Once upon a promise:// Chapter 1: Spice

The moonlight shinned down upon the waters surface reflection the moon above. A flag flapping into the wind up in the sky as the straw hat jolly roger, flew proudly on top of the Sunny. Drifting along the waters, everyone seemed to be in high spirits laughing and dancing having a good time.

 A rowboat was drifting along the same waters, a lone hooded figure shifted a bit from laying along the bottom of the rowboat. Hearing the banquet going on, their head lifted up from the rowboat noticing the ship. Slightly shifting to the side staring at the sunny in amusement, hearing the music. Then looking up at the top of the ship to see who was coming his way.

 The Jolly Roger of a skull with crossbones with a straw hat upon the tip of the skull. The pirate group known as 'The Straw hats' or also known as 'The Mugiwara Pirates' were going to sail right pass the rowboat.

 'The Thousand Sunny' was a large ship made out of legendary material called Adam wood. A large yellow lion head with a sun-like mane design face sits at the front of the ship.

The Sunny was coming up close, a thin pair of fingers grip along a rope. Standing up slightly as the figure swayed a bit, unbalanced in the rowboat before catching themselves standing still watching the Sunny getting closer.

 Tossing the rope with a curved metal piece tied at the end of the rope at the Sunny being attached also to the rowboat. The first time missing only making it just outside of the rowboat. Panting a bit using what strength they had to quickly pull the rope into the rowboat. Quickly spun the rope around before tossing it once more as the ship continued to sail pass. 

It took two more tries before the piece of metal attached to Sunny's backside. The rope quickly tightened carrying the rowboat with a heavy jolt. Sending the figure back into the rowboat having no more strength left, passing out from exhaustion. The rowboat followed through the night, being dragged along. 

As the sun washed over the water splashing along the bottom of the ship. The crew were laying in their beds from the night before sleeping soundly. In the morning, Robin was heading to her chair in the back of the ship with a book in hand. Looking out into the water seeing the colors of the sky mixing with the water's surface. 

Brook walked up holding a small plate and a cup of tea. "Good Morning Robin." Brook smiled, with his skeleton grin. Robin smiled back, "Good Morning, Brook." Brook tilted his head some looking over to the side pass Robin.

 "OH?"

 "What's that?" Robin stared at Brook for a moment, "Huh?" She turned around to look at what Brook was seeing. A rope was attached to Sunny's backside a rowboat violently splashing against the waves far behind them.

"That's odd, Seems we have someone that tried to board the ship and kill us in our sleep.." "Or at least tried to board the ship." Robin stared out at the rowboat, as Brook sipped some of his tea calmly. "Miss." His cane hanging from his arm. 

"You frighten me to the bone." Robin smiled with a soft chuckle, "It has been a while since anything has happened." "Why don't we greet our guest? Might be fun." Brook placed the tea cup down into the railing of the ship shaking as his bones rattled slightly. 

"That is true we haven't had a problem for a while.." "G-g-greet them?! If they are trying to kill us why would we purposely bring them on the ship." Robin turned to look at Brook, "You can always go over there and see if they are friendly since you can't be hurt. If they are a threat, we can just undo the rope and let them go."

 Brook stared at Robin before he laughed, "Oh ho ho ho! That's true." 

"Than I'll go check to see if they are friendly or not then. One moment." Brook added walking to the wall nearby, sitting down as his soul came out of his body. Soaring through the sky with a soft laugh, Robin walked to the edge. She leaned some to see where the rope was attached to the ship, waiting for Brook.

 Arriving at the rowboat the hooded figure was laying unconscious and covered up some with his cloak and hood. Brook swayed around some in the air before arriving back to his body. "Someone is there but doesn't look to be in good shape either." 

Robin looked a little worried, "I'll get Chopper, think you could bring them in?" Robin asked Brook, as Brook looked down at the rope it was attached to the very back of the ship hooked to the back side of the ship. "Of course."

 "When I do, may I see your panties?"

 Robin looked at Brook in a moment of silence before walking away to get Chopper not answering Brook. Brook took off his coat and placed it over the railing near his cup of tea. Looking over the railing at where the rope was attached to Sunny. Stepping over the railing, climbed along the side of the ship making his way to the rope. Brook reached the rope, outstretching his arm to grab ahold of the rope. "Just a little further."

Meanwhile Robin walked to her chair placed her book down, headed to the infirmary. It didn't take long before finding Chopper working on some medicine's to restock his supplies in the infirmary. His tongue sticking out with tears in his eyes, it was a almost as sweet as candy. 

His eyes turned to hearts before shaking his head some. "Too sweet.." Robin opened the door seeing Choppers expression which made her smiled softly, walking into the room, "Chopper, do you have a minute? I believe we may be having a injured guest coming aboard." Robin stood near the doorway watching Chopper, Choppers eyes widened with tears, "TOO SOUR!!"

 "WHAT?!" Whipping his eyes some from the sour taste, jumping down from the chair. He was using and grabbing his medical duffel bag, "Take me to them! Are they heavy injured?!" He smiled happily, glad to be of help, but also thinking of scolding who had harmed the individual. Robin would lead the way as Brook was running along the waters in a panic holding onto the rope. "I'm very light! Although, I should weigh a ton."

Chopper looked at the situation his jaw slowly dropping some in a panic, looking back at Brook. Chopper changed his form to climb down the side of the ship grabbing ahold of the rope as he unhooked the rope, having a firm grip on the rope climbing back up to the top. Chopper began to slip, "Brook! What happened?! Why are you way out there?!" 

Multiple arms grabbed Chopper and held him against the ship helping with his grip on the ship. Choppers eyes went wide for a moment before realizing it was Robin. He continued to climb up with the help of Robins multiple arms. Chopper began pulling the rope once he was back safely, "After Robin left I.."

 "Slipped." Brook said while his feet quickly ran along the waters surface, holding his hat with one hand as the other held onto the rope.

Brook thought back of what had happened, Brook hopped back onto the rowboat, looking down at the skinny figure in rags. He stared at it for a moment and screamed. "Z-Z-ZOMBIE!!!" Robin and Chopper eyes went wide and pale, "Zombie?!" Brook stood there holding his cane in his hand firmly. 

"A-are you sure it's a zombie, maybe its just a injured old man?!" Chopper called out, Brook stared deeply at the figure. It's lips parted and coughed some with a exhausted groan. Chopper yelled out at Brook, "IT'S A INJURED OLD MAN!" 

Brook turned to look at Chopper, "Could still be a zombie." Chopper glared at Brook waving his arm around, "Don't you dare! Get them up here now! Doctors orders!" Brook stepped a bit into the rowboat and picked up the old man, jumped off the rowboat and back onto the Sunny.

Chopper quickly ran over to Brook with Robin behind him, "Careful, Bro-" Chopper, Brook and Robin seen a sickly tiger like creature with horns coiled and twisted around itself. His colors were mixed giving each stripe a different shade of blue. 

The tigers eyes opened slowly looking up at Chopper making a very faint growl. It didn't last long as their eyes closed before passing back out unable to defend himself. Choppers eyes went wide, quickly helping Brook carry this being. "BROOK QUICKLY!! ROBBBBIIINNN TELL SANJI TO MAKE LOTS OF FOOD!!" Brook and Chopper sprinted off to the infirmary. It wasn't long before they arrived at the infirmary, laying the creature upon a operating table.

Chopper, was quick with his preparations as Brook was helping Chopper. "Do you need me to help with anything Chopper?" Brook asked while standing beside the tiger. The tigers eyes opened again laying on the table. The tigers growled weakly, trying to get up their tail hanging off the side of the table. 

Chopper held a pill in his hooves, "Here this will help with the pain to make you more relaxed." 

"Don't worry you're safe here." The tigers growled narrowing his eyes at Chopper his head lifted up some as the hood fell from covering his head. The tigers face was covered in a few scars, Chopper stared at him.

"Stop, I'm a doctor! Lay down please!" Chopper waved his arms around some, the tiger growled sitting up some more with his arms shaking struggling to get up. Brook placed his hands on the tigers shoulder, "Please, listen to Chopper he is a doctor. lay back down, sir." 

The tiger growled more looking back at Brook, staring at him before his body seemed to go all whiter seeing the skeleton walking and talking. His eyes narrowed and roared out at Brook, Chopper stared for a moment frowning. Chopper made a loud roar, turning into a giant holding the pill inches from his mouth. 

The tiger turned to look back at Chopper, both their eyes meet before long a scoff came from his nose turning his head taking the pill. Chopper smiled brightly, before noticing the sedative had worked as his body began relaxing upon the table. 

His rags began to get wet with a red substance, Brook and Choppers eyes looked on in horror. Quickly Chopper moved what rags they had on to see what was wrong. "That's." 

"A lot of Damage!" Brook said in shock, "This is like trying to give Zoro treatment." Chopper said almost cheerfully, only to turn his head to look at Brook with an annoyed expression on his face. "But there is no time for that now."

 "We must bandage his wounds. and then go from there." Chopper said a bit worried but began bandaging all he could. Robin made her way to the kitchen, passing by Franky. "Franky, have you seen Sanji? If so, could you ask him for a lot of food to be cooked, we have a guest and hasn't eaten for a while it seems." 

Franky raised his brow, "Huh? a guest? Oh that's, super. I'll be sure to tell him."

Robin nodded before walking the other way than Franky. It wasn't long before everyone on the ship had heard about the guest, curiously making it over to the med bay. "So, we have a guest? I wonder if they know some magic tricks?"

 Usopp, began imagining what their guest looked like along side Luffy. "Ooooo maybe they have a treasure map to meat Is-" Luffy staring at Nami after he said his comment, Nami slapped Luffy's in the side. "I will not draw you a meat island!" Robin walking into the kitchen along with everybody else, Sanji cooking as was in his own world in the kitchen a spark in his eyes as he prepared meal after meal.

Zoro standing guard nearby glancing outside of the window having a feeling of uneasiness. Luffy was grabbing at the foods being made and drooling. "So what's he look like? Is he a rich with lots of berries to spend?!" Nami said with a cheerful attitude, Robin smiled with a soft chuckle. 

"No he seems to be either, a zombie from Thriller Bark.." 

"Or a member of the animal kingdom pirates."

 "Or some kind of hybrid of Mink or either a devil fruit user." 

Jimbei chuckled softly, "There are many different types of people, everyone is strange looking in their own way." Robin then replied " A set of horns upon its head a feline, seemed to be in rags." There was a moment of silence, as everyone tried to imagine all the different kinds of designs of horned felines.

Each one of them began talking aloud about what kind of person they will be either friend or foe. Luffy laughing some stuffing his mouth of food from the plate Sanji had given to Luffy to satisfy him for the time being. "Well as long as their nice, and have a map of meat island."

Nami's eyes opened wide and began shaking, "Is he blue?" She spoke out in horror, before the air became tense. Nami, Zoro, Usopp, Luffy, Sanji all seemed to stop what they were doing to staring at Robin with eyes wide, Luffy had stopped eating taking the food from his mouth. "Tell us Robin."

 "Did he have blue stripes?" Luffy standing up stepping away from the table. Smoke was coming from the kitchen as Sanji stood there shaking, for a moment correcting his delay cooking a bit slower. "Wh-well yes. How did you know?" Nami, Usopp gasped as Nami covered her mouth with a look of horror covering her face. Usopp knees shook frantically as he held his arms crossed his chest, acting like nothing was happening.

Sanji's rolled up cigarette fell from his lips as his hand began to shake some, slowly legs shaking walking outside to smoke. Zoro's hands gripped the handles on his swords pulling them out quickly, a deep rage came from his eyes. "Where is he? I'll cut him up into pieces chopper won't be able to heal him from." Luffy calmly placed the food back down on the table "Zoro."

"That's enough.." Luffy calmly said with a cheerful tune, sipping some water before walking over to Robin. Zoro grumbled before putting his swords away his eyes still burning. A old headband was placed upon his head, Luffy calmly looked at Robin standing in front of her. "Where is he Robin?" Luffy was serious with no other emotion but a burning fire in his eyes. He was staying calm as he could around his friends. "We need to know, where he is?" Luffy waited for a second, "Where.."

"where is he?" Luffy smiled brightly as his face was turning slightly red and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

Robin looked at Luffy, almost in fear seeing the look in his eyes, and how he was talking to her. "L-Luffy.." Luffy stopped smiling and looked seriously into Robins eyes. "We need to know where he is now Robin.." Robin shook a bit glancing around for anyone else for help, her words had left her. Franky placed his cola down upon the table, "He was in bad shape when we found him, so he's in medbay."

"Why do you want to know? He just got here hasn't done nothing to us.." Everyone except Jimbei glared at Franky with their emotionless eyes. "We can send him back out back on his rowboat with some food and small bit of supplies, be done with it." Sanji yelled out in anger walking back into the kitchen. "I will not be feeding him, there will be no food that these hands will cook."

Sanji stood at the doorway staring at Franky, in his 'Soba Mask' suit. "SUPPLIES!? What supplies are we 'giving' away to him? I would never let him ever touch anything that's on this ship!!" Nami began to rant and rave about having to give him even an ounce of supplies. Usopp stood behind Nami, nodding to her every word with his eyes closed and his hand up to his chin.

 Nami gripped ahold of her Clima-Tact as it extended sparking out with a large thunderous wave of lightning, as Zues, and Apollo came from the staff. Apollo was eating some of the hot air bubbles Nami was making. "I won't give him not a thing!" Luffy stayed calm holding onto Robins shoulders being very gentle, his hand shook a bit. "I'm sorry if I scared you Robin."

"But this is for the best."

Luffy stared blankly into Robins eyes, before letting go of Robin began his walk to med bay as everyone began to follow. Robin softly asked, "What do you plan on doing Luffy?" She asked while following Luffy. Luffy with a emotionless expression on his face, turned his head looking back at Robin, opening his mouth to say something.

 Meanwhile Chopper, standing over the new guests body bandaging it up the best he could. Making sure to take care in bandaging and giving him a IV for hydration. Chopper looked him over once more checking his heart rate.

Placing a small disc-shaped resonator from the stethoscope onto the tiger's chest listening to a steady pace beating of a heart. Listening as he nodded with a soft smile. "Thank goodness, you're stable. Now with a few day's of rest and food you should make a full recovery."  Chopper smile happily, but narrowed his eyes some while thinking of how he has to treat Zoro.

 Wondering if the same method would work on Zoro for his treatments. The resonator was still on his chest before Chopper froze for a moment as he leaned his head down a bit more, turning his focus back onto the tiger. He gulped a bit, while listening as his eyes went wide. Pulling the Stethoscope down then around his neck, staring at the tiger. "He's stable now, so everyone will be so excited to hear our guest's doing great!"

Chopper smiled happily and hopped down from his chair,  Looking at the Tiger his smile turned to a frown before shaking his head, walked backwards out of the room closing the door in front of himself. He turning around, blinked a bit, everyone was standing outside crowded around the door.

 Although something was different about Luffy, Sanji, Zoro, Nami, Usopp. There faces were of emotionless stone face staring at the door he just closed, Chopper gulped a bit and stepped back being against the door. "He-hey Guy's! You scared me ha.."

 "Ha, Oh good new's! Our guest is stable and going to recover." Chopper chuckled nervously, smiled happily, wiggling around some, in his smaller form. "Chopper."

 "Get him off my ship."

 "Now." Luffy said in a calm and cold tone. Chopper stood shocked hearing what Luffy said. "Lu-Luffy?"

"B-but he needs at least 24 hours to be able to get up. It seems he ha-" Zoro and Sanji both stepped forward heading towards the door passing Luffy standing in front of everyone.

Chopper grew into a larger form guarding the door. "Luffy?! ZORO, SANJI. What's gotten into you, he still needs to recover. He's in no-" Usopp walking closer reaching out to grab Chopper, "Come on."

 "out of the way Chopper, yeah know these things just need to be done." Nami stood there looking a Chopper following beside Usopp. Chopper's eyes began to tear up looking at them all, "Usopp.. not you too, please everyone he is still needs time to recover!" Chopper shook a bit holding his arms out barricading the door with his body. "Usopp. Nami. Please not you too."

Chopper stood his ground, looking to "Brook, Franky Robin, Booosssss! Help please.." Franky, Brook, Jimbei and Robin stood nearby Brook and Robin walked over and stood along side Chopper. "You've all been acting differently from the moment you each found out this person was on this ship."

 Robin noted, Franky nodded crossing his arms, "Once Nami found out she got this horrified look on her face, then rage when we made our way here." Jimbei nodded in agreement watching them all. "So the question is Luffy."

"Are they an ally or are they an enemy? From what I can tell they are." Jimbei stood firm watching them all from the side with Franky, "Not an ally of the Straw hat crew." Jimbei said with a serious expression on his face "I believe the rest of us should know. We are part of the crew too." Robin said crossing her arms, ready to help defend the door along with Brook and Chopper.

"Are they really an enemy Jimbei?!" Brook shouted in disbelief, Jimbei sighed sadly, "Yes, a most sad turn of events for the one in that room." Jimbei turned to face Luffy. "So. Luffy? What drives such hostility to one that can't defend themselves from an attack." Luffy's fist clench as small bits of steam start to escape. 

"If we don't now, I don't know if we'll get another chance like this." Everyone's eyes went wide as Nami, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Luffy started to prepare as if they were going to war. "LUFFY?! Nami? Sanji? Usopp? Zoro? We are part of the crew too tell us..."

 "Why, why is this person our enemy?!" Brook gripped his cane, standing in a fencing stance, "I don't recall reading anywhere in the library of our adventures, about someone that could bring up this much anger from each of you. I believe the rest of the crew has the right to know all of our allies and enemy's." Robin said while keeping close to Chopper, and the door as the tension was growing between them all.

Usopp and Nami looked at each other before looking at Sanji and Zoro, everyone then looked at Luffy. "Their is an enemy to the straw hats. But after we kick his ass, he won't be any more." Luffy said simply and with fire in his eyes, while staring at the door. Zoro, Sanji, Usopp and Nami all walked to the chairs and sat down waiting. 

Luffy looked at Chopper, "Make it 12 hours then get him off my ship.. For you Chopper. I'll let him stay for that long but not any longer.. He will get one loaf of bread and one coin. This will be our one kindness to him." Luffy turned to look at the others, "This is captain's orders." 

Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Usopp stayed silent for a moment before grumbling shook their heads. Zoro and Sanji had their eyes were fixed on the door staring at it from their seats. 'Loaf of bread.' Sanji was in pain after a memory in a flashback. When he was a child starving at the top of that island, his last loaf of bread falling to the watery depths below.

 He grew a somewhat wicked smile he was also thinking of all the ways it could poison the bread, "Sure, I'll fix him up a lovely loaf of bread." He seemed to smile cheerfully as he stood up from his seat tapping his shoe a bit, making his way to the kitchen mumbling about all the types of bread he could make. 

Zoro sat in his seat staring and wondering if he could cut around everyone if he could somehow get to him without fighting the others. Brook was staring at Zoro, still holding his cane scared by the look in Zoro's eyes, but stood with his knees shaking some. 

Luffy smiled remembering the food he had still to eat, "SANJI!! I want more meat!" Luffy smiled and laughed softly his face shined before running upstairs following Sanji wanting more food.

Usopp stood up from his seat his hands clenched in fists walking to his workshop without saying a word to anyone. Nami and Zoro were left as Zoro stayed and glared at the door, "Chopper!" Zoro turned his attention to Chopper, Chopper jumped and gripped the door frame using his body as a shield. "Yes?!" 

Zoro stood up having his swords back in their sheaths, "Don't let your guard down around him, no matter what he is not to be trusted." was all he said before walking away heading to his training area. "That twelve hours starts now. After that there will be no saving him. This is not something to play with, Remember captain's orders." 

Nami was the last one staring at the door from her seat listening to everyone, "I guess you could say that the person behind that door is on our bounty board."

"The navy have their list of us, but we have our own. He is the top number one, alongside from the Black beard pirates." Sitting up a bit straighter with a serious and worried look upon her face. Franky Jimbei, Brook, Robin, Chopper eyes went wide in shock but also out of worry. "What have they done so wrong that would change you guys this bad?" Franky asked, while Jimbei followed up.

 "To know ones enemy, if they are our enemy. Then why this much distrust in your fellow crewmembers?! Let us know what they have done, we will not understand if you don't tell us. Were friends, family each one of us." Nami groaned heavily and lowered her head placing the Clima-Tact away holding her head, rubbing some.

"We failed." Nami said as tears began to drip from her eyes as she began to cry, holding her legs up to her chest resting her chin on her knees. "We failed."

"Now we will never be the same." She said having a mood change as she was being swallowed up by her own thoughts. 

Nami's eyes stared at the floor in horror while holding her head in her hands. Staring at Nami, before Franky and Brook both began running in the direction of where Usopp walked off to. "Usopp! Wait for us, we want to know what happened." 

Brook asked following behind. Jimbei and Robin were watching everyone before turning their attention to Nami, "Perhaps some nice hot tea would help." Robin and Jimbei began helping Nami up to her feet and leading her up into the kitchen.

Nami's legs were shaking as Zues and Apollo were following behind soon dissolving away into her Clima-Tact. Chopper guarded the door watching and waiting for everyone to leave before going inside locking it from inside. 

Stopping as he turned back into his small form, soon his eyes went wide shaking a cold chill went up his spine. 'I-I'm locked in a room with."

"One of our enemies?!' He thought himself panicking almost at every movement he made, resting. "Twe-Twelve hours." 

He looked to his desk jumping up as grabbing some bowls and beakers to make some medicine. Chopper stood on his chair thinking about if he should really help if they were an enemy.

He shook his head, 'I am a doctor first, no matter who the patient is.' Mixing a blend as a vial of highly poisonous material was on the shelf as he caught himself staring at the vial. 'No." 

"No. I'm a doctor, I heal people." 

"Not make them sick.'

 Turning his attention away grabbing other vials and poured materials into the mortar grinding them up with a serious look upon his face as he worked on a way to heal up the body quicker. His mind would come up with situations of them waking up, and get along with everyone.

Hoping that maybe fighting could be avoided, Chopper frowned thinking about it shaking his head to get the thoughts to go away and smacked his cheeks to focus.  A dark garnet red left stared at Chopper from behind, laying on the recovery bed. 

Claws slowly coming out the fingertips, lifting the top half of his body up from the bed. Chopped was focused on his work to notice, a arm outstretched towards Chopper claws extended.

Bags and whistles Chapter 3

 Sleeping deeply, for fourteen days and thirteen nights unmoving from where he had fallen asleep. Slowly lifting his head with a annoyed grumble of a roar shaking the whole room, only to yawn out smacking his lips together and looked around with his head raised. Slightly in a daze, "Huh?.. Where am I?" Looking around and then noticing the chest he was holding. "Oh right.. must have fallen asleep.." Wiping the small bit of drool from his mouth.

Looking up at the ceiling and then back at the ground. "... I have no way of telling time.. Welp, that's going to be fun." Stretching out his body some as he began walking around. "Welp, this is going to suck.. good thing, I came prepared." Taking out a deck of cards from his back pocket, the cards were written in a different language as he began playing with them. He also pulled out some dice and began using the dice and cards in a game. Some time later hanging from the ceiling with his claws digging into the stone.

"Fourteen bald people all making a light beacon off their heads!" He sang in a bored and tired tone on purpose out of tune. "Waiting for a hero to come and saaaave them." Slowly swaying his arms out stretched dangling freely before letting go of the ceiling. Smacking into the ground with a thud kicking up dust around him. A pressure plate was pressed with the weight of the base of his tail. A trap was activated sending multiple needle like blades over the length of his body from both walls. His eyes sprung open as the blades flew over his body, laying froze for a second before his horns coiled back as he smiled, surprised and amazed at the trap, "oh? Oh!? OOOOOOHOHOHOH!!"

Laughing to himself as he began scurrying around on the ground feeling around for more pressure plates and traps along the floor. "Okay let's see how you work we will need more for those hero's." Cackling with glee as his devilish mind. Using the same pressure plate he began taking it apart, and seeing how it worked. He had forgotten about the heroes and everything he had to do while in the room. His focus was on the traps and how to set them up and make them better. He hadn't eaten or drank any of the food that was stored for him. Only when one of his own traps went off smacking him in the head with a heavy hammer did he stumble around.

Rubbing his head a bit, before seeing the chest. "Oh right.. how long have I been here?" He asked himself marking another daily mark, unsure of the actual time. Walking slowly around grabbing some of his rations, but his paw felt nothing. Opening up his ration box, "Oh.. it's been that long huh?... How long has it been since we've eaten?" Looking at his paws as they were thinner than they had been in a long time. "Ha.. look at that, we failed again I guess.." He said softly before leaning his back against the wall, all his traps he had done were complete and were ready to go off at any moment. His body barley keeping the overalls up. "Ha.. it was a trap.. that's right keep the evil guy out of the picture.. good will win when evil is gone."

 He lowered his head putting his claws over his face. "I haven't done anything to anyone.. everything I do fails, I'm not a good guy and I have to be a bad guy." His eyes were getting heavy, "I wonder, if the girls got who they love?.. lilone better take her baths, haha be nice and clean ha.. Everyone better be doing okay.." He thought of everyone he ever been around and with for a moment, thinking back on his memories with them. He even smiled and laughed alone, he had finally fit in somewhere but like a rude awakening as they all left barely coming by anymore. Happy memories turning to the unpleasant endings all those that he ever come in contact with. Scratching his face out of frustration cutting into his scales.

 His blood began to boil with rage cutting into himself. "Don't hurt nobody." Looking at his claws then touching his head some looking at the piece of scaled flesh, cut from his forehead. "... I am the evil one.. This is what I deserve.." He blinked a bit as he took a deep breath. "Tep... Did you sell me out? Why did you betray me?" He sniffled some, his paws holding his head, "I.. Thought we were friends?.. I put on not scary clothing. I can't help it, I'm sorry." He said to himself as his eyes began to water feeling very tired as his body leaned heavily on the wall.

Chuckling softly, "Soon as I'm done with this job.. I'm going on vacation to my home for a very long time.. haha.." Taking another slow breath holding his chin a bit. "At least I had a place called home.. by the looks of things, I have already lost my place, and maybe more of the sanity I once had right?" Sighing softly. "Ugh.. I think I give the job a D+ no gold stars or even a ribbon for it. heh, I'll Lousie the hell out of the job review." Looking at the piece of himself before tossing it into his mouth as he began chewing.

"Ugh.. This is what I taste like this time?.. eh not bad could use some.. heh sauce." Moving claws down to his lips, four slender but worm like creatures come out of his mouth soaking up the blood from his claws to his palm. A saliva trail covered his claws as he rubbed it against his head as he growled in pain. Repeating this process for a second time as the wounds slowly healed up. "Welp, here I am.. back to square one.." Looking at his body, "I guess I've been kinda out of it for a while.." Blinking his eyes like it was the first time in a long time he had used them. "Oh.. I guess since I failed being a good guy.. I am curious since its been so long.."

Glancing up at the ceiling. "I think I can make a way out.. I don't think were too deep." Getting his balance making sure to lean against the wall. "I'm taking a shortcut, Tep sorry and if you ever do come.. visit.. I will be the last one you will ever want to see.." Pointing to the ceiling, "Hey you.. out my way." Part of the ceiling gives way immediately coning out as light can be seen from up above. "Oh.. thank you.." Stepping out over rocks and dirt, "Oh, I hope. They have something good to eat, I'm hungry."

Day unknown year unknown

The chest was covered in cobwebs still closed, the door was sealed shut as it was from the beginning. Cobwebs coating the ceiling and walls, droplets of water came from the ceiling near the door. The sound of water dropping echoed all around the room with each drop. Days turned to weeks, weeks to months to years. It seemed endless time changing but the room stayed the same slowly the chest began to rust. along with the door as the moisture was growing slightly, more water dropping down until a steady stream was falling down into the room. The lock rusted into the chest, wielding itself against the chest.

 The water making the ceiling cave in on itself, a rush of water came from the ceiling above. The chest remained on the platform high enough away from the water. A leather bag fell from the ceiling only to splash down into the water and floated up tot he surface. Tep bursts out of the leather bag in his teddy bear form and waved his arms. "You did it! Congrats!!" Opening up his eyes and began looking around. "See.. what happens when.." staring around at the disorder, condition of the room as his jaw drops to inside of the leather bag. "WHAT HAPPENED YOU WERE JUST SUPPOSE TO WAIT!!" Looking around noticing he was alone, "Skuleth? where'd you go?" Looking up at the opening, in the ceiling.

"Oh .. that's not good." Noticing the chest hadn't been touched. ".. Hey no no.. no." Looking down over the bag seeing that there was a large amount of water. "What happened here?" Confused patting the bag some as it began to slither along the surface of the water then climbing up onto the platform. ".. alright that's better I guess.." lifting his arm up walking around the platform while looking around the room a bit more before smacking the chest with his paw. "Hey you in there?! Anyone home?!" Smacking the chest some more with each strike the chest budged just a bit.

He grunted a bit leaning his head against the chest. A trap was set off by the leather bag stepping forward towards the chest, on its way to follow Tep. A spear came soaring from the wall, towards the chest and Tep. The spear went right over the chest and snapped once it hit the wall. Lifting his head up from the ches looking at the broken spear. "Hmm, I don't remember that trap being there.." Lowering himself back down on the floor as he looked around. "What did you do to this place while you were here?" Grumbled some, "The job was to help the hearo's... Not to Kill them!" Gripping one side of the chest as it began to crack, quickly letting go. "oops.. fragile excuse me so he's not here.. but why didn't the hero's come? I don't get it."

Rubbing his head some in thought "Well I was going to congratulate you for helping the Hero's.. but they never showed.. did they?" A moment of silence before looking around at the carnage his head hung low, glancing over at the chest "I guess.. I should at least put all this to use, or put it back." stepping back a bit, walked around the chest to the lock. Staring at it for a moment. "Oh." His paws reached over taking the lock as it broke into pieces in his paws. Lifting the lid of the chest which snapped some and creaked open. Inside was gold jewels as Tep looked inside and began taking out the contents of the chest, placing them into the leather bag that waddled itself over to Tep.

Reaching near the bottom noticing a cloak laying neatly under all the gold and jewels. Looking down at the cloak, "Oh. I'm sorry, didn't realize someone else was already here." Staring at the cloak confused, 'Should have double checked the work order.' he mumbled to himself. "Wait there, I'll get you out in a Jiffy!" He would say using his paws to quickly take out everything on top of the cloak in a rapid pace. Its hood would shift and wiggle around some soon, The leather bag jumping left to right catching everything he was tossing out. The cloak lifted itself up from the chest stretching out its stitches. The fabrics on the cloak stretched out almost covering around the whole room, before shrinking back down into a small cloak that had twenty four small empty slots making a design along the inside of the cloak, as well as two small pockets on the outside.

Tep watched, stunned for a moment as his jaw dropped a bit. "Sorry, the job was a flop, what's your name? Where you here before? Do you know what happened to Skuleth?" he asked as the cloak floated up around in the air looking around the room. "Like I said.. Job was a flop.. Hey! Are you listening to me?" Tep watched the cloak, "Its probably changed a lot since last you seen it, don't worry we ca-" He stopped himself seeing the cloak floating out of the room through the ceiling. "HEY! I'm talking! wah'wait! It's dangerous!" Tep ran to the edge of the platform and jumped as the bag was rolling quickly and scooped up Tep while he was running. "Hey! GET BACK HERE?!!" He shouted the bag bouncing off the waters surface and began flying up following behind the cloak., "STOP! STAY!... SIT?!"

The cloak was fast shooting out of the narrow ways only to come out our of a mountain side. Tep quickly looked around at ground level before the bag flew up higher into the sky. "Where? Where!?" He kept softly repeating to himself, frantically looking for the cloak in this world. Flying up higher as he looked over the edge of the bag, "Where? Oh please where?!" he muttered. Soon seeing the cloak coming out of a lake and flopped a bit on the ground. Tep sighed heavily. "Oh thank. The stuffing stuffers." Lowering down to the lakeside the bag landed on the ground as Tep stepped out of the bag. "If you wanted to take a dip, I know this fountain does wonders for the stitches."

He chuckled some seeing the cloak as it looked larger than before, "You may need to cut back on the extra water.. Or did you catch something?" The cloak opened up as water spilled out along with a child. Teps button eyes went wide, staring in shock and horror as his jaw drops. "Oh.." quickly running over to the child checking if it was still breathing. "Oh sh...tuffing.." Saying in a panic, "Their alive okay we're safe.. come on lets go before it wakes up." closing his mouth and looked around before climbing back into his bag.

Chances taken away Chapter two://Double portions

His eye opened slightly getting the feeling, of heat approaching his face, the feeling of eyes staring intensely at him. A child's face was inches away from his staring curiously at him. Quickly jumping back to the other side of the wagon. Placing a paw upon the boards pushing himself up with a groan.

 "Hey kid.." 

"Where am I?" Asking with a grumble from the exhaustion of everything has happened so far. Being physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted trying to do as little thinking as he could. Staring at the child in front of him, vision blurred still as he closed his eyes. 

Lifting his paws up on his face with a groan, his whole body felt it was on fire. "Ugh.." 

"Too.."

 "soon" Opening up his eyes once more before passing out once again from the pain, his body falling back onto the floor.

His eyes were still changing as his eyes looked as if they were on fire small flames glowing along his eyeball. Once his eyes closed the sparks stopped, staring at him the child smacked his head with a club. His body jolted some to the hit,

 'Holy shi-' 

'What has happened to this place? Has everyone gone mad?!' He laid in the back of the wagon as the child held the club close, while staring at him the whole ride only to wonder off at the mention of food being hunted. A roar came out each wagon's hunter was hopping out of their wagons as the others continued on finding a place to rest for the meal.

 Opening up his eyes feeling the wagon slowing down, looking around before lifting his head up to look around outside of the wagon. His eye sight was blurry still as he couldn't see much of anything, his paws touching along the wagon. 'Uh..'

'still not ready, I guess..'

Leaning back touching his forehead feeling around along his body. 'I can at least feel how I look..'

 'somewhat.' Feeling around his body touching the warmth of his fur around his body. 'Oh this will suck during heat seasons and areas.'

 He chuckled to himself, feeling his face a bit. 'What is this?..'

 'two ears,..'

'long ears huh? okay well a nose...' 

'some eyes..'

'not done apparently but hopefully soon..' Touching along his rags tarring off his sleeve. Feeling along the ground in front of him laying them long ways. Using his fingers to touch along the fabric folding it a few times.

 Taking both ends and placed them over his eyes tying it behind his head. 'Heal..' 

'heal completely..'

'focus.' Taking a few deep breaths in trying to focus hearing the sounds around camp being made. People talking, walking around some carrying items to the middle area where. The lead large female was giving orders to both male and females.

He couldn't help but smile some hearing voices again they were only feet away he could talk with them interact with them. He sat by himself and shook his head lowering his head down. 'I.'

'don't belong here..' 

These people were the first group of people he had been around for a long time. Gulping some dry saliva down his throat, "I'm in all your debt.." He said in a faint whisper, "HEY! IT'S AWAKE!" A child cried out before running off, his head tilted to the side. 'Oh..'

'Uh please be kind..'

'I mean none of you any harm.' 

His paws felt around touching the wagon some looking for the opening. His tail slithered along behind him before wrapping around his legs which made him jump a bit. "Oh.."

 "My tail.." 

"My tail.."  Gripping his own tail with shaking paws, 'I'mma have to really check this body in quick. I need time to recover.' 

His paws touching over his tail feeling the texture of the fur along his tail. The texture was rough but soft at the same time, something to lay on but not to rub against.

There was a rush of footsteps on the ground coming towards him. Spinning around in the wagon as he moved his paws around the floor, looking for the exit. Finding a cornered edge to open the gate as his arm was soon caught by a much larger paw. A heavy voice spoke, "You here to cause trouble? Or you here to do good?"

 He froze some looking around having a blindfold over his eyes. "I.."

"I wish no harm to anybody.."

"Thank you for your kindness, but I must take my leave.." A large dark brown bat like creature with dark brown eyes reached out one of his arms as his wings tucked in against his back.

 He lifted his arm up pulling him from the gate slightly looking at his skinny body, "With these puny things? You are no trouble here. Eat with us if not then you can leave now if you want, simple." His arm was let go, sitting up a bit more holding his arm with his paw, unsure where to have his head looking.

 "Can.."

"I leave after I eat?.."

"If not." Laughter came from the crowd that walking around hearing that the stranger had woken up. Gathered close-by peeking around to look at the one in the wagon being curious, "Fine.."

"Oh great creature of the forest.."

"you can leave after you eat.."

"but allow us safe passage through your domain."

 His head tilted to the side some a smirk crossing his face. "Safe passage.. for a good meal, I accept." Reaching out his paw slowly moving it around in the air to seal the deal. The large bat male looked at him once more before laughing grabbed his paw in a pawshake, "Aye, it's a deal creature of the forest for safe passage we will give you a good meal."

 Gripping his paw tightly, "Deal!" A red and ebony chains wrapped around both of their arms, for a moment binding them together. "What the no no-no!!! I.." 

"I didn't mean it hey!" The bat was pulling back with all his strength, the chains tightened their grip in a pawshake, not letting either party move.

Lifting his head a bit looking straight into the bat's eyes. "Safe passage for a good meal is the deal and now." A small scroll and parchment floated above symbols grew along the parchment. Rolling up and placed onto the chains were they both freed. "Approved" The large bat arm was let go. "A deal is a deal, I will hold my end of the bargain if you hold up yours. Are you a man of your word or not?"

 There was silence, he slowly backed away deep into the wagon, 'Crap.. Why does this always happen?! Why'd it have to be a deal?' The footsteps were slow at first but each one ran off in a rush, listening to everyone running away. 'They'll probably try and poison me or try to do something to try and kill me.' His head lowered and shook his head covering his ears with his paws.

 'I don't want to have to kill them all, this sucks. Why do I always get set up with this shit! I just got back. I don't want to kill the first people I meet.. They've been so nice up till now.' He continued talking in his mind while outside the people were rushing around the kids were taken to the back wagons with food to eat. 'Oh please, oh please. Don't break our deal. Don't do something stupid.'

 He could smell the food, his ear's were heavy as he tried lifting them with the strength in his ears. Reaching up with his paw lifting his ear some. 'I'll have to get used to this body.' listening to everything he could around him. Clearing his mind, with each sound that he could hear made his ear twitched towards it.

 'Got the kids away, with some of the smaller males and females."

"More of the larger females  and males are coming closer now. So ambush attack then? Poison the food or drink whatever you want me to eat or consume. I don't hear much weaponry.' His ear twitched to the side a small commotion of who was going to come get him. The large male still rubbing his arm some standing by the burning flames of one of the fire pits, "Monster of the forest!.."

"What curse did you put on me?!"

 A elderly couple were examining his arm. 'Monster?.."

"I'm a monster?"

"but I help people.."

"I I'm a good person. Well..."

"we did make a deal.' "You wished safe passage through my lands." 

"You made a deal in exchange for a good meal you will have safe passage in my lands. That was the deal."

 The elderly couple began chanting spell after spell they could think of for freeing his arm. Time seemed to continue on while resting in the back of the wagon listening, watching the couple try time after time to take the chains off.

The bat held his arm after four of the spells didn't work, began walking towards the wagon. "AND if we refuse?!" his arm raised up showing him the chains that flowed along his arm. "If we accept and do as you say."

"Will everyone be safe?" 

He took a slow deep breath holding his arm in his paw staring at him with a flame in his eyes, "Breaking the deal we made nobody's safety would be a issue as they will all die along with yourself.."

"that is the punishment for the deal you made there is no negotiation..." 

"Be careful who you make deals with." 

There was silence as a large amount of people began making more food. Others stood there in shock, "You lie!" One shouted out from the crowd. Once the larger male stopped at the end of the wagon. "M-monster.." 

"If the food is not good.."

"What will happen? Is there no other way to make up for it?" 

The Bat reached up with his arm that was bond in chains, touched the wagons gate pulling a bolt from the gate letting it slide down to open. "We.. have females.."

 "or m-males if that is more your tas-." His head lifted up staring at the bats face reaching out to touch him but pulled his own paw back, hesitant for a moment "Would you lay your life and soul to me? If the meal is not good." 

He crossed his paws in front of him as he moved around sitting on his legs with his tail coiled up beside him. "If you put all those things on the line. I will only come after you and everyone else may have a safe passage." The large male stared at his blindfolded eyes shaking in terror at the sudden feeling throughout his body.

 "M-h.. Y-yess yes, I agree.." 

"If that will grant them safe passage.."

"Will I have to make the deal again if we come back through?" Reaching out his paw as the red and ebony chain slowly moved to the large males arm once more. "Then a exchange has been granted.. If the meal is not good you will be the only one that will be torn apart. Along with your soul will be mine." 

The bats eyes stared at his arm as it shook, turning his attention to the ground. Taking a large gulp as he climbed into the back of the wagon. "...You heard him.. Food good  food!" He yelled out his body shook, sitting close to the gate.

 No words were spoken as the bat sat with his arm shaking. the wait seemed like a eternity, staring at the floor. "What's your name? Why lay your life on the line for these people?" He asked as the bat rubbed his arm nervously, "They call me 'Zeke' These are my people, I must protect them no matter what." 

Glancing up at him before looking back down at the floor. "Who or what. I'm not sure, how good you can hunt but protection and feeding are my main concerns for them all."

Zeke took a deep breath before moving from the chair to the floor of the wagon. Outside there were people rushing around as fires were crackling. While the children were eating, the adults began singing and dance like it was their last meal. Games were made up between families while they ate and music began playing from those that could play. 

Zeke could only stare down at the floor. "Why don't you join them? It sounds like their having fun." Zeke closed his eyes listening, his eyes tearing up listening to the sounds of their laughter. Nodding his head, opening up his eyes and slightly lifted his head. 

"Yes they are, which is why I do what I do. So those smiles stay on those faces. as much as possible." He closed his eyes and began picturing inside his head everyone singing and dancing, before smiling happily. "*You don't know, what you have until. It's gone.* It's a saying from a place, I know of.." 

Zeke froze slowly opening up his eyes looking up at him. "It means don't take your loved one's, your victories surviving another day for granted. They may be here today but who knows what tomorrow will bring." Zeke nodded as he lifted his head to looking off at the games and music being played, meals being eaten. 

Their laughter and music was filling the air, the elderly couple were dancing around each other singing a song.  "These are my people.." 

"We may not look the same. But I will give my life for them over and over again until I know they are safe.."  Zeke took a deep breath his chest fur began to stick up. "Making another deal already?" 

Zeke quickly let out his breath coughing as he choked on some of his own saliva. He watched and frowned slightly, "Breathe. Everything will be fine, I was making a joke." Zeke nervously laughed a bit sitting up the scent of food drew near. A large plate of food was brought to the wagon, Zeke looked over seeing who was bringing the food.

 Zekes eyes went wide as his forehead began to get warm. "Ayame?" Whispering to himself, Ayame one of the experienced travelers recently had a child. Her body curved looking as she did while carrying. Her green eyes shined with her black short fur, having very little to covering her body.  "Ayame.." 

"I can't do it, Please help me." 

A younger female held onto the other side of the plate shaking, Ayame held her side of the plate. "Ruby.." 

"Shh. This is for the best for us all." Ruby stared at Ayame her red eyes quivering as she froze in place. Her grip on the plate started slipping her long ears shot straight up. Her lapine frame was covered by a large fabric, with a few pieces of black fur lining the coat.

 "Ruby.." 

"Stop staring, look at the ground watch your step" Ayame tried to reassure her, as they made their way to the wagon. Ayame noticed Zeke, trying to smile a bit as Zeke stared before looking away nodding a bit. The females were carrying the large plate together, Ruby's eyes couldn't help but to stare in terror. 

Their grip on the plate was shaky being extra careful not to even spill or fumble a piece of food. They were chosen as they were shaking in fear, Zeke stared at them. Ayame tried holding her head high as her tail was quivering behind her against her leg. Zeke couldn't help but stare at Ayame before getting up undoing the gate and lowering down to move out of the way.

 Zeke and helping the girls into the back of the wagon. "Th-thhe.. Foods here.." 

"And our-aar gi-gift to you for tonight." Ayame was posing herself trying to cover Ruby's body and to keep his attention on her. Her tail lifting up covering Ruby as Ayame slowly picked up the plate by herself.

"...Thank you.." Zeke looked away and tried to use his wing to slowly move Ruby further away. "Why?! Why am I being punished?" Ruby holding her clothing blurted out almost in tears. "Punished?" His head tilted around as his ear turned to listen to the female. 

"I was the on that found you.."

 "And you turned out to be so mean!" Ruby sniffled with her lip quivering, shaking as she clinging against the other female. Zeke and Ayame both frozen in shock unsure what to do. Zeke wrapped his arms around them both and jumped out of the wagon wrapping his wings around them just incase.

Sitting there in the back of the wagon, reaching up and gave a clap. "Very nice.." Zeke unwrapped his arms, wings from around them.  "Get over here don't go off saying stuff like that.."  Ayame was stunned for a moment laying in Zekes arms staring up at him with sadness in her eyes, "Get Ruby out of here you want his meal to be ruined?! And everything everyone's done will go wrong." 

She whispered to him, quickly got back onto her feet climbed back into the back of the wagon. "I.. I'm sorry.."

"we-we got in-interrupted." She returned to his side sitting along with the plate of food. Her paws were a little shaky, his paw reached out gripping her arm. Sighing out softly, "Your na?" His head hung low his nose twitching leaning over and smelling the food. 

"Oh.." 

"foods here..." Ayame's arm was shaking even more her voice had left her only for a few seconds, "Ye-yes s-sir let me food." 

"feed you.." His grip on her arm loosened before letting go. "Thank you, but I would like to feed myself now go.. enjoy the food and drinks games and songs.." 

Ayame gulped with a quivering lip, "Then.. le-let me be of s-service for you tonight." Zeke covered Ruby's eyes and began escorting Ruby away. "Come on." 

"let's go eat." Ruby looked up at Zeke. "What about." Zeke covered her mouth. "She'll be fine, lets go quietly." he whispered to her.

Ayame had glanced back to see they had left only to turn back around and his face was inches away from hers. His ragged blindfold covering his eyes, "Ah.. ah." Ayame tried to smile softly. "S-sir.. Is everything to.. Your liking?" 

Her paws shook touching along his thighs, "Leave.."

"I will eat this food which was part of the deal I will not be bribed or cheated..." 

"Now go." His voice changed to a soft tone. "Go eat.." 

"Dance, sing, enjoy the time." His paws touched hers lifting her up to her feet slightly and gestured to the sounds. "Go.." Ayame stood there in front of him slowly making her way out of the wagon.

She grabbed her clothing and quickly clothed herself running back to get something to eat, stopping next to her mate and her child. His stomach growled deeply, using his claws as he began scooping up what he could, eating every bit on the plate. 

He lifted up the plate and began drinking the juices from the plate licking it all up. "Oh that was good.." Sighing softly and smiled happily rubbing his belly. Looking at his wrist with a smirk, turning the red to a soft green glowing along Zeke's arm. 

"AH!" he screamed out holding out his arm shaking as everyone stared. A moment went by as everyone looked around the glowing soon dissolved Zeke's arm was back to normal again. A cheer and laughter yelled out before silence when they all stared at the wagon. 

"The Mighty Creature of the forest.. you gave us safe passage." He sat in the wagon in thought, 'What should my name be here?.'

'Although monster of the forest does sound kind a' cool. I'll need to pick a name soon let's see. How about we go down the list...' It wasn't long before the child from before was running along the wagons jumping a crossing one wagon into the back of his. 

A large club smacking into his forehead, 'It's that little mother-fu' The club cracked along the wood grain. There was a long pause as everyone was staring terrified at what just happened. Flicking his head up sending the child up into the air before slamming his head into their stomach sending them out of the wagon. "Stop, picking fights or you're going to end up dead kid!"

 The adults stood their jaws dropped at what was going on, unsure what to do before the leading female stomped over taking the child in her arms.  Her loving caring smile quickly turned to a face filled with rage. She threw the child to its parents loudly barking at them, before turning back around with a warm and friendly face staring at him. 

"Please forgive our children."

 "they are."

" wild sometimes.. you- you know how kids are." She chuckled nervously, "That was a good meal, you all are safe while in my territory. I will stay in here until it is needed for me to come out of here." 

The leading female looked around some, then to the two that were still close. "The meal was good everyone." "WE-WE have safe passage." A heavy sigh of relief came from them all, the leading female looked up at him and nodded. "Thank you.."

 "please if you need any." She would glance at the two before looking back at him. "I want to make another deal." 

She held out her paw standing firm, "What are you doing?! Your going to get us all killed?" His ears twitched as his head looked directly at the lead female. "What is the deal?" He asked tilting his head slightly.

"Will you join us? Protect us and in return we feed you.." 

"If you fail to protect us you will not be fed ever from any of us." Sitting there staring at the large female extending out her paw to him firmly leaning her paw towards him fully, her side was leaning against the wagons gate. "I will not protect you from death when it is your time.."

 "You will die in time like your family lines.."

 "But remember this deal will only be where my territory begins and ends."

"Once you are out of that area all of your safety is not my concern, only to you and four others within you all.. so choose wisely what four will go on safely with you. and who will be left behind when their time is come?" Staring at her as she opened her mouth as everyone began walking over to the wagon. "Four only four?!" 

"We want to make a deal, too!"

 "Why can't we all have safe passage?" More and more people began to hold out their arms wanting to make a deal. "Silence all of you.." everyone's voices left them as they were moving their mouths. "One at a time.."

 "each of you will have to decide who will be saved and who will be left behind. I will not negotiate this.."

 "Talk amongst yourselves.. Pick straws.."

 "But four is the limit I am willing to do. For your kindness and for the food this is a generous offer." The adults looked at themselves then to the children playing with each other.

The large female was in shock as she was whispering to herself, "Me.. four.. four others?" Staring at him, "Do you get to pick or can we pick?" He nodded. "You choose four of you and those four will be safe along with you. I will not take any other deals for now." 

His ear twitched a bit leaning around, hearing the whispers of who should be one of the four. The lead females paw was soon shaking paws with him. "The four have been selected and I accept this.."

 "From now on, I will accompany these wagons and protect those upon it as agreed..

 So everyone rest easy tonight the deal is made and now.."

 "You will be safe." 

A red chain sunk into both of their paws as she closed her eyes looking away. Her arm held his paw for a moment before slowly letting go seeing the chains sink into her fur before disappearing. "Now.. I must rest, so rest easy you will be safe here." Laying back down in the wagon, as he stared up at the top of the wagon saddened by he had to do, wanting to fall asleep quickly.

 The lead female stood there looking at her arm, touching along where the chains were. "Okay, we will be safe now." Everyone crowded around her looking at her arm. "Does it hurt? are you okay? who did you pick?" Their questions were hushed as his voice rang out from the wagon.

 "Next person that asks who was picked will be killed and eaten on the spot in front of everybody..." 

"This will not affect the deal I have now. This is your one and only warning." Looking up at the ceiling with his arms out wide almost in prayer. '... Please just agree, You seem like actually nice people.' It was silent as whispers started to rise above the sound of a breeze passing by. 

One of the large females burst into flames screaming in horror as she kept asking. The moment only lasted a few seconds before her body was dust in the wind before dissolving into the ground. "Wh-what happened?"

 The crowd scattered after seeing one of their own was burned alive from the inside out. "What have you done?" The lead female stared up at the sight of the female only a few steps away from her had burst into flames. "If you leave. Your safety will not be guaranteed." 

He yelled out as two families continued to run grabbing their things and children taking off back from where they were leaving. Lifting his head up some as he looked from the back of his wagon, "Please spare them!" 

The lead female stood in shock shaking in her legs nobody needs to know who would be safe. She turned her attention back to him and held her arm up in view. "Allow them to leave.. please! I'll come up with a good trade for their safety."

 She began taking off her gloves placing them down on the ground. Her throat pulled at every bit of her saliva she could muster. "You must be weary.. please s-sir.." Her shirt was already gone her eyes were closed leaning against the gate. "Trade their lives.." 

"for my body for as long as you guard these people.."

She said whispering her offer to him as her paws began touching along her hips slowly pushing down her pants. His attention went to her seeing the look on her face he shook his head. "They can leave.. anyone can.."

 "but I won't look after their safety if they leave." 

"They will be safe once back with us till the end of my territory otherwise.." 

"I will not help unless they make a deal within the next few days." 

"As agreed I will protect these wagons and those in them till the end of my territory." Resting his head back down on the wagon as his tail gently pushed her shirt back towards her, "Your offer has been declined." She put her shirt back on and then the rest of her clothing. 

His tail slithered over locking the gate closed, before slithering back away from the opening of the wagon. The lead female hopped up onto the wagons railing, pulled a piece of fabric that rolled down closing off the open end of the wagon. 

"As I said before you are all safe, I will not go against my part of the deal." Closing his eyes once more with the cloth hanging off his face some. The lead female looked around to see who had noticed what she was doing, glancing at her arm. 

"Deal's a deal." she whispered to herself shakily before gesturing to those that were coming towards her. "We are safe."

 "If you want to leave go ahead"

 "but if not then we continue on."  The word was getting around the wagons as the adults and adolescent's were all restless. only the children, elderly seemed to sleep carefree.

Bags and whistles Chapter 2

Skuleth huffed and leaned back looking at the gift, reading the note turning away with a grumble but a somewhat smile coming across his face. 

"Ugh, fine. I'll do it." He rubbed his head some before, taking the slip in-between his claws.

 "Go, now come back home.. 

sooner." Twisting the slip between his fingers in deep thought. 'I could just go in and rampage around before going back to the spot.. 

might bring in some ext-wait.. 

its one of his kinds job. How can I do this better than him? This smells like a trap all of it does.' Staring at the slip before lifting his head from the table then stood up trying to think like Tep. "Good guy stuff.. 

The hell would they need? them?..

 it, they, them, whatever doesn't matter."

Walking out of the room and to the hallway passing by his reflection as he looked at himself. "Good guy..

 stuff, I'm not the good guy." His reflection deforms once his eyes locked, closing his eyes walking away moving into a small room enough to have a bed a soft pelted blanket with soft furs. Near the bed a beaded closet with very few clothing options as one hung on a hanger still new and untouched.

 Looking at the clothing, lightly touched it with his claw feeling the softness of the fabric. "One day, I'll maybe try you on and look good too... 

Maybe when I'm worth trying you on." His claw accidently cut a hole in a sleeve. "No-Nh.. 

okay sorry, sorry." Quickly taking his claws away from it, before carefully moving them out of the way. Taking a hold of a pair of overalls of silver and dark green designs all along the sides.

"This will do.. 

besides comfortable.,

 and many pockets haha." Chuckling to himself while posing in front of his closet without a mirror to show how he looked, back to himself. "..Well at least this outfit should allow me to blend in if there are any agriculture prospects around, well what do you think?" He asked looking at the beads, as they blew softly towards him. "Heh..

 thanks, I know it probably looks foolish.. 

but how else do I not frighten others away?" Exiting out of his room and passed by the mirror once more stopping for a moment in thought looking at the mirror behind him.

"... Do I look approachable?.. " not able to see his reflection before looking down at the ground. Walking to the front door, stopping at the moss curtains as he turned his head to the side as he looked down at a stump cut out with moss covering under and all around the stump. "... I'm going to work, be good. I don't know when I'll be back. So stay alive till then, okay?" He said leaving his home through the moss curtains a wall of murky water stood in his way. Walking along the bottom of the swamp heading back to Naconorton, stepping out of the swamp and continued along the pathway his mind in deep thought as he walked alone with the slip in-between his fingers gripping it tightly. Reaching the entrance to Naconorton his eyes went down to the ground, taking a slow and deep breath.

Walking through the middle of town keeping his eyes on the ground, only glancing up every once in a while. To keep track of where he was going, "Skuleth!" A demonic females voice came from one of his sides, a feline demoness was scurrying along his side. "Where you going?" She asked with her feathery wings spread open in front of him as she tried to keep up, hopping a bit. He would glance down at her, as he slowed down some. Letting her lean on him some, "I have work so.

. I'll be leaving." She froze some and held his paw in hers, "Oh well uh .

. you.. uh..

 If you ever need a demon princesses help.. 

with anything - I I'm only a call-" A loud hiss followed by, "SKULETH!" A purple hairs cat running over in a hurry with a pair of glassed over her muzzle.

Her tail puffed up as she quickly joined, her friend. "Jane.. 

What are you doing here? Skuleth?! Hello..

 Hi..

 heh." Her face was flushing with different colors as her eyes began to change in color. He looked down a into Rains eyes and smiled softly. "Hello Rain. you're drooling again haha." Offering her a napkin as Jane began cackling with laughter, both seemed to stare daggers at each other, but smiled and looked at Skuleth. 

"Skulettthh." they say at the same time.

 "SKUEEEEETH!!" A small kitten ran out of a doorway having a Black and gray female tiger metallic animatronic chasing after the child. The child was laughing as Skuleth softly smiled as his face softened slightly showing a bit of sorrow and joy. The kitten jumped up towards him as he reached down grabbing a hold of her.

"Careful.. 

I have horns little one do not harm yourself on me.." Slowly holding onto her carefully hugging her to not harm her.  Jane smirked "I know someone that wouldn't mind being impaled.." and Rain huffed with a moanful sigh "Impalement would be bad" her head darted towards Jane with a deadly glare.

 "... shut.. uup..." She mouthed to Jane. Skuleth lightly rubbing the back of the kitten before lowering down to her feet. 

"Skuleth she's after me. make her go awaaay!!" She began crying suddenly, "It's bathtime isn't it?" Skuleth smiled lightly, the kitten began looking around.

 "N.uh..

 dunno, maybe but.. 

I don't wanna.." She began to throw a fit as, a female animatronic with glowing lights along its polished tiger feline model. "She refuses to take a bath.. it was my turn to do it but she keeps running away.."

 Skuleth looked down at Lilone standing up a bit straight, placed his paws on his waist line and shook his head. "Well then I guess there is only one way to fix this... 

we must eat the child.." Skuleth crouched down and playfully nipping at the kitten as she screamed with laughter. He chased her around for a moment before she fell over, pouncing on top of her carefully and tickled her. 

"I got to tenderize the meat. Yup, yup almost on n-ho a-ohh." Being very careful and trying to be as gentle as he could. A soft chuckle came from his lips as the kitten laughed and wiggling around on the ground. He let her go, stood up, "Alright you played, now go clean up." 

She flailed on the ground a bit and huffed in a tantrum laying on the ground with a limp body. Groaning with a bottom lip quiver. before getting up and held the animatronics paw. "Fiiine." She said while going back to her home with the animatronic leading the way. "Thank you again, Skuleth."

He would nod his head some giving her a wink, "Your welcome Tiger, anytime." Tigers tail wagged violently as her lights began to change color to a soft pink. 

"Y-yes, Of course! ye-ye ye..

 hehe." She glitched a bit while walking a bit more excitedly. He looked back at the others, "Does this look scary to you girls?"

 Opening up his arms up showing off a bit in a t like pose. A red and white fox snickered a bit her tail swaying back and forth her eyes look up at the night sky. "Scary? No.. 

Handsome mmmhmm." Skuleth sighed and rolled his eyes to her comment. "Yeah, sure..

 I got good work.." The girls stood in shock looking at him, confused. "So.

. I need to know.. 

Do I look scary?.. 

Or do I look like a good guy?" The girls looked away some not looking him in the eyes. "... You look less.. 

scary."

Skuleth sighed softly. "I guess that will be good enough. Thanks girls." He patted them in the head softly as he walked by. Rain was staring as he walked by drooling as she leaned over some. "Some girls like the scary.." 

She whispered wiping her mouth before, they all walked back to their home a cat mansion with three stories, and two towers. Their land spread far as Skuleth was allowed to venture through such land to arrive at his destination. The red and white vixen stood at the gate leaning against the gate post having very little clothing on.

 She smoked out of a long pipe letting the smoke bubble up to the sky, watching him as he was soon out of view. Watching for a bit longer before turning around as she went into the mansion as well. "Handsome as ever.. 

you fool. When will you learn that?" She sighed some, her ears falling to hear sides, along with her tail. Skuleth continued his way down passing by a hoovering carriage was cruising by slowly.

"Need a ride Skuleth?" Another cat female waved her paws at him as they passed each other. 

"No thank, Got a job to do but maybe some other time." A large breasted cat feline leaned out of the carriage. "I GOT A JOB FOR YOU TO DOO!" she said her tongue out as she fanned herself winking at him. Skuleth rolled his eyes once again before shaking his head. 

"Maybe some other time, Cherat." Walking down the pathway making it soon to the ruin stone post. Taking a deep breath as he looked at the slip. "Lets see." Walking over to the stone pillar and placed the slip into a slot. 

The stone began to vibrate as lights were spreading out from the top of the stone pillar. A ray of light shined slowly creating an image. "Skuleth accepting work.. 

starting immediately." A mirror image showed of himself as he looked away from the hologram. Accepted, please proceed. A messaged showed as the hologram dissolved as a replica was created out of shadow and light. The darkness showed along it self in a form of a picture frame.

 It absorbed into the picture frame with the light changing around showing name of the place along the top of the frame as it glowed in the different colored darks and lights. Inside the picture frame a scenery shot of the spot the portal would take him.

Standing in front of the portal, looking back up again at the name above. 'Crystalis' 

"You have got to be kidding me.. this is the place that." Staring at the name, with great disgust. "THIS?!" He roared out angrily, his tail whipping back and forth behind him, smashing the ground into a small crater. Standing in front of the portal as his claws were balled up into fists, his whole body shaking out of anger.

 "W-why here?!" He grumbled to himself before, unwillingly taking the slip that turned into a colored crystal like shard, from the stone. Placing the slip in his pocket, walked through the portal to the other-side, "No, wonder. Why it, wouldn't matter.

 If I'd rampage around, they all deserve nothing but to suffer." Stepping onto ground as his claws dug into the stone path with each step. Noticing a single chest on a platform, "You're what, I'm suppose to be around, huh? 

At least. It won't annoy me while, I do this." His claws entangled with each other as he stood in front of the chest before turning around and sitting down on the top of the chest. "I'm here again. Imma kill him next time, I see him rip apart each limb, he can muster."

Sitting upon a chest, "Hero's.."

"Ugh nasty vermin, killing things all the time. Always messing up my lives. Why do I have to help them now?!"

"change of pace bah.."

"we'll see." Glaring at the entrance to the room, his eyes burning with rage. "I hate waiting!!" he yelled out with a roar, "What's taking so long, I want this done and over with!" Growling as he grumbled to himself. Closing his eyes for a moment, before passing out, as he hadn't slept in decades. Snoring, before coiling himself around the chest resting, his head along the platform and chest. "... I'll have my revenge.."

"good guy?" He slept heavily as his chest rose and fell, time stood still as he slept for the first time in a long time. His body seemed to relax this was the part of the job he enjoyed, finally being able to sleep before wrecking havoc. His eye twitched, 'must do a good job.. I can't fail.' He spoke softly holding onto the chest with a tight grip. His wing slowly outstretched covering up the chest as if was about to cling to it for dear life.

 'We lose our home if we fail..' His voice began to change, having a conversation with himself in his sleep.

  'I'll get us through this..' 

'You?' there was a long pause as his breathing increased for a moment before his last breath came out slow and easy. Laying on the chest his body froze in time guarding over the treasure chest, almost like a statue, his body didn't move an inch.

Bags and whistles Chapter 1

The moon light shined down upon the mountain side landscape a soft glow of fire lanterns were glowing up pathways that seemed to end in a point, the other end out of sight. A large ancient temple covered in moss, a soft breeze blew across the tree's stopping for a moment. a soft tune came from the temple, calling and tempting those that hear the sound. Have been seen going missing, talking nonsense, gibberish in tongues.

 If they cross the lanterns beasts have been seen acting strange. Those that knew never tread near such a horrifying place. A small leather bag had flopped around along the path before colliding with the entrance of the temple as a bolt shot down electrifying the bag.

 It didn't stop and continued rolling at a alarming speed. A few leaves blew around with static from the electric passing through as the bag rolled. Arriving at the entrance of the ancient temple and slowed down only to stop in front of a small table. 

The belt untied into small pieces as the bag was dissolving into dust around the being inside. A light brown and dark brown patterned teddy bear with two red and gold eye buttons. A black top hat over one of its ears. A small necklace of three different collared beads held together with silver thread.

 Standing at one side of the table, looking around as it adjusted the hat. Shifting a bit in the seat as it sat down upon the stone. In fact another did show up and had been watching over the area with such curiosity. a slight touch was tingly to this creature, seeing the other going through with such ease.

 Pushing through hesitant at first before pushing through the lanterns crackled. A cloud puffed up above the lanterns before settling down with a soft blow of the wind against the ground moving quickly towards the ancient temple. the cloud floating around inside before settling down on the other side of the table. The cloud began forming into itself as a horned skull arouse from the cloud like mist.

 A moment of silence was dew as a the teddy bear sat up lifting it's arm up towards the skull settling down on the other side of the table. 

The teddy bears paw slammed on the table, "You're late, your paying this time!" His voice was demanding as it was soft.

 The skull shifting from side to side and began to growl, a green cloud began Shifting into itself forming into a horned skull. Some of the horns were rotted out and hollow,A bit of cloud began coming out of its mouth as the words were soon visible in the air. "You know, I haven't been getting much work.."

 "Why don't we celebrate?" 

"Nope." 

"But since I am such a great host." 

"I was waiting for you, before ordering." The teddy bear narrows his button eyes. "So.."

 "What did you need to talk with me about?" The skull smile widened, "I know that look, what is it?" the teddy bear narrowed his eyes even more, skulls eyes glowed a soft green.

 "Well you know, how I said I haven't gotten much work?"

"Well haha more like none at all." The skull fell upon the table. The teddy bear laughed. "Yeah, Right!"

"You? Come on." The teddy bear gestured to the skull and then the air, "What happened to all the stories?" The skull stayed still as a moment of silence seemed to fall around them. The teddy bears arms, slowly lowered down as did his head slowly.

".. So it's true, then. huh?" The skull light up with a half hearted cackle, as its teeth snapped with each cackle. Silence continued before next to the table the ground shook. In a flash of soft light, both of them were gone disappeared out of the temple.

The skull, teddy bear lifted up as a body began to form in the light for a instant for them both before they were gone. Lifting up a paw as he coughed some rubbing his face, scratching against the skull with large claws. Five horns coming out of the skull, the light began shifting and turning to a reptilian slit eye jade and emerald colored eyes. 

His body coated in a cloak as his head stayed unhidden. Leather and steel armor covered his body with a soft fur around the torso and around the thighs. His skull was itching causing him to scratch and rip into his skull. "You know if you needed help with getting by you know we are always hiring. You could.."

 The teddy bear standing tall towering over the half skeletal corpse dragon, "No thanks." 

"Nothing you can do, just didn't think it would." 

"like this." The corpse dragon replied teddy bear leaned over and smacked the others arm gently causing it to pop out of socket. The dragon placing its arm back into place, "Then here is to making it back to the top, right?" 

The eyes stared deeply at the teddy bears soft hazel brown eyes. "you know you should be killed with fire." The dragon narrowed his eyes as the teddy bear as they both grinned and laughed. "TO THE TOP!" They both raised imaginary cups before laughing some more.

The table and objects around them were of a tea house, both placing their hands on the table in front of them. "TO THE TOP! Reservation for 2." 

'Confirmed' the table illuminated as the décor began to move and shift around soon showing a hot plate stone table in front of them. Two cups filled with mist and fog. placing each other created different types of food on the hot plate. 

"You sure about this?" The dragon looked at the bear, "Go ahead."

 

"Besides I think I have a job perfect for you." 

"Hell might even work out for me too if were lucky haha." A eye narrowed some at the bear. "Oh? well then I accept, but you know what I like so."

 "Best be ready to pick up the bill."  The bear smiled, "Well duh, whose got the money to pay for this," Tep began laughing. "Now stop hogging" Each using their claws to slice, place down parts of mist and fog over the table.

 

As they placed the first layer down over the table, more cups began to appear around them, filled with a different element. The hotplate began to sizzle as a savory aroma began to come from the steam from the hotplate.

 The bear began pulling with his claws against some of the layer they put down. The dragon watched, "You know your going to under cook yours.." the bear grumbled, "I know how I like it, so this is how I make it.." 

"make it your way and I'll make it my way." The dragon scuffed with a smirk, "Will do, will do.." A moment came before a smirk widened on the dragons face "Well since this is a celebration.."

The bear looked over as his eyes widened, "What?"

 "Hey celebration. NOT go all out."  The dragon back to pour down different elements onto his side of the hot plate. "NOPE! T-TOO LATE!" The table rumbled and sizzled even more, as the elements were swirling around colliding together. 

"WHAT THE HELL?!" The bear sat there in shock as he narrowed his eyes before closing them with a growl before standing up and began pouring more elements onto his side. "TO THE TOP!!!!" The two began feasting hungrily, after fourteen refills on elements the bear leaned back holding his bulgy belly, 

"Oh.."

"That's it." 

"You win I'm done." 

"Wipe my card I'm out." The other on his 20th refill as his body seemed to piece together little by little. A tear coming out of his eye, feeling himself starting to heal up even more. Having been rotting for so long, half of his body was soon formed. Holding a piece of meat in his mouth, only to lay on the ground in bliss with more of the food on himself than in his stomach. 

The bear grunted and sat up. "... Yeah.."

 

"To the top.." Both half hearted raised their arm up before putting them back down. "but I can only help you much as I can." 

"When I can you know that." The dragon slurped the piece of meat into his mouth, "Just tell me about the job.."

"what is it and how much we talking about for this?" The dragon glared sitting up cleaned up his face with a few wipes of his tongues slithering out of his mouth.

"That never makes me grossed out when you do that. Jobs a easy one."

 "But of course there's a catch."

"When isn't there" The dragon grunted as his body was almost completely form, "Right?! Any-way it's a easy in and out job." 

"And I couldn't think of anyone else than you to make it happen."

"Easy and in and out never ends well." 

"That goes double for me remember?" The dragon slammed his tail against the ground as it shook. "Hey now don't need you making us banned from this place too." 

The whole building shook, as he lifted up his tail quickly. The dragon had some of the staff and patrons up and roaring, the dragon apologized quickly for his disturbance, as there were other occupants.

 "I'm sorry, very sorry, didn't mean to cause any alarm." In the small holes in the rocks of the ancient temple were hundreds and thousands of tiny tea house rooms with a large view of a mountain side. The staff in each room were calling for quiet.

The dragon lowered himself down to the ground. "Sorry, sorry sorry, everyone I-" 

"Yes, I will tread more lightly. Yes sorry, yes sorry, I will be leaving soon, soorry." 

"yaa-yes haha maybe next time.."

 "yes, yes." 

The bear watched The dragon reassuring the staff and other patrons, before everything seemed to calm down. The dragon looked down at the food and the floor some in shame. "Alright, I guess we can go. Don't worry, I got some carry out for you." 

The skull dragon smiled happily, "You do care.."

"you old care be-"

 "You speak one more word you will be in more pain than you can dream of." The skull dragon chuckled nervously, "Tep the.."

 "CARE BEAR!" The skull dragon bolting out of the door with the take-out sprinting into a large passage opening up into a old and tranquil tavern and village. The bear growled and began to run after him before being stopped by staff requiring payment for their meal. Tep's eyes twitch as he held his paws in rage, before taking a breath. "Yes.."

"I'll be paying for the carry out and him as well." Sighing softly before placing his paw upon the bill as it glowed a soft purple.

The dragon walked down the main path through, the town taking his time with a big smug smirk on his face eating a small piece of food from the carry out. "Oh that's good.." Drooling a bit holding a slice of meat up to his nose.

 "I will savor you and make sure you go to a good place fantastic and amazing places.." The bottom and top of his head began to turn a slight purple with a bit of smoke coming from his jaws. His lips broke off a piece of the meat. 

"Oh." 

"Tender." 

"Ooh so good to me.." The piece he had in his mouth almost as if it dissolved over his tongue with a happy and blissful smile spread across his lips.  Everyone looked away from him as he passed, he could hear their whispers and murmurs as he passed. Holding the carry out bag in his arms a bit closer.

 "I hope you plan on sharing.." 

"Skuleth" Tep walked up behind him before walking beside Skuleth smirked with a bit of meat hanging out the corner of his mouth. Soon shaking his head, "Yeah, that's fine by me."

"But anyways so the job starts soon and they need someone to help out with some." Tep placed his paws on his chin, "Someone more capable than myself to go and help them out." Tep continued as they walked passing by other beings of many shapes and sizes.

Skuleth was quiet and listened carefully to the job. "Ha.."

"More capable than you? What poor sucker would believe that?" Out of the city of 'Naconorton' as Tep and Skuleth continued down a path leading down into a valley.

Tep filled Skuleth in on the job it didn't take them long before they arrived at the marshlands.

 The marsh territory laid deep in the valley, the two continued down a path quick for a moment until they reached the swamp waters. "So the job is super easy.." 

"Trust me. I'd do it myself but." Gestures to the bag hanging off his side, wrapped around his body with a leather strap.

 Skuleth glancing down at the bag and shuttered. "I still don't get why, you want me to do this job. This is something your kind are suitable to do."

 Tep shook his head with a chuckle, "Well you said you needed some work." 

"Well this will be out of your expertise but I think you would do great..."

"Besides if it doesn't work out, apparently this place you could.." 

"Run amuck and it wouldn't change anything important."

Tep grinned a fang peeking out of the side of his lips. Skuleth chewed turning his attention to the swamps watery surface, noticing a flower starting to bloom out. He stopped to watch it for a moment before swallowing what he had in his mouth "Won't change anything important huh? That's." 

"What concerns me." 

"How bad can this place be?" Tep walked over to a log and sat down on top of a mossy spot. 

"A place that is in need of a hero." 

Holding the takeout box in his claws looking through it once more, "So, who has the villain in this place? You didn't say who, will these heroes end up fighting against. If not someone like me?" 

Tep leaned back crossing his arms in front of him, with a smirk. "Can't give out that information, besides this is still in the works. So sooner and longer your there."

"The better the payout will be in the end." Skuleth narrowed his eyes at Tep leaning back a bit, "Yeah, I guess." Skuleth opening up the take-out box, taking out a slice of bread. Slipping the slice into his mouth letting his tongues rip it apart as it moved along down his throat.

 "It would be good to get back into the swing of things."

"But heroes? Really? You know, I will probably just kill them instead of helping them, right?" Tep sighed with a groan and shrugging a bit while placing his paws on his lap some. "Not my call besides say's its fine so.."

"Why not give them a chance first and if they aren't up to fluff then do what you want."

 "Until, the right heroes show up or when someone comes to take over for you. Besides might be what you need." Skuleth started walking into the waters as the murky waters shifted, "Fi-ine, I'll do it need the job anyway." 

Grumbling some at the thought. The take out box in-between his claws while, he submerged deeper into the waters. "When would be soon enough? Rather get this over with and be done with it." Tep nodded and hopped up off the log as Skuleth moved to the waters and followed Skuleth into the water.

 "Oh well, that's the beauty of this."

"Anytime night-day so sooner is better." Both walking and talking under water to each other. Soon only two of Skuleth's horns could be seen, moving around at the waters surface. 

"So it's a trap?" Skuleth stopped and looked at Tep, 

"Hm? Trap? No, it isn't a trap? How can this job be a trap?" Skuleth continued to walk beside Tep. "I know a trap when I hear it."

"It's all just off. some hero is going to get to be" 

"befriend and I'm suppose to go along and help them regardless of, 'if' they die by me or another?" Tep shook his head as they walked along the bottom of the swamp.

 "No, you can only kill them if they aren't up to fluff, and you are to keep them alive from others."

"So, think of it as a escort service moving the merchandise" 

"..'the hero' to its destination protecting them, along the way." Tep explained while lowering his body some to get around a root of a tree. Walking down a path towards the roots connected to the ground forming houses, a small abandoned village as they continued down along the path.

 "Anything, I need to bring with me?" Skuleth asked while reaching a root house covered in various types of moss, and various planet bulbs in various places. 

"Well bring something that would help in their journeys, but less you bring more you get for your Shard, ya know?" Skuleth touched against a patch of moss as the door shifted into a curtain of moss letting them through easily.

 "So leave everything here and bring what you need." Stepping into the house, drying off in a instant.  

"OH HEY!" Tep ran over to a large chair as it had a indent of Skuleths back body on it. Climbing up a bit before jumped into it, "Ah! You still have this old thing!" 

Skuleth blinked noticing where Tep was and pointed at Tep, "Careful don't ruin my spot with your fat ass"

 Tep laughed and nodded, getting back up. "Yeah, well here this is for you.." 

Reaching into the bag and pulled out a small slip placing it on the table. "Here is the slip so since you need the work." 

"I'm sure you will get this done quick besides your doing me a favor."

 Skuleth looked at the slip and took it in between his claws lifting it up to his face to read it. "What's wrong need glasses hmm?" 

Tep smirked a bit, "I DO NOT! You people's writing is so tiny.." 

Skuleth grumbled reading the slip mumbling to himself as he was reading it. "Alright looks legit.." Skuleth narrowed his eyes some before looking at Tep.

 "So a favor huh."

 "Then you would owe me." 

"You know that right?" Tep nodded looking serious as he looked to Skuleth. "Yeah." 

"I'm okay with that for this.."

 "I really need you to handle it for me." Skuleth leaned against the wall and placed the slip back on the table. "Alright, thanks for the food.."

 "You should head on then since your busy. Wouldn't want you to be late." Skuleth said with a soft smile.

 "Thanks.." 

"Remember to do your best. I'll be checking in when I can." Tep said still looking serious, Skuleth rolling his eyes some before gesturing towards the door, "Yeah, I'll let you think about it.." 

"remember any time." Tep stood up patting Skuleth shoulder. Heading out the door, "I also have some stuff coming for you so enjoy." Skuleth sat at the table.

 "Alright, thanks for letting me know." Tep walking out through the curtain of moss swaying against the water behind it. Skuleth watched him leave before looking back at the table. Glancing up at the slip that rests on the table.

 Staring at it trying to think of when to go. "Easy job.."

 "Change of pace.." 

"It's a trap. He can blow smoke all he wants, I'm sure. I'm right but I can't afford to be right or wrong.." Sighing heavily and laid his head on the table a bit staring at the slip. Thinking of the pay out and the benefits it would include. 

Glancing over at everything he had, "How long will I be gone?" Thinking of the first day arriving in this place, he would call home. "My home." 

"We have been through a lot haven't we?"

Looking around the kitchen remembering, in flashbacks of good times in this room then the bad times. His paws laid palm down on the rough table surface. "I'm sorry, you had to go through those things with me.."

 "But thank you for always sheltering me, when I needed warmth, and when I needed to cool down you had me even then." 

"As I sit here I know you'll always be here for me when I need you.." 

"but do you need me as I do you? I am not a good resident I try but I always end up breaking things." 

"I don't want you to scream and run away in fright." Stopping for a moment and smiled with a glow coming from his eyes.

 "You held me kept me safe at night. All I did was live within you. Please oh please hear my cry."

"Thank you, I never wanna hear good bye, but that day I believe is growing near.." His head hung low glancing at a letter a single floating piece of parchment. In strange writing, it was clear with an amount with a currency symbol of a dragon head.

 It was a letter stating that the whole neighborhood was being destroyed, unless the amount was collected "Please wait for me."

 "I'll pay I swear, I'll go through the depths of any realm only to have to you." 

"Some place that" His eyes glowed some as his forehead began to sizzle as the glowing turned into a soft green neon flame with forehead blue horned tips. 

"I can go to unwind from the worlds, I have been to."

"Dimensions portals far and wide no place is like no place I know.." 

"It's you home." Taking a deep breath, reaching over to his side pulling a small pebble of jade, glowing in between his fingers. Twisting and spinning the pebble around through his fingers. 

"I have a bit from the last job. I can make it last long as I can.."

 Placing the pebble down on the table next to the slip. The table glowed slightly before the table showed a swamp ripple as moss and water lily's bloomed along the sides of the table. Text's began appearing along the table, ".. Let's see what we missed." Text of news, of different articles, using his claws to navigate through what he read for a few moments before tapping the table.

 The screen disappeared as his claw placed on the table. "Same thing.." 

"Nothing changes.." Drawing a heavy sigh looking out the window at the fish and murk of the water shinning like gold. 

"But I will do everything, I can to keep this home.."

 "I have made it. Finally." Clenches his claws into a fist and let out a soft roar, as the walls shook some. 

"Heh.."

 "One day I'll shout out loud and My home will be able to take it." Smiling happily, "My home.." Taking another heavy sigh holding his chest coughing a bit, slowly breathing. 

"Ha.." 

"Woo hah.." 

"Alright, come on we got this.." sitting up a bit more stretching out a bit leaning his body against the wall and everything he could. Wings sprouting from his back and began to wrap around his body letting his wings and body relax as the room got small with his body taking up most of the home. "At least I can stretch out some."

 Holding his form for a moment before shrinking down and coughed. "A-Ugh.." 

"Okay might need a bit more room.." 

"Don't worry, I'll fix you up. Where we both can live comfortably.." His claws touched over the top of the table staring at the slip on the table still. A loud thud came from outside as a crate was thrown through his doorway. Spinning around before landing against the wall of the hallway, a lock began to glow around the crate locking with a loud click.

 The skeleton began to form around the crate as it turned into a casket. A soft yellow came from the skeleton on top of the casket as the rest of began to give off a light green color. A note hanging from the side of the casket,

From: Your best friend!

Thanks again for doing this. You are the best friend EVER! Someone like me could ever have. I mean that, even if I am not from your world. Thank you for being there for me. Now it's my turn, to return the favor.

'~(^.0__0.^)~`+To the top!'~(^.0__0.^)+~`

Tep

snow cabin

 laying in bed, soft blankets covered her body, as outside the snow was coming down slow at first but was coming down harder. Her chest rose and fell as she slept soundly. The door opened slowly light coming in only to shine in her face. 

Whimpering sweetly before covering her face with the blanket. Soon a soft smile came to her face going back to sleep, comfortably. "Sweetie, time to get up." A males voice came from the other side of the door, narrowing her eyes and groaned to herself. Slowly moving her body down into the warmth of the blankets. 

"... Come on, Sweetie.. Time to get uuuup." saying once more. Staying quiet under the blanket pouting to herself. "Alright.." 

"I'll just go all alone." Leaving the door as footsteps were heading to the front door. "I wonder if Kristi will be there.. oh well." the door closing slightly, before her light green eyes popped open. The color of her eyes changed turning a darker color.

 "I'm up! I'm up!" She shouted out quickly getting out of bed. "Don't you dare go alone! Kristi will not be seeing you alone.."

 

"Over my dead body!" The footsteps had stopped near the front door before slowly making their way back to the bedroom. Standing at her dresser, her body in full view as a paw reached out pushing the door open a bit more. Her head was to his chest as he walked inside of the bedroom, four large paws wrap around her body. 

Her large breasts resting between two strong arms, "I would never wish for such a thing.." She grumbled, as her adrenaline was calming down in his arms. The softness of his fur brushing over her still naked body. His paws were feeling over her body tenderly and with great care.

His tender warm touches against her soft skin, made her slightly squirm in his arms. "Right hmm?" He said in her ear from behind the front of his body touching against her back slowly as his arms held her close.

 

"N-no you wouldn't. But you should make it up to me since you made me sad.." She leaned her head back exposing her neck to him, soon looking at him with a pouty frown. Looking at her neck, then to her face." Aw.." 

"You poor baby." 

He said leaning down as his lips kisses softly along her neck, "Will you forgive me?" He asked reaching her ear as he nibbled tenderly against her ear for a moment and whispered.

 "Or should we stay in tonight.."

 "Now that your awake." 

Her face blushed a bright red looking at him with wide eyes. "Well.." 

"We.." 

"We can.." 

"Try.." Her voice nervous but also excited, "Again if-if you want.."

 "I wouldn't mind, but please be more gentle.." She continued, before leaning back more against him. Her eyes darted off before meeting his gaze. "I'm all yours.." her fingers brushing against his fur of his side before slowly with a nervous shake of his girth touching her cool hand, against the warmth of his sheath.

Her eyes filled with lust, "Oh I will remember this forever.." Her fingers wrapped around his sheath, as she began to slowly rub her soft hand against his sheath. Touching herself with his sheath a large tip pressed back against her. Freezing with joy and fright, the tip shifted side to side against her aching pussy lips.

 Clenching in need against the tip as she leaned back with her legs shaking slightly. "Go down easy take your time.." He said softly in her ear, she whimpered before trying to growl clenching her hands into fists and shoved her hips down against his. His tip stretched her inner walls open as it dove deep into her before she froze and shuttered. 

Moaning out even from the slightest movement of her hips she could feel herself stuffed full already. "H-h, oh god yes.."

 "Hu.." 

"How far do.."

 "I need to go." She said trying to physic herself up to go further down, her eyes were closed tightly the pain and pleasure, the texture of his length inside of her was making it hard to focus. Her hips moving her body on him, clouding her mind as she began feeling bolder as she focused even more in. Her hand touched her stomach.

 "Oh..."

 

"Ooo.." 

"Ooooh.." 

"Ffu-u-uckkk." His paws touching over her body slowly. Starting with his fingers through her hair, softly scratching along the back of her head. His paws slowly moved down the back of her neck each paw spreading around both sides of her throat giving a gentle squeeze. Moving his paws down to her shoulders claws lightly tracing along her backside as she was bouncing against him.

He moved back a bit slipping out what she get to fit inside of her. "NO.."

 "N.No no back put.." 

"It back,." She begged with her toes curling. She tried to shift herself back on him, but he placed his paw against her instead. The warmth of his paw could be felt against her flesh, moving his fingers against her slowly teasing her sensitive clit. His finger wet from her juices dripping from her and down her thighs.

 "Oh.."

 "Fuck me.." She moaned glancing back at him with pleading eyes. "I'm just making sure your wet enough sweetie.." 

"Trust me." He said licking along her pussy lips his tongue slithered against her, which made her legs jolt here and there with a happy whimper. His finger stopped for a moment, only to slowly slide inside feeling along inside against her walls. Feeling his finger she clenched down as hard as she could, moaning out softly.

Sliding his finger in and out a few times before sliding in one last time his fingertip began rubbing against her gspot. Her body froze as her eyes went wide, mouth hanging open as if waiting. His fingertip slowly stroking in small circles, changing it to rubbing against her gspot.

 Another finger slipped around only to slither against her clit at the same time. She quickly moved away, as he let go of her as his arms opened up wide making sure she was alright. "Hey,."

 "It's okay, It's okay.." 

"I'll stop.." He said frowning a bit, 

"Sorry I was trying to be gentle..." His paws moved away quickly, "Uh-h oh no NO.."

 "No no." Her legs shaking as she turned around to face him. "I.." 

"Wasn't ready for that.." She said holding onto him pushing her face into his chest. Slowly wrapping his arms around her body sharing his heat. "Okay.." 

"We can try again when you want to.." 

"If you don't then it is fine." smiling softly to her rubbing the side of her head.