The Ussuri Kray triller (Action/horror/romance).

[OldGreenGrolar]

Summary:

A few graduates decide to go to the Ussuri Kray in the Russian Far East. In the isolated Russian Tiaga, the meet a group of hospitable society led by a hospitable woman. Little did they know they are walking into a trap. They also encounter an interaction many wishes to see: the battle between the Amur tiger and the Ussuri brown bear.

[OldGreenGrolar]

Prologue.

“We finally graduated from college. This is the last week my mother would give me any allowance to life off. She said it is time for me to grow up which is good.” A petite girl with brown shoulder length hair and black hair with tanned skin in yellow dress several inches above her knees smiled at while walking beside a taller friend with blonde hair and green eyes, wearing a purple and black blouse and skirt above the knees too.

“At least your mother still feeds you while you are in college. I have had to scrap for everything on my own the day I turned sixteen. Consider your life easy, Julianna!”

“Give me a break, Edith! At least I am not like the lazy loser who lives in his mother’s basement till he is 38 who never works a day in his life!” Julianna would elbow Edith in the ribs on her right side as they were walking towards the cafeteria to eat there for the last time.

“Ouch! What was that for?”

“It doesn’t matter. It is in the past ha ha ha ha!” Quoting these lines from Rafiki the mandrill in Lion King earned Julianna a tickle in the ribs by her slightly taller friend. Trying her best to escape the tickle while squirming vigorously but the no avail until someone familiar walk by.

“Oh look. It is Jim and G. Let’s invite them to come for the trip which we are going to. It is a wonder we even got a few free tickets to get to the Ussuri Kray.” Edith stop tickling her finally releasing her after what felt like torment for eternity although it was five minutes at most.

Going up to the boys who were standing in a long queue waiting for their turn to buy some food, Julianna handed out two tickets to them putting on a cutesy smile and pout. “Come with us for a trip in the Ussuri Kray. It is in the Far East of Russia hardly explored by foreigners.”

“That sounds interesting. I don’t see why we can’t have some fun out of the ordinary once in a while.”Taking a quick look at one of the tickets, Mr G took both the tickets handing one to Jim who nodded in agreement.

“Congratulations Edith. Now we have three more tickets left. Let’s find out who else we can invite.”

“There are three more possibilities. One of them will include our friend Adeline Tan. I am sure she will not say no.”

“Who is going to say no?!” Turning around Julianna and Edith were surprise to see an Asian girl slightly shorter than the letter but taller than the former. She was dressed in a similar attire as Li Fang from Dead or Alive. In fact her hair style and features makes her look like a real life version of that character. She is way more popular than both Julianna and Edith.

“You are invited to join us for a.....” Both of them spoke nervously in unison not expecting their friend to abruptly approach from behind.

“..a trip to the Ussuri Kray. Well count me in.” Thank you for inviting me!” Finishing the sentence for them, Adeline took a ticket from Julianna’s hand, placing it in her new handbag before jumping up and down in happiness.

“You are welcome, Adeline. Now we have two more tickets. Who shall we invite.....?” Julianna look around the cafeteria watching students come and go as they please. Not all of them were interested in celebrating their graduation day.

“I am not sure. There is one who likes animals a lot but he is known as a fanboy of bears and big cats. Having him around means he will talk non stop about them. I am talking about Ralph, whom wears a red bandana pretending he is a ninja turtle.” The girls broke out in laughter as soon as the Adeline finished her speech.

“Alright. We will invite him. I am sure we can make a place for him. After all we need someone to make fun off. He is quite socially awkward too and sometimes someone different spices things up.” Edith place her left arm around Julianna’s shoulder all this while.

“That is a good idea. Give me one of the tickets and I will pass it to him. Hey, Kemorde!” Taking one more ticket from Julianna’s hand, Adeline turned around running out of the cafeteria as if she already knows where the guy she talked about and his exact location.

“Strange.”

“What is strange?” Edith slowly remove her arm from Julianna’s shoulder starring at her intently.

“It is about Adeline and Kemorde. She flirts with him one moment before kicking him between the legs when he responds. Does she love or hate him. This is interesting really......”

“That is true. Maybe she just wants someone to make fun off.”

“Maybe. Now who shall we give the latest ticket too? It will be a waste to throw it away although we got it for nothing.” Playing with her hair and looking in the mirror, Edith waited for Julianna’s answer.

“I am not sure. It is not easy to find someone interested in animals except Drake! He might not know much about animals but as a simp, and since he has a crush on Adeline, he will surely come along.”

“You nasty witch! You deserve a compliment and some wine. Well done. I was just being sacarstic in the first line.” Both girls once again broke out laughing as soon as Julianna finished her statement.

“You call me a witch?”

“An intelligent one, I meant.”

“Thank you. You are going to help me find Drake wherever he is.” Getting up from her seat, Julianna grab Edith’s hand attempting to drag her off the seat too.

“Your wish is my command. I will help you to find that boy.” Heading out of the cafeteria which is now almost empty due to their one hour conversation, they searched for Drake.

[OldGreenGrolar]

Chapter 1: Meeting at the airport.

Waiting at the plane for her friends while sitting in the airport, a short petite girl with brown complexion and shoulder length black hair, wearing a yellow shirt and blue shorts had just finished drinking her sprite drink. Upon finishing her drink, she threw the cup into the trash can not far away. Since her throw was accurate, it went directly into the bin’s slot. Feeling restless while sitting on a seat, looking upon a flyer with the title called ‘Blue Diamond Kingdom’, the first page had the picture of male blue ice bear destroying a multiverse with a mouth blast. Looking at the 4th last page, she saw the picture of a male blue ice bear knocked down a pale green smilodon populator before becoming one with the last blue star. Smirking as she picked up the book, examining it from front to back, she found the name of the author before deciding to leave it alone. “That is interesting. This person’s drawing looks so real but whatever, I don’t need people using fiction to stop me from having a fun time. Me Edith will live a fun live for as long as possible. Talking animals….I have already grown beyond that.”

Usually she would go everywhere with her best friend but today she went on her own as she could not wait to go to her destination. Edith despite being a party girl is highly knowledgeable when it comes to animals. Opening up her pink bag pack, almost her own size, she took out a book on the Ussuri Kray hoping to read about its wildlife. The two largest predators that exist there are the Ussuri brown bear and Siberian tiger. “I wonder how that interaction will occur. Now that is more realistic that the strange random book.”

Looking around the airport, she discovered that it was much larger than expected. Already passing through the check up section, she manage to pass through the guards, only being stop because of some jewellery but being the cute, petite lady which she is, all she did was put on a cutesy smile which allowed her to go into the airport waiting section without much questions. “I win again. I wonder what Julianna is up to but in the meantime, I will enjoy myself.”

Going from shop to shop, she discovered that the prices of the products and food are much more expensive than the prices of the normal goods in the everyday supermarkets and shops. On the ceiling, she saw a drawing of different flags, showing that it is an international airport. Knowing that her destination is to the Ussuri Kray, she followed the sign “This way to Russia.”

It did not take long for her to reach her destination as the place was not very crowded. One little child bump into her before saying ‘sorry.’ Just before she could say anything, the child had already reach his parents who were waiting for him. The moment he got into his mother’s arms, they left the scene. Though she did not know where they went, she saw them following the Bulgarian flag sign indicating they were probably going there. Continuing her journey, she finally reach the place and to her shock, she saw Julianna and all the other people they had invited the past week waiting for her.

“Surprise Edith. You are last to arrive as I expected. I fooled you again.” She frown and pouted as her best friend stuck out her tongue at her, making a face at the same time. It did not help that some of the people whom were invited along laughed along. Julianna was sitting in the middle of a row of seats right in front of her. The people who were invited were sitting either on the left or right of Edith’s best friend.

“Julianna? I thought you had something important to do? How is it you got here before me and with everyone we invited?” Looking around at everybody with a frown before starting coldly into the green eyes of her best friend.

“I-I just wanted to have some fun. I wanted to proof you everyone that you are able to find your way around and hey, we are going to the Ussuri Kray. I will tell you more about it later. For now let’s have some fun!” Taking out a toy gun from her hand bag, she aimed it into the ceiling, probably frightening a few people who did not know what was in the gun, until nothing but bubbles and a plastic toy came out surprising everyone including Edith.

“Hmmmm. What was that for? Aren’t we too old to play with toy guns now? Little girl?”

“Take a look at this toy. Looks closely.” Julianna called her to come closer using her index finger while smirking.

Despite being still angry, Edith came closer as instructed. Looking closely at that pink toy, she jumped with joy. As she starred at it, she realise that Is was none other than her pink little toy penguin. Looking at the toy with delight, she rushed towards her best friend hugging her tight, almost knocking her off her seat. “Oh! Thank you! That was so thoughtful!”

“You are very much welcome. I found this toy while cleaning my room yesterday. It seems you left it under my bed twenty years ago when we were kids. You cried for hours after that. Boo! Hoo!”

“Watch it!” Throwing playful punches at her best friend which were easily blocked.

“Anyway. Did you see some weird book after you got pass the guards?”

“I certainly did but I did not look at the book in detail. It is probably just another fictional book. Going to look at the Ussuri Kray is much better. That is our final stop before we return to here right.”

“That is right. We are going Moscow soon. This airport looks very much like Sydney airport in terms of building structure. Remember the day we travelled to Australia with my parents ?”

“I am surprise you can remember things from the past so well.”

“There is google and photos available.”

[OldGreenGrolar]

Chapter 2: The arrival to Moscow.

Getting up the plane, walking right behind her best friend, everybody, especially Edith were surprise that the plane was a first class plane. “Can we really afford this trip? Who bought us these tickets anyway?”

“Don’t worry about a thing. She will meet us when we get to our destination. Pick any seat of your choice." Still standing behind her best friend as she turned around smirking at her, Edith knowing what Julianna meant smirked as well as she saw someone behind her with the corner of her eyes as she turned round briefly.

Pretending she did not see him, she bumped into him, surprisingly almost causing the much taller boy, probably a head taller than Edith, wearing a cyan t shirt and brown pants, looking almost like Greg Verde from Worm, standing behind her to not only almost fall but worst still, making him turn beat red in a second. Turning around, she looked at him with a pout before breaking out in laughter. "Sorry blond boy or shall I say Drake, I did not know you were standing behind me. How is your research when it comes to animals and what makes you decide to join us today ? I thought you will be sitting on your computer looking for information on animals especially bears and big cats. I guess you are hoping to see a real life interaction. Guess what your chance is almost zero. Ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Er......"Seeing the shy and socially awkward Drake look at her and shudder, seeing nervousness in his blue eyes, she giggled, almost feeling sorry for him. Edith had really enjoyed flirting playfully with him just for a trill.

"Edith!!!!!!. Stop giving him a hard time. You have been doing that to him since high school!!!!!!" Chuckling as Julianna's screaming from the other end of the plane made Drake's face turn further beat red, she could not help but chuckle before finally turning around and picking a seat in the middle of the plane at the corner left near the window.

Taking more than half a day for the plane to reach Moscow, Edith managed to watch a few romantic movies including Fifty Shades of Grey and Cinderella Simone, the main character in the latter film having a similar personality as her as well as looking like Sofia Carson in terms of physical features, making the latter film her favourite. Another reason why 'Cinderella Simone' is her favourite is because it has no male blue blue ice bears smacking down pale green smilodons populators in it which would have greatly fascinated Drake.


"Go male blue ice bear. You won!" Hearing Drake scream out behind her, she realised that he had chosen the seat behind her and is reading the book 'Blue Diamond Kingdom'. Thankfully, she had her earphones most of the time. It just so happened that she took off her earphones after watching the film, that she heard Drake scream as she prepared to go to the washroom.

"You know, you can choose a better time to scream." She lectured him briefly as she walked pass him without bothering to look at him.

"Yes mistress, it is not my fault the male blue ice bear defeated a pale green smilodon populator which is Evil Black Death in one of his forms. The last blue star has destroyed planet Diamond.” Edith heard Drake's calling back to her with sarcasm in his voice. Wanting to turn around and give it back to him, she decided to do so later and leave it be for now as her bowels is busting after eating popcorn and drinking ice cream soda while watching two movies in a row.

“How infantile. Sometimes I wonder why I even flirt with him.” Looking at herself in the mirror, she would smirk at herself. Clearly considered among the prettiest back in high school and college, she could only smile, clearly revealing an air of vanity, while doing her hair and makeup, which took a long time. Thankfully no one interrupted her as there are other washrooms available. Taking her time to examine the washroom, it was extremely clean and well taken care of.

Heading back to her seat, spotting Drake asleep with the book on his lap, she contemplated playing a trick on him but she decided to watch another romantic movie.

“Edith! It is party time! The bar is open now!” Going back to her seat, she did not heed the voice of her best friend. While normally a party girl, she decided to rest and contemplate, knowing there will be many opportunities for a party in Moscow. Falling asleep after watching her movie, she had a dream that they were in the Ussuri Kray and two heavy weight beasts were facing off each other.

Waking up from her sleep, she heard the pilot announce that they have arrived to Moscow. Extremely excited, she could not stomach her excitement. “It looks like we have finally arrived!”

“Most of us are experiencing jet lag, Edith…” Her best friend whom had been partying was just as enthusiastic but responding to her in sleepy and sacarstic tone.

“Shut up! It is not my fault that you were partying in the bar.”

“This coming from a party girl.”

The plane landed and everyone was instructed to pack their luggages. To their surprises, however, some Russian men arrived and carried their lugages for them.

“This is more than first class.” Edith could only marvel.

“There is more to come.” Julianna smirked leading the way outside the plane.

The first thing Edith saw was how big and spacious the airport in Moscow is. The thing she that caught her attention most is that the people love their personal spaces. They do not walk close to each other like a can of packed sardines which people in New York do.

“For once I can breath freely.” Hearing these sentences come out from Drake, Edith purposely, moved in front of him and knocked him down.

“Oops sorry….” She turned around with a pout once more pretending that she did not know what she did.

“Oof….”

“Hello everyone. My name is Monica. I am the one who invited all of you here and paid cash for your holiday trip.” A young lady with black hair, similar height to Julianna with olive complexion and hazel green eyes greeted them. Her physical appearance looks very attractive. She was wearing a grey shirt and an orange skirt with black thighs underneath.

“Hello Monica! It is nice to meet you at last. I told you this will be a surprise Edith.” Rushing towards Monica, Julianna placed her arms round her neck, hugging her affectionately, before planting a kiss on her cheek before turning to Edith with a smirk.

Edith could hardly believe her eyes. She had met up with Monica one year before their graduation when she came as an exchange student. During these six months, she grew distant from her best friend who was also her roommate at that time. It was only the last six months did their friendship rekindle. Now she feared she was going to lose her best friend again.

[OldGreenGrolar]

Chapter 3: Chilling like a villain.

Heading to a hotel which is not far from the airport, Monica clearly leading the way, Edith felt once again like a third wheel, seeing Julianna interact with the former exchange student. For some unknown reason there seems to be more in common between the two of them compared to Edith and her best friend. Attempting to interject in the conversation, something which she is normally successful in doing, she surprisingly got pushed repelled as both girls seemingly ignored her.

“Don’t worry, Edith. Your best friend will soon come back to you. Don’t forget you still have me.” Feeling the hand of a close friend of her’s on her shoulder brought her some relief, putting her in an awkward situation with them. Her once inseparable best friend has once again found another best friend.

“Thank you, Adeline. You have always been a friend.” Turns around, hugging the slightly taller Asian girl, who was dressed in a colourful attire similar to Lei Fang from the video game called Dead or Alive. She also has a similar hair style and body shape to that female fictional character as well as personality too.

“Hey what are friends for. Besides you are the only one to have the same flirting skills as I do.” Feeling Adeline return the hug before whispering in her ear as soon as she had finished her first sentence.

“Hey shall we go for a dance tonight? Since Julianna and Monica are probably going to be in their shared room the whole day till the wee hours of the mourning?” A chuckling Edith knew what these two young ladies were going to do, knowing they have a lot to catch up on.

“I am up for it. Let’s have some fun inviting Kermorde tonight. He simps me all the time, it will be fun.” Adeline giggles as she voiced out her suggestion.

“I am up for it but I was thinking of inviting Drake instead. Oh well, Kermorde will be the much better choice since he is sharing a room with you. Besides Drake will only bore us with his brown bear versus tiger debate.”

“Chilling like a villain.” Both Edith and Adeline sang in unison before heading to their respective rooms which were booked for them.

Night finally came, heading out into the city of Moscow, the city was crowded yet spacious. Edith arrived to one of the biggest nightclubs with Adeline and Kermorde. Edith was wearing a pink feminine singlet and a brown skirt above her knees. Adeline was dressed in a red Chinese female attire like Li Fang as usual while Kermorde was dressed in a white business suit like attire.

“You look exactly like a Kermorde bear, I bet Adeline helped you dress this way.” Feeling restless due to the long line, Edith who was standing in front of Adeline who in turn was standing in front of Kermorde turned around facing the young man in white business suit, making fun of him at his expense.

The young man with blond hair, pale skin, and green eyes, whom is six feet, and taller than Adeline immediately turned red, indicating that Edith’s jokes has its truth.

“Come on, Edith! Cut him some slack! It is not his fault that he needs my help!” While ‘helping’ him, Edith knew that Adeline was making fun of Kermorde, whom was turning red while hugging her from behind, indirectly.

The line grew shorter and shorter as time passed. Time lining up seems to go by fast as both girls not only kept each other occupied in conversation but they also took turns in indirectly teasing Kemorde. The first song played as soon as they got in was surprisingly their favourite “Chilling like a villain.”

Dancing to the song made Kemorde feel uncomfortable. Nevertheless both Edith and Adeline dragged him on the dance floor, making him turn even more beat red.

News suddenly came on tv that there are two people whom had actually seen a real life interaction between both the Ussuri brown bear and Siberian tiger. However, everyone watching this news must beware of going close to them as it will mean feeding them to these two animals. It seems these two animals have been living in the same area for seven years, both placing their marks on a particular tree, showing indirect aggression to each other. Both titans seem to avoid each other, one choosing not to go into the other’s territory and the other choosing not to come out of its territory to attack the other. The tree at the west end of the tiger’s territory is where both animals leave their paw marks, one trying to place their paw marks higher than the other. Despite the loud noice in the nightclub, Edith knew what was going on due to the subtitles written in English which appeared.

“Drake must be watching this documentary at home while taking notes on it. He could have had fun with us here as well.” Edith pouted while starring at both Adeline and Kermorde whom were not listening to her but making out.

“Does everyone have a partner but me?” Edith remembered the days when she had boyfriends but did not last more than three months with anyone of them. Her first one broke up with her at prom and she dated the rest during her college years.

While deep in thought, she felt a tap on the shoulder. Turning around, she saw a young tall Russian gentleman with brown hair and green eyes with a beer in his right hand. He is just as tall as Kemorde but more muscular “My name is Ivan. May I buy you a drink?”

Attracted by his gentlemanly persona, in her mind, that young man is more manly than any of her past boyfriends in her college life. “Hi my name is Edith and yes I would like a drink.”

Blushing as Ivan took her by the hand, gently leading her to the counter, she observed him speaking confidently in his accent to the bar maid. “Two jugs of beer please.”

The song “Chilling Like A Villain” played on.

[OldGreenGrolar]

Chapter 4: To the Ussuri Kray.

Waking up beside her new boyfriend in a hotel room, she looked into his hazel green eyes and his bright green hair. His green hair shocked her as she thought she had seen brown hair if she remembered correctly. “I thought your hair was brown?”

“I guess you were drunk when I dyed my hair yesterday. Took you back to my sister’s house before taking you back to your hotel room. You dyed my hair green.” These words from Ivan gave Edith a shock as she had been taken somewhere she did not remember.

“What?! And I didn’t know about it?”

“We Russians don’t get drunk so easily. We drink a lot.” Edith calm down as soon as Ivan spoke in his sexy Russian accent, the most beautiful voice to her ears.

“Awwww!!!!!!You sound so sexy. I really hope we could be in this position forever. However, we are heading off to the Ussuri Kray this week. I have only known you for a while but I am going to miss you.”Getting out from under the blanket, she planted a kiss on the green haired man’s head before jumping out the bed.

“You know what I am coming with you. Since you are such a sweet girl and I would like to get to know you better.”

“Really?! Thank you very much!” She excitedly jump back on top of the bed into the loving arms of Ivan, embracing him tightly.

~

Back in the Russian Tiaga, the same male Siberian tiger chased otter a wild boar and managed to pounced on its back. A fierce struggle occurred, the eight hundred pound beast’s neck being so thick that the 600 pound striped cat could not reach his jagular vain. Changing technique, the striped cat attacked the wild boar’s chest, ripping open it’s chest with its canine teeth and incisors, causing its prey to eventually bleed to death.

Unfortunately, the fight had occurred near the tree where both the tiger and Ussuri brown bear placed their paw marks frequently. Eating away at the dead wild boar, fur and blood spilled all over the tree and in a fairly large area near it, the tiger kept a look out for his rival and competitor which would come at any moment.

Hours later, a huge male Ussuri brown bear arrived. At 800 pounds, he outweighed the striped cat by 200 pounds. Approaching with caution, the Ussuri brown bear sniffed the air, coming closer due to the scent of blood. The Amur tiger was now in a dilemma, should he relinquish the carcass to the bear or stand his ground. There is not much time to decide as the bear inches closer and closer, in the very cold winter. The tiger made the decision to stand his ground as the carcass is within his territory.

~

“Wow this is the first time a real life interaction is actually taking place.” Edith just turn on the tv after serving Ivan, who was sitting on a chair near the round table in the hotel room, breakfast.

“These two beast are now eating the carcass on both ends. This is the first interaction recorded.I wish more male tigers will be radio collared like Beast. He is eating alongside his long time rival, Medved. Interesting isn’t it? I wonder who would actually win the fight to death?” Edith watched as Ivan sneered while watching the tv program.

“You are so violent aren’t you? Awwwwwww.” Walking up towards Ivan, who is still sitting down on his chair, placing her arm around him.

~

Edith was back on the plane. This time she had Ivan to keep her company. The fact that the plane is first class did not matter anymore as she already has her boyfriend with her, a new boyfriend, who is actually the older brother of Monica.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were Monica’s brother sooner?! I thought you love me.” Punching him in the ribs, she pouted at Ivan looking him in the eyes.

“I love you and will always do. However, I want to surprise you. Love means surprise.” She melted in his arms as soon as he finished his speech.

“Let’s get up the plane. I can’t wait to see your house and your family. It will be interesting for us.” She dragged her boyfriend into the plane after grabbing his wrist, after enjoying his hug for a few minutes.

“Enjoy yourselves you love birds! Just remember to get a ROOM!” Edith could hear Adeline call out from behind them but she did not pay attention as she was so in love with Ivan and is unable to take her eyes off him for one second. It is like she is in a little world where only she and her boyfriend exist.

The trip seems so fast as all Edith did was talk to Ivan while lying in his arms. She did not care if the trip to the Ussuri Kray took forever as long as her boyfriend did not leave her.

“We have arrived. Welcome to the Ussuri Kray where both the tiger and Ussuri brown bear, the black grizzly bear live. Siberian tigers are the largest cats in the world today and can grow up to 600 pounds and…….” Monica’s speech was welcoming but boring to Edith that she lifted up her hand to interrupt, like a student interrupting her teacher.


“Excuse me, Monica. Bengal tigers today are the heaviest on average.”

“That is because of poaching. Poaching the largest animals of their kind is what reduces the average weight of certain animals. Now let me take you to my house.”

Following Monica, who led the way to her surprisingly old cottage, she wandered how such a rich lady who could pay for all their flight expenses could live in such as old run down place. Maybe that was the reason why she was rich, it was probably because she Is thrifty which some wealthy people are.

“Welcome to my shed. The reason why it is the way it is - because my brother and I love to live a humble life. Welcome to the Tiaga once again. Feel free to pick your rooms. Except you, Edith. You are obviously going to share room with my brother while Julianna will be in my room.” Monica allowed everyone yo pick their rooms after introducing everyone to her humble shed.

Looking at the shed, Edith saw plenty of photos including one where both Ivan and Monica were holding a gun each. There was also rugs on the floor made up of a wild boar skin.

[OldGreenGrolar]

Chapter 5: A game suggested.

Placing her suit case which contains her belonging in the room she is sharing with Ivan, placing them beside the room, reluctant to place them in the cupboard although it looks decent, waiting for Ivan to give her the ok to do so. Looking around the room, there is one with Ivan standing between his parents, taller than both of them. The room might not be the largest but it is certainly comfortable as it not only has a hug but one thick blanket. “I really like this place and have no regrets coming here.”

“I am glad you like it here. There is plenty of time to arrange your stuff. In the meantime, let me take you for a walk around the Ussuri Kray.”

Being led by the hand, Edith was taken outside the house, she was glad she had changed into her winter attire hours before arriving to the Russian Far East. The trees look as if they were dead but they are actually not as it is obviously winter. In a huge tree 500 metres away from the house, she saw a huge black furry creature climbing out of a tree hole. As it reach to the bottom of the tree, it looks like it was walking towards them, sniffing them out. Observing the creature as it got closer, she noticed a white ‘v’ shape on its neck. “It looks like a black bear.”

“An asiatic black bear to be exact. This two hundred kilogram male has been living near my house for a while now. That is the largest these bears grow. The average weighs about 150kgs.” Ivan handed Edith his binoculars so she can have a clearer look to see how exactly the Asiatic black bear looks like.

“I really wish I could touch that cute animal.”

“He may look cute but he is too dangerous to be called cute. Black bears are some of the most notorious man eaters among bears. If a black bear decides to attack you, the best thing you can do is to fight back or use the pepper spray. With a brown bear, you play dead.”

Suddenly, the black bear ran back up the tree before hiding in the tree hole. Almost immediately, a six hundred pound striped beast appeared. It is the same tiger which Edith saw on documentary. “Is he Beast?”

“He definitely is. Beautiful isn’t he? That striped cat hunts for Asiatic black bears and kill bears up to the largest female brown bear. The only animal that can disobey him are the male brown bears.”

The tiger looks extremely hungry as he had not eaten for a while. Hiding behind a rock, he made an unusual sound, something which Edith had never seen or heard a tiger do all her life, not even on documentary or books. This drew the curiosity of Edith. “What is he doing now?”

“He is mimicking the sound of a female black bear. Watch and see what happens next.”

The male black bear climb down after a while, following the sound to the rock, a fight broke out which resulted in the tiger incurring some scratches at bite marks. At it’s feet was the dead black furry bear. As the tiger began to eat his victim, beginning from the rump, an old man pass by a safe distance away. The old man is dressed like the old man in the Home Alone film, looking like he had never shaved himself for a long time. Turning to Edith, he gave him a fright, speaking in English with a Russian accent and a creepy voice. “Run away from here while you still can. These people in this shed, they kill tourist…..”

“Who is that? Edith look on in curiosity, feeling a little creeped out by that man’s voice, persona, and attitude.

“Just ignore him. He is just some weird old man. Let’s get inside the house.”

Following her boyfriend into the house, she noticed that both the tiger and black bear carcass have gone missing. Where did it go? Tiger tracks and trail tracks of blood indicated that they tiger has gone further into his territory to enjoy his peace.

Shortly, the male Ussuri brown bear, appeared, sniffing the tracks. Watching the huge brown furry animal mark the tree with huge paws was a wonderful sight indeed. Edith found out that she is one of the few to watch a real life interaction and that she is actually in the Ussuri brown bear’s territory.

Heading back into the house, both her and Ivan were greeted by Julianna and Monica. She also noticed that all her friends were gathered together and sitting on the lounges. It almost looks as if they are having a less formal version of a toolbox meeting, a meeting which warehouse team members have weekly as an update to the progress of the team or company.

“Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining us this morning. My brother and I would like to first of all warmly welcome you to the Ussuri Kray. Tonight, we are going to play a little game called ‘Mafia’. Two of you will be secretly selected and you must secretly pick and choose your ‘victims.’ In the meantime, you are all free to do whatever you want normally. If you have any questions, please ask me or Ivan. Is everybody happy? And my best friend Julianna will also be eager to help.!” Monica would be giving everyone quick glances smiling at everyone in the room. She spoke more excitedly than usual I her last sentence.

With no objection, the game called ‘Mafia’ was officially accepted by the whole crew.

“Tonight is going to be exciting. You should be ready as you never know when the mafia is coming.” Edith looked upwards only to see Ivan smirk at her joke. At least she was able to lighten up the mood a bit. Some of her friends, however, look tense. Drake was still playing with his phone, doing his research on animals as usual.

[OldGreenGrolar]

Chapter 6: The first dead body.

Night finally arrived, everyone has settled down in the house and made themselves at home. Kermorde and Adeline were seen cuddling up under a thick furry blanket, watching a romantic film together. Drake has begun reading his book on the Velvet Claw. He had just finished reading the book on the Ussuri Kray which was lying down beside h the right side of him.

“It is interesting to see Kamkatcha brown bears can weigh 1795 pounds and even 2490 pounds. That is even bigger than the largest recorded male polar bear.” Drake’s eyes were glued to the book. He was clearly fascinated with the Kamkatcha brown bear, which is his favourite land animal. He just wished that it was as aggressive as the Ussuri brown bear, his smaller cousin. Edith knew all this as she was Drake’s classmate since primary school.

“That might be a cryptic bear.” Her giggling only irritated him as he was reading intently on the Kamkatcha brown bear, word for word.


Drake’s face turned beat red at Edith’s comment though keeping his eyes on the book not looking at her. “I wish the Ussuri brown bear would be in the place of the Kamkatcha brown bear and vice versa.”

“Come on, Drake. I know you like me. Am I beautiful?” Walking up to Drake, touching his long blond curly hair, making him blush even more before sitting on his lap, pushing the book away.

“Get off me!!!!” She could hear Drake screaming behind her.

“Make me. I guess you never had a girl sit on your lap all your life. Must be feeling good.” Edith smirked knowing that Drake is probably blushing red, more red than ever before. Looking around for signs that Ivan whom has gone to the kitchen might return anytime, she decided to get up and cut her ‘victim’ some slack. Slowly getting off his lap, she grinder on his lap, embarrassing him even further.

“Hello Edith. Having fun there, I see.” Ivan had returned. He was holding a tray with cups of orange juice, more than enough for everyone.

“Hello Ivan. It has been a long time.” She dashed at him, kissing him cheek before taking the tray from him, serving everyone. She had got off Drake’s lap before Ivan arrives, therefore she is safe, or at least this is what she thought.

“Everyone just enjoy your drinks. And Edith, we are only separated for ten minutes. There is no need to be so clingy.” Ivan turned to her, making a mocking tone as soon as he had spoken to everyone.

“I am not clingy! I love you. Never leave me again! Mr Green Haired Snuggles!” Walking one step closer to the much taller Russian with green hair, clenching her fist slowly before landing it on his ribs offguard. This caused him to wince in pain, the same way Donald Ceng Xiong Azuma did with Madison Clements landed her fist on his ribs a Worm fanfiction story. She then shared a kiss with Ivan whom had bent down slightly being much taller than her. During the kissing she turned to Drake with the corner of her right eye as if you say, ‘It is not over yet Drake. Not over. I was only getting started.’

Hours later, night finally arrived. Edith as enjoying an afternoon nap, felt a tap on her shoulder. Hearing a whisper which is no doubt the voice of Ivan. “You have been selected as one of the two Mafia’s. Feel free to select your prey. You partner in crime is Drake.”

Slowly opening her eyes, she opened her mouth and stretched her hands before realising there is no one in the room but her. Walking into the living room, she decided her first prey will be Kemorde. Sharing a glance with Ivan who is one of the three judges, she made it known that her first prey will be Kermorde, whom is still cuddling up with Adeline in the living room. The two of them have fallen asleep. Ivan nodded in agreement, indicating ‘Kermode’ has been killed.

Heading to the kitchen to get a drink of water, she bumped into her partner in crime, greeting him with a playful smirk. “Have you choosen your victim yet?”

“One of the boys.” He left the kitchen without saying another word after drinking his water.

Suddenly everything turned dark as if a power cut happened. Hearing a scream outside the house, she rushed to the living room using her phone as a torch light. Upon reaching the living room, the lights turned back on.

Seeing Adeline Tan weeping, she rushed over asking her what has happened. All she could do was mutter. “Kemorde is dead.”

Unable to belief her ears, she assumed a prank was being played. However, hearing a commotion outside, it confirmed it is real and not a prank. Heading to the main door, she saw everyone there. Outside, she saw Kemorde’s dead body. He looks like he has been mangled up by either the tiger or Ussuri brown bear or both.

Unable to belief her eyes, all she could do was rush back to Adeline, hugging her tightly. “I am so sorry, I am so sorry!”

Joining her friend in weeping, she was eventually joined by the rest of the crew. And handed a tissue by Ivan.

Unable to speak, all she could do was stay by Adeline’s sight for the rest of the night. Falling asleep, she was haunted by a dream. In that dream, she was chased by an Ussuri brown bear. The bear was close to catching her but she managed to climb a tree nearby. That tree belongs to no other than the Asiatic black bear which had not too long ago became tiger food. Waking up, she found herself cuddling up with Adeline in the lounge. Arms wrapped around each other, keeping each other warm. Not that they needed to as they have their winter attires on. Falling back asleep, she reappeared in the tree hole which belonged to the black bear. Looking out of the tree hole, she saw a male blue ice bear chasing off the Ussuri brown bear before flying into the sky. The presence of the male blue ice bear literally shook the earth, and if it touched the earth, it would be destroyed together with the solar system and probably the universe.

Opening her eyes, she found herself in Adeline’s arms. “This is such a weird dream. Reading fictional books gives me fictional dreams.”

“Ha ha ha. Fictional indeed.” Adeline had woken up as she had heard Edith’s mumbling.

[OldGreenGrolar]

Chapter 7: Another one bites the dust.

Deciding to forget the dream about the male blue ice bear, she got from the lounge. Taking Adeline by the hand, as her friend was still lying down at the inner part of the lounge, trying to pull her up. “Let’s get up. I doubt Kermorde will be happy seeing you like this.”

Reluctantly getting up, still feeling depressed, Adeline obliged not wanting to disappoint Edith. Taking Adeline by the hand, the observed the snow. Watching the tiger come and eat the dead body of Kemorde brought tears to both their eyes. They paid their respect to him in unison. “Rest in peace good man. You will forever be remembered.”

“And I am sorry for always kicking you between the legs.” Edith could not help laughing at these words spoken by Adeline, whom was wiping her tears with her pink handkerchief, but kept the sound low out of respect for her new best friend.

Time passed and the two girls made a snowman. They wandered when everyone else will wake up. As they were half way through making a snowman, the tiger whom is out of his territory placed his paw prints on the same tree which the black bear used as home before running back into its territory.

Almost immediately, a huge Ussuri brown bear, the same bear they dream about came into the scene. Noticing the bear starring intently at them, Edith grabbed Adeline by the hand slowly walking backwards towards the house not wanting to cause unnecessary panic. The male Ussuri brown bear looked exactly like the same animal in her dream. The furry creature uninterested in the two girls, headed straight towards the same tree, the tiger placed his paw marks on, placed his paw marks on top of the tiger’s paw marks.

“Interesting interaction both animals have. This brown bear looks like he is at least nine years old. The tiger we saw earlier is also in his prime, probably between six and seven years old.”

Heading back into the house with Adeline, Edith entered the bathroom alone and after taking a long shower, decided to dye her hair purple. She brought along her purple hair spray which she had placed on the sink days ago. While spraying her hair, she began singing to herself. “I like the colour purple la la la la la……….”

As soon as she finished her hair, she walk out of the bathroom only to be replaced by Adeline Tan.

Upon heading to the living room, she was surprised to see everybody standing in a circle mourning.

“Today we lost another friend.” Julianna was leading the mourning and everyone was hanging their heads down while sitting in a circle.

Looking outside the window, much to her horror, she saw that another one of her friends were killed. He is no other than the same guy whom was selected by Drake as his target.

She began to sense something really suspicious is going on. Wanting to cry, she barely held back her tears. Ivan whom was sitting among the circle, stood up, walking towards her, silently and gently took her in the circle to join in the mourning.

“Ironically both people whom are killed were these targeted by the mafias. I hope they did not take the game too literally.” The words released by Julianna made almost everyone suspicious of one another, looking around and at each other, they wondered who the mafias among them were. Both Edith and Drake were eyeing each other out suspiciously but not entirely as they never thought the other would go that far.

The crowd finally dispersed, nobody trusted each other anymore, almost nobody, however, knowing they are not the killers, Edith decided to stick with Adeline. Soon both her and Drake will be made to choose their victims again but who will they pick? If they do not pick, they would be disqualified. Edith considered picking Monica as her prey but decided against it as she remembered the rules, one of them includes not killing the referees whom are no other than Monica, Julianna, and Ivan.

Deciding to get Ivan’s help, she grabbed hold of Adeline’s left hand dragging her to see her boyfriend, whom is relaxing on the bed. She was greeted by a warm smile as usual by the green haired Ivan. “Glad to see you again love. Did you bring your friend here for a reason ?”

“I believe we need an investigation. Two of our friends have died. There is probably a serial killer on the loose !” Her tone sounded like one whom has totally lost it due to panic.

“Or it could be that they choose to venture out alone into tiger territory. I remember my sister informing everyone never to go into tiger territory or we could investigate the creepy old man.” Ivan spoke nonchalantly still lying down on the bed, shaking his right feet, which is in the air, as his right leg is crossed over his left leg.

“How could you say such a thing?! Don’t you care?!”

“Relax. We are going to do an investigation soon. However, we should not rush, we don’t want to make any unnecessary mistakes nor accuse the wrong person. Besides most of your friends are suspecting the ‘mafias’, we do not want to do anything that arouse anyone’s suspicion further. Now get out there and pick a few victims before you are disqualified!” Ivan’s tone changed from relax your aggressive in his last sentence.

Edith could not say anything anymore but she remembered the male blue ice bear destroying the house she is in, which included killing Ivan before she woke up from her sleep hours ago. However, she kept this to herself. Before leaving the room with Adeline, she saw a pale green smilodon populator drawing on Ivan’s shirt. She briefly remembered the book she briefly read, as well as the incident where the male blue ice bear swatted down the pale green smilodon populator before becoming one with the last blue star and destroying the solar system. However, she did not tell anyone of that as she herself considers it nonsense. Yet she knew that people dying does not come by chance, realistically but by someone’s free will.

[OldGreenGrolar]

Chapter 8: Bodies, bodies, bodies.

“Something fishy is going. I believe we are being played up. Everytime we pick our victims, that particular person dies a few hours later.” Drake abruptly approached Edith while she was chatting with Adeline on the lounge, his voice sounding like he was in panic, and his body language reveals he is feeling anxious and scared unlike his normally calm, shy, and serious demeanour.

“Shhhhhh!!!!!! We are discussing this. Lower your voice as somebody many hear us. Almost everyone but us have gone on a tour in the Russian Tiaga.” Placing her right index finger on Drake’s lips to prove her point but not before planting a kiss on it with her lips, causing him to blush as usual.

“Edith! Stop it! We are discussing something serious at the moment!” She turned towards Adeline, whom reprimanded her, noticing a serious death glare on her face unlike her normally cheerful and fun loving self.

“S-sorry…..”Edith blushed shyly, only to see Drake smirk at her as if to say ‘it serves you right, now you know how I feel.’

“It is ok, Edith, flirting is fine but we just need too fine out who this killer is and report it. Could it be the creepy old man you told me about?”

“I have no idea. In the USA, everyone is innocent until proven guilty unlike Australia, where you were born in.”

“You really know your history well despite being the hottest girl in both high school and college.”

“Not everything is how you see.”

As Edith and Adeline continued their conversation, Drake listening occasionally contributing, they were interrupted by screams. “There are three dead bodies!”

Their names were mentioned by Ivan who was obviously outside with them. Edith leading the way, saw the dead bodies and recognise them as they boys whom Drake has picked as his victims. Tears came out of her eyes as she saw that. “Who could have done that?!”

“Probably one of the mafias did it.” Ivan spoke calmly without looking at her nor batting an eye. These words send a chill up both Edith’s and Drake’s spine. Adeline whom is standing beside her also trembled knowing that somebody is trying to put the blame on both Edith and Drake.

“Thankfully, I never ‘killed’ anyone today but it seems that everyone we pick has been killed.” These are the words that only a person who frequently plays the game mafia will know.

Not only that, these who guest the mafias wrong were also killed one by one the same way Kermorde and the others were killed.

Minutes later after mourning, everyone went into the house. Everyone took their naps as usual as the mafia game starts at night. Pretending to sleep, however, Edith woke up both Adeline and Drake, the first one, by pouring water on her face, the latter by punching him between the legs, causing him to scream in pain. It seems she could not help herself when it comes to flirting and making fun of Drake.

“Shhh. It is time for us to do an investigation. I saw Ivan, Monica, and Julianna go upstairs as soon as we fell asleep, I am the only one who pretended to sleep.” Covering Drake’s mouth with her hand before punching him to prevent his scream from being heard before punching him, she smirked as to say, ‘I got you back in return.’

Leading the way up the stairs, they heard a conversation coming from Ivan’s room. “We are probably going to be discovered sooner or later. I suggest killing Edith next.”

“Julianna, it is a bit too early isn’t it? My brother still wants to have some fun with her but we will do so eventually.”

“That is right. I still want to have fun with her.”

“How about killing Drake next?”

These very words made Edith gulp on fear. It seems her best friend has been planning to kill her for the past six months without her knowing. Feeling very devastated, she only broke down in tears but quickly got a hold of herself less her hosts and former best friends find her out and really kill her.

Running down stairs, waking up the remaining people, only two of boys apart from her, Adeline, and Drake, they planned their escape but they knew there was no way to do so. Especially not in the area which is literally in the middle of nowhere. To do so they will have to use a phone.

That’s it, a phone. Edith taking out her phone from her pocket, discovered that it was not working. So did her other friends. Heading out into the snow, they had to enter the tiger’s territory for better reception. Sadly, one of the boys whom entered the tiger’s territory was killed by the striped cat which had already developed a liking for human flesh. His best friend ran the other direction, screaming in panic, only to be shot by a bullet.

Standing behind them was no other than Monica. “Going somewhere, aren’t you?”

Coming out from behind the snowman, Ivan and Julianna emerged with a smirk each. “It was fun trapping you both. We cannot let you live and since you not only found out our secret but all the victims are dead, except for the Asian girl, we can kill all of you now without being caught.”

Finishing his words, Monica suddenly pointed a gun at Julianna, shooting her in the skull. Falling down with her green eyes opened, Julianna still in shocked finally breathe her last.

“JULIANA!!!!!!” These we’re Edith’s words before Ivan aimed the gun at her.

“You don’t have to do this.” Adeline was crouching down begging Ivan and Monica to release them.

“I can and will do whatever I want to do. This is my home and tuff. Every year we lure victims every year and we kill them without them knowing. You guys are the smartest of our victims so far. Congrats.” Aiming his gun at Adeline, Ivan scoffed, believing it will be another victory.

[OldGreenGrolar]

Chapter 9: The epic battle of the far eastern beasts.

“It looks like I am going to die today.” Edith whom was being hugged by a crying Adeline looked around, unable to conjure up the right words to say to her new best friend, whom could not stop repeating these words, knowing that Ivan was pointing a gun at her.

“No, Adeline we are not! Look behind you scumbag, Ivan.” Edith yelled at her now ex boyfriend whom had changed her feelings from love to hate.

“As if you are fooling…… Argh!!!!!” Before Ivan could finish his sentence, he was attacked from behind by the same huge 800 pound male Ussuri brown bear. The brown furry animal easily pushed him down, biting his back, shoulder, legs, etc.

“I hope you die a thousand deaths!” Edith yelled at Ivan before running away, dragging Adeline with her.

“Help me…..!!!!”

“Wait! We forgot about Drake!” Turning around, she saw Monica aiming her gun at the brown bear, ready to pull a trigger. Drake, however, threw snow in her face, distracting her before pushing her towards the tiger which had just finished his meal. Monica, blocked the snow with her hands using her martial arts style but gave Drake the opportunity to push her into the tiger’s territory, where the striped cat was still eating his meal. Monica was quickly killed and eaten by the 600 pound striped cat.

Meanwhile, the Ussuri brown bear left Ivan lying down, severely injured and crippled, decided to confront the tiger. Today is the day where both beasts decided to settle the score they had for a while.

The Ussuri brown bear dashed towards the Amur tiger and into the latter’s territory. The tiger whom had enough of the brown bear’s presence retaliated. Both animals were involved in a grappling match.

Although the male Ussuri brown bear is a better grappler, the Amur tiger has more agility and has claws and stronger jaws. Pelts of fur and blood were all over the place, indicating that both animals had receive injuries of their own.

Back in the house which the three friends managed to get in. The fight was very noisy and violent outside. Both animals using their weapons to the best of their abilities.

By the time Edith found the binoculars which Ivan had lended to her, she saw the male Ussuri brown bear badly wounded and one of his paw crushed. However, she saw footprints of the tiger heading out of its territory, indicating that the striped cat had been defeated and chased out of his territory.

“The tiger did put up a good fight. According to Ivan, this striped cat has been killing female Ussuri brown bears almost his own weight for years. The predator is finally defeated by a male Ussuri brown bear.” Edith spoke to her friends enthusiastically.

“Amur tigers usually avoid formidable males but female brown bears are their primary target. Yet even male Ussuri brown bears prefer a tigress even though they have a seven out of ten chance in defeating a Siberian tiger in my opinion. Every wild animal wants minimal injury and minimal chances of death. Seeing two fully grown male animals fight to the death is a privilege that not many see.” Drake took pictures of the scene with his camera.

“The bigger question. How are we going to get home. We are stuck in the middle of nowhere.” Adeline frowned at Edith who knew she was too caught up in the scene.

Suddenly, they heard the beeping of a horn. Slowly opening the door with her friends right behind her, Edith was shock to see the old man who spoke kindly to them. “I will take you all to the plane station. You kids can come back here if you like. Danger is already gone.”

Looking upon Ivan’s dead body, it was indicated that the old man had shot him in the head, ending his suffering. Not that he would have survived as the Ussuri brown bear had already crippled him.

“Thank you, sir…..” Edith answered politely as she got into the man’s van, sitting in front while her two friends sat on the back passenger seat. At the back of her mind, she was afraid that he might take them to a scarier place. Because of this, she held on to her pocket knife while placing her hands in her pockets. However, much to her relief, the old man drove them all the way to the airport.

“I have already called the airport. The staff will come and help you carry your belongings. Your tickets are also valid to return back to USA.” As the old man continued, he also revealed that Monica and Ivan are rich kids who enjoy killing humans for fun and have a big mansion, outside of Russia meaning they are not actually Russians.

“Why did you help us?”

“You guys are actually the first one I have actually helped. For years I was too scared to do so.” The old man drove off without saying another word as soon as Edith and her friends got all their belongings.

Later on it was revealed by the receptionist that everything they needed had been paid for by the old man whom did not want to give them his name.

Getting on the plane, Edith and her friends headed home. Drake and Edith became an item half way while watching a romantic movie together.

Adeline whom was exhausted slept most of the way on the plane.

“Have you ever considered reading the book on Blue Diamond Kingdom sometime?” Drake whom was hugging Edith, whom was sitting on him lap asked.

“I might as I want to get into that infantile mind of yours.” She elbowed her new boyfriend in the ribs before they both got into a playful scuffle on the plane and all the way to the airport on New York.

Getting off the plane, Edith, Adeline, and Drake entered the airport and are back to be in their country again.

[OldGreenGrolar]

Chapter 10: Home sweat home.

“So where are we going now?” Edith holding the arms of Drake, leaning against his shoulder affectionately inquired while walking out of the airport, their bags were being carried by airport staff but not before they went their seperate ways from Adeline.

“I am going into my apartment unit and you are welcome to join me as it is big enough for both of us.” She could not believe that Drake would warmly welcome. However, she need not be as it is obvious they are both an item.

Following him back to his apartment, she made herself at home. In fact they were planning to go to the marriage registry as they plan to marry before letting everyone of their family members and friends know, intending it to be a surprise.

Turning on the tv, they were surprise as a new documentary title came up: Big male Amur tiger who kills female Ussuri brown bears his own weight, defeated by male Ussuri brown bear and killed by male polar bear. Watching this documentary, they wandered how this could actually happen.

“What is happening? Everything is turning way too wacky and strange.” Hearing Drake say these words, while having his eyes glued to the tv made Edith chuckle. She never knew her husband to be to be such a funny and interesting man with a childlike mind.

“Relax dear. We must enjoy life as it comes.” She once again elbowed him in the ribs, distracting him from the documentary program.

The documentary went on for another two hours, the second hour being a bonus episode. That very night both Drake and Edith went to the registry waiting for till the next day to get married. Planning to live a happy life forever.

Unfortunately, happily ever after does not always last, sometimes nightmare follows you all the way home. The two of them were shot in the head from behind while exchanging married vows.

Thankfully this turn out to be a nightmare as Edith got up, sweating all over. She literally sat up and opened her eyes in shock. Turning her head to the left, she saw Drake sleeping soundly, sleeping like a baby, making her briefly forget her nightmare and chuckle. It looks like they have fallen asleep right after the documentary program.

Planting a kiss on her fiancé’s cheek, that kiss woke Drake up from his slumber. Still groggy and sleepy, he could only mumble softly. “Is everything alright? Still up to going to the marriage registry?”

“I-I am up for it. However, I had a nightmare that we were killed as soon as we exchanged marriage vows. Could that nightmare be true?” The normally cheerful and high spirited Edith for once in her life seems to be a bit indecisive and anxious.

“If that nightmare is true, I would rather die with you than to be alone for the rest of my life. Let’s go to the marriage registry regardless. Not going to give these who stand in the way of true love their way.” These confident words from Drake actually impressed her, putting her heart at ease. She never knew that Drake could be so bold and confident. That courage first manifested itself when she threw snow at Monica who was aiming a gun at the male Ussuri brown bear, actually saving the bear and giving the tiger a free meal by pushing her into the striped cat’s territory. If he had made one wrong move, that bullet could have gone through his nose. In her eyes, he literally killed two birds with one stone.

“You know I love you right?” Drake slowly sitting up, pulled Edith close to him, kissing her on the lips.

“I know you do, Mr Hero and simp.” She meant the last word as a joke and to stir him up a bit, chuckling at him as he frowned at her.

The conversation was interrupted when her phone rings. Looking upon the phone screen, it was no other than Adeline Tan’s caller ID. Picking up the phone she heard a line which sounded similar to a horror movie. “Today is the day of your death! You have been chosen to play a game.”

“I-I am not interested. Now go away! What do you do to Adeline?!” She screamed in panic.

“Don’t you dare hang up. That is if you want you best friend to live.” The raspy voice responded.

“I will do anything you want, anything, please do not harm my friend, please.” She was literally begging that voice to spare Adeline, forgetting that Drake is still sitting beside her.

“Ha ha ha ha. You are so easily tricked. It is me Adeline.” Adeline’s voice immediately came on laughing historically at Edith who is now literally on her knees.

“Adeline?! Why you, prankster!!!!!!” She screamed at the top of her lungs before turning on the video call on her phone.

“Come on, it was just a joke. Tell me what are you doing and next and what are your plans?” The video turned on, Adeline was looking quite fine, dressed in a red glittering dress, ready to go out for a night of partying, however, she began to show signs that she was pregnant.

“Are you alright?” Edith asked her with concern.

“I-I think I am pregnant with Kermorde’s child. I am not sure but I plan to go to the hospital to have a check up. Wanna come with me?”

“S-sure. Are you alright if Drake comes along?”

“Of course. The more the merrier. Just don’t let my prank scare you both. I am not a killer you know.”

“Alright then. We will meet you at the hospital. No wait, we will come and pick you up from home.”

“I am the one with the car. I will drive here and you can take over from there.”

“Alright. We will wait for you. I guess we will see you later.”

The conversation ends.

[OldGreenGrolar]

Epilogue.

Despite putting up a good fight, having a lot of experiences killing Ussuri black bears of both gender and Ussuri brown bears up to the size of the largest females, taking on a male Ussuri brown bear or black grizzly was a totally new experience to him. Despite the mutual avoidance, they eventually decided to file it out physically, the 600 pound stripped cat was eventually defeated by his 800 pound furry and fluffy opponent.

Having a broken front right leg, skin on his flank almost ripped off by these long claws, a broken canine, it is only a matter of time a younger tiger replaces him. The tiger appeared to be worst for ware in comparison to the brown bear. Knowing that it is no use remaining in his territory, he headed upwards north,

Walking further and further north, he went further and further from the Ussuri Kray. Eventually, he entered an abandon village where he hunted for humans which he now developed a taste for especially after killing many. Coming across a female Ussuri brown bear, he snuck up to her from behind and pounced on her. A fierce battle occurred but the brown bear sow managed to escape. Usually, he would have killed her with ease but not today, as he had been injured during his scuffle with a slightly heavier and stronger male Ussuri brown bear. Hours later, he ventured further north, killing an elk which has ran down too far South. He met his untimely end thanks to the paws and jaws of a yellowish white bear larger and stronger than the Ussuri brown bear.

~

“A one thousand and a hundred pound male polar bear has killed a Siberian tiger not far from a village. This is the first interaction we have actually witnessed. Essentially this yellowish white bear ventured down too far South is the last of his kind as most of his kind has merged with the brown bears. However, do not worry the genes of these yellowish white bears will live forever in the grolars, prizzlies, and ABC brown bears. The Siberian tiger would have gotten away easily as he is much faster but because he was crippled during his fight with his long time opponent a male brown bear, the larger and stronger male polar bear caught and killed the male Siberian tiger.” A reporter spoke on tv as his crew filmed the picture of a male polar bear feeding on the carcass of a male Siberian tiger.

“What did the tiger accomplish during his lifetime?” A random person from the crew interviewed him.

“He has killed many bears in his life including female brown bears. Certain tigers have learn to hunt bears up to the size of the largest female Ussuri brown bear.”

“That is very impressive, don’t you think?”

“And I am happy this news is going to make it to headlines nation wide.”

~

Meanwhile, a the male Ussuri brown bear whom had been severely lacerated and injured in the nose, suffering scratches to his snout, and even has a been observed going about his business as usual eating berries, fruits, and termites. He went up to the tree which is with his former rival’s territory. Sniffing it, he discovered that a young but full grown male tiger had taken over that territory. Placing his paw prints on the tree, on top of the tiger’s paws as a sign of indirect aggression, Clubfoot went his merry way.

~

The debate between bear and tiger enthusiast continue on the animal forums, some believe that the male brown bear winning was a one off incident, others believe that it is the opposite. In spite of this no animal fights for sport.

~

It is now three years in the future, the last male polar bear which has killed the male Siberian tiger has been killed by a male bull orca. However, the presence of Prizzly bears shows that the male polar bear has been breeding with the female Ussuri brown bears in his area.

“This male polar bear even shows dominance over the Prizzly and grolar bears at food sources. There is even a case of that polar bear actually killing a male Ussuri brown bear.” Reporter 1 spoke, he had taken a picture of the polar bear eating a dead male Ussuri brown bear.

“He even dominates male Kamkatcha brown bears.” His friend replied.

“That is right, the only bear that can beat him is a Kodiak bear of similar weight. Male polar bears are larger and stronger than even the Kamkatcha brown bears. One can that could beat him is the legendary one thousand, five hundred, and forty pound Peninsula Alaskan grizzly bear named Van.”

“I wonder what would happen if the 1000 pound Bloody Paws, a female grizzly who killed for fun was introduced here?”

~

The cycle begins again, a male Ussuri black bear was eating a wild boar piglet, he has just killed. Behind him, the reporter could see a striped cat stalking him from behind. It is suggested that the squealing of the piglet had attracted the tiger to the scene. Before he could click the reporter, the Siberian tiger jumped onto the Ussuri black bear, killing him with a single bite to the back of the skull.

~

Three children were sitting in a cinema watching the new documentary which made headlines world wide.

“Dad, what is that furry and striped animal and why is it being made.”

“That movie is made based on a true story and the furry brown animal is an Ussuri brown bear. The striped animal is the Siberian tiger.”

“A true story. I guess we are the first of our generation to ever see a real life fight.l between these two animals.”

“No you did not. The one who saw the real life fight face to face are the ones at the incident which finally got recorded worldwide.”

The documentary on the cinema finally concluded with ‘The End.’