Alternate Opening 01 - The Hunt

Since time immemorial, mankind has warred over the Earth’s precious resources, be it for the good of some or the detriment of others. But as Earth’s resources dwindled, it became apparent that it was time for humanity to move on. Even though renewable resources took hold, humankind took to the stars for still more resources. Technology was quickly developing, and soon it became possible that terraformation, the once-theoretical process by which a barren planet was transformed into one suitable for sustaining life like Earth has and was thought to take millions of years, could be executed in less than five years.

Thus the four Terra Engines - Dionysus, Ra, Quinlong, and Thor - and the control satellite Pantheon were sent to Mars. Powered by nanotechnology, these cathedrals of steel and circuitry saturated the global wasteland and melted the sea of ice, restoring to the dead world the life many theorized it had lost. Mars would soon be reborn as the planet Ares.

During the fifth year three colony ships, Athos, Porthos, and D’Artagnan, arrived in orbit above Mars. But a disastrous fate befell them and all three were sent crashing to the planet’s surface. The survivors rode out the chaotic final year as best they could, but by the end over two-thirds of all three ship’s original passengers and crew had perished. However, those that lived had not managed it on their own.

Unthinkable as these events may seem, they were not unforeseeable. Pantheon was programmed to protect the distressed colonists from harm. It would’ve stopped the terraformation process completely had it not been overridden by a command from Earth. Its AI, torn between loyalty to Earth and protecting the colonists, chose to integrate the humans in the process rather than disregard their lives. Thus the colonists evolved, gaining the ability to enhance their minds, bodies, and spirits by physically fusing with the wildlife temporarily. This gave them what they needed to endure the final phases of terraformation.

The creatures of Planet Ares with the ability to fuse with humans are known as MultiPets. These MultiPets fall into a number of classifications depending on what they are able to when they initiate chimeric fusion with a human, but at the most basic level are three major categories: Tool-types that are capable of both construction and destruction, Shield-types that are primarily defensive in nature, and the Armor-types capable of enhancing both speed and strength, though not necessarily at the same time. On Ares, you are not considered an adult unless you can fuse with at least one MultiPet, but it is said those that posses three or more can shape their own destiny. Those that achieve this lofty ideal are known as Chimera Knights and they hold positions of great respect and honor that many aspire to, yet few can claim.

This is one such story. It is also the story of a girl, or maybe I should say it’s the story of a woman. A woman and a wolf. A Wearwolf. I’m sure you’ll understand the pun in a moment.
Envision, if you will, Ares, the green Mars. Now, descend through the clouds to the main continent, Pangea, particularly the northern half. Here lies Dionysus Forest, growing in the shadow of the Terra Engine of the same name.

They say you can’t see the forest through the trees, but in this case you can’t see the trees through the vines. They’re everywhere, like moss. With earthly pines and other trees, their roots connect underground and help each other stand up. Here, get rid of the vines and everything falls over. The trees, the nearby villages, maybe even the Dionysus Engine itself. According to folklore, if you stand still for too long the vines will grow all over you, too. Of course, everyone takes that as seriously as the one about growing potatoes and carrots in your ears. It’s just something parents tell their children to get them off the couch and practicing proper hygiene.

By now we most likely have the browns and greens of Dionysus Forest firmly in our mind’s eye, maybe with the Dionysus Engine rising in the background like a great Mayan temple or a post-apocalyptic Manhattan skyscraper. Awesome, huh? Let’s drop through the canopy now and down to the forest floor. Hear that? That’s the sound of something rushing through the undergrowth, and in our direction. A hunt is underway, and if we wait right here we’re bound to see something fly by.

Oh! Did you see that brown blur that bounded past? Nevermind. That was just a deer. Just keep watching and…

There. That gray blur. That’s our heroes.

Let’s take a snapshot of that moment. For some old-school cartoon fun, let’s put a caption in: “Katrina Arden and Wearwolf (Chimericfuse-us witha-lupus).” Note what she is wearing. For the most part, she likes to keep it simple. Blue jeans and a sweatshirt. On top of that, as you’ve surely noticed, is something furry. Gloves, boots, shorts, some sort of short cloak, and a hood. All tufted with white and gray fur, and all resembling parts of a wolf. That is Wearwolf, and, believe it or not, he is still alive. That is the power of chimeric fusion.

Figured out the pun yet? “Wearwolf?” It’s a wolf that you wear, and it sounds like… You know what? Forget it. It’s not funny if I have to explain it.

Katrina herself is in her first month of official adulthood. That makes her sixteen years old, and you can tell by the way she leaps from tree to tree that she enjoys her new abilities immensely. Her long, black hair streams out from underneath Wearwolf’s head stretched over her own. Her brown eyes shine with the thrill of the hunt, though Wearwolf’s yellow eyes higher up are determinedly fixed on their quarry.

But they aren’t alone in this hunt. Behind them a ways is the rest of the hunting party. They’re all older than her, but some aren’t older by all that much, and they‘re all fused to various Tool-types, mostly weapon-like in form. They’re also all fairly irritated at the hot-dogging newbie ahead of them.

“Dammit, what does that newb think she’s doing?” complained Samuel Riesling, with a Baron Eagle fused to his right arm. His almost avian facial features were complimented by his hair, which was swept back more by design than wind. “She’s supposed to drive the deer towards us, not away.”

“Let her have her fun, Sammy,” replied Chalise Burgundy, the wizened hunt mistress. She looked to Riesling with jovial glint through the fox-like squint of her eyes. “She’ll learn her lesson soon enough.”

Up ahead, Katrina and Wearwolf continued their merry chase. As the deer wove around the trees and under or over boughs and vines, Katrina and Wearwolf would careen from one to the next. Trunks would meet briefly with feet, branches would be grabbed by palms, and from each they would launch themselves ever onward.

“Katrina, I believe if we run a straighter path and flank the deer on its left side, we will eventually be able to drive the deer to the rest of the pack,” Wearwolf said, his voice ringing clear in Katrina’s head. It is well known that the empathic bond a MultiPet and its partner allows them to communicate clearly even when not fused, even though others may not understand what they are saying.

“Just a few more minutes, okay?” Katrina requested as they kicked off another tree. “I wanna see if we can’t catch this one on our own.”

“I believe the last five managed to ultimately elude us,” Wearwolf recalled. “If we lose a sixth, I would imagine that Mrs. Burgundy will be most cross with us indeed.”

“You know what they say,” Katrina said, bounding over a fallen log. “Sixth time’s the charm.”

“You said that the last three times,” Wearwolf reminded her.

“Yeah, well, shut up,” Katrina replied. They dragged their claws against the ground as they turned left to follow the deer. “It’s going into that cave. I think we’ve cornered it.”

“I do not believe this is a good idea,” Wearwolf remarked as they dashed into the cave. The deer trotted out a second later with an amused look on its face. Wearwolf added, “Katrina, the deer’s smell has dissipated.”

“You mean we passed that stupid thing?” Katrina exclaimed as they skidded to a halt. The cave was darker than she expected and she found herself groping around blindly.

“It may be far more intelligent than you give it credit for,” Wearwolf stated. “I’m smelling something else in this cave.”

“Yeah, it’s totally nasty,” Katrina replied, reaching into her pockets. “Hold on, I think I have a match here.”

She struck the match against the wall and in the dim light of its flame they found themselves face to face with an enormous bear. This species in particular is the Bearserk, a creature not unlike the Kodiak bears of Alaska which stand at approximately ten feet tall, weighing in at seventeen hundred pounds muscle, bone, and brown fur. An important distinction to note is that the Bearserk has handlebar-like horns protruding from its shoulder, and Kodiaks don’t fire explosive energy blasts at roughly sixty miles an hour when fused. Considering this particular Bearserk isn’t fused, however, the latter can be considered a moot point.

“Oh,” Katrina remarked, to which she soon added, “Crap.”

“Katrina, I believe the best course of action at this point would be to flee in terror,” Wearwolf advised, his ears and tail drooping in submission.

At about this point, the match went out. This was soon followed by a deafening roar, understandable and well-panicked screaming, and the rapid and disorderly evacuation of, among other things, the cave. As Katrina and Wearwolf emerged into the light of day again, the Bearserk barreled past them and blocked their path.

“Any ideas?” Katrina asked.

“If we play dead, it may merely maul us,” Wearwolf noted.

“Sweet,” Katrina remarked flatly.

The Bearserk reared up to her full height, casting an imposing shadow over them. She glared down with the seething menace of a wild beast.

“I say we stand and fight,” Katrina said, raising her fists.

“Together we will overcome,” Wearwolf agreed. “Or die trying.”

The Bearserk bellowed and brought down her mighty paw. Katrina and Wearwolf leaped back to dodge, ricocheted off the cave wall, and delivered a whirlwind kick to the Bearserk’s head. The beast was barely fazed. She retaliated with the other paw, which our heroes barely avoided. They ducked the blow and were showered with gravel as the Bearserk’s claw took out a chunk of the wall.

“We cannot afford to let her hit us,” Wearwolf warned.

“No freakin’ kidding,” Katrina confirmed.

As the Bearserk brought her claws down again, Katrina and Wearwolf sprung forward and rammed their head into her gut. It hurt them more than it hurt the Bearserk.

“Sonuva…” Katrina swore, kneeling down and clutching her head. “Why do we keep doing that? We never do it right!”

“Clearly, direct attacks will not prove effective,” Wearwolf reported.

“Then stop telling me what we can’t do and think up something we can!” Katrina admonished.

Unbeknownst to Katrina and Wearwolf, the rest of the hunting party arrived at this time. They stayed hidden among the trees and undergrowth. All were fearful for Katrina’s safety, yet they dare not draw attention to themselves just yet.

Riesling raised Baron Eagle and leveled it at the Bearserk. Baron Eagle’s wings spread as a small dart of energy formed in its open beak.

“I have the shot,” Riesling said. “I can take it down.”

“Not just yet, Sammy,” Burgundy said, clamping Baron Eagle’s beak shut with her fingers. Smoke plumed out from the eagle‘s unsuspecting nostrils. “I want to see how wolfgirl handles this.”

“You can’t be serious,” Riesling objected. “She could get herself killed.”

“Not while I’m around,” Burgundy replied. Her eyes widened with intent clarity. “Believe it.”

Katrina was perplexed and a little disturbed by the Bearserk leaning over her to stand on all fours and push her down slightly. However, she didn’t remain there for long as she suddenly launched herself into the air.

“… the Hell?” Katrina remarked.

“She will not stay up there for long!” Wearwolf warned, as he threw themselves to the side. “Move!”

Katrina and Wearwolf were nearly crushed as the Bearserk belly-flopped back onto the ground. The force of the impact actually caused a minor tremor following a shockwave that sent Katrina and Wearwolf sailing further along.

“She uses a lot of energy to attack,” Wearwolf reported. “If we can conserve our own energy, we may be able to wear her down.”

“I’m on it!” Katrina replied. They rolled to their feet and used the momentum to dash up a nearby tree. They launched off from the trunk just as the Bearserk was getting back on her feet, wrapped their arms around her neck and swung onto her back like a horseshoe. “Now let’s lock on with a sleeper hold!”

One arm tightened its hold on the Bearserk’s neck. The other crossed the first at the elbow, next to the Bearserk’s ear, and pulled back to tighten the grip further. They held on with a python’s grip, applying more pressure with each exhale to keep the beast from inhaling. The Bearserk waved her massive arms around, but Katrina and Wearwolf was proving to be a difficult itch to scratch.

The Bearserk was not about to go down so easily. She knew one way to get to those stubborn, hard-to-reach places. She swung about and dove backwards into the nearest tree. Katrina and Wearwolf bore the pain of impact and held fast. The tree, however, made quite a bit of noise as it fell down.

Undaunted, the Bearserk opted for a sturdier surface. She charged toward the cave and spun around, driving her shoulders into the wall. Katrina let out a howl of pain, but they still held on. The Bearserk took a couple steps forward, then threw herself back again. This time, however, Katrina and Wearwolf released their grip before impact and flipped over the Bearserk’s shoulders. With a gymnastic twist, they flipped down in front of the creature and drove their knees into her gut. Between knee and solid rock, the wind was knocked out of the Bearserk’s lungs and she staggered forward. She dove to the ground, as much as an attempt to crush her opponent as it was a total loss of balance. Katrina and Wearwolf leapt off the Bearserk and slid into a kneeling position as the beast came down.

Katrina and Wearwolf stood, breathing heavily. Their hearts beat frantically as the Bearserk rose to her feet once more. She climbed to her full height and let loose a bowel-shaking roar, one more powerful than the first.

“There’s no way they can survive against that thing,” Riesling said.

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Burgundy commented. “And wolfgirl definitely has the will. Bet on it.”

“I’ll take that action,” said one of the other hunters.

“I didn’t mean…” Burgundy started to correct herself. Then she asked, “How much you talking about?”

“Our path is clear,” Wearwolf said. “We could run while the Bearserk attempts to collect herself.”

“This stopped being about survival when she tried to flatten us,” Katrina, bringing up a tightened fist. “Now it’s about proving whose tougher. This isn‘t over until one of us goes down for the count.”

The low growl and the homicidal glint in the Bearserk’s eye echoed that sentiment. Katrina’s fist unrolled into an open palm.

“Bring it.”

Thus the vicious struggle continued. Blows were traded for what seemed like hours. No quarter was given. Every inch they gave was cashed in for six. It lasted into the darkening twilight.

Katrina and Wearwolf flew across the clearing, landing on their back at the mouth of the cave. As they quickly tried to catch their breath, they found themselves staring up at the faces of the enemy.

Wait. Faces?

“I must’ve been hit harder than I thought,” Katrina said. “I’m seeing three of them.”

“You aren’t seeing things,” Wearwolf said. “These must be her cubs.”

“Cubs?” Katrina exclaimed. “You mean this Bearserk is a mother?”

“Indeed,” Wearwolf confirmed. “One that is slowly but surely closing in on us.”

“I can’t fight that thing now that I know she’s a mommy,” Katrina said. “She was just trying to protect her cubs. I can’t beat her in front of them.”

“If we do not fight her, she will surely plaster her walls with our entrails,” Wearwolf warned.

“Ew,” Katrina commented. “Okay, I’ve got an idea. Follow my lead.”

Katrina and Wearwolf pushed off into a handstand, then leapt over the cubs. The Bearserk’s heart skipped a beat as she thought her opponent had found themselves a set of hostages. Fear gave way to confusion as Wearwolf popped off of Katrina, who knelt down behind the cubs.

“Bow down,” Katrina hissed to her partner. “Or play dead or something. Just look submissive.”

Wearwolf whined in protest but did as instructed. The Bearserk trotted up to the cave and stopped, glaring suspiciously at Katrina in the dim light.

“We are sorry for the misunderstanding,” Katrina said with a bowed head. “We did not mean to intrude upon your home or threaten your family. In a way, your family is a lot like ours, and we would feel the same way if someone barged into our home. Please forgive us. We will never trespass again.”

The Bearserk glared in disbelief for a good, long while. For a moment, Katrina was sure she would kill them. Then, the Bearserk nudged her cubs and they reluctantly scampered deeper into the cave. As Katrina saw them totter past, she looked up to see the Bearserk’s paw coming down.



“Ow!” Katrina exclaimed. “Gah… Sonuva…”

“Hold still,” Burgundy complained around the flashlight in her teeth. “Stitching your wound is difficult enough in this light without your flinching and cursing.”

“You’re lucky it’s just a scratch,” Riesling commented. “If you didn’t lift your head when you did, that Bearserk would’ve scalped you for sure.”

Katrina’s eyes met Wearwolf’s for a moment, prompting him to say, “Baron Eagle, tell Samuel Riesling that a two-inch gash is not ‘just a scratch’.”

Baron Eagle squawked at Riesling, who replied, “Hey, you know better than me how strong that thing is. You tell me it couldn’t do far worse on accident.”