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ONE

Prologue-ing the Inevitable

Orion soars over the vast desert planet of Aridor, riding on the back of a scaly creature, its size and features like that of a horse. Its sky blue scales shined in the bright sunlight. Leathery wings flapped and glided, propelling it forward. A long snake-like tail trailed behind. Orion scanned the desert, his black longcoat blowing in the wind, a helmet of reptilian design covering his face.

“Any sign of them?" he asked.

“Nothing yet," said his mount in a mellifluous voice, coming not from her mouth but from her mind. Her deep blue slit-pupiled eyes scanned the sea of sand. “Wait," she said, [closing](#) her eyes and concentrating. “See those canyons?" asked Orion's mount.

“The Kryliss Maze, yeah." said Orion.

“They took the Scipian there."

“How many times have I told you that your mind is a wonderful thing, Blue?"

“Many times, actually." said Blue with a smile.

Blue landed outside the Kryliss Maze, a vast network of steep canyons. Her brilliant scales gleamed off the dully colored sand and rock. Orion dismounted and took off the helmet, revealing a handsome face, slightly ruffled strawberry blonde hair, and stubble around his mouth and chin. He armed a pair of dual blaster pistols and strapped on a jet pack. Lastly, he donned a dark wide-brimmed hat. Blue tossed her head and stamped a hoof, giggling mentally.

“What?" asked Orion.

“Don't you think the hat's a bit much?" said Blue, still giggling.

“Hey, I have to look badass, don't I?" said Orion with a smile.

“Whatever you say, Clint Eastwood."

The two made their way through the canyons, shadows engulfing them in a zone of perpetual twilight. Orion looked up and saw a familiar form staring down at him. He recognized the blue skin, the skull-like face, the wasp-like wings.

“Chilsyr." said Orion.

“I should've known." said Blue. “That Anghellan can go fu-"

“Come on. We've got to focus on finding his hostage."

After many miles of cautious walking, they at last reached the center of the Kryliss Maze. At the base of a spire in the clearing was a six-armed man bound in chains, an exoskeleton in place of skin. Instead of lips and teeth, he had mandibles. A tail, tipped with a stinger, lay curled around him. Orion and Blue walked closer to the Scipian.

“You do know we're walking into a trap, right?" said Blue.

“Yes." said Orion nonchalantly. He approached the Scipian.

“Who are you?" said the Scipian in his native tongue of clicks and chitters.

“A friend," said Orion, understanding him thanks to a translator in the form of a necklace. “We're going to get you out of here."

Without warning, Orion was lifted by the arms by two burly humanoid droids. Blue gave a loud panther-like yowl as a net of orange energy was cast around her. A variety of different humanoid species surrounded them.

“Orion Gryphon is restrained." said one of the droids in a deep mechanical voice.

“As is his friend." said a man with bull-like features, holding the energy net gun. Chilsyr then strode up to Orion. He spoke in an exotic-sounding accent.

“It's been quite some time since we last met. About three months ago on… what was it…?"

“Goriv." said Orion.

“Right. Now, the time has come for you to pay for that little parting gift you gave me there." said Chilsyr, pointing to a large scar across his right eye, leaving his face marred and blind in one eye. He unsheathed a wickedly sharp saber and brought it to Orion's neck. Chilsyr laughed cruelly.

“Funny thing about Anghellans is, we like to take our time killing rivals. So this will only hurt… a lot."

Blue, meanwhile, focused on her captor. She began struggling hard.

“Hey!" said the Tawr, tightening the grip on the net. Blue still struggled as the Tawr then lifted her by the neck. Her plan a success, Blue locked eyes with the Tawr, her irises becoming blue pulsating rings. The Tawr's eyes mirrored hers.

“Deactivate the net." hissed Blue. The Tawr retracted the energy net, freeing Blue, who then went to destroying the droids that restrained Orion. Chilsyr let out a loud screech.

“You idiot!" he shouted, slitting the Tawr's throat. Blood spilt on the rocky floor. More blood coated Chilsyr's saber. Orion took to the skies with his jet pack, Chilsyr following, rapidly beating his wasp-like wings. The two met in a melee of punches and kicks. Orion swiftly dodged his enemy's attacks with the saber. Orion headbutted Chilsyr, who recoiled with a shout of [pain](#). Orion saw his chance and stole the saber, twisting it out of Chilsyr's hand. He dove back toward the ground, Chilsyr in pursuit. Upon landing, Orion swung the saber without looking.

Chilsyr appeared to have landed fine… that is, until his head fell from his shoulders. The rest of his body soon followed, twitching and oozing green blood. Blue approached Orion, snarling at their foes, narrowing her eyes and baring razor-sharp [teeth](#).

“Anyone else?" said Orion, narrowing his own brown eyes. Chilsyr's gang fled, looks of terror on their faces. Orion cut the Scipian's restraints.

“Come with us. We'll take you back to your family." said Orion, stabbing Chilsyr´s saber into the ground.

“How?" asked the Scipian. Orion looked to Blue, who gave a mischievous grin.

The Scipian screamed in terror as Blue dove at a steep downward angle from their ascent from the Maze. Orion rode in front of the Scipian, calm as if this sort of thing happened all the time… which it did.

“Okay, Blue, you've had your fun. Level out." said Orion.

“Alright." said Blue as she straightened her flight. The Scipian stopped screaming, but he continued to shake and his mandibles chattered.

“Say, what was that thing you did to the Tawr back there?" asked Orion.

“Oh, that's right. I never did tell you that Hippocampi can hypnotize others." said Blue.

“What? Do you know how useful that would've been to know forever ago?"

“It's more of an emergencies only thing."

“Just about all of our misadventures involve emergencies." said Orion with a chuckle. Blue started a rebuttal, then fell silent.

“Fair point."

They touched down in front of a lone farm near a watery oasis. A young boy Scipian and a small animal resembling a dog-lizard hybrid come out of a stone house to investigate. The male Scipian dismounts and the boy calls inside the house. A female exits and, in supreme joy, runs and embraces her mate. Orion dismounts Blue and the both of them head for a large stealth fighter shaped ship, with a pointed nose, a sleek hull, and backswept wings: The Novawolf. True to its name, on the nose was a painting of a snarling wolf, its blackish-blue fur patterned with stars.

“Thank you." said the female Scipian, tears in her eyes. Orion stopped and turned back.

“You're welcome." he said with a warm smile. Blue bowed on one front leg and flared her wings.

“You're welcome." she said with a warm smile of her own. Then, Orion and Blue entered the Novawolf and took to the skies, entering hyperspace once out of the planet's atmosphere.

TWO

There's Novawolf Place Like Home

The Novawolf streamed through hyperspace, a tunnel of bright white light.

“So, where to next?" said Blue as she entered the cone-shaped cockpit, large enough for two.

“Krel's Cantina, where else?" said Orion. Blue groaned and dropped her head.

“Look, I understand it's your favorite bar, but do we really have to go there after every mission?" said Blue.

“Look, next time we can go someplace else, alright?" said Orion. “Even then, all you do is just wait in the Novawolf."

“At least I don't drink or go off spending nights with strange women or anything." said Blue.

“Hey, that was one time," said Orion. A silence followed. Blue then started to chuckle. “What's so funny?" asked Orion.

“It's the stupidest things that we argue about." said Blue. Orion thought about it for a moment, then started to chuckle as well.

“Just as best friends should." said Orion as Blue left the cockpit.

Blue walked around the hold, observing Orion's possessions: Various knick-knacks, books, discs, and other things... all from a past life. Blue then went back into the cockpit, a solemn curiosity in her eyes.

“Do you miss it?" she asked.

“Miss what?" asked Orion back.

“Terraria," she said. Orion was silent for a moment.

“Yeah, “ said Orion. “There's times when I miss Earth, but that was a long time ago. I was an outcast, remember?"

“You were pretty lonesome the first time we met." said Blue with a chuckle.

“Hey, you try traversing light-years with no company."

Hours later, Orion fell asleep in the pilot's chair. Blue entered the cockpit and smiled. She always found the sight incredibly endearing. Gently poking him with her snout, Blue nudged Orion awake enough to walk to the sleeping chamber, which consisted of nothing more than a medium-sized circular room with padding across the floor. Blue lay down as Orion rested his head on her warm-blooded side.

“Goodnight, Orion." said Blue in a motherly fashion as she wrapped her tail around her companion.

“Night, Blue." said Orion as he hugged her back. But Blue was already fast asleep.

THREE

Are You Awarewolf?

The Novawolf came out of hyperspace approaching a large asteroid belt surrounding a system of jungle planets. The ship made its way to an especially huge asteroid, large enough to be mistaken for a small moon. On the asteroid was a bar with many other personal ships docked nearby. The Novawolf touched down among the other spacecraft. Orion exited his ship, wearing a mask to allow him to breathe on the asteroid's surface, which lacked an atmosphere.

Orion walked into the cantina, by itself an okay establishment. It was overall sanitary, had excellent brews, and was owned by a kind-hearted Saron by the name of Krel. It was the occupants that gave the cantina a bad reputation. Smugglers, murderers, pirates, you name it. Orion removed his mask and approached the counter, where an eight-armed lizard man was preparing four different drinks.

“Krel, old boy, it's good to be back." said Orion with a smile.

“It's been a while, Orion," said Krel in a rough accent. “What've you been up to?"

“Oh, you know. Defending the weak, punishing the unjust. Stuff like that." said Orion.

“Can I get you anything?" asked Krel.

“Uh, how about Nix on the rocks." said Orion.

“Sure thing." said Krel as he grabbed a cup with one clawed hand, filled it with a black liquor with another, and put a few ice cubes in with a third.

Orion was just about to gulp down his drink when a scantily-clad scaly woman with fins and a fish-like tail tapped him on the shoulder. Orion turned and faced her, letting out a sigh of slight annoyance.

“Do I know you?" he asked.

“Try about six months ago, in this very bar." growled the fish woman.

“Let's see. Sirenian, cantina, me shooting your boyfriend… Icky, is it?"

“Icthys! And now you're going to pay!" snarled the fish-woman as her fingernails extended into claws.

“Okay, easy there, Ms. Wolverine, but he was going to kill me, remember?" said Orion, still rather calm. Icthys raised her claws, but before she could strike, a scimitar was pressed against her neck.

“Step away from the Terrarian." snarled another female voice, much lower than Icthys'. The scimitar's owner was a female humanoid wolf, clad in armor as silver as her fur. Icthys snarled and retracted her claws, storming away.

“Thanks." said Orion.

“Don't mention it." said the she-wolf as she sat next to Orion. She threw a sack of coins onto the counter. The other bar patrons eyed it greedily.

“I don't work for money." said Orion. “Who are you and what's the problem?"

“I am Selena, princess of Lycanthrone. And the problem is a war." said the she-wolf.

“A war?" asked Orion.

“Between my people and the Damphyra. Those bloodsucking invaders are being led by their king, Draculaertes."

“And you want me to help out?" said Orion.

“Basically… yes." said Selena.

“And I take it the fate of your planet rests in our hands?" asked Orion.

“Yeah. Plus the galaxy." said Selena. Orion thought about it for a few moments.

“Hell, it's been quite some time since my last real brush with death. Why not?" he said.

“Thank you." said Selena, smiling.

“But I won't do it alone. I know some people." said Orion with a cocky grin.

FOUR

Never Cry Wulf

“WHAT?!" shouted Blue.

“You heard me," said Orion. He and Selena had boarded the Novawolf. “You, me, and friends of ours are going to help the Lycanthronians fight a war."

“Who says they'll accept the offer?"

“Already called them. The rendezvous point is on Axis One."

“Alright," said Blue at last. “Fine. Let's go."

Upon coming out of hyperspace, the first thing the trio had noticed was the medium-sized fleet of varying capital ships and destroyers, many of them up to a mile long.

“Wulf One, do you copy?" said a voice on the Novawolf´s comm link.

“Read you loud and clear," said Orion. “Preparing for landing."

“Wulf?" asked Selena.

“Seeing as though I ?m lead general," said Orion. “I figured your reinforcements needed a name. Wulf Squadron, allies of the Lycanthronian Clans. What do you think?"

“Wulf Squadron. I like it."

They found four singular beings, plus a number of assorted aliens, waiting at the edge of a cliff. Exiting the ship, Orion, Blue, and Selena, moved down the ranks.

“Fusi, King of the Crocutans," said Orion to a large humanoid spotted hyena. “It´s a pleasure to see you again."

“My thanks for overthrowing that coup on my throne."

“And who are these guys?" asked Selena, referring to the assorted group.

“They´re pirates, but don ?t worry," said Blue. “They ?re the ?steal from the rich, greedy, and corrupt ? kind."

“Orion," said one of the pirates, a red-skinned being with four arms and a beak-like face. “How long has it been?"

“Too long, Captain Forde." said Orion with a smile. They then came to a female centaur-like creature with features resembling that of a sabertooth tiger.

“Queen Sabora." said Orion with a nod.

“Orion." said the Scimitauri queen with a nod back.

“And last, but certainly not least," said Orion. “Our favorite psychopathic cyborg, Leonidas." Orion clapped his hand on the back of an eight-foot tall humanoid with dragon-like features. The cyborg laughed metallically and clapped his own hand on Orion ?s back, sending him face-first onto the ground.

“Good to see you too, buddy." said Orion, wheezing, as he picked himself up.

“Hyperspace coordinates locked," said Orion, onboard the Novawolf with Blue and Selena. “Wulf One standing by."

“Wulf Two standing by." said Blue.

“Wulf Three standing by." said Selena.

“Wulf Four standing by." said Fusi, looking out the bridge of his pointed command ship.

“Wulf Five standing by." said Forde, in his personal fighter, surrounded by his crew's own fighters.

“Wulf Six standing by." said Sabora, in her destroyer, shaped like a pyramid on its side. Leonidas let out a roar, piloting his personal bomber-fighter hybrid.

“All ships jump on my mark," said Orion. “Three… two… mark."

After some time, the Wulf fleet came out of hyperspace above Lycanthrone, a lush world of forests, mountains, and vast oceans. However, no sooner had they arrived when another fleet, their ships like the skulls of titanic beasts, came out of hyperspace… Damphyra ships.

FIVE

Who Let The Dogfights Out?

“Shields up! Launch all fighters!" shouted Orion as he dodged a laser cannon blast. Arrowhead-shaped fighters raced out of Damphyra hangars, blasting wildly. Pyramid-shaped Scimitauri fighters and double-pointed Crocutan fighters retaliated along with the pirates' and Leonidas' fighters. Soon, the area above Lycanthrone became a mass of laser fire and ships engaged in harrowing chases to the death.

“Well, this is another fine mess we're in," said Blue dryly.

“Like that time on Nordical?" said Orion.

“That's the one."

“Yeah… good times." Orion banked the Novawolf and fired a volley of missiles into the bridge of a Damphyra destroyer, causing it to fall, drawn by Lycanthrone's gravity, right onto another enemy destroyer. The Crocutan and Scimitauri destroyers blasted the Damphyra with turbolasers, ripping them to pieces wherever they hit. Meanwhile, the fighters destroyed many Damphyra fighters.

“Admiral," said a bridge officer on the lead Damphyra destroyer, the Lugosi. He, like all Damphyra, had an overall human-like body, but a head like a monstrous bat´s.

“The new army is wreaking havoc on our Harpies." The admiral, a female Damphyra clad in all black, let out a low bestial snarl.

“Leave them to me." she said, malice in her voice.

Orion shot down another Harpy fighter. Suddenly, a larger Harpy model, decorated with red war paint, blasted the bridge of a Crocutan ship, destroying it.

“What the hell?!" shouted Orion.

“It's the Black Baroness." said Selena. “She's the best pilot in the Damphyra Navy."

“Best pilot, my ass." said Orion with a cocky grin as he raced toward the Baroness.

The two fighters blasted lasers and fired missiles at one another as they knifed in between capital ships, corkscrewed around turbolaser fire, and swooped among dogfights. Several times they came close to crashing into debris, and just as many avoided laser fire. After what seemed like hours, Orion scored a direct hit on the Baroness' main engines. She spiraled downward out of control, finally exploding into a ball of flame, energy, and metal when she crashed into a wrecked destroyer.

The bridge officers of the Damphyra fleet were in shock. Nobody could match the lead admiral in piloting skills and fighter combat. One of the other admirals opened his comm to the other ships.

“Fall back! Fall back to the planet surface!" And so, the enemy fleet retreated to Lycanthrone. Wulf Squadron had earned its first major victory.

SIX

Getting A Lycanhold On Things

The Wulf fleet made planetfall just outside Lycanhold, a large city built on the edge of a frozen river. Bay doors opened and infantry from the armies of Crocuta and Scimitauri marched into the city, followed by speeders and tanks. Fighters and gunships launched and patrolled the skies overhead, along with the pirates and Leonidas. All the while, cheers came from the citizens of Lycanhold.

Orion, Blue, and Selena stepped out of the Novawolf upon landing, marching alongside their reinforcements. Lycanthronian soldiers, armed with spears, rode up to the trio on stilt-legged tusked woolly creatures Orion recognized as mastolopes.

“I take it the princess delivered her message?" said one of the soldiers. Orion looked at the army.

“You could say that." he said with a grin.

“The Chieftain would like to see you."

The soldiers escorted Orion, Blue, and Selena through the city, all the while seeing disturbing and saddening images: Wounded and dying soldiers, orphaned children, wives without husbands… but worst of all was the hundreds of burial shrouds laid down in the city cemetery. Blue fought back sobs and tears.

“They're going to pay," said Blue, a venom in her voice the likes of which Orion had never heard before. “There's a special place in Hell for species like the Damphyra, and I'm personally going to send those responsible for this atrocity there nice and slowly." Orion was disturbed, to say the least.

At last, they came to a large circular room, open to the air, a throne of bone and animal pelts at the far end. The skull of a giant razor-toothed predator was mounted above it. On the throne sat an eight-foot tall Lycanthronian male, his fur black as night. His golden eyes surveyed the three as they kneeled before him.

“Phenris," said Orion. “It is an honor to meet you."

“The feelings are mutual, Terrarian," said Phenris. “Rise."

“So now that we have reinforcements," said Selena. “When should we prepare for a counter-attack?"

“We will strike at midday tomorrow."

Meanwhile, a bat-shaped droid lurked in the shadows, its camera watching their every move, relaying their conversation to it's masters...

SEVEN

Blue-cid Dreams

Orion and Blue were then escorted by guards to their chambers during their stay. It wasn't much, considering the toll of the war, but it was better than a number of places they had been. After a long and eventful day, they immediately lay down in the bedroom, Blue on the floor, Orion with his head on his companion's back as usual.

“Blue," said Orion. “What was with you back there?"

“Oh… that?" asked Blue sullenly. Orion nodded. “Well… I guess I couldn't stand to see an innocent species being slaughtered en masse."

“It's okay," said Orion. “We'll pay the Damphyra back the next chance we get. Try to get some sleep."

As she drifted into sleep, screams of pain and terror echoed in Blue's mind. The scents of fire and blood came to her nostrils. She began hearing voices.

“Blue, get out of here!" shouted a female voice.

“Run!" roared a deep male's.

“Help us!" cried a young girl's. Their screams only became louder as the image of her own face, fangs bared, eyes blazing like fire, burned into her mind.

Blue woke up screaming, rising to her hooves and letting out roars and screeches of fear. Orion, wakened by the commotion, rose and tried to calm Blue.

“Hey! Blue, calm down! Calm down!" he cried. Needles of pain suddenly penetrated his mind as Blue's expression turned from fear to one of rage. “Blue!" shouted Orion. “It's me!"

Blue, recognizing Orion at last, stopped and relaxed. She dropped her head, taking ragged breaths, her legs shaking. Her eyes were full of fear and sorrow as tears dripped from them. Orion slowly approached Blue and comforted her.

“Another nightmare?" asked Orion. Blue was silent for a while.

“Yes." she finally managed to choke out. Blue then began to sob.

“I don't remember exactly what happened to the Hippocampi," sobbed Blue. “But I remember my family… My family-" choked out Blue before collapsing into more sobbing. “I… I… I'm all alone now."

“Hey, hey," said Orion reassuringly, stroking her head and neck. “Look, you may be the last Hippocampus, but I'll be damned if I let them go extinct while I'm still alive myself." Blue chuckled a little.

“Don't say things like that." she said lightheartedly.

“You feeling better?" asked Orion.

“Very much so."

“Good. How about I stay up with you, keep you company?"

“I'd like that. Thank you, Orion."

EIGHT

When Ambush Comes To Shove

Blue looked down at Orion's sleeping form the next morning. She could never once bring herself to tell Orion her true feelings for him… but maybe this is the right moment. Taking a deep breath, Blue nudged Orion awake.

“Morning, Blue." said Orion groggily.

“Morning, Orion," said Blue. “Look, I've been wanting to tell you something for quite some time now, and I think this is the right time to tell you."

“What is it?"

“Well, I-" started Blue, freezing as her eyes widened and her pupils shrunk to pinpricks. “Run." she said fearfully as her pupils returned to normal.

“What?" asked Orion.

“Run! We've got to get out of here!"

No sooner had they exited the building when a energy mortar exploded it, the shockwave sending them flying a few dozen feet. Upon picking themselves up, Orion and Blue discovered the source of the mortar: A multitude of bipedal walkers, like metal T. rexes over a hundred feet high, marched toward the city, firing laser cannons and energy mortars. Soldiers of Lycanthrone and Wulf Squadron readied for battle, donning armor, sharpening weapons, loading guns. Orion noticed Blue's expression turn savage as he and Blue joined their army's ranks.

Ropes were flung from the Damphyra walkers' undersides, and from them slid down battalions of Damphyra infantry, each wielding a blaster rifle and wickedly sharp sabers. They charged through the broken walls of the city to meet their opponents in battle. Soldiers on both sides fell by blaster bolt and close-combat blade. Lycanthronian warriors slashed and stabbed with tomahawks and spears, killing many Damphyra soldiers despite their primitive craft. Wulf Squadron tanks blasted many enemy walkers, falling like metal trees to the ground.

Orion shot multitudes of Damphyra. He met up with Blue, who bit and kicked with all her fury. Suddenly, she let out a single long hellish screech as enemy soldiers within a hundred meter radius of her clutched their heads and cried out in agony, only stopping when their heads exploded in a mass of blood, flesh, and bone. Orion stared in shock at Blue.

“Remind me never to piss you off." he said.

“I'll be sure to remember that when we-" said Blue, stopping when a net of red energy was cast around her. “Win?" she asked in confusion before volts of electricity shot into her as she screeched in pain. She collapsed unconscious, her body smoking.

The net was connected to a Damphyra gunship, a large rectangular craft, hovering many meters above. The net began reeling in as Orion processed what had just happened.

“BLUE!!!" he shouted, firing his jet pack as the gunship began flying away from the city upwards into the sky. He followed as far as he could, but as he reached his jetpack's limit, it stalled and he fell many thousands of feet before regaining control.

He made his way back to Lycanhold in defeat. The attacking forces had withdrawn. The city lay in ruins. Many of his forces lay dead. But worst of all, the Damphyra had taken Blue, and now… it was personal.

NINE

To Cell And Back

Blue awoke in an all-white cell. Her legs, torso, and tail were held by bonds of energy. She struggled uselessly against them, snarling. A male voice suddenly boomed through hidden speakers.

“Greetings, Blue Sapphora," it said in a smooth accent. A chill ran up Blue's spine. Something about that voice made Blue feel… odd. “We've been waiting for you to wake up."

“Where am I?!" snarled Blue. “Who are you?!"

“Allow me to introduce myself."

After a few moments of silence, a hidden door opened directly in front of Blue as a tall Damphyra male walked in.

“So…," he said. “I hear your friend killed my daughter."

“Wait, the Black Baroness was-" started Blue.

“Yes. Now he will pay dearly. He and all his little friends."

“And just how are you going to do that when I can kill you right now?"

“Because you can't." said the Damphyra. For some strange reason, Blue couldn't bring herself to kill him, despite what she had said.

“I am King Draculaertes, and please, enjoy your stay." said the Damphyra. A sudden flash of light and sharp pain entered Blue's mind as she screamed in agony.

TEN

Saving Private Orion

“We have to go after her!" said Orion to Phenris just outside the ruins of Lycanhold. Selena stood by her father.

“I agree," said Phenris. “But… to storm an entire planet? It can't be done."

“So you just want to sit here and do nothing?" asked Orion, getting agitated. “About your countless dead? About the destruction of your home?"

“I will not risk the lives of my people!" shouted Phenris, snarling angrily. “I know you mean well, but the Damphyra are too powerful, even for you and your Wulf Squadron!"

“Both of you, quiet!" shouted Selena. A silence came over the two.

“Fine," said Orion. He held his comm link to his mouth. “Wulf Squadron, we're going to Damphyr."

“What?" asked Phenris and Selena in unison.

“Selena," said Orion. “Will you come?" Selena was silent for a while.

“Yes." she finally said.

“Selena, I will not put you at risk!" said Phenris fearfully.

“Father," said Selena. “It should be my choice… and I want to fight. For Lycanthrone." Now it was Phenris' turn to be silent for a moment. Tears gathered in his eyes.

“You did always take after your mother," he said, the two of them touching foreheads. “Fine. You may go. Avenge Lycanhold and its fallen warriors."

The Wulf Squadron fleet came out of Lycanthrone's atmosphere and hovered in orbit for a short while. Orion piloted the Novawolf, Selena in the cockpit with him.

“Coordinates locked for Damphyr." said Selena.

“All ships jump at my mark," said Orion. “One… two… mark."

ELEVEN

Captive Aggressive

Blue's breath came in ragged gasps. Her legs trembled in exhaustion. The voice of the king, the voice that bored into her mind and soul, once again dug its way into her as he entered the cell.

“Just give up already," said Draculaertes in a soothing, almost seductive manner. “I know you can't handle much more of this." Blue hissed, a fear-inducing serpentine sound, and snapped furiously at him, his bare neck just out of reach of her fangs.

“Go to hell, you bloodsucking bastard." snarled Blue defiantly. The two adversaries locked eyes silently for a moment.

“Sooner or later," said Draculaertes coolly. “You will give in."

“So what?" said Blue. “My friends are gonna come rescue me anyway."

“And that's exactly what I'm counting on." said Draculaertes, his voice full of malice.

“What?" asked Blue in fear and confusion. Draculaertes, seeing his chance, took advantage of her momentarily lowered defenses.

“I will BREAK you, Blue." hissed Draculaertes as Blue screeched in pain as tears filled her eyes, which rolled up into their sockets.

“Please," sobbed Blue. “Stop it… Stop it!"

“Not until you surrender, my sweet."

“Never… Never…"

TWELVE

Trick or Treaty

The Wulf Squadron fleet came out of hyperspace into Damphyr's orbit. Orion saw a planet of red earth and blackened oceans.

“It looks like it's-" started Selena.

“Dying." said Orion. “That must be why they're attacking. They just want a new home." Orion briefly felt sorry for the Damphyra, but he quickly pushed that thought out of his head.

The fleet made planetfall a few miles away from Damphyr's capital of Bram City. Barracks were set up and armor and weapons made ready for combat. Orion sat with Selena on top of the Novawolf's hull.

“I don't like it." said Orion.

“What?" asked Selena.

“There should've been at least a naval blockade around the planet's orbit. They should've attacked us by now. But instead… nothing, not even a patrol from the city."

“Maybe they want peace?"

“Unlikely," said Orion. “They still have-"

It was then that Orion saw something soar up from the city. He heard no engine and it looked organic in nature. He slowly recognized the equine build, the long tail, the draconic wings…

“BLUE!!!" shouted Orion in ecstasy, leaping off his ship and running full sprint towards Blue.

“Orion!" shouted Blue back, letting out bugles of joy as she landed and galloped the rest of the way. The two collided, Blue bowling over Orion, who embraced her as hard as he could. Tears streamed from both of their eyes. There were no words. Just love between two inseparable friends.

It was only after when Orion noticed a pocket-sized hologram projector fastened to Blue's neck. When he took it off, it was drawn magnetically to the ground, where it displayed a full-sized hologram of a male Damphyra.

“Greetings, Orion Gryphon," he said. “I am King Draculaertes. Blue here told us quite a bit about you. She was a little uptight at first, but once we eventually got to know each other, she warmed up to us rather quickly."

“That's… nice, I guess?" said Orion looking at a smiling Blue, then back to Draculaertes. “Why did you take her?"

“That wasn't my doing. The ones attacking Lycanthrone are in fact a renegade faction hoping to find another world for the Damphyra."

“Then why not stop them?" asked Orion.

“Oh, there's this whole ancient law that I won't go into at the moment. Rather boring really. Anyway, they brought me Blue, hoping I would have her divulge locations of resistance group bases. I refused and accepted her as a guest in my home. And now… here we are."

Orion turned to Blue.

“Is this true?" asked Orion.

“Of course." said Blue happily.

“I apologize for the misunderstanding," said Draculaertes. “Really, I do. How about I make it up to you and the rest of your allies with a great banquet. My treat." Orion remained silent for a while. Something wasn't quite right. First no attack, and now Blue and the Damphyra's king supposedly turning over a new leaf? Orion then had an idea: If he accepted the offer and it turned out to be a trap, he and Blue could easily kill Draculaertes then and there.

“Deal." said Orion.

THIRTEEN

Pulling the Trigger

The next morning, Orion, Blue, and all of Wulf Squadron made their way through Bram City to the central plaza where Draculaertes was waiting. There was no sign of life, save for dog-sized lizard-rats scurrying in the alleys.

“I have a bad feeling about this." said Selena, her hand gripping her scimitar. After a few minutes of walking, the army reached the plaza, a mile across and surrounded on three sides by towering buildings. Draculaertes stood at the far end of the plaza, alone.

“Greetings all," said the king. “I hope you are feeling welcome."

“Where is everyone?" asked Selena.

“Commoners are sent away for political affairs involving the king."

“Okay…" said Selena uneasily. Draculaertes then gestured to Blue.

“Blue, I would like an audience with you." he said.

At his words, Blue's head dropped and she started convulsing, her eyes rolled all the way back. Horrid rasping and gurgling noises came from her throat.

“Blue?" asked Orion in growing worry. Blue shut her eyes as she finally relaxed. Her head rose and she opened her eyes.

But Orion's heart skipped a beat when he didn't see Blue's sapphire-like eyes. In their place were pulsating red rings, burning with hate. Burning into Orion's soul.

FOURTEEN

Mind Control Over Matter

“Blue!" said Orion in fear and desperation. His best friend-turned-hypnotized drone walked over to Draculaertes' side. Her face was a blank, her eyes pulsating with literal Circles of Hell.

“She was most cooperative when we threatened to kill you and every race we could aim our guns at." Draculaertes stated with a cruel laugh. Orion aimed his blasters at the Damphyra king's head.

“I wouldn't do that." said Draculaertes before legions of Damphyra soldiers surrounded Wulf Squadron, rifles at the ready.

“I knew you were going to stab us in the back," said Orion hatefully. “But what. Did you do. To Blue?"

“In order to successfully take over the galaxy," said Draculaertes. “We needed the ultimate weapon. Once I got word that the last Hippocampus was heading to Lycanthrone, I immediately ordered her capture and… indoctrination. And now that she is fully mine, Blue is nothing more than a tool for galaxy-wide genocide."

“And when you released her to me?" asked Orion.

“Post-hypnotic suggestions. A wonderful thing, mind control is." said Draculaertes as he stroked Blue's chin. “You know what to do." he said to Blue.

Blue's lips rose in a savage snarl as all of Wulf Squadron, Orion included, clutched their heads and screamed. Orion, defying Blue's power, surged forward and punched Draculaertes square in his face. Blue halted her attack on Wulf Squadron. Draculaertes gave Orion a murderous glare.

“Kill him." he snarled. At once, Blue roared and pounced at Orion while the Damphyra soldiers engaged Wulf Squadron. Orion took to the air with his jet pack, Blue in hot pursuit. The two friends-turned-enemies weaved in between skyscrapers and swooped high and low in a cityscape dogfight. Meanwhile, Wulf Squadron fought valiantly. However, they were rapidly losing soldiers. Selena realized that there may not be any way out of this alive.

Orion and Blue landed on top of a skyscraper. Orion's jet pack had run out of energy, and Blue was closing in for the kill.

“Blue," said Orion, heartbreak in his voice. “You have to snap out of it! You're in a trance, wake up!"

“She only listens to me, Orion." said Draculaertes, suddenly on the opposite end of the rooftop. Orion ignored him and reached out a hand to Blue's muzzle.

“Please," he said, tears flowing from his eyes. “You'd never hurt me, or anyone else. Fight it. Come back," Blue still advanced, fangs bared. “I need you back, Blue," Orion had reached the edge of the rooftop. “I love you, Blue." Blue let out a savage screech as she tackled Orion, sending them both falling hundreds of feet to the ground below.

FIFTEEN

Retri-Blue-tion

Blue's mind filled with memories. She was alone, in a grimy alleyway of a busy city. Drops of dirty water constantly beat on her head. Thugs approached her, and she readied to defend herself when suddenly, they ran off with looks of terror on their faces. And there he stood. The Terrarian that changed her life and made it better than anything else in the galaxy.

Blue's mind cleared and she noticed she and Orion were plummeting to their deaths. She quickly swooped under Orion and hovered there. She heard Orion gasp as her air supply was cut off.

“Blue, I can't even tell you how happy I am to have you back!" Orion exclaimed happily, hugging her tightly.

“I can't breathe." she said in a deadpan manner.

“Sorry," said Orion as he released his grip on Blue's neck. “Now come on. We've got to stop Draculaertes. You can read my mind to catch up."

Draculaertes looked down with a triumphant smile. Suddenly, Blue flew above him, Orion on her back.

“IMPOSSIBLE!!!" roared Draculaertes.

“Never underestimate the power of friendship!" shouted Blue. “Wow, that sounded really corny." Draculaertes let out a hellish screech as giant bat wings erupted from his back.

“Did you know he could do that?" asked Orion.

“No. Let's go." said Blue as she and Orion flew away, Draculaertes in pursuit.

The dogfight went on for what seemed like hours. Orion shot his blasters while Draculaertes fired a rifle from one of his own men. However, neither was a good shot in a situation like this.

“Screw this." said Blue, braking in the air and taking a bite out of one of Draculaertes' wings. The king spiraled out of control to crash land on top of the tallest building in the city, the center of the plaza.

Orion and Blue landed as Draculaertes lay battered and bruised. Orion dismounted and let Blue deliver the finishing blow. The Hippocampus strode towards the Damphyra slowly and deliberately, both of them locking eyes. At last, Blue stood over Draculaertes, who closed his eyes to accept his fate. Blue opened her jaws…

And closed them gently around the king's sleeve, helping him to his feet. Both Orion and Draculaertes were dumbfounded.

“Blue, what are you doing?" asked Orion. “Kill him already!"

“No!" shouted Blue back, then realized how rude she sounded. “No, I won't kill him. He may have been responsible for all this, but right now may be our only chance for peace... Help me get him on my back."

SIXTEEN

Peace of Cake

The battle stopped as soldiers on both sides saw Orion and Blue gliding down from the building with Draculaertes. Once on the ground, Orion helped Draculaertes off Blue as the king ordered his men to stand down. Draculaertes told all soldiers, Damphyra and Wulf Squadron alike, about Orion and Blue's mercy and plan for peace. Taking his rifle, he threw it to the ground. Not a moment sooner did his soldiers do the same.

“Today," shouted Draculaertes. “We usher in a new era of peace and prosperity! No more will we invade and conquer other worlds! Peace will be made with those we had attacked! And a new home will be found for the Damphyra!" Cheers erupted from the crowd as Orion and Blue bowed to the Damphyra king.

The Dampyra, led by their reformed king, evacuated offworld and into space to find a new planet to call home. Wulf Squadron was no longer needed, and the armies and various individuals disbanded, still close allies. Orion and Blue boarded the Novawolf and took off to the stars.

An alert came on in the cockpit, to which Orion answered. A hologram of Draculaertes appeared.

“I just wanted to say how grateful I am for showing me the error of my ways and showing me a new future for my people. Thank you." he said.

“You're welcome." said Orion and Blue in unison.

“And," said Draculaertes somberly. “I truly am sorry for what I did to both of you. I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me."

“We already have." said Orion and Blue. Draculaertes smiled and disconnected.

SEVENTEEN

One Blue Love

The Novawolf hovered above Damphyr's atmosphere.

“Look, Orion," said Blue somberly. “I'm really sorry for what I did. I… remember doing it, but I couldn't do anything about it. Hurting you… I just can't imagine myself doing that."

“Blue, that wasn't your fault," said Orion. “Draculaertes forced you do that. But he's changed now. He'll set things straight for the Damphyra. And as for you… I'm just happy to have you back." Blue smiled as she and Orion hugged.

“So about that after-mission break destination…" said Blue coyly.

“What about it?" said Orion, chuckling, remembering his promise to Blue.

“I hear Elysium is nice this time of year." said Blue with a smile.

“Elysium it is." said Orion as he entered coordinates and sent the Novawolf into hyperspace.

Blue rested in the sleeping chamber while Orion was in the cockpit. She never stopped thinking about how Orion said that he loved her. She smiled and wondered…

EIGHTEEN

Captain's Epilogue

In a frozen laboratory, something stirs. That something, encased in a cylinder of ice, breaks free. It wobbles as it struggles to stand. Eyes open, revealing slitted pupils and blood red irises.

White had awakened.