create a bond so strong with him that he would die saving me? I couldn’t bear to hear his cries; they filled my heart. I stood up, and gulped.

This was the right choice.

I was going in.

I knocked on the door softly, and I heard the crying stop.

“Yes? Do you need anything, Fox?” I was surprised at how Wolf could disguise his voice so it wouldn’t sound like he had just finished a sob story.

“Can I speak with you for a second?” I questioned, hoping that he would let me in.

“Y-Yes, just hold on for a second.” Wolf finished. I think he was washing his face so it would look like nothing had happened, but he probably knew that I would hear him. The door opened and I walked in.

“What did you need to tell me, Wolf? I would really like to know.” I started.

“Okay, I think this is a good time to tell you.” Wolf replied.

“I needed to tell you that before you were born, I was very good friends with your parents. They told me that if they ever died, I...I would…I would…” His voice trailed off. “You would what? Finish the sentence!” I demanded. Wolf chuckled, and he ruffled my fur.

“I…I would take care of you. But when they were captured, I didn’t know that you were an orphan. One day I came to visit your parents, but when I arrived, you and they were gone. I remembered you so well, when you were little. When I saw you at the laboratory, my heart’s being was alive again. I didn’t want to tell you until now after you got to know me. I’m now your father.” Wolf finished.

I was baffled. He was my new father? My new dad? Wolf, my dad? Wolf did something unexpected.

He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me. I was so happy, I hugged him back. I wasn’t a loner, and neither was Wolf. Now I had a family.

“Will my name be Fox O’ Donnell?”

“No son.”

“Will your name be Wolf McCloud?”

“No son.”

“How do you think Falcon and Krystal will react?”

“I don’t know, son. We’ll just have to find out.”

“Will you finally be nice to me?” I stopped walking and looked up to my new dad in question. Wolf- I mean dad, laughed with enjoyment at all of my questions, because he realized that I wasn’t too open with feelings with him before he told me that he was my new father.

“Yes, I’ll be nice to you, but wasn’t I always nice to you?” He was waiting for an answer, but I just blushed. Dad’s smile beamed down on me, and I smiled along with him. We continued walking until we reached the kitchen, where Falcon and Krystal were waiting for us with full plates.

“What took you so long?” Krystal asked sweetly. “Nothing!” Dad and I blurted in unison. I sat down in a chair next to Falcon and Dad sat next to me. Dad’s expression was still in delight, and Falcon was shocked at Dad’s behavior.

“What have you done to Wolf?” Falcon whispered into my ear. I cleared my throat, and stood up.

“I have an announcement to make!” I proclaimed. “Oh, everyone quiet! Fox is making an important statement!” Krystal whispered to Falcon. “It’s not like I’m the one making noise!” Falcon narrowed his eyes at Krystal. Dad got up as well. “I must state something as well.” He said. I took a glance at Dad, but he said nothing.

“What are you two up to?” Falcon inquired.

“My new father is Wolf.” I declared. Falcon froze midway while eating. “I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true.” I added nervously. Falcon looked at Krystal, and then they erupted with laughter.

“Ha! You’re kidding me, right? So that’s what you and Wolf were planning all this time! A practical joke! And this time it’s a funny one!” Falcon mocked.

“Fox, you call that an announcement? Hah, that’s what I call classic comedy! Wolf, your dad? You’re pulling off a crazy stunt there!” Krystal teased.

I couldn’t believe them.

How could they laugh at my new father? Dad was worth fighting for.

“You two better stop laughing, or-” “Don’t worry, Fox. They’ll understand after they get a little more used to it.” Dad assured. Dad’s mellow voice rushed through my body and I felt all the anger filter out. I was still annoyed that my two only friends had abandoned me when I needed them the most. I pushed my plate away and headed to my den room. Dad quickly pulled me back and pushed the plate back to me. “Finish your food, Fox.” Dad told me.

“Fine, I’ll finish it...” I muttered. I wanted to go to my room and just think, but I followed my father’s orders and started eating. Falcon and Krystal stopped laughing at me after they saw how I had followed Dad’s orders, because they had realized it wasn’t a joke.

“I’m really sorry about that, Fox. I-I wasn’t thinking straight.” Falcon stuttered. Krystal flew off her chair and ran around the table to clutch me.

“I’m so sorry, Fox. I thought you were making it up. I’m very sorry-” She clasped my arm tighter- “And I hope you like your new family.” She choked. “Its fine, I guess.” I forgave annoyingly. I shook her off my arm and she huffed and sat back in her seat. Dad glowed with pride at me, because he had a son. I guzzled the rest of my food down and got up. We all heard a knock on the door of the ship and froze. “All of you stay here. I’ll handle this.” Dad murmured as he headed for the door. I gulped uncertainly, because it could be the humans. I had to wait and see.

Dad opened the door and a man with a blue bag was standing there.

“This is the place where a fellow named-” He paused to look at the envelope, “Falcon Lombardi lives?” The man asked.

“Yes, thank you.” Dad replied. The man handed him the envelope. “You look a bit odd for a human...” The man trailed off. Dad didn’t answer back. He closed the door and flung the mail at Falcon. “Thank you, Falcon- you almost got my cover blown.” Dad growled. Falcon’s guilt meant sorry. He opened the letter and a card came out.

Dear Falcon,

I’m inviting you to a party on May 5th.

Please bring all of your friends with you.

Since I moved, you should fly towards the colorful lights about five mountaintops away from your home.

I’ll see you there!

Katt Monroe

Krystal leaned over behind Falcon and read the letter. She gasped.

“It’s an invitation from Katt! Oh, Falcon, can I please go with you?” Krystal begged. “Why should I let you go?” Falcon snapped. “Well, she said to bring all of your friends! And I’m her best friend!” Krystal was getting angry, which was a first for me. “I’ll think about it.” Falcon ended. “A letter from Katt...” Falcon sighed. I noticed Falcon was headed to the no-response stage of his brain, so I waved my hand in front of his face. He didn’t notice. “Falcon!” I shouted. “Huh?” He shook himself awake. “Who is Katt in the first place?” I threw a question at him so he wouldn’t fantasize. Falcon cleared his throat. “Katt is a black cat who’s thoughtful and she’s really sweet, and-” “Falcon, you’d better drop your dreams right now!” Krystal cut in. As they continued fighting, I took a glance at Dad. He was of course, watching all of this with amusement, yet never disturbing the flow of our behavior. He would probably use all of this information against us someday, but for now, he was enjoying the conversation. “Enough fighting! Let’s just get ourselves ready for the party tomorrow!” I couldn’t believe how much Falcon and Krystal fought. It was almost like...

“Fox! Let’s go to the place where all the humans buy clothes!” Krystal grabbed my arm and rushed towards Dad. “Wolf, let’s go! We’ve got to get ready for the party!” Krystal exclaimed. “Okay, let’s go.” Dad replied with equal enthusiasm.

Dad didn’t want to walk, so he looked around for something he said, “Has wheels”. Whatever that was, I waited along with Falcon and Krystal. Dad came out of the hallway.

“Sorry, but there’s nothing much we can get. Guess we’ll have to walk.” Dad sighed. I jumped out of the chair and followed behind Dad. Falcon and Krystal were directly behind me. We walked through the forest as a human-animal for the first time. Everything seemed smaller than it was before. Dad probably knew the way, because he was captured here many times before. The forest came to a stop and we were in an open, luxuriant field. Falcon hated walking and was so used to flying, he kept on flapping his arms around. Krystal was trying hard not to get whacked.

“Would you quit it, Falcon? No matter how hard you try, you’re not going to get anywhere.” Krystal growled. I was really surprised at Krystal’s new and odd behavior. She snapped at every movement Falcon made. I let Falcon flap in front of me while I hung back with Krystal.

“Krystal, are you alright? You seem...um...a bit, petulant, don’t you think?” I asked the question as unconcerned as possible, so she wouldn’t feel stalked. “Of course I’m fine!” She paused to snatch up my arm and look into my eyes. “But I’m glad there’s someone looking out for me.” She started. “Fox, you don’t want to get left behind. Come on!” Dad called back to us. I dragged Krystal until we had caught up to them. Krystal let go of me and raced to the front with Wolf.

“So, what did you talk about back there with Krystal?” Falcon started with a smirk. “Not much. I just asked her why she was acting all weird.” I replied. “Oh.” Falcon’s excitement swelled down. But Dad’s swelled up.

“We’re here!”

Krystal’s eyes lit up.

“We’re here we’re here let’s go come on move faster come on let’s go!” She poured out. Falcon and I rolled our eyes.

“Now Krystal, you don’t need to get too excited.” Dad calmed. He turned around to all of us. “Here’s the plan. Son, you’re going to stay with Falcon and Krystal. I’m going to be back at home. You first go to where Krystal wants to go, and then you and Falcon can go to your store. Only buy clothes. Oh, and here-” He paused to search his pocket and handed me a ton of green leaves. “I found out this is the stuff you trade for clothes, only humans have it at a certain amount, and you can’t bargain. I think it was called, money.” Dad finished.

“Okay, bye Dad.” I called to him as he walked off. “Bye Fox!” He replied. Krystal seemed scared that Dad was gone, but she was probably wanted to buy more than worry.