Endings and Beginnings

Endings and Beginnings
by Don Miller, Jr. aka LionkingCMSL
Note: For informational purposes, LionkingCMSL can 'morph' between quad (normal lion) and anthro (stand on rear legs).
When LK is on the hillock, he is a quad. When interacting with other furs or onboard ship, he is anthro, unless otherwise noted.

The big, old, lion got up from where he was laying and walked to his favorite lioness. He gave her a head rub and let out small moan. It was time and he was taking his leave from her and the pride. He then turned and walked slowly in deference to his arthritic joints.

If he had been a "normal" lion, he would've either have been dead or alone this long after his whelp day. The fact that he had been allowed to remain in a pride this long was due mostly to the efforts of the furs to keep him happy. Younger males were allowed in for a while, then when they got too aggressive, they were removed to start new prides or take over other ones, in the "lion way". This old male would've been happy to do it the "lion way", but his friends and offspring would not allow it. You see the old lion was HASS/Royal Vulpinian Navy Admiral LionkingCMSL, Ret.

He made is way up to a sunny hillock and gave a final, goodbye, roar. There were roars in answer, but no lion came. They knew that he wished to be alone. He laid gently on his stomach, in Homestead's sun, and looked to the sky one final time.

He had given up his positions as Admiral in the HASS and as Honorary Admiral in the RVN about 2 years ago. His and the allied forces enemies were either defeated or out of action for a long time. Peace had reigned for about 5 years before his retirement, and he saw no reason to continue in his postions.

It wasn't that his former "employers" had let the big cat disappear without a trace though. He was still contacted for his opinions on matters where they thought his unique thought processes would be useful. Also he had passed his remarkable abilites to his offspring. The first of his, great, great, great grandcubs would be entering the HASS academy in a year or so. One of his grandcubs had possesion of the Lion's Den. It seems that that one granddaughter, Katrina, was a born fighter. She did things with the Lion's Den in some of her battles that LK thought were insane. She emerged from those battles battered, but victorious. The HASS and the allies would be in fine shape.

LK had, at first, a hard time coming to grips that his cubs and their cubs would have the same abilities as him. He saw to it though, that his cubs and grand cubs were taught, by him, the ways of fur and lion. When the first of the great grandcubs showed up, he felt comfortable enough that his cubs and grandcubs could do the teaching without his interference. He also found out that the farther the generations were from him, the farther the genetic drift took them from the "pure lion". Some of his male great, great grandcubs didn't have a full mane. The mane didn't extend under the chin and over the foreneck. Some of the females had started growing "hair" on the top of their heads. Also, they weren't as tall as he was. One of his great grandcubs had come to him in a state of panic. It seems that one of her sons didn't like to morph to quad. He only did it as a matter of respect to LK, but otherwise he was totally happy to be anthro all the time. LK calmed his great granddaughter down by telling her that this was invitable. He could see there would be a time that his line could not be able to morph at all. One advantage to them being more fur than lion though, was they were living longer and were healthier all around.

He noticed a glint where he knew Outpost 1 was. "Probably the FireFoxx departing on a mission," he thought. He remembered the good and bad times on board that ship as its captian. He still had a small lump from where he had walked into a HVAC duct during the first week aboard her. As far has he knew, that duct had never been replaced and still had that basketball sized dent from his skull in it. It almost had four deep gashes from his claws for good measure.

George Jackson, his former comm lynx, LK smiled at that unintentional, continuing, pun, had gotten FireFoxx after LK had been "booted" to the admirality. It seems that the RVN had thought that the former Lion's Den crew had intergrated so well with their customs, that they treated them as normal RVN officers. The only thing that was different with the FireFoxx was that George did get mated to Doctor Cyntia Forbes and she was the FireFoxx's Chief Medical Officer. The only such husband/wife team in the entire RVN.

Commander Altaica Powell had left the FireFoxx when LK did and had been promoted to Captain in the HASS. Her and her mate were now teaching weapons and communications, respectively, in the HASS academy. One of LK's great grandcubs had gotten her as a instructor and thought she was too "harsh". That cub had gone to his "grandpappy" to see if anything could be done. The cub learned, that although your great grandfather may be an admiral, it may not be in your best interest to seek his influence.

When the admiral went to Altaica's class for an "inspection", the cub was in for the roughest times of his life. It wasn't that LK "picked" on the cub, but he let it be known that, as far as, HASS matters were concerned, Admiral LionkingCMSL would not play favorites. LK had known the cub had let it be known who is great grandfather was, and thought he would get away with anything. When LK found that the grandcub's weapon had a speck of dirt on it, he had the cub give him "fifty" right then. The class was shocked, even Altaica. That wasn't the worse of it.

When the cub had gotten done and was standing at attention, LK got nose to nose with him and roared, "Although you may be my great grandcub, I do not play favorites when it comes to the training of any space fur. One mistake can cost you your life. The enemy doesn't care who your great grandfather is. In fact, they may single you out to get back at me. Do you hear me cadet!" That last was roared as loud as LK could go.
The cub merely nodded and yerfed a quiet, as dust from the overhead rained down, "Y-y-yes, s-s-sir."
"I can't hear you cadet!"
"Yes, sir."
"I still can't hear you."
"Yes, sir!"
"What was that? A mouse? I still can't hear you!"
"Yes! Sir!" the cub shouted.
"That's better," LK said as he backed away.

Altaica had cornered LK after class and said, "LK, wasn't that a little harsh. Pierre is a fine student. He's doing well."
LK looked at Altaica and said with a weary sigh, "Altaica, do you think I enjoyed that? I didn't. I know that he's near the top of all his classes. He had come to me and said that you were too 'harsh'." Altaica looked stunned. "Now, don't say anything to him. That was my way of showing him that harshness is the way of life of a marine. Think of it as 'tough love'. I love that cub dearly, but he has to learn what I said was true. To quote an old general, 'War is hell'.
"He'll do fine, I'm sure, but he has to learn not to rely on me to get him out of things he doesn't like. He has to stand on his own two paws."
Altaica looked at the lion with a new sense of respect, "LK, I always knew you cared for the ones under your command and your pride, but I didn't realize how deep you cared. To show 'tough love' in that way shows the deepness of your love. You could've very easily transferred him to another class, but to show that you could be harsher than a DI, to show your concern for his life, is touching.
"Don't worry, I won't say or do anything in response to his approaching you. In fact, I think he'll now find that the classes are easier. Not that I'm changing anything, but after your display of discipline."
LK smiled, and said, "I think you're right."
"By the way LK, I think I'm going to have to go to get a hearing check, as well as all of the cadets, "Altaica said with a smile as she rubbed her right ear.
LK looked at her and grinned, "Just be glad you weren't Pierre. I think his ears will be ringing for a week."

The cub came to LK later and very nervously asked if LK hated him. LK, very patiently, told him that he loved him deeply and didn't want to see him get hurt. But that didn't change things. When LK was in "uniform" and repesenting the HASS or the RVN, he had to be very, very strict and could not play favorites when it came to training space furs. LK also told the cub not to make it to widely known that LK was his great grandfather. That fact could come back to haunt him. He gave the cub a hug and sent him on his way.

LK then looked past Outpost 1 and into deep space. Somewhere out there were his friends. Ion Otter. Nebulous. Nikas. Smirk de Catt. Wolfen Starhelm.JFox. Looksfar. Painless Wolf and his "alter ego" the "Tyrant". And others. There were friends here on Homestead of course. Smrgol. Camstone and Jenna. Both Kamaus. Leonard. RumblePurr. Mooncat. They were but a few.

Six months ago LK had taken his robe and hat off for the last time. He folded the robe neatly and placed his trademark black baseball cap on top of it. He then handed the bundle to Painless, saying, "Painless, please look after these. I have a feeling it won't be too much longer."
Painless took the bundle, and with sadness in his voice asked, "Are you sure you won't reconsider your decision?"
"Painless, you know my thoughts on this matter. Modern medicine has allowed me to live longer than I would have. I have settled my business matters and, now, I wish to finish my remaining time as I was whelped. As a quad. Though I don't know how the lionesses will take to me being around full time and not 'disappearing' from time to time," the lion said with a grin. "You also know that the morphing process is becoming very hard for me to do. This will be the last time I do it. Quad, now."
The morphing process took a hold of LK and he started to change to a quad. At one point it seemed that the process had stopped midway through, but it resumed, slowly. LK dropped to all fours and after shaking his head, said, "That will be the last time. It almost didn't finish. It's getting too painful anyway."
Painless looked down at the lion that was his friend and said, "LK, before you go someone has something to say to you." With that, the shadows got a bit darker and the "Tyrant" was standing where Painless had been.
The T-Rex looked down at the lion and said as gently as he could manage, for being gentle was not his nature, "LionkingCMSL, you know that the offer I made to you is not made to many of your kind. Or is it offered lightly."
The lion sat back on his haunches and looked up at the towering giant. "Tyrant, be assured that your offer was accepted with great gratitude and was thought about for a long time. It's as I told Painless, it's past my time. I'm destined to live a certain amount of years, no more. My time here is near an end. Thank you, but no. It's time for me to move on."
The great beast, that had frightened and devoured so many, actually looked sad. He lowered his huge head down so he could look the lion in the eye. Was there profound sadness there? LK couldn't be sure. He didn't dare ask, as the "Tyrant" would dismiss it as something in his eye.
"LionkingCMSL. LK." This was the first time he had ever used the shortened version of the lion's name. "I will miss you. You have shown great compassion to me. You were the first to approach me that night when Painless first brought me to your world. You welcomed me without a second thought. I thought you were foolish then. I now see that there is a power in your heart that not even I can conquer. That is the power of love.
"You have shown great love for your friends, and even your enemies. When you could've killed many and no-one would've said anything, you showed mercy and compassion. You have protected Painless and me from our combined foolishness at times. I will ask you one more time, something I never do, will you accept my offer to extend your life?"
LK looked at the large eye and was sure. The giant was profoundly sad. As much as LK would love to say yes, his answer was, "I'm sorry Tyrant, my answer remains the same. Thank you, but no."
The lizard king rose to his full height, looked down at the sitting lion and roared, "LionkingCMSL, you are stronger than most. I bid you well."
The shadows deepened and Painless was where the T-Rex had been standing.
"He paid you the highest compliment I ever heard him pay. He never makes the 'offer' twice."
The lion reared up and hugged the black wolf. "I know, but I must do what I must. It's time for me to go to my pride for as long as the creator allows me. Be well my friend and take care." With that the lion released and dropped back to all fours. He turned and started to pad towards his pride. LK looked over his left shoulder. "Painless, take care of my cubs and grandcubs. Make sure they don't do too much damage." That last was said with a laugh.
"I'll try my best."
"Well, time for me to be going. I guess this is 'goodbye'." With that, the big cat slipped into the tall grass and disappeared.
As he watched the lion merge into the grass, the tall black wolf felt that he would never see his friend alive again. With tears wetting his muzzle he touched his communicator and sadly said, "Admiral Painless Wolf to Outpost 1. One to beam up."

LK was still looking up at the sky and blinked away a tear. "Painless, my friend, be well. I'll meet you again. I'm sure of it." He then looked deeper into space and said, "Skipai, you showed us the path. I'm about to follow your lead. Maybe if they allow it, we'll have one heck of a 'supersoaker' fight." LK smiled at the last.

LK eased himself onto his right side and closed his eyes for the final time. He took a deep breath and the former Admiral, and friend to many a fur breathed his last. The big cat's form was still. The great lion would never think of himself as the "railroading lion" again.

"LK, wake up!"
The lion thought, "I can't be hearing this. I'm dead."
"LK, if you don't wake up I'm going to give you a great big wet kiss on your nose."
"Don!" the lion roared with glee as his eyes shot open. "Where are you?"
"Right behind you, you silly lion. Time for you to get up."
The lion got up and turned in the darkness. He then saw Don standing in a pool of light. It was almost like the first time they met. This time though, the human was standing in front of a staircase that led up, out of sight, into a blinding light. He moved slowly towards his "soul mate" and found the pain that had been his constant companion for the past six years had gone. "Anthro, now." Nothing happened. "Anthro! Now!" he repeated and still nothing happened. "Anthr ... ," LK started to roar.
"LK, that will not work here," Don said gently, interupting him. Don then knelt down and hugged the huge lion around the neck. "Now, what they allow up there," as Don jerked his thumb towards the staircase, "who knows."
LK put his left forepaw around Don and returned the hug. With tears forming in his eyes, the big cat said, "Don. I'm s-s-scared."
Don feigned a shocked look and said, "The mighty LionkingCMSL scared. I would've never thought that could happen."
LK dropped his head and said downcast and quietly, "Well, yes I am."
Don lifted the huge muzzle, kissed the lion on his nose and said, "LK, you know I'm kidding. You're about to enter an area where people and furs don't return from. You're allowed to be scared, but don't be." As if on cue, Don straightened up tussled the now dark brown mane of the lion, all traces of gray were gone, and said, "Well, you better be going. They're waiting for you." With that last, Don stood aside, allowing the lion access to the staircase.
LK walked to the first step, put a paw on it. He then turned around and asked, "Will I see you again?"
"Hmmm, I don't know. As I see it, if the good die young, I'll live forever. Not only that, Heaven doesn't want me and Hell is afraid I'll take over," Don said while laughing. "Go on. Get out of here. You don't want to keep them waiting."
"Be well, Don. I'll remember you." With that LK took a couple of more steps. He turned and he looked back and saw something he never saw Don do. He was crying openly. His body was shaking with the sobs. Don made shooing motions at him. LK climbed about ten more steps and looked back one last time. There was nothing there. Don and everything had disappeared in a gray mist. In fact, the step that his right rear paw was on was the last he could see. With no way to turn back, he looked ahead. He felt as if he was being called. With a renewed sense of purpose, the lion gathered himself and raced up the staircase to his new life.