Thunders Howl

Chomp!

Ouch!!!!!!

I lifted my tail, seeing Link was chewing my tail mindlessly.

"Link, what are you doing?" I huffed.

CHOMP!!!

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to pry him off my tail. Out of all my Kids… Link I worry about…

CHOMP!

Fuck that's my hand!

"Link enough!" I snapped. "I am not a teething toy!"

CHOMP!

Owe! Owe! Owe! Owe! Owe! Owe! OWE! That's my nose!!

Magnolia picked Link off me by my scruff and put him down next to her. He then flopped on his side like a rag doll. She chuckled.

"Link sure is a special one isn't he?" She asked me.

"I can tank a hit from a charging Barroth fine…but this kid's jaw is strong." I grumbled, rubbing my nose at how hard he bit.

"He will be a fine hunter one day with a strong maw like that." She said.

Link was now licking the dirt.

"Stop licking dirt please." I groaned, gently picking him up to stop the pup from licking dirt. "I have…no idea why he's…like this…"

"He is a child. He will one day grow to be a fine Alpha. With his oddities will come a unique perspective on the world." Magnolia said as a fly flew by. Link snapped his mouth. Catching and eating it.

"Nice bite." I smiled, patting Link's head in praise.

CHOMP!

My hand! Again!

Magnolia took Link from me, putting him in her back and he began digging into her fur. She chuckled. "So, when are we heading out for this trip?"

"As soon as everyone's ready." I wagged my hand in pain. "Seriously, why does he only bite me?"

"Perhaps it is his attempt at challenging you." Magnolia said with a smirk, Link now buried in the fur along her back. "Most young pups often challenge their father or siblings for hierarchy rights to be the alpha of the family. All that basically means is that should they beat you in a battle they will get to choose decisions for the family as a whole. Who does what and that."

I blinked. "So remember when I've said I don't want to be a bad parent?" I frowned. "That kinda involves me abusing my kid due to…that."

"It's something all young males go through. Trust me, when he gets older he will challenge you and you are well within your rights to harm him. Most don't ever try to challenge again."

I sighed. "I still don't like how I'll have to throw him against a tree every time he gets nippy…"

"I don't think it will be as bad of a problem as you think."

"I hope you're right…" I sighed.

I decided to check on the other kids while I'm here. They were born on the road and spent the majority of that time… Inside Belle so this has so far been the longest they've been outside her.

Next was Peter- awh crap…

I found Peter taking a bath… in the toilet.

“Peter, the toilet is not a bath!” I said quickly, trying to get the pup out of the toilet. “That is not a bath, that is a bad place to bathe.”

"Why?" He asked me as I pulled him out of the toilet.

"Toilets are for…relieving yourself, not for bathing." I answered carefully.

"Why? There's bushes or you can just dig a hole? Or find a tree?"

You know, I always figured whenever I did have kids, they'd be like me and sexually active and that would be my main concern, not if my kids were growing up wild and uneducated…

"That's what happens when you're in the wild, not when you're in a civilized area." I answered.

"What's the difference?"

“There are so many differences between Nature and Civilization.” I answered.

"Like?"

“This is going to be a conversation for all of you, cause I’d rather not explain it twice.” I sighed. “First Link is being bite happy, now you think bathing where people relieve themselves is good…” I grumbled to myself.

"So where do I bathe?"

“In here.” I answered, showing the big bathtub and shower.

"Oh. That's what that's for? I thought miss Sandra just used that to pretend to be in the rain."

I actually chuckled at that.

“Nope.” I shook my head. “And your thought on that is adorable.” I gently patted my sons head.

I put Peter down and went back to looking around. I found One of my daughters, Cassidy, chewing on a book.

“No, books are not for chewing Cassidy.” I said, gently grabbing her by the scruff of her neck, seeing her jaw immediately loosen up and pulling the book out. “Book’s are for reading…which I will have to teach you how to read with your siblings…”

"But it smells like meat. Funny meat, but meat." She replied.

I looked at the book, which was Ironically titled 'Meat' and seemed to be made out of leather.

“It’s made out of Leather, which is tanned animal hide.” I answered.

"So meat?"

“No,” I shook my head. “This is purely just the skin of an animal turned into a durable material to use for things that aren’t food related.”

"Awh…" She sighed, seeming to accept that answer.

I put her down and looked at the book. The spine and cornered were damaged but it seemed alright. I was curious on why it was just titled 'Meat' and opened to a random page.

-Skin peeled back revealing the tissue below the skin. The victim screamed in agony as their tormentor snipped and sliced the peeled-

I forgot Sandra was a horror nut…

“Alright…you’re not allowed to read this.” I said, closing the book and putting it away.

"I can't read." Cassidy said.

Right… thank God…

I looked around and found Poppy somehow atop a bookshelf and staring at me.

“And how did you get up there Poppy?” I inquired.

"Climbed." She said simply.

“Really like climbing huh?” I asked, checking the bookshelf to see if it was stable enough for the pupper.

"No." She said.

The bookshelf seemed really sturdy.

“Then why did you climb up there?” I asked, thankful for the sturdy bookshelf and how they won’t fall over.

"That." She pointed over at the other side of the room. Turning- what in the over loving abomination of nature?!

Before me was an eight legged, six eyed spider-deer hybrid thing sitting in a doggy bed. It looked at me.

It also wore a collar, and it's name was apparently Bambi…

“Sandra!” I called out to the lady. “What in god’s name did you do to poor Bambi!?”

"What are you talking about?" The former human now Hunter Shadow asked as the came into the room.

I motioned to the Bambi Spider hybrid. “Was losing their mother not good enough? Did you need to make them a spider hybrid as well?”

"First off, Fuck you, secondly, that's my pet, Bambi. He's naturally like that." Those things exist in the wild?! "Found him wandering alone a few years back and adopted him."

“Alright…” I sighed. “So…you literally found Spider-Bambi…Spider-Bambi, does whatever a Spider Deer can…” I muttered in song, not sure why but I couldn’t help myself with making that Spider-Man theme joke.

"Har har." She groaned. "He's harmless. Only eats plants and he can make webs but it's an escape method to rapidly escape predators by climbing tall trees or structures."

“That’s fair.” I nodded. “It’s alright Poppy, it’s harmless.” I said to my child softly. “But…now I have to wonder, does it have venom?”

"No. It's not a hunter or even a carnivore I just told you he only eats vegetables."

“It could have still had that as a defense mechanism, like the webs.” I answered. “But alright, it is harmless…just surprising to see and probably an arachnophobes nightmare.”

"Trust me, there are worse spider halfbreeds around here. Anyway, I have a few things to get done in town. Your options are come with me or stay here in which if you do I'd like if you try to not to have your kids make a mess of the place."

“I am trying to, cause so far, Peter thought the Toilet was a good place to bathe…and Cassidy accidentally nommed on one of your horror books.” I sighed. “Being a first time parent is…really rough.”

"I can see. And which book?"

“Leatherbound, had the title ‘Meat’ on it and…had some very descriptive thing on it.”

"Oh, yeah. It's a book about a detective hunting a serial killer and gets captured by them and tormented and tortured."

“I could tell…” I shuddered. “Listen, while I do enjoy a good scare sometimes, and I respect your love of Horror…isn’t that going a little far?” I asked nervously.

"You should not read 'Walk into Hell' or 'Truth of Nature' then."

“And I won’t.” I said honestly. “Especially when all I can think of for ‘Truth of Nature’ is Raiden going through a jungle of absolute horror’s while ‘Rules of Nature’ is playing in the background…don’t know why though.”

"Meh. Anyway, so, coming or staying?"

“Would have to ask Magnolia to keep these rabble rousers in check if I leave…” I said, thinking if I should tag along cause knowing this area more, and also Hunter society, would at least be a good thing.

"You got two minutes to decide."

“Right…and since Magnolia can’t fit in here…” I muttered, being torn between taking care of my kids but also wanting to see more of this town and try and be better to protect them all. “I’ll be with my kids…need to be a good dad and also make sure your house doesn’t somehow burn to the ground.”

"It's all metal so, if you pull that off I'll actually be impressed." Sandra said before leaving.

Once she was gone I gave one more look over to Bambi. He blinked at me and that made me shiver.

The next child of mine I found was Stanley. He was digging through the kitchen trash.

“Oi! What are you doing digging through the trash?” I huffed.

Stanley walked out of the trash backwards with a large bone. He then began to chew on it

“Ah.” I shook my head. “Stanley, we don’t take thing’s out of the trash alright?” I told him, getting a broom and dustpan and cleaning up the mess.

"But mom says don't waste food." He countered as he was chewing on it.

“For the Shadow Hunter’s, this isn’t wasting food.” I said. “Cause Shadow Hunter’s bodies can’t really…eat bones like we can.”

"More for us." He said, managing to pick up the bone in his mouth and walking out. Likely going to share it with Magnolia or siblings.

I sighed, finishing up the cleaning real quick with the mess and heading off to make sure my other kids are okay. “Well, so far things are…going okay…”

I walked around but stopped as I spotted Abby sleeping in a cast iron skillet on the floor.

"Adorable…" I muttered, gently picking up Abby so she doesn't wake up and quietly putting the skillet into the sink to get washed.

I put her on the couch where Anthony had made a pillow fort.

"I see you have made your fort." I chuckled. "Happy with it Anthony?"

"It's my cave." Anthony corrected.

"A nice pillow cave." I said, seeing the pup pop his head out of the 'cave' and it just made it more adorable.

I moved on and spotted Christine, Blossom, Kaitlyn, and Dianna all play fighting In a pile in the corner.

"Hey, how are you all doing?" I asked my four daughters.

"I'm winning!" Blossom declared. Only to be pulled to the ground by her three other sisters.

I chuckled at the immediate take down. "Just don't get too rough alright?"

I quickly looked around and spotted Penny. She was chewing on a stick.

"Hey Penny." I said, looking at the stick they were currently chewing on.

"Hi." She said, muffled by the stick in her maw.

"Just chewing on a normal stick?" I inquired, hoping it was just a normal stick.

"Yup." She replied.

"Alright." I nodded, gently petting my daughter's head.

I went out to the backyard and found my last few kids, Jenny, Agatha, Marry, Brittiany, Matthew, Gabriel, Gladiolus, and Hyacinthis. Magnolia named the last two. All eight of them were digging holes in the hard, rocky dirt.

"Having fun there kids?" I called out to the many kids.

"Yes!" They all replied as they kept digging.

“Just digging or are you looking for something?” I called out.

"I thought I smelled something." Gabriel said. "I found this." He reached back into his hole, pulling out a small bottle cap. "And everyone else wanted to find things too."

“That’s good Gabriel.” I nodded, gently taking the bottle cap and dusting it off a bit to see if it was anything special or if it was just a normal ass bottle cap.

It looked rusty, nothing special about it really. I left it next to his hole and went outside. I know Magnolia is in the makeshift room/garage and Belle should be on the front patio… there she is.

I spotted my Floof Noodle mate curled up on the patio, a book in her hands and cup of water on the nearby table.

“Howdy.” I said to Belle. “How you doing?”

"Fine. Just relaxing before we need to make the next trip." She said.

“That’s good.” I nodded. “Learn anything from the Shadow Hunter’s while we’ve been here?”

"Yeah. This book is all about their traps and gadgets. It's been filling in a lot of blanks I've had."

“That’s good to know.” I nodded. “Glad to see your learning a lot of important things…while I’ve been bit by Link, had to stop Peter from bathing in a toilet, and learned that Spider-Deer’s exist in the wild…”

"Yes. So, any plans for the moment?"

“Not really, just making sure all the kids are okay, not destroying anything in Sandra’s house…just being a father I suppose.” I shrugged.

"That's good. Stressed?"

“A bit yeah.” I admitted. “Trying to juggle twenty one kids is…a bit tough, especially when one of them is possibly going to be thrown into a tree if he doesn’t stop biting me.”

"Want some stress relief?"

“Like you would not believe.” I sighed. “But uh…wouldn’t you get…immediately pregnant if we did this fully?” I asked, cause while I would kill for a bj right now, I wasn’t sure if she wanted to go straight to fucking like rabbits.

"Yes, and I frankly don't want children until we're somewhere safe and far, far, far from these Red Tree Shadow Hunters, but I can relieve your stress in the other ways I know you like~"

“Thank you Belle.” I sighed. “You have no idea how hard it is to keep a raging sex drive like mine in check sometimes…”

"Given how often I have done this since I was made one of your mates I have a fairly good idea."

I was thankful there were blinds on the patio and managed to keep silent while Belle worked her magic.

When it was done I felt much more relaxed and Belle had me in her tail coiled up right around me.

"So, any idea what to do after this beast is dealt with?" She asked, drinking her water to probably… wash down, anything left over.

I thought that over for a while. Well, I need to get rid of all those monsters to get back to Equestria but I also just can't leave Sandra behind. Let alone the Red Tree Shadow Hunters. They don't die easily and one wrong move and one of them will be wearing my skin.

“My original deal with Voodoo still stands…I’ll try to ask if…if all of you can come with me…but I also need to help deal with those Red Tree bastards…” I sighed out.

"I figured you would say that." She sighed.

“Yeah…I want to be a good person and help out ya know?” I said, truly wanting to help these people from those damned monsters.

"And have lots of sex." She added with a chuckle. "Honestly I believe if you actually pull off bringing the red trees to extinction you'll probably get offers and requests from every intelligent species of being on the planet to mate with you."

"Please…don't tempt my Harem fetish…" I said sheepishly. "Plus…maybe this'll at least help…make some amends…"

"Amends for what?"

I shook my head. "It's nothing super important at the moment…as long as Sandra doesn't try to be a bitch again…" I frowned.

"She is rather rude for being one you formerly mated with."

"It's…complicated…" I sighed. "I doubt we'll ever talk it out…" I grumbled, still hating that entire fucking event. "And it sucks more how…we clicked again when we're not at each other's throats…"

"It sounds like she was once very important to you."

"She was…a fairytale between me, her, and my sister…we couldn't have been happier…"

"But, something happened?"

"Yeah…something bad…a misunderstanding, the entire event of a month…it's…" I sighed. "It's very rough to talk about…"

"Sounds like relationships from your home are more complicated than here."

"A lot more complicated…" I sighed. "Things sadly can't be simple…and right now…we may never patch it up due to…outside circumstances…"

"Seems so. At least she seems to have done well for herself and made a life here."

"Yeah…" I sighed. "Ten years…we were literally sent to this realm at the same time…"

"Well, same realm, different realities I guess." Belle shrugged. "All Makers, Time… consistency, best not to question that mess. Anyway, don't you think you should make a proper den somewhere the kids can be raised safely?"

"I really should…but I don't know a good spot…hell, I barely know this reality's layout…"

"Why not settle in the cat village we will be arriving at? It's not too far from the main territories or here."

"That could work…" I nodded. "Though I do have to wonder if the Palico's will be cool with me living there?"

"You'd have to ask their elders. No tribes will reject you for wanting to make a home in their territory but it is considered abnormal."

"That's fair." I nodded. "Hopefully my kids won't cause too much problems for them if we do settle down."

"I imagine after an adjustment they will become quite popular." Belle said with a small laugh.

Travel to the Palico village and their Elder Tree. They were reasonably weary of Sandra, but once we explained things to the elders and offered up the potential for trade and such they were definitely interested. While they are weary of Sandra and the others of her tribe, they at least know they are allies while the Red Trees are the enemy.

The next few months we're interesting. I was allowed to live in the territory with my family, given a large cave as my family den and Sandra used some tools to make it more accommodating for me.

For one, a real bed. Big enough for Magnolia, Belle and I to sleep on with space. A makeshift fridge and freezer carved into the walls and given heavy bolted metal doors. Made with those fancy Elemental Gems.

Lights using a different kind of those elemental gems, and, what is honestly the best part, Plumbing!

Toilet, hot and cold water, heating and cooling all thanks to those gems.

"The wonders of industry." I said happily, as during those many months I had to explain to all my kids about the important things.

The best part, the Palico village had a school.

"Well, you did find a good Den for us." Belle said as she, Magnolia and I were in the 'livingroom'. No TV but lots of bookshelves, a good collection so far and floor beds to lay on.

"It is odd but comfortable." Magnolia said.

"Yep." I smiled. "Only the best for all of you."

We all sat onto the floor beds and I laid back in relaxation. A safe place for my family, kids are in school, Sandra is out and managing some of the trade. It was all going great.

I was suddenly pulled onto my back by Magnolia and Belle who kept me pinned while both half laid on top of me.

"Uh…" I started. "While I enjoy sudden cuddles…why sudden cuddles?"

"Well, we now have a safe and proper Den. Of which you are the alpha." Magnolia said.

"And we are your mates." Belle added, giving me a smirk I know all too well. "And I did say I wanted my kids when we had a safe place for them."

"And I would very much like my second litter." Magnolia said.

"Well…we have plenty of time." I said happily. "And I am really pent up." I growled happily.

For the first time in months I had actual, satisfying, classic sex.

It felt better than I was expecting. Better than the first time I was with Magnolia and, well, Belle was a different field entirely. For one, I'm a bit big for her. But, Floof Noodle biology, that same that lets her stretch to house and swallow her own kind, Magnolia, the kids and I all at once and still have room, also applies to down there so… it was fantastic~

By the time I woke up with the two in our bedroom Magnolia was the size she was last time after our night of fun and Belle, well, she didn't look different at first til I realized her many lovely breasts had grown some, a certain white and tasty liquid leaking out of some and her lower half from the top of her snake half to down about… six feet was definitely more round that it was before.

I forget she's a Floof Noodle Den Mother.

I laid back down between the two. Pride and satisfaction slowly was gnawed away by worry…

Magnolia had twenty one the first time… we have twenty one already! She might have more this time and who knows how many Belle will have! Actually, will they be babies or eggs?

"Uh…Belle?" I asked the floof noodle nervously.

"Hmm?" She asked, well, hummed in her tired, sleepy and satisfied state.

"Do you…lay eggs or give birth normally?" I asked.

"Floof Noodles give live births…" She mumbled.

"Alright…" I said. "So uh…I'm concerned because…I now probably tripled our kids…" I said nervously, not thinking about how much I stuffed my lovely ladies.

"Probably…" She mumbled.

"Am I the only one worried about this?"

"Yes…" She yawned.

I sighed. "Fine…but it was still great…" I nuzzled my two mates affectionately.

"Just give us some rest before you want to go again…" Magnolia said through her own yawn.

… Again?!

"You…two want to go again?" I asked, honestly shocked at how eager they were to go again even though they looked like they were about to pass out.

"Well, you're our mate and Alpha. As the resident Den Mother's we're duty bound to engage in mating with you whenever you see fit." Magnolia said.

"Yeah. You didn't know that? Once the Elder gave me to you I'm duty bound to conceive, birth and raise the babies here in the den." Belle added.

Wait what? Okay I know I'm missing something here…

“Uh…hold up what?” I asked. “I am…definitely missing something here…”

"What would that be?" Magnolia asked, she and Belle turning around to face me. Still both half asleep but more awake.

“Well, first of all…I didn’t know that you were basically honor bound to be a baby factory whenever I see fit…” I frowned. “That…sounds weird and kinda bad if you think about it…”

"It's the role of a Den Mother." Belle said. "We can breed many young into the world and with those same young safely breed more of our species into the world. Because of our high rate of birth however each tribe has special rules for their different Den Mother's."

"Back in the Pack there are only ever twenty actively breeding Den Mother's at a time." Magnolia brought up. "Once one reaches her elder years a new one is selected and brought to the Den to breed the next generation and so on til she retires. The males who get to breed are often those who hunt the most or largest prey, or those who win the Alpha trials. A tournament where every of age male participate for the right to carry on their blood. Any male and non breeding female caught, well, breeding are sent elsewhere to begin their own tribe and Den elsewhere."

"More or less the same back home for me too." Belle said. "Difference being back home for me, while I wasn't allowed to breed unless selected or given away, like with you, I could choose to raise and adopt one of the newborns myself."

I blinked at that…not believing a word I was hearing. “O-oh…alright…” I said. “That’s….quite a thing to have explained to me…”

I let them get back to sleep… and headed out. I was a good distance from the village and into the woods… I need answers.

“Can any of you All Makers hear me?” I called out.

"I'm always listening Tony." I turned, seeing Voodoo leaning against a tree. "And watching. Heh, save that little Adult segment. Skipped ahead." He chuckled.

“So…you know why I want answers to…all of this?” I asked nervously.

"Perhaps. If you'd care to elaborate the question." He said. A deck of cards appearing in his skeletal fingers that he began shuffling.

“The entire…Den Mother thing.” I shook my head. “I understand that this is a different world…and somehow incest has absolutely no reprecussions…but what the fuck?”

"It's a simple thing really, and the Incest thing only applies to Den Mother's or True Alphas like yourself." He stated, shuffling his cards before pulling one out and tossing it to me. I grabbed it, looking at the printed image.

It was of earth, and the number 7.6 billion was written over it.

"Every planet has a population limit, kid." Voodoo started. "Den Mother's no matter the species exist as a means of preventing extinction by having one entity fully capable of large, safe birthing numbers and the physical ability to feed, care for and raise them as well as regrow a population. However that skill also is their biggest flaw. Overpopulation, a rate that took humans two thousand years and counting to reach, True Alphas and Den Mother's can reach in less than a few hundred."

“Oh…uh…alright.” I said in shock and a mild bit of horror. “That’s…good to know…”

"It might not be fair to them, but on a world where true safety comes in your tribes and packs and villages with all these crazy monsters around, keeping a steady population is key to avoid many problems it causes down the road. A lesson we told their ancestors back when we built this world."

“So…it’s more of a defense mechanism than anything?” I inquired.

"A precaution. They can choose to ignore our warnings, many have in the past and rule their own little kingdoms elsewhere upon this planet's soil but we don't bother trying to change their minds."

“Fair enough.” I nodded. “Even with a gun pointed at their heads with those Red Eyed pricks skulking around…still gotta think your ‘king of the world’...”

"Ah yes. Those things. Heh, I remember when they were still being created. Such a unique creature."

“They smell of bloodlust and murder.” I frowned. “And…well, there’s nothing saying that I can’t at least make an attempt to burn down their tree.”

"You need a special fire to ensure that actually burns down pup. Otherwise it will be a more fleshy version of your friend Sandra's tree."

“Right then.” I nodded. “No idea where to get that special fire…and doubt I’ll ever get it considering what I’m here to actually do.”

"You can. It just won't be… easy, and comes at a high price." Voodoo said, shuffling his cards again.

“And because I don’t know when to not answer a question, what is the price to it?” I asked, knowing that burning down a tree that spawns those bastards wouldn’t be easy, but having the ‘high price’ thing there was important to me.

"Life, and death." Voodoo said, throwing another card at me. This one had an image of a candle shaped… just like me. Me from before… "Every living thing across the dimensions has a means of measuring one's life left to live. The flames on these special candles burn with your own life forces. Once it's out, you die. Their flames though, can catch onto and burn away the raw fountain of life force Elder Trees produce. It would be like dropping a lit match into a well of petroleum."

“Uh…yeah…that’s certainly a thing that can do it…” I said, slightly uncomfortable at that thought.

"Just keep in mind, if you do use a candle to do this, whoever's candle you use, once that tree is burned to ashes, they will also die."

“Yeah…I know…” I sighed. “This…got a lot heavier than I thought…”

"Taking down the red trees is one thing, taking out their Elder Tree is a whole other task entirely. But I imagine you will make your choice at some point down the line."

“Yeah.” I nodded. “Gonna have to decide on that…even if my harem fetish says ‘first burn the elder tree, then the bitches’...but those assholes can be threatening my family when I’m not around and I seriously don’t like that.” I said

"An understandable worry. While I'm here and talking I imagine there are more questions you have in mind?"

“How’s Tina and everyone else back home?” I asked worriedly. “I was told from Shopkeep that it’s been…a very long time over there where as I’ve barely been doing anything here.”

"She's fine. Just as much a warrior over her kids as you are."

“Glad she’s doing alright.” I nodded. “Where the hell are these Barroth’s? Cause the one I was hunting somehow stumbled into Red Eye territory and now is heading towards frozen coal beach?”

"They head where they want. They aren't really like normal Barroths, each one will test and strengthen you more and more." Voodoo answered.

“And I presume you made sure the Red Eyes couldn’t get to it?” I inquired.

"That is correct. Most other predator species here will ignore them passively, the Blood Hunters especially."

Blood Hunters? That must be the actual name of the Red Trees. Like how Sandra's called a Hunter Shadow.

“Blood Hunter’s is a lot better name than Red Tree’s or Red Eyes that’s for sure.” I nodded. “But…why did you turn Sandra into a Hunter Shadow?”

"I didn't. That was someone else's job. See, as you can imagine there is a fundamental difference between Hunter Shadows, Blood Hunters, and their third sibling The Survivors. Hunter Shadows have souls, Blood Hunters lack souls or much intelligence, and Survivors might lack souls but have the capacity to grow one and have intelligence. Now tell me, where do you think the Souls of Hunter Shadows come from?"

“The…Elder Tree?” I guessed, not really sure considering I still barely know jack shit about those people. “Cause I doubt it’s just ‘Elder Tree makes their physical body, then someone else comes in and sprinkles soul dust on them and there ya go’.”

"Hmm, half right. The Elder Tree does make their bodies but when one is brought into the world from it they are given a soul that comes from elsewhere. Of course not just any soul will do, the souls in question have to have a specific affinity to be compatible with the new body."

“And…Sandra just fit right in with becoming a Hunter Shadow…” I sighed.

"Well, the qualifications for a soul has to be one of someone capable of handling extreme physical and mental stress and punishment. Strong willed and refusal to accept a role as a punching bag. It fits to give them bodies that match their souls. Such dark, tormented souls finally get the power they deserve."

“Wow…thanks for just…digging in the knife there my guy…” I muttered bitterly, thinking Sandra’s current form was my fault for…all that.

"I don't carry knives, just cards, truths and deals."

“I know but still.” I frowned. “I felt called out…and I still regret it…” I shook my head. “Anyways, besides me feeling bad for…past decisions, how big is this world anyway?”

"About as big as your old home solar systems Jupiter."

Wow! Okay, uh… probably shouldn't question the… Gravity thing. I'll just accept that these bodies are probably built for it… or magic, whichever.

“Uh…right…the size of Jupiter…” I muttered. “That’s pretty big and filled with god knows what at this point…”

"I'm well aware of what's on this planet yes." Voodoo said.

“And I’m not…as I’m still trying to figure out the rules of this world and all that nonsense…” I sighed.

"If you want to know more about this world and what lives upon it why not find a Bestiary and a Foliage Profile Book?" Voodoo asked, shuffling his cards again.

“That…would be a good thing yes.” I nodded. “Just need to find wherever there sold…” I said, thinking the Palico’s could sell those two books.

"I'd also get some weapons and some custom armor built for yourself. Your sister did and they've been helping her out quite well."

Huh… weapons and armor huh? That definitely could work.

“I suppose another stop to Shopkeep would be a good thing.” I nodded. “But…again, I don’t have money…” I frowned, really annoyed about the lack of money situation.

"You could always gather raw materials to sell or barter with him. He'll buy pretty much anything." Voodoo offered.

“Well…yeah that would work.” I nodded. “Just need to actually find reasonable raw materials, doubt he’ll just take anything random I find…”

Voodoo shrugged. "Once saw him buy a rotting corpses. He ain't picky."

I blinked. “Uh…right then.” I nodded. “Good to know…”

With that bit of information I left, Voodoo vanishing the second I turned around.

Before I start hunting for shit to eat or sell, first… I think I need to talk with Sandra.

It didn't take long for me to find her. She was at her house sorting through some boxes of materials she was promised for the job. "Hey Tony." She waved. "The new Den to you and your mates liking?"

“Yeah, it is very much to our liking.” I nodded. “How’ve you been doing?”

"Making sure I got everything I need for a project I've had in mind for a while." She replied. "Some of the Red Trees are tanks so I'm hoping to get a Monofilament compound crossbow made."

"That's fair." I nodded. "I was actually planning on getting armor and a weapon myself…just need to get enough materials to sell to Shopkeep."

"You could have them made here too. Just work for the metals you want and bring them to the forge. Will probably take a while but eh, it's an option."

That could also be an option, yeah. I'll save that for the later option. I took a deep breath and sighed… come on, actually talk to her about it…

"I'm…." I sighed. "I'm sorry…" I managed to say.

"Sorry for…?" She asked. "If it's about the yard that's fine." She said as she stood back up and turned to me.

"No, not the yard, that's just a lot of puppys doing puppy things." I shook my head. "It's…it's about us…" I said, struggling to try and actually talk about this.

"Oh… you're still… upset about that?" She asked.

"Why wouldn't I be!?" I snapped. "I'm sorry that that whole thing ruined our relationship for fucking years, all three of us at each other's throats everytime we see each other….I'm sorry that I still care, even after all this bullshit…" I shook my head. "But you've had ten years…you probably don't care anymore…" I shook my head, thinking she had all the time on the world to not care anymore.

"I do, I just… guess I have had time for it to… heal." She said, taking a seat on a nearby stool. "Ten years of hunting, fighting and kill or be killed basically reorganized my priorities… I guess I forget that for you it's still really fresh…" She sighed.

I sighed, shifting to my feral form to sit and continue.

"As fresh as the day it happened…" I sighed. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" I teared up, even if it's not as simple as a 'blame game', it still felt mostly my fault.

"I… I know that we all had some blame in it. Me especially all things considered." Sandra said with a huff. "Do you remember when we met? The masked costume party where you and Tina were looking for a hookup? I was dressed in that fancy metal mask that looked old and expensive?" I nodded. "Well, I lied. It was old and expensive."

I raised a brow. She said it was a cheap costume mask from some second hand store.

"And…where did you get it?" I asked carefully.

"Well… stole it from my dad." She answered. "I never told you two about my family, and for good reason." Sandra sighed. "I'm the illegitimate daughter of a very wealthy family back on earth Tony. They own shares and stocks in hundreds of companies from media to pharmaceuticals." She explained. "And I was born when my dad decided to fuck his barely legal mistress without a condom."

"Jesus Christ…" I muttered. "That's fucking awful…"

She shrugged. "I didn't learn it until I was older. Apparently pops died when I was nine. Seventy four and passed from a heart attack in his sleep. Mom worked as a professional mistress meaning she was basically a prostitute for the one percent. When dad died his oldest son took over both the shares, money and mom as his new mistress. Didn't care I was his half sister, few times I met him he loved taunting that to me. Legally I had no real rights to the company or shares but could sue and mom kept a few secrets about my old man that earned her and me a steady income of keep quiet money. When mom passed I was thirteen and my half brother actually took me in. I didn't know why until I found out he… wanted me. Was grooming me, manipulating me… he didn't care about our relation, just that I had inherited my mom's looks."

My rage was palpable at that point. "That…" I growled. "Did…did you say anything to us about this dog shit? Even vague mentions to it?"

"By the time I met you two, it was memory. Memories I tried to forget in beer, light drug use and sex but memories. All you need to know is that a clever ploy and getting in bed with his wife before he ever got me into bed got me my own monthly hush money and as far away from him as possible. That mask was just a few things I took with me that formerly belonged to our old man. Figured if I needed to I'd sell it." Sandra shrugged.

Well, that explains how she owned her own house at least.

"Well…that explains the money…" I said honestly. "Still hate your brother though."

"Don't worry about it. His now ex wife left him with half his money, and some genital reconstruction surgery I hear went well but left down there looking ugly as hell." Sandra said. "Anyway, the day we met I won't lie, I almost broke things off before it even began. I mean, twins who are openly talking about their sex lives or sharing partners? I will admit red flags were raised given my past experiences but I still went along when I heard how you two talked to each other. Yeah you were perverts and open about it but you didn't act like, well, he did and you two left privacy in that relationship. I was confused and fascinated by your dynamic."

"We knew what we wanted, and set boundaries… one of the few things our parents taught us, respect your partner, respect boundaries, and respect privacy." I answered readily. "Or…just teaching us respect in a less preachy way." I chuckled.

"Heh. Well at least your parents taught you stuff. All I learned from dad is 'Money buys you everything' and all Mom taught me was to use sex as a weapon. I just never told you it because, well, I never wanted to be looked at as damaged or wrong."

"How could we look at you like that when we thought you were perfect?" I asked simply.

"That's because I only showed you two what I wanted you to see. Of all the things I regret, never letting you two really know the whole of me is one of them."

I sighed. "I know…" I shook my head. "Just know…I've never stopped loving you Sandra…neither did Tina, even if…all that happened…" I said, hating how I'm still being vague about it all but…it was still painful.

"I know… it's why I left." She admitted, making me look up at her. "You two deserved better than me. You have Magnolia and Belle, your kids, whoever you were with and knocked up in Equestria, Tina and whoever knocked her up. You got that harem you two always wanted to be able to share."

I huffed, changing to my Anthro form and picking her up bridal style. "Alright you, we're having an emergency date, and be glad we're with the Palico's, cause they know how to make cake." I said, walking off to find a bakery here.

"You don't have to carry me." She said, managing to jump herself out of my arms. "And besides, we aren't dating, and you already got two hot baby mamma's. Well, that I know anyway."

"I have to, that's why I said 'emergency', and also you're not yourself when you haven't had some comfort cake, seriously when was the last time you had a slice?" I asked with a huff.

"Ten years."

"And that's ten years too long." I said, gently taking Sandra's hand. "Just humor me alright? Please?"

"Do you even have money to pay for it?"

… Crap!

"Don't worry about that." I said quickly. "I'll think of something to solve my ever growing annoyance of 'im flat broke'..." I frowned. "This isn't the first time I've had to make shit up cause I forgot my wallet…"

"I remember. Still can't believe you stole those turkey legs when we went to Disney Land."

"They were overpriced and you know it." I said in playful defensiveness.

It was a while before we found an Bakery once we arrived back at the Palico village. Once we found one I managed to work out a… rather painful payment method with the baker. Turns out Zinogre teeth grow back…

And so an hour and three teeth of mine later I got Sandra that cake. It was a simple cake with some fruits and vanilla icing.

"I'm actually impressed they managed to pull three of your teeth out." Sandra said as we walked towards my den. The cake was in a box in her arms and I was rubbing my sore jaw… muzzle.

"Anything for you Sandra…" I said, even if I was still in massive pain. "Just glad to know my teeth can grow back and…are valuable…"

"Well Zinogre teeth can bite/saw through most flesh, scales and bone so, yeah they would be valuable."

"Fair…" I mumbled. "But at least got you that cake."

"You did. Thanks for that." Sandra said as we arrived at the entrance of my den. "Well, you best get back inside. I imagine your mates and kids will be happy to see you."

“You can come inside…honestly, Belle and Magnolia have been asking me about how important you are to me…” I said.

"Heh, that's sweet but I need to get back home and get that new weapon made. Plus a whole lot of other projects we finally get to do now that relationships with the other intelligent species are reforming."

I sighed, knowing she was right and there’s a lot of shit still left to do. “Alright…I know we’re both really busy but…I’m still willing to try again…”

"Heh. That's nice but, it can't happen Tony. One, I'm genderless in this body, and second the only way for me to get a body is that ritual, and that means someone has to die for me to live again and… I don't want to live if it means someone else dies." She said. "I'll see you around Tony." She added before heading off back to her village.

I sighed. I went back inside my Den and curled up next to my mates. It might not be what I hoped for… but it's better than where we were before.

To be continued...