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An experiment sends a scientist to a world where animals rule the humans |
| [Introduction]
This is the story of Eugene P Thistlewhite who's dorky name seems to perfectly fit his small weedy body and meek demeanor! He became an astrophysicist because he thought space was awesome but lately he's found himself entangled in something weird! His boss has a morbid obsession with the eventual heat death of the universe fearing it like it will actually happen in his lifetime...And lately Eugene suspects his Boss thinks he will live that long...What else is he planning? So, his Boss has everyone working on this 'Star Gate' based on his hypothesis that there are multiple universes, some older, some younger and the way to survive the death of the universe is to 'jump' to a younger universe |
| Eugene had no idea how it happened upon their first test of the 'Star Gate' he got sucked in! And found himself tumbling down what seemed like a tunnel of psychedelic rainbow colors until finally he emerged on the other side, and he found himself falling... Luckily his fall was broken by a fluffy white rabbit...A human sized white rabbit...Wearing a red shirt and pantaloons. Eugene heard a crowd gasp, and he saw a crowd of various rodents and rabbits all human sized and dressed in clothes like from a Renaissance festival next to him was what looked like a Hairless Rat Woman asking "Professor Longears! Are you all right?" And the Rabbit-Man said weakly "I think my spine is broken..." |
| Eugene scrambled to his feet, blinking rapidly, his lab coat half-tangled around his legs. The crowd pressed in, mice in waistcoats, squirrels in ruffled blouses, and one badger wearing a monocle. Their eyes were wide, twitching whiskers and all. The Hairless Rat Woman helped the rabbit; Professor Longears, apparently, sit upright. “Oh dear,” she murmured, examining his back. “You’ve been flattened like a flapjack.” “I’m so sorry!” Eugene blurted, wringing his hands. “I didn’t mean to...well...I didn’t know I’d land here! Wherever here is!” Dozens of furry faces turned toward him, whispering. A young field mouse gasped, “He’s bald!” Another added, “No tail! Is he diseased?” Eugene adjusted his crooked glasses, looking from one creature to another. “No, no-human! I’m human!” “Human?” the Hairless Rat Woman tilted her head. “Those are just myths.” The rabbit groaned, clutching his back. “Well, myth or not, he’s heavier than a myth ought to be.” “Wait!” Eugene knelt beside him, awkwardly patting the rabbit’s shoulder. “I-I can help! I’m a scientist! Well, not that kind of scientist, but, uh, do you have a hospital? A vet? A chiropractor?” A murmur rippled through the crowd again. Finally, the Hairless Rat Woman sighed. “You’d better come with me before the Guards arrive. Strangers falling from the sky tend to attract... attention.” Eugene swallowed. “Guards?” “Royal Guards,” she said, lowering her voice. “If they think you’re one of his creations, you’ll be taken to the labs.” “His?” Eugene echoed, heart quickening. “Lord Burrowbane,” she whispered. “The one who says he can open doors between worlds.” Eugene froze, staring at her. “You mean...he’s building a Star Gate too?” Her whiskers twitched. “A what?” But Eugene’s stomach dropped, because he suddenly realized...he might not have been the only one to make it through. |
| Eugene helped get things ready for Professor Longears he asked the Hairless Rat woman what her name was. She blushed "My name's Slinky..." She said "Like the toy?" Eugene asked "I don't know about any toy..." She said "...I was named after the fact we rats tend to 'slink' about in the night Professor Longears was one of the few in our Kindom of Rodentia who was willing to give Rats a chance...I was his secretary." |
| Eugene followed Slinky through winding burrows lit by glowing mushrooms and tiny oil lamps. The air smelled faintly of earth and roasted nuts. Every now and then, curious rodents peeked out from holes in the walls, whispering as he passed. “Not every day a sky-thing drops in,” Slinky murmured, glancing back. “I didn’t exactly plan on it,” Eugene said, ducking beneath a low archway. “Your tunnels are...impressive. A bit cramped, but impressive!” She gave a small smirk. “Built for sensible creatures, not lanky beanpoles.” They entered a larger cavern filled with wooden tables, papers, and strange contraptions powered by spinning hamster wheels. In the center, Professor Longears lay on a cushioned mat, surrounded by worried assistants. “He’ll mend,” Slinky said softly. “He’s tougher than he looks.” Eugene exhaled in relief. “Good, because I still feel horrible about that landing.” Before Slinky could reply, a loud clang echoed through the tunnels. A deep horn sounded, three short blasts. Slinky’s ears flattened. “Oh no,” she hissed. “The Royal Guard. They must’ve tracked your arrival.” “Tracked?” Eugene blinked. “You mean they saw me fall?” “Worse,” she said, snatching his wrist. “They think you’re part of Burrowbane’s experiments!” Eugene’s heart skipped. “Experiments? You mean...genetic?” Slinky didn’t answer. She dragged him toward a hidden passage behind a stack of scrolls. “You want to live, human? Then keep your head down and follow me.” As they slipped into the shadows, Eugene caught one last glimpse of Professor Longears opening a single eye and whispering weakly, “Slinky...protect him. He’s from...there.” Eugene’s blood ran cold. From where? |
| Slinky opened a trapdoor in the floor, and they entered a hidden hiding space. "OK..." Eugene panted "...Where am I?" "You're in the Kingdom of Rodentia..." Slinky said "...The Rodent Kingdom, one of the many Animal Kingdoms of Pangea!" "Pangea?!" Eugene exclaimed "Er...Yes..." Slinky said "But Pangea was millions of years ago during the Permian and Triassic Periods..." Eugene began to say "Yes..." Slinky said holding up her hand "...We know our world was once divided into many continents, that was before the Dinosaurs returned." Eugene felt the blood drain from his face and childhood memories of being terrified by Jurassic Park came flooding back "Dinosuars?" He squeaked "Yes..." Slinky said "...We don't know how it happened but one day the Dinosuars came back and the First High King Tyranno let out a mighty roar that caused all animals with a brain and face of their own to be able to stand on their hind legs and speak, Tyranno's second act was to bring all the continents back together again." |
| "How?" Eugene asked. "Magic," said Slinky. "Magic's a myth," said Eugene. "And that would be where you would be wrong," said a voice. Eugene turned his head, as a skunk materialized out of thin air. They were dressed like a jester. "Name's Badtaste," the skunk said. "Royal Jester to the Current High King Tyranno." "Your name sounds like bad taste," said Eugene. "Very appropriate," said Badtaste. "I can deliver bad news without much risk to myself." The skunk looked the human over. "He'd make for a cute pet for the Princess." |
| Eugene bristled. “Pet? Excuse me, I have multiple degrees!” Badtaste twirled a bell on his cap, unimpressed. “How charming. The hairless monkey can talk and brag. Truly, your world breeds wonders.” Slinky stepped protectively in front of Eugene. “Leave him be, Badtaste. He’s not a threat.” “Oh, everything is a threat these days,” the skunk said, tail flicking. “Especially to His Majesty, what with Burrowbane’s meddling and portals popping open like mushroom caps after rain.” He sniffed the air, then wrinkled his nose. “You do reek of stardust and singed ozone. Definitely outworldly.” Eugene blinked. “You can smell that?” “Part of the job. Bad news and bad scents.” Slinky crossed her arms. “You didn’t come here just to insult him. What’s the message?” Badtaste sighed dramatically. “The Royal Guard knows about your guest. They’re sealing the burrow exits and sending a Winged Patrol from the Avian Kingdom. His Majesty wants the human brought to him...alive.” “Alive?” Eugene asked weakly. “Not...dissected?” The skunk shrugged. “Depends on how entertaining you are.” Slinky groaned. “We have to move. If they find you, they’ll never believe you fell here by accident.” Eugene’s pulse hammered. “Where can we go?” “There’s an old burrow leading to the surface,” Slinky said. “If we reach the Hollow Woods, we can find the rebels.” Badtaste chuckled. “Rebels, rats, and runaway humans-what a circus!” He tipped his jester’s hat and vanished in a puff of blue smoke. Eugene stared at where he’d been, then looked at Slinky. “Was that magic?” Slinky’s whiskers twitched. “That’s what we call bad timing. Now move!” And together, they slipped into the dark tunnels as horns began to sound above. |
| "What about Professor Longears?" Eugene asked "He should be fine..." Slinky said "...We have a good sense of medicine here because of our sense of smell helps us in diagnosis." Meanwhile in the Dinosaur Kingdom of Gaia which was located in the Grand Central Desert in the middle on Pangea which was why it was hard for warm blooded mammals and birds wrapped in coats of fur or feathers to access it even if they were creatures built for deserts like camels, High King Tyranno the sixth in his line, monitored the situation through his crystal ball. At the same time, what most would call a ghost of a beautiful lady dressed in traditional Egyptian garb floated beside him. "This is bad..." The Lady Ghost said "...This outsider human could spoil all our plans!" |
| "Or, you can not be an idiot, and just let this person return to their home," Badtaste said, appearing next to them. "They probably want to go home to mommy and daddy." "Tell me where he is, or I'll eat you," said Tyranno. "That's a terrible thing todo," said Badtaste. "Your mates wouldn't sleep with you if you did that, and not just because your breath would reek." |
| Tyranno’s claws drummed on the arm of his obsidian throne. The crystal ball shimmered; inside its depths, the burrow where Eugene had fallen looked like a pale moving grain of sand. The ghost in Egyptian linen drifted nearer, her eyes like hollowed moons. “If he stays,” she whispered, voice like wind across bone, “the Princess will insist on making him a symbol. Your alliance with the Avian and Mammal courts will fray.” Tyranno’s jaw worked. He had spent decades sewing back an order torn by ancient wars. Portals suddenly opening in petty burrows threatened more than curiosity, they threatened control. “Bring him,” he said at last, low and slow. “Alive. And keep him presentable. I do not feed on the living unless absolutely necessary.” Badtaste gave a theatrical bow, bells chiming. “As you wish, Majesty. I’ll make sure he’s polished and ready for parade.” He sniffed and added, “And if the Princess wants a pet, perhaps she’ll choose a silk ribbon instead of a gnawed velvet collar.”   Slinky led Eugene over roots and through tunnels that smelled of sap and wet stone. Night insects hummed like a distant engine. Eugene’s mind raced, quantum equations had sure never prepared him for this. “We can’t go straight to the rebel camp,” Slinky said, pressing her palm to a fissure in a mossy bank. “Guards will be around the outer runs. We have a back route, but it’s- ” She hesitated, ears flat. “ -it’s watched by the Avian scouts at dusk.” Eugene swallowed. “Is there anywhere safe at all?” A low thump echoed through the earth and the ground seemed to breathe. From the fissure’s shadow stepped a figure cloaked in patchwork-mole-skin, goggles fogged with earth. One narrow eye flashed. “Mender Jore,” Slinky whispered. “If we can’t reach the outer ring, he’ll hide us in the Buried Vaults.” Jore’s voice was gravel. “You bring the human and the broken rabbit?” He regarded Eugene keenly. “We hide what the crown hunts. But nothing here stays hidden if the Princess demands a spectacle.” Eugene’s chest tightened. Slinky’s whiskers trembled. “She likes new things. Strange things.” She glanced back toward the tunnel exit where distant horn-blasts still rolled across the roots like thunder. “We move now. If the Royal Wing gets him first, there won’t be any returning home.” |
| "Why are you helping me so much?" Eugene finally asked Slinky "I mean...No offense...But I crash landed on your boss and your putting your own neck at risk." "I don't have that much to lose..." Slinky said with a shrug "Rats as I said are the very bottom of the social totem pole in Rodentia and besides you might be the key to what Professor Longears was trying to find out...What Burrowbane is trying to gain from his experiments!" |
| "Oh, he's trying to find other worlds that we can invade, and just take over," Badtaste said, as the skunk popped next to them. "You're getting very annoying," said Slinky. "All part of the job," the jester said. "I'm surprised that you haven't used your magic to poof me to the High King," said Eugene. "Because I would need to be grabbing you, or you would need to hold me, in order to move you with me," said Badtaste. "Something tells me, given what I've heard about Professor Longears, you are at least strong enough to make me let go before I complete the magic motions needed to enhance my teleportation spell, and given that you know who I work for, I don't see you willingly hold onto me as I make the necessary gestures to, again, make the magic work, unless, maybe, you're stuck someplace where life and death are on the line." "So, why would this Princess want me as a pet?" Eugene asked. "Well, think about it," the skunk said. "You're an exotic creature, from a far-flung world, never-before-seen, and thus, a potential status symbol to show off power. That, and since you're clearly not of the Tyrannosaurus lineage, the perfect Male to serve the Princess's curiosities without the risk of unwanted eggs." Eugene's eyes widened. "What?" "The Princess has reached the age of Maturity, and thus has been asking a lot of questions about sex," said Badtaste. "So, to keep their honor pure, traditionally, a mammalian servant get the job of serving as the Prince's or Princess's Personal Servant, and you're expected to perform many duties. Thankfully, practical sexual education is the lowest in terms of duties, as the main one is to be their bodyguard." "And you know this how?" Eugene asked. "I used to serve her mother in that role, when she was alive," said Badtaste. "She had a very kind soul, and was gentle to all beings." "So, how did you end up as a jester?" Eugene asked. "It was the Queen's last request, the last thing she asked me to do, so that I could look after her daughter, and perhaps guide her to be a good ruler," said Badtaste. "Besides, someone needs to tell the High King when he's being an idiot, and I can do so, and the High King won't eat me for doing so, as it's my job. That, and he doesn't want to chance me spraying him." |
| Slinky rubbed her temples. “That’s enough talk about royal mating customs, thank you,” she muttered. “You’re going to make him faint.” “I already feel faint,” Eugene said weakly, clutching his knees. “I fell through a black hole, crushed a talking rabbit, got chased by dinosaur guards, and now I’m apparently some kind of interdimensional...boy toy?” Badtaste grinned. “See? You’re catching on to palace life already.” “Out,” Slinky snapped. “Poof. Vanish. Whatever you do. Just...out.” “Can’t,” Badtaste said, tail flicking. “Orders from above. I’m to observe the human until further notice.” “That means spy,” Eugene muttered. “Semantics,” said Badtaste. Slinky groaned. “Fine. But stay out of the way.” She turned to Eugene. “We’re close to the Buried Vaults. They’re old tunnels, before Tyranno united the kingdoms. If anyone knows how to send you home, it’s the Moles. They still remember the old magics.” Eugene frowned. “So, there’s another kind of magic?” “Plenty,” said Badtaste. “But you won’t like theirs. The Moles deal in memory magic. They trade secrets for secrets...what you give up, you forget.” Eugene swallowed hard. “Meaning...if I trade something to go home, I might lose part of myself?” Slinky nodded grimly. “Your mind, your memories, maybe your name. It’s why few ever bargain with them.” Badtaste smirked. “But you, Hairless Wonder, might just be desperate enough.” A rumble shook the tunnel. Dust fell from the ceiling. Slinky’s ears perked. “They’ve found us. We move now!” Eugene stumbled after her, heart pounding, while behind them, Badtaste just sighed and jingled his bells. “Ah, the smell of panic. Reminds me of the court banquets.” |
| Eugene was thinking 'Oh man! What might I have to give up to survive and go home?!' He thought about maybe he could give up a memory he didn't want to remember...Like the time he wet his pants in First Grade, but they probably didn't want something so paltry... Meanwhile King Tyranno paced back and forth in his chamber when the Ghost Lady came back "I particularly don't want this new human to discover the hidden warrens of the last remaining humans of this world..." She said "Yes, I know I know!" King Tyranno said "The humans of this world are still being punished..." The Ghost said "...Because they dared to use my mummified body as the final ingredient for their elixir to bring the dead back to life! And they used it on your ancestor to the First High King..." |
| "So, what have you heard about the dinosaurs origins?" Eugene asked, as he looked at the skunk. "Well, given how much time I served the queen, quite a bit," said Badtaste. "In fact, while I don't know for sure, the one story I heard was Beings adorned in White Light brought them back to life. As to what happened to these beings of white light, that's where things get interesting." "What do you mean?" Eugene asked. "Well, the main common consensus is that there was some sort of conflict between the beings of white light and the dinosaurs, and the dinosaurs seemed to have won," said Badtaste, "The question is what happened to the Beings afterwards - did they flee the planet? Did they get eaten? Or, did they get enslaved, and are now owned by the tip top elites of society?" "What do you think happened?" Eugene asked. "The Queen was of the opinion that all were true - some fled, others got eaten, and others still are enslaved," said Badtaste. "So, what did these beings look like?" Eugene asked. The jester looked at him. "I might be wrong, but, going by the descriptions the Queen told me, they resembled your kind." |
| Eugene went silent. The tunnel’s air felt suddenly colder, and even Badtaste’s bells stopped jingling. “Resembled...my kind?” Eugene finally said. “You mean...humans brought the dinosaurs back?” The skunk tilted his head. “So the old stories claim. Though your lot didn’t seem to do a very good job keeping control of the situation afterward.” Slinky turned sharply toward him. “That’s enough, Badtaste. You’ve frightened him enough already.” “I’m not frightened,” Eugene said quickly, though his voice wavered. “I’m just...realizing that I might be in a world built on humanity’s biggest mistake.” They emerged into a vast underground atrium, the Buried Vaults. Ancient stone pillars lined the walls, carved with spiraling glyphs depicting creatures walking upright, the sky breaking apart, and beasts roaring as light poured from their mouths. The glow of crystal fungi reflected in Slinky’s eyes. “Welcome to what’s left of the Old Burrows,” she said softly. “This was where the first awakened creatures learned to stand. Where the First High King’s roar changed the world.” Eugene stepped closer to the carvings. His fingers brushed a depiction of a tall, humanoid figure surrounded by halos of light, being devoured by a tyrannosaur. “Beings of white light,” he whispered. “So, that’s what they looked like...” “Some say they were gods,” Badtaste said quietly. “Others, scientists. Like you.” Before Eugene could respond, the floor trembled. A low rumble echoed through the tunnels, followed by a distant roar that made dust rain from the ceiling. Slinky froze. “That’s not a patrol...” Badtaste’s fur bristled. “No. That’s him.” “Who?” Eugene asked. The skunk turned, eyes gleaming with grim humor. “Lord Burrowbane. He’s found the trail.” Slinky grabbed Eugene’s arm. “We need to go, now!” But before they could move, the tunnel ahead split open in a burst of red light. From it emerged a shadowy, armored mole with burning eyes and claws wreathed in energy. “Well, well, well” Burrowbane hissed. “The lost man from another world. How convenient.” Eugene stumbled back, heart pounding. “What-what do you want with me?” Burrowbane smiled, teeth like shards of onyx. “To finish what your ancestors started.” |
| "Your ancestors were seeking to become Gods..." Said Lord Burrowbane "...And that is what I will become!" Meanwhile in the Dinosaur Kingdom of Gaia the Princess, Princess Thorny Claw, was laying on her bed playing with a pillow by tossing it up and down with her feet hoping she would get her mammalian servant soon |
| "Definitely not someone to be near," said Badtaste, as he looked at the crazed mole. He then made a gesture. "Eugene - remember what I said about holding me in the matter of Life and Death?" "Yes," said Eugene. "Good, because I know the magic he has, and it won't send you home," said Badtaste. "It's the kind that rips your soul out of your body, so that he can do terrible things from the energy." "So, what do you suggest we do?" Eugene asked. "Slinky - you climb onto Eugene's back. Eugene, you pick me up, and just start running away," the skunk said. "After that, I'll work on the magic to send us to the Princess's quarters." "I don't like that idea," said Slinky. "Neither do I," said Eugene. "Better to be the Princess's personal servant for a short while, than to get your soul ripped out and used as part of an experiment," said Badtaste. "Why hasn't he moved since his declaration to become a god?" Slinky asked. "Because I casted a paralyzing spell upon him, to slow him down," said Badtaste. "Problem is, his magic is stronger than mine, and he's about to break it." |
| The air underground grew thick with pressure, like the atmosphere itself was holding its breath. Burrowbane’s many-fingered claws twitched as dark light began to shimmer around him, cracking through Badtaste’s invisible bonds. “Now would be an excellent time to do the running part!” cried the skunk. Eugene didn’t argue. With a startled grunt, he scooped up Badtaste like a sack of grain and felt Slinky scramble onto his back. Her small claws dug in, but not cruelly; just for balance. “Run where?” Eugene panted, his sneakers skidding on the polished floor as he sprinted through the winding tunnel. “Anywhere that isn’t here!” shouted Badtaste, his tail glowing faintly purple as he muttered a rapid incantation. Sparks danced around them, swirling like fireflies as the hall shook. Behind them, Burrowbane’s voice echoed, low, deep, and layered with something ancient. “You cannot flee destiny, little rodents...or you, Outsider.” Eugene risked a glance back, and instantly wished he hadn’t. The mole’s eyes were blazing with gold fire. The paralyzing spell snapped with an audible crack, and tendrils of shadow burst outward, crawling along the walls like living ink. Slinky squeaked. “He’s summoning the Devourers! Run faster, human!” “I’m trying!” Eugene shouted. The tunnel split ahead, one path leading into blackness, the other up a steep, spiral ramp carved into the stone. “Up!” commanded Badtaste. “Magic likes low ground. Air currents make it harder for him to track us!” As Eugene pounded up the ramp, wind whipped around them. Burrowbane’s roars echoed below, and a storm of dark motes began to rise, chasing them like hungry ghosts. “Almost...there...” Badtaste muttered. His fur puffed up as a crackling energy orb formed between his paws. “When I say now, Eugene, don’t stop running!” “Don't stop running where-” “NOW!” The world imploded into light. Eugene felt his stomach lurch as the floor vanished, replaced by a sensation like falling through liquid lightning. Then...thump. He landed face first in something soft. Pillows. When he lifted his head, he saw a massive pair of green eyes blinking at him. A young female dinosaur, covered in brilliant pink and lavender scales, lay on a canopy bed shaped like a giant nest. Her tail flicked once in surprise. Badtaste brushed soot off his fur, perched atop a pillow beside Eugene. “Well,” he said, “welcome to the Princess’s quarters.” Slinky slid off Eugene’s back, looking at the stunned dino girl, who was still holding a pillow in midair. The Princess blinked again, tilting her horned head. “Ohhh! You must be my mammalian servant!” she squealed with delight, clapping her hands together. “He’s so small and fuzzy!” Eugene opened his mouth, but all that came out was: “...fuzzy?” Badtaste sighed. “Brace yourself, Eugene. She’s...affectionate.” The pillow dropped on his head just as the enormous dinosaur princess leaned closer with an excited grin. “Oh, he talks! I’m going to name you Fluffykins!” Badtaste groaned. “And thus begins your royal servitude, Lord Fluffykins the First.” Outside the palace walls, far below the glittering towers of the Dinosaur Kingdom of Gaia, the shadow of Burrowbane slithered up from the depths, his golden eyes fixed on the horizon. “Let them run,” he whispered. “The Kingdom of Rodentia has already fallen. Soon, Gaia will kneel...and the gates between worlds will open.” |
| Slinky sighed "Well...What about me? What do I do now?" Badtaste said "We can let you stay as an official guest of honor. Since you're Professor Longears' Secretary you do have valuable information." "OK thanks..." Slinky sighed as she hopped from the bed to the nightstand and from there climbed down to get out of Thorny Claw's room to the hallway "Wait! Wait!" Badtaste said as he ran to catch up with her "Why are you suddenly so down? Did you...Did you actually have feelings for that human? You've only known his for what, an hour?" "When you've had the stigma of being a bald creature on top of being a rat..." Slinky said "...You'll get attached to anyone who is nice to you." |
| Badtaste looked at her, and then looked away. "I guess I can relate to that." Slinky looked at him. "What do you mean? I know that skunks have a reputation for smelling bad, but surely other skunks would....." "Not when you're cursed with magic, at least, that's how it was with my surfeit," said Badtaste. "I don't know how it is with other communities of skunks, but mine doesn't trust those with magic. I was kicked out of it when I was fifteen. I did what I had to do - I became a thief. Stole what I needed." "How did you become the Personal Servant of the Queen?" Slinky asked. "She wasn't a Queen when we met, not even the High King's mate - and he wasn't a King yet, while I was called Widestripe" said Badtaste. "I had broken into this place, looking for food, or things that I could sell for food. Guards spotted me, and I didn't have time to use my magic, so, I ran, and decided to hide in this one room. I got caught, not by a guard, nor a servant, but by a female tyrannosaurs, looking like that one. I begged her to make my death quick. I'll never forget what she said, 'That would leave a bad taste in my mouth.' Guards opened the door by then, and they, along with her father, came into the room. The Lord looked at me, and gave me a choice, serve as his daughter's personal servant for six months, or serve six months in the cells. I became her servant. It was rough at first, but, after a while, we came to an understanding, and even became friends, or something close to it. I could even trust her with knowledge of my magical abilities, and she trusted me to get her out of troublesome situations. She even gave me the name I use. When the six months were up, I asked if I could keep the position longer, and, it was granted. I served her faithfully - giving her advise when I noticed things she didn't, let her know that she was being foolish when she was being one, and anything else needed." "What about sex?" Slinky asked. Badtaste chuckled, nervously. "Let's just say the first few times were very interesting, and leave it at that," he said. "After a while though..... I couldn't really complain too much." "And Thorny Claw?" Slinky asked. "I can honestly say that she's very gentle to those she cares about," said Badtaste. "Other than that, a mixture of her mother and father." |
| Slinky paused mid-step, whiskers twitching as she processed everything Badtaste had just said. The soft torchlight of the palace corridor flickered across the carved murals, scenes of dinosaurs and mammals standing side by side in peace, long before Burrowbane’s shadow spread across the world. “You really...cared for her, didn’t you?” Slinky said quietly. “The Queen.” Badtaste exhaled through his nose, tail drooping slightly. “Yeah. I did. More than I was supposed to.” For a few moments, the only sound was the hum of distant guards’ footsteps echoing through the marble halls. “She wasn’t supposed to die,” he muttered, eyes clouded with memory. “Tyranno promised to protect her. But power changes people. After she passed, he closed himself off, the whole kingdom went cold. And I stayed behind because of her last words.” “What did she say?” “Make her laugh, Marcel. Keep her heart light, even when the world grows dark.’” He looked up toward Thorny Claw’s room, where faint giggling could be heard, the young Princess apparently showing Eugene how to wear a tiara made from seashells. “She wanted me to look after her daughter,” Badtaste said softly. “And that’s what I’ve done ever since. Even if I have to act the fool to do it.” Slinky smiled faintly, her beady eyes softening. “You’re not such a bad skunk, you know.” “Don’t spread that around,” he replied, forcing a grin. “I’ve got a reputation to maintain.” Then the ground trembled. Both of them froze. The torches along the corridor flickered blue for an instant, and then dimmed. “That’s not good,” Badtaste muttered. “That’s magic interference.” Slinky’s furless tail bristled. “Burrowbane?” “Or something he just unleashed.” They ran, or rather, Badtaste half-scampered, half-glided, and Slinky bounded beside him, until they reached a balcony overlooking the sprawling valley of the Dinosaur Kingdom. What they saw made both of them stop dead. Far below, the glowing rivers that ran through Gaia’s capital were dimming, one by one. The central crystal tower; the heart of the kingdom’s magic, was pulsing irregularly, like a heartbeat under strain. A voice echoed faintly through the air, rolling like thunder from a faraway mountain. “Kingdoms of Pangea...hear me. The age of beasts is over. The age of the Divine begins.” Slinky’s eyes widened. “That’s Burrowbane’s voice!” |
| "No more will I be a Mere Beast...Now I will be Lord of All the Universe!" But then Burrowbane was punched in the side of the head by a seemingly equally powerful figure...Eugene's Boss! Professor George Garrison!" "Oh No!" Said Garrison "There can be only one God in this multiverse and it's not going to be a filthy little mole!" |
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