The Changed

THE CHANGED
''The Phantom War has been going on for many years. On the side of Mira, the Alphas and many jammers fight for a better day. On the side of the Phantoms, many phantoms fight to expand their territory. They are led by the phantom kings, and by a mysterious wolf with dark motives. Lately, a handful of jammers have gone missing. But were they kidnapped or did they leave by choice? The question remains...''

PIKRA
Pikra woke up one morning in her little hovel. She stretched her dainty fox paws and leaped out of bed. Waking over to her desk, she grabbed her trusty samurai swords, their leather strap worn from use. She slid on her tail armor, and strapped on her arm cuffs. Finally, she grabbed her hunting bag and slipped outside.

The morning was perfect for the hunt. The air was crisp, there was no wind, and the berry patch was ripe and fresh. Pikra climbed up into a tree, waiting for her prey.

Soon enough, a bunny hopped into view. It had snow white fur and pink hearts. Looking over at the berries, it approached one and began to nibble. Seeing her change, Pikra leapt on top of it.

The bunny stood no chance. She pinned it down, and was about to slit it's neck with her sword when something happened.

The bunny sprang up with suprising force. It tackled Pikra, who was frozen with shock, and proceded to rip one of her eyes out.

Pikra yowled in pain, glaring at the... bunny? In the bunny's place was a phantom. It reached out it's tentacle, grabbing Pikra's leg. Using it's other tentacle, it zapped Pikra, knocking her out.

CHORREN
"Ok troops!" Sir Gilbert said. "I want Red Squadron to attack from the left, then Green Squadron will slip past the front lines and attack the second row. Am I understood?"

"Yes sir!" The squadrons said. Chorren, a wolf, nodded.

"Good. Jano, rally your squadron and begin the raid."

Jano called out to Red Squadron. Chorren and the rest of the squad followed her.

They marched on for a while, until finally they saw the front lines, where the phantoms lurked, waiting for a fight.

Jano flicked her tail left, right, then center. She then thrust her paw forward. The squad nodded, and a third of it broke off, running to the left, attacking the phantoms.

Jano thrust her paw forward again. Another third of the squadron broke off, this time going to the right.

Jano whipped around and ran at the phantoms, Chorren and the rest of the squadron behind her.

Chorren ran right at the cart filled with animals. He began to break the locks off, freeing them one by one. He had just freed the last animal when he heard a cry.

"Red Squadron, retreat!"

Before Chorren could do anything, a tentacle slid around his neck and threw him into a cage. Chorren watched hopelessly as the squad ran off without him, and as the phantom locked the cage. A quick zap and everything went black.

ORANOS
Oranos collapsed from the agony, the phantom above him zapping him over and over.

"Get up!" It said. "Do your work or the punishments will be much more severe!"

Oranos, a lemur, staggered, trying to lift himself to his paws. Nima, his sister, reached forward to help him up. Dazed, Oranos stumbled a bit, leaning on Nima for support.

The phantom made a slurping sound. "You there! Don't help him or you will die!"

Nima made a face. "He can barely walk. He's in no condition to work, with you zapping him like that! I have every right to help him!"

The phantom's eyes narrowed. "Very well. Come with me."

Oranos and Nima were led into a room. One half had a chair, the other half was some sort of test tube. Nima was shoved into the tube, her paws chained to the wall. Oranos was strapped into the chair.

The phantom looked over at Nima and Oranos. "This is what happens if you disobey orders." It said evilly.

The phantom reached over and pulled a switch. Yellow sulfurous smog seeped into the test tube. Oranos watched in horror as his sister began to melt, her screams muffled by the thick glass. Soon all that was left of her was a puddle, which soon dissolved into the air.

The phantom turned to Oranos. "That is what happens when you do not obey. Now I think that the mines here are a little too much for you." The phantom's face stretched grotesquely. "How would you like a little vacation?"

ACHALLA
Achalla, an arctic fox, lounged on his throne. Next to him were two beautiful arctic wolves, chained to his throne. Several slaves walked hunched over, their pelts red with the lashes of an angry whip

Achalla gestured a slave over. "Get me more food." He snarled. The slave scampered away, terrified.

Achalla turned to the two arctic wolves beside him. "Ladies, this is really the only way to live." he said, picking his teeth.

"Oh you!" One of the arctic wolves said.

Just then, there was a knock on the heavy wooden doors. Achalla hissed at a slave, who dashed over to get the door.

Standing there were two phantoms holding a scroll. Achalla smiled. "Come with a message from Master? My shipments have been quite on time lately, wouldn't you say?"

The phantoms said nothing. Instead, one of them opened the scroll and began to read.

"Achalla," it said, "We thank you for your dedication towards up. Your weapon and machine shipments have been vital in our war against Jamaa. However, we have found a more efficient dealer. It is with great sorrow that I tell you that we will no longer require your help. Since you no longer work for us, you are now an enemy of the Phantom Army. Thank you for your service."

Achalla backed up. "Wait! There's been a mistake! I have supplied your army with weapons ever since this blasted war began! Hear me out!"

But the phantoms did not hear him out. Instead, they grabbed him by the paw and zapped him. The last thing Achalla could remember was a huge eye, glaring at him.

TO BE CONTINUED