About:

AniBash: Stardust Symphony Takes Place in a large System of 52 worlds that surround a large Crystalline world Celestia that radiates life energy to the others. 

The Story Follows Ani a Celestial Princess who was forced from her home, and Bash a Stray Nyan from a Destroyed World, as they Fight against a corrupted New Found Empire Headed by Ani’s Twin Brother Lord Dark’El the Celestial Prince and his Bull Beast-born General Volk as they strive to unite the 52 worlds by any means as a greater threat looms over them all.

Will the new formed Resistance be able to withstand the Empire? Will Dark's forces Crush them?

Who will stop that which comes for them all?

Drifting through the dark black empty space, even Celestia’s light struggles out here. 

An old familiar voice brakes the Erie silence.

“My lord, we are approaching the anomaly” a weathered stern voice of a faithful companion. 

Through the viewport a spiraling mass of faint purple and black, its size hard to judge with the immense nothingness Surrounding it, fragments of scout ships lied half devoured by some unknown thing…. 

He rises from his seat, in a crimson black armor wings of blood-red hair jet black a crown of red energy above his head as a halo, Prince Dark’El of Celestia. Commander of the seraphim fleet.

“This ….. This is what I’ve seen… the beginning of the end… obliterate this thing, it can not be allowed to spread.”

The large bull beast born nods, his black horns chipped, his deep Blue armor creaks with purposeful movement

“As you wish my lord…”

Their command ship the seraphim ascended unloads its full arsenal purifying light of Celestial itself, the mass is hit and seemingly designated in the purifying light.

General Volk: it is done, my Lord. 

That night in Dark’s chamber, as he removes his armor it reveals a scarred marked body chronicling ever battle every fight every experience. 

His wings unlike most of his kind ever visible, a reminder of his awareness of dangers not yet perceived by others around him, his visions a gift or curse. He steels his mind as he submerges himself in the warm water. Close's his eyes and try’s to focus on the light, a vision of his other half a red haired flame in the dark, she laughs and smiles, confronting. He sighs.

“Sister, I fear for what comes next…that thing was other worldly, it did not destroy, it consumed…. what if there is more out here in the nothing, what if it makes its way home…. “

Then through an unseen crack appears a thin purple and black whisp, it flows as if smoke, but it moves with purpose, around the tub, in and over until it finds its pray. It clings to the daydreaming prince and enters his mind as easily as it entered the ship and just as undetected. 

Dark’s dream mutes for a moment. As if the color pulls away until nothing remains, “is this another vision? We destroyed it, didn’t we? “

A new whisper never heard before enters

“No, that was just a fragment lost and forgotten, its true form feeds at the heart of Nyan…… growing its strength, feasting on its heart stone. Preparing for the end of all things.”

The vision shifts to Nyan the 2nd largest world next to Celestia its self. Calm peaceful, then a crack an implosion as if for a moment it shank, then with a violent explosion the world is ripped asunder only fragments remained orbiting a writhing mass of black and purple light?! Anti light?!  With a core of pure nothingness…….

The whisper “ this is the end…. As it’s never ending hunger feast, all existence is its pray… it will not stop, it can not stop. All shall become one with the nothing… This is fate……

Ships approach it, its tendrils lash out consuming all they touch….

“The few have no power here, against this unstoppable force. “

The vision shifts planet after planet the void rips their heart out and consumes it, celestia’s forces is not enough

With in a month the nothingness is at the door of celestia itself…. 

The whisper “perhaps if you can stop it before it emerges… we need more power, more strength, we must unite them…. That’s the only way…..

Celestia light is snuffed out as the void consumes it whole …

Dark opens his eyes….. 

“I will not allow it….”

A vow made to himself and in spite of fate.

2 months later…

Open the largest of the 52 worlds that feed on Celestia’s light. 

Nyan, the home of the brave, proud Cat folk grand towers span the canopy of rooftops sky bridges line the landscape, bustling markets, grand temples, sleek puffs of rainbow fur colors weaving through the streets, kids play zoom ball in the fields. 

Suddenly the sky roars and rips open, as several seraphim ships warp into orbit, the entire fleet millions of drones descend to the surface, a message to all plays

The figure of General Volk opens the message his imposing figure made more grand by the shear size of the projections.

“Citizens of Nyan, It has come to our attention that your world holds the harbinger of our end, we will allow you to evacuate, but this threat is to us all, and must be stopped.”

Silence falls as everyone is in shock.

Dark approaches Volk

“Will they leave, peacefully?

Volk’s focus on the world below never wavers

“Unlikely my lord, unlike most worlds the nyans are renowned for the bravery and stubbornness… and their strength…. They will send the old and the small but the rest…. It’s a shame they are true warriors. “

Dark sighs, looks down at the world. 

“We must do what we have to do to protect existence, one world is a small price. We will have to live with it, you and I most of all…..”

Volk, grabbing his Halbert.

“I trust in you my lord, if it’s what must happen then it shall happen. I’ll clear the way to the heart stone. “

Dark, places his hand on the hilt of his blade. 

“And I shall cleanse it, we will end this here…”

The whisper

“This is what must be done, the only way…”

Chaos and panic as the citizens scramble,

The temple clan leaders try to calm the masses, on every screen a message from the clan leaders to every city.

“Nyan shall never fall to tyranny and threats, we will get our young away, but we shall fight for our home, in over 10,000 cycles have we lost a battle, even the host of celestia’s might shall not defeat us for we are more than just a world. “

The broadcast is cut short as red beams of light rains down striking unpopulated areas, then the rift gates open, soldiers emerge, a war of this scale in seen before. Ships ascend to the heavens, the was ships allow them to pass, 

The grand temple of resonance in the capital of Nyan hymns in pain, as the 5 clans greatest hero’s gather. 

A rift opens and emerging is the blue-armored bullhorn standing alone, as if his purpose is all he needs. 

“Good, you have gathered, I’ve heard stories of the five clan masters.”

I slim white furred cloaked figure steps forward.

“We knew you would strike at our heart, volk the invincible, the unwavering, the unstoppable…. The unforgivable…. You shall not pass… we will stop you here.”

Volk stands ready, not in anger, but with patience, watching, waiting…

“No doubt you will try, and I do respect you for it, what are your names?…..”

The cloaked woman re moves her hood. 

“I am IsshI the lightning blade, my flash is the last light you shall see!” 

In a flash of white the slim Nyan disappeared from sight, Volk however stands closest to his eyes and as if he knew blocks to his right as a flash strikes and disappeared as quickly then another flash and block, over and over high low right left no hit landed, after a while a panting Nyan is cough midair as Volk eyes open.

“You’re fast, but predictable.”

Isshi claws at his gauntleted hand around her throat 

“Ah, how…..there’s no… way …you could have seen….”

A snap

She body goes limp, volk gently lowers he to the ground.

“IsshI, the white flash you shall be remembered…”

The red furred Nyan screams 

“IsshI noooooo!! You bastard !!!!

A calico furred Nyan runs to Volk’s left

“Marus on me, we will take him together !!!”

With a roar that stakes the resonance stone and every beat by building Marus the red grabs his maul of a black stone and rushes volk head on… and strikes to his right.

For an instant it draws his focus, volk plants him self for the strike but to his left he spins his halbert knocking an arrow out of the air just inches from hitting him, the the impact, Volk was ready for a hard hit as the red Nyan as the largest he has ever seen, but as the impact hit he realized it was more that strength his gauntlet shattered.   

3 more arrows barely deflected from different angles in the shadows. Another maul strike this one humms at the strikes the halbert and sends a shock wave outward. Then it strikes and pierces this armor, he looks to his side, an arrow.

“Impressive, not much can pierce this metal”

He looks to the red Nyan 

“You’re marus…”

Volk then look to a darkened corner of a building, as if he knew exactly where the calico Nyan was hiding

“And you are?..”

Surprised the Nyan calico drops from her hiding spot arrow at the ready.

“You followed my movements….. No that’s not all, you took an attack from us both, you’re measuring us…. I’m Nell… marus, no…..”

Seeing an opportunity marus attacks, his maul’s head caught in midair inches from volks face, a flash of blue and black as Marus’s hand and head are severed. 

The maul falling to the ground making a small crater.

An arrow is losses and splits into 3 2 are deflected and one is caught, Volk examines it. 

“Stardust, very rare, no wonder it pierced me …”

Volks head turns, too slow, 10, 15, 20 strikes, not hard, but deliberate, Volk falls to a knee.

“Sliver thread mystic art….. Infuses spirit energy into your strikes, I’ve heard of this….. Who are you…”

The robed silver with black striped Nyan leaps back into a readied stance.

“I am sphere, Nell now end this!  While he can’t mo…”

Volk rises and shoves the arrow into spheres heart, then deflects 3 more arrows with his halbert.

“Close… but not quite…. “ 

Volk slowly gets to his feet and steps forward to Nell, Nell backs up to a wall, she tries to draw another arrow, but her quiver is empty, as Volk goes for a piercing strike a shield is interposed

“Nell, the children made it go…..” 

A blue furred Nyan with a glimmering shield and a thin blade stands between them. 

Volk surprised this Nyan was able to stop his attack.

“And who are you?”

“I’m the last one you will face here…. Names aren’t important, actions are…  You are here to destroy our home, and we are to stop you…” 

Volk glances at Nell then back at the blue furred Nyan and steadies his halbert.

“She can leave, I won’t stop her, though I can see she won’t. We mean no malice, like you, we seek only to protect… I truly wish things were different, I respect the nyans… but we all must do what we must..”

Volk rips the arrow out of his side and tosses it to Nell, and prepares him self. 

More beams of red light hit closer and closer to the cities and Dark watches from his ship.

“We must end this quickly Volk, too much as already happened….. “ 

Dark makes his way to the portal room and prepares his decent. 

The blue furred Nyan strikes,and blocks, and strikes again. His movements get faster and faster, his strikes get closer and closer, his strength greater with each movement. 

Volk studies and learns but this Nyan, learns faster.

“How, it’s like I’m fighting them all at once…. Hmm, you nameless one, are my greatest foe…” 

Volk strikes, and the Nyan dodges. The Nyan strikes, and Volk blocks and is pushed back. The Nyan strikes faster and more furious, Volk is hit, again and again Volk hits the Nyan,  the Nyan hits Volk, volks armor fractures. The Nyans shield cracks. A singular strike from Both at once… Their weapons go flying.

Nell watches helplessly as Hope and Despair clash in monstrous forms.

Power and strength unmeasurable by any standard. 

With a nod and quick smirk, the nameless one looks at Nell as saying goodbye…..

The nameless one forces Volk to a knee, and he grapples him from behind holding his horns.

“Now Nell!!!”

Nell takes the last arrow and aims…. It will hit them both… she hesitates for a second and fires it.

That second of hesitation, might've well have been an eternity.

Volk swings his head and tilts his body his left horn severed, but the angle missing him, and the strike only finds the Nyan.

Volk grabs the severed horn and throws it at Nell piercing her already broken heart, as she watches hope die at her own hand……

Volk tries to rise bleeding armor broken, the full scope of his injuries setting in, nearly defeated, a rift opens and stepping in lord Dark… a hand on volks shoulder.

“You did well.”

Volk looks to Nell.

“We did what we must.”

Lord Dark opens a rift.

“Go back to the ship, I will do the rest…”

As Volk disappears in to the rift, Lord Dark enters the temple and descends to the heart stone.

As Dark descends, he keeps a memory of the history he witnesses this is the most holy of places, as it is for every world.

The heart stone connects us all it is what gives life what connects all the worlds to celestia itself.  He observes all the drawings on the walls going back to the beginning, as he reaches the heart chamber, the chamber sealed by ancient celestial magic, anyone else could not enter.

The ancient runes pulsed as a warning, Dark draws his dagger of stardust and holds it to his palm…

The whisper

“This is it, this is how we save everything, we’ve some so far… we must hurry….”

With a quick motion the prince cuts his hand the blood floats and crystallizes into a key and the way opens, one by one to e ruins break shattering like glass, until the door is just a door, he easily pushes it open, what is reviled is a heart stone, he has seen many in his youth, but this one is different, infected almost, a black purple ichor swirling in the heart stone itself. 

 The whisper

“This…..this is it…. We must hurry…”

Dark takes a device and infuses his life energy into it

“May this save us all form the end…. And my Nyan forgive me one day…. “ 

A rift opens on the bridge of the Seraphim ship (the light bringer) Lord Dark emerges, volk barley standing is at the view port, Dark moves to him.

“It’s done, I just hope it’s enough…” 

A flash, a hum and then a blinding light, only Dark and volk refuse to turn from it, when it dims a horrific sight comes into focus 1/3 of the planet is ripped open the moon caught in the blast is cracked in two fragments of Nyan litter the surrounding space. The rest of the e once vibrant world is cracked and torn the landscape desolate. 

Volk for the first time in a long time shows emotion openly, hope, fear, regret, and concern all at once.

“Did it work….. Did we stop it…”

Dark looks to the fragments of the heart stone, its light flickering the darkness inside not visible, only celestia’s dying light.

“…. We must prepare in case this wasn’t enough…. “

Volk steels himself.

“Your father will not allow it, can you do what we must… “

Dark looks to Volk.

“This was the threshold of our resolve, everything else is just a result… I’ve tried to warn him, I tried to reason with him, I will do what is needed to unite us, to save us…”

Volk stands tall as if un wounded 

“I am here my Lord…..”

The crystal citadel floated above the city its cascading prismatic light lit up the streets below, in the heart a thrown of light, and upon it the Sol king. Enter a Raznel-el the royal advisory. 

“Your majesty, the light bringer has arrived.”

The Sol king perks up on his throne.

“And the rest of the fleet?”

A flame red haired young woman approaches.

“I’m sure he must have had a reason father…..”

The Sol king stands preparing for what he knows will come, with a weary smile he looks at his daughter. 

“You must go from here child, the reason matters not, intent is moot, he will answer for what he did…. “

With a stern glance Ani backs away, she has never seen this side of her father, never this serious, this focused, this terrifying. 

Not in a thousand cycles has the ruler of Celestia held his blade, a blade of pure stardust crystal, the things that lay at the heart of all the worlds, the things that connect them to Celestia, the crystals of creation and life… 

As he holds raises the blade, it absorbs his very essence and glows with an impossible light.

A rift opens at the entrance to the throne room and two figures emerge, General Volk makes his way to the door and stands sentry.  Raze-el steps forward with a noticeable panic on his face.

“How … dare you… prince….”

Lord Dark stands unwavering, and interrupts.

“I wish for no more loss…. Please leave us Razel-el. This will be resolved between me and my father… Volk, let him pass”

Razel’el looks to his king for permission, the king nods and Razel’el flees.

Ani however at distance stays hidden, as a lone observer as the two most powerful beings in Celestia face each other…

Lord Dark steps forward.

“You want to know why…. I’ve told you, I have seen the ruin, everything to nothing…. You did not act. I may have weakened it, but it will come for us all, we must unite, must prepare….. Before it’s too late..”

The Sol King steps forward.

“My kind, loving child, I don’t know what happened to you… but it has blinded you to the truth… by destroying Nyan you did not save us, you’ve doomed us…”

The whisper creeps in to darks ear

“He can not do what must be done, he doesn’t understand, he’s too weak…. We must unite them, it’s the only way…”

Dark steps forward with resolve.

“So be it, we will see who still stands.”

Faster than a blink Dark moves as shadow dances in the light, the Sol king’s eyes shift barely catching the flicker, Dark ignites his shadow soaked crimson blade. The brilliant light of the Sol King’s blade flickers as it clashes.

The shadow gnaws at the light itself.

“This…..”

As quick as a flash another clash, then another and another each strike chipping at the light.

Dark is fast and precise, empowered by an unseen force.

Each strike shakes the very foundation of the Citadel, lights dim, alarms ring out in the distance, the royal guard emerges finding no passage as Volk the living wall stands before them.

Ani cowers at the sheer presence of the two, never before has she seen the true forms of his father and brother.

They were always so light and gentle around her. The pressure palpable as the air thickens with their auras.

Another clash as the space around them bends to the force, a fracture forms and the Sol blade, the mightiest weapon in Celestia starts to fail.

“How are you doing this son…. What power possesses you…”

For a moment… a sadness comes to Dark’s eyes.

“ This is but the resolve that shall save us, I do what I must…”

A stern look takes the face of the Sol king.

“Then so shall I…”

They clash again, and again the walls crack, the floor shifts, the ceiling begins to cave in… The sky falls…

Ani moves barely dodging debris, too close to do much else, Volk holds the line, wave after wave he stands, wounded but unwavering.

A shift as the main supports gives way, and the crystal cross-way above shatters and rains down like a star shower.

Dark’s blood-red wings unfurling as he takes flight the shadow dissolving the fragments as they hit. His eyes focused on the Sol blade….

The whisper sees what he does

“Yes, see how his might fails him, he cannot unite us, he will fail us all….”

The Sol king prepares for the next assault.

Dark also prepares for what is next, though he hesitates for a moment.

“Father, give me the throne, go into exile and allow me to do what is needed, let this end here and now…”

As if Celestia itself stands defiant energy gathers behind the Sol king, Six impossibly bright wings form at his back and the resulting spirit energy channels into the blade.

“This shall end here…… and now…..”

Time seems to stop as they both fly at each other. The grand tower falling around them, as their blades meet. The sol blades light begins to burn into Dark’s crimson blade and threatens to shatter it to dust, but then… As if moving outside time, a wisp, a shadow with purple swirls of smoke climbs the crimson red blade and sharpens its edge with pure void energy, the two pass each other and silence, then with a crack and boom….

The sol blade fractures into 4 shards, scattering to the floor beneath them, his wings disbursed in to glittering dust and the Sol king falls….  Dark’s blade returns to its crimson form as he slowly descends.

Ani on instinct alone rushes to her fallen father unable to speak…..

Holding the last of his light the Sol king leans to a side on the ground.

“Foolish girl…. I told you to leave here…. Quickly take the shards and run…….”

Panicked she scrambles around her grabbing three of the shards among the ruins.

Behind her landing gently without a sound the stoic figure she once knew, now forever changed in her mind, as her attention draws to him her father gasps…his strength gone...

Dark steps forward closer and closer as Ani backs away.

“Sister…. “

He starts to reach a hand and she recoils. His motion stops as though he is fighting an unseen urge.

“Cling to the fragments, flee if you must… you have no part in what comes next… run and hide from what I must do…. Go… “

Ani manages to her feet and runs, clinging to the shards of her father’s broken blade….. Volk still holding back an army.

“Enough Volk, it is done…. Allow them to bear witness, for now we must unite….”

He reaches down and grabs the remaining shard of his father’s blade…….

3 cycles later….

The hum of the engine struggles in a low rumble, as the Quad Hunter lands in a remote field, a dim lit round table in a common room a faint red glow of a holo chip shuts off.

Around the table four very different individuals stand in anticipation.

MeGann a split dyed hair techno-runner strapped with explosives and laser pistols stands at the head flipping the holo marker in her finger.

To her right, The D a cyber - jacked augmented hacker with monitor for a head and cables like writhing tentacles is fidgeting with a drone.

Next to him, D’llama a large horse beast-born tapping a large maul on his shoulder.

Finally a hood comes down as Scarlett a calico Nyan steps in to join them.

MeGann starts the meeting.

“ This one will set us for a while… worth their weight in credits…”

The D’s screen flashes with a neon green flicker of a credit marker symbol.

“Empire target, top priority…. Would be great, …  If they actually honor it…..”

D’llama smiles wide as his maul hits the ground with a loud clank, he cracks his knuckles.

“A priority S, should be fun, and dangerous, so you know …. Fun… “

Scarlett looks unamused and plays with a dagger.

“ Not too much fun they do want them alive… but we will find them, try as they may…. They can’t hide from us….”

The heavily wooded planet of Arivis in the otter rim, far from Celestia and the Empire, a good place to hide and disappear. Usually any ways…

Tip tipp tippp fast footsteps, through the brush, around the trees and over a log.

Practiced and deliberate, every motion as if the path is memorized. The flash of a cloak is all that is seen. In and out, dodging every branch moving faster than anyone could move and sneak but still silent as a whisper.

Then they reach the clearing and stop, the sudden kind of stop pray does when it finally realizes it’s been caught..

“Hmm, who ever you are…. Your good, I thought for a moment there I was avoiding your trap, but here we are, you moved me right towards it..”

Scarlett descends from a high branch landing in a playful pounce. She examines the piercing dark blue eyes of the hooded figure before her.

“ Well crap, no surprising you is there…. YOU ALL can come out… he knows where everyone is…. So, seems you picked this spot too, huh?! Good taste.“

A dark blue furred hand removes the hood, his eyes focusing on her, his ears still scanning the tree line.

“Yeah, hoping to get a little more into the clearing though, four on one is easier to face in an open area… the names Bash.”

MeGann gently tosses and catches a black orb.

“ The silver fang, wanted for a number of disturbances, evasion, prison breaks, and a few classified sections….”

Bash casually shifts his weight as his cloak falls.

“ Yeah well ya know those Empire types, no fun, and if they didn’t want you to leave the prisons they shouldn’t make is so easy to get out… and even I don’t know what the classified stuff is …”

D’llama pushes over a small tree, with a hearty laugh…

“Haha ha, I like this one he’s funny, but direct, my kinda guy. Can’t wait to fight..”

Bash steps back watching them carefully.

“You're a big one, let me guess mage? Strategist? Librarian?….”

From the darkened woods a deep green light flickers to life in runic symbols ( The D ) is carved in the screen, a modulated voice calls out.

“You sure got us figured out, and before you guess, yes I am indeed tech support, and yes we do intend on turning you off then back on again assuming your plugged in..”

A large smirk comes across Bash’s fanged mouth.

“10/10 best group to ever come after me, glade to see the Empire stepping up their game, so… shall we?”

Just as he ends his sentence the black orb crossed his face, and as he tried to turn and close his eyes a brilliant white flash a stun orb.

A brilliant flash of white light and a sonic pulse, time seems to slow move slow as his senses try to adjust.

A whip to his right, he dodges, another to his feet he jumps to avoid it, but just then a hit to his ribs knocking the air out as a large maul strikes from the side.

Bash is thrown to a tree barely catching himself as his vision slowly adjust as he springs off the tree barely missing the net MeGann launches at him.

“Hump, dam he’s fast….”

Bash flips and tumbles to the ground drawing his sword in a silvery flash deflecting 2 daggers thrown by Scarlett as she disappeared in to the tree tops.

Two more orbs come at his face, he starts to turn when his ears flick toward them, they are not the same, he twists midair slicing through one completely and the other opens to a drone that he just dodges it and tries to shock him.

All of a sudden his ear flicks again, he ducks as a nearby tree is destroyed and a thunderous impact of a heavy maul swing by the horse headed power house.

“Hey no fair, stand still, your books are overdue!…”

Bash barely side steps Scarlett as she pounces from the tree above with two daggers, her movements fast and seemingly erratic, but after a moment he sees it, it’s not random, it’s a dance, for the first few strikes he barely dodges her blades, but then clash tink, tink, tink. Every strike blocked and parried.

“How…”

MeGann fires plasma rounds to break them up, bash matching Scarlett’s dance perfectly at this point, Bash finds cover for a moment.

Scarlett frustrated

“We need him alive!”

MeGann reloads

“That’s up to him at this point, I didn’t know all Nyan’s moved like you!”

Scarlett, stops and thinks.. Realizing what’s happening.

“Most can’t… no he’s not like me, he’s coping me, he’s learning our moves….! “

The D sends mini drones who take to the sky and start analyzing Bash’s movements.

“Copy what you want the data never lies!”

D’llama charges in a swing to the ribs, Bash this time doesn’t dodge instead he angles his blade and takes a low wide stance and redirects the maul knocking it into a nearby tree throwing D'llama off balance. Bash then swings around with terrifying speed and torque catching D’llama in the back with his pummel knocking him on his ass.

“Wha!!!!!! “

For the first time ever the chaos is still.

An error message appears on The D’s screen, unable to predict, metric unknown, variants present… Error.

Bash taking the moment to ready for what ever comes up next.

“You okay?, are we done here… it looked like chaos at first… but I see it now, it’s order, and a hell of a lot of trust. I’ve never seen a group work so flawlessly together.”

Scarlett smirks a toothy grin, with a flash a dagger at Bash’s head, he dodges as it passes him he hears a click he turns to look ad the blade a flash and smoke then sounds of movement all around, and below it all a humm drones soo many making false noises. Then he sees it in the cloud a brief flutter of a cloaked figure jumps in at him as he goes to defend from the jump he feels it the maul, silent this time, padded doesn’t hit as hard but still hard enough and Bash side steps and feels a click, a shock mine he locks up too late, the tendrils wrapping around him.

Not a drone, The D, an over drive shock, then darkness…

“Glad that worked…..”

“Barely”

“Shame, was having fun”

“Can’t believe he got you like that”

The voices fade and the darkness sets in.

Some time passes as Bash is being carried by D’llama, seeing the faint movement of his tail Scarlett is the first to pour it out.

“You can put the princess down he’s awake”

MeGann tightens the cuffs remotely.

“You can try and escape after we drop you off and get paid..”

They enter a clearing revealing an Imperial station and land port, Bash’s eyes keep dashing toward The D who is carrying his sword.

“Don’t worry we’re not going to rob you, you wouldn’t be much of a silver fang without it right...”

As they enter the check point they are faced with a moderately secured station, tall electrified fence, each Hunter and Bash taking note, heavy patrols mostly drones, looks like a lot of new recruits. Almost at the same time one thought comes to them all, too easy…. But The Hunters shrug it off, not their problem.

MeGann approaches the desk, where a twitchy Sergeant sits.

“One S ranked bounty with a side of a crap ton of credits, to go!”

“What….. Data chip…”

MeGann hands it over and whispers toward Bash.

“Hm, you're right, no fun…”

The Sergeant examines the bounty, and calls over 3 armed escorts. They grab Bash and his sword and start walking him to the holding cells.

“Thank you for your service, the Empire appreciates your efforts.”

The Hunters look at each other, than to him.

“And we appreciate the credits!….”

The Sergeant looks to the drones .

“Well it appears the bounty was revoked, as the prisoner is in Imperial custody. Thank you again for helping to apprehend such a dangerous fugitive.

Scarlett ears go back, she hisses and gets in his face.

“What did you just say, you desk jockey freak!”

D’llama tightens his grip on his maul

The D’s passive sensors flash, he intercepts a message, priority one station alert, Seraphim command, his tendrils wrap around the other three a silent message between them, now’s not the time… they reluctantly back off.

“My data chip…..”

He flicks the coin to her. With a condescending tone.

“Keep the change”

Meanwhile….

Bash is dragged in front of a well dressed soldier behind a neatly played out desk, and without looking up.

“Name…. and charge….?”

One of the guards steps up, and places the sword on the desk, the captain looks up.

“Sir… priority S ranked bounty, subject is Ba..”

The captain looks at the blade with a glimpse of wonder and interrupts.

“The silver fang himself… his raid on Anara Primus is what got me sent to this lovely rock in the middle of no where, throw him with our mvp mystery guest, I hear the higher ups are coming personally to collect them….”

The captain unsheathes the silver stardust blade, examines it and straps it on.

“I think I'll keep this, for the trouble..”

Bash’s eyes squint and the fur on his neck rises and his ears go back.

“You better keep that handy, you're going to need it…(hiss ta’ nyhnn.)”

The captain sits down and waves them away.

The guards drag Bash away down a hall, a turn in toward the center of the facility, a windowless box solid steel door. After scanning a palm and entering a 7 digit code (8427851) as bash’s ears pick up every tone. The door retracts into the floor with a scrape and a hiss. The guards shove Bash into the dark room, four metal benches around the perimeter a metal receptacle, and wash basin in the corner.

“Hey, what about my cuffs…..”

The door slams shut, Bash goes back to a relaxed posture as with a click… they cuffs fall to the floor .

“Never mind… I got them….”

A cloaked figure looks briefly at this then turns away when they notice him noticing them.

“Oh hey, didn’t even notice you at first, odd… any ways need help with that? Those Empire goons are really bad at searching prisoners…”

He approaches the cloaked figure who with bound hands lowered her hood, a flicker of flame, no, her hair falls to her face soft pale skin almost glowing, Bash stops for a moment.

Then with a flick of the wrist and a twist and pop her restraints also fall.

“There, better?”

Her eyes dance from red to orange

“Thank you, not that it matters much here”

She looks around at the solid box defeated.

For a second Bash almost looks disappointed.

“Hey we just meet, don’t lose faith me yet, there is no prison around that can hold the silver fang, I have a reputation to up hold, sides, a dead mob is carrying my sword…”

A look of recognition comes over the young woman’s face, the name, silver fang…

“Are you really him? The silver fang, the marauder of the empire, the ghost of Nyan, slayer of the Seraphim guard…… “

A defeated look comes over his face, as if the truth was insulted, and before he could reply she counties.

“ the guardian of the Asure plain, protector of the Nim’s, slayer of the corrupted Gimmire that threatened the children of the T’ion tribe… you're famous, on both sides…”

As fast as he put on the mask he takes it off to let the truth breath for a moment.

“I’m Bash, nothing more than that… but I can get us out of here if you want to join me for a prison break…”

The woman studies his face and all the subtle emotions the projected confidence hidden nervousness, she can see his true self underneath, but when he relaxes all she gets is a feeling of utter trust in what he says.

“I’m Ani, I would love to join you, I think the same dead man has my staff, it’s a heirloom from my father…”

Bash’s tail flicks right and left, he closes his eyes and his ears twitch as they scan and catch every movement.

“Good… they’re changing shifts, get ready we’re gonna move when he comes in to check on us.”

Bash as if in a play gets into character he lays on the ground in a ball holding his stomach, the door opens and a guard comes in.

“Okay you miserable lot, what, come on now get up….”

The guard leans over to Bash to pick him up, a click than another click the guards left hand is secured to his right leg, and with a second of confusion Bash swings around kicking him in the head knocking him out. Ani with no time to react just stands stunned, Bash looks at her and grins.

“Due try to keep up, help me drag him to the scanner.”

The two awkwardly drag the guard to the scanner, Bash quickly taps all the numbers on the pad and gently humms to himself, he them places the guards right hand on the scanner it lights green, Ani looked like she is about to ask a question,but then he presses the code 8427851, and with that the door opens.

“After you MaLady.”

They make their way avoiding drones using Bash’s superior hearing to track their movements. They reach the registration office and see the captain swinging Bash’s sword like a child who found a cool stick.

“Ha…. I’m the silver fang, you wretched nave”

He spins the blade it cuts into the corner of the desk and he drops it, it clatters to the ground…

“Shit….”

Bash scowls and he clenches his fist, then opens his hand revealing his claws.

“I’m going to scratch the crap outta this idiot…”

Ani for a second smiles at the break in the seriousness. She scans the room and finds her staff resting in the corner behind the desk.

“We have to get the staff those crystals are vital…”

Ani’s face changed to one of desperation and focus.

Bash seeing this also locks in and focuses, he looks around the captain is alone, away from the desk, away from the alarm.

“We have to move now, you distract him and I’ll take him out.”

Ani shakes her head in agreement as she opens the door and walks in as the captain picks up the blade and re sheaths it.

He spins around to see her there. Confused and off guard.

“Oh…ah…. who…. how did you get in here..?”

As she walks past him turning his vision from the door, she looks innocently at him, for a moment Bash slowly starts to enter he goes to turn toward the door and desk.. Ani’s hair flares with an ethereal fire, her eyes glow like burning embers… his attention turns back to her.

“You have something of mine… and of him…”

A look of wonder and fear then of confusion as he slowly turns to find a very angry blue furred Nyan, arms crossed, claws out, ears flattened back, tail whipping as fast as his heart beat, his eyes a narrow slit, a low slow growl….

The captains hand stumbles to find the hilt of the blade, and before it does a blur of blue from his perspective it was over before he could see or even feel it, to Ani’s eyes though she could see it as if the actions were slowed.a side step, his claws moved with direction and meaning it targeted his belt severing it causing the sword to fall from his hand before he could grab it. Then a knee to his stomach, Bash twisted grabbed the blade before it hit the ground and in one motion secured it spinning with a solid back hand to the side of his head knocking the captain out in a second.

Ani’s intensity wavered at this as she needed to process the movements.

“ so fast.”

Bash having time now adjust the blade and properly affixes it to himself.

“We should go before someone finds him, also nice distraction, even got me for a second”

Ani’s flame dims she slightly tilts her head as she is in wonder of what she just seen.

“Yeah, and , that was… fast…”

Bash checks behind the desk flipping through the monitors studying the lay out.

Ani grabs her staff and looks the floating crystals over, takes a breath, and exhales in relief.

Bash waves her over.

“Okay if we go this way and turn here, we’ll have to fight through a few drones but we can make it to the launch bay”

Ani interjects.

“If we can make it here, I have a ship, it’s fast. “

The two stash the captain behind the desk and make their way…

Drones spark in their wake as the two cut through them, a flash of silver  wreathed in flame, they make their way to the hanger. 
Alarms blare as the Quad hunters walk to their ship, they are stopped by the Sargent that took their bounty.

"you four! Help us the prisoners are escaping!"

MeGann looks to him then the others, all four answer as one.

"sorry theirs no active bounty, it's been revoked..... we don't work for free..."

Ani points out her ship a Radiant Class slip fighter built for speed and defense, Bash looks at it wide eyed.

"that looks expensive"

Ani looks softly at him, 

"it probably is, but it's fast and that's what matters now, he will be coming... we have to leave now."

the climb aboard and start the engines, two star thrusters hum to life then with a roar it takes flight.

the Quad hunters look to the golden ship as it pierces the sky. The D's screen flashes a check mark ✅.

" That will buy them a second or two" 

MeGann smiles 

"good, I like that cat."

Scarlett smirks

"future bounty secured..."

D'llama cracks his knuckles 

"can't wait for the rematch, he's a quick study, we will have to up our game."

the Obsidian Core Fighters all stall out as the Guard panic, just as the radiant fighter breaks atmosphere  rifts open three Seraphim Battle cruisers appear and launch interceptors...

Bash takes the controls, 

"if you don't mind, I have decent reaction speed" 

Ani shakes her head and makes her way to the engine.

"I'll see if I can boost the power." 

Abord the LightBringer Lord Dark sits on a throne as General Volk stands near him.

"It's her ship my lord."

"yes, it's faint but I can sense her resonance, but their is another wig her, unrefined but strong..."

" It's definitely a Nyan sir.... I've felt this kind of presence once before... I'm sure it must be that silver fang I've been tracking.."

Bash moves the small ship in rolls and strifes as if he was the ship, Ani closes her eyes as she senses him she freezes for a second then something calms her, a resonance calm, and excited... Bash... and with this she flares up channeling her power into the engine, an ability she seen her father use to empower his sword against her brother.

A burst of speed they  clear their pursuers and open a rift, the left engine gets tagged by energy boast just as the rift closes behind them.

Lord Dark half smiles as he whispers to him self.

"you've grown, good, we all must be strong."

Volk eases his shoulders.

"we lost them, but she seems to be in good company, Nyan's Are loyal and trustworthy."

With a clank, a hiss, and a flood of sparks they exit the rift and for a second silence, then alarms blaze the air. Bash hits a few buttons on the main control panel.

“Well I got good news and bad news. Good news is we’re set to land that nice green rock over there, the bad news is how we’re landing…. we got tagged pretty bad back there.”

With luck and a little skill and lots of prayer, they managed to a landing with minimal damage, a clearing about two miles outside a village on the lush jungle world of Larus II.

Ani gathers a pack of supplies and exits after Bash, she takes a sentimental moment and looks over what her home was for the last three years.

“We will be back… “

As they trudge through the thick jungle they reach a clearing and a large wooden wall and gate.

On top the gate a few archers dressed in single furs accented with breed vines and leafs cured yet still flexible. Ani steps forward.

“ Hello, may we enter? And speak with an elder..”

The gate slowly open ropes moaning with the weight. A woman in her 30’s maybe steps forward.

“Greetings, amusta, I am Illista acting chief of Var’adis our tribe, we have seen many of Sky ships of late, none land as poorly as yours.. are you okay?”

Bash scratches behind his ear, tail flicking.

“Yeah not my best landing, but to be fair the ship was pretty banged up.”

Ani steps up to Illista.

“Um,usta, I am Ani, he is Bash, our ship was damaged and we did fall, is there any sky ship workers here or near by?”

Bash waves at the introduction,

Illista ponders for a moment.

“Hmm. Oh, Aman! Aman of the mountain pass, he tinkers with machines, he would be your best bet to ask.”

Bash tilts his head as if just catching information.

“You said there has been a lot of sky ships, shouldn’t we just ask them? “

Illista’s brow furrows

“I would avoid them, they are not like you, they wear armor and attack and take, their clan is large. They have been collecting the tribes fighters and resources.”

Bash’s eyes narrow as he describes the Obsidian Core, the army of the Empire to her..

“Shiny black rock armor, weapons of energy, this symbol on their arms?”

Bash pulls out a book and flips to a sketch of the Empire’s signet.

Illista steps back cautiously.

“Yes, do you know them?”

Ani frowns.

“They are the ones that damaged our ship, they should be avoided, they are very dangerous”

Illista clutches a talisman on her neck.

“They have taken my brother and father, if they are your foe’s then we can be friends. Rest here tonight, I’ll bring you to Aman in the morning. Mika show them to a guest lodge.”

A young Frog Beast-Born comes over, as they enter the village they find a mix of many different species of people.

“Amusta! I’m Mika formally of Marsh Hollow, follow me and I’ll get you settled, did you really come from the sky? Is it big there, I haven’t seen a Beast-Born quite like you, what’s your tribe? “

Ani smirks at Bash, as he folds his tail in at fear of it being pulled from the child.

“Ah, I’m a Nyan, I guess it’s kinnda a beast-born, never really thought about that, I do… did have a clan, Emberfang, hm, been a while since I said that out loud. “

As they walk to the center of the village to a large structure with many rooms bash shows little Mika his book, never letting it out of his grasp but showing her various pages, most drawing in his own hand, but some more professional writings as if pulled from historical books.

Ani quietly observes them from the other side of the room, sitting with the curious thought, is this the same fighter that I broke out of prison with?, he's almost child like, so calm and , happy.

After a meal served in a buffet style meal hall the two return to their room, Bash without thought takes some blankets and makes a nest on the floor near the fire pit, and the two get ready in more comfortable sleeping attire, the staff always in reach of Ani, and Bash’s sword ever ready.

But, for the first time in a long time, they get a nice piece full rest.

Morning comes and Bash curled in a ball on his back bending in impossible angles is gently snoring and purring at the same time.

Ani is awake and makes her way to explore the village as she exits the room she crosses Mika and several other children making their way strait to Bash.

“Mika, wake him gently…”

The young frog girl licks her eye."

“Yes m’am, okay the Fierce Warrior of the EmberFang is just in here, he slumbers after his brutal battle against the Darkskyers! “

Illista meets Ani

“Word travels fast among the young, he apparently slayed 700 of the dark skiers in one swipe of his blade, that apparently glows with silver moonlight, and you were there too, I guess, seems Mika has a crush on your friend. “

Ani smiles as she glances back.

“He is great, I haven’t known him long but I don’t know, it also feels like I’ve known him forever.. but yeah… so this Aman?.”

Illista looked knowingly at Ani.

“Yes Aman, he’s from a machine world near by, he trades every now and than, but mostly keeps to himself, his world as been at war for as long as he could remember, and he wants no part of that anymore, but he is kind even helped make machines for water and for power.”

The two walk off bypass a water filtration pump and a solar array.

Meanwhile…

Narrated by Mika

“In the Lair of the Fierce Warrior King of the EmberFang, the four brave young knights Mika of the marsh, Talos of the Canopy, Keld of the Burrows and Tod from Nextdoor make their way to pay tribute…”

The kids lay down treats and back away slightly, as Bashes ears flick and his body slowly rights its self, one piercing blue eye opens puple a slit. In a growl raspy voice…

“And who dares disturbs my slumber, who dares to wake the EmberFang!!!”

In full pounce mode he slithers like an ancient dragon to the treats, picks up one examines it and licks it, his gaze shifts to the small rabbit looking kid holding a shield of bark.

“Is this your doing…….”

Keld’s ears droop and her eyes open wide.

“M….my….. mom made them, sir King Fang, sir, but I…um helped….”

Bash devotees the small carrot cake in one bite, then sits up and starts to groom his bed head.

“I am pleases, tell her they are awesome, so what is this gathering of the bravest warriors of the realm for?”

The young frog steps forward. The others nod and and look at each other as if to signal and at once they all say the same thing, if but out of sync.

“Please Mr. Bash EmberFangKing slayer of the DarkSkyers, can you help bring our family back…”

their looks of wonder and amusement leave at this replaces by sadness and anger, Bash knew this look well, he’s seen it all over the worlds, and in the mirror. His ears droop and eyes look down as if contemplating is own soul.

“Kids, I . Umm. “

Talos lowers his stick sword

“I know there is a lot of them, but I can help..”

Tod steps up.

“ big sis Illista would help too if I asked, I’m sure of it.”

Mika shows Bash a drawing she made.

“These are my brothers and sisters, they took them all, I was the only one left… Tod and Illista found me and brought me here.. “

As Ani and Illista eat breakfast and talk about the state of things an angry and determined looking Nyan marches up to them before he opens his mouth a knowing Illista speaks.

“ the children…. like I was telling your friend their camp is a fortress, but I can see like your friend here that’s not enough to stop you… we have tried, and failed and lost many, it’s not your fight..”

Bash relaxes a bit and sees the same fury glare in Ani’s eyes.

“Do you think this Aman would help?”

Illista looks softly at the both.

“He hates war, but he does also love the children , we can ask… if you are serious about this I can send word to the other tribes… we’re not in the best shape but, this is our home. If we don’t fight back they will just keep coming.”