Drenov groaned in annoyance at the bright light streaming into his eyes.

He put his hands over his eyes to delay his wake-up call by a few minutes while he thought about what he should do for the day. Wait, didn't I...

Recent events flashed through Drenov's head, and he opened his eyes to look around the place he woke up in, but what caught his attention first was his hands.

Drenov blinked, completely stunned by the black paws that were where his hands would be. No way... really?

He looked around the expansive and lush cave he woke up in as he tried to avoid freaking out at the utter change of his body.

The cave was filled with colorful moss and mushrooms, thick vines, and looming trees with large palm leaves. the trees let small beams of light through their gaps and see the stone roof past their leaves.

Drenov gaze shifted down to a clearing where six small creatures were noisily occupying it.

Drenov squinted at them and recognized the different but very familiar animal. Bear cubs?

The six bear cubs had pitch black fur that seemed to absorb light and a mouth of white fangs with unnatural purple tongue and gums, but their most stunning feature was their eyes that had a swirling galaxy in them.

All of the bear cubs were in the clearing doing various things.

A small cub was trying to get a slightly larger kub to play with but was not even acknowledged by them and yawned, completely unbothered.

Two same sized cubs were playing a game of tag with another just watching.

Wait, where did the last one go? Drenov glanced around for the last one.

The smallest of the six cubs jumped in front of Drenov and let out a coo. "Scale, awake!"

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All of the cubs turned to the smallest with surprise and went over to the two.

"Scale?" Scale tilted his head and then paused when he realized he understood what a bear just said.

"Scale is Scale because of scale under eye!" The cub who was watching exclaimed.

Scale chose to just roll with the punches and decided not to question how or why he could talk to bears instead focusing on his growling stomach and being very parched. "Do you know where food and water is?"

"Follow me!" The energetic one who was trying to play plodded off through the foliage followed by all of the cubs.

Scale struggled to get up with his stubby legs and radically different bone structures, but it wasn't difficult to walk as much as driving a go-cart and then switching to an actual car.

Wobbling after the bear cubs with unsteady steps, Scale questioned his sanity at the situation of being turned into a bear and talking with other bears like it was the most normal thing he's ever done.

"So, why are you all so surprised I woke up?"

The two playful cub started talking at the same time. "We worried! Scale sleep for long time!"

Scale nodded slowly as he adjusted the way he walked to move a bit easier. It's going to take me a while to get used to this... Can't believe they turned me into a bear. At least I kept my memories.

The cave bound forest stretched on and on until they came across a large river held crystal clear water that flowed softly.

The energetic one spun around proud of themselves. "See! know the way now!"

"Great job! I'm sure you'll only get better." Scale praised the cub much to their delight.

Scale went to the river but hesitated as he leaned down to drink. His reflection showed he was indeed a bear with the strange features, but under his left eye was a bright red scale he recognized as the one he tore off of the dragonoid. Well, that gets rid of any doubt I had.

Scale stuck out his tongue and lapped up the water greedily as it hit him on how thirsty he really was. This is so strange.

The watchful and big cub stared at Scale with curiosity for their youngest. While the rest joined Scale in drinking by the river.

After a few minutes of drinking, Scale lifted his head and took a deep breath. "Much better! What should I call everyone?"

The energetic cub looked at Scale with a smile. "I'm Rigun."

The big cub stifled a yawn and replied in a deep tone. "Onix."

The watchful cubs' soft voice contrasted Onix, who was next to them. "Jenon."

The playful cubs responded one after the other. "Mikona, Komina."

The smallest cubs meak voice was barely audible. "Pafen."

Scale nodded and glanced around, thinking about what to do now. "Where do you get food here?"

"We hunt." Onix replied bluntly as they turned to a shaking tree.

A bobcat jumped down from the tree, its eyes glowed an ominous red, and its tail was a flame.