by Melanie Ray
"I am Wye, I am myself." Yed insisted. "I'm just me. I'm not crazy," He closed his eyes. "I'm not, I'm not crazy anymore! I beat this, I beat this, I beat this. I'm not going back. I'm better."
"You will be better," Yed Senior touched his son's head again. "One day you'll have clicked and become whole. There would be no more split mind, missing memories, or messed up hallucinations."
"Days? Weeks? Maybe years? I know it isn't going to come before those guards come back," Yed challenged him.
“I know. I’m sorry, the way it all turned out.” Yed Senior said as a beep came from his computer. He looked back over at it.
“Just say it,” Yed said. Tiger and Carress were survivors, just like him. They had apparently inherited that at least. In the Pink Kingdom once the identity was blown though, even Yed fought the hardest he could before he was taken. There was no defeating soldiers within that kingdom. For every one you knocked down, ten more showed up. “Just tell me.”
“They are still running,” Yed Senior answered as he looked at Yed. “You’ve faced so much hardship. You want to just give it all up?”
“What good am I now? What good is one split minded Protector against everyone?” Yed asked him. “I’m the last. Ooh, what an honor. My best days are over and done with. From here on out, it’s all about hiding and escaping. I’ve seen the blueprints of this kingdom, I know there are no weaknesses left. Our future is over. I say within the next hundred years, hardly any warnos of any kind will be alive. My planet I began to think of as a home will be obliterated soon. If you don't do it, I'll go run out there and get it done myself. There is no chance to turn anything around, and I don’t want to see that future, really. I don't want to be around for it.”
“You'll end it all, if I don't." His father looked down at the ground. "I have no choice. Fine, this Earth planet? Would you be willing to give up those memories if there was a chance to save the Ring Kingdom?”
“What?” Yed looked confused. “What do you mean?”
“Pinks are smart.” Yed Senior motioned for him to follow. They went a few feet to the right toward a couple of poles. On those poles there were magnets, and it looked like a place for a person to buckle into. “Do you know what that is?”
Yed looked at it. On Earth, it looked like it could be a funky carnival ride. “No.”
“That’s death and rebirth.” Yed Senior patted the pole. “It’s a time machine, Yed. The only one of its kind.”
Yed looked at him as if he were nuts. “What?”
“I know, I know. If Pinks had a time machine, why aren’t they using it, correct?” Yed Senior patted the pole again. “You see, they have created a machine, but we don’t know what will happen. Can the past change? Will it change the present? Would we remember anything? Perhaps it’s an alternate reality past we are changing? Can we come back?” He sighed. “The Pinks superior knowledge had to create and make it, but why would they want to change anything? Besides, no one has successfully come back. Most of them have been either fried to death or melted away.” He pointed to the markings on the floor. “Charred Ring never comes out. Poor Rings.”
"I remember something about a time machine," Yed said as he thought back to when he first bought the Protector Ring. Someone had mentioned it offhand, but he hadn't taken it seriously. Even after almost a century, they still couldn't create it right.
Yed Senior looked back at his son. “The scientist who runs it has promised he has got it fixed, but we gave up on it. Pinks don’t want to change the past, and Rings, well they couldn’t let them tamper around much if it did work.”
“...”
“There is, I think a high chance you might still melt or get fried internally anyway,” Yed Senior looked back at him again. “If you want to commit suicide of some kind though, this is a chance you could take. I have no idea what will happen if you are successful. I don’t know if the past can be changed, no one knows what will happen.”
“If this thing worked.” Yed looked at the machine in awe. “I could make sure no one ever played with inhibitors in the first place. I’d send out warnings before the first waryes were created.”
“A lot of good that would do,” Yed Senior laughed. “Who would listen to you and why? They’d think you were nuts. Besides, even if you convinced them then, you’d eventually go away and sooner or later another one would try. History would repeat itself.”
“Dammit,” Yed cursed. “Then when could I take them on?”
“Well if it were me, I would pick right before the final stand.” Yed Senior replied. “You see, the Protectors were destroyed because King Sheward had created something the Pinks did not like. They were assembling to do more than just guard girls. The Pink Kingdom was powerful but not unstoppable.” He shrugged. “Then again, I still think it’s a form of suicide. Less familiar but certainly painful. The cries I heard were never kind.” He looked back at Yed. “Are you sure you don’t want to try something else? Son, you could still see your mother and sister. Try and run away, let your head get better.”
“If this worked, I could correct the past.” Yed looked at the machine. “Or more than likely go through a very painful death.”
“No more friends, no more family.” Yed Senior reminded him. “I’d rather you give it a try than me have to kill you though. I sent word via the computer to bring the children to me. If they are sent in time, will you reconsider?”
“If Tiger and Carress come here, and you get us all out, I’ll forget this time machine atrocity exists.” Yed looked over at his father. “If they don’t, this time is over for me, one way or another.”
Yed Senior nodded. He continued to watch the computer. “Huh?” He laughed. “Yed, step away from the death trap. The children are going to be fine.”
“What?” Yed couldn’t believe it. They survived? “Did they escape the kingdom?”
“Nope, but guardians stepped up for them.” Yed Senior pointed to the computer. “Their arms were ran for their ID’s, and they both had one. What were your kids doing with ID’s, and how did they have guardians?”
Yed didn’t know any better than his father. He bent over the computer and read all the reports that came in. “Two suspected Furries discovered...Children disappeared...reappeared at the end of town...suspected to be outsiders...suspicions unconfirmed...shoot on target...cease fire...death sentence to be assigned...guardians stepped forward...massive damage results in angry guardians. Cease capture and leave brats alone.”
“You’re right, they were survivors.” Yed Senior smiled at his son. “Everything’s going to be okay. I’ll find the name of the guardians who accepted them as soon as I can. Until then, can you keep yourself cheered up enough to meet your mother and sister?”
"It's okay," Yed leaned back in the computer chair. "That never happens. I never get a happy ending. My...they are okay." He took a deep breath. "Everything is," he cracked a smile for the first time in a long time, "Everything's okay. Everything's gonna be just fine."
"Goyna be?” Yed's father looked at him. "Yed?"
Yed looked back at his father. His accent was coming back. "Okay, I guess it's time to meet the family.”
Chapter 45
RUN INS
“I don’t believe you did that,” Becca groaned as she held onto Carress’ hand. “Why would you take off if they asked for identification?”
“I was scared,” Carress insisted. “I didn’t know if my brother Tiger had any.”
“I didn’t think I did,” Tiger admitted as he walked alongside his sister. Her original guardians she had before he met her had found them. He couldn’t believe they came to her rescue. What Pink cared about anything but themselves? They were weird Pinks too. Eyes were normal, not red or black and they had hairless tails, but they weren't bumpy. For now, Tiger would have to stay until the coast was clear. That and Carress’ guardians were watching her closely.
“Do we have to watch him?” Shimmer asked again as she looked at Tiger. “He’s the troublema
ker who took Carress away, Becca.”
“He protected me,” Carress interrupted. She held on tightly to Becca’s hand. “He’s my real brother, please?”
“No need to say please,” Becca insisted. “We can watch him. A brother of yours is family to us.”
“He took her away,” Shimmer said as she glared at Tiger. “You never once brought her back. I know the Sleeks you were with too.”
“Shimmer, watch it.” Becca warned her. “Don’t talk like that on open streets.”
“It was tricky enough keeping Carress under wraps, now we have a boy?” Shimmer sighed. “I’m telling you Becca, he was with a bad crowd when we ran into them.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have toured there,” Tiger said with a snide voice. “They don’t like Pinks.”
“They wanted to use us as target practice,” Shimmer whispered harshly to Becca. “For him.”
“Hey, I got you out, and I got my sister to safety,” Tiger said as he overheard. He laid everything on the line and lost all the warmth and comfort of shelter and food for them. Ungrateful. “Nuff said, Pink.”
Becca looked down at Carress. “It’s good to finally have you back. How does it feel to be back?”
Carress looked over at Tiger, then back at Becca. Pinks were evil, mean to the bone. She’d seen them cause so much destruction to so many, but Becca and Shimmer had always been decent to her. She had known them since she was a baby and she considered them not only her guardians, but part of her family. Everyone that lived in Sanctuary were decent. Once she went on the outside of the gate, things changed though. How could she be happy to be back, in a kingdom that mistreated and hurt so many? “I missed you.”
“And you, mister?” Shimmer looked over at Tiger. “How in the world did you have an ID embedded in your arm? You are clearly not from here.”
“Shimmer,” Becca warned her again. “Quieter, please?”
“I can’t believe we had to lie for him,” Shimmer groaned one more time.
“Alright, just some simple guidelines.” Yed Senior said. “Are you sure you don’t want me to-”
“Get another embedding ID and we’ll talk,” Yed interrupted as he adjusted the collar on the borrowed clothes his father lent him. He wiggled his shaved tail lightly, the cold air in the hallway felt different without warm fur on it. “I owe it to Xiam.”
“Fine, but don’t call yourself Yed. Similar things can trigger memories sometimes. Just flashbacks, but you don’t want them to remember much. They are happier this way,” Yed Senior insisted. “Remember, I am Danva. Your mother is called Litalia and your sister is Phaver. What are you going to call yourself?”
“I don’t know.” Yed replied. "I think Wye's the most fitting."
Danva laughed. “I guess it suits you, so we'll go with that. Now I found your female, and I've arranged a small get together through an accident. Just go with my lead, okay?” He knocked on a door and then burst in. “Litalia, I’m home.”
Wye watched in awe. After all this time. He had been searching for her for so long, and there she was. His doting and loving mother smiled kindly as she dried a plate at the kitchen sink. Her hair was of course black, but her tail was shaved and not bumpy, similar to Ezra's.
“I’ve got company,” Danva pulled Yed in closer. “This is Wye.”
“Extra?” Litalia groaned. “Danva, I already had dinner prepared for just three. Now, four? And tonight of all nights, you know Phaver is coming for dinner.” She looked over at Yed. “Well, at least he’s somewhat decent. Clothing could undoubtedly use help. Bath wouldn’t be such a dreadful idea either.”
Yep, that was his mom alright. Wye nodded politely.
“Sit down, Wye, and enjoy what you can get of supper,” Litalia said as she put some food down in front of him.
Wye looked at his food. Xiam's mnui that one day was great, but this looked fantastic. Day in and day out, they had always ate the same thing in the Ring Kingdom. He had learned later what Furries were allowed to have. There was no commerce, no supermarkets, and they only ate whatever the Pink Kingdom fed them. He almost felt ashamed at getting to eat some decent food without Muin and Xiam. He looked over at his mother, memorizing the new lines on her face. “How’d you two meet?”
“Destiny,” Danva insisted. “Found her on a street bench reading the newspaper and we hit it off.”
“Puh-lease.” Litalia sat down across from Wye. “I was reading, and he barged in saying I was his destiny. Oh, I turned him down so many times, but the jerk kept going at it and said I was the only one for him.” She smiled. “Right? I think. Right?”
“Oh, yes.” Danva looked over at Wye and gestured slightly. “Her minds a bit ‘trippy’. Some become ‘trippy’. Special Pinks become ‘trippy’.”
“What are you talking about?” Litalia groaned. “Work?”
“Yes, work.” Danva insisted.
“So who is Phaver?” Wye asked, knowing the answer.
“Our daughter.” Litalia replied. “Born shortly before he bugged me for a date. No, that doesn’t make sense.” She scratched her head. “Well, she’s our daughter.”
“Like I said, ‘trippy’,” Danva repeated. “Happy though, right honey?”
“Happy with what?” Litalia asked.
“Beats living out there on the run.” Danva looked over at Wye. “This is the best place for them. You can bring it back if you try hard enough, but why ruin it for them?”
“I don’t know, maybe for a son?” Wye said as he looked over at Litalia, “do you have a son?”
“A son?” Litalia asked.
“Yeah, a son, named Yed.” Wye pressed.
“A son. Do I have a son?” Litalia scratched her head. “I think I have a son. Do I have a son, Danva?”
“No,” Danva looked over at Wye. “If she has one, she can learn it later.”
“Nice living conditions, but I wouldn’t say completely happy.” Wye said to Danva. “What did they do to her?”
“Honey, could you finish the dishes?” Danva asked. “We won’t have enough silverware for Phaver.” Litalia got up and headed over to the kitchen sink while Danva moved in closer. “This is the best you can have. So they are more scatterbrained, it isn’t their fault, and it’s still them. It’s still them, Wye. The food, the attitude, they are still the same.”
“Hi!” Phaver burst through the door and sat down eagerly. “I am starving. You wouldn’t believe the night I had. First, a guy tried to frisk me, and I hit him on the head. Then some other guy came along and tried to cheer me up. Then he frisked me! I swear Denny will be far from pleased. Ugh, guys.” She looked over at Wye. “Who are you?”
“Someone from work,” Danva explained to her. “He’s helping with my project and is a particularly likeable Pink. Nicer than most.”
“Hey, that is great to hear.” Phaver smiled. She looked over at Wye. “So you attached?”
“Tiger, don’t run into that!”
Wye’s attention suddenly turned as he heard commotion outside. It wasn’t the commotion itself, but the name assigned to it. He went over to the door and opened it up. Tiger went careening into the room head first. He had tried to stop, but crashed right into a pair of sink cupboards. “Ow.”
Wye couldn’t help but smile. The kid was still okay, except for maybe a knock to the head. How did I not know? He looked at the color, shining only a smidge at the top of his hair, but it was enough to see the blaring turquoise beneath. The last time I saw you, you were so small kid. He tried not to get too emotional as Tiger dusted himself off.
“Tiger.” Becca whined as she looked in. “Have any of you seen a small, misbehaving boy?”
"Yes," Danva said quickly, "come in and collect him."
“The little squirt just ran into my cupboards.” Litalia grabbed the boy as he wriggled. “Look at all that damage!”
“I’ll pay for it,” Becca insisted as she pulled out her wallet. “Maybe not.” No, all the damage they had caused previously that day had wi
ped her out. Now what?
Danva bent over toward Wye. "That is her, right?”
Wye nodded as he stared at Becca. Ever since she walked in, his attention had gone nowhere. Not to the cupboards, not to Tiger, not to anything but her. No doubt about it, it was the same female he saw when he was being captured. It was Ezraponia.
"You," Becca looked away from the wallet and pointed at him, "Didn't I see you? Yes, you had a furry tail."
"No," Danva interrupted. "You didn't dear, I'm sorry, it's one of those days I guess."
"Oh, I could have sworn," Becca looked away. "Very sorry, I get confused sometimes."
"That's okay." Danva patted Wye on the back. "Why don't we call off the payment and shouting in exchange for a little date?"
Becca looked over at Wye. “I don’t know...”
“I can vouch for him, he’s a good guy.” Danva smiled at Becca. “What do you say? It's the least you could do for messing up our home."
"I don't date," Wye whispered back. "That will be awkward, and you should have said-"
“Did you get the weasel yet?” Shimmer walked into the room and saw Litalia holding him. “There he is.”
Iridescent? Yed recognized her clear as day, it was unquestionably Iri. As awkward as a date with his Protectee of over half a century ago would be, he couldn't say no now. “Double date, make it a double date and I'll go,” He said at Danva. “I have a friend I want her to meet.”
“I don’t have an extra ID,” Danva whispered harshly.
“Xiam gets it, period, or find another one too.” Wye whispered back.
“I hate dates,” Shimmer groaned.
“Tiger wrecked their cabinets Shimmer, it’s the least we can do.” Becca said.
“Yeah right,” Shimmer frowned, “You just don’t want to go by yourself.” She crossed her arms.“Whoever I have to date can't be mean, he can't cuss, he can't kill anyone or hurt anyone in front of me. No kissing and no hugs, period.”
“He’s nice, a real great guy,” Wye insisted. He watched Tiger try to wiggle out again. That kid had spirit. Had Xiam told him that he was their father, or were they both as in the dark as he had been?