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[Daz]

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Chapter One: Wolves

The zookeeper was garbed in his best camouflage as walked through the forest completely unseen by the creatures that lived there. The zoo had been awarded a small grant for a study on the various wolf species found throughout the lands. Daz watched as two timber wolves chased a squirrel into a tree. They tried to jump and climb there way up the tree but to no avail. He continued watching the wolves when suddenly he thought about something that the Umbran girl named Hayden had said about the wolves in the zoo. The little child had asked if any of the wolves at the zoo were people. She had peered into the wolf pen during the children's festival with obvious concern.

Wolves as people? How strange he thought. He then replied honestly but not fully understanding the question. No my dear child none of these wolves are people. The question seemed so childlike that the zookeeper dismissed it as fancy. But now the question came back to him as he watched the timber wolves stand on there back legs while trying to jump and climb up the tree to get to the hapless squirrel that was now sitting on a limb while yelling in defiance at the canines far below. Wolves as people? He asked himself while scratching his chin.

Later that night the zookeeper had dinner plans with his half brother Rex. Daz sat across the table from Rex with his hands wrapped around his glass of milk. Rex was a treasure hunter, some would say pirate, with many fascinating tails of his own travels to strange and exotic lands. Brother, as you know, I am currently studying wolves while on assignment for the zoo.

Rex grumbled as he finished off yet another pint of ale. No Daz, I did not know that, nor do I care that much. Waiter, more ale. Rex motioned to the barkeep. Wolves are silly flea bitten mongrels. Why would you waste your time with them. You should join me. We will be rich beyond your imagination.

Wolves are much more intelligent than you give them credit for, brother.

Bah, who cares about your silly animals. Gold and artifacts will be ours for the taking.

The zookeeper began to fidget while avoiding Rex's slightly drunken stare by watching the ripples in his own glass of milk. He cared very little for the life of a treasure hunter. What I really wanted to ask you about were your travels around the lands. I have been studying wolves for some time and was wondering if you had come across any types of wolves that were like people.

Huh? questioned the drunken Rex as he looked up with one eye closed.

The frustrated zookeeper leaned in and spoke loudly and more clearly so that the inebriated Rex would understand. I'm looking for wolves, do you know where I can find any strange or exotic wolves?

Hmm, Rex hiccuped and began to slump in his chair and fade away.

Daz, stood and slammed his fist on the table causing Rex's half empty mug of ale to spill onto the lab of the treasure hunter. The treasure hunter sat up like a bolt. His eyes widened and came to life as he began to tell his story.

It's about freaking time, thought Daz as he sat down to listen to his brother's story.

end of chapter one.
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[Daz]

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Chapter Two: Rex's story

The half drunken Rex began to tell his story in his unusual, animated story telling mode. His arms flailed about wildly as he recants his tail. A crowd of tavern goers had assembled around the table to listen to the harrowing story.

There we were, in the middle of the ocean. A mighty storm had our ship in it's grasp and was tossing it about like a rag doll. We got blown off course and by the next day we found ourselves beached on one of the Tokuno Islands. Our ship's hull was damaged and in need of repairs. We mounted a small party and set off inland in search of lumber to repair our vessel. We began to hear loud, ominous howls coming from all sides of our small party as we ventured further inland. We came upon a clearing. There in the clearing stood a large blue wolf. This was no ordinary wolf, mind you. It was walking upright on its back legs. Brownish slime was dripping from its fangs and its claws were drenched in the blood of a fresh kill. Two of my men charged the beast but it cut them down like daisies before they could even swing a blade. I gave the order for the rest of the men to attack. To my amazement, I was the only one left standing there. The rest of my men had already fled back towards the safety of the boat. The horrible wolf like creature snarled at me. It turned its head and I saw that it was in fact, a two-headed wolf like humanoid. Imagine it, Daz. A very large, very powerful, blue, two headed wolf that walked upright.

Daz was now as white as a ghost and trembling a little. What happened then? Daz exclaimed wide eyed.

It stood up to its full height of 15 feet and let out an ear-piercing howl. The forest came alive with more howls of these creatures as they sounded the alarm. I must admit. I was terrified. I did not hesitate, magic flew from my fingers and a column of fire engulfed the huge beast before me. I then ran as fast as I could towards the boat. My small party had not gotten very far. The bodies and body parts of my men littered the path before me. The wolf things were already devouring some as the rest of the party was being cut down left and right. I ran and ran. I could hear several of the beasts turn and give chase.

As I neared the boat I saw to my horror that the creatures had gotten there first. None were spared. All of my crew lay dead or dying as the wolves howled in horrific glee. I did not stop running. I ran past the boat and into the sea I went with a splash. I swam out far enough to realize that I wasn’t being chased anymore. I looked back towards the shore to see the creatures howling and screaming on the shore just out of the reach of the waves. Lucky for me they couldn't swim. I found a large hunk of driftwood and held on for dear life. As each minute passed I drifted further and further way from that evil place and it's demonic inhabitants. After a day of drifting down the beach I found a dock and was able to pull myself ashore. Then, I passed out from exhaustion.

Oh my, what a horrible story! Your poor crew! The zookeeper said as he sat transfixed.

When I awoke I found myself inside a monastery. The monks had found me and nursed me back to health from my ordeal. Once I recovered, the monks took me to a moongate and I returned home. I didn't leave the house for weeks. It was a truly terrifying experience. But soon, my lust for drink and women led me back to my old self.

Rex grabbed the nearest barmaid, tossed her onto his lap, and gulped down another pint of ale. The tavern erupted into laughter and then into a rousing drinking song. Rex gave a sly wink in Daz's direction.

The zookeeper was not laughing. He quickly excused himself and hurried out of the bar. The sound of the tavern diminished as Daz hurried home.

End of Chapter Two
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[Daz]

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Chapter Three: The Quill Finds New Ink

The next morning the zookeeper awoke with renewed enthusiasm concerning the prospect of a new wolf species. He would be the first one to document these creatures bringing glory to the Moonglow Zoo. That is, if they even exist at all. Daz gathered his field gear and headed for the moongate. He decided to start at the end of his brother's tale by seeking out the monks that had been so kind to Rex. Once he found the monks of Tokuno, they told him of how they came to find poor Rex passed out on the shore and of how they helped him get home. When asked about the strange wolf like creatures the monks looked frightened and told him not to go looking for them for they meant almost certain death. Undaunted, the zookeeper thanked the monks for their hospitality and headed out towards the unholy place where the monsters were said to live.

The following evening just around nightfall, the zookeeper heard what could only be described as a shrieking howl that came from deep within the forest. Daz froze as he listened. He only heard the one howl, so he didn't feel that concerned. He set off on foot into the forest towards the sound he had heard. He moved like a shadow in and amongst the twisting turning trees. As the zookeeper came upon a clearing, there it stood. It was a gigantic, monstrous beast of a wolf. It did, indeed, walk upright on its back two legs. It did, indeed, have two wolf heads with four glowing red eyes and two sets of enormous fangs and wicked claws. The young elf was hidden well. He began to make sketches and take notes concerning this new discovery. He was so preoccupied in his work that he failed to sense that something had been following him and was now very close.

Before Daz knew it, he was hit with a blow had struck him to his rib cage from behind. The zookeeper turned around while holding a bloody gash. He barely dodged a bite from a mouth full of razor sharp teeth that would have surely taken his head off. The young elf reacted by plunging his magical quill into the throat of one of the monstrous heads. Black vile blood sprayed the air as the quill found the beast's artery. The left head went limp. A second thrust of the quill did likewise to the right head. The wolf like creature let out a shrieking yelp of pain and collapsed at the feet of the zookeeper. It's blood oozed onto the ground. The twigs and leaves around the blood began to smoke and then ignited in flame.

The creature in the clearing heard the yelp of its kin and turned to see Daz looming over the body of one of it's kind. It snarled and began to salivate as both heads turned towards the zookeeper. It began its advance on the helpless elf. Umm, he was like this when I found him. Daz tried to reason with the creature. It was an accident? The young elf grimaced as he doubled over in pain while clutching his rib cage. His smoldering robes were now covered with his own blood.

Run you fool! Run! Run towards the ocean! Towards safety! Towards water!

End of Chapter Three
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[Daz]

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Chapter Four: This is the End.... My Dearest Friend, The End.....?

The zookeeper ran and ran. He could barely keep his feet under him. He could hear the sound of crashing waves and he knew that he was close to water. He also heard the sounds of the wolf like monster gaining on him. As he emerged from the forest and onto the beach with only 50 yards left before him, he chanced one last glance behind. It was gone. Daz stopped running.

As he looked back towards the forest, the beast was nowhere in sight. I made it. He thought with a sigh of relief. Don't stop now! Get to the ocean! The zookeeper turned and began to hobble towards the safety of the water. Then he looked up. There it stood, in the light of a full moon standing, snarling, waiting, watching. Both its heads seemed to grin as it walked on two legs and stood between Daz and the ocean. Between the zookeeper and the water. Between life and death.

The horrendous beast was bent upon the slaughter of the young elf. The creature would kill Daz and feast well tonight. The zookeeper would not be able to reach the water. He had lost too much blood and the burning was intolerable. Pain took him and his body had no more strength left. The elf began to wobble a little and the creature knew it had won. The zookeeper's eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed. The monster released a victorious, shrieking howl that filled the lands.

End of Chapter Four
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[Daz]

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Chapter Five: Twenty-Seven Tails in One

Darkness enveloped the lost zookeeper. There was a vague recollection of tremendous pain and a then a flash of orange and white when the zookeeper finally passed out.

The darkness lasted forever it seemed. Consciousness came back to Daz slowly. He felt his bloody body being pulled down the beach.

The night turned into day and the sun shone upon the broken body of the young elf. Daz was vaguely aware that someone kept running several long wet sponges over his body. The evening came and the night passed. The zookeeper stirred to consciousness while groaning. His vision was blurry and he felt too dizzy to move. He opened his eyes slowly and chanced a look around as pain shot through his body. He was alive. Daz moaned and began to see shapes. He realized he was next to a cave near the ocean.

He could barely turn his head as he peered into the cave. The wolf had taken him to its layer. The monster was going to feed him to its pups. It wanted him alive when its offspring began to devour the elf.

As he peered into the cave he heard the sounds of the pups coming from inside. He could faintly see their eyes emerging from the cave ready for their evening meal. Daz could stand no more. He closed his eyes and made piece with himself before his body was to be ripped to shreds by the ravenous wolf cubs.

He felt the first tongue swipe over his face. Then seven more tongues began to lick at him, tasting him. He never opened his eyes and braced himself for pain that he was sure was to come. Daz felt the soft fur of the cubs as it passed over his skin. The cubs began to get restless and began jumping on the zookeeper. The sounds form the cubs seemed less vicious than those of the wolf like monsters. He opened one eye so see a flash of orange and white dangling and rubbing over his face. It was a tail.

But the wolf creatures were blue. Surely the cubs would also be blue.

Daz opened a second eye. As the world came into focus, boisterous laughter erupted form the zookeeper’s lungs. For there, sitting on top of him were seven bake kitsune cubs. They were soft and fuzzy and friendly and very happy little foxes indeed.

Then something else came to the zookeeper's mind. Had Hayden not also said something about his friend Shippo? The little girl from Umbra had spoken to Daz when he was at his lowest and most depressed point in his life. That was the time that his friend Shippo had left him. She had suggested that maybe.... just maybe, his friend Shippo had gone to look for a girlfriend.

Daz let the word flow freely from his mouth. Shippo? The laughter continued as the cubs continued to show their love for the zookeeper. The elf looked over to his right and saw Shippo smiling pleasantly back at him. It is you! The beloved bake kitsune that had left Daz's side many months ago had saved his life. He had fought off the blue wolf like monster and had pulled Daz to safety.

The zookeeper looked to the left of Shippo and saw the female bake kitsune that had bore Shippo's pups. His kitsune friend was now the proud papa of seven rambunctious baby bake kitsunes. Tears of joy streamed down the elf's face as he sat upright. His wounds had been healed. The zookeeper and the kitsune family embraced in a hug of soft, orange kitsune fur. 27 fuzzy tails flailed about in the joyous happiness.

THE END…….(I hope)
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[Daz]

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Epilogue:

The zookeeper stayed with his friend and his new family until he was well enough to travel. Daz went home and straight to bed.

The next morning he felt very well indeed. The elf made his way to the zoo and spent the early part of the day paying special attention to the animals. They received a large breakfast and then all the animals got baths.

He then settled down in his chair at the office and began to read his mail. There then came a scratching at the office door. When Daz opened the door, there stood Shippo with a parchment in his mouth. Daz smiled and said, I missed you too old friend, Its good to know that you are safe and happy. Daz knelt and petted the kitsune as he took the parchment and began to look it over. It was an announcement about a competition of some sort. Daz read, The SCAR Invitational. Hmm, If I understand you correctly, Shippo, you want to fight in this tournament. The kitsune seemed very excited as he ran around in circles then sat perfectly still. I guess that’s a yes then. All right my boy we shall enter this tournament. You, me, and Cleo. How does that sound? The kitsune erupted in excited yelps and began licking the zookeeper.

Oh my, this tournament is tonight. We had better get ready. They smiled at each other and off they went.
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