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Virtually Real Part 23: New Game Plus

Returning Characters

Prowl-Ar

Shock

Kyle

Mahan

Drake and I assisted Fox as he retrieved the mangled Elite suit and his equipment. Coldsnap and Dropkick's teams were providing cover with Paradise, Shadow and Phantom providing air support.

"Mahan has sent you a message." The computer announce to me alone.

"Computer, play back message." I ordered.

"The training is complete and we are ready for the first live test."

"Pause game. Fox, we're needed on the bridge."

"What about Drake?" Fox asked.

"I'll explain when we get there."

Several minutes later we entered the bridge.

"Drake? How did you get here before we did?" Shock asked.

"Kyle hasn't actually been with us. Instead we've been playing the game with Drake as a NPC since just after the argument with the crew of the Indigo Flame."

"Why?" Shock asked in confusion.

"Because, Tiger decided I, as second in command, needed to get used to using the merge system." He replied.

"It's not because you're second in command. This ship only needs a single biological component to function. Prowl-Ar, being the only one capable of a full solo merge, is the most important member. However, he has this crazy need for all of you to be equal so I have been training Kyle. Shock, you will be next. Also the reason I started with Kyle is only because he has experienced 'merge state' once before." Mahan stated.

"Let me tell you it was extremely difficult to remain merged when you thought Fox had been killed." Kyle said glaring at me.

"Did you fail?" I asked.

"No, I was able to complete the simulation."

"That's impressive." I failed my first few times when Mahan hit me with the unexpected.

"Impressive or not, he still needs to complete a solo merge and I'm ready for the attempt."

"I'm not sure I'm ready for that!" Kyle said, giving me a desperate look.

"Shock, this is going to be really dangerous." I started.

"Don't even ask. I'm staying right where I belong." He walked over and sat at the communications station.

"I am raising the tandem merge pod." Mahan announced

"Wait, why are you doing that?" I asked

"As a safety measure. You will both be in the pod but only Kyle's link will be active. If there are any emergencies the Runner will add you to the merge to remedy the problem.”

"I've contacted Tuft and Tank and let them know we would be running a training exercise." Shock informed us.

"Wait, I thought I just had to merge and then decouple." Kyle said in a slightly panicked voice.

"No, we will merge and then you will jump us to Saturn where we will decouple and then you will jump us back to the junkyard without the merge system. That will complete two training requirements in one mission."

"I'm sure I'm ready for this." Kyle warned.

I sat in the rear seat of the tandem pod. "You've merged before, this time it will be easier since we won't be towing an asteroid and you won't have to deal with my . . ." I paused, trying to think of a non-self-deprecating description, "My cluttered mind."

"You were going to say 'damaged' weren't you?" Kyle asked as he sunk into the front seat.

"Yeah, and even you have to admit that I was damaged. However, thanks to you and Shock, I'm getting better."

"You've got this, Drake." Shock yelled, as the pod closed.

The view changed to reflect the area around the Runner as our smart fabric suits integrated with the full body sensory system. I reached forward and placed my hand on Kyle's shoulder. "Fox is right, you've got this." I leaned back and pulled on the merge helmet as Kyle did the same.

"Mahan, go for merge." Kyle said shakily.

The runner slowly backed away from the station and then turned. I couldn't check the coordinates but I trusted Kyle completely.

"I have completed my preparations for Freem jump."

I closed my eyes. I hated not being in control, but I trusted Kyle more than I even trusted myself. I took a deep breath and relaxed. I felt the transition into altered space.

"Entry into altered space complete."

"Runner, how do you feel?" I asked.

"Different. I know that is to be expected, but part of me senses the difference. When you are the biological component every action is completely controlled and I'm constantly flooded with contingency plans should something go wrong. This biologic component is more responsive relying on its senses and instincts. It was a good choice for the multi-merge. Dropping out of altered space."

I waited several minutes. "Have you decoupled?"

"Sorry, Tiger, decoupling complete. I didn't realize how mentally exhausting that would be. I should have let you know I was all right as soon as the process was complete." Kyle said.

"Are you ready to head back?"

"Just about. Did, did you ask me a question when I was merged? I have a vague sense of a conversation."

"Don't worry about it. The first few times you merge you won't remember much."

"Oh, I see. By the way setting up the MAS game made this much easier. We basically merge with our mobile suits except without Mahan’s extra input. Hold on I'm taking us back into altered space. Tell me, and I want the absolute truth. Was Fox put in danger as part of my training?"

I sighed. "I was hoping you wouldn't ask me that. Yes, however I had nothing to do with it. I honestly thought that the VR had developed another glitch and Fox may have actually been injured, or worse. Afterward I checked the VR logs and found where Mahan set up the sequence. However he didn't take into account Fox’s quick wit and survival instinct. The whole scene would have been re-played after your training was completed if Fox had been ejected as Mahan had planned."

"So, does that mean I need to be extra careful while he’s training? Coming up on our exit point."

”It's hard to say what Mahan will come up with. I doubt he'll try the exact same thing because Shock will be expecting it, so yeah we're both going to have to be extra careful."

"Jump complete, I'll be taking over the controls for docking. For the record I have other plans to distract Shock during his training." Mahan announced.

"Like I said we're going to have to be extra careful."

The pod opened and Shock was standing to the side to help us crawl out. Kyle stumbled and nearly fell.

"I can barely move, I'm so tired. How do you survive being merged for longer than a few minutes?" Kyle asked.

"It takes practice and to be honest there are times where after decoupling I don't make it to the bed. That's why the main pod lifts and can open into our bedroom and why the carped has extra thick padding. Now come on, let's get you to bed."

"Shock, as soon as you have finished helping Prowl-Ar settle Kyle you will report to the recreation level VR chamber to begin your training."

Shock started shaking, Kyle lifted his arm enough to ruffle his head fur. "Don't worry, the training isn't that bad."

"Says the dragon that can barely walk." Shock pointed out.

***

I slowly stumbled along the edge of a field. Kyle had insisted on trying a new game, fantasy this time. As soon as we entered we were separated. My link to the menu was extremely sparse on information. I was at level one with two potions in inventory, no gold, no magic, and 32 health points. Frankly, I wasn't even sure I had the necessary skills to take on a mouse let alone a sewer rat. For equipment I had clothes and sandals with a total armor rating of two. For weapons I was carrying a pair of sticks, attack power of two. If all that wasn't bad enough my arm was in a sling and a bandage was wrapped around my head. I was in my anthro-tiger form and the dried blood was pulling at my fur something fierce, but I didn't dare shift back since the game was set to furry only.

I could see a house in the distance across the grain field, but I knew it would be rude to cut through so I continued on. I hadn't even realized I'd reached the lane until a shrill scream interrupted my delirium. I tried to turn, but my body kept going my last thought as dust clouded my vision was "Oh great, I'm at the mercy of rabbits."

I slowly opened my eyes. The room was spinning and an overly happy looking bunny was way too close to my face.

"You still alive, mister tiger?"

"Chaff, come away from there. If he wakes up he'll likely bite your head off."

"He is awake, Mama. An he hasn't tried to bite me. You wouldn't bite my head off, would ya mister tiger?"

I grinned showing all my teeth. The kit yelped and jumped away. I started to laugh and then groaned. "You really should listen to your mother. Strangers can be dangerous."

"Ah-are you dangerous?"

"I-I don't honestly know."

"What do you know?" A brown rabbit doe stood over me with a rolling pin.

"My head hurts, my arms are going numb, and my name is Prowl-" I paused remembering that my menu had a question mark after that representing memory loss, "Prowl something. I can't remember anything else except thinking that I needed help, but it would be rude to stumble through a field, possibly ruining the crop, just to beg for help."

"Is that all?"

"No, there's someone I have to find. Someone very important to me."

"Your mate perhaps? I noticed your ring when I was tying up your hands."

"My mate?" I gasped, "Yes, my mate a red eastern dragon."

"Chaff, get his things. Quickly now." The rabbit roughly rolled me on my side and cut my bindings.

"Here, Mama."

She pushed the items into my hands as scrambled over to the table, returning a moment later with a loaf of bread. "Take this, I know it isn't much but it is all we can spare. Follow the road and it will take you to the village, you'll find a healer there. Do not mention your mate's species again and please don't tell anyone you were here."

I stumbled a bit as I was pushed out the door but I had improved. The sun was now a hand span above the tree line so I had been unconscious for a few hours. I headed down the road and pulled up my menu. A loaf of bread had been added to my inventory and my health was now up to 127. Still, I had to wonder what Kyle had been thinking starting a game where a NPC would react that way at the mention of a dragon.

I reached the village just before sunset. It village was busy, but not in the way I had expected. They were pulling down shudders and locking doors in a rush. I had to wonder if it was because of me. As I reached the fountain in the central plaza everything was closed and the place may as well have been deserted. There wasn't even the telltale glow of light under a door. These people were afraid of something in the night.

I felt a breeze behind me and I slowly turned my gaze slowly climbing the long neck of a red western dragon. I leaned back against the stone well and slowly took in his full form. "I must say you are impressive, though not who I was hoping for."

The beast rumbled and I took it for laughter.

"For such an insignificant peasant you seem rather brave."

I smiled, "That's because you're not the first dragon I've met."

"Then you are a dragon slayer?" He hissed.

"Do I look like a dragon slayer? I said met, not killed."

The dragon seemed to cock his head in confusion. Then dipped his head and sniffed me.

"Your scent, it is muddled."

"Ah, that would be because you are smelling my mates’ scents as well as my own."

"Tiger, male, injured but not badly. Probable brain damage as exhibited by your lack of fear."

"That one was easy, since I'm standing right here."

"Fox, also male, not that it matters with foxes. Young, in good health might make a good pet if he comes along searching for you."

"Not bad, but I'd never allow you to take him from me." I could feel the energy flow building. The light was fading, I just had to keep the dragon talking a little longer and he wouldn't be able to see the shadow flames draining his will to fight. "So far you're two for two. Do you think you're good enough to figure out the species of my other mate?"

"It is illusive. There are hints of both lion and wolf, but there is something else. It is both foreign and yet familiar. Not that it matters. You will be dead before you can unleash your magic. I am a dragon, did you think I could not see the flow of magic in you?"

"It was worth a shot but this magic can't be used as anything other than illusion. I'd hoped to build up enough to unleash the shadow flames before it got too dark to see them."

What a deliciously rare treat. Your magic is drawn from deep within you and not from the surrounding elements like most mages and you don't even realize how powerful it can be." The dragon smiled.

"You sound happy, as though you had found a unique treasure."

The dragon shook his head. "What are you doing?"

I smiled, and raised my hands and let the shadow flames dissipate. I'd noticed something about the village. "I'm just standing here talking to you."

"Lies, you are trying to distract me."

"That is true." The buildings were wood with either wood or thatched roofs. There was no sign of burn damage.

"You and this whole village will burn!"

I smiled. "I don't think so. In fact I think you're bluffing. Go ahead and breathe fire, if you can."

"I can still eat you."

"No, I don't think so. Sure you might have a chance against an unevolved animal, but I doubt you've ever tried eating anything that can fight back." I stepped forward and extended my claws. Even though the dragon was nearly triple my size he backed away.

"I-I'll use my magic on you."

"You don't have any magic. If you had you would have used it by now. I wonder how grateful the villagers will be when I end their dragon problem."

"Please, I don't want to die."

"You should have thought of that before you threatened me." I stopped as the dragon curled up like a whipped dog and started shaking. I retracted my claws. He flinched as I placed my palm against his cheek. At such a close range I was surprised that his size was an illusion. He was obviously exceedingly young. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm hungry. The villagers sometimes leave an animal out for me. I try not to come very often, but it has been several nights since the last time and I found you instead. I only wanted to scare you into getting me some food."

"You're using magic to make yourself appear larger."

"Yes, it is the only magic I know." The illusionary dragon vanished. In its place as a dragon whelp about the size of a pony with dark blue scales on his back and pastel blue, nearly white belly scales.

I laughed, but quickly stopped as he started to cry. "Please don't cry. I'm sorry, I just thought it was funny that your illusion is of a fire dragon when your element is likely water. Come over to the fountain."

We walked the few paces to the central fountain and I pointed at the rippling water. "Close your eyes concentrate, like you are going to breathe fire, and breathe onto the water."

I felt a slight chill as he exhaled. I grinned as the water started to freeze. The dragon gasped and opened his eyes. "I couldn't do it."

"Touch the water with your claw."

He did as told and gasped a second time at the snap as the ice broke apart. "As you get older and with proper practice you'll have frost breath. Freezing instead of burning."

"How do you know so much?"

"I wish I could remember, but it is likely because my mate is a dragon."

"How is that possible?"

"Dragon magic. I'm not sure you are old enough, but let's give it a try. Close your eyes and imagine what you would look like if you were more like other people. Your arms and legs would be longer, that's it. Your neck would be shorter and your wings smaller." I continued giving him advice until he looked like a proper anthropomorphic dragon teen.

"Now hold still just a moment. Normally you would have to practice remaining in this form for long stretches of time in order for it to be easy to change back and forth. However, I'm going to use just a bit of my mate's magic to make this one of your transformations." I didn't do anything other than tap him on the forehead but his belief is all that was really needed. "There, not only will you be able to easily change between your true form and this anthro form, but this form will also grow and age as you do."

He took a few tentative steps, and then a few more. Soon he was running around the fountain.

"This is amazing!" He spread his wings and landed on his tail as he was yanked off his feet. "What happened?" he asked.

"You can't fly in that form. Your wings are in the wrong place. However, with practice you'll be able to use them to stop, like you just did, or change direction faster than most other people. Speaking of other people, you need to learn how to change yourself to look like another non-dragon species in order to protect yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"Earlier you said you smelled wolf and lion scents on me. Those are forms my mate takes to hide himself from dragon slayers."

"Can you help me do that?"

"I can try. As far as I can tell it is the same as when you changed into your current form except you choose another species."

"How about an otter? I mean if I'm a water type I should change into a form that is at home in the water, right? Plus there are several otter children that I've watched playing down by the stream so I know what I should look like."

He'd already closed his eyes and started concentrating. Within seconds he had transformed into a proper otter kit, except that he was still blue.

"I think that's it. Can you help me again by fixing this form, or have you used up too much magic already?"

"Are you sure about this? You're still blue."

"You're black with white stripes, does my color really matter that much?" He asked.

"I guess not, so long as no one sees your dragon form." I tapped him on the forehead again. "Now you're stuck with that until you're powerful enough to take on another form."

I turned at the sound of a door creaking. "We need to go, now. Before the village realizes that you are vulnerable!"

My head spun as I was suddenly shoved forward and then lifted off my feet. Within seconds we were over the forest. I wanted to yell, but I was afraid he might drop me. We had only traveled perhaps a mile when he stated to descend. He dropped me only a couple of feet off the ground and then crashed.

"Sorry, I'm too weak to carry you all the way to my cave."

"Can you change back into an otter?"

"I'll try." He shifted but his tail still had ridges, small wings stuck out, and he had a pair of nubs on his head where his horns were. Still he had shrunk down to the point where I could carry him.

I picked him up and cradled him against me. "Which way?"

He pointed in the direction we'd been heading. "That way. There is a place where the ground has broken and one side lifted up. There is a cave hidden in the rocks."

After some time walking I reached the cliff face. The dragon had fallen asleep and I really didn't want to wake him, but I couldn't see any caves. I shook him slightly and he groggily opened his eyes. "We're here, now where is your cave?"

He led me to the rocky surface and pulled aside a heavy clothe that hid an opening. "The villagers come here to store things."

"We can't stay here then."

"Yes we can. I've lived here for several seasons and they have never found me."

He led me down a short tunnel. Several times I had to crawl to get through and then we entered into a huge chamber. The floor was covered in sand and water was streaming down from the ceiling.

"The water has made a hole up there just big enough for me to crawl through and the cave is large enough that I can stretch my wings enough to keep from falling all the way to the floor."

He changed back to his dragon form and jumped into the air two flaps later and he was looking down at me from a ledge that was completely invisible from the ground. A rope ladder dropped over the edge. I hoped it was well secured as I started to climb. I had to hold on when he started pulling me up.

"Quickly, someone is coming." He hissed.

I tried to time my climbing against his tugging, and I was relieved to be alive when I finally rolled onto the ledge. He placed a claw on my lips to keep me quiet. The cave was suddenly lit with the flickering of a torch.

"I'm telling you that dragon always comes this direction."

"So what? There are caves all over this place. Still I keep tellin' you, even if he found the entrance he's too big to get in here."

"What about the hole up there?"

"I've been up there and that hole isn't big enough either. Besides, if he crawled in from up there we'd have a big dead dragon here in the middle of the cave, now wouldn't we?"

"Uh?"

"Of course we would. Now look, everything is just the way we left it."

"I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right. Ain't no dragon or tax collector gonna take our village's treasures. Now come on, I want to get home for a bit of sleep before we have to start threshing the fields in the morning."

The second individual groaned and the light faded. The dragon held me in place for a while longer. "Alright, they've left the cave." He turned and headed toward the back of the ledge. "Follow me."

He seemed to disappear into the darkness. Even with my night vision it was too dark to see anything. I carefully continued forward with my hands out expecting to run into the dragon. I quickly realized that the ledge was actually the opening of another passage. I soon came to a wall, I moved to the right and found myself in a corner. I turned back left and kept my right hand trailing along the wall. The passage wasn't straight but it seemed rather long. Soon I could hear the sound of rocks being smashed together. A little farther and I could see sparks when the rocks hit.

"This would be so much easier if I could breathe fire. I've seen people making fire like this. I can see the room with my dragon sight but it doesn't work when I change."

"Before anything else my name, as much as I can remember of it is Prowler. No, not 'er', 'R'. Prowl-Ar, I remember my name! My first name anyway. Now what is your name?"

"I don't think I have a name. Dragons don't get names until they are old enough to survive on their own."

"You seem to be surviving to me and I'm tired of thinking of you as just a dragon. So how about I call you Frost? It works for both your dragon and your otter forms."

The air was knocked out of me again as I was wrapped in a giant hug.

"Good, now how about letting me go so I can try lighting a fire?"

"I've stacked the wood the same way the others did, but instead of cattail fluff I'm using fire weed. I just can't get the sparks to hit the weed just right."

He pressed the flint and steel into my hands. I scraped the two together instead of banging them and then had to jump back as the mass of fireweed seemed to explode. Frost's fire pit had been built to his scale. As the initial burst burned down he added a small log and I dropped to my knees. The cave was filled with treasure. Bags of gold, silver, and bronze coins. The fire reflected off a multitude of gems creating explosions of color.

"Frost, where did you get this treasure?" I asked.

He moved around the fire to a small pile of objects. "You like them? I know most of them are broken, but I didn't want to take anything that would be missed."

I stumbled around the fire to look on the small pile of broken toys.

"I watch the village children. I've always wanted to join them but I know they would be afraid of me."

I was dumbfounded. I was in the lair of a dragon child, with a treasure hoard that could rival an ancient dragon lord, and all he was concerned about was his collection of broken toys. "Frost, was all this metal here when you found this place?"

"Yeah, is it important?"

"Do you know what this is?"

"I've seen the villagers pass around those brown bits of metal."

"Frost, this is a dragon's hoard. If the owner returns we'll both be killed."

"Oh, him. He was kinda scary at first, but he doesn't say much. He is a really good listener, would you like to meet him? Don't be afraid he won't harm you."

I had to remind myself that this was just a game. I found a torch and followed Frost. We left the treasure cave and continued down the passage. We passed more storage caves. Some with weapons, others with art, a few with books, and a great deal more packed with coins and gems. At the end of the passage we entered a truly massive chamber. To one side lay the gigantic skeleton of a Great Dragon. Fearing the possibility that the bones would rise I knelt before him.

"Great One, please forgive my trespass. I didn't come here for your treasure. I only ask for a safe place to spend the night."

"Oh please, take what you like. I don't much care anymore. If anything I'd rather you use it in order to care for my little friend here."

I was startled by the spectral tiger standing next to me.

"Besides you have a bit of dragon in you." He winked at me and then disappeared.

"Wow, he must really like you. He rarely has that much to say. Let’s go back to my cave. Char, gets embarrassed about his remains. If he has more to say he'll come to us."

Frost's stomach growled as we reached his cave. He shifted into his otter form and plopped down onto a bag of coins like it was a bean bag chair. "At least I'm not as hungry in this smaller form."

I removed the loaf of bread from my pack, tore off a bit of crust for myself and tossed the rest to Frost. "It isn't much, but it's all I've got."

"Then we should split it more evenly." Frost insisted.

"No, I'm not that hungry so I must have eaten recently, but you've already admitted that you haven't eaten for several days. I just wish I had more to give you."

I watched as he devoured the bread. "Thank you for sharing your food with me."

"You're welcome."

He curled up and quickly fell asleep. I got up and placed my cloak over him. I suppressed a laugh at my foolishness. It was highly unlikely a water dragon would feel cold. Still he let out a quiet "murr" and pulled it tight around him. I jumped as I felt a paw on my shoulder. Char gestured for me to be silent and follow him. His apparition cast a warm red glow making it easy to see. We entered another cave and he clapped his hands. The room was filled with light and I gasped at what was in front of me.

"You like it? It is very convenient. I admit it was difficult to tame an electrolisk enough to power the lights."

It wasn't the lights that had taken my breath away. In the center of the room was a large round table surrounded by chairs. Carved into the back of the closest was "Sir Galahad". I was looking at King Arthur’s fabled round table. Even more surprising it was covered in casino chips, cell phones, and TV remotes.

"Sorry about the disorganized state of things, but I haven't had visitors in a very long time." Char waved his hands and everything was swept up into a tornado then flung to the edges of the room where it organized itself. "Please, sit anywhere."

I suspected it was a test so I chose the seat closest to me. As I sat down there was a thud on the table and a black coin rolled toward me and fell heads up. The coin had an outline of a figure and nothing more. I flipped it over and the Image of a crown was revealed.

"How did you get in here? You have your own treasure room." Char pointed at the coin and it flew from my fingers and out of the room. "Sorry about that. Some treasure seems to have a mind of its own. That one goes to a special cave where its owner can retrieve it."

"What is this place?"

"This cave system is a nexus to all realms. Basically all lost things end up here. Trust me, you don't want to see the room of keys. It is a dragon's dream hoard. It's also a trap. When I was still alive I was so obsessed that I stopped caring about anything other than my hoard. I had to count every coin, sort every weapon, learn how every device worked, read every book. Unfortunately I lost track of things like eating and sleeping. I had my magic to sustain me so I never left the cave. I don't even know when I died. One day I walked into what I was using as my throne room and found my skeleton."

"So how are you still here?"

"That's my curse I lost myself in the treasure and so, I'm now, for lack of a better term, the guardian of this place. It's not bad really, there's always new things showing up. It wasn't until the young one arrived that I realized how lonely I am, and now you're going to take him away."

"That wasn't exactly my plan. I'm actually trying to find my mate not take responsibility of Frost."

Char smiled, "You've given him a name. Like it or not, according to dragon law he is now your responsibility."

"I can't even be considered fit to take care of myself, with my head injury, let alone a child."

Char snapped his fingers and I nearly passed out from the pain in my head. "There you go, you're healed and good as new."

I blinked several times. There was another thud on the table. This time it was a gold coin with the same crown on one side and a bear on the other.

"Again? You belong in the same place as that black coin.

"I think you should show me to the cave this coin belongs in."

"If you want, but you won't be able to enter. Even I cannot enter it."

"I just want to see it." I said with a grin.

He shrugged and led me along the twisting tunnels. We came to a stop in front of a dark cave. Char picked up a gem and tossed it toward the cave and it bounced off an invisible wall. "See nothing gets in or out of there unless it belongs there. Try tossing that coin in."

I tossed the coin and it vanished through the shadow curtain. I winked and Char and stepped through. The room looked like it was a vault set up in the House program. Bronze, silver, gold, and shadow coins were carefully stacked on shelves. There were several crates of gems, clothing, and weapons. I changed my clothes setting to smart cloth and set it to resemble leather armor. I pulled on a chameleon cloak and a pair of boots. My armor rating jumped up to 255, the maximum for leather armor. I belted on two knar'tosh short swords, hooked a kin’thara wind staff to the belt and grabbed a wooden staff. I paused and then pulled out a second set of armor for Frost. If he was going to be traveling with me he'd need to look like any other fur. I grabbed a dimensional money pouch and stepped back through the shadow curtain.

"How did you do that?" Char immediately asked.

"It's my vault, so I belonged there. I was able to exit because I wanted to."

"You must be a great wizard."

I laughed. "I don't really have much magic at all. However, I do a lot of traveling between realms and I also live in a nexus. Once I've completed my mission in this realm I'll see about creating a portal between our two realms so that you can have as many visitors as you like."

"Do I have your word?" Char asked, and I could hear the note of desperation in his tone.

"You do."

"I'd better get to work cleaning and organizing this place once again." he wandered down the tunnel muttering about training a few more electrolisks in order to light up the whole cave system leaving me to find my own way back. I found that Frost had transformed while sleeping. He was once again at his full size but he appeared to be an otter dragon hybrid. He still had his horns, but his wings were gone and instead of scales he was completely covered in sleek blue fur. He almost reminded me of an eastern dragon with a distinctly otter like head.

I jumped as Char started talking again. "I should have warned you, when he's deeply asleep he transforms back to his true form. Ordinarily a hybrid obscenity like that would be given a mercy killing. It is likely why he is on his own at such a young age."

I took a moment to wonder why I was surprised at Char’s ability to just appear, He was a realm guardian after all. "Why didn't you kill him?" I asked.

"I've been alone longer than most dragons have been alive. He was a distraction." Char sighed, "No, I guess the real reason is because he isn't like any other dragon I've ever known or even heard of. He doesn't crave treasure. He's social, at least he would be if people weren't scared of him. Most of all he worries about hurting other's feelings. I'm not saying this to criticize him. In fact I wish more dragons were like that. No, I'm warning you no to break him."

"I can't promise you that, but I will try to keep him safe."

"I suppose that is the best I can hope for. One last thing, don't try to take any of my treasure. I was testing you when I said I didn’t care anymore."

I laughed and pulled a handful of gold out of my money pouch. "Why would I need your treasure when I can pull gold out of my own vault?" I tossed the handful of coins, scattering them amongst all the other treasure.

This time he faded away grumbling about not having anything to threaten me about. I rolled my new cloak up to use as a pillow and did my best to fall asleep.

***

I woke up early to find Frost wrapped around me. I considered pausing the game to check in with Kyle, but changed my mind. He was the one that set it up so there had to be a reason we were separated.

I extricated myself from Frost's grip. The fire had burned out, but the area was lit by small white glowing orbs. Obviously Char had found a way to illuminate the cave system. There was a zap and an orb went dark and drifted to the floor. A yellow lizard scurried toward the dead orb. As it bit down green dust exploded out of the orb and the lizard froze.

"Hah!" Char said as he materialized. He picked the lizard up with a pair of wooden tongs. "Damn, you're too small." He placed the lizard on a small out cropping and placed a pale blue orb on the ledge next to it. "Good morning, if you'll excuse me I've got more electrolisks to check before the stun dust wears off." And he was gone as quickly as he came.

I shrugged and made my way to the cave's exit. After lowering the rope ladder and climbing down. I looked over the town's hidden loot, but there wasn't anything really useful. In fact most of it wasn't even very valuable. If they needed to hide blankets, clothing, and dishes the tax collector had to be a real tyrant.

Leaving their 'treasure' I went over to the waterfall. I cupped my hands and hesitated before I took a drink. I laughed and filled a water bag. Even after years of playing games I still had the hesitation of drinking unfiltered water.

"So, are we leaving today? I'm still really hungry."

I jumped as Frost rubbed his head against my shoulder. "How can you move so silently?"

"When everything runs away when they hear me moving I quickly learned not to make a sound."

I frowned, he had changed back into his full dragon form. "You can stay in your natural form and save your magic when it's just the two of us." He hung his head, but changed back into his hybrid form. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"I'm a freak that shouldn't exist."

"I don't know who told you that, but they are wrong. You are very handsome. I bet when we finally find my mate the first thing he says about you is how cute you are."

"Your mate is a dragon. All dragons hate impure freaks."

"Kyle is an eastern fur dragon, he is more like you than other dragons. Besides, Char doesn't hate you and he is likely the oldest dragon in existence."

"Char is . . . different."

"Yeah, I can agree with you about that." I sighed. "Now, I'm going to sound like a hypocrite, but I need you to change to your otter form. If we're going to be traveling where others could see you you're going to need to fit in and that means clothes."

"I've always wondered, why do people wear clothes?" He asked as he shifted.

I had to consider the question for a moment since the world we were in was furry only. "I guess the main reason is to show status. The better the clothes the more money and power they must have. Another reason is for protection. As a traveler I wear armor in case I'm attacked. You'll be wearing similar armor." I bent down and clamped the cuffs around his ankles and then around his wrists. The smart cloth expanded, changing into leather armor. "And to complete the look a pair of boots and a robe."

"Why a robe and not a cloak?"

"You're a dragon, so that makes you a natural magic user. Now, why don't you go and ask Char if you can borrow a book on beginning magic."

"I can't. I pulled the rope back up because I thought we were leaving and if I shift I'll destroy my new clothes."

"Go ahead and shift, your clothes will be fine."

He shifted and found that only the cuffs remained.

"The clothes are from my hoard and they will stay with you no matter what form you take."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" He yelled, as he jumped into the air and swooped back into Char's cave.

"You realize once you give something to a dragon you will never get it back."

"I take it you're here in order to let him burn off a bit of that excitement?"

"Do you really expect me to give him one of my books?"

"Heavens no, I'm not that foolish. I expect you to loan him a book he can learn how to control his magic. When he isn't using it I'll keep it in this pouch, which is a portal to my vault. So in effect, except when he is studying the book, it will still be here in your caves. Of course you won't be able to access it, but I doubt you'd need to read a beginners guide to magic."

"How will I get it back if you don't return?"

I thought for a moment and then grinned. I pulled a scroll out of my pouch. "This is a summoning scroll. When you break the seal an interdimensional being known as The King's Shadow will appear. There is no place in all the realms that he cannot enter. However I must warn you the scroll will only work once and the Shadow isn't the friendliest entity in existence."

"Why don't you use that scroll to have him take you to your mate?" Char asked.

I laughed. "He'd just tell me that we're both in the same realm so I can ‘damn well find him yourself' and then for good measure he'd likely drop me in a dungeon somewhere far from any allies I've made. However, as soon as he sees that shadow curtain he'll understand why you can't retrieve your property. Not that it matters since as soon as I return to my own nexus realm I'll establish an open portal here so that you can have a bit of company."

"You've really thought this through. I'll lone Frost a book, however there is a cost. This realm only gets 'lost' items. I want you to bring me at least three rare items that would never show up here own their own."

"What are the items you want?" I asked.

"How should I know?”

"Okay, I'm sure I'll think of something."

Char nodded and disappeared. I sat down and started to think about what I could find that would never show up in the interdimensional lost and found. I was sure one of Mahan’s drones would work considering he had added additional tracking methods to them so he couldn’t lose them like he did with the Grimm. A sudden thought occurred, "Computer, adjust Frost's character file so that Char taught him how to read both draconic and common."

"Adjustment completed. Now playing warning."

"Tiger, I hope you didn't waste your only cheat on something unimportant. From this point on you are unable to make any other changes to this game." Kyle’s voice echoed in the cave.

I grinned at Kyle's warning. I brought up my menu screen and chose weapons. I double tapped on the sticks and an error message appeared I moved the error box to the trash and another box appeared I typed in "D-A-R-E-S-G-R-8-S-T" and the VR chamber's cheat menu appeared. I pulled up the current game parameters and erased the log entry for making the change to Frost's background and reset Kyle's message. Now it would appear that the change had always been a part of Frost's character and I still had one change I could make. I felt a bit dirty about cheating, but both Shock and Kyle had read my writings so they had to know about Dare's cheat menu and Kyle could have easily blocked access to it. I closed out the menu and Frost glided down from the upper cave.

"Master, Char gave me several books! Elemental Magic for Beginners, Early Dragon Magic, Advanced Water and Ice Magic, and Magic for the White Mage. He also gave me two wands one charged with ice magic and the other with healing magic. Finally he gave me this staff that I can charge with the spells that I learn."

"Frost, I'm not your master."

"You're going to let me travel with you, right?"

"Yes."

"You'll be helping me learn magic and teaching me how to survive?"

"Well, yes."

"Then you are my master."

"Fine, but call me Prowl-Ar unless we are among other people."

"Yes, Master Prowl-Ar."

I took all the books except the beginning magic one and placed them in my dimensional pouch. "You'll keep this book, your staff, and wands in your pack. Now your first task will be to take your otter form and see how long you can hold it before having to return to your natural form. We need to travel to the next village or town in order to buy some supplies, including food."

"I can lead you there since I've been there before."

"Another place you raided?"

He hung his head, "I had to in order to survive. By traveling to the different towns and villages I never took too much from any of them."

"Smart, many dragons would have taken everything a village had and then move on to the next. Still, you'd better be prepared. The villagers are likely going to say some really awful things about you without realizing you are the dragon they are talking about."

"I know. Having watched them in secret I know the sorts of things they say about me. I'll be careful not to react in a way that would allow them to detect my true identity."

I nodded. "Well then, let's get moving. As soon as we get to the next village I'll be able to buy us something to eat."

***

As we traveled Frost told me about his parents. His father was an otter fisherman living alone along a large river. His mother was a violet dragoness that had followed the river down from the mountains. She fell in love with the fisherman and took the form otter to be with him. He didn't know she was a dragon until after Frost had hatched. His father was frightened at first but quickly realized that species didn't matter. He had a wife that he loved more than life and a son, though a bit strange, he also loved. They had lived happily for five years, Frost knew the date because it all ended on his hatching day. A red dragon had crashed into the house roaring about how his intended mate had betrayed her kind.

We had to stop and I comforted Frost as he broke down in tears.

After a while we started walking again and he resumed his story. His father had fought back as Frost and his mother escaped to the river. While he never saw his father die he knew the moment it happened because he felt it. It was another ten years before the red dragon found them again. He had been practicing his transformation into a real dragon, but the Red could see through it. The Red took great pleasure in telling Frost that he shouldn't exist and no dragon or fur would ever accept him. If his mother hadn't attacked the Red he would have killed Frost. He ran as fast as he could finding an opening in the ground and wiggling through only to end up in the mouth of Char's cave.

Char's magic had concealed him from the Red but not the sounds of the fight or the feeling of his mother being taken away by a group of dragons. Once the other dragons were gone the Red threatened never to let the little freak escape. He'd be hunted down eventually. Then he left. Frost felt his mother die a few months later.

Char took him in and didn't really raise him, but did provide protection, a place to stay, and a few basic lessons for survival. In the thirty five years the Red hadn't returned, but that might just have been because Frost was hidden by Char.

I had laughed and told Frost that now I had to find one red dragon and hide the two of us from another. It was after midday when we reached the next village. It was slightly larger than the last but looked just as poor.

We entered the inn and I asked were we could get something to eat. The Innkeeper directed me toward the tavern. I asked for his largest room for the night and paid ten silvers with a promise of one gold if the bed had fresh sheets when we returned. He asked about Frost needing a bed and I told him until my 'apprentice' started earning his keep he'd continue sleeping on the floor. He smiled and nodded.

As we walked out I noticed that the village was large enough for a dry goods store. I had Frost wait for me in front as I did some shopping. I glanced out at him as he seemed to be carefully watching the people. I smiled and added two small bags of candy to my order one cinnamon and the other mint. Once finished I left the store and headed for the tavern.

We entered and sat at a table near the door. The barmaid, a buxom porcupine, approached and took our order. It seemed the food was "a hearty stew". The only choice being with or without bread. I chose with and Frost went without. I ended up ordering three additional bowls for Frost and he could probably have devoured more but there is only so much the excuse that he's a growing boy can cover.

I called the barmaid over and asked her if any other travelers with strange fur colors like a red wolf, lion, or panther had been through recently. She insisted that the only travelers had been a year ago when a perfectly ordinary red deer had come through. Though he made the rounds every few years anyway. I nodded and paid for our meal leaving her three silvers as a tip.

Our next stop was the local guard house. I checked the notices most were inconsequential. The only one of interest was for a dragon hunter. I pulled it off the board and entered the station. I placed it on the guard's desk and let him know I'd taken care of the dragon problem. Unfortunately I didn't have the required proof so I didn't expect the reward, however the station should be on guard against fraudulent claims once it became obvious the dragon was gone.

We returned to the inn and the keeper was quick to point out the sheets had been laundered but they hadn't finished drying yet. I placed a gold coin on the counter and told him to have them brought up when they had dried, I would be spending some time training my apprentice before I retired for the night. He was quick to point out that if it was magical training, fire magic was not allowed in the rooms. I assured him that we'd be working on water and ice magic.

The innkeeper was quick to point out if Frost had any proficiency he'd pay him to refill his cold chamber. The summer had been hot and most of the town's stored ice had already melted. I sympathized with him, but Frost was a novice and hadn't built up the magical reserves to do much more than freeze a small bucket of water. The innkeeper nodded in understanding but as we turned to leave he offered to pay a copper for a just a bucket. I immediately countered with five coppers. We ended up settling on three coppers for a bucket of ice with the understanding that Frost, despite his name, might not be able to freeze even a single bucket of water.

The room was rather unremarkable. There was a bed, chair, table, wash basin, and jug of water. The room did have a window that was propped open to air it out. I sat on the chair and Frost settled on the floor in front of me.

"Prowl-Ar, how can you store so many things in that little pouch?" Frost asked as he removed the beginning magic book from his pack.

"It's simple, there's nothing in the pouch." I tossed the money pouch to him.

He looked inside and then reached in finding it empty. "How is this possible" I watched you put all the books in earlier and then all of our supplies."

"The opening is a dimensional portal to my personal storage vault. I used to believe it was in a realm all to itself, however I discovered it is actually located in Char's cave. That is why Char was willing to loan you the books. When you're not reading them they are still technically part of his hoard. The reason it seems empty is because only three people can activate the portal."

"But how does it work?”

“I think of what I want, reach in the pouch, and pull out that item. Of course the item has to already exist in my treasure vault.”

"What if you're hurt and I need to get a potion for you?"

"I'd better not get hurt."

Frost looked in the pouch, closed his eyes, and reached in. He removed his hand and gave the pouch back. "I thought you said only three people could use it?" Frost opened his hand to reveal a gold coin. He gave the coin back and opened the magic book. He turned about a fourth of the way in.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to study ice magic."

"No, go back and start from the beginning. You need to get used to the basics instead of trying to jump ahead."

"What about your deal with the Innkeeper?"

"I made no promises and you will likely be unable to freeze anything for a long time in your otter form. Now switch with me. You take the chair and sit at the table." I replaced the gold coin with a silver one. "When the maid comes, and makes the bed, give her this."

"Where will you be?"

"My body will be right here in a meditative trance. I have a lot to think about." I settled into a meditative pose.

"Pause game. Computer allow game time to proceed leaving my avatar in trance state."

"Game continuing."

"Mahan, how is Shock doing?"

"Not well, he is ill suited to merge with me. It may be his youth but I believe a part of him fears if he merges he'll lose the one thing he can call his own. Are you certain you want to force this on him?"

"Where is he right now?"

"Right next to you. Currently he is reading over the Frost character's shoulder. Do not worry, from his point of view you really are meditating, so he is not privy to this conversation."

"Computer, transfer me to full observer mode with Shock, mute reply."

Shock seemed to materialize right where Mahan had told me he was standing.

I slipped up behind and wrapped my arms around him. "Mahan tells me you are skipping class." He let out a scared yip and then relaxed back against me.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't want to merge. I should have asked what you wanted rather than just expecting you to do it. I'm the one that should apologize."

"I tried, but when we started to merge I started to relive the bad times. I've tried so hard not to remember any of that, but I don't want to let you and Kyle down."

"Kelly, we're connected now. Your pain is our pain. No matter what you decide to do, if it makes you happy then we won't be let down. So what if you decide not to merge with Mahan? You contribute in other ways. Don't think I haven't been watching your videos. Every week, no matter what we're doing you show the world what it is like living on the Runner."

"Of course you watch. You're just-"

"I put Mahan in charge of content editing. I watch your videos because I'm your second biggest fan."

"Second?" Shock asked in surprise.

"Well yeah, Kyle's a freaking dragon. How can I get bigger than that?"

Shock started giggling, "I don't think he'd like hearing you say that."

"You're right, it sounds too much like our tiger is putting himself down. However, he isn't wrong."

"You're looking rough."

"Yeah, well dragons aren't highly thought of in this game. I really should have put more thought into the programming. Still, having the guard, who's trying to kill me, suddenly announce that I needed to take a break and observe the real world was rather strange."

"Ah, I call those Mahan moments." I said with a laugh.

"So what did I miss?"

"I-I decided not to finish the merge training. It just wasn't working out for me."

Kyle looked at him for a moment and then nodded. "I can understand why. If not for my merge with Prowl-Ar, where I experienced his memories instead of my own I'm not sure I could have completed the training."

"So what now?" Shock asked.

"We could go back to either the House or Mobile Suit games. Of course we could continue this game. I did set up an opening sequence for you as well. For after you were finished training. I'll apologize in advance because it forces a stereotyped role on you to start."

"You made me a prostitute?"

"No! You're forced to start as a thief. Where you go from there is up to you."

"I'm sort of invested in a couple of characters as well as the fact that the system has already linked this game to the House game."

"Collecting more pleasure slaves?" Kyle asked.

"No. Actually, having such wonderful, thoughtful, giving mates is why I haven't bothered returning to that game. So no, it isn't about sex. In fact I may edit that game to allow some time to pass. Editing the story, with both of your input, so that our slaves are close to being free."

"Wow, that's quite a jump." Shock said.

"I'm in a different place now. House was set up to simulate a companionship type scenario where my companions couldn't leave. While, yes, I'm invested in the characters I don't need them as slaves. More importantly I don't need them to be so young."

Shock grabbed me into a hug. "I knew you'd see things my way. Even if it was only a game, I was worried that you were like my step-father in favoring underage partners."

"You're not that old yourself. Still, finding any partners even close to my age is an impossibility."

"That's just because your sooo ooold." Kyle said, before laughing.

"Enough of that. So, I'm going to take a bit of a break. I need to go and check on the progress being made on the new space station and colony, anyone want to join me?"

"Not me, I need to spend some time catching up to where you two are in the story." Shock said, before disappearing back into the game.

"Drake? What about you?"

"How long will it take you?"

"A couple hours, three at most."

"Sounds good, I'm going to go take a nap and later I'll cook dinner. The game gruel just isn't filling."

I hugged him.

"What's that for?"

"I don't know, I just felt like hugging you all of a sudden."

He booped me on the nose "For having such a serious personality you can really be a silly tiger at times."

We exited the VR chamber and headed for the lift. I smiled, "I wouldn't want you to get board of me."

"Never going to happen. Don't worry, if the day ever comes where I do get bored I'll make sure your death is quick, painless, and unexpected."

I stopped and stared at him. "You promise?"

"No I don't promise, that was a joke."

"I know that, but . . ."

Kyle pulled me into a hug. "As you're so fond of pointing out we're connected so we'll be together no matter what happens. Now go and get your inspection done. I'll have a completely normal diner waiting when you return."

He pushed me into the lift and the doors closed before I could tell him I liked some of his experimental dishes. When the lift reopened into the pilot's barracks I'd nearly forgotten about my true motive for getting away. I entered the barracks VR chamber, the same one where we interrogated Shock. "Mahan, this chamber is still completely under your control, correct?"

"Yes, I have full override authority in this chamber."

"Good, pull up all information on the current game that Kyle created."

"I have full access, but I'm not going to give you spoiler information."

"I'm not looking to cheat. I need information on Frost and myself. Since meeting him I've felt no sexual inclination toward him. I've also experienced an overwhelming need to protect him. And then there's the fact that the computer allowed him to access my storage pouch. Is it just because of my relationship with Kyle and Shock, or is there another factor at play."

"Exactly what are you asking?"

"Check the game files and tell me, who are Frost's parents?"

"You don't have clearance for that information.” Mahan paused for a moment. “Sorry, that's the automated response. Obviously this is spoiler information. Give me a moment. The Non-Player Character, Frost was raised first by an otter and his dragon wife."

"And his biological parents?"

"Kyle Dacat and Frost's adoptive father's sister."

"I was afraid of that. Did Kyle program that or is it a VR computer malfunction?"

"A malfunction, when you locked out using your writings as source material you locked out the rules you'd set up in those writings. So yes, this is a 'Tye Dacat' situation. I'm reinstating all the rules. However that won't change the current game. Do you want me to edit Frost's character?"

"What I want to know is why I'm reacting the way I am?"

"The reason you feel the way you do toward Frost is because, you are instinctively reacting to his pheromones. Due to the adjustments we have all made to your biology in that regard. Frost is your mate's son, therefore he is also your son. Do you want me to change his profile?"

"No. This can't be my decision alone. I'm going to go ahead and do my inspection. I'll try to think of a way to break the subject at dinner."

***

Just for a change of pace I took my space racer, instead of the shuttle, and made the trip over to the space station. At its core was the Deep Space Nine station from Star Trek, but it was being upgraded so that it had much more smooth and welcoming surfaces both inside and out. The upper pylons were being connected and three more would be added to form a dome. The superstructure was being filled in and artificial parks would be constructed.

I didn't need to land since everything was running smoothly. I engaged the racer's Freem drive and jumped out to the Kuyper Belt. I hadn't told Shock and Kyle about the extent of the colony construction, yet. I'd actually started construction back when I first moved to the Shadow Runner. Three massive O’Neill Cylinder space colonies, slowly rotated on their axis. A fourth colony was still under construction.

I entered the first colony at the dock closest to the control tower. I proceeded to control where I was met by the colonies’ A.I.

"Master Prowl-Ar, what brings you out here to Colony One?"

I was really starting to regret designing the AI as a Haro unit. It was difficult to take a drone the size and shape of a basketball seriously. "Haro, it's time to start moving this colony deeper into the system. It seems I'm to be the primary representative of a furry nation."

"Factoring in both acceleration and breaking, the earliest the colony will be at your pre-programed destination will be 57 years. It may be possible to shorten that time depending on how much gravity boost we receive from the outer planets."

"What is the current state of the artificial environment?"

"I have had some success with artificial lighting, however as I move closer to the sun, I believe the plant life will thrive. Otherwise the colony will be ready for settlement when I arrive at my designated location."

"Good, I'm officially ordering Colony One to begin moving."

"Understood. What about R2 and Cait Sith?"

"They will remain here until your colony is fully established."

"A sensible precaution. Will you be visiting before I reach my final destination?"

"Yes, I have in system jump points for Saturn, Jupiter, the asteroid belt, and Mars, so I'll check on the colonies stats at those points. If you encounter a situation beyond your programming-"

"I will contact Mahan immediately for updating."

I nodded and headed back to my racer. Once I'd moved a safe distance away I jumped back to the junkyard. I landed and secured the racer. As I headed for the lift I really wished it had taken longer. I felt I needed more time to think before speaking with Kyle, but I also knew it wouldn't make it any easier.

***