Chapter Text
A white fox runs through the woods.
It pants hard as it runs, it can hear the sounds of other foxes right on its tail.
It sees a small gully and jumps over it.
The white fox lands on the other side with its back legs hanging off the edge.
It scratches at the dirt with its front paws pulling itself up.
It sees the other foxes stop on the other side of the gully.
The white fox makes a laughing sound as it watches the other foxes try to figure out how to cross the gully.
It turns around intending to run but its muzzle bumps into a wall of white fur.
‘Crap.’ it thinks as the older white fox pickles it up by its scruff and starts walking it back to the village.
The two foxes walk through the villain, the smaller one dangling by its scruff from the big one’s maw.
The smaller fox watches the other foxes and humanoids watches as they are paraded through the village to the village hall.
They can see others about his age snickering at them.
Their tail is so far between their legs it hurts.
They reach the village hall, and two humanoids open the huge oak doors revealing a huge decorated room with long tapestry and big statues of past leaders.
The door shuts behind them, and the older fox drops the younger one.
The bigger one starts walking in the direction of a desk at the end of the room.
As they walk their shape changes.
Once they reach the desk and chair, they have become a beautiful woman in a flowy shirt with an ankle length skirt, and waist length pure white hair.
Penelope Slab, leader of their pack and-
“Mom.” the smaller white fox says after they shift. They become from a small white fox to a tall teen with pure white hair and a cloth mask covering the lower half of his face.
“Slab son, this is the third time this month.” Penelope says sitting in the chair, and hand pinching the bridge of her nose.
Slab son starts walking towards the desk “I know, but-”
“I was talking with the elders dear.” Penelope says, “they-they want you to be punished.”
“But mom-”
“Honey, you keep fighting your teachers, and running from class.” Penelope says, “you are supposed to be married off to Floral daughter in the fall.” she says, “this is for the future of our pack.”
“Mom I don't want to be married off, I want to be free, and live my life.” the teen shapeshifter counters.
“I know my dear.” Penelope sighs, “it was arranged when you were born my dear. My hands are tied.”
“I don’t want it.”
“I know.” Penelope says, “the elders want you punished, my child.”
“What's going to happen?”
“You are to be stuck in your fox form until you help a human.” Penelope answers.
Slab son takes a step back, “a human.” a look of pure disgust on his face.
“Yes.” Penelope says, “it is our oldest punishment.” She says, “You may journey to one of the villages on the edge of the forest, the humans who live there are very superstitious, and believe if anyone brings harm to a white fox, the village will be cursed with bad luck in the harvest season. You should be completely safe.”
Slab son balls his hands into fist as his sides before taking a deep breath and releasing them, “what time will I be bound to my fox from mother?”
“Noon, tomorrow my dear.” Penelope says, “ I hope your time in this punishment will bring you to your senses.”
-♡-
Bdubs runs from the throne room, the left side of his face stinging from where his father hit him.
“You’ll learn to be a proper Clocker lad!” his father yells.
Bdubs runs down the hall, tears streaming down his face as he holds a hand to his stinging cheek.
If only his mother never died, and his father never became an alcoholic.
He runs into his chambers.
He flops down on his bed, curling up into a ball crying.
Bdubs faintly hears a knocking on his door, and his little brother’s voice, “Bdubs?”
Bdubs lissens as the door to his chambers opens and his younger brother wheels in.
He feels a hand on his shoulder, and he looks up and meets the emerald green eyes of his younger (half brother), Scar.
“Was it dad?” Scar says simply, masked anger in his voice.
“Y-yes.” Bdubs stutters, “I talked back to him.”
“Oh Bdubs” Scar says, running a hand through his hair from where he sits in his wheelchair, “I’m sorry dad treats you like this.”
Bdubs sniffles, sitting up, and moving to hug his half brother, “it’s not your fault.” he says, “he has been this way since my mom died the guards tell me.”
“It does not mean he should get to do this to you.” Scar answers.
“I’m the only heir of the kingdom.” Bdubs says.
Scar (the bastard child of the kingdom as the noble folk say to his face), rubs his older brother's back soothingly. His heart hurting because there is no way he can think of to help his brother.