Story time! I've posted this one on FTT as well, but whatever.

RELIBRIA I: A WHOLE NEW LIFE (THE STORY OF SIMON)
Story tags: -MA/FE- -FU- -AR- -WD- -MD-

CONTENTS:
Prologue: Earth to Simon
Chapter 01: Along came a dragon
Chapter 02: That's the Spirit
Chapter 03: A new life
Chapter 04: Wake up call
Chapter 05: Secrets revealed
Chapter 06: Could it be?
Chapter 07: Echoes from the past
Chapter 08: One, two, three, four, hrair
Chapter 09: The conflict of innocence
Chapter 10: Rhythms and Rhymes
Chapter 11: It takes two to tango
Chapter 12: Be prepared
Chapter 13: Enter the Maze
Chapter 14: The final edge
Epilogue: At an end to fate

[PROLOGUE: EARTH TO SIMON]

The name is Simon; I was born fifteen years ago. My life made perfect sense: I had a mother, a father and even a brother that wasn't annoying me like most of them do. In fact, my brother and I got along very well.
I didn't have many friends, which – I guess - is just because I'm different. You see, I happen to have a fascination (you can also read 'obsession') with legendary creatures. My brother was only obsessed with dragons, but everyone has to start somewhere. However, my parents just ignored my obsession.

The situation I just described lasted until one year ago. We had visited my father's parents, the only grandparents I still have, and we were driving home. It was already dark outside, and there was fog hanging all around us.
My father didn't see the other car that came from the right and he drove on. The result was a crash that killed both of my parents. My brother died in the hospital later, as well as the driver from the other car.
Since I sat on the left seat in the back of the car, I wasn't hurt at all. That is, if you don't count a broken ankle. Anyway, I survived the accident.

The morning after the accident, the truth struck me: I wouldn't be able to live with my parents anymore. My grandparents then decided to take care of me and raise me until I would be old enough to live on my own.
I wondered when the misery would ever stop. My parents were dead, my brother was dead and I was about to move to a town that was far away from the city I used to live in. I never again saw the only few friends I had.

There I was, alone. I love my grandparents and they love me too, don't get me wrong, but it is hard to be understood by someone that is sixty years older than you are. Of course, my grandparents took good care of me and my life was getting back on track bit by bit, but I missed the understanding and friendly companionship of my brother.

The only memories I had to my parents, apart from some photos (my parents weren't really into cameras), were Silver, my wolf plushy, and a necklace with a silver symbol on it. I wore the symbol every day, for it was a symbol that stood for great courage. Not that I was fearless, but my father gave it to me for my twelfth birthday.

And now, it has been a full year since the accident happened. During the past year, I found out what I missed most: happiness. It was the thing I wished for while I blew out the candles on my birthday cake.

Now you know all this, it's easier for me to tell the rest of my story. For I had a dream last night that caused the ember in my heart called 'hope' to turn back into a flame. I was so exited about it that I decided to tell my grandparents about it.

[CHAPTER 01: ALONG CAME A DRAGON]

No, you'll never be alone
When darkness comes
I'll light the night with stars
Hear my whispers in the dark

No, you'll never be alone
When darkness comes
You know I'm never far
Hear my whispers in the dark

I woke up the next morning in my own room. It was just an average room. Nothing inside my room was to be called up-to-date; including the TV I had bought from my allowance. I didn't care it was old, since the only thing I used it for was gaming with my GameCube.
As I told you, nothing there was up-to-date, but it didn't really bother me.

Since it was Saturday, there was no need for me to hasten. I got up, dressed myself went to the bathroom to wash my face.
I then went down for breakfast, where I found both my grandparents having started eating already. None of us minded the fact that I'm not a morning person, that's why they usually don't wait for me in the morning at the weekends.

I sat down at the table, but I didn't start to eat. My dream of last night had somehow taken away my hunger for now. My grandfather broke the silence.
"What's wrong, Simon?"
I sighed.
"You look worried. Come on, kiddo, you can tell me."
I took a deep breath.
"I know, gramps, thank you. You know, I had this strange dream last night."
"What kind of dream?"
"I found myself sitting on my own bed, in my own room. However, there was someone standing at my bed that looked like he had to speak to me."
"Who was it?"
"It was a red dragon of about five or six feet tall."

My grandfather stared at me in amazement for a moment. He must have then realized that I was talking about a dream, so anything was possible. I continued.
"Anyway, the dragon and I had a conversation about me and my life. I told him about the accident and mom and dad. He said that I appeared to be unhappy with the life I have right now. Don't get me wrong, but I think he was right."
"But Simon, we do whatever we can to make you happy, don't we?"
"I know, gramps, and I'm grateful for that. But there is an empty space you two will never be able to fill, no matter how hard you try."
"Is it about your brother?" My grandmother asked.
I nodded.
"I know you love me, but he was the only one that understood me for a bit."
"What did you say to this dragon?"
"Well, I said he might be right. He then asked whether I wanted to live a new life in another world."
"Did you say yes?"
"I told him that I wanted some time to think about it. He told me that it was all right and that he would visit me again by Tuesday night. I just wanted to ask you first. I mean, if this dream was real, and I really am going to live in another world, I don't want to upset you. So therefore I want to ask you whether you think it would be okay for me to leave you."
My grandfather coughed once.
"Simon, I really don't know what to believe of this dream. Anyway, there is something I want to tell you. One of the few reasons why we take care of you is that your father was my son and I would do anything for him. Second, you are one of the three grandchildren we have left and the other two are living abroad. Third is that we wanted to make you happy despite the fact that you're the only one that survived the accident."
My grandmother added:
"Another reason is that we are somehow waiting for you to grow up, so we can live our last days in peace. Don't look at yourself as a burden to us now, honey, I only mean that you're the one we want to keep living for. If you would be gone, it wouldn't matter if either me or your grandfather would pass away."
"Does that mean you allow me to go?"
"Simon, my dear, if that is what makes you happy; it will make us happy as well. We will miss you for sure, but we want what is best for you."
"Thanks, grandma. One more thing: if I don't speak to this dragon again by Tuesday night, I will still be here by Wednesday. In that case I would like you to forget about my dream, okay?"
"In that case we'll pretend not to have heard it." My grandfather said, ending the conversation.

I spent the whole Sunday thinking about the offer the dragon had made me. By the end of the evening, I had thought of some questions to ask before I was going to make a decision.
What about Monday, you ask? Nothing special, except that I almost got detention for not paying attention to the teacher. Tuesday was the same for the majority of the day. Meanwhile, my grandparents just acted like I never told them about my dream.
After dinner, I got to my room to do some gaming, since I wouldn't be able to focus on my homework anyway.

At around half past ten, I decided to get ready for what I expected to be a dreamless night, or a night I would never forget. I undressed and put my pyjamas on, and I went to bed. The last thing I can remember doing before falling asleep was taking off my necklace and putting it around Silver's neck. I then hugged him tightly and closed my eyes.

I found myself in the same room of my dream again. It began to feel that it had to be true then. The feeling was confirmed as I looked to the right, seeing the red dragon again.
"Hello Simon. Have you made up your mind yet?" He asked.
"I haven't really decided yet. There are some things I would like to know first."
"You can ask me."
"First of all, will I be a human in my new life?"
"No, that wouldn't make you happy anymore."
"Then what will happen to me?"
"You will receive a new body in a new world."
"Does that mean I will leave earth?"
"Of course you will. There is no human being that understands you, not even your grandparents. How could you be happy if nobody understands how you feel?"
There was a short silence.
"But if I'm not going to be human, will I be an animal then?"
"Animals are beings of earth. In your new life, you will be neither an animal nor a human."
"Then what will I be?"
"If something is two opposites at the same time, it is also neither of them at the same time. Those are your words, Simon."
"So I'm going to be both human and animal. You can't imagine how much I would like to be something else than a human."
"I can, Simon. Humans are no good. All they do is hurt each other for trivial reasons. If you can answer my question correctly, you'll be brought to a world in which you can be yourself. Before I ask the real question, are you really sure you want to leave earth?"
I nodded.
"Then here is my question: what is the answer to life, the universe and everything?"

Now why did he have to give me a catch question? I then remembered the answer from a book I once read.
"According to "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", the answer is 42."
"You're a smart guy, aren't you? I didn't expect you to give me any answer at all."
"Was it the correct answer?"
"To be honest, I don't know the correct answer, but I liked yours. All right then. If you walk out of your room now, you'll be delivered to your new life. If there is anything from here you would like to take with you, go get it now."
I grabbed Silver, who was still wearing my necklace, from my bed.
"I've got one more question. What will my new body look like?"
"It's up to you to decide that. As you go trough that door, think strongly about the creature you like most."
"So if I think of a wolf, I'll become one?"
"It even goes beyond that, Simon. You could even become a dragon like me, for instance, as long as you know its biological name."

Now there was something I didn't like. You see, dragons and other legendary creatures were never mentioned in Linnaeus's "Systema Naturae", the book that contains a scheme of all organisms in the world. Good thing I had paid some attention to my biology classes lately. I then remembered that there was one exception: the monster of Loch Ness had a biological name.
The only problem I had was that I didn't know the biological name of any creature, since they were in Latin. There, too was one exception.

"Are you ready, Simon?" The dragon interfered in my thoughts.
"I suppose so. Will we meet again?"
"Perhaps we will one day. Farewell, Simon. Good luck in your new life."
"Farewell."
"By the way, you might notice that your new body is not as old as this one is."
"What do you mean?"
"I asked: what is the answer to life, the universe and everything. You answered: 42. Therefore, your new body will have the age of 42."
Stop. There's not enough money in the world to turn me into an adult. I don't want to grow up, ever.
"I'm going to be 42?"
"Well, 42 months, that is."
I sighed in relief. 42 months is exactly three and a half years. It was better to be a little kid than a wasted adult, right?
"You had me worried for a moment there."
"Goodbye, Simon." The dragon said and he smiled to me.
"Goodbye."

I opened my door and firmly held Silver to my chest. As I stepped into the darkness at the other side, I thought of only three words: Canis Lugopix Arctos. The dragon followed me and closed the door behind us to make me drift off in dizziness.

[CHAPTER 02: THAT'S THE SPIRIT]

As I woke up, I immediately noticed that my body was no longer what it used to be. Somehow, I was now sure that the dreams were no product of my imagination, but that they were real. I looked at myself, seeing myself as a wulfox morph with dim white fur on my chest and paws, while my back and probably most of my head was a dim silver-grey color.
Another thing I felt was that I had a furry tail, although I didn't know how to move it yet. Looking at my paws, I saw that I already had some tiny nails growing.
The most important thing was that I was only three or four feet long, so my body really was smaller. It made me think of the lyrics from a soundtrack of a certain movie:

It's a new world, it's a new start
It's a life with the beating of a young heart
It's a new day, in a new land
And it's waiting for me
Here I am

Too bad I couldn't remember the name of the movie, but it didn't matter.

Looking around to find Silver, I saw that I was lying on a white mat in some kind of incubator like humans use to protect children that are born too early. It was like someone had put an upside down aquarium over me. Wondering if there was any hole in the glass to get some fresh air, I noticed a red marking on top of the glass. Even though I saw it from the wrong side, meaning it was mirrored, I was able to read what it said:

WARNING: BIOHAZARD

What did they think I was? Was I some kind of monster? All right, I was a morph. So what? The dragon told me there were no human beings in this world, so I couldn't be dangerous to humans. Did they lock me up in this incubator because I was dangerous for their health? On top of that, who were 'they'?
All of a sudden, I felt I needed to take a leak. Since I couldn't get out of the incubator, I tried to hold it. However, it couldn't have lasted more than two minutes for me to change the phrase 'take a leak' in to 'spring a leak'. The pee just flew out of me and there was no way for me to stop it. To my surprise, the mat appeared too have absorbed the liquid.
I rolled over and turned my back on the yellow spot in the pad, closing my eyes.

Several minutes must have passed before I heard a door open behind me. It must have been my instinct that changed the position of my tail, since I noticed that it was tucked between my legs. To be honest, I indeed was afraid of what was going to happen. I decided to keep still and bide my time. However, I changed my mind when I heard the sweet voice of a woman.
"Hello little cub, how are you feeling?"

I rolled on my back and saw that whoever spoke wasn't a woman, but a female cheetah. Note that is wasn't a normal cheetah, but a morph. In short: she was walking on her hind legs and she wore what looked like the uniform of a nurse.
"I'm fine, thank you."
"I see you have marked your territory already." She answered jokingly.
"I… I'm sorry. I couldn't hold it."
"It doesn't matter. Cubs your age can have their accidents."
I wanted to protest, but I kept my muzzle shut.
"Tell me, little one. Do you have a name?"
"They called me 'Simon'."
"Who are 'they'?"
Ouch, that was and awkward question.
"They are my… My parents." I said, letting a tear run down my face.
"What is it, Simon? Do you miss them?"
"My parents and my brother died in a car crash one year ago."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
There was a short silence.

"Madam, can you tell me why I'm locked up in here?"
"Well, I wouldn't exactly call it 'locked up', but we had to protect ourselves from you."
"Why? I'm not going to hurt you, am I?"
"No, of course not, but you might be carrying a disease with you. Anyway, I've got the results of the tests we did with your blood and there appears to be nothing wrong with you. You're perfectly healthy."
"Then can you explain why I couldn't hold in my pee?"
"I think your mind isn't accustomed to your new body yet. Any complications you have right now are likely to wear off. However, they could be permanent, so I can't promise anything."
"What is going to happen to me?"
"You'll find out soon enough. Have sweet dreams now."

Sweet dreams, what does she mean? I indeed found out what was going to happen soon enough. I saw the cheetah twiddling something below the incubator. The last thing I can remember is that I smelt a strange gas flowing in.

[CHAPTER 03: A NEW LIFE]

Was there a reason why she had to tranquillize me? Anyway, I woke up again, lying on my right side, outside the incubator. I found myself in a small, square room that was about eight feet long and wide, lying on a white mat that was similar to the one in the incubator. The only difference was that this one was clean and spotless.
The first thing I noticed was that I was wearing a harness, one like humans use for dogs. It had a tag on it that had my name on it, probably so everyone knew who I was. It also made me a name instead of a number.
Rolling over to my other side, I found Silver lying next to me. He was a lot bigger than he used to be, but then I remembered that I had grown smaller instead of him getting bigger. I was glad to see that he still wore my necklace and took it from his neck to put it on my own.

Having both Silver and my necklace back, I felt more confident. Hugging Silver, I closed my eyes and tried to move my tail. At first it was hard, but it became easier once I knew the trick. Note to self: when rolling over, be sure not to roll over your tail. There is one reason why you shouldn't: it HURTS!

Lying on my back with Silver in my arms, I was drifting between wake and sleep. At first, I didn't even notice that I let my pee go again. On the other paw, I couldn't hold it in anyway.
I don't know how much time passed, but suddenly I unknowingly pricked up my ears. I heard at least one person walking outside the room I was in. As two morphs entered the room, I pretended to be asleep.
"Here he is. Simon is really sweet when he's asleep. As you can see, he has a little trouble holding his urine." One of them whispered.
That voice! It was the female cheetah I spoke to earlier.
"Can I wake him up?" The other morph said. Hearing her voice, I knew it was a female as well.
"Go ahead." The cheetah answered.

She called my name and I pretended to wake up. As I opened my eyes, I was looking at the face of a beautiful vixen with fur that was red like fire on her back and white like snow on her chest. She must have been in her early thirties, knowing from her voice and looks.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"My name is Tanya."
"I'm sorry to be impolite, but what are you two doing in here?"
"I'm here to decide if I want to adopt you."
"But…" I tried, but the cheetah interrupted me.
"Don't worry Simon. Tanya visits us every week to find a cub for her family, don't you, Tanya?"
"Sure I do, but I wanted to have a cub that clicks with me."
"Do I click with you?"
She smiled at me.
"The moment I first saw you, I immediately liked you. I saw you are different right away."
"But how can you do such a thing? How can you like me without even knowing me?"
"Sometimes, it's just a feeling you need to have. Nevertheless, you've got yourself a point, too. Anyway, I don't want to take you with me if you don't want to go with me."
"So you leave it up to me?"
She nodded.

"All right, I'll go with you. If you say it's about the click…" I said after a while.
"You won't regret it, Simon."
"We'll be back within a few minutes. Be nice in the meantime, okay?" The cheetah asked.
"Yes, madam."

Wondering what my new mother and the cheetah would be doing, I realized that they were both wearing clothes, while I was only wearing this harness. I sat up and held Silver in my hands. Eventually, Tanya returned, carrying a pack.

"What's inside that pack?"
"I've got some clothes for you. You shouldn't run around wearing nothing, right? Now let's first get this harness off your body."

She took off the harness and opened her pack.
The cheetah then came in, holding something behind her back. She called my mother and whispered some words to her. The cheetah gave a white reticular thing to my mother that looked like it was made of plastic.
My mother then turned back to me and sat down on her knees.

"Simon, listen to me carefully. I want to be honest with you."
"What's up then?"
"The nurse said that you could need this." She answered, unfolding the white thing.

It then hit me that the white thing was a diaper. The diaper even had a hole for my tail. I knew I had been unable to control my bladder since I got in this world, but in my opinion, diapers were a little overdone.
"Do I really need them?"
"You don't want to ruin your new clothes, do you? It's just for your own good."
I sobbed.
"Simon, I'm not trying to embarrass you, I only want to protect you."
"All right then. For how long do I need to wear them?"
"Only until you're able to keep them dry. Don't worry, my cub, nobody is going to tease you about it. Now lie down on your back for me, okay?"
I did as she asked, still holding Silver in my left hand.

First, my mother threaded my furry tail through the tail hole. She then grabbed my feet and lifted them, rolling me on my upper back so she could slide the diaper underneath me. The process was finished by taping up the diaper.
She then helped my back on my feet. I reached a paw down to feel the diaper, which was softer than I had expected. To be honest, wearing the diaper felt all nice and snug. It made me feel safe and protected from another accident. On the one paw, I had lost some of my dignity but on the other paw, it didn't bother me that I had to wear a diaper. My body was only three and a half years old after all.
My mother then gave me my new clothes: green camouflage pants and a bright red shirt. It took me longer than I had expected to put them on, since I wasn't able to move smoothly yet. After all, the anatomy of my new body was slightly different from my human form.

I grabbed Silver from the ground and held him close to me with both of my paws. My mother held out her hand and I grabbed it. She picked up her pack and we walked out hand in hand.

"Where will you take me?" I asked.
"We're going home, to your new family."
"A new family? Will I have a father as well?"
"Of course you do."
"Thanks. How can I repay you?"
"You can by being my cub."
"How do I do that?"
"Just be who you are… And call me your mother."
"I will, mommy." I said, hugging her for as far as I could hug her. I still needed to accustom to my new size.

I let go of my mother because I suddenly felt a heavy pain strike my head. My mother must have noticed it.
"What's wrong, Simon?"
"I don't… know. My head hurts."

I must have fainted by then.

[CHAPTER 04: WAKE UP CALL]

By the time I woke up again, my head still hurt, although not as heavy as it did the moment I fainted. I found myself lying in a normal bed in the corner of a room. It took me only a few moments to notice that both my necklace and Silver were nowhere to be found. Did my mother take them from me?
I noticed that I wasn't wearing my clothes anymore, but I was dressed in what appeared to be my pyjamas. Something more unfortunate was that my diaper was wet.
I took a sniff and noticed three different traces; one of them didn't appear to be fresh. Only one of them was familiar: it was my mother's scent. I sat up and tried to look around me, which was hard because the room was darkened. There was only a little light coming through the curtains.
All I could see was that the bed I sat on was the only piece of furniture in the room. Apart from the bed and me, the room was empty. After a few minutes, I heard footsteps that appeared to be walking on stairs.

The door opened for a few inches and a creature slipped in, quickly closing the door behind it. The creature was smaller than my mother was, so it would less likely be a threat. It's a good thing that canines can see in the dark better than humans can. I was able to indentify the creature as being a canine morph that represented the second of the three traces.
"Good morning Simon. Does your head still hurt?" A female voice whispered.
"A little, but I'm fine, thanks. Who are you?"
"I'm your sister."
Great, I have a sister, I thought.
"What is your name?"
"I'm called Amber, but I prefer to write an 'E' instead of an 'A' myself."
The reason behind the misspelling had to be the color of her fur. If she was mommy's 'real' daughter, I suppose Amber's fur had about the same color.
"Amber, could you go get mommy for me?"
"What's up?"
I whimpered because my head was struck by another wave of pain, causing me to fall back to my bed in a dizzy blur.
"Don't worry, Simon. I'll be right back." Amber said and she silently ran out of the room.

A while later, I smelled that my mother had entered the room.
"What's the problem, Simon?"
"I don't know, mommy. My head hurts."
"You might have a minor concussion, my dear. I think you'll feel a lot better tomorrow."
"Mommy?"
"Yes, sweetheart, what is it?"
"My… I could use a new diaper."
"I'll go get one for you." She said.

She returned after a few minutes holding a clean diaper and a baby bottle. My mother walked over to my bed and put the diaper down at the foot. She then turned to me.
"Simon, I've got something to drink for you."
"What is it?"
"There's a painkiller inside, but you won't taste that."
"Why did you put it in a baby bottle?"
"It's easier for you to drink it without spilling this way."

Still being dizzy, I knew she was right. She helped me sit up against the wall and sat down next to me, holding me so I wouldn't fall down again. By the time I had finished the bottle she put me down again and took the diaper from my bed. I must have dozed off again by then.

When I woke up again, I needed to take a leak very badly. I sat up in order to get out of bed. Unfortunately, I sat up too fast, causing my vision to blur and my body to fall on my back again. The moment I landed, I wet my diaper.
After waiting a while to calm down, I slowly tried to sit up again. I sat up against the wall and thought about what to do now.
There was more light in my room than before. I soon saw that the door was ajar, letting light in from the hall. Pricking up my ears, I heard someone walking on the stairs from below. Judging the amount of noise and the scent, I knew it was Amber. I called her name and she came in, closing the door behind her.

"Hi Simon. Did you sleep well?"
"Better than I expected. What day is it?"
"It's still Friday. You only slept for a few hours. How's your head?"
"Well, at least it's still attached to my torso, as you can see."
Amber giggled.
"Do you need a change?"
My tail found its way between my legs again.
"To be honest… Yes, I do."
"I'll go get mom for you."
"Amber, wait. Why are you so happy?"
"Do you have any hard questions? I'm happy because I'm not the only child of the family anymore. And I'm happy because it's Friday."
"What's so special about today?"
"Daddy has a job that takes four full days of the week. He leaves for work on Tuesdays early in the morning and returns at Fridays just before dinner."
Bottom line: I was going to meet my new father tonight. That is, if I wouldn't doze off again.
"What does he do for living, then?"
"I don't exactly know and neither does mom. At least, they never talk about it to me. To be honest, I don't really care either, as long as he gets paid and as long as he can come home every week."
"Now I've got a question for you. What is your species?"
Was it right to tell her that I used to be a human? I think she wouldn't believe me. If someone on earth would say he was from another world that was inhabited by morphs, scarcely anyone would believe him.
"My species is Canis Lugopix Arctos."
"I've never heard of that before. What does it stand for?"
"I'm a legendary arctic wulfox, a hybrid born from an arctic wolf and an arctic fox."
Now did I surprise her?

Amber went out to get my mother. While mom was changing my diaper, I asked what dad did for living. She answered that I should ask him for myself.
Although I tried not to, I eventually dozed off again. What was wrong with me? When I woke up, my room was filled with daylight, although the door was closed. I then saw a red dragon sitting at on the foot of my bed. The dragon looked very familiar, although he looked a lot bigger. I slowly sat up against the wall.
"Aren't you… No, that's impossible."
"You used to believe it was impossible to turn into a morph, too."
"So you are the dragon from my dream?"
"Indeed I am."
"What are you doing here, if I may be so kind to ask?"
He laughed.
"My name is Nido. Twelve years ago, I married a vixen named Tanya. Two years later, she gave birth to a daughter. We called her Amber, because of the color of her fur."
(Note: the name Nido is supposed to be pronounced like 'nee-do', as in 'neo')
"That means you are… my new father, right?"
He nodded.
"I've got something for you, Simon." He said, handing Silver over to me.
"Silver! Where did you find him, daddy?"
"You dropped it when you passed out for the first time. Tanya took it with her. She also took your necklace from your neck, since you could hurt yourself in your sleep. If you want it back, ask her about it."
"Thanks, daddy." I said, hugging Silver.

He stood up from my bed and turned to me again.
"You'd better leave Silver here, Simon." He said and he lifted me from the floor.

I dropped Silver on my bed and let daddy carry me to the stairs. After we arrived downstairs, he put me on the ground and opened the door in front of us. The door appeared to lead to the living room, where mommy and Amber were waiting for me.

[CHAPTER 05: SECRETS REVEALED]

The living room was like any average human living room, apart from the fact that everything was looking slightly different and that it was larger than I had expected.
"Hello Simon. We would like to talk to you about some important things." My mother said.

My dad and I sat down on one couch while my mom and Amber sat down on another one.
"Do you want to tell us where you come from, dear?"
"That depends."
"On what does it depend?" Amber asked.
I looked at my father.
"Can I tell them, daddy?"
"I think it's better you do, else we would have to lie to each other and that's not right, is it?"
"I suppose you're right. Here we go then. I was born fifteen and a half years ago on planet earth. I had an average life as a human. I even had a little brother that was four years younger than me. However, about a year ago, both of my parents and my brother died in an accident."
"Wait a second, you are a human?" Amber said. I was afraid she was about to get angry with me.
"Calm down, Amber. Let Simon speak." Dad interrupted.
"No, I'm not a human. I used to be a human until several days ago. After the accident, I lived with my grandparents. They really liked me, but in fact they were just waiting for me to be old enough to leave the house so they could pass away in peace."
I coughed twice.
"Anyway, several days ago I had one of the strangest dreams ever. I was sitting on my own bed in my own room. As I looked around, I saw a red dragon stand beside my bed. I've always believed in dragons, but I never actually saw one."
"Nido, were you the dragon he speaks of?"
"I am, Tanya. Just, let him finish the story before asking any questions, all right?"
"Thanks, daddy. As I said, there was a dragon next to me. He told me that he knew I wasn't happy with my life on earth and that he could change that: he could send me to another world in which I could be happy. I asked for some time to think about it, because I wanted my grandparents to agree with whichever decision I made."
I saw Amber listening closely. Did she really believe me or did she just pretend?
"Three days later, I had the same dream again. By that time, I had my mind made up: I wanted to leave earth. As I woke up, I was lying in some kind of incubator. Later a female cheetah came to me and talked to me. The conversation, however, didn't last that long since I fell asleep somehow. As I woke up in another room, mommy was there to get my out of there."
"Simon, if you used to be over fifteen years old as a human, why are you so small now?"
"In my second dream, daddy asked me a question. Due to the answer, I got the body of a cub with the age of three and a half years."
"Do you like your new body?" Daddy asked.
I nodded.
"It's better than being a human."

"Daddy, what were you doing inside Simon's dream?"
"I get paid for being there." He said. No one seemed to believe him.
"Let me explain." He started. "Twenty-three years ago, I was delivered to this world in almost the same way Simon was. I used to be a human, too. When I got here, my body was ten years old, making it thirty-three now. When I matured, I set up a company to transfer human children to this world."
"Does it take you four days every week to do that?"
"No, it takes that long to find the right children. I only allow people like Simon and myself to come here. You see, I had a perfect life on earth as well, but due to certain circumstances I don't want to talk about, I had a dream similar to the one Simon had. I was so happy to be given a new life that I wanted to share that happiness. Someone allowed me to live here and now I help other humans to travel to this world, too."
I was about to say something, but Amber interrupted.
"How could you do such a thing? First, my new brother is a human, now even my father is a human. What do you think will happen if anyone finds out I'm born from a human being? You always told me humans are bad creatures."
"Now calm down, Amber. First of all, not all humans are bad, only some of them think they have the right to mess up other people's lives. I wanted to be a helping hand for those people. Second is that neither me nor Simon is a human. We once were, but if we would have liked it, we surely would have staid on earth."
"Daddy, are there also people from this world that want to go to earth?"
"I've never heard of such a history. The reason is clear and the truth is plain to see. Why would a morph change into a human when things can only get worse?"
"Didn't you ever miss your old life, Nido?"
"To be honest, the day I set up my company, I made an appointment with myself. As soon as the company was running smoothly and I had found someone to succeed me, I would start on trying to get back to earth."
"Why would you? Your old life was miserable, right?"
"It was, but something inside me was still empty. In addition, since some humans are empty, I thought it was natural still being partly human. However, Simon has a theory that overrules this: If something is two opposites at the same time, it is also neither of them at the same time. It's a great theory that confirms itself."
He kept silent for a moment, thinking how to continue the story.
"It sounds like there is a 'but' in your story." Amber said.
"There is, my girl. About two years after I started the company, I met a beautiful vixen that filled the empty space inside me. One year later, we married each other. Ever since we were married, we tried to have a child of our own."
"But dad, you're a dragon and mom is a fox. Is that even possible?"
"Well, there you have our problem. Dragons are able to have descendants with another dragon, a wolf or a fox. However, the female is the one that is the decisive factor in the species of the descendant. That's why you are a fox as well, Amber."
"Then what was the problem?" Amber asked.
"We didn't know either, so we visited the doctor. He said that it would be a miracle if I could ever make your mother pregnant. Since it was some kind of miracle that I ended up in this world, I thought having a cub of our own would be possible, too. After two years of marriage, your mother gave birth to you, Amber. We were as happy as we could ever be."
"Mommy, why did you adopt Simon, then?"
"After I had given birth, I could no longer become pregnant for an unknown reason. I decided to look for a cub in the local orphanage, but for months, there was none to be found that I liked. Several weeks ago, someone told me about this company in the next town over that had cubs available for adoption. I went looking there every week, until I found a cub that warmed my heart. Somehow I knew you were different, Simon. Now I know why."
"Didn't you know that this certain company belonged to dad?"
"He never told me what his actual job was. Anyway, everyone knows what's going on now. Amber, Simon, I want you to keep your muzzle shut about this conversation. Can I trust you?"
We both nodded.

[CHAPTER 06: COULD IT BE?]

Later that night, my dad came to my room before I went to sleep.
"Simon," He started, "There are a few other things I'd like to tell you before you go to sleep. First of all, since you were fifteen in your old life, you're allowed to skip school until you are twelve."
"Are you serious?"
"Well, you'll have to complete several lessons I give you every now and then, but apart from that there is no reason to make you go to school since you already know everything someone else of your age about to learn."
"Thanks dad. What's the other thing?"
"The other thing is that one of my colleagues asked me to look after her daughter tomorrow. I hope you won't mind a tiger running around the house here, would you?"
"That depends on her age."
"I think age is not a representative factor here. You see, Samantha used to be a human as well. She was about your age when she was transfurrized."
"When did she leave earth?"
"Several months ago, why do you ask?"
About half a year ago, a girl called Samantha disappeared from my school. She was in the same year as I was, but we weren't in the same class. We all thought she had died, but she might just as well be the cheetah that dad was talking about.
"Nothing in particular. I was just curious."
Of course I was curious. I secretly had a crush on her ever since she first came to our school.
"Have sweet dreams, Simon." He said, walking to the door.
"One more question, dad. How old is Samantha now?"
"She will be celebrating her fourth birthday next month. Now be a good morph and take some rest." Dad said after he turned back to me.
"Good night, dad."

He waved his paw at me and left my room, leaving me to think about the day to come.

The next morning, I woke up with joy for I wasn't facing another headache. I got up from my bed, - this time my head didn't ache anymore – and saw that there was a chair next to my bed. Someone must have put it there for it wasn't there the day before. I also noticed that my clothes were put on the seat of the chair and my necklace hung at the back.
Something less fortunate was that I had wet my diaper again, but a lot heavier than last time. It felt safe knowing that I wasn't wearing it for nothing, but on the other paw I appeared to need it. What would Samantha think of me still having to wear diapers? Most of the humans my age would have been able to do without those, right?
I had taken off my pyjamas and just wanted to change into my clothes as my mother came in.

"Good morning Simon. Where were doing?"
What stupid question is that?
"I was about to change into my clothes, why?"
"How about I change your diaper first?" She asked kindly, signing me to lie down on my bed.
"Where are you going?" I asked when she was walking to the door.
"I'm going to get some things to change you."

I plopped back on my bed, grabbed Silver, and hugged him. Lying on my back, I waited for my mother to return. When she came back, she had more with her than I thought was necessary.
She put the things she had with her on the floor, next to my bed. My mom then turned to me and undid the tapes of my diaper. She wiped my front diapered area with a wipe and rolled me on my upper back to take away the wet diaper.
I expected her to take a clean diaper from the floor now, but where should have been a diaper was a bottle with oil now. She started rubbing the oil in my fur at my private area.
"Mom, why are you using that oil?"
"It's to protect you from getting a rash. If you continue to wet as much as you did last night, you'll certainly get in trouble with your skin down there and trust me: you don't want a rash, especially not down there and ultimately not when you're diapered." She said, taking another bottle that appeared to contain a white powder. I recognized the smell: it was talc, also known as 'baby powder'.

I just let my mom do whatever she needed to do. She lifted me again to slide a clean diaper under me. I was then put back down and she taped up the diaper.
"All done, dear, you can sit up now."
"Thanks, mom."

I put Silver on my pillow and stood up from my bed. While I was putting on my shirt mom told me she would be waiting downstairs for my breakfast. Last, I put my necklace back where it belonged and walked out of my room to the stairs.

When I got down in the living room, mom called me from the kitchen, which was located adjacent to the living room (there was no door to separate the two quarters spaces).
In the large kitchen was a rectangular table with six chairs around it. I was happy to see that I wouldn't have to sit in a highchair, since that would really drain all my dignity. Instead, I took a seat at the far side of the table, near the actual kitchen.
"Are you hungry, Simon?"
"You bet I am. I haven't eaten anything in two days."
"Don't worry; this will fill your stomach." She said, showing me a baby bottle that contained a cream white liquid.
"What's inside that bottle, mom?"
"It's a special formula your father designed for humans that have been transfurrized."
"Why did you put it in a baby bottle? I'm already three and a half years old, in your terms."
She smiled at me. Luckily, she didn't take it as an offense.
"I know, dear, but you've still got some problems with your anatomy. Now be a good cub and drink all of it, okay?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Simon, you're not doing this merely for yourself. The formula is designed to combat whatever causes that headache of yours."
Whatever, I thought.

To my surprise, the formula tasted very good. I couldn't even tell it was formula, to be honest. The taste was so good that I had finished my bottle in almost now time. Mom was right: the formula had filled up my stomach.
The doorbell rang, making me remember that we would have a visitor today.

[CHAPTER 07: ECHOES FROM THE PAST]

From the kitchen, I could hear my dad talking to someone. He said goodbye and I heard what had to be the front door slam shut. Biding my time in the kitchen, I listened to the conversation between my father and a young girl that had to be Samantha.
"There is something I hadn't told your mother before, Sam. It was a surprise to me and I think it will be one to you as well."
"What is it?"
"Go to kitchen and see for yourself." My dad chimed.

A few moments later, I saw a tiger morph entering the kitchen. She was about as tall as me and although she had been transfurrized, I was sure she had to be who I thought she was.
"Hello Sam," My mother said, "I would like you to meet someone. This is our new son; his name is Simon."
Apparently, Samantha – or 'Sam' as she was called for short – was afraid of something. She just held staid where she stood. After a short while, she spoke up.
"Hi Simon…" She said shyly.
"Hi Sam, what's up?"
"Nothing, it's just…" She mumbled.
I looked at her as if to say "continue".
"It's just that there is something about you. Did we meet before?"
"That would be impossible, Sam. Simon got here only two days ago."
"Actually, we could have met before, mom. You see, there used to be a girl on my school that was in the same year as I was. However, a few months ago she disappeared."
Sam looked at me as if she knew what I was talking about.
"Are you saying that…?" My mom started, but she didn't finish the sentence.
"Yes, mom. The girl was called Samantha. It was you, wasn't it, Sam?"
She nodded shyly.
"Why did you come to this world, Sam? I thought you had a good life on earth…"
Sam took a seat at the table as well.
"It only appeared to be on the surface. There were some circumstances at home I'd rather not talk about. Then one day, a dragon called Nido appeared in my dreams. He asked my whether I wanted to see another world. I think you've experienced the rest of the story for yourself as well. How did you end up here?"
"My story is about the same as yours. How come we never met, although we were in the same year?"
"It felt like everyone I met was trying to hurt me, so I limited my contact with other kids as much as possible. Why did you recognize me, Simon? I'm a morph and my face looks so different."
"Well, my mom said it to me when she adopted me: sometimes, all you need is a feeling, right mom?"
"Yes dear. For some reason I can't explain, I felt like you were different from all the other kittens, pups and cubs I had seen before. There is something special about you, Simon."
"How do you mean special?" Sam asked. "In a good way or in a bad way?"
"I don't know, Sam. Maybe it's just my imagination."

There was a short silence in our conversation.
"Mom, where is dad?"
"He is upstairs, remodeling your room." She answered with a smile.
Please, tell me they're not turning it into a baby nursery, I thought
"Why not? Don't you like babies?" Sam asked.
Blast, I must have said that aloud.
"That's not the point; I don't like being a baby myself."
"Don't worry dear. Your father will try to make your new room look like the one you used to have, with the only exception that you new room will have a changing table."
Hearing the combination of the words 'changing' and 'table', I wanted to make my head drop down on the table.
"Mom, why did you need to say those last two words?"
"Don't be embarrassed, Simon. You and Sam have more alike than you think." She said and Sam looked down.
No, she's got to be kidding.
"Sam, I know this is an awkward question, but are you wearing diapers?"
She nodded, still looking down.
"It's okay, Sam. Simon needs them as well. Nido told me that many morphs like you have accidents."
"Do you want to tell me something, Sam?"
"Maybe later…"
"Now you two be good and play nice, okay?" My mother said.

There was a silence for a while.
"Shall we go out to play?" Sam then asked.
"All right. Since we look like little children, why not behave like them?" I chuckled.
"I was being serious, Simon."
"So was I. Do you have any preferences?"
"Let's keep it old-school. Hide and seek?"
I smiled.
"I'd love to, but isn't that a little boring with just the two of us?"
"Let's ask for Amber to come with us then, shall we?"
"Aren't you afraid she'll outrun us?"
"Simon, I'm a tiger. Do you think Amber can outrun a tiger?"
"Cheater." I said, shaking my head.

We went upstairs to Amber's room to ask if she would like to play with us. To my surprise, she agreed. I never expected her to join us in a game of hide and seek, but on the other paw, it didn't really bother me. Amber followed us downstairs and we walked to the door.
"Where are my little cubs going?" My mother asked while we put out shoes on.
Why did she sneak up on me again? Must have been the instinct of a fox…
"We're going to play outside, mom." Amber answered.
"Just kidding. You two," She said, pointing at me and Sam, "come back here at once when you need a change, okay?"
We nodded.
"Take good care of them, Amber. Now have fun." My mother said and she let us out.

[CHAPTER 08: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, HRAIR]

As we walked out of the house, I realized this was the first time I saw my new world. It pretty much looked like Earth, although this world didn't smell like the pile of rubbish earth was when I left.
Amber said there was a small forest nearby, so we followed her. After a while, we came across a rabbit morph that had a brownish-grey fur. He appeared to know Amber.
"Hey Amber, where are you going?" He asked, walking along.
"Hi Regio. I'm going to play with my new brother and a friend of his."
"This cub is you brother? How come his fur isn't red?"
"My parents adopted him."
"I always thought you didn't want to have a brother."
"I'm not really her brother, you know. Her parents take care of me, but I'm no relative to her in any way apart from me being adopted."
"That doesn't matter, does it? How old are you two?" He then asked.
"I'm three and a half," I said, pointing at myself, "and she is almost four." I said, pointing at Sam.
"We're going to play hide and seek. Do you want to join us?" Sam asked.
Regio looked down and drew circles with his foot.
"What's up, Regio?"
"Well, I'm a rabbit."
"What's wrong with being a rabbit?"
"It's not 'wrong', but only a problem. I can't really count that well, you see."
"How well is 'not that well'?" I asked.
"Amber knows my age better than I do."
"How old are you, then?"
"Hrair." He answered. (Note: pronounce as h-rare)
"What is 'hrair'?"
"Rabbits can only count to four. Any number above four they call 'hrair'. By the way, Regio is nine years old."
"So what if you can only count to four. What's the problem with playing hide and seek then?" I asked.
"If I'd start counting, it would be 'one, two, three, four, hrair' and then I would stop, because I can't count any further. Having only four seconds to hide is too little, isn't it?"
"Wait, rabbits are fast, aren't they? If you can't count, run and hide instead."
"If you look at it that way…"
"Alright, cubs. You've chatted enough. I'm going to turn around and count to twenty while facing this tree. After those twenty seconds, I'll come after you." Amber said and she started counting.

We scattered while Amber was counting. Since I had never been in this forest before, I really had to watch where I went so I could find my way back to 'the' tree.
Playing hide and seek was actually more fun than I could remember. Even Regio had fun although he couldn't count to numbers above four. Furthermore, it was a nice opportunity for me to practice walking, sneaking and running while wearing a diaper.
Most people think you have to waddle when you wear a diaper, but in my case that wasn't true. Of course, I could feel a certain bulge between my legs, but the diaper was designed to fit with my anatomy. In short: the diaper didn't really hinder me.
Another thing I rediscovered was that hide and seek is a game that can make time fly by. After several turns, Sam volunteered to seek instead of hide. She turned to the tree and started counting with her eyes closed.

After a while, I had found myself the perfect place to hide. I could even see the tree in the distance from where I hid. Then suddenly, I felt my abdomen rumbling. Blaming it on the excitement of the game and the thrill of not getting caught, I paid no further attention to it.
Unfortunately, the feelings returned after a minute or so. Was I just hungry or was there another cause to blame? It didn't take me long to find out what the rumbling was announcing. The feeling got stronger and stronger and eventually, something from inside me found its way out.
This all happened within a few seconds, leaving me to realized that I had just messed my diaper and that I was in no way powered to hold that in as well. Besides the fact that walking around with a messed diaper is unhygienic and the feel is dirty, it drained a lot of my leftover dignity. To make things even worse, my bladder emptied itself as well.
Another unfortunate consequence of me messing my diaper was that Sam could find me by following the indistinguishable scent I left behind. Amber noticed it as well and they both found me. She remembered me of the fact that mom told us I had to return as soon as I needed a change. To make me feel better about my 'second grade accident', Sam confessed that she had a wet diaper herself, so going back wouldn't be just to blame on me.

By the time we had decided to go back, Regio found us as well and Amber explained the situation to him within one sentence. He agreed to go with us to our place and so the four of us walked back.

As we arrived home, Amber made the doorbell rang. It took only a few seconds for my mother to reach the door and she let us in. To cut the excuses and the awkward questions, Amber revealed the inevitable and told my mother that Sam and I were in need of a fresh diaper.
Amber and Regio went to the living room while my mother took us upstairs. We went to the bathroom, for the changing table was situated there temporarily. Good thing it was only temporary, since the table took up a lot of space.
Sam said that it would be best to have me changed first, considering the state of my diaper. My mother picked me up – nearly effortless as it appeared – and put me down on the changing table. I was happy to see that Sam had turned her back towards me, giving me a little privacy.

Within a small amount of time, my mother had cleaned me up and she slid a new diaper underneath me. After sprinkling some baby powder, she taped up my diaper and helped me to sit up. With a smooth, agile move, I let myself drop from the changing table. My mother then took hold of Sam and put her on the changing table.
Being a morph that respects another creature's privacy, I turned my back to Sam while my mother was changing her. It wouldn't have been nice to keep watching, there wasn't anything interesting to see anyway.

After Sam had dressed herself up again, my mother washed her hands and we went downstairs, to the living room. My mother summoned the two of us to the kitchen, along with Regio. Amber received the task of calling my father from my room.
A while later, the six of us sat down at the table to have lunch. I noticed that I was the only one that didn't have a plate.
"Mom, why don't I have a plate?"
"I've got your lunch in here, my cub." She said, showing a baby bottle to me.

I took the bottle from her and saw it almost certainly contained the same formula as it did earlier today. Knowing it would taste good; I put the nibble in my mouth and started drinking slowly but steadily.

[CHAPTER 09: THE CONFLICT OF INNOCENCE]

When lunch was done, we went out to play again. After about two hours, we kind of had enough of running around in the forest, if you know what I mean. At the edge of the forest, we parted ways with Regio and went home.
For some reason, I was tired. In this case I don't mean tired of running, but tired as in 'in need of sleep'. It's strange to catch yourself on such a thing after a game of hide and seek. My mother must have noticed my weariness told me I'd better to go upstairs, to my room.
When I opened the door to my room, I was in doubt for moment about whether this really was my room. All I could recognize from the last time I was there was my bed. I now had a closet, a changing table, some toys and even a desk.
"Do you like it, kiddo?" My father said, startling me.
All I could do was nod.
"It took me quite some time to get everything upstairs and I'm still not done here, but so far so good, right?"
"You're not done yet? What do you mean?"
"I meant to say that the walls are a little bare as they are right now. I'm going to paint them tomorrow, with some help from Amber."
"I… I don't know what to say, dad, but let's start by saying I like it."
I yawned.
"Are you tired, kiddo?"
"Yeah, somehow I am. Why is that?"
"Your new body is smaller than your old one was, so everything consumes more energy to accomplish. I know this question might be awkward, but do you fancy a little nap, Simon?"
"I suppose so, but first, um…" I said, looking down with my tail between my legs.
"Let me guess, you need a change, right?"
I nodded, still looking down.

He scooped me up - like humans pick up a baby - and he carried me to the changing table. Lying there, on the table made me kind of drowsy. I obviously fell asleep before my clean diaper was taped up.

I woke up in my own bed, lying on my back, wearing my pyjamas and having Silver lying next to me. Wondering what time it would be, I heard my stomach rumble. I got up and changed into my regular clothes. At the top of the stairs, I took a sniff and noticed that Sam was already gone. For how long did I sleep?
I plopped down on my bed again and thought about the past two days. Today I had messed my diaper without being able to stop it. Was it my fault, or was it to blame on my new body? The truth was plain to see: if wearing diapers because I needed them was the price I had to pay for living in this world, then so be it, I suppose.
After all, in this world I was a morph – something I've wanted to be for quite some time, but rejecting the wish every time because I thought it was impossible – and I had two loving parents and a sister. On top of that, I had real fun today, by doing a simple thing like playing hide and seek. Bottom line: if my new parents wanted to treat me like they should if I were to be a real three-year-old, they could do as they pleased. That was, as long as everyone was happy with it.

Still being hungry, I wondered what time it was. My mother had to be downstairs somewhere, so I went down to look for her. I found her in the living room, talking to my father.
"Welcome back to the world of the living people, Simon. Did sleep well?"
"Like a puppy." I said with a grin, noticing that only my father understood the joke. Obviously he did because it's a human joke, but alas.
"What time is it?" I then asked.
"It's a little past seven, dear. You slept quite long, actually. Are you hungry?"
"You bet I am."
"I'll get you another bottle of formula then." She said with a smile.

When I had almost finished my bottle, Amber came in and asked whether I wanted to watch a movie together with her. I agreed and she opened a drawer below the TV, which contained a huge amount of movies and shows.
It surprised me that the new world and Earth were alike in so many different things. They even had several shows and movies I knew from my old life. On the other paw, those could have been brought here by ex-humans like me.
My eyes came across the Watership Down series, a series I really liked but I had only seen a few episodes. Having the image of Regio in my mind, I decided on Watership Down.

After having watched first three episodes, the phone rang and Amber went to answer the call. I then heard someone unfamiliar talking to my father in the kitchen. Their conversation was interesting enough for me to put one of my ears to the door.
"Nido, for how long have you been searching now?" The other furson said, sounding a little irritated.
"It has been almost six years now."
"Six years, right? And how many times did you think you had found him?"
"Only twice before, but this time I'm sure. Even Tanya feels he is different."
"Did you tell her about your suspicions?"
"No, I haven't. She only knows about my job since yesterday. But as I said, this time things are different. I sincerely think this one is the Guardian."
"Nido, stop acting like a fool. We both know that the Rhythm Rhymes don't speak about a child being the Guardian."
What in the name of the universe where they talking about? It sounded like they were referring to me, though.
"They don't? Then explain this to me: His fur is like silver but does not glow and within His body He will not grow."
"All right, you've got your point there. It just doesn't make sense to me that the third Guardian is a child. Didn't I ever tell you that if three Guardians succeed in a row, Xargon will be safe forever?"
"You did, Lyonn. I agree that it's a little implausible that the third Guardian is a child, but the Rhythm Rhymes don't lie."
(Author's note: the name Lyonn has to be pronounced like something between 'Leon' and 'Lion'.)

Now I was sure: they were referring to me. I hate it when people talk about me while I'm not present. The time had come to surprise them. I opened the door to the kitchen.
"Could you tell me what all of this is about?" I asked.
"Nido, who is this cub?" The other furson asked.

I then saw what he was: he was a close biological relative to me. In other words, he was a wulfox morph as well, but he was a hybrid born from a timber wolf and a red fox. His chest fur was white like mine, but the fur on his back was a blend of grey and red.
"Simon, don't you know it is impolite to interrupt in a conversation?" My father said, slightly irritated.
I looked down nodded.
"On top of that, you were listening to us, weren't you?"
I nodded again.
"But you were talking about me, weren't you? Isn't it impolite to talk about someone when that furson isn't there as well?"
"Simon, I didn't ask for any bold replies. Now go to your room, it's already past bedtime for you."

Now did I upset him or did I make him angry? On one paw, I was disappointed about not having heard anything, but on the other paw, I had disappointed my father as well. It was just a strange conversation, wasn't it?
I tried to forget about what happened while I went upstairs, to my room.

[CHAPTER 10: RHYTHM AND RHYME]

"No, not the edge, it's not my time yet." I said.
There was no reply; apart from a disrupted voice that muttered something to me I couldn't understand. It then happened: something - or someone, I don't know – threw me towards the edge. At the very moment I was on the end of edge, balancing between standing and falling down, the thing behind me appeared to push me over in slow-motion.
Why was I falling down this ravine? What was happening to me? Eventually, I landed face down on the bottom of the ravine, which seemed to be soft instead of hard like stone. At the moment of impact, I felt something warm and damp near my midsection.
I almost suffocated because I landed face down, apparently being too weak to get up. As my awareness increased, I realized that I had just woken up from a nightmare and that the damp feeling was actually my wet diaper.

For some reason I can't explain, I burst out in tears while I turned on my back. I then heard the door open.
"Simon, are you okay?" My father asked, coming in and closing the door behind him.
"No, I don't think so." I sobbed.
"Did you have a nightmare?"
"I hope so. If it would be real, I would be dead by now."
"That sounds tough. Do you want to talk about it?" He said, plopping down next to me.

There was a silence that lasted for an unknown amount of time. My father petted my back to comfort me and after a while, I calmed down.
"All I can remember is falling down a deep ravine. The moment I hit the bottom, I woke up."
"It's okay, Simon. Nothing bad will happen to you in here."
We were silent for a while again.

"Dad, I have, um, you know."
"… Wet your diaper?"
"Yeah. Would you mind changing me?"
"Of course not, but I'll have to turn the lights on then. You'd better close your eyes; else the light will blind you."
"Can't you make light with your fire breath then?"
"I shouldn't risk blazing down the place, should I?" He chuckled.

My father got up from the bed and hit the lights. While he was changing me, we continued our conversation.
"Dad, what was the old furson doing in the kitchen earlier tonight?"
"You mean Lyonn?"
I nodded.
"Lyonn is a friend of mine. We were talking about something really important."
"It sounded like it was important in the adult meaning of 'important', but on the other paw, it was about me, wasn't it?"
"Yes Simon, in my opinion it was."
"What do you mean, 'in your opinion'? I don't get it."
My father had finished changing my diaper. He threw it in my diaper pail and went to switch the lights off.
"Before we continue," He said, putting me back on my bed, "I've got something for you."

He opened his hand and showed me a pacifier that was emitting light from its glow-in-the-dark front. The light was faintly illuminating an area of about two feet around it.
"It's a present from your mother. You'll find it back easier in the middle of the night when it's shining, don't you think?"
"Thanks, I guess." I answered, accepting the pacifier from my father.
"First of all, I want to apologize, kiddo. I got mad at you tonight while we were talking about you. It wasn't nice."
"It's okay dad. I'm more interested in what it was all about."
"All right then, I'll keep this straight. I think you're the third Guardian."
"What's a Guardian?"
"Our world has been in great danger twice before. Both times were long ago, even before I came here. Some old rhymes tell about fursons called Guardians, whose task it is to defend Xargon from its downfall."
"What exactly is 'Xargon'?"
He laughed.
"You're on Xargon. It's the world you live in."
Now that was obvious. I could have seen that coming.
"Why do you think I'm the next Guardian? I'm only a cub after all."
"No, Simon. You're a cub on the surface. Maybe somewhere in your heart, you're a cub as well, but you're a fifteen-year-old human for the majority, right?"
I nodded.
"What's with those rhymes? What do they say?"
My father smiled.
"I'll recite them for you. Listen clearly, these are the Rhythm Rhymes:"

This is said about the third Guardian:
For saving this world, He will be the One.

His fur is like silver but does not glow
And within His body He will not grow.

But because He came from a world called Earth,
He will discover His life and what it's worth.

Being the Guardian will make Him grieve,
The way He came is the way He will leave.

Now this is a warning for the strong and the brave:
The One that will save us is the One we can't save.

"The one that will save us is the one we can't save? Isn't that rather melodramatic?"
"Maybe it is, but the Rhymes aren't completely specific. Some of them can be interpreted in several different ways. They're a kind of riddle as well as something equal to prophecies."
"Why do you think I'm the new Guardian?"
"Because your fur is like silver, but it does not glow."
"Okay, if you say so. What is the task of the Guardian?"
"The Guardian will attempt to stop the Other One in fulfilling his plan to ruin Xargon."
"Who is this 'Other One'?"
"We don't know, none of us does. All we know it that he is gathering fursons one by one to do something bad."
"Something bad? Like taking over Xargon?"
"No, that would be too clichéd. However, he is a villain. He might attempt to fight for world domination. But it the Guardian is there to stop him, the Other One can do no harm to Xargon."
"I hope a wulfox morph cub is all that it takes to stop the Other One."
"Maybe one wulfox is enough, but maybe you'll need some assistance."
"How can you know for sure that I'm the new Guardian?"
"Your mother said it before: sometimes, it's just a feeling you need to have. And in this case, both your mother and I feel it."
"All right then. Let's just hope you're right." I said and I laid down on my back, putting the pacifier in my mouth.
"Good night, Simon." My father answered and he covered my body with the blanket.
"Fweep well, daddy." I said from behind my pacifier.

I grabbed Silver and hugged him tight. It took only seconds for me to drift off in my sleep again.

[CHAPTER 11: IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO]

I woke up with joy the next day. If I really was the Guardian, I was finally important to other people apart from my friends and family. To be honest, I really was a nobody in my old life. There was only one thing bothering me about those Rhythm Rhymes:
Now this is a warning for the strong and the brave:
The One that will save us is the One we can't save.

Especially the second sentence kept bouncing through my mind. What could it mean? Eventually, I dropped the subject and sat up against the wall. I caught myself on actually liking the presence of the pacifier in my mouth. It wasn't called a pacifier for nothing, it really gave me light feeling of peace.
I got on my feet, took the pacifier out of my mouth and put it on my desk. While standing up, I felt a - now familiar – damp feeling between my legs. Knowing what it meant, I went looking for my mother.

After breakfast, my father told me I had to go see Lyonn if I wanted to know more about the Guardian-thing. He added the statement that if I went to visit Lyonn, it meant that I accepted my role as a Guardian and that would leave me no way back.
Not wanting to lose my importance, I decided to go to Lyonn. My father took me there on foot, since he lived only a few blocks away.

We reached the right house in almost no time and my father rang the doorbell; I was slightly too short to reach it. A female cheetah morph opened the door and to my surprise, it was the same morph I first saw when I entered this world.
"Good morning, Mary. Here he is." My father said.
"What's up, Simon? Don't you recognize me?"
"I do, madam. That's the point. Have we met before?"
She smiled.
"Yes, my dear, we have. Come in, Lyonn is already waiting for you."

I said goodbye to my father and went inside. It was hard not to laugh when the cheetah said Lyonn lived in their garage. She didn't tell the reason, but he appeared to like his privacy. She halted me before she opened the door to the garage.
"Simon, is this really what you want?"
"Yes, madam. If I'm the Guardian, I must do this."
"All right then. Just call me if you need to be changed, okay?"
Looking down, I nodded.

I was ashamed, although I knew she didn't want to embarrass me. If I would still have my human body, my face would have been red like a tomato. Fortunately, morphs can't blush, since man is the only organism that is able to do so - or needs to do so, since morphs have a tail to express shame.

The cheetah walked away from me and I took a deep breath before I opened the door to the garage. Without doubting my decision, I went inside and shut the door behind me. Lyonn was sitting in the lotus pose on a sofa, one of the few pieces of furniture the room knew.

"Good morning, Simon." Lyonn said, without opening his eyes
"How did you know it was me?"
"Your scent is easy to recognize. I assume that you know why you are here."
"I do, mister Lyonn."
"Please, Simon, don't call me 'mister'. You'd better refer to me as 'sensei' instead."
"I… I don't understand."
"Have a seat, young Guardian." He said and he pointed at the carpet on the ground in front of him.

I sat down on the ground - trying not to land on my tail – and faced Lyonn again.
"Simon, do you understand that you'll have to learn how to defeat the Other One?"
"Yes, sensei. Can you teach me how?"
"I would love to, young Guardian, but I'm afraid that I'm not the right furson to train you. However, I can be your teacher while someone else helps me to do the physical part of the training."
"Could you please explain that more clearly, sensei?"
"In short, I'll teach you, but someone else will fight with you. Someone more… appropriate for a furson your size."
"Does that mean you're going to teach me how to fight?"
"Of course I will. The Other One can only be stopped by taking his life, else he might attempt to do evil things again, don't you agree?"

I heard a door open behind me and I saw Lyonn peeked at the furson coming in with his left eye.
"There you are. Come in, come in, the Guardian is already here. Did you bring the equipment I asked for?"
"Yes, sensei, I've got everything right here." The furson behind me said.
Wait a second… That voice was familiar! But wouldn't that be too much of a coincidence?
"So you decided to come after all?"
It was her!
"Sam, what are you doing here, if I may be so kind?" I asked, turning towards her.
"I happen to live here, stupid."
"Are you the one that's going to train me?"
"Sure I am. Unless…"
"Unless what?"
"Unless you think it's a problem to fight a girl."
"Male and female are equal. I'll take you on."
"Are you sure? I was the best student of my fencing class and I still know everything I've learned."
"Wait… You two are going to teach me fencing?"
"No, I'm going to teach you something about swordplay, young Guardian." Lyonn interrupted.
"There are a lot of similarities, you see." Sam said with a wink and we both turned to Lyonn.

"Let me explain." He started. "The previous two Guardians have battled their enemies armed with the same great sword, one that is said to belong only to the Guardian."
"Aren't there any firearms on Xargon?"
"Such barbaric warfare? On this planet? No, young Guardian, you don't understand. In this world, we fight in style."
"I see. I assume you two are going to teach me the ways of that 'style'?"
"We sure are, Simon. Are you ready?"
I nodded.

It was going to be a tough time for me. For the following two hours, Sam taught me the basics of swordplay, using wooden practice swords. At first, I wasn't really good at it, but after those two hours, I was getting the hang of it.

[CHAPTER 12: BE PREPARED]

I was really tired, to avoid saying 'worn out', when I came home later that afternoon. My evening schedule had only two things to do: dinner and sleep. Neither of them was a problem, since I was both hungry and sleepy. I can't remember how I ended up in my bed that night.
The events during the night were much more spectacular, however. Spectacular, in the unpleasant meaning of the word: I had that dream again.

'That dream'? Yes, the one about the car accident on Earth. That dream. Although the sound was kind of muzzled and the image was a bit disrupted, it still felt like I was there again. The images were so real that I feared I would die this time.
Keeping that in mind, I was really surprised about what happened on the moment of impact. All right, I heard a crash and no, there was no way to save my parents. However, the only defiance was that I didn't feel the impact, neither did I experience the shockwave produced by the crash. All I felt was a familiar warm and damp feeling between my legs.

Although my room was still shrouded in twilight, I could see the result of the paint job my father and Amber had done the other day - something I didn't notice when I went to bed because I was too sleepy.
he images were stunning. The walls were all painted in such a way that my room looked like a cave. There were even several dripping icicles on the wall, near the ceiling. I wondered who of them was a better painter, my father or Amber?

I got out of my bed and went looking for my mother. She found me before I found her, though.
"What are you looking for, Simon?"
"I um… I wondered if you would like to bathe me."
"Of course I would, sweetheart. Follow me to the bathroom." She answered and I did as she asked.

While my mother filled the bathtub, I undressed myself and took off my diaper. She then lifted me and put me in the tub. My mother grabbed a bottle of shampoo and started to wash my fur.
"Mom, can you explain why Lyonn and Sam live in the same house?"
"You know that Nido owns a company that transports human beings to Xargon, don't you?"
I nodded, confirming the rhetorical question.
"Sam's mother is a colleague of your father's. She decided to adopt Sam last year because of the close match in their species and because she didn't have a kitten of her own yet. Samantha's father is a tiger, you see."
"And what about Lyonn?"
"Well, he is an extraordinary case. I don't know the details, but for some reason he lives in their garage. Nido told me that Lyonn pretends to be a relative of Sam, but in fact, he used to live on the streets."
"You mean Lyonn was a tramp?"
"No, according to Nido, he wasn't. As I said, I don't know the details. By the way, why don't you ask Lyonn about this?"
"I think it's impolite to ask such questions. Or isn't it?"
"In this case, maybe it is. All right, I think your fur is as good as clean now. Let's get you dry, shouldn't we?" My mother asked and that marked the end of our conversation

Several days later, on Friday, Sam asked me and Lyonn whether it was okay for her to join me in my fight against the Other One. I was on no account against her offer, since I could use a companion and it was her life, so it would be her choice to put herself in danger.
Lyonn, however, told her to ask permission from her parents first.

Later that day, Lyonn told us about a special place on Xargon, a place called 'Mount Discord'. At the summit of Mt. Discord, a maze is located. This maze is called 'the Maze of Apocalypse', since both of the previous Guardians have battled their enemies in that Maze.
According to Lyonn, the center of the maze was the most important part of the whole mountain.

"So what happens when we've reached the center of the Maze?" Sam asked.
"In the center, the Guardian will fight the Other One. After that struggle, the fate of Xargon will be decided. If the Guardian is the winning party, Xargon will not see an Other One for the next fourty-eight years. However, if Simon fails, the Other One will have no Guardian to stop him for the same amount of time."
He then turned to me and said: "Simon, keep in mind that it would be better for Xargon if you'd run for help instead of stand and fight if the going gets tough. If you fail, the consequences are greater than you can imagine."
"I understand, sensei. Do you happen to know anything about what happens after the final fight?"
"There is but one thing."
"What is it, sensei?"
"It is called 'the Sacrifice'. Both of the previous Guardians had to make a sacrifice once. The first Guardian was permanently blinded after his fight with the Other One. The second Guardian lost the ability of speech and never regained it."
"That sounds rough. I have a question: do the fourth and the fifth Rhythm Rhyme refer to the Sacrifice?" Sam asked.
"Unfortunately, I don't know, but I expect that they're connected to Simon's fate whatsoever. Does that worry you, Simon?"
"I think it does, but not enough to make me doubt my decision."
"Good. That'll be enough teaching for today. You're dismissed."
"Thank you, sensei. See you tomorrow." I said.

We left the garage and went to the garden to play. I was walking ahead of Sam, but turned around when I suddenly heard her letting out a muzzled scream of pain.
"What's up, Sam?"
"I don't know. Maybe I'm stung by a bug. Can you look at it? It's right between my shoulders, on my back." She said and she turned around.

Looking at her back, I saw a dart hanging between her shoulders. While Sam fell down to her knees, I realized it was a tranquillizer dart. Why would someone fire a dart at Sam?
I didn't get the chance to think up an answer, since I got hit by a similar dart in my upper left leg. Within several moments, I collapsed and sank to my knees. All I could see before I passed out was a canine morph - dressed in black and wearing shades - jumping over the fence in our direction…

[CHAPTER 13: ENTER THE MAZE]

Was I lucky to wake up again? Maybe I was, but it looked like I wasn't. That is, for as far as I could see anything. I woke up in a place so dark I couldn't even see myself. There was no light at all in wherever I was.
This is what the first Guardian must have felt like. Having your eyes wide open and still seeing nothing. Did whoever caught me make me blind? It was kind of scary to be unable to look around. I then heard a slight purring. Could it be?
Crawling on all fours, I went looking for Sam, until something fluffy batted my face. A tail! So there was someone here! Although I know she might not like it, I gently grabbed her tail and tried to find the location of the body it was attached to.
I felt the tail getting a little thicker, meaning I got closer to the body. As I felt her clothes, I noticed that she was wearing a diaper underneath. There was no doubt this was Sam.

"Simon? Is that you?" She whispered. I must have awoken her.
"It's me, don't worry. Do you have any idea where we are?"
"Nope, but I think that's not the biggest concern right now."
"Welcome back to the living fursons." An unknown voice said.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"My name is Richard. And who might you two be?"
"I'm Simon and the kitten's name is Sam. Could you tell us where we are and what we're doing here?"
"Of course I can. By the way, don't bother searching me right now; I'm talking to you by intercom. You two are here because I saved you from the Other One."
"We were captured by the Other One? What for?"
"I don't know, Simon. What could the Other One want from you two?"
"He wants my head, mister"
"Why would someone take the life of a cub?"
"I… I'm the Guardian."
"Do you think so or do other people say you are?"
"Both of them, I reckon."
"Good. In that case, I'll be glad to help you. If you can find a way out the building you're in right now, you'll find yourselves near a cavern. Enter the cavern and go all the way to the end. I'll meet you there to tell you the location of the Other One."

The last words were followed by a sound that was similar the noise you hear when someone ends a phone call – not the beeps, but the actual 'hanging up' sound. We were alone again for quite some time; neither of us said a word.
Then suddenly, a door opened, someone came in and the door was quickly closed again.

"Simon, are you in here?"
"Dad, is that you?"
Apparently it was, since the room was lit up faintly by his fire breath for a short moment.
"Listen Simon, there is little time to talk. You have been captured by the Other One and taken to Mount Discord."
"Isn't that where the Maze of Apocalypse is located?"
"It is. Most probably, the Other One will be waiting for you somewhere inside the Maze. I'm sorry, but I can't go with you, I'm needed elsewhere."
"And Sam, what about her?"
"She's here as well?"
"Can I go with him?" She asked.
"You'll have to, Sam. There's no other choice. However, you can't enter the Maze without some proper equipment. I've got a pack for both of you here. One of them contains some food, a first aid kit and several other supplies and the other pack contains necessary changing supplies."
"I have a question. How can I defeat the Other One with my bare paws?"
"The packs contain light body armor for both of you, as well as a short sword for Sam."
"And what about me? Is there a weapon for me as well?" I asked.
"Of course there is, Simon. You'll have the Kiyoshi as your aide in combat."
"The Kai-what?"
"The Kiyoshi, the sword wielded by the previous Guardians. Only you are fit to use it, Simon. Let it guide you to victory. I'm sorry, but I'll have to go before the Other One finds me."
"What will happen if he will?"
"He might take my life. Farewell, young ones. Good luck with your fight."
"Thanks, dad. We'll do our best."

My father lit up the place shortly again to find the door and he left the room, keeping the door ajar.

"Do you think Richard is the Other One?"
"Maybe he is. We'd better come prepared." I said and I opened the door to let more light in.
"Simon? I don't know how to put this, but um… Could you help me to change my diaper?"
Did she really say that?
"Um, yeah, if you need my help. It doesn't feel too good when you're running around in a wet diaper, does it?"
"I'll go looking for the changing supplies then. Would you mind to take care of the armor?"
I nodded.

We both grabbed a pack and started to unpack. The one Sam held contained the changing supplies; mine contained the sword my father was talking about: Kiyoshi. It was shining with a silver glow and there were two emeralds embedded in the haft. It must have been a one-pawed sword for the previous Guardians, but due to the size of my body, I could wield it with both of my paws.
While I was weighing the surprisingly light blade in my paws, Sam said she was ready.

Changing Sam proved to be a little different than I thought at first. Although she was as small as me, her weight roughly equaled mine, which meant lifting her up would be a problem. Sam had a solution for the problem, fortunately.
Although she trusted I knew what I was doing, she couldn't help her tail to show that she was a little embarrassed, standing in front of me, wearing… nothing, in fact. Why shouldn't she? There was a boy looking at her private area. Who wouldn't be embarrassed then?
She gave me a diaper she'd already unfolded and laid herself down on the floor. With one paw, I lifted her bottom from the ground – with a lot of help – and with the other paw I slid her diaper underneath. After having threaded her tail through the hole in the back, fastening the tapes was all I had to do.

One awkward act later, we both took our armor – which was mainly made of enforced leather – and helped each other to put it on. Then Sam grabbed her sword and I took the Kiyoshi from the ground.
"Sam, I'd like to ask you once again before we go in. Do you really want to do this?"
"I would do anything to help the Guardian."
"Thanks. But keep in mind that it will likely be me that is going to kill the Other One."
"I will. Are you ready?"
"More than ever. Let's go for it."
"Not yet, Simon. There is something I want to give you before we go." She said and she gave me a lick on my cheek.
"What… was that about?"
"Don't you get it? Morphs can't kiss, you see. Our anatomy doesn't allow that."
"So instead, you decided to do this the animal way?"
She nodded.
"Well, let me give you something in return then." I said and I gave her a lick as well, while we strongly hugged each other.

That moment should have lasted forever. It had been a long time ago for me since I last felt that warm feeling inside. A feeling which - I hope - is what I identified as pure love.
Unfortunately, the moment had to end. We let go of each other and we left the small building.

[CHAPTER 14: THE FINAL EDGE]

After we had left the small building, we faced a short cave that led to what should be the Maze of Apocalypse. Trying to find your way in a maze is harder than it seems, especially when you're a lot smaller than you used to be.
I wondered why this place was called the "Maze of Apocalypse" instead of "Maze of Downward Spirals". We tried to comprehend the Maze, but the first three tries resulted in ending up where we started. From that place, there were only two out of five corridors we hadn't checked yet.
Luckily, the fourth corridor led us closer to the Center. I could almost feel the presence of the Other One. Time passed and we reached a spot from where we could see the Center. However, we apparently weren't meant to arrive this soon.

All of a sudden, the setting of the walls changed. Some fragments disappeared into the ground, while several others emerged from the floor. Nevertheless did this unwanted change separate me from Sam.
I told her that we should both go our way and try to reach the Center on our own. It would be more dangerous but alas, there was no other choice.
When I reached the Center, I noticed several things. First, the Center was a square room with a width of about thirty feet. Second, there was a deep irregularly shaped hole in the middle of the center, with a width and length of about eight feet. The third thing, however, made me worry.
There was a small puddle of blood near the entrance to the right of me. In addition, there appeared to be a trail leading out of the Center. It then dawned on me that Sam had battled the Other One, but she got wounded and was most probably lying somewhere in a corridor, waiting do die.
I suddenly caught a scent I identified as the Other One. He came from the left with his sword drawn.

"Good evening, young Guardian. How delightfully unpleasant to meet you here." A now familiar voice spoke to me as I entered the Center.
I knew it was Richard, alias the Other One. He looked like a fox, but the white part of his body was dyed grey and his red fur was dyed black. Wasn't that a little too villainous?

"Where is Sam? What did you do to her?" I asked, holding Kiyoshi with both paws.
"You mean the kitten? She got one little scratch and ran away whimpering. Why do you ask?"
I let out a snarl. The phrase 'little scratch' was the most exaggerated understatement I ever heard.
"Oh, I see. You're in love with here, aren't you? Didn't anyone tell you that dogs and cats can't get along?"
I growled at Richard again, louder this time.
"Not quite the talkative furson, aren't you?"
"Shut your muzzle, Richard. Let your sword do the talking for you."

Richard was a better swordfighter than I had hoped he was. He caught me with a trick and slashed Kiyoshi out of my paws. I don't know why he did so, but he bent down to pick up my sword.
Within a fraction of a second, that seemed to be stuck in slow-motion, I realized that this was my golden opportunity to defeat Richard. The real problem was that I had to decide fast. Either could I attack him with the risk of getting myself killed, or I could run away to get help. It was obvious that running way would become a problem in a maze.

My decision was clear; my mind was made up, all within these short moments. I had to do what I came for. With all my might – not that it was much, being a cub of four feet tall – I rushed to Richard in the direction of the edge.
Even with my small and light body, I managed to push Richard towards the edge. Unfortunately, I had given too much thrust in the process, causing both of us the tumble off the edge instead of just Richard.
The moment I saw my destiny in the form of the deep ravine below, I finally fully understood the last Rhythm Rhyme:
Now this is a warning for the strong and the brave:
The One that will save us is the One we can't save.

Falling down together with Richard made me think of the lyrics of a song:

Falling in the black
Slipping through the cracks
Falling to the depths
Can I ever go back?
Dreaming of the way it used to be
(Can you hear me?)
Falling in the black
Slipping through the cracks
Falling to the depths
Can I ever go back?
Falling inside the black
Falling inside, falling inside the black

Eventually, we must have hit the bottom of the depth. I can remember myself thinking: Darn, this is going to hurt so much it will kill me. However, I'm still unsure about what truly happened down there. Maybe I didn't even feel the impact at all, but the result was obvious: I was dead.

Or wasn't I?

[EPILOGUE: AT AND END TO FATE]

As I opened my eyes, still feeling groggy, I found myself lying in a room that was entirely white, apart from the only two doors the room knew. There were no lights and no windows, but it was illuminated somehow.
I sat up and saw that my body was still the form of a morph. From behind me, a familiar voice called my name.
"Simon, are you still with me?"
"Lyonn, what are you doing here?" I said, getting back on my feet and turning to him.
"I'm trying to save you, Simon."
"But Lyonn, the One that will save you is the One you can't save. Wait… Does this mean I didn't save you? Is the Richard still alive?"
"Listen, Simon. You did a great job in defeating the Other One and according to the Rhythm Rhymes, you saved us. However, I don't think you're supposed to die in here."
"Why not?"
"You would have been dead then, wouldn't you?"
"I suppose so."
It sounded like there was a 'but' in his story.
"However, you might have forgotten this Rhyme: He will discover His life and what it's worth. Have you discovered what your life is worth, Simon?"
"Yes, I have. My life on Xargon was great, it was better than my life on Earth. I even got very good friends with Samantha. And now, having acquired all of this, having saved Xargon, I have to leave because my task is completed."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's clear, right? The way He came is the way He will leave." I said, leaving us with a short pause.

"Well, there might be a way out, you know. The Rhymes are about the task of the Guardian, not about what happens after his task or about specific other people."
"Can't you just tell me what this is all about?"
"Listen, Simon. The Rhymes told that you will discover what your life is worth, because you came from Earth. You told me you did. Then, the Rhymes say that the way you came is the way you will leave. It's a nice little rhyme, but it doesn't exactly say that you're leaving Xargon."
"Why not? The Rhymes don't lie, do they?"
"Of course not, but as I said, they're not specific. What I'm trying to say is this: If you're supposed to be detransfurrized and transported back to Earth, you'll end up in the same unfair world again. Why would anyone do such a thing to you? Why would something like that happen to a Guardian?"
"I don't know."
"Simon, my brother, I've waited for this day to come for a long time. For many long months I had to wait for this moment."
"Brother? What are you talking about, Lyonn?"
"Don't you recognize me? Look closer, Simon!"
"Leo? Wait a second, is this real?"
"It is as real as can be. Just before I 'died' on Earth, a dragon appeared next to my bed in the hospital. This dragon told me he could deliver me to a new world that had a better life for me. However, my life in this new world would possibly not to last very long, since I was about to die on Earth."
"Did Nido appear to you as well?"
"He did, but he didn't know you were my brother. He just happened to come across me, so he didn't know me at all. Anyway, I accepted the downsides of my transfer and I was delivered to Xargon in this body."
"How come you were reborn in an old body? Was that what Nido meant with a short life?"
He nodded.
"I never understood the age of my new body either, but my new age meant that I had to behave like an adult. It was really hard not to blow my cover, but thanks to Nido, I've been able to cope with it. And now, the time has come for me to go for the second time, but this time I'm ready for it."
"Are you going to die with me?"
"No, brother. I'm going to die instead of you."
"You'll take my place? But then I'll live again while you deserve to live more than I do."
"I've pretended to be an adult for a whole year now, waiting for the appearance of the Guardian. I'm tired, Simon. I'll give my life so you can rebirth to Xargon in a body similar to the one you had, with the only difference that your new one will age. You can then have the life you deserve to live."
There was again another silent pause.

"Leo, why didn't you tell me before it was you?"
"It was for your sake, Simon. I just couldn't."
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I had made my decision at the very moment Nido made me believe you were the Guardian."
"But is it even possible for you to take my place? What about the Rhymes?"
"I'm sure there is a location on Xargon where you have left the same way you arrived." He grinned.
"If you put it that way." I answered, grinning along.
Wait, there was another Rhyme.
"But Leo, what about the last Rhyme?"
"Now this is a warning for the strong and the brave: the One that will save us is the One we can't save. Is that the one you mean?"
I nodded.
"Well, I think the last Rhyme refers to me after all. I'm the one that will save you and nobody can save me, since my decision is made. The warning here refers to you, the strong and the brave. Does that make sense?"
"A little. I hope I'll understand more of it later."
"Simon, you have discovered your life and what it is worth. You finally realize the difference your life could make. And if you wish, if you wish very strongly, perhaps you can change your fate."
"Thanks brother, I'll miss you, again."
"Yeah, but this time we could say goodbye." He said and I hugged him.
He lifted me from the floor and hugged along.

"The time has come, Simon." Leo said and a door appeared in the wall behind him, as well as one in the wall behind me.
"Our ways part here. I take the door behind me and you'll go through the other door."
"Will we meet again?"
"Perhaps we will in another world. Farewell, brother. Take good care of Samantha."
"I will, Leo." I said and I turned to the door.

I opened the door, which lead to a dark emptiness and walked on with my eyes closed. Whatever happened caused me to wake up again, lying on my own bed, next to Silver. I also happened to have my necklace hanging where it belonged.
Something unfortunate, though predictable, was that I wasn't wearing any clothes, so I diapered myself with a whole lot of effort and put on the same clothes I wore when I first came to Xargon.
Trying not to make any noise, I walked downstairs. From the hallway, I could hear my parents, Amber and Regio talk to each other about my epic struggle. There had to be a way to enter without causing any heart attacks to anyone. I had to be careful; they all thought I was dead.

The most tactical move in my opinion was to knock on the door first. I heard my father get up and walk to the door. As he opened it, seeing me standing there made him look at me in an indescribable way.
"Tanya, I think I'm turning insane."
"Why is that, Nido?"
"Because I just opened this door and I see Simon standing in front of me."
"I'll make you snap out of it, dad: It's really me. I've received a new body and I'm no longer bound to my task as the Guardian, so now I can really be your cub."
All of the other present fursons burst out in tears of happiness the moment I finished my sentence. Even Regio had troubles keeping his eyes dry.

Nido lifted me from the floor and held me like I was a newborn cub.
"But Simon, how could you return?"
"Someone gave his life for me."
"Who would do such an honorable thing?"
"There is only one: Lyonn."
"So Lyonn is gone now, isn't he?" Amber asked.
"He was already gone a year ago." Nido countered, leaving the rest of them in amazement.
"Lyonn was saved just before he died on earth. Nobody knew who he really was, until today." I said.
"Then who was he? Even I didn't know who he was. I only wanted to spare him from dying on Earth."
"Lyonn's former self was my brother Leo. That's why he gave up his own life to save mine. In my opinion, Lyonn was the only true hero in all of this."

"Dad, what happened to Sam?" I asked.
He appeared to gather enough guts before telling me.
"After she escaped the Maze, she fired a flare from the summit of Mt. Discord; a signal for me to come to your aid. I found her wounded and realized I had to take her with me to keep her alive. Sam is at the hospital right now. She has lost a lot of blood, but her status is stable though critical."
"What is the chance she'll make it?"
"The doctors estimated her chance of survival at thirty per cent. I'm sorry, Simon."
"Did she say anything to you?"
"Before she was taken to the ER for surgery, she told me she was sorry for failing in her task. I said dealing with the Other One was your responsibility and not hers. She seemed to have peace with that statement."
"Well, besides the fact that Lyonn is gone and Sam is in the hospital, we've managed to keep Xargon safe for the next forty-eight years."

Acta est fabula

Author's note: These words mark the end of this story. However, they do not mark the end of Simon, let alone the end of Xargon…

*GASP* Whoa, that was pretty tiring for the finger on my scroll wheel. Anyway, here's the story. I'm working on the second part of the trilogy as well; I'll upload it later. Enjoy the story!

Hector

P.S.: The term "Canis Lugopix Arctos" was invented by an anonymus friend that owns all rights.

Heheh. You certainly didn't waste any time once you got here. Congrats on your first completed story on the furr den (although I'm wondering if it should count since it was finished already).

Aye, it doesn't count. Anyway, Relibria II will be uploaded as soon as I finish the next chapter, so Glowing Embers will be my official first completed story here.