by Melanie Ray
That’s what I get for leaving amateurs in charge. Yed groaned. Why couldn’t he watch for his own kids? He should have been, they were now his responsibility. I needed to work on those blueprints, I could have met them briefly when they came. No, instead he had to go out and find them because he left an idiot in charge. Not much choice though, everyone was too young or old around the planet anymore. He felt eyes on him as he approached the front door.
“Wait, wait, you can’t leave!”
“What do we do if something happens, Protector?”
Yells of protest were heard as Yed grabbed the handle. “Don’t leave this place and you should be fine. I have to find some missing warnos. You can survive a couple of hours without me.”
“I’ll come too,” Zaria said as he came over to the door. “Two of those kids out there are mine. I’ve never even met them before.”
What was I thinking letting him come? “Uh huh,” Yed continued to trudge on as he listened to Zaria talk about the same thing over and over and over. “Uh huh.”
“Then again, maybe running up and giving them hugs wouldn’t be smart.” Zaria continued his conversation. “I mean, they don’t know me. They are my kids though, and I don’t want to leave any doubt in their heads about who I am. Running up and yelling ‘I am your father’ might be too much. Then again, how do I break the ice? A smile and a handshake?”
“Uh huh,” Yed continued to reply in the brief moments Zaria did not talk. He stopped for a second as he saw the direction the small footprints were heading. “Zaria, they are heading past the gap in the wall.”
“Are you serious? I thought they knew about the Pink Kingdom line.” Zaria said as he fidgeted his fingers. “Maybe they don’t, maybe they were more sheltered than we thought.”
“I don’t think so,” Yed moved his pace up faster. He remembered the way Tiger held a weapon and the look in his eye. If there was one thing Yed learned long ago, it was how to study the looks in a warno’s eye. Tiger may have been young, but he had been raised tough. Carress for some reason, had more of an innocence in her eyes, but there was uncertainty hiding in them, mass confusion. Half the time she didn't seem to know whether she was doing right or wrong. He moved up even faster as he heard sounds of cheering ahead. Those aren’t little warno cheers. Zaria shouted as Yed immediately started to dart to the right to a cliff. "That’s my luck," he said as he looked below.
The four troublemakers were all talking to some other warnos who looked none too pleased at them. By the look of it, things were going to get bad. “We have got to get down there fast.”
Zaria gasped as he saw the situation, “Cooey! Zar!”
“Quiet,” Yed harshly whispered as he covered Zaria's mouth. “The element of surprise is our only ace in the hole.”
“A what in our what?” Zaria didn’t understand.
“Just keep back and stay quiet,” Yed said as he headed down.
Tiger smiled up at his old comrade “Come on, those Furries don’t have anything valuable. Can’t you just let them go?”
“No new Furries have been through here,” An odd looking Sleek pointed a weapon even closer to his temple. “You have some nerve showing up after all this time.”
Zar slowly scooted Cooey back but felt someone come up from behind. “Uh, hi? We’re not with him, we are poor lost little kids. Pity?”
“Don’t bug them, you are just mad at me,” Tiger announced. His tempo changed as he felt himself being picked up and held upside down. “I’m sorry about what happened. It was ages ago, can't we forget and move on?”
The Sleek holding him growled. “You betrayed us!”
“You still mad about that?” Tiger laughed nervously and gulped. “You didn’t take anyone hostage did you?”
“Just you.” Another Sleek from behind him added.
Tiger complained. “Relax. You’ve got me, do whatever you have to do, just let the others go.” He closed his eyes and readied himself for impact. What a way to end an afternoon.
“Ow!”
“Cooey, you are nuts,” Zar shouted as he grabbed his sister. Cooey had bit the Sleek holding Tiger causing him to fall. “Run, run, run!”
“Nab them!” The Sleek that had held Tiger yelled. “Head to the left, go after Tiger!”
Cooey and Zar ran as fast as they could, and couldn’t help bumping into Yed and someone else.
Yed ran past them. “Zaria, take your kids back pronto,” he turned and yelled back. He looked forward again and continued to run as fast as he could. Nobody was hurting his own flesh and blood on his watch.
“No choice, Tiger,” Carress yelled as she pointed ahead of them, “it’s either the Pink Kingdom or let them nab us.”
Tiger whined but looked back. The Sleeks were right behind them still. “No choice. Fine, okay, we’re heading in. Let's hope our tails have enough cover still.”
The guard at the Pink Kingdom's gate was about to yawn when he saw Carress and Tiger approaching, “Halt.”
“Hello.” Tiger tried to remain calm as they stopped in front of them. “We’re in a bit of a jam?”
“Dumb kids.” The guard grumbled as he looked at their tails. “Hang on, you’r-"
"Specials," Carress butted in uncharacteristically and held out her arm. She waited patiently as the guard grabbed a scanner.
“We’re being chased by rebel Sleeks, so hurry it up please?” Tiger egged him on.
“Rebel Sleeks?” The guard put down the scanner and opened the gates. “Hurry it up you dumb asses, I won’t leave it open for long, and I don’t want to see you back on this side again.”
“No problem.” Tiger grabbed Carress quickly and they hurried into the kingdom.
“Backup needed. Rebel Sleeks are attacking the gates,” The guard yelled into his intercom.
Yed stopped some ways away as he saw the Sleeks backtracking. He climbed into a tree and listened to their conversation as they took off.
“Doesn’t matter, Tiger is as good as dead.”
“I don’t know how those runts snuck in, but they’ll be discovered soon.”
“It’s not like we can do anything.”
Yed waited for them to leave as he slowly approached the gates. He did not let the guard see him completely.
The guard just grumbled as he read his newspaper. “Stupid kids. They should be on chains.”
‘They’re in?’ Yed took a step further back. They are in the Pink Kingdom. They weren’t waryes, they were pure warnos. It wouldn’t be long before they were discovered. How long would they be left alive? I have to get in there but how? There was a guard and he had a backup of several guards coming. By the time he got passed them and into the kingdom, somebody would have found Tiger and Carress. He’d probably be dead as well before even retrieving what was left of them. What’s left of them. Did he just think that to himself? It was over?
Well, what else is there? Yed thought bitterly as he marched toward the front gates. They were eventually going to expire in this wasteland, his race was completely demolished. Or, he could make one more stand to the waryes. One more ‘screw you’ action. He would either get his kids, or he wouldn’t, but in the end he wouldn’t stand there and do nothing. He had to try and save them.
He looked back at his tail, fully grown in. Fluffy and colorful, a sign of a pure warno. He could be shot dead on sight before he even made it through those gates. He could chop off his tail, it could improve his chances, but in the end he'd probably die. No. Not after everything. He looked back one more time. Xiam and Muin would be okay, even better off without him. Everyone had his safe house, he wasn't needed.
All Protectors died that fatal day. Including me. I can't do anything for anyone. He looked up ahead at the gates as he thought of the past once more. Ezra being left behind, Iri being wheeled away, putting covetall on the babies, arriving on Earth, slowly going insane...
This was fate. He had less than a one percent chance he'd get Tigeravich and Carressela out, but he had nothing left to lose. He approac
hed the guard faster, this time raising his proud tail high.
“Stop!”
If he had to go out, it wouldn't be with a whimper.
Chapter 44
UNEXPECTED REUNION
"Hey, what the-" Yed reached the guard just in time and squeezed him around the neck until he opened the gate. He darted in fast, taking in a 360 degree view. No Tiger. No Carress. He fought with the guards as they reached them and tried to run deeper into the Kingdom. He fought off another guard and climbed upward on a building, evading some guards who hadn't climbed after him. As he ran along the buildings he kept surveying below for the two children. He looked across and saw a strange area to the kingdom. Most of the Pink Kingdom was metal, machinery and crystals. It always seemed creepy, but ahead there was a large circle with greenery. Large trees were placed in spurts here and there. He moved closer that way, hoping the kids would go where it felt more comfortable.
He looked below and saw chunks of concrete removed for bushes, flowers, and greenery. It was as if these citizens actually cared for nature. His surprise didn't keep him from moving, especially now that Pinks were after him, not just Sleeks. In fact, even a Pink with dead pink eyes was now being commanded to hunt him down. "Tiger!" Yed yelled out. "Carress!" The story would have ended better if he had heard a reply or caught a glimpse of the kids, but it would be too perfect. It'd be too nice.
Since when had fate ever been nice to him. He looked back, feeling himself running out of energy while the enemy still had plenty. He couldn't make the next building jump, he had become too weak. He caught the side of the building before falling and quickly climbed down.
"Oh my word."
As he turned, he was met with a surprise that, literally, took his breath away. In a plain red dress with a thin pink shawl, there she was. Her hair had been covered in black, as it had always been until those last days they were together. Her tail wasn't bumpy like a rats, but it had no fur. Her eyes were the same, as well as her lips and delicate smile. She was holding groceries in baskets and staring at him. Her eyes moved down to the back of him. "You're a Ring?"
Yed's mind caught back up to him as he spoke, "Ezzy?"
The encounter didn't last as the enemy caught up. He couldn't fight them anymore, having worn himself out crossing and running so far. As he was beaten down he tried not to take his eyes off of Ezra as a guard escorted her away. "Ezra. Ezra!" He shouted. "Ezra!"
"That will be enough of that."
Yed cried out as he was struck once more. His eyes met the creature that had spoke to him. "It can't be. Fayu."
"Look at you," King Fayu tisked. "I saw the work you did on my spy, I couldn't believe it, but then I see this. You've fought all the way into Sanctuary." He bellowed out a laugh, which Yed didn't understand. No waryes ever laughed like that. "Of course you recognize me, Protector. Yeah, I know, I should be dead by now. The Pink Kingdom has more than one trick up its sleeve." He snapped his fingers, and a Pink approached with dead eyes and a sharp blade glinting. "Sorry, death is not for you," the king insisted. "Guards. Seize him and take him in for assimilation." He bent down and grabbed Yed's head as he bared his teeth. "The Ring who swore to protect his kingdom 'til death, will become a guard for us. Oh, you'll be favorite guard. Or should I say, my number one Protector?"
"I'd rather die," Yed hissed as his tail grasped a guard's hand.
"I know, that makes it so much better. There is no choice." King Fayu stood back up. "Take him to the assimilation doctor."
"King Fayu demands he be assimilated by the end of the day. He should have a strong allegiance for the kingdom, and a strong allegiance against the other. He should be able to put his life on the line for King Fayu with no problems."
"Understood."
"If there are any complications and you kill him, you will be suspended."
"Understood."
Yed sat still, not even struggling anymore. He was bolted down into a chair, resembling an Earth's electric chair. At this point, he wished it had been. He would be dying, in a new way. Converted into believing he was the enemy, probably changed into some monster that would hurt Furries in the future. A brainwashed slave, and he couldn't do anything about it. Then again, maybe he didn't deserve to be a Protector anyhow. The best he could do is give Muinela and Xiam a safe house with the last remaining citizens in the area. No crown and no respect. All because of him. He ran so far into the Pink Kingdom, but never even caught a glimpse of the children. He couldn't save his mother, couldn't save his sister, his own dad didn't think he was good enough. He lost Ezra, Iri, and his friendship with Xiam. He caused a war against the innocents just to save his sister with a stupid trick thought of by that insipid Wye self. And now, at the finale, he couldn't save his children or himself.
"Yeducavich. Yeducavich."
He heard the voice of the assimilation doctor. He didn't want to look up, the situation was bad enough. He wouldn't cooperate easily.
"Yed, son, look up."
Yed looked up and saw his father smiling down at him.
Yed Senior went behind him and undid the cuffs on his arms. “I was wondering when you’d get the guts to actually enter this kingdom.” He threw the cuffs to the side and patted his son on the back. “Welcome son, I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Dad?” Yed repeated again.
“Ooh, they tasered you good.” Yed Senior replied. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you taken care of. Just hang on.”
“You’ve got to let me go,” Yed said. “There are two little warnos out there that snuck into this kingdom.”
“This isn’t like the past,” Yed Senior said . “Kids are rarer, and they are going to be checked more. I hate to say it, but whoever you are chasing is probably gone already. If they are female, they might go in the castle. If they are boys, they were probably terminated on sight.”
“...”
“There has got to be a chance.” Yed ducked his head. “Remote chance?”
Yed Senior sighed. He went over to his computers. “Ummm...ten minutes ago two kids were let into the kingdom....and....no. Five minutes, one suspected Furry kid was discovered. Details pending.” He looked back at Yed. “I’m sorry. Who were they?”
“I don’t know them.” Yed looked at his dad. “I never got a chance to know them. They were mine though.”
Yed Senior watched the computer more closely now. “Grandkids? My grandkids? What were they doing here?”
“Escaping. They were always escaping. Everyone’s always escaping.” Yed took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “I should be crying right now, I mean, I just lost my kids.”
“That you didn’t know. I’m sure you’re sad, but if you didn’t know them.” Yed Senior bent down to his son. “Don’t feel bad. You’re lucky they lived that long, Yed. This is a rough land now.”
“Don’t touch me,” Yed said coldly. “Who are you to tell me about this? What kind of father were you, staying in here while I was out there?”
“Working.” Yed Senior insisted. “So I had grandkids? Who was their mom?”
“Someone on this side now,” Yed said. “Didn’t even recognize me.”
“Oh,” Yed Senior patted his shoulder. “Yed, your Earth will be under attack. They got information from an Ancient.”
“Fornotia, of course." Yed closed his eyes. They probably took her out after squeezing the info out. Poor Grammy Fornot.
“They are making copies from an old transporter they nabbed.” Yed Senior told him. “Your planet is probably in just as much trouble as Pagnia now.” He looked at his son tenderly. “I know you, you’ll survive this.”
“I’m a survivor,” Yed choked. “My planet I thought of as home will be destroyed, and my kids who I didn’t even know are probably dead. Sure, everything’s fine though. I’m a survivor. Could you show your son the last of your mercy by killing him?” Every warno had a limit for what they could take, and Yed truly reached his.
“I could help you make a new life on this side,” Yed
Senior answered. “Your mom and your sister are here. Perhaps I could find a way to introduce you to the mother of your former children again?”
Yed rubbed the bridge of his nose repeatedly. “That’s the best happily ever after I can get? My kids are dead, and I can live like a Pink somehow.” He didn’t even know how to reply. “Can we get any of them out of here?”
“No,” Yed Senior said. “They’re happy here, and to get them out, it would be very dangerous. Not to mention, your mother is pure and so is your sister. It wouldn’t be very long before they were discovered.”
“Xiam and Muin, my friends. My family pretty much.” Yed said softly. “They come too?”
“I only have one extra ID,” Yed Senior said. “It’s painful to put in, and it took forever to get one.”
“Fine, give it to X.” Yed insisted. “He could live near his wife here in peace at least.”
“It’s for you, son.” Yed Senior held it up. “You can’t ask for everything. Life doesn’t work that way. You can have your mom and your sister back, along with me. I know you’re mad, but I didn’t have much choice! You were safer out there and I was safer in here, making my way up in the ranks.”
“Give it to Xiam,” Yed demanded again. He bent his head down. “Just throw me a mercy killing. They either expect me dead or assimilated, or you’re out of a job. I know which one's more important to you, so just get it over with.”
Yed Senior saw the expression on his son’s face clearly. Even though he had not known his kids, it still affected his heart. Losing them for good, and the eminent destruction of Earth was all too much to handle. “Are you ready to exit? Isn’t there anything worth salvaging?”
“I’m done salvaging. My best days were lived on Earth as Wye Warno.” Yed replied. “I was okay." He shook his head a moment. "Wye is..."
"Oh, I see," Yed Senior felt his son's head. "I understand now. Earth has split you apart, you are not yourself." He knelt down. "Yeducavich Junior, you can't make such a large decision before you become whole. This Wye side, has part of you locked up in him, and you have part of Wye locked up inside. You need to become one again. Give the inhibitors more time, I assume you've left them for some time. It will take patience to get everything back. Until then," He clicked his tongue. "Maybe you should let Wye take back control?"