The alien retracted its receptors, sensing the potential danger posed by the surrounding creatures. It observed them with caution and detached fascination, taking in every detail of their sleek, reddish-brown fur that glistened under the moonlight. The creatures' pointed ears twitched as they sniffed the air, likely detecting the alien's unique aroma wafting through the night breeze. Both parties remained wary of each other, their instincts warning them of the unknown threat that stood before them.
With a swift, almost graceful motion, the alien creature lunged forward, its gelatinous body engulfing the fox's head before it could react. The fox let out a muffled yelp as the parasite's gooey substance forced into the animal's mouth and nostrils, sliding down its throat and filling every available space. The creature's gooey mass also sought entry through holes near the fox's hind legs, invading without hesitation.
The parasite's essence spread rapidly throughout the fox's body, invading every orifice and crevice until it had completely taken over the host. The fox's body convulsed violently as the alien consciousness asserted its dominance, its limbs twitching uncontrollably before finally succumbing to the invasion. For a brief moment, the parasite reveled in the sensation of having a physical form, its thoughts consumed by primal urges and memories of its new body.
It relived the exhilarating chases for survival, the comfort of curling up with its brood after a successful hunt, and the sweet, metallic taste of blood fresh from the kill. As it opened its eyes, they seemed to pierce through the darkness, taking in the world around it with a newfound clarity. The parasite marveled at the sensation of soft fur against its skin, the sharp scent of the desert air filling its nostrils, and the raw power coursing through its muscles. It was all so overwhelming and exhilarating.
As the initial rush of sensations subsided, the parasite regained control of its faculties, its rational mind rising above the tide of instincts. It tested its new limbs, adjusting to the unfamiliar sensation of standing on all fours. Perking up its head, the fox-parasite hybrid surveyed the options before it.
To its left, a group of similar-looking foxes, presumably its family, watched with wariness and concern. Their eyes locked onto the transformed creature, unsure of how to react to the change that had overtaken their kin. The alien doubted they even realized one of their own had been taken over. They pranced closer and smelled the alien's fur, with the largest licking behind his ears.
In the distance, the parasite sensed both danger and opportunity. It detected the presence of creatures that stood upright on two legs, bearing objects that could instantly end their existence. The alien's more advanced intellect quickly deduced that these were the "guns" - the weapons that its fox host had learned to fear. Those were the sapient creatures the alien was looking for.