For the first time in the mission (outside of the opening), we jump into action.

Todd and Dash are about to run into one of those many portals we mentioned there!

 
Warning: F-bomb, Cursing

"You deserve this, mom."

The two figures walked along the edge of the Nearby Plains, hand in hand. He was barely a teen. Scrawny thing. She looked shades too old to be his mother, who had a worn wrinkled face and what looked to be a perpetual frown. She didn't respond, just giving her son's hand a gentle squeeze.

"We deserve a little time to relax. Dad wanted us out of town, anyway," he said. "We should be safe from whatever is going on out here." She didn't reply immediately, so he cast his eyes on the waters in the distance. They hadn't had enough spare meat to buy or even rent a proper ride out, so they were walking.

"I know, John," she finally said some minutes later. "I'm worried about your father. I always told that stubborn old mule it was a lousy job."

Being a guard at Seaside Town. "Yeah," is all John said. "Look, I.. what?"

It was then the glow caught John's attention first, and his mother's second. The two turned slowly, seeming like it slowed to a crawl. For all they could tell, it might have.

Like something out of a horror story, the two watched as the light danced in the distance and listened to the sound of air being forcibly moved as a portal seemed to appear out of nowhere.

"What the Hey Daze is.. " John could feel the vibrations. "Come on, mom. We need to get out of here."

He just hoped they could get out of the sight of the portal. It was a good thirty.. no, much less than thirty feet away. The sensation of a twitch in John's eye.. the feeling that something wasn't quite...

His mother wasn't moving.

"Mom, come on, we need to get going!"

She seemed transfixed. Why? Nothing good could come of it. It wasn't natural. For all he knew...

"Mom!" He tugged at her arm. Part of him screamed to leave her behind. He fought for control. Struggled not to run off and leave her behind. But she was..

For all he knew, they could be looking into a direct link to pure evil. Or nothing but a mirage. Maybe he was overreacting.

Finally, his mother turned to look into his eyes, but he didn't see much there. She was in shock. Whatever was going on, wasn't good.

A pair of demons, large beasts with oversized feet and sharp horns, stumbled through the portal, seeming to the old woman to come out of nowhere. One snorted like a bull, sniffing the air around itself, and immediately took notice of the two.

It must have stood a good six and a half feet at least, muscles bulging unnaturally in the creatures' necks, torsos, arms and legs. John was fairly sure his heart stopped for a moment.

His mouth was dry to the point he felt like he could taste the bone in the roof of his mouth. Acidic, bitter tasting. Most of the demons seemed to have bodies of animals, growling like beasts and moving like aberrant aberrations of life.

========

(A few moments before)

From the time they had left the ship Todd Blackpaws had been unusually quiet- and that was saying something for any Bard but for him? Eventually, it was enough to even cut through the cloud of Armageddon prophecies surrounding the ever stoic Sebastian Dash. Dash smiled a bit, deciding to have fun at Todd's expense.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Dash said. "Were you saying something?"

Todd started and looked up at his friend. He smirked. "Sorry mate. Just thinkin'. Kinda weird, y'know- havin' your Goddess call your friend a stud."

Dash shrugged. "Who was that, Cattaras?"

Todd chuckled. "Can you think of any other of my friends that have had a goddess' paws all over him?"

Dash shrugged. "Not really. They do seem the touchy feely type of deities, though. Why?"

This time it was Todd's turn to shrug. Several thoughts were in his mind so he picked out the best one for public use. "Nothin' big. Just wonderin' why a guy who could make a goddess curl her toes and howl is always alone, y'know?"

"Maybe Cattaras is just looking for the right woman," Dash said, shrugging. "We're going to need some help if we're heading into Knob Goblin territory. Do you want to handle that first or take on the situation with the dimensional portal openings?"

Todd chuckled again. "I think Cattaras' 'right woman' is any one that'll raise her tail for him."

"Speaking of which," Dash teased, "The Vixen.. not our Vixen.. seemed pretty smitten on you, Todd."

"Naw, man. She only had..." Todd stopped as a memory hit him- of that moment. The kiss he had shared with her when she had been a being of light, mostly. He then smirked and looked at Dash. "You think so?"

Dash nodded. "Seems like it. I don't know how one goes about courting a deity, but back to the matter at hand."

Todd snorted. "You don't- if she wants it she'll..." Todd's head snapped to the side, ears alert.

"What's up?" Dash asked, figuring it to be one of three things.. "Do you smell trouble, women or food?"

"I think your question about how we should proceed's been answered, mate." Todd growled and broke into a run.

"Trouble then," Dash said, rushing to keep up with Todd. As Dash pulled his broadsword Bad Beats to the ready, he could hear the screams, followed by bestial sounds. "That's not the local wildlife."

Todd caught sight of the demons. "That's cause they're a little far from home." He stopped, pausing to pant and consider the situation while pulling his axe from his back and strumming it to check its tune. Dash, meanwhile, sized up the situation. Whereas Catrina and Todd looked more like humans with animalistic features, these beasts seemed to be the opposite, with their bodies being bestial but their faces and features somehow seeming almost human. Or demonic. Either way, it was a disturbing sight Dash had rarely seen.

Either way, they were clearly dangerous. Dash put himself between the beasts and their would-be victims, a rail-thin young man and an elderly lady who seemed on the verge of panic. "Stay back!" Dash warned them. "Let us take care of this."

"Well, let him and I'll help," said Todd with a grin, "Meanwhile you two go find someplace less creepy, okay?"

The teen starred at the two, startled. "Oh, yes. Thank you, I'll get my mom out of here as quickly as I can. Thank you!"

Dash spared a moment to turn towards them with a reassuring smile and nod. Sebastian Dash then threw himself into the fight. The biggest beast lunged at Dash, who lashed out at it with the broadsword, trying to impale it into the beast's midsection. Unfortunately, the beast's hide was too thick. Dash's sword barely went in. It howled in pain. Dash pulled the sword out, cutting down a nearby, smaller enemy that had been trying to bite at Dash.

"They're tougher than the look," Dash noted.

"As long as they ain't as tough as they smell we're in good shape, man." Todd quipped, wrinkling his nose as he sent chords of Death Metal at their foes. The monsters started towards Todd, allowing Dash to take a couple more out from behind. However, one of the demon-faced tiger enemies jumped at Dash, catching Dash's primary broadsword with a paw and sending it flying to the side. Dash rolled to the side, ducking under and avoiding multiple pounces, and pulled his secondary sword, a longsword formerly owned by Konall.

"Hey look," Dash said, ignoring the throbbing pain of a glazing shot from the beast's claws. "One of Cattaras's ancestors."

Todd's smirk set in permanently. "If he's even close to Cattaras you better not turn your back on him, man. If he's a demonic version of the big guy... well that just goes double then." He then had to duck a couple of pounces of his own, giving an exclamation that fit what he was hinting at perfectly.

As tough as the beast starring Dash down was, Dash was determined to end the fight in his favor. Despite having to deal with several of the other beasts’ attempts at an ambush, Dash was able to score a clear killing shot, slicing the belly of the demon tiger wide open with a clean shot. Dash then beheaded a smaller ratlike demon creature and rolled under another's pounce. Sebastian Dash quickly grabbed his original broadsword as he came to a stand.

"Their resolve should be weakening by now," Dash judged. "Let's finish this. We can't risk them scattering."

Todd was backing away from another demon, giving it everything he had. "Sure thing, mate. Whenever you're ready I'll-" He broke off as he felt arms go around him- shapely arms connected to a shapely body and a muzzle that licked his neck and whispered in his ear. "Why, hello there stud. I was thinking I'd have to come hunting you and yet here you are just waiting for me!" One paw dropped for an unmistakable grope.

Todd froze-well mostly that grope was doing things to him. He knew the voice since it haunted his dreams. She continued, dealing out both pleasure and terror. "No summoning your imaginary bitches here, lover. Here you're all mine while my boys take care of your friend!"

Todd whimpered.

Dash finished off another beast, turning to the new threat. "Your 'boys' won't be taking care of anything, demon."

"Depends on who her 'boys' are."

Sebastian spun around to find himself face to face with his evil duplicate, Zedika Dark. Dark was a shade bigger and taller than Dash, and he wasn't alone. But Dark wasn't with his usual company, either.

Next to Dark stood a male Vulpin. He was about Todd's height but more muscular and proud of it, it seemed. Instead of the bard's frills this character wore leather, and wore it tightly showing off every muscle- with crossed leather straps instead of a shirt. Dash hoped he was wearing a codpiece because since there was only one femme in the area- and that one demonic- being that much at attention was... unnerving to a guy!

He had several piercings- ears especially with two on the left, three on the right. Plus others that,. well they just sent the wrong message to a guy, y'know?

Dash smirked. "I didn't know you had a son, Zedika."

"What?!" Zedika was momentarily taken aback. "Silence, you fool! While you settle for that pitiable bard, I've found a much, much more obedient pet of my own."

The leather clad todd growled. "Keep talkin', asswipe and Z here's not gonna have anyone to kill!" His demeanor made Todd glad he was 'safe' in a succubus' arms.

Dash slowly edged towards the succubus even as he kept his eyes on the newcomers. "So, does this one have a name, Dark?"

"Yeah," said the other todd, "I'll carve it into your skull!"

"Well, you're Dark's pet fox," Dash mocked, smirking. "Darkfox, I'll go with that."

Dark placed a restraining hand on- well, for lack of a better name let's go with Darkfox. For now. "Calm yourself. He's only trying to anger you. Besides he's mine. That thing-" he pointed at Todd- "is yours."

"Right." The todd growled as he padded toward his captured foe, then looked him over. "What a piece of shit. It's hardly worth my time to do this but..." With that he swung, and rammed a fist all up in there on Todd, who gasped and slumped in the succubus' arms.

"Now!" Dash yelled, turning and diving at Todd's dimensional duplicate, sword swinging wildly. As he did, a powerful whip caught Zedika Dark from behind, thorns digging into his back and making him yell in agony.

The todd spun, the same fist fired out hoping to catch Dash. Dash could see the glint of metal- brass knuckles? Dash was able to reverse his momentum just in time, dropping back and rolling to the side to avoid the persistent attack from the so called Darkfox.

The succubus dropped Todd, who slumped to the ground and rolled into a ball. "I will handle this one. At the moment he is better equipped to fill my needs." Darkfox smirked, turning back to Todd and kicking him in the ribs- Dash noticed this fur wore boots!

While Dash prepared to fight the succubus, Zedika Dark looked into the eyes of his assailant, Katherine Swift, who was dressed for a fight. She held her thorn tipped whip, ready for a fight.

Dark glared. "You've made a very foolish mistake here, woman."

There was a glint in her eye. "We'll see about that." Not waiting for Dark to attempt to get the advantage, she immediately snapped her whip at Dark who parried with his ninja blade.

"Get up. faggot!" Darkfox growled at Todd, "Get on your feet and take your beatin' like a man!" With all of his urgings, however, it seemed Darkfox wasn't that willing to let Todd stand. Each time he tried the bigger fox's fist would come crashing down on him- or his boots would score a kick to his ribs and once.. well not to say but that put our boy back down in a hurry, rolling and holding his groin.

The succubus swept toward Dash, hips moving hypnotically her entire body oozing seduction and satisfaction of all sexual sins. "So what's it going to be, big boy? Going to shove that big sword of yours into me?"

Dash hesitated, thrown off for a moment. He then turned, diving for "Darkfox." Something snatched him out of midair; Dash found himself trapped by the succubus's arms, the same way Todd had been earlier - and she had him locked tight.

"mmm.. Now let's see," the succubus cooed and licked his ear as her hand went down to grope him. "Ah.. oh my you WILL be fun!"

Dash struggled, trying to get a hold of her hand. When that failed, he threw his head back as hard as he could, catching her nose with the back of his skull.

She reeled, holding that nose and, when she looked at him there was a fire there. "I can always feed off your dying body!" Her claws grew longer than any normal vulpine. She bared her fangs- and attacked! Meanwhile, Katherine Swift was attempting to use her advantage of range over Zedika Dark. Problematic for Zedika, who was forced to give up any attempts to attack... but not for long. Dark's reactions were uncanny, moreso than even the highly touted skills of Sebastian Dash. He quickly disarmed her of her weapon, although she was no slouch herself. She avoided several swipes of Dark's ninja blade, even tripping him up. She dove for her whip but had to avoid Dark's sword again. He seemed intent on keeping her from her weapon.

"My dear," Zedika Dark patronized her. "Why don't you stop all this unpleasant fighting and simply lay down so I can end this and your miserable life mercifully?"

She spat at him. Judging from the look he gave her that might have been a mistake.

Todd, meanwhile, was having trouble of his own, He had managed to get up onto all fours despite the tempting target that made his ribs and was panting. He coughed and spat up some blood. Yep.. today really was sucky for him.

Darkfox wasn't idle either. Although the weapon of choice at the moment was his tongue. No, no that way! Darkfox was gloating.

"I can't believe that in this world I'm such a pathetic sack of shit." He dropped all of his weight across Todd's back then straddled him, hooking the bard's muzzle and pulling back until he Todd's spine screamed! "Nothin' but a fuckin' loser- one little twist and the world'd be better off."

Todd groaned as Darkfox illustrated that point- not all the way mind you. No- he still had more to say. "You have gotten me all worked up, though. Think after I put your sorry ass out of its misery I'll go back to the lair and make that sweet little bunny bitch of yours scream a bit more. By the way, did you know she loves it rough?"

Todd growled and twisted. The elbow he threw must have had a prayer to the Vixen on it because it smashed Darkfox clean in the jaw, knocking him off the bard.

Todd panted, free of the pain but not out of the woods yet. He slowly began to rise, all his senses alert for the next attack. He knew that in a fair fight this fighter version of himself would continue to beat him to a bloody pulp.

Well then, fine. That didn't matter because Todd's long years as a kit in Aldara had taught him one thing.

Suckers fought fair!

He heard Darkfox's charge before he saw it. Instantly he pivoted and flung his paws out- throwing a double pawful of dirt at the other him which scored in his face and blinded him momentarily.

This was his chance! Todd threw himself at the bigger fox, tackling him and bringing him down to ground with himself on top, punching wildly at that face knowing he had to act quick because he was running on fumes of fumes.

YOU KEEP YOUR FUCKIN' PAWS OFF LAPINE, ASSHOLE!

Darkfox finally threw him off. He got to his feet alot quicker than Todd would have liked but Todd's attack had done some damage. Darkfox reached up, touching his sore jaw- checking that- yep, his nose was bleeding. Also one eye was already starting to puff up.

Then he smirked. "Finally found your 'go' button, eh? Thought of a real man playin' with your toy too much for you?"

Todd growled- but inside he sighed. His attack had failed- and he didn't think he had enough in him to make another one- much less stop the ass kicking that was to come!

Dash was experiencing another emotion - confusion. The creature had shifted into an exact replica of his ex wife, Katlana. One obviously drawn from Dash's own mind. Dash wasn't buying it but.. it looked so real.

So convincing. Even the smell was perfect. So convincing that Todd's eyes widened as he glanced over. "Whoa- Hey Dash isn't that the bitch you always said you wanted to-"

He didn't get any further as Darkfox took advantage of the distracting femme to slam his brass knuckles into Todd's jaw, sending him down hard.

Todd was out. Dash didn't notice it. His eyes were on his- no, something was wrong. Something. But how could anything be wrong when his love was back in his life, waiting for him?

Waiting for what? Dash's own voice asked inside his mind. He felt paralyzed, unable to move. Instinct told him to fight. Ordered his body to move, forcing him to shake his head, blinking several times. For a split second, Dash saw through the illusion.

A split second was more than enough; Dash had dealt with far too much mind control and far too numerous illusions in his days in Honorburg. Acting on an instinct his mind didn't quite understand, he flew into an attack. Before Dash could think to ask himself why he was attacking his wife (ex wife? Dash wasn't sure anymore), he had to avoid a searing blast of flames, rolling to the side.

Dash smirked as he looked up. The illusion was gone. "Nice try, but next time, don't choose someone who lives in another continent."

The vixen only smirked. "I was going to use that pussy of yours, but you're too pent up about her for her to be of use. By the way I can help with that."

Dash's nostrils flared. "Don't you DARE!" Dash flew into action, ready to strike the succubus down lethally.

The succubus dodged, flashing out with her claws to score against Dash's side. "Oh how sweet, you really do care for that worthless piece of..." She didn't get any further. After Dash focused his innate magic abilities to ignite it, Sebastian threw a piece of flash paper in her face.

"How dare.." she started. That, too, was interrupted. This time, by the steel ball bearings at the end of Dash's bola being slammed into her face. A barrage of those knocked her unconscious. Even before her unconscious body hit the ground, Dash was gone. Not too far away, Zedika Dark stood triumphantly over a fallen Katherine Swift, who was nursing a sore jaw.

"Foolish woman!" Dark bragged. "Did you dare to think you could dare to stand up to me? Zedika Dark! Who- AHHH!"

A downed Katherine is still a dangerous one, especially with access to her thorn whip, which she used to entangle Dark's legs, taking them from under him.

That's all the attack she got, however as Darkfox grabbed her from behind, his arms slipping around her in a full nelson hold. "Nuh uh, sexy! Only ones here gonna be rough is us! Dark- take this bitch out so we can take her home for some fun!"

She thrashed her body, screaming, "Let go, asshole!"

But that only made the fox chuckle. "Oh yeah, shake 'em baby! You make me want to be a kit again- well.. before I tie a knot in you, that is!" He used the hold he had to shake her around some more. She nearly slipped free but Darkfox had quite the grip on her. She struggled much less when Zedika Dark slammed his fist into her midsection. He swung for her jaw but didn't connect. Too busy being knocked unconscious by the hilt of Dash's blade. Dash pointed the blade at Darkfox, looking quite ready to use it to lethal ends.

"Let her go and run, Emofox."

Darkfox let her go, yes, but as for running? He smirked. "You look enough like that asshole that I'm gonna really enjoy rearrangin' your face!"

Dash half turned, indulging himself for a moment by driving his boot into Dark's ribs. He turned back to 'Darkfox.' "Enough talking."

"Yeah, enough talking- time for you to start scremin'!" Darkfox growled and charged!

Quite the battle.. and it isn't over yet! We'll get to finishing it later.. but next up, let's get back to the Morlencir for a bit.