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Lizard Origins: The Reaper’s Touch

Lizard lay on the ground, his body wracked with pain. Blood flowed from his wounds, pooling around him before soaking into the earth. Weakly he tried to move, attempting to coax his body to respond, but it was to no avail. He was spent. Fatigue descended and a blackness crept across his vision. Overhead the dark clouds closed in, a light drizzle beginning to fall. Dimly Lizard became aware of a figure nearby. He struggled to focus. It was tall and black, it's skull face peering down at the werewolf. Lizard groaned and he knew death was upon him, for surely this could be none other than the Reaper come to claim his soul. Numbly Lizard's lips moved, a whisper escaping him. "Chase... I'm sorry. I failed you." The Reaper reached out, it's golden clawed paw filling the werewolf's vision. It spoke, the words echoing in Lizard's mind. "There still is time. Do not lose hope." The blackness enveloped the fallen werewolf. "Show me what you saw..." Lizard looked up as the forest around him erupted into life. The underbrush shook violently and without warning a small pink shape burst forth, colliding with him. With a pained grunt, they fell, Lizard finding himself looking into the shocked face of a young girl. Her green eyes widened and before Lizard could react she hugged him tightly, her face buried into his chest. "Please help me!" she cried. "Those bad men are after me. They want to catch me and sell me." She looked up, tears welling in her eyes as she pleased. "I can't find Mortem to make them go away. Please, Mister. Help me!" Lizard pried the girl off of him and stood, helping her to her feet. The werewolf frowned. The girl was of a species he didn't recognize, canine features blended with what seemed to be dragon. He shook his head, focusing on her words. "Who's after you?" he asked. "The bad men!" the girl replied, pointing back in the direction she had come from. "They say I'm exotic. Please, I don't want to be sold!" Lizard chewed at his bottom lip. He was suspicious. There was the possibility she was trying to con him with a fake story, yet he somehow doubted it. A sense of purity and innocence radiated from her. Lizard nodded, gripping her arms gently to calm her. "It's OK," he said. "I'll protect you. You don't have to fear." The girl lunged, her eyes sparking with hope, and she hugged him again. "Thank you, Mister," she said. Lizard chuckled despite himself. "The name's, Lizard." His new companion smiled. "I'm Chase." A black figure watched the scene before him from the shadows. Slowly he raise a golden clawed paw, the realm of Limbo responding to his command, and the scene froze. Mortem growled, black eyes focused on the pink girl. "So that's where you went, Chase," he said to himself. The Reaper knew Chase well. Ever since they had met, she had become his near constant shadow. It was annoying. Her innocence and purity were at odds with Mortem's nature, and her effervescent nature grated on his nerves. And yet, there was something about the young angel-dragon that had grown on him. A protectiveness that made him worry when she wasn't around to bother him. Chase may have been a pest, but she was HIS pest. He would not let harm come to her. Mortem waved his paw again, claws curling, and the scene sprang back into life. He twirled his hand, speeding up events until a new development caught his attention... Chase griped tightly at Lizard's arm, the werewolf's body shielding her from the men hunting her. There were six in total, humans armed with nets and shock prods. A strange beast, reminiscent of a giant blue-furred rat, strained at a chain, it's massive saber-teeth dripping with saliva. One of the men stepped forward, sneering at the pair. "Give us the hybrid," he said, pointing at Chase. "It doesn't belong to you." "She doesn't belong to anyone," Lizard retorted. "And her name is, Chase!" The men laughed. "Who cares what it's called?" the leader replied. "It's worth a small fortune and we intend to claim on that." He stepped closer and Lizard tensed. One of the other men spoke up, the shock prod in his hands sparking with energy. "You don't see angel-dragons much these days. And to find one that's a hybrid is even rarer." He chuckled. "Makes them more valuable than the pure-breeds." Chase whimpered in fear, and Lizard growled. "Chase is not some property to be brought and sold at will," the werewolf said. "You're just slave traders You make me sick." "We like to think of ourselves as entrepreneurs," the leader said. The second man nudged his boss, nodding towards Lizard. "Maybe we should take the wolf as well. Might get a few bucks for him." The leader shook his head. "Mongrels like that are a dime a dozen. The girl is where the real money's at." "Let's feed him to the iron-fang then," replied the second man. The leader nodded, glancing across at his companion who controlled the strange beast. The handler smiled and released the chain. The beast surged forward, jaws wide and a guttural roar bellowing from it's throat. Lizard spun, shoving Chase. "RUN!" he cried. "Don't stop! Don't look back!" Mortem growled angrily as he observed the scene play out before his eyes. Those men. Those humans. Their greed was phenomenal. A dark aura surrounded the Reaper, golden markings forming as he identified his targets. If there was one thing Mortem hated, it was greed. That they had chosen Chase as their target only made things worse. He strained to watch as she ran off, but his view was restricted. It was the werewolf's memories that Mortem was locked into when he brought Lizard to Limbo. The Reaper turned his attention back to the werewolf. Lizard was no innocent. But for all his faults, he had something the humans could never claim. He had honour. Mortem looked on as Lizard fought the iron-fang. The werewolf's fate was sealed. Iron-fangs were rare and dangerous beasts. Rabid and hungry for blood, their sharp claws and saber-fangs were boosted by the venomous saliva which could halt the ability to recover and heal in even the most hardy of species. Mortem bowed his head out of respect. It was only a matter of time before the fatal blow would be struck. Lizard and the iron-fang collided in a clash of claws and fangs. Pain raked down the werewolf's back as the blue-furred beast drew first blood. In response Lizard struck. His own claws parted fur and bit deep. The iron-fang screeched. It heaved and writhed, the weight of it's body causing them both to fall and roll. A thick muscular tail whipped at Lizard, bruising up his shoulder, and another series of bloody furrows opened up across his chest. The werewolf's shirt tore away, hooked on the iron-fang's claws. Lizard bit back. His teeth sank into the iron-fang's flank, gouging out flesh which he spat away. The beast hissed and snapped. Long ivory fangs narrowly missed crushing Lizard's head, but a follow up slash resulted in a fountain of blood. Lizard cried out in pain. The combatants wrestled, Lizard managing to keep those ever snapping jaws from finding his flesh. Lizard snarled. His wounds healed almost as fast as the iron-fang could inflict them, but fatigue was starting to set in. Desperately Lizard tried to kick away, knowing that he had one option. With a howl, the werewolf shoved, using all his strength. A claw caught and sliced open the iron-fang's right eye. It hissed and shook, lashing about in blind fury. Lizard rolled, using the distraction to break free. He scrambled to his feet, and focused. An energy, ancient and powerful, built up inside him, the birthmark on his back burning hotly. Lizard threw his head back and howled. Flesh and bone shifted, his body adapting to the energy inside him. With a rush, the werewolf changed, transforming into his feral form. The iron-fang chattered. It hunched low, it's long sinuous body hugging the ground as it tried to understand what was happening. Lizard snarled and charged. He lept high, leading with his powerful claws. Furious blows forced the iron-fang back, blood soaking it's fur. It tried to retaliate, but the fury of the werewolf's attack overpowered it. Lizard raised an arm, claws extended and struck, aiming for the iron-fang's head. The beast twisted and snapped. Pain rushed through Lizard's senses, and the werewolf stared at the saber-fangs skewing his arm. He roared and heaved, throwing the iron-fang to the ground, freeing his limb. He followed with a kick, driving a foot into the beast's gut. The iron-fang shrieked. Lizard lashed out, claws wrapping around those dagger-like teeth. He ignored the sting as their sharp edges dug into his palms, and pulled, twisting the beast's head from side to side. The iron-fang panicked, striking back with it's claws. Deep gouges marked Lizard's chest and back, but the feral werewolf did not relent. Harder and harder he pulled, his lungs burning as he howled with the effort. With a sickening crack, the sabre-fangs snapped free from the iron-fang's jaw, blood filling it's mouth. Lizard struck, driving the teeth down into the beast's head like knives. The iron-fang shuddered, a wet rasping sigh marking it's passing as it died. Lizard staggered back. He looked about, trying to track which direction Chase had fled, and the werewolf bounded away, knowing she was still in danger. Lizard panted hard as he ran, unaware that his wounds were still open and bleeding. A strange tiredness began to overtake him, and Lizard stumbled. He blinked in confusion and shook his head. The werewolf scrambled back to his feet and took off again, trying to focus on reaching Chase. Once more he stumbled. He hit the ground, slipping out of his feral form. Why was this happening now? He had been alright when he fought the iron-fang, so why now was he starting to feel weak? Lizard tried to stand but his body began to fail him. He tumbled and rolled, coughing harshly. Pain flooded his body. His limbs felt like lead, stiff and hard to move. He thought of Chase. She needed him. He had to be strong and keep on fighting. The werewolf willed his body to move. He couldn't let her down. Blackness closed in, and Lizard collapsed. The ground beneath him grew wet with his blood. A light drizzle began to fall, the dark clouds overhead gathering in. "Chase... I'm sorry. I failed you." Mortem allowed the scene to end, and around him Limbo returned to black. Only he and Lizard remained. The Reaper reached down to the prone werewolf, placing a paw over Lizard's face. He had seen enough, and decided on his judgement. Mortem tapped into his supernatural powers, drawing out the iron-fang venom from Lizard's body, healing the werewolf. Bony jaws opened, and a black mist flowed out, descending onto Lizard, reviving his vitality. Mortem peered down. "You're bravery has not been ignored, mortal," the reaper said, his words echoing in Lizard's head. "Your quest is not yet over." Limbo began to fade, Mortem returning Lizard to the mortal realm. "Chase is still in danger. Rescue her and take your revenge. Together we shall make those men pay for their greed." Chase cowered in her cage helplessly. Nearby the men gathered around a fire, laughing and toasting their successful hunt as night closed in. She wondered about her future, terrified at the thought of being sold. Tears welled in her eyes and Chase sobbed, hugging her knees. Mortem was nowhere about, and Lizard was missing. Overhead the dark clouds threatened to rain, and in the distance thunder rolled in an angry beat. A noise from the dark caught Chase's attention and she looked up. Her sharp eyes caught movement, and she squeaked. The men looked over at her voice, and the leader frowned as a figure stepped into the light. Chase gasped. "Lizard?" The werewolf looked angry, a cold determination set in his eyes. The men stood up, gathering their equipment. "You again?" the leader said. "I've come for, Chase," Lizard said, his voice low and menacing. "Let her go. Now!" The leader sneered. "And why should we?" he asked. "I don't know how you escaped from the iron-fang, but you wont escape us. You're a fool if you think you can overpower the six of us by your lonesome." Lizard growled. The clouds overhead opened up and suddenly lightning struck the earth behind him, thunder booming out. In the blinding flash Lizard changed, taking on his feral form, and the shadows coalesced, the embodiment of Death taking shape. The men backed away in terror, Chase crying out in joy as she recognized her 'best friend' come to save her. "MORTEM!" Lizard gave a grim feral smile, his heightened senses detecting the supernatural presence behind him. "Lizard never say he came alone..." Mortem and Chase belong to @satanicpanda666