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Searching For A Good Drink
By Aurum
Lunar City was a bright, vibrant area of Lunaris. The capital of the country, and host to the biggest conflux of ley lines in the world. This street, however, did not show any of that wonder.
Maximillian Romulous Toxx, Max for short, stalked down the sidewalk dressed in a dark blue tux and matching blue slacks. They were form-fitting, pressed up against his glossy black fur, marking him as out of place in this grubby, out of town area. The kind of place where those who struggle against the true way of life, thrive. Where crime, loss, and pain were all too common, and the very place he grew up.
When he was younger, the Doberman had lived in one such house. He was happy, or so he thought. And then the debt collectors came. The debt his parents had accumulated was too much to repay in...ordinary means. Needless to say, they were eaten right in front of him. Reduced into nothing but blubber on their fat hides.
Max was not upset by this fact, rather, he believed it to be a sad truth. They had no potential. His parents were meant to be nothing but pudge. He, on the other hand, he was meant for greatness. And his adoptive father saw that. Regulus Toxx, the founder of the Toxx Cola company, saw great potential in him, and his magic. Without nary a moment to waste, he had adopted Max on the spot. And Max, having nowhere else to go, gladly accepted.
And now, here he was, Assistant CEO of the Toxx Cola, and personal taste gatherer. He truly had gone far in life.
Taking a look around, Max felt a little, nostalgic… It disgusted him. He was beyond this life and should feel no attachment to it. With a flourish of his paw, he brought out a cane. A sleek maple wood cane that curved into the head of a dog at the end. And then he brought said dog head to his own head, and with a little tap, all sentiments he had felt, vanished.
Tilting his head, a dribble of water leaked out his ear. Giving it a few flicks, the Doberman straightened out a sighed. Much better. It wouldn’t do for a high-class citizen to develop feelings for the vermin of the streets. In fact, the only reason he was here was to find new flavors. He’d gotten a tip earlier that evening about a group of furs, specifically two pups, who were considered diamonds in the rough. One of the pups being connected to Azure, they would be a fine prize, them, and anyone with them.
Cutting through the crowd of prey that roamed the street, the dog quickly found exactly what he was looking for. It wasn’t hard seeing as the pups were hardly hiding themselves. The crowds of prey were giving them a wide berth, and seeing their aura, it was easy to see why. The two pups were a mottled mess of magic. Delicious.
Max couldn’t help but lick his maw at the thought of all those flavors condensing in a can of carbonated liquid. The two pups were walking ahead of a small group, their paws on the back of their heads, almost carefree. Behind them, was a trio of furs. A tall, six-foot panda that looked around almost shyly. And beside him was a leopard, about a foot shorter than the panda, with a paw on his shoulder. Beside him was a smaller fox with a big fluffy tail. Oooh, foxes mad delicious orange soda, that was a score. Behind those three, were two more furs. A golden lion, about the size of the fox and pups, looking for all intents and purposes, innocent as a lamp. Touching. And beside him, was a young green snake, about 4 feet in height, in naught but a loincloth. His claws were rested on a couple of daggers on his belt. A savage here? Well, they did make exotic flavors. It was a ragtag, scruffy-looking bunch. The pups would definitely be a finer taste, but the rest could go out to the masses.
Max gave his cane a twirl, before walking towards the group, his blue eyes gleaming, much like the eyes on the head of his cane. Might as well get started, right?
“You guys don’t have to walk me to school every day you know.” Jet grumbled with a small huff, his paws were crossed.
Malis looked back with a smile. “If you would just move in with us, we wouldn’t have to.” He said lightly.
“But this place is safe! Only prey live this far in the slums.” the fox argued.
Canis turned this time, walking backward as he talked. “And that my adorable little fox friend, is why we have to walk you to school.”
“But that makes no-” Jet started, only to be interrupted by the leopard beside him.
“I get it!... I got that. Eer. sorry.” Lin said, scratching the back of his head embarrassed.
Gabe, Canis, and Malis all turned to the leopard and burst out laughing. Sarok just groaned into his claws and Jet tried to hide his face in his tail. Poko just looked around confused, putting a claw to his mouth, before deciding it would be better not to speak, as to not get laughed at as well.
With everyone turned at Lin though, no one but Poko noticed the tall black on black Doberman heading their way. “Um. guys?” Poko started.
“Well, we know Lin gets it. Do youuuu get it yet Jet?” Gabe said with a snicker.
Tap Tap Tap
“Guys?”
“Oh shut it, Gabe! Ten bucks say you don’t either!” Jet said, and Gabe’s face immediately went red with a blush.
Tap Tap Tap
“GUUUUYS!”
“What is it Pok-” Canis started, only to feel a paw on his shoulder.
Several things happened at once. First, Canis ripped his shoulder free from the assailant, rolling over to face him. Second, Malis was on his side, paws glowing. Third, Sarok was right behind the tall dog, a knife at his neck and tail coiled around his legs. And finally, Lin stepped in front of Poko, his paws glowing a bright white with magic.
Max let out a long sigh, dropping his cane and putting his paws up. “Kids these days, no class.”
“Sarok, keep him there. If he so much as flinches, cut him to pieces.” Canis said, before reaching a paw into the Doberman's back pocket and pulling out a wallet. Inside was an ID, plenty of money, some credit cards. The usual stuff.
“So what's a high-class pred doing here Mr. Assistant CEO of Toxx Cola?” Malis asked, looking up from the ID with his brother, crossing his arms.
“Toxx Cola? I love that brand! They have soooo many flavors! You guys still sell Cheetah Cherry right?” Gabe asked happily, before getting long stares from all his friends. “Right...Wrong time for this.” He said, stepping back with a blush.
Max let out a small chuckle. “Why are you all so serious? I used to live here actually. And If you’d kindly remove that knife from my neck, sav-snake lad, I would gladly show you where.”
“Don’t move Sarok,” Malis said.
Sarok rolled his eyes a bit. “I wasn’t planning on it.”
“Can anyone verify what he said?” Canis asked.
“What a day for Woe to ditch us for Tech-Con. We could use his fur-pad right about now.”
“Tsk tsk tsk. No trust in from the youth hmm?” Max said, shaking his head softly. “How uncouth. I’m just here for nostalgia. Is that so wrong?”
Canis let out a small growl. “Then why did you grab me?”
“I simply wanted to say that poking fun at a colleague is simply rude, to say the least.” The Doberman truly looked upset. “If you release me, I can prove it.”
“How about you prove it right now. Or we make ourselves a new toy.” Malis crossed his paws. His magic was glowing fiercely, a show no doubt, to mean these kids meant business. Max was almost impressed. Almost.
“My house number was 53, building R. You’ll find a little diary in a drawer, as long as it hasn’t been looted. It’ll be from a Max Mizuchi. That is me. Find that, and that’ll be your proof. Happy?” The Doberman asked.
Malis looked at his friends, then nodded at Sarok. “Jet, Gabe, you two are with me and Canis. Poko, Lin, Sarok, you watch this guy. If he is who he says he is, I’m sure Gabe can pay him off. If not, well, we could use a new soccer ball.”
“Wait, you want us to….watch-” Poko started, but as he turned around, his four younger friends had already turned around, Jet leading the way to the house around the corner. Poko let out a small sigh. “Guess we’re doing this now.”
Max had a small grin. “Yes, it seems we are. It woulda been easier if you’d just let me go, but splitting up works just as well.” the Doberman stomped on his cane and a rush of magic flowed over the three kids. A circle of blue light rising from the ground around each of them, Even Sarok, knocking him off the Doberman as he simply walked forward, leaving the snake boy behind in the circle of light. Poko looked down, just now seeing the streams of blue that leaked from the cane’s head to each of their feet. It was a setup.
“You lied!” Lin growls out.
“Not a lie children, just a simple truth I hold no value to. I did live here once upon a time, but it doesn’t matter to me now. Right now, I simply wish to… collect.” Max leaned down, grabbing his cane, before rising up and standing in-between all three. “Now. who’s first?”
Sarok let out a hiss, swiping at the magic barrier with his daggers, but to no avail. “When I get out, you’re s-”
“Ah, the noisy savage then,” Max said with a grin, then tapped his can on the ground. Sarok’s arms shot to his sides, the dagger’s dropped to the ground. His body was paralyzed in the position, unable to move in the light of the dog’s magic. “Let's see what flavor you are. I tend to find savaged are more of a mixed delight rather than a solo drink.”
Max once again tapped his cane on the ground, and a silvery liquid pushed out of the cane’s dog head. It shifted and warped, solidifying into what looked like a tree tap in between its jaws. A treetap Max promptly grabbed. “This little device will let me get a small taste of you, don’t worry, it won’t hurt a bit.” The Doberman said though the grin showed he didn’t really care whether or not it was true. He pressed the end of the tap against the snake, pressing it easily into the belly scales of the snake. And while doing so, he held his cane up, the eyes of the dog boring into the eyes of the snake.
Sarok hardly felt more than a tingle as if was pressed in. It didn’t hurt really, not at all. It was warm, almost pleasant like it belonged in him. Not that he coulda fought it if he wanted to. Looking into the bright, glowing blue eyes of the cane, everything in his mind seemed to vanish. Sarok’s eyes glazed over as any thoughts of resistance soon dissipated into the murky warmth of the blue light.
Max flourished a paw, a small glass, not much bigger than a shot glass slipped from his sleeve. He gently twitches the knob on the tap, and a murky brownish drink spilled from the snake. It bubbled in the glass, much like a soda. After all, that's what it was. Taking a small whiff, the elder dog sipped it down, licking his lips with a thoughtful expression. “I taste caramel...no...sea salt caramel? Hmmm, no, no this won’t do. You’ll require a much stronger drink to go with you. Let's see….. Ah yes! You panda! What’s your flavor?” Max pulled the tap from the Sarok, not a mark or blemish left where it had entered. Nothing to show he’d been punctured.
Poko for his part was visibly shaking. This dog had easily overpowered both Sarok and Lin, leaving them all at his mercy. He just had to hope Canis and Malis could make it back in time or else…. gulp...Better not to think about that. “U-Uhm. Flavor? I- I don’t think I have a flavor, sir.”
Max shook his head softly. “Nonsense. Everyone has a flavor, it's only a matter of unlocking it. Let’s see…” He brought his cane up to the panda. Poko for his part tried to turn away, to close his eyes, but a familiar wash of magic froze him in place. He couldn’t blink or move, only stare into those deep...glowing...blue…..
With a smirk, Max pulled his cane away from the panda. The boy was thoroughly under now. And with nary a pause, he lifting the panda’s shirt, pressing the tap into the belly. Like with Sarok, it slid in easily. Pressing to the hilt, before Max turned the knob once again. This time a frothy blackish-brown liquid with bright white foam filled his cup.
With a small taste, the dog’s eyes lit up. “Wonderful! Vanilla cola! This would do perfectly! You two are truly made for each other!” MAx tugged the tap free before flicking his cane. Poko was sent soaring into Sarok’s circle, pressed up tightly against him. Almost too tight.
“Let's see, let's see. Two elegant a taste for a can, yes, let's go with a bottle!” Max proclaimed. And with a tap on the ground, his cane’s eyes sparked to life. A deep blue glow covering both boys. Their clothes evaporated into the light, as your bodies spun around each other. Almost like coils of a snake. The black and white of the panda mixing with the green and cream of the snake, swirling and swirling until they were one mass of translucent dark green. And then, their bodies compacted. Shrinking down slowly, getting smaller and harder. A large ‘neck’ formed at the top and the base rounded out, not fully cylindrical, but more like a bottle that bad some chub. A circular bottle. As it shrank, the mass was converted inside, slowing filling up with a dark brown drink.
With a small clink, all that was left of the two boys was a large 2-liter glass bottle. Rounded like a ball at the base and foaming at the top. Two bright spheres of light flew up from the bottle, swirling around each other, melding together into a small flat disc, before with a pop, it covered the bottle. A small bottle cap made of their magic cores.
But it seemed to be missing something...Ah yes! Max tapped the bottle softly with the end of his cane, and a white wrapper circled around the bottle. A picture of a panda and a snake cuddling on the front, with the word’s “Salty, Yet Sweet” above them. There, a fitting prize for whichever predator would get these two. In fact…
Lin could only watch on, banging on the barrier with his glowing paws, as the black dog grabbed the bottle that was his former friends. There was a small Pop followed closely by a Fshh, as the Doberman tugged the cap off. With a small, menacing grin at the leopard, Max started chugging down the soda. The sweet and salty caramel mixing perfectly with the vanilla cola, setting his taste-buds a-lite. And with every gulp, the glow of the cap got dimmer and dimmer. Until, with a loud belch, the Doberman emptied the bottle. The cap stopped glowing as it was placed back on the bottle, refilling its contents. But there was no magic left inside. No Poko or Sorak.
MAx rubbed his belly after his belch before smiling at the defeated looking leopard. “Are you ready for your turn?” He slowly walked over, letting his magic wash over the cat, freezing him in place like he had the other two.
Lin gritted his teeth. “Do your worst,” he grunted before those same piercing blue eyes caught his. Slowing his thoughts down, emptying him out and leaving a husk behind. A can... a...a…
The tap was placed into the leopard's chest simply and easily. And this cat revealed a clear bubbling liquid, with a slight lemony smell. How bland. Max took a small sip, just to be sure, and yep. He was another lemon-lime drink. How he regretted this invention, but they fit the lower class’s lack of taste he supposed. The Doberman sighed, removing the tap. A soda was a soda he supposed. He tapped the leopard on the head with his cane, watching at the cat started to shrink.
Lin’s fur flattened out, becoming a bright and shiny silver. His spots melted away leaving him a bland single color. His body became squat, and rounded, even as he was shrinking down. His head was forced to point up, before flattening down into itself, a small tab appearing on the top. His arms pulled into himself, along with his legs and tail, disappearing within the smooth metal. A smooth silver can, with naught bought Leopard Lime printed on the front.
The can hit the ground with a small clink, falling over on top of the pants that were left behind. A bright silvery-white core shot from the top, circling the can slowly, before landing on the front, right in the center of the O on leopard, causing it to glow brightly. If nothing else, whichever pred bought this can would be pleasantly surprised.
Max leaned down, picking up the can and rubbing it off on his suit. Then tossed it in the air, where it disappeared in a poof of smoke. It would reach his packing facility soon enough. Tested, cloned, and packed to be shelved to the lower class. Max wouldn’t dare drink that one himself, lemon-lime always messed with his stomach. But now, to find the rest of the kids. Ooops, drinks. He meant drinks.
Inside the dilapidated house, the boys had decided to split up. Canis and Malis headed upstairs, while Gabe and Jet took the downstairs, searching for a journal that may or may not exist. Really, even to Jet, it seemed like a trap, one they had just walked into.
“So ...Why would Canis and Malis have us split up? They know the tropes right?” Jet asked, kicking a piece of garbage across the floor. Gabe looked at Jet with a wary look, as he dug through a couple couch cushions, finding nothing but old trash.
“Honestly, I bet we’re bait. So if that Max guy does come for us, Canis and Malis can see his magic first hand.” Gabe said, a small sigh escaping his muzzle.
“Wait, bait? But, We’re their friends, they wouldn’t do that!” Jet started, only to get a long hard look from Gabe. “Okay, you’re right, but you can go all...you know... demon on the dogo right?” Jet said, miming a couple punches in front of him, then looking hopefully at Gabe.
The lion cub shook his head, looking out the window at the people passing by. “Too many witnesses. Mom and Dad almost killed me just for telling you guys, imagine if I showed an entire street,” Gabe visibly shuddered. “Nope, we’re relying on normal magic here.”
“Well that is good news, isn’t it.” A voice sounded from behind the two. “I find demonkin to be quite...difficult to obtain, oooh but the flavor is worth the trouble.”
A dark silhouette appeared in the doorway as the boys turned around. Max was standing there, pocketing a black and white bottle as he stepped in. Both boys got into a ready stance, magic glowing in their paws.
“Well well, cute little fighters hmm? And what do you think you can do with that little bit of magic?” Max asked, tapping his cane on the ground. A bright circle of light spread out from the Doberman, covering the entire room in blue light, and the magic of both boys winked out of existence.
“Gabe now would be a good time to do something!” Jet said, backing up slowly from the dog. Gabe gulped, mirroring the fox’s movements.
“I have one idea.”
“What’s that?”
“CANIS! MA-” The lion was cut off with a yelp, as Max swung his cane around, smacking the lion on the head. Jet didn’t fare much better; as soon as Gabe was hit, the cane was swung around at the fox. It stopped inches from his face, leaving the fox staring into the blue, shining eyes of the dog-head cane.
All thoughts of calling for help left the fox’s mind. Or rather, all thoughts in general. He didn’t need to think, to move, to call for help. He didn’t need to…need...to…
“Now now, indoor voices, please. We wouldn’t want to upset the neighbors would we?” Max said with a grin. The lion rubbed his head where he was hit, before opening his maw to let out another shout. But, nothing came out. Not a sound or air or… ah, crapbaskets.
Gabe could already feel himself changing. His paws were pulling up into his sleeves, refusing to move. And his head tilted up against his will. He could see the dog smiling above him, growing more and more distant. The lion tried to let out a growl, but again, nothing escaped his maw. Rather, his maw pushed inwards. His fur had slickened down into smooth golden metal. And his thoughts were ...were ...dissipating. Gabe struggled to hold onto himself, but he could feel himself fading, even as he was filled with whatever liquid was inside of him. He was...fading….fad……..fa
A can of Diet Demon sat on the lion’s clothing, the last crackles and pops of the change, fading. A bright golden core flew out of the tap, sticking itself in between the Diet and Demon on the can. A bright glowing circle to background the horned lion image. What a beautiful display. Max stooped over to grab the can, looking it over.
“Sadly, I missed my chance to taste you. I couldn’t chance that you’d let your demon out. I guess that means I’ll just have to try you out now.” He said, smiling down at the can. He pulled the tab, letting the soda fizz for a bit, watching the bubbles spray about, before tilting the can back and taking a big long gulp.
Glug glug glug.
With each mouthful, the core grew dimmer and dimmer. Until it was little more than a painted sun on the background of the can. Max drank heavily from the delicious can of soda, loving the mix between the demons sour flavors, and the sweetness of the lion cub. Few things tasted better than a demonkin. With a small burp, quieted by a paw over his maw, he pulled the empty can away. With a flick of his wrist, the can refilled, and the tab pulled back shut. This one was going to his personal collection.
Max pocketed his new can of soda, before turning to the remaining fur. The fox still standing there like nothing happened. His mind blank of all thoughts, even as he watched his friend be drunk into nothingness. Wonderful.
The Doberman once again produced his soda tap, before gently pushing it into the fox. Oh, he hoped this one was orange. He loved orange soda. And to his pleasant surprise, when filling his cup, a delicious, fizzy orange liquid poured out, with a bit more froth than one would normally expect. “Let's see what secrets you hold, Lil foxy.”
Max tilted his head back, letting out a happy rumble as the delicious orange-flavored drink slipped down his maw. And then, a sudden burst of root-beer as an aftertaste. Oh so wonderful! “You’re possessed aren’t you, my dear little fox?” He said cheerfully, patting the fox on the cheek. “I love a two for one special.” The dog grinned down.
He pulled the tap away and patted the fox on the head. “You’re gonna join your friend in my personal store. Oooh, today has been such a hit.” Max said almost giddily, as he let his magic run through the fox.
Jet’s body suddenly went shiny. Every piece of fur flattened down and hardened into a smooth, cold glass. His tail rose up, fusing into his back as a makeshift handle. And then he started getting smaller. His legs punched up in his shorts, pulling up to fused together, making a solid base. His arms tucked into his sides, fusing into the glass, even as his body started to grow clearer. His head tilted up, thinning down oddly, looking almost horrific in its current state. But that soon changed as his head smoothed out, becoming a beautiful neck for the bottle. The whole process was done in only a few moments, and all that was left was an orange glass bottle; a handle on the back, and a small label with a fox on it, laid in the pile of the former fox’s clothing.
This time, the orange core flew up, widening slightly, before slamming down on the bottle’s top with a loud POP. A Glowing orange cork to seal the deal.
“You, my dear little fox, are going to be enjoyed nice and slow. Maybe with a movie marathon. Some nice buttery popcorn. Oh, I can’t wait.” the dog smirked, slipping the bottle into his pocket with the other three drinks he planned to keep.
And now, only two remained. Or rather, one kid remained, and one soda to collect.
“Canis! I think I found it!” Malis said excitedly. He was holding up a bright blue book, old and worn on the edges. On the front, it said ‘Max Mizuchi’ in a dark black print. Canis looked up from where he was sitting. Canis was watching the events unfold through a crack in the ancient flooring.
“You’re still looking for that? We just got proof he wants to collect us anyways!” Canis said with a small growl, pointing down at the floor. “And all we know about his magic is that it uses a blue light!”
Malis shrugged it off, opening the book up. “It's fine! Its nothing we can’t take on. We’re both warded right?”
Canis let out a small sigh, before walking over to join his brother. “Yes, but I can't help but feel that they won’t help.” He said, arms crossed. His fur was standing on end, and the boy was alert, ready for any magic to appear.
He was not prepared for his wards to wink out of existence for no reason.
Malis looked carefully at the book, flipping through page after page. “We called dad, he’ll be here any minute to help. If we can’t beat that guy, dad surely can.”
Canis tried to yell a warning, but his mouth froze shut, the words never left his mouth. His shoulder glowed a bright blue. The shoulder the dog had touched earlier. If he could gulp, he would. His body slowly compacted behind his brother, sinking into his shirt. His fur melted into a cold black metal coating. And his paws deformed below him, drawing up through his shorts, joining his upper body in his increasingly cylindrical form.
“Let's see. The pages are mostly empty? He didn’t write a thing! Oh, wait! I found one! ‘Dear diary, My parents gave me a journal for my 7th birthday. They told me to write about the happy things that happen to me.’” Malis read out. “Seems he didn’t have much to write about though.” Behind him, his brother was naught but a pile of clothes. His form hidden beneath them. Canis’s body had been changed, converted into nothing but a black can. A bright blue logo with “True Canine Cola” was writing on the front. And the pup inside was struggling to retain any semblance of self. But..he was a can ...a soda ...nothing but…..a…..a ...so-
“I found another one! It says ‘Dear diary, My parents were eaten today. And the man who ordered it decided to adopt me.’ Wow, that’s a bit morbid. Hey, wait! That’s-” He stopped when he heard a sound. Like metal rolling. Turning around, he saw no Canis, no twin at all. Rather, he saw a pile of clothes, matching his own, with a simple black can rolling out of the neck hole. Rolling towards a tall black Doberman, who was waiting in the doorway.
“Well well well, you found my journal. Congratulations. For your prize, You can join your brother.” Max said, stooping low to grab the can. As he did, a brilliant burst of colors sprouted from the top, many, many cores flying out, and attaching to the can, like a colorful splash of glowing dots, a big red one landing smack dab in the center of the logo. “Oh my, well this is a surprise. Are you just as special, chosen of Azure?” Max looked up at the pup, his smile turning into something more…wicked.
Malis for his part was growling. He got past the wards, somehow. Don’t let the light touch him, and he’ll be fine though. The pup’s paws started to glow with a magical light. “We have help coming you know. I just have to buy time and then you’ll get it!” Maybe he could get the dog talking? Monologuing if possible. That would be the best-case scenar-
“Help you say. Was it a tall fat badger? About yea big, and twice as wide?” Max asked, holding his paws up to demonstrate. Malis let out a gulp. The elder Doberman pulled out the black and white bottle, a label over it saying “Badgerton Brew” with a smiling, waving badger on the front. “He wouldn’t let me into my own house, and I oh so love the local stuff,” Max said, licking his maw. “I couldn’t help myself.”
That...was not good.
“Now now, I think we’ve had enough surprises, don’t you think?” Max slipped the bottle back into his pocket, along with the can that was one Canis, smirking at Malis. “You’ve already lost.”
Malis clenched his fists, looking at the pocket his brother disappeared into. “It's not over yet. I just can’t let you touch me, right? That's how your magic works. Denying anyone in the light?” HE could get him to talk. And maybe. Maybe Dad called someone else...He hoped.
Max paused for a bit...then let out a loud laugh, almost bowing over. His laughter slowed as he looked up at Malis, almost teary-eyed. “My dear boy, that couldn’t be any more wrong.” He said, slamming his cane on the ground. The blue light spread out from where he stood, encasing the entire house. Malis was sent rigid as the magic flew over him. And looking around on the walls, names. Names over and over. Max was written everywhere.
“You see it now? This is MY house. I control it. I control everything in it. You know that saying about how it's not yours unless you have your name on it?”
Malis gritted his teeth. “I think you took that a bit too far.”
“Perhaps, but its effective no? I marked your brother when I grabbed him. He was already mine. Your friends outside? They stood on my stones, MY sidewalk. Your friends below? That was my playroom they were in. And you. You stand in my own bedroom and think you have a chance. No no no, Everything here is mine. The floor, the ceiling, the old dusty toys. Even your wards are mine.” The dog said with a maniacal grin, flicking his paw towards himself.
Every ward Malis had placed on himself vanished, or rather than vanish, they were moved. Moved onto the Doberman in front of him, and interlocked with his brother’s wards. This was bad.
Max stepped closer, leaving his cane stuck in the ground where he slammed it and raising his paws up. Malis suddenly felt his body lift into the air, t-posing like one would in a video game’s character creation.
The black-on-black Dobie gave the pup a twirl, sending him spinning slowly in the air. “Hmm, canid nature. Multiple cores I smell. Much like your brother, I assume? But what has Azure so interested? Is it maybe the cores he likes? But then why not go for both boys? Hmmm. Tell me your secrets child.” Max said eagerly, grabbing Malis’s wrist to stop him from spinning.
Malis, in turn, decided to do the one thing every hero does in a movie when they are captured. He spit in the villain's face. Max’s smile slowly dropped. Turning into a frown. “I see…...I see…… Well, there are other ways to learn your...secrets.”
“What about your secret oh Mr. high and migh-” Max pinched his fingers together, shutting the pup's maw instantly, fast enough Malis ended up biting his own tongue. A small whimper was heard from the pup.
“Much better. You don’t need to talk. You don’t need to think. I don’t even need your secrets. Do you know why?” Max growled, “Because you are nothing but a drink!” He said, stepping up to look the pup in the eyes. His own glowing a bright, swirling blue.
Malis, with his wards, would have been easily able to stare this dog down. But as he was now… He was slowly getting lost in the glowing light. Lost in the swirling depths of his eyes. Lost...lost in the…..the…...th-
Max let out a small smirk, watching at the pup’s eyes glazed over. He was his. Well, he was his since he stepped into the house, to be honest. “And now. Let's see. What would make Azure the most upset… How about seeing his little pup reduced to a can, and crushed beneath my boot.”
Max smirked as he drew his paws together, almost like he was squishing something between him paws. And as he did, the pup floating in front of him started looking more ...flat. Malis’s body started pulling in on itself, like a telescope. His arms and legs tucking in, to disappear inside his melting, flattening body. They weren’t needed for a can. The dog’s clothes fell to the ground, leaving the pup floating in the air, malformed and squished. His black fur fading into a dull black metal, nothing like his brother's shiny new coat. His tail stuck up, attaching to his back and melding in. And his muzzle pushed inwards. The glazed eyes o the pup vanished under the shifting metal, and a can of soda dropped to the ground. Nothing but a can.
Like his brother before, a massive swirl of cores exploded from the top, cascading down over the can. Leaving it a brightly lit, black can of Antique Canine Cola. One of the older brands from before his time. Nothing special, but it was good enough to drink. Max wouldn’t want to waste all that magic potential, now would he?
The Doberman bent over and picked up the can, and without a second thought; why would one have a second thought opening a can; he popped the top of the soda. A short fizz was followed by the smell of the bubbly, fruity mix of cola that the pup was. MAx didn’t hesitate to chug the whole can, squeezing it in his paw as it emptied. Denting the sides like one would any can.
Glug Glug Gulp. Aaaah
The cores, every single one winked out. The big blue one on the front dimmed to nothing. Each one feeding the Doberman's thirst. And then, when the can was emptied, rather than allowing it to refill, Max dropped it to the floor and stomped it flat. Malis...no the can...was flattened to a tiny disk and kicked aside amongst the other trash. No one would find him. No one would care about a can. Just as it should be.
Max adjusted his suit, picked up his cane and walked out of the house, patting his pocket of soda’s and excited for the movie marathon he was going to share with all of them.
Well not all of them.
His big jug of Salty, Yet Sweet he took home and wrapped up in colorful wrapping paper. His father loved new flavors, especially exotic ones. He would love having these two. Their flavors would be perfect for his pallet. In fact, While on the subject, he pulled the can of Diet Demon out as well.
He wasn’t sure how much his father would enjoy this one. Demons tended to make a better drink for a younger pallet. But, it was still exotic, and very rare. Max shrugged to himself, before wrapping the can up as well. It wouldn’t hurt to give him an extra present. It was almost his father’s birthday after all.
His Orange root-beer soda though, THAT was his, and nobody else could have it. He clutched the bottle to his chest, hugging it almost like a child would a plush, before setting it in his private cooler. He wanted it chilled for his marathon he planned for tonight. Chilled and ready.
He gazed at his last two soda’s. A Bottle of Badgerton Brew, and a can that had once been Malis’s brother. After pondering for a bit, Max decided to send the brew to Badgerton. It was as advertised, after all. ‘Badgerton Brew, Made by Badgers, For Badgers.’ Those suckers didn’t know how literal it was.
MAx couldn’t help but chuckle to himself, before looking at the last can. A True Canine Cola, the perfect drink. And he knew just what to do with it. He hastily wrote a small note. And dropped the can into a box of packing peanuts, along with the note. A note that said,
“Dear Azure,
Though you’d like what’s left of your little pet. He and his brother were no match for me after all. But I guess that’s all you can expect from children.
Your’s truly,
Maximillian R. Toxx.”
He dared the stuck up cat to call him a child after this. He thought with a grin. It would be a perfect revenge.
Lin...Leopard Lime was bought by a young wolf. Drunken down and emptied. His bottle was kept by the poor little wolf, even with the light of his core gone. As a souvenir of the soda, he saved for months to get. Though with the magic the soda had given him, He didn’t need a light so much as he was one. Using the former leopards holy magic for himself.
Poko and Sorak... ‘Salty, Yet Sweet,’ brand soda sad proudly at the top of Regulus’s personal drink shelf. A present from his adopted son, given to him for his birthday. The two flavors would never be separated, and instead inspired a new famed soda brand for the Toxx company. In other news, a Tribe of savages mysteriously vanished.
Gabe...Diet Demon, found itself as another present, along with ‘Salty, Yet Sweet’ although it was left forgotten at the bottom of the shelf. As it turns out, The Company owner did not very much like sour drinks. For his son’s benefit, he tried it once, though, it was never tried a second time, and sat alone and in the back.
Jet...Furious Fox Orange shared a nice movie marathon with Max. Keeping the Doberman hydrated throughout the night as he watched Garo and Kamenfur and the like. As the night went on, the cork slowly dimmed, until it no longer glowed. No life left in the constantly refilling bottle. But it did own the top spot of the dog’s favorite drink shelf, pulled out at least twice a week.
Barton… Badgerton Brew was sold as a small store in Badgerton. Roy had gone back home for a small break from Razor’s hectic temple and the endless search mission that turned up empty. And while there, he shared the bottle with Barton’s father. A nice drink to help cool both their heads after his friend’s disappearance. The brew did calm both badgers down. And helped them relax that night.
Canis...True Canine Cola, was sent as a taunt to Azure. A present from Max. Azure had immediately known who it was, but it had no consequence to him. He happily drank down the cola, draining every core, watching as they winked out like stars in the sunrise. If his malis was defeated so easily, and his brother as well...It’s clear they were not meant to be predators after all. The True Canin Cola soon found itself flattened and tossed in the garbage. Azure did not enjoy the taste of failures.
Malis...Antique Canine Cola, was never found. Or rather. No one came looking. At least, not for a can. Friends, Razor, Kopa. Not one could find him, or Barton or any of the other boys. And as the weeks passed. They soon gave up. No one could survive that long in a predator’s clutches. And they were right.
The image faded from the mirror, as it returned to the smokey image it normally had. Max was tied up to a chair, his can in the corner, and arms behind his back. Canis, and Malis stood on either side of him, with Poko, Lin, and Sorak just behind him. Though Poko and Sorak had a noticeable blush and wouldn’t look each other in the eye. Gabe and Jet sat on the ground in front of the mirror, and Barton was watching over all of them, eyes glaring at the Doberman.
“Wow, what do you have against me?” Malis asked, leaning on the Doberman's shoulder.
“Not against you; against Azure. He gets on my nerves whenever he visits father.” Max growled out.
“Wow, that sounds….surprisingly childish.” Canis said with a small grin, leaning on his other shoulder.
“Yes yes, whatever. So why show me this?” The black-on-black Dobie asked, leaning back, trying to shake the younger dogs off his shoulders.
“Well, this proves, that if we hadn’t called Dad…” Malis started.
“And if we hadn’t held you in the street…” Canis continued.
“Then you would have turned us all into sodas!” They both finished together.
“You say that like it's not a given? Is it so bad to want to turn prey into what they should be?” Max said with a growl.
“Well no-” Malis started, before getting a glare from Barton. “I mean yes. Very much so. Anyyyywaaaaaays. What we’re saying is. You were gonna turn us into soda right?”
Max rolled his eyes. “Of course. We’ve established that!”
Canis grinned at Malis. Then they both looked at Barton, almost pleadingly.
“Fine fine. I wash my hands of this.” *Barton said, holding up his paws. Both the dogs cheered.
Max looked around. All the kids staring at him, with almost evil grins. Even the panda seemed a little sinister now. “What's ...going on.”
“We’re just getting payback. You understand right?” Gabe said, raising a glowing paw.
“Oh, crapbaskets…” Max muttered before his fur stood on end. The magic flowed through him. Quickly compacting him down. And within moments. Naught but a soda can sat on the chair, the ropes laid empty on the ground. The image of a smiling Doberman was underneath the words True Canine Cola. And a bright sky blue core appeared on the can, behind the words.
“And that is what being a predator will get you.” Malis said with a snicker.
Regulus was sitting at his desk, the large lion working on the paperwork needed to introduce a new flavor to his drinks when a knock sounded on the door. “Come in!” He shouted, not lifting his head from the work.
A small raccoon lad carrying a package, and a dog-headed cane walked in. “Delivery for Mr. Toxx. It's from a ‘friend of Azure’ it says.”
“Yes yes, thank you. Leave it on the desk please.” The raccoon nodded, laying the package on the desk, and leaving the cane leaning against it, before trotting off. He remembered what happened to his predecessor, and he didn’t want to stay around too long.
“Let's see, a package from Azure? I wonder what it could…..be.” He stared, before seeing the cane. His mouth turned up into a smirk. “I see, you’ve gotten yourself into a bit of trouble, eh Max?”
Regulus gently ran a claw along the tape of the small package, letting it spring open to find a can inside, covered in foam packing peanuts. On the front was a Doberman. Regulus burst into a fit of laughter, before seeing the core on the front, still glowing. “Oh. Ooooh. Well, I’m sure you won’t mind if I take a sip. Right?”
The lion grinned to himself, opening the tab on the can. He had fully intended to only take a sip. Intended at least. That counts for something right? The lion couldn’t help but keep drinking. The flavor was delicious. The way it mixed together and bubbled in his maw. Before he knew it, the can was empty, the core dark. Regulus let out a loud belch, before rubbing his belly and holding up the can.
“Ooops, couldn’t help myself. Sorry kid. But hey, at least you’ll make top-shelf this week.” The lion said with a smirk. He tapped the can, letting it reseal itself, and refill, before setting it up on the shelf with several other sodas. His favorites of that week.
Crapbaskets. He needed to find a new Assistant CEO now. Maybe the raccoon kid would be willing. He did look delicious…
The scene once again faded from the mirror. Smoke covered the smiling face of the lion. Max, still tied up in his chair was left in a cold sweat. “That...that...can we make a deal?”
Canis and Malis let out a burst of laughter, rolling on the ground. Gabe and Jet had to dodge out of the way while holding back their own giggles.
After biting back a couple more giggles, Canis spoke up, still smiling brightly. “Sure, we can make a deal.”
“A Lifetime supply of Cheetah Cherry!” Gabe shouted out. Everyone turned to look at him, as he blushes shyly.
“Done! Anything else?” Max said, a bit of fear in his voice.
This time is was Malis who spoke up, a grin fitting of Leogun on his face. Barton had to sigh internally. “Yes. You belong to us now.”
“Wait, what?” Max’s thoughts just stopped. He..what did that cub say?
“You belong to us. Swear on your magic to do whatever we say.” Malis said, his grin growing bigger, showing his teeth.
“Why would i…. Oh…” Looking back at the mirror, MAx knew why he had to. With a small gulp, and a bit of a shudder to his voice he spoke again. “I swear on my magic...to do whatever you say ...Within reason!” He added finally. Malis looked at Canis, who just shrugged back.
“Close enough. Now with that out of the way. Drop the disguise.” Malis said as he worked on untying the dog.
“You want me to...fine! But no laughing!” Max growled. He grabbed his cane, and then suddenly began to shrink. The elderly gentleman was getting smaller...no...younger. His suit changed from a blue tux into a dark blue hoodie, the top flipped back. His slacks grew baggy, becoming a pair of cargo pants, chains looping around the sides. And his cane shrank and shrank, until it was but a ballpoint pen with a wolf head cap, easily fitting in his paw.
Lin held up his paw, up to where the dog was before, then lowering it to the dog’s new hight at four feet. “Your so….”
“Call me short and I’ll stuff you in a can and mail you to Ranvec faster than you can say oops!” Max growled out. The apparent teenager swatted the leopard’s hand away as Lin burst into giggles. “How did you know.”
Malis smirked, holding up the journal. “I went and grabbed this after dad tied you up. Apparently, your first journal entry was made when you were seven. Seven years ago. You’re no older than Poko you big faker.”
“Not faking!...Just…I don’t want people who know me, to see me there.” The Doberman growled, looking away and pouting, almost cute like.
“Well, now we know! And you are now our spy on the higher-ups!” Canis said, grabbing the journal from Malis and handing it back to the teenage dog. Max snatched back it with a small huff.
“Fine fine. Is that all?”
“And the sodas! We want lots of soda! You’re coming over next weekend for a movie marathon. And you’re bringing the drinks.” Canis said with a grin.
“What movie,” Max asked with narrowed eyes.
“Kamen-fur most likely!” Jet said from where he lay on the floor. “Also, I’d like a Canine Cola, please!”
“Tasmanian Cherry for me!”
“Leopard Lime!”
“Just a coke.”
“Really that's it?”
“I don’t know all your drinks! Poko’s only bought me a coke before!”
Lin grinned and turned to the Doberman. “One of everything then! We’ve gotta tutor our snake in the ways of carbonated glory,” he said, ruffling Sorak on the head, getting a small hiss and a blush in return.
“Alright alright…As long as it's not Wizard.” Max said, sticking his paws in his pockets and walking out the door.
The room went silent as the door closed behind the dog.
“Did he just say…”
“He did.”
“Does that mean he…”
“I think it does.”
Both pups shouted in triumph, loud enough to be heard on the other side of the door, where Max was leaning back against it. What had he gotten himself into?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(SQUIGGLY OVERDRIVE)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was a story for
lionkinglover12 and contains inanimate and soda tfs!
Lunar City, Canis, Malis, Jet, and Gabe all belong to lionkinglover12
Lin, Poko, and Sorak belong to
Skouter
Barton belongs to
Kent Badger
Max and Regulus belong to me!
By Aurum
Lunar City was a bright, vibrant area of Lunaris. The capital of the country, and host to the biggest conflux of ley lines in the world. This street, however, did not show any of that wonder.
Maximillian Romulous Toxx, Max for short, stalked down the sidewalk dressed in a dark blue tux and matching blue slacks. They were form-fitting, pressed up against his glossy black fur, marking him as out of place in this grubby, out of town area. The kind of place where those who struggle against the true way of life, thrive. Where crime, loss, and pain were all too common, and the very place he grew up.
When he was younger, the Doberman had lived in one such house. He was happy, or so he thought. And then the debt collectors came. The debt his parents had accumulated was too much to repay in...ordinary means. Needless to say, they were eaten right in front of him. Reduced into nothing but blubber on their fat hides.
Max was not upset by this fact, rather, he believed it to be a sad truth. They had no potential. His parents were meant to be nothing but pudge. He, on the other hand, he was meant for greatness. And his adoptive father saw that. Regulus Toxx, the founder of the Toxx Cola company, saw great potential in him, and his magic. Without nary a moment to waste, he had adopted Max on the spot. And Max, having nowhere else to go, gladly accepted.
And now, here he was, Assistant CEO of the Toxx Cola, and personal taste gatherer. He truly had gone far in life.
Taking a look around, Max felt a little, nostalgic… It disgusted him. He was beyond this life and should feel no attachment to it. With a flourish of his paw, he brought out a cane. A sleek maple wood cane that curved into the head of a dog at the end. And then he brought said dog head to his own head, and with a little tap, all sentiments he had felt, vanished.
Tilting his head, a dribble of water leaked out his ear. Giving it a few flicks, the Doberman straightened out a sighed. Much better. It wouldn’t do for a high-class citizen to develop feelings for the vermin of the streets. In fact, the only reason he was here was to find new flavors. He’d gotten a tip earlier that evening about a group of furs, specifically two pups, who were considered diamonds in the rough. One of the pups being connected to Azure, they would be a fine prize, them, and anyone with them.
Cutting through the crowd of prey that roamed the street, the dog quickly found exactly what he was looking for. It wasn’t hard seeing as the pups were hardly hiding themselves. The crowds of prey were giving them a wide berth, and seeing their aura, it was easy to see why. The two pups were a mottled mess of magic. Delicious.
Max couldn’t help but lick his maw at the thought of all those flavors condensing in a can of carbonated liquid. The two pups were walking ahead of a small group, their paws on the back of their heads, almost carefree. Behind them, was a trio of furs. A tall, six-foot panda that looked around almost shyly. And beside him was a leopard, about a foot shorter than the panda, with a paw on his shoulder. Beside him was a smaller fox with a big fluffy tail. Oooh, foxes mad delicious orange soda, that was a score. Behind those three, were two more furs. A golden lion, about the size of the fox and pups, looking for all intents and purposes, innocent as a lamp. Touching. And beside him, was a young green snake, about 4 feet in height, in naught but a loincloth. His claws were rested on a couple of daggers on his belt. A savage here? Well, they did make exotic flavors. It was a ragtag, scruffy-looking bunch. The pups would definitely be a finer taste, but the rest could go out to the masses.
Max gave his cane a twirl, before walking towards the group, his blue eyes gleaming, much like the eyes on the head of his cane. Might as well get started, right?
“You guys don’t have to walk me to school every day you know.” Jet grumbled with a small huff, his paws were crossed.
Malis looked back with a smile. “If you would just move in with us, we wouldn’t have to.” He said lightly.
“But this place is safe! Only prey live this far in the slums.” the fox argued.
Canis turned this time, walking backward as he talked. “And that my adorable little fox friend, is why we have to walk you to school.”
“But that makes no-” Jet started, only to be interrupted by the leopard beside him.
“I get it!... I got that. Eer. sorry.” Lin said, scratching the back of his head embarrassed.
Gabe, Canis, and Malis all turned to the leopard and burst out laughing. Sarok just groaned into his claws and Jet tried to hide his face in his tail. Poko just looked around confused, putting a claw to his mouth, before deciding it would be better not to speak, as to not get laughed at as well.
With everyone turned at Lin though, no one but Poko noticed the tall black on black Doberman heading their way. “Um. guys?” Poko started.
“Well, we know Lin gets it. Do youuuu get it yet Jet?” Gabe said with a snicker.
Tap Tap Tap
“Guys?”
“Oh shut it, Gabe! Ten bucks say you don’t either!” Jet said, and Gabe’s face immediately went red with a blush.
Tap Tap Tap
“GUUUUYS!”
“What is it Pok-” Canis started, only to feel a paw on his shoulder.
Several things happened at once. First, Canis ripped his shoulder free from the assailant, rolling over to face him. Second, Malis was on his side, paws glowing. Third, Sarok was right behind the tall dog, a knife at his neck and tail coiled around his legs. And finally, Lin stepped in front of Poko, his paws glowing a bright white with magic.
Max let out a long sigh, dropping his cane and putting his paws up. “Kids these days, no class.”
“Sarok, keep him there. If he so much as flinches, cut him to pieces.” Canis said, before reaching a paw into the Doberman's back pocket and pulling out a wallet. Inside was an ID, plenty of money, some credit cards. The usual stuff.
“So what's a high-class pred doing here Mr. Assistant CEO of Toxx Cola?” Malis asked, looking up from the ID with his brother, crossing his arms.
“Toxx Cola? I love that brand! They have soooo many flavors! You guys still sell Cheetah Cherry right?” Gabe asked happily, before getting long stares from all his friends. “Right...Wrong time for this.” He said, stepping back with a blush.
Max let out a small chuckle. “Why are you all so serious? I used to live here actually. And If you’d kindly remove that knife from my neck, sav-snake lad, I would gladly show you where.”
“Don’t move Sarok,” Malis said.
Sarok rolled his eyes a bit. “I wasn’t planning on it.”
“Can anyone verify what he said?” Canis asked.
“What a day for Woe to ditch us for Tech-Con. We could use his fur-pad right about now.”
“Tsk tsk tsk. No trust in from the youth hmm?” Max said, shaking his head softly. “How uncouth. I’m just here for nostalgia. Is that so wrong?”
Canis let out a small growl. “Then why did you grab me?”
“I simply wanted to say that poking fun at a colleague is simply rude, to say the least.” The Doberman truly looked upset. “If you release me, I can prove it.”
“How about you prove it right now. Or we make ourselves a new toy.” Malis crossed his paws. His magic was glowing fiercely, a show no doubt, to mean these kids meant business. Max was almost impressed. Almost.
“My house number was 53, building R. You’ll find a little diary in a drawer, as long as it hasn’t been looted. It’ll be from a Max Mizuchi. That is me. Find that, and that’ll be your proof. Happy?” The Doberman asked.
Malis looked at his friends, then nodded at Sarok. “Jet, Gabe, you two are with me and Canis. Poko, Lin, Sarok, you watch this guy. If he is who he says he is, I’m sure Gabe can pay him off. If not, well, we could use a new soccer ball.”
“Wait, you want us to….watch-” Poko started, but as he turned around, his four younger friends had already turned around, Jet leading the way to the house around the corner. Poko let out a small sigh. “Guess we’re doing this now.”
Max had a small grin. “Yes, it seems we are. It woulda been easier if you’d just let me go, but splitting up works just as well.” the Doberman stomped on his cane and a rush of magic flowed over the three kids. A circle of blue light rising from the ground around each of them, Even Sarok, knocking him off the Doberman as he simply walked forward, leaving the snake boy behind in the circle of light. Poko looked down, just now seeing the streams of blue that leaked from the cane’s head to each of their feet. It was a setup.
“You lied!” Lin growls out.
“Not a lie children, just a simple truth I hold no value to. I did live here once upon a time, but it doesn’t matter to me now. Right now, I simply wish to… collect.” Max leaned down, grabbing his cane, before rising up and standing in-between all three. “Now. who’s first?”
Sarok let out a hiss, swiping at the magic barrier with his daggers, but to no avail. “When I get out, you’re s-”
“Ah, the noisy savage then,” Max said with a grin, then tapped his can on the ground. Sarok’s arms shot to his sides, the dagger’s dropped to the ground. His body was paralyzed in the position, unable to move in the light of the dog’s magic. “Let's see what flavor you are. I tend to find savaged are more of a mixed delight rather than a solo drink.”
Max once again tapped his cane on the ground, and a silvery liquid pushed out of the cane’s dog head. It shifted and warped, solidifying into what looked like a tree tap in between its jaws. A treetap Max promptly grabbed. “This little device will let me get a small taste of you, don’t worry, it won’t hurt a bit.” The Doberman said though the grin showed he didn’t really care whether or not it was true. He pressed the end of the tap against the snake, pressing it easily into the belly scales of the snake. And while doing so, he held his cane up, the eyes of the dog boring into the eyes of the snake.
Sarok hardly felt more than a tingle as if was pressed in. It didn’t hurt really, not at all. It was warm, almost pleasant like it belonged in him. Not that he coulda fought it if he wanted to. Looking into the bright, glowing blue eyes of the cane, everything in his mind seemed to vanish. Sarok’s eyes glazed over as any thoughts of resistance soon dissipated into the murky warmth of the blue light.
Max flourished a paw, a small glass, not much bigger than a shot glass slipped from his sleeve. He gently twitches the knob on the tap, and a murky brownish drink spilled from the snake. It bubbled in the glass, much like a soda. After all, that's what it was. Taking a small whiff, the elder dog sipped it down, licking his lips with a thoughtful expression. “I taste caramel...no...sea salt caramel? Hmmm, no, no this won’t do. You’ll require a much stronger drink to go with you. Let's see….. Ah yes! You panda! What’s your flavor?” Max pulled the tap from the Sarok, not a mark or blemish left where it had entered. Nothing to show he’d been punctured.
Poko for his part was visibly shaking. This dog had easily overpowered both Sarok and Lin, leaving them all at his mercy. He just had to hope Canis and Malis could make it back in time or else…. gulp...Better not to think about that. “U-Uhm. Flavor? I- I don’t think I have a flavor, sir.”
Max shook his head softly. “Nonsense. Everyone has a flavor, it's only a matter of unlocking it. Let’s see…” He brought his cane up to the panda. Poko for his part tried to turn away, to close his eyes, but a familiar wash of magic froze him in place. He couldn’t blink or move, only stare into those deep...glowing...blue…..
With a smirk, Max pulled his cane away from the panda. The boy was thoroughly under now. And with nary a pause, he lifting the panda’s shirt, pressing the tap into the belly. Like with Sarok, it slid in easily. Pressing to the hilt, before Max turned the knob once again. This time a frothy blackish-brown liquid with bright white foam filled his cup.
With a small taste, the dog’s eyes lit up. “Wonderful! Vanilla cola! This would do perfectly! You two are truly made for each other!” MAx tugged the tap free before flicking his cane. Poko was sent soaring into Sarok’s circle, pressed up tightly against him. Almost too tight.
“Let's see, let's see. Two elegant a taste for a can, yes, let's go with a bottle!” Max proclaimed. And with a tap on the ground, his cane’s eyes sparked to life. A deep blue glow covering both boys. Their clothes evaporated into the light, as your bodies spun around each other. Almost like coils of a snake. The black and white of the panda mixing with the green and cream of the snake, swirling and swirling until they were one mass of translucent dark green. And then, their bodies compacted. Shrinking down slowly, getting smaller and harder. A large ‘neck’ formed at the top and the base rounded out, not fully cylindrical, but more like a bottle that bad some chub. A circular bottle. As it shrank, the mass was converted inside, slowing filling up with a dark brown drink.
With a small clink, all that was left of the two boys was a large 2-liter glass bottle. Rounded like a ball at the base and foaming at the top. Two bright spheres of light flew up from the bottle, swirling around each other, melding together into a small flat disc, before with a pop, it covered the bottle. A small bottle cap made of their magic cores.
But it seemed to be missing something...Ah yes! Max tapped the bottle softly with the end of his cane, and a white wrapper circled around the bottle. A picture of a panda and a snake cuddling on the front, with the word’s “Salty, Yet Sweet” above them. There, a fitting prize for whichever predator would get these two. In fact…
Lin could only watch on, banging on the barrier with his glowing paws, as the black dog grabbed the bottle that was his former friends. There was a small Pop followed closely by a Fshh, as the Doberman tugged the cap off. With a small, menacing grin at the leopard, Max started chugging down the soda. The sweet and salty caramel mixing perfectly with the vanilla cola, setting his taste-buds a-lite. And with every gulp, the glow of the cap got dimmer and dimmer. Until, with a loud belch, the Doberman emptied the bottle. The cap stopped glowing as it was placed back on the bottle, refilling its contents. But there was no magic left inside. No Poko or Sorak.
MAx rubbed his belly after his belch before smiling at the defeated looking leopard. “Are you ready for your turn?” He slowly walked over, letting his magic wash over the cat, freezing him in place like he had the other two.
Lin gritted his teeth. “Do your worst,” he grunted before those same piercing blue eyes caught his. Slowing his thoughts down, emptying him out and leaving a husk behind. A can... a...a…
The tap was placed into the leopard's chest simply and easily. And this cat revealed a clear bubbling liquid, with a slight lemony smell. How bland. Max took a small sip, just to be sure, and yep. He was another lemon-lime drink. How he regretted this invention, but they fit the lower class’s lack of taste he supposed. The Doberman sighed, removing the tap. A soda was a soda he supposed. He tapped the leopard on the head with his cane, watching at the cat started to shrink.
Lin’s fur flattened out, becoming a bright and shiny silver. His spots melted away leaving him a bland single color. His body became squat, and rounded, even as he was shrinking down. His head was forced to point up, before flattening down into itself, a small tab appearing on the top. His arms pulled into himself, along with his legs and tail, disappearing within the smooth metal. A smooth silver can, with naught bought Leopard Lime printed on the front.
The can hit the ground with a small clink, falling over on top of the pants that were left behind. A bright silvery-white core shot from the top, circling the can slowly, before landing on the front, right in the center of the O on leopard, causing it to glow brightly. If nothing else, whichever pred bought this can would be pleasantly surprised.
Max leaned down, picking up the can and rubbing it off on his suit. Then tossed it in the air, where it disappeared in a poof of smoke. It would reach his packing facility soon enough. Tested, cloned, and packed to be shelved to the lower class. Max wouldn’t dare drink that one himself, lemon-lime always messed with his stomach. But now, to find the rest of the kids. Ooops, drinks. He meant drinks.
Inside the dilapidated house, the boys had decided to split up. Canis and Malis headed upstairs, while Gabe and Jet took the downstairs, searching for a journal that may or may not exist. Really, even to Jet, it seemed like a trap, one they had just walked into.
“So ...Why would Canis and Malis have us split up? They know the tropes right?” Jet asked, kicking a piece of garbage across the floor. Gabe looked at Jet with a wary look, as he dug through a couple couch cushions, finding nothing but old trash.
“Honestly, I bet we’re bait. So if that Max guy does come for us, Canis and Malis can see his magic first hand.” Gabe said, a small sigh escaping his muzzle.
“Wait, bait? But, We’re their friends, they wouldn’t do that!” Jet started, only to get a long hard look from Gabe. “Okay, you’re right, but you can go all...you know... demon on the dogo right?” Jet said, miming a couple punches in front of him, then looking hopefully at Gabe.
The lion cub shook his head, looking out the window at the people passing by. “Too many witnesses. Mom and Dad almost killed me just for telling you guys, imagine if I showed an entire street,” Gabe visibly shuddered. “Nope, we’re relying on normal magic here.”
“Well that is good news, isn’t it.” A voice sounded from behind the two. “I find demonkin to be quite...difficult to obtain, oooh but the flavor is worth the trouble.”
A dark silhouette appeared in the doorway as the boys turned around. Max was standing there, pocketing a black and white bottle as he stepped in. Both boys got into a ready stance, magic glowing in their paws.
“Well well, cute little fighters hmm? And what do you think you can do with that little bit of magic?” Max asked, tapping his cane on the ground. A bright circle of light spread out from the Doberman, covering the entire room in blue light, and the magic of both boys winked out of existence.
“Gabe now would be a good time to do something!” Jet said, backing up slowly from the dog. Gabe gulped, mirroring the fox’s movements.
“I have one idea.”
“What’s that?”
“CANIS! MA-” The lion was cut off with a yelp, as Max swung his cane around, smacking the lion on the head. Jet didn’t fare much better; as soon as Gabe was hit, the cane was swung around at the fox. It stopped inches from his face, leaving the fox staring into the blue, shining eyes of the dog-head cane.
All thoughts of calling for help left the fox’s mind. Or rather, all thoughts in general. He didn’t need to think, to move, to call for help. He didn’t need to…need...to…
“Now now, indoor voices, please. We wouldn’t want to upset the neighbors would we?” Max said with a grin. The lion rubbed his head where he was hit, before opening his maw to let out another shout. But, nothing came out. Not a sound or air or… ah, crapbaskets.
Gabe could already feel himself changing. His paws were pulling up into his sleeves, refusing to move. And his head tilted up against his will. He could see the dog smiling above him, growing more and more distant. The lion tried to let out a growl, but again, nothing escaped his maw. Rather, his maw pushed inwards. His fur had slickened down into smooth golden metal. And his thoughts were ...were ...dissipating. Gabe struggled to hold onto himself, but he could feel himself fading, even as he was filled with whatever liquid was inside of him. He was...fading….fad……..fa
A can of Diet Demon sat on the lion’s clothing, the last crackles and pops of the change, fading. A bright golden core flew out of the tap, sticking itself in between the Diet and Demon on the can. A bright glowing circle to background the horned lion image. What a beautiful display. Max stooped over to grab the can, looking it over.
“Sadly, I missed my chance to taste you. I couldn’t chance that you’d let your demon out. I guess that means I’ll just have to try you out now.” He said, smiling down at the can. He pulled the tab, letting the soda fizz for a bit, watching the bubbles spray about, before tilting the can back and taking a big long gulp.
Glug glug glug.
With each mouthful, the core grew dimmer and dimmer. Until it was little more than a painted sun on the background of the can. Max drank heavily from the delicious can of soda, loving the mix between the demons sour flavors, and the sweetness of the lion cub. Few things tasted better than a demonkin. With a small burp, quieted by a paw over his maw, he pulled the empty can away. With a flick of his wrist, the can refilled, and the tab pulled back shut. This one was going to his personal collection.
Max pocketed his new can of soda, before turning to the remaining fur. The fox still standing there like nothing happened. His mind blank of all thoughts, even as he watched his friend be drunk into nothingness. Wonderful.
The Doberman once again produced his soda tap, before gently pushing it into the fox. Oh, he hoped this one was orange. He loved orange soda. And to his pleasant surprise, when filling his cup, a delicious, fizzy orange liquid poured out, with a bit more froth than one would normally expect. “Let's see what secrets you hold, Lil foxy.”
Max tilted his head back, letting out a happy rumble as the delicious orange-flavored drink slipped down his maw. And then, a sudden burst of root-beer as an aftertaste. Oh so wonderful! “You’re possessed aren’t you, my dear little fox?” He said cheerfully, patting the fox on the cheek. “I love a two for one special.” The dog grinned down.
He pulled the tap away and patted the fox on the head. “You’re gonna join your friend in my personal store. Oooh, today has been such a hit.” Max said almost giddily, as he let his magic run through the fox.
Jet’s body suddenly went shiny. Every piece of fur flattened down and hardened into a smooth, cold glass. His tail rose up, fusing into his back as a makeshift handle. And then he started getting smaller. His legs punched up in his shorts, pulling up to fused together, making a solid base. His arms tucked into his sides, fusing into the glass, even as his body started to grow clearer. His head tilted up, thinning down oddly, looking almost horrific in its current state. But that soon changed as his head smoothed out, becoming a beautiful neck for the bottle. The whole process was done in only a few moments, and all that was left was an orange glass bottle; a handle on the back, and a small label with a fox on it, laid in the pile of the former fox’s clothing.
This time, the orange core flew up, widening slightly, before slamming down on the bottle’s top with a loud POP. A Glowing orange cork to seal the deal.
“You, my dear little fox, are going to be enjoyed nice and slow. Maybe with a movie marathon. Some nice buttery popcorn. Oh, I can’t wait.” the dog smirked, slipping the bottle into his pocket with the other three drinks he planned to keep.
And now, only two remained. Or rather, one kid remained, and one soda to collect.
“Canis! I think I found it!” Malis said excitedly. He was holding up a bright blue book, old and worn on the edges. On the front, it said ‘Max Mizuchi’ in a dark black print. Canis looked up from where he was sitting. Canis was watching the events unfold through a crack in the ancient flooring.
“You’re still looking for that? We just got proof he wants to collect us anyways!” Canis said with a small growl, pointing down at the floor. “And all we know about his magic is that it uses a blue light!”
Malis shrugged it off, opening the book up. “It's fine! Its nothing we can’t take on. We’re both warded right?”
Canis let out a small sigh, before walking over to join his brother. “Yes, but I can't help but feel that they won’t help.” He said, arms crossed. His fur was standing on end, and the boy was alert, ready for any magic to appear.
He was not prepared for his wards to wink out of existence for no reason.
Malis looked carefully at the book, flipping through page after page. “We called dad, he’ll be here any minute to help. If we can’t beat that guy, dad surely can.”
Canis tried to yell a warning, but his mouth froze shut, the words never left his mouth. His shoulder glowed a bright blue. The shoulder the dog had touched earlier. If he could gulp, he would. His body slowly compacted behind his brother, sinking into his shirt. His fur melted into a cold black metal coating. And his paws deformed below him, drawing up through his shorts, joining his upper body in his increasingly cylindrical form.
“Let's see. The pages are mostly empty? He didn’t write a thing! Oh, wait! I found one! ‘Dear diary, My parents gave me a journal for my 7th birthday. They told me to write about the happy things that happen to me.’” Malis read out. “Seems he didn’t have much to write about though.” Behind him, his brother was naught but a pile of clothes. His form hidden beneath them. Canis’s body had been changed, converted into nothing but a black can. A bright blue logo with “True Canine Cola” was writing on the front. And the pup inside was struggling to retain any semblance of self. But..he was a can ...a soda ...nothing but…..a…..a ...so-
“I found another one! It says ‘Dear diary, My parents were eaten today. And the man who ordered it decided to adopt me.’ Wow, that’s a bit morbid. Hey, wait! That’s-” He stopped when he heard a sound. Like metal rolling. Turning around, he saw no Canis, no twin at all. Rather, he saw a pile of clothes, matching his own, with a simple black can rolling out of the neck hole. Rolling towards a tall black Doberman, who was waiting in the doorway.
“Well well well, you found my journal. Congratulations. For your prize, You can join your brother.” Max said, stooping low to grab the can. As he did, a brilliant burst of colors sprouted from the top, many, many cores flying out, and attaching to the can, like a colorful splash of glowing dots, a big red one landing smack dab in the center of the logo. “Oh my, well this is a surprise. Are you just as special, chosen of Azure?” Max looked up at the pup, his smile turning into something more…wicked.
Malis for his part was growling. He got past the wards, somehow. Don’t let the light touch him, and he’ll be fine though. The pup’s paws started to glow with a magical light. “We have help coming you know. I just have to buy time and then you’ll get it!” Maybe he could get the dog talking? Monologuing if possible. That would be the best-case scenar-
“Help you say. Was it a tall fat badger? About yea big, and twice as wide?” Max asked, holding his paws up to demonstrate. Malis let out a gulp. The elder Doberman pulled out the black and white bottle, a label over it saying “Badgerton Brew” with a smiling, waving badger on the front. “He wouldn’t let me into my own house, and I oh so love the local stuff,” Max said, licking his maw. “I couldn’t help myself.”
That...was not good.
“Now now, I think we’ve had enough surprises, don’t you think?” Max slipped the bottle back into his pocket, along with the can that was one Canis, smirking at Malis. “You’ve already lost.”
Malis clenched his fists, looking at the pocket his brother disappeared into. “It's not over yet. I just can’t let you touch me, right? That's how your magic works. Denying anyone in the light?” HE could get him to talk. And maybe. Maybe Dad called someone else...He hoped.
Max paused for a bit...then let out a loud laugh, almost bowing over. His laughter slowed as he looked up at Malis, almost teary-eyed. “My dear boy, that couldn’t be any more wrong.” He said, slamming his cane on the ground. The blue light spread out from where he stood, encasing the entire house. Malis was sent rigid as the magic flew over him. And looking around on the walls, names. Names over and over. Max was written everywhere.
“You see it now? This is MY house. I control it. I control everything in it. You know that saying about how it's not yours unless you have your name on it?”
Malis gritted his teeth. “I think you took that a bit too far.”
“Perhaps, but its effective no? I marked your brother when I grabbed him. He was already mine. Your friends outside? They stood on my stones, MY sidewalk. Your friends below? That was my playroom they were in. And you. You stand in my own bedroom and think you have a chance. No no no, Everything here is mine. The floor, the ceiling, the old dusty toys. Even your wards are mine.” The dog said with a maniacal grin, flicking his paw towards himself.
Every ward Malis had placed on himself vanished, or rather than vanish, they were moved. Moved onto the Doberman in front of him, and interlocked with his brother’s wards. This was bad.
Max stepped closer, leaving his cane stuck in the ground where he slammed it and raising his paws up. Malis suddenly felt his body lift into the air, t-posing like one would in a video game’s character creation.
The black-on-black Dobie gave the pup a twirl, sending him spinning slowly in the air. “Hmm, canid nature. Multiple cores I smell. Much like your brother, I assume? But what has Azure so interested? Is it maybe the cores he likes? But then why not go for both boys? Hmmm. Tell me your secrets child.” Max said eagerly, grabbing Malis’s wrist to stop him from spinning.
Malis, in turn, decided to do the one thing every hero does in a movie when they are captured. He spit in the villain's face. Max’s smile slowly dropped. Turning into a frown. “I see…...I see…… Well, there are other ways to learn your...secrets.”
“What about your secret oh Mr. high and migh-” Max pinched his fingers together, shutting the pup's maw instantly, fast enough Malis ended up biting his own tongue. A small whimper was heard from the pup.
“Much better. You don’t need to talk. You don’t need to think. I don’t even need your secrets. Do you know why?” Max growled, “Because you are nothing but a drink!” He said, stepping up to look the pup in the eyes. His own glowing a bright, swirling blue.
Malis, with his wards, would have been easily able to stare this dog down. But as he was now… He was slowly getting lost in the glowing light. Lost in the swirling depths of his eyes. Lost...lost in the…..the…...th-
Max let out a small smirk, watching at the pup’s eyes glazed over. He was his. Well, he was his since he stepped into the house, to be honest. “And now. Let's see. What would make Azure the most upset… How about seeing his little pup reduced to a can, and crushed beneath my boot.”
Max smirked as he drew his paws together, almost like he was squishing something between him paws. And as he did, the pup floating in front of him started looking more ...flat. Malis’s body started pulling in on itself, like a telescope. His arms and legs tucking in, to disappear inside his melting, flattening body. They weren’t needed for a can. The dog’s clothes fell to the ground, leaving the pup floating in the air, malformed and squished. His black fur fading into a dull black metal, nothing like his brother's shiny new coat. His tail stuck up, attaching to his back and melding in. And his muzzle pushed inwards. The glazed eyes o the pup vanished under the shifting metal, and a can of soda dropped to the ground. Nothing but a can.
Like his brother before, a massive swirl of cores exploded from the top, cascading down over the can. Leaving it a brightly lit, black can of Antique Canine Cola. One of the older brands from before his time. Nothing special, but it was good enough to drink. Max wouldn’t want to waste all that magic potential, now would he?
The Doberman bent over and picked up the can, and without a second thought; why would one have a second thought opening a can; he popped the top of the soda. A short fizz was followed by the smell of the bubbly, fruity mix of cola that the pup was. MAx didn’t hesitate to chug the whole can, squeezing it in his paw as it emptied. Denting the sides like one would any can.
Glug Glug Gulp. Aaaah
The cores, every single one winked out. The big blue one on the front dimmed to nothing. Each one feeding the Doberman's thirst. And then, when the can was emptied, rather than allowing it to refill, Max dropped it to the floor and stomped it flat. Malis...no the can...was flattened to a tiny disk and kicked aside amongst the other trash. No one would find him. No one would care about a can. Just as it should be.
Max adjusted his suit, picked up his cane and walked out of the house, patting his pocket of soda’s and excited for the movie marathon he was going to share with all of them.
Well not all of them.
His big jug of Salty, Yet Sweet he took home and wrapped up in colorful wrapping paper. His father loved new flavors, especially exotic ones. He would love having these two. Their flavors would be perfect for his pallet. In fact, While on the subject, he pulled the can of Diet Demon out as well.
He wasn’t sure how much his father would enjoy this one. Demons tended to make a better drink for a younger pallet. But, it was still exotic, and very rare. Max shrugged to himself, before wrapping the can up as well. It wouldn’t hurt to give him an extra present. It was almost his father’s birthday after all.
His Orange root-beer soda though, THAT was his, and nobody else could have it. He clutched the bottle to his chest, hugging it almost like a child would a plush, before setting it in his private cooler. He wanted it chilled for his marathon he planned for tonight. Chilled and ready.
He gazed at his last two soda’s. A Bottle of Badgerton Brew, and a can that had once been Malis’s brother. After pondering for a bit, Max decided to send the brew to Badgerton. It was as advertised, after all. ‘Badgerton Brew, Made by Badgers, For Badgers.’ Those suckers didn’t know how literal it was.
MAx couldn’t help but chuckle to himself, before looking at the last can. A True Canine Cola, the perfect drink. And he knew just what to do with it. He hastily wrote a small note. And dropped the can into a box of packing peanuts, along with the note. A note that said,
“Dear Azure,
Though you’d like what’s left of your little pet. He and his brother were no match for me after all. But I guess that’s all you can expect from children.
Your’s truly,
Maximillian R. Toxx.”
He dared the stuck up cat to call him a child after this. He thought with a grin. It would be a perfect revenge.
Lin...Leopard Lime was bought by a young wolf. Drunken down and emptied. His bottle was kept by the poor little wolf, even with the light of his core gone. As a souvenir of the soda, he saved for months to get. Though with the magic the soda had given him, He didn’t need a light so much as he was one. Using the former leopards holy magic for himself.
Poko and Sorak... ‘Salty, Yet Sweet,’ brand soda sad proudly at the top of Regulus’s personal drink shelf. A present from his adopted son, given to him for his birthday. The two flavors would never be separated, and instead inspired a new famed soda brand for the Toxx company. In other news, a Tribe of savages mysteriously vanished.
Gabe...Diet Demon, found itself as another present, along with ‘Salty, Yet Sweet’ although it was left forgotten at the bottom of the shelf. As it turns out, The Company owner did not very much like sour drinks. For his son’s benefit, he tried it once, though, it was never tried a second time, and sat alone and in the back.
Jet...Furious Fox Orange shared a nice movie marathon with Max. Keeping the Doberman hydrated throughout the night as he watched Garo and Kamenfur and the like. As the night went on, the cork slowly dimmed, until it no longer glowed. No life left in the constantly refilling bottle. But it did own the top spot of the dog’s favorite drink shelf, pulled out at least twice a week.
Barton… Badgerton Brew was sold as a small store in Badgerton. Roy had gone back home for a small break from Razor’s hectic temple and the endless search mission that turned up empty. And while there, he shared the bottle with Barton’s father. A nice drink to help cool both their heads after his friend’s disappearance. The brew did calm both badgers down. And helped them relax that night.
Canis...True Canine Cola, was sent as a taunt to Azure. A present from Max. Azure had immediately known who it was, but it had no consequence to him. He happily drank down the cola, draining every core, watching as they winked out like stars in the sunrise. If his malis was defeated so easily, and his brother as well...It’s clear they were not meant to be predators after all. The True Canin Cola soon found itself flattened and tossed in the garbage. Azure did not enjoy the taste of failures.
Malis...Antique Canine Cola, was never found. Or rather. No one came looking. At least, not for a can. Friends, Razor, Kopa. Not one could find him, or Barton or any of the other boys. And as the weeks passed. They soon gave up. No one could survive that long in a predator’s clutches. And they were right.
The image faded from the mirror, as it returned to the smokey image it normally had. Max was tied up to a chair, his can in the corner, and arms behind his back. Canis, and Malis stood on either side of him, with Poko, Lin, and Sorak just behind him. Though Poko and Sorak had a noticeable blush and wouldn’t look each other in the eye. Gabe and Jet sat on the ground in front of the mirror, and Barton was watching over all of them, eyes glaring at the Doberman.
“Wow, what do you have against me?” Malis asked, leaning on the Doberman's shoulder.
“Not against you; against Azure. He gets on my nerves whenever he visits father.” Max growled out.
“Wow, that sounds….surprisingly childish.” Canis said with a small grin, leaning on his other shoulder.
“Yes yes, whatever. So why show me this?” The black-on-black Dobie asked, leaning back, trying to shake the younger dogs off his shoulders.
“Well, this proves, that if we hadn’t called Dad…” Malis started.
“And if we hadn’t held you in the street…” Canis continued.
“Then you would have turned us all into sodas!” They both finished together.
“You say that like it's not a given? Is it so bad to want to turn prey into what they should be?” Max said with a growl.
“Well no-” Malis started, before getting a glare from Barton. “I mean yes. Very much so. Anyyyywaaaaaays. What we’re saying is. You were gonna turn us into soda right?”
Max rolled his eyes. “Of course. We’ve established that!”
Canis grinned at Malis. Then they both looked at Barton, almost pleadingly.
“Fine fine. I wash my hands of this.” *Barton said, holding up his paws. Both the dogs cheered.
Max looked around. All the kids staring at him, with almost evil grins. Even the panda seemed a little sinister now. “What's ...going on.”
“We’re just getting payback. You understand right?” Gabe said, raising a glowing paw.
“Oh, crapbaskets…” Max muttered before his fur stood on end. The magic flowed through him. Quickly compacting him down. And within moments. Naught but a soda can sat on the chair, the ropes laid empty on the ground. The image of a smiling Doberman was underneath the words True Canine Cola. And a bright sky blue core appeared on the can, behind the words.
“And that is what being a predator will get you.” Malis said with a snicker.
Regulus was sitting at his desk, the large lion working on the paperwork needed to introduce a new flavor to his drinks when a knock sounded on the door. “Come in!” He shouted, not lifting his head from the work.
A small raccoon lad carrying a package, and a dog-headed cane walked in. “Delivery for Mr. Toxx. It's from a ‘friend of Azure’ it says.”
“Yes yes, thank you. Leave it on the desk please.” The raccoon nodded, laying the package on the desk, and leaving the cane leaning against it, before trotting off. He remembered what happened to his predecessor, and he didn’t want to stay around too long.
“Let's see, a package from Azure? I wonder what it could…..be.” He stared, before seeing the cane. His mouth turned up into a smirk. “I see, you’ve gotten yourself into a bit of trouble, eh Max?”
Regulus gently ran a claw along the tape of the small package, letting it spring open to find a can inside, covered in foam packing peanuts. On the front was a Doberman. Regulus burst into a fit of laughter, before seeing the core on the front, still glowing. “Oh. Ooooh. Well, I’m sure you won’t mind if I take a sip. Right?”
The lion grinned to himself, opening the tab on the can. He had fully intended to only take a sip. Intended at least. That counts for something right? The lion couldn’t help but keep drinking. The flavor was delicious. The way it mixed together and bubbled in his maw. Before he knew it, the can was empty, the core dark. Regulus let out a loud belch, before rubbing his belly and holding up the can.
“Ooops, couldn’t help myself. Sorry kid. But hey, at least you’ll make top-shelf this week.” The lion said with a smirk. He tapped the can, letting it reseal itself, and refill, before setting it up on the shelf with several other sodas. His favorites of that week.
Crapbaskets. He needed to find a new Assistant CEO now. Maybe the raccoon kid would be willing. He did look delicious…
The scene once again faded from the mirror. Smoke covered the smiling face of the lion. Max, still tied up in his chair was left in a cold sweat. “That...that...can we make a deal?”
Canis and Malis let out a burst of laughter, rolling on the ground. Gabe and Jet had to dodge out of the way while holding back their own giggles.
After biting back a couple more giggles, Canis spoke up, still smiling brightly. “Sure, we can make a deal.”
“A Lifetime supply of Cheetah Cherry!” Gabe shouted out. Everyone turned to look at him, as he blushes shyly.
“Done! Anything else?” Max said, a bit of fear in his voice.
This time is was Malis who spoke up, a grin fitting of Leogun on his face. Barton had to sigh internally. “Yes. You belong to us now.”
“Wait, what?” Max’s thoughts just stopped. He..what did that cub say?
“You belong to us. Swear on your magic to do whatever we say.” Malis said, his grin growing bigger, showing his teeth.
“Why would i…. Oh…” Looking back at the mirror, MAx knew why he had to. With a small gulp, and a bit of a shudder to his voice he spoke again. “I swear on my magic...to do whatever you say ...Within reason!” He added finally. Malis looked at Canis, who just shrugged back.
“Close enough. Now with that out of the way. Drop the disguise.” Malis said as he worked on untying the dog.
“You want me to...fine! But no laughing!” Max growled. He grabbed his cane, and then suddenly began to shrink. The elderly gentleman was getting smaller...no...younger. His suit changed from a blue tux into a dark blue hoodie, the top flipped back. His slacks grew baggy, becoming a pair of cargo pants, chains looping around the sides. And his cane shrank and shrank, until it was but a ballpoint pen with a wolf head cap, easily fitting in his paw.
Lin held up his paw, up to where the dog was before, then lowering it to the dog’s new hight at four feet. “Your so….”
“Call me short and I’ll stuff you in a can and mail you to Ranvec faster than you can say oops!” Max growled out. The apparent teenager swatted the leopard’s hand away as Lin burst into giggles. “How did you know.”
Malis smirked, holding up the journal. “I went and grabbed this after dad tied you up. Apparently, your first journal entry was made when you were seven. Seven years ago. You’re no older than Poko you big faker.”
“Not faking!...Just…I don’t want people who know me, to see me there.” The Doberman growled, looking away and pouting, almost cute like.
“Well, now we know! And you are now our spy on the higher-ups!” Canis said, grabbing the journal from Malis and handing it back to the teenage dog. Max snatched back it with a small huff.
“Fine fine. Is that all?”
“And the sodas! We want lots of soda! You’re coming over next weekend for a movie marathon. And you’re bringing the drinks.” Canis said with a grin.
“What movie,” Max asked with narrowed eyes.
“Kamen-fur most likely!” Jet said from where he lay on the floor. “Also, I’d like a Canine Cola, please!”
“Tasmanian Cherry for me!”
“Leopard Lime!”
“Just a coke.”
“Really that's it?”
“I don’t know all your drinks! Poko’s only bought me a coke before!”
Lin grinned and turned to the Doberman. “One of everything then! We’ve gotta tutor our snake in the ways of carbonated glory,” he said, ruffling Sorak on the head, getting a small hiss and a blush in return.
“Alright alright…As long as it's not Wizard.” Max said, sticking his paws in his pockets and walking out the door.
The room went silent as the door closed behind the dog.
“Did he just say…”
“He did.”
“Does that mean he…”
“I think it does.”
Both pups shouted in triumph, loud enough to be heard on the other side of the door, where Max was leaning back against it. What had he gotten himself into?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(SQUIGGLY OVERDRIVE)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was a story for
lionkinglover12 and contains inanimate and soda tfs!Lunar City, Canis, Malis, Jet, and Gabe all belong to
lionkinglover12Lin, Poko, and Sorak belong to
SkouterBarton belongs to
Kent BadgerMax and Regulus belong to me!
Category Story / Transformation
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 50 x 50px
File Size 1.67 MB
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