Rise of the Beastmen [PG-13/Started/NOT Accepting]

[John A. Zoidberg]

"Then let's move," Varrun said, leading them to Tigra's throne room. Upon entering, they were greeted with cuffs and violence. "Seize them!" Emperor Tigra yelled, "Seize them all!"
"What have we done, your majesty?" Varrun said, "I can assure you, we just returned from a routine recon mission, nothing more."
"Oh really?!" Emperor Tigra growled, "I have someone who can prove otherwise!"
Just then, Forjein and Yggarus emerged from behind Tigra's throne. "Varrun!" Yggarus cried, "Why did you make me do it? Why did you make me kill all of those innocents? Why didn't you let me save them from the attack? Why?"
"You filthy liar!" Varrun yelled, "It was you that chastised me, your superior, for aiding a civilian! Yet you go to the emperor with these false claims and accusations?! You are pathetic!"
"Varrun," Forjein said, "It is time to give up with these petty lies. You made me, Yggarus, and Graemjor do unspeakable things! Why, the only reason that boy there is alive is because of Yggarus choosing not to follow your orders! Can you not see reason? Just give in, you are not in the right here, You never will be!"
"He's right," Yggarus said, "You are corrupt! Tainted with power! Just give in to justice Varrun! Don't let the evil consume you!"

[---------------]

(OOC: Exciting twist!)

As the events unfolded, Xero forgot all about Terra and the innocence, and went back to being a thief. One part of being a master their is knowing good forms of escape, even if for your allies. Xero shook his hand, catching Graemjor's attention. Xero winked at Graemjor, as if saying "follow my lead".

"Please! Keep me away from them!" Xero yelled, as if scared. "The whole way here, they threatened to kill me!"

Emperor Tigra moves forward, joining Forjein and Yggarus in front of the only two innocent. "You two," Tigra said, "bring shame to the Kingdom of the Fang."

Xero ran behind Tigra, as if hiding behind him. Tigra paid no mind. Xero quickly changed demeanors, and, without Tigra, Forjein, or Yggarus noticing, spun around rapidly. Varrun and Graemjor saw him and wondered just what the hell he was doing. While spinning, Xero dropped down to the floor, and kicked his leg out, effectively tripping all three opponents. Before the guards could react, Xero pounced at Varrun and Graemjor, knocking them through the door.

Getting up, Xero tore off the jacket which limited his arm movement, and barked orders at his friends. "Bring your arms under your legs, and follow me, no questions."

Graemjor, his heart pumping, did as told. Him arms, cuffed behind his back, just barely reached under his feet with the legs bent. His arms were now in front, though his hands weren't quite free. He looked at Varrun. "Come, friend, we must hurry."

[John A. Zoidberg]

"Get them!" Tigra yelled, "Find them, bring them to me, and execute them! I want to see them hung in front of the entire kingdom to be made an example of! They must die!"
A bead of sweat ran down Varrun's face. He knew things were bad, and that they were only going to get worse. Varrun did as he was told and followed Xero's escape route. Meanwhile, Forjein stood up. "Shall I go after them, Tigra?" Forjein questioned.
"Yes," Tigra growled, "Bring me their heads so I can kill them myself!" Forjein took to the air, preparing to track down the others.

[---------------]

Xero ran as fast as he could from the site. If he were caught, he'd be executed. And he didn't quite like the notion of dying young. He looked back. Varrun and Graemjor were close behind, but so were a lot of guards. He had to find a way out and fast.

That's when it hit him. He knew where he was. There's a nifty escape route in a nearby back alley. He turned into a nearby alley. Graemjor and Varrun followed suit, and were quickly met with sewage. The 'escape route' was a sewer. Xero replaced the manhole and listened as guards could be heard running by. He helped his friends out of the water and onto a side path. "We can rest here for the moment, but we'll need to get out of the area soon."

[Ranma124]

Track was taking a nap in the sewer and suddenly heard the voices of some other people and the noise of footsteps coming from above. Track jumped up and crossed over the sewage water by jumping over it using an old wooden stick. He then walked over to the three others in the sewer. He stared at them wondering what to do. He then had an idea. "Excuse me. But i do believe you are invading my terratory. Thats right you have invaded king Tracks terratorry and must now pay." Track stuck out his hand. "I will set you free if you simply hand over all the money youve got." Track smiled hoping that the trick he was playing would work therefore giving him money in order for him to get more food.

[John A. Zoidberg]

"Kid, you're insane. There's three of us and one of you. Even if you were "king" of anything, you wouldn't stand a chance," Graemjor mocked. He stood there hoping that the others would pass by.
"Are you guys ready to go into the sewage?" Varrun said, "It really seems like we should get out of here. I can't believe that those two framed us like that. If anything, they should be executed."
"Don't give in to anger," Graemjor said, "But you are right, we should try to leave, just to be absolutely sure that none of them see us, or try to kill us. The last thing we need is another fight."
Varrun nodded and looked to Xero. "Lead the way, Terra."

[---------------]

Xero was surprised, or rather, shocked, that Graemjor and Varrun still didn't realize something was amiss. [i]Thick headed, these guys,[/i] he thought to himself. And now Track is here. A crazy hyperactive monkey. At least Track didn't recognize him in the darkness of the sewer. For now, he could remain as Terra. But what if he had to speak? If Track was still with them, he'd surely recognize his voice. Stress was building in Xero. If this was any other job, he'd feel fine. But he was lying to friends, which didn't make him feel very comfortable.

"....Alright, *cough* this way *coughcough*," Xero coughed to disguise his voice. Then proceeded to lead his friends out of the sewer. Not far from where they were, one pipe lead out of the Kingdom borders. It was a few minutes away. He hoped Track didn't follow.

[StealthyTyranitar]

As Luke and his group advanced upon the city, they realised something. They were not in that Large Merchant city, they were in the royal city! When they saw gaurds running everywere, Luke panicked. He told his men to run into the nearby Manhole, and hide. Then, they heard voices. Luke tracked them to their source, and noticed them as the ones that they had attacked earlier. He snuck into a shadow, and fired a flaming arrow at the water, and being such a a chemical source, it burst into flames. That would be a pain to the gaurds, when a blast of fire blew up in their face!

[John A. Zoidberg]

Graemjor walked through the sewers, listening to the rats and other vermin scuttle around the murky floor. It was disgusting, horrid. The only thing worse would be to give in to the unrighteous executions by the hands of the traitors. Just then, as Yggarus' thought slipped into Varrun's mind again, the backstabbing wolf dared to show his face in the sewers.
"What are you doing here, you pathetic mutt?" Varrun said sternly.
"I should ask you the same thing," Varrun said, smiling, "By the way, how have you been, Xero?"
Yggarus cackled and Forjein appeared as well. "Yes," Forjein said, "we know. You're one of the most hated thieves in the city, giving us reason enough to have you executed as well. But, we feel it would be more fitting if we killed you all right here, in this so-called sanctum you've found."

[---------------]

"You expect us to believe that Terra is the thief Xero Terrion?" Graemjor scoffed at the two traitors, "Why should we believe such an obvious lie?"

"Alright then," Yggarus responded, "explain how Terra was able to come up with such a cunning plan of escape. Explain how he knew to free your arms from behind your back."

"Terra, or Xero," Forjein continued, "wasn't in the woods because he was being chased by humans. He was being chased by the police. He was in the trees, waiting out the battle, so that he could grave rob the humans."

Graemjor's demeanor grew grim, as he realized the truth. He looked to Terra, or Xero, or whoever he was. He didn't move, and he was looking down. "Terra?"

"....I'm sorry."

Suddenly, an arrow could be heard being shot from behind them. It was a flaming arrow, and it landed in the sewage, lighting the whole sewer ablaze. Thinking on his feet, Xero jumped at Yggarus and Forjein, knocking the traitors into the flaming chemicals. The two didn't come back up. They surely weren't dead, but they'd have to find an open area before they could rise from the water. Xero was still looking down, when Graemjor stepped forward. "What they said... it's true isn't it." Xero remained silent for a moment, then ran off, continuing on his escape route, whether Varrun and Graemjor followed or not.

[John A. Zoidberg]

"Whether it's true or not, we can't worry about it now. If we waste time arguing, that's more time for them to attack us," Varrun said.
The flames circled around them, making what seemed like an inescapable arena. "Graemjor," Varrun said, "You take Forjein. Yggarus is all mine."
Varrun lunged on, sword drawn, at Yggarus, who'd had his twin scimitar's drawn as well. Yggarus blocked and parried, leaving Varrun defenseless. With that opening, Yggarus cut twice across his stomach. The two pieces of his rough, gray skin parted and blood started to spill out.
"You bastard..."
Meanwhile, Graemjor was attacking Forjein. Forjein had range, but Graemjor had both strength and agility. Graemjor charged in and caught Forjein's win, tearing skin off and ruffling a few feathers. Forjein screeched with agony as his wing bled on the floor of the sewer.

[Ranma124]

Track had followed the three people who were in the sewer. Track didn't want to let them get away so made sure he stayed far back enough so that they wouldn't realise he was there. Track watched ad the events unfolded. From hearing that the one they called Terra was actually the infamous thief and Tracks good friend Xero. And seeing the flames enlighten in the sewage. Track didn't want to get involved in any of this fighting ad he believed it had nothing to do with him. Track decided to follow Xero. He yelled out as he was starting to catch up but only slightly. "Wait up Xero. It's me Track."

[---------------]

Xero turned into another sewer pipe, and waited for his friend Track to catch up. "Track, what the hell are you doing here? I... I had made friends with those two from the Royal Army, but I couldn't risk them finding out I was... well... [i]me! [/i]They'd certainly turn me in. They... the other tiger man, Graemjor, actually risked his life for me. Then, I just didn't want them to get hurt. But now... I don't know what to do. They'll probably hate me for lying to them, but I want to go help."

[John A. Zoidberg]

"Well, given the fact that you're downed for now, I don't need to worry about," Yggarus said. He forced Varrun to the ground and ran over to Graemjor. "Give up, you feline fool! There's nothing you can do!"
Graemjor lunged in an started hacking at Yggarus and Forjein. As Forjein blocked, Yggarus kicked Graemjor to the ground, leaving him wide open. Yggarus swung his blades high in the air.
"No!" As Yggarus began to hack his blades downwards, Varrun moved underneath them, taking a sword to both of his shoulders. "The kid was right," Varrun said, "It was my turn to save you."

[---------------]

Xero heard Varrun yell 'No' when he was hacked at with the two scimitars. He looked around the corner to see his friends down, and Varrun with the blades in his shoulders. He looked back at Track, with determination in his eyes. "Enough is enough. I'm not going to run anymore."

Yggarus pulled his two scimitars from Varruns shoulders, and kicked his side, knocking him from over Graemjor. The tiger and rhino lay on the sewer floor, as unmentionable chemicals flowed around them. Yggarus began laughing maniacally. "This is perfect. Filth among filth!" Yggarus raised his scimitar. "And with filth you shall stay."

Before Yggarus could strike, Xero jumped from the side and grabbed the wolf's arm, his claws digging deep into the muscles. Yggarus yelled in agony as blood streamed into the sewage. Forjein tried to intervene. Xero let go of Yggarus's arm and met Forjein with a spinning kick, knocking him back a ways.

"You two need to get up now." Xero shouted at his friends, "You'll be goners if you keep trying to fight."

"Then why don't you take their place!" Yggarus hacked at Xero with his free hand, but Xero expertly dodged and used Yggarus's force against, bringing him to the ground.

Xero reached for his friends and helped them up. "We're leaving. Now."

[John A. Zoidberg]

OOC: Given the fact that there were two scimitars lodged into his shoulders, Varrun will be temporarily incapacitated, thus making Graemjor my main character until he is back.

"Varrun's hurt, Xero," Graemjor said oddly, finding it difficult to accept the real identity of the kid he'd saved, "We have to get out of here." Graemjor picked Varrun up and started to run towards the only direction he knew that lead away from the kingdom. "It's gonna be alright, buddy, I promise you'll live." As he ran, tears formed in Graemjor's eyes. He and Varrun had been through everything together. They were practically brothers. They'd killed for each other, they'd nearly died for each other. Graemjor couldn't bear the thought of losing his best friend in the entire world to the traitorous fiends that were Forjein and Yggarus.

[---------------]

Xero led Graemjor through the sewage pipes. They could hear footsteps behind them. Whether or not it was from the humans or Forjein and Yggarus, it prompted them to run faster. Eventually, one of the pipes lead out into the open. They were near a lake, Loch Sythn to be exact. It was a few hundred yards from the kingdom border. The pipe came out of a shear cliff face. If they fell into the lake below, Yggarus and Forjein would certainly see the blood in the water. Xero managed himself onto the wall, digging his claws in to keep put. "Give me Varrun. I'll carry him up. Follow behind."

(OOC: Make it so that Graemjor doesn't know he can climb walls.)

[John A. Zoidberg]

Graemjor reluctantly handed over Varrun, but a look of dismay overcame his face. "I... I've never learned to climb..." he said, his voice trailing off. "Quick, go, before they get here. I can hold them off long enough for you to get Varrun to safety. I may be over-sensitized, but I can still hold my own in a fight. At least for now. Now go!"
Graemjor stood there, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his foes. He knew he might not live through the assault, but he had to try. Varrun couldn't die because of him. The very thought of any one of his friends dying on his accord sent chills down his spine. There was no way a death would happen on his watch.

[---------------]

Xero became temporarily annoyed with Graemjor. If there's anything this group needed to learn, is to stop sacrificing ourselves for every little thing. The top of the cliff wasn't too far off. If Xero could get Varrun to safety...

Xero climbed as fast as he could. The sound of running was echoing out of the sewer, and it was getting louder. Varrun weighed a ton, but he was almost there.

Finally, Xero reached the top. He roughly dropped Varrun onto the floor, and jumped off the cliff and onto the top of the pipe protruding out of the wall. He reached his hand over the edge. "Graemjor, grab my hand," he yelled rather forcefully.

"But..."

"NOW. NO MORE RISKING LIVES."

Graemjor grabbed Xero's arm, and was lifted up onto the top of the pipe. Xero put his hand to Graemjor's mouth to prevent him from talking. For a few moments, the tigers sat there in silence, as the running got louder. Yggarus poked his head out of the pipe, not bothering to look up, but instead looking down at the lake. "They must be down there. We'll ask the emperor for some troops to search the area. Lets head back for now." Forjein could not be seen but was heard agreeing.

After they were sure Yggarus and Forjein were gone, Xero stood up and turned to face the wall. He glanced at Graemjor, then back. "Dig your claws in." Xero only said. He himself then climbed to the top of the cliff and waited for Graemjor to follow.

(OOC: Whether it be Graemjor or Varrun, make one of them shocked that Terra's actually Xero.)

[John A. Zoidberg]

OOC: Varrun's kinda half dead, sooooo...

"Alright, now that we're rid of them, I have some questions," Graemjor said sternly, "What's with all of the secrecy? You should have told us who you really were. It would have made this situation a lot easier on everyone. Varrun might not even be in such bad shape." Graemjor shook his head. "We can't let this man die, Xero. I don't care who you are. Just help me get my friend to safety."
Varrun started coughing, until he could finally speak.
"Graemjor, don't blame the kid. He just didn't wanna be arrested. I can understand it. Don't... don't take it out on him..."

[---------------]

"I... I'm sorry." Xero said, to both Graemjor and Varrun. "Like he said, if I told you my name, you would have known I was a thief."

Xero looked down at Varrun, examining his wounds. "The gashes on your shoulders don't look very deep. They'll heal naturally, but without medical care, you could get an infection. I'd [i]love[/i] to get back into the kingdom, but I think I've overstayed my welcome. We should find a place to camp for the night, and head out to find another city or village. Preferably one with less security."

Xero sighed, allowing his nerves to relax a little. He looked up at the sky. It was almost dusk. Time had gotten by. "My hideout is a few hours from here. Frankly I didn't plan on staying here this long. Anyways, we'll need a flat, but packed in area." Xero scoped the area by the lake. One side was clearly commercial, while the other was foresty. "There," he said, pointing to a tight cluster of trees maybe 500 metres away.

[John A. Zoidberg]

"Alright," Graemjor said, "You get Varrun to your base. I'll take my leave and get medical supplies for when I return." Graemjor stood up and began to walk off. "Hey, kid, don't worry about the lies. Just get him to safety and make sure no one can get to him. I'll be there before nightfall, I promise."
Graemjor walked off. It was already getting close to nightfall, but finding medical supplies really wouldn't take very long in comparison to how long it took for that situation to resolve. He'd just hoped no one would recognize him while he got what he needed.

Meanwhile, at the emperor's throne. "I'm sorry, my lord, they escaped," Yggarus said, "I DID, however, wound one. He should slow the others down unless they were smart and left him to die."
"Good, but not good enough," Tigra said, "Find them, now. Bring them to me, alive, or it will be you executed."
"Yes, my lord."

[---------------]

Xero kept silent as Graemjor walked away to find medicine. When he was gone, Xero focused his energy of getting Varrun to safety. "C'mon, big guy," Xero said, grabbing Varrun's arm, "I can't drag you there."

Xero helped Varrun up and let him lean over his shoulder, supporting most of his weight. Varrun could barely walk, but with Xero's help, was able to manage. They didn't say a word to each other the whole time, all through dusk. After about five minutes, they had made it to the cluster of trees. Xero leaned Varrun against a tree, then climbed up to break off branches for firewood. Much quicker to get them straight from the tree. As he climbed, Varrun started coughing again, and began to speak. "Kid, don't worry about what you did. It was for the best. I mean, look. If you didn't disguise yourself as Terra, you wouldn't have been able to rescue us when Yggarus and Forjein tried to turn us in."

Xero felt a small wave of relief. He nodded his head to Varrun, and continued climbing...

[John A. Zoidberg]

(OOC: Keep in mine, Graemjor is about 50)

Graemjor, hidden under a black cloak for security purposes, purchased everything they would need from a local shop in the Kingdom before setting off back towards the spot that he'd been told to meet them at. All the way there, Graemjor reminisced about his life all those years ago. He had a wife, he even had a kid, until the humans got involved. They killed his wife, tossed his child away to fend for himself, and though he was dead. Fortunately, Graemjor had lived. He spent his entire life searching for his long lost son, but he could never find anything. Eventually, he decided it was a lost cause and joined the military, so he could at least avenge his family. Ever since then, nothing had been the same.
Finally, Graemjor arrived at the camp. "How is he?" he asked, looking at Xero.

[---------------]

Xero dropped down from the trees with a bunch of branches and twigs. He dropped them in a pile and began to make a ring of rocks around them. "He's fine," he said, still preparing the campfire, "he's resting now. Wake him up and give him whatever you found. But gently. Last thing we need is to scare him, his heart starts pounding, and he bleeds to death."

Xero had the campfire all ready. He was throwing dried leaves on it as tinder. He picked two rocks up, a rough one and a smooth one. He rubbed the rough one against the smooth one until it started making sparks. One spark hit the dried leaves, lighting the fire. Xero looked up at the sky. It had just turned dark. He turned to Graemjor. "We'll take two shifts each, alternating. I'll take the first one." Xero leaned himself against a tree, facing in the direction of the kingdom...