Being Reborn

[Ricter]

Walking down white halls with tiles sterilized and mopped twice a day someone short in height but almost canine in appearance and body was making their way down towards a near by office. Pink mixed with white fur while ribbons trailed along side of them, however they seemed to have on a lab coat with a named etched into it.

Dr. Sorrel, it would say, made her way around the corner of another hall, seemingly heading towards the office section of the clinic, passing by nurses and patients alike. She was a Sylveon, feminine in appearance but surely didn’t act in such a way when it mattered.

As she stopped next to a door she would raise one of the ribbons on her body and turn the knob, walking in as she noticed right away who was here. “Dr. Casenger? May I come in?” She mentioned, only slightly holding the door open, indicating she wished to wait before being allowed to come inside.

On the other side of the door Ricter, who was looking more feral today than usual as he had yet to really control the random transformations he has been going through. He would look over to the door, sitting at his desk and writing something, or at least practicing to do so with his paws. “Yes, I’m not up to anything at the moment Dr. Sorrel.”

On walking in she would see his office for the first time after renovating the room to fit some of his things, it was filled with cabinets and even had a hydroponics basin near by. Moving towards him she couldn’t help but look at them, then at the piles of papers that needed to be filled out every day, something she had yet to start on.

Coming over to the front of his desk she would inspect the plants that were growing, some looked like crops while others were flowers she recognized, mostly for remedies the clinic was low on. The type of plants that were expensive to get but just as hard to grow, “I see you’ve grown comfortable in your new office, how do you like it?” She asked.

Ricters eyes scanned over the room for a bit, it was well lit and even more so dusted and cleaned to make the storage closet actually feel a lot less like one. With all the things pulled out of here it actually seemed to have just enough space to give off a professional vibe, besides the stoat wasn’t complaining.

“Well given my office before hand was the day room, I’d say I like it, means I can get work done with out the threat of kamikaze coffee spills bombing my paper work.”

“Any other complaints I should list?”

“Besides this one locked cabinet, none that I can think of right now.” He would indicate by trying to open it but it would seem he was unable to do so.

Sorrel would smirk, almost stifling a giggle at his use of words, but as she walked over and sat down in a chair she could see what he was currently working on and noticed how he was writing. She gave a surprised look, one that made Ricter wonder why she seemed so surprised, it was paper work they filled out all the time, from keeping records of prescriptions they had given out too people treated.

“What? Did I make a mistake on one of the sheets?” Ricter asked in a causal manner, not trying to be rude at all.

“Ah sorry, its just that your hand writing, for someone who doesn't have thumbs your able to write fairly well, heaven knows I’ve tried my best to do so with my own but my ribbons have take those worries of using my teeth.”

She joked, making him snicker a bit as he had the same idea in mind when he was transformed back to this form. But practice made perfect and he had experience writing before, all it took was a few adjustments, not too mention he had to wield his sword somehow while like this.

“Yeah, that was what I was going to do till I took the time just to learn, cant say it was fun though, I felt like a kid trying to draw a perfect circle. Anyways, so how are you doing? I’m sure you didn't come by just to have a casual conversation with me. Don't tell me I have another away mission to go on.”

Shaking her head she would pull off her glasses and begin to clean them, all with the use of her multiple ribbons that doubled as extra limbs. “Not this time, but your right in saying I didn't come for a back and fourth with my college, but there are some things that need to be said.”

Pausing, Ricter would just let her speak, stopping his work for the time being as she began explaining. “Since you’ve come here we’ve had a much larger turn out, not only that but you’ve done many of the things our doctors cant do, or better yet cant do alone. So, I would like to congratulate you on your successes and would like to offer you, this.”

Pulling out a key and placing it on the desk, Sorrel would look at his reaction as she smiled, which made him wonder what was going on. Even picking up the key and examining it, “A key? Am I going on some sort of treasure hunt?” Always skeptical of her given that elder tree’ent fiasco she just laughed openly and pointed.

“Well you wanted to have that cabinet opened, there is the key. Congratulations on your gift.”

Pouting Ricter would frown as he place the key into the slot, “Yay, more space for my papers, how can I ever thank you, Sorrel.” Sarcasm was dripping form his tone as he opened it. But instead of seeing nothing inside he would see something else, it looked like a framed picture.

Inside of the frame though, as he pulled it out, their were words which he read off openly to the Sylveon across from him. “By the power of our faculty and staff, we here by certify that Ricter Casenger is certified as a healing physician for the containment of disease and prevention.” His eyes opened up at this, not for it being surprising, but just for having something with his name on it.

For him, he was rarely ever appreciated, sometimes people just used him, he’s healed so many while some would even dare to try and hurt him afterwards. Maybe it was because his judgment of people was so poor, but he never felt like he was a force for good when everyone took his powers for granted, or felt entitled to it.

That is until he came here, to this universe, the omniverse had their fair share of characters who were selfish and would treat him no differently than what he went through in his previous life. Yet he hasn’t endured that feeling here at all, from all the people he’s assisted many wished nothing more than to give him praise and recognition.

It was a feeling that he was growing to love, it made him want to do more for help others, though Sorrel was careful to show him that helping others had caveats to it. But this gift seemed to have more impact on the weasel than anything he could have gained from almost anyone else in this world.

It held a lot of meaning and now as he looked back to her he would smile softly, trying to not get emotional as Dr. Sorrel would interject on anything he was about to say. “Don’t mention it, its a small thing we could do for you. Just remember, in our profession, we heal those who cant help themselves, the ability to help others recover is a gift that others shouldn’t take lightly. Don’t ever feel entitled to do so.”

Listening to her words he simply got out of his chair, walking over to the wall he placed it on a shelf, keeping it there while saying nothing, but as he walked back to his chair he would reach out a paw towards the Sylveon. Almost like offering a hand shake.

The gesture would be returned, using one of her ribbons to wrap around his paw and gently move it up and down. “I know, I guess I’ve been really hung up on how people feel about me. I’ve never really gotten much recognition before. But I do thank you and everyone here for what you’ve given me on coming here.”

“That’s a very round about way of saying something we all have to deal with, just don’t worry so much. No one here would ever wish to use you for personal gain.” She chimed in after he was done, pulling her ribbon away as Ricter did the same for his hand. Staying put for a few seconds before Sorrel looked over to the certificate and then back to him.

“Everyone appreciates you here, and will continue to do so, patients, doctors, nurses, everyone. If you ever feel like were abusing you feel free to take time off, or leave, we’ll understand, just know that when we send you out to do things its not to use you. We cant go for risk of death, and surely you’ve experienced it before, what its like to die and be reborn. We...Don't have that luxury.”

Ricter knew this well enough, why he was sent out on so many missions for the clinic, mostly because he was the only Prime here in the clinic that had some form of combat experience and was capable of doing things others would dare. Like fighting monsters or Orc bands just for a simple item or two.

The stoat knew full well that they were exploiting him, and it was all for the greater good, helping him slowly complete his goal of finding the cure to all illnesses. So as Sorrel explained Ricter shook his head, “Its fine, you don't have to worry so much about me, I know its for a good reason, you wouldn’t ask anyone else because I know I'm capable, you know I’m capable as well.”

The pokemon nodded back, smirking, “Exactly, besides you seem to work well alone, I know you’d hate for me to add my own brand of intellectual commentary while out on an away mission with you.”

At her mention of this he would shiver, Dr. Sorrel was a good person but she was very pompous sometimes when it came to comparing herself to others. This was purposeful, mostly to mess with him, or better yet gloat about eh own achievements that were hard earned and warranted it. But after the sixth time it gets a bit old.

“Yeah, how about no, speaking of away missions is there anything else we possibly need? I looked in my emails and found little to nothing in relation to them. Mostly surgeries and the new patients list.”

Being Ricters boss and the co-owner of the clinic the Sylveon was confused, bringing out her phone as Ricter typed away on a laptop next to him, another skill he had to learn with the use of having just paws. Turning the computer to her she would look at the email and read it after adjusting her reading glasses on her face.

“That seems like the right email I sent, but I thought I had at least something for you to do, especially since surgeries for you take only a half hour or so of work. Knowing how hot headed you are, I'm sure you want something else to do that involves combat.”

Her tone was just as you would expect, a bit of a mix of know it all complemented by a soft grin. “Hey, I need to get stronger some how, best way to do that is by testing my strength against others.” He said with a flustered expression, trying to explain himself.

“You sound like a battle maniac.”

“I- I’m not a battle maniac!”

Laughing Dr. Sorrel would smirk, adding. “You make it sound like you are when almost every adventure you’ve been apart of has involved someone getting hurt or a battle of some kind. But enough teasing, as a Prime I guess it is in your nature to wish to grow in power, if you would like you can go look at the job board. Maybe find out if there are any fun activities you can get yourself into.”

Thinking for a second Ricter would lean back in his rolling chair, spinning around as he looked up at the ceiling. “I’ve looked into it before, the board is more stylized for rescue teams, at least low tier ones.”

“Oh? Sounds like someones too good to do some simple jobs around town Mr. Entitled.”

“Its not like that, its just that...well...fine, I guess that's a fair assumption. I'm fine staying here to work with everyone, at the same time I know my other skills would be useful in helping keep people safe out there in the greens. This place can be pretty dangerous, its how I found Vee, with out me being there she would have ended up being eaten by those goblins.”

A true statement, which made the sylveon wonder how they could have their doctor help them here but also have his skills be useful elsewhere. But she couldn’t think of anything that would really work out well, his reasoning was sound but as an adult he had to make a choice.

“We’ll talk about this more in a little while, for now I’ll leave you too your work, just remember you cant help all the people all the time. You might be able to live forever, but for everyone else, you can’t undo death.” She knew something he didn't, she could see it in his eyes, he had yet to lose a patient at least not one strictly under his watch.

This was a lesson he would have to get through on his own, but wither he liked it or not it would happen, and no matter what he thought about trying, it would change his opinion forever. She didn’t want to force it, and she herself had no clue if it would happen sooner rather than later, but the fairy type pokemon knew this is what was keeping him from seeing the truth and extent of his power.

[Ricter]

Mean while Ricter seemed confused by her dismissing what he just said, but he would think it was because they had been in here for a good twenty or so minutes. But he would nod as his boss jumped out of the chair and began walking to the door, “Hey, Dr. Sorrel?”

“Yes?” She stopped, looking back at him.

“Is everything okay?”

He seemed so innocent, and even a little worried he said something wrong, which only made her wave it off, opening the door to the hall way again. “Yes, just when you ever feel like talking to me just come by my office if I’m not working. I’ll see you later, alright Dr. Casenger?”

Smiling a little, Ricter just said “Alright, have a nice day.” And with this she would leave his office as he went back to doing paper work. In the mean time though Dr. Sorrel would go back to traveling down the halls once more, thinking to herself as she thought about what has happened in the past.

“He still believes he can fix everything the way he did with Luis, but from the last time he talked to me he was guilty about it all, still questioning if it was moral to allow the dead to stay dead or to lie about it when it did no harm. I still wonder if that plan will work for every situation, I doubt it but we’ll see I guess.”

After thinking for a bit she would go back down towards the main desk near the front door of the clinic, the pokemon stopping and ringing a small bell to get the attendants attention, a small fairy that was around the size of a foot or so in height.

The little fairy would perk up and look over the desk, which was much larger than herself as she smiled.”Dr. Sorrel, its nice to see you again. Were you looking for the manifest? I believe its up on the board.” She pointed, gesturing to it as it was obviously something she knew about, but the fairy was thinking more so about the updates that were on the board.

“Ah, thank you, I was going to ask about that. Also I needed something else, I’d like for Ricter to be played on a new assignment.”

The fairy would scratch her head, making her wonder what kind of mission or assignment since there was no other ones in the works for the clinic. “Uh okay, what kind of assignment?” She would ask as she sat down and began to type on a small little computer that she was given. Basically a thumb drive converted into a mini computer.

“I would like for him to take care of patient name: Caroline. Room number 203, just ensure to inform him via an email place, I wouldn’t want you to rewrite the entire manifest just for one small addition.” She would say as she looked at her phone, swiping form left to right to view which patients were where, looking into her own clients.

“Caroline? Are you sure?”

“Yes, please send the email to him as soon as possible.” She remarked with a professional air about her as the fairy nodded, understanding perfectly as at first she wondered what she was doing but began to see it after a moment or two.

Walking away now as the two went back to work, Ricter was still filing out paper work in his office. Eventually he would hear the familiar ping of his email telling him that the had a new message to look into. Clicking on it it was just an update on his clients for the day, it was only mid afternoon and he still had to go through them all, so he would more than fine with any additions to his list.

Seeing a name pop up on the list that was moved to his own from one of the other doctors in the clinic, he would simply move it to his phone for now, that way he can keep track of who he has to work with and what rooms they were in.

This was a typical day for him, additions and switches in the middle of the day were common, additionally he spent most of the morning filing paper work from yesterday unless she did it the night prior. After paper work was done he went to see the resident patients that needed to stay over night or so, or had specific illnesses and or problems that needed a more pristine touch.

Obviously, now that he was finishing up the last of his paper work the stoat would hop out of his chair now, placing the paper work in an envelope before testing something. Holding his paw up in the air as he stood on his hind legs something would begin to shine in his hand, sparkling magic forming like a spear before finally it manifested into what looked like a sword.

After the last few times he had been separated from his weapon he had talked to Vel about changing that, marking the blade to his hands so that no matter how far its gone form his grasp it will return to him. Looking over the odd sword he would simply let it go as it fell to the ground, shattering like glass on impact but turning into dust and sparkles that vanished completely.

Well at least it worked still, sure t had a second or so in delay but it also helped in carrying it, especially given his size change. Being a little less than three feet tall meant that a blade that's almost a foot or two above your height meant carrying it would be hell. Even worse it was half his weight almost.

With enough messing around he would exit his office and lock the door behind him, walking along towards the room down the hall which was just where he had to deliver his paper work information to the secretary. They had a file slot for office door so placing the folder inside he simply walked away for them to handle the rest.

Now to go and see his patients for the day. First up was a small raccoon, they looked feral in nature but walked around like a typical person, they had seemingly been bitten by a cobra of some kind and needed some detoxification.

Pretty simple and even the nurses who had no healing abilities could help with that, where as in the real world that would be a very dangerous thing, here they can keep death from poisons at bay. Walking into the room he would be greeted by the man, smiling lightly as he seemed very sick, laying in bed as an IV was hooked up to his arm.

The room was a typical hospital room, but in this case having curtains and what not too give the person who was laying in the bed some privacy. But they were open and the raccoon was laying in bed, eyes open and breathing softly.

Reading the report a bit more they were given anti-venom already but they were still in mild pain, and the mans body was still in recovery. But he planned on fixing that for him now as he walked in through the door and closed it behind himself, smiling and waving to the raccoon as he looked towards the stoat, smiling softly.

“Afternoon Mr. Riley. Have you been well? I’ve heard that you’ve been bitten by a nasty snake.”

The raccoon smirked and tried to laugh but seemed weak, unable to really move too well but he nodded, “Yeah, I was heading to work and ended up pulling out the slipper bastard from my brief case instead of my saxophone.” Ricter normally would question how a snake managed to get into someones instrument case but here in the tangled greens, snake bites and venomous creatures were pretty normal.

At least for here in ambrosia, but this worked in his favor since it meant he could cure him. Inspecting his body he would notice the bite mark on his hand, the man would then say. “Got me on my hand as soon as I waned to start playing, seems it thought my sax was a nice hole for it to sleep in. Guess I should have been more careful.”

“Your lucky you got to the hospital when you did, some can die to cobra bites in a span of an hour, how is the anti-venom treating you?” The stoat inquired.

The man would mull it over, thinking for a little bit, “I feel better, but my blood still feels like its boiling, got a small head ache too, but this is way better than what I was feeling after that thing bit me.”

Understanding, Ricter had tested the effects of a cobra bite on himself, obviously he was different but he did this test so that he could relate to his clients more and understand if something else was needed to give a diagnosis. “Okay, well here’s what I’m going to do. Instead of keeping you here for a week just so you can detox, I’m going to eliminate the poison so you can get out of here today.”

On hearing this the raccoon would smile brightly, his ears perking up as he asked, “Really? Hell yeah, I have a gig next week and I was bummed out I wouldn’t be able to make it, if you can get me there I’ll even offer you a free ticket!”

“Thanks but we cant accept gifts like that, at least not while on the clock.” The stoat said bashfully.

“When are you off? Could just offer it too you when your not working, besides its as a friend, not a patient.”

Ricter didn't want to take advantage of the man, at the same time he did enjoy the sound of a saxophone. The weasel was a jazz man, loved the sound of instrumentals that has a smooth tone too it, soothing to his ears. While the doctor was mulling it over the raccoon would insist.

“Come on, I’m great, believe me!”

“Alright alright, thanks, any case lets get you patched up.”

Getting up on the bed Ricter would gesture, as if he was holding something, then out of thin air his blade would reform in his paws. Which shocked the raccoon. “What the-- hey, I offered you tickets! Don't kill me!” He was panicking.

Which only made the weasel snicker, he loved the surprise that everyone had when they saw his way of helping them. However quickly he would shove the blade strait into his chest, causing him to scream but then calm down, wondering what was happening as it phased through him.

It left no cut, or at least no painful cut, and a glowing gash in his chest as he pulled the sword out of him after a few seconds. Once the blade had exited his body and shattered the raccoon would sit up, feeling his chest as the gash vanished and he could move freely again.

“I can move again? Wow, that’s some sword you got there, I didn’t even feel it in fact it actually felt nice. Uh just give me a warning next time.”

laughing, the two would talk for a bit longer, of course Ricter was filling out the paper work to release him. All the while he was testing out his ability to play an invisible sax that was currently in his hands, even making sound effects as he stretched and tried to limber up after staying in bed for a full day or two.

“Alright Sir, your all set, take this up to the front desk and they will check you out.” Ricter would hand the raccoon a piece of paper, which would come strait out of a printer next to a computer in the small room. Additionally he would send an email up explaining that he was free to go.

All the while he was still getting dressed out of the night gown he was in, placing on his shoes and shirt from before and even the nice looking watch he had on before getting bitten. “Thanks again, and here, for your troubles.” He would hand the weasel a simple ticket, but as he pulled his finger across it he found two of them.

“Two?” The stoat questioned.

“Mhm, just in case you have a girl in mind you want to take with you.” He grinned, gently nudging him as if to indicate something.

Blushing, Ricter would scratch his head, placing the tickets away as he stood out of his chair and nodded. “Thank, I’ll see about coming by when your gig starts, what day was it again?”

“Next Tuesday, starts a little ate at night, around eight or so. Anyways take care doc, hopefully the next time I see you its when I’m on stage.” He mentioned as Ricter nodded and waved back to him. Allowing his client to leave the room and head out down the hall to finally get out of the hospital.

In the mean time he would look down at the two tickets he had, he had no one he could go with, maybe Vee, or Vel if he enjoyed jazz that is. He could even ask Dr. Sorrel but their relationship was strictly professional, she was a smart woman, and they were good friends outside of work but romance was never a thing he had gone through.

The poor weasel had mostly been with his older sister back in his previous universe, and she wasn’t even his sister by birth, she was a human and she treated him like a little brother. One that protected and loved her as before he was just a normal familiar, and pet to her.

Of course this didn't help anything since hes never even been out on a date before, but why should he have before hand? He was pretty much a feral animal, most of the time it was just pheromones dictating what happened and from that just going about those urges. Just he had a mind about him, one that was both human and animal.

But he would stop over thinking everything, he innocent mind trying to block out everything as the stoat tried to focus on things other than his love life. He had a goal in mind, and right now he was living it, somewhat.

[Ricter]

Walking into his next room he would notice that it was a female this time, so before he walked in he knocked twice, similar to his last entry and asked. “Hello? This is doctor Casenger, may I come in?” A voice would call back in an almost timd tone.

“Y-yes.”

Allowing him to enter, but as soon as he did he would notice that who was in here was none other than Mayflower and Elysia. Two rat females that were just as short in stature as he was but one was an older woman while another was a young teenager, he never asked her age but wouldn’t bother since it wasn’t important.

“Ricter! What took you so long? You weren’t avoiding me were you?” The girl pouted, she was a gray colored mouse, with large ears and wearing a small pare of glasses. She was tiny, around as tall as Ricter was currently, while maybe a few inches or so shorter.

Mean while Elysia, a much older adult rat, would be sitting near by, wearing a pare of jeans with a green and white shirt that had a picture of a university on it. Probably a left over shirt that she picked up from her parents and just choose to wear it. The woman had curves about her, a sizable bust and hips but was harder to see as she was currently sitting in a chair reading a magazine.

“Hi sweetie, hows work going for you?” The woman asked as Ricter walked in.

“Im alright, still alive after all the crap I’ve been trhough, even fi that dosen’t mean much here given Im a prime. Any case are you both here for another check up?”

Elysia and Mayflower would nod, the smaller one chiming in first. “Yeah, I hate it though, why do we need them anyways?”

“Because you two are not adjusted to the jungle air yet, nor the pollen storms and rain either. Being down in the sewers of all places have made you immune to all the stuff we are not used too, but now that you live up here, you need at least a weekly vaccination till about another month or two.”

The weasel instructed as Ricter walked up to Mayflower and pulled out his sword again, gently cutting her hand which she didn’t flinch, it made the same glowing painless gash on her that the raccoon had to deal with and soon vanished. He would walk over to Elysia and do the same, she would smile as he did so.

“Thanks, honestly I had no clue that we would get so sick after a few days of being up here, but luckily we have a doctor on call 24/7.” She grinned which Ricter would pout to this.

“You know I need off time right?”

“Sure you do, you know I have your address, right? Besides an after hours visit wouldn’t bother anyone when Vee and Vel are at work.” Her retort made him double take, but yes, he did in fact know she had his home address.

“Come on Elysia, I can’t have you saying that around Mayflower.”

Which Elysia would laugh, as well as the little rodent. “Ricter, your the most innocent one here, besides you know where we came from, though I cant help but love to see you all flustered.” She teased, of course just messing with him she would become a bit more serious though as she got up. Mayflower would hop off the bed to look around.

“The underground is starting to shape up since the last time I’ve been down there. After all of whats happened they are beginning to clean up the place, even the mayor is having a couple festivals in celebration for the crime being limited. Here, got you something as well.”

Pulling out a flier as well as an envelope, it was open, but as he looked down at it it seemed like a had written thank you note. Addressed from the mayor of that town underground. “I guess its pretty well known I did all that stuff down there after Demetri spilled the beans.”

“Mhm, your almost a legend down there, I’m sure they would love to see you again, everyone. Maybe not the guys in jail right now, but the others for sure. Just dont let it all go to your head Mr. Celebrity.” She would pat his shoulder and begin walking towards the smaller mouse, adding.

“I’ll keep you posted on whats going on down there, just be sure to call me if your ever wishing to take a trip down there again. I’d love to go through memory lane again.” She suggested which he nodded back, placing the parchments and flier into his pocket for now.

“See ya next week.” He said as she would just wave, walking with Mayflower out of the room as she cheerfully waved back to him, the teenage girl seemed so energetic and it made him happy he could keep her that way since they moved up here only around half a month ago.

The two had come from a pretty bad underground town bellow Ambrosia, crime was rampant there and he had the power to fix it and so he did. After all that they were liberated from everything, and he offered to have them live up here. Even making them a house, he rarely got to see them since Elysia was working a lot, but he was happy for the little status updates of what happened down there after he basically pulled a batman on their mafia.

It was a chaotic time, something he would hate to relive given he had killed so many rats, bugs, people, just to end the corruption of the city. Even after it was all over he was taken to a judge down there and given full release thanks to his own status as a doctor, prime and for basically ridding them of both a drug ring, gun running, and equally a plot to just fill the water supply with said drugs.

Of course they would keep their eye on him, and now he gained the ire of some organization called The Red Roses, which he would need to investigate, but that was for another time. Right now his main priority was helping his clients and patients, the crime organization could wait for a couple more days.

Walking out of the room he had one more person to see, at least for the time being, the names list could always change but mostly for emergency entries into the clinic. But just as he was about to reach the second floor his phone would buzz in his coat pocket.

Pulling out the device he would press the little green call button and answer whom ever was on the other end of the call. “Hello?”

The voice on the other end would sound older, but less gruff, it was Simon, or as he would like to be called- Gregory. “Hey Ricter, is this a bad time for you?”

“Oh Simon, uh I’m working but I only got one more patient left, whats up?”

The rodent would sigh, “Its Gregory, remember? Anyways I got some information for you, its in related to you know who.” Hearing this, Ricter would move towards the stairwell, looking out a window as he nodded.

Gregory, or better known as Simon, was a previous gang leader, well known for what he had caused down in the town under Ambrosia. Surely he wasn't the full on mastermind he had stopped, that was his two sons, he himself was just the father of two bad apples.

Unfortunately thanks to family ties he was next however the weasel gave him a second chance, more so to aid him in finding out more about the Red Roses. He would have no other way of finding out about the drugs and guns if his sons were banished, so he was happy to hear that he found something.

“Sorry, so what did you find out?” The stoat asked in a small whisper.

“I looked into a few old contacts about them in Coruscant, seems they do have a small criminal ring hidden there, I think the group is called just that. They are said to be hiding around the 5th and 6th tiers there.”

Scratching his head Ricter had never visited that place before, only hearing small rumors about that verse, but never wishing to visit given it was a massive city. The one thing he hated was large cities that had no foliage and more so looked something out of a dystopia future novel.

“I mean this sounds like the info you gave me before, is there anything else you got for me?” Ricter inquired.

“In fact I do, when you get there an informant should be posted in a certain part of town, he will update you on the situation there. Besides that if your heading to that place don’t try to cause too much trouble, the empire won’t take lightly to people causing a mess. Now they shouldn’t bother you much given your cleaning up crime, but just in case you should stay as low as possible.”

His advice seemed sound, in fact he was more than happy to not get caught in anything, because jail was not something he had in mind. But just as he was about to thank him Gregory would chime in on something else. “Hey, another thing, don’t go lower than tier 6, alright?”

“Why?”

“Just don’t, you hear a lot of rumors in my previous line of work, that place has some dastardly things down there, and plus I’m pretty sure you wont find anything good that deep into the city.”

Giving another nod he would keep it in mind, “Alright, thanks for the heads up, I need to get back to work so I’ll call you later when I want to get this settled.” The weasel mentioned, part of him wanted to stay in this area, not wishing to spread influence or even explore much.

But at the same time he wanted to ensure they didn't come back again, after all if the organization was crushed, then they would know not to return. Or at the very least stop trying to sell in this area, last thing he needed was another uprising or mafia organization forming here in Ambrosia or under it for that matter.

“Alright, talk to you then, see ya.” With that he hung up the phone, Ricter doing the same thing. Part of him wondered what the rat was up too right now and how he managed to get that info for him. At the same time he appreciated the insight. Meant a lot that he could rely on him instead he having to kill the man for what was essentially a waste of life and information.

Walking out of the stair way he was excited to have gained so much information, from a festival to ensuring that the rest of that gun ring was destroyed later on. He had a busy time table, yet for now focusing on the injured was his main job.

[Ricter]

Coming up to what was his last patient for the time being, he came into someones room. Or at least knocked first, however no answer was give, instead just as he tapped again he noticed that they were resting. “Ms. Caroline?”

He was greeted by a snow white haired woman, well woman was to be placed lightly, she was an orc. Her skin long since losing its green coloration. Even now as he gazed on her form he could see wrinkles and marks of age that dotted her skin as he walked in slowly, careful not to disrupt her.

Walking in however her eyes would awaken to the area around her, she would gaze down at Ricter and smile, even though the woman was older she was still quite larger in comparison to the weasel. The heart monitor would pick up, not from surprise but her slow stead rate was now becoming a waking rate now that she was not asleep.

“Oh good evening doctor, come to check on me?” She would say, her tone a little broken but more so something you would hear from a grand mother. Walking to her side Ricter would first inspect the machine, then check fi all the hook ups were in place as he nodded, greeting her.

“Yes Ms. Caroline, I was switched to be your doctor while your recovering, though I have no clue why honestly. What was the problem with you today?” He asked, he had never met her before, and more so only knew her name thanks to the sheet he was shown online and that she was a prominent person in the community that baked kids donuts.

“Oh nothing dire, just age has caught up to me is all. You just missed my grand sons, they were here to visit, even my niece was here too. It was such a wonderful visit, I had missed seeing them till they moved out further into the Tangled Greens.”

She would say, reminiscing as he would sit next to her bed side, the chair was normally not positioned this way but he didn't seem to mind listening to the elderly woman. “Sorry, I had to take a call, it would have been nice to meet them.”

The woman would smirk, adding, “Oh that would have been a treat, but I think talking to you personally is nicer. So, how have you been? I hear you’ve grown to be quite popular in this verse, almost everyone talks about the doctor that can cure it all.” Which was a very nice complement but even Ricter found that to be a bit extreme.

“I’ve uh been well, gotten pretty adjusted here, and sorry I doubt that I can cure everything. But one day I would be more than happy to earn such a title.” He would say in a somber tone, looking over her body as she would sigh, the woman gave a knowing gaze in his direction as he looked back.

“Your worried about something too, aren't you?”

“Huh? What makes you say that.”

She lazily pointed, “Its in your eyes, you have that look of ambition that most primes have, but a mix of fear.”

The orc woman seemed to easily read him, which was surprising as he gave little hints, but he would perk up as she mentioned this. She was right he was worried about something, about losing the family and friends he had built here now, and if he had to go back to his own home he would have to say good bye.

At first all he wanted to do was leave, now he wished to stay. “I...yeah, your right, I’m worried about a lot of things, wither or not my friends will be okay, if I ever have to say good bye, and well. Seeing you, I realized something.”

“What is it?”

He paused, looking back to everyone he’s met and whom hes gained as a friend, 90% of them were secondaries, beings made from primes or in other manners. “My friends, they are all secondaries, given I cant die they will all end up turning old one day and leaving me.” Ricter was trying to hold back getting emotional, holding on to the cuff's of his doctors jacket, clenching tightly.

The woman would smile, reaching out and patting his head, almost in a manner that seemed like she was petting him. “There there, you have nothing to fear about death, its both a blessing and a curse. Just like I have long since asked myself the same question, what will I leave behind when I eventually die.”

She would continue, “Will I leave behind enough for my children, my grand children? Will I be know, loved, cherished by those in my passing, or will I be forgotten. Its a lot to take in, but I guess for you its the opposite, you will never die, you will never get to grow old with those you love and be forced to watch as they all die around you.”

The hasrh realities began to settle in, he was crying, he knew she was right and even he knew this. That Mayflower, Elysia, Vee and her brother Vel, even Dr. Sorrel would all pass away one day, and all he would have to bring about their memory is just that, memories.

“But, I can create secondaries, I can make them again, I just need their souls and-” He was cut off, interjected by the woman.

“Do you think that would serve them justice? Maybe in some cases it would have been a good idea to recreate them, just as you remembered. But would it feel real? Feel genuine? How many times would you repeat this after they die again and again?”

The question shot daggers into his heart, again she seemed right about this, how long before his own mind would snap from losing his loved ones repeatedly. Maybe the first couple of times he could get by, but eventually he would drive himself insane, trying to find a cure to the one thing he couldn’t fix. Death.

Sure, necromancy was a thing, and maybe it could be harnessed, but that form of dark magic was the exact allure that some fell into. Only to be cursed into litchdom or worse, be forced to see the resurrected corpses of their loved ones terrorize and mutilate the land.

No, this was a dangerous game to play, and one that he knew he shouldn’t dive down into, “So what should I do? I set myself up to want to cure everything, part of me knew that even death would be a factor in that goal too.”

The orc woman would keep petting him, calming down the little doctor who was sniffling, wiping tears on his fuzzy cheeks, he didn’t think on entering into this room he would be given a run down on his priorities. Maybe this was what Dr. Sorrel was planning.

“Enjoy the time you have with them, I wont tell you what to do, but would you feel someone was genuine if you crafted them to be the perfect version of what you wanted? Only to keep doing it over and over again, forever.”

The answer was simple, “No...”

“Then don’t, and try to enjoy every aspect of what comes next. Use your power to keep them alive if someone wishes to hurt them. Yet don't push the limits of your own morality, as a shaman, I had many chances to talk with the spirits of my ancestors, but I know now that aiming to bring them back was a mistake that I luckily didn't fall into.”

Silence would follow as the flow of tears had stopped, even Caroline had shed her own tear, remembering her own life as water flowed along the cracks that were left on her body. But after a good ten or so minutes of this Ricter spoke, smiling a little, “Thank you, so much for talking to me Ms. Caroline.”

“The orc woman would smirk, looking over at him, “Oh its no problem honey, I think you needed someone to talk too for a while now. Just be true to what you want to believe in and you’ll be okay, now, if you don’t mind I have to get some rest. My family kept this old bat up far too long.” She laughed which followed a snicker from Ricter.

Getting up he would hop out of the chair and walk over to the light, the woman’s eyes closing as he jumped and switched off the light in the room. “Sleep well Ms. Caroline.”

She would just lay there, smiling. “Enjoy the rest of your time here, Dr. Casenger.” An odd thing to say, which even confused him but he would just not, not wishing to inquire about it as he began to close the door, leaving the room.

[Ricter]

Days would pass, it was seemingly a very rainy day today and Ricter was trying on what looked like a tux and a bow tie as well. Black and white. He looked pretty snazzy in his attire, and as he looked out of his open room door Vee was fluttering by.

“Vee, Vel! You guys ready?” He asked as he was just finishing up, the weasel was still looking quite feral but at least everything fit.

“Yeah, just one second, we’ll meet you outside.” Vel would say as he walked out of the room, noticing that as he passed by the living room down stairs Vee, a female moogle with a red ball on her head was currently trying to force her brother Vel, a male moogle with a blue ball to put on a tux.

“Stop fighting it! Put on the damn thing!” She would say as the boy growled.

“I’m not fighting it, it just wont fit, I know my body shape Vee!” He complained.

Shaking his head Ricter would be out the door with an umbrella in his paws, it always rained here, sometimes for days. But today the rain wasn’t so bad, though as the two finally came out, dressed nicely for the occasion they would walk along.

Vee wearing a black dress while Vel wore a tux, but with now tie, leaving the top unbuttoned mostly. Vel would hold the umbrella for them all given they wished to fly rather than walk, so as they came to an open field area he would notice a group coming by.

Well not really coming by, one of the figures were running towards them quickly, the others trailing behind a noticeable distance. Though as Ricter noticed this his sword would manifest into his paws, standing up only to block what seemed like a large hammer axe from actually hitting him.

Looking up at who it was it seemed like a large orc, female, oh fuck it was Ma’tok! “Ma’tok?! What the hell are you doing here?”

The large orc tribe chief growled, her hair in a neat little bun while her robes were odd, almost ceremonial. Her weapon was far from it though, “I should be asking the same thing! After what you pulled in my home I should have you skinned and used for a door mat!” She flustered in anger.

It was a bit hard to explain but their first time meeting she basically robbed him of his sword, Lanor. On aiming to get it back he might have sneaked his way into her house while she was bathing, it lead to a lot of things he never wished to see to be seen.

“Hey! That wasn’t my fault, no one told you to jack my sword and try to use it as a night light!”

“No one told you to peep in on me while I was bathing!”

The clash was comical at best, especially give she was almost three times his size and he was keeping a pretty defensive posture while even as she tried to push against the small weasel he didn’t budge. However eventually both would feel something hard slap them across the face.

It was two ribbons, white and pink in color and seemed to originate form one person, Dr. Sorrel. “You two! Stop it, if you must fight do so after the ceremony is over!” She stated as both rubbed the small bruise on their faces. The two begrudgingly agreeing that she was right with soft grumbling, but it was clear that they had to be a bit more serious in this place.

Walking together with no more of a fuss they would come to an open field with a hole in the ground, it was placed near a tree while still raining as multiple people had umbrellas scattered around the area. As everyone was silently watching, looking a mix of sad and neutral in some instances no one would say a word till eventually Ma’tok stepped forward.

Taking out a rod from her back, given to her from one of the few orcs that had followed her, she would begin chanting. “Today we praise the spirits in passing of my grand mother, a woman of natural strength and determination. As her final requests she wished to be buried here before given spiritual rights by the current chief of the tribe, being myself.”

The crowd would watch on, in particular Ricter would look at the casket containing Caroline, the woman was a resident here and wished to be buried next to all her friends in Ambrosias grave yard. So many small stones and markers for those who died, and in a way he knew he would be here again and again.

Even now he looked towards everyone, all his friends were here, and a good majority of the community too. They would all be gone soon, but at the same time he couldn’t help but smile in a way, because they were still here, he had time. Something he would grow to cherish from now on.

Elysia, Mayflower, Vee, Vel, Dr. Sorrel, Simon or Gregory in this case, Ma’tok, even Luis and his family were here. The fayline who he essentially made a body for his soul after he was killed by goblins, the very reason he had such a debate with Caroline back in the hospital. It was an odd sensation, seeing all this but given proof of its good and bad.

With Ma’tok tapping her cane over the casket she would speak in orcish, a language he didn't know of, but after a few moments she would close her eyes and bend a knee. Almost in prayer, her robes would begin to look wetter thanks to the rain but eventually, after a minute or two she got up. The rain covering for the tears in her eyes.

As the casket was lowered into the ground everyone looked on as a valued member of the community was lost today, and even as Ma’tok stood by Ricter to watch she would say something to him. “Thank you, for taking care of her in her final hours, her spirit told me you helped her pass on with a clear conscious.”

She had to throw in that small bit, but Ricter would just nod, “I should have said the same thing to her before she left.”

The orc woman would smile a bit, “She already knows.” With this though the casket would be lowered fully and with the help of some of the male orcs they would begin digging in the hole with dirt. Ricter had lost his first patient, to the one thing he couldn't stop, a memory now that he would keep forever.