#oc prey

The night was tinted scarlet by a wide blood moon, giving all the land an unearthly, reddish glow. A lone figure walked through the darkness, across a grassy knoll, carrying a red leatherbound book under one arm. The figure appeared to be a young man – in his mid-to-late twenties – with a lean-bodied, small appearance. He had shaggy raven hair, with bangs that fell across his face, and was shabbily and simply dressed. He wore a long-sleeve, loose-fitting shirt of light beige, almost white, on his top; his bottom half was clad in a pair of equally loose-fitting blue jeans and a pair of dirty black tennis shoes. His shambling appearance made him seem more frail than he really was. As he walked quietly over the rolling crest of the hill and began to come down the other side, one could see he had peculiar gray eyes. The young man’s face was very blank and empty as he lifted his free hand to scratch at his chin; despite his age, his face was very clean; he’d never needed to shave in his short life. There were days when he was grateful for that, indeed, especially recently. His steel-toned eyes brightened slightly as he spotted his destination: it appeared to be the ruins of a temple, with stone steps leading up to a vast “platform” that had once been the floor. Several of the columns were still standing, but whatever walls and whatever roof the place had long since gone with time. All of it was carved from white stone, which seemed faintly pinkish in hue under the light of the great red moon. The young man quickened his pace slightly as he approached the ruins and headed towards the steps. He looked the place over, up and down, quietly…then gripped the book under his arm more tightly. He took a deep breath. “You’ve come this far,” he murmured to himself. “Isn’t this better than what you’ve been going through? Won’t this be worth it all?” He gulped, evidently uncertain…but evidently, his own words to himself were still all the encouragement he needed. He ascended the steps – his dirty shoes scraped and “clumped” on the stairs – and marched towards the very center of the ruins. He glanced about quietly, taking in the sky and the location…then nodded to himself, as if satisfied. Without a sound, he sat down cross-legged in the center of the place. The moon shown down directly overhead, like a crimson spotlight, as he pulled the book out from under his arm, holding it in both hands. On the front of the red leather cover, embossed in fancy gold lettering, was the title: The Brothers Grimm Fairy-Tales, with the subtitle “A Collection of the Original Classics” printed below it. The young man let the flicker of a smile flash across his thin lips…which he licked nervously…before opening the book to the page he had marked with the ribbon bookmark. The young man began to read aloud. “Once upon a time, there was a dear little girl who was loved by everyone…but most of all by her grandmother; there was nothing she would not have given to the child. Once she gave her a little cap of red velvet, which suited her so well that she would never wear anything else. So she was always called ‘Little Red Cap.’” The young man took a moment to observe the colorful illustration that accompanied the story, depicting a young girl with blonde hair, in a red dress and a red cape with a hood, a wicker basket in her dainty hands, before continuing to read. “One day, her mother said to her: ‘Come, Little Red Cap; here is a piece of cake and a bottle of white wine. Take them to your grandmother: she is ill and weak, and they will do her good. Set out before it gets hot, and when you are going, walk nicely and quietly and do not run off the path.’” The young man glanced back over his shoulder, as if looking back on the path he, himself had taken, then returned his attention to the story. “‘I will take great care,’ said Little Red Cap to her mother, and gave her hand on it.” A light, cool breeze whistled across the grass and between the pillars of stone that surrounded the young man, he shivered a little, and bent over, pulling the book closer as he sought warmth within himself. There was precious little to be found. The wind rustled the pages of the book as he continued to read, ignoring the chill that snaked across his spine. “The grandmother lived out in the wood, half a league from the village, and just as Little Red Cap entered the wood, a Wolf met her. Red Cap did not know what a wicked creature he was, and was not at all afraid of him.’” “That was her first mistake,” a voice growled. “That, and she was much too tasty-looking for her own good.” The young man gasped and nearly jumped as he looked up towards the source of the voice… …And saw a tall figure seated atop one of the pillars, looking down at him. It appeared to be an anthropomorphic gray wolf, with blue-violet eyes, and mane of silver hair that reached down to his waistline, matching his long, bushy tail, which swished behind him, brushing the top of the column where he sat. He had one leg propped up, with an arm resting against it, while the other dangled over the edge. The creature was garbed in a sleeveless, blue leather jacket, with a high collar and a brass zipper, along with a matching pair of blue, skintight leather trousers. Two leather belts were slapped about his waist, though the purpose of them was unclear. One was black, with a gold buckle and gold studs on it, while the other was plain brown with a silver buckle. The second belt matched the wolfman’s footwear: a pair of near-knee-high boots made of brown leather, which were strapped on with small buckles of their own. The black belt, meanwhile, matched four bands he wore on his arms: one on each wrist, and one across each of his upper arms. All four were black leather with gold studs. The wolf’s eyes stared down unblinking at the young man, who carefully shut his book. The leg that dangled over the side lightly bumped its heel against the column upon which the creature sat. At length, it spoke again: its voice had a strange quality, somehow both rugged and yet sophisticated, smooth and yet tough. “Well?” the Wolf uttered with a slight snarl. “I don’t think either of us believes this is a coincidence.” The young man stood up carefully, never taking his eyes off the Wolf. “…Are…are you…him?” he asked, carefully. “The Big Bad Wolf? Not…not just any wolf, but…” He indicated the book in his hands. “…THE Big Bad Wolf?” The lupine smirked; the human saw the glint of pearly white fangs as the beast brushed some hair out of its sharp-muzzled face. “With pride,” it said, lifting its head to show just how proud it was. “That’s the title. But the name is Wolfrun.” Then, without another word, the Wolf suddenly somersaulted down from the tall pillar, and landed gracefully on his feet, letting out a soft huffing puff of air as he did, before slowly striding towards the young man. Instinctively, the young human began to back away, and gulped nervously as this caused the smile on the Big Bad Wolf’s face to grow wider, now revealing all of his sharp, pointed white teeth. The smile only added to Wolfrun’s already imposing appearance: now that he could get a better look at the beast, the youth realized just how tall the animal that walked like a man was. His face came up to about the same height as Wolfrun’s belly, and the build of the creature only added further menace. He was athletic and muscular, but not bulky; almost like a track runner, or a swimmer – well-toned but fairly lean. His hips were well-pronounced and clearly defined, especially in his skintight leather outfit; indeed, with these, his slender build, and his long flowing mane, one might have at first mistaken Wolfrun for a female…but his face, even on a wolf, was decidedly masculine, as was the general way he carried himself, and of course dressed (though these, especially nowadays, were hardly deciding factors). His hands ended in long, tough fingers, which were tipped in huge, black claws, which twitched slightly as he approached the young man. The youth backed up further, and then went stiff as he felt something solid stop him from moving further. He had backed himself up against the pillar. His heartbeat quickened as the Big Bad Wolf let out a menacing, rough-sounding laugh, and quickened his pace… WHAM! The twenty-something flinched and gasped as one of the Wolf’s huge paws SLAMMED over his head into the pillar…and he winced as the jagged, black claws scratched at the stone noisily. Wolfrun smirked cruelly, as he placed his free hand on his curvaceous hip, and loomed over the human with a wicked gleam in his indigo eyes. “Most humans,” Wolfrun hissed, “Don’t know where to find the gateway to Our Home: the place between the Shadow Realm and your world. Most humans don’t even seem to know that we are real. Now, I don’t know how you figured that out, or why you bothered…and frankly, I don’t care.” He leaned closer, narrowing his eyes…and lifted the hand that was on his hip…bringing it close to the young man’s face. The moonlight glittered across his dark claws. “My friends and I can’t afford idiot humans like you knowing about our home,” the Big Bad Wolf growled. “So…how am I going to deal with you? What terrible Bad End fits you best, hmmm? Should I claw you to ribbons? Should I tear you to pieces?” His eyes flashed. “Should I…gobble you up?” The human’s gray eyes widened. The color drained from his face. He opened his mouth…and then… “…OH, PLEASE, DO!” he squealed. Wolfrun froze. He was still in a threatening posture…but the smile had gone from his face as if it had been struck off, and his eyes had widened with what looked like utter shock. He blinked twice. “…Ah…I’m sorry, wh-what did you just say?” “Gobble me up! Please! Go ahead!” Wolfrun stumbled back, almost as if the young human had pushed him. The young man smiled up at him with bright, innocent exuberance in his gray eyes, hugging the book the to his chest. The lupine blinked again, THREE times in this case, as he tried to fathom what he had just heard, jaw slightly agape. Did this human…did he really just ask…? “…You…WANT me to eat you?” The twenty-something’s exuberance changed to timidity; he blushed and nodded bashfully. Wolfrun gaped at the young man; he sniffed the air and rumbled softly, as if trying to sniff out a lie. He didn’t detect a lie…but what he DID detect? Well. He couldn’t believe what he smelling, let’s put it that way. It was an emotion, a feeling, a scent he NEVER would have expected. But the odor didn’t lie…and neither did the blush on the man’s face. After a moment, he regained his composure, stiffening his posture as his face settled into a suspicious sort of scowl. “Is this some sort of trick?” he snarled, then glanced about with a sneer. “It’s those damn PreCure sheep again, isn’t it?! Are you with them?! Where are they?!” “No, no! No trick!” the young man insisted. “And…I-I don’t know who…what the ‘PreCure’ sheep are…were they those girls in those weird costumes who beat you?” Wolfrun froze again, stunned once more. “…Then you’ve…seen me before?” The young man fidgeted, as if admitting this made him uncomfortable. “Once. From a distance. Um…a f-f-few weeks ago, heh heh…you were talking about negative energy and draining it, and you were…um…” The young man visibly blushed. “…G-Gorging yourself on pancakes…a LOT of pancakes…while they were fighting some sort of giant clown…pot…monster…thing.” He chuckled and smiled rather sheepishly. “…You…uh…you’re r-really handsome when you eat.” There was an awkward pause. Wolfrun was fairly sure one of his eyes was twitching. Seriously, what was he supposed to say to that?! “…D-Did those pancakes, um…put any weight on you since-?” “WHY ARE YOU ASKING SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!” The young man flinched, and ducked his head. “S-Sorry!” he eeked out. Wolfrun grimaced, looking both a little uncomfortable and quite suspicious. “Fine. I’ll by that you’re not working with them,” he conceded, speaking slowly, then tilted his head. “Who are you, anyhow? What’s your name?” “Gray.” “Gray,” Wolfrun repeated, and hummed, as if pondering the name in his head. One of his ears twitched…then he snorted and nodded. “It fits. A plain, simple name for a plain, simple human.” Gray seemed to flinch again at being called such a thing. Wolfrun smirked; strange as this human was, at least he clearly had some vulnerabilities he could tap into. Nothing was more fun than exploiting weaknesses for the wicked wolf. “Well then, Plain Gray,” Wolfrun growled, “I guess I’ll bite…” “I’d rather you-” “Stop.” Gray went quiet. “Why?” Wolfrun asked, crossing his arms over his chest and sticking his nose up as he looked down upon the human who cowered against the column before him. “Why would you WANT to be dinner for the Big Bad Wolf?” Gray bit his lip…then took a deep breath, clutching the book against his chest more tightly. Wolfrun’s expression fell, ears drooping slightly. “Oh, no,” he grumbled to himself. “This human isn’t going to…?” “Well, you see…when I was a little boy…” “Yep. He’s going to.” “…I used to read the Grimm’s Fairy-Tales a lot. And…all of my favorite stories were the ones that had…had YOU in them. And you see-MPH?!” Gray was cut off as a huge, furry hand – the same color as his namesake – slapped over his mouth. He blinked his quicksilver eyes up at Wolfrun, who looked at him with a tremendously bored expression. “I. Hate. Monologues,” Wolfrun said in an icy drawl. “I have to put up with them from the other Villains in the Bad End Kingdom, I have to put up with them from those idiot girls. I have to put up with them from those annoying pixies.” He leaned close, and Gray whimpered behind the cover of his paw. “I am NOT in the mood to hear the life story of someone whose life I am going to bring to a Bad End. So please…PLEASE…spare me the analysis, spare me the big speeches, just get to the good part, while I decide which of your body parts I’m going to chew on first, or which recipe I’m going to use to cook you. Got it?” Gray was shaking like a leaf…but gave a terrified sort of nod. “Mm-hm!” he managed to mumble through Wolfrun’s paw. “Hmph. Good.” The Big Bad Wolf removed his paw, and Gray gasped for fresh air, and let out a sound not unlike that of a kicked puppy. Wolfrun’s smirk returned, and he stalked around Gray’s side…before leaning against a pillar, once more crossing his arms over his chest, and also crossing his legs. He raised an eyebrow. “Well? Go on, Plain Gray,” he urged. “I’m curious to hear what would make ANYONE actually want to be my dinner.” “It’s…a lot of things,” Gray admitted. “But you said you d-didn’t want a monologue…” “I don’t.” “…So, the b-bottom line is this: I don’t have a family anymore. None that care, anyway. And…I don’t have a home anymore, for that matter. I have no job, I have no degree…my life is a giant pile of nothing, and…I’m tired of living it.” Wolfrun blinked slowly. “And your answer to that question is…finding the Big Bad Wolf, and being…eaten by him?” He shook his head with a slight growl. “Err…that is, eaten by me?” he clarified, and thumbed to his chest. Gray paused…then nodded. “I know you...probably don’t care about all the details,” the shabby youth said, “But…since you want to know why, I…” He took another deep breath. Wolfrun was about to snap at him not to monologue, again, but stopped from doing so at the youth’s words… “I guess my thought was…this is actually something I’ve…fantasized about for…for years. Longer than you will ever know. And…now that my life is…is at the bottom of the barrel...nowhere to turn, no point in carrying on…I want to make my fantasy come true. I want…I want to SEE what the reality is like. And…I thought…well…” He dared to look Wolfrun in the eyes. “I don’t want to die as a failure. I don’t want to die as…as NOTHING. I want to…to contribute to something. To something greater than myself.” Shyly, the young man stepped forward…and then lifted the book up towards the Big Bad Wolf. “What could be better than…being consumed by a legend? Becoming part of that…legacy? Becoming part of you?” Wolfrun blinked slowly…then took the book in one of his paws. He looked…uncertain. On the one hand, being called a “legend” and told he had a “legacy” was something that he rather liked. On the other hand…well… “…You are a very, VERY messed up little runt, you know that?” Gray smiled guilitily. “I’m not going to even try to deny that,” he said, faintly. “But even if I’m all screwed up…” He tapped the side of his head. “…Well…all the Big Bad Wolf really wanted, at the end of the day, was a decent meal, right? Wouldn’t that have been a Happy Ending?” Wolfrun decided not to answer that. Thankfully (or perhaps regrettably, take your pick), a certain part of his anatomy decided to help speed things along. GRRRLLLMMM-BLLLRRRG… “Ngh,” grunted Wolfrun, wincing a bit and placing his free hand on his lean, leather-clad belly. “Oh, great…NOW, of all times, Fate reminds me I skipped lunch today…great.” He glared towards Gray…who, like clockwork was blushing again. Wolfrun bared his fangs and growled again, hackles rising slightly. “Seriously?” he hissed. “Just my stomach rumbling has you getting all worked up?!” Gray winced and looked away. Wolfrun’s expression softened; at least this strange little human had the decency to have a sort of shamefaced expression… …Then, his eyes hardened again, as he looked the shabby little man over, an almost clinical look in his eye, as if examining a bug under a microscope. He had to admit…it had been a while since he’d had a proper human meal. And while Gray was far from an ideal supper…he…actually didn’t look all that unappetizing. He was young, clean-cut…and while he’d evidently fallen onto hard times, he wasn’t too scrawny, nor was he too fatty. And after all…if what he said was true, it wasn’t as if too many people would miss him…so he wouldn’t have to arouse too much suspicion. Besides, he DID have to eliminate this human, simply as part of the rules; he didn’t need Joker getting on his back about not doing his job, or the other villains saying he’d gone soft… GLLLLOOOORRRRLLLLG… Another rumble from the belly of the Big Bad Wolf caused Gray to look up…and he froze like a deer in the headlights as he saw Wolfrun eyeing him intensely…rubbing his belly… …Licking his lips. “All right, human,” Wolfrun said, his voice smooth and sweet as honey. “I don’t know what goes on in that messed up little head of yours…but you’ve caught me in a good mood…and when I’m REALLY hungry.” He grinned widely, and secured the book in the straps of his twin belts, against his thigh. Then he approached Gray again. This time, Gray didn’t step back. “If you want me to eat you up for supper…that’s exactly what I’ll do. But I want to make one thing perfectly clear, Plain Gray…” The tall, strapping wolf now loomed over Gray, grinning a villainous, domineering grin down at the shabby young fellow…before reaching out with one hand (waggling his fingers playfully as he did, and snickering to himself), and firmly but gently grabbing Gray by the back of the head… …And Gray let out a soft “eep!” as the Big Bad Wolf pressed him gently against his cloth-covered stomach, placing his ear against his abdomen. His gray eyes widened further as he heard the stomach of the greedy wolf rumble and growl with impatience somewhere deep within. “From this point on,” Wolfrun rumbled, powerfully, “You are no longer what you used to be. You wanted the Big Bad Wolf? You’re going to get him. You wanted to be his dinner? You’re going to get that wish. But nothing you say or do now is going to stop me, and nothing you expect or desire is going to matter. Whether this turns out to be Your Happy Ending, or The Most Terribly Bad Ending You Can Imagine…I don’t care at all. And neither does my stomach. So if you regret anything, if you have second thoughts, if you have any hesitations…” He leaned down and whispered into Gray’s ear, inadvertently pressing him deeper into his stomach area, making the human whimper a little. “…I’m not listening to them. You. Are. Wolf. Food. Nothing else. And I’m going to do with you as I please. Got it?” Gray gulped…and nodded, head bobbing and pressing against Wolfrun’s body as he did so. “Good boy,” crooned the Big Bad Wolf, and eased up a bit, straightening his posture and removing his large, heavy paw from Gray’s head…before gently cupping his chin in his forefinger and thumb, and forcing the youngster to look up into his gray-furred face. “Tell you what,” he practically purred, more like a cat than a canid: “Since you were so considerate as to think of feeding a hungry wolf…I’ll do ONE quick favor for you. You can decide how I’m going to eat you? Shall I start by biting off your limbs? Or would you rather be charbroiled and served with-?” “Swallow me.” Wolfrun’s smile fell, stunned once again…though not quite as badly as before. “What?” “I…w-want you to swallow me. Whole. A-And alive. Just…um…just l-like in-” “In the stories. I know.” There was a pause. “You…uh…y-you can…can do that? R-Right? Uh…sir?” Wolfrun looked at Gray for a few moments…then, his stomach rumbled again, and he smiled slowly. “Of course I can,” he said, in a voice that chilled Gray to the core; not because it sounded dishonest, but because it almost sounded like Wolfrun had been…HOPING that would be his answer. And that deeply unsettled him. “But before we get to that,” growled Wolfrun, “I want to have a little fun first…” “F-Fun?” “Mm-hm,” the Big Bad Wolf nodded… …Then shoved Gray roughly, knocking him onto his backside. The human grunted and looked up…then quivered nervously as the Wolf crouched into a predatory posture, eyes seeming to glow a bit brighter. “I love a good chase,” he growled. “I bet I can catch you without even trying. Let’s see if I’m right, shall we?” He cackled, and tossed his head, gesturing off into the distance. “I’ll give you a ten second headstart. Run, Little Pig…Run, Run, Run, as fast as you can.” Gray leapt to his feet…and without a word, sprinted off down the steps and back towards the slope of the hill, running as fast as his legs could carry him. Wolfrun grinned wider. “Ten…nine…eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…ONE! READY OR NOT, HERE I COME!” And with that, the Big Bad Wolf let out a terrible howl to the blood red moon…and then dashed after Gray, who was, at that moment, just reaching the crest of the grassy knoll. Gray felt the chill in his bones as Wolfrun ran after him. He panted as he jumped over to the top of the hill and began running down the other side. He wasn’t sure why he was running, but he kept running anyway; it wasn’t as if he could escape…he didn’t even WANT to escape. But the Big Bad Wolf wanted a chase, so he would give it. He heard the lupine snarling and grunting behind him like a wild beast. The sound made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. If this was how it felt to be a Wolf’s prey, he was glad that, in this case, his fate was a foregone conclusion… …At least…he hoped it was… The shabby, black-haired human turned back over his shoulder…and yelped as Wolfrun suddenly bounded towards him, flying through the air, claws on full display. The human let out a rather comical “YIPE!” as the sight so distracted and startled him, he lost his footing, and felt his step falter… …Whether he tripped and fell, or was simply tackled by Wolfrun, he had no clue. Either way, he grunted and gasped, winded, as he found himself pinned to the ground by the larger, stronger beast, as the Big Bad Wolf grabbed his arms and spread them out to the sides. Wolfrun grinned ghoulishly; he wasn’t even hyperventilating. The run had been nothing to him. His heartbeat was a bit quicker, but hardly anything noteworthy. The human could FEEL the Wolf’s strength as he leered down at him with glowing indigo eyes that seemed to pierce into his soul. “See?” he breathed out over Gray’s face. “That was easy.” Gray coughed and moaned slightly; Wolfrun smirked. “Awww, don’t like the smell of my breath?” He leaned in and whispered into the human’s ear, keeping him pinned with no effort at all. “Your blush tells me otherwise,” he hissed. He waited till he felt Gray shiver, then went on. “You never had a hope. If that had been a real hunt…you’d be halfway down my gullet right now.” Gray gulped. “Heh. ‘Gulp’ is right,” winked Wolfrun, pulling back and looking the young man in the face, a rather smug smile on his own muzzle. “…Why…wh-why aren’t I…um…already…that?” peeped Gray. “Because, my silly little snack-to-be,” Wolfrun crooned, “I’m not done playing with you yet. Did you think a chase that short was enough? Oh, no. Now that I’ve caught you…again…I’m going to do what every hunter does with his prize.” He paused impressively, then stated what he meant…and Gray almost swore he felt his heart skip a beat at the Wolf’s husky tone of voice, and felt the huge paws tighten their grip. “I’m going to take you back home with me.” To any outside observer, no sooner had the great gray wolf said these words…than suddenly, the wolf’s image, along with Gray’s seemed to become fuzzy and blurred, as if they were being literally erased out of the scene by an unseen hand. Then, in the blink of a needle’s eye, they were gone. For Gray, the world seemed to suddenly spin and flash about him at lightning speed; colors and sounds and shapes and even scents were all kerbobbled in a disorienting, dizzying kaleidoscope. The ground beneath changed texture, and he swore he felt it move…even though neither he nor Wolfrun changed positions even once. It was a discombobulating sensation, altogether; a nauseous feeling not unlike motion sickness. The unpleasantness was soon ended (or, at least, given a temporary stall), as the world seemed to shift back into focus. Wolfrun promptly got up off of Gray, and took two steps back, indicating he wanted the human to rise. Gray obeyed, dusted himself off, and looked around. He found himself in a place that looked like a cross between a storybook illustration…and the fiery pits of Hell. The sky was a blotchy red and cobalt blue, with purple clouds that drifted idly, blown by a sour-sweet wind. They appeared to be at one end of a rickety rope bridge, atop a dark mountain. Behind them and below them, Gray could see a tangled mess of thorny vines and rotting trees. He recalled the infamous “Forest of Thorns” from Sleeping Beauty, and shivered, taking a step away from the bridge as he saw an unpleasant black river far below. Everything was warped and crooked and uneven, either seeming overly jagged or abnormally curved. At the other end of the bridge, atop an even larger mountain, was an Oriental-style palace, all red and gold with black accents. Huge torches lit the ends of the bridge, and then went into a dark cave, the light trailing into the shadows beyond. The cavern was lined with sharp stalactites, giving the entrance the appearance of some monstrous mouth, ready to snap an unwitting traveler up. Given his present situation, there had to be an irony in there somewhere, Gray was sure. He felt Wolfrun’s hand upon his shoulder, and looked up. He felt his knees nearly knock together at the sly, slick smile across the Big Bad Wolf’s handsome, furry face. He couldn’t tell what was going on in the lupine’s mind, but he seemed…amused by Gray’s fear, if nothing else. “Is…is this…?” “The Bad End Kingdom,” nodded Wolfrun. “Part of the Shadow Realm. Home of the followers of My Master, Emperor Pierrot.” Gray nodded slowly, and looked towards the palace. “…Home of All the Villains,” he murmured. “Right?” “Well, some of them,” shrugged Wolfrun, dismissively. “The Evil Queen, the Troll Under the Bridge…you won’t have to worry about them, though.” He tightened his grip on Gray’s shoulder and leaned down, whispering into his ear, hot, meaty breath wafting across Gray’s face once more. “You belong to ME,” he growled. “And if they even think of touching you, I’ll gobble them up, too.” Gray couldn’t help it. He blushed. Wolfrun snickered rather maliciously, then gently nudged Gray’s shoulder, guiding him as they walked side by side. The Big Bad Wolf never wanted his dinner out of his sight…but he also knew it was best if he led the way, so walking this way seemed the best option. As they entered the cave at the end of the old bridge, Wolfrun’s stomach grumbled again, and he gently palmed it with one huge hand. Gray glanced towards the Big Bad Wolf’s gut, then up to his face. Wolfrun wasn’t even looking at his stomach, let alone Gray. Gray’s blush grew more heated, and he turned away again, keeping his eyes forward as much as he could. He could almost feel the the entrance to the cavern disappear from sight without ever throwing so much as a quick glance back. In truth, even if he had tried to run, even if he had CONSIDERED it, it would have done him no good: where could he hide in the Bad End Kingdom? All the same, the symbolic nature of every passing moment like this was heavy on his mind. There was no turning back. There was NEVER any chance of it. The cavern tunnel ramped upwards, and led to a hallway of wood, torches still illuminating the path. Everything was done in drab, pale colors, aside from the color red, which visibly “popped out” in the dimly-lit environs. Despite the shift in scenery from crude stone to wood and paint, there was a large, badly-cut-out section of the wall that led into what looked like a smaller cave within the passage, near the entrance to the hall. From within this small side cave, Gray could hear what sounded like a television set. Smatterings of barely-comprehensible dialogue told him whoever was inside was flipping through channels. Sure enough, as they neared the cave, Gray heard a deep, low, grunting voice grumble: “Darn it…why can’t anything FUN be on once in a while?” Gray paused…then looked up at Wolfrun shyly, as if silently asking for permission. The Big Bad Wolf snorted and rolled his eyes; his next meal was such a child, really… He waved a hand, indicating it was fine…but the stern look in his blue-violet eyes told Gray he should stay close to his predator/protector. Gray peeked into the cavernous room. Sitting upon a huge log was a massive beast with scarlet skin. It resembled some sort of demon, or perhaps more specifically the Oni of Japanese mythology: pointed ears, short horns, tusks in its mouth… …The auburn afro was new, but…details, details. The creature had a prominent “musclegut” build: all burly, brawny limbs and a HUGE, thick belly, with wide hips…not quite as attractive as Wolfrun’s own, but still, Gray had to admit they were nice. …God, he felt like such a creep sometimes… The beast was garbed in clothes made from animal skins – most notably leopard – and had dark claws on its fingers, not unlike Wolfrun’s own jagged nails. About its wrists were spiked bracelets. It had yellow eyes, which were currently half-lidded in a dopey, dull expression. The monster pressed a button on the remote, and for a few moments, the song “Sound of Music!” played in the cave, as Julie Andrews spun across the screen. The oni-like brute shuddered and quickly changed the channel. “I don’t feel like any scary movies,” he mumbled. Gray couldn’t help it: he giggled. The sound alerted the brute, who turned and looked fast. His eyes lit up and he grinned, first with pleasant surprise. It heaved itself to its feet, its massive frame blotting out the light of the fire it had build in its room, as it began to advance. “Well, well,” growled the monster. “What have we here? Been a long time since a-” The brute stopped dead in its tracks as Wolfrun stepped forward and glared daggers, sweeping out an arm protectively in front of Gray. “Mine, tubby,” was all he said, and lifted his other hand, gesturing with his claws, and raising an eyebrow. Unless you want to fight for it? his face seemed to read. The brute pouted like a spoiled child…but did not argue, instead just sitting down on its log again, grumbling under its breath. Gray swore he heard it call Wolfrun a “fuzzy-faced meanie-pants.” Gray shook his head with amusement despite himself…then nearly squeaked like a mouse as Wolfrun patted his back, silently urging him to continue on. “Who was that?” Gray asked, carefully. “Akaoni,” Wolfrun grunted. He said nothing more, and Gray asked nothing else. They ascended the stairs at the end of the hall, and as they went through another, they passed a very large, wide room. It looked like some sort of library, filled with mystic scrolls and ancient tomes…but in the center of the room was a massive black cauldron, filled with bubbling green goo that smelled even worse than Wolfrun’s carnivorous breath. Inside the room, Gray spotted a dwarfish, stooped, wrinkled old woman. She was dressed in a hooded green cloak, and though her face was half-hidden by her hood, he could clearly see she had a long nose and several missing teeth. The old witch was standing on a large step-stool, holding a spoon that seemed almost the same size as herself, stirring the brew within the cauldron. Wisps of smoke that curled into shapes resembling skulls came from the greenish stew, and he heard her chanting… “Boil, Cauldron, Boil! Boil, Cauldron, Boil! Death within your depths, I see, for those that dare to rival me!” Wolfrun paused, and Gray stopped. The wolf had just been about to ascend the stairs to the third floor. However, he stopped at the foot of the stairs. Gray looked up at the Big Bad Wolf, who cocked one of his thick hips, a hand placed against it, as he tilted his head the other way. His ear twitched and his tail wagged slowly. He seemed to be pondering something. A malevolent smile split the wily wolf’s face, and then he pointed to Gray with a razor-sharp claw. “Wait. Right. Here,” he growled. “If you even so much as think of wandering off, I will bite off your head.” Gray obediently stayed put as the Big Bad Wolf entered the library room where the cauldron was. The witch was still chanting, as she poured a vial of blue goo into the melting pot. “Brew the magical recipe!” she sang. “Boil, Cauldron, Boil…!” Wolfrun tapped her on the shoulder. “WHAT?!” the Witch screamed, whipping about to face him and gnashing the few teeth she had. Wolfrun jumped back a bit, then frowned, and whispered something to the witch. Gray couldn’t tell what he was saying, but he knew it had to have something to do with him, for the Witch looked at him, and narrowed her eyes, before hissing something to Wolfrun in return. After a few moments of talking, the witch hopped off her step stool. She disappeared to a corner of the room that Gray could not see…then returned and offered Wolfrun a small bottle of pink fluid. “Thanks, Majorina,” the Big Bad Wolf drawled, and without another word returned to the hall, as the Witch returned to her cauldron. Gray gave the Wolf a questioning look, but the beast gave him a rather frosty smile in return…and just waved for him to follow along upstairs. “Come on,” the Big Bad Wolf rumbled. “Let’s get to my room. I’m STARVING.” His belly ROARED on cue, and Gray, with renewed energy and focus, followed promptly behind the great gray wolf without any resistance at all. Wolfrun licked his chops as he saw the sweet, eager little human walk alongside him; he was very, VERY much looking forward to his dinner tonight…he’d gobbled up many people, but he’d never had someone not only ASK to be his dinner, but act so EXCITED about it. He was looking forward to seeing how long that happy anticipation would last… As they reached the third floor, Wolfrun led Gray to a simple wooden door. On the knob was hung a small wooden sigh, with the words “I’m Not In” on the front. The Big Bad Wolf calmly opened the door…then smirked slyly, almost conspiratorially to his human companion, and waved a hand towards the entryway as he bowed rather mockingly. “Prey before beauty, thank you,” Wolfrun rumbled. Gray chuckled almost despite himself, and entered the room. Wolfrun whistled merrily as he marched in after him… …And just before shutting and locking the door, he flipped the sign on the door. The other side read “Do Not Disturb.” Gray looked around the living quarters of the Bad End Kingdom’s resident mercenary. So…this was what the den of the Big Bad Wolf was like. It…really wasn’t what he had expected. He did notice a sheepskin tacked to the wall, and a second sheepskin on the floor as a rug. These he had expected, but the rest of the room was just so…ordinary. There was a small area sectioned off by a screen panel, decorated with the image of a whole pack of wolves howling at a crescent moon. Gray presumed that behind the screen would be Wolfrun’s bed. There was a full-size mirror set up against one wall; beside it was a bureau with drawers, and on this were various action figures (all of them villains from their franchises, naturally). Adjacent to the bureau, on the opposite wall, was a small and untidy bookshelf, with a clock on top of it. The clock itself was plain and silvery-looking, but with crooked hands that gave it a somewhat Gothic feel. Among the assortment of books on the shelf were cookbooks (one was labeled “1,001 Ways to Serve Pork”), and some novels (among the titles, Gray picked out “Fool Moon,” “The Howling,” and “Cycle of the Werewolf”), but the majority of space on the shelf was taken up by volumes of the manga for “Warubot.” Gray blinked. He’d never thought the Big Bad Wolf would be a fan of that. “I hope you don’t mind the accommodations,” came the lupine’s snarly voice behind him. “Because this is the last room you will ever see…” Gray started to turn…then let out an “eep!” as Wolfrun glided past him and bumped him with one of his thick hips. Gray couldn’t help but stare as the Big Bad Wolf winked at him over his shoulder, then headed to the bookshelf; he placed the book of fairy-tales in an empty space on the top shelf, checked the clock absent-mindedly… …Then turned on his heel, faced the mirror, brushing some hair from his eyes as Gray moved past him quietly and peered around the screen. He then saw Wolfrun’s bed: it was one of those low-stationed beds (at least in relation to Wolfrun’s impressive height) with drawers underneath. The blanket and pillowcase were cerulean, while the sheets were stark white. Near the bed was a nighstand with a lamp on it. The base of the lamp resembled a cartoon pig; Gray noticed, with some bemusement, that there were small dents on the lamp base…almost like bite marks left by a puppy, gnawing on a bone. Gray heard a light sigh behind him, and turned… …Just in time to see the Big Bad Wolf let his sleeveless jacket fall to the floor, and then remove the bands on his arms. Gray’s cheeks turned the same purple-red color of a cherry. The beast was now completely topless in front of him. Wolfrun’s bare, furry chest was muscular, but Gray was much more focused on the lean wolf’s belly: it was flat, but not QUITE as muscular as one might expect. No six-pack: just a smooth layer of tummy fat that made the furry abdomen of the Wolf even more appealing for Gray. A healthy but still well-fed body. Wolfrun chuckled as he saw Gray ogle him. He spread out his arms and lifted his head, wagging his tail behind him. “Go ahead, human!” he said, in a bragging, boastful tone of voice. “Take a good long look! But I hope you don’t think this is for YOUR benefit.” The Wolf lowered his arms, and placed one of hands upon his belly. “You see, after I swallow you, my stomach is going to need ‘breathing room.’ Something I’m afraid YOU will have very little of once you’re inside of me.” Gray was unable to hold back a slight whimper. He…hadn’t really considered how TIGHT it would probably be in the lupine’s stomach sac. That is…he knew it would be tight, but…just how cramped and snug would it be once he was inside? He supposed he’d soon find out. Wolfrun growled as he advanced, topless, on his prey. He looked the twenty-something up and down as he once again loomed over him. Gray gulped; being about belly-height with the Big Bad Wolf meant he got a very good view of that bare, fluffy stomach…it looked so smooth…so soft… Wolfrun let out a puff of amused air through his nose, eyeing the human much like an owner might their pet. He placed his hands on his hips, and cocked them slightly, sniggering at the little man’s blushing face as those well-defined thighs were better displayed. “Like what you’re seeing?” Gray could only nod. “Good,” Wolfrun nodded. “You’ll be adding to it.” Gray quivered. Wolfrun rolled his eyes. “Tch. This seriously gets to you?” he snorted, but didn’t change his posture much. “Does just the insinuation you’re nothing but meat really hit you that hard?” “You wouldn’t believe how much,” Gray replied, without missing a beat. “I’ve thought about this moment for years…in my sleep…many of my waking hours…anytime I’m in private…” “I’d tell you to seek therapy,” Wolfrun said, blandly, “But that won’t do you much good after I send you down the hatch.” Gray nodded with an embarrassed smile. Wolfrun straightened his posture and pointed imperiously. “I want you topless, too. And take off your shoes and socks, too. In fact…” He grinned wickedly. “Nothing but your undergarments. I want to get a good look at my meal. I’ll let you keep THAT much modesty, however.” Gray obeyed in an instant, throwing off the shabby white shirt and then kicking off his dirty shoes, before peeling away his socks. His hands then moved to his pant buttons… Wolfrun hummed softly as the human stepped out of his jeans and stood almost naked before him. He scratched his chin thoughtfully with a sharp, black claw, and then began to circle Gray, who hugged himself and trembled, keeping his head down. He looked scared, but Wolfrun got the feeling it wasn’t out of fear of the Wolf might do to him. It was out of fear of what he might NOT do. That he might be rejected…as if rejection was something this young morsel had lived with for so long and feared constantly… …Pitiful, really. The Wolf’s eyes held no deviant interest; his purple-blue gaze was sharp and icy, calculating and casual. As if the little man really was nothing but a piece of meat, and he was just checking to see how good the cut of the meat was. Finally, as he came back around to the front of Gray, he placed his hand other the human’s chin. He hummed again, as he tilted the young man’s rather unsettled-looking face this way and that, and eyed him carefully again. “Not as scrawny as you looked,” Wolfrun mumbled. “Could have a bit more meat on your bones, I suppose, but…” He shrugged. “…We’ve come this far. You’ll do.” Gray sighed with immense relief. “Thank you,” he said, with far more sincerity than Wolfrun felt such a statement deserved. Not that it really mattered. Wolfrun released Gray’s chin; his shaggy black hair draped over his brow as his head dipped. Wolfrun then lifted the bottle Majorina had given him; he had fastened it with his belts, just as he had with the book. He pulled free the cork using his claws, and then slugged down half the bottle. GLUG, GLUG, GLUG…! Gray watched as small bulges went down the Wolf’s throat with each rhythmic swallow; saw the way the monster’s Adam’s Apple bobbed… “Ahhhh!” Wolfrun sighed as he pulled the bottle away, and then let out a quiet burp. “URP. Mph…tasty, actually…” He then offered the bottle to Gray, who took a cautious step back. “Drink the rest,” the Big Bad Wolf ordered. “Why?” Wolfrun glared. Gray gulped. “I can either swallow you whole,” Wolfrun threatened, “Or I can break you in two like a candy bar. Which would you prefer?” Gray took the bottle and began to drink. Wolfrun’s expression softened and he nodded in approval as he watched, making sure the human swilled down every last drop. The potion – whatever it was – didn’t taste too bad. It was a fruity, raspberry-like flavor; sweet and smooth. Gray finished off the bottle, licked his lips nervously, and then offered the empty container to Wolfrun. The topless lupine swaggered over to a trash bin in his room; he kicked it open, dropped the glass bottle into it with a careless air, and then let it close. “What…what was that stuff?” “Something to make this even better. For me,” shrugged Wolfrun, as if this was totally ordinary. Gray had a feeling he wouldn’t get a better answer than that, and did not bother to ask further. The Big Bad Wolf glided past him…intentionally brushing his hip against Gray’s shoulder, just to see the young man squirm. Then, Wolfrun sat down on his low bed. He unfastened and removed his boots, and sighed softly as his bare, gray-furred feet – which looked fairly humanoid, aside from the hair and claws – were exposed to the world. Then he kicked them up…and lay down upon the bed. Without a word, he lifted one hand…placed it behind his head…and then beckoned Gray over with a single finger on the other. Gray let out a keening sort of sound…and trotted over perhaps more eagerly than even HE realized. Once he was close enough…Wolfrun reached out and pulled the young man down, once again placing his large handpaws over the back of his head, and pinning him to his stomach as he moved him into the bed. Gray couldn’t move a muscle for several moments. He just…went still. Like a mouse caught in a trap. He didn’t even shiver. It was as if being pressed with his ear forced against the beast’s bare belly had just caused him to shut down for a few moments… …But after listening to the Wolf’s stomach gurgle and grumble a few times…slowly, his hands lifted and he timidly began to rub the lean, soft stomach of the creature. Wolfrun allowed a smug smirk – his usual sort – to slip across his snout. His mouth started to salivate…he lifted and arm and wiped his muzzle clean on the back of his paw. “Heh. Cute,” he muttered, and ruffled the hair of the human in emphasis, once again almost like an owner with their favorite pet. “You hear the rumbles, Plain Gray?” Gray nodded slowly, keeping his ear to Wolfrun’s belly, even as the Wolf placed both his hands behind his head, arching his back slightly and causing his belly to jut upwards a small bit as a result. “That is the sound of your future. After tonight,” the Wolf said softly, rumbling alongside his stomach cavity, “You can forget anything you ever knew. Anything you ever could have even TRIED to be. You’ll get your wish, my little human. The only thing you have to look forward to in life now…is filling me…and then fattening me.” Gray quivered, as he stroked his fingers against the softness of Wolfrun’s stomach…then, he bit his lip, and timidly lowered and extended a hand, placing it against Wolfrun’s hip. The Wolf just rolled his eyes, still smirking. “Yes, yes,” he drawled, lazily. “You’ll be part of those soon enough.” Gray squeaked. The sound made Wolfrun laugh. “No wonder you want to feed yourself to me!” he almost howled. “You’re more like a mouse than a human being!” There was a pause…then, Wolfrun let out a thoughtful hum… …And Gray helped as Wolfrun rolled over in bed, and fell upon him, once again pinning him down, this time to the covered mattress. His tongue was lolling from his jaws as he gave Gray an intense, almost passionate stare, eyes burning like indigo flames in the shadow of his bangs. “Don’t move, mousey,” he murmured, his hot breath falling upon Gray’s face; the human gulped at the meaty smell of the beast’s air. Wolfrun sniffed at him a few times curiously…then…his tongue slithered out, and he licked Gray’s cheek…and then, slowly, licked his chest. Gray instinctively tried to raise his arms…only for Wolfrun’s claws to hold them back in place. “Nuh-uh-uh,” the Wolf sang out with a fittingly wolfish smile, and lapped over Gray’s neck…then shuddered and growl. “Mmmmm…such a TASTY little morsel…” His gut grumbled yet again; louder than ever before, practically vibrating the bed. Gray panted a few times…and swallowed thinly. “Is it…is it time now?” Wolfrun nodded without a word. Gray squirmed. “I…I have to admit,” Gray said softly. “Now that the moment is near…I’m…I’m getting a little anxious.” Wolfrun raised an eyebrow. “If that’s all you feel,” he said, ominously, “You’re either very brave, very stupid, or both.” He paused, then gave a mocking smile. “I’m guessing it’s the second option.” Gray decided not to answer that. Though Wolfrun leaned over him, surrounded him, his arms were free. He timidly lifted one hand and pressed gently against the lupine’s bare belly… …And something happened neither expected. The stomach of the wolf lurched…and a pocket of gas burst up. Wolfrun’s eyes widened momentarily as a short, rather explosive burp rumbled up from his belly. “UUUURRRRRP! Ahhhh…heh, that felt good coming out,” he grunted, looking quite pleased with himself. Gray laughed softly, blushing more than ever. Wolfrun looked at him, and cackled. “Heh heh heh…you liked that one didn’t you?” Gray nodded…and then paused before pressing again…and again… Wolfrun rolled his eyes. “You’re so needy, for such a puny morsel,” he snorted…but gave the youth what he wanted, anyway. Right in his face. “BUUUUURRRRRREEEELLLLUUUURRRP!” Gray laughed a bit more loudly; he crinkled his nose and fanned the air before his face. “Why, Mr. Wolf!” he sang out teasingly. “What big belches you have!” Wolfrun grinned toothily. “The better to tease you with.” There was a pause after those words…and then, Gray sat up a bit, bringing his face closer to the wolf’s. “And Mr. Wolf,” the human went on, voice much softer now, and shyer than ever, “What…what a hungry stomach you have…” Wolfrun blinked slowly. Wow. This kid…he was…so EXTREMELY weird. …And so delicious… “The better to digest you with.” Gray started to hyperventilate as now, Wolfrun’s arms shifted, and his huge hands pinned Gray’s own arms to his sides. He held him firm and close, as he began to hoist him up even closer to his muzzle.. “And Mr. Wolf,” Gray managed to say. “What large claws you have…” “The better to trap you with.” Time stood still for a moment. Gray now found himself nose to nose, almost, with the lupine mercenary. Wolfrun’s mouth was watering, panting excitedly, his eyes staring deep into Gray’s soul. Gray’s lips trembled as he leaned closer to those slavering jaws…a look not unlike that of a lover on his own youthful, rather foolish face. “Oh, Mr. Wolf,” he nearly moaned out. “What a great…greedy…mouth you have.” Wolfrun’s grin widened…he leaned close, as if he was going to kiss Gray… …And for a split second, the purple-blue eyes turned red. “The Better to Eat You With.” And time seemed to slow to an absolute crawl…as the Big Bad Wolf opened his jaws very, VERY wide, indeed. Gray gazed, pupils dilating in an instant, into the gaping maw of Wolfrun. Every square inch dripped with slick, slimy, somewhat smelly saliva, some of which dropped down and spattered onto his cheeks and his nose. Pearly fangs framed his vision, which was utterly consumed by folds of thick, pink flesh, along with a huge, flat, twitching tongue. The wolf’s jowls undulated, and his gullet flapped open, revealing a dark, stinking passage that led down, down, down into the depths of his body… …And as Gray lay there, that passage seemed to inch closer, and closer, and CLOSER to his face. Gray inhaled sharply; he nearly choked on the meaty breath of the Wolf. He had no time to let out even a mewl as those jaws slammed shut around his head and shoulders. CHLOMPH! “MMMMMmmmmm…” Wolfrun moaned as his cheeks bulged with Gray’s form, as he began to drag him into his body. His tongue slobbered and slathered about Gray’s body, slickening his hair, soaking into his skin, as the beast indulged in his flavor. Gray whimpered and spluttered a few times, but didn’t speak; he was afraid if he opened his mouth too much, he’d end up with a whole mouthful of anthro wolf drool. Wolfrun began move Gray further, strong paws working to heave the human up into his jaws and into his insatiable gullet… GUUUULLLLP! Wolfrun’s first swallow sent Gray’s head and shoulders plunging into his gullet; his esophagus pumped the silly human down with squelching, squeezing contractions as he slithered into the slimy, slick tubing of the wolf’s throat. Outside, the Big Bad Wolf’s neck bulged grotesquely, almost cartoonishly, with the form of Gray within as he growled in perfect synch with his stomach… GUUUUUULLLLLLP! Wolfrun moved up into a relaxed kneeling position, legs tucked under him as his toes wiggled and his tail flashed. He rumbled as he now held all of Gray’s upper body within his jaws. Only the human’s legs remained beyond his fanged mouth; he playfully nibbled and gnawed at the bare flesh just above Gray’s pelvis, causing the human to kick impulsively. Wolfrun chuckled around his full jaws; he wasn’t even chewing enough to remotely break the skin. Just enough to make the shabby little man squirm… …Thank goodness said shabby man was so DELECTABLE…like peaches and cream… GUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLP! The human’s bare legs slid down much more easily than the rest of his body; Wolfrun grunted and smirked around his prey as he felt Gray’s head push through the pyloric valve. He let out a puff of amusement through his nose, as his steaming breath billow across the shins still outside his maw. He could feel the human fidget and twitch I in his muscular tract, and imagined him…staring into the pit of the Big Bad Wolf’s stomach…seeing and SMELLING the chamber into which he would meet his fate… GUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLP! Wolfrun shivered. His eyes fluttered for a moment, then focused on the last bit of Gray’s body left beyond his jaws – the last bit of mouth-watering meat he had left to consume: Gray’s feet. His toes twitched and his feet wiggled fruitlessly. Wolfrun let out a laugh suspiciously close to a giggle…then lifted one of his hands and, with two clawed fingers, gently pushed Gray’s feet into his mouth, past his black, rubbery, fuzzy lips. GLLLUUUG-GLLLLLUUUUURRRRRLLLLLP! With a final, forceful, sloppy swallow, Gray was completely guzzled up by the big, bad Wolfrun. The two claws that had pressed the human’s feet into his mouth traced down over his throat, as the last, thick bulge of the man slid down his gullet…vanished behind his ribcage… …And then… “OHHHHHHHhhhhhoooooo…yeah, get in there…” The Big Bad Wolf turned and flopped down onto his back on the bed, his big gut billowing up over him. The occupant now trapped within his stomach let out a muffled yelp. The beast panted, tongue flopping out the side of his jaws as he lay with his arms and legs spread out. For several moments, he didn’t move a muscle…just lay there; savoring the fullness, the HEAVINESS of his body… “Mmmmmmmm…HHHHHHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPK!” he belched thunderously, making the lamp near the bed rattle, then let out a deep, bass groan. “Ahhhhhh…jeeze, I’m sooooooooo STUFFED…” Slowly, Wolfrun lifted his head…and grinned as he gazed upon his belly. His once lean, trim midsection had become obscenely bloated. It looked as if he had swallowed a medicine ball as the orb-shaped swell of distended flesh weighed him down with pleasing heft. Wolfrun chuckled softly and licked his chops. “Mmmrrraaaahhhh…heh heh heh…comfy in there, human?” To be honest, “comfy” was all in the eye of the beholder, and Gray was still trying to decide how well it applied to his situation. The willing meal was curled up in a near-fetal position in the belly of the Big Bad Wolf. He wasn’t sure how, but he was able to see inside the stomach sac…but the light was extremely dim and rather ruddy, leaving him only able to view strange silhouettes and vague shapes. The walls that rippled around him and kneaded against him were thick, rubbery, veiny, and somewhat spongy; like a collection of slime-covered cushions that carried the earthy, unpleasant smell of animal innards. A pool of bubbling lapped at him as the stomach muscles move to churn and stir the contents of the stomach. It carried the ugly, sickly-sweet stench of past meals, and an acrid aroma that stung Gray’s nostrils, while the sheer, steaming, humid heat of the lupine gut made his eyes water and caused sweat to prickle his spit-stained brow. As he wiggled, he felt mushy, pasty muck slop against him; no doubt the remains of the villain’s breakfast. All around him, he could hear the sounds of Wolfrun’s body: the drumbeat of his heart, the “whooshing” of air passing through his lungs…and the deep gurgles and grumbles of his guts, as the worked around his compacted framework. Gray whimpered and fidgeted, twitching from the sensory overload everything caused…when Wolfrun belched so mightily, he could feel the stomach sphincter open near his head as the gas escaped, swirling about him in a noxious cloud, temporarily making his surroundings reek even more than before. He could hear the beast moan and groan; his predator’s voice was very loud, jangling in his ears, but not always especially easy to understand. Gray wasn’t sure how long he sat in the stomach of the Wolf, nor was Wolfrun sure how long he just lay there, nearly unmoving…it was probably only seconds, maybe minutes, but it felt like hours. Then, finally…he reached out with a trembling hand…and pressed at the stomach wall…pushing on it almost experimentally…then, he began to press out with all four limbs, just…testing how resilient, how stretchy, the gut of the monster was. Wolfrun quivered and groaned again…biting his lip and moaning, his eyes flickering closed…as he lifted one hand and let it drop heavily onto his belly, slapping against it and making it jiggle and wobble. He steadily blinked open his eyes and looked at his bloated gut once more: he could say bulges and bumps form on the surface of his tummy, as the human’s limbs pushed out. “Mmmmmmmm…been so long,” he mumbled, “Since I ate someone that could WRITHE…” Gray gulped thinly, his expression wide-eyed and somewhere between dread and adoration. “I’m…here,” he gasped out. “I’m…finally…here…” “That’s certainly one reaction,” Wolfrun snorted outside, and gently rubbed his belly with the paw draped across it. “Is it everything you wanted, my dimwitted dinner?” “…It’s..I think it…might be even better…” Wolfrun rolled his eyes. “You have a very strange sense of beauty,” he commented, dryly…then gave his plumpened gut a squeeze, releasing some more gas. “BRRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRK! Ahhh…oof…you hit the spot, Plain Gray…” He licked his teeth. “…And you were even tastier than I expected…oooooh, my stomach couldn’t be happier…” “I’m glad I could be so satisfying.” “We’ll see how long that lasts,” grunted Wolfrun…then thumped his chest and belched once more. “BEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRPCH! Mph…forgot how gassy humans can make me…” “I don’t remember you being so burpy in the stories,” Gray piped up, sounding nervous as he wiggled and pushed out some more. Wolfrun smirked for the millionth time that day. “Don’t believe everything you read,” he rumbled, and erupted once more, lifting a fist to his mouth in a show of mock politeness. “UUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRLLLLLLHHHHHHHHUUUUUURRRRRRRPH! Ahhhhh, YES! That was a GREAT one!” Gray laughed, and began to squirm more than ever; he pushed and pressed out and almost playfully. Wolfrun chortled, gut bouncing and “glurking” around his captive prey, poking and prodding at the bulges the young man made on the surface of his gut. “Well, someone’s having a good time…doesn’t it feel nice, little morsel, hmmm?” Wolfrun chuckled, his tail wagging under him against the bed. He began drawing circles over the surface of his belly with a single claw. “Mmmmm…filling your place on the food chain…getting to be where you wanted for so long…knowing you’re going to become one with the superior creature…” Wolfrun blinked…then scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Oh, jeeze…now I’M the one who’s monologuing. Those other idiots are rubbing off on me…” Gray giggled softly, almost childishly…then smiled as he wiggled about, almost like a boy getting comfy in a warm, cozy sleeping bag. “Yes, Mr. Wolf,” he said, voice a little shaky. “It’s…I…I feel…complete. Like I was…like I was born to be here… “Perhaps you were, runt. Perhaps you were.” Wolfrun then blinked…and yawned loudly. He stretched, causing his stomach to tighten around Gray, who once again squeaked in a mousey sort of way. “Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm…” The villain smacked his lips and scratched his engorged, rounded stomach lazily, eyes half lidded and sleepy. “I can already feel the food coma kicking in…ooooooh, you are going to be a FATTENING little meal, I can tell…” Gray let out a whimpering, but pleasured sort of sound. Wolfrun shook his head at the young man’s antics…then yawned again, more softly – the jaws Gray had entered on full display in the light of his room – before rolling onto his side, gut splayed across his bed. He snapped his fingers, and the lamp in his quarters turned off, shrouding the room in darkness. His purple-blue eyes shimmered as he palmed and petted his gut. “Rest easy, my mortal morsel,” he rumbled insidiously. “It’s time for me to start resting you off.” “…I hope…I hope I was a-” “A good meal, yeah, yeah,” grumbled Wolfrun, and nuzzled his pillow. “You were decent, kid…reeeeeaaaal decent…now, I need to sleep. Do me a favor and try not to kick too hard…” With these words, Wolfrun closed his eyes and smiled tiredly as his tail wagged, thumping repeatedly against his bed. After a few seconds…his tail slowed…and then stopped. Wolfrun let out a final, quiet burp in his sleep – Uuuurrrrrrp… - and then licked his chops as he slipped into a quiet, dreamy slumber, the rumbles of a gut hard at work lulling him easily. No Woodsman to help you, little Gray, he thought, just before unconsciousness took him. Now you’re all mine…

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[WARNING: THIS IS WHERE THE DARK STUFF REALLY STARTS.]

The Following Morning…

There is no sunlight in the Bad End Kingdom; only the hours on the clock indicate the passing of time. Wolfrun growled in his sleep; he bit his pillow and gave it a shake, nearly shredding the feather-stuffed thing…but finally stopped and panted a bit as his own actions roused him from his own gluttonous dreams, sleepy eyes smoldering as he looked out blearily towards his room. He yawned deeply…and the yawn became a belch. “AAAAAAHHHHHHH-HHHHUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLMMMMMMMMPH!” Wolfrun grunted and smacked his lips, then rubbed and scrubbed at his eyes before blinking at his bare, furry belly. He smiled slothfully; his gut was still gruesomely engorged. He stroked it with his fingertips and smiled; he could feel bubbles fizzing and popping on the underside of his bell. His gut juices were in full force now. Gray was not moving…but he clearly hadn’t passed on yet. Wolfrun could FEEL the human’s heartbeat and the even way he breathed, curled up so tightly in his tanker. He chuckled softly and sleepily; the human must have fallen asleep himself at some point in the night. Well, he wouldn’t get much sleep anymore. Wolfrun growled as he sat up; his gut sloshed and sagged into his lap. He shivered, then swung his legs off the bed and stumbled as he got up, leaning against the sturdy screen wall with its imagery of howling wolves. “UUUURRRRRRRRRRRK,” he belched, lips flapping in a low, bubbly burp, as gravity shifted. He looked down at his stomach, and found that the human still hadn’t been roused. He shrugged; he’d wake up in due time. Probably. It wouldn’t really matter to HIM if he didn’t: chow was chow. It didn’t need to talk. The Big Bad Wolf picked up his sleeveless jacket; he put it on but didn’t even TRY to zip it up. No point. It just seemed more formal than going about topless around the other Commanders. He then strutted out of his living quarters and down the hall outside, heading to one of the palace washrooms. As he walked, his hips sashayed from side to side, making his huge belly rock and bounce with each step. It sloshed and “glorped” loudly as its contents were moved about by the Wolf’s motions, swaying shamelessly in front of him as he sauntered on his way. He had just reached the bathroom – it was unoccupied – and was heading towards the shower, when his gut lurched, and he heard a confused whimper and moan inside his stomach. “Guh…grugh…w-wh-wha…?” “Ahhhh, there you are!” he rumbled, and patted his gut. “Glad you’re not gone yet, snack meat; welcome back to the land of the living.” He snickered. “Don’t worry…your stay THERE is just temporary. Your stay here, on the other hand…” He gave his gut a shake with both paws as he kicked the bathroom door open; Gray yelped and thrust out his arms and legs within the Wolf’s gut, trying to keep steady as waves of sludge and acid splashed over him. “Mmmmm…much more permanent.” “I…wait…but…I don’t…I don’t understand!” “Oh?” Wolfrun murmured, rather dismissively, as he moved towards the shower, sounding mildly interested. “What, exactly, don’t you understand?” “Well…I mean…y-you…you ate me.” “Yes, just like you asked me to. Any other brilliant deductions, Sherlock?” “N-No, I mean…shouldn’t you have…” Gray gulped. “…Aren’t you going to…y’know…digest me?” Wolfrun scoffed. “Well, of COURSE I’m going to digest you,” he grunted, as he turned on the hot water for the shower. “You’re FOOD. You just happen to be a LOT of food.” “…You…you, um…took care of those pancakes pretty fast…” Wolfrun sighed and rolled his eyes as he moved away from the shower and threw off his sleeveless jacket once more. “There’s a big difference,” he grumbled, “Between a pile of Okonomiyaki and an entire human being. Even one as insignificant as you.” “But-” “You won’t be fully processed for a while, runt. Now shut up, and let me take my shower,” he mumbled, then worked to get his pants off; it wasn’t easy with a gut his size. “Hmph…so many questions, for such a dumb meatbag…” He gave his gut a punishing slap – Gray yelped and whimpered, the wolf’s belly vibrating as he trembled, still confused and clearly now growing scared. The human had expected, when he had finally drifted off the night before – cradled in the muscles and surrounded by mild sludge – that his demise would be quick. That he’d just run out of air and fall asleep forever, perhaps waking up in some sort of afterlife. He hadn’t anticipated that he’d be in the belly of the Big Bad Wolf into the next day! Wolfrun, for his part, paid the man’s rising panic no heed. In fact, as he scrubbed his belly and washed his flowing silver mane, he didn’t really think once about the human who was currently being compressed and churned by his stomach muscles…aside from sighing as he felt how good the warm bathwater was on his stuffed tummy. He licked his lips and smiled, rumbling happily; he could still sense the lingering taste of Gray’s flesh. Aside from this, however, he was much more focused on just getting lathered in suds before rinsing off. Even the Big Bad Wolf likes to keep clean and handsome, to SOME degree or another. As Wolfrun showered, Alex found himself in a very…conflicted state of affairs. The night before, spending time in the belly of the Big Bad Wolf had been…exciting, for lack of a better word. But now, with the realization he likely wouldn’t just be slipping away so easily and so quickly…he was starting to get genuinely uncomfortable. He was cramped horribly, the walls pressing against him in a grinding fashion, the muscles eager to churn him down. Their treatment had at first almost been like a massage…but now, it was getting rougher, and his joints felt sore from disuse. The ugly stench seemed to have gotten worse over the night… …In general, he just felt…unhappy. But…but he had wanted this…he HAD. This was…this was supposed to be his Happy Ending. His Fantasy Made Real. He…he had to see it through to the end… …He had to… …But he…he didn’t…WANT to…anymore. Did he? Wolfrun hummed happily as he turned off the shower; inside his stomach sac, Alex sighed with some relief. The scrubbing motions and jostling had been making his situation far worse…but he didn’t have much time to feel relief for long, as the Big Bad Wolf grunted around him, and began to move again, stomach swaying around Alex like a hammock made of meat… “Hey…Hey, w-wait, I’m…b-be careful…!” “Hush,” Wolfrun muttered, coarsely, smacking his belly and making it wobble, as he focused on drying off and getting back into his clothes. Once he had done so, the big-bellied, thick-hipped lupine smirked as he stuck his hands in his pockets and swaggered out of the bathroom, and back towards his personal quarters. The Wolf locked the door behind him once again, then plucked a few volumes of Warubot off his shelf as he headed back behind the screen partition and thudded down onto his bed with a sigh. He wiggled his tush and smiled serenely as he got comfortable, and placed two volumes on the nightstand…before spreading out across the bed, gut splayed against the mattress, as he opened the remaining volume and calmly began to read. For a moment, all was silent…aside from the gurgles and bubbling “burbles” of the beast’s tummy. …Then… “Mr. Wolf?” Wolfrun ignored him, focused on his reading. “Mr. Wolf.” Wolfrun glanced to his belly sourly, but still said nothing, trying to continue reading. “Mr. Wolf!” “Grrrr…what is it?!” Wolfrun snapped, glaring at his own gut hotly. His belly wiggled; he saw a hand-bulge press through his furry flesh. “It’s…I’m…I’m scared…” Wolfrun blinked slowly…then smirked. He flexed his gut muscles, and a hint of his fangs showed as he saw the hand bulge vanish, the arm being sucked down back into the murky depths of his body. “Mmmmm…you should be…but since you’re bringing it up, why? Isn’t this where you wanted to end up?” he cooed. “…It’s…I’m…it’s getting…tingly,” Gray answered, lamely. “That would be the stomach acid,” Wolfrun shrugged. “Trust me, it’ll do more than tingle soon enough.” Gray’s fidgets and wiggles stopped. He’d frozen. “…What…what do you…?” “Oh, come on,” Wolfrun smirked anew, with a roll of his eyes. “You’ve fantasized about this stuff, you HAVE to know how a stomach WORKS. What do you think I mean?” “But…b-but…” “Ever wonder what it feels like to be a lobster tossed into a boiling pot?” Wolfrun grinned menacingly. “You’ll learn, soon enough.” Gray remained frozen. “…How…how long will I be in here?” “Oh, not too long…just…” Wolfrun tilted his head, as if making the calculations in his brain. “…Yeah, today…tomorrow…the day after…three days, tops, yep.” “THREE DAYS?!” Gray nearly squealed. “I told you,” Wolfrun shrugged, “You’re a LOT of food.” “But…but…!” “Yeah, and when it’s over, my ‘butt’ is what you’ll be part of,” the Wolf sniggered. “NO! I DON’T WANT THIS!” “Oh no?” Wolfrun grinned evilly. “Funny…you were red as a tomato last night…you couldn’t seem to get enough of ogling my body…of being pinned under me…of being able to make me…” He thumped his chest. “…BUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP! Haaaaaa-ha-ha…” He licked his chops as Gray began to panic, kicking and squirming for dear life. It made the Big Bad Wolf’s tail wag. “PLEASE, NO!” Gray cried out. “I DON’T WANT TO BE DIGESTED! NOT LIKE THIS! LET ME GO! PLEASE!” “You honestly think I care?” Wolfrun sniffed, rather snootily. “You are MEAT, human. Have you ever cared for what a cheeseburger or a piece of sushimi wants? You asked to be my food, you asked to be swallowed whole, and I’m giving you the grand tour of my guts, just like you wanted. It’s just a shame you were so buried in your precious fairy-tales that you didn’t consider how things might turn out.” Gray sobbed, tears streaming down his hot cheeks as he punched and kicked at the belly walls. He’d been such a dolt…such an IDIOT! This was beyond death. This was DESTRUCTION. This was ANNIHILATION. How could he have ever thought he’d be happy like this?! This wasn’t the ending he wanted! “SPARE ME!” he yelled. “SPARE ME, PLEASE!” Wolfrun, for his part, grunted as a particularly rough kick dislodged another pocket of putrid gut gas. “BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK! Oof…excuse me…” He sneered…and then, without warning…rolled over, PRESSING his gut into his mattress, and putting his weight on top of it, lying on his “belly bed” and grinding it into the actual bed beneath him. Gray gasped sharply and let out a series of whining whimpers as he was steadily smushed. “Don’t squirm so much,” Wolfrun snarled. “Dinner doesn’t get to have an opinion. Now, lemme read my manga…and wait for the burning to start.” “The…the BURNING?! NO! NO, I’M NOT-!” Wolfrun SLAPPED his belly hard. He heard Gray whimper again, then focused on his manga, calmly reading as if nothing had happened as he continued to lounge lazily atop his own gut. Gray could do nothing…but weep.

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The Following Day…

“High Card.” “High Card.” “HA! Three of a kind! Come to Papa Wolf, baby!” Wolfrun cackled as he dragged the stack of gold coins across the poker table to himself. Majorina and Akaoni sat at the other corners of the table, and sighed dismally as they slapped their own hands on the table. The dwarfish witch sat on a high stool, her spindly legs suspended in mid-air, while the troll-like brute sat cross-legged on the floor; the former lay her chin in one hand and scowled, while the latter crossed his arms and pouted like an overgrown toddler. “No fair!” Akaoni huffed. “You’ve won three rounds in a row!” “You have to be cheating!” Majorina accused. “Nobody is that lucky!” “Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure,” grinned Wolfrun, leaning back in his seat and grinning as he patted his stomach with both hands. It had gotten slightly smaller than the day before, but “slightly” was the keyword there: it was still a massive, heavy orb of flesh and fur, which sat like a great, gurgling lump in his lap. Every time he tapped it, it jiggled like a bowl of gelatin. “I got to have a GREAT meal the other day, after all…I’d say the odds are in my favor this week!” “Well, I’m not done yet!” declared Akaoni, and SLAMMED his fist onto the table, sending coins scattering as he bared his tusks at Wolfrun. “One more round!” “I’m up for it!” Majorina nodded. “You’re both just wasting your money,” shrugged Wolfrun, waving a hand about dismissively while the other caressed his swollen, grumbling gut. “But if you wanna try, go ahead!” The other two villains nodded in affirmation. Majorina dealt out the cards: the old crone didn’t trust Wolfrun not to stack the deck in his favor, and didn’t trust Akaoni not to drop the whole deck like a klutz. They were playing poker, after all, not Fifty-Two Pickup! The group all looked at their hands…then froze. “What the…?” “How is this…?” “Let me guess,” Majorina sighed. “All Jokers, All Around?” The two male villains looked to her and sighed. “Yep,” Wolfrun sighed. “You know what that means,” grumbled Akaoni. And then, right on cue…a high-pitched cackle echoed through the room, and a flash of purple light burst from the center of the poker table. ZZZAM! Akaoni and Majorina both jumped – the witch toppled out of her seat with a yelp – while Wolfrun, who was too encumbered by his current bulk to bother, just snarled and shielded his eyes. As the light faded, a figure appeared in its place. It appeared to be a tall, slender man, with a sharp nose and chin, pointed, almost elfen ears, and long black claws on his spindly hands. He was garbed in a harlequin-like costume, with a white domino mask, and a costume of purple and white, with a red trim and curl-toed boots. A golden utility belt was loosely fastened about his waist, and his hair was done up in a rather ridiculous tyle: The front of his hair came down over his face in dark purple bangs that matched his costume, while the rest was done up to look almost like a jester’s cap, dyed red, blue, and blonde, with bells attached to the end of each partition. “You silly billies!” the jester giggled, and bowed most low…so low, in fact, his nose nearly touched his toes. “When you don’t invite Joker to play, you’ll always be dealt from the bottom of the deck!” So saying, the harlequin jumped into the air, flipped twice, then landed nimbly on his feet. He grinned, revealing his perfect white teeth…and elongated canines, almost like the fangs of a vampire. “So tell me, my fellow Evil Geniuses!” he sang out. “Why are you three sitting around dawdling, when there’s so much work to be done? After all, we need oodles and OODLES more negative energy in order to revive the Emperor!” He grinned a bit wider, crossing his legs and checking his dark claws as he leaned against a nearby support beam. “You DO want to get your own Happy Endings,” he purred, and the eyes behind the mask flashed a glowing red. “Don’t you?” The villains squirmed uncomfortably, looking at each other, then turned back to Joker. “We haven’t come up with a proper plan yet,” admitted Majorina. “Besides,” grunted Akaoni, and jabbed a thumb in Wolfrun’s direction, “One of us is kinda ‘grounded’ for at least a day or two more.” The red of Joker’s eyes dissipated. For a moment, the clown-like villain’s expression showed puzzlement. He flicked his head about, tilting it slightly, in motions that were quick and energized, like those of a bird… …Until his eyes settled on Wolfrun…who smirked proudly, and grunted as he heaved himself up from his seat. His gut “glurgled” as it sagged with gravity as he stood up and arched his back, pressing it forward a bit. Joker blinked…then gasped dramatically, clapping both hands over his mouth. “Ohhhh, my my my my my!” the dark jester exclaimed, and skipped over merrily. He bent down slightly; he was tall, but not as tall as Wolfrun. His head tilted from side to side as he put one hand behind his back and the other to his chin. “Somebody certainly pigged out recently…how ironic for a Big Bad Wol-” Before Joker could finish his sentence, Wolfrun grunted again and staggered back, catching himself from falling on the poker table…as suddenly his stomach flew into a flurry of activity…and a face… …Or rather, what was left of a face… …Appeared on the surface of his gut. “HELP ME! PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, GET ME OUT OF HERE! IT BURNS! IT STINKS! THE SMELL IS SO HORRIBLE, I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE! THE HEAT! MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT-!” Wolfrun growled and roughly shoved the face bulge back into the center of his belly…then lifted a fist to his mouth, cheeks ballooning as he stifled what would have been a particularly nasty belch. “HHHHHLLLLLLLLRRRRRRRRRLLLLLMMMMMMPH…ahhh! Pardon me.” Majorina grimaced. Akaoni looked ill. Joker…squealed and clapped, bouncing on his heels giddily. “Ooooooh, humans are so CUTE when they’re screaming in agony!” he exclaimed. “I know,” smirked Wolfrun, in a much less excited voice, and drummed his claws across his gut. “Hmmmm,” Joker mumbled and tapped a finger to his chin thoughtfully as he looked towards the ceiling. “Although, that is a problem…you see, I have a special plan in mind for those wretched PreCure girls, and I was hoping YOU could be the one to test it out…” “I’ll do it!” bellowed Akaoni, lifting a hand with an eager grin, almost like a schoolboy who was excited to ask a question. Joker spun around…three times… and then jumped up onto the table…on his hands…as he moved towards Akaoni in a handstand, legs crossed above him. “Oh, I’m not sure,” cooed Joker. “See, THIS scheme requires someone of great tact and cunning…someone with a crafty and conniving nature, who isn’t easily bamboozled by adolescent dunderheads…” Akaoni blinked slowly. He looked like he’d been hit in the head with a bat. “…I’m trying to say I need someone smart,” Joker responded. “Heeeey! I can be smart!” Akaoni protested. “Honestly, you guys act like I don’t know my A, B, Ds!” Majorina and Wolfrun looked at each other blandly. “No, no, I don’t think so,” Joker responded, shaking his head…then, still in a hand stand, moved himself about to look to the old crone. “Majorina…perhaps YOU could help me.” “Oh, I’d be glad to!” cackled to evil witch. “Why don’t we consult about it in my potion-making room?” “Oh, madness, no!” sniffed Joker. “The fumes in that place would tarnish my bells!” Akaoni and Wolfrun snickered, while Majorina growled, clearly offended. The smile on Joker’s face indicated he didn’t care. “I have everything prepared, anyway,” he purred, and extended one hand, balancing precariously on the other. “Simply take hold, and I’ll explain further when we get to where we need to be.” Majorina paused…but obeyed (partially because of the way Joker’s eyes flashed red again, when she hesitated), and thus hopped up onto her stool and took the harlequin’s hand. ZZZAM! In another flash of purple light, both of them vanished. Akaoni growled and pouted petulantly. “It’s no fair,” he muttered to himself. “Wolfrun gets a big meal, Majorina gets to go on a super-special mission…why can’t I have any fun?” He kicked at an imaginary rock and then lumbered away grumpily, muttering as he went, “I’m going to go out and break stones with my head…” Wolfrun rolled his eyes again, then wandered off, heading for the palace kitchens. Once there, he poured himself a simple glass of water, and slugged it down. As the cool water splashed down into the hot, acrid chamber of his stomach, he heard Gray cry out again, screeching as the water no doubt splashed over his wounds…it couldn’t exactly be pleasant for the poor human, at this point, in the belly of the Big Bad Wolf. Wolfrun sighed as he pulled the water glass away, and let out an appropriately watery, wet burp – BLLLLLLLLUUUUUUUURRRRRRRLLLLLLLLGP! – before licking his fangs and wiping his mouth with one hand. “Feels good to relax,” he murmured to himself, and gently pushed the bulges of desperately clawing hands back into his gut sludge. “Mmmmm…it feels very, VERY good…”

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The Following Evening…

On a balcony of the Palace in the Bad End Kingdom, Wolfrun sighed as he lounged back on a deck chair, a pair of shades over his eyes as he lay with his legs crossed and his hands behind his head. His jacket was still unzipped; his bare, furry belly was still very, very swollen. However…swollen though it was…it was only about half the size it had been a couple days before. “Ahhhhhh,” the Big Bad Wolf sighed – the scent of digesting human heavy on his breath, steaming in the cool air of the eternal night. “There’s nothing like a little moonshine to make you feel juuuussst right.” He reached down with one paw and gave his gut a pat. “Isn’t that right tummy? Heh heh…” Just as he was retracting his hand…he heard a voice come from his stomach. A weak, feeble, hoarse, anguished voice. “…P…P…paaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnn…” The Big Bad Wolf frowned and tilted his shades down on his muzzle, ears flicking in surprise. “Oh? You’re still alive?” “…Ssssso…sooooo m-much…pain…” “Huh,” Wolfrun muttered, and scratched his cheek with one hand, while the other rested against his belly. He didn’t rub it, didn’t scratch it…just rested his palm against the round, warm swell. “That’s kinda surprising…there can’t be a whole lot left of you…” “…Let…let me…go…” Something flickered in Wolfrun’s blue-violet eyes. Perhaps a memory, perhaps a passing thought… “Well…no point in letting you wait much longer,” he mumbled. “Fine, human. I’ll let you go.” He grinned toothily. “Right to my hips.” He squeezed his belly with both paws…inside of him, whatever was left of Gray wheezed and inhaled sharply… …Then…a cloud of foul gas rolled up from the belly of the beast, spilling free from his jaws with the aid of the deepest, loudest, most repulsive BURP he’d ever let free. Across the shadowy plane of the Bad End Kingdom, it echoed, and ravens were sent scattering from distant trees at the vile stench that polluted the sky. “BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPLK!” Wolfrun sighed deeply, and let out a quiet after-burp – BRUPP! – as he sloppily licked his chops and glanced back down towards his belly, a bit winded after such a noisome eruption. He watched as his gut twitched once…twice…thrice… …Then, with a deep gargling noise that would have sent chills up many a spine, the mass in his gut went still…and silent. For good. Wolfrun smiled almost affectionately, tapped his tummy with his claw tips, then adjust his shades, putting them back in place as he lounged back once more. And that was that. He thought of his meal no further.

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Noon, the Next Day…

Wolfrun rumbled as he bit into a turkey leg. He was seated on a stone outside the cavern entrance that led up to the palace, at the other end of the bridge. He’d decided he wanted some more fresh air. At least, as fresh as air got in the Bad End Kingdom. His gut was much smaller than before; now only about a quarter of the size it had been the first  day after he’d gobbled up poor Gray…or was it Trey? Oh, who cared; he was food anyway. Wolfrun smirked as he took another bite out of the turkey leg while reading another volume of Warubot that he held in his other hand. As he chewed the tough, unyielding flesh and ripped through the roasted skin, he couldn’t help but smirk. Whatever the human’s name was, he was nothing but soup and maybe a few bones now. He could still feel them swirling about in his guts. Honestly, a turkey leg was kind of boring after a feast like that. As he was eating, he suddenly heard a familiar sound… ZZZAM! The Big Bad Wolf looked up…and saw a figure standing at the far end of the rickety old bridge. He glared and stood up, holding the turkey leg almost like a club…but blinked, surprised and perplexed as the figure drew nearer. Majorina slunk across the bridge, no doubt returning from whatever mission she’d gone on; as she got closer, Wolfrun saw that her skin was covered in pink and green polka dots. Wolfrun blinked again, confused. Majorina looked up…she glanced at the Wolf’s belly…then up at his face. “Don’t. Say. A. Word,” she hissed, then calmly entered the caverns and headed into the Palace. Wolfrun watched her go…then shrugged, sat back down, and continued to eat and to read… Then, he paused…his cheeks ballooned…and, sure enough… BRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRP! With a rip-roaring burp, something solid came flying out Wolfrun’s jaws. He growled, smacking his lips at the acrid aftertaste…then looked down… …And grinned at what he saw. “Ooooooh…now, YOU look like you’d suit my room well…”

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The Following Morning

Wolfrun smiled as he zipped up up his sleeveless jacket…and then patted his once again lean and well-toned belly, now covered by leather. The Big Bad Wolf smiled, looking very pleased with himself, as he glanced towards his nighstand…where an acid stained skull now sat. He patted it gently, almost lovingly, then moved beyond the screen to look himself over in the mirror of his room. He nodded approvingly as he inspected his own appearance…then grinned wickedly as he turned himself around… …And very, very softly…petted his hips and patted one of his rump cheeks. They were even more clearly defined than before, thicker and rounder than ever in his somehow-more-tight-fitting pants. “Mmmmm…you look very nice back there,” he murmured…and gave his own butt a smack. The cheeks bounced and jiggled. “Rise and shine, Whatever-Your-Name-Was,” growled Wolfrun. “I know you’re back there.” …And then…a sleepy, confused, bleary voice echoed in his own mind. Where…where am I? What…what is this? Why can’t I see…? He grinned wider, calmly listening to the voice in his head as he heard them continue after a moment. …I can’t feel anything. I don’t…where are my…?! What is this?! Why can’t I move? I…I feel like…what’s going…?! “Relax, human…or rather, ex-human,” smirked the Wolf, and gently stroked his hips with the tips of his claws. “I’ve just given you what you always wanted.” …Oh…oh my God… “You can call me that, if you want to.” …You…I’m…you ATE me…I…oh, God…the PAIN, I’m…! “Now, now…you’re not in pain anymore, are you?” A pause. No…no, I’m not…but what is this? Why can’t I…are you…petting me? “I am,” nodded Wolfrun, and patted his hip. It jiggled. Ah! Ahhhh, I…that…that felt… “Nice?” …Y-Yeah… “Good. Because you’re just what you wanted to be.” He paused and admired his posterior in the mirror some more, rolling his hips around and licking his lips almost lasciviously. “Mmmmm…see…the old hag’s potion allowed me to take in not only your nourishment…but your ENERGY as well.” …Energy? “Lifeforce. Consciousness. Soul. Whatever you want to call it. You are now a part of my butt, human! Nothing but a sentient layer of pudge on my bottom and my thighs.” Silence. “Well? Is that something you like? Hmmmm?” It…I…n-no… “No? Awww, why not? I thought you WANTED to be a piece of me?” No! I mean…I thought…thought I’d…get to see Heaven, I… “Nope. No Heaven. No Hell. Just me. Just my body.” …Please…please, please no…I can’t, just…no…! “Mmmm…your voice in my head sounds so adorable…” Let me out! LET ME OUT! “Don’t worry!” laughed the Big Bad Wolf, and SLAPPED his hips happily, making the sentient chub squeal. “You won’t be in pain or anything! Perhaps you’ll get used to it after a while…maybe even like it!” He shrugged. “Of course, if you don’t, it’s not my fault. You gave me a ‘Happy Ending’ to this adventure. As for you…” He cackled. “…Well…if you aren’t happy, I won’t care. This isn’t called the Bad End Kingdom for nothing.” He patted his booty as the cries of a panicking Gray began to fade from his mind steadily…almost as if he was turning down a volume dial on the voice in his head. “Now, rest, my little piece of rump meat…rest and enjoy the rest of eternity, if you can…” He waited till Gray’s cries faded into silence…then nodded to himself and stepped away from the mirror. He frowned slightly as he turned around again. “Hmph. I WILL need to get some new pants, though,” he muttered…then his eyes lit up, and he grinned. “Say! Perhaps this is a great opportunity! I’ll go to Earth, find a place to get some excellent new duds…and if I’m lucky, I’ll find a way to get rid of those stupid brats once and for all!” He sniggered and licked his fangs. “In fact…if they aren’t careful…they may just put me up another couple pant sizes, themselves!” And with a maniacal cackle, the Big Bad Wolf – now a bit bigger than before, at least in some spots – waltzed out of his room and headed out to find his way to the mortal realm. In the prison of the lupine’s own pudge…Gray whimpered. He wanted to continue begging. He wanted to continue asking for mercy. He wanted to plead for his release. He couldn’t. For one thing, he’d been “tuned out.” But for another… …Well…let’s just say that apparently fat can blush. And in a world of Happy Endings vs. Bad Endings…there were perhaps worse ways to go than being part of a Big Bad Wolf’s bum. Weren’t there?