The black anthropomorphic wolf heaved a heavy sigh, reclining on the wolf-adorned sofa. The living room this sofa was in was adorened with all sorts of other wolf things as well. Rug with wolves embroidered into it, glass wolves in the chandelier (yes, he has a chandelier now), wolf silhouettes in the wallpaper. The very large house he lived in had too many wolf decorations to name.

Unfortunately, that house was now in trouble. Amaroq smoothed out wrinkles in his blue and red mage robes before crumpling up the envelope he had been reading earlier. He was in debt. Lots of debt. His house, all of his property was scheduled to be reposessed. Where would he go to find solitude now? Where would he practice and experiment with magic? Where could he walk around his own property and see a pack of feral wolves living right on it?

What did he expect to happen? Practice his magic was all he ever did. He had no job.

There was another envelope. A bank statement. He opened it up, took out the papers within, and with another sigh, began to read. Much to his surprise, he had money in his account. Tons of it! Where did it all come from!? Who cares, his house was saved!

Amaroq sat up on his couch and began to read further. Adjusting his glasses, he peered through the lenses. They were rectangular, though the corners were rounded. The frames themselves quite thin and black. Flipping through papers, he found what he was looking for. The deposit that had yielded this much money. Who had deposited this much?

Starwing HQ Inc Inc... Inc again... Inc.

There, right there. Starwing. Who signs their checks Starwing anyway? He searched through the papers some more, as if for an answer. Even though there should be nothing more than bank statements in this envelope, Amaroq did indeed find what looked like a letter.

"Dear Amaroq,

Your first interview was well received here at Starwing. Therefore, we have decided that we would like to add you to our team of interviewers. It is a high risk-- *ahem* I mean it is a rewarding experience in which people such as yourself are forcefu-- *ahem* willingly, yes, willingly forced to interview other fictional characters.

You may have noticed that a deposit has been made into your bank account. We here at Starwing appreciate the work you do, and the complimentary loan will only have to be paid back at 53% monthly interest. (Because we like you.)

We understand that you like magic, and you understand that we like interviews. Therefore, your next interviewee should be arriving at your door any minute now.

Good luck!

P.S. Don't worry about the insurance. We have none.

~Starwing HQ"

Amaroq raised both eyebrows, staring at the letter.

Amaroq: Loan!?

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Tossing the mail into a garbage can, Amaroq stood up to go answer it.

Upon opening the door, a rather unusual sight greeted Amaroq's eyes. There was a man on his doorstep. A pale man in flowing, black robes who posessed red glowing eyes. He seemed to be surrounded in a black aura that seemed to absoarb the very light around him.

???: Is this the residence of Amaroq?

Amaroq: Yes, it is. I would say come in, I don't want the sun soaking into my black fur and making me hot. But it looks like you have the sun covered.

???: Haha! You like it? I'm so dark and evil I absoarb the light.

Amaroq: Yeah, I noticed. Well, come in, come in. It looks like you have some amazing abilities that I'd like to discuss with you.

They entered his house. The man looked around, uninterested in the wolves that adorned Amaroq's house. He seemed to be searching for something... something that he did not find when he looked. The man sighed and continued to follow Amaroq until they entered his living room and sat down.

Amaroq: My apologies, my name is Amaroq, as you probably already know. If you haven't heard, I practice magic. I imagine that's why you're here, besides for the interview. Would you like something to drink? I have hobo wine.

???: That red stuff? Is it blood? I only drink blood, sorry. You say you practice magic too? I practice magic too. I'm a Necromancer!

Amaroq: A Necromancer? I've heard of those. They raise and control the dead right?

???: Yup, that's what I do. My name's DarkMancer8876 by the way.

The two sat there in awkward silence for several minutes.

Amaroq: DarkMancer8876? That's... um... an interesting name you got there.

DarkMancer8876: Yeah, everything else was taken. What do you mean interview? I was told you have dead bodies here.

Amaroq: What!? I don't have any dead bodies. Who told you that?

DarkMancer8876: The guy at Starwing. He didn't say his name. He said you ask me a bunch of questions and then you'll give me the bodies.

Amaroq: Why on earth do you want dead bodies anyway?

DarkMancer8876: I'm a Necromancer. I add them to my army of the undead.

Amaroq: You have an army of them? I hope you left them at home...

Amaroq turned to look out his window, and sure enough, there was an army of zombies on his lawn. They were moaning, groaning, and stumbling into each other. One of them was chewing on his mailbox. Another one was making snow-angels on the ground, but in the grass, with its own rotting flesh substituted for snow. And yet another was...

Amaroq: Is that naked midget zombie taking a dump on my wolf shaped shrubbery?

Darkmancer8876 turns to look out the window as well, heaving an exasperated sigh. He sits back down and snaps his fingers. Amaroq continues to watch the scene for a few seconds before wincing in disgust.

Amaroq: You didn't have to make him eat it!

DarkMancer8876: Oh, that's just Harold. The command was to clean it up. I don't tell him how to do it. I think he likes it though. He's digested that same turd hundreds of ti--

Amaroq: Please, I don't want to hear more...

A few more minutes of awkward silence.

DarkMancer8876: So, um... no dead bodies to add to my army?

Amaroq: If another one turds on my lawn, there'll be plenty to re-add to your army... Well, anyway, while you're here... let's get on with the interview, shall we?

DarkMancer8876: Sounds good.

Amaroq: First question, what made you decide you wanted to be a Necromancer. Why take your practice of magic in that direction?

DarkMancer8876: Because it's evil.

Amaroq: Evil? Why do you want to be evil?

DarkMancer8876: Because it's badass. All dark and evil and vile and just plain cool!

Amaroq: Um... yeah. How long have you been a Necromancer. It must take lots of power and practice to control that many zombies.

DarkMancer8876: I just started last week. Before that I was a ninja. But I found out Necromancers are cooler, so I switched.

Amaroq raised an eyebrow at this response. Meanwhile, one of the zombies was waving through a window in another room. Amaroq's attention was focused on the interview, however.

Amaroq: Okay... next question. You might be interested to know that I take a very scientific, logical approach to how magic works. Tell me, DarkMancer, how do you --

DarkMancer8876: 8876.

Amaroq: Yes, DarkMancer8876. How do you raise the dead? Do you flood their bodies with concentrated spiritual energy to sort of "jump start" their bodily functions?

It was the Necromancer's turn to raise an eyebrow.

DarkMancer8876: I just raise them. I point to their grave, and make them come out of it.

Amaroq: What!? You just... "raise them"!? There's gotta be a logical explanation.

DarkMancer8876: I just raise them. That's how Necromancy works. I raise the dead. I control them. They're my dark undead army.

Amaroq tilts his head downward, rubbing his temples with both paws and groaning for a few seconds before regaining his composure.

Amaroq: So, you just, "raise them". Okay. Well, do you have any other abilities. Someone who obviously knows the workings of magic so well...

He gritted his teeth as he spoke those last words, obvious sarcasm in his voice.

Amaroq: ...must know how to do other sorts of things with their magic.

DarkMancer8876: Of course, I can do plenty of dark things with my dark magic. You may have noticed my dark aura. It sucks in light. Light and holy magic can't hurt me. It makes me stronger. I can also shoot dark energy out of my hands at people. And I can enter their minds and make them relive the worst moments of their lives.

Amaroq: Wait, since when is "holy" a type of energ-- never mind. About that dark energy of yours. You just use it to negate light so they can't see, right?

DarkMancer8876: Naw, it's pretty deadly. A good shot to the head or the heart will kill them. And even if it doesn't, it sucks out their life force and can make them sick.

Amaroq: ...what!? Wait, never mind... again... *ahem* So what about this mind manipulation of yours. You forge threads of spiritual energy from your brain to theirs and --?

DarkMancer8876: What are you talking about? I just snap my fingers and people feel extreme mental pain and anguish. So much that they can't fight me.

Amaroq was scratching his head by now, trying to make sense of this nonsensical form of magic. Trying to form some sort of theory about it. Meanwhile, the window in the kitchen was open, and zombies were starting to crawl in through it.

Amaroq: So, do you control the zombies by--

DarkMancer8876: Dark necro magic.

Amaroq: How do you keep their bodies from falling apa--

DarkMancer8876: Dark necro magic.

Amaroq: Your red eyes?

DarkMancer8876: Dark necro magic.

Amaroq sat there for a few seconds in confused silence. Then opened his mouth to speak, only to be cut off.

DarkMancer8876: Dark necro magic.

Amaroq: DOES ANYTHING YOU CAN DO MAKE SENSE!?

The necromancer shrugs his shoulders.

DarkMancer8876: It's magic. It doesn't have to make sense.

The necromancer turns his cold, steely, intimidating red-eyed gaze and stares, questioningly, straight at... YOU!

DarkMancer8876: Does it?

The necromancer returns his gaze to Amaroq as the wolf rubs his temples again, still taking no notice of the zombies crawling in through the window into his kitchen. They opened the refrigerator and began rummaging through it, eating any food they came across, container and all.

Amaroq: My entire life has been devoted to the study of magic. I know my magic inside and out. I know its inner workings. I know its physics, its laws, its limits. Everything. You must understand, hearing these things from you is turning my world upside-down.

DarkMancer8876: Maybe your magic is just weak. Since it obviously can't do as much as mine can.

A competitive grin spread across Amaroq's face.

Amaroq: That sounds like a challenge to me, Necromancer. Would you care to test your strength against me, logical versus nonsensical?

DarkMancer8876: Naw, I don't want to wipe the floor with you. You seem pretty nice.

Amaroq: Tough words for someone who makes zombies do their dirty work for them. Hey... what are they doing in there?

Amaroq finally noticed the zombies. There was food and drinks spilled all across the floor, and the zombies were slow dancing with each other in the middle of it. Doing the waltz actually, their rotting feet shuffling through puddles of milk. A couple of the zombies stepped in pudding and fell to the floor.

DarkMancer8876: Oh, never mind them. They're lonely and misunderstood. They finally are with others who understand them.

Amaroq: Okay. So um, about that challe-- Wait, where'd they get that keg of beer?

The zombies were all gathered around a large keg. The naked midgit zombie named Harold was serving drinks.

DarkMancer8876: Don't ask me. Harold always has a keg hidden somewhere. I don't drink his beer though. It tastes like crap. Literally.

Amaroq: Ah. I don't want to know how he brews it... So about that challenge.

DarkMancer8876: Yeah, what about it?

Amaroq: I know I can win.

DarkMancer8876: Whatever, n00b. You won't even touch me.

Amaroq: Oh, we'll just see about... wait, why are the zombies raving in my kitchen?

There were now lights of every thinkable color shining in every direction in Amaroq's kitchen. Lazers waved every which way and fog floated around the zombies as strobe lights flashed and trance music mixes played from a boom box that was now sitting on the counter.

DarkMancer8876: Oh, that. Even zombies need to feel good inside sometimes. The best raves are with your own kind, am I right?

Amaroq was gritting his teeth now, trying to remain as polite as possible.

Amaroq: Yes, I understand. Now, about your claim that you can beat m... wait... Why are the zombies dressed up in animal costumes?

Indeed, the zombies were now wearing animal costumes of multiple varying species. Huskies, foxes, and wolves seemed to be the most prominent. The zombies continued to rave while wearing the costumes.

DarkMancer8876: Oh, the fursuits? You should know about those. I get most of my zombies by killing furfags.

Outside of Amaroq's house, the day is peaceful, sunny, quiet. Until the silence is broken by DarkMancer's body crashing out of the living room window and landing with a thud on the ground. Amaroq quickly follows, a fireball in each hand as he jumps, snarling, onto DarkMancer and slams them both into his chest.

Darkmancer8876: You'll pay for that! You can't hurt me, you loser! I'm dark and evil!

Darkmancer8876 flicks his wrist. Amaroq flies off of him and slams up against the wall of his house before sinking down into a bush. Before long though, he is up and throwing fireballs at the necromancer, which the necromancer easily deflects with more flicks of his wrist.

Amaroq: How is this possible?

DarkMancer8876: It's possible because you're a weakling.

Amaroq: We'll see who's the weakling soon...

Amaroq pinched his thumb and forefinger together, a single spark of light, golden energy glowing between them. He releases it, holding it between his paws, feeding more energy into it before he jerks his paws apart. The spark splits in two. He repeats this process, and the spark splits into four. Eight. Sixteen. Thirty-two. Before long, Amaroq has dozens of sparks floating around his body. He spreads his arms out, and every spark zooms away from him, each embedding itself into nearby trees.

Amaroq: Let's see how you handle my trump card. I can overwhelm anybody with this while barely using any of my own energy. You cannot compete with my superior tactics!

Amaroq brings his paws together, feeling mental links to every tree that every spark had embedded itself into. He draws upon the energy of every tree simultaneously, quickly creating an immense ball of fire. He shoves it forward, grinning as the gigantic fireball slowly closes in on DarkMancer and engulfs his body in flames. The flames quickly become black flames, however. Then they shrink and absoarb themselves into the necromancer's body.

DarkMancer8876: Is that all you got? *yawn*

Amaroq couldn't believe this! Nothing was working on the guy. He began drawing power from the trees once more...

DarkMancer8876: Using the trees, eh?

Amaroq: How do you know? It was narrated, not spoken.

DarkMancer8876: Yeah, I read it.

Amaroq: How can you read it!? It was narrated!

DarkMancer8876: Oh, I forgot to tell you. I can read your mind. Anything your author narrates, I can use against you before you actually do it. Comes in handy.

Amaroq: But how!?

DarkMancer8876: Dark necro magic. Now, about those trees of yours...

The sky begins to darken, the sun itself fading into eclipse and day fading into night. Before long, even the night fades. Amaroq and DarkMancer become engulfed in pure darkness. Amaroq can no longer feel the connections to his trees.

DarkMancer8876: I've teleported us into my very own personal dark dimension. I control everything that happens here.

Amaroq: WHAT!? THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!

DarkMancer8876: Not really. Everybody does it.

Amaroq: What happens if one of you teleports first? Are you stuck there, or can you move to your dimension to take back control of the fight?

DarkMancer8876: I dunno, I never thought of that. We usually do it at the same time and then argue about whose dimension we're in. Fights never get finished.

Amaroq: I imagine not.

DarkMancer8876: Now then, since we're here, I'll just finish this by making you feel your most painful emotions.

DarkMancer snaps his fingers. Three times. Each. Then spins around in two circles.

Amaroq: That won't weaken me, that'll just force me to use negative spiritual energy instead of positive.

Amaroq had begun to form fireballs in his paws. Suddenly, he screamed in pain and sank to his knees, letting the fireballs disappear and clutching his head. He roared in agony as unspeakable things filled his mind. After several seconds, Amaroq became still. Unmoving, as he sat there on his knees.

DarkMancer8876: What the heck? It's not supposed to stop until I make it. You cheater.

Then, Amaroq looked up, his facial features twisted with rage, a sadistic smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

Amaroq: You asked for it, Necromancer. Now you will have it!

Rather than fireballs this time, Amaroq began to form balls of ice in his paws. He charged the necromancer fearlessly, the purely cold energy balls growing more and more as he did. He was just about to slam them into his face when... the necromancer snapped his finger. Amaroq suddenly couldn't move. His body was frozen in place by some unseen force. Bricks of purple, glowing energy began to form a wall in front of him. The necromancer simply yawned as the dark purple energy brick wall tilted over, smashing Amaroq into the ground before tilting back up and disappearing. The dark dimension faded away, and Amaroq was laying in his yard. Every bone in his body was broken. He could not move, though it was from his own injuries now, rather than from anything the Necromancer was doing.

DarkMancer8876: Haha! You n00b. u suck. Come back and I'll teach u 2 do some real magic. L0zer.

Amaroq: That wasn't magic. It was powerplaying.

DarkMancer8876: Whatever, loser. I'm going to take my zombies with me and find someone who isn't a loser. $33 Y0u |_0$3|2.

The zombies turned to dust and the dust flowed out the windows of Amaroq's house. The dust collected into the shape of what looked like a gourd on the necromancer's back. The gourd had a red japanese symbol embedded into it.

Amaroq: You say you used ot be a ninja?

DarkMancer8876: Yeah. My name as a ninja was DarkGaara4378. What of it?

Amaroq: Oh, nothing.

DarkMancer8876: Whatever. See you later, loser.

The necromancer began to fly away.

Amaroq: Godmoder!

DarkMancer8876: St00pid n00b l0zer. U SUCK!!!1! LEARN TO USE MAGIC.

The necromancer disappeared on the horizon in a flash of purple light, leaving Amaroq's broken body laying on the ground in his yard.

Amaroq: With people like that out there, what's the point of even trying...

Just then, a naked midgit zombie walked up out of nowhere and stood over Amaroq. It turned around and bent over.

Amaroq: Harold? No! Get away from m-- ... THAT'S DISGUSTING!!!

Starwing HQ © Jolteon.
Amaroq © Amaroq.