Sooooo I need you to forgive me for the late chapter. Usually I use my break at work to write a bit but lately I have more and more responsibility and can't take as much time as before… And when I get home I have this laziness that catch me and tell me to procrastinate…

Anyway, I also need to warn you: This chapter is rather dark, there will be death, a lot. I'll try not to be too graphic (even though I'm dying too… haha!) I blame Powerwolf and their new album for that (Incense and Iron mostly).

There is also a small fluffy moment (Just so you guys don't forget I'm a member of the Wildehopps or Cimar will try to kick me out… speaking of Cimar *chuckle*)

Also, this chapter will be focused on Nick. It's the last chapter before our duo réunion, let's hope everything go well… right?

Well then, here we go!

Disclamer: I don't own zootopia nor their character but I own a mind filled with monster and various idea to use them to kill… would you mind me experimenting on you?

The frontier between Reptilia and Mammalia was clearly drawn using the Scar. The small landscapes that weren't destroyed by the cataclysmic action formed as a passage between the two country. To enable a better control of emigration, two walls had been build. One controlled by reptiles, the other by mammals.

No town was built directly on the imaginary line that separated them. Instead, there was a no mammals' land where anyone trying to cross it without the consent of both countries would end up filled with arrows or set on fire with powerful firebolts.

Both sides tried to respect as much as possible the wish of animals trying to cross the border, the flourishing trades between the two country being the perfect exemple, but when a magi was involved, things tended to go wrong.

Reptiles wanted magis to increase their power - be it with magical thrall or powerful magi - and mammals didn't want their neighbors reptiles to grow even stronger.

Skirmishes weren't unheard of, and when one happened, the rulers of each country would go on as if nothing had happened. Seemingly, today was one of those times but this time, no one was declared the victor.

Upon arriving on the top of the hill that separated them from the nearby city, the Iron Head were greeted by the sight of a raging storm, reptiles and mammals fighting together against a hideous monster… A magi had lost in a struggle to a demon.

The creature was a tall and thin being. It looked as if a wolf's arms and legs had be stretched to its maximum, while its torso had be deprived of any flesh and muscles to let grow six skeletal protuberances that reminded the branches of a dead, tree on it's back.

The face of the monster was one of pure sadness, horror and resignation it was the face...

The face of a despair demon…

Nick could portray what had turned this magi like this… Weeks of running away, Templars on their back, no time to rest, and then hope. Hope of freedom in the sight of the walls separating them from Reptilia… And despair. Despair at the sight of the Templars catching up to them despite their effort.

They must have tried to go inside the city to hide and look for a (passeur)... Only to feel Despair at the sight of the guards not wanting to let them through… Then hope again when the reptiles violated the borders to help them… And… Probably despair once more.

Nick didn't know what had caused the last. It could have be the reptiles conceding this time, maybe someone told them what awaited them on the other side of the border… Whatever it was, it broke something inside one of the magi. And that breach was filled by a creature drawn by the raging emotion.

They were about to charge when Nick saw it. A wolf kit freed himself of the hold of a ram Templar and run toward the demon. "Mommy! Mommy please!" He cried on the top of his small lungs. Nick wanted to reach for him, wanted to tell him to stay away. He lifted his arm… Only to see the vicious creature use one of its tree like appendices to pierce the kit's torso.

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"NO!" Nick shouted, his heart arching as the small body was lift by the demon before he thrown it away… The next second he was running onward.

"Wilde! Shit!" He heard behind his back but didn't stop (pour autant) he needed to be fast.

It's useless…

Ignoring the voice in his head he took his bastard sword out of his scabbard and used it to slice the head of a fallen Templar that was starting to get up… Despite the gaping hole in the middle of his torso. He couldn't let the dead rise and slow him down.

Too late as always…

'Shut up!' He roared internally then ducked to avoid an incoming sword and glanced at the creature holding it. What should have be a varanus was missing a part of its head where black goo was starting to grow, spreading on its body. The arm that once should have held the sword was now somewhat fused with it, metal, flesh and the ebony substance melding into an horrible and disgusting agglomeration of flesh.

He didn't retaliate. He knew the rest of the iron head would take care of it, instead, he rushed forward, aiming for the little kit.

Fallen mammals and reptiles alike were starting to rise, their pain and despair holding their souls to the mortal plane.

He crossed path with a varan - which didn't even notice him - the reptile seemingly aiming to take the demon down. He was a few feet away from the kit.

When he finally reached him, he took a look at the fight behind him. Mammals and reptiles were fighting between themselves as well as against the abomination, it was impossible to tell in the fever of battle who was alive and who wasn't.

Forcing himself to look away, he focused back on the kit. He was having spasms, his frail body being slowly deprived of blood and life.

Not even the elixir can save him now…

A hole was dug in the kit's torso where the demon had pierced him... As much as Nick hated to admit it this poor wolf was doomed.

He cursed himself internally. He was a mercenary, a member of the iron head. He was he was used to such carnage. But each time a child was involved he would lose his temper.

One more spasm from the kit brought him back to reality. Black goo was starting to spread from the wound and infect the flesh…

A sound of pain muffled by blood escaped the small wolf's mouth as he looked at him, with a mixt of terror and despair in the eyes. He didn't know what was going on and he was too deeply wounded to feel the pain - it was a miracle if not a curse that he was still awake - but the hole in his chest had be made by a demon… And its effect on the boy was growing.

As the curse trying to turn him into a mindless puppet was spreading, the kit experienced a burst of despair being first in line.

The kit would soon die in great pain and his body would be used as a tool to spread its curse by the demon… And there was only one way to prevent it.

Nick slowly took a knife out of his back, trying not to scare the kit in his arms. He tried to bring it to his throat without being noticed but miserably failed when one more spasm from the small body made the cold steel poke through the fur and touch the flesh... He saw the betrayal and sadness in the last tears that rolled on the small predator's cheek before he sliced his throat, ending his suffering.

Grieving for later, for now slay.

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In the tumultuous chaos of the battle, no one had witnessed the small yet brutal act Nick had done, what was one death among hundreds. They were all focusing on saving their respective lives and it seemed no one - demons included - had noticed him.

A small analysis of the battlefield will do some good before going in. Nick mused

The iron head where swiftly dealing with the undead, living on the battlefield had given them two gifts. One, adaptability, it mattered not if the enemy had changed and if the plan was done for. If they wanted to live they had to adapt and improvise. Two it had deprived them of their fear of death. Not caring for their own life, they charged head first into battle, focusing on what was in front of them and leaving whatever was behind to whoever was behind.

The vanguard led by Bogo was slicing their way to him through the - he hadn't realized at first how numerous they were - ever growing number of foes, each animal cut downrising shortly after to face them. The support were focusing on purging the fallen - be them undead or 'reanimated - and destroying the body enough to prevent any possession.

Nick spotted Jackie using wall of flames to prevent their small group from being surrounded while tau was helping her maintain her spell and using a bit of magic to destroy a undead heads there and then with some firebolts.

Although some demons were immune to fire - anger demons for exemple - when they possessed a body, they also inherited the animal instinct fear of fire.

The irons heads technique proved to be far more efficient than the Templar's, trapped in their circle, shield up, trying to repel the undead flow.

'Funny thing,' he thought, 'despite having such an ineffective formation and losing soldiers every times they still stick to it…'

'Well except for one bunny Templar that proved to be capable of adaptation.' He added.

Focus! Another voice screamed in his head.

An undead reptile was closing by, black blood gushing from his side where a nasty blow had left a gaping hole.

Reptiles relied a lot on their physical and magical prowess to fight, considering their lives as dispensable. If the technic had proved deadly efficient during war between Reptilia and Mammalia - reptiles being stronger in almost every field - it became a weakness against a creature that would turn the dead against their former allies.

Reptiles way of fighting was to deal as much damage to the enemy as possible before falling themselves. Sadly - for them at the moment - if their common foes would fall after having a limb chopped down - allowing them to slice their way through outnumbering enemies - undead proved to be far more difficult to deal with.

They would counter such problems with the help of some magis, weakening their opponents or controlling the demon and his spawns… Except they had no magi here and they were currently at a halt.

The reptile had let go of his weapon as it died, so it's undead counterpart tried to rely on its long arm to catch Nick.

The fox simply took a step back and bent a bit to force the reptile to do the same. When the fiend's claws were almost on him he took his falchion in his left paw and his bastard sword I'm his right's and used them to slice down the reptile's arm.

Since reptiles don't use heavy armors and protections, the move came effortless. The next moment, both his weapons were aimed at the creature's head as he stood.

'Mindless creature…' He shrugged internally when the fiend's head rolled on the ground.

The fight would have been over soon if it wasn't for the demon wreaking havoc in the middle of the town's guard, who were desperately trying to prevent him from gaining access to the town. Their poor equipment and lack of organization making them easy prey for the monster.

Taking one last look at the rest of the battlefield, Nick's target became clear.

'I wonder what Val can make out of a despair demon's core…' he thought, walking rapidly to his next opponent.

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Dealing with demons was no easy task. Even Templars who were formed specifically to fight against them had troubles. Of course it may have been because Templars considered themselves too great to follow magi - or wizard in their cases - but most of the time it was because their twisted nature.

Templars' or demons'? A voice laughed in Nick's head.

When faced with a problem they couldn't face, demons tended to have extreme reactions.

An anger demon would enrage when faced with a foe too strong for it. A lust demon faced with someone immune to its charms would switch to a murderous creature… And a despair demon, when surrounded would run away to search for something they could use to their advantage… Like a town filled with mammals that would become perfect undead.

The thought crossed Nick's mind as he removed a tiger's head before it could rise as a ghoul. The demon was being cornered by the Templars against one of the city wall.

He understood too late what the demon was about to do. "Careful he'll-" a scream from the fiend almost made him drop his weapon to clutch at his ears,and covered whatever word he may have tried to use. The next second, the monster was crawling on the wall like a spider, using its tree-like appendices.

"Hurry and open the door!" He screamed on top of his lungs as he recovered his hearing. But the guards on the other side of the wall were too busy fencing for their lives to take the time to open the gates.

"MOVE!" He heard behind him before his reflexes kicked in, making him jump sideway to avoid the charging mammal.

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It was a story known by almost every mercenary. How Adonis "Iron Head" Bogo had earned his title… It was another to experience it.

As amazing it seemed, the massive mammal accumulated a lot of speed with his charge and head butted the gates at full strength breaking them open in one hit.

Nick even though the buffalo could have went through the iron Portcullis if he had wanted… Not that the display of strength was to laugh at… The doors were made to - at least - hold the attack of an elephant.

"IRON HEADS! CHARGE!" Said buffalo screamed to rally his troops.

Roaring as a single mammal, the warband rushed inside the city and started to slay the few undead that were rising.

"Wilde!" At his name Nick stopped and looked at Bogo who. "Go on top of those building and look for that fiend!" He pointed at the nearby houses. "Tau, Jackie, assist him!" The two females gave a nod and ran to him. "Now hear me well Wilde, this is an order, take down that fiend at any cost… Hear me Wilde? Any cost." He added before rushing to take care of the undeads that were rising up without waiting for Nick's reply which showed how important the task was.

"Jackie supply my spell." Tau said, using her power to make a ice ladder, shaking Nick awake from the fear the meaning of Bogo's order...

Heat magic was Tau's speciality like Jackie but unlike the feline, she could control her power to a far greater extend. Using use magic to materialize something so difficult as a ladder asked a lot of concentration. That's why while she focused her power, Jackie supplied her spell with her own mana so that the she-deer could materialize what she wanted.

As soon as the ladder started to form, Nick grabbed it as it grew and soon found himself on top of the nearby house. He could already hear Tau and Jackie climbing up when a scream erupted from a bit further… Something had hurt the demon… And it wasn't happy.

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Eliot, a white furred wolf, had newly be transferred to this town's garnison. His family had long history with the guard's duty, every male in the family followed the steps of his father and become guard too. But it wasn't the reason he had the transferred here. He had asked it for the female he loved, Cloe, was a teacher in the local school.

He had be excited to follow his beloved "pumpkin" to this town and meet a bunch of new mammals he knew he would get along with.

His easy going nature and personality however proved to be troublesome… Eliot had a special skill: he could see true love. He would often use his power to accidentally break couples who wouldn't match. This had earned him the reputation of couple breaker and people tended to avoid him when they were with their love interest.

Today however was different.

"Zieeeeeeeg gime a hug…"

Hidden behind a bush Eliot witnessed the cutest couple he had ever see - except he and his pumpkin of course - have a meaningless love quarrel.

The light brown bunny that was asking for a hug and trying to throw her paws at the other mammal's neck was named Océridya. The other mammal, a red fox, was named Ziegelzieg also called Zieg.

Their "love quarrel" had started when Zieg had spent a rather alcoholised evening with a female friend of his. Of course nothing had happened. Zieg wasn't interested in the other female and anyone could have see it. But Océridya being a bunny - and being over sentimental like most of her specie - had become jealous and had tried for a good month to get the fox to hug her to: "make up for hugging another female."

But what made the quarrel even better was that they weren't together! And, in their pride couldn't accept that they had feelings for each other.

To Eliot, it soon became a mission to marry them.

He was helped in his holy crusade by two other mammals. Cimar, a kangaroo working in the town administration. And koraru, a she-cat, working as an artist. Both of them had witnessed the two lovebird quarrel once and had swore to make them end together by any means necessary.

"Go hug yourself!" Replied Zieg. "I'm not going to fall for you droopy ears and switching nose!"

"B-but-but…" The bunny was starting to drop a few fake tears to weaken the fox's resistance.

"Eliot your tail is slapping my face!" Complained Koraru.

Looking at her and her now covered by white fur face Eliot gave her a small apologizing smille. "But they're just so cuuuute I can't help it! AWOO-" he fell silent when Cimar clapped his mouth to prevent him grow starting a howl in the whole town.

"Can it!" He said. "Don't scare them! It seems Zieg is about to break!"

"Who goes there?" Said fox asked, turning his back at the bunny who frowned and mouthed a "damn it."

"Good job you two…" Koraru growled while showing herself. "Hello Océ, hello Zieg how are you two doing today?" She asked while walking to them, Cimar by her side.

"Koraru!" Océ smiled at the appearance of her friend. "Eliot and Cimar too?" She added when she saw the two males. "What are you three doing here?" She asked half happy to see them, and half happy to have her plan fail because of them.

"We were just passing by when we hear you voices so we came by." She said with a weak chuckle, trying to hide the fact they had follow them for quite some time already.

"Yeah and we waited to see if you two would kiss!" Eliot added, his tail waving furiously as he broke all hope of making it seems like an accident.

Zieg and Océ's look turned to pure horror when the wolf said it. He was about to say something more when he noticed their gaze wasn't turned at him...

He turned at the right moment and just before some branch pierced his torso he jumped sideway… He them almost wished he hadn't turned to see the monster in front of him.

Whatever this creature was in was clearly hostile to every form of love Eliot fought for. It was a nightmare made flesh.

The creature slowly moving toward him had him take his sword out of his scabbard. Never had he be so grateful to have this weapon with him. A quick glance at his friends behind him had him hope they would escape if things turned sore…

What the wolf didn't know was that the creature thrived to crush hope and turn it into despair…

A white mist escaped the fiend's maw and spread before it. Said mist seemed to be moved by its own will because it soon slowly crawled to them, slowly making them step back…

A faint jump behind Eliot made him know they had their back against a wall and couldn't move any further. Worse even, the monster hadn't moved a single claw since he had released this magical mist.

When said most reached his feet, Eliot though he would be in great pain but to his surprise, nothing came… At first.

Slowly, without him even him controlling it, he started to think of what could happen if the monster suddenly started to attack. Sure he would fight back… But would his friend move? Try to run away? They seemed to be as stiff as statues.

What if he was defeated? The monster would then target them for sure. And it would kill them too! It would then attack the whole town! Turn everything into monster! For a moment, Eliot asked himself how he knew the demon would do that but something crushed this question and started to show him what would happen.

To give himself some strength to push back the monster, Eliot thought of his sweetheart, he imagined her telling him to fight for her as if he was some kind of chevalier fighting a Dragon…

Except the creature wasn't a dragon and soon, Eliot saw images of Cloe dead. He saw her lying on the mud while fly and various bugs feasted on her rotting flesh. And on top of this gruesome vision, he saw the monster.

In an instant, his fear and despair mutated into something else… Rage. A primal rage that only a predator with a scent bond as strong as his could develop when his mate was in danger.

The demon spell now broken he could see it an inch away from Oceridya, it's long claws almost on her face.

With a roar that conveyed both his rage against the creature that was threatening cloe and his will to save the fluffy couple, Eliot lunged forward and thrusted his sword into its side.

It took him - and the demon as well - a moment to notice that he had pierced the creature's hide.

When both registered, Eliot suddenly notices he had no idea of what to do now. He was a town guard! His job was to make sure no one broke the law! And that those who would end up in jail. He was, of course, formed to fight other mammals - and reptiles if the need arise - but no training taught you what to do when you plunged your sword deep into your enemy's side… To see it had no effect!

Well, no effect at first because when the fiend apparently understood what was happening, it gave a plainfull and powerful scream and used one of its appendices the smash his away with a deadly swipe.

Thankfully, Eliot's reflex were fast enough. He let go of his sword and held both forepaws in front of him to protect his torso - and vital organs - from the blow… That didn't protect him from the wall he hit a full force after the demon sent him flying.

When he tried to stand back, he was faced by the creature's jaw and some more mist coming out of it. A cold shiver ran through his back, he couldn't see that again. Something told him that, this time, he wouldn't escape from the nightmare he was about to fall into.

He tried his best to move but the monster used his appendage to hold him in place as the mist moved to his face ever so slowly, as if the monster was enjoying to see him struggle so much.

He could already feel a chill running down his spine as a warning of what was about to happen, warning him that if he given in to those visions he wouldn't come back this time, no matter how horrible the sight was. And as his eyes rolled backward, he saw it, a smaller monster landing on top of the big one...

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Nick's run on the rooftops were filled with visions of despair, the demon was clearly growing stronger as it was raising havoc in the city, mammals could be see running away in every direction, predators and prey alike, fighting or fleeing for their lives as the ever growing number of dead drawn always more lower demons to possess the bodies.

He saw an ursid try to defend himself against a bunch of undead boar, the unliving unaffected by their prey's powerful paws. He saw a family of sheep getting cornered by two undead guards - lioness - that had probably given their lives prior to save them. He saw a mother jaguar scream when her husband - if the names she was giving him as he limbed to her were a hint - mauled her face with his claws and jaw. He saw crying wolves kits frantically clawing a door open to the point their paws were bleeding as a deer with broken antler slowly walked to them, his left arm twisted in a weird way raised while his right one was replaced by some grotesque blood formation that mimicked the missing limb.

He saw it all with horror as he ran forward. He saw so many reasons to stop and help each of them but he needed to destroy the creature responsible for all this. The despair demon was weakening the veil, if he was to die, no more demons would be drawn by and the remaining one would be weak enough to be dealt with.

He couldn't allow himself to save them all, he needed to focus on a single target and take it down…

At any cost…

By the time he caught sight of the demon and saw it bending on a wolf, guttural pulsing mist gushing out its jaw, he was filled with hatred toward the monster and jumped on it without any other plan that to plunge his swords on the fiend's body. He would improvise, like always.

Mid air, he used his weight and speed to hack one of the demon's appendage with his falchion, and stab it on it's back using his bastard sword. To his surprise, the treelike limb despite being rather hard, fell easily… unlike it's back that was way more sturdier than he had anticipated.

Not waiting for the monster's reaction he pulled his sword and jumped down. Before he could even hit the floor, the demon turned around screaming in pain, it's remaining "shank" waving dangerously in every directions.

When he finally landed, the creature's red eyes were on him and two of its branches were already flying in his direction. He jumped between it's legs, hacking both in the same motion.

He fell his swords bounce on the creature's hard skin and already knew he would need to take out his longsword to breach through it.

Or something else…

The thought was barely in his head that a golden fireball exploded right on the demon's face. A quick glance was all it took him to see Jackie, her paw extended casting another spell.

'Good girl.' He thought. She was quick to follow him and had taken the first occasion she had to cast her spell.

He also noticed that one limp missed him by a few hairs breadths.

Focus if you want to keep your head on your shoulders! Warned a second voice.

He tried to take a few steps back from the creature to take his longsword but something warned him not to let go of his current weapons…

Right on clue, with a vicious snarl, the creature turned to him and locked eyes. The next second, each of the creature's attacks were directed at him. Had he let go of only one sword he would have be dead.

He used every trick or move he knew to defend against the coming blows, choosing to deflect them rather than parry. If it was harder it was also less dangerous for each and every strike would had - at least - break one of his bones.

What he didn't understand was why the fireballs he could see explode behind the creature's back seemed to have no effect rather than almost dangerously blinding him.

Despair demon's element is ice… the revelation made him miss one of his steps and one of the demon's appendage grazed the side of his head, almost stunting him.

Wear a fucking helmet Wilde!

He had to roll on his side to avoid the next attacks and stood in a hurry. He needed to create distance between the demon and himself.

The reason Jackie and Tau's Magic were useless was that the demon was strong enough to nullify Tau's ice attacks but also resist her and Jackie's fire attack.

And the reason he was its main target was because he was hope. He was the last hope of the five present mammals. If he was to die, the creature would grow even stronger from the despair the five other would feel.

"get his attention!" He screamed on to of his lung while he dunked to avoid of the creature deadly blow.

He managed to get a hit but it seemed the creature could harden it's skin when needed. If it wasn't much stronger than bone, it was still enough to resist any strike Nick could land while focusing most of his strength and speed to avoid being killed. He really needed for them to draw the creature attention.

"We're trying!" Tau screamed as she there a fireball bigger than before.

Sensing danger, Nick jumped down right in time before the deflagration sent one of the creature's limbs flying.

She had used the strength of the explosion rather than the heat to land a blow strong enough to harm the demon that hadn't thought of defending itself since the previous attacks had be useless against him.

He immediately stood and let go of his bastard sword to reach behind his back, wanting to use the little time he had to take his weapon when an ice spear flew in his direction. He jumped on the side to avoid it and witnessed the dangerous projectile destroy the wall behind it.

'One hit and you're dead Wilde…' he warned himself… That when he noticed that he had let go of one of his weapon… And still hadn't draw his longsword.

Apparently the demon also had understood what that meant...

The next attacks were stronger than before, the creature before him going berserk, doing all it could to kill him.

"Do that again." Nick screamed but it seemed that Tau had exhausted all her mana and was currently having trouble breathing.

"Jackie! Do something! I don't care how but give me a break!" He almost implored.

"On it!" He heard a little too close for comfort… Before the cheetah landed on the demon's head with a ferocious growl.

Okay this female is fucked up… I love it.

Of course, the demon seemed to disagree and tried to grab the cheetah to set itself free form her onslaught. Showing dexterity that would have made her ancestors proud, Jackie swiftly avoided the monster's claws and used her own to gouge its eyes.

Nick took the opportunity to take his longsword out of its scabbard and lunged at the demon's torso, aiming for it's core.

In that very moment, probably sensing the wind had turned, the demon ran away once more… Right to the four mammals that were watching the scene with a mixt of morbid fascination and fear.

It wasn't trying to shake Jackie away anymore, nor was it trying to hurt the four of them. It was simply trying to save its stolen live.

"Don't let him go!" He shouted at the four mammals, breaking their fascination and making them aware of the upcoming danger.

Their reaction however were the total opposite of what he had hoped. With a scream, the she-cat jumped in the kangaroo's arms while the fox and bunny, both trying to run away, tripped on one another and fell.

Just when Nick was about to curse his luck for leaving him, Jackie let herself hang on the demon's head, her weight destabilizing the creature and making it dangerously bend, slowing it down slightly.

Faster!

Nick pushed his body running closing the gap between him and the demon when he saw the wolf that was previously petrified by fear coming from the demon's side screaming. He slammed into it which, with the help of Jackie, achieved to make it fall.

Now!

With a few more steps Nick was on the creature and jumped. Jackie and the wolf were holding it down although it was starting to get free.

He pointed his sword to the demon's torso and put his weight on it. The iron pierced the monster's hide along with its core and exited on the other side, planting in the ground.

The scream of pain that escaped the demon was all the proof he needed that he had landed a killing blow. The creature shaked in every direction, and threw Jackie and the wolf away. Nick for his part, simply pulled his sword and jumped away. With the spider look the creature had he guessed it was simply bringing all its "paws" to its torso… Until he noticed the growing light in the wound.

"Get down!" He screamed before couching, with his paws on his head. The next second the creature exploded.

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The explosion didn't seemed strong - at least compare to what a Mage could do. But what Nick had feared was to become a victim to what had killed some of the templars he had met some while ago. He didn't know what triggered the explosion in the first place, the idea another demon was ready to burst into black needles was rather fearsome…

'I, scared of a dying foe… I really need to get a hold of myself.' he thought in silence.

As he stood he noticed that not only there wasn't black needles planted in everything but that - surprisingly - everyone around him was in good shape with no sight of any kind of "side effect" due to the explosion.

Better safe than sorry.

Jackie sat up and gave him a thumb up and a smile, a sign that she was fine. He smiled back at her. She had acted rather recklessly and that had earned them victory but while it was normal for him he hated the idea that a magi could put herself in such a danger.

Hypocrite. A voice sang in his head as memories of the number of magi he had led to battle… sometimes to their end.

He buried the feeling, telling himself that the difference was that this magi sometimes shared his bed and walked to the four remaining mammals to make sure none of them had suffered some strange wound…

The explosion had send them flying around and they seemed to slowly emerge for their stupor, he choose to check on the weakest mammal first.

"Hey there cutie are you okay?" He asked the brown rabbit in a attempt to lighten the mood with some foxy charm.

"Don't call me cute!" She shot angrily.

So much for thankfulness…

And without any other word she turned to help the fox next to her stand. The movement gave Nick a nice view on her rear and… "Nice ass." He said out of the blue, surprised by his own incapability to hold his thoughts to himself.

'Four weeks without getting a tail and you can't hold your tongue... Good thing you know how to fight because you couldn't use your words to escape a dangerous situation...'

The bunny was about to reply when a growl drew his attention on the other fox who was baring his fangs at him.

Seeing the other male so aggressive to him despite the fact that he just saved him from a demon made Nick laugh a good time before wiping a tear from his eye.

"Don't worry pal," he said. "I'm not going to steal your girlfriend." To that the other fox not only calmed down but also turned so red that it could be see under his fur.

"I'm not into rabbits anyway." He added with a snort.

Yeah right...

"Beside you two look too great together that it would be a crime not to see you're made for each other." He added, smiling at the odd couple's reaction to his compliment.

Nick was proud of the way he had defuzed a situation that could have gone wrong - foxes were pretty jealous after all. He was sure that he would had beaten the other male in any sort of context - except drawing... he sucked at drawing - but he wouldn't have liked to beat someone from his own species to a bloody pulp.

He turned his back at them and looked at the three remaining mammals.

The furred wolf that had helped Jackie and him to stop the demon was literally head over tail, trapped in a bush shouting something about pumping and Ziegrydia.

Some sort of soup with spice maybe?

Overall he seemed pretty good, except for his strange culinary tastes.

Finally, the two remaining mammals were a kangaroo sitting in the dirt holding - princess pride style - a she-cat whose head was hidden in his neck.

"You two lovebirds can stop holding on each other. It's safe now." He told them.

It took some time before the two mammals realized he was talking to them. But the reaction was priceless. Both ears turned crimson red before going flat as they tried to deny.

While the kangaroo was struggling with his words, saying that Nick mistaked; that he was only protecting a friend and such, the she-cat gaze was focused on him, eyes filled with longing…

"Yeah right!" Nick half laughed. "You won't fool anyone when holding her so close to you…" He gave them a wink along with his signature grin.

The kangaroo looked at the female in his harm, crossing her does eyes... and raised to a newest deep of red that could be see even through his fur.

He tried to back away from her, forgetting that he was against a wall and almost knocked himself out. This had the effect to make his head bounce and come back to the place it originally was… Except the yelp of pain he let go frightened the small female who crossed the gap between their body in an attempt to look for any injuries… The addition of both movement brought them so close to each other than their noses booped.

They stood her for a moment in silence - Nick noticed the fox, rabbit and wolf were now focused on the two of them - before the she-cat color couldn't turn reder and she fainted on the kangaroo.

What should have be the end of the two poor - or happy in this case - mammals torment turned even funnier when a pan of the partially destroyed house's straw roof fell on them burying them, forcing them to be pressed against one another.

Nick bursted into a strong laugher, almost dropping his blades to hold his sides at the scene. 'How could two mammals be so unlucky and clumsy that they fall into such a improbable scenario?!'

"Wilde, we need to clean the rest of the undeads before they do more damages." Tau shouted from the rooftop. She also seemed okay except she was putting all her weight on her staff to keep standing.

"You all guys are going to be alright, we'll take care of the remaining danger." Nick said to the fox and bunny. "Stick with the wolf he seems to know how to fight." He motioned at the white wolf, helping the kangaroo and she-cat exit the straw - said wolf was now saying something about a "Cimaru" - "Thought I would have him checked out if I were you." He added.

"Yeah… Eliot can be strange sometimes but he's just a big pup." The bunny replied with a sheepish smile.

"Eliot hunnn?" Nick smilled. "Hey Eliot-wolf." He shouted, drawing the canid attention. "Thank for the help, if you ever feel like using this recklessness of yours the Iron head are always recruiting."

"I can't leave this town." Eliot replied. "My pumpkin is here and there is no way I'm leaving her." He proudly stated, puffing his chest.

"Take your time Wolfy." Nick insisted. "I should be back in this town in two months you'll give me your answer then." He added with a wink before turning his back and walking away with Jackie.

"Hey fox." He heard. "What's your name?" Nick turned to see every mammals looking at him, the kangaroo and cat standing beside Eliot straw in their fur.

"The name's Nick Wilde." He flashed a grin.

The four mammals bowed, "thanks for saving us." The four of them said in unisound.

"Meh! Don't mention it!" He said, still feeling good to have at least saved five mammals.

"Once you find yourself a sweetheart come settle here Nick." Eliot said. "I'm sure the lot of us will become great buddies." This time Nick didn't turn around not wanting to give in to this small 'what if' that was slowly creeping in.

"Hurry you two find me some stairs so I can get down!" He heard somewhere over his head.

A quick glare at Jackie that was making faces was all the proof he needed he hadn't imagined said voice… The cheetah and him quickly looked for a way to get the prideful - and yet stuck - white-deer down from the rooftops. Even if some ghoul where left they knew their help wasn't truly needed, the Iron head worked efficiently…

.

.

"Eight mages!" The ewe was screaming. "Out of ten, eight mages died because you reptiles crossed the border to capture them." As Nick had guessed, there help hadn't be needed, when the demon died, every ghoul weakened, allowing an easy clean of the remaining danger.

While the victims among the civiles were bad it still didn't exceed what a demon this strong could usually do in a city and the townsfolk, while mourning their dead, had be generous with the Iron heads paying highly in alcohol, food, gold and various raw material the services.

Those that seemed less happy about things were the templars. This was currently reflected in the ewe's behaviour toward the reptiles. She had lost half of her troops to the demon and what was left of them were now almost jumping at the reptiles' throat… The only thing preventing them from was the huge sea-crocodile that seemed to lead the reptiles… and that despite a bloody open wound seemed totally fine.

"Those magi, made the choice to become part of our glorious country. Since that moment they became Reptilia's citizen and you had no right to forbid them to reach for their new home. We merely came to set them free." The reptile replied with a vicious smile.

"As per a decree of the Templar institution, Magi can't leave this country without the consent of a college cardinal." The ewe recited as if it was the hundredth time she had to say it. "It was illegal for them to leave." Her own smile rather insincere.

"Still we consider them as our people." Unlike the ewe, the crocodile was extremely calm. "When we knew you were after them we had to interfere or you would have killed them." Nick could already see where this was heading. It was easy to see the reptile would counter any argument with "we were just trying to prevent you from killing."

"Of course we would have hurt them! They broke the law!" The small female was almost boiling at this point which clued Nick that the 'fight' had gone for quite some time.

"They broke your laws yet they are our people, it's up to us to punish them." The crocodile replied his smile ever growing as the mammal was growing redder and redder under her fur.

"THEY ARE NOT YOUR PEOPLE!" She shouted on top of her lungs.

"To us they are." The reptile camly said though his voice matched the templar's in strength.

"NO THEY'RE NOT!" At this point Nick knew it would turn into a kit's - or hatchling in the reptile's case - fight. Fight that everyone knew the ewe would lose. They were outnumbered and Mammalia would never cover her decision if she was to start a fight. It would simply be classified as "tension at the border".

That's when the ewe's nerves gave in. "You all fucking mage lovers are a sin to this word the creator made and need to fucking die!" She shouted on top of her lung. "Along with mages themselves!" On that word she drew her sword.

A snarl came from behind Nick and everyone froze then turned to Jackie who was still baring her teeth.

"Don't you think enough blood has soaked the soil?" Bogo suddenly said before anyone could add a word.

If the cape buffalo had remain silent through all this time he couldn't accept insults directed at him and his soldiers.

Now that the Templars and reptiles noticed they weren't alone, tension rose. If both sides had suffered injuries the Iron heads were perfectly fine… and it was well known by both sides that the iron head would change the odds just by their presence.

Reptiles were the quickest to adapt. "You're right sir." The sea crocodile said, taking a less threatening posture. "We're just going to take the remaining magi," he sent a side glare to the ewe, "and leave immediately."

"Don't sir me." Bogo replied. "Only my men have this right."

"Oh sorry, I thought that was how we addressed to mercenaries coming for the great hunt…" The message was clear: 'I know why you're here so beware for you might not be allowed to cross the border.'

"Iron head will do." Was all Bogo said. He would have chewed the crocodile if he was one of his men or beated him senseless if they were in a pub. But even someone as powerful as him had limits… Even more when his mens' next pay was on the other side of the border.

"Well then Iron head, I would be glad to tell my superior we were able to limit the damage thank to your intervention." The reptile stated. "Now if you'll excuse us we're going to leave."

"You are not going anywhere!" The ewe shouted. "You will face justice for your acts and pay for the lives lost today!"

Even though she had lost all hope of winning a fight now that it was obvious Bogo wouldn't stop the reptiles, the woolled mammal was still holding her ground.

"Once more, the lives lost today were those of our people." It was obvious even the reptile was starting to lose his cool. "Because of your reckless actions at that. Now get out my way." He took a step forward and only stopped when the ewe's blade touched his scales.

He locked eyes with her before baring his teeth. "You have five second to put that away or I'll make you."

Nick decided it was time for him to defuse the situation. "Look, we won't solve anything with brute force today." He stepped closer.

"I know you Templars have to answer for every magi-" he saw the frown the ewe made, not liking the idea that he was using the word. "-that dies or escape you. Wouldn't it be good if you said that the ten magi died in the skirmish?"

Of course, Nick knew the chances that the zealot mammal accepted were thin but he didn't expect her reaction. "Shut it you disgusting fox!" She screamed.

"I'm sorry what?!" Instantly he feel his will to solve this in a pacific manner fall.

"A demon's offspring like you don't have the right to speak to me!" He sword was now in front of him when a snarl escaped Jackie. "The simple fact that you try to make me lie about our sacred mission is the proof I needed to tell me I'm right!"

A growl of disapproval started to spread between the iron head's rank, leaded by Jackie who was obviously mad at the ewe for the was she talked about magi and how she treated Nick.

"Stop baring your teeth at me kitty or I'll pull them out one by one!" Tension was ever growing and at this stage, the Templars seemed ready to fight.

"In fact I should take every Mage here and bring them to justice! I think after a day with our inquisitor you will all admit how corrupted you are!" The Templars all had their paws on their weapons, ready to fight.

"And once we're done with you you'll all be sentenced to the stake!" As the Templar's anger reached its paroxysm so did Nick's.

His right paw drew his bastard sword out of his scabbard as he took a step to the right. No soon his sword was free that he sliced the ewe's lower arm. In the same time - and to use the momentum accumulated during the act - he took his falchion out as well and, turned on himself and hacked down the vile mammal's head.

The head hadn't touched the ground that every member of the Iron head as well as the reptile had their weapon out and pointed at the remaining Templars to prevent them from doing anything stupid.

Nick found his vision getting blurred and his cheek wet despite the burning anger he could feel inside. Soon spotted paws warped around him and pulled him in a hug.

After a few second he swallowed dry and gently pushed Jackie away. "I'm fine, thank you." He said. He met the feline eyes for a brief moment and knew how much this affected the female. He smiled at her and faced the Templars.

"Do you know what you've done?!" Asked one of them, a ram. "You killed one of our lady's favorite! You will have to pay for that!"

"Your lady will never hear of what happened here if none of you makes it out alive…" Every head turned to the maned wolf that had remained rather calm during all this time and had talked with a frightening casual tone. "What? I'm just giving a friendly warning…" As Val's smile grew even Bogo fell a chill down his spine.

If the predator wasn't as strong as any other iron head present, his behavior, tone and gesture always scared shitless even the toughest of them… And the fact that half his face was covered of black goo didn't help.

"We are leaving." The crocodile said. "You Templars should do the same..." Before the Templars could answer, they took their stuff as well as the two remaining magi and turned away but before leaving completly, the reptile bowed to them: "I will remember your actions today members of the Iron head. When you come I'll make sure you get one of the best hunting spots for the great hunt." And with that they left.

"We too will remember what happened today." A Templar porcupine said. "Our lady will know of your vile deeds. And you will have to pay the consequences."

With a snort, Bogo decided it was time for him to place his signature words. He bended and with a smile that reached both his ears he said: "we. don't. care." A laugh escaped the Iron head at the sight of the smaller mammal going livid and they all walked away with their rewards.

None however noticed that the fox - laughing stronger than anyone else - was faking, dread of the past haunting his thoughts.

.

.

One month later.

Judy and her troops were finalizing their packages. In one or two days, the remaining member of her troop would be here and they would get their next assignation.

"Where do you think they'll send us?" She asked Fangmeyer.

"I hope they'll send us close to the frontier again." She replied. "At that time of the year it's hotter in the north."

"Awwww come on Nadine! You can't stand a little snow?" Wolford teased her.

"Unlike you I don't have long fluffy fur to keep me warm." She half growled half laughed.

"Oh my, Nadine… I didn't know you were so jealous of my beautiful coat." He waved his tail to prove his point.

"Stop waving that thing with your stupid smile and finish your backpack." She ordered.

Judy was happy to see how close they were, it was a good thing to have strong bond between brother and sisters. She was about to make a comment about it when a Ramses barged in.

"Commander Hopps." He said. "Lady Bellwether is asking for you. Our next assignment has been decided…"

It had always seemed strange to Judy how Bellwether's closest Templars called her "lady" instead of "Cardinal" but she guessed it was because they were maybe related?

"We're heading to Reptilia…"

Aaaaaand cut!

So! I said that Nick needed to use his longsword to pierce the Despair Demon's skin. The reason is simple, using both hands on a single weapon gives more strength than swinging it with only one ( Well duuuh thank you Dagonn I really feel smarter now ) keep it down you troll reader! There is more to it. The tip of a sword is said to be able to travel at the speed of a bullet. While I have some doubts about it, it's true that the longer the sword the fastest the tip will travel now I won't make you a physic lesson but in short, velocity equal strength. The fastest something travel the hardest it hits, regardless of its size.

Also, I know Nick seems… "softer" than he was in the first chapters. At the beginning of the story, Nick is alone, he doesn't know Judy and her troops (or is there more?). Here, he knows the Iron heads he fight with, he care for them. Same goes for Cimar, Koraru, Zieg, Océ and Eliot, he doesn't know them but unlike the bigot from the small village at the beginning he has no reason not to like them… But don't worry the dirt eater will soon make his great comeback!

Speaking of Cimar and Koraru… aren't they cute together? It's been a while since Cimar threatened to ship me… Well he who strikes first win! Hahaha! Take that! Oh and sorry koraru if you're collateral damage…

Now I don't ship them as I ship ship WildeHopps, it's just a friendly tease that Océrydia and I came up with after her drawing where they seemed so close to each other… No ok i'm totally shipping Cimaru! (J'espere que tu es contente Océ)

As always I would like to thank Scottish for his help and so should you! This chapter wouldn't be as great without him!

And finally, don't forget to leave a review (that's the best reward you can give us) and see you soon!

.

Greetings,

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this chapter, and on the story as a whole. It is a pleasure to work with Dagonn and be apart of this tale. May there be many more chapters ahead of us.

Thank you for your time,

ScottishValhalla

Editor