Don't Fear, Pug's Here!

Garfort sat in the middle of the Valley of Death. It was impossible for enemies to even approach the towering walls. Traps, wild beasts, and hidden moats filled with quicksand lay in wait for any daring enemy that got close. The walls of the fort were a solid mass of thick stone. The only entrance was camouflaged in the walls through magic and could only be opened from the inside.

Sharp metal spikes lined the fort walls. Fused into the stone by magic, the spikes were laced with poison, leading any would-be climbers to an early grave.

Eight turrets allowed for complete coverage on all sides of the fort. Warriors stood guard at all times, just in the event that someone would be dumb enough to approach the fort.

Inside the compound lay a structure that on the outside appeared to be nothing special. Perhaps an enemy would think it contained sleeping quarters, kitchens, or dance halls, but really the small square dome was really the Fort's Core.

Large metal walls and laser-protected titanium doors enclosed the high-tech core. Floodlights highlighted even the most remote area of the core, leaving nothing to chance. A thick fog vented through slats in the wall, disguising the outer walls. Those that entered the Fort's Core found it difficult to navigate the first several times they visited.

Large metal boxes rose from the Core's rooftop. Laser-guided missile launchers, the highest tech remote laser amplifier, and the 5 km wide night trackers were housed in the boxes. Garfort's Fort Core, like any Core, not only served as a building piece but are also the command building of any ranked structure.

Inside the Core's chamber, large square granite pillars lined the main hall. Garfort's red and black battle flags and black metal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. From outside, the metal walls appeared solid, but from the inside, the warriors could see the sun and the surrounding land.

Not only were the outsides visible from the inside but the space was also augmented being 3x as large as what it would appear from the outside.

Sitting at the far end of the command table Hrel, the vice-commander of Garfort, sat with his snout resting in his meaty palms.

"What are we going to do sir?" Hrel raised his head and shifted his gaze to his commander, Urim.

Turning towards his comrade, Urim exhaled a breath of turbid air, "We can't know that they intend to take Garfort. It's still unlikely they know…" Trailing off Urim turned around and looked meaningfully at the podium right behind Hrel.

"But if they do know…" Urim was suddenly interrupted by the creak of hinges as the main door to the chamber opened.

"Commander, vice-commander," The soldier said, saluting both in order of rank, "We have guests from a foreign race that seeks an audience."

Urim and Hrel shared a glance and Hrel asked, "Is it the trolls? What do those big bastards want?"

The soldier fidgeted and said, "I'm not exactly sure what they are sir, but they aren't no trolls, that's for sure."

Hrel turned to Urim and the two shared a few brief words before agreeing to an audience with the strangers.

Leaving the room the soldier was only gone a moment before three new figures entered the enormous doors.

Pug, Tormu, and Kai entered the room. The duo tried not to show their amazement as three different beasts appeared in the Core's chamber. Tormu's spikey tail slithered across the limestone floor, Kai puffed out her feathers so that she appeared much larger than her normal sleek look. Pug just looked big and dumb, but he carried himself right in front as if he was the leader of the group.

Eyeing the newcomers, Urim glared haughty, not about to let the three visitors know that he was intimidated.

"I don't believe I've seen your kind before," Urim said walking towards the trio, "Who might you be?" he said stopping in front of Pug.

"My name's Pug sir!" Pug replied, puffing out his chest, "I am the future King of Garfield, and probably the world."

Urim's mouth twitched and even the forbearing Hrel chuckled at the younger Boar's remarks.

"Well…I'm sure that's the case indeed. Now, why don't you tell me, your future majesty, why you have graced us with your presence here today." Urim said with a mock bow.

Pug's mouth turned up in a grin and he heartily chortled, "Indeed, you are as wise as the rumors say!" Patting the commander's muscular shoulder he continued, "I am here to take control of this fort!"

Two hours ago…

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Pug looked at Enzo with one raised eyebrow, the little human made his brain hurt. He almost wanted to agree just to get rid of this pesky creature.

Smiling Enzo slung his arm over the sitting Pug and consoled him, "Of course, of course. The commander will surely see how… capable and how much… potential you have."

Pug was in an internal dilemma, he knew he was both immensely capable and had remarkable potential yet… "I just don't like that you won't be there." The little man had grown a lot on him.

This was the first person to see his greatness, and he was remiss to go on this mission without him.

"Don't you worry, I will send Tormu and Kai with you." As Enzo spoke, both Tormu and Kai strode forward and gazed at the stout boar.

Although the two had their reservations, they would follow their Lord's orders without hesitation.

At that announcement, Pug's shoulders relaxed and he seemed to regain his usual arrogant attitude, "Well as long as they can follow orders, I guess it won't be a problem." As he said this, he started walking in a seemingly random direction.

Enzo shook his head and muttered, "I don't know how that guy can even find his backside!" His voice rose and he gazed at Tormu and Kai meaningfully, "Make sure to follow the plan!" then set off on Shaz's back.

Back in Garfort's Fort's Core…

"What did you say?" Urim's eyes narrowed, "This isn't a joke kid," he said to Pug while reaching for the hilt of his sword.

Tomru and Kai tensed, while creatures like Dragons and Phoenixes don't need traditional weapons, because they are the weapons, they still didn't want to take any potentially dangerous situation for granted. Even the mystical ranked creatures like Titans use weapons. And anytime a weapon is drawn, someone dies.

Pug, completely ignoring the commander, started walking around inspecting the room.

Both Urim and Hrel were slack-jawed and only came out of the stupor when Pug started pressing random buttons on the panel.

"Stop that!" Hrel said, swatting the younger Boar's hand away.

Looking confused, hurt, and offended Pug looked at Hrel and said, "Is that any way to treat your future King?"

Right when Hrel was about to retort, the forgotten Tormu and Kai stepped in before things really got out of hand.

"Commander, vice-commander," Tormu said, nodding to both warriors, "We are here to assist you in the upcoming battle against Gardof."

"Please ignore the idiot, he is our… special friend," Added Kai.

"Special indeed," muttered Hrel.

"Wait," Said Urim, waving his hands in front of his face, "What battle with Gardof? Just who are you?" He exclaimed gazing deep at the intimidating duo, his hand reaching ever closer to his hilt.

Kai tried to deescalate, "We're friends. We come in support for the betterment of Garfield and its inhabitants." She said while retracting her wings showing the normal, slender side of her form.

Urim was explicitly attracted to the form and for a second he would swear he felt the need to kneel and look away.

Urim regained his usual composure and cocked his brow, taking a sideways glance at Kai; he wasn't sure what it was, but his instincts made him wary of the two large beasts in front of him.

While the "grownups" were talking Pug was in his own little world.

No one had noticed him inspecting the large panel. Pug had somehow gotten to the Fort's defensive settings and was about to press a rather large red button.

"Well, I'm sorry you've come all this way. We have heard nothing about a battle with Gardof and even if there was one we have the Guardian to protect us." Urim said.

As soon as those words came out of his mouth a gross large leg came flying through a portal that had appeared right above the massive doors. The sharp claws on the foot narrowly missed Pug's face.

"Woah!" Pug yelled as he bent backward to dodge the flying leg.

Another leg came flying through the portal. Then a random arm flew past Kai. On the other side of the room, Tormu caught the other arm in his mouth and gently laid it on the ground.

A torso with a head attached came wobbling into the room. "Could you please pass me my appendages?"

Pug, mouth gaped open, sputtered, "Aarrr yoouuu the Guardian?"

"So what if I am," the Guardian grimaced, "now can someone please help me attach my arms?"

Tormu gave Kai a slight nod. Kai whistled a high-pitched sound. So high that no one could hear it, no one except the other Phoenixes.

Enzo was right. The Guardian was broken. In pieces. Yes, he was trying to attach his limbs, and yes, when they were attached, the Guardian would be enormous, large spikes on his shoulders able to penetrate any attack. Blade-like horns on his face could impale any combatant. But he was in pieces. Time to steal the Core.

Just then the warning sirens went off. Urim enabled the large screen and everyone froze as black dots filled the screen. The dots were rapidly getting more visible.

Pug looked up at the screen. "Hey, there's the King! I think he's here to congratulate me!"

Urim screamed, "You idiot, they're attacking us! They must know the Guardian is broken. Throw up the barrier shield, unveil the moats, and let those beasts out of their cages! And Hrel, throw these spies into the dungeon. They're conspiring with Gardof!"