[Venks]

Author's Note: This is my first bonus story, I plan on focusing on my fanfic A Slig Who Cares, however sometimes I'll take a slight brake from that and write about another character.
My bonus stories can turn out to be about anyone: Abe, Doe from the W@RF roleplay, a character Ugai meets in his travels, or even the dad of one of these characters.

Just for a little perspective, ASWC takes place during Munch's Oddysee.
This story, Live Lanrete, takes place somewhere between 10 to 20 years before that.

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Live Lanrete!


The sounds of nature are always so calming. The whistling of the tree leaves, the sound of rushing water and the chirping of birds and insects. I looked around at the gargantuan trees, thanking them for the shade they provided me.
Even though I was so small compared to them, it was my duty to protect all the trees of the forest - in all actuality, its my job to ensure the safety of all the forest's inhabitants.

"Lanrete Guy Alexander!" A familiar screech shouted from just behind the trees. "The Senate has already assembled, how does it look if the King of the Guardians does not show up?"
Finally emerging from the tenebrous shadows was my wife: Loretta Fem Alexander, Queen of the Fuzzle Guardians. She bounced over to me, her brown fur dazzling beautifully as rays of light snuck past the tree tops to direct themselves on my only love.

"I was only gone for a moment Loretta Baby, I was merely thanking the forest for all it provides us and asking it for eternal protection." At these words Loretta frowned with obvious distaste, "Do you really think the prophecies are true? That the times of peace are over and we are entering a era of death and suffering?"
"I don't know Love, but I would happily clean a Fleech's teeth before I doubt the Almighty One's clairvoyancey." Leaving Loretta to ponder alone I hopped off to the royal quarters. Asleep on his odd star-shaped leaf slept my son, Lanrete Epoh Alexander.

Tied upon the young Fuzzle's head was a yellow and black head-band. The head-band signified unyielding rectitude - it was actually a gift from the Paramites of Spooce forest. The head-band of unyielding rectitude was quite the honor among the Paramites, it was very amazing to see the thing tied around my only son.

Not wanting to waste anymore time I hopped down the dirt path to the senate. In no time at all I was there. I took my position on top of the highest dirt mound in the small circle. Just to my left was the dark-skinned Slof chieftain, to my right was the leader of the Fleeches.
On the opposite side of the circle sat Raja-fu; leader of the Paramites. Raja-fu's impatience was easily noticed. The Paramite quickly said upon my entrance, "Taking your time smelling the flowers Alexander? Surely you realize the importance of this meeting."

Inwardly rolling my eyes I responded, "I fully understand the importance of this meeting, had it not been so important I am sure I would still be asleep-it is too early."
Then turning to the Elder of the Ratz, sitting between the Slof and Raja-fu, I said. "Now tell me Ancient One what is our first matter of business." The Ancient One opened his eyes apparently just waking to the morning rays. Then after a slight pause the old gray Rat replied, "The biggest concern of the forest, Guardian Alexander, is the mysterious plague infecting the creatures just bordering the Great Lake."

Seeing a chance to strike Raja-fu hastily clicked, "Yes Guardian, surely you remember it is your duty to protect us from such atrocities. What do you Fuzzle Guardians have to show for yourselves?"
Like the Ancient One the Slof chieftan had just awakened. The Slof chieftain spoke up, "Now don't ya forget the Fleech Rebellion which happened durin ya'lls guys guardianship. Had it not been for da Fuzzle guys we'd all be Fleech food."

Angered easily Raja-fu shot back, "The Fuzzles did nothing! After years of trapping the Fleeches our power had dwindled, then these pathetic lowly fuzz balls cleaned up all that was left, and you praise them like gods! Have you no sense?"
Not quite one to back down, the Slof chieftain retorted showing his teeth, "Dats not how I be remembering it. If I recall it right da Fleeches were bout ta enter ya nurseries. If not for da Fuzzles dem Fleeches would of ate all yo babies."

Enraged to no end the Fleech senator roared, "It was not a rebellion for the umpteenth time! Those Fleeches were industrial-born, us native-borns don't have such long tongues or murderous appetites!"
Demanding peace I ordered,"Silence all of you! That is the past, we are here to discuss more pressing matters."

Simmering down a bit, Raja-fu clicked, "My scouts believe they have discovered the cause to the plague - as it was only affecting the inhabitants of the Great Lake's border - my scouts traversed the lake for any abnormalities.
They discovered a bridge made of industrial materials, strange
creatures with glowing lights eternally traverse across this bridge. The creatures spew foul gases into the air which we believe is infecting the rain.
Not to mention these weird small sticks that are thrown out by smaller creatures that live inside the fast creatures. These small sticks have fire emitting from one end that releases dark smoke. This dark smoke smells really bad and breathing it leads to coughing. We think the sticks being thrown into the water are causing the plague. I believe industrialists call the sticks Cigs or Ets I can't be sure which."

Unable to remain silent any longer the Scrab ambassador sitting unsteadily next to Raja-fu spoke up, "I don't mean ta interrupt my little brothas. But I don't understand this guardianship thing. Can you make this to my understanding?"
Tolerant to the foreigner Alexander replied, "Well you see it all started when the Industrialists first came to central Mudos, they were testing out some weapon and put the whole forest aflame. When all hope seemed lost a mysterious tall creature came and summoned the rain. This powerful and magical creature called itself a Steef. Ever since then the Steefs had prevented the Industrialists from destroying our forest, until one day they all mysteriously disappeared. Still needing protection we charge what ever race that proves itself able to be the new guardians, currently that would be my race the Fuzzles."

The Scrab nodded its head in understanding."Thank you the Alexander, now that I understand, I think I must bring of this up now not later."
"What is it that we need to know?" I asked.
"Well," the Scrab started, "Back in the desert, home lands of my kind, we have seen things of much strangeness. There is a giant floating thingy that crossed our the desert and it is practically here at your my forest. Tiny giant floaty thingies continue to come out of the giant floaty thingy, we have seen the tiny giant thingies entering your my forest. We bring this concern of ours to yous becuase when they were in our desert land they had traps on the ground that hurt and trapped you. We lost many good Scrab warriors to the traps. I don't want you to lose your warriors of goodness to traps of pain." Though it was hard to understand what the Scrab was saying, I was able to assimilate the information.

Before I could act, a Fuzzle scout stumbled upon us breathing heavily. "Alexander Sir!" He shouted, "These strange things are invading the forest!"
The red Scrab instantly turned pale, "They are faster then I had supposed! I'm sorry that I wasn't help of much."
"You did what you could and I appreciate that," I said to the Srab. Then to the young scout I demanded, "Wake the guard and send them just shy of the invaders, hold off on attacking until the invaders pose an immediate threat. I will be there in a moment."

Leaving the senate behind to grumble amongst themselves, I returned to the royal quarters. Loretta was sitting next to Alex Jr peacefully. It pained me to take that peace away, but their lives were in danger. "Loretta, listen to me," I said with a serious tone, "Industrialists are invading the forest. We can't be sure how much of a threat they pose yet, but I want you and Alex to hide in the tunnels."
Surprise appeared on Loretta's face, but it was quickly replaced by a calm and ready appearance. She picked up the sleeping baby gently with her teeth and left without saying a word. She understood how serious this was and wasn't about to ask me to abandon my people to hide with her. I loved her so much.

I quickly hopped off to the defensive lines and upon arriving I was met by a tough member of the guard - this Fuzzle had been in many battles and was missing an eye. "Zhar," I said his name in greeting.
"Alexander," he growled, "We're fighting the invaders as we speak. These industrialists have deployed traps through out the forest borders and are slowly drifting inwards. They travel in small, hovering pods that carry one pilot. These pods are quite tough and don't break easily. We've found that the best way to deal with them is to trick them into driving into Paramite webbing and bind them. Unfortunately, this is no easy task. With more numbers, or smarter pilots, they will easily overcome us."

I let the report sink in and searched my brain for the answer to our predicament. Having an idea, I said, "Raise the berserkers."
The battle-scarred Fuzzle looked at me questionably and asked, "Raise the berserkers?"
"You heard me right, Zhar, our options are few. Raise them and send them after our foes."
The one-eyed Fuzzle sighed and went off to obey my command. I knew what thoughts flew through the Fuzzle's mind, it was a cruel thing to return cured Fuzzles to their berserker behavior. It would take much to restore them after the battle, if their is a after.

I was about to return to the senate when a strange thing fell from the trees and hovered just above me. It was one of the pods that Zhar had described earlier. The thing had several protruding limbs, many just glowed and appeared stationary. Two of the mechanical limbs came to life and stretched, reaching for me. Reacting quickly I moved out of the way and bit down on the mechanical limb. It was to tough to bite threw - I had bit it by instinct. That was exactly what the invader wanted. A tail-like limb stabbed into me, injecting some strange green liquid. I instantly felt sleepy.

I love you Loretta, you too Alexander. My son... it is up to you to lead our people, they need you now.