 
# The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1:

# A Colony of Tiny Nekos

# Ali Noel Vyain
Copyright © 2017 by Ali Noel Vyain

Published by Ali Noel Vyain at Smashwords

No part of this book can be reproduced or used without permission.

Elsewhere

eISBN: 9781937050894

alinoelvyain.wordpress.com

The cover art is a composite of two Sim children with neko ears, paws, and tails from Second Life and OpenSim grids.

## Contents

## Chapter 1 Open Mice

## Chapter 2 The Mad Scientist

## Chapter 3 A New Adventure

## Chapter 4 More Tiny Nekos?

## Chapter 5 My Mama Is an Elf!

## Chapter 6 White Lion Doesn't Make it Home

## Chapter 7 All Alone

## Chapter 8 The Guardians Investigate Rumors

## Chapter 9 Meet Me in Elsewhere...

## Chapter 10 Mama and Son Reunited

## Chapter 11 Silver Moon Plans

## Chapter 12 School

## Chapter 13 Scheming for White Lion and Claira Jaen

## Chapter 14 To Become a Guardian

## Chapter 15 The Mad Scientist Tries to be Father

## Chapter 16 The Mad Scientist Versus the Writer

## Chapter 17 More Trouble?

## Chapter 18 The School is Disbanded

## Chapter 19 The Gondolier Goes After the Writer

## Chapter 20 Elf and Tiny Nekos Reunited

## Chapter 1 Open Mic

A lone elf was asleep. It had been some time since he had started the summoning. Now he was dreaming about his Guardian partner to be. He could see her clearly standing on a stage and reading some of her writing. He smiled in his sleep. He was better with images than he ever was with words. He listened to her and admired her beauty. He could see her dark hair and her fair skin. He noticed her pointed ears. The trademark of elves and not humans.

His alarm went off and he woke up. He sat up in bed and stretched. He was thinking about his Guardian partner to be and smiled. He changed out of his pajamas into his work uniform. He had brown hair and blue green eyes. He was a Guardian, but he also worked as a gondolier in the city of Elsewhere. He took his job seriously. Without him, people didn't have good ways to get across the canals. Elsewhere had never allowed motorized vehicles to travel around the city. They could get to the city, but then everyone had to walk, take a boat, or swim.

However, the city's emergency vehicles were completely motorized. They could travel through air, water, and even outer space. This summoner knew how to operate those emergency vehicles, though he usually didn't need to. That was perfectly fine with him. He preferred to row a gondola or a traghetto.

He liked his Guardian work of researching different cultures' symbols, especially those that related to religion and magic. Over time he found he didn't like to work alone. He knew of other Guardians who had partners they lived and worked with on a regular basis. He found the work he was engaged with was too daunting to do all by himself.

He could gather up the images and all the symbols, but he couldn't always write them in a way which others would find interesting or even understand. His work needed to be documented in the Guardian archives. That was the part he had trouble with. It took so long to decode the symbols that he felt he hadn't enough time to even to devote to writing up his notes. He had his notes, of course, and those he sent to the archives. So, he had tried very hard to attract the right person to himself. He had asked for someone he could work with. Someone who wouldn't mind that he thought mainly in images.

He kept thinking about his dream. After he was done with his regular job, he would see if he could look her up. That is, after he meditated on her image a bit more. All he knew at this point was that she was an elf and a writer. He shaved his face at the bathroom mirror. Then ate a little breakfast. He set the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink and then walked out the door to go work.

He knew it would take time. But he was patient. Leon would meet her sooner or later.

Silver Moon Unicorn stood up on stage in front of the microphone. She was holding her tablet computer. White Lion and Black Wolf were in the audience cheering her on. She read a few poems and then people applauded. She bowed and stepped off the stage.

It was just another open mic. She did enjoy them and it seemed to help with sales, even if there still wasn't very much money. She had never felt happier. She walked back to the table where White Lion and Black Wolf were sitting. White Lion jumped up out of his chair to give her hug.

Her son was not something she had ever expected in her life, but he was the most important person to her. She never thought about what would happen if she were to lose him. Then of course there was Black Wolf as well. She loved them both and they loved her. White Lion let go and danced around the table.

Black Wolf smiled at her. "Where to next?"

"Hmm... I don't know. Perhaps to find the Silver Mists and the city of Elsewhere."

"Does the Silver Mists still exist?"

"I think so. It's near Elsewhere and I wasn't aware the Guardians had abandoned it."

"Oh, I see."

"It would be in the archives if they had abandoned it with a reason as to why."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, they are very thorough in their archives."

Black Wolf continued to stare at Silver Moon.

"Mama!"

"Yes, darling?"

"When is your next reading?"

"I don't know yet. I'll have to look to see where more are along they way."

"Okay."

Black Wolf's phone beeped. He pulled it out of his pocket and found a text message. He read it and frowned. He answered it and put the phone back in his pocket. He said nothing as both White Lion and Silver Moon looked at him. She raised her eyebrows. Still Black Wolf said nothing.

Silver Moon sat down for the next people on stage. She motioned for White Lion to sit back down. He did so without a word. They all listened politely to the rest of the open mic. There were more writers and some musicians. the planet of Platinum had quite a few people who liked to entertain and were hoping to make a decent living from their creative efforts as did Silver Moon Unicorn.

Finally the open mic was over. White Lion yawned. Silver Moon took his hand and the trio walked to the trolley. She tucked the little neko in on his bean bag chair. Then she sat down in the driver's seat to move the trolley. Black Wolf went to sit down at the table. He pulled out his phone and rechecked the recent message.

It wasn't good and he wasn't sure what he could do. He wondered what Silver Moon would think if he told her. He shook his head. Best not to tell her. He certainly didn't have all the details yet. It could just be a mistake. He was just a lost werewolf in love with an elf. But now, he was being called back home. He didn't know if he wanted to go.

But what choice did he have? He had obligations which couldn't be ignored. He knew what the consequences would be if he didn't go back and take care of things.

For now they could wait. He was told there would be more details to follow. So he waited.

Silver Moon paid attention to her driving. She was just finding a place for the night so the three of them could plan the next day how to get to the next place. She was getting tired of traveling around. She longed for a safe, stable permanent home for White Lion and herself. She had considered Black Wolf's offer and thought it might be okay. But she didn't know where he lived. Or even if it was safe and stable. Would it be permanent?

She had more questions than answers. She had a feeling there was something he wasn't telling her. Something so important that it shouldn't be ignored. She had gotten used to him being around and now she wasn't sure what was going to happen if he were to leave.

For now, she knew he wasn't going to talk. She would just have to make do the best she could. It was all she had been done for a few years now. She also knew she was being summoned to Elsewhere. She didn't know much about it except that the Guardians had built it when the castle at the Silver Mists was getting too crowded for everyone.

It was also a city like no other on Platinum. Built by the Guardians, it was a mixture of old and advanced technology. Much of the advanced technology was hidden and out of the way. In many ways it was still very much a medieval city. Silver Moon smiled. Something told her she would find what she had been looking for after she went there.

It was enough for her for now.

## Chapter 2 The Mad Scientist

He was a scientist. He knew that. Why wasn't he recognized by the others as one? He shook his head. He was a genius. That he also knew. He was the best scientist around. The best one on Platinum, but he wasn't allowed to work in any lab, but his own.

No matter. He continued his experiments. He was human. Better than any elf or fairy who had ever existed. He was the one who knew genetic engineering better than anyone else in the world. Perhaps as well in the whole universe. So why had the Guardians always thwarted his experiments? The results were good. The crops were great and people didn't go hungry.

But people had gotten fat and unhealthy. They were miserable and the doctors couldn't help them get better. The biotech engineer never knew all the results of his experiments. He had no idea that hunger was still a problem in the world. He had never understood all the reasons behind hunger.

He had never seen the long lines of people trying to get food for themselves and their families. He never realized what it was like to be poor. To not have your basic needs meet. He had never gone hungry for any reason at all. Yet, he had the answers for everyone else.

He reflected on his latest creations. He had discovered to how create human and animal hybrids. He was quite proud of himself. They were quite stable as well. But it wasn't enough. More recently he experimented with the hybrids and created tinier versions. They were cute. Perhaps too cute for his tastes.

He kept at it and soon had a whole colony he controlled and hid from the world. He had to. He wasn't about to let the Guardians discover his latest project. He knew they would just love to stop him one more time. What was it with those Guardians? Couldn't they just leave people be? They claimed they were for equal rights. What about his right to work and do what he was inclined to do? Wasn't that one of their basic tenants?

Sure it was. They were just a bunch of hypocrites. Still there was one thing which haunted him about his latest project. One of the tiny nekos had gone missing. He remembered the little one quite well. Too well. He was the size of a kitten from a house cat. His skin was very pale. He had blonde hair and blue eyes. His ears, tail, and feet paws were all black. He had hands and walked upright as the other nekos did.

What had happened to that one? He shook his head. There was something wrong with that one as he recalled. Something which made it hard to keep track of the little kitten. The biotech engineer knew he made sure to make all the nekos docile and dependent. But what had gone wrong with that particular neko?

Did the tiny neko know his mother had just died and then wandered off on his own? It was possible. Why did the mother die? Oh, right, perhaps the scientist had been too rough on her. No matter. He had to find out what had happened to that neko.

If that particular neko had gotten lose into the world, there was no telling what would happen. But perhaps if he could remember when he had last seen the tiny neko, he could figure out if the creature was still alive. The scientist smiled. Yes, it was possible he could have died and his body decomposed beyond any recognition.

It was something. He looked around his lab and looked for clues. He had his memory and it was still good. He remembered a few more details. That particular neko had an older sister who was still in the colony. He smiled. Yes, he would find the tiny neko. Dead or alive. He would take care of the whole thing. One tiny neko wasn't going to ruin his life's work.

It was his right to work after all. He could do as he pleased with the colony. He had created them. Ergo they were his property. And he wanted that one piece which had wandered off and disappeared. How long had it been? No matter. It was just a matter of time before he found out where that one had gone.

He laughed.

Just on the other side of the lab, a tiny neko named Claira Jaen was leaning with an ear pressed against the door. The laugh made her cringe. She had heard Him talking to himself again. She knew He was talking about her brother. She knew how her mother had died. The little neko wanted nothing more than to take Him out.

But she didn't know how. She was just a tiny neko trapped in the colony with the others. She didn't know much of anything about the outside world. She remembered her brother. She remembered the day he had wandered off. She had followed and watched him. She was too big to follow him through the hole in the fence.

But then something wonderful had happened to him. An elf had picked him up and took care of him! Claira Jaen hoped her brother was still alive. It had been years, probably far longer than He was willing to admit. But yet there was something familiar about that particular elf. Claira Jaen wasn't sure, but she was just learning how to use a computer when He wasn't around.

She smiled. She couldn't wait to use a computer again. There was so much information she could gather from the computer. She remembered when she had last used one, she saw something about a tiny neko. But then He came. She had to get away from the computer and hide.

She was waiting and listening. So far it didn't sound like He would be leaving the lab anytime soon. She sighed. Oh, she just wanted to know her brother was safe. After their mother had died, she had nothing else in her life which had mattered more. Now if she could just learn how to read... But she knew it wasn't something He wouldn't allow.

But if she could learn, she would. Would the Guardians help her if she asked them? She wasn't sure, but she figured she had nothing to lose by asking them. If they were His enemies, then perhaps they would be her allies. She smiled. From what He said, it sounded as if the Guardians would be willing to free all the tiny nekos.

It was a pleasant thought for her.

Leon was typically quiet when he worked. He had no reason to say anything to most people. His supervisors didn't mind that he was quiet or strange. They knew he had other work to do than rowing the boats. But he was reliable and was easy to get along with. Many of the other gondoliers were young and tended to act like overgrown boys. The supervisors were glad that Leon didn't act like an overgrown boy.

He had a way of observing what was going on around him without showing any outward sign of it. That was something which was easily misinterpreted, but he never cared. He was grateful that he didn't have to help people in and out of the boats. He was sensitive and didn't like to touch people he didn't know. If that would happen, he would absorb their energy. The results weren't always pleasant for him.

But he never complained when he was working. He followed the schedule unless his Guardian work caused a conflict. Then he would mention it to his supervisors. They were kind enough to work with him and were always able to have someone else cover for him when he needed time off. He had earned that right after working under them for years without complaining.

Leon rowed a traghetto sometimes several hours a day with just a lunch break. On other days, he rowed his own gondola one or two trips a day. Then there were the days with lots of tourists and he would have to do several trips in one day. He didn't mind the work, but he didn't always like some of the other gondoliers.

He knew he was different, but he didn't care that he was. It didn't help that he had different colored eyes than many of the rest of them. The other gondoliers knew it was because of Leon's mother, who was an elf from a different place. From her he had learned how to grow plants. He still grew plenty of herbs on his terrace. He also had learned from her how to make potions and elixirs.

He had her recipe book and he consulted it whenever someone asked him for a potion. Usually the other Guardians would be the only ones who asked for such things. But sometimes, elderly women asked him for some when they had complaints they didn't want to see a doctor about. He never asked many questions about what was wrong. Many of those women had asked his mother for the same things. They always paid him. Not always with money, but sometimes with food or artist's supplies. He was grateful for whatever the women would give him.

It had been one of his long days and he was glad to get home. He fixed himself some dinner and then cleaned up the kitchen. He sat down in his living room on a pillow and closed his eyes. He was breathing deeply and concentrating on her. He began to strengthen the summons. He tried to see her more clearly.

He saw her working on her writing. She was alone and looking sad. But she kept working. He could see it was the one thing that was pulling her back together. Something was wrong and she knew it. Lots of things had gone wrong for her and she was doing all she could do to make it better.

Leon encouraged her to come visit him. She seemed to know someone was watching her, but she didn't know who it was. He was mainly observing and strengthening his call. He tried not to send anything else to her.

## Chapter 3 A New Adventure

Silver Moon had breakfast laid out for everyone. Both White Lion and Black Wolf were still sleeping. She munched on her breakfast as she did more research on Elsewhere and the Silver Mists. That's when she found the references to the labyrinth. She stopped eating and kept reading.

"Hey, you're up early." Black Wolf yawned.

Silver Moon looked up at him. "Oh? Yeah, I guess I am."

He sat down and ate his breakfast. "You found something interesting?"

"Yeah. Apparently, there is a labyrinth near the Silver Mists and Elsewhere."

"Oh? I've never heard of it."

"Neither have I, but it's huge and apparently it was hard for people to avoid. That is, it was. I think it's easier to avoid now."

"Because of something the Guardians did?"

"No, it's easier to avoid because of the transportation network on Platinum."

"Oh?"

"Most people would use the transportation system— even if they are driving their own vehicles. Those routes take everyone around the labyrinth. The Guardians have notes that people just built them that way without always know why. In some places it looks like you take the long way around, but that's how the routes are. No one even flies over it."

Black Wolf's eyes got big and round.

"Yeah, I know it's odd that many people avoid it and don't know why."

"What is so special about the labyrinth?"

"I don't know. But the Guardians say it has high psi readings. They weren't entirely sure and they are still studying it to this day."

"Psi readings?"

"The energy which is associated with magic."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, not everyone can practice magic and those who do say it's not an exact science. It may not work the way most people think."

"Okay." He paused to finish eating. "Are you going to check it out?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure I can get to it."

"That could be a problem." His phone beeped. He pulled it out of his pocket. It was another text message. There was no mistaking this time. There were more details and none of them were good. He replied and then put the phone away. He looked at Silver Moon, but said nothing.

She looked at him and knew he wasn't going to tell her. She was beginning to think his promises to her were meaningless. Had he changed his mind about her? She knew she wasn't the easiest person to get along with, but why was he interested in her in the first place?

What would she have to sacrifice to keep him? Or would he just leave her and her son?

White Lion yawned and stretched. "Hi, mama!"

"Hi, little one. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes! I had wonderful dreams about us having a new and exciting adventure!"

Silver Moon smiled. "Well, I was doing some research and I was about to plan our route now."

The tiny neko jumped up and climbed onto his chair next to his mama. "Okay, where are we now?"

"Right here." Silver Moon pointed to the image on her tablet. "We want to go there." She moved her finger to the Silver Mists and Elsewhere.

"Oh! Then we can go this way or that way."

"Yes, we could. Let's see what's along those routes." Silver Moon pulled up landmarks and restaurants for White Lion to look at.

He began eating his breakfast as he watched what was along the routes. "That one looks more interesting."

"Okay, that's the way we'll go."

Black Wolf finished his breakfast as he stared at the screen. That was when he realized the only way for him to get back was to transform into a wolf and run the other way. He hoped he wouldn't have to go through the labyrinth. For what he had just seen of the notes the Guardians had made and what she had said about it, it didn't sound pleasant.

He sighed as he looked at both Silver Moon and White Lion. It wouldn't be much longer before the werewolf would have to leave. He still didn't know what to tell her or her son. But he knew there really wasn't a choice. He knew they would come looking for him if he refused to show up.

That was not something he could face. It was the one thing he feared more than anything else. More than even Silver Moon's wrath. He was too afraid to tell her. He wasn't sure what to say. Besides it would just instigate a fight. Something he didn't want at all, especially in front of the tiny neko.

But what else could he do now? Things were escalating and he would have to leave soon. There was no way out for the werewolf and he knew it.

White Lion finished his breakfast and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and clean up. He grabbed a clean outfit and changed out of his pajamas into it. Then he came out and sat down on his bean bag chair. His mama was in the driver's seat and the trolley was moving. The tiny neko yawned and looked out the windows.

Black Wolf remained at the table and watched the neko. What was it about the half cat half human boy that Silver Moon liked so well? Why did Black Wolf have such a hard time determining the kid's age? Silver Moon didn't seem to care how old he was at all. She doted on him, but yet didn't seem to spoil him at all.

Lately, the neko was bothering the werewolf, who didn't understand why. Actually so was the elf, but the werewolf wasn't about to admit that. He wasn't sure he was fitting into this family unit at all. Perhaps it would be better if he left. Then he wouldn't be able to drag them down with him.

He made his decision and it started to stick from that moment.

Leon rowed his gondola to a monastery on one of the islands. He had the whole day off and he wanted to see his best friend, who was a monk. As Leon rowed, he thought of his future Guardian partner. It was foggy, but he wasn't worried. The sun was shinning through the fog. It gave a magical quality to the surroundings. Many people were known to get lost in Elsewhere, but this elf knew his way blindfolded.

Soon he was approaching a pier. He set his oar down and secured his gondola to the dock. He jumped onto the pier and walked into the church. He looked around and saw his best friend talking with someone. Leon approached them quietly. He stood nearby and waited until they were done. His best friend blessed the person and she walked out of the church.

"Hi, Leon."

"Hi, Loren."

"What brings you here?"

"Remember when we were summoning someone who would become my Guardian partner?"

"Yes."

"I know what she looks like now."

"Oh? Is she pretty?"

"Yes."

"Careful, my friend."

They walked into the monastery. They went into Loren's cell. He packed up his meager things.

"She's a writer."

"Then she's a good match for you."

"Yes. She has dark hair, fair skin, green eyes, and pointed ears."

Loren smiled at his friend and shook his head. He finished packing and took the bag as they left the monastery.

"But she's troubled."

"Why?"

"I don't know, but she is."

"When will she be here?"

"I don't know. She seems to be stuck. She works a lot from what I can see of her."

"Anything else?"

"She was aware someone was watching her."

"So she can see. That would be good for you."

"Yeah."

They walked out of the cell and into the church. Soon they were outside at the dock. Loren sat down in the gondola as Leon jumped onto the back and untied the knots. He dropped the rope into the gondola and picked up the oar.

"So we need to help her find her way here and to you."

"Yes."

"I hope she likes you as much as you like her." 

## Chapter 4 More Tiny Nekos?

Silver Moon had been driving for quite some time, when she pulled over for a lunch break. She turned off the engine and stood up. She quickly went to the kitchenette to prepare lunch for the three of them. White Lion continued to look outside. He saw shapes flitting from behind a fence. He stood up and pressed his face against the glass.

There they were again! They looked like cats, but they seemed to be closer to White Lion's size. He continued to watch, unaware that Black Wolf was watching him. Black Wolf looked out the window and saw the cats move quickly on the other side of the fence.

Silver Moon finished preparing lunch and set the food on the table. Black Wolf turned to her and filled up his plate. She looked to her son.

"What is it, darling? What do you see?"

"They look like cats, but they look to be my size."

"Oh?" She looked out the window in the same direction." Then she saw them. "Dear, they may be nekos, like you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you're not the only one on Platinum. I don't know how many exist, but you're the only one I know of that is tiny."

"Oh! Let's go meet them!"

"Okay, after we eat."

White Lion jumped up and climbed onto his chair. His mama sat down next to him and the three ate together. No one spoke while they ate. There was nothing to say. The little neko was hungry and just wanted to finish eating as soon as he could so he could go see the other nekos.

Black Wolf was deep in thought. He kept receiving more urgent messages which required him to go back home. He ate and looked at Silver Moon in a different light. What had attracted him to her in the first place? He had no idea. Now, he was beginning to find her annoying. It seemed to him she catered to her son too much. What about Black Wolf? Wasn't he important to her?

Why hadn't they gotten married yet? Black Wolf sighed. She was domestic enough, but yet she kept telling him she wasn't ready to get married yet. Or was it she wasn't ready for something else? Something he had been waiting for from her. That must be it. He finished eating. He was getting tired of cleaning up. Why couldn't she do all the housework for a change?

He got up and collected the dishes. He washed them in the sink. He rinsed them and wiped them dry. He was beginning to think it would be easy to leave them behind. The relationship wasn't going the way he thought it should by now. She was too slow and he wasn't sure he could get her to move any faster.

Claira Jaen was still watching the tiny neko on the other side of the fence. The free one who couldn't have been much taller than she was. Was that her brother? There was an elf and a human with him. Last night she finally was able to get on a computer and she tried looking for any information on tiny nekos out in the world.

She found pictures of one. Only one. One who looked too much like her lost brother. That tiny neko who was traveling with an elf named Silver Moon Unicorn. She was a bard who was just gaining popularity and a decent income. Claira Jaen wasn't quite sure what it all meant, but here they were on the other side of the fence! She watched them for as long as she could.

She wasn't alone. The other tiny nekos were watching as well. They all wondered who he was and why he wasn't with them. Everyone was quiet when they saw the trio leave the trolley and walk towards the fence. Some just wanted to hide when they could smell the werewolf. A few started to hiss when he got too close to the fence.

The werewolf stepped back and seemed occupied with his phone again. The nekos stopped hissing. But the elf and the tiny neko got right up to the fence and looked to see where the nekos were hiding.

She couldn't stand it anymore. She was the first one to step up to the fence. Claira Jaen spoke in the neko language to White Lion. He answered back in the same language. Poor Silver Moon couldn't understand them, but could see they were talking in a friendly way.

"Hello," said Silver Moon.

Claira Jaen answered, "Hello."

"Oh! You can speak two languages?"

"Yes, we all can. We learned to speak from Him."

"Him?"

"Our Creator. He won't tell us his name, but insists we must worship him."

"Oh, I see. Why are you locked in?"

"He won't let us out. Do you know the Guardians?"

"I know a couple of them who still act as Guardians even though they became vampires. The rest have granted me unlimited access to their archives."

"Please help us!" Claira Jaen whispered.

"What do you need?"

"I want to know how to read."

"Oh, I can help you learn. I taught White Lion."

"Really? That would be great. I don't know if anyone else wants to learn, but I know we all want to be free of Him. From what He says, I think the Guardians would help us."

"They would if they could prove you are being oppressed."

Claira Jaen looked at White Lion. "I think he is my younger brother."

"What makes you think that?" asked Silver Moon.

"He looks like him, but he was lost years ago. When he was still a kitten he snuck out under the fence and I was too big to go after him. Our mother died not too long before he ran off."

"Oh! I wish the Guardians were here. They could scan both of you to see to confirm if you are related. Although, I'd say it's highly likely because I think he's the only tiny neko in public view."

"That's what the computer says. I was on last night when He wasn't around."

"He doesn't let you use a computer?"

"No. He would be very angry if he ever found out. But I don't know how else I can learn about the world outside of here."

"I don't see how you could either." Silver Moon looked at the two nekos. She could see some similarities. "Here, let me take your picture and then I can send it to the Guardians I know. They should be able to help you in some way."

"Okay."

Claira Jaen told the other nekos what Silver Moon was going to do. They all stood back as the elf took Claira Jaen's picture. Silver Moon sent it off immediately.

"I don't know how long it will take, but they will do something. I know they will investigate, so you probably will see them coming out here to see you."

"We'll be looking for them. What do they look like?"

"Well, they could be anyone. Elves, fairies, werecreatures, vampires, nymphs, centaurs, or even nekos, but the taller ones."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, you're the tiny versions, but you'll probably be able to talk to them just like you and White Lion can talk to each other."

"Good." Claira Jaen told the other nekos. Some purred in response. "Okay, we will be watching and waiting. I hope you can come back as well."

"I'll see what I can do."

White Lion and Claira Jaen talked some more before he went back to the trolley with his mama and Black Wolf.

Leon stood on his terrace. He had just finished watering and tending to his garden. He looked out over the canal. He watched the boats come and go. He thought of his Guardian partner to be. He had finally learned her name. She was none other than Silver Moon Unicorn. She was a writer who was being claimed by the Guardians to be their spokesperson.

She had a tiny neko for a son. Leon didn't care that is was an adoption. He didn't have feelings one way or another for her being a mother. He just knew and cared that they would be able to work together and get their work done. That was more important to him.

But what about her partner, Black Wolf? Leon sighed. He could sense something was wrong between them, but he didn't want to get in the middle of it. He knew he would support her no matter what she had decided about the werewolf. Leon felt he had no right to tell her how she should live her life. All he could do was ask her to work with him.

He wondered when he would meet her and how she would react to his request.

## Chapter 5 My Mama Is an Elf!

Black Wolf was on his phone more and more. He was silent and stopped doing much of the cleaning. Silver Moon found herself biting her lip and wondering how to talk to him about it. White Lion was napping on his bean bag chair.

"Black Wolf."

He looked up from his phone.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, it's nothing." He put his phone away.

"Really? Then why did you stop cleaning?"

"Cleaning? Oh, I'll do that right now." He got up and did some cleaning.

Silver Moon sighed. She tried to get back to work and was busy drafting some new work. She glanced up to see Black Wolf from time to time. He wasn't that focused on the cleaning. She had no doubt that something was wrong. Something which he didn't want to talk about at all.

There was trouble brewing and there was nothing she could do to stop it from happening. She sighed and got back to work. She couldn't shake the feeling that things would be forever changed.

Her tablet chimed. It was a message from Sam Oranglov. He let her know the Guardians had heard of the rumors and could guess who the scientist was. They had some dealings with him in the past for creating human and animal hybrids like nekos and genetically modified foods. However, they didn't have a location before and with the new information and a picture of a tiny neko who wasn't White Lion, then they could investigate some more.

Silver Moon smiled. She knew Claira Jaen would be happy to know that.

Black Wolf's phone beeped again. He pulled it out of his pocket. This time it was a phone call. He stepped off the trolley. Silver Moon sighed. She shook her head. White Lion yawned as he woke up. He did some stretches and sat up.

He blinked and looked at his mama. "What's wrong, mama?"

She sighed. "I don't know. I think Black Wolf is going to leave us."

"What?!"

"Yeah, something is wrong, but he won't talk and I can't make him."

"Oh, no!"

"Yeah, just stay close, little one. I don't want to lose you. Or have you get into trouble."

"Okay."

She stood up and started to fix dinner for everyone. Soon White Lion was at the table sitting next to his mama enjoying his meal. Black Wolf was still talking on his phone outside. Neither Silver Moon nor White Lion could understand him because he was speaking a different language.

She glared at the werewolf and didn't say anything more about him. White Lion finished his meal and went to the bathroom to clean up. When he came out, he stopped at the table.

"Mama, I'm going to go for a walk. I'll be back later."

"Okay. Just don't wander off too far."

"Okay." He stepped off the trolley and walked around the area. He looked all around him. He could see dragons flying overhead and in the distance.

Soon he found himself back at the fence. He meowed hoping to see Claira Jaen again. He waited and watched. He saw some nekos approach. They checked him out. Then they talked to him.

Some didn't seem as nice as Claira Jaen, but they did talk to him. He was their only connection to the outside world and they didn't want him to leave. White Lion checked the fence and was able to find an area that was weakened. He and the other nekos attacked the weak area. Eventually, it broke enough that he could sneak inside to see how they lived.

The other nekos showed him around and told the newcomer about their Creator. White Lion didn't think he'd like their Creator. He sounded mean and wouldn't allow the nekos out of their camp. But he looked and listened as best as he could. He knew he could tell his mama about this adventure afterwards.

The nekos found Claira Jaen in the lab on a computer. She was trying to contact the Guardians, but didn't know how. She couldn't read, so she couldn't see the information. She could see pictures relating to the Guardians, but she wasn't making any progress.

White Lion greeted her. She answered back. He grabbed a chair and sat next to her at the computer.

"Oh, I see! So the Guardians are mentioned, but many people think they are a myth or just stories to tell their children."

Claira Jaen sighed.

"Oh, right, you can't read yet. I'm not sure how to teach you."

"It's okay. I was trying to see if I could contact them."

"My mama contacted them. I'm sure they know you exist now."

"I hope so. Then where are they?"

"I don't know. Let's keep looking."

They continued to search. Claira Jaen came up with keywords and White Lion typed them in and read off the results. It was hours later when they were caught.

"Now what is this? A tiny neko who can read!"

Both nekos stopped what they were doing. They stared at Him.

"Now, Claira Jaen, I know you can't read. So who is this neko who can read?"

Neither answered him.

"Well? Who are you?"

"I'm White Lion Unicorn."

The scientist rolled his eyes. He grabbed a scanner and ran it near both nekos. He smiled. "Oh, I know who you are. You are that neko that got lost after your mother died."

"My mama is still alive."

"No, she's dead. And I, well, I happened to be your father."

"What?" both nekos said.

"Yes, you two are my children. The others were created from genetic material I had lying around. But you two are special. You're my flesh and blood. Your mother, I created her as well, she was a cat who could walk upright. Yes, this is so good. I have my children back. Both of them."

The nekos glanced at each other and then back at the scientist.

"But my mama is an elf!"

"That's not possible. You have no elvish blood. Just human and cat."

"No! My mama is an elf and she's alive!"

The scientist put the scanner down. "Listen. I know what I'm talking about. Your mother is dead. It's not possible that you have an elvish mother."

"But I do! Her name is Silver Moon Unicorn!"

"Never heard of her."

"Silver Moon Unicorn found him when he escaped through the fence! I saw her take him with her."

"What?" the scientist screamed. "Why didn't you tell me before now?"

"Because he was my brother and..."

"And?"

She shook her head.

"How dare you keep secrets from me!"

Both nekos watched Him closely.

"Do you know the consequences of not telling me what had happened to your brother?"

Claira Jaen flinched.

"Well?"

She said nothing as her lips quivered.

"Fine!" The scientist raised his right hand and struck Claira Jaen off her chair.

"Hey!" White Lion grabbed several small boxes off of the table and threw them at the scientist.

"Stop it!" The scientist threw up his arms to protect himself.

Outside the lab, the other nekos had gathered and now they were hissing. They broke down the door and ran towards the scientist. Claira Jaen was lying on the floor crying. White Lion jumped off the chair to see what he could do for her. Another neko came over and tended to Claira Jaen while White Lion held her hand.

The scientist ran out of the lab to get away from the nekos. He pulled out a tablet computer and opened up the app which controlled everything in the compound. He soon had everyone locked in. He screamed, ranted, and raved, while the nekos banded together and stayed in the lab.

Leon sat on the meditating pillow in his apartment. His eyes were closed. He breathed deeply and slowly. He could sense danger approaching Silver Moon. He sent her some helpful energy to her to cope with it. He could see her sitting all alone on the trolley. She was having a hard time concentrating on her work.

Once again, she knew someone was watching, but she didn't know who it was. She could see no one. She sighed. She kept trying to write, but she was too upset. What was she going to do now? She needed to get to Elsewhere and she couldn't. She was stuck waiting for her son to come back.

Leon wondered where the werewolf was. It was just Silver Moon on the trolley by herself. Things just seemed to keep getting worse for her. Finally she was able to get back to her writing.

He opened his eyes and sighed. It was all he could for now. He stood up and went to take a shower. He put on his pajamas and went to bed. Soon he was asleep.

## Chapter 6 White Lion Doesn't Make it Home

Black Wolf slept outside. He couldn't stand it anymore. He knew he wasn't going to get what he wanted from her. So why bother sleeping in the same room with her? Why pretend? He told himself he didn't care. He would soon take off. There was no need for him to do anymore cleaning.

He couldn't see why she couldn't do all the housework. She was a woman. It was her job. If she really wanted to be his wife, then she would understand that. He slept without any dreams and was awoken by more urgent messages. He dealt with them as best as he could.

But time was running out for him.

Inside the trolley, Silver Moon was lying on her bean bag chair. She couldn't sleep. She knew something had happened to White Lion. But she sensed he was okay for the moment. Still he wasn't there with her. She didn't know where he was. That was the whole problem.

She heard Black Wolf's phone beeping on and off. She knew he would leave soon and there was nothing she could do about it. But perhaps it would be better that way. He had stopped cleaning altogether. He gave no reason as to why. He didn't even tell her what he wanted to eat anymore.

She was puzzled why he would suddenly act the way he was now. She heard him talking on his phone. She sat up. She couldn't understand much of what he said, but she waited. She kept sensing her son and his wavering that he was in trouble and not safe, but among friends. That puzzled her as well.

She heard Black Wolf disconnect the call. She stood up and walked to the back porch of the trolley. "Black Wolf?"

"Yes?"

"What's going on?"

"Uh..."

She sighed. "Well, White Lion is in trouble again. He should have come back by now."

"Uh, yeah..."

"Do you know what happened to him?"

"No."

"Really? Then why have you been acting the way you have lately? What's happened to you?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

"No, really, you wouldn't."

"So you just want to keep it from me and quit cleaning?"

"Well... yes!"

"I see. You better not harm my son."

He stared at her with new eyes. "So he's more important to you than I am?"

"Why are you making me choose between you?"

"I'm not, but you have chosen him over me. That's not fair!"

Silver Moon looked puzzled.

"How can he even be your son? He's half cat, half human, and you're an elf! It's just not possible."

"It's by adoption."

"Oh, yeah? Then where's the paperwork for that?"

She said nothing as she continued to stare at him.

"So it's not even legal! Wow, that's such a shock. Good, sweet, innocent Silver Moon kidnapped a neko and claimed him as her son."

She shook her head. "It wasn't like that."

"Sure it was. Who are his parents?"

"I don't know. I found him and I took care of him. I didn't know how young he was at the time. He could have died if I didn't take care of him."

"You can't know something like that."

"There was no one else around! He was all alone! You really expect me to just leave him where I found him? What the hell is wrong with you!"

"Nothing! It's you! Not me! You! You're so frigid! You're never going to sleep with me! You haven't tended to my needs at all! Just his!"

"What?"

"Yeah, you heard me. Why don't you put out? Hmm. What's wrong with you?"

Silver Moon shook her head and shook uncontrollably. "Why are you doing this? I thought you understood..."

"Yeah, well, you took too long. I don't need to stick around and wait for something that won't happen. You'd make a terrible wife for me. The housework is supposed to be your job! Not mine! There's no reason for me to do any more cleaning!" He shapeshifted into a wolf and took off running.

Silver Moon watched him go and cried. She couldn't even focus to figure out where her son could be.

Many of the nekos were still hissing and growling. Claira Jaen was recovering. She opened her eyes and looked up at White Lion. She smiled.

"Hi, little brother."

He smiled back. "Hi, big sister."

"Do you remember me?"

He shook his head. "No, but I believe you. I doubt mama will have a hard time accepting you as my sister."

"That's good. She seems like a good mama to me."

"I only remember mama and no one else before that."

"You were pretty young. That's probably why you don't remember me or our mom."

"Oh?" He was still puzzled by the insistence of another mother.

"He probably won't be back for quite some time. Will you help me to learn to read while we wait?"

"Well, I'll try. I'll teach you the alphabet first."

White Lion taught Claira Jaen how to sing the alphabet and he showed her what all the letters looked like. The other nekos listened and started to sing along as well. Many came over and asked that White Lion show them the letters again and again.

The scientist heard the nekos singing and he hated it. He covered his ears. Then he realized they were singing the alphabet of all things. "Nooooo!" he screamed. He stormed to the lab and was met by hissing, growling nekos with claws bared.

He stepped back. Too many of them had claws on their hands and feet. He needed a weapon to fight through them. He ground his teeth and then spun around and went to his private room. He threw himself down on his bed and ranted and raved.

The nekos relaxed once they heard him in his room. Then they resumed their reading lessons. They didn't care how loud they were. They all wanted to learn. Even the adults who had children wanted to learn how to read. The little ones enjoyed the fun of the singing and recognizing the letters.

White Lion used the computer to teach them to read children's books available online. The stories were silly or simple, but no one cared. They were having fun reading.

The scientist could hear the nekos in his room. He pulled his hair. He screamed. He blamed the Guardians. "What went wrong with my creations? They shouldn't want to read! They don't need to read!" He jumped on his bed.

The nekos didn't stop with the lessons. They were too fun and He hated it. 

## Chapter 7 All Alone

Silver Moon woke up late after a restless, very little sleep night. She was miserable and all alone. She got up and looked around the trolley. No one else had been on it besides her. She stepped outside, but could find no trace of the werewolf. She got back on board and went to the kitchen area. She grabbed some fruit and nuts to help clear her head.

She needed to find out where her son was. She missed Black Wolf, but knew she couldn't make him come back. After she ate, she sent a message to Sam Oranglov about her missing son. She was brushing her teeth when he called her back.

"When did you last see your son?"

"Last evening after dinner. I told him to come back home before dark, but he's still not here. I get the sense he's in trouble again, but among friends."

"Hmm. That sounds odd."

"I know. I wouldn't be surprised if he was with the other tiny nekos we met the other day."

Sam smiled. "That would sound like something he would do. Felicia and I are looking into the neko colony now. We are checking on all the available information we have so far. We also are hearing quite a few rumors from other sources. We're in contact now with some nekos. The taller ones, that is. They don't have much to tell us other than they are surprised to hear there are more than just White Lion who are tiny versions of themselves."

"I never knew if he was unique. He was all alone when I found him."

"Did you find him there?"

"I don't remember where I was when I found him. That time period is a blur. It wasn't too long after I started traveling around on the trolley."

"Memory can play tricks on us, if we're not careful."

"Yes, I know." She sighed.

"Is Black Wolf helping you find your son?"

"No. He took off. I don't know where he is."

"What happened?"

"We got into a horrible fight last night. He's jealous of my son. I don't think he wants to come back."

"Okay. We'll keep an eye out for the werewolf."

"Good idea."

"Let me know if anything else happens. Hopefully, your son will show up on his own."

"I hope so. He usually does."

Sam's face disappeared from her tablet. She set the tablet down and finished brushing her teeth. Then she proceeded to clean up the trolley to expel some agitated energy. When she was done, she sat down on her bean bag chair and grabbed her tablet.

Soon she was writing again and starting to feel better. She went on to do some of her work. It was going well until she received a message.

It was blatant without any doubt as to what it meant. It said, "You must leave the trolley immediately. It is not your property. We will come and claim it within the next few days. If you have not vacated it by that time, we will forcibly remove you."

She stared at the message with her mouth gaping open and her eyes big and wide. She sent the message to Sam immediately. She also told him she knew the trolley legally belonged to Black Wolf.

Sam, a vampire, sent a message back stating for her to wait for him and Felicia, a vampire fairy, to arrive. Silver Moon cried for a while and then got back to her writing. There was nothing else she could do at the moment. She kept having to fight back tears while she tried to get as much work done as she could. But she still wondered about her son.

The nekos all slept in the lab. Some of the parents got up before the rest of them to get food for everyone. While everyone was eating, Claira Jaen had an idea, which she shared with everyone. The other nekos readily agreed. Then they all turned to White Lion and asked him to try to send all the data He had on them to the Guardians.

White Lion blinked. Then he climbed onto a chair in front of the computer. He contacted his mama to get a Guardian contact. She contacted him on the computer.

"Oh, thank goodness! I've been worried about you."

"I'm okay, mama. I'm with the other nekos."

They crowded behind him to see the elf.

"Oh, okay. Sam and Felicia said they were trying to get to you nekos. They are researching what information they have so far. And they are on their way over to us."

"Good. My friends want me to send the Guardians all the data He has gathered on them. They think it will help the Guardians to understand us better."

"It will. I'm sending you Sam's contact info now."

"Got it. Thanks, mama."

"Take care, little one."

He smiled as her image winked out. He found and sent all the data he could find on the computer and sent it to Sam. It took time. So, he and the nekos did some more reading. Some of the nekos, like Claira Jaen, were catching on fast, while others struggled, but kept at it.

The scientist was too afraid to leave his room. So he laid on his bed exhausted. He groaned to hear the nekos in the lab reading again. He grabbed a pillow and put it over his face. But he could still hear them.

Sam contacted the nekos as soon as he and Felicia had checked over the data. White Lion answered him.

"Hi, Sam and Felicia!"

"Hi, White Lion, and nekos." Sam looked at all the nekos trying to crowd behind White Lion. "What are you doing at the moment?"

"Oh, I was helping them to learn how to read because Claira Jaen asked me to teach her and the rest decided they wanted to learn as well."

"Wow. How it is going so far?"

"Well, they can all sing the alphabet and recognize the letters. But it's hard to know how well they are doing when many of them shout out the letter names and read out loud."

Sam and Felicia smiled. She sat next to Sam and was quiet throughout the conversation as she was piloting their ship.

"We have a fix on your location, but we can't see how to get inside."

"Oh, He must have closed off the compound with his controller!" shouted one of the nekos.

"He?"

"Their creator, who claims to be my father."

"Oh. Right, the genetic engineer that we've had trouble with in the past. Got it. Can you get the controller from him to open up the compound?"

"I don't know," said White Lion.

"We'll get it!" A couple of nekos shouted. They ran off to His room to stealthily get the controller from Him.

"Well, that certainly makes things easier. We've sent the data on your colony to the other Guardians, who will review the information and make more notes. They will try to contact you as well. In the meantime, we will have to pick up your mama who has been asked to leave the trolley. We have suitcases for her so she can pack up."

"What? Why does she have to leave the trolley?"

"She and Black Wolf had a fight and he's gone. It sounds like he's taking his trolley back."

"Oh, no!"

"Why didn't she tell us?" asked Claira Jaen.

"She probably didn't want to talk about it and upset White Lion."

"She really is a good mama to him, isn't she?"

"Yes. That's why we don't want to separate them."

"He's my brother."

"He is? Well, we will scan both of you to confirm that."

"Okay. Will we have to be separated again?"

"No. I don't see why we'd have to do that."

"Wait, would his mama mind me?"

"Probably not, but I can't speak for her."

"Okay."

Some screaming and yelling occurred in the scientist's room. Followed by other loud noises for several minutes.

"I take it, the nekos are getting the controller," commented Sam.

The computer announced, "The compound is now unlocked."

The nekos cheered. The scientist screamed.

## Chapter 8 The Guardians Investigate Rumors

Claire Rose Lutin, an elf, and her Guardian partner, Myadin, a werewolf, were busy reading all the new data on the nekos. They compared it to the data they had received from other nekos from around the planet.

"Claire, did you see this?"

"What?"

"It says it's the famous geneticist again who created the human/animal hybrids, like the nekos."

"Meh. Yeah, I see that now. He's also the creator of the tiny nekos. Damn him."

Myadin raised his eyebrows. "I see you're still upset about your health issues."

"Yeah, they were caused by the bad food he created. It didn't even stop world hunger."

"Nope. In the archives, it's very clear what the genetically modified food did to many people who ate it. Most were worse off than you ever were."

"I know. I feel bad they were so sick and didn't understand why. And to make things worse, they couldn't get decent healthcare. The treatments just made them sicker and many died as a result."

"Yes, people are still sick in general, but many are getting better."

"Yes, I hope it continues. It's nearly impossible to undo all the damage he caused."

"Unfortunately, that is very true." He paused as he checked the information. "I wish one of the nekos came with us. It might help us make contact with the tiny ones."

Claire Rose smiled. "Yeah, I wish one would have come with us, but White Lion is with them. He'll talk to us."

"Oh? Are you sure?"

"Yeah, look at the new data on the tiny nekos. It came straight from the lab. White Lion was the one who sent it out originally."

"Okay, so what's their status now?"

"Sounds like there is a rebellion occurring. The tiny nekos are learning how to read from White Lion. Some can do it very well already."

"So they are highly intelligent."

"And that geneticist didn't want them to learn in the first place. He probably wants them to stay in the compound. Sounds like the nekos want to be free instead."

"Yes, it does. Wilhelm strikes out again. I would think by now he would have learned better social skills."

"Ha! Wilhelm learn social skills? If he hasn't before he became an adult, it's doubtful he will now. Doesn't sound like he's changed at all."

"I don't know about you, but I've read enough. Let's go help those nekos."

"Okay. Let's see their current location. Ah. It's close enough we can both run there in a couple of hours easily. Uh..."

"What?"

"We may want to avoid the labyrinth. It's not to far from there."

Myadin checked the map. "Oh. That labyrinth. Okay, so if we go around that way, we will miss it. Funny how the transportation network doesn't go anywhere near it."

"I know. I think most people just don't want to go there, but sometimes people end up there when they don't want to."

"Yeah, I've read of the documented cases. Some people barely made it out alive."

"Eek. That is bad. I guess some people just didn't want to face their fears or insecurities."

"Okay. Let's go." He transformed into a wolf.

Claire Rose smiled at him. "Okay, I'm ready. Let's go."

They took off running. Two hours later, they were at the compound. They stopped and looked around. The first thing they noticed was Silver Moon Unicorn's trolley was driven away by someone who wasn't her. Then they heard lots of screaming and hissing from the compound.

Claire Rose pulled out her communicator. "Sam, I thought that trolley was Ms. Unicorn's."

"It wasn't technically. She and her partner had a fight and it's his. Felicia and I have her. We're taking her to safety. How are the nekos?"

"Not sure just yet. There's a lot of screaming. Some of it is coming from Wilhelm and the rest sounds like cats fighting."

"Oh! Ms. Unicorn will want her son back as soon as possible."

"Understood. Let her know we will do what we can to save as many nekos as possible."

"Good. Meet you in Elsewhere."

"Acknowledged." She put the communicator away. "Okay, Mya, are you ready to deal with some angry nekos?"

He whimpered.

"Oh, I know you're a wolf. I doubt that changing back into human form will help you. The nekos will know by your smell that you're a werewolf."

He nodded.

"Alright, let's get through the open gate and see what we're up against."

They walked into the compound and looked around. Soon a couple of nekos stopped in front of them. They growled lowly at the new pair.

"Hello, I'm Claire Rose Lutin and this is Myadin. We're Guardians sent to help you out."

"Guardians? He's a werewolf."

"Yes, he is, but he won't attack you."

"What if he does?"

"Then I'll beat him and he knows it."

Myadin whimpered.

"Okay, come this way. We have kittens to protect."

"Kittens? Oh, but I thought that wasn't possible. White Lion can't have any."

"Claira Jaen can't either. She doesn't complain about it."

"That's a good thing."

The nekos led Claire Rose and Myadin in the lab. There they found White Lion and Claira Jaen trying to keep some of the nekos from panicking.

"Oh, hi, Claire Rose and Myadin!" exclaimed White Lion.

"Hi, White Lion."

Myadin barked hello.

Claire Rose pulled out her scanner. "I hear Claira Jaen says White Lion is her lost brother. Let's check your genes for both of you to find out if it's true."

"Okay," both nekos answered. They held still as Claire Rose ran the scanner over both of them, one at a time.

"Oh, now this is interesting."

"What?" Claira Jaen asked.

"You two are sister and brother and you have the same two parents."

"But my mama is an elf."

"Yes, she is, but I'm talking about genetics. Silver Moon Unicorn isn't your biological mother, but she raised you just the same. Ergo she is your mama."

"Oh?"

"It's alright, we know you imprinted on Lady Silver Moon Unicorn when you were very young. So, there is nothing anyone can say to disprove that belief of yours."

"So mama isn't my biological mother?"

"Right. That was someone else. Here, let me show you pictures of your biological mother." Claire Rose pulled out her little computer and quickly found information on White Lion's biological mother. "See, you and your sister look something like her."

"Oh! I think I'm starting to get it now."

Claire Rose smiled. "Good. So, you have had two mothers in this lifetime. That's more than most people ever get."

White Lion nodded. "So mama can still be my mama."

"Yes, of course. I doubt she'll have a problem with you having a different biological mother."

"Good. And what about Claira Jaen?"

"What about her?"

"Well, would my mama be okay with her too?"

"Why wouldn't she?"

Wilhelm was still screaming. He managed to get his controller back and he closed up the compound.

The computer said, "The compound is now closed."

The nekos gasped. Some screamed. Others hissed and growled.

Claire Rose grabbed one of her light swords. "Oh, no. Sounds like playtime is over. We'll have to get all the nekos out of here as soon as possible."

Myadin nodded. Both he and Claire Rose ran to the walls to hide as Wilhelm stormed back into the lab.

"There will be no more reading lessons. If anyone dares to disobey me, then I will have to kill you."

The nekos got quiet. Mothers held their kittens closer to them.

"Good, I see that you all understand." He walked over to his computer.

The nekos all went to different areas of the lab. Wilhelm, the scientist didn't see the werewolf or the elf blending into the lab walls.

Felicia landed the ship near the trolley. Silver Moon stood up and went to the back porch to meet the vampire couple.

Sam carried two suitcases. "I hope these will be enough for you to pack up your son's things and your things."

"I think I can manage. I have a backpack as well."

Silver Moon put her tablet in the backpack. She quickly filled up one suitcase with White Lion's clothes, toiletries, and his teddy bear. Then she proceeded to fill up her suitcase with her clothes, shoes, and toiletries. Then she looked around at the kitchen. She sighed. She knew she would have to leave all the kitchen items there.

She found a few mementos and put them in her backpack. Then she grabbed what food she could and put that in the backpack as well. She looked at the vampires. "Okay, I think that's it. Or at least all that is important to us."

"Okay, this way to the ship." Sam took the suitcases.

Silver Moon followed with her backpack on her back. Felicia sat down in the pilot's chair. Sam put the suitcases in the back near the chairs. Then he sat down next to Felicia. Silver Moon took off her backpack and set it down in front of her.

"Everyone ready?"

"Yes," both Silver Moon and Sam answered.

"Takeoff in 30 seconds."

"Have you heard from my son?"

"Yes, he sounds like he's fine with the other nekos. He's been giving them some reading lessons."

Silver Moon smiled. "Claira Jaen said she wanted to learn how to read."

"Well, apparently, they all do. They all want to be free of their creator, the infamous geneticist, Wilhelm."

"Oh, him..."

Sam smiled. "Yeah, we all know him and we know what he did to harm the people of Platinum, especially where you're from. He doesn't seem to understand that the food he altered was no good for anyone."

"He didn't understand that we weren't altered to be able to utilize that food he created."

"Unfortunately, no, he doesn't get that part. And from his notes, it sounds like he still hasn't acquired any people skills."

Silver Moon sighed. "So he created the tiny nekos, including my son?"

"He did create the tiny nekos, but not all of them. Many of them can and do tend to have kittens."

"But I was told that White Lion was fixed."

"Hmm." He answered a message from Claire Rose.

"According to Wilhelm's notes, White Lion is his son by a cat he created who could walk upright. But she was a feline and not human. She was able to get pregnant from Wilhelm's sperm. Claire Rose scanned both White Lion and Claira Jaen and concluded they are siblings with the same two parents. White Lion is the tiny neko who escaped and ran off when still just a kitten."

"Oh! He has a sister. I hope that makes him happy." She sighed. "Where are we going to stay?"

"We're taking you to Elsewhere."

"Oh, good. We were on our way there." She looked out the window and saw someone claiming the trolley. They got on board and drove off. She tried hard not to cry, but a tear still escaped down her cheek.

Sam saw the tear, but said nothing.

No one spoke for the rest of trip to Elsewhere. 

## Chapter 9 Meet Me in Elsewhere...

Wilhelm was pleased that the nekos were quiet and not challenging Him now. He made some notes into his computer. He didn't notice an elf or a werewolf quietly approach him. Then it was too late.

The wolf knocked him over. The elf drew her other light sword. Wilhelm drew his blaster, but it was no use. The elf was much faster with both of her light swords in hand. He was soon disarmed. He jumped up and ran towards his room. There he found his knife.

The nekos were on the move again. White Lion and Claira Jaen stood with those who didn't have kittens to take care of. Claire Rose and Myadin ran with the other nekos to go after the scientist. He fought back with his knife and many nekos were injured. Myadin had to stay back. He tried to take as many nekos as he could with him.

She was too quick for Wilhelm to stab her. Just when he thought he had her, he'd only find air. He was growling and screaming colorful metaphors at everyone present. But White Lion got a little too close.

"You need to let us all go!" White Lion pushed Wilhelm.

The geneticist fell backwards. He jumped back up and stabbed White Lion. "You dare tell me what to do? Ungrateful son!"

"Ow!"

Claira Jaen grabbed White Lion and pulled him out of the way. Claire Rose jumped in front of the nekos.

"That's enough, Wilhelm! I can get you for child abuse! That one is your own son and he may die now because you."

"Well, he shouldn't disobey me!"

"Enough!" Claire Rose went on the attack and soon Wilhelm couldn't fight back anymore. He was out of breath.

A few nekos came to guard Him. Claire Rose called for help to transport all the nekos to Elsewhere. She made sure to request medical help quickly. There were several nekos who could die if they didn't hurry.

A ship was dispatched immediately. It had a complete medical staff who quickly reviewed the nekos' biology from Wilhelm's notes and from known biology of other nekos. They were ready for the injured. Fortunately for the nekos, it didn't take the ship long to reach them.

Claira Jaen stayed close to White Lion as they carried him to the ship. The medical staff took him and other injured nekos straight to the sickbay.

"Can you save my brother?"

"Yes, dear. Here's a chair for you. Just stay there so we can do what we need to."

"Okay." She climbed on the chair and sat as still as she could.

Other nekos were led to the observation deck to wait. Geneticist Wilhelm was handcuffed and taken to the brig. He frowned the whole way.

In the sickbay, the medical staff stitched up White Lion's wound, but discovered he was in desperate need of blood. They quickly consulted the computer for possible donors. They found one.

"Who is Claira Jaen? How are we to find her now?"

"I'm Claira Jaen!" She stood up on the chair. "What's wrong?"

"Oh! Goodness. Your brother needs a blood transfusion and you're the only suitable donor for him."

"Okay. What do I need to do?"

"Well, first of all, sit back down. Good. We will have to stick a needle in you to get the blood."

"Will it hurt?"

"A little. We'll try to be careful." The medical staff prepared and did what they needed do.

It did hurt, but she didn't cry. She bit her lip and tried to be quiet and still as she squeezed a ball in her right hand. They gathered the blood. Then took the needle out. They covered her wound and gave the blood to her brother.

Claira Jaen wouldn't leave her brother. She held his hand. She kept biting her lip and sighed. The staff kept an eye on her and her brother. There was nothing more they could do but wait.

While they waited, they scanned Claira Jaen for injuries. They could see the most recent bruise on her face.

"How did you get that bruise?"

"He hit me."

"Who?"

"The Creator."

The medical staff stared at the neko. They checked the notes again and found out who the Creator was. "Oh, I see. There isn't anything we can do for the bruise, but let it heal up on its own. You seem fine other than that."

Claira Jaen said nothing as she continued to hold her brother's hand.

Black Wolf didn't keep track of how long he had been running, but soon found himself in front of the labyrinth. He was puzzled. He didn't expect to find it. He had thought he would have missed it on his way back to his home. But yet, here he was. There was no way around it now.

So, he walked inside. He was still a wolf, but he had no sense of direction inside the labyrinth. He was dizzy and confused. It seemed to go on for hours. He felt more lost than he had in a long time. But then he found himself inside a room. He looked around, but he saw nothing at all.

Until he saw Silver Moon Unicorn form in front of him. She was ghostlike, but still very beautiful. Overwhelmingly so. He howled. But something was wrong. She looked sad. She turned away from him. He tried to ask her to come back, but she faded. Then another woman appeared in front of him. She was more solid. Her smile was wicked, and she held a baby.

"That's right, Na'athan, you come back to me now. We have a child and you have to help me raise him. It is your son."

The wolf stopped in his tracks. It hit him all at once. What had he done to Silver Moon? Was he not serious enough about her? Was that why she never felt comfortable enough to sleep with him? He stared at the other woman. Sure he liked to play, but what was it about Silver Moon that he thought he had wanted to be with her?

He shook his head. The other woman faded. He walked out of the room. He knew then he would never be able to get back together with Silver Moon Unicorn. He would have to live without her for the rest of his life. However long that would be.

He didn't know how long it took him to get out of the labyrinth, but as soon as he was he ran as fast as he could to get home. He didn't worry about the trolley because he knew someone would get it for him. But where would Silver Moon go? He tried not to think about it.

It was too late to help her now. He had already made a decision which ended up separating them forever. He knew he would never see her again. There was no way he could even apologize for how things turned out. Now he had no choice. He knew the child could be his and he didn't have the strength to contest that fact.

The other woman had won. He had no other options left anymore. He had run away and now he had to go back. Running away hadn't solved anything. Instead, it had only made things worse for him and for other people. He wondered if he would be able to get a job once he got back home. He hoped so if the other woman expected him to take care of their son and her.

She wouldn't exactly be cheap. That he knew without calculating anything. There probably wasn't going to be any money left over for him. He didn't care. At least he had a son and a woman who was willing to tend to his needs. Inwardly he smiled. He was going to play again.

At least the other woman didn't seem to care if he played with someone who wasn't her. So much the better. He tried to forget the elf he saw dancing in the clearing with her neko son. But it wasn't working and he knew it.

Soon he would be home where he wouldn't have to even think about the two he was leaving behind.

Leon had been rowing the traghetto with an older elf. He had offered her a ride across the Grand Canal, but she had shook her head no. He wasn't sure why she, an elf named Silver Moon Unicorn, was shaking her head. He wasn't going to push her. There had to be a reason.

He had been rowing the traghetto another day when he had seen her again. She had gotten in the ferry this time. She had reached out for his hand to steady herself and tried to look in his eyes. At the last minute, she had lowered her eyes. She had sat down behind him. When the short ride was over, she had waited for the other passengers to get out before she had stood up.

He had offered his hand to help steady her, but she had reached out for a pole lodged in the water as she had given him a coin to pay for her fare. He had watched her walk away.

The younger gondoliers had teased him about her. He had kept turning his head to try to get another glimpse of her. But she was gone and he didn't know when he would see her again.

He sighed at the memory. He saw her again. She was standing on the opposite of the Grand Canal as he was. He wasn't rowing the ferry this time, but had just given some tourists a ride in his gondola. She had seen him.

His gondola was different than the others. It had silver decorations. A pair of silver winged lions, a symbol for the city of Elsewhere, and the Goddess of Victory leading him to victory. She had seen it and knew it was his.

She looked at him and asked him with her mind— there was no way he would have heard her if she had spoken— "Were you the one who summoned me here? Please give me a sign."

He looked to her across the canal. He had heard her question even though he wasn't as good with the common language as she was. It wasn't his first language. He went to the front of his gondola and turned the Goddess of Victory to face left instead of forward. Then he proceeded to cover of the rest of the gondola.

He hoped she would see it. He also hoped he would see her again soon.

## Chapter 10 Mama and Son Reunited

Silver Moon was given a room in a hotel. She had just received the news about her son. She was waiting for the hospital to call her when she could see him again. It felt like she had lain on the bed for hours without sleeping. She didn't unpack anything at all. She cried for a while. Then she went for a walk.

She watched the gondoliers and was fascinated. It was magical just to watch them. She noticed there were no motorboats at all traveling around the city. That was when she realized her summoner was one of the gondoliers. Then she saw him.

She knew when she had seen him that he would become important to her. She just gaped at him.

He said, "Traghetto?"

She shook her head no. She watched him go and then she went walking again. She didn't stop until she was back in her hotel room. She laid back down on the bed.

Finally, she received a face to face call from the hospital. The caller gave her excellent directions on how to reach the hospital from her hotel. Silver Moon sat up and wiped away her tears. She walked out of the room.

Soon she was out on the cobblestone streets making her way to the hospital. It wasn't a long walk. No one hassled her once she was in the hospital. She went to where she was told and she wasted no time asking for her son. A nurse led the way to his bed.

Claira Jaen was sitting by him holding his hand. She looked up at Silver Moon. "Meow."

"Hi, Claira Jaen." Silver Moon walked to the other side of the bed and held his other hand. "Darling, I'm here."

White Lion opened his eyes. "Mama?"

"Yes, I'm here."

He smiled at her. "They had to get some blood from Claira Jaen and give it to me."

"Oh!"

"Yeah, that needle hurt."

"I did get the news that you two are siblings."

"Yeah, he's my little brother who snuck out of the compound when he was just a kitten."

Silver Moon smiled. "He's still a little escape artist. He tends to go off and have adventures and sometimes he has trouble finding his way back home."

Claira Jaen smiled. "I'm glad to have him back."

"So am I."

"Mama, Claira Jaen can read now."

"I don't know how good at it I am."

"I heard. That's wonderful. I wouldn't be surprised if the Guardians set up a school for you nekos."

"That sounds good to me." Claira Jaen paused. "An elf and a werewolf came to rescue us from Him."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, it was Claire Rose Lutin and Myadin."

"Oh, you know them, brother?"

"I've met them."

"Well, we nekos aren't too sure of werewolves."

"Why is that? I noticed White Lion didn't like to be around Black Wolf at first."

"They're wolves! They could eat us!"

"I didn't think about that. Dogs are domesticated wolves and dogs do like to eat cats sometimes."

Both nekos looked at her with a little fear in their eyes.

"There are plenty of were creatures who aren't dangerous and won't harm you."

"Well, this one didn't. He defended and helped us." Claira Jaen let go of her brother's hand.

"When are they going to let him out of the hospital?"

"I don't know. They haven't told me yet."

A nurse came by to check on White Lion. His vitals were good and improving.

"Nurse, when can he leave?"

"Oh, it won't be much longer now. Possibly tomorrow. They want to make sure there's nothing else wrong. He did lose a lot of blood."

"I know. I'm glad he's doing much better now."

The nurse smiled and made notes on his progress. Then promptly left.

Silver Moon sighed. "Well, that's a relief. I don't think I could stand to lose you, little one."

White Lion smiled. "I wasn't planning on going anywhere, mama."

Silver Moon shook her head.

"It was quite an adventure this time..." White Lion went in vivid detail about his time with the other nekos. Claira Jaen added some comments here and there. Silver Moon, of course, listened with avid interest.

Leon was walking into the church to find his best friend. He had met Silver Moon Unicorn up close and had to let his friend know.

Loren smiled as soon as he saw his friend. "My friend, you are glowing."

"She got into the traghetto and let me help her in and out of it."

"Oh!"

"She has beautiful eyes."

"And?"

"She snubbed me."

"And still you like her. There is no hope for you."

"Perhaps not." Leon smiled. "But you know I didn't summon her for that."

"I know, but you still have those feelings for her."

"What am I going to do? I don't have a death wish."

"No? Is she that kind of woman?"

"Yes, unfortunately for me." Leon sighed. "There are notes about how she responds to suitors in the Guardian archives. She isn't always so nice to them."

Loren put his arm about his friend's shoulders. "If you could win her over, you'd be a very lucky man."

"Yeah, but I don't feel so lucky..." Leon sighed. "I just asked for someone I could work with. I didn't expect the rest of this to happen as well..."

Loren shook his head. "You'll just have to tell her why you summoned her in the first place."

"Yes, I will. I'll tell her everything."

"Now, I know you're in trouble."

Na'athan sat at the table. His son was screaming. His wife was busy cooking and trying to soothe the baby. The werewolf frowned. He thought about an elf and a neko who were much quieter and got along better. He sighed.

It was a memory from another time on this same trolley. He had remembered he did run off to find someone to play with. He found this woman he was now married to. She was great. He had never told the elf. At the time, he had believed she wouldn't mind at all.

She didn't seem to know. That's when he decided he had to have the elf back in his life. He thought some more. Why couldn't he have them both? It was certainly possible. A plan was forming in his mind. He smiled.

His son was finally quiet and he had food in front of him. This time it wasn't vegetarian. Just the way he liked it. His wife sat down and ate with him unaware of his thoughts pounding in his head.

## Chapter 11 Silver Moon Plans

Silver Moon was dreaming and she knew it. Yet, it was a memory at the same time. She was a cashier in a giant retail store. Customers were yelling at her again about how she and other employees didn't know where things were or what the store had for sale.

She said nothing, but stared at the customers. It was true, the store was so big that the employees, including Silver Moon, tended to get lost looking for things. Still she did what she could for them. But sometimes, that just wasn't enough.

She woke up with a start to find herself in a strange bed. She blinked and remembered she was now staying in a hotel room. Her son and his sister were still in the hospital. His sister had refused to leave him by himself. Hopefully, today she would be able to get her son out of the hospital. Silver Moon thought Claira Jaen would want to come with them.

She got up and got dressed. She went downstairs to get some breakfast. Then she went for a walk. She found the same gondolier rowing a traghetto again. This time she got in after trying to look him in the eye. She sat down behind him. The boat rocked gently back and forth across the Grand Canal.

After they reached the other side, she waited for other people to get off the boat before standing up. The gondolier offered her his hand. She put a coin in it as she reached for the pole. Then she got out of the boat and walked away. She turned around wondering if she should wait for him. She could see him turning his head this way and that. She could hear the younger gondoliers teasing him.

She bit her lip and turned away. It would have to be some other time. For now, she had to get to the hospital to see if her son would be released.

A nurse walked in to check White Lion's vitals. "Ms. Unicorn, the doctor will be here shortly to talk to you about your son."

"Wonderful."

"In the meantime, his vitals are good. And he should be fine unless he gets injured again too soon."

Silver Moon nodded. "Okay."

Both nekos woke up. They yawned and stretched. Soon they were chatting away in their language. Silver Moon thought they sounded much like cats. They noticed her and both said, "Meow," to her.

"Hello, little ones. I'm waiting for the doctor to come in to see if we can leave today."

"Can I come too?" asked Claira Jaen.

"Yes, of course."

"Good. I want my sister with us," said White Lion.

The doctor walked in. "Ah, so you are the writer I keep hearing about."

"Hello."

"Your son has given us quite a scare, but he got a blood transfusion in time. They are awfully cute to look at, but these two are unique among nekos."

"Oh?"

"We've confirmed who their biological parents are. And we know for sure that the father is one of those responsible for genetically modified food."

"Oh, great."

The doctor nodded. "I know the sentiment. I've treated too many people who ate that kind of food and they weren't always aware it was in the food at first. It was a nightmare trying to sort out what people were really allergic to. Then it got worse when they developed other allergies and couldn't get over anything at all."

"That is a nightmare. Why doesn't he know about those results?"

"I don't know. Perhaps he blinded himself and didn't really face any of the consequences. Sometimes that happens to people. They think they do right, but fail to realize how they affect other people."

"Where I come from, we're taught not to worry about anyone but ourselves. We aren't taught that we affect other people. I know it's not true. Whether we like it or not, we do affect each other. I'm still learning how that works."

"At least you're learning. We have no choice but to learn it here and we learn it early."

"You have less space, so I can see why you have to learn it."

"Oh, your son... His vitals are good. I don't see why he can't leave the hospital, but please stay out of fights, Mr. Unicorn."

"Okay."

"I hope you two nekos won't mind coming back periodically so we can monitor and learn more about your genetics."

The nekos shrugged.

"It is curiosity, but also it will help us when something does go wrong. You are nekos and we know how their biology works, but yours is a little different. Those differences could be problems for us if something goes wrong. We hate to lose patients for any reason."

"Oh!" both nekos exclaimed.

"So, will you two come back for routine exams?"

"Okay," both answered.

"Wonderful. Enjoy Elsewhere." He left the room.

A nurse walked in and removed all the monitors off of White Lion. He sat up and looked at his mama.

"Are you both ready to go?"

"Yes," they answered her.

"Okay, let's go get some food and then go back to the hotel."

Silver Moon stood up and walked out of the hospital with two tiny nekos following close behind. She found an outdoor table at a local cafe. Soon they had menus and water to drink. They placed their orders for food. Silver Moon ordered a vegan meal, while the two nekos ordered a meal with chicken and vegetables.

Their food arrived and everyone began eating. Silver Moon thought about what they should do next. She found herself thinking about Black Wolf. She frowned. That was done and over with. Time to just move on. At least she still had her son. Now she had his sister as well. What to do? Well, of course she would still write. She knew the Guardians wouldn't stop her from writing about them.

She had every intention of doing so. Sometimes she wondered if they gave her unlimited access to their archives to write about them and tell the world who they really were. The nekos talked to each other in their language. People eating in the cafe were starting to notice them as were passersby.

Silver Moon had to smile. They were cute and they were getting along so well.

Silver Moon went back to where she had seen the gondolier rowing the traghetto and his gondola. It was raining and he was no where around. She noticed one of the supervisors, but she still walked over to his gondola. She saw the front wasn't covered up and the Goddess of Victory was now facing left instead of forward.

She realized he had left someone a message as she was walking away. Then it hit her. It was for her. He was her summoner. She had no doubt about who he was now. So what did he want from her? She wasn't sure it had anything to do with his feelings for her. She wondered if it was some kind of work he needed help with. She didn't care if the supervisor had seen her. 

## Chapter 12 School

Silver Moon received a message from Claire Rose Lutin. It simply stated the Guardians had just started a school for the nekos in Elsewhere. Her son and his sister were encouraged to come to see what there was to learn. The nekos were playing in the hotel room.

"Hey, White Lion and Claira Jaen!"

"What?" they both answered and stopped playing.

"How would you like to go to school with the other nekos?"

"School? Will they teach reading?"

"Yes, probably math and history... I don't know what else. But they want to gear it to you nekos."

"Let's go!" Both nekos jumped up.

"Okay, let's go to the school and see what there is."

Silver Moon opened the door to let the nekos out. She followed and closed the door. They ran down the stairs with Silver Moon telling them not to run. The nekos walked out of the hotel and onto the street. They waited for the elf to catch up to them.

She pulled out a map and checked where the school was. "Alright, this way." She led the way.

It took some time, but the trio found the school. The nekos followed the elf into the building. They found the office, where Silver Moon signed them up.

The nekos got excited when they saw the other tiny nekos. Soon they were chattering in their language. Silver Moon and others smiled at the nekos. Soon the nekos were playing and wrestling in the hallway. Others laughed.

A few teachers walked out into the hallway and soon they were laughing at the sight.

"They act like a bunch of house cats!" said one of the teachers.

Silver Moon nodded. "Yes, they do. They even sound like house cats when they speak their own language."

"Hmm... that's not quite the same as the taller nekos. This is going to be interesting."

Another teacher spoke up, "We need to do some assessments to see what they already know. We'd hate to waste time on something trying to tell them anything they already know."

"I know White Lion gave some reading lessons, so some of them can already read."

"Wonderful, that will help. Then we can check that first. Who's ready to be tested? There are no right or wrong answers. We just want to know what you already know."

A few nekos volunteered. It took hours, but eventually all the nekos were tested. Many could read a little bit. Some had trouble, but the teachers cheered them up by encouraging them. That was just the first day. The nekos were looking forward to school after that.

Silver Moon was taking a break. The nekos were in school for the day. She found a place on the canal to sit down and think for a while. Felicia saw her and sat down next to the elf on the bench.

"Hi, Silver Moon."

"Hi, Felicia. I didn't expect to see you here."

"No, I suppose not. I just was curious if you've heard anything from Black Wolf since he left."

"No."

"Hmm. Sam and I could look him up. What's his legal name?"

"Na'athan LeBleu."

Felicia made a note on her little computer. "Got it. Let's see what information is already available." She did a quick search. "Oh, this isn't good."

"What?"

"He has a criminal record. And he recently married someone. Oh, he has a child as well."

Silver Moon muttered a few colorful metaphors.

Felicia sighed. "I'm sorry. I hope there aren't any complications."

"No chance of those. He's got his trolley and I have my son."

Felicia nodded. "If you need anything, just let us know."

Silver Moon nodded and tried to smile.

Silver Moon, her son, White Lion, and his sister, Claira Jaen were taking a walk out in the woods. The nekos looked at everything and ran back and forth to not lose their elf guardian.

Another elf was in the woods. He had lighter hair than Silver Moon's dark, nearly black hair. He was fair skinned as well, and short and skinny as many of the elves of his ethnicity. He was barely taller than Silver Moon, who was not considered tall where she was born and raised. But unlike the other elves in his ethnicity, who were famous for their brown eyes, his were green. But his eyes were not the same shade as hers.

It was Leon who was off by himself to meditate with nature. He certainly was aware of Silver Moon and the nekos. He had offered her his friendship, even though he felt more for her. He was too afraid to tell her how he really felt. He just wanted her to feel safe and comfortable with him. He couldn't do anything to her without her permission.

But how to tell her without upsetting her? He frowned. He sat down on a large rock to think it over. He had seen the reports about the colony of nekos she and her son had found. The reports also stated she had said she had felt she had been summoned to Elsewhere.

White Lion and Claira Jaen were dancing and laughing when they and his mama had reached the other elf. Leon didn't seem to notice any of them. Silver Moon nearly gasped when she saw him. She recognized him immediately. She had remembered when she had first seen him and what he said to her.

He looked up and saw her. Neither spoke.

White Lion and Claira Jaen screamed.

Silver Moon quickly turned in their direction. She jumped in front of them as a large black wolf approached them. "Stay away from my son and his sister!"

The other elf stood up.

The wolf growled.

"How dare you! You lied to me. Ran off and married someone else and now you have the audacity to harm my son and his sister! Who do you think you are?"

The wolf readied himself to jump. Silver Moon raised her left index finger. The nekos were still screaming. The other elf could feel what she was doing.

He grabbed his tablet and checked the readings. The psi readings were high. He knew the wolf would attack. His tablet could see hers sending out bad signals. He wasted no time in capturing all data from her tablet and putting his tablet away before he grabbed both nekos.

It was over too quickly for the tiny nekos or the other elf to even know what had happened. The wolf was running away and Silver Moon was lying on the ground quite still.

"Mama!"

The elf let go of the nekos. He pulled out his tablet and held it over her and transmitted the results to the doctor aboard the nearby Guardian ship. "She's alive."

"Why isn't she moving?" asked White Lion.

"She's unconscious." His tablet chimed. "Yes? I hope it's good news."

"You need to bring her to the ship."

"Uh..."

The doctor frowned. "You can't ask her for permission. She will be fine. Just pick her up and carry her to the sickbay. I'll take care of the rest."

"Right." He slipped his tablet into pocket. "She's going to kill me."

White Lion was shaking as he looked at the elves. Claira Jaen bit her lip. They watched the elf pick up his mama.

"Come on, White Lion and Claira Jaen. The ship isn't far."

The tiny nekos followed arm in arm.

It wasn't long before they were on the ship. The doctor met them in sickbay.

"Good. Just put her there on that bed."

The elf set Silver Moon down gently. "She will kill me for that."

The doctor sighed. "I don't know why you're so worried about that. She's unconscious. I'm sure she'd be happy to know someone cared enough to get her to safety." The doctor made sure Silver Moon would be comfortable and started to monitor her vitals.

The elf sighed. He was shorter than the doctor.

"Oh, you must like her a lot."

The elf made an o with his mouth.

"I see. I know your group of elves have always been good about making sure you have a woman's permission before you do anything to her."

He looked down to the floor.

"I think her reaction to you will shock you. Now, do any of you need anything?"

"She needs a new tablet. I think the nekos are just more frightened than anything else."

White Lion nodded. "What happened to her tablet?"

The doctor pulled the tablet from Silver Moon's front pocket. "Oh!" It was clearly destroyed. She pressed a button on the monitor and requested a new tablet for the writer. "We're flying back to Elsewhere and there will be a new tablet for Ms. Unicorn. I requested they'd give it to you. I hope you saved her data."

"I did."

"Good. White Lion, I'm not sure when your mama will wake up, but she needs to rest for now. You can go back to school with your sister."

"Okay. So what happened to her?"

"She used her magic to protect you."

White Lion looked to the short elf. "I knew she was magical, but why did it make her unconscious?"

"I don't know. Does she use her magic on a regular basis?"

"No. She rarely uses it."

"Oh, that explains a lot."

The doctor nodded. "I see. She probably doesn't know how powerful she is."

"Her psi readings were quite high. The werewolf was using some magic against her as well."

"Oh! It was her former partner."

"Yeah, unfortunately."

"Okay. It may take some time for her to recover."

"Oh?" The short elf raised his eyebrows.

"She's not as strong and as healthy as she could be. But then again considering where she's from, she's better off than most of the other people are."

He nodded. "Come on, White Lion and Claira Jaen, let's let the doctor do what she needs to. You can talk to her later."

"Okay." 

## Chapter 13 Scheming for White Lion and Claira Jaen

On the ship, Sam Oranglov escorted Wilhelm to the conference room. Felicia, Claire Rose, and Myadin were already waiting and reviewing some data. The other Guardians looked up when they entered the room. Both Sam and Wilhelm sat down.

"Let's begin." Felicia checked her tablet computer. "Wilhelm, once again you have proven that you are arrogant and only care about yourself."

Wilhelm growled.

Felicia glanced at him. "We have evidence that you have committed child abuse and that you have treated people as your own personal property. The nekos are people and are recognized as such. There is also evidence from your own notes that you have abused a cat who could walk upright and possibly forced her to have two children. These crimes will not be tolerated."

"How dare you!"

"Pardon? How dare you. Your own biological son required medical attention after you stabbed him. We have testimony from the nekos about how you treated them. We have proof that you have hit Claira Jaen on more than one occasion."

"They are mine! You have no right to thwart my life's work!"

"You harm other people. That is not to be tolerated."

"You're just a damn vampire! What do you know about harming people? Don't you need to drink our blood to survive?"

"I don't kill anyone to get blood. I get donations so I don't have to harm anyone."

Wilhelm made a funny face. He glared at all the Guardians in the room. "There aren't too many of you here. The rest of world appreciates my work."

No one said anything. They were recording the whole session.

He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it without a word. They were displaying the evidence of his crimes on the wall screen. He saw and heard all the nekos, his creations, condemning him. He frowned. He had lost for now. But perhaps he could get his own children back sooner or later.

The other nekos weren't as important as those two. "What will you do to me?"

"You will have to leave all the nekos alone for the rest of your life."

"Fine. But what about my own children?"

"You've abused them both. They are to stay with Ms. Silver Moon Unicorn, their guardian."

"It's not legal! I never consented to that!"

"White Lion Unicorn has imprinted on her. We will not separate them now because there will be dire consequences. They have accepted Claira Jaen as his sister. Ms. Unicorn will look after them both."

"But I don't accept that! I want them back!"

"You're an unfit father. You can't have them back."

Wilhelm screamed, broke his bonds and ran out of the room and off the ship.

Felicia ground her teeth. Everyone made notes. No one spoke as they turned off the recording devices.

A lone elvish gentleman stared at the image of Silver Moon Unicorn, a dark haired fair skinned elf, with her son, White Lion Unicorn, a tiny neko. The elf sighed. He set his tablet computer aside. She wasn't too far away from him on the Guardian ship.

She had been knocked unconscious and he had carried her to safety. He knew she wouldn't be happy to hear what had happened to her tablet computer, or that he had carried her no matter how far the distance. At least he had saved her data. He had just gotten a new tablet computer and was transferring her data to it.

He looked over at her. Her eyes were open, but she was lying still. He checked the monitor. Her vitals were good. She had recovered, but why was she just lying there and not saying anything? The monitor indicated her brain was quite active. So she must be thinking.

"Milady?"

No answer.

He sighed and waited.

She turned to look at him. "Why are you calling me, 'milady'?"

"Because I wish to be your partner. I am a Guardian and I have too much work to do by myself."

"Oh, I'm just a writer."

"You are more than that."

"Perhaps to you."

He said nothing as he gasped.

"Why are you afraid of me?"

"I know how you deal with suitors and I don't want to upset you. I do not have a death wish."

She sat up. "I see. But you don't act like those other suitors. You don't discount anything I say or do." She paused to gauge his response. "I don't know what to do with you."

He looked back to the tablets. Hers was ready. He handed it over to her.

"This isn't my computer."

"No. Yours was destroyed. I managed to save your data and I was able to get you a new one. It should be able to do everything your old one did and possibly more."

"Oh, thank you." She checked the tablet. It was as he said it would be. "Is my son and his sister alright?"

"Yes. They are still going to school, but he's tried to contact you already. I told him you would call him as soon as you could."

She nodded. She sent her son a quick message. It wasn't long before he answered her back. She let out a sigh of relief.

"Is it okay?"

She looked at him. "Yes, the tablet is fine and so is my son." She paused to check a few more things. She set the tablet down and looked back to him. "What do you expect of me as your partner?"

"That you be your usual, feisty self. We will be doing some research and your input will be vital. I know I may miss some things. But as a writer you do know symbolism and you are observant. You're better with words than I am."

"Okay, I suppose it shouldn't be a problem."

Soon Wilhelm was hiding in Elsewhere and thinking of ways to capture his children from the silly elf named Silver Moon Unicorn. He found out she was a writer. He hated her even more for it. Who was she to think she could raise his own children? Perhaps he could be nice to her, for a time, and convince her to marry him. Then he could have his children back.

He laughed. That would be a good plan. She was a woman after all. Yes, he knew how to handle women. This one would be no different. He just had to think of what to say to her. He could be charming. So that part won't be a problem. Yes, it was coming. He wasn't old yet. He thought he was still young enough to charm a young elf who was convinced she was a single mother.

Wilhelm was bald. He had white eyebrows and a white beard. Not that he ever noticed what hair he had left on his body. As far as he was concerned, the special formula he had created was working for his brain. He could still think pretty fast and well. He lived inside his head a little too much.

The main thought he had was capturing his children. Then he figured he could get the rest of the nekos back easily. They were his property after all. No elf or Guardian should be in his way. The Guardians should understand why he wanted his own children back. He shook his head. They hated him as much as he hated them.

They had never understood him at all. They had accused him of harming the world's inhabitants when he had made things better for others. Why did the Guardians hate him so much? He wasn't sure. It was the one thing he could never understand. And he understood lots of things. That's why he could create nekos and then make them tiny.

## Chapter 14 To Become a Guardian

Felicia sat with Silver Moon facing the Grand Canal.

"Why am I allowed unlimited access to the Guardian archives?" asked Silver Moon.

"Why? You're a writer. We want you to write about us. We know you can show us as we really are. We know we're not perfect, but too many people think we are a myth or legend. No basis in reality."

"Do you know a Guardian named Leon, an elf?"

"Yes."

"He told me he does some research involving symbols."

"He does. He's quite thorough, but he has trouble writing up his findings."

"He told me that too. He asked me to be his partner."

Felicia smiled. "I'm not surprised."

"No? Well, he insisted he just wanted to work with me and not upset me. He does have other feelings for me though. Is it quite common for Guardian partners to be more than working partners as you and Sam are?"

"Oh, I don't know how common it is. Sam and I were friends for a very long time before we ever became anything more. We worked together when we were still kids."

"Claire Rose Lutin and Myadin are partners like you and Sam."

"Yes, they are. I know there are others as well, but not all working Guardian partners are involved with each other."

"Oh. Okay, but do you know anything else about Leon?"

"He's one of the gondoliers and quite a good artist. He knows about herb lore and can make all sorts of potions and elixirs."

Silver Moon nodded.

"You're wondering if he's trustworthy?"

"Yes."

"He is. He's a part of the ethnic group of elves who insist on having a woman's permission before they do anything at all with her. He won't touch you unless he has no doubt it's okay with you."

"Really? Then how did I end up in the sickbay on one of the ships? I know the tiny nekos couldn't have picked me up."

Felicia checked her tablet. "Oh, he did pick you up and carried you while you were unconscious. The doctor notes that he was hesitant about it and thought you would kill him if you knew."

"Yeah, that's what I thought. But I'm surprised he was so afraid to pick me up."

"He had to in that case. He must know how you deal with suitors."

"So he told me. He also said he didn't have a death wish."

Felicia laughed. "I think you two will be fine."

"One other thing, how am I to support myself and two tiny nekos?"

"Good question. Hold on while I make a note and request for that. The nekos should be covered with healthcare and education, so you don't need to worry about that."

"But they need a permanent home, food, clothing, toiletries, etc. just like I do. I'm not earning enough from my writing yet."

"Okay, got it. Just be patient. I'm requesting to give the three of you more help. There are many Guardians here and they can influence people to give you more of a break. You are now our official bard and we want to compensate you."

"Thank you."

Felicia's communicator beeped. "Sam, what is it?"

"Bad news. Both White Lion and Claira Jaen have been picked up by their biological father."

Silver Moon gasped.

"Just what she needs— more bad news."

"Oh? Sorry, Silver Moon. We're looking into the clues Wilhelm left behind now. You two may want to come to the school immediately."

"Okay." Felicia turned off the communicator. "Ready?"

"Yeah."

Wilhelm walked inside the nekos' school. The nekos were done for the day. He stood and waited for his children. He found them chatting together. He grabbed both of them and ran off with them protesting and screaming at him. Everyone heard them. The other nekos hissed and growled. Some chased after them. The teachers were shocked. They wasted no time in calling the Guardians for help.

Claire Rose and Myadin responded as soon as they could. Sam followed closely behind them. Soon the Guardians were questioning everyone and checking the area. They could see how Wilhelm was able to get in without anyone noticing. But the Guardians weren't surprised. None of the teachers had any idea who the mad scientist was. They didn't know what he looked like.

Moments later Silver Moon and Felicia arrived at the school to meet Sam, Claire Rose Lutin, and Myadin. Soon Felicia and Silver Moon were updated as to what the other three had found out already. The other nekos offered to help rescue the siblings. That was when the Guardians realized some of the nekos had already gone after Wilhelm.

No one was sure what the nekos would do once they found him.

## Chapter 15 The Mad Scientist Tries to be Father

In the apartment Wilhelm had secured, Claira Jaen and White Lion chattered away in their language. Wilhelm couldn't understand anything they said and it frustrated him to no end. They talked away for hours on end. They talked about growing up in different homes. They shared stories from their lives.

There were nekos who were stalking the apartment outside on the street. No one inside the apartment knew they were there.

Wilhelm couldn't stand it any longer. "Why can't you speak English? You shouldn't keep anything from me!"

The nekos got quiet and stared at him.

"Well? What are you talking about?"

They still didn't answer.

"Then stay silent! I don't want to hear you talking like cats! You're my children! You can speak English!"

The nekos blinked their eyes.

"Fine!" He stormed out of the room. He ranted and raved and threw things around.

The nekos listened and still said nothing. Eventually it was quiet again. The nekos looked at each other and whispered in their language. They were very careful. They had been issued small portable computers, which they could use to contact the Guardians and Silver Moon. They quietly sent out messages with pictures to give the Guardians better ideas on their current location.

They put away their computers as soon as they were done. Then the geneticist came back out to the main room.

"Still quiet. Fine. I will be going out. Don't go anywhere. I plan on coming back." He left and locked them inside.

They listened to hear his footsteps fading away. Then they ran to the window and looked out. They could see him on the street. They saw the other tiny nekos. They sighed and resumed their talking. They saw the tiny nekos follow the mad scientist. They pulled out their computers to see if the Guardians had responded.

They both had messages. So they responded by sending back more pictures of street signs they could see from their window. They even mentioned the tiny nekos following Him. That new information warranted a face to face call from Sam.

"Hi, White Lion and Claira Jaen. I take it the mad scientist has left."

"Yep, he's gone for now, but we don't know for how long."

"Okay, well we are trying to track him. Oh, wait a minute. Felicia just received a message from Silver Moon. It sounds like he tried to hit on her. It doesn't sound good."

"Is mama okay?"

"I think so. Just upset about the incident."

"What happened? Why is she so upset?"

"Oh, apparently he asked her to marry him."

"What?" both the nekos said at the same time.

"Yeah, he's definitely gone off the deep end with his latest ploy." Sam frowned. "Claire Rose and Myadin are on their way to you. Just hang tight. We're trying to monitor and keep an eye on Wilhelm."

"Okay, but we can climb out the window."

"What? Is that even safe for you?"

"I'm a good climber," said White Lion.

"So am I."

"Well, just be careful and don't get hurt. I know what Silver Moon will say if something happens to either one of you."

"Okay," both answered.

Sam disconnected and went right back to work on the latest problem.

The nekos put away their computers and then checked the window again. They looked at each other and chatted in their language about it. They looked out the window. Then they were able to figure out how to climb out the window and down to the street.

They nodded to each other and then out the window they went. They deftly climbed down to the street without incident. Then they ran back to the hotel where Silver Moon was staying. They ran up the stairs and knocked on the door to their room.

Silver Moon opened the door. "Oh! You two are okay!"

"Yes!" they answered her and ran into the room.

They both got out their computers and let Sam know they were back at the hotel. Sam answered with a smile. 

## Chapter 16 The Mad Scientist Versus the Writer

Silver Moon was at an open mic. She had just finished reading her latest work and referred people to her website. Then she walked off the stage to sit down at a table by herself. An elderly looking man approached her.

"Hello, Ms. Unicorn. I'm a fan of your work. I enjoyed listening to you read very much." He smiled at her.

"Thank you."

He sat down across from her. "It must be hard to be a traveling writer and a single mother."

"Yes, it is, but I manage."

"Well, you're pretty and a good writer. So, how about you and I get married? Then we can raise the nekos together."

"What?"

"I'm the father of Claira Jaen and White Lion."

Silver Moon stared at him.

"I had a partner whom I created. She was a cat who could walk upright."

Silver Moon gasped.

"But she died and I could use another partner to help me raise my children."

"Go rot in Mordor."

His eyes got big and round and he gaped at her.

She stood up and stormed out of the cafe. She got back to the hotel and sent a message to Felicia.

Back in the cafe, Myadin approached the geneticist. "We've got you surrounded, Wilhelm."

"What?"

"I'm not the only Guardian in this building."

Myadin was soon joined by Claire Rose Lutin and several angry tiny nekos.

Myadin continued, "You're under arrest for kidnapping and abusing your own biological children. You're also under arrest for keeping people against their will and refusing to educate them. They have free will and you cannot claim them as property."

"What? That is wrong! I created them. Ergo they are mine!"

"They are not property. They are people who can make their own decisions. You cannot take that from them."

The Guardians apprehended the mad scientist and took him to a permanent cell.

The Guardians hoped this would be the last time they would have to deal with Wilhelm. But they still weren't sure what the angry tiny nekos would do.

## Chapter 17 More Trouble?

Felicia made some more notes on Black Wolf. "Sam, I think we better keep an eye on Black Wolf or rather Na'athan LeBleu."

"In case he decides to show up again in Silver Moon's life?"

"Yes, it could be bad if he does."

"Okay, noted."

"Did you see his record?"

"Oh, I see it now."

"I feel bad for Silver Moon. I don't think she had any idea."

"What is wrong with him?"

"I don't know, but it sounds like he messed up with quite a few people."

"Yeah, I think you're right."

"Apparently there are some rumors about him and his wife and their son."

"Oh, yeah? What are the rumors?"

"That none of them are very happy. He complains his wife isn't Silver Moon."

"That's not good if it's true. I doubt Silver Moon wants him back now that he's married to someone else. He even asked Silver Moon to marry him, but they never got around to it."

"Right. Well, that relationship is over, unless he tries to come back."

"Okay, we'll have to monitor him as well as the mad scientist."

"Ever wonder if people know we are watching them?"

"No, but I suppose it shouldn't be too surprising. Some people are naturally paranoid."

Felicia grimaced.

Silver Moon was out walking. She had just walked White Lion and Claira Jaen to school. Leon wasn't working as a gondolier today and they had arranged to meet at the dock where he had left his gondola. She was walking there now.

"Milady," Leon greeted her.

"Hello."

He offered her his hand and helped her into his gondola. She sat down.

"How about a tour of the city before we go do some research?"

"Okay."

"You won't be able to see these views when you walk."

"Yeah, and I won't get lost either."

Leon smiled. "I won't let you get lost on the canals."

"Aren't some of them designated for swimming only?"

"Yes. No boats allowed. We'll go past some of them. If we're lucky, we'll see the merfolks swimming in them."

"Do elves ever swim in them?"

"Very rarely."

Leon took her all over the city. They were lucky. They saw a few merfolks swimming.

Eventually he rowed the gondola to another pier and moored it. He offered his hand to her to help her out of the gondola.

"Now, we go see what we need to decipher." He led her into a temple.

They looked all around. On one wall was a painting. It featured a winged lion and a unicorn under a full moon. They were both drawn to the painting. Leon stood in front of the winged lion and Silver Moon stood in front of the unicorn. Neither spoke for a while.

They glanced at each other. They pulled out their tablet computers to make notes. She wrote hers up and he drew a replica of the painting.

Wilhelm was locked in a jail cell. His guards were a few tiny nekos he had created. The nekos volunteered to make sure the mad scientist would stay put this time. He resented the Guardians and now his own creations.

"I'm your creator! You should show me more respect!"

The nekos hissed and growled.

"You're all ungrateful! After everything I have done for you!"

The nekos stared him down.

"I'll find a way out of here. I know technology fails. It's just a matter of time before the bars fade out." Wilhelm grounded his teeth and snarled.

The laser bars didn't fade. The cell was in good condition. The nekos continued to stare at him. Only their tails moved from time to time. Wilhelm threw his fists in the air.

Some time later, the power on the ship went out. Wilhelm walked out of his cell right into the nekos. Being human, he couldn't see in the dark as the nekos could. Claire Rose and Myadin ran down to the holding cells as soon as they could. The closer they got, the louder the screaming they could hear.

The emergency lights came on and it was clear to the Guardians, they were too late. Wilhelm was dead. He had perfect slash marks all over his exposed skin. The nekos stood by quietly. Their tails jerking.

"I see. I do understand why, but now you all will have to undergo psychological and psychiatric evaluations." Claire Rose stood facing the tiny nekos.

"Very well," one of them answered. "But after what he did to all of us and his own biological children, we couldn't let him escape again."

Claire Rose nodded. "You have good reasons, but we Guardians don't kill in cold blood."

"If we pass those tests, may we also become Guardians?"

"Perhaps. It will all depend upon the results." 

## Chapter 18 The School is Disbanded

The school had done well. Many of the nekos could now read and write. Many had gone on to get jobs. Then they took their families and moved into their own apartments. It had happened in a matter of months.

By this time there were only two left. They sat in their room they had shared with Silver Moon Unicorn wondering where she was. They weren't sure of where they were going to go next. They had just gotten the notice that they needed a new place to move to.

They continued to stare at each other. They blinked at the same time. They were too afraid to speak. They were told when they had left school that day, the Guardians were aware of the situation. The nekos, who were even more different than the other tiny nekos, weren't sure of what to do.

They heard someone in the hallway, but they continued to sit and stare at each other. The door opened. They turned their heads to face the door. They blinked at the same time.

An elf stood at the door. He wasn't much taller than Silver Moon. "Claira Jaen, White Lion?"

"Yes," they both answered.

"Pack up your things. You're coming with me."

The nekos slid down to the floor and picked up their things. The elf watched them as he walked into the room.

"I hope you'll be okay at my place."

Neither neko said anything.

Leon sighed. "None of us Guardians know where Lady Silver Moon Unicorn is."

White Lion gasped.

"I'm sorry."

"Mama's in trouble!"

"I know." Leon covered his face with his hands.

"She's alone!"

"Yes, I think you're right." He let his hands drop back to his sides. "White Lion, please pack up her stuff as well. We'll take it with us."

White Lion finished putting his stuff in his suitcase and zipped it up. He turned to Leon. "Will you go looking for her?"

"Yes... yes, I will."

White Lion nodded and then gathered up his mama's things. He put them in her suitcase and zipped it closed. Claira Jaen finished packing as well.

"We're ready to go."

"Okay, I'll take Lady Silver Moon's suitcase. Follow me."

Leon grabbed Silver Moon's suitcase and walked towards the door. The two nekos followed behind him, suitcases in hand. They walked out into the hallway and down the stairs. Soon they were on the cobblestone streets.

No one spoke as they wound their way through the labyrinth known as Elsewhere. Other people on the street smiled at the nekos. Some even made comments about how cute they were. Leon made it to his apartment building. He unlocked the street door and waited for the nekos to pass him. They waited in the hall as he closed the door.

"This way. Just a few flights up."

They followed him without comment. The elf stopped in front of his apartment door. He unlocked it and opened the door. He walked in with the two nekos in tow. Leon closed the door as the nekos stopped and looked all around.

"You may share a room, if you wish."

The nekos turned towards him. They both nodded.

"Okay, this way." He led them back to the bedrooms. "This room is mine, but you two can have one of the other ones."

The nekos looked at both rooms. They chatted in their language. Then they picked the one that was next to his. They pulled their suitcases behind them.

Leon put Silver Moon's suitcase in his room. He sighed. He stepped out of his room. "I hope you two will be comfortable. I don't know what all you'll need, so you may have to tell me."

The nekos nodded.

"You two can go to another school where you can learn the local language. How does that sound?"

"Great!" said Claira Jaen.

White Lion frowned. "What about mama?"

"I'll go looking for her."

"But you said no one knows where she is."

"No, she isn't responding to our messages. She probably doesn't have any internet service where she's at."

White Lion bit his lower lip.

"I was going to meditate and see if I can reach her."

"I've tried calling her and she's alone and hungry."

"Oh? I didn't know you could use telepathy."

"Sometimes I can with mama."

"I see."

"Wait, can you talk to mama that way?"

"Yes."

"Then you could find her?"

"Perhaps. It's not an exact science."

"Oh!"

"If I have to leave, then I'll have to get my best friend over here to look after you two."

"Yes, please. I don't know how to cook," said Claira Jaen.

Leon pulled out his pocket computer and sent a message to his best friend. "He'll come. I'm sure he'll be fine with you."

Claira Jaen put her arm about her younger brother. "I'm sure Leon will find your mama."

"Yeah."

Claira Jaen saw the terrace with all the plants. "That looks like a little jungle out there." She pointed towards the doors.

The elf raised his eyebrows. "Oh, that's my garden on the terrace. You're welcome to look at it."

The nekos walked out on the terrace and chatted about the plants and the view. Leon watched them. He had received a message from his best friend. Leon smiled. He knew he could count on Loren.

Leon went to the kitchen and checked his food supplies. It was clear he would need to get something for the two nekos. He realized he had no idea of what they ate. He left the kitchen and joined the nekos on the terrace.

"Hey, what do you two eat?"

"Oh, we eat lots of things." Claira Jaen smiled at him.

"Well, I'm a vegan so all I have here is some plant food."

"We can and do eat some of that, but we eat chicken and fish as well."

"Great. I don't know how to prepare that." He paused. "You really are a couple of cats."

The nekos giggled.

"Alright, we'll come up with something. Just let me know when you're hungry. We can eat out at a cafe tonight."

"That is the easiest. People do know what to feed us."

"Yeah. I'm going to go meditate and see if I can find out where Lady Silver Moon is. I hope you two will stay out of trouble."

The nekos smiled at him. Leon raised his eyebrows and went to his meditating pillow in the living room. He sat down and pulled out his pocket computer. He wasted no time in reviewing what the Guardians knew about where Silver Moon was before her disappearance.

Silver Moon was out walking as she liked to do. She looked around and saw as much as she could. She found a quiet spot near one of the canals. She watched the boats. She had her small backpack with her tablet computer in it.

She was still broken hearted, but grateful her son was safe and doing well. She had grown fond of his sister, Claira Jaen. Silver Moon knew the two nekos would not want to be separated once their education was done.

She knew she'd take Claira Jaen with them. But where to go was another problem that she hadn't figured out. She had her Guardian partner, but she didn't know how to ask him. She hated to impose. Her writing was starting to earn her some money, but she was sure it wouldn't be enough for her to rent a place for herself and the nekos.

She turned to continue her walk. She stopped suddenly to see Black Wolf Unicorn standing in front of her.

"There you are. I need your help."

"What?"

"Look, just come with me."

"No."

"No? What do you mean no?"

"You tried to harm my son and his sister." She tried to get around him.

He grabbed her arms. "Sorry, I wasn't thinking straight. You really don't need them. You just need me."

Silver Moon cringed. "Let go of me."

"No, we are going for a ride." He dragged her into his trolley. He pushed her into a chair and activated straps around her wrists and ankles.

"Hey! There aren't supposed to be any motorized vehicles here, except for the emergency ones."

"So what?" He locked them in and got into the pilot's seat. Soon they were airborne. "You and I have things to do."

"But you're married to someone else!"

"So what?"

She gaped at him.

"We belong together. So now we will be."

She shook her head.

"Oh, come now. Someday your son will grow up and he will leave you. You should know that. Children always grow up and they leave their parents."

She stared at the floor. She hoped the other Guardians would look for her.

Hours later, he deactivated the straps which had confined her. He smiled at her. She stared at him.

"I need to go hunt for now. You are free to eat whatever is here. I don't recommend wandering too far on your own."

She continued to stare.

"We're in Mordor, my love. I'm sure you know what that means."

She said nothing.

"Very well. You're in one of your moods. I'll be back. You better be here when I come back. We have unfinished business to attend to." He left the trolley.

She watched him leave. She remained in the chair. She watched him shift into his wolf form. He ran off. When she could no longer see him, she pulled out her tablet computer. She tried to send a message to Leon.

The message failed to go. She checked the settings. Then she realized there was no wifi connection. She was alone in a dangerous place. She put the tablet away. She stood up.

She was a bit shaky. She waited as she rebalanced. Then she searched the trolley. She found some food and water. She ate quickly. She filled up a water bottle. It was hers. One of the many things she couldn't take with her when she was forced to leave the trolley.

She put the water bottle into her backpack. It was getting dark. She had no weapons. No blades. No guns. No light swords. She could fight dirty when she needed to, but it had been a long time.

Of course that was when she was a child growing up in Mordor...

But she did know something about magic. Leon had explained to her. He had told her her psi energy levels were high. He tried to teach her meditation and other ways of controlling it so she wouldn't cause harm.

She had been playing with pure white light as a means for healing for herself and others. She could use it against Black Wolf or any orcs who would come her way. Otherwise she would have to use evasive tactics.

Even the other Guardians could help her expand on those. She wasn't expected to fight as some of the Guardians were. She was their writer. Words were her main weapons. 

## Chapter 19 The Gondolier Goes After the Writer

Leon set the pocket computer down. He sighed. All the reports confirmed that Black Wolf Unicorn had shown up with his trolley and kidnapped her. But they couldn't track him. Leon wondered why the werewolf couldn't let go of her.

He took a deep breath. He put himself into a lotus position and closed his eyes. At first all he could think about was how badly he wanted to be with Silver Moon. There wasn't anyone else like her.

He was too afraid to tell her how he really felt about her. He hoped she felt the same, but he wasn't sure. She had snubbed him, and he knew she hated to be chased. He also knew her heart had been broken. So he waited.

He reached out and saw her. She was hiding behind some rocks. She was dusty looking. She was drinking some water. Her eyes were round and wide. It was dark.

She put the water bottle back in her backpack and listened. Soon he could hear them too. Orcs. Silver Moon couldn't understand what they were saying, but she stayed as quiet as she could. Leon nearly panicked. He could sense the werewolf was nearby.

Then he caught it. The orcs were talking again. Something about a lone, sickly she elf lost in their land. But for some reason, they couldn't catch her. They couldn't understand why not. The orcs wondered if she was using magic against them. There was also something about a werewolf nearby.

Leon tried to tell Silver Moon he'd do what he could for her. "Just hang on," he thought to her.

"Please, can you come get me?"

He could feel her fear and her hunger. "I'll do what I can to help you."

He opened his eyes and saw two nekos staring at him. He blinked.

"Did you find her?" asked White Lion.

"Yes, I know where she is."

"How soon will you leave?"

"Probably not until tomorrow at the earliest. My best friend has to come by first."

"We are hungry now."

"So am I." He picked up his pocket computer and sent a request for a small flyer. He put it in his pocket. He stood up. "Let's go eat."

Loren was sitting in the living room with Leon and the two nekos. He smiled at his best friend.

"I see you have your hands full."

"Yeah. I'm not sure they should be unattended."

"No?"

"No, they don't fully take care of themselves as the other tiny nekos do."

"Yes, I heard they were different from the other tiny nekos. You said they act and talk like house cats?"

"Yeah, they do."

"Well, I can handle that."

"I know you've taken care of my cat before."

"It's a shame you don't have a cat anymore. But I suppose these two will do as well."

Leon sighed.

"You're missing that elf. Your partner."

"Yes."

"I'm sure she will be happy to know her son and his sister are in good hands."

"She is or will be when she finds out. Could you help them sign up for a class to help them learn the local language?"

"Certainly."

Leon looked at everyone in his apartment.

"Did you get approval for a ship?"

"Yeah. I'm just waiting to find out when it's ready."

"Waiting is so hard." He paused to study his friend. "My friend, I think you are in more trouble than you realize."

"Do you?"

"Yeah, I think you need to tell her how you feel when you rescue her."

"She knows."

"Ah! So, does she feel the same about you?"

"I don't know. I don't think she knows. Her heart is still broken."

"Oh, but you hope she does."

"Well, she just might, but perhaps she's too afraid to admit it. She told me she loves all of her friends. She lives with the fact that she's physically separated from them all. She's okay with it, except for me."

"Oh! You must have some kind of charm over her." Loren grinned.

The nekos remained quiet as they watched the two elves talk.

"Yeah, maybe. Or perhaps I'm just too ugly for her."

Loren laughed. "I don't think she cares about that."

"How would you know?"

"I've read her writing."

Leon looked at Loren funny. "What are you talking about?"

"She never writes about who she thinks is cute or what she finds attractive. But that poem about the poor gondolier who fell in love with her." Loren pause. "My friend, she feels bad about what happened to you. She regrets being a brat to you."

Leon sighed. "You are no help."

"Well, it's progress. But that former partner of hers. He's trouble."

"I know."

"There's something wrong with him if he can't let go of her."

"No kidding. He's married someone else and she won't have anything to do with him now."

"And he seems to think he can still have her as well. That won't do. She has to be the only one, the special one."

Leon covered his face with his hands.

"Her words. She is the only one and the special one to you."

Leon blushed.

"Ah! Well, now that is out in the open. You have a message waiting for you, my friend."

Leon removed his hands and pulled out his pocket computer. "Oh, I have to go." He put his tablet computer back in his pocket. He stood up and walked towards the door.

"Good luck, my friend."

Leon turned back to look at the elf and two nekos. "Thanks. Good luck with those two. They have been fairly quiet, but I know you, my friend. Just don't lose them."

"I won't."

Leon left.

Loren turned to the nekos. "Well, it's just the three of us now. What kind of trouble can we get into?"

The nekos blinked at the same time. Then they smiled.

Leon nearly ran to the Guardian hold hidden inside the city. He wasted no time in finding Sam Oranglov and Felicia. They were standing by a small flyer performing the final checks.

"Hello, Leon. I think your mission is suicide." Sam turned to face the elf.

Leon cringed. Vampires tended to make him nervous. "But I have to."

Felicia smiled at him. "You'd do the same for me, Sam."

"Yes, I would."

"That's why I gave you extra vegan food and extra water. There's no telling from your description how bad off she is. And the food there is bad. I hope she has a way of decontaminating the water."

"Oh, I don't know. She might have had something the on trolley."

Felicia nodded. "Good luck with her. It is pretty cramped in here. I don't know how she will take it."

Leon looked inside the flyer. It at least had a fresher in it, but there really wasn't much room. He frowned. "I didn't think about that."

"You two do seem to have a rapport, so perhaps she will just adjust." Felicia looked at Sam.

"I hope you know what you are dealing with."

"There are lots of orcs and a werewolf trying to get to her."

"Yeah, and Leon, I don't like this mission for you."

"Why not?"

"You're not trained in fighting."

"But I know magic."

"Yes, you do and you're quite good at it. But defensive magic?"

"I know defensive magic."

"Alright. Good luck. I hope to see you alive again."

Leon watched Sam and Felicia walk away. He sighed. He got on aboard the ship. He strapped himself into the pilot seat and contacted the ground control. He waited for clearance for takeoff.

He sighed again. He knew it was crazy, but what could he do? He wasn't about to let her suffer by herself. He started to hope she would marry him. That just might simplify quite a few things. The authorities would leave her alone for one.

He doubted there would be any questions as to where she could live. He'd just have to get her to sign a marriage license with him. Then the rest... well, he hoped she would eventually accept him. He knew she wanted a baby of her own. He was willing to help her with that.

He was granted clearance. He lifted the flyer into the air and flew it out of the building over the water. He smiled when he realized Felicia had already plotted a course to get him to Mordor. That wasn't the official name as he well knew, but many people called it that. It was an easier name to say and remember compared to its real name.

It wasn't long before he found Sam and Felicia had left him other things to help deal with the orcs and the werewolf.

He reached out to Silver Moon. "I'm on my way, milady. Just hold on as best you can."

Silver Moon sat on the ground with her back against a large rock. The orcs were far away for the moment. She could sense the werewolf coming closer. She tried to block him and the orcs as much as she could.

But it wasn't easy. She could hear them faintly. At first she had been very dizzy, so she stayed low to the ground. It had helped. None of them had found her. But she had to keep moving. She had found some water. She was glad she had the tablets to kill off what would have harmed her. But there wasn't enough food.

She did had some belly fat, but she didn't know how long she would be able to hold out. She kept playing with pure white light to protect herself from the werewolf and the orcs. She was tired, but she couldn't sleep. She tried to keep drinking as much water as she could.

She knew her son and his sister were safe. For that, she was glad. She was still scared. All she knew was that she wanted to live. For a moment she felt Leon reaching out to her. She could feel him around her wanting to protect her, but knowing he couldn't.

She felt comforted. She crawled away from her spot. She knew the orcs were on the move. She would have to move or else they'd find her. She clutched her backpack strap in her hand and dragged it after herself.

The ship's computer let Leon know he had arrived. He used the scanners to check out humanoid lifeforms. He found a few hundred orcs, one werewolf, and one elf. The scanner showed him the orcs and the werewolf were getting closer to the elf.

He frowned. He flew to where she was. Without any warning the computer told him there were high levels of psi energy. He checked the screen. It was coming from Silver Moon. By that time he was flying right over her.

He could see the pure white light emanating from her. "Wow!"

The orcs were driven back. The werewolf was surrounded by orcs. He howled. The orcs turned to the werewolf. Leon opened the hatch as he flew lower.

"Milady! Get on board quick!"

Silver Moon opened her eyes. She saw the flyer nearby with the open hatch. She could see the back of Leon in the pilot seat. She pushed herself with her hands off the ground. She was dizzy, but she ran into the ship and collapsed on the floor. She still held the strap of the backpack.

Leon closed the hatch and flew off. She lifted her head up and climbed into the other chair. She let go of the backpack. She watched the screen which showed the orcs surrounding the werewolf. The screen soon showed the werewolf was dead.

She gasped.

"Milady? Are you alright?"

"Leon..."

"I see it."

She pulled out her water bottle and drank what was left of it.

He glanced at her. He set the flyer to automatically fly back to Elsewhere in the hangar. He turned to face her. "Milady, there is plenty of water and food. Let me fix you something." He stood up and took a couple of steps to the pantry.

She watched him fix her a bowl of soup. He set it down on the table between their chairs. He took her water bottle and prepared her some tea. He gave her the cup of tea.

"Eat. You should start to feel better. It's concentrated nutrition. It's okay if you go to sleep afterwards."

She continued to stare at him.

He held up both his hands. "I'll let you sleep. You look exhausted."

"I am." She blinked and looked at the food on the table. She picked up the spoon and began to eat the soup.

Leon sat down in the pilot's seat and kept an eye on her and on the board. He let the other Guardians know he had her and that the werewolf was killed by orcs. He glanced at her. She was eating slowly. Her hands were unsteady.

She looked up at him. She briefly stopped eating. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Where are White Lion and Claira Jaen now?"

"In my apartment."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I knew they had no place to go. I volunteered to take them. You're welcome to stay at my place. It has three bedrooms. The nekos are sharing one, so you can have one to yourself."

"Oh, okay." She resumed eating.

He watched her eat. He tried to read her face. He thought she had taken it well. He knew she needed time. There was no one in the way now. He knew he could keep her safe. He just hoped she would trust him and not feel so afraid.

"Are they alone in your apartment?"

"No, my best friend is looking after them. I suggested they go to school to learn the local language. They both readily agreed. Loren should have signed them up."

"Sounds delightful. Perhaps I should take that class as well."

"You and I have work to do." He paused to read the message from the Guardians. "But I'd be happy to help you learn."

"Okay. Good. I have to warn you, I do better with reading than I do with listening."

"So, you're one of those learners. Not a problem. I can find plenty for you to read."

## Chapter 20 Elf and Tiny Nekos Reunited

Loren and the two nekos were playing a game in the living room. It was a board game written in the local language. The two nekos laughed and jumped around. The elf was laughing as well. Really, he liked them. They were very much like house cats.

The door to the apartment opened and Silver Moon entered first followed closely by Leon.

"Mama!!!"

"Darling!"

"Silver Moon!"

The nekos danced around Silver Moon. Leon smiled.

"Well, you made it. And the Guardians told you it was a suicide mission."

"Loren, old buddy, they gave me lots of help. And Lady Silver Moon has learned to play with pure white light. You missed it. She was using it to deflect the orcs and the werewolf. It was quite beautiful."

Loren shook his head. "There is no hope for you, my friend."

"No?"

"No. Look at you. Now you're glowing." Loren laughed.

Silver Moon was watching the nekos and smiling at them. "I think I'll go use the fresher. I don't like the way I smell." She left the room and found her suitcase. She took it into the bathroom with her.

Loren raised his eyebrows at Leon.

"What?"

"Did you tell her?"

"Tell her what?"

"How you feel?"

"No. She asked about the nekos and I told her they were at my place. I did tell her she was welcome to stay here as well in her own room."

"Oh, dear. You really need to talk to her."

Leon sighed. "I know. I was thinking I might get her to sign a marriage license with me so we don't have to worry about the authorities complaining about her."

"Good luck with that."

"Thanks."

The nekos were dancing and chatting to each other. They were holding hands and they stopped to look at the elves in the room with them.

"Leon, you want to marry my mama?"

"Yes, White Lion. I hope that's okay with you."

"I don't know."

Loren laughed. "So you ask her son for permission?"

Leon glared at Loren. He sat down on the couch.

"Her heart is still broken, isn't it?" Loren asked Leon.

"Yeah." Leon sighed.

Loren shrugged. "You're on your own, my friend."

"Some help you are."

Silver Moon came back out of the bathroom, clean and dressed in a different outfit. She looked puzzled. "Leon?"

"Yes, milady?"

"Which room is mine?"

"Let me show you."

Loren laughed.

Claira Jaen smiled at him. "I like you, Loren."

"You do, do you? Well, I like you too."

White Lion smiled at his sister. "Yeah, Loren is fun. Leon seems to be so serious all the time."

"Perhaps your mama will loosen him up," suggested Loren.

"I hope this one is okay with you," said Leon.

"It's fine." She put her suitcase to the side and turned to face him. "I could hear you and Loren."

"Oh..."

She sighed. "You do have a good point, but you shouldn't expect anything from me."

"I don't."

She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She had raised her hand and then she lowered it. "Alright, I know I don't have to do anything with you that I don't want to."

"No, but I should just take you to the office so we can get the paperwork out of the way."

"Okay."

"You are taking this well."

"Yeah, I was stuck in Mordor. I spent my childhood there. It was just as awful this time as it was then. I can't live that way and I don't want to anymore. Besides I was offered a life here."

"Yes, and you're welcome to stay with me."

She stared at him and found his green eyes. "Oh!"

"Milady?"

"Um..."

"It's okay. I know you still have a broken heart. Perhaps you just need to get to know me better? We have work to do and you'll have the time you need to get to know me. I just want to keep you safe and legal. I'm not expecting anything else from you."

Silver Moon had nothing more to say as she studied Leon's face.
