Counter Earth Chronicles - Fallen Empire

Chapter 82: You Can't Forget What You Can't Get Back (Embracing Demons Part VII)

Day 185 (Continued. 12:43 PM Diamond City Amusement Park)

“Tauren!!!" I shouted as I ran and hugged the grey bull.

“We have missed you Alex."

“And I have missed you more! The last time we spoke was the day of my judgement you know when Lurie kissed you after killing the High Evolutionary and you were telling me to… to… flee as… the synoptic was consuming your body, mind and soul." I said quietly.

(Oh yeah, that is right.)

“And we are a better beastial as a result of it."

My immediate emotional outburst at seeing my long lost friend had dangerously obscured my objectivity; I forgot that I was hugging a shadow. A shadow of a shadow even. The minotaur I had known and cared about no longer existed singularity- he was of a combined mind with someONE else; something else.

“Well you look amazing! The entity has taken great care of you." I backpedaled as I was surrounded by a horde of its minions- beastials, humans and creatures of all shapes and sizes.

One of them, an aardwolf touched my hand and then my neck with his paw trying to turn me, my skin crawled as something tried to enter my very being. I resisted brushing it off.

“Thank you but no, been there, done that… Steven Cheetah?!" I shouted looking at my would be assailant.

“The Winter!" The former client of the Shadow Chasers said.

(He had survived! Well sort of….)

“The Winter!"

“The Winter!" 

The horde echoed.

Tauren looked at the crowd that had surrounded us communicating something to them and just like that, they dissipated returning to the activities they were performing before they started to pursue me.

“You have quite the reputation around here little human." The minotaur said.

“How so?"

“You are the only vessel to successfully escape from our master." 

“Oh, I guess I did."

“Well the master wants you to come back. We want you to come back."

“It is nice to be wanted. Really to be wanted." I said turning my back to him. I was really thinking about running for it. As I did I drew attention from the crowds on the rides and midway of the amusement park who looked up from what they were doing to stare back at me.

(DAMN!!!)

“But I have many who are dependent on me, including those who are afflicted by that spore infection plaguing the land."

“It is a means for our creator to spread its message."

(Creator?!)

“It also has one for you. If you come back, come home to us, your past transgressions will be forgiven and you will be welcomed back into the fold. Your pregnant bear as well."

I started at Tauren in disbelief.

“We know about that. A great many of things actually. A member of your colony her mate is of the ONE and she misses him dearly, so much that it is killing her."

I  continued to stare at the minotaur not believing what he was saying.

“Want more little human? You are harboring several in your community that will indeed become detrimental to the colony's future viability. You may think that there is unity and harmony but there isn't."

That revelation was profound. How much did ONE know? 

“Tell your master, thank you but no, I have been there, done that, and bought the tee-shirt." I said to the grey bull. “Speaking of clothing you gave up the tunic for a loincloth? I don't wear mine too much anymore." 

“Yes your clothing has become incredibly modest and simplistic- even your means of defense." Tauren said grabbing my arm to look at my weapon. 

Given my present situation, I knew I wasn't going anywhere for awhile, he and the horde would see to that. 

“You are referring to my grappling hook? Hey, it is incredibly tough outside. Those who can't make their own clothing are forced to search for whatever they can find from where ever they can find it and don't get me started on undergarments." I said as we exited the park.

The two of us entered into another wing of the Diamond City unlike the wing I had come from this was not populated by wilderness environments but by stores many, many stores offering whatever one could imagine. In away it kind of felt like we were in the theater district of the former city.

“Come little human we have much to catch up on." The grey bull said to me.

“Ok."

“How about a restaurant?"

“Fine. But you don't eat."

“Correct, but it appears that you require sustenance."

“Well it has been some hours since I last had anything." I reasoned.

We ended up taking seats at a small cafe just down the corridor. A white table and two black chairs.

“So why would there be eating establishments here if you don't eat?" I asked Tauren as he carefully sat down on the chair making sure his tenders didn't touch the cold metal.

“It is more for the visitors and tourists." The bull said as the wallaby couple Lady Ursa and I had been following walked by. The two were still in awe of the wonders that they had seen.

I was more surprised that they hadn't been 'awakened' yet by who and what inhabited this place.

“Tauren do you miss eating?"

“No."

“Right one less thing you have to worry about. So exactly what is all this?"

“A biosphere little human. Our master's crowning achievement; a world within a world." The bull said as a grey unicorn arrived. He wore a white apron and a goofy grin. Tauren nodded at him. He disappeared back into the cafe.

“Well it certainly has a lot. An amusement park. Many environments for all tastes all quite convincing."

“Because they are real."

“Even that one with the waterfall?!"

“That is a popular location for many patrons alike."

“Amazing."

“There are many environments that can accommodate any taste. Wish to explore the savanna? Want to visit the arctic? Want to live in the jungle? You can do so if you desire."

“So these environments are separate from those on Counter Earth right?"

“You are trying to limit that which is limitless and define that which is without definition little human."

“I am just trying to explain the unexplained Tauren that is all." I responded.

“It is like you and Alexander Winter, similar but different." The minotaur said answering my question.

“How is my doppleganger?"

“He thrives. Especially since his revival."

“Interesting because he is evil."

“He has become his best self." Tauren said to me. “Something more?"

“The way my life has gone thus far- this is normally the part where I hear something sinister like you have swapped him with me. I will be staying here while he masquerades as me and infiltrates my colony."

“Hmm…" The bull said pensively

(Forget I said that.)

Just then my order arrived.

“Wow, liquid nourishment- peach flavored. Just like the old days."

(The concoction tasted like I remembered it.)

“So tell me Tauren, what are you doing with yourself these days?" I asked my friend.

“We serve our master in all things and all capacities."

“Um, is that different from what you used to do in Castle Wundagore?"

“We served as protector during the recent reconstruction Alex. We perform a similar function now as well."

“That is something I am still trying to wrap my head around how in all of Counter Earth was this 'reconstruction' done in such a short time?"

“It was part of the master's plan."

“To slash and burn everything in order to start over? I mean so much was lost. The World One Museum and its artifacts. The historical district. The dance club where you, Sorren, Lurie and I competed in a contest for a hover vehicle which you won the following year. Did that survive the reconstruction?"

“Do not concern yourself little human. What was before has been replaced." The grey minotaur said cryptically. 

I looked at him as he said that. There was a pregnant pause between us.

“Tauren?"

“Yes little human?" The grey bull said staring at me.

“Am I your prisoner?"

“You will remain here as long as it takes for you to come to your senses little slave!!" The entity said through its vessel.

“Master!!" Tauren said interrupting.

“Very well minotaur we will acquiesce and leave this task to you." The synoptic said relinquishing control.

The bull collected his thoughts for a moment before he spoke.

“It is true that the master did not use you or your talents effectively while you were in service to the collective. We would like to correct that oversight now."

“Um, how are you going to do that?" I asked finishing my 'meal'.

“Spend the rest of the day with us exploring the city and seeing the master's works."

“Then decide for myself?"

Tauren nodded.

“The last time I accepted a similar invitation I was seduced by two orc sisters and became an Other." I said thinking aloud. 

(That isn't going to happen this time.)

“Very well show me this city that you inhabit."

And so we left the cafe and proceed down the corridor. I was again amazed at many of the stores in this wing of the structure.

Tauren placed his paw on my shoulder as we walked.

“We are here." He suddenly stopped.

“A massage parlor?"

“We sometimes come here to wind down."

We were greeted by two workers of the establishment a sun bear and a sloth bear who nodded as we entered.

“These two were quite quiet and very shy when they entered the new order, our master realized their talents and made sure they fulfilled their potential." Tauren said as I followed him and the female ursines inside.

For operators of a massage parlor they didn't seem to dress the part. The sun bear had short stubby legs and long arms which did not look right with the meager blazer and white undergarments she wore around her waist. The sloth bear was topless only wearing a white thong. It was hard to see anything above her waist because she was so danged fuzzy. 

We were escorted up a set of stairs and down a hallway to a private room which was mostly dark except for two tables. The only light coming from the windows.   

“They want us to remove our clothing and make ourselves comfortable." Tauren announced.

I looked at the scantily clad females and then the grey bull who had already removed his loincloth and lied down on the table. I did the same carefully removing the microprobe from my shirt and placing it in my hand, hoping no one would see. 

After making sure we were comfortable the female ursines started working on Tauren and myself. The sloth bear was massaging his shoulders, neck and upper back.

The sun bear started at my upper back moving downward.

The female beastials were pretty plain to about ugly in terms of looks. I don't know if it was the long snouts, shaggy fur, short legs or long arms but they knew their craft well.

“Your paws are divine!!" I shouted.

(This was better than my experience at the Aurora Spa!!)

“You know little human if it doesn't work out between you and Ursa these two will be glad to have you."

I looked at Tauren and then the she bears who smiled even more past the standard 'I am a vessel of the entity grin.'

'I will keep that under advisement. How is Lurie?" I asked changing the subject.

“She also thrives Alex."

“Ok, let me rephrase, how are you and her? I mean she pleaded with the entity to turn you." 

“If you mean if we were resentful after forcibly being awakened. There is no hatred, envy or jealousy between us; we now realize that it was for a higher, better purpose."

“What about killing the High Evolutionary Tauren?"

(Did the bull forgive his lover for what she/the synoptic had done?)

“He was incompatible with the new order." The minotaur said as the bears finished our massages.

“So what you are saying is that the ends justify the means?" I asked as we were given our clothing again. Well Tauren was, my clothing had disappeared.

“Here."

“What is this?" I asked as I accepted a orange v-neck shirt from the sun bear and tan pants and undergarments from the sloth bear.

“A gift. What you were wearing looks like it hadn't been changed or washed in days."

“A week actually and thank you." 

After the stores and shops, the wing we were in branched right into a lovely two storey split level structure.

“What is this place Tauren?"

“The Diamond City Art Gallery."

“Nice white walls, wood floor, marble pedestals but where is the artwork?"

“Forthcoming." The bull replied 

“You mean the collective has been focusing all its effort in reshaping the city, that doesn't leave much time for individuality or artistic expression."

“Perhaps you would like to be the first to leave one of your works here."

“My paintings were lost when the Castle Wundagore was destroyed. In fact there were many artists whose works could have been presented here their works were also lost as well as them and my first journal- damn! You know Sorren would have put his dishes on display if he was here." 

“Sorren…."

“I haven't seen Sorren since the 'last day'. As I was fleeing, I ran into him and told him what had happened. He left to find you."

I had hit a nerve there. Judging by the reaction I got the minotaur had not seen his boyfriend since the day of the fall either.   

As we left the gallery we were confronted by tall blue dragon, yellow eyes, slender body, moderate sized wings. He nodded at Tauren.

“Alex, this is Eon- he is special to us."

“This is the human who rejected our master?" The blue dragon said.

I was dumbfounded. How many years had Tauren and Sorren been together? And all it took was seven months for the bull to replace him? Well damn...

“Welcome little human to our city we hope that you decide to stay permanently." The minotaur's companion said.

“Um, nice to meet you. Where should we go to next?"

“The club of comedy." The bull and dragon said in unison.

I was taken down another wing of the city to a nightclub where an ape was performing on a stage in front of a small crowd.

“Afternoon walkers, zombies, and assorted creatures." He said starting his routine. “So what is it with all the goofy faces out there? Is there a private joke that I don't know about? Or is this just a mass orgy?"

The audience just stared and smiled eerily except for the wallaby couple who were snickering at a table in the corner.  

“Um, ahem- anyway, when I was younger I was a little monster- no offense to the monster creatures out there. One afternoon my father scolded me for not cleaning my room and I got really mad at him. I mean really mad. That evening we were out for a drive and he was pulled over by the knights for something minor.

As a particularly strong bull terrier approached our hover vehicle to talk with my father, I decided to enact my revenge right then and there. 

Afternoon Mr. Mackensie do you know why you are being detained? 

No, sir knight. My father responded timidly.

Your hover vehicle seems to be in rather rough shape and the front seems to have taken some damage- when was the last time it received maintenance?

Um, it has been quite some time… My old ape started to respond.

As you know as decreed by the High Evolutionary all hover vehicles have to be in peak order that includes not just operationally, but physically. The knight said preaching.

Yes, sir. My father started to say when I decided to butt in.

Hey dad are you going to run over this knight too? I asked innocently as my father gasped. He was never quite the same after that day- I think it was the reprogramming he received from the empire."

The audience in the night club remained silent- but smiling while I chuckled but the wallaby couple at the far end of the room were snickering.

“I know you are out there. I can see those blank stares and smiling faces." The ape remarked.

That was when the couple lost it.

“He is quite funny Tauren."

“Yes he is Eon."

“I noticed he is a normal. Why hasn't he been awakened?" I asked the bull and the dragon.

“The master has not made a decision."

“Most likely because he has nothing else to contribute, not like you." Eon said. His slit like yellow eyes looking right through me.

We stayed at the club for about an hour listening to the ape who wanted to be an Other.  

By that time afternoon was turning to evening. I started to wonder if my mistress was having any luck completing the mission.

“So little human what do you think of our city?" The dragon asked.

“It is impressive. Well beyond impressive. I still can't believe that this was built in such a short time." I responded as we continued to walk down yet another wing of the biosphere. “Say what is that over there?

“That is the Museum of Illusion."

“This isn't under construction too is it?"

The minotaur and the dragon exchanged glances.

“Well…."

“That wouldn't have been the case if ONE had decided to salvage items from the previous museums here in World One. There were plenty to choose from and now all that collective knowledge is lost forever." I said lamenting.

“Would you like to explore this museum?" Tauren asked me.

“Yeah, I guess so."

The place was dedicated to distortions and illusions, what you think you saw may not be what you actually see. There was a room where there were staircases that were right side up, upside down and even sideways. Quite confusing. Eon told me that I could walk on all of them if I wanted.

In another room there was what appeared to be a checkered tunnel on a wall that looked like it could go on forever. As I approached it I realized it was just a drawing.

In still yet another there was a circular checkered gravity well dropping down into the floor. As I studied it, the bull and his 'companion' studied me carefully.

“Everything is not as it seems little human." Tauren said watching look a virtual kaleidoscope of my image through a lens.  

“What do you think of this illusion?" The dragon said walking me over to a multi checkered swirl pattern at a nearby viewscreen.

“Intricate design." I said as it started moving and pulsating clockwise, and counterclockwise. “Quite hypnotic and… and…"

*WUD*

Just like that, all went black. Some time later I awoke to a series of voices.

“Even unconscious he still resists us."

“His will is strong and resolute. It will take some time to return him to the fold."

“You must be patient master." 

“Very well."  The conquer of worlds said.

“Alex, how are you feeling?" A particular petite lioness asked.

“Ugh- Lea?"

“You took a tumble in the museum." The sexy she beast said touching my forehead. “Try not to move around too much."

“He is fine otherwise though." A coyote to girl said appearing over the lioness' shoulder.

“Lurie!"

The coyote and lioness appeared well. Lea was wearing a black official looking uniform with a yellow scarf and yellow belt and black skirt While Lurie was wearing a tan shirt and brown skirt.

“Say where am I?"

“Medical." The lioness said to me. “It appears some of the illusions did not agree with you."

“Yeah, pretty much. So this is where you treat the visitors, rejects and undesirables?"

“Yeah pretty much." The sexy vessel of the entity said as she turned to walk out the med lab. 

“Forgive her she needs to check up on some tests she is running." The 'yote girl said approaching me. 

I recoiled.

“Long time no see squirt. Wait, you are scared of us?"

“Yes."

“Why?"

“Oh you KNOW why. Which one of you was the murderer? You or ONE?"

“Does it matter? It needed to be done." The coyote female said.

“What about the lives of the innocent who were lost from the EMP, the failing hover vehicles, the great conflagration?"

“The High Evolutionary would have never allowed this for himself or his creations. A reset was required." Was the cold reply.

“December 31st was the mother of all do overs Lurie."

“The slate needed to be wiped clean so that all could be restarted and recreated."

I shook my head in disgust.

“Come."  She said grabbing my hand. 

We left the med lab and walked into some type of glass room that provided a view of the various wings of the biosphere. Below were humans, beastials and creatures moving about the city.

“What do you see?" Lurie asked pointing to the crowds.

“The possessed. Vessels for the conqueror of worlds."

“That is a myopic interpretation."

“Why what do you see?" I asked Tauren's lover.

“Something the High Evolutionary could never achieve. Take a good look boy- there is true unity and harmony. There is no class difference, no wealth or poverty, sickness or disease, pain, misery or suffering, no resistance or division or inequality of any kind only the bliss and ecstasy of the ONE."

“But Luire can you truly say that those down there are happy? I mean there is no free will only that of the synoptic."

“Free will, individual choice and what you see here are incompatible with each other." Came the cold reply. “What about you and your kind are you happy?"

*beep* *beep*

!!!

“Did you just beep?" The coyote female asked.

“Yeah, I just did, it is a reminder that I have to use the little boy's room. Um which way?"

“The unused room down there, last door on the right."

I ran into the room and shut the door.

*beep* *beep*

“Alex. This is Claudius, there has been a development…"

To Be Continued….