The Winds of Change

Originally posted on alt.devilbunnies 22 April-13 May, 1997. This is a spin-off from The Education. This story leads-up to Alex Jenson's take-over of the buns in Bangor and the events inbetween...mainly the fate of Gerard Tondreau. Special thanks to Doug "Snug" McDougal for his consultation for a portion of this story.

©1997 by Scott Bernier. First HTML-ized 22 June 1997. Updated 30 July 1997.

Itching. His nose twitched in irritation. He reached-up to scratch it with his left forepaw. It didn't respond. (confusedfluff) He tried to roll-over on his side but couldn't. He snapped instantly awake and blinked his eyes in pain to the bright light. The next thing he noted was the extreme pain coming from his left forepaw... or at least the stump where it had been.

As his eyes adjusted he found that he was on a hospital bed with several tubes going into his right forepaw. His itching nose was heavily bandaged. A nursebun noticed he was awake and called the medbun over.

"Welcome back to the world of the living, commander." (thankFrithfluff) "You had us worried there."

"How long," Browny CrimsonPaw rasped-out from beneath the bandages. His throat felt as dry as the winds that blew through Maine in mid-winter.

"Three days, sir. It was real touch and go after the battle. You lost a lot of blood."

"Battle?" (weakfluff)

"Yes, sir. You must remember. You lost your paw and nearly bled to death before we could get to you."

It all came back to Browny in an instant.

Browny cackled with glee as the Spam-O-Matic™ started-up. He was then puzzled at the reaction from the spy and began to cringe at the awful lyrics he was belting-out. That's when the roof exploded and the lights went-out.

Gunshots and flashes. Browny felt the lifeblood from a nearby guardbun splatter across his pelt.

> (STOMP!) "Stop them, they're attempting to rescue the spy!"
>CrimsonPaw's voice range-out through the chaotic darkness.

He heard the Fudds releasing the spy and make their retreat. He and two others gave chase, slowing cautiously at the top of the crater the Fudds had created.

> "It wiLl be a whILe beFOre thoSe bunNIEs can mAke BalLPaRk
>TreATs™ agAIn." Tondreau laughed as he rolled back to his feet.
>
> "That's what you think, Fudd," CrimsonPaw growled as he and two
>other buns leaped for Tondreau.
>
> "GerARd!" One of the Fudds yelled as Tondreau was knocked-down.
>Tondreau rolled to his feet, popping one bunny and throwing the other
>two off.

The Fudd belted-out some orders while killing the second bun. CrimsonPaw leaped in anger. They were going to get away with the spy, but at least he'd have toes for dinner. He caught sight out of the corner of his eye of the spy fighting to free himself from the Fudds. If he wasn't in the middle of a fight, Browny's mind may have questioned why this spy was trying to escape from his rescuers.

Browny feinted to the left, but the Fudd was ready, deflecting him with the flat of the axe blade. Browny rebounded back at the Fudd before the Fudd could follow through and was rewarded by slamming into the Fudd's chest. The Fudd fell backwards with the bun on top of him, one arm pinned under him in a painful position.

The Fudd reached quickly with his free hand, but Browny slashed at it. He gloated over his soon-to-be kill, blood flowing freely from the monkey's wounds. The Fudd get-away vehicle pulled-out of the yard and was quickly out of site.

"One way or other, I shall dine on Fudd tonight, what do you think of that, monkey?" (smugfluff)

"That's what you think, fluffer," the Fudd replied, pulling a small squirt gun from a side pocket and emptying it's contents on CrimsonPaw.

Browny screeched in pain and dropped his guard, giving the Fudd time to roll him off and roll himself to his feet, fireaxe in hand. The Fudd swung down. Browny reacted a moment too late and his left forepaw was nearly severed through. His vision was blurred with red and he leaped, despite the injury for the Fudd's throat. Due to the injury, however, he was a bit low and only knocked the Fudd off his feet again.

Browny didn't hesitate this time, as he slashed deeply into the Fudd's chest. The Fudd cried-out in agony. Browny chuckled deeply, savoring the moment.

That moment was all the Fudd needed to snatch up Browny awkwardly with one hand, stick his left paw in his mouth and complete the severing, grinding the paw for a few seconds and then spitting the remains back in CrimsonPaw's face.

"Now that the shoe is on the other paw, how do you like having your paw bitten-off, fluffer?"

CrimsonPaw fell into unconsciousness from the pain.

Browny shivered at the memory.

"Sir?" the medbun paused a moment. "When we retrieved you, we found your paw, but we could not reattach it, for it was too mangled." (appologeticpoof) "Sir?"

Browny didn't hear the last part. Between the shock and the pain, he had fallen back into unconsciousness.

Browny stirred back into wakefulness several hours later thanks to a nursebun wanting to give him a pain killer. A brown and white bun with crimson red forepaws was sitting at his side patiently.

"Gloating over my plight, Gus?" Browny rasped.

"I may hate your guts," LT CrimsonPaw stated, "but you're still my brother. I've been waiting for you to awaken to inform you that you are relieved of duty."

Browny tried to sit-up, but found that he was strapped in place. "You can't do this!" if he could (STOMP!) he would have.

His brother, head of the militia at Bowsbuck Warren in the remote western Maine Border Mountains smirked. "I didn't. It seems you've fallen out of favor with them buns From Away over this little fiasco...and those tree rats last fall, not to mention the rules about cripples." (wrinklenose) "I've been asked to take-over as an interim leader until the new warren leader arrives, whoever that will be. You will be allowed to keep command of the family blueberry business, Browny, but it will be up to the new commander whether or not you maintain control of the Blue Ox team."

"And I'll bet you'll enjoy every moment of your temp command."

(sourfluff) "No, I never envied your job. Nor do I look forward to signing uncute paperwork. I should be back home training the new members of the militia and plotting next fall's offensive, not cleaning-up after your messes." Gus glanced over at a clock on the wall. (alasfluff) "I've got other duties to perform. Get better, brother."

(touchedfluff) "I though you hated my guts, brother."

(smirkfluff) "I do, but somebun needs to keep the family blueberry business going." LT Gus CrimsonPaw, acting warren leader, Down East Warren command, left.

The next day, Browny had another visitor, his head of security, SGT Flatpaw. Flatpaw (salutefluffed) and took a seat by his commander's bed.

"I have good news for you, sir." He paused until Browny nodded. "We have nearly pinpointed the coordinates of that traitor warren in Illinois. We have narrowed the warren's location to within 3 miles. We should have it pinpointed in a couple more days."

Browny chuckled deeply. Perhaps he would be able to exact some revenge afterall.

Flatpaw perked-up a bit. "Glad to help cheer you up." He looked about to make sure they were alone. "I don't care what anybun else says, you can count on my loyaltiy, sir. I have kept the Fudd who did this to you barely alive in a detention cell. What would you like me to do to him?"

Browny really perked-up. Perhaps Frith hadn't abandoned him. "Make him suffer. Send him to the labs....and I want a video feed into hear so I can watch."

"I'll have to get clearence from your brother, but that shouldn't be a problem. You, afterall, have vengence rights in this matter."

"Tell the mentat I want him to try and convert the Fudd. Whether or not he's innoculated against Bunnyvirus™. Whether or not he gets brainwashed. Personally, I'd prefer that he not be brainwashed."

(confusedfluff) "Why?"

"So that he will understand why I'm gloating at him as they amputate his forepaw and graft it on me. After which we'll kill him, slowly." (sinistersmirkfluff)

"Yes sir." Flatpaw saluted again and left.

Browny readjusted his position on the medical bed and dreamed of how the labs were going to torture the Fudd, Gerard Tondreau.

Submentat Blackberry hadn't gotten much sleep in these past few days. The problem at paw had kept him puzzled and stubbornly determined to find a solution. How does one convert a Fudd who's immune to BunnyVirus™? Particular, one Gerard Tondreau, who lay strapped to a nearby medical bed, lacking five of his toes. The Fudd stared defiantly at the devilbunny but uttered not a word.

Blackberry had tried injecting the Fudd with enhanced BunnyVirus™, but that hadn't worked. He tried weakening the Fudd's immunity system...nothing. He tried liquid Spam™ Injections, exposure to pure cutons, cuddle therapy, even exposure to the posts of the Fluffbun kits. Nothing worked. The monkey didn't show any signs of slipping towards fluffiness. Not even a softening towards cuteness. Blackberry had also given-up trying to taunt the Fudd a few days earlier for he was too disciplined to break....YET.

It was time for the daily ritual that had been performed on Gerard since Browny CrimsonPaw had reawakened. It was time for Browny's dinner. Blackberry slowly approached the Fudd's toes. Gerard stared at him with pure hatred. Blackberry stared back evilly and started slowly carving off a toe with one claw, dragging the claw across the flesh a little deeper each time. He knew what kind of pain the Fudd was experiencing...he could see it in the monkey's face. But to Gerard's credit, he didn't cry-out or even cringe.

Once removed, Blackberry cauterized the wound with a soldering iron he kept on paw just for these occasions. Gerard gritted his teeth as the scent of burning human flesh wafted through the air.

"I hope he chokes on it," he rasped.

Blackberry flicked his left eartip. A reaction! Finally, a reaction. He might break this Fudd yet. He didn't answer the Fudd, but left the room with the fresh toe on a plate.

Another three days went by and Sub-mentat Blackberry had yet to find a possible solution to converting the stubborn Lumberjack Fudd. He had turned to skimming the scientific journals and his poor bunny eyes were growing weary. The only plus had been the Fudd shouting at him to just finish him off and being done with it as Blackberry collected Browny's dinner for the night. It meant he was breaking, finally.

Journals were stacked 2 feet high on his desk and he was beginning to droop. He set one aside with an article from SFU on the theory of nanite conversion. It was a possiblility, but Blackberry didn't like nanites. He continued to search. Even though written by bunnies, the scientific research reports were rather dry and boring. Blackberry (yawnfluff) and his head dipped forward knocking one stack forward and off the desk.

He hopped around the desk to pick the mess up, (grumblefluff) when he spotted one article in an opened journal, by Dr. Snug Fuzz down to the Devilbunny Research Group (DRG) in Massachusetts. He read through the abstract and grinned. Of course! Antigen suppressor! For a convert, this Snug was a genius! Blackberry grabbed the journal in question, and left the others on the floor and rushed out of his office.

He began work on Gerard Tondreau the following day, following the tips in Snug Fuzz's article to prevent infection while suppressing the Fudd's immunity system and exposing him to HLV. By the second day, Blackberry got the first signs of possible success. Patches of fur were beginning to form on Tondreau's arms, much to the Fudd's dismay.

(fatherlybigbambieyes) "We'll cure you from being a nasty ol' Fudd yet!" Blackberry taunted him in a sugary candy voice and left his patient to suffer alone for the night.

Five days went by, and the Gerard had finally stopped crying-out in pain. HLV had been taking a toll on his body. He still felt intense pain as his body changed, but he was too hoarse from screaming to yell further. His body so far had shrunk down from 6' 2" or so to a mere 3 feet. His head was no longer human, neither was it bunny, but some hidious joke inbetween. He had most of the facial features of a human, but with buckteeth, whiskers, and bunny ears. Grey, black, and white pepper fur covered his body. Through it all, Gerard prayed to Elmer that the torture would end and that he'd simply pass-on to the next life. He didn't want to become an devilbunny.

His body spasmed in pain as internal organs rearranged themselves and his muscle/bone structure continued to alter to that of a bunny. Then suddenly, the pain ceased. He wasn't sure if his nervous system had finally overloaded, or if he was finally dieing...then oblivion and darkness welcomed him....

(thankfulfluff) To Dr. Snug Fuzz for his advice and suggestions on this subject! (hopwigglebeam)

Bright intense light, hard on sensitive eyes. Everything smelled sterile. He wiggled his whiskers in irritation, but he was still restrained. He looked-up into the eyes of a charcoal black bunny.

(sighfluff) "It didn't quite work. It only got you three-quarters of the way." (droopears) "Then again, it's nothing short of a miracle you've survived this. You've been unconscious for several days." The black bun made some notes on a clipboard at the foot of the medical bed.

The peppery furred semi-bun on the medical bed stared at the other bun in confusion. He couldn't recall who he was....he knew...or maybe thought he had been something other than a bunny once, but...everything was so fuzzy. He shook his head to try and clear it. He was able to focus on his body and (terrifiedpoofed).

In a rather cute semi-kittish voice he cried-out. "What's...what's happened to me!!!" (dismayedpoof) "Are you a doctor?" (nosetwitch) "Why do I look like this?" He attempted to wiggle-out from under the tight restraints.

Blackberry hopped back over to his patient. "Tell me. What do you remember?" (encouragingwiggle)

The semi-bun scrunched up his muzzle cutely trying to remember. "I was very sick and you were trying to help me....I recall you saying you would cure me..."

*Not good*, Blackberry thought to himself. *Normally, this would be excellent, he'd be easy to program as a normal bunny, but that wasn't what Browny had wanted.*

"You don't remember anything else other than that?" (querypoof)

(sighpoofshakehead negatively) "No, but I am hungry, and very, very thirsty."

Blackberry pawsignalled an assistant to get some food for the patient. He undid the restraints enough so his patient could eat. The semi-but ate voraciously through a large salad and three servings of Spam™ and drank four bottles of Snapple™ before he had had enough.

(appologeticpoof) "I have to strap you back down now. We wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."

(fearfulpoof) "Okie dokie." The semi-bun complied now that his tummy was full and happy.

Blackberry mumbled to himself, "I'm afraid we might have to finish this with nanites," (shudderpoof) "I wonder how soon I can get some shipped in..." Blackberry hopped towards the door and turned back. "Pleasant dreams Gerard Tondreau."

At the mention of his name, the semi-bun's memories came flashing back and he screamed in anger and thrashed against his restraints, cursing Blackberry, Browny CrimsonPaw and buns in general. Then Gerard was stricken with guilt as he realized that he had not only eaten Spam™, but had...(shudderpoof) he had enjoyed it. Gerard began to weep bitterly to himself. Blackberry chuckled and left the former Fudd to his own torment.

Browny had finally recovered enough to get out of bed and go through some physical therapy. He was practicing hopping cutely with only three paws, when Blackberry found him.

(salutefluff) "Sir."

(sighfluff) "At ease Sub-mentat, I've been relieved of command, remember." Blackberry relaxed slightly and grinned showing his vorpal fangs. "I've thoroughly enjoyed the show so far and am impressed with your....progress. This should pave the way to you being promoted to full mentat...." (howeverfluff) "It's not happening fast enough. How much longer before we can attempt to graft my new left paw on?"

Blackberry hesitated a moment. "The conversion process has ceased." (droopears) "Despite everything I've tried, he won't convert all the way. I've ordered some nanites" (shudderpoof) "to finish the job. Shouldn't take more than a couple hours to finish the process once they arrive." (enthusiasticwiggle) "They're being programmed to alter his DNA as closely to yours as possible in that paw, to reduce the chance of rejection by your body....and...you'll even have your family's trademark fur on it." (proudofselfpoof)

Browny chuckled deeply. "Wouldn't that get my brother's goat...and I'd be able to challenge my replacement and retake my rightful command..."

A messenger bun hopped in and up to the two other buns. He stood at attention in front of the Sub-mentat and produced a package from a small pack on his back and a notepad. Blackberry signed it and the bun departed.

"Looks like we may be able to attempt that graft as soon as tomorrow, CrimsonPaw." Blackberry held-forth the specially wrapped box marked with SFU's return address. "But prepare for a long operation. It's one thing to stitch together flesh, it's another to reattach nerves and blood vessels." The two buns departed, Browny heading back to his quarters to rest and Blackberry to his research lab to have some new fun with his toy^Wvictim^Wpatient.

(greetingsfluff) "Gerard..." (sighfluff) "We'll have to come-up with a cuter bunny name for you than that." (noddle).

The pepper-furred semi-bun (glarefluffed) at his tormentor. Blackberry waved a small syringe in front of Gerard's muzzle.

"I'm going to make you all better," (happyfluff) "But I assure, you, I don't have good bedside manners. This is going to hurt and hurt a lot." (cacklefangygrin)

Blackberry sank the syringe into Gerard's forepaw and pushed the plunger home. "We should see some results come morning. 'Til then, try and get some sleep." (wink) He turned to an assistant on his way out of the lab. "Keep a close eye on our patient. I want to be notified as soon as the treatment begins to take effect." (STOMP!) He left for the night.

Gerard body contorted in awkward ways under the restraints while he screamed in agonizing pain. All the while, the assistant slept through Gerard's ordeal.

Blackberry hopped into the lab bright and early the following morning semi-awake. The sight before him awoke him faster than any pot of milbun coffee would have. What was left of his assistant was strewn across the room and his patient was nowhere in sight. Blackberry immediately activated the intruder alert alarms.

It didn't take too long for a security detail to arrive. They stared in horror at the mess in the lab.

"As you can see, the experiment worked...too well. Find him!" (STOMP!)

The security buns (salutefluffed) and left.

For the first time since the Fudd attack, Blackberry was thankful that Browny was no longer warren leader. He still (cringefluffed) at the reaction the former commander was going to have at this news.

(STOMP!) "What do you mean he's loose somewhere in the warren? Didn't you have somebun watching him?"

Sub-mentat Blackberry (cringefluff) at the barrage he was getting from LT CrimsonPaw. "He overpowered my assistant and scattered his remains all over the lab."

"And how was this possible. He should have been left weak from this nanite conversion you were attempting." (sighfluff) "I should have known better than to agree to allow you to do this for my brother."

"I've got several patrols combing the warren as we speak, sir. And the guard at all warren entrances has been doubled-up. He won't get far."

Gus CrimsonPaw glared at the Sub-mentat. "Do you have any idea how many buns we have here that have peppered fur?"

A buzzer on his desk chirped, cutting him off from his tirade. He depressed a switch. "Yes.."

"LT," (salutefluff) "I mean, Commander, we think we've found his trail..."

(glareintomicrophonebristle) "What do you mean *THINK*."

(gulp) "I mean, we have found the escapee's trail, sir. At least the remains of these two guards near the bunnymover to locations down east look like his pawwork."

"And the computer records at the bunmover terminal?"

"One bunnymover departed about an hour ago, which is how long these two appear to have been dead."

"I want you to attempt to hook into that mover's computer and bring it back."

"Yes, sir!" The transmission terminated.

Gus pressed another switch. "I want all but the perimeter guard pulled-back. Hide extra bunsonal near the computer core, the infirmary, water and air supply and my command post. I want the guard around the auxiliary computer core visibly tippled."

Blackberry looked at him quizzically. "You think he sent the mover off as a decoy?"

Gus stared long and hard at the Sub-mentat. "He's a Fudd. I KNOW that's a ruse. You should have brainwashed him no matter what my brother requested. Those who have died today and those that will die before this is over are yours and his fault. You're dismissed."

*I'm so hungry,* he thought to himself as he hopped into a storage room and found something to nibble on. Once full, he peered out into the warren tunnel. No bun about. The peppered bun who was once Gerard Tondreau cautiously hopped down the corridor. He was looking for something...anything he could destroy and make these buns lives more miserable before they caught-up with him. He was determined they wouldn't take him alive a second time.

Gerard peered around the next corner and saw three buns guarding a door marked "computer room". He charged, snarling, launching himself at the middle one.

He was rewarded by the bath of bunny blood that erupted from his victim's throat. He took-out the one on the right before he could react. The third, a doe, attempted to run, but Gerard chased her down. She (cowerfluff) at him and pleaded with bambieyes. Gerard's eyes glazed over for a second under the onslaught of cuteness and the scent of the doe. He brushed it away quickly and sent the doe to meet the black rabbit.

Gerard then leapt at and through the door into the darkened room beyond. The automatic lights came on quickly and Gerard (fangygrinned) at the sight around him. His life was already forfeit as far as he was concerned so he launched himself and his new vorpal weapons into the mist of the wires and circuit boards, tearing them apart faster than Chris Pomerleau ever could with his cement-filled microwave.

He destroyed equipment in ecstasy for five minutes, before he realized it was all old, disused equipment. Gerard (STOMP!)ed in anger. It was then that he noticed he was surrounded by 2 dozen buns. A bun in old, but serviceable bunnyarmor hopped slightly forward.

"It's useless to try and run, Gerard," LT Gus CrimsonPaw stated. "Surrender and we'll make it easy for you."

Gerard glared at the bun. "Easy for me?" (STOMP!) "If you want to make it easy, kill me where I stand. I'll never work for the fluffy cause!"

Gus motioned with a paw and several of the buns pulled-out dart-guns. Gerard looked about himself quickly and spotted what he needed. He leaped aside, hearing several darts twang off the spot where he had been. He also felt two embed into his shoulder. He grunted at the sting, but fought-off the dizziness he was beginning to feel. *Damn them, they're drugging me!*

Gerard reached what he wanted. A large (to a bunny) 3 lb power transformer. He hefted it with all his strength, looked about and (fangygrin)ed evilly.

Gus realized what the former Fudd was going to do and yelled a warning just as Gerard took three steps and sent the transformer flying shot-put style into a nearby terminal screen.

WOOF! Most of the buns present were without bun armor or ear protection and immediately fell to the ground cringing their ears in pain as sensitive ear drums burst from the sound. Gerard also fell, yelling at the pain. Two nearest the terminal, were peppered with glass shrapnel. One died as a large shard impaled him through the back. Despite the pain and the loss of hearing, Gerard pulled himself up on all fours and launched himself at the startled buns.

Dispatching two and knocking-out a third, Gerard retrieved the transformer from the remains of the terminal, shards of glass tearing into the flesh of his paws. Ignoring the pain, he hefting the transformer again and looking about, spotted another terminal and hurled the transformer at it.

WOOF! This time several of those injured from the first sound blast, collapsed from the second not to get-up again. Gerard collapsed and did not stir.

The remaining buns approached the former Fudd cautiously. Gus pushed himself up to the front, barking orders. "Tend to the others, I'll deal with this one." He looked down at Gerard. "Get up!" He kicked the body of the former Fudd.

Gerard stirred ever so slowly, looked up at Gus, waved the bloody torn paws at him. "I told you I'd never serve the bunny cau.." he labored with his last breath and collapsed.

To be continued in BANGOR: Changing Tides.