students with their traumas from the invasion but also take some time to seek counseling for themselves before helping anyone else. Luckily that subject was changed before it got any darker and grim.

“Which brings us to today's lesson, you’d be grouped in pairs of four of your liking, and required to do some research and knit or sew four scarves that are resistant to ice elements.” Mr. Galloway said much to some of the students' excitement and groans of others due to having to do more than one.

“Alright! This is going to be fun!” Dom said, clapping his hands together, “I finally get to teach you some knitting

“Oh come on, Dom-senpai!! Can’t we just use a sewing machine at least for this, it’s bad enough that we poke ourselves in daily basic sewing, the costumes for our plays.” Fudge complained to the peafowl, who only chastised the red panda.

“Now, Fudge, we talked about this before, no reward is reward without any hard work. I can even get Juno, Sheila, and Peach to join us. I’m pretty sure they would be delighted to have Kai learn how to knit so he can make Kylea a nice cozy, cute blanket!’ Dom said in an energetic tone, squealing at thinking how nice it would be for Kai to give his daughter a nice handcrafted gift.

“Deal! If I suffer, so does he!” Fudge said, pointing his finger at Dom, who was taken aback by the red panda's sudden mood change from annoyed to joyful.

“Hot-headed Kai, Knitting? That I would like to see.” Pina said with an amused smile, “It would be a disaster!” He dramatically exclaimed as he and Fudge let out a laugh, high-fiving each other over their poke at the mongoose.

Dom, in return, let out a disappointed sigh. “You two are childish, you know? At least Kai has matured now that he has to be a parent.” Dom said, closing his eyes at his underclassman's behaivor.

“I know that’s what makes it hilarious,” Pina said as he and Fudge continued to giggle and laugh like amateur middle schoolers.

The peafowl let out another sigh. “You two are hopeless, you know that, right?” Dom said in an annoyed tone as the two continued to laugh and giggle, but even so, Dom smiled as he knew that Kai would prove them wrong, as the Mongoose was more talented than they realized. His smile grew even more when Nightshade told the two to red panda and dall sheep to keep it down as others were trying to focus, causing the two of them to sheepishly apologize as they listened to more of the lecture. In his mind, Kai was the far more mature of the three of them combined, and now that he was a father, that maturity was more clear to the peafowl; these two would be eating their words.

****

        Mokochi and Artie were at Legosi's dorm, and the 701 boys had the misfortune of being tasked with feeding Legosi’s rhinoceros pet beetle, Kabu-chan. However, the two of them were busy staring at the giant bug with their eyes wide open. They were supposed to feed this monster!? Just what did Legosi feed it to make it the size of a computer mouse?

“Well, I’m not feeding it,” Mokochi said as he and Artie stared at each other. The alligator was annoyed and mortified at hearing those words.

“What do you mean!? You're not feeding it! Aren’t badgers supposed to be fearless!?” Artie exclaimed to the badger, who could only roll his eyes before giving his own snarky answer to his clubmate.

“Okay, first off, that’s a stereotype among honey badgers, and secondly, what about you!? You're an alligator, an apex predator among predators!” Mokochi said, pointing at the cowardly large reptile in front of him, who only snorted at those words at that jab.

“Okay! How about this? We play rock-paperr-scicors for iti!” Arite suggested the leader of the sound of the Drama Club to the team leader.

“You’re on!” Mokochi said as the two of them dramatically rolled up their sleeves and immediately started their game of rock-paper-scissors.

“Ha! I won! Suck it! You overgrown lizard!” Mokochi said with a triumphant smile, much to the poor alligator's dismay, he let out a small whine as he grabbed the food and carefully fed Kabu, feeling nervous at the time.

Mokochi, in the meantime, watched from a safe distance, finding amusement in poor Artie, who let out a shrill cry as he flinched from feeling Kabu touch his hand and jumped back from the sudden touch. Kabu took advantage of the spilled food.

****

          By the end of the day, the Drama Club was hanging out in their club room again, chatting and catching and chatting with Kylea playing with Umbra, letting her pet him, and bringing the ball back that she would throw or roll for him to fetch while Kai watched them with a soft smile the sound of the doors being opened brought everyone's attention, to Legosi, Louis, Haru, the 701 boys, Melon, Sam, Cliff and lastly the Princes of Tenabrae herself who eyes immediately widen in aware and shocked at how pretty she was in person, a completely different experience than watching her on the news of a television.

It was safe to say that by the end of the night, Solani had been exhausted from answering their questions and was welcome to stay with Juno and her roommates for her rest. Tomorrow, she, Legosi, the 701 boys, Melon, Sam, and Cliff would be traveling to the countryside of Cherryton so she could awaken the astral Titan, the Archaen, God of War, who would test Legosi’s resolve in a trial of combat and might.

Chapter Text

       It was the morning of a new day, Legosi, the 701 boys, and Solani were making sure that they had everything for their trip to the countryside of Cherrtyon where Titan, awaited all of them, they would be traveling in two black vans, that was provided for them by the Council and Yafya. Right now, they found themselves in the Drama Club room as they waited for Melon, Sam, and Cliff to arrive at the front gates of the Academy. They had bought some food and camping equipment that they would need after Durham and Bill sent the list by text. Legosi was thankful that Haru had taken the lessons of potion brewing to heart; she was more than willing to sacrifice a few of her flowers and plants to improve said potions and elixirs.

“I wish you let us go with you,” Louis said as he needily brushed his head on Legosi’s shoulder, Haru doing the same as she was clinging to his right leg, knowing that the wolf was going on another dangerous journey.

“You both know I can’t do that, I won’t ever forgive myself for something bad happening to my mates,” Legosi said to Haru and Louis, who let go as they looked at his gentle, handsome, aloof face, with those beautiful reptilian eyes.

“We made you something,” Haru said as Louis reached inside his pocket and pulled out two bracelets he and Haru had made for Legosi, one with a cute bunny head and the other with a deer head with antlers.

 “That way, we could always be connected, no matter where you go. They also boost up your magic” Louis said as he tied it around Legosi’s right hand, “promise you to keep them safe?” The young Beastar said as he smiled softly towards the young prince as they both leaned for a soft cute little kiss, the young wolf then lowered himself kneeling at eye level with the young florist girl and also gave her a cute little kiss on the lips.

“Please be safe Legosi,” Haru said towards the big gentle giant that she and Louis had fallen in love with.

“Don’t worry, I will…all of us,” Legosi said in an assuring tone as he embraced the two in a big hug, being as gentle as possible, as he knew that his claws and arms were also weapons. Solani could watch the interaction with a soft smile, the others sharing the same sentiment. The sound of Legosi’s phone rang out, breaking the sweet, kind moment, and catching everyone’s attention. The young wolf answered the call on speaker, seeing that it was Melon calling him.

“Legosi, we're at the gate, you guys got everything ready?” Melon’s voice rang from the other side of the phone.

“Yeah, we're good to go,” Legosi said as he looked at the others, who nodded in agreement.

“Alright then,” Melon said in an affirming nod as he hung up the phone.

With that small exchange Legosi, Solani, and the 701 boys said their farewell, Riz, Tao, and Tem would stay behind to still help Atari, Rokume, and Gon train the students participating that wanted to participate in Cherryton’s Security Guard program, as the other security guards where to busy making sure students didn’t fight each other and embarrass their families. After all, despite being converted into one of the city's shelters, Cherryton Academy was still a school.

On their way to the gates, Legosi waved and greeted some of the students and families that were hanging around campus. When they approached the main entrance of the Academy gate,s truth be told, Melon, Sam, and Cliff were waiting for them outside, two Black Suvans outside the gates of the school. 

“Glad you could make it, you got everything we need?” Legosi asked Melon with genuine curiosity.

“Yep, tents, sleeping bags, marshmallows, beef jerky, you make it,” Melon said going over the list of stuff they would be needing for the fourteen-hour drive, they would be taking to the countryside side of Cherry Rock Canyon where the locals claim they could feel Titan’s press by the light tremors they kept feeling.

“Woohoo! Road trip!!” Jack exclaimed cheerfully, his tail wagging and creating small gusts of wind, with the tiger petting him on the head to calm him down.

“In that case, I take the wheel, it’s been a while since I have been behind the wheel,” Durham said as he adjusted the buttons of his black Cronwsguard fatigues.

“Alright then,” Leogsi said as he was more content with letting Durham, arguably the best driver of the group, drive ix of them combined.

With that being said, the group got on their respective vehicles, with Collot, Voss, Melon, Sam, Umbra, and Cliff on one and Legosi, Solani, Durham, Miguno, Jack, and Bill on the other one, the two vehicles would travel together to their destination, like an extremely small caravan, of only two vehicles, communication would be easy for them as they had the cars phone to communicate with each other, a feature that Cliff make sure to have before their journey.

****

(Final Fantasy XV Overworld Night Theme (Creeping Shadows) OST Starts)

      Meanwhile, at the Maduragumi mansion, a meeting room that once belonged to the President of the Council of All Living Things whenever he invited business beasts or anyone from high-class society now belonged to Miso, who was with Ponzu, staring at two different footage that the Bloody Eye spy drone had picked up. The first footage was of Su’s battle with the young prince and the owner himself with their comrade, and the second one was of Legosi, Melon, and Solani discussing their next course of action at the countryside side of Cherry Rock Canyon, where the Astral Titan awaited them.

“Such a shame what happened to Su, I was expecting more from him,” Miso said with an indifferent tone at seeing the death of the leopard,Disappointment was clearly written over his face as he saw one of his friends perish in such a manner.

Ponzu and the other hand let out a snarl and growl knowing the reason why Su had lost and it pissed him off as he too was expecting more from his friend. “Su was a fool to play around with them! He underestimated them! He was weak, but unlike him, I won’t make the same mistake.” The leopard growled as he clenched his fist claws drawing blood from his hands.

“Then you know what to do, find them and kill them, we can’t be allowed to lose any more favor from Deshcio and there’s no way in hell I will allow High Commander Nigel and Omar to have more sanction over us,” Miso said with a stern tone as he glanced at the other leopard.

“Then it will be done my Lord,” Ponzu said as he was not eager to have the dingo and polar bear have authority over them and restrict them in their operations.

“Would you be needing men?” Miso said as he went to pour himself some expensive whiskey.

“No, they would only slow me down.” Ponzu arrogantly said as he went towards the door, but was stopped as Miso had one final request for his lieutenant.

“Oh, and Ponzu, feel free to reveal the truth of the owner’s lineage. I want you to break him physically and mentally, to let him know that his existence is a mistake and a stain in the name of all leopards,” Miso said in a very calm tone to Ponzu.

“It will be done, Lord Miso,” Ponzu said with a wicked smile, and with that, he left through the doors to gear up and hunt down Legosi and Melon's party. Miso on the other hand reached for a photo he had taken out of a frame and stared at it, it was a photo of when he was younger with his father Matias and mother, the same women that his father had lied to him about her fate in the turf wars, who had thrown away for the sake of morality and reputation, claiming she was dangerous unstable and a threat to their reputation and image. Miso felt rage building up inside him and crumbled up the photo and stared into the footage, his hateful eyes never leaving Melon.

“Soon Father I would restore the Madaragumi to its former glory, you were a pathetic fool to let Mother go, she was an ideologist who could have elevated us to higher riches. The Grace name would be restored to its gracefulness, for I am Lord Miso Grace, rightful heir and owner of the Black Market.” Miso's voice was filled with dark vengeful bloody ambition promises.

(Final Fantasy XV Overworld Night Theme (Creeping Shadows) OST Ends)

****

           The two black suvan trucks came to a stop, as the day was nearing an end and nightfall was beginning to stop on the side of the road, near a patch of open dirt as the two pirates stretched out after an eight-hour drive, they all needed a proper rest as they still had six hours to go to get to Rockfalls Town, and another forty-minute drive to reach Cherry Rock Canyon, the party began to unload their camping equipment and setting up everything. Durham was already starting to cook a meal of Prairie-Style Skewers with some fries and vegetables. For dessert, they would have some s'mores, with canine-approved safe chocolate, after Durham had told them to save their beef jerky for beef jerky sandwiches tomorrow. So they can save some time in repacking and preparing their meals.

“You know, despite almost not being able to taste most food, I do like the texture, don’t get me wrong, I can taste some things, but most of the time it’s just sand,” Melon said as he took his time to feel the rich texture of Durham’s cooking.

“Sorry to hear that, it must be rough not being able to enjoy a meal like that,” Durham said, giving Melon sympathy towards the hybrid, who could only offer a soft smile and shrugged his shoulders.

“It doesn’t bother me that match anymore, I learned to live with it, I blame my parents for not taking care of me or taking me to a doctor and see what was wrong with that,” Melon said with a spiteful tone at the beasts that brought him to this world.

“Then they don’t deserve to be called parents,” Solani said in a kind sympathetic tone as she could see the pain in Melon’s eye and the way he seemed uncomfortable talking about his folks, from what she from the nobles and council seemed to be nothing good about the name Angelea Grace and Stuart De La Fruit, while seemed extremely defensive of them, to the extreme for her liking.

“Yeah, they don’t…they hurt me in several ways. I'd rather not talk about it right now, it was hard enough when I told Legosi and the others, and most importantly, you don’t want to ruin your appetite.” Melon said in a vulnerable tone as he hugged himself and shielded his crotch with his plate as he tried to not remember all the times his mother sexually molested him or raped him.

“I understand,” Solani said as she had a pretty good idea what the poor hybrid had gone through she had seen that behaivor before in a young girl, the daughter of one her guards in their festivities, and let’s just say she made sure that the bastard of a nobleman from Accordo that hurt her was locked for the rest of his miserable life in prison, after some collaboration with the Republican of Accordo government officials of course.

“Thanks,” Melon said in a meek tone, as the subject was changed to something more positive, such as Solani and Brandon's relationship courtesy of Jack, which embarrassed the poor arctic wolf and so the party talked and laughed among each other, Legosi smile softly at how good her cousin was getting along with Melon, Sam, and Cliff three new friends for her to make. Legosi knew that was this war were over, he would like for them all to go to his cousin’s wedding with Emperor Brandon of Nifleihm. A few more minutes and they were off to bed.

****

          The early morning came for the party as the morning sunlight awoke them from their slumber, and they stretched their muscles with ya awn, and hungry bellies. So true to yesterday night, they prepared themselves beef jerky sandwiches to enjoy with some water, juice, or soda from their portable coolers. Curious eyes from passing vehicles would stare about, unaware of what was happening in the world, the state of the war, or any news radio, T V channel, or website. Once the party finished packing everything up, they were good to go once again on their journey, and to their delight, they spotted some wild chocobos on the road, with Jack and Cliff taking pictures of them and of the scenery, even taking video and selfies along the road.

After two more they finally arrived at Rockfall, where they would refuel the tank, and it was a lovely little town, to say the least, a good change of scenery for the short moment they were going to be here the party then parked and exited the car, with the destination of heading to the Sherrif’s office for some mission briefing. Entering the Police Station, they are immediately greeted by Haru’s dad, a German shepherd and a wolf, and the Netherland dwarf rabbit greets them with a soft smile.

“It’s good to see you again, Your Highness, how’s my little girl doing? Is she alright?” Harper said with an extremely desperate worry fatherly tone, he and his family had been worried sick for her, ever since they saw the news about the invasion.

“She’s sa,fe Mr. Snow, I would never let anything happen to your daughter or anyone else, she is my mate as much as Louis is my mate,” Legosi s, aid crouching down at eye level, as the middle-aged rabbit let out a sob of re, lief hugging the wolf’s neck.

“Oh blessed your soul child…blessed your soul,” Harper said as he let his emotions pour out, then after a few mi,nutes he composed himself with a shaky ,breath and after being told that there was no need for formalities, Harper gestured towarGerman german shepherd and wolf.

“Legosi, this is Detective Adamo and Dr. Fasa.” Harper introduced the two canines to the young prince, two important members of the Rockfalls community.

“It is a pleasure to meet the young prince in person,” Amado, the German shepherd, said with a firm handshake with a polite smile.

“I couldn’t agree more, honey.” Fasa, the wolf, introduced herself with a very polite smile, as she shook Legosi’s hand, the party noticed the matching wedding ring on both Adamo and Fasa’s ring fingers. They thought it was lovely that the two of them were married after several more handshakes and introductions in person were done. Solani addressed the mission again.

“I believe that you have something you wanted to show  us, if I’m not wrong?” Solani asked the trio of animals in front of them.

“Ah yes, thank you for reminding, us Your Majesty, if you follow,w us please,” Fasa said to them with a small smile.

The party then followed the three of them into one of the rooms where the three of them began to explain how some of the locals and workers around some of the farms had been feeling slight tremors, some stronger than the other ones. Harper himself stated that he could feel the earth vibrate and Fasa stated that how she and some of her colleagues could have sworn they heard snoring and picked up massive activity near Cherry Rock Canyon.

“Alright, we got what we needed. Thank you for the info.” Legosi nodded as that was enough confirmation that Titan was now sleeping and awaiting for them, it would be an easy goal to accomplish as Solani would have to wake him up and hope he was in a good mood to not immediately start the trail, however before they left Legosi had to make sure if the town was safe from their enemies. The last thing the young prince wanted was not to have them experience the hell that was the invasion of the city, no one deserved that.

“If the Bloody Eye or Kopi Luwak, Bloodbone, and VOID gang show up, just know that we would do anything in our power to help you defend the town,” Legosi said, offering them an assuring smile.

“No need to worry about us Your Highness, we give those bastards a rough warm welcome if they show their face around here, here in Rockfall look out for each other and don’t take kindly to hostility,” Amado said as he and his wife, Fasa gave the party a sharp smirk towards the party.

“The Snow Clan is no stranger to violence, you have no idea how many times I had to point my shotgun at herbivores and carnivores that had tried to harass us or scare us off our land,” Harper said with a sigh as he adjusted his glasses, being the owner of five large carrot farms of Cherryton had earned him some enemies especially when they thought they could push them around for their small size.

Legosi and the rest of the party smile towards the trio of beasts in front of them, seeing the fire in the eyes of beasts who would fight for their home, for them, that was enough reassurance, as they still needed to focus on their mission and have their own problems and worries. They couldn’t allow the enemy to gain control of the Astral, so, no matter what, the tide of war would be atmospheric for everyone to evolve and not be involved. So they said their farewells and exited through the double doors and off onto the to, and they were once again, GPS map marking their destination. 

****

         Twenty minutes later, they arrived at their destination., The rest of the journey would be by foot as they exited their respective vehicles, making their way towards the dirt trail of the Cherry Color Canyon that leads towards the bottom open field of the cherry color large cherry-colored rocks. However, in the short time of their five-minute walk from the parking lot of the tourist attraction, they were intercepted once again by another of the Madaragumi leopards wearing the same black Kimono with the Bloody Eye & Kopi Luwak alliance. The party froze as they saw him appear in front of them, the same teleporting technology on display that allowed the enemy to appear whenever they wanted, whenever they weren’t using Magtiek engine,s aircraft to drop their soldiers and M, Ts b, ats or cybersuits. Suddenly, only lightning danced around the leopard and teleported behind them, making the party turn in alarm at the sudden speed it happened.

“It’s a nice day for a walk, wouldn’t you all agree?” The leopard said turning around and glaring at them with a scoff and a cold hateful expression in his eyes, the killing intent was oblivious towards the group, they never let their guard down at all.

“Ponzu of the Madarumgumi…what are you doing here?” Melon said in an annoyed,d tone, revealing the name of the leopard in front of them.

“Well, what else would I be doing here? I’m here to stop you and kill you all.” Ponzu said with a sneer, which caused Legosi to scoff at him.

“You sure about that? Last time, one of you bit more than he could chew.” Legosi said, remembering their fight with Su and their futile efforts to have him surrender to spare his life.

“Ever the arrogant, Your Highness, I wonder if your cousin is the same? She would make a lovely slave.” Ponzu said with a cold, sadistic smirk at the growl he received from the Princes of Tenabre, who clearly were looking at him with rage at that comment, just like the rest of the party. 

Once again, Ponzu teleported to his original position, causing the others to turn around in alarm for the second time in a day. The leopard could only let out a menacing laugh. “A gift from the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak, their technology is truly amazing,” Ponzu said with nothing but demented joy as he had a twinkle in his eyes.

“You know you're truly a comedian, Ponzu, you, Miso, Su, and the rest of Madaragumi bring shame to every good leopard in existence, you're nothing but a bunch of sellouts. Su saw that in his final moments,” Melon said with an amused, mocking expression at the leopard as he pointed at him, however, his tone changed to one of pity and sadness at how easily they abandoned their identity. 

“Ah, Melon De La Fruit, owner of the Black Market, ever so righteous, you remind me of him a lot. Matias would be proud,” Ponzu said as he ran a hand over his head, brushing his fur.

“What's that supposed to mean?” Legosi growled along with the others coming to Melon's defense.

“It means he has no idea of his true lineage and his connection with the Grace family and the Milos family,” Ponzu growled back with a spiteful tone.

“What does Miso’s father have to do with my mother's lineage? She would have never slept with commoners off the lowest class, she hated them as much as she and my father hated my existence for taking their easy life away.” Melon slightly raised his voice as he was getting tired of hearing Ponzu talk.

Ponzu could only laugh maniacally at those words. “She never told you!? She was married to Matias, but her ideas unnerved him and he called them extreme, dangerous, and dishonorable!! He vanished from her, the Madaragumi, and lied to his only son that she was murdered in a turf war!! All to spare him from becoming like her.” Ponzu moved in place, rambling words, while the others listened in shock, but never letting their guard down, Ponzu was enjoying the glimpses of Melon's expression of disbelief and distraught. Then he revealed the cherry on top.

“That's right...Miso is your half-brother,” Ponzu said with a cruel smirk, seeing how Melon Legosi and the rest of the party reached in shock at hearing this news.

“No…you are lying!!” Melon snarled and growled through his fangs, glaring hatefully at the leopard.

“Oh, but it's true!” Ponzu said with demented glee as he pressed a device on his wrist showing a holographic image of Miso's family photo Melon's distraught, he saw the familiar image of his mother Angelea De Grace when she was younger, standing beside Matias Milo's past leader of the Madaragumi, and a very young Miso in the middle. Ponzu continued his verbal and mental torment of the poor hybrid.

“You know what the funny part is? Matias would have welcomed you with open arms if he knew of your existence, despite his support of pureblood animals, for his family came first and meant everything to him, despite being mixed blood, and ideas of representation were second to him. Shame he never could see his only son strike him down and take command of the Madaragumi, robbing you of the only family of blood that would accept your miserable existence” Ponzu mocked Melon with nothing but fake pity causing him to drop to his knees, causing Legosi to catch him as he let out a small painful sobbing whine.

The news of the possibility of having a loving father, only to be struck down by his half-brother, was too much for him. His parents stopped being parents when he was ten, and that's when the abuse began. He was so little, how could they hurt him like that!? Touch him in that way!? Legosi and the others only glared at are leopard more for his cruelty, and to their anger, he was not done yet. Melon also couldn't help but glare at the leopard with angry, tearful eyes.

“So imagine my surprise and the surprise of Miso and Su when we heard that she married a gazelle by the name of Stuart De La Fruit, and had a child. You! Melon De La Fruit! A disgraceful mistake in her name and image! One that I would gladly correct, in the name of Lord Miso, the rightful heir of the Madaragumi!!” Ponzu declared loudly to the group, which only stared at the leopard as if he were insane.

“Now allow me…to test your strength,” Ponzu said as an orb of electricity from his right hand caused the others to begin in alarm as he was glaring at Melon.

“Melon!!” Legosi and the others yelled as Melon took his Redeemer in time to block and struggle with the attack as he grunted from the electricity he was trying to reflect.

“Don't worry I'm fine!!” Melon said as he finally reflected the attack sending the orb to the sky where it exploded, the others drew their weapon sensing a fight coming, however, Legosi and Melon knew that they couldn't waste time, so they looked at each other, Sam, Cliff, and Umbra.

“Sam! Cliff!” Melon shouted to the two of them, who turned their attention to him, nodding their head.

“Umbra!” Legosi's voice also brought the attention of the feral messenger black dog with a bark.

“Take Solani out of here! Make sure she's safe and awakens Titans when we're done with this guy. Here Legosi, as he handed Solani the Trident of the Oracle, Royal Arm, knowing she was going to need it, as it would help with her power,” Legosi said, giving them instructions to the three of them as he handed Solani the Royal Arm. Ponzu still hadn't attacked them.

“But-” Solani tried to protest, but was cut off by Miguno, as he also knew that it was a smart move to do right now.

“Solani! Don't argue with us, we'll be fine!” Miguno said with a pleading tone.

“You are of oracle blood, only you can awaken Titan.” Durham also added his own bits.

“Fine! You better not die on us!” Solani said as she gave them a worried glance at the boys.

“Don't worry, I know they won't,” Sam said as he sprinted next to Solani, Cliff, and Umbra, making their way to where Titan awaited them.

****

(Kingdom Hearts 1.5 Enigmatic Man Theme) (Disappeared) OST Starts)

“Family isn't just by blood, Melon is part of my family now, and you're going to regret hurting my brother,” Legosi said as he stood next to Melon, glaring at Ponzu.

“Don’t let him get to your spots, he’s just trying to break you,” Bill said as he petted Melon’s shoulder in a comforting way.

“Let’s show him what we made off!” Jack said cheerfully to boost their morale.

“He’s going to regret messing with us,” Collot said as he, too, was ready to battle.

“It’s time to kick ass!!” Voss said loudly and proudly.

“Show him no mercy!” Miguno said as he tightened his grip on his blade.

“Thank you, all of you,” Melon said, smiling warmly at them, with Legosi and the others nodding approval.

“How touching,” Ponzu said and, with a roar, launched two orbs that exploded into big electrical fields, forcing them to jump out of the way as the battle officially began.

        Legosi and Melon immediately rushed him with Legosi attempting to warp-strike him but found his attack being parried by one of Ponzu’s curved forearm blades that took him by surprise managing to jump out of the way from getting his stomach sliced, and Melon landed a solid kick on Melon’s face but scoffed as the leopard barely flinch and stumble backward. The leopard then let out a cry of anguish as Voss warp-strike him on the chest slashing him a few times, only to engage in a deadly dance of blades, as the fennecs point blank used his warping to stay in the air, Ponzu had enough and put an energy shield in front of him that shocked Voss and send him flying in pain skidding to the ground.

Miguno rushed the leopard with a downward slash only for the leopard to block the attack, they both growled at each other, and Ponzu kicked in the stomach and sent him flying backward with an electric shock from his magitek electrical exo-claws, similar to Sam's own and Melons magitek gloves with mini conductors that generated raw electricity and not design to use clemency, it was still effective and deadly to use. Before Ponzu can pounce on the stunt hyena, Jack shoots him in the leg with his Lion’s Heart pistol, making the leopard turn around and glare at him, shocking him with electricity and causing the dog to cry out in anguish and groan in pain as lightning continues to shock him.

“Jack!” Bill and the others cried out at seeing Jack in distress, Bill went to rush the leopard to help his boyfriend, only to be hit by lightning as Ponzu heard him, stopping him in his tracks and causing him to cry out in pain and anguish.

“Die! Die!” Ponzu laughed manically only to be shielded by Collot as he warp-strike him, causing him to cry out in pain as he stumbled backward, only for two avenger daggers to embed themselves in his shoulders, only for Legosi to drop him in the chest, sending him flying to the ground.

       Durham sees an opportunity to finish him off with a high jump with his Dragoon Lance, only for Ponzu to teleport out of the way, causing Durham to curse and immediately look up when he hears Bill shout from the top as he and Jack heal themselves with Elixirs. 

“Above us!” Jack shouted as they all saw Ponzu floating with electricity he smiled sadistically and immediately threw to orbs that exploded into large spheres, Durham managed to dodge the first one but was by the second one, and Legosi was also hit by the fourth one, and they both cried out in the pain as the others rushed to them with worry shouts. Ponzu landed on the floor as he was panting from the use of such power.

“You guys alright!?” Collot asked them with worry.

“Yeah, we're fine,” Legosi said as Bill healed him with a potion.

“Never better, he’s a formidable opponent, that’s for sure,” Durham said as he was healed by Mizuno.

“It’s me who wants, he wants to play with lightning? Then I show him.” Melon said as he immediately Blitzed towards Ponzu who let out a roar of anger, the two of them engaged in another deadly clash of blades, with lighting making them fast, managing to get a slice in each other in four swings, Melon managed to split his Redeemer in half to block a fatal hacking blow, a hack to his chest and a slice to his stomach, he struggles from the strength of the leopard who snarl at him, and eventually pushed each other away jumping several feet away, but before Melon could do anything Ponzu electrified with electricity making him scream and cry in anguish as he lifted him into the air with the attack.

Legosi let out a howl of rage, and warp-strike with the Mace of the Fierce Royal Arm hitting Ponzu dead on the stomach, the bottom part of the light armor immediately shattering, and sending him flying into the air, breaking his attack on Melon, in mid-air, Ponzu threw two more orbs that once again exploded in in large spheres the two of them managed to dodge the attack.

Ponzu shifted his body as he landed on all fours, two pulses of electricity propelling him to his feet, snarling with two orbs of electricity in each hand. “You will die by my hand, Caelum!! The same goes for you, De La Fruit!! All of you!! For I am Ponzu, The Pouncer!!” Ponzu yelled at the top of his lungs to Legosi, Melon, and the rest of the party with rage.

“Alright I have enough of this guy, let’s finish him off,” Legosi said with determination.

“Couldn’t agree more,” Bill said as he ready his stance once more, Ponzu fired several electric bolts at Legosi but the tiger got in front of them blocking them with his thunder shield.

Ponzu growled as he teleported to the sky floating again and throwing four orbs again, this time the group managed to dodge all four explosions.

“CAELUM!!” Legosi looked up to see Ponzu attempting to pounce on him from the top, however, Legosi responded by throwing his wyvern lance at the leopard grazing him, Legosi warp-strike towards his weapon, and attempted to skewer Ponzu who crushed to the ground, who turn in time shocked Legosi sending him flying with a grunt of pain landing in the ground with a grunt of pain as he was knocked unconscious.

“Your Highness! Dammit! It appears that his weapons are not the only thing powering his attacks! That armor of his is the same Sulfur Ezekiel was wearing! Melon, see if you freeze his armor so we can shatter it!” Durham said towards the hybrid, while being concerned for Legosi as he sprinted towards him.

“No need to tell me twice, I was thinking the same thing! Jack, Stripes, go check on Legosi he might be seriously hurt” Melon said to Jack and Bill as he charged his Redeemer with ice magic as the others went to check on Legosi.

Melon then unloaded a full magazine into Ponzu who grunted with each impact, causing him to roar in anger, the hybrid shot a charge shot towards Ponzu causing him to cry out in pain, Melon was about to him with an ice ball grenade only for the leopard to teleport in front of him and the next thing he knew was a burning pain on his chest as he let out two cries of pain.

        That was enough to startle the others and a now awake Legosi as they saw Ponzu claw Melon on the chest and slice him chest with his right arm causing the poor hybrid to land on the floor in pain for Legosi was the final straw, seeing Melon get injured like that send him into a frenzy as he let out a loud vicious snarling growl, he activated his armiger unleashed. Then the 701 boys saw him give Ponzu a nasty beatdown just as Ponzu was about to stab Melon dead with a Katana.

Legosi warp-strike him with a shield bash, using the Shield he Just sending him flying backward, in retaliation Pozu fired more bolts of electricity at Legosi but Legosi Royal Arms blocked it, and in return, Legosi warp in front Ponzu slashed him a few times with the sword of the wise, warp and threw the Star of the Rouge of at him and eleven of the royal arms at him but not before getting hit with a few bolts of electricity that Ponzu threw like balls, knocking Legosi out his armiger unleashed but the armor of Ponzu was now almost completely shattered. The rest of the party rushed towards an injured Melon and Legosi as Ponzu was still slowly getting up from the attack, now with more rage running through his veins.

Legosi healed himself and Melon with a Mega-Pheonix Down as the others approached them with worry “Don’t worry, we're fine, come on we can win this!” Legosi said boosting their morale again as he helped Melon up to his feet glaring at Ponzu who also slowly rose to his feet.

“Enough games! Time to die!” Ponzu said as he covered his body in electricity glaring at all of them with endless hatred.

“Hit him with everything you got!” Durham said, and so, they unleashed the overwhelming technique on him.

Both Collot and Bill hit him with a downward slash from their Iron Dukes, sending him stumbling backward even if he managed to block the attack, Voss warp-strike him by kicking him on the nose and slashing his legs, Miguno parried an attack and slashed at Ponzu's left arm, while Durham stabbed him at the side of his stomach with his Dragoon Lance but not without getting shocked. Legosi gave him a taste of his own medicine and electrified him with his lightning magic and to prevent feedback and power him up. Melon blitzed and hit with an ice ball energy grenade, completely freezing the armor, leaving Ponzu vulnerable for the final blow.

“Now’s your chance, Jack!” Melon shouted as he jumped away.

“Got it!” Jack said as he unleashed four crack shots, the first one, shattering the right claw causing Ponzu to grunt in pain, the second shot him on the right shoulder, the third shattering the ice, and the fourth his armor and that was enough Ponzu grunted in pain feeling the bullet hit him but not in a fatal area. The battle has been won.

(Kingdom Hearts 1.5 Enigmatic Man Theme) (Disappeared) OST Ends)

        Ponzu collapsed to one knee, glaring at the panting party in front of him, mostly at Legosi and Melon. “Quite impressive, unfortunately for you, I don’t die easily.” Ponzu said with a cruel smirk as he gave them one last fuck you, as he pressed the teleporting device again “We see each other again” Ponzu said with a victorious smile as he started to teleport away.

Upon seeing this, Legosi and Melon’s eyes widened as they attempted to strike down Ponzu but missed as soon as they warp-strike and blitzed at him, hitting nothing but air.

“Dammit! He got away!” Legosi cursed under his breath.

“Ugh, I knew I should have at his hands! This is all my fault!” Jack said as he felt angry at himself for being slow.

“Hey, none of that, don’t go blaming yourself, you're not the only one with a gun, you know,” Melon said as he placed a gentle hand on his shoulder while petting his boyfriend’s head in an attempt to cheer him up, which did.

“If anyone is to blame is me, I also could have shot him and finished him off, but we worry about that later, we still got Titan to fight, let’s just hope we have enough energy for what's next,” Legosi said with a soft solemn smile at his friends, as he couldn’t believe how badly he let his friends injured, the others gave him a soft smile in return and nodded as they headed towards the direction where Solani, Umbra, Sam and Cliff runoff.

“Gosi, don’t blame yourself, okay? You try your best to keep us safe,” Jack said towards the wolf, who could only let out a sigh, knowing that the labrador was right, as the others looked at Legosi's troubled expression of concern, but that quickly changed to relief once they saw him smile and looked at the labrador.

“Yeah, I know,” Legosi said but couldn’t help to wonder how Melon was holding up as he saw that he was smiling but he could see the expression of betrayal, Legosi knew that he would have to talk to Melon soon the revelation of having the only living family member of blood was out to get him must be soul crushing for him. Just how much pain was the 35-year-old hybrid in right now?

****

Back at the Mansion underground lab, Miso could only look at the footage that the spy fly drone captured of Ponzu’s battle with Legosi and Melon’s comrade, he was disappointed in his failure but satisfied at seeing his little half-brother's distress knowing that he was unwanted by the only living family he had left and that he stole him the chance of expiring that genuine love, the medical staff of the Bloody Eye was with him as blood and beaten Ponzu teleported inside with a grunt. Miso stared at him in amusement, and Ponzu could only utter a few words to him.

“Not…another…word,” Ponzu said as he fainted, and the medical staff immediately went to attend to the downed leopard.

“At least you're not dead, you truly are stronger than Su,” Miso said as he went back to drink his tea thinking of how he and Ponzu would gain more favor from Deshcio after this failure, his hatred and anger for Melon grew further, he was not looking forward to more joints with High Commander Nigel, and Omar, that dingo and polar bear where a thorn in his ambitions of ruling the Black Market and the city.

Chapter Text

       Solani, Sam, and Cliff stopped as soon as Umbra stopped and started barking and whining. They were close, and Solani could feel the immense power in the air. She knew she couldn’t worry about Legosi and the others at the moment. She also knew that Umbra, Sam, and Cliff shared the same sentiment. She had a job to do, and as if fates were hearing her worries and pleas, Shiva/Gentina appeared to them with a soft smile and tone of voice.

“The Archaean awaits, awakened from his slumber by the oracle’s will to test the young prince's will and might, and those of his retailers, only in defeat would the covenant be forged, should they merge victorious against the Archean’s might.” Shiva/Gentina said as she disappeared from their sight again the three of them gave them a nod of understanding.

With nothing else to say, after five more minutes of walking, the presence of Titan was extremely high in the air as Umbra began barking, indicating that they had arrived at their destination, a canyon-like hallway with some cutout elevation ramp-like roads or ditches. Solani immediately started to play as she glowed a beautiful golden color, much to the awe of Cliff and Sam as she started to awaken Titan, a prayer as the Trident of the Oracle, Royal Arm, glowed as well. 

“God of earth, hear my plea, awaken from your slumber, grant us your strength to restore the peace and light of our star,” Solani said as she finished her prayer, her glowing stopped, and there was a long moment of silence that lingered in the air.

“D-did it works?” Cliff asked in a rather confused clueless tone, as this was not his area of expertise as he was more of an inventor and tech wiz.

“Of course it worked, why wouldn’t it work!?” Sam chastised his porky friend, the pig snorted in annoyance at the hybrid who smacked him upside the head.

Solani was about to tell them to cut it out, but the sounds of footsteps and Legosi caught the attention of their ears, causing the four of them relief to see them.

“Sol-” Legosi didn’t finish as he was hit with another headache causing everyone to reach him as he stumbled with a painful groan and growl, but he managed to shoot it out. “What happened? Where’s Titan?” Legosi asked as he looked at his cousin with concern and before could say anything, the ground had begun to shake causing tremors causing them to try to catch their balance from falling flat on their behinds.

       From the cloud of dust below the inner canyon of Cherry Rock Canyon, emerges a giant ape hand, grasping the edge and for the party to look as the rest of the giant brown ape with white markings, The Archaean, Titan, God of Earth, emerge looking down at them as if they nothing but ants then in his booming voice he spoke in the language of the gods.

“By the oracles' will, I have awakened to test the strength of Luci's blood once again!! Children of Eos, prove to me your strength of might, or be forever crushed by my wrath!” Titan said as he looked at them down and at one of the walls of the canyon,n rearing its arm, causing their eyes to widen.

(Final Fantasy XV Trial of Titan (Apocalysis Noctis) OST Starts)

“He’s not going to…” Jack said in an alarm tone, but was cut off by Miguno

“Oh yes, he is! Take cover!!” Miguno yelled as soon as Titan's hands and fingers smacked the wall debris of rock flying and raining down upon them forcing them to dodge and take cover, Bill managed to get in front of Legosi using his Aegis Shield but the impact still sent him falling back into Legosi, the trial of Titan has begun.

“He sure doesn’t waste any time,” Legosi complained as he and Bill got up.

“Yeah, you can say that again. We need to figure out!!” Whatever the young Bengal tiger was about to say was never finished as he shouted at seeing Titan ready to squish them with his giant fist he brought it down on them but Legosi managed to block and parry the attack using the Blade of the Mystic Royal Arm buying them enough time for a Melon, Cliff, and Jack to distract Titan by shooting at his fist bringing their attention to them with a slow powerful punch that they managed to avoid.

“Legosi!! Here!!” Solani shouted toward her cousin as she tossed the Trident of the Oracle to Legosi, as it was once again part of his Arminger. Legosi growled as he saw Titan lift his leg and bring their foot down on them.

“Crap!” Legosi cursed as he once again blocked and parried the attack of the giant ape twice until Melon tackled him out from a stomp from Titan’s right foot, the impact causing the ground to shake and for more debris to fall and crack.

“We need to take him down, or else he’s going to bring this place down!!” Durham shouted as he helped Solani to her feet while the others were still on high alert and trying not to get squished or hit by the debris. All of them were covered in dust and scratches from small rocks or debris. Legosi growled as he saw Titan rear his right arm, the hand clenched into a fist to punch down forward at them, Legosi parried the attack with the Shield of the Just with a warp strike, wrapped out of safety as he was being pushed back but not without throwing a fira grenade at Titan’s arm. Causing the Astral to let out a grunt and growl of pain in midair, Legosi wrapped back to the safety of the ground, but he was not done. Much to the Party’s dismay, the Astral started to throw more debris at them.

“Is he trying to test or kill us!?” Voss complained out loud as he was picked up and carried by Collot, with his Kite Shield over his head from the falling debris.

“Looks like it!” Sam said in irritation as he wiped more dust off his face.

“We need him to stunt him, otherwise we won’t be getting anywhere like this!!” Solani said as she, along with Jack moved out of another attack, a backhanded fist swipe from his right arm caused the party to duck or roll out of the way.

“Now what!?” Miguno complained as Titan took that as a challenge and started to hit the side of the mountain they were standing on with tremendous force.

“You just had to ask!" Bill said with a goal.

“That way!!” Legosi shouted to a pathway, as it was clear to them that the place they would standing in would collapse, the party began to run as soon the place they were standing crumbled beneath them, yet Titan caught up to what they were doing and followed them, his eyes never leaving the path they were running on, he punched the walls of the path separating the group, four times, but never making any contact with them only the Rockwall, the party made it to another opened field with Titan catching up to them and this time with new tricks as every time he would punch the wall or send stomp the floor he would make it erupt with brown crystals that shattered sending debris.

“Alright, this is getting ridiculous!!” Jack whined as he rolled out of the way of getting hit with one of those brown crystals, being shielded from the explosion thanks to his boyfriend, Bill.

“At this rate, we won’t last any longer!” Sam said as he healed himself and Cliff with a Mega-Potion, thanks to being hit with one of those crystals.

       The young prince knew they were right, he knew that the only way they would make it out alive of this one was if they defeated Titan, and so Legosi knew that it was time for him to get serious or else they would all day. “Right no more screwing around,” Legosi growled as he felt rage and conviction fill him, he activated his armiger unleashed, and let the power of light, the magic of the Kings of Yore, the blood the Lucis run through him. Legosi saw Titan rearing his right arm back, hand clenched into a fist. Once again, Legosi parried the attack by launching all thirteen of the Royal Arms as homing missiles at Tian's fist, causing the Astral’s attack to lose momentum and let out a groan of pain.

Legosi then warped-strike to the sky as he tossed his Ultimate Blade towards the sky, he launched another attack towards Titan, sending a barrage of Royal Arms toward his face, however, Titan blocked the attack with his left hand, Legosi was forced to warp backward, as Titan attempted to catch him with his right hand, the poor wolf’s eyes widen as he warp out of the way of a mighty punch that bury itself in the rock wall. The Astral attack was not over as he removed his first, sending debris flying at Lugos, who had warped upward.d, Lugosi growled and snarled, Shielding himself with the Royal Arms and arms from the dust and shall rocks, while carefully warping away from the big ones. The young wolf had had enough of this crap.

“Time to end this, Titan!!” Legosi yelled loudly as he warped out of the way from a boulder Titan had thrown at him, letting out a loud howl, the young prince launched barrages of phantom Royal Arms at Titan overwhelming the Astral as they exploded, with a mighty roar Legosi launched all thirteen of the Royal Arms just as Titan was getting ready to throw a fist, the attack landed on stopping the Astral fist and Legosi threw a firaga grenade at the Astral's face who groan loudly in pain.

Legosi barely managed to block a swipe from the back of Titan's left hand with the Shield of The Just Royal Arm crashing back into the ground, rolling into the others just as Titan stunt-falling to his knees, both giant arms in front of them.

“Legosi! Yo, ok!?” Bill asked him to help pick up Legosi from the ground as he groaned in pain from the rough landing.

“I'm fine, now’s our chance to hit him with everything you got!!” Legosi said and with those words being said they attacked Titan's arms.

          Melon, Legosi, Solani, and Durham slashed at his right arm, fis, tweaking the Astral as they finished their attack by throwing Firagaga grenades at the arm. Bill, Collot, Voss, and Miguno slashed at his left arm, while Jack and Cliff blasted him, the four of them finished their attack by throwing blizzard grenades at his left arm freezing it, a final hit from a thundga Cliff grenade from Cliff's grenade to launcher shattered the left arm causing the Astral to hit his head on the ground with a loud thud shaking the ground. Titan attempted one final attack with his right arm, but Legosi blocked and parried it with the Sword of the Mystic Royal Arm and stabbed Titan in the than, finally declaring his victory. The Astral has been bested and subdued, the group all healed themselves and celebrated now that the fight was over, as Lugosi let out a howl of victory with Umbra joining him.

(Final Fantasy XV Trial of Titan (Apocalysis Noctis) OST Ends)

“You are strong, your might has been acknowledged, the covenant to aid the young Lucis prince has been forged, my strength will aid you if you are to call me as thy enemy would know my earth-shattering might!!” With those final words, Titan started to glow and lift himself with his remaining arm shaking the ground, and with a mighty roar, the Astral disappeared to the realm of the Beyond, where it would heal and nurse him with wounds and regrow his arm awaiting to aid Legosi and his party whenever they will need him.

“Man, I’m exhausted," Legosi said, popping his back and neck, letting out a relieved sigh.

“You're telling me’’ Melon said, dusting off the dirt of his favorite pink dress shirt. It's a good thing it was enchanted to get rid of the dirt easily with a good wash, soap, and detergent.

“That just leaves Garuda, Leviathan, and Ifrit,” Durham said, listing the remaining Astralgods that Legosi had to make a covenant with and prevent Deschio and his army from subjugating them on their side.

“Couldn't agree more, but first I believe we all earn some good rest, the Astrals would not allow themselves to be easily subjugated,” Solani said with a soft smile as she played with Umbra, causing the others to agree with her, they needed their rest and see how things were back in the Academy and in the Capital City, who knows what they were missing. All they knew was that luck was on their side, and they would prevail against Deschio’s twisted ambitions of world domination and genocide against hybrids and anyone who opposed him.

Chapter Text

           Around the same time when Legosi and the rest of the party were fighting Titan, back in the capital city of Cherryton, five of the lions from The King’s Pride, Free, Agata, Hino, Sony, and their boss Ibuki decided to investigate a junkyard where according to Carne the leader of the 500 corner rats had reported that one of his rats had seen the Bloody Eye do some weapon and bloodborne drug trade with two Madaragumi leopards. Their mission was to investigate if the junkyard contained any of these weapons, as both Beastars, Yafya, and Louis were not too thrilled about the idea of another massive attack in the city; they were still recovering and rebuilding from the invasion. Ibuki knew that they would have to be cautious as there was no telling if the enemy would ambush them but as he got closer he couldn’t help that it was too quiet, he wasn’t sure because it was due to being daylight and normally this types of deals and trades would happen at night, but considering the nature of the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak, one couldn’t be too sure, the invasion had given their fanatic zealots a motivation boost. For Ibuki, that was dangerous as the grunts, the lower division, had boldly disrupted numerous turf wars and operations in the Black-Market before.

“Everyone be on guard, remember who we are dealing with,” Ibuki said as they approached the gate, causing the others to nod at his words of caution.

“Always the cautious one, huh, Ibuki? I don’t know what I would do without you.” Free joked as he and Hino opened the uncomfortably loud door that sure would take the element of surprise away from them, oh well, they would have to deal with the consequences later.

“Don’t think so lowly of yourself, Free, if anything ever happened to me, you’d be the first one I would trust to lead the rest of the guys,” Ibuki said with a low chuckle.

“Please don’t joke like that, Ibuki,” Agata said with a level of emotion, as the thought of losing Ibuki would be like losing an older sibling that he never had.

“Sorry, it wasn’t my intention to ruin the mood, let’s just focus on the mission,” Ibuki said, giving Agata an apologetic warm smile,e causing the young congo lion to feel a lot better. this caused Sony to roll his eyes.

“Whatever, you won’t catch me moping my eyes out if any of you fucks were to kick the bucket,” Sony said in his usual dismissive tone, but they all could see through him, it was easy to tell when Sony was lying but like always they just let him be.

****

           Guns were drawn out as the lions started to investigate the junkyard, trying to find evidence from the Madaragumi and Bloody Eye business deal., Finding any evidence would be crucial in preventing any future attacks in an already stressful war. Mountains of old cards and scraps of metal could be hiding what they were looking for, the most likely place would be inside the cars as they all concluded that the random piles of junk would be an ill place to hide the enemies' stash, it would most likely get damaged and would take to much effort. Sweeping the whole junkyard would be near impossible but they weren’t about to leave just yet it was a shame they didn’t have any of the Moon Pack members with them, a canine nose would have made this easier, they all jumped as they heard Free cried out in pain only to see him holding his dick and annoyed Hino.

“What did he do this time?” Sonny let out an annoyed sigh as he saw a quivering Free meowing on the ground, already knowing the answer to the white lion's reason for hitting the crazy lion below the belt ,but seeing Free in pain did bring some amusement to him.

“What didn’t he do? Oh, right. He can’t keep his hands to himself.” Hino said with a huff as he had warned Free several times that if he ever groped him or slapped his butt he would knee him on the dick for keep being a pig.

“One of these days...I’m going to make you…you see.” Free said as he groaned out his words, while Hino could huff at those words, and part of him hated to admit but this part of him found the Asiastic lion attractive and wouldn’t mind dating him or sleeping with him if he wasn’t such a perverted pig.

“Can you two focus on the mission? We have no time to be fooling around, the longer we stay here, the more likely it is for the enemy to know we are here.” Legosi said, sighing, causing the others to look away in a huff.

“Well, we still haven’t searched that garage over there. It might be worth a shot,” Agata said, pointing at the large garage, and they all moved their gaze toward it.

“The kid has a good point,” Free said as he got up with a groan, finally feeling the pain fade away from his groin.

“Don’t call me a kid, you know I hate being called that,” Agata scoffed at the word kid, just because he was the youngest of the King’s Pride, or as Free and Miguel liked to tease him, the baby of their pride. He was twenty-six years old for crying out loud!

“Alright then let’s go look at it, and be quick about it,” Ibuki said with a tone of approval, the party began to head towards the garage, unknown another one of the Bloody Eye’s fly drones was sending back live feed to the lone guard inside the garage, observing the monitors on the screen the guard let out a growl at seeing the intruders heading his way. Shooting up from his chair,ir the guard was ready to deal with the pesky lions responsible for betraying Jason, and the Bloody Eye.

****

          The five lions stopped in their tracks as the garage doors opened. They saw a lion around his late forties wearing the special ops body armor of the Bloody Eye; two ribbons with the Bloody Eye logo were wrapped around both of the lion’s arms. The King’s Pride could feel the murderous bloodthirsty aura radiating from the opposing lion in front of them, their sixth sense was going haywire with their tails swaying relentlessly due to their instincts being on high alert, in front of them, as another carnivore, a predator that saw them as nothing but prey.

“This is as far as you go, as a fellow King of the Beast, and large feline, I would turn around if I were you, but unfortunately for you, blasted traitors, that’s not an option.” The enemy lion said as he took a flask containing Bloodborne, popped it open, and drank the drug. The lion felt a rush and growl as his strength and senses were enhanced, and he branded his two machetes, igniting them on fire.

(Final Fantasy 7 Remake - Ghoul/Azu/Levithan OST Starts)

“Hear me, King’s Pride!!! I would show you what it truly means to be King of the Beasts!!! For I am an Elite Commander of the Bloody Eye Special Ops Forces!!! Death to all those who serve the Luci's bloodline!!!” The enemy lion said as he slashed at the air and stabbed it in a way to intimidate them, but they could only scoff at the lion in front of them.

“I’y getting sick at hearing this whole King of the Beasts, lion pride bullshit!! Get ready for battle and take him out!!” Ibuki snarled at hearing those words as he summoned his Amenohabkire Katana, and with those words being said, the rest of the King’s Pride roared as they charged at the enemy, who roared back at them, as they engaged in battle.

        Free and Hino jumped and ducked over two waves of fire that were sent in their direction, returning two shots in return to the armored lion who grunted from the impact on his armor, the enemy lion was about to retaliate by sending more waves of fire, only to be sucker punch in the jaw as Agata-warp strike, the lion snarl and swung his right blade. Agata managed to dodge to the left from an attack from the right arm machete and parry a stabbing attack from the left machete with his parrying dagger. Agata kicked the lion hard in the stomach, causing it to stumble and fall backwards. Sony immediately opened fire but the enemy lion rolled out of the bullet path and sprinted back to his feet, Ibuki tried to get the jump on him with a warp-strike but the enemy lion managed to hear him and turn around blocking the attack with both of his machetes the attack would have split his head down the middle.

“I read your record, you know!? Back when you bastard was still under our heel, Ibuki Savanna, the poor Masai lion cub that his parents sold to the hyper drug business, only to escape and join the Shishigumi at the age of eighteen after surviving in the Black Market!!” The enemy lion snarled viciously in a power struggle with Ibuki, and the two of them broke free of their stalemate. Ibuki held his stomach in pain after getting a painful kick.

“You could have been Kings of the Beasts if you didn’t betray Deshico and Jason, you could have sought glory in the Bloody Eye!!” The enemy lion said with nothing but hatred at Ibuki as the rest of the lions rushed to the side of Ibuki.

“Fuck you! You were going to throw us under the bus, regardless of our loyalty!!” Hino scoffed at the words of that enemy lion in front of them.

“Your killers!! Useless thugs!! You will never be anything but killers and fuck-ups!! Just like the damn venomous lizards and those damn foxes!!” The enemy lion snarled and sent an x-wave of fire at them, causing them to roll out of the way from getting burned alive.

“Not anymore, and neither the Dragon’s Kitsune!! We have been given the chance to be more than gumis and murderers, unlike you, warmongers and zealots, pureblooded fanatics!!” Agata yelled in anger as he fired at the li, on rolled out of the way from a fiery wave sent in his direction, exploding on a pile of worn-out, beaten cars behind him.

Once again, Free and Hino attempted to warp strike,ike only for the enemy lion to let out a roar, releasing a heat wave and causing them to flinch from the heat as the strong hot wind sent them crashing into the ground and groaning in pain. Sony, upon seeing this warrior in front of the enemy lion, was taken by surprise and blasted him point-blank, causing him to groan in pain, feeling the impact of the bullet and roar in pain, bringing his machetes down just in time for Sony to move out of the way. The enemy lion snarled in frustration and was about to send more fiery waves at the sunglasses-wearing lion, only for him to feel a sharp pain in the shoulder, followed by a familiar warping sound.

“Stab!” Free said as he stabbed the enemy lion in the left shoulder backplate, the lion grunted in pain as hte felt the first inches of the blade pierce his skin and bone. The armor was the only thing keeping it from going any further. With a vicious snarl, the enemy lion retaliated by slashing at his right arm. Free grunted in pain as the blade tore through his suit and flesh, and just as the enemy lion was about to stab him with his right machete. Only for Hino to warp-strike the enemy lion in the gut with his Brionac spear the enemy lion strumbled backward feeling the pain from the impact and ice magic that nearly shattered the lower part of his armor, the lion coughed up from the brutal impact, only to be met with a familiar lion, as Ibuki warp-strike him with a kicked out the face cracking the visor of his helmet causing the hud to flicker, as the impact sends the lion stumbling backward dropping his machetes and removing the helmet in frustration. The other lions took this opportunity to heal themselves with potions.

“No! I refuse to be bested by lions who have abandoned the King of the Beasts!” The enemy lion snarled in pure disgust at losing to this so-called lion.

“There’s more to a lion’s pride than the King of the Beasts’ image! We refuse to be tied down to an image that’s been twisted and corrupted by lions like Jason, Nikolai, and even you!” Ibuki said, pointing his sword at the enemy lion, which enraged him further as his armor started to glow a reddish, fiery orange.

        What happened next took the King’s Pride off guard, as the lion roared his armor was lit ablaze and shot flames from his armored glaves causing them to move out of the way, of course, it had to be the same type of armor model from their previous battle with that vulture name, Sulfur, this was bad as they needed to end this lion before he burned the entire junkyard to the ground. Fortunately for them, they knew how to deal with such a foe; they were going to extinguish his flames and make him pay.

“I’LL BURN YOU ALL TO A CRISP!!” The enemy lion roared in extreme hatred and rage, as he began to throw fireball after fireball exploding and destroying cars, forcing the King’s Pride to keep moving behind cars and heal themselves with elixirs whenever they were hit by debris or felt the heat of the flames exploding nearby, good thing their clothes were enhanced to resist elegancy magic, from thunder, ice and fire but that did little to numb the pain.

“We need to take him down now before we become fried lion!!” Sony yelled as he attempted to shoot at the lion's eyes with his gun, but had to move out of the way as the enemy lion slashed the air with his claws sending small waves of fire and causing Sony to take cover again and see how the fiery waves destroyed a wall of tear down cars. Leaving claw marks and burning metal, yeah, definitely don’t want to get hit with that.

“Couldn’t agree more!! Everyone, get ready, we're going to hit him with everything we got, Agata, Sony, you're with me!! Free, Hino! Get ready to blast him full of lead in my command! Let’s this teach asshole why was the King’s Pride and not the Shishigumi anymore!” Ibuki yelled over the sound of exploding fire and metal. The rest of them nodded their heads and gave cheers of approval as they were determined to survive this and finish the mission.

      Ibuki, Sony, and Agata leap over their cover and immediately sprinted toward the enemy lion dodging fireballs and waves of fire, letting out a vicious snarl the enemy reached for his back where Free’s Cassandra’s dagger was buried on his left shoulder plate and threw it at Ibuki only for to swat it away his katana. The enemy lion growled and sprinted for one of his machetes as Ibuki warped to cut the distance and the two engaged in vicious melee combat, as they blocked, parried, or dodged each other’s blades, claws, and bites from their jaws.  Ibuki got clawed in the chest, but retaliated by elbowing the enemy lion in the chin. In return, the snarling lion stabbed Ibuki in his left leg, causing Ibuki to raor in pain and headbutt the lion by grabbing his mane and slashing across the torso, the armor protecting the enemy from a lethal blow, and before he could kill, Ibuki was Ibuki by a blast of fire.

Sony came from the top with a High Jump, having jumped from a tower of old rusted cars, impacting the ground with his Obelisk spear, electrifying the enemy lion. Agatblind strikes him as he warp-strikes, hitting him twice with his Suiton Shuriken, becoming one of his favorite weapons as he still needed time to master how to properly use it in combat. But it was what they needed, as the elemental weapon damaged the armor. Agata warped again and slammed his fist into the ground, casting Blizzara thanks to his weapon giving him the ability to do so, causing the lion to groan from the ice and snow as the flames weakened.

“Now!!” Ibuki cried out as Fino and Hino warped, Hino at the right side and Free im the left side of the enemy lion with two smirks before he could react they blasted him with a volley of ice bullets from their duo coytus guns, the ice bullets weakening the armor further extinguishing the fire and as they unloaded their ammo on him and with four final precision shots they shattered the chest piece and back piece of his armor.

“NO!! I WON’T ALLOW IT!! I’M A KING OF THE BEAST LION! YOU'RE NOT!!” The enemy unleashed another heatwave but this time followed by electricity shocking Hino and Free and sending them flying a few feet, a fatal mistake as the enemy lion felt his energy drain away as well as the suit the last thing he heard was a warping sound and roar had him turned around, he didn’t get time to curse anyone out as Ibuki decapitated him, achieving their victory.

(Final Fantasy 7 Remake - Ghoul/Azu/Levithan OST Ends)

        The enemy lion slumped to it’s knees now and fell flat on the ground, its head missing from its body as it rolled bounced, and rolled to a complete stop, Ibuki’s katan stained red dripping with blood a cold expression of a seasoned hardened veteran before he flicked the blood off and sheath his katana. “A lion’s pride is more than just being King of the Beasts, it’s about looking out for the pride and not betraying what makes someone a lion, something that Nikolai, our previous chief threw away when he joined Jason, a lion that would have seen us nothing as expandable, all to fulfill his ego and please Deshcio twisted version of the world,” Ibuki said towards the corpse of the enemy lion as and he and the rest of his comrades healed each other with their remaining Hi-Potions.

“The Shishigumi is dead, and so is their ideology. The King’s Pride was born because we were shown mercy and as a way to redeem ourselves to atone for our sins and provide a new light for lions everywhere, one that hasn’t shine for a long time.” There was a level of emotional pain in Ibuki as the weight of the memory of him killing his fellow lions that night, they decided that they wanted out and escape the pain and toxicity of what the Shishigumi had become under the joint alliance of the Bloody Eye. He glanced at the others and could manage to see their concern for Ibuki and their sorrow as well as taking the life of another lion, even if he was their enemy.

For Ibuki, the pain was a reminder that the twelve of them had made the right choice, for they were the ones to notice the changes in Nikolai’s behavior. Hino, being a bright, albino white lion, always lived in constant fear and would often tell them that he would have nightmares of the chief violating him and devouring him and that’s why he always worked hard because he was afraid. Ibuki couldn’t blame him for that; he always had a gut-wrenching feelings about their previous chief's change in behavior, and it only got worse when Jason and the Bloody Eye joined the picture. The other lions had quickly adapted to their barbaric and grotesque practices that made their previous practices seem like child’s play. Jenga was the first one to convert, and when Ibuki asked Sony how he felt the day he coldly executed Jenga in front of Legosi and his comrade, all Sony had to say was this.

“Never felt better in my life, I might be a bastard and not be a big fan of canines, but Jenga…He…he’s a different story, you saw what he did to those dogs who refused to pay payment and that was enough to make me sick. Besides better to serve under a canine than end up being backstabbed for a lesser feline, like Deschio.”

Ibuki couldn’t even argue with that response; he had to make sure Agata didn’t see what Jenga had done to the canines. He was still young and getting used to the criminal life, and Ibuki didn’t want to expose him to what Jenga had done. That maniac had mutilated the canines' privates, gouged their eyes out, and ripped their jaws off when they were still alive, so that even the most violent of the twelve of them became disgusted at the low-ranking lion.

“We bury him later, we need to finish the mission then we get the hell out of here,” Ibuki stated with a sigh, as it was the least they could do to another lion that had betrayed the image of lions and sold out to a dangerous ideology that only brought pain and misery and so with that, they headed to the garage, that the enemy lion was guarding with his life. Their sixth senses tell them that they are about to stumble upon what they were looking for and claim another victory in this war that Deshcio had started. One that Legosi Ardyn Lucis Caelum, the young prince, and his family were fighting, the young wolf had granted them mercy and to become more than gumis.

****

         It was safe to say that the King’s Pride hit the jackpot as they stumbled upon plenty of filled with weapons, ammunition, explosives, equipment, and disturbingly plenty of bloodborne and VOID canisters containing the two notorious vile drugs. So it was no surprise that they immediately contacted Yafya and Louis, and in a short span of thirty minutes, a team of Cherrtyon Special Forces was dispatched to help them clean the garage and destroy the equipment. However, the real kicker was the discovery of the documents of the seller, something that took Yafya and the lions off guard, confusing Louis, as they saw their expression hardened in a very serious manner. This was a big deal and a huge advantage for them. Yafya feared to imagine the destruction and carnage that would occur based on the number of explosives inside the crates and weapons meant to fire darts filled with Bloodbone and VOID drug. That terrified him to the core of his heart, as he had no idea if there were large stashes like this ready to be used by the city and its citizens.

“Looks like Ruby Eye Rogan has found himself a gold mine of a client,” Sony scoffed as he thought of the avian making out with a pile of cash.

“Who’s Ruby Eye Rogan?” Louis asked in a confused tone, as the name seemed to cause the aura of the lions to darken and their eyes to change to ones of steel.

Yafya let out a sigh as he knew that as a young Beastar, Louis would need to learn the type of criminals and beasts he would be assigned to take to justice, and so he told him.

“Ruby Eye Rogan is a notorious crime lord, turns out he’s also the confirmed manufacturer of the Bloodbone and VOID drugs,” Yafya said with a distasteful, angry tone. This took Louis by surprise as it was a massive lead of one of Deshico's alliances and strongholds of weaponry.

“Bastard only makes deals when it benefits him, it seems that Deshico took a special interest in him no wonder why the Bloodbone and VOID drug flocked to that little shit, knowing that the avian that placed them on the map would make them put their differences aside. Of course, they never knew that they were fighting each other for nothing before their alliance. We had the displeasure of meeting Rogan back when we were the Shishigum., Turns out he’s a coward who had others do his dirty work for him, barely showing his beak around.” Ibuki also said in anasarcasticl angry tone.

“That aside, you lions did a good job today and earned a victory that prevented another vicious attack in the city, you should be proud of your work,” Yafya said softly to Ibuki, Sony, Agata, Free, and Hino they all smile in return for the praise with their tails happily swaying for the young deer Beastar he thought it was kinda cute. He was going to tell Legosi and Haru.

Chapter Text

       It was safe to say that when Legosi and the rest of the party arrived back in Cherryton, they weren’t expecting to be greeted by the smell of a delicious dinner being cooked by both Riz and Te, or in Legosi’s case, be hugged by both his mates. Upon this contact, the Legosi immediately showered both Louis and Haru affectionately. At the same time, some of the Drama Club herbivores would see in fascination how Tem, a herbivore, cooked meat and not feel nauseous or seem bothered by the fact that the beef he was cooking was once a living herbivore. Tem and Riz saw their reactions and silently agreed to share their upbringing and family dynamics.

“I know it seems unnerving for a herbivore to cook other herbivores, but I think it's a disservice to the carnivores if we don't overcome our instincts and our fear of death,” Tem said in a calm voice, yet his voice still carried kindness and joy.

“My birth parents were born in Valkyr, Herja, of the Nfleihm Empire, where most of the population were carnivores that would keep us herbivores safe; however, civil war broke out when some rich herbivores and carnivores tried to assassinate Emperor Charles Aldercapt Antiqum, one of Emperor Brandon’s ancestors. They wanted him to annex the Republic of Accordo, but he kept refusing, stating that the empire didn’t need to expand any further and doing so would result in war.” Tem said as he ensured the meat wasn’t burning, moving the spatula and stringing the beef through the oil.

“The war forced the two of them to move to Lucis, where my older brother Winston and little sister Delilah would grow up, Lucis, where I met Riz and Legosi and the rest of the guys. Sadly, it’s just me and my siblings now since our parents were old when they had us. Riz's parents took us in, there is not a single moment where I miss her gentle singing.” Tem said as he placed a gentle hand on Riz's arm, who smiled warmly at Tem.

“She was a good mother, Riz,” Tem said, remembering how kind she was to him and her siblings.

“Yeah, she was.” The young brown bear said as he remembered how hard her dead had his father,r and Riz did everything to support him, she had died of Lekumia.

“What was her name?” Els asked in a cute, innocent, curious tone.

“Ursa, her name was Ursa.” Riz said as he gently cut the vegetables to perfection, showing how his massive claws and hands were more than just deadly weapons, just like how Lugosi's claws and size can be easily mistaken for a vicious monster, but he was the opposite of that.

****

         Once the food was ready, Legosi and the Drama Club sat around the tables they had set up around the practice room, enjoying the meal that Riz and Tem had prepared for th. Legosi, M, and the rest of the party told them about their recent battles with Ponzu and Titan. Melon had dropped the bombshell of information that Miso, leader of the Madarugmi, was his half-brother with a bitter,r solemn tone however he refused to elaborate any further, Legosi was thankful that the drama club chose to respect his boundaries as he chewed on the rice, and meat from his rice teriyaki rice bowl. Durham complimented both Riz and Tem on their cooking skills, causing them to hum happily with bright smiles. It was a nice moment of a small celebration that Legosi was fond of and filled his heart with nothing but joy, causing his tail to give a little wag. Their little celebration dinner was a perfect example of how herbivores and carnivores can coexist and understand their basic biological needs, as there were both vegetables and meat on the table of their rice bowls. 

“It was amazing!! It was the coolest thing ever!! Legosi gave it his all to bring down Titan! Look, I even took pictures!” Jack exclaimed in a cheerful tone, his tail wagging behind him, as he pulled out his camera passing it around, truth be told the labrador took pictures of Legosi in their epic battle with Miso and Tian, they were impressed at how the labrador managed to take clear pictures of the middle of their battle, Jack responded that it was probably inherited from his ancestor Prompto.

“It was a team effort, we all gave it our all,” Legosi said with a dismissive wave, as he took a sip of his soda, enjoying its rich flavor.

The rest of the conversation is carried out with the Dram Club telling them what they have been up to in their absence, it even gets to a playful argument between Bill and Jack about who was the most stubborn in their relationship. Their playful back and forth came to an end with Durham telling them that they were both equally as stubborn, and it was a miracle that they hadn’t broken up; their love was just as strong as their resolve. Louis also keeps his promise about how Yaya’s praise of the lions had made their tails sway happily, and that they were just a bunch of grown-up kittens.

“You should have taken pictures,” Haru said with a hint of amusement as she took a big bite out of her steam-cooked cheesy potatoes. It was strange but interesting to see a bunny of her size eat large portions of food.

“I would have loved to see that,” Legos said with a chuckle as he could only imagine some of the lions being embarrassed or trying to get back in their tough guy act like Sony. Their celebration continued with fun chatter and ended up with some delicious desserts.

****

          Gon and Mog were sitting at one of the cafeteria tables, enjoying a nice sandwich in the teachers' lounge. It was just the two of them, and Gon couldn’t help but feel pain at seeing his childhood friend walk with a limp and a cane.. The damage to his leg was far worse than they had thought when they brought him in. Gon couldn't help but feel awful about himself as he found it disgusting that part of him wished Mog hadn’t intervened and saved that hybrid family. What if Mog had been killed? What if his actions had resulted in vain and did not change the outcome? Gon wanted to throw up. He shouldn’t have been thinking like that, he had always supported interspecies couples and here he was being a selfish bastard because he was afraid, afraid of giving up, fearful of losing his best friend, he was a weak and pathetic tiger that should have died on the invasion instead of Oguma and Reyes. Gon’s self-loathing came to a halt as he heard Mog’s voice.

“Okay, what’s up with you? You have been acting like a real downer.” Mog said with an annoyed tone as he let out a sigh at seeing the tiger’s shocked, gloomy expression.

“It’s nothing,” Gon said as he took a bite out of his sandwich, but the beaver was not above dropping the conversation as he scoffed at the tiger.

“That’s bullshit and you know it,” Mog said in an accusatory tone, he didn’t mean to say that way, but the tiger's change of behaivor was getting on his nerves.

“Mog, just drop it, please,” Gon said in a pleading tone, ears folded down, but that only angered the beaver some more as his mind went to a conclusion that he hated the most upon seeing Gon’s eyes, especially after what he did to save that family.

“Is this because of my limp!? Are you pitying me!? Just because I’m a small herbivore that could’ve gotten himself killed for doing the right thing!?” Mog yelled in a frustrated, angry tone, causing the tiger to flinch.

“No!! Mog, that’s not it! I swear!!” Gon exclaimed, feeling anguish at the thought of him being no different than those carnivores that could only pity herbivores, yet he was doing the same thing, pitying Mog, because he was afraid of losing hi,m too.

“Then what is it if it's not a pity?” Mog asked in a harsh but hopeful pleading tone, looking at Gon for any form of hope of respect and admiration, just as he had seen in the tiger ever since they busted those carnivore bullies when they were kids. The same day Gon got his scar on his right eye and the poor beaver was so worried for him that the young tiger brushed it off, only for him to freak out at the realization nat how his parents would react to his scar.

“Mog…I…” Gon said in a meek tone, but he couldn't get the rest of the words out, and he hated himself for it, so much for being a proper tiger.

“That's what I thought, I should have known better that you would never see me as a cute little useless beaver. To think I used to look up to you.” Mog said looking away from Gone gaze with a sniffle and some tears streaming down his eyes, Gon was trying his hardest not to break down into a sobbing mess as he might as well doom his friendship with Mog, and what the beaver said next finally broke the tiger.

“I should have died during the invasion.” Upon saying those words, Gon exploded as he slammed both his fists into the table, startling Mog.

“DON'T YOU FUCKING SAY THAT!! DON'T YOU EVER FUCKING SAY THAT!! YOU HEAR ME!?” Gon roared in anger with tears streaming down his face.

“WHY NOT!?” Mog screamed back at Gon, and that’s when Gon finally told him.

“BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO LOSE YOU TOO!!” Gon finally broke down into an ugly sobbing mess, taking the beaver off guard as he saw Gon wept in his arms.

“First, my wife, my daughter, and even my students? Then I almost lost my best friend. When will it end? I’m so tired of being afraid of losing those close to me.” Gon said in between sobs, and Mog finally understood why the poor tiger was in such a mood, so he stood up to comfort the tiger.

“Gon…I…I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.” Mog said as he rubbed circles on his back, his tone and voice one full of regret as he wept with the tiger, feeling like shit for lashing out at the poor tiger that had been through so much pain, his childhood friend.

The two of them managed to calm down and regain their composure in a matter of seconds and minutes and finished their sandwiches, chips, and drinks. However, Gon couldn’t help wanting to hear what happened to Mog in his own words, for this was something that the old tiger needed. So, without wasting time, Gon made the conscious choice of opening his mouth and hoping that this wasn’t a mistake.

“Were you afraid?” Gon asked in an uncertain tone, hating how he had phrased the question, but to his relief, Mog didn’t seem angry with him, but thoughtful.

“I was…I remember it as if it were yesterday,” Mog said, making eye contact with Gon. His mind went back to the day of the invasion.

Mog was fighting with every bit of his will to overcome his instincts as the sounds of gunfire and explosions rang out in the distance. He would never have imagined that a war would break out in his lifetime, and yet here he was trying to get to a shelter. Mog whimpered at the sight of the bodies that he stumbled on the streets, as they were littered with bullet holes or got caught in an explosion; regardless, he had to keep moving to avoid letting his instincts get the best of him and force him to freeze in place because of his fear. Why was this happening? Why now? What was even the goal of such violence? Mog rechecked his phone to make sure he was heading in the right direction to one of the underground shelter tunnels, and one of them was only a few blocks away. That relief felt short once he stumbled upon a corner and froze when he saw a Wolverine Bloody Eye soldier stop an interspecies family of skunks and raccoons in their tracks by firing near their feet, the children were hybrids due to the mixed features of their respective parents such as the color and pattern of the fur, body proportion, even facial structure.

“P-Please just let us go, you don’t have to do this!” Mog heard the father say as he shielded his family from the solid, er w ho only chuckled menacingly as he put away his rifle and pulled out a skinning knife, “Oh, I don’t think so, your fur would sell well for some nice cash, don’t even bother fighting back.” The wolverine soldier said with nothing but wicked delight as he drank his flask containing bloodbone, and already he could feel the effects. With a scream, he launched himself at the family, only to be pushed to the ground by Mog.

“Go get out of here!!” Mog said in a fearful voice as he saw the wolverine direct his rage at him and run at him pinning him to the car, trying to sink the knife into his heart, Mog fought with all his strength he could master, his heart beating rapidly at the adrenaline running through his veins, in a moment of desperation Mog maneuver the wolverine arm that pinning down and bit down as hard as he could, feeling flesh and muscle as well as the salty metallic flavor of blood.

The wolverine screamed in nothing but pure rage and agony at feeling those beaver teeth sink into him, and in a moment of rage, he kneeled, Mog in the stomach, causing his grip to loosen and tear free of those teeth, but not without missing some flesh and muscle. He growled in agony, causing him to drop the knife, but in rage, he clawed at Mog’s chest, causing the beaver to cry out in pain as he fell to the ground. Poor Mog could do nothing but fight back against the pain as tears formed in his eyes as he tried to claw away, only for the wolverine to claw his back, causing him to let out another cry of pain as the pain stopped him dead in his tracks.

“You fucking wood muncher!! Trying to fucking kill me!? Huh!?” The wolverine kicked Mog in the ribs, knocking the wind out of Mog and causing him to gasp as he swore he heard some of his ribs crack on impact from the heavy steel tool boots the wolverine wore. “Trying to be a carnivore!? You little shit!?” Another kick flipped Mog onto his back and the poor beaver was breathing heavily from burning from his body, only to let out a small pitiful cry of pain as the wolverine brutally stomped on his left leg twice, the only thing keeping Mog from passing out from the pain was the sheer spite of the monster tormenting him and of Gon, his childhood friend but the wolverine wasn’t done in his retaliation, as he went for his knife and stab Mog on his right shoulder twisting the blade to cause him to groan and gasp in pain, as he looked down at the beaver with nothing but hunger and rage. “You should have stayed out of this, you wood muncher? Too bad that’s all your kind is ever known for, I'm going to enjoy ripping out your throat and savoring your meat.” The wolverine mockingly said as he licked his chops.

However, upon hearing the words, something inside Mog snapped, and reaching inside his pocket he pulled out a lollipop and used the stick end of it to stab the wolverine in the eye causing him to gasp in surprise and pain, Mog took this opportunity to bite the throat out of the wolverine as he headed butted him and pulled him towards him. It was messy, as blood splashed on him, he had to spit out the meat in his mouth and with all his strength remaining Mog pushed the gagging and choking wolverine off him and the last thing he saw before passing out was the same family running towards him, who had hidden and seen the whole ordeal in fear.

Gon had tears streaming down his eyes as he let out a pitiful meowing sound as he went to hug the beaver, who looked shaken up, and also had tears streaming down his side. He didn’t want to let go of Mog, and yet part of him was proud of him for doing something so stupidly heroic, and another part was terrified of how he would have reacted if he had seen his childhood friend lying lifeless on the ground. If God had been there he would have torn that wolverine apart and made him suffer every moment of his miserable life, Gon knew that carnivores like himself could be monstrous and were just as bad as herbivores that knew nothing better to do than ruin the life of innocent carnivores by playing the victim card whenever they did the same as those carnivores. He didn’t know how could Gon still hang him after that, or be in the presence of another carnivore, he got his answer rather shortly.

“All I could think of was you, Gon. What would you have done? There wasn't a moment where I thought about our friendship and how devastating you would have been.” Mog said as Gon broke the hug, hand, and claws gently resting on one of his shoulders as he looked up at Gon with fondness and admiration, wiping his tears

“You did the right thing, I couldn’t be more proud of you little buddy,” Gon said as he ruffled Mog’s head fur causing the beaver to playful protest and swat his hands aside this caused Gon to let out a little chuckle.

“Want to go get some dessert?” Gon asked Mog with a small smile, Mog nodded in response.

****

              Later tonight, Rokume, Atari, Mugi, and Raike were enjoying a small break from their shift as their youngest recruits were taking over their shift to get an understanding of their surroundings, as part of an exercise assigned by Rokumem herself. All her life, she had been sure that others would hate seeing her in public because she was a hideous monster in their eyes, with no arms and legs, a slimy worm, but then she met Gon, who showed her to appreciate her body by standing up to her and calling others on their racism. Now she was here, hanging out with beasts that saw her for who she was and what she was, which made her happy, happy to have a sense of comradeship with them.

“You know what, guys? I enjoy working more as a guard than a model,” Mugi said as he smoked a cigarette, causing Raike to frown at the canine.

“Those are bad for your health,” Raike said, pointing toward the cigarette, causing Mugi to scoff at the avian with a huff of smoke as if he didn’t know.

“Says who? I have plenty of aggression in my system. Do you have any idea how many photo shoots I did for a bunch of perverted old men? Shit was exhausting it wouldn’t surprise me if they wanted to make love with me, seeing that I always looked like a cute girl. Besides, I can quit when I want to.” Mugi said with nothing but emphasis on how he felt about his old career.

“I can respect that, beasts are always so focused on their appearance for the sake of others.” Atari said, feeling self-conscious about his white fur and how some tigers and other beasts would always call him “bar code” whenever he accidentally got into an argument. Atari was always proud of his white fur and would dye it for the sake of others or act a certain way for the sake of entitled beasts and tigers.

“I can share that sentiment, there was not a moment when I tried not to let others get to me. It wasn’t easy, as there were moments that I wanted to lash out and hurt other animals because they hated me for what I was, even when minding my own business,” Rokume said in a somber, sad tone. This caused Atari to reach a gentle touch toward the rattlesnake, who looked at Atari’s gentle gaze toward her with a soft smile.

“They had no right to judge you like that, you’re a nice girl with her heart in the right place,” Atari said with a compassionate tone causing Rokume to let out a happy rattle from the praise, with that being said the four of them continue their friendly chatter until they decided that it was time to get back to work and let the young recruits get some rest. They were still students after all, and they needed to rest their bodies. It was also their responsibility as adults to ensure their safety, as those who had barely turned eighteen were still kids.

Chapter Text

         The next day came by fast. Legosi and the rest of the party still needed time to plan their next move, as there were three or two remaining Astrals to forge the covenant. The only problem was that it was impossible to determine what would happen next. Carne, Lupus, Yafya, and Vance had stated that he sea creatures hadn’t reported any signs of Leviathan yet, and the marine biologist and scientist hadn’t picked up any readings of unusual ocean activity. The same was true for Garuda, strong winds and storms would have given her away, and Legosi and Solani would have sensed her presence by now and observed the behavior of avians as it was said that avians had a strong connection with the skies and wind magic. Ifrit was more complicated, and to solidify this claim or lack of progress, they haven’t heard any news from Gentina/Shiva, they would have to be patient, but keep alert and plan their next move against Deshico.

However, that didn’t mean they could have some sort of fun, such as right now as some students along with the Drama Club were gathered around the school’s track from a safe distance as Legosi and Melon were about to spar in the middle of the grassy field track, with the 701 boys, Sam and Cliff betting gil on who would win this time. Before the invasion, Gon had hired some gardeners with the funds King Miaygi had sent him as a sign of support for this decision to quit the Council, the gardeners replaced the natural grass with an artificial one, as the school's track had also become a second sparring ground nowadays. Jack had also decided to post pictures of their battles online and some students were eager to see the two hybrids in action, thanks to some of their peer's persistence of how it was to see the prince in action ever since they saw him spar with Lupus the gambler, leader of the Moon Pack and it was safe to say that the two hybrids had just finished stretching, they were now already to spar against one another once again.

“I hope you're ready to lose this time, Legosi. This time I’m winning for sure,” Melon said with a teasing smirk as he adjusted his magitek gloves and made sure that the mini conductors were working properly for him to use magi,c nd to his satisfaction they were.

“Ha! In your dreams!” Legosi fired back with a teasing taunt as he summoned his Ultimate Blade from his Arminger, the engine letting out its signature roar, h. knew Melon wouldn’t hold back, and neither would he.

“Well, see about that,t Gosi!! Whoever loses buys a 20 gil meal!!” Melon yelled back towards Legosi as he reached for his gunblade, The Redeemer, lying comfortably in his holster.

“Deal!!” Legosi yelled back at Melon with enthusiasm, the two of them charged at each other with Melon blitzing at Legosi with his lighting magic and Legosi warp-striking both their blades clashed against each other creating a loud clang, and the students that hadn’t seen the two hybrids in action were about to be in for a show while the ones that had seen Legosi were giddy with excitement.

(Final Fantasy XV - Careening Into Danger OST Starts)

        Blades clash against each other as Legosi and Melon threaten to overwhelm each other, the violent clash had sparks flying from the impact of steel against steel, Legosi had the advantage of a long reach despite Melon almost being as tall as him however that didn’t mean Melon was an easy opponent his gun blade was like a dagger but still had enough length to qualify as a short sword. Legosi blinked and went for a claw swipe at Melon’s chest only for Melon to dodge by sliding backward, his right hand on fire as he unleashed a heatwave and fireball at Legosi, who blinked phasing through the attack but was forced to jump backward as Melon shot at his feet who then charge his Redeemer then launched another charge fireball at Legosi, who was forced to block with a flame shield only for him to stagger and cry out in surprise as the next attack to hit him was a charge arc ice wave from Melon's Redeemer, the ice wave exploding on impact as it the shield.

“So that’s how you want to play it!? Huh!?” Legosi yelled back with a playful scoff as he saw Melon with a cocky grin directed at him and he wasn’t just going to let him get away with that attack.

Legosi switched to the Star of the Rouge Royal Arm and threw it at Melon, who dodged it, but only to realize too late that Legosi had warped and struck him twice, causing him to stagger and stumble backward, with painful grunts. The young prince took this opportunity to try to hit him a third time but only for Melon to retaliate with an ice blast causing Legosi to shield himself to avoid getting blinded dropping his guard Melon went for a kick toward his stomach causing him to let out a loud oof and stumble back, and slash Legosi twice on the chest causing him to cry out in pain.

Melon was about to strike a third time with the cleaver part of his Redeemer as he split it apart, but only for Legosi to block the attack with the Sword of the Wonderer and strike back with a counter-slash attack, causing the older hybrid to cry out painfully in surprise. Legosi split the Sword of the Wonderer into its dagger mode with a taunting fanged grin. Melon gave out a little playful scoff toward the younger wolf.

“Tired already?” Legosi said in a playful taunting tone towards Melon, tail wagging behind him.

“No, I’m just getting started.” Melon shook his head, letting out a small chuckle in return.

Melon and Legosi charge at each other again as blades clash, threatening to overwhelm the other for the second time. Their audience could only be aware as they saw the two spar against each other, it was crystal clear that the two hybrids were skilled in close-range combat, the 701 boys, Sam, and Cliff were cheering them on. Melon twisted his body to avoid a jabbing attack from Legosi and swung with the cleaver part only for Legosi to lean backward, avoiding the attack, deflecting the knife part and attempted to strike at Melon’s chest with his left elbow only for Melon to block it with his forearm, leaving them in a power struggle of trying to push the other to the ground.

         The two of them broke free from their power struggle rather quickly as they pushed each other off of and jumped backward a few feet fet apart from each other. Legosi changed to the Bow of the Clever Royal Arm and fired at Melon from a distance, but Melon dodged each shot by side-stepping in small blitz dashes. The older hybrid counter-attacked with two shots from his Redeemer, forcing Legosi to blink phasing through the bullets aimed at his shoulders. Only for Melon to throw the cleaver part high in the air, as he splits the knife part of his Redeemer and tossed it into the air again, leaving him only with the gun part of his Redeemer, only in a split matter of seconds thanks to his lighting magic, he then shot at Legosi with a forced charge thundga shot as the young wolf blocked the attack with the Shield of The Just Royal Arm.

Melon then caught both the cleaver and knife part of his Redeemer, connecting back together, Legosi gave another playful scoff as he summoned his Ultimate Blade again, and warped towards the sky as he knew how to win this friendly spar but his plans were thwarted when Melon blasted himself to the sky by shooting the ground with a charge firaga-aeroga shot from his Redeemer. The two hybrids engage in aerial combat, trying to bring the other one down; the clashing of their blades was almost hard to track by the students below. Legosi air danced by warping trying to catch Melon off guard but he had several tricks up his sleeve as he also maneuvered himself in the sky by combining his wind and fire magic to create combustions in the air only for their aerial combat to come to an end and crush painfully to the ground as they had struck each other with lighting, getting back to their feet with groans and moans of pains, they both heal their new injuries with a Hi-Potion, leaving them only with one Elixir as part of their sparring rules.

“Well, it’s been fun, but it’s time to end this,” Melon said with a stern grin as he got up, still determined to win that 20-gil meal.

“Couldn't agree more,” Legosi said with the same determination, giving Melon a small smirk., he definitely was going to win that 20 gil meal.

With that being said Legosi and Melon activated their limit breaks, Melon’s Blade Dancer against Legosi’s Arminger Unleashed, the older hybrid immediately launched several elemancy waves at the young wolf who dodged out of the way with a backflip warp, Legosi, in return, launched all thirteen of the Royal Arms at Melon, who dodged by jumping backward, firing several ice bullets at Legosi, whose Royal Arms shielded him from the bullets and from taking damage. The young prince tried to knock out the owner by warp-striking with the Axe of the Conqueror Royal Arm only for Melon to slide back and engage Legosi in close melee combat again, Legosi was having a hard time keeping up with Melon’s speed as his lighting magic was giving him an advantage, Legosi blocked and parry a heavy slash attack from Melon hitting him all thirteen of the royal arms and activating his dynamic stance, he attacks Melon with spectral royal arms yet that only lasted for a while as Legosi warped towards the older hybrid who reacted in time by blocking and parrying, the younger hybrid’s attack and clawing him at his left arm. 

         For the fourth time, their blades were engaged in close melee combat however, they both knew they were running out of energy, their limit break was reaching its limit and there was a 20 gil meal on the line one of them would have to make a move sooner or later that would secure their victory, and one of them did. Melon saw an opening as he dodged Legosi's blade, elbowing him in the face with his right shoulder causing the young Price to let a painful yelp, the owner claimed his victory as he slashed at Legosi's chest his Redeemer infused with lighting stunt Legosi, a layer of thin ice forming in Melon's right hand as he clenched it into a fist delivering a devastating uppercut the ice shattering on impact as Legosi drops to the floor. Melon blitzed and pinned him down with his right foot on his chest, holding him at gunpoint, a satisfactory victory, a smug grin on his muzzle.

(Final Fantasy XV - Careening Into Danger OST Starts)

Legosi was dazed and groaning in pain from the punch he received and was about to get up, only to let out as Melon pinned him down, aiming his Redeemer at him, then he heard Melon declare his victory.

“Told you I was going to win this time,” Melon said with a cocky playful tone causing Legosi to roll his eyes.

“Fine, you win. It looks like I owe you a meal. Now help me get up. That last attack of yours was painful as hell,” Legosi said with a whine as he could feel the adrenaline wearing off.

“You're one to talk, I'm barely holding on as well, I feel like I'm about to pass out,” Melon said as he offered a hand to Legosi and helped him to his feet with a surprising amount of strength, the two of them then healed themselves with the Elixirs they had been saving. The sound of the cheering students greeted them as the Drama Club, the 701 boys, Sam, and Cliff made their way towards them with gushing, cheerful energy, and it was safe to say that some of the students who had never seen Legosi and Melon spar had taken videos and photos. Some of them had seen the 701 boys spar against each other, and that too was a different story of excitement to tell.

“Holy shit! That was insane, you two are on a completely different level!” Kai exclaimed as he was still processing everything in the spar they’d just witnessed, causing the others to murmur in agreement and share their thoughts on how Legosi and Melon were highly skilled combatants.

“Well, to be honest, Legosi is still a lot stronger than me, he’s part Komodo Dragon after all,” Melon said as he tapped the young prince’s arm with the back of his head, who quickly complimented the owner as he didn’t want him to downplay himself.

“Even so, you’re a lot faster and more agile than I; that’s something you should be proud of.” Legosi said with a soft smile and a kind tone toward Melon.“Besides, what’s important is how we use our own special kind of strength to protect the ones we love, right?” Legosi said as he took Louis and Haru’s small hands into his own, being extremely gentle not to scratch them with his claws.

“Of course, you were the one who helped me see that I didn’t need to try to upstage carnivores, I’m strong because I keep fighting and intend to seek ways of getting stronger, to be a Beastar for my prince and king even if I will never seek the natural strength you carnivores posses,” Louis said with a soft tiny smile as he looked at his wolf, his mate with admiration and fondness, then it was Haru’s turn to give her own two-cents to the conversation.

“I know that my size will always be a disadvantage, but I will keep using my knowledge of plant life in any way to help along the way. I want a future with Louis and you, Legosi. I want the three of us to be a family,”  Haru said as she gently rubbed her hands on the fur of her wolf's hand. Legosi’s tail wagged at the sight of it, his heart filled with joy.

“I hate to cut things short, but I’m starving already. Let’s go get some grub,” Bill said, catching the attention of others. Jack also voiced support for his boyfriend, who was hungry.

“Yeah, let’s all have a launch together!!” Jack said in his naturally cheerful tone, this caused the others also to state that their excitement of seeing the sparing match between Legosi and Melon had made them hungry, Legosi and Melon would also join them as their stomach let out a grumble, and with that being their que they all headed to the cafeteria where they would be joined by other students such as Mizuchi and her friends, Raul the lion and President of the Student Council President and his friend Azumo, the fruit bat. He and other bats who had been in favor of interspecies relationships and hybrid rights found a new admiration for Captain Vance Fabula of the Cherryton’s Elite Guard for helping Legosi and his friends, comrades, and allies fight against Deshcio's second in command, Thomas “Tom” Crest, ever. Vance had exposed Thomas’s crimes against pureblood and hybrid citizens years ago. Still, the greatest evil he had committed against his brethren was sending his men to leave them flightless by mutilating their wings for the rest of their lives. Azumo was glad that the monster was gone.

Chapter Text

(Kingdom Hearts 2.5 ReMIX - Organization XIII OST Starts)

        The night of Cherrtyton’s City, Blossom was quiet and peaceful so far as there were no signs of the Bloody Eye or Kopi Luwak showing any further attacks but in the junkyard where Ibuki, Sony, Free, and Agata had investigated and fought their battle against that Bloody Eye lion then had Yafya and Louis, inbuilding Cherryton Speical Forces had raided the place empty of their staches of weapons, explosives, and ammunition. It was safe to say that their enemies were not happy, and none were more infuriated than Miso himself, as he had grown impatient from the absence of calls or news from the Bloody Eye lion guarding the warehouse, so when he and his men went to investigate and discovered the grave. Miso immediately demanded a meeting with Nigel, Omar, Ruby Eye Rogan, and Bertram/Bahamut, the avian was not surprised by what had happened but the other ones were infuriated as Miso himself, who was glaring daggers at the security cameras that the fly drone had collected and his blood boiled even further upon seeing the damn lions, was this a joke? First that half-brother bastard of his and now the Shishigumi who was posing as the King’s Pride under that damn hybrid prince!? Was the universe mocking him and laughing at him!?

Letting out a growl and frustrated yell, Miso immediately began to trash the monitors and surveillance equipment with his scythe, only for Omar to roughly grab him and throw him towards some of the other leopards who caught him.

“The fuck do you think l, you are doing, you little shit!? Do you have any idea how expensive that equipment is!?” Omar growled viciously, towering over the leopards, but the leopards also growled back.

“I don’t give a shit! You promised us weapons, equipment, explosives, and ammunition that would level up and have us taking the city and the Black Market by storm! So where the fuck are they!?” Miso growled as he was itching to turn this polar bear into a rug for his bedroom.

“Damn cat! Have you forgotten your place already!?” Nigel snarled and growled at Miso, each word filled with vile, venomous contempt directed at a leopard who was nothing but a low-life gumi market trash.

“We had a deal, you damn mutt!! We support your cause as long as you arm us!! Why should we answer to a bunch of pathetic losers who can’t even do their job and deliver empty promises? Face it! Without our support, you’d be nothing!!” Ponzu snarled viciously towards the dingo with nothing but hostility, Things would have escalated between the two groups if it wasn’t for the voice of the civet from the drone speakers.

“ENOUGH!!” Deshcio’s voice boomed with authority, making everyone turn toward the drone and see the holographic projection of the civet’s sternn cold calculating look, trying to contain the rage inside that small body of his. Despite that, they knew better than to cross him because of his intelligence.

“From now on, you will answer and report to Rogan. I was a fool to trust the four of you. Consider my word final.” Deshcio said with a cold tone toward the four of them. However, this did not sit well with Miso and Nigel. Before they could proceed, Miso interrupted them as he directed his gaze to the red falcon, who had a ruby right eye as a replacement.

“Your orders remain the same. You stopped the young prince and the owner from contacting the Astrals do what you must do to ensure that they suffer my wrath.” Deshcio said with contained anger as he adjusted his position on the Lucian throne, a throne that he had taken by force and with great satisfaction of pride. With that, he cut off the holographic projection, leaving a strong tension in the air between them.

         Bertram/Bahumut could sense the tension between the three groups with great amusement as he had been watching from his own little corner, analyzing and listening to their petty squabble, only for their so-called lord and savior to hand over authority to Rogan, for he understood the problem of leadership between Miso and Nigel. The dingo was obsessed with his vengeance against the young Amicita tiger and for the so-called “Lord of the Castle” leopard that had personally seized control of the mansion of the Council’s President after he had devoured him. His desire to control the Black Market and slay his half-brother, Melon, and now Ibuki of The King’s Pride required the approval of Deshcio to land another full-scale attack on the city and invasion of the Black Market. Then there was Omar who had no ambitions but a strong persuade to please Deshico to satisfy his bloodlust and bigotry views, for Rogan only wished to align his own pockets with endless fortune not caring about the expense of innocent lives, a true grifter as Bertram/Bahamut knew that the red falcon truly didn’t believe in the pureblood supremacy. None of them were worthy of facing a hybrid in combat, no, that honor belonged to him and only him, as he respected their strength, even those he had slain by his hand. He will just have to bide his time and leave them to their fate so he can face Legosi, Melon, and Sam in combat, and only then would they prove their worth and reignite his spark. He couldn’t help but scoff at the odds in his favor, not even bothered that it gained the attention of the others.

“You got anything to say, Bertram?” Rogan said as he eyed the golden eagle, who had a neutral expression, as the others eyed him, then he responded to what was on his mind.

“No.” Bertram offered this response coldly and straightforwardly, never breaking eye contact with Rogan. The others could only glare at each other with distrust due to their unquenchable desire to please Deshico and sanction each other in authority, which could only be granted by Deshico and his funds, which allowed them to Armstrong themselves.

“Very well then,” the red falcon said as he turned his attention towards the mastiff, who had remained silent throughout the whole meeting. “Henrick, make sure that your team salvages what’s left of the surveillance equipment; we can’t afford to lose anything of value.” With those orders being said, the Madaragumi, The Bloody Eye, Kopi Luwak, the Bloodbone, and VOID gang meeting was dismissed, leaving only Bertram and Henrik alone in the garage to salvage the equipment that they could that was left behind, and pray it still functions after Miso’s outburst. 

“I heard what happened to your boy,” Bertram said out loud, causing the others to tense up as they saw the mastiff clench his fist and glare at the golden eagle.

       Henrick wasn’t sure if the avian was trying to get under his skin as he had little interaction with the supposed infamous “hybrid hunter” who seemed to only be interested in the money, just like Rogan. He hated the fact that the name of his son was forever registered in the K.I.A database. A Bloody Eye soldier, it was infuriating how his death, along with countless of their comrades, was used to further deliver Deshcio’s agenda of purification. Before he could respond to the golden eagle, he was cut off.

“Do not see me as your enemy, after all, wasn’t it Rogan that sent your boy to the slaughter?” Bertram/Bahaumut said with a straightforward tone towards the mastiff.

“I don’t see how this is any of your concern,” Henrick responded with a low growl, causing the others to stare worryingly at the standoff between the canine and the avian.

“We both know that you and your team plan to betray Deshico and the Bloody Eye, along with his circle of warmongers.” Bertram/Bahumut said as he closed his eyes, knowing that his words had made the others glare at him, even without his tone being condescending.

“If you think we're going to let you-” Morgolio said with a growl, but was interrupted mid-speech by the avian as he opened his eyes to make eye contact with him.

“Cease your hostility, Morgolio…I have no intention of interfering or stopping you from what you believe is right and wrong or risk worth losing; my only desire is to face the three hybrids, and maybe then I can find that spark once and for all.” Bertram/Bahumut interrupted the gorilla in the same calm voice with the same cold expression, his beak reaming blank from any emotion that could give them any advantage at intimidation for their chance at making him snap and getting the drop on him, Bertam knew he could easily take them on a fight, but he rather not as he had no quarter with them or any ill will.

“What are you playing at, Bertram? For someone who surely slaughters hybrids, you sure are fond of them,” Jeremy asked in a much calmer tone as he eyed the golden eagle, as Jeremy was working with the surveillance equipment.

Bertram in return responded with an amused scoff at the monitor lizard with a small smirk forming on his beak “Yes, there is no denying it I am rather fond of hybrids, I do believe they are vicious warriors at heart who had been both blessed and cursed rather their half of another carnivore or herbivore, but what about you? Your betrayal would make others think of the wrong idea.” Bertram/Bahumut counters their jab at his fondness for hybrids, causing Henrik to scoff at him as well, and Warren lets out an annoyed snort at the arrogance that oozes from his words.

“Do not label us to your kind Bertram, make no mistake we do not share the same love you do for those mixed “beasts.” We doing this for us and only us, not for your beloved hybrids that you worship.” Henrick's voice was cut and dry as much as his harsh tone, this let the golden eagle let out a hum and chirp of understanding.

“Very well, I should leave you to your business, but know this not as an ally or a friend but as someone who bears the same hatred for Rogan’s arrogance. Are you prepared to pay the price of betrayal? This is only a warning for the path you wish to take as traitors that the others migh not take too kindly to your desertion, I wish you the best of luck, you’re going to need it.” Bertram/Bahumut said in a rather neutral, cold tone, his voice and words being loud enough to the group, who only scoffed or sneered at him, and with nothing else to say, he took his leave as well.

“Rex dammit it all, I can’t stand that guy,” Warren said with a groan of irritation, as he rubbed the back of his neck and the worst of it all that they found infuriating. He was right in every aspect of their plan to betray Deshcio, Rogan reported straight to both Deshcio and Ivan. The scarred wolf would inform the civet in a heartbeat, and Rogan would have their heads for their betrayal. To the red falcon, any liability or lack of loyalty meant a loss of profit from Deshcio, and he was one to value money, value built on trust and business dealings.

      Another issue was Nigel and Omar, the two remaining High Commanders of the Bloody Eye, who still had the authority to report to Deshcio. They were more tolerant of Rogan as he was also one of their top suppliers of weapons and ammunition, and he was even on friendly terms with Iva, and there was no doubt that the wolf would give him the benefit of the doubt. Then there was the Madaragumi, which was another issue in itself. The leopards might use their betrayal to their advantage and gain more favor from Deshcio, leaving them at his mercy.. The situation became clearer for them; they would have to remain cautious. However, there was one idea that they could use in their favor. Henrick had heard that the lions had planned the kidnapping to lure Legosi and his comrades to their aid, plus Rogan had proposed the idea to Deshcio before, and the civet was open to ideas to weaken the resistance of the beasts that still refuse to acknowledge him as God of the new world.

Part of Henrik wasn’t sure if he could go throw it with the others, but in reality, would it matter after all the blood they spilled? Perhaps they were destined to share the fate of the others that had fallen by the young prince and his allies, for Henrik knew that it would be befitting for him, his wife, and son were gone, but what of his comrades? Morgoilo, Warren, Jeremy, etc, how their families will have no idea of their involvement in Deshcio’s crusade, all to eradicate the hybrids of the face of Eos? Henrick already knew the answer to this, and he was pretty sure the others knew., Even if the outcome was sour in taste, it was better than nothing at this point. Deshico had taken so much from them that, in the end, loyalty to him was nothing but a mere delusion of living a life of hatred and bigotry, only to die to further elaborate a cult that portrayed him as a false god.

(Kingdom Hearts 2.5 ReMIX - Organization XIII OST Ends)

Chapter Text

        When the morning came Jack didn’t expect what he was tasked to do, he wasn’t sure if he qualified to handle this sort of delicate manner, apparently the same German Shepard police officer that had warned them about Suflur’s attack in the park and one of the many beasts that helped guide civilians to the Cherryton underground shelter tunnels. Atari and Raike had caught him trying to commit suicide with a bag of onions after one of his colleagues had reported to Louis that he was acting rather strangely and suspiciously. Now, Jack knew that the instincts of dogs were almost non-existent and that they could become apathetic, but that was not fully true. Jack knew that the history of his family was something of a sensitive topic. Prompto Argentum, his ancestor, and the entire Argentum family tree knew that its origins belonged to none other than Verstael Besisthia, the Imperial Research Minister of The Great War between Lucis and Niflheim that lasted from February 24 to April M.E. 725. Jack had read the diary of his ancestor, Prompto Argentum, and how he expressed how even if he was a clone of  Verstael Besisthia, he had become his own person, and how he was grateful for everything in life as he would have just been another MT (Magitek Trooper) of the endless clones from Versatile own genetic material as part of the madness of his scientific experiments and obsession with the daemons.

In Jack’s eyes and thoughts, he could understand where the dogs from the Cherryton Carnivore-Herbivore war might feel about being engineers for war. His thoughts came to an end as he reached the door towards the poo’s rooftop, where he saw Atari and Raike standing over the German Shepard that was sitting down and leaning his back on the railings of the pool Jack noticed that Atari was holding the bag of onions. It was then that Jack announced himself to the three of them.

“Hey. How’s he holding up?” Jack asked them in his usual friendly manner, the other canine scoffed as he looked away from the Labrador, showing that he had a black eye. Jack noticed that the three of them had bruises on their faces.

“Had to wrestle the bag out of him and stop him from eating an onion, we managed to get him to calm down after our litte scuffle,” Atari said with a nonchalant shrug.

“Alright, I’ll take it from here,” Jack said with a nod of his head.

“Here’s all yours then,” Atari said as he went to pick the bag of onions that they had caught the Shepard with and thankfully stopped him from committing suicide even if they had to really on physical violence, but it was nothing they could handle, the two of them knew that their responsibility as security guards was more then ensuring order or not suspicious activity happened but to also protects those withing Cherryton Academy and it’s walls.

“Good luck, Kid. Raike said as he patted Jack’s shoulder. “We’ll be outside the door if anything happens,” Raike said as he patted Jack, giving him an encouraging smile, as he and Atari left the two alone on the rooftop.

(Final Fantasy XV: Episode Prompto - Home Sweet Home OST Starts)

         Jack sighed as he sat next to the German Shepard who remained silent still refusing to acknowledge the labrador, it took about a minute for Jack to find the proper words and he still wasn’t sure if he was the right beast for this job, maybe the other ones would have been better for the job. Well, maybe not his boyfriend Bill as much as Jack loved the Bengal tiger, he knew that he could be a little insensitive at times, and despite that, he had his heart in the right place. He was Lugosi's shield, and he protected all of them all the same. Regardless, the other ones had encouraged him to help a fellow canine in distress, something that he always felt that he was not good at, despite the others claiming otherwise, but here he was, and all he could do was just try his best.

“You’re name is Harvey, right? Some of your friends are worried about you, know?” Jack said as he gave a small comforting, worried smile toward the German Shepherd, who could only groan and answer back in a melancholy tone.

“They shouldn't…they would be better without me,” Harvey answered back in a voice filled with self-loathing bitterness.

“You don’t mean that,” Jack answered back in a rather mature way towards the older canine.

“Why do you even care? You don’t know what it feels like to fail at the one thing that you were programmed and engineered to do.” Harvey said with a frustrated sigh, his voice leaking nothing but raw emotion as he poured his heart out to the Labrador.

 “I ran away during the attack on the park where I should have stayed and helped the King’s Pride! During the invasion! I couldn’t do anything but see some of my colleagues get gunned down and cut down in front of me! What kind of Police Officer am I if I couldn’t save some of them!? I’m a goddamn failure!” Harvey's voice grew hoarse as he wiped some of the tears that formed around his eyes.

The young Labrador listened to each of the words with nothing but silence as he knew that it would be unwise for him to interrupt the ranting Shepard, and Jack was pretty sure that dogs hardly got emotional like this. Jack knew that dogs have a hard time displaying emotions due to their nature and lack of instincts compared to their fellow canines. He, along with Collot, can be considered one of the fortunate ones who were able to show some of their emotions and not lack any type of apathy, so that’s why he felt concern for the Shepard and, in a sense, understood his pain. Jack’s fear was not that different; he was also afraid of being useless and a liability, letting his friends and loved ones down. So he spoke in a stern tone, one that he rarely uses as a result of being hidden in his friendly carefree, energetic attitude“You’re wrong, I do understand, but not in the way you think,” Jack said in a stern tone, his voice dropped any sign of friendliness and rather adopted a hardened stern tone.

“Oh yeah, how so?” Harvey said with a snarky, defiant tone towards the labrador, who could only let out a sigh at the shepherd's response.

“I do understand because…” Jack took a deep breath. He was about to share one of the most sensitive subjects: the history of his ancestors and his bloodline. So Jack told him everything. He didn’t gloss over any details as he revealed everything to Harvey, everything he needed to know. This in turn caused the Shepard to let out a weak chuckle.

“You don’t say…talk about existential crisis,” Harvey said in a tone of disbelief as he was still processing the information that the labrador dumped on him, as he saw the labrador retriever in a new light.

“But he didn’t fall into despair and kept moving forward because he knew he had friends who cared about him, that he was more than a scientifically engineered product, he was him.” Jack smiled towards the Shepard, “You too can be your beast. Don’t let your nature or anyone tell you your purpose.” Jack finished with a light tap to Shepard's arm, who could only remain silent contemplating the labrador's words, for now, all he could say was.

“I think about it.” Harvey's response was quick, as he moved his now contemplating gaze toward somewhere else, not sure if his answer was satisfactory to the young canine. Regardless, he got his answer very soon.

“You know if it wasn’t for you, a lot of beasts in the park would have gotten hurt in the park, I also heard you helped beasts to safety during the invasion. You should be proud that you helped save lives, I’ll see you around.” Jack said with a smile as he stood up and looked down at the Shepard who could only look at him in surprise, with that Jack headed toward the door but stopped when the Shepard called to him again.

“Hey, kid!!” Harvey called out to Jack as Jack turned his head toward him

“Yeah?” Jack asked curiously, not knowing what the shepherd might say to him, but deep down 
Something told him that he was going to like the answer.
“Thanks…thanks for putting me with me.” Harvey’s voice was filled with emotion as he said those words, quivering and sounding hoarse, as his eyes grew misty.

Jack smiled in return “No problem” Jack said with a nonchalant tone that contained nothing but happiness and with that being done he exited through the door where he told Atari and Raike that Harvey would be okay, at least that’s what he hoped for, he wouldn’t mind having another conversation with him.

(Final Fantasy XV: Episode Prompto - Home Sweet Home OST Ends)

           A few days later Raike and Aoba had noticed or sensed that something was off about the weather and they weren’t the only ones as other avians had sensed or picked up sudden changes in the wind some were confused and others claimed it was a sign of the messenger of the wind, the lady of the wind, a sign that indicated the presence of Garuda, Goddess of Storms and Winds. However, that information could wait as something urgent had come up that needed their attention reports from Yafya & Louis had stated that some Park goers of Haven Park, the second park of the city next to Rex Park, the same park where they had hosted the meteor festival and battle Sulfur, had complained about a foul odor emerging from the large pond it was so foul that some even got sick from the smell alone, a team of police officers and park maintenance workers were sent to investigate but they never reported back. As a result, Haven Park was placed in lockdown and off-limits to civilians. Legosi and Melon, along with their friend, agreed to examine as Haven Park was close to Cherryton’s First National Hopsital, the largest hospital of the city, and also a perfect target for their enemies. Two lions of the King’s Pride, Dolph and Jinma, had decided to join them on this mission, and so the party was heading towards the park to see what was causing such a foul odor.

“So what do you think we're going to find?” Voss asked out loud as he rode on Collot’s shoulder

“I don’t know, probably a bunch of dead bodies, wouldn’t surprise me the one bit.” Jinma, who was walking next to them, stared in a disturbingly casual manner, earning looks from the others.

“What? I’m just saying, we used to be a gumi, you know?” Jinma said defensively, causing Dolph to roll his eyes at his fellow feline.

“I don’t think anyone would be that stupid to dump a bunch of corpses into a public space,” Dolph said as it was a matter of fact.

“Well let’s just hope that’s not the case,” Legosi said as it didn’t surprise how the lions would bring up such topics, after it’s just like Jinma said, The King’s Pride was once a gumi right before they pledge loyalty to Legosi after being spared and shown mercy for helping them save Haru and Louis.

“Yeah, but the difference is that you guys were organized, anyone can murder someone and find - ugh!” Melon didn’t get to finish as he and a few others covered their noses as they were hit by a foul stench, causing them to cover their noses.

“Augh, that stench! Where is it coming from!?” Miguno whined as they soon realized they were near the large pond, and with great reluctance, they all made their way toward it

“It’s even worse up close!” Bill said, unable to begin to imagine how Legosi, Sam, and Melon must be feeling. Being hybrids meant that their senses must be twice as active as the rest of them.

“Well whatever it is, it sure reeks!!” Legosi said as he then spotted something in the water, something that looked like a boot.

“Hey, I think I see something, it looks like-” Just as Legosi said those words, something large emerged from the water with a loud splash and growl, causing them to step back.

(Final Fantasy XV - Omnis Lacrima OST Starts)

“Bloody Hell!!” Jinma was surprised as he couldn’t believe his eyes.

“A Malboro!?” Collot asked in alarm as they stared at the massive plant-like blue monster that emerged from the pond, that even without eyes seemed to be staring at them.

“And not just any kind, but a Malbadoom!!” Durham said as he named the species of the Malbaro that had emerged from the water, a more dangerous variant and a tougher variant of their species.

“Well, at least we know what happened to those poor chumps,” Sam said as he eyed the Maldbadoom, followed by Jack's confirmation.

“Yeah, they got eaten alive, how did it get here!?” Jack said in a terrified manner as he couldn’t imagine the fear of those poor beasts that had gotten by the Malbadoom.

“We worry about that later. Until then, stay away from that thing's mouth. Its breath is enough to make anyone sick,” Cliff said as he started to load his grenade launcher. Just as he said that, the Maldbadoom took a deep breath, and Melon and Legosi yelled out to the others.

“Look out!!” They both yelled in synergy as they avoided a cloud of toxic breath that would surely leave them immobilized and cause the Maldbadoom to swallow them whole. So the battle began against the giant plant that rushed at them.

        The Malbadoom stabbed its tentacles into the ground making them pop out of the ground, Legosi slashed at one of the tentacles with his Flame Tongue sword, and Melon’s with his Redeemer infused with fire magic, only for them to hit in the stomach with one of the tentacles knocking the wind out of them and sending them a few feet flying. Jinma and Dolph rolled out of the way from the Malbadoom rushing at them with a powerful bite attack, only for them to slash at its side with their blades with a blindside-link attack as they dodged the attack, they went for a stabbing motion, but Malbadoom spun around, hitting them with its tentacles. Voss hit the back of the Maldbadoom with four warp strikes striking it at with his Crimson Flashes daggers and unleashing the forage spell, but this only pissed off the Malbadoom as it spun rapidly in the ground while hitting the whole group with its toxic breath causing them to cry out in pain from the smell and feel nauseous, luckily for them that attack also seemed to leave it tired for a brief moment, as they all immediately reached for their smelling salts and antidotes to get rid from the toxic odor and salvia.

“We can’t take another hit like that, we might not get lucky next time!!” Bill yelled as he got in front of Legosi with his Hero Shield blocking the toxic salvia from hitting him in the face.

“Jack! Let’s blast this thing into high heaven!” Cliff yelled towards the Labrador.

“Right!” Jack yelled back as both of them aimed but their eyes widened when the Malbadoom leaped into the air and attempted to chomp down on them only for them to move out of the way, they went to aim again but once again tentacles emerged from the ground causing them to move out the way and deal with them, Jack uses his Flame Gun to keep them at bay and Cliff use his Electric Baton. Only for one tentacle to hit Jack and send him flying, crashing into Bill, and for another to hit Cliff, sending him crashing into Dolph and Jinma, who were about to rush in and help them. The five of them cried out and grunted in pain.

“Alright, that does it!!” Collot yelled as he warp-strike the Malbadoom's right side with a blindside down slash with his Claymore greatsword, only for him to get hit with the Malbadoom’s front tentacle, sending him crashing into Melon and Legosi, the tree of them let a painful grunt.

           Sam, Miguno, and Durham rush in to attack as the Malbadoom stabs its tentacles in the ground the hybrid and hyena get stopped in their tracks as they slice and fend off the tentacles, Miguno using his Lion’s Roar technique to slice through some of them while Sam uses his magitek claws to delivery fiery slashes. Durham then used his High Jump technique to come crashing down and stab the Malbadoom with his Precision Lance only for it to roar in rage and begun flailing wildly, Bill decided to assist by throwing his Blade of Brennaere greatsword at it’s mouth, stabbing the Madlbadoom and burning it a little, this enraged the Maldbadoom further as it began to roll around causing Durham to lose his balance and fall of it as he rolled towards the others just in time to see the Madlbadoom bury itself into the ground.

“Where did it go!?” Jnma asked out in alarm, only for them to get their answers as Melon and Legosi picked up a sound coming from below them, causing Melon to yell out in alarm as he knew what was coming.

“Below us!!!” Melon yelled to the top of his lungs with wide frightened eyes, this caused the others to jump out of the way as the Madlbadoom emerged from the ground, but Legosi was not fast enough as he was launched into the air.

“Legosi!!!” The others cried out for him as they saw the Malbadoom open its mouth waiting for the wolf to fall prey to its teeth, but Legosi would not give it the satisfaction and so with an angry snarling growl, he decided that he had enough.

“You’re. Not. Going. To. Eat. ME!!!” Legosi said with a growl as he warped to adjust his position in the sky and hit the Malbadoom with a counterattack of fire magic, but he wasn't done yet, summoning the Blade of the Tall Royal Army, Legosi warp-strike the Malbadoom with a downward right vertical slash, the teeth of the blade ripped into the Malbadoom, leaving it in a vulnerable state as it roared in agony. Legosi then warped away, shouting towards Jack and Cliff.

“Jack! Cliff!! Blast it away!!” Legosi yelled as he looked at the labrador and pig who could only nod at the young prince’s order of action as they aimed with their respective weapons from Jack’s Alea Bazooka and the Fira flask grenade from Cliff’s Grenade launcher the combined explosion blew up up the Maldbadoom to bits as it let out dying roar as it perishes in the flames with a final roar, the battle was won and the party let out cheers at their victory against the Maldbadoom

(Final Fantasy XV - Omnis Lacrima OST Ends)

“Yeah, now that’s what I’m talking about!!” Bill said as he grabbed his boyfriend in a playful headlock, causing Jack to let out a whine of protest.

“How do you guys think it got here?” Voss asked as Collot picked him up and placed him on his right shoulder he along with the others wondered how in the world a Maldbadoom made it to the park and they couldn’t help to dread to imagine how many more innocent beasts wolf fall prey to the giant plant monster if they hadn’t agreed to this small quest.
“Hmm, I’m not sure but if I were to guess, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Bloody Eye or Kopi Luwak had something to do with this…especially since Haven Park is near Cherryton’s First National Hospital, I believe they were trying to clear the park out to raise Malboros and use them as weapons,” Durham said with a hand to his chin.

Dolph growled at that news. “Bastards…is there no limit to what they are willing to do?” The x-shaped scared lion voice was filled with anger and hatred towards the Kopi Luwak and the Kopi Luwak for their cruelty, which knew no bounds.

“Well, glad we took care of it, but what’s with this wind? It's messing up my mane!!” Jinma complained out loud, bringing the others back to the attention of how the weather had been acting strangely.

“It has been pretty windy these past few days,” Miguno pointed out, and before anyone could say anything else, the voice of Gentina/Shiva greeted their ears as they all turned their direction towards the disguised Astral.

“In the eye of the hurricane, the wind howls for the lady of the wind, a messenger of our kind awaits the young prince’s presence of tomorrow’s dawn to forge the covenant as she once did towards the King who banished the starscourge and daemons from thy world.” Gentina/Shiva said in her motherly voice as she stated their suspicions.

“It looks like the Avians were right in feeling something was off with the wind. It’s going to take a lot of work to ensure the safety of the locals,” Sam said, knowing how devastating hurricane storms could be.

“How many days do we have left?” Legosi asked the Astral as every bit of information was needed to ensure their preparation to prevent the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak from gaining any more advantages or hurting anyone during their preparation for the hurricane.

“In the sunrise of the fourth day, the Lady of the Wind would make her calling to forge the covenant.” Gentina/Shiva said as she gave them their answer, making them nod in agreement.

“Then we better get started, the sooner we get started, the better it would be for everyone,” Legosi said as he let the news sink, and with that Gentina/Shiva wished them luck as she gave them a soft motherly smile.

“May the winds be in your favor, young prince.” Gentina/Shiva gave Legosi her usual soft, motherly, warm smile as she disappeared again, leaving the others to think about their next course of action. Legosi then reached for his phone to inform both Yafya and Louis.

****

        In an abandoned apartment, Henrick was typing an anonymous tip to the sublime Beastar Yafya about their location and listing every detail of entry for a raid to apprehend Rogan dead or alive, as well as their plans to attempt to capture or eliminate Garuda. He and the others have ensured that Rogan never knew of this act of treason, encouraging the red falcon to go with his ambition of using biological warfare as a distraction, and as they watched the footage the fly spy drone had captured of the battle Legosi, his friends and allies took with the Malbadoom. If they were being honest with themselves, they were quite impressed by their combat skills and synergy as purebloods and hybrids fought side by side, something that they never truly believed could be possible. For them, hybrids were completely different from purebloods, and an anomaly of nature that defined the natural order, and yet Legosi, Melon, and Sam had proven to be more righteous than the, em for their plan had cost the lives of some innocent beasts doing their jobs.

“You think they catch up?” Warren asked out loud as he wondered if the young prince and his friends and allies would put the clues together on how the Malbadoom managed to be in the park in the first place.

“They will…it’s just a matter of time,” Henrick said as he sent the information towards Cherrryton’s Grand City Council, standing up from his chair he grabbed his water bottle and pour what remind of his water into the laptop and then stabbing it with his knife, just to make sure they would remain free from any suspicion if their cover was blown or if anyone outside of them would catch up to what their planning.

“Now we pray this works, because if it doesn’t, we're all dead men,” Henrick said loud enough for the others to hear and nodded in agreement at his words.

Chapter Text

(Final Fantasy XVI - Pursue the Murder OST Starts)

         Truth to Gentiana/Shiva's words, a strong hurricane was rampaging through Cherryton with most of the residents taking shelter in the tunnels, while others fortified their homes and businesses. The avians confirmed that this wind felt different and powerful, and that they could feel the presence of Garuda in the wind even more than the previous days; it was stronger. The Black Market also fortified and prepared for the hurricane as soon as they got the news from Legosi, Solani, Yafya, Lupus, Louis. It was surreal how much power the hurricane had in store as it tore through the capital city.

“The wind sure is picking up! Huh!?” Savon said out loud to Ten as they helped move and block the windows of a meat store.

“What do you expect!? These aren't your natural winds, they're from divinity itself!!” Ten said that as she helped her mate and boyfriend push the food cart, it was more efficient to work together than by themselves, while the others helped in any other way.

“Do you think the Bloody Eye would be this stupid to try anything in this weather!?” Azuki yelled towards her coms as she and Cosmo, along with Wedge and Biggs 

“There's no way! They seriously think they can take on a messenger from the Gods!?” Cosmo yelled in surprise to her friend upon hearing those words.

“If they were willing to launch a full-scale invasion before, it wouldn't surprise me at all, Lady C!” Biggs said as he handed a food crate to a family of bulls and horses.

“Couldn't have said it better myself, they are determined to win by any means!” Wedge said as he helped unload meat, fruits, and vegetables from the freezer of the food truck.

“Keep your guard up, we still can’t risk letting them get the drop on us, as if they decide to attack us!!” Ibuki said toward them through his coms as he and the rest of the King’s Pride, as well as a few of the Dragon’s Kitsune, kept an eye out for any sign of trouble.

“Ibuki is right, we can’t afford to let those bastards get the drop on us, these beasts are depending on us, I’ll be damned if I let them hurt anymore of my patients,” Gouhin said towards all of them through his coms as he read the reports of those who had been sent to his clinic due to minor injuries during the first hours of the hurricane.

        Meanwhile, the Cherryton Academy force field was still functioning, keeping the students and refugees inside safe as they saw the news, and listened to the radio or live-streams from those in the market, and those in the city. In the Gardening Club, Haru could pray that Legosi, Louis, and the others made it safely, as she knew that it was unavoidable for Louis to not get involved in such dangerous operations and learn how to conduct justice, she knew that both her mates could take care of themselves, yet it did help little to ease the worry for her red deer and wolf hybrid, then she heard Mizuchi’s voice.

“Hey…they are alright, have faith in them,” Mizuchi said, trying her best to lighten up the dwarf rabbit. It was surreal how they were tearing each other apart, from enemies to friends, funny how things worked out when traumatic events reunited people. 

Haru, in return, let out a sigh and gave her a weak smile. “I know…still there’s not a moment I dread the day they might not return,” Haru said as she wiped the moisture out of her eyes. She refused to break down.

“How about you help us understand how to brew potions, maybe that will keep your mind off things for a while?” Mizuchi said, offering her a small smile in return, hoping that her words would reach Haru, and thankfully they did.

“You’re right…Maybe I just need to distract myself.” Haru answered back towards the Harlequin rabbit with a tiny smile, but deep in her mind, she offered one last prayer, “Louis, Legosi, everyone, please make it back safely.” Love can be painful sometimes, knowing that feeling of dread at the thought of losing those you love can haunt you every moment, Haru would not give in to those feelings, not knowing and not ever, ever since she met Legosi she has never been more sure of herself, she wants to start a family with both him and Louis, her mates.

         Back in the city, the Bloody Eye, Kopi Luwak, and a few goons of the Bloodbone and VOID gun were heading towards the energy spike where Garuda was with Ruby Eye Rogan and his men monitoring the operation from their hideout. If they managed to capture or eliminate the Lady of the Wind, perhaps they could harness its power. The ambition was now a goal that would gain them more favor from Deschio and promote them all to a higher position, but Henrick and his friends could not help that this was not the case; the words of Bertram/Bahumut replayed in their minds.

In the other part of town at the Cherryton Police Academy, Aboa and his squad were at the armory gearing up for the raid they would be conducting on Ruby Eye Rogan and his men, and Aoboa should only think of one thing: “ This is happening, huh?” Today was the day they would finally put their training to the test and step into the danger zone of life and death, before he could go further into his mind as Micha approached him.

“Hey, you alright? The Mustang horse said towards the bald eagle, who could only let out a worried sigh.

“Yeah…just nervous,” Aoba responded honestly as he stared at the flame on his hand, thinking of what they were about to step in and knowing that they would take lives if they needed to, something no one their age should go through, however, Micah told he bald eagle what was on his mind.

“Hey, between you and us, I think everyone, including myself, is scared,” Micah said to Aboa as it was a matter of fact, Aboa raised an eyebrow as he didn’t doubt some of them but there was one that was a little bit too eager to spill blood and that someone was a certain menace of a feline.

“Even Grant?” Aoba said as he glanced at the fossa, who was checking his equipment with a big, fanged smile

Micah let out a chuckle.. “Yes, even Grant. Besides, I doubt Colonel Bronco would let us die on the first day; he’s joining in this raid after all.” As soon as Micah said those words, the bison, Louis, Yafya, Lupus, Solani, Legosi, Melon, including Kyuu and Dan along the rest of the party walked in for the quick mission briefing. After that was over, they were all outside the police academy doors, where they each wished each other farewell.

Louis went to kiss Legosi on the lips, which the wolf happily accepted with his tail wagging in content as he enjoyed the feeling of Louis's soft lips against his own. “Take care of yourself, okay?” Louis said sternly toward his wolf, to which he returned with a chuckle of his own.

“I could be saying the same to you,” Legosi said as he bopped Louis in the nose, causing him to scrunch his muzzle in annoyance. The wolf then turned his attention to the bald eagle as he walked towards them.

“Hey,” Aboa casually said to both Louis and Legosi as they were joined by Bill. I got to go; the others are waiting,” Aoboa said as he glanced at his comrades, including Colonel Bronco, who were waiting for him as they stood near the armored vehicles, watching the interaction with curiosity.

“Take care of yourself, Aoba, remember they're counting on you,” Legosi said, putting a shoulder on his friend's shoulder for comfort as he knew that from this moment the life of Aoboa would change as he was about to step into the role of a warrior as the moment he pulled the trigger his innocence would be gone, it made his heart ache. Yet despite that feeling of wary concern, he knew that the avian had his heart in the right place to help end this accursed war.

“I know. I’ll do my best to look after them,” Aboa said, offering a weak smile towards the tiger. The bald eagle appreciated the words from his friend and clubmate, but he wondered how the others were doing, as he knew they were worried sick for him when he insisted on enlisting.

“You’d better not be dying on us, you hear, birdbrain.” Bill playfully taunted his friend, who could only roll his eyes at the playful jab.

“Whatever you say, cat.” Aoba fired back playfully.

“Must be fun being a leader, huh, Aoba? Louis playfully teased the bald eagle, which could only let out a huff of air at those words.

“Now I know you feel sometimes,” Aoba said, recalling how the Drama Club would always get on poor Louis' nerves whenever they fooled around instead of doing rehearsals. The three of them laughed at those words, and with a triple hug as a reminder that they were still part of the club at heart, they finally bid their second farewells and went their separate ways toward their respective vehicles.

        At the same time, this was happening, the Bloody Eye, Kopi Luwak, including the few goons of the Bloodbone and VOID gang, were hoping for their vehicles, unloading the mechs from the transportation tracks and setting up the equipment to either neutralize or capture Garuda. Who could only watch in amusement as the Bloody Eye aimed their devices at her to bring her down? They would be in for a rough awakening, thinking they could hold her down. They were going to be in for a rude awakening as they had no idea of the sheer power that the messenger of the winds possessed. It was almost amusing seeing them so confident in their little toys. Garuda knew that it won’t be easy for them.

“Fire!” one of the Bloody Eye commanders yelled the order as the Bloody Eye magitek exosuits fired a barrage of missiles at Garuda, only for her to unleash a gust of wind, sending them back toward wiping out a few of them as they screamed and yelled from the shrapnel and being blown up. Even with that onslaught, the soldiers were once again getting in formation to attack Garuda once more. She welcomed them to try, for she was amused by their attempts to take her down.

****

        The armored truck came to a stop as the road was blocked by debris. Colonel Bronco, Aoboa, and the rest of his squad hopped off the vehicle and continued on their feet towards their destination. The weight of their equipment, along with the force of the wind, pushed them to their limit. If they were to guess correctly, they would assume that the wind was being harnessed by Garuda herself to empower herself against their enemies. The question was how in the world the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak planned to take a powerful divine being like Garuda? They could only hope that Legosi and the others made it in time to land aid for her in case the worst-case scenario occurred. Their train of thought was broken by Grant's whiny voice.

“Fucking Rex almighty! Running through this wind feels like fucking winter in the cold as day!” Grant complained out loud, only for Howard to respond to him with annoyance.

“If you think this bad, just wait until we start getting shot at!” Howard said, annoyed at the Fossa.

“I’m just saying, besides, I’m pretty sure th-” Grant tried to dense himself but was interrupted by a cry of alarm from Colonel Bronco.

“Watch out!!” Bronco yelled in alarm as their eyes widened at the billboard sign flying at them. They all quickly moved out of the way, with some running toward the sides while others either slid under it with perfect timing or rolled out of the way.

“Everyone alright!?” Aoboa shouted from his spot. Thankfully, he received words of confirmation from everyone as they all avoided getting hit by the giant billboard.

“Stay alarmed!! All of you! Things aren’t going to get any easier if you keep bickering among yourselves!” Bronco scolded them all with a harsh tone, some mumbling or muttering under their breath. Aobo let out a sigh, praying that they make it out alive of this whole fiasco.

Around the same time, Legosi and Melon’s party had also left behind their vehicles and continued on foot, as they pushed through the hurricane and made their way towards the sounds of battle, where Garuda was mostly fighting the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak. They needed to hurry if they wanted to stop them from fulfilling their goal of harnessing the power of divinity, because if they brought her down, they would without a doubt seek other methods to take down Gentina/Shiva, Titan, Ifrit, and Leviathan. The possibility of the Deschio controlling or slaying the gods would sound far-fetched at first, but the intelligence and cold calculation nature of the civet was proven not to be taken lightly during the invasion, something that somewhere is still recovering from the pain and devastation the civet had brought upon them all.

“Come on, we're almost there!” Legosi shouted as he covered his face from some of the cold wind and rain. One thing was for certain: they were going to need a change of clothes after this.

“I’ve never seen anything like this! It’s like her presence is causing the wind to blow in her favor!” Melon should be next to Legosi, as the two of them led the way through the relentless cold wind and rain that assailed them. This storm was way worse than the heavy thunderstorm of rain when Ramuh forged the covenant with them.

“That’s why they call her the Lady of the Wind!!” Legosi shouted back towards Melon as the battle sounds got closer, with the sounds of explosions and constant yelling of orders.

(Final Fantasy XVI - Pursue the Murder OST Ends)

            Garuda dodged a few more missiles that were sent her way before she launched air projectiles of her own, causing the enemy to scatter and a few of their equipment to be trashed. A smirk never left the avian messenger of the Astrals, she knew she could have easily wiped them out in mere seconds but she wanted to toy with their foolish goal of attempting to control or slay the divine, she could sense that the young prince, the descendent of Noctis Lucis Caleum approaching their location as in no doubt to her aid and forged a covenant with her. She wondered if he would have that same spark of determination as she had once on Noctis when the original Garuda, primal from a different realm and a region called Eoreza was summoned by Ixal to this real years ago only to be defeated by the young wolf ancestor and his retailers and herself delivering the final blow and taking the name garuda.

“Hook her in! Don’t let her escape! Get the net ready!!” Rogan shouted through the coms of the leader of the squadron, a Tibetan wolf snarled as he ordered his men he knowing that Ruby Eye Rogan was watching the thing with high expectations from them.

“Roger that, sir!!” The Tibetan wolf shouted back through the coms before he started to bark orders to his men with a nasty snarl as he threw hand signals at the vehicles and MA, MA-X  magitek armor suit mechs, the pilots inside firing barrages of missiles and bullets. A distraction on their part for Garuda started to avoid them with ease only to get hit with the electric hooks from the armored vehicles she cried out in pain as she was shocked, she was being reeled in range of another one that had the net gun, without a warning the net gun was fire as an electric net strike Garuda bringer her down to the floor the electricity shocking her and dying down.

“Now we got you,”  The Bloody Eye wolf growled in wicked joy at seeing Garuda grounded. He then gestured towards his head towards his men, who all chuckled menacingly as they prepared to move and attack the still struggling messenger, whom she could only glare at. However, a warping sound was heard in the air, and one of the Bloody Eye soldiers, a white-tailed eagle, turned around only to meet with Legosi, warping and striking with a lethal blow as he ran his blade through his torso with a vicious growl. The attack took the others by surprise.

“It’s the prince! Kill hi-agh!” The first Bloody Eye soldier who tried to rush Legosi was killed as Legosi yanked the sword out of the dead avian and slashed at his chest kolling him on the spot this caused a chain reaction of panic as it had happened so sudden that they were taken off guard as they scream and shouted ordres and quickly scrambled toward their weapons with nothing but panic and fear of what might happened to them if they didn’t get rid of the Prince.

“Son of bi-ahhh!” Legosi killed the other one who tried to rush him by throwing a Delta Dagger at his throat, killing him on the spot. The sudden attack had the enemy scrambling and drawing their weapons, staring at the young prince with alarm in a mixture of expressions of hatred and anger.

A group of five Kopi Luwak mechanical magitek bats tried to rush at Legosi, only for Melon to Blitz towards them and deliver a devastating slash of lighting ice, the combined magic caused the machines to break down, they were not like the actual bats piloting their power mech suits that would have been fried and blown up inside their suits. Turns out that the bats know when to pick their battles carefully, that is not to say there are some here at the moment, as they had spotted a good chunk of ten of them. The others joined them soon in the battle with Jack and Cliff blasting a few of the enemy, while the others had their weapons drawn, ready for battle.

“Sorry to drop in unannounced, but we can’t let you lay a hand on her,” Legosi said, pointing his Ultima Blade towards the downed Garuda, watching the wholet thing with a smirk as she saw the burning fire in the young wolf's eyes.

Rogan and Henrick, who had been seeing the whole thing, had expected this to happen; one was seething with rage, and the other watched with silent acknowledgment of fascination and a somewhat newfound respect. “Kill them! Kill them all! Right. Fucking. Now! Or I kill you all myself!” Rogan viciously yelled through his comms in barely restrained anger as he was personally offended at having his operation being dismantled by that damn royal wolf, unknown to him that Aoboa's team was already nearing his location.

****

       Aboa’s team and Colonel Bronco saw the building where their target was located. It was an old apartment building similar to the Hidden Condo, with plenty of advantages for snipers to pick them off individually. It was a good thing they had the element of surprise and the cover of the hurricane to somewhat mask any outside noise, to avoid giving out their location and position. Their mission was simple: clean house and capture Ruby Eye Rogan for interrogation. Yafya, Lupus, and Louis wanted the falcon alive for any valuable information to help them against Deschio's war on the world. So with the hardcore training they had endured, they made their way toward the entrance as a unit, making sure to keep an eye out and be aware of their surroundings, ready to pull the trigger at any sign of danger.

“Alright, get ready to breach, make sure you’re silencers are on, hestiation means death. The mission objective remains the same, the target is to be captured alive as well, with any willing surrender associates of his. Try not to get too trigger-happy, he should be on the top floor. Remember, hesitation means death. You all got that?” Bronco said as he eyed Aoboa and his squad, who either nodded or responded with “right” and “loud and clear, sir,” their training kicking in as they could hear the seriousness of his tone along with the hardened stone expression.

“Good. Aoboa, you’re with me.” Bronco said, turning his head towards the young bald eagle.

“Right, let’s do this.” Aboa took a deep breath as he placed an explosive charge on the door. He then leaned against the right side of the door while Bronco stood on the left side. Bronco was the first one to move as he opened the door with his finger ready at the trigger, ready to drop anyone who dared threaten their lives. His responsibility was simple: keep them alive at any cost. They were young boys who had signed up to fight for justice and protect the liberty of others, and protect the weak from those who seek to torment the innocent.

“All clear, let’s move on,” Bronco said, gesturing and pointing forward with his hand as he and Aoboa led the way inside. Once inside, the party began to clean house, taking any guard they saw on sight. Four carnivores that were sitting around playing poker and doing hard drugs went down, each shot to the head, a quick and painless death. Turning around a corner, they dropped two large breed herbivores that were too slow to reach for their guns and would have alerted the whole building to their presence. This pattern of caution and no hesitation would continue to follow them towards the stairs, for the synergy of Aboa and Bronco was keeping them alive.

****

         Back with Legosi’s and Melon’s party, they were trying keyword, trying to get to Garuda, but their enemy wasn’t making things easier, as half of them were pumped on Bloodbone, making them more dangerous and resilient to damage. Regardless of the slight advantage the enemy had, they were still no match for the synergy of Legosi’s and Melon’s party. Every attack was calculated and well tought out, but they won’t be lying that the enemy wasn’t without a plan of attack, as they had to adjust every once in a while to keep up with their relentless attacks.

(Final Fantasy XV - Stand Your Ground OST Starts)

        Legosi used his Drain Lance III to jump backwards before he charged, crashing into the mechanical gargoyles. He immediately set his eyes on the Tibetan wolf, who snarled in rage and charged at Legosi with his electrified machete, the same type of model Flint used when he tried to kidnap Haru. Legosi summoned his Ultima Blade and immediately attempted to warp-strike the enemy wolf, only for the wolf to block the attack with its energy shield, pushing Legosi off him and immediately engaging him in close combat.

Meanwhile Jack and Bill were having their own troubles dealing with the enemy, the Labrador turned in time to slit the throat of a boxer Bloody Eye soldier attempting to rush him with a combat axe with his Audux Blade and shooting three herbivore enemies dead on the head with his Lion Heart pistol. Bill, on the other hand, blocked and parried an attack with his Hero Shield from a Smartian Tiger, then stabbed it in the chest with his Gengi Blade. The synergy of the two lovers was a deadly combo of range and medium range, as they both watched each other's backs and those of the rest of the guys.

Durham, Miguno, Voss, and Collot were dealing with a powerful Kangaroo Dragoon using the same type of armor as Sulfur but with ice and electricity attacks. Collot blocked an attack with his Aegis Shield as he grunted from the impact of the impact of Jump attack, nearly knocking him down. The Kangaroo let out an angry huff, but before he could do anything else. Voss blindsided him with a warp-strike him on the face with a double kick, making him lose his balance, only for the Kangaroo to recover and spin his magitek spear before swinging down in a vertical slash, sending an energy arch of ice and lightning at them. Collot and Voss cursed and rolled out of the way. Before the Kangaroo could try another attack, he was interrupted by Miguno, who attacked him with small shurikens as a distraction for Durham to hit him with a barrage of flaming daggers, melting some of the ice armor. The Kangaroo with a shattered visor and damaged armor could growl at them as they recovered and healed from their injuries.

         Melon, Cliff and Sam wondered why they had to fight two Berserker Bloody Eye Elite Commanders, an Elephant and a Rhino, this was such bullshit and it was they all jumped from a devastating jumped attack from the rhino who crush his fist on the ground avoiding eleccrity and fire from the Rhino. Cliff aimed his grenade launcher and hit him with an ice blizzard grenade. Sam slashed with a fiery slash from his left magitek claw and punched with his right magitek claw encased in ice when the Rhino attempted to crush Cliff with its magitek hammer. Melon on the other hand was dealing with the Elephant as he avoided those massive blows and explosions and magitek blade from the bladed tip of the trunk armor, Melon dodged one of the Elephants attacks by Blitzing past him and shooting him with Firanga charge shot attack from his Redeemer gunblade with his tongue sticking out in psychopathic smile causing the Elephant to let out a cry of pain, however Melon eyes widen as he avoided several devastating blows from the behemoth as he turned faster then he had expected and rush at him with lighting magic delivering crushing blows to the ground especially a double fist down that resulted in an explosion of ice and lighting that he was certain would have mortality wound him, well to bad he isn’t planning on dying any time sonner, it’s not his time and neither Sam’s and Clliff’s time. However, one thing remained certain for Melon: they needed to wrap this up, otherwise, this hurricane was only going to get worse and forge the covenant before they sent another one of those big Mechanical Mech Bats at them, pilot or purely robotic; those things were not easy to take down.

(Final Fantasy XV - Stand Your Ground OST Ends)

****

          Legosi knew they couldn't waste more time, as from the corner of his right side, he could see Garuda struggling to break free from the electrified net, and he knew that her attempts to break free and fend off those who dared to slay her would only increase the destruction of the hurricane. So with a vicious, angry growl, he pushed the Tibetan wolf off him with a knee to the gut. This only caused the other wolf to snarl and glare daggers at Legosi, who had nothing but murder on his mind to spill the blood of the disgusting abomination that dared to walk these lands with nothing but to taint the air with its presence.

“You're a mistake of nature! An abomination! An insult to all wolves!” The Tabitan wolf commander snarled as drool flew from his mouth.

“Like I haven't heard that one before,” Legosi stated as he wiped some of the blood from his cheek, having been punched by the enemy wolf hard enough to make him bleed. 

The enemy wolf let out another vicious growling snarled at Legosi as he rushed at him causing Legosi to let out a growl back as they engaged in another exchange of blows against steel versus steel with occasional claw swipes or bite attacks ‘He’s fighting me like a meat addict, just like Ravage all hype up on bloodbone, I need to end this. I can afford to toy with him or let my guard down after what happened with Ravage.’ Legosi thought to himself as remember how Ravage had temporarily drugged him and caused him to act like a total douche to Haru and Louis on the train station and meteor festival due to his biology and insects being affected by the drug. He won't make the same mistake. His thoughts were cut short when the enemy wolf kicked him in the stomach, causing him to skid a few feet back and wince from the pain, which was going to leave a nasty bruise.

Fighting through the pain, Legosi snarled in anger as he summoned the Star of the Rouge Royal RM to strike the enemy wolf from behind. So he threw the Star and warped only for his eyes to widen as the enemy wolf turned around stabbing his machete to the ground and hitting Legosi with a jolt of electricity causing to let out a cry of pain as he collapsed to the floor and struggle to get you as he saw the enemy wolf approach him raise his machete to strike him down, the blow never as Bill came to his rescue.

****

         The cry of pain from Legosi altered the others as they saw the enemy drooling wolf Approaching Legosi with intent to kill, Bill, being the closest and driven by instincts, let out a snarl as he drove his blade through the wild buffalo.o he was in a struggle and kicked him off him and rushed towards Legosi, desummoning his weapons. 

“Oh no, you don't! Not on my watch!” Bill said as he summoned his Iron Duke greatsword and threw it at the enemy wolf. The blade made an impact on his right side, knocking him off balance. Legosi saw this as the opportunity to deliver the killing blow. He stood up and immediately summoned his Rapier Lance and ran through the weekend armor, killing the enemy wolf, who could only try to push the blade out.

“F-fuck y-you.” The enemy wolf let out his final choking dying breath as he hatefully stared at Legosi, who could only stare defiantly at the dying wolf with some small levels of pity, a worse insult than he could muster up with words. Legosi let out a sigh as he turned and gave Bill a quick nod of appreciation, and he returned the nod as he went back to help the others deal with the remaining enemy. Bill proved once again why he was his shield and a damn good one.

The sound of Melon's familiar blitzing ability and voice greeted him, “Hey, you good?” Melon's voice was filled with concern for the young prince.

“I'm good, how about you?” Legosi asked in return, sharing the same concern as Melon

“Had to deal with an Elephant, Cliff and Sam can handle the Rhino, we need to get Garuda Free,” Melon said, causing Legosi to agree as they both sprinted towards her, putting their faith in the others to handle the remaining enemies.

Chapter Text

       Ruby Eye Rogan could only watch in rage through the surveillance drone as the young prince slaughtered his troops and disrupted his mission to slay a divine being and gain more favor from Deshico. Unaware that Henrick and his friends had set him up for his arrest, Aoboa and Bronco’s party finally approached the final floor. Rogan was still surveilling the operation, unaware that all hell was about to break loose as the avian sneaked in the snake spy camera giving them a clear picture of who was inside the room and the truth to tell the anonymous tip that they had received was valid. They all saw the red-necked falcon they were supposed to take into custody, true to his name, the falcon’s right eye was replaced with a ruby gemstone. He also wasn’t alone, as there were twelve armed enemies in the room, meaning this could result in a all firefight or a successful capture if they all complied as they had the element of surprise.

“That’s him alright, Ruby Eye Rogan,” Bronco said as he let out a huff of air. Aoba quietly put away the snake camera as the bison continued speaking in a whispering volume. “Alright, get ready to breach at my command.” His words and tone were firm, causing them all to nod and get into position, and with that, the countdown began as he held five fingers in the air, with each finger being placed down, adrenaline pumped through their blood, knowing they could die at any moment if things were about to go south, then there was zero fingers in the air.

“Now!” Bronco shouted and, using his massive frame, rammed the door open, allowing Aoba and Micah to enter while Rogan and the others were taken by surprise at the sudden intrusion.

“Cherryton Special Forces! Get on the ground now! Don’t try anything stupid!!” Aoboa yelled at the top of his lungs, as soon as he said those words, Howard and Milo gunned down two of Rogan's men that tried to reach for their weapons, while the rest remained frozen and at tense awaiting the falcon’s orders, who was seething and glaring at the Bison and them.

“What the fuck!? Bronco! How did you find us!? How!?” Rogan cried out in rage as he eyed Aoba and the younger recruit, thinking to himself that they would be easy prey, making calculations on how to escape from this situation.

“We received an anonymous tip that you’d be holding your little operations at one of the rundown districts, thanks to the invasion of your little buyer Deshico. Now hands behind your back!!” Bronco shouted, but unknown to him, the falcon had come to a moment of realization, as there was only one group of animals that were tasked with ensuring the location wasn’t compromised, Rogan’s eyes were burning with rage and hatred as his beak curved in nasty snarl as he turned his eyes to the mastiff

“It was you, wasn’t it!? You sold us out! You and your little band of fuckiwts! Double-crossing canine shit!” The falcon roared at the top of his lungs, surprising Bronco and Aoboa’s party, and this news of betrayal also took aback the rest of Rogan’s men.

Henrick, in return, could only give a gruff, cold response at the falcon’s words, “So what if I did? We're done dying for Desicho’s delusions. The moment my son was taken from me was the moment my path was shifted. So, best do as you are told, sir.” Henrick's voice was filled with discontent and hatred towards the avian who was huffing angrily at each word, then Morgolio’s next words were what triggered the falcon.

“He’s right, sir, this life ain't dying for,” Morgolio said in a casual manner, but to the falcon those words were mocking and blasphemous, and so he broke into a fit of unhinged laughter that left the others feeling unnerved. 

“Sorry, but I’m not going back to prison..Not now. Not ever…and…NOT TODAY!” It happened so fast as the avian drew his magiteck pistol and shot several electric stunt shots at Bronco and Aoba, which caused a quick commotion of Henrik and his men gunning down those who were with Rogan but as that was happening Rogan threw a grenade on the floor where Aoba and Bronco and the rest of the party where recovering from getting stunt, their salvation came in the expecting way of big horn sheep. Warren dove on top of the grenade and close his eyes coming to peace with his choice remembering how Henrik’s son used to hang out with them for a beer then the grenade went off killing him instantly, ‘Watch after your mother boys’ were the last thoughts of the big horn sheep who know that his sons would look after his beloved wife, and in a way he knew that if they find out about his involvement in this invasion they would never forgive him, this was for the better. He chose to spare them from any harm on his part.

“Warren!” Henrick, Jeremy, and Morgolio shouted in distress at the big horn sheep's motionless body. Bronco, Aoba, and the rest of their party stare wide-eyed away the sheep's sacrifice as they see the mastiff, monitor lizard, and gorilla eyes burn with rage as they gun down some remaining men. However, the falcon managed to land a few hits on Jeremy, and the monitor lizard cried out in pain as he was hit twice on the right shoulder and arm. 

Matt, seeing this, picked himself up and went to get the monitor lizard out of harm's way by dragging him to safety, only for him to get shot in the leg, causing him to cry out in pain.

“Matt!! You okay!?” Howard shouted as he, Milo, and Aoba took cover behind some furniture as Bronco also took cover and fired at the men. The large surveillance room had turned into a battlefield of flying bullets of two forces facing each other with extreme hostility, with the other one being young and fresh to the reality of combat, and the other hardened killers with years of experience that would not hesitate to spare them because they were young.

“Fuck no! Motherfucker shot me in the leg! It hurts like hell!” Matt shouted in pain as he tended to his wound and that of Jeremy as the firefight continued. Bronco could only stare at the large canine and wonder if his words held any value to it, as his mind recalled a young mastiff who, despite being outnumbered, refused to surrender. Only to meet his end at his hand.

“Aoba! Go after Rogan! We can’t let him get away!” Bronco shouted towards the bald eagle, who could nod at his words as he made eye contact with the enemy avian and immediately let his instinct guide him as the others provided cover to him.

“Fuck.” Rogan cursed as the bald eagle made eye contact with him, recognizing the eyes from an older bald eagle he had the displeasure of knowing. “You two! Get the truck started!” Rogan shouted towards a scarred zebra and a crane bird, who only nodded at his words, as the three made a break for it, Aoba hot on their trail.

****

           As soon as Aoba exited, he caught sight of Rogan heading toward the stairs, the two exchanged gunfire with neither hitting a shot. Aoba cursed as he continued his pursuit down the stairs, as the two exchanged fire, with Aoba throwing two fireballs, but he cursed as he missed. Rogan then went into a hall and cursed as he had taken a wrong turn, only for Aoba to corner him and try to incapacitate him, but was forced to take cover behind the corridor entrance, as Rogan shot at him.

“What’s wrong, kid!? I’ve been doing this longer than you think, no one has ever captured me!” Rogan laughed as he taunted Aoba, who could only respond with taunts at the red-necked falcon.

“One way or another, I’m bringing you in!” Aoba yelled back as he peek his head, but quickly retreated as Rogan aimed, avoiding getting shot in the head. He then heard Rogan laugh again and taunt him again.

“You know you’re lucky that I’m nearsighted, I just need you to fully peek your head! So do me a favor, brat, and hold still!” Rogan taunted as he reloaded his gun, unaware that Aoba was making a plan on him as he ditched his assault rifle, summoning his Thunder Shield and a Dagger, the avian left his cover and started to fast walk towards the enemy avian.

Rogan scoffed as he shot at Agata, but the electrified bullets did not affect the shield. Aoba then threw his Delta Dagger, missing on purpose as he warp-strike Rogan with a shield bash through the window. The enemy was lucky that the light combat armor gear he was wearing absorbed most of the impact. Aoba jumped to the window, coming to a rolling stop only to be kicked in the face by Rogan, and dodging a stomp to his face. The two of them hand landed on the flatbed loader of the semi truck that was now moving and heading towards who knows where as the two gang VOID members had been tasked to ensure Rogan’s escape even if it mean moving trough a still activate hurricane that can result on debris on hitting the semi truck or any other damaged done that can prove to be hazardous to the road where it can easily hinder the escape of Rogan leading to his capture and that is something Deshico would not be happy about.

(Final Fantasy XV/Justice Monsters V - High Five For Justice OST Starts)

The first one to break the silence was none other than Roga, as he glared at the young bald eagle. "Now this is just rich...first Bodhi Breeze and now Aoboa Breeze…I'll never imagine that his little brother would be so desperate to join him in the afterlife,” Rogan said with a demented, dark chuckle, grooming the feathers of his head as he ran his fingers through them.

“What!?” Aoboa asked in surprise and outrage at this revelation as the killer of his brother stood in front of him.

“You heard me. It was me who wasted your brother and his little squad. So brave and foolish and for what!? Delayed the inevitable of my VOID drug turning young carnivores into mindless, starving beasts!? My VOID drug is exactly what Deschio needed to pave my path to a luxurious life. In this world, money is power.” Rogan mocked Aoba with a snobby and sneering attitude as he took out his Bloody Eye magitek standard electrified machete. Aoboa fired back at the falcon's words.

“You know…it's too bad I can't kill you. I made a promise to bring you in…so you can never hurt anyone ever again and rot behind bars for the rest of your miserable life. It's what my brother would have wanted, plus…we need answers.” Aoba said in a determined tone as he summoned his Nakiri katana.

        Rogan, at that moment, let out an angry squawk as he rushed and jumped to attack Aoba, who immediately started to block and parry every attack as the two engaged in a vicious melee combat. Blades clash violently with each other, creating sparks. Aoboa was stabbed in his stomach by parrying Rogan’s blade, however, he was forced to dodge by leaning back to avoid a slash at his chest. He’s fast and extremely aggressive,’ The young bald eagle mentally said to himself as he grunted from each strike as both of them tried to overpower the other by pushing each other. Rogan's objective was to make Aoba fall off the flatbed or deliver a lethal blow, while Aoba’s goal was to knock Rogan out and stop the truck. Aoboa managed to deliver a solid strike at the falcon’s face with the scabbard of the katana, causing Rogan to let out a grunt of pain and let out an angry war cry as he gave a small jump and kicked Agata on the chest with his right foot. Aoba let out a squawk of pain as he held his aching chest, barely stopping himself from being knocked off his feet and falling off the flatbed.

Aoba then switched to his Wing Edge Shuriken and tossed it at Rogan, allowing him to warp-strike him, but the attack didn’t connect as Rogan activated his energy shield from the same wrist device Flint and Ravage had used, according to Jack and Durham. His attack was blocked and parried, pain flare-up occurred on Agata’s left leg as he barely avoided a devastating attack to his left leg, leaving a shallow cut to his leg. 

“Let’s see how you handle this!!” Rogan said as he sheathed his machete and jumped into the air using wind magic to keep himself afloat and reaching for his other magtiek pistol, he attacked Agata with a volley of electrified bullets. The young bald eagle blocked the attack with a crystal barrier, however, he grunted as he was still haaven’t mastered this form of magic yet. So, without wasting any time, Aoba threw two delta daggers, the first one serving as a distraction as Rogan swatted it to the side, but his eyes widened as Aoboa warped, turning around in mid air the falcon blocked and parried an attack from the bald eagle who attempted to deliver a thrust with his Dragoon Lance polearm, with his energy shield. However, Aoboa expected this and, using his free hand, struck Rogan with lightning magic, sending him crashing to the flatbed again and the energy shield out of commission due to Aoboa’s electric attack.

The young bald landed on the flatloader but scoffed as he saw Rogan aim at Aboa. The young bald eagle summoned his Thunder Shield again to block the bullets. The trigger clipped empty, and Rogan cursed as he picked himself to his feet, discarding the empty gun and taking his only available weapon left, his machete, as he had lost the other magitek pistol when knocked out of the sky. Aoboa saw this and scoffed, knowing he had to end this rather quickly. He summoned his Nakiri katana once again as the two rushed at each other and jumped into the air, engaging in fierce aerial melee combat for a brief moment before landing on the flatbed load again.

(Final Fantasy XV/Justice Monsters V - High Five For Justice OST Ends)

         Back at the abandoned building, Colonel Bronco and Aoba’s squad were keeping an eye on with weapons at the ready at the mastiff, monitor lizard, and gorilla who had helped them clear the room of Rogan’s men. They had surrendered their weapons after the chaotic gunfight had ceased. Warren had a tablecloth over his dead body, with Henrick kneeling over his corpse, a somber look of acknowledgment written all over his face for the bravery of his sacrifice.

“You were the most vocal one about his gripes with our decision, yet you chose to sacrifice yourself for those you will consider our enemies and a threat to your family. I’ll guess you were just full of shit and also didn’t want to take orders anymore. I’ll make sure your family knows about your last heroic moments, old friend.”  Henrick said as he gently placed a hand on Henrick’s corpse, a fallen comrade and friend, someone that the mastiff had many disagreements with, more than Morgolio and Jeremy. If the mastiff was being honest, he supposed that in the end, his decision was not something he would think the big horn sheep would have done.

“I’m sorry about your friend,” Bronco said to the mastiff with a neutral, sympathetic tone, for he knew that eventually he would have to tell him he was the one to put his boy down.

“Don’t Be. We all knew what we were walking into when we agreed to desert Deschico’s cause. Besides, this doesn’t make us allies. We're only asking you to grant us protection so we can be with our families in exchange for some valuable data that only the four of us have that Rogan wouldn’t be willing to share even in your custody.” Henrick said in a gruff a stern, cold, neutral tone towards the bison, who could let out a huff of air in silent agreement, then Morgoilo also shared his own thoughts out loud.

“Rogan was foolish not to oversee that four of his best men would have turned on him, when all he cared about was profit over his men,” Morgolio said as he took a long drag of his cigarette.

In another part of the room, Jeremy was thinking of the deer known as Matt, he had risked his life to save him and taken a bullet to the leg. Jeremy was the youngest of Henrick’s circle of friends, only being 25 while Henrick’s son, Cody, was only 20. Jeremy would never have admitted but deep down, he harbored some feelings towards the young mastiff despite his upbringing of being made hybrids was a sin against nature, and one should seek romantic adventures with another of their own species. Truth to be told, Jeremy cared more about his mother than he did for his father; he hadn’t seen her in years after they divorced, with his father gaining custody over him. In a way, Jeremy was afraid of what his father might have done to him if he had discovered he harbored these feelings after his father had passed away. Hernick and Cody had shown their support as good neighbors and friends of his father, it was also when he met Warren and Morgolio. ‘I shouldn’t be thinking of this or of that deer like that.’ Jeremy silently chastised himself. A deer and a monitor lizard would never work out, right? But would he and Cody have worked out in a different life? It was best not to think about it at the moment not when he was now a prisoner of war under the mercy of people that have the right to hate his guts for causing so much carnage, death and misery all because of Deschio and outdated bigoted views, that were more of his father's teachings then his own believes. Maybe Henrick was right, a life like that ain't worth dying. He got lucky that the deer, Matt, had a good conscience and heart to pull him away from the line of fire at the expense of risking his own life for someone like him. Unknown to him, that same deer thought that the young monitor lizard was kinda cute despite being an enemy and a prisoner of war.

****

         Legosi and Melon’s party were finishing off the remaining enemy, while the two hybrids were getting closer to Garuda, whom she seemed to sense. Legosi blocked and parried the attack of a Bloody Eye herbivore grunt thug before driving his Ultimate Blade through him and kicking him off his blade. Melon slashed the chest of a VOID carnivore gang member with his Redeemer before shooting him dead in the head. With that being done, Melon and Legosi finally reached Garuda, who immediately communicated telepathically with both hybrids. “So you answered the call after all, very well. Free me, and I should forge the covenant of the winds of a new era." Garuda said in an amusing tone of genuine content, “You have proven your strength, children of Eos.” Upon hearing those words, both Melon and Legosi nodded before looking at each other.

“You ready?” Legosi said to Melon, who responded calmly towards the younger hybrid.

“I’m always ready,” Melon said back towards Legosi, and with that the young prince began to absorb the electricity of the net while Melon shot at the circuits of the net that hold it together.

****

At the same time, this was happening, Aoba was still battling Rogan as the hurricane was still raging on, the road had become more hazardous, and the drivers were having a hard time navigating through it. Aboa grunted as he run found himself being back to the same spot where he had originally landed as both him and Rogan ran past each other with their blades colliding, maneuvering themselves to not fall of the flatbed semi truck loader, only for them to rushed at each other again and engage once again in more close quarter combat. Aoba found his attack being blocked and parry with him being kicked on the stomach pushing back a little bit back, Aoba knew that the falcon was toying with him and wanted him to grow frustrated, so he can messed up and be knocked off the flatbed loader or worse end up making a mistake that would grant Rogan an opening and a killing blow.

“Give it up, Breeze! You’re out of your league! You're going to die, here and now.” Rogan sneered at him arrogantly as he taunted him with his magitek machete.

Aoba then switched back to his Edge Wing Shuriken, getting in a battle pose the silence infuriated the falcon who let out an angry squawk “Cocky little shit!!” Rogan swung his machete, sending an electric energy beam at the young bald eagle. Aoba expected this and summoned his Thunder Shield, blocking the attack at the perfect moment before tossing his Shuriken at Rogan, missing on purpose. Rogan turned around as Aboa warped.

“You - agh!!” Rogan cried out in pain as Aoba pulled out his Mythril pistol, shooting Rogan in the right wrist, causing him to drop his machete. Then the young bald eagle used his last Delta dagger to throw it at Rogan, nailing him on the left shoulder, then he warped.

Rogan was left in a vulnerable state, allowing Aoba to warp, grab his head, and use the weight of his body to knock him down his feet, slamming his head on the ground, and using a little of his lightning magic. He shocked the living shit out of the red-neck falcon, electrocuting him, causing him to scream in pain, and knocking him out.

“Like I said, I’m brining you in,” Aoba said as he then picked the unconscious Rogan and slang him over his over his shoulder as he then summoned his Dragoon Lance as he warped away safely off the flatbed loader of the semitruck, the dirvers unaware of Rogan’s capture as they were to busy avoiding the debris and focusing on the road. Aoba stabbed the wall of a building and safely dropped down at a reasonable height. Aoboa then also noticed that the hurricane was dying down.

“Looks like they've done it,” Aoba said as he handcuffed the unconscious Rogan and radioed the others that the mission had been a success.

****

        Around the fight between Aoba and Rogan, the two hybrids were done freeing Garuda as Melon shot at the lost circuit. With that being done, Garuda managed to break free of the electric net that had her pinned down to the ground. She rose to the skies with the grace of divinity in a split moment, creating a small gust of wind. Legosi's eyes glowed purple, indicating that the covenant had been forged.

“Legosi! Melon!” The young prince and the owner turned around to see the others heading their way. Both hybrids did the same, seeing that they had finally dispatched the remaining enemies; however, celebrations were cut short as they heard the dreadful screech of the mechanical giant bat mech as three of them crash-landed near them.

“Shit! Get ready to fight!” Legosi said in alarm as he was afraid and uncertain if they could take on three of them at the same time, even if they were exhausted, their salvation came in the form of Garuda as she smirked and performed her “Call of the Crosswinds” attack and completely obliterated the three giant mechanical bats the pilots inside didn’t know what hit them as they instantly died as they were hit wtih devasting amount of air pressure that drop from the sky as homing missile, with the hurricane dying down.

Legosi and Melon’s party covered their faces from the ground and dirt to be greeted by trash mechs, the group cheered at their victory as Legosi’s eyes stopped glowing purple. “Thanks.” The young prince said as he saw Garuda’s figure smiling down at him.

“Oh, young wolf, child of Eos, I know that in my feathers. You and your companions should light the way in your darkest time and bring peace to Eos once again, just like your ancestor, Noctis Lucius Caelum, once did. For I, the Goddess of Storms, acknowledge your strength and conviction, and I will bring my winds to aid you in your quest, until next time, young prince.” Garuda said in a kind, warm tone of respect and acknowledgment, causing Legosi to nod at her words, then she disappeared to the beyond. They have achieved victory once again, with just two Astral Gods down, Leviathan and Ifrit, to forge the covenant and gain their mark.

Chapter Text

       Legosi always had a bad feeling about the Council of All Living Organisms, even when he was a pup, as he had heard the vile comments directed mostly at him and his mother, but his father was quick to silence those entitled, snobby, noble Council members whenever they visited their Kingdom for diplomatic affairs. It was no surprise, but still quite an uncomfortable meeting that they had demanded the moment they had completed their mission, Colonel Bronco and Agata’s party had taken the orders to transport Rogan and Henrick’s party to prison until further notice. The young wolf could sense the tension on the room as he observed everyones body language and expressions, his cousin, Solani, Louis, Melon, were at his side and were also worry as well as Sam and Cliff, Kyuu, San and the rest of the 701 boys. Lupus and Yafya seemed to be arguing with Councilman Eon Watson, a Clydesdale horse who was chief of Cherryton’s National Security. Hey, could look quietly from the sidelines not knowing what to say or if they should intervene between the two horses' heated argument.

“This is a waste of our time, Yafya! Those prisoners are our enemies! We should make an example out of them!” Eeon shouted at the sublime Beastar with anger in his voice, which was something that Yafya didn’t take well.

“You have no authority over this mission Eon, you and the rest of the Council lost any semblance of competence when you were to busy filling your own pockets and operating on you little illegal actvities, Gon told me how you bastards kept cutting funds to his school becasue he dared to speak up against your corrupiton,” Yafya said in a spiteful twitter tone to the older horse who was five years older than him and was full of equine pride.

Eon let out a dark chuckle at that as he scoffed at the sublime Beastar, “Have you forgotten who you are speaking with or who you are!? You’re the Black Devil, the most hated herbivore in the entire Black Market! Who, not even that freak of nature, could paint you in a better picture!” Eon yelled as he pointed at Melon with extreme prejudice.

       Upon hearing that, Melon let out a quiet growl as it took every fiber of restraint to contain himself and not murder the Councilman's horse, for the darkness and hatred inside his heart of beasts that would forever scorn his kind for merely existing and who thosesupported the ideology of purification of only purebloods was the only thing he fear of becomin a murderous tyrant himself. For he knew that he must not strain the course of his actions for the brighter future, everything must play as it is planned for Legosi and his allies to rise above everything and bring down Deschico. He could only hope that everything he had done would not be in vain. Before he could go any further with his thoughts, Yafya’s voice rang out again, reminding them all of the argument that the two horses were having, as it was the sublime Beastar's turn to insult back.
“Enough! Your slandering tactics and methods of intimidation of brutal suppression would not work this time around anymore, Eon! Face it! You and the rest of the Council are finished!” Yafya’s words were a direct insult to the entire remaining Council members, who all voiced their displeasure at such disrespect from someone they had given the ultimate title of high standard of Cherryton’s hierarchy. Eon then scoffed at the sublime Beastars' words.

“Oh, Yafya, ever so righteous and hypocritical. Tell me something, how many carnivores have you slaughtered and turned into fertilizers for your carrot farm? Twenty, hundred, or was it three hundred?” Eon said in a disturbingly calm manner, not breaking eye contact with a still seething Yafya, who the last thing he wanted was for his nephew Legosi to hear something that he had heard far too many times, especially as someone as spineless as Eon Watson.

This information was not new for Legosi as he had heard from his Grandpa Gosha that his uncle Yafya was someone who didn’t hold any love for carnivores that exploited or mistreated heribovores and would treat them as nothing but dirt. Heck, his entire family knew of Yafya’s extreme views of punishing such carnivores, one of the many things they had clashed over the years, and tried to have the horse reconsider his sense of justice and sense of bloodlust. According to his Grandfather, his uncle Yafya had plenty of unpleasant experiences with carnivores when he was a child, and it was a miracle that Gosha was the one carnivore that helped him ease his grievances with them. His friends also knew this, as they needed to understand why the equine was the way it was; however, what happened next surprised the others, causing a standoff due to the speed at which it occurred, sparked by what the Councilman's horse had said.

“As far as I’m concerned. This war would just end if your nephew would just drop down and die for he is nothing for a filthy abo-” Eon didn’t get to finsihe his sentnece as Yafya grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and headbutted him an slammed him on the table, causing other to shout in surprise as pinned Eon down with an arm on his throat.

“Uncle!” 

“Yafya! What are you doing!?

“Now’s not the time!”

Yafya heard it all, but he didn’t care; a point needed to be made across, for he was fed up with the Council of All Living Organisms and their corruption. He was done with their entire bullshit and he turned to the shocked young beastar red deer who had never seen Yafya this full or rage and hatred “I hope your paying attention Louis, you might learn a thing or two if you are to be at my nephews side.” Yafya then turned his attention back to the still-struggling Eon beneath him and shared a piece of his mind towards the Council.

“Now let’s get one thing straight! All of you from the Council are responsible for the deaths of those carnivores! Not me! Every choice that I made! Every life that I took! Their blood is on your hands, not just mine!! Everything I did was for my family! The family that you all threatened to go after, because I didn’t at first comply with being your little puppet! You all pride yourselves on the idea of a nation that was born breaking free of the old norms and establishing a new form of social standards, free from the old nations of the world, but all I see is a failed institution of a government of a nation that deprives and discriminates organisms that you seem fit to villanize for your agenda of a a joke of a society!” Yafya’s voice was filled with righteous rage for everyone to hear.

“My nephew! His friends! Melon and everyone else have risked themselves countless times to save this sorry ass excuse of a nation that was born of out sheer incompetence! All because you failed to see the broad corruption on the Council and were too busy lining up your own pockets! And cozying up to Deshico’s extreme rhetoric ideology of “purity pureblood supremacy!” So I’m only going to say this once…next time, any of you threatened to go after my nephew. I’LL FUCKING CHOP YOUR HEAD OFF!!” Yafya roared the last words out loud for everyone to hear as he unleashed Eon from his grasp, who was close to passing out from lack of oxygen, The Councilman's horse coughed and gasped violently as he stared at Yafya with hateful eyes.

“You…you bastard! You won’t…get away with this!!...I’ll get you for this!!” Eon said in between breaths and coughs as he wanted nothing more to drive his blade through the sublime Beaster for humiliating him in front of everyone! Who does he think he is!? Just because the President and Vice-President were gone, it didn’t give any form of authority over the Council! Damn him and his whole wrteched family! Before he could say anything else, Yafya galre at him and coldly talked back to him.

“Get out of my sight, Eon…you have a job to do as Chief of National Security,” Yafya stated in a mocking way as the older horse scoffed at him and picked himself up, adjusting his suit and aggressively brushing off two poor Cherryton Council guards who only wanted to check on him, then he turned his attention to Legosi who was still shocked from seeing his Uncle so rabid.

“Legosi…you and Louis, Solani, and the rest of your friends are dismissed,” Yafya said in a kind, gentle tone as he wanted them to ge their strength back after the tiring events.

“But-!” Legosi protested, but was interrupted by his Uncle Yafya, “I’ll be fine..besides, you need the rest of your strenght and energy for facing the remaining Astrals, Lupus would escort you back to the Academy.” Yafya said as the black wolf responded with a calm, amused, playful tone as he knew that Eon would eventually pissed off Yafya and get what he deserved. Eon was one of the most vocal voices in the Council, harboring a strong dislike for the royal Lucis family and advocating for the Council to adopt aggressive militaristic policies.
“I’ll make sure they get safely back, try not to kill anyone.” Lupus said with a dismissive, playful wave, causing Yafya to let out a grumble.

Melon noticed Legosi’s uncertain look and quickly assured him, offering him his support. “Hey, don’t worry, okay? Cliff, Sam, and I make sure he’s alright, besides, he has Miss Grouch and Wonder Boy over there.” Melon pointed towards both Kyuu and San. Legois nodded at his words and tried not to giggle as he and the others tried to hold their laughter and giggles as well as they were escorted out. The older hybrid surely loved his nicknames.

“Hey!” The lopped rabbit took offense to those words, but the Alpaca was bursting out laughing and giggling like a child.

“Oh man, that’s good! He got you good, Kyuu!” San said, holding his stomach from laughter, only for the rabbit to deliver her anger and frustration towards the Alpaca.

“Shut up! You dumbass!” Kyuu said trying to hit San in the stomach only for him to hold her head and keep her in place.

“No, you shut up! It’s funny because it’s true!” San teases back at her, resulting in another petty sibling dynamic argument.

         Melon rolled his eyes at this as Sam and Cliff were trying to keep San and Kyuu from now physically fighting each other. His attention was brought back to Yafya, who looked exhausted as the surviving Council members started to leave as well, while others remained to gossip or catch up on today's events that led to his outburst. Feeling bad for the old horse, Melon sought fit to keep company, for he knew that the horse had gone through several hard choices in life, just like he had, options that would be morally questionable at best. Somewhere in his heart, Melon knew that the Council of All Living Organisms was willing to use a scapegoat to vilify certain demographics that would speak up on certain issues that needed to be addressed and fixed. He had seen these tactics be used before by his greedy, power-hungry parents, who ruined the lives of so many innocent beasts, and for Yafya, his ruthlessness and reputation as the Black Devil were a valid way for them to use him to shield themselves from any criticism. Melon could see the somber regret and tiredness in the horse's eyes, and so he talked to him.

“Hey…you okay?” Melon’s voice came out as genuinely concerned for the horse, who glanced at him and responded tiredly as the outburst had left him exhausted, despite being in good shape for someone his age, thanks to his healthy diet.
“Yeah, I feel like I needed that for a long time.” Yafya sighted and let out a weak chuckle, feeling tired from his outburst against the Council, spilling out his emotions of pent-up rage and frustration at the Government that had failed its citizens in protecting their nation.

“I don't blame you, that guy sounded insufferable. It was taking everything not to shut him up myself.” Melon said this with his arms crossed, causing Yafya to nod in agreement, sharing the same dislike towards 

“He keeps trying to get the others to jail Louis for shooting one of the Council members in the leg in self defense after threatening to break his antlers,” Yafya said as he and Melon engaged in a conversation surrounding the stability and problems of the Council and how they keep tabs on those willing to listen and cooperate with them and prove themselves of not just being greedy politicians. It was good company in itself to have this discussion with each other, and an increase of mutual respect based on their achievements and struggles.

****

       Right back at the Academy, Legosi, Louis, and Haru decided that the three of them wanted to spend some time alone during their launch break; they were eating their lunch on the rooftop of the Gardening Club, with Haru and Louis both enjoying a cease salad while Legosi ate some fries with a cheese melted meat patty, the young wolf had given a quick prayer to whoever meat this belong too before he could enjoy his meat. It was strange and yet fascinating for both the red deer and dwarf rabbit, as during the dinner, they had after coming back from forging the covenant with Titan, Legosi and Durham had explained that praying for the meat that used to belong to herbivore’s was a custom of good moral will of paying respect for the dead. It was a mutual agreement between the old nations, something that the Government of Cherryton seemed to have failed to disclose, as they wanted to break from tradition. As for Louis he hand never felt more like a jackass after how he treated Legosi when he first came into Cherryton something that both Legosi and Haru noticed as the deer's ears folded down in sadness.

“Are you okay, Louis?” Legosi was the first to ask in a concerned tone as she noticed the deer's expression. Haru aslo took notice of the red deers expression as she finished taking a sip from her apple juice.

“Yeah, what’s with the sad face, Bambi?” Haru said with a raised eyebrow, sharing the same concern as Legosi

“I-It's nothing, is just that I just remembered how much of a big fuss I made when I heard you were coming to Cherryton. At the time, I didn’t know how much of an insufferable, arrogant prick I sounded  like.” Louis said with a dejected tone, Legosi and Haru were both to comfort him, with Legosi placing a gentle hand on his right shoulder, while she squeezed his left hand.
“It can’t be that bad, can be?” Legosi said with a cute twitch of his left ear as he stared at Louis, with kind eyes, while Haru was also curious about how much truth Louis' words hold, as he had a way of masking his emotions when they first fooled around.

“Well, you see... the thing is.” Louis 

"What!?” Was the loud reaction that greeted Gon’s ears as a young red deer reacted to the tiger's words.

Louis could only stare at Headmaster Gon as if he had grown a second head. He wasn’t sure if he had heard that correctly, as the middle-aged tiger could only look at the deer nervously, as he knew dealing with rich, privileged kids could be something rough to navigate, especially when one of them was a Beastar candidate. He was starting to think that maybe telling the young red deer was a bad idea, as Gon noticed the barely restrained anger of his body language, he was very aware of Louis' attitude to carnivores due to his past, his father, Oguma had let him know about the true orgins of Louis and try to prevent The Council from finding out, so he clear his throat and explain himself more clearly.

“It is as you heard, Louis…The Prince of the Kingdom of Lucis would be attending our prestigious academy. As a noble and a Beasetar candidate, it comes with the responsibility of also running diplomatic affairs alongside the Council of All Living Organisms. The Beastar's position is not just an achievement of overcoming and uniting the differences between carnivores and herbivores. It also serves as a position of leadership and a symbol of high respect, and I expect you to be on your best behaivor and be respectful to him…After all, one of these days you will be dealing in diplomatic affairs together.” Gon said thoughtfully, trying to hide his nervousness and uncertainty from Louis who remained quite as he listened to every word from the middle-aged tiger.

“I see…anything else, Headmaster Gon?” Louis asked with narrow eyes as he was trying to extract more information out of him but the tiger wouldn’t flinch or squirm.

“No, that will be all. Thank you for your time, Louis. You might return to your classes,” Gon said, dismissing Louis, who could only scoff as he stood up and politely dismissed himself as he masked his emotions despite his eyes clearly showing he was not happy at all. The poor tiger had tried to offer some sort of therapy or counseling to Louis at Oguma’s suggestion, but the young,g stubborn red deer would shut down any chance of it. Saying that the old stag was delusional.
“Very well, have a good day, Headmaster Gon.” With that, Louis left through the front door of Gon’s office, fighting the urge to slam shut the door, and poor Gon could only let out a tired sigh as he adjusted his glasses and got back to his paperback.

Louis, on the other hand, was very livid that he couldn’t believe his luck! First, that insurable Bengal tiger of the House of Amicita! Being the only one to question him and call him out in front of others and it pissed him off how he didn’t grovel at his feet when they were in his office together after he had accidentally scratch him and tried to declare themselves as equal strongheaded stubborn beasts. That had led to Louis angrily pointing a gun at him, only for the tiger to easily disarm and tell him he needed to let go af whatever grudge he held against canivores; Other wise one of these days, he would cross the wrong carnivore or herbivore that won’t take kindly to his attitude and paid the price for it. Now he has to deal with that stupid mutt!? What he hated most was how his father and his butler Yuta had told him that he was not just jealous of Legosi or in love with him, with how intensely he stared at the screen whenever he was on the news with his family.

The idea of him falling in love with a carnivore was just prosperous! “There is no way in hell I’m going to let that stupid mangy mutt take everything I worked for so far just because he’s fucking royalty!” Louis mentally screamed inside his head as he angrily made his way to class. Some students avoided looking at him as it was clear he was not in a good mood.

“So? You change and that’s a good thing, right, Haru?” Legosi said as he moved his gaze to the dwarf rabbit from a guilty, ashamed Louis, whose expression changed to a baffled one.

“Yeah, Lou! There is no use in dwelling on the past. I didn’t treat Legosi any better at first. I’m no better than you were!” Haru said with an exaggerated tone and hand motion.

“But - mph!” Louis protested was cut off by Legosi kissing him on the lips, much to the deer's shocked, only for Haru also to steal a kiss as well as Legosi lifted her to Louis' eye level before being placed down. She could only giggle at the red deer's reaction as she took his left hand while Legosi took his right one.

“It’s okay, Louis…look, you’re not that deer anymore, you and Haru are my mates, and what matters is the future,e nothing can change that, so stop berating yourself, okay?” Legosi said in a gentle tone, causing Louis's eyes to water and his nose to run as he allowed Legosi to groom the fur on his head with his tongue, only to cause Louis to giggle as it tickled. There was no fear in him as he allowed Legosi to show him canine affection. The old Louis would be disgusted at such tought, but now, he welcomes it, knowing that his wolf would protect them. 
“Alright enough of this sappy stuff, how about we spoiled our wolf for tonight, Lou~” Haru said with a mischievous lustful tone causing Legosi to blushed and for Louis to to a completely 180, , as he to adopted the same look of Haru, as they both guided the young prince to the shed to spoil him for the night with their love and affection of some good old spicy steamy love making.

“We're going to make you feel so good tonight, Legosi~” Louis said in a seductive tone, causing Legosi to sigh contentedly as he allowed himself to be laid on bed tonight, after the last days, he needed this more than he could imagine, and he welcomed it.

****

       Back at the Crown City underground tunnels of the Kingdom of Lucis, Miyagi whose health just keep getting worse as he had to drink some pain reducing medicines for his aching bones and muscles, the poison of the VOID drug was slowly eating at way of his health and breaking his body, digestive and immune system. He was discussing some attack plans with his father-in-law, Gosha, Jeff, Traicon, and Macaile, and the four of them were concerned with the old wolf as he immediately started to cough violently and it was clear to them that it was time for Miyagi to take his rest. Despite his protest, he allowed Gosha to escort him to sit on one of the chairs and drink his medicine, not that it would do him any favors, while the others still concentrated on the attack plans. It pained to see the old Komodo Dragon to see Miyagi on such a state since he, the wolf, was only forty-four years old, but now, thanks to the VOID drug, it looked like he was pushing past his fifties. Myiagi could sense Gosha’s distress, which he immediately responded to with frustration and annoyance despite understanding the concern they hold for him.

“I wish you all would stop treating me as if I can’t stand on my own two feet,” Miyagi said with a frustrated tone, his voice sounded too tired to argue any further then that, in which Gosha sigh on understanding but told Myiagi what he wanted to hear even if he didn’t want to hear it or admit it.

“Myiagi…I do understand your duty as a King, but there is no use in overworking yourself, we're all on this together, and we need you to trust us to look after ourselves. You’ve done so much for us, let us take care of you for a change.” Gosha said in a tone filled with wisdom, filled with the kindness and patience of a good-natured old man who had some experience in life, Miyagi could only grumble at the words in a way of awknolgdment as Gosha and he then started to make small talk.

       In another section of their headquarters, Toki, Leanno, Lady Sebun, and Swagam were sitting down at a table discussing another alarming matter that had been on their mind, and that was the old seal sensing the awakening of Levithan. For them, this was a concerning matter for
Legosi, as the divine sea serpent, was known to be one of the Astrals who was known for her ruthlessness, and they were concerned for the safety of their little light. However, there was nothing they could do as they knew their responsibility also lay here in their home nation, and the situation was stressful for all of them; Legosi had been texting them and calling them about what has been going back on Cherrtyon and despite his assurance, it did little to ease their worries for the life threanting situations he has been despite knowing he was capable of defending himself.

“What has the Sea Folk Communication Center told you, Swagan?” Leano asked the old spotted sea as he drank from his tea, his expression thoughtful, as he pondered the best response he could give to the two female wolves. Eventually, he found his answer, and then he spoke.

“That it is as we sea creatures suspected…there has been a change across the sea, for the Hydraen returned is inevitable, and that many sea folk have experienced a change in the ocean, it has become more lively with energy and the sea folk have never been more active than before as the main deity they worhsip was returning to Eos.

“Legosi would have to utilize his full strength if he hopes to forge the covenant with Levithan, but she won’t give him an easy fight. If there is anything the history of our world has taught us, it is that her wraith isn’t something one should scoff at. I just hope he knows what he’s doing.” Swagaon said, expressing concern about what awaited Legosi on his next trial.

“Legois is a pretty smart boy for his age. I’m sure everything would be fine.” Toki said, trying to assure the concerns for the old seal, but even so, her voice and expression betrayed her words as she was also worried for her grandson. She then felt the gentle touch of her daughter's hand on her right arm, who also tried to find some semblance of assurance

“I know he will, Mom, our little Legosi has proven time and time again, that he can overcome angy challenge heading his way no matter the odds stacked against him,” Leano said trying to masked her concern and worry for her son but, she to can’t even dreaded for the life of her only son, it was bad enough that her mate, Miyagi was at deaths door at any moment, she couldn't’ imagine the pain she would endure if she were to lost her son as well.

          When she first met Miyagi, she was so nervous and intimidated by his presence so much that she fit the role of the new, shy, nerdy schoolgirl, which was quite the opposite of her reputation back in Cherryton on where she was the pretty who any guy would want to date. However, Miyagi and Ben, and Oguma made her feel welcome. Never in her life had she been so overcome with joy that the young pureblooded royalty wolf had helped her deliver such a precious pup into the world, and not because he was beautiful but because it was their child, their little light, and if she were to lose Legosi? She would not succumb to grief, but make sure to finish that vile civet for all the pain he has cause them, taking her baby from her would the last thing Deshico would see if one day she heard of his demise, she refused to believe that outcome, her Legosi was strong, stronger than the will of that Civet.

****

      At the Niflheim Empire at the Imperial Palace war room, the young emperor was in a meeting with some of his most trusted advisors, Commander Winter, and a few of Niflheim’s nobility. they were just going over a disastrous attack they had just received news from a distress signal from the outskirts of Valhkyr, Sviphul, where one of the refugee camps was established by high authorities from their emperor and to make matters worse. Brandon hasn’t been able to communicate with the Kingdom of Tenabrae; he had promised Solani to keep in contact with the high command of her nation while she was out there helping Legosi forge the covenant. Some sections of the capital city were still under siege under heavy Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak control, and the campaign to destroy the secret facilities that were built on their nation's grounds was still ongoing. It turns out Ivan had built more than one factory, which was still to be located. 

The young snow leopard-cougar hybrid couldn’t help but frown and feel frustrated that the enemy was trying to distract them or divert them from their search by atttacking the refuges' camps on Niflliehm soil. He could only think one thing ot hismelf, “Ivan…what is the point of targeting innocent civilians, is your hatred against my kind so worth all this bloodshed?” Brandon's heart ached for the suffering of his subjects; he was brought out of his thoughts by the arctic fox.

“Your radiance, pardon my intrusion, but may I suggest a plan of approach that would benefit all of us?” Winter asked in a respectful tone, ignoring the glares from the nobility of Nifleheim as they had learn of the arctic fox's poverty lifestyle before joining the ranks of the Imperial might of Nifleim.

“That would be much appreciated, Co-” Brandon let out a tired sigh, as he was about to let the Fox speak, but he was rudely interrupted by a noble cougar

“Your Radiance! This is absurd!!! We are wasting thousands and thousands of dollars! Keeping those refugee camps open, it’s clear that the enemy has only an interest in wasting our time. I said we should focus all our spending on fortifying the city, and sell the-” The cougar and everyone else jumped when Brandon stabbed the table with his Imperial X-Balde dagger with enough force to almost drive the blade in. His body was trembling with rage, fangs bared and growling, his eyes were set on the cougar that dared utter that nonsense. He couldn’t even believe what he was hearing to begin with, as each word that had poured out of that cougar's mouth left him feeling nothing but disgust and rage.

“Care to repeat yourself, Lord Fletcher?” Brandon let out a vicious growl at the now nervous, scared noble. A tapir tried to come to the cougar’s defense, which was a great mistake.

“Y-Your radiance if y-you allow me to explain Lord’s Flecther’s position, I-I’m sure we can a-all can c-come to an agre-” The tapir cut himself off as he heard Brandon growl some more, narrowing his eyes at the foolish herbivore, and then he spoke what his advisors and Commander Winter knew the cougar was implying.

“So you expect me to not only abandon the rest of the empire, but also leave the rest of our people to fend for themselves just because you lot don’t want to waste a single penny? Let them be subjugated?” Brandon growled as his grip tightened on the handle blade, while his free hand curled into a fist. When none of the nobility answered, the young hybrid exploded in rage as he slammed his left fist on th table and screamed in righteous fury at the top of his lungs.

“YOU INSOLENT FOOLS! THE NIFLEIHM EMPIRE WOULD NOT FALL, NOR BOW TO THE LIKES OF THE TYRANNY OF THAT WARMONGER!!!” Brandon roared at the top of his lungs as the nobility cowered at his outburst. “THIS WAR IS OUR WAR AS MUCH OF IT IS LUCIS AND TENABRAE! THE MOMENT DESHICO SPILLED THE BLOOD OF OUR PEOPLE IS THE MOMENT HE DECLARED WAR ON US! LONG BEFORE HE HAD BEEN SPILLING THE BLOOD OF MY KIND!” By the time he was done screaming with pure hatred and rage at their ludicrous suggestion, the snow leopard-cougar hybrid was left panting before he took a deep breath of air and exhaled, and spoke in a much more restrained manner, still caring that authoritatively icy tone

“I will not abandon our allies nor our people after years of peace have been established. Thanks to True King saved our Star was saved from the starscourge, and decades of the Nifleihm-Lucis war were brought to an end so that our world might know peace. You should be grateful for not having your trial for treason and incarcerated for the rest of your miserable lives, for I am one to not easily to anger…now get the fuck out my war room, before I change my mind.” Brandon growled one last time as he dismissed the nobility with his right hand.

          Luckily for them, they seemed to get the message as some left with their tails tucked between their legs, others with their head hanging low, and others glaring back at the Emperor for a brief moment just as some of the more reasonable nobility of Niflehiem enter the room, none spoke a word as they aware of what had just occurred judging by the Emperor’s sour expression. Some of the new nobility in the war room were among those who had helped Emperor Brandon strike diplomatic affairs and spending advice on how to improve his citizens life even those outside of the Capital City, for some were born in the less richly neighborhood regions of the Empire, working themselves up to the hierarchy, eventually the silence was broken by Brandon himself as he turned his face to the older arctic Fox.

“I’m sorry for the interruption, Commander Witner. You might continue, perhaps we can all come to an agreement that would guarantee the best course of action.” Brandon spoke in a kinder tone while still maintaining that authoritative tone that the arctic fox had come to respect.

“Yes...right away, your Raidance, I was thinking we could send a small battalion of…” Commander Winter briefed them, as his voice contained nothing for respect to the hybrid, for as young as at only eighteen years old, the Emperor had taken his duty and responsibilities seriously in times of crisis. There was no room to argue, everyone in the room knew that th Emperor’s words and tone contained nothing but authority and a demand for respect, they were all in this war whether they liked it or not, Deshico had to pay for spilling the blood of their people.

Chapter Text

  (Final Fantasy XV - Ardyn’s Theme II OST Starts)

        Back at the Kingdom of Lucis, Deshico was staring at a family portrait of the Lucis Royal family, consisting of Miyagi Lucis Caleum and Leano Drago Lucis Caleum, the King and Queen of Lucis, and their High Royal Advisors, Gosha Drago and Toki Drago Lea, of course, who could forget the bane of his existence, Legosi Ardyn Lucis Caleum, the Crown Prince himself and heir to the throne of Lucis. Deshico snarled in disgust as he slashed the painting with his sword, destroying the portrait. He wasn’t alone in the room as Ivan showed no worry or discomfort except for the two Bloody Eye soldiers shiefted nervously at the Civet’s rage as he made the King’s office his own ever since the invasion. Deschico had trotted into the palace as his own. It was a well-known fact that if anyone dared to calm him down, they would immediately meet their fate at the end of his blade, for the recent news of Rogan’s capture left Deshico in a sour mood, and had him get his focus on somewhere else, as an immediate rescue attempt to break him out of prison would waste resources. Their focus for now was shifted to the Hydraean and the young prince's next move, and by Ivan’s suggestion, since Miso and Ponzu of the Madaragumi and his High Commanders Nigel and Omar couldn’t agree, a decision was made; by order of Deshico himself that left no room for argument, it was ultimately decided that the Madaragumi would shift their focus on helping with Ivan’s “Crystaline Project” the project was center around the ccosntruction of an artificial crystal that would serve as a power conduit for Deshico’s new power suit, something fitting for a self-procalmied God. Ivan and Omar would join Admiral Porch in the assault on the Leviathan. 

      Nigel had beamed with excitement at the news, as his desire for revenge against Bill Amicita was stronger than any other desire; the leopards weren’t happy with their attention shifting somewhere else, but they remained quiet to remain favor and wait for the perfect opportunity for their chance at taking over the Black Market, soon, the civet would have to honor their desires. The Civet sour mood could also be blamed on the citizens of Lucis, protesting or refusign to cooperate with the new laws Deshico had established, many of those were arrested or executed publicly as an example. All will bow down to him sooner or later, he refused to believe they still had hope for their King and the Prince's return for they will all soon learned that purity was the true strength of nature and beasts, there was no room for hybrids or mixed breeds in his perfect world, the civets thoughts came to a halt when someone enter the room, a rottweiler on an expensive suit with a Bloody Eye pin who was the same one that had taunted Legosi on the Gala who had been escorted to safety by some Bloody Eye troops as he was one of the traitors among that night who had secretly joined their ranks. He was very lucky not to be among those to be arrested and trial for treason, for he had slipped off before the chaos of the invasion began among some of the elite who had connections with Deshico.

“Pardon the intrusion, Your Excellency, but are you sure you can trust High Commander Nigel? What makes you think he won’t disobey your orders?” The Rottweiler said in a matter of concern.

“Question me not, Lord Barkis! For he knows not to cross me or disobey my orders!” Deshico growled toward the Rottweiler, who could only bow in apology with a sincere tone toward the civet inside the power magtiek mech suit.

“Of course, my apologies, after all, it’s not every day I’m allowed to prove my worth to your cause.” Lord Barkis said in a tone of gratitude, causing Deshico to scoff at him.

“Hmm, yes…you have proven to be quite useful in helping us manage our troops throughout the city. I'll expect you to bring me the Prince’s head. Failure is not an option.” The hatch of Deshico's suit opened as he climbed down and hopped onto the desk of the office, pouring himself some coffee.

“Of course, Your Excellency, after all, I was the first from the Council to join you in your cause of getting rid of the hybrid filth running our world.” With that being said, Lord Barkis smiled in gratitude. They made their way to the door, leaving Ivan and Deshico to discuss more about the Crystaline Project and the crystal's capabilities, all filling the civet with more pleasure.

(Final Fantasy XV - Ardyn’s Theme II OST Ends)

****

       Two days later, the preparations for today’s trial against the Hydraen were met as all the intel of espionage from the 500 cornered rats and the Moon Pack led by Carne and Lupus had reached the ears of Legosi, Melon, Solani, Louis, and Yafya. The two Beastars had ordered the Cherryton Special Forces and the Cherryton Guard along the King’s Pride and Dragon’s Kitsune to remain in high alert in the city and Black Market district, as the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak could attack during the trial. During these days of war, it remained a common occurange for citizens to evacuate their homes and head to the shelters or barricade themselves in their attics or any stronghold safe place. There were still many sections of the city to liberate from the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak, as their forces had become more adept at hiding among the war-torn districts or run-down neighborhoods, sectors, and sections that could serve as bases of operations to communicate with those outside the city.

       Dom, Fudge, and Pina had also worked on new battle garments of denser fabric and padding for slash and pierce damage resistance. Melon was also given some new combat footwear that was designed to safely transfer his lightning magic at his feet to help him be even faster, along with two chain bracelets and a charm for his Gunblade that helped boost his magic in the shape of a Melon Leaf, and it wasn’t just them contributing to the cause. The 701 boys, along with Sam and Cliff, also got their specialized items to increase their attributes. The whole Support Course had created some specialized rings, chains, anklets, and bracelets that serve as a magical boost for The King’s Pride. The Dragon’s Kitsune were officially given garments that had magical resistance properties, while the Cherryton Special Forces were given ribbons that boosted their stamina with lightning-infused magic to help them reload faster, and the Cherryton Guard branch was given Bandanas with healing properties. It was safe to say that their work had come to fruition.

        After finishing packing the rest of the potions, curatives, and elixirs created by Haru and Mizuchi and the rest of the Gardening Club, farewells and best wishes of good luck and safe return were exchanged. Their destination was set on The Droplet of Reaper, where the trial would take place, as it was the most concentrated place of a magical surge the sea folk had reported on, and there were already reports from Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak warships patrolling the sea only be torn apart by sea serpents made of water, their drive to the road was going smoothly until they were greeted by the sound of a Bloody Eye magitek engine.

“Shit! We got company!!” Cliff yelled in alarm, and with those words being said, Legosi reached for the radio of the armored vehicle.

“Evasive Maneuvers! Step on it!” Legosi said loudly for Sam who was on the wheel of the second vehicle with Tem, Riz and Cliff to hear as the two armored vehicles began to speed up and dodge the missiles and gunfire directed at them, eventually outrunning them, The pilots inside the aircraft gave up as they couldn’t pinned them down, the barricade should stop them in their tracks, or so they thought.

“Jack! Get ready!” Bill yelled at the Labrador, who nodded, stood up, and took aim with his Alea Bazookoo, firing his three missiles and blowing up the barricade, causing the Bloody Eye soldiers to cry out in surprise as the two armored vehicles crashed through the weakened fence and vehicles after all the armored truck vehicles Legosi and his allies were ridden were design for this occasions.

****

(Final Fantasy XV - The Hydraen’s Wrath OST Starts)

          Meanwhile, the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak warships and their crews found themselves more than they could chew as sea serpents made entirely of water were tearing them apart, slamming at them at full force, and picking them up one by one. The sea folk creatures were singing in unison praises to their sea goddess, Leviathan, who was making her presence known by slamming into the ships and swimming around them like a huge predator hunting down its prey.

Not even the magitek airship was safe as they were flying too close to the surface water, only for Leviathan to snatch them in her powerful jaws, slamming into them or sending them flying with her tail. The sea serpents also slammed into them on full force, sending them crashing to a watery grave and on top of some warships. Panic cries of anguish and panic filled the warships as sirens blared.

Admiral Porch and Lord Barkis grunted as the entire ship shook from Levithan slamming her boyd into it, almost tilting it. The Rottweiler and the Reindeer grunted from the impact along with the crew inside as sparks flew from the control panel. It was safe to say that the eager Rottweiler was now terrified for his life as he didn’t imagine things going south so quickly. In a panic, he took hold of the Reindeer’s shirt and barked at him.

“For fucks sake! Get us the fuck out of here, Porch!” Barkis let out a barking roar at the face of the Reindeer, who scoffed and pushed him off with a snarl of his own.

“No! We have a mission to follow!” Porch angrily protested at the Rottweiler as he reached for the radio and immediately began barking orders.

“All units! Concentrate fire on -” Porch didn’t get to finish as barkis and the crew froze in utter fear as Leviathan emerged from the water with a roar, and her gaze landed on them, and without giving them time to act, she send waters sea serpents at them at full force one of them smashed trough the window of the main control room hitting them and making them grunt in pain while others took cover and when they looked up. Their eyes widen and scream in despair as a massive tidal tsunami wave engulfs them, flipping the ship and sending Porch and Barkis to a watery grave, and everyone else on board as the ship is torn apart and sinks to the bottom of the ocean.

Nigel let out a mocking chuckle of disbelief while Omar could only stare in awe at such power from the safety of their airship magitek they can see why Deshico wanted to slay or subjugate the Astral Gods, such power can be quite terrifying, so Nigel ordered the remaining troops since Porch and Barkis and their sea fleet was gone now, but the air units can still be salvage. “All remaining air units! Retreat! I repeat retreat! Focus your attention on the Prince!” Nigel said as Omar immediately started to make distance from the ocean.

        Back with Legosi and his allies, they had smashed their way through the remaining barricades. They now were on the beach existing their vehicles and staring at the uneasy waters and debris of the warships and retreating magitek airships, such destruction of power that led some of them feeling bad for their enemies and before they could say anything, a massive water tornado and storm immediately begun to form near the famous cliff, creating a storm indicating that the wrath of the Hydraen for she was meet with the hostility of mortals and land dwellers. Who had disturbed the peace of the ocean, and perhaps for all the illegal, unregulated fishing of endangered species of feral fish that were off limits.

(Final Fantasy XV - The Hydraen’s Wrath OST Ends)

“Shit…looks like she’s angry,” Bill said as he could feel the cold air bristle his fur, and his sixth sense was going crazy as his whiskers twitched.

“Yeah, I’d be pretty pissed off too if a bunch of assholes were trying to shoot me or blow me up to bits!! How many sea folks did you think died on their attempt to slay her?!’ Melon said as he stared in fascination at the water tornado, “If she keeps this up, she'll tear apart a huge chunk of the land mass! And flood the whole continent all because of some assholes!” His words conveyed nothing but urgency and a realization that everyone needed to waste no more time.

“Then let’s move and get this-!” Legosi said, filled with determination, but a sharp pain coursing through his right ear cut him off with a loud grunt as a gunshot rang out.

“Legosi!” Everyone yelled in concern as Legosi held his right ear in pain as he crashed through the ground on his knees, only to be greeted by the voice of Oma, who was holding a pistol smoking through the barrier.

“You won’t be going anywhere anytime sooner, Your Majesty!!” Omar said in a cold growl as he glared at the group, as more troops teleported behind them, a total of twenty Bloody Eye Soldiers and two Elite Dragoons, and ten magitek mechanical bat soldiers with four Kopi Luwak magitek armored Bats inside their mech, among then Nigel let out maniacal laughter, showing off his magitek prosthetic arm to Bill letting out a vicious snarling growl at the Bengal Tiger.

“I’ts payback time, Amicita!!’ Nigel snarled and growled with nothing but raw, passionate hatred towards the Bengal Tiger, who glared back at the dingo.

“Legosi! You and Solani head to the Droplet of the Ripper! We’ll buy you some time!” Durham said as he summoned his Assassin’s daggers, followed by everyone else summoning and taking their weapons out, while Solani used a healing potion on Legosi.

“Leave these clowns to us, don’t worry about us!” Melon said as he charged his Redeemer with lightning and fire magic.

 “I’m counting on all of you,” Legosi said as Solani could only nod in worry, but she knew they couldn’t waste any more time, and with that, she and Legosi took off.

(Final Fantasy XV: Comrades Multiplayer - Dastardly Duo OST Starts)

        Melon and the rest of the party were ready to hold the line as soon as Legosi and Solani made a break for it, for the enemy was willing to stop them by any means necessary. Grip tight on their weapons, they formed a defensive wall, never taking their eyes off the enemy as they also had their guns drawn and awaited orders from Omar and Nigel, the two High Commanders of the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak. The dingo's eyes were filled with hatred against Bill for cutting half of his left arm, then he pointed at them with his blade and let out a loud barking command.

“Make them pay!! Amicitia is mine!!” Nigel said as he snarled viciously at them, and with that, the battle began as the enemy launched their attack on them.

The first ones to meet the enemy were Bill and Melon. The young tiger was forced to block a charging lightning strike from the magitek prosthetic arm of the snarling dingo with his lightning shield, only for the gazelle-leopord hybrid to blitz-strike him as his new shoes allowed him to be faster as Melon slashed at the chest of the dingo making him stumble as he felt the impact on his armor letting him grunt on pain and retailate. Melon found himself dodging several gunshots as Nigel took out his energy standard-issue Bloody Eye pistol as retaliation against Melon’s attack against him. Still, he couldn’t nail the hybrid as he kept sidestepping or leaning his body out of his line of sight as he and Bill then rushed him again.

On another part of the battlefield, Collot, Riz, Voss, and Tem were dealing with Omar, whose ice armor and attacks proved to be a challenge, for he was a skilled swordsman of a behemoth. The polar bear stomped his left foot down, creating an explosion of ice as he shattered some of his ice armor, sending shards of ice at them. The four of them blocked and dodged some of them, but still felt some shards cut or sting them. It was an uncomfortable feeling on their feet and skin of a burning sensation like holding an ice cube or something cold for so long. Voss warps the Polar Bear on the face with a kick directed at the nose, but that ice armor protected him from being stunned, causing the Fennec fox to curse. Riz and Collot went for a double shield bash with their Ice Shields, but this only enraged the Polar Bear, who barely lost his footing as he sent a powerful vertical energy wave of ice at them, forcing them to dodge outof the way. Tem warped and came from above for an attempt to stab at him, only to be greeted by another ice blast, sending him at Riz's arm, who managed to catch the startled Alpcaca.

“Come on! Is that the best you can do!!” Omar roared as he encased himself again in more of his ice armor with his magtiek greatsword beaming with energy and elemancy. The four of them groaned as they got ready to face the polar bear again, this time with more caution and strategy.

          Durham and Miguno were dealing with the two Elite Dragoons, an Eastern Grey Kangooro with ice and fire-enhanced attacks, and a Wedge-tailed Eagle with lightning and ice-enhanced attacks. Both the coyote and spotted hyena were forced to dodge twice as the Kangaroo jumped, leaving icicles and came down with a fiery explosion, sending ice shards at them. For the eagle to encase himself on a sheet of ice as he came crashing down with lightning, sending electric ice at them, the two of them were forced to heal themselves using an Elixir as the ice shards did a significant amount of damage to them, mostly to their hands, which they had used to shield their face from further damage. The two engage the enemy with Durham changing to his Dragoon Lance and engaging the Kangaroo while Miguno engages the eagle with his Katana. The young coyote parried a slash from the Dragoons' magitek spear before delverign a powerful thrust at the enemy, hitting him on the stomach, sending the eagle flying back from the impact, shattering some of the armor. Miguno, on the other hand, attempted to strike the eagle in the head with a powerful vertical attack, only for the eagle to block his attack and kick him in the stomach with enough force to move him back. The young spotted hyena retaliated by throwing three shuriken as a distraction. As he rushed the eagle, he saw an opening and delivered a slash at the eagle's armor. The eagle squawked angrily as his armor absorbed the attack, but still felt the impact of the blade as Miguno had put his strength behind it as if he was cutting and slashing at the same time.

 Jack and Cliff found themselves engaging in a combination of close and mid-range combat against the enemy, who attempted to gun them or cut them down. Jack let out a growl and grunt of rage and pain as he blocked the bite of a jackal with his left arm before blasting him at close range on the stomach and chest with his Lionheart pistol, breaking free of the dying enemy bite, he heard a Bloody Eye soldier rush at him with a combat hand-ax, Jack coutne-attack by slicing his hand off with his Audax Blade and shot him dead with four shots. Cliff electrocuted an enemy bull with his stunt baton before shooting him dead with his Mythrol pistol, two shots, one in the head and one in the heart, before striking a carcal twice with two quick thrust attacks, electrocuting him before striking hard on the side of his head, cracking his skull and killing him on the spot. He let out a grunt of pain as he felt some bullets graze his right arm and left leg. Jack immediately went to his aid as he closed the distance towards Cliff's location using dodge defensive tactics with his Trigger-Happy bullet art technique as he gunned down the enemy with a volley of bullets, with his Lionheart and Executioner pistols. The Labrador and Pig exchanged glances and nodded at each other. Jack switched to his Rapidus SMG, and Cliff changed to his Grenade Launcher.

Sam was a wild and feral force as he tore through the mechanical bats, ripping the head of one of them and tossing it at the one pilot bat inside its mech suit as a distraction. Sam slashed twice with his magitek claws at the torso before punching through the bat inside, let out a scream as he was violenty ripped out and burned to a crisp as Sam ignited his claws on fire, tossing the corpse to another of the pilots who swatted it aside. Only to be hit with one of the mechanical upper body as Sam use his part as a makeshift weapon, the caiman-wolf hybrid had a feral grin as he had to make a mental note to thank Dom, Fudge, and Pia for making him bracelets that increase the strength and magic potency of his magtiek gautlets claws as they were toring trough the enemy with ease.

          Back with Bill and Melon, the two of them perform a blind-sided linkstrike attack on Nigel after Melon blasted him in the face with a gust of cold wind, the ice blinded him temporarily as Bill and Melon exchange Weapons with Bill blasting him on the chest with Melon striking him with downward tilted vertical slash on the chest with Bill’s Iron Duke using the moment of his body to help him deliver the blow, just like they had pratice on some of their sparing matches, the attack completely shattering and breaking some of the armor, with Nigel letting out a snarling war cry as he regaained his footing.

“Behold my power, Amicita!” Nigel snarled, charging his magtitek arm with electricity and shooting it into the sky, bolts of electricity raining down on him like lightning as a makeshift barrier.

“Oh great, just what we needed,” Bill said with a groan as he and Melon healed themselves with a Hi-Potion, healing their wounds and restoring their energy.

“He really wants you dead, huh, stripes?” Melon joked with Bill as he enhanced his Redeemer with ice, forming an ice blade as he glared at the rabid, blood thirsty dingo. “Well, too bad he will have to get through me first,” The hybrid declared, causing Nigel to growl in pure hatred at the hybrid's words, filling him with more bloodlust.

“Good to know you have my back, Spots. Let’s finish him off.” Bill said, tightening his grip on his Gengi Blade, the same one he used to cut part of Nigel’s left arm back at the bridge of the Shishigumi mansion on their second encounter.

Nigel let out a vicious war cry as Melon and Bill rushed him. Melon blitzed at him, only to have his attack parried as he felt his blade connect with Nigel’s, only to brush past him and grunted in pain as he was hit with electricity from his Magitek arm. The dingo’s ears perked up at Bill running at him, turning around to deliver a punch, only for Bill lto block the punch with his Thunder Shield with a loud clang. Bill went for a stabbing motion, only for Nigel to parry his blade by striking the tip of the sword and slashing at Bill, who barely avoided getting his arm cut off as he immediately countered the attack. Nigel immedietly reached for his gun to gun down Bill, down he never got to pull the trigger as two ice arcs of magic hit him from the back, making him see Melon glaring at him. This allowed Bill to sneak in a punch to the Dingo, who cried out in pain as he was swung and managed to barely slash the tiger. Bill hissed as he stepped back with a shallow cut on his chest. He healed himself with a potion before Melon, and he rushed at him only to be greeted by Nigel dispelling the electricity off him, but still leaving him in a vulnerable state, as Bill and Melon recovered from the attack with a groan and growled.

       The Polar Bear growled in frustration as he met Collot’s Blade with his own. The sheep dog had managed to block the attack aimed at him, bringing him down to one as he struggled agaisnt the massive ursine. Riz came to his rescue using his Ice-Shield as he shield-bashed with a warp-strike to get him off from Collot, who immediately went to Riz's side.

“I’ll kill you for that!!” Omar roared in pure rage as he rushed at them, only for Tem to throw a fireball at his face, stunning him and making him roar and grunt in frustration as his ice armor was removed from his face. “Why you little lea-aahhhh!!” Omar didn’t get to finish as Voss warp-strikes him, slashing his nose and snout with his Main Gauches, making him scream in agony as he felt his nerves flare up in pain, only for him to look up with a snarl and be met with a four-piece combo to the face as Riz hit him four times across the face with his fists, making sure that his blows landed on his snout and nose inflcing more damage to those cuts, the polar bear was left in a vunerable state for them to attack on the scale of devasting teamwork.

“Collot! Let’s go!” Riz yelled towards the sheep dog as he summoned his Iron Duke greatsword

“Let’s show him the meaning of pain!” Collot said, following Riz’s lead with his Hyperion greatsword at hand.

The two of them perform a double-hammer technique, shattering Omar's ice armor and causing him to cry out in pain, staggering on his feet at the impact of the heavy blades. The armor surrounding his torso was also broken and shattered, with fragmented material that served as the perfect opportunity for Tem to warp-strike with a cross slash across the chest, his kukri daggers cutting through the fabric, fur, and flesh of the bear, Voss also struk him with another warp-strike both of his feet hitting him on the nose rearing his head back from the force nearly knocking him off his feet, Collot then tossed his Hyperion Greatsword at him on the stomach making him lose more of his balance. The Polar Bear's eyes widen in alarm as Riz warped, and before he can act, he is hit hard on the face directly at the nose as the young brown bear knocks him off his feet, sending him crashing and skidding to the floor with a bloody nose and muzzle.

Bill snarled and growled as he blocked Nigel’s magitek arm wrist blade, attempted to stab him with his thunder shield, maneuvering his body to the side, Bill stabbed the prosthetic arm with his Masume blade, jumping back to allow Melon charge a blizaga shot, took aim and fire the impact of the bullet and it’s elemacy created had Nigel growling in rage as he felt the ice and slowly slowed him down as he tried to reach for his pistol. He didn’t get the chance as Melon holstered his Redeemer, covered his right hand in ice into a fist, and Blitzed towards him, punching him in the face with a right hook, the ice shattering on impact and knocking a few fangs out of the dingo, sending him crashing next to Omar. They were both in rough shape with their armor and clothes were tattered and in ruins, their ego completely beaten black and blue.

The two dragoons meet their fate, the moment Durham and Miguno change their opponents, Durham found himself counterstriking with the Eagle, who had hit him across the muzzle with the end of the magitek spear. He slashed at the legs of the Eagle but found hismelf missing as the Eagle jumped into the air. The coyote scoffed and rolled out of the way, and using his clarity ability, he unleashed a barrage of flaming daggers at the eagle, canceling out the ice armor and going for the killing blow, throwing his precision lance, killing the eagle as the blade pierced through the heart. Miguno found himself closing the distance, but not without feeling the blade of Kangooro’s mgitek painfully slash through his left arm, barely avoiding the spear from fully entering his arm. Miguno slashed the Kangooro twice with his Kotesu Katana, utilizing his Lion’s Roar technique to deliver two devastating slashes, the shockwave and strike, killing the Kangooro on impact. The two of them went to join Bill and Melon, along with Jack, Sam, and Cliff, who had finished eliminating the rest of the enemy.

(Final Fantasy XV: Comrades Multiplayer - Dastardly Duo OST Ends)

The dingo and polar bear could barely keep up their balance, Melon and the rest of the pary were still heavily on high alert on case they tried something, the first one to recover with a grunt of anguish and pain was Omar whose head was spinning and feeling nauseous due to the damage on his nose and muzzle coughing up blood the tossed two flashbang grenades at them stunning the group as he took hold of Nigel who was on a feral state struggling to break free of the polar bear.

“No! No! No! Let me go, dammit! I kill them! I kill them all! I would have my revenage!” Nigel snarled and bared his fangs at Omar, who could only growl in return and brought the small carnivore to his face.

“You had your chance! Til now, Deschico still needs us alive! I won’t let those damn leopards replace me or tear down everything I worked for. We're leaving now!” Omar bared and growled at the still glaring dingo who in return spit blood on the polar bears face causing to let out a snarling growl and slammed him hard on the floor causing the digno to let out a violent cough as Omar took out at teleporting device just as Melon and the rest of the party recovered from being stunted and blind, saw that but before they could move in for the killing blow, Omar and Nigel telported away back to the Maduragumi mansion.

“Dammit! They got away again!” Bill said in a frustrated tone as Jack went to his side and placed a calming hand on his boyfriend's left arm.

“We get them next time, we need to get to Legosi and Solani!” Jack spoke urgently in a concerned tone, causing the tiger's gaze to soften at his adorable boyfriend and nod in agreement. Before anyone could say anything, they were interrupted by the sound of explosions and several warping sounds. Their gaze landed on Legosi warp-striking Levithan, both wolf and sea-serpent being encircled on a ring of water, with Solani unconscious on the ground. They all immediately rush to her aid.

Chapter Text

        Around the same time, Melon and the rest of the party were fending off Nigel and Omar, the rest of the Bloody Eye and Kopi Luwak, and the prince and princess were making their way to the top of the cliff. Legosi helped Solani climb up the rock, and they now stood on top, staring at the giant pillar of a water tornado. The two of them could feel the moisture and cold wind up close, and the presence of Levithan was much stronger; their ears could hear the distant sounds of the others buying their time by feeding off the enemy. This was it, either they stop the Hydraen’s wrath by forging the covenant or otherwise countless lives would be lost, and half of the Cherrtyton continent or the entire continent would be consumed under water, erasing the nation from the face of the world. Something that Solani and Legosi weren’t too fond of, and letting it happen.

“You ready?” Legosi asked his cousin, to which she responded with nothing but confidence and determination as her expression matched her tone.

“Ready,” Solani responded with nothing but conviction in her voice. Legosi softly smiled at her cousin's determination as he summoned and handed her the Trident of the Oracle Royal Arm in which would help her amplify her power and presence in her role.

(Final Fantasy XV - Song of the Stars OST Starts)

Solani immediately began by communicating with Levithan as she sang the song of the stars, to catch her attention, while Legosi could only listen as the two of them could feel the cold air and water from the storm ruffling their fur and soaking them, with some of the blood on Legosi washing away. It was terrifying how history seems to repeat itself. Legosi and Solani were both aware of what had transpired to their ancestors, but they were not about to repeat those same mistakes, no matter how drastically terrifying their predicament was, for to be almost parallel to the past to today’s present. However, the risk was worth it as having their gods on their side would keep turning the tide in their favor, and there was no way they would allow Deshico to subjugate a god, for who is to slay he would not slay one and take its power? His intellectual mind was his greatest weapon, and that scared them more than anything, for he had orchestrated a full-scale invasion, whose to say he couldn’t do worse? They couldn’t give him an edge or allow him to exploit an advantage, not now and not ever, as long as they were still alive and fighting to deliver blow after blow to his troops and plans, they could win this war and make him pay for all the atrocities he had committed in the name of science and purification of species

(Final Fantasy XV - Song of the Stars OST Ends)

          The voice of Solani quiet down as she finished sinigng, just in time for Levithan to make her appearance as the tornado of water collapse and in it’s place stood Levithan herself the mighty dvine sea serpent let out a shrinking roar, and then it spoke in a rather angry, demanding tone about what she had experienced and endured at the hands of the enemy.

“Which foolish mortal dares to approach after daring to strike down a god!!” Levithan spoke in an angry, aggravated tone as she stared down a the two wolves. Her fins violently splashed water in a form of intimidation, and she soon received her answer.

“It is I, Solani Nox Fluerent!! Blood of the Oracle!!” Solani yelled at the top of her lungs, then it was Legosi’s turn to introduce himself.

“Legosi Ardyn Lucis Caluem!! Son of the 120th King of Lucis and heir to the throne!!” Legosi also shouted towards the mighty sea-serpent. He then let Solani continue to speak.

“Goddess of the sea, we beseech you to enter the covenant, for that the prince might bring the light and peace back to our star!!” Solani said in a stern tone, showing no fear, which only caused Levithan to angrily launch at them.

“Look out!!” Legosi yelled, and Solani immediately acted as she used her power.

“Levithan!!” Solani yelled as she drove her back with her power, as a golden beam and pulse struck the sea serpent. The young she-wolf continued to communicate with her. “I know that the future might look bleak, but you must know that the light and peace of our star is in peril at the hands of a false god! For it's the destiny of the young prince and the owner to bring him to his knees and-” Solani didn’t get to finish as Levithan roared at them.

“Silence!!” The divine sea serpent sends three water sea serpents at them, with Legosi getting in front of Solani, summoning a crystal barrier. The first strike was blocked, the second one weakened it, and the third shattered it, hitting Solan, who let out a yelp of pain as she hit the floor unconscious, as she hit her head.

“No!” Legosi yelled as he scrambled to his cousin, feeling relief at seeing her slowly breathe, but clearly harmed as he had an expression of pain, he also felt anger at the hydraen for hiring his cousin, and at the words that she uttered next in concept.

“Why should I!? A goddess!! Bestow its strength to mortals who are weak in strength to prevent the mistakes of past generations! For we are not tools or weapons for your destruction! We are beings of creations that your kind seek to subjugate us and destroy us by any means! Forgetting the centuries of history of our servitude to thy vile kind!” Contempt escaped her voice.

Legosi snarled at those words as he took the Trident of the Oracle and spoke in righteous fury, slamming into the ground as he spoke back to her. “Levithan!! I promise that, as my honor as a Lucian, I would prove myself worthy of your strength just like my ancestor Noctis Lucis Caluem did when he drove away the starscourge of our star!! For I have already proven my worth to the others! Shiva! Ramuh! Titan! Garuda!! All have seen my worth and conviction!! You will enter this covenant! You will feel the power of the light once again!! For I am the Prince of Lucis and I will prove myself worthy!!” Legosi said in nothing but raw fury and conviction as he began to glow with the power of the Kings of Yore, levitahing off the ground and summoning all thirteen of the Royal Arms with a loud howl.

(Final Fantasy XV - Trial of the Leviathan (Apoclapysis Aquaris) OST Starts)

“Then it is decided!! Prove your worth!! If not!! I would consume all until the tide destroys all!! Heaven and Earth, Birth and Return to nothingness!” Leviathan declared towards the young wolf who chose to attack her immediately.

         The young hybrid prince launched all thirteen of the Royal Arms at Levithan that exploded on impact on holy blue light, causing the sea serpent to scream in pain before Legosi shield-bashed with a warp-strike using the Shield of the Just on the snout, another Warp-strike with the Axe of the Conqueror, causing her to move away from the cliff. He let out a roar as he warp-strike with the Sword of the Tall, breaking her top right fin off as a massive circle of water formed around them, acting as a barrier and wall while the rest of the party went to retrieve Solani and move to safety.

“Come on! Let’s get her to safety!” Bill said as he grabbed Solani while the others stared at Legosi fighting the sea serpent and could only hope he could manage to win against her.

Leviathan sends several projectiles of her own at Legosi, water sea serpents, and orbs of water to knock the wolf out of the sky, but Legosi warped, blocked, and destroyed some of them. He grunted in pain as two of them managed to hit him. Four orbs of water also struck him, letting out a painful groan of frustration from the high impact. He retaliated by sending more phantom Royal Arms that exploded on impact. He then warp-strikes four more times to one side of her body, causing her to shriek in pain. She turned and charged at him, and Legosi barely avoided getting devoured as he grunted from one of her fins hitting him, as well as being hit with the side of her body. 

Legosi warped and blocked more water sea serpents and orbs of water sent at him, he warped upwards and was about to go for another warp strike to the head of Levitahn, but found hismelf warping out of the way of several rising water tornados, great, now she was trying to limit his movement of space!! His eyes widened as he saw her charge once again at him, intending to eat him whole. He blocked the attack with his Royal Arms and parried her jaws, stunning her as she let out a roar of pain. Legosi took this opportunity to send another barrage of Royal Arms to her left eye, blinding her. He warp-strike and strike her bottom left fin this time with the Star of the Rouge, switching to the Sword of the Wondered, he delivered a series of slashes and managed to break her fin when he warped back and struck with the Mace of the Fierce. Just two more fings to go, Legosi could tell that the attacks were doing a number on Levithan.

The sea serpent roared as she sent more sea serpents and Legosi with more water tornadoes erupting from below, had Legosi stunt as he was hit several times, allowing Levithan to submerge himself and swim to his location before emerging and hitting Legosi with her right bottom wing.

“Fuck!!” Legosi cursed as he found hismelf flipping through the air before regaining his balance by warping again and moving out of another body slam attack, avoiding Levithan’s tail. Legosi sent another barrage of Royal Arms at Levithan’s back before warp-striking four times to her back, causing her to roar and fly to a water tornado. Legosi warped out of the way in time as Levithan slammed her body into it in hoping to drown the wolf.

“Enough already!!” Legosi yelled in annoyance as he saw Levitahn charge at him again for another jaw attack as he warped out the way of several sea serpents and water orbs send his way, he launched all thritnen of the royal arms at her right eye leaving her in another vulnerable stunned state, in which he took the opportunity to strike at her bottom right wing, Legosi warped towards with the Sword of Mystic, three projectiles of holy light stirking it first, before he warped and slashed at her fin, then he switched to the Star of the Rouge again and throw it a a total of two times as he jumped and warped backwards befre warp-strikign with the Scepter of the Pios and finally with the Triden of the Oracle breaking her fin, one more to go, Legosi warped away as Levithan recover and send more water sea serpents at him and orbs of water.

“Okay, now this is getting ridiculous!!” Legosi growled loudly as he dodged more water tornadoes, making it even harder for him not to hit any of them. Leviathan went to strike with her head, but Legosi warped out of the way and sent wave after wave of barrage towards Leviathan. She retailed by making geysers of water erupt blinding Legosi allowing him to strike him with more water sea serpents and orbs of water, Legosi grutned as some hit him but managed to block and warped out of the majority, he then noticed that Levithan started naviage trough the tornadoes, making it harder to hiit her, but Legosi kept on attacking with barrages of Royal Arms, she then charge at him with another bite attack in which Legosi blocked and parry, he took the opportunity to wapr strike her on the haad four times with all thirteen of the Royal Arms leaving her in vulnerable state and went to break her top left fin, shooting her with the Bow of the Clever he warped backwards then warp-strike with the Sword of Father before changing to the Sword of the Tall and breaking her fin when he swung it in a circular motion.

He then warped away as Levithan let out a shrieking pain of anger and rage, but then Legosi delivered the final strike as she send more sea serpents and orbs of water in a large barrage in which he parry by a barrage of his own, he then warped-strike her four times, first with the Mace of the Fierce sending her head reeling back to the right, then to the left when he struck her with the Axe of the Conqueror, the third time with another Shield Bash warp-strike with the Shield of the Just and finally with the Katana of the Warrior as he came from above slicing her across the face, then as on acting on instinct he warped back, and send all thirteen phantom of the Royal Arms exploding on impact. Reaching for the Trident of the Oracle Legosi warped-strike her, stabbing her on the chest and side down, slicing her down, just like he had read how his ancestor Nocits Lucis Caleum had done, Levithan let out a shrinking roar on her defeat as water erupted from the wound. The Young prince then warped back to the cliff, feeling exhaustion settling in, he uttered some words before fainting.

(Final Fantasy XV - Trial of the Leviathan (Apoclapysis Aquaris) OST Ends)

“Am I worthy enough, Leviathan?” Legosi uttered as she stared defiantly, then he fainted as he found himself falling but was then gently caught by Ramuh, who had had gently caught the young prince, who looked proud even in his unconscious state, and he was not alone as Titan and Shiva had also arrived.

“He has proven hismelf worthy of your might, like he has before me and the others,” Titan said towards Levitha, who could only acknowledge begrudgingly.

“Then I should enter the covenant and may mighty waves purge his enemies!!” Levihan declared as she faded, Titan then punched the floor, creating walls of stone that would protect those on the beach from the massive tidal waves created by the collapsing ring of water, with Shiva freezing some of the water. As for Legosi, he found himself being carried to the beach while the others awaited his return. Ramuh gently set him down.

“Legosi!” The others went to his aid and were relieved to see him slowly breathing. Solani had a bandage around her head as she had a small cut from hitting the ground.

“Holy shit! He did it!” Cliff said in disbelief, while the others could breathe a sigh of relief and stare at some of the frozen water and stones of the wall, creating new wonder in the world.

“I knew you’d come back to us, dear cousin.” The young she-wolf could only shed some tears of relief with a small smile as she kissed the forehead of her little cousin, gently holding him like he was a newborn pup.

“Only one more to go, Ifrit, the infernian, but I belive we all deserve all rest after this, we going to need all of our strength to face the God of Fire hismelf,” Melon said as he kneel next to Solani and gently took hold of Legosi’s hand, as the others silently celebrated their victory on peace, acknowledging the words of the older hybrid, before it was broken by Durham.

“Then we will be ready for whatever comes our way.” 

“Together.” Bill and Jack said at the same time.

“We will win this war,” Miguno said in confirmation.

“For our friends…” Collot said as he picked up Voss and placed him on his shoulder..

“...and family,” Voss said with a fiery determination.

“That little bastard won’t know what hit him!!” Tem declared, closing his fist, Riz gently petted him on the head as he too strengthened his conviction to stop this war.

“We will take back our homes one way or another,” Riz said as it was a fact, and it was.

“Man, am I glad I met you all!” Cliff laughed at their words, a good, joyful laugh.

“As long as we keep focusing on the road ahead, nothing will stop us,” Sam said towards Melon, who could only nod his head in agreement, meanwhile Solani tail could only wag at their words but also have soft solemn smile she stared at Legosi and Melon, luckily no one noticed, except Melon who choose to not said a word, as he figure out her of all people would also know the inettiavle future of his demise. He could only hope that she wasn’t as naive as to believe that anyone could define destiny and fate.

‘I could only hope that you are ready to face the hardships of the future, Gosi, for fate and destiny can be cruel to those who are stubborn in pride and acting as a sacrificial lamb.’ She thought to herself about Melon’s fate, and she was going to need a lot of comfort from Brandon, who was to be her future husband.

Chapter Text

        The battle against Omar and Nigel, along with the face-off with Levithan, had left Legosi, Melon, and the rest of the party in need of some time to gather their strength and relax for a short period, as they still needed to forge the covenant with Ifrit, the Infernian, the god of fire. Still, for now, they were lying low as there hadn’t been any signs of Kopi Luwak and Bloody Eye aggression along with the VOID and Bloodbone gang. Yafya and Lupus could handle the rest of the operations in the city, as they were still going through the process of securing Rogan in maximum security for interrogation. It was safe to say that some students, mostly the young ones, wanted to ask Legosi and the others about their battle; it took some of the older students to get them away from their personal space and grant them some tranquility. Legosi was rather thankful for their intervention, as he knew that he had a hard time dealing with loud crowds; it was another reminder that he was just an anxious, nervous kid despite his royal bloodline and future responsibilities. Right now? He was at the Gardening Club along with Louis, helping move some of the heavier pots. There wasn’t much to move as they were done in forty minutes.

“Thanks for helping us move these pots, now these plants and flowers can grow healthy for more potion crafting & brewing,” Haru said towards her two boyfriends as she removed her gloves, then Mizuchi joined the conversation as she too was grateful for the help.

“You know? We used to be enemies, but now we're friends, and I now understand why you care so much about plants.” Mizuchi said as she took a sip from her glass of lemonade.

“I must admit, this is much more fun than the boring math lectures they give us.” Mizuchi’s tanuki friend, Tana, said as she reached for her lunch.

“You only say that because you keep getting distracted in class, looking at social media.” Mizuchi’s cat was fried, Kate complained, and lectured her friend, who could only stick her tongue out.

“I think you four have been doing an excellent job.” Legosi casually said as he ate from his Beef-Egg Sandwiched with fries with melted cheese, then he turned his attention to Louis “I didn’t take Louis to be the gardening type~” The young wolf teased his deer mat,e causing the young deer to pout and complain to the wolf at daring to agree with the slandering words that escape from  Haru’s moth. Louis' pride was in full defense at being at the end of the receiving incident that he would rather not remember; he couldn’t understand how and why people like bugs, he always found them creepy and unsettling.

“Hey!! What’s that supposed to mean! I’m not some pompous bastard that doesn't like to get dirty at times!” Louis whined at the small jab Legosi threw at him, which caused Haru to giggle. She then joined in the teasing of her deer.

“Sorry to break things to you, Louis but every time I asked for your helped, you seemed to make up excuses, and I remember the time you almost scream like a little girl when a prying nearly crawl up your leg~” Haru had a mischievous smile on her face as she recalled the memory, Louis on the other hand went full red and started rambling that it was nothing but slander and she was lying, Mizuchi and he friends found the Star actor’s reaction to be comical and a rare amusing sight as he pouted at the teasing of his two mates.

For Legosi, moments like this were what made him wonder what a happy married life with Louis and Haru would be like. He and Louis wanted to be fathers to their children, to see them grow and succeed in life, and pursue their dreams. However, Legosi understood that if they were to have children, they would face hardships in life due to their hybrid nature, but he deeply believed that he and Melon could change that. The two of them were beacons of light of role models for hybrids everywhere. His father had always told him that a King must take risks and accept the consequences, no matter the outcome. Part of Legosi was conflicted at the request that they had given them to not worry about Deschico while the other part wanted to listen to what they were saying, but right now he couldn’t allow his emotions to cloud his actions as he still had problems to solve here in Cherryton and once they were solved, he and the others would be heading to their homeland to aid on getting rid of Deschico once and for all. So instead, he decided to focus on what’s in front of him, to relax and gather his strength and spend as much time as he could with Haru and Louis, and later the rest of his friends and fellow students. 

“I wonder how the others are holding up.” Legosi thought to himself as he playfully held an angry Louis back from pulling his ear, demanding that he apologize for embarrassing him after telling him that bugs are more scared of him than he is of them.

****

          If there was one thing that Bill knew was the he was one stubborn fool, and he could come as an incentive asshole hardhead at times, yet thus why he he needed to get this off his chest, and he was a hundred percent that Jack would be upset at him for saying what was going trough his mind, and sometimes he envy him from his positive outlook in life. The two of them were walking to the gym, but stopped as Bill gently grabbed Jack’s right arm, stopping him in his tracks, with the Labrador looking at him with confusion and surprise at seeing his expression.

“Jack, we need to talk,” Bill said in a serious tone, causing Jack to raise his eyebrows. Bill knew he couldn’t back down, as he knew this was the right step for their trust in their relationship.

“About what?” Jack asked in a genuine, confused concern tone.

“About my condition and what might transpire later on.” Bill cut straight to the point, and he could already see the frustration on Jack’s face as he scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“This again!? I thought we left things clear!? Stop talking if you are going to die!!” Jack broke free of his grasp and shoved Bill, angry that his mate had brought this topic up again after he had promised not to bring it up again.

“You know damn right, that’s not the case! It’s about accepting the worst of the outcome!” Bill said in a frustrated growl towards Jack, who was trying his best not to strike the tiger on the face.

“Do you even listen to yourself!? Or what your words mean to me!? Or anyone!” Jack said with a growl as his voice cracked at the tiger's insistence.

“OF COURSE I DO!!” Bill roared at the top of his lungs as he took hold of both Jark’s arm, a short silence between the two of them as they both shed some tears before Bill took a deep breath and calmly explained things to his boyfriend, his mate, his sweet little Labrador.

“All I’m asking from you is that you keep the others going forward if I were to die by Nigel’s hand one day…my condition is not just a sign I’m still alive, but is also a weakness. He can take advantage of, I will do my duty as Legosi’s Shield as long as I still stand and breathe..I’m only asking for you to keep on fighting if one day, I will no longer be at your side…I want you to be there for them in case my life is cut short. Can you do that, pup?” Bill asked in a pleading tone, his heart aching as he saw the breakdown in sobs, as he shakily responded.

“I-I can try.” Jack buried his head in his hands as he sobbed and sniffled due to the emotional stress and reality of the Bengal tiger’s words.

“Shhh, there, there. I’m sorry, pup, I didn’t mean to yell at you,” Bill said as he also sniffled and rubbed tender circles around Jack’s back, calming the distress of his mate. It was rare for Jack to break down like this, as the emotions of dogs were more proficient at becoming null.

“Y-you’re a je-jerk you-you know that?” Jack half-heartedly joked with his mate, causing Bill to scoff playfully at Jack as his tail lazily swayed from side to side.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Bill said as he ruffled Jack’s head fur, causing him to whine happily at the affection, and causing his tail to wag behind him. Then, Bill kissed him tenderly on the forehead.

“Come on, let’s head to the gym for some light exercise. We are still recovering from our battle; you'd better not try to act tough now.” Bill playfully lectured Jack, causing him to let another whine. So without further argument, the two of them continue their way to the Gym, with one thought lingering on Bill’s mind, and that was that Dingo needed to die. The next time he sees him, he will make sure to put him down for good. He makes sure of it, no matter the cost.

****

           For all the years that Durham had known Miguno, he could tell that something was bothering the spotted hyena, as he could notice the troubled expression, even if he tried to concentrate on their game of chess. It was many of the skills he picked as a nerdy technician, even if the others in the baseball club like to point out that he was more of a jock than a nerd. Ironically, his ancestor Ignis Scientia was known as the glasses user, but here he was with no need for them, unlike Miguno, whose ancestor Cor Leonis, the Immortal, never used glasses. Growing up together alongside him had taught him to notice small gestures or patterns of body language whenever someone was willing to talk or trying to kill the subject. In Miguno’s case, the tapping of his right foot was an indication that something was bothering him. However, Durham knew that if he pushed too far, Miguno would just brush it off and tell him not to worry about it, and yet he always ended up spilling his frustrations without even trying, and so then he asked his friend.

“Hey, Migs, you looked troubled. What’s going on?” Durham casually asked Miguno with a concerned, genuine tone, causing Miguno to stop tapping his right foot.

“Come on, man, you know I hate that nickname,” Miguno said with an annoyed sigh as he adjusted his glasses.

“You didn’t answer the question.” Durham pointed out, his voice containing nothing but patience towards his friend.

“I…fine. It’s my band mates…they want to join the Cheeryton Special Forces.” Miguno said with a troubled and conflicted look, voice heavy with emotion. “ I told them they were being stupid and that they should drop the idea, told them that war wasn’t a game and that they could die, told them to just keep living their youth…they’re good kids, Durham..kids that I would rather not get involved in our world and conflict.” Miguno finished expressing his frustration.

“What did they tell you?” Durham asked Miguno as he paid attention to the spotted hyena’s body language and facial expression.

“They told me to fuck off and that it was their choice, told me they couldn’t stand and do nothing as they see their nation under attack…I yelled at them and cursed at them before storming out. I know I can’t control them, no matter what I do, but…DAMMIT! WHY DID  I HAVE TO GROW SO ATTACHED TO THEM!” Miguno slammed his fist in frustration on the table, causing it to rattle and the chess pieces to fall to the floor, “I don't know what to do, Durry..I just don't know…I just don’t know anymore.” Miguno said, wiping some angry tears from his face, then the young coyote tactician spoke and gave his best advice to his spotted hyena friend.

“I don’t know if my words might carry any weight to them, but the best I can offer is to be supportive of them and prepare them for the worst. This war has caused many of us to think differently and dragged others into paths none of us were expecting…” Durham said in the most professional way he could muster before hesitantly speaking the next word, as he didn’t know how Miugno would respond to it, “D-did they ask you to train them?” Durham asked with nothing but clear curiosity, causing Miguno to scoff and acknowledge the answer.

“They did say they admire my swordsmanship and bravery, but I refuse…not that it matters if they are just going to learn it at the recruitment center. None of them looked like fighters, just dumbass punk kids,” Miguno said in a dark, solemn tone.

“Then train them, prepare their mind…They trusted you, Migs. I don’t like it one bit as well, but if they see something in you, then perhaps, there is a glimmer of hope they will be okay.” Durham said in an assuring understanding tone, which caused Miguno to let out dee,p shaky breath as he realized that the coyote brought up a good point, even if he didn’t like it one bit.

“Perhaps…Perhaps you're right, Durry, thank you for listening to this idiot trauma dump on you.” Minguno darkly joked and belittled himself with a bittersweet smile. 

“You’re not an idiot, Migs…you’re my friend, your talent in music was always far more interesting than your skill with the sword.” Durham smiled at the hyena, causing him to smile back at the kind words of the coyote.

“Yeah, sometimes it is hard to remember we're just kids, kids with a lot of responsibility on our shoulders, but as long as we all have each other, maybe…maybe it lessens the burden. I can’t imagine the one Legosi carries…I don’t want to be hard on him.” Miguno said in another solemn moment of realization, then Durham spoke again.

“I don’t think either one of us wants to... but sometimes we must make sacrifices and be tough on those whom we love and care about. Legosi will be king, but only when he is ready. All we can do is be at his side no matter what.” Durham said it in a clear manner, stating it as a fact.

“Yeah…you’re right.” Miguno let out another sigh before continuing, “Rematch?” The Spotted Hyena said as he started to pick up his pieces again. Luckily for him, he did get his answer as Durham’s tail wagged at another round.

“You’re on,” Durham smiled and nodded in agreement to another game of Chess with Miguno.

****

           Life for Collot and Voss has always been one of opportunity; the two of them were orphans at one point, with the English sheepdog escaping his abusive alcoholic father, only to end up working for the same junkies Voss sold by his parents as nothing but a slave. Collot and Voss had met in the streets of Insomnia during the first emergence of the VOID gang rampage and drug epidemic. The two of them had been use as carriers and barely surviving at the hand of a small gang of junkies working with the VOID gang, nothing but delivery boy slaves, barely surviving on scraps, the two of them were beaten and humiliated on daily basics, until they were discovered by Riz father, Traicon had taken them in and interrogated the scared pups, but even so they were offered compassion and food and a place to become. The Kingsglaive became their family, and it was that day their life changed for the better as they were raised along with the crowd and got to meet Legosi, Bill, Jark, Miguno, and Durham. The two of them had sworn their loyalty to the Crown and the Kingdom of Lucis, for they had been given a real chance to live, saving them from a dark path of contempt and hatred against the world. Right now, the two of them were relaxing on the track team bleachers, with Collot polishing his Hyperon greatsword and Voss playing Kings Knights online until Collot broke the silence as a thought occurred to him.

“Hey Voss, have you ever thought of what you want to do after the war?” Collot asked in a genuine, concerned tone as he paused from polishing his weapon.

“What do you mean?” Voss asked as he looked up from his phone.

“I mean…do you remember what Micalea said? That there was more to life than us being on the Kingsglaive?” Collot asked Voss with a tilt of his head.

“Yeah, I remember she said that we were free to choose our own path, if we ever wanted to leave the life of a Kingsglaive behind. Why do you ask?” Voss said as he recalled the words of Miguno’s mom to them.

“I’ve been thinking that if we ever grew bored of it, I wanted to start a business with you,” Collot said towards the Fennec Fox, who was now extremely confused.

“I’m sorry, but I’m confused. What do you mean by business?” Voss asked as he stared at the sheepdog with scrutinizing eyes, as he was wondering where this topic or conversation was heaidng as it was so out of hte blue for the Enlgish Sheepdog to have moments like this, he wasn’t one to“I mean, we were always put in charge of maintenance when we were nothing but carriers, saving on scraps, but we were useful. I want us to open up a garage.” Collot said with enthusiasm.

“I don’t know Collot.” Voss said in a doubtful tone, “What can I do? I would just get hurt or get in your way.” The Fennec Fox said as he doubted himself. So far, all he knew was that he was good at combat; he never considered himself good at anything, his mother never liked him, and to them, he was useless and a waste of money and effort. Collot immediately sensed the poor Fennec's distress and immediately put an end to that.

“Hey! You stop that!” Collot's voice made the Fennec Fox jump when he saw the English Sheepdog stare at him and spoke in a firm tone.

“Whatever you are thinking! Stop it! You are not useless or worthless; you always stood up to me when we were slaves to those junkies. I was scared, but you brought me comfort, even if it ended up with both of us being beaten up! You always said that a maintenance mechanic brought you peace, even if it meant working for those monsters that made our lives a living hell! But now! You could find that peace with me again, without fear of retaliation, by making mistakes that will get us beaten up! So please! Don’t think about yourself like that, Voss! If anything, I’m the worthless one here; my own mother wanted to gouge out my eyes!” Collot shouted at the top of his lungs, not caring if some of the students heard his words.

Voss, on the other hand, could only let out a small, weak chuckle at Collot’s words, “I guess you’re right, but don’t talk about yourself like that, it wasn’t your fault for what happened to your dad. What your mother did was wrong; she was the worthless one, not you, so please don’t downplay yourself. I don’t like hearing that from you, Collot. Your eyes are not something to be ashamed of.” Voss said toward his friend, whose tail could only wag in excitement, overwhelmed with happy tears once again.

“Th-thank you Voss, my father always said that they were beautiful, that it reminded him of his own mother, Claire, my mother didn’t think so, she said that they were the eyes of a womenizer, she always hated how dad took pride in them, she hated Claire because she was prettier than her and I could never understand how he fell for a woman so full of hatred and envy,” Collot said, wiping his tears away from his eyes.

“For what you told me, your father, Karl was a good man and so was his mother, some beasts are just cruel for the sake of being cruel, my own parents didn’t want me, they care more about their money then me, but you, Legosi, Jack, Durham, Miguno and Bill and the rest of the the Kingsglaive and the Royal family are my family now and that’s all that matters,” Voss said with a prideful smile causing Collot to smile more, and lean in for some head pats, which the Fennec Fox gladly complied to give, it was a cute gesture of friendship between the two of them and a sign of trust between canines.

****

           Meanwhile, at the Drama Club, Tem was helping Els with some homework while Riz was helping Pina and Dom move some boxes along with Kibi and Tao, while Solani was hanging out with some of the girls, trying her best to describe the events that transpired. Kibi was putting the strength of his magitek prosthetic arm to use, which allowed him to move some medium-heavy boxes out of the way and other heavier equipment that usually required the help of a carnivore. His training with Tao, Tem, and Riz and the Security Program volunteers had helped him restrain the strength and better handle his magitek prosthetic arm; as much as it was a replacement for his missing arm, it was still a weapon in itself. Kai and Fudge had the misfortune of playing dress up with Kaila, with Juno, Sheila, and Peach taking photos of them. Much to their dismay, the mongoose had to swallow his pride as long as it meant that his adopted daughter was happy, while Fudge had to figure this was Karma for making fun of Kai.

“Thanks for helping me with my homework once again, Tem,” Els said towards the Alpaca, who happily sheepishly smiled at her, rubbing the back of his head at the praise.

“No problem! I don’t mind helping at all, it sure beats being in constant danger!” Tem darkly joked as he then stretched his right shoulder, wincing from how sore it was. Turns out that during their battle with Omar, Tem had been launched in the air, landing on his right shoulder in a rather unpleasant way.

“I’m worried about you, Tem, every time you seem to get more injured,” Els said in a concerned tone as she couldn’t imagine the pain she would endure if one day Tem didn’t come back alive. This caused Tem to suddenly grab her hands, causing her to gasp and even blush. Her attention was brought to the Alpaca, who spoke in a serious tone.

“Hey, don’t worry about it, Els, I’m not planning on dying any time soon, not for a very long time…It’s part of the job, and even if it’s no excuse, but if it means that every bruise, scar, and broken bone means that I know what I’m doing is keeping you and everyone else safe…then I’m gladly risking my life, so don’t worry about me, okay?” Tem had a soft, sweet smile on his muzzle, and then the next words caused her to blush even more.

“You know? You look cute when you blush, pink is definitely your color ~.” Tem said in a teasing manner, cuasing Els to let out an Eeep and blush madly, going from pink to red. Breaking Free, she covered her face; she just couldn’t believe what the Alpaca had just said, and to make things worse, she couldn’t grasp the idea of whether he was being serious or messing with her.

“Tem! It’s not funny!!” Els whined and complained to Tem, who could only laugh and giggle at his reaction. She then started to shake him to get him to stop laughing at her.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t resist! Ow! Stop tuggin' at my wool!!” Tem said in between laughs and yelps of pain while Els unleashed her fury on him.

Meanwhile, Pina, Dom, Riz, Kibi, and Tao could only look at the scene with amusement, at the cute couple at the moment, well, all except Pin, who thought Tem was an idiot at how he approached and talked to Els. He couldn’t help but voice his voice and opinion towards the others who could only endure the Dall sheep’s entitled attitude at the moment.

“Ugh, he’s so corny! Blegh! Can you believe the gu-oof!” Pina gawked at Tem’s game only to be elbow hard on the stomach by Kibi with his normal, causing him to cough and collapse to the ground, and whimper pathetically, with Tao immediately scolding Kibi for doing so.

“Kibi!” Tao protested at Kibi’s action.

“What!? If I didn’t do it, he wasn’t going to stop whining all day! Back me up, Riz!” Kibi said in protest at Tao’s lecture.

“You’re just jealous he’s not a player like Tem,” Riz said as he looked down at the sheep, who could only whine from getting hit on the stomach by Kibi, so Riz could only shrug his shoulders and speak his mind.

“He’s just jealous he’s not a player like Tem, but please leave me out of this,” Riz spoke in a soft pleading tone while Dom could only sigh at the childish antics of his clubmates, who could voice his complaint to them.

“I’m going to hang out with Kai, Fudge, and the girls, just make sure they don’t tear each other apart, oh, and Pina, please try not to say anything stupid anymore,” Dom said to Pina as he eyed him and muttered under his breath.

“I hate you all,” Pina muttered weakly as he was still on the floor, clutching his stomach.

“Love you too,” Dom said with an eye roll as he made his way towards the others to join them on their little game of dress up, while Tao and Kibi, and Riz switched their conversation to deciding who was going to help Pina up with a game of rock paper scissors, with Tao losing, and grumbling on annoyance while Kibi was happy and Riz could only let out a tired sigh.

****

          At the Citadel of Insomnia, the Crown City of the Kingdom of Lucis, Deschio was in the main laboratory workshop that his Kopi Luwak and Bloodye had set up was raging at the news he had received from his Top High Commanders. He let out a frustrated roar as he threw equipment off one of the tables, as Omar and Nigel had shared the news of their defeat and the loss of their naval fleet, the civet inside his suit was livid beyond comprehension at another loss in attempting to slay or capture another Astral God. Not even those fools, Admiral Porch and Lord Barkis, could get the job done!? What the actual fuck!? Did they take him as a joke!? No, that was not it; his train of thought came to a halt as one of them brought their attention to him, and he was not in a stable state of mind.

“My revenge…my revenge…my revenge…my revenge, sir! I was this close to killing that fucking tiger! We could have an edge on breaking the Prince and his allies…if…if it wasn’t for this urisne fuck over here!!” Nigel snarled as he pointed viciously at Omar with a pointed claw from his magitek arm.

“Shut the Fuck Up, Nigel!! If it wasn’t for me, you would be as good as dead!!” Omar snarled and bared his fangs as he slapped the oppressive arm away from his face as he was boiling with anger at the Dingo’s audacity.

“ENOUGH!!” Deschico's robotic booming voice echoed as the lights on his suit were an angry red right now, and he spoke with extreme authority. “USELESS BOTH OF YOU! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT RIGHT NOW! FROM NOW ON, YOU SHOULD NOT ENGAGE WITH THE PRINCE AND HIS ALLIES WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE!! NOW GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY FACE!!” Deschico's rage was enough to cause the two of them to lose any energy to argue further with grunting in reluctance and excusing themselves.

“Of course, Your Excellency.” Both of them muttered and left in utter humiliation and still boiling rage at being insulted in such a manner.

Deschio, on the other hand, was still angry and without further due, he brandished his blade and started to trash the table. “Damn him…Damn him….Dam him! DAMN HIM!! DAMN HIM!! DAMN THAT MUTT!!” The civet roared from the top of his lungs while the others inside the room knew better than to approach their God, as it would result in getting murdered on the spot. All except for Ivan, who approached him without fear.

“Your Excellency, if you allow me? I might have a proposition for you,” Ivan said towards Deschico as the hatch of his suit opened, revealing the now passive Civet.

“This better be good, because I am through with enough incompetence already. Speak your mind, Ivan..” Deschio ordered, and Ivan did just as he ordered.