King was raging inside. That damned fool Hades had really outdone himself. Stealing power from him at the least opportune time ever. How had the love-struck moron of a tom done it? There shouldn't even be a connection between them without King opening it.
Well, whatever he’d done, Hades had really fucked up royally. Because not only had Hades interrupted the Black Devil's spectacular rescue of the idiot's very own beloved no-fur but the tom had taken so much power King was now a prisoner of whoever was running the whole operation.
King hissed and his black fur stood on end. He was in a slightly modified no-fur cage. And while that might have given a regular-sized tom a bit of room - and though he was no longer in his Topside massive Grey-fur glamour due to an absolute loss of magick - ol' Blackie's broad shoulders and strong legs left him unable to even turn around. Temporarily drained of his God aura, his claws were that of an average tom and good
"Skin-sheath." Agent muttered the word as if tasting it on his tongue. He'd been called every variant of that particular slur in his life. None of them were sexy, kind, or even remotely flattering. Even the ones that toms seemed to think were affectionate. The no-fur flexed his toes again as he thought. They were new. Less than twenty-four hours ago, his feet were that of a no-fur. His feet still hurt from the procedure that removed his bones from his knees down and replaced them with the bones of a tom. Once the bones were grafted in, Agent's skin had been wrapped around them. He had wanted the proper tom knees to be put on at the same time as the lower legs and paws, but the tom who he had harvested the lower legs and feet from did not have viable knees. "Yes, old tom, I find that term offensive." Agent finally nodded. "At a genetic level, there is less than one-tenth of one percent of a difference between a no-fur and a tom. A few different protein pairings and a quarter of the s
Guru had collected his unconscious no-fur in his arms and was leaning against a tree. His whole body screamed that he needed rest as well but he would stay awake as long as Spitfire couldn't protect himself. Recent events suggested his troublesome ginger-haired no-fur could more than take care of himself when fully conscious, but the Blonde tom wasn't going to take any chances with him.Thank the gods the candy trick worked. They had gotten lucky with that. Well, more than lucky. Their bond was so strong Spitfire had seen through Guru's attempt to make the medicine he needed and done it himself. Guru hoped there was something wrong with him that made his heart skip a beat. The no-fur had a psychotic break and had beaten the Blonde tom to the point of tears. He wrecked his body.And Guru still loved him.Guru didn't blame Spitfire for what happened. He couldn't. He knew the other side of Spitfire, the one who walked straight into the demon's den for the sole purp
Jinx sat quietly, absorbing what Guru was saying. He finally nodded. "Okay. I said that you could have whatever you needed. I meant that."The tom looked over at Spitfire. The no-fur hadn't moved since he had been laid in the window seat. "Gran, can you get something to help wake Spitfire?"Pushing himself up from the floor, Jinx tried to keep the swelling of hope in his chest under control. It was going to be a tough undertaking and there were no guarantees. But he couldn't help himself. He needed to believe that there was hope. He couldn't let himself think that he had lost Lexi. Not now, not when he'd only just found him."First thing’s first. I'm gonna keep you busy. I need a good auric circle with a homemade sigil to focus on. If we are going to use the card,then it should be something that draws from it. But the best chance of success to capture and contain an auric soul is to use water. How do you feel about finding a jar or something about ya
Waking up was the worst idea he had yet.Spitfire groaned as his eyes cracked open. His entire body was stiff and sore. He was cold in some places and hot in others. Breathing was like running sandpaper over his throat. The only thing in the entire universe that didn't suck right now was the comforting presence of his tom. Guru was sitting next to where Spitfire lay and the no-fur could hear his soft, deep voice. He couldn't understand a word the tom was saying, but the vibrations of him speaking was comforting nonetheless.After what felt like ages, Spitfire groaned again and attempted to speak."My everything hurts.""I'll bet it does. So what I'm about to ask may not be the best timing." Guru was kissing, almost grooming Spitfire's red-honey hair. "We need to work some magick. I can be gentle."Spitfire stretched and made a whining noise as his muscles all protested the movement. "No. I can't."He curled in on himself, half-heartedly push
The last thing Jinx wanted to do was hang out in the much too small room while Spitfire and Guru were having sex. They would be practically in his lap and that was way too close for anyone's comfort. He entered the kitchen, surprised to find that the table was repaired.Gran was sitting at the kitchen table, humming while he worked yarn over a pair of knitting needles. Jinx made a beeline for the pitcher of melting snow on the counter. It had lemon slices in it and the water that was filling the bottom half looked clear and cold. Jinx's paw was nearly to the handle when he was smacked by one of Gran's knitting needles."That is not for you. Those others will need this when they are done." The lean tom smiled and steered Jinx towards the table. A large pitcher of what looked like iced tea waited with three glasses full of ice. "You can have some of this."Jinx didn't feel like arguing. He just nodded and let himself be led to the table. He stared out the kitchen
Doll was feeling better than he had in a while. The toms who took care of the small Gods gave him and some of his fellow no-furs a great feast this morning. Then it was a few hours of reeducation, which the no-fur didn't mind so much anymore. He was getting the hang of the tricky affirmations they had to learn about how generous their gift to the toms was and how it was all they lived for.But how could he not be pleased? He'd gone right to the front of the line. While he would have gladly served the toms coming to enjoy the garden party, he was whisked away after being told he was going to give his essence to one of the great rituals that helped heal the toms and their world. What an amazing opportunity to serve!As he made his way down the steps to the Room of Awakening, Doll noticed the robe the toms had given him was so soft that it felt like fur against his skin. There was something oddly comforting about that. Maybe he was remembering what it felt like to sleep a
Gods, he wanted that to be his Doll asking how he could serve Hades's needs. But it wasn't. But it was, and yet again not.Hades snarled. It was all too confusing. His mind was still lingering partway in the horrible dreams. He wasn't sure if this was or wasn't real. But like every time he was given a chance to escape, he fought his way through and tried again. No reason to make this time any different."I need the auric circle broken so I can move." Hades forced his raw throat to scream.He wasn't sure where Doll was or who else was in the room. The ritual couldn't have actually started because there weren't screams and whimpers of no-furs being mangled and raped. Nothing was making noise but Doll and the rumbling bass of a tomswearing. Maybe one of the priests."Anything will do. Just break or blur one of the lines."Hades tried to summon up any energy. He had to have some of that god aura he took from King left. They hadn't done anything t
Wound arrived first and was beginning to become concerned that something had gone wrong. He was glad he thought to bring a pocket watch as the hand sailed past a second minute. Jinx wasn't in danger yet but if he didn't show in the next minute or so the healer might have to get proactive.Trips in and out of the Underworld were complicated even for the most seasoned of auric power users. Jinx had the power of an Underworld-enhanced Orangelo Chariot tarot card and now Wound worried it was not enough for two. As it was, Wound's Topside glamour felt like it was taking more power than it should after he had to boost the journey with some of his demon aura.He looked around. If Jinx ever got here, he'd be amazed by how well he'd pinpointed their location. Wound certainly was impressed with himself. He had been deposited just a little bit of a walk away from the Curtains. He took a minute to appreciate their majesty without wondering what sort of expectation the waterfall ha
Epilogue - Part 2Shadwell Sebastien Woolsey, also known as Hades, stomped in out of the rain, shaking it off his fur before he went any further into the house than the entry hall.He could hear the commotion in the main room. It was the kind of overwhelming noise only two bunnies, one large Northern Forest tom, a cosmic entity, and ten kits could make. It was the sound of a happy home, one that Hades had never dared to dream he could have. After his own rough upbringing with a sire who was embarrassed to be a Black-fur and an anonymous no-fur father, Hades had long since put aside any thoughts of being a sire himself.But his mates had changed all of that and helped him to realize he wasn't afraid of being a sire. He was just afraid of being his sire. Hades didn't feel shame about his fur color nor that of any of his many, many kits. He didn't think he was capable of feeling this much love. Though, he was grateful to Ink who had given both of the omega bunnies anti-pregnancy Marks. T
Epilogue - Part 1Guru hadn't been back to the Mousetrap since its renovations or since his kits with Spitfire were born. With all the little ones around and a very grumpy ginger-furred bunny to deal with, he'd barely left the mansion where himself, Spitfire, Doll, and Hades now resided.There was definitely a touch of Chaos everywhere he looked. A few booths sat at a slightly less than 45 degree angle and had straps like a carnival ride. No doubt when the bar was open those were full first from the novelty of it. Then there was the tricked-out pie case. Guru salivated a little, having heard from his mate Hades all about the supposedly world-famous pies.Jinx didn't have time to make them anymore so he'd begun to teach his brother Ink. Today appeared to be one of those sessions as Jinx was snatching a knife away from his paler brother and grousing about the proper way to cut certain fruits.The big Blonde tom put a paw around the other bunny in his life, his sweet Doll. Who looked esp
Everything was quiet for the first time in what felt like a lifetime.Spitfire sat down where he was, in the middle of the rubble left from fighting so many automa-toms and Agent's Hares. This part of Atlas City was wrecked. He wondered what it looked like outside of the battle barrier they had erected. Was Guru's mansion still okay? Did they still have a home?A ripple of auric energy told him Cosmo was on his way, having secured the collapsing bridge. Good, that was good. He needed to bond with his avatar mate to recover his god aura properly. But for now, since the battle was done, Spitfire was going back inside to see Doll and the kits. He needed to check on them. Something about this silence didn't feel... natural.Cosmo's voice in his mind assured Spitfire that it was not. Time had been frozen by a god and until it restarted, only the deities would be able to function.Spitfire wondered how long it would be before he knew how to do that. It was a pretty cool trick.He stood, stre
The ten of swords was not a magick to use lightly. Jinx had never actually cast that card before. He had been warned, repeatedly, that there were cards in the deck he was given that took as much as they gave. The pinnacle of the swords suit was one of those cards.Clutching his bleeding paw against his chest, Jinx drew one long breath after another. Everything smelled awful, the air was so thick with blood that he could taste it. He was certain that there was screaming all around him, but he couldn't hear it over the roar in his ears.He'd finally managed to end this stupid battle. He was the undisputed God of Chaos now. Jinx could feel it in his bones, right down in his soul. The power was flowing out of Agent's body as quickly as the blood that was pooling under both their paws."The kits..." Jinx's enemy was croaking out a few last words. "Are they safe?"Jinx's eyes followed Agent's weak attempt to reach out. There was a wavering shield, made up of th
Liar.The word kept echoing in Agent's head and in the air around him. The Demon was lying to him. They were made of lies and deceit, after all. There was no way King had pined for him for all those years. Tricksy had made a huge mistake when he'd tried to create the Innehavre bond. He'd killed a young no-fur, but it wasn't just any no-fur. He'd killed the oldest of his and King's litter. Stripped his soul bare and left the tom who loved him to take the blame.King had to know what happened to their kit. Both of them kept an eye on the three no-furs who were theirs. They couldn't help it. They were parents, after all. They worried.But throwing himself into the reincarnation cycle was the only way to make sure that the Innehavre bonds continued. Tricksy needed to sacrifice time and his own connection to King to the ancient powers that gave him his powers as the God of Chaos. Those beings, older than any god who now walked the earth, had changed who he was. Made him the God of Chaos an
*****Author Note - be warned, this chapter has the loss of a newborn in it ********If Priest so much as suggested movement, Doll growled at him and threaten his life. Ink seemed to be less in a hurry to take the small bundle from his arms.The no-fur cooed and cuddled the tiny, tiny form. "Hush, my kit. It will be alright. Your Daddy is right here and I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."In his head, Doll knew the smallest of his kits was gone. In his heart, he couldn't part with the sweet grey and white striped tom kit. He heard him release one small, strangled cry before Ink started swearing and Priest turned to try to revive the poor little dear before handing him to Ink and not turning around presumably so Doll didn't see his tears.Ink had said words... Sorry and hold him... Doll didn't really hear them all over the roaring in his head as he was handed the still kit.He kissed the babe's forehead, his tears unchecked. "I'm sorry, little one. I didn't get to let you grow. I tho
Lexi was enraged. At his clever attackers and at himself. He had headed straight back to the bar when he caught a glimpse of tufted ears and the skin of a no-fur neck.Deciding rather than join the fight against the automa-toms, he would capture and defeat the one controlling them, the Demon began to stalk Agent. As he'd gotten closer, the image of Agent began to fade away.A bolt of what had to be Chaos magick slammed into him, sending Lexi flipping end over end. When he'd started to push himself off the ground, Lexi was in his least powerful form, that of a green tom.Having no idea what auric power his tom form had as it wasn't a glamour any more, Lexi could barely summon any energy to mold and was no match for a trio of Tawny-furs that had thrown some kind of aura-draining net over him.Now he struggled to escape the net while the Tawnys had just fucked off.Muttering to himself, Lexi considered what the trap had meant. "Does Agent think I'm so easily beaten? No, he's like super s
Hades found himself alone with Doll again and he wasn't sure what to do. He was holding his hand, muttering encouragement, but that felt like nothing.Spitfire had experience with this stuff and Guru was able to ease Doll's nerves with his singing. Ink and Priest, though they were practically strangers, were doing more for Doll than he could manage. Maybe he should join Jinx and Spitfire outside. He was good at fighting. But that meant leaving Doll and Hades wasn't sure he was ready."Look at them, pretty baby," Hades whispered, nodding his head towards the line of bins where their kits were bundled up and mewling, an occasional wail comingfrom one of them. "It's hard to believe that this is really happening.""I can't wait to hold each one in my arms." Doll let his head fall back on the soft blanket. "Or see all of you cuddle them. Although I will be glad to rest, I still feel there's a somebody or two in there. But they seem quiet for now." His no-fur's
Arriving after three of the kits had been born, Spitfire took a moment to check on them before he grabbed Doll's hand and leaned close to talk to him."Look at how good you're doing, sweetheart. Three of our kits are already in the world." Spitfire stroked Doll's sweaty hair. "I know, this is awful. It feels like it will never end, but you are nearly done."The new Black Devil turned to look at Ink, who was acting as the birthing doctor. "How many more are there? He is nearly done, right?""There's at least one more. But without an ultrasound, I can't say for sure." Ink replied, already coaxing out a fourth kit."Little one so big." Doll sounded exhausted. He leaned his head against Spitfire. "But he looks just like Guru, my beloved. Only completely White-fur and with my copper eyes. He's gonna be trouble. This one is kicking a lot but much smaller.""They're all going to be trouble, I think." Spitfire nuzzled the side of Doll's face. The thundering sounds of battle from outside were