Rubicon Road
DISCLAIMER (EDIT 1):
This is a story I wrote, it's got anthropomorphic people and other cool stuff. It's just a story I wanted to write, so I'm writing this. If you don't like it, tell me what could make it better, but don't think there's gonna be epic battles or hero saves the world type of thing *wink wink* Just a group of people in an apartment complex...yep. I'll get into detail more when I feel like it, and update it when I feel like it as well. Let me know what you like about it so I know what works. Enjoy. <3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOOK 1: It's a start.
CHAPTER 1: "All that glitters...."
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'Apartment complex! Cheap rates! Two story building with four rooms on each floor! Looking for new tenant to live in the lap of luxury! Friendly neighbors! House maid, and giant plasma TV! Full Kitchen and Rec Room! Come on over and check it out yourself! Address is…'
Steven looked it over. He looked it over again. This could be good news for him. When he first left home and started getting into college he was able to pay room and board to finish up his community junior college, but now he was 19, getting on to 20, and he barely had enough money to make ends meet.
Thankfully, he got a job at the local book store, but unless he could find cheaper rates than what his current land lord was asking, getting to that 4-year college for the degree in game design he wanted was going to take a lot longer than this raccoon was hoping for.
He swung his circled tail pensively, as he often did when pondering a major question. If it’s so great, why was this ad still here for a whole month? He saw it when he was graduating, but he didn’t think much of it. For a week or so, he believed the free space to have been sold to another tenant, but one day he saw the same ad, still there, still cheap, and still oh so tantalizingly convenient for his situation.
After pondering a few more minutes, he finally made up his mind, “To hell with caution, I’m checking this place out.”
Steven Schotgin, an average 19 year old Raccoon, had no idea what this decision would bring to his life one day…
He walked 9 blocks from his job after he was done with his break and shift, said goodbye to his friend The Owl, and pushed the doors open with a voice message on the speakers on top of the “gate way room” that said “Thanks for shopping at Turner’s. Our books will have you turn the pages ‘till you’re done!” There were a few signs that offered special “Loved One’s” sales, available in the upcoming two weeks around Valentine’s Day. Steven had no interest in such a holiday, having no one to call his own valentine, and to him, gifts you can buy was a poor way to say the three magic words.
Thoughts and memories out of mind, Steven pressed on, and came across the apartment complex. It was BIG, two stories high, and the ad boasted a jaw-dropping 60,000 square feet. The giant house/mansion/apartment building was taking up a good 4/5ths that amount, and he had to guess that the rest belonged to the back yard, which the ad either didn’t consider important enough, or didn’t want to draw too much attention to. Pools were expensive, and rare in one building apartment complexes. In fact, Steven wasn’t even sure if it was legal, but it was only a hunch that the building and backyard were that big, respectively.
The door was open, and it was about the time of day where people normally were welcome to drop by. The lawn was manicured perfectly, and boasted an unobtrusive water sprinkling system that Steven barely noticed. He walked down the path, eyes down, curiously wondering if this place was right for him.
Before he was half way to the door, a white mouse in a green hoodie hurriedly walked past him from within without so much as a hello, fear bright and evident in his eyes. Before Steven could speak or ask, the mouse stumbled and got up, whimpering in apparent terror.
…
Steven was very curious about this place now.
CHAPTER 2: "I'm sorry, is this carcass yours?"
Steven walked in, and was quite taken aback at the sight that greeted him. In front of him was a modern spiral staircase, with a black, twisting rail on one side as it went up to the second story. The only area that he could see on the ground floor that wasn't covered in rug was the kitchen, across the room from the living room.
Steven was looking at the enormous plasma TV, when a voice talked behind him.
"It's nice, isn't it?"
He turned around, and standing face to face was a Lizard-like Snake. Black scales covered most of the body with light gray scales for the underbelly, exposed under the tank top she was wearing. She was standing underneath one of the skylights in the ceiling, so the scales on top of her head gave off a reflective green light. There was also a thicker, more evident green pattern line, that was easy to see on top of her head. Steven knew these types of reptiles, and briefly thought that it must go from her head to her tail-tip. Steven looked and just had to ask:
"I hear you're looking for a new tenant?"
"Yeah, you interested? We got a free room on the top floor. You get your own bed, dresser, closet, and desk."
"That sounds great, but I was just going to wander around, if this is an open house."
"Yeah, just don't go poking in our rooms, though. Most people think they can just go snooping around without permission, no matterhow many times I say to stick to the main rooms. Tripple's in charge of rent payment, so you'll want to talk to him. He might be in the basement. I'm Sumi, by the way. But they just call me Sum." She extended her hand.
He took it, and shook it, stating: "I'm Steven. Steven Schotgin."
They chatted for a bit, and then Sum said that she was going to her room, and left Steven to explore the main part of the house, reminding him that Tripple is in charge, and to go meet up with him in the basement.
Steven wandered around, ears perked up in curiosity and and tail swishing with prospects of a good home.
When he was done looking around the backyard, his room, (which had generous master bedroom style spacing) the backyard, (pool suspicions confirmed, and the Jacuzzi was a double bonus) and sat on the couches and the living room.
"I could get used to this." He said, with a satisfied grin. But he tensed up when the suspicion and doubt came to the surface. No one would pass up a great home like this he thought. But indeed, this place was without a final tenant for a month, and that mouse guy didn't seem to like this place. Did Sum scare him off? Mouses are stereotypically pretty timid, but Sum seemed like a nice person. Maybe it was a case of sudden fright, and that mouse just decided to run off because he was scared. Maybe many people just weren't looking for an apartment complex...
The more he thought about it though, the weirder it seemed. All of this is perfect, no college student would resist this. Not at these rates. Steven finally decided on what had to be done. It was time to put these doubts to rest, and go downstairs to see the landlord called Trippledot.
He walked to the hallway, and saw the door Sum pointed out. It was plain, and white like the wallpaper for the rest of the house. The bronze, faded doorknob just loomed at him, and for one moment he felt a cold shiver and his intuition told him to book it and run. He shook his head, dissapointed in his own paranoia, muttered What am I, a kit? With that, he opened the door, and started to walk down those wooden stairs into a very dark basement.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he felt along the side for a switch. With a flick, a single light bulb dimly turned on. While the decor was lacking, Steven could see why the landlord was down here. It was a big space, possibly extending beneath the entire house, and this was where most of the house's systems were. Heating, cooling, and many other machines hooked up that Steven wasn't really interested in. Being a fan of books, however, is why he liked this place. Along one wall was a massive wall of books, and with it were several chairs and a big couch. Steven went forward and looked at some of the books, noticing a few of his favorites, including one that he had to wait a week longer than he wanted to because someone purchased it first. That was when he made an interesting connection.
He had met Sum before. She had purchased the book. Is this her library? Steven wondered. Maybe it was a library for all the tenants to use. Steven felt some pride. Obviously these people have visited the book store that he worked at. This was a good thing, maybe if he told this Tripple guy that he could get discounts for friends, they might cut off some of his rent, saving him even more money.
While he was pondering this, he heard a small sound which caused him to turn around. The moment he did, he saw a small tip of a scale tail going around the staircase. Steven slowly walked over, guessing that Sum was going to give him a tour of the library now.
"Sum, is that you?"
He walked over, and looked around the staircase. Noone there. He walked around the staircase completely, yet he couldn't see Sum. He walked into the center of the other side of the stairs. On his right was the wall of books, on his left were various pipes and a concrete wall. There was also a maze of files and boxes. He walked through, thinking maybe she was just getting something and was too busy to be bothered. He continued to explore, and wanted to see what was on the other side. The further he got through the hallway stocked with boxes, the more a smell became more noticeable.
It was an odd smell, but it was one that his core animal instincts refused to ignore. He pressed on, determined now to find the source. As he got closer, he recognized it as some kind of meat, but it was starting to rot. As he passed through all the boxes, he came across a disturbing sight. A domesticated* sheep appeared to be torn open with fang and claw. It's fur scattered everywhere, the creature just lay there in the middle of a room with it's intestines either missing, and the parts that weren't gone were maimed in the middle of a rather violent meal. Steven didn't know what could do this, except- No...here? They have one HERE? He tried to keep calm, since he knew he was in a very dangerous position. He looked around, and saw a few blankets formed into a misshapen nest big enough for two full grown bull people. He saw that it was empty, which must have meant that it was...somewhere around here...
Steven slowly backed away, and turned, hoping to get away from this as soon as possible. Above him however, was the problem he was trying to avoid. It was surrounded in shadow that wasn't lit, and it was sleeping. Until now. It opened it's eyes, and when Steven was moving through the maze of boxes, it let out a low growl of satisfaction as it crawled along the ceiling towards it's target. Before Steven was through the boxes, he heard a *THUD* in front of him. He walked cautiously forward, calling out with faint hope "S-Sum?"
He got a hiss in response. Steven backed up in fear, but what he didn't know was that in the basement, sounds were tricky and didn't always belong in the right direction. As he backed up, he didn't notice it dart along the ceiling and slide silently behind him.
*bump*
Steven froze. It was a good foot taller than him, and the scales were cold to the touch. He expected to be grabbed, but all that happened was a question by the 7 foot dragon behind him.
"Hey, are you the new Tenant?"
CHAPTER 3: The Discussion
Steven was at a total loss for words. Here was a fully grown dragon, one of the most dangerous and least humanoid scale-people in all of the planet, and it asked him a normal question. There was no "You tasty", or "RAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR" that was usually associated with a furry coming into contact with a dragon. They were rare, they were violent, and the most certainly wouldn't know what the word Tenant was. Steven was confused. It didn't look like it wanted to eat him, but if it was willing to kill and eat sheep, there was no telling just how dangerous this thing was. It had soft blue eyes, with a hint of gray. It wore no clothing, but didn't seem to need to. It's scales were a shade between teal and turquoise. He didn't know how to respond, so he just stayed quiet, wondering what this dragon would do next. It reached out for him, and Steven flinched a little, expecting him to grab and throw him, make the meal go by quicker. He closed his eyes, knowing running would be futile, and waited.
and waited, and for a few more seconds, nothing happened. He opened his eyes, and saw that the dragon extended it's claws in a hand shake gesture. "You know," the dragon said "It's polite to shake hands with someone you just met. Me being the Land Lord, I didn't know you weren't keen about making a good impression."
Steven looked, and and slowly took his hand and shook it. "Y-you're the land lord? But, you're a dragon. Are you going to eat me?"
Tripple nodded, and retorted "You're the tenant? But you're a raccoon. Are you going to steal from this place? Don't judge someone from their appearance, I'm nicer than you would think. Come, let's talk business."
With that, Tripple led Steve towards the couches, and Steven sat down, hands on lap in anticipation and eyes glued to Tripple in fascinated curiosity. How did he learn to speak? Why did he become a Land lord? What was he doing in America? Most dragons stayed out in the wild, and were common in places like South America, Asia, and less populated areas of Europe. But here was a dragon who seemed more sophisticated than Steven himself, and he knew that it was actions, not looks, that decided who you were. But still, Steven was curious, so he had to ask.
"Uh, I'm sorry, but I might have a few questions, if that's okay."
Tripple ignored him for a moment, walking up to a bookshelf in front of all the seats and couch, and pulled a book entitled "The Golden Compass". There was a click then the wood of the shelf slid forward, and to the side, covering an entire section of the library filled with dictionaries and books on how to handle taxes. Behind the secret section, was a small coffee machine on top of a kitchen counter, with a sink, and a mini fridge on the bottom left section of it. Tripple stopped the machine, which was brewing a cup of joe and opened the cabinet above to get second cup. "I might have a few answers." He finally replied. "I hope you don't care for the book I use. No one ever wanted to finish it, so instead of throwing it away, I had Sum hook it up to make this pretty cool door switch thing.
Steven just nodded, deciding to pop the question over drinks and an imminent contract signing that seemed to be leading up. Tripple continued casually, asking "You want some coffee? It's either that, water, or milk." Steven was partial to dairy products, so he replied "Milk, please." Tripple nodded, and got out a half gallon of milk, and poured Steven a glass. The machine was done, so Tripple got his coffee, and gave the milk to Steven, after putting the milk away. Steven took some sips, and Tripple tasted his coffee, muttered "Not warm enough", and held his finger against the bottom of the ceramic mug. Immediately, the coffee began to boil, but Tripple took a few satisfied sips as if it was only mildly warm. "mmmm, that's good coffee, if I do say so myself."
He slowly began to relax, and then Steven politely coughed to get his attention. "Hm? Oh, yes, you had questions. Well, before I get the paperwork, I need to ask you some things as well. Is that alright?"
Steve started shifting nervously, not sure what kind of things Tripple would want to ask. "Uh, sure."
Tripple nodded again, and said "OK, go ahead and a......huh...excuse me." He stood up, and turned around, apparently touching his face. Steven couldn't see what he was doing, so he asked "What's wrong?"
Tripple was muttering "Just a bit of food, sorry. Getting things stuck between my teeth drives me crazy." He finally pulled out a small chunk of what appeared to be chewed sheep's brain, and flicked it carelessly away from him.
"Sorry about that. Now, since you asked your first question, I'm going to ask mine."
"That counted?"
"Yes. Oh, two questions. Excellent. Now, abo-"
"Wait wait wait, you're going to count those? They don't count, I was just curious."
Tripple gave him an apathetic leer. "Want to go for three? Please don't interrupt when I'm talking." Steven sighed and said "Alright. Go ahead and ask." With that, Steven took another sip of his drink.
Tripple sipped his still bubbling coffee, saying "Excellent. Well first of all, are you able to afford the rates I'm asking?"
"Yeah, but why is it so cheap for a place like this?"
"Because few people besides us scalies would want to live with a Dragon in the basement."
Sum had walked down, holding a book that she put back into it's original place. She gave a quick nod to Steven, who replied with a hand wave, and whispered something in Tripple's ear. "Yes, yes, I'm getting to it." He gave a dismissive wave, obviously wishing he wasn't bothered with the news. Sum walked off, annoyed at the curt reply. She said "I'm going to be in the attic, calibrating Mr.Peace if you need me." With that, she walked up the stairs.
Tripple sighed, and continued to drink his coffee. When he was done, he set it on a cover on the coffee table between him and Steven. "Yes, it's like she said, many people have turned us down. But I have friend's in influential places, so when I took over this complex for my own business, they generously cut down the bills so I wouldn't have to charge the tenants so much. In return, I'm usually gone doing favors for them and their affiliates."
Steven decided that it was best he didn't pursue the topic of doing favors so he just nodded and said "Alright, I suppose that makes sense."
"Good. Another question, do you discriminate against anyone? I don't mind if you were startled by me, but there re some people here who aren't fond of unwanted attention."
"What do you mean?"
Tripple tried to put it politely, but all he could say was "Just tell me whether or not you mind living with people of different sexual orientations, religion, species, politics, and beliefs."
"I have a good tolerance policy. If they don't bother me, I don't bother them."
"That's good to hear. But if you have any secrets that might endanger us, you need to tell me right now."
"No, but why would you need to know that?"
"If it doesn't apply, don't worry about it." Tripple looked away towards the stairs, as Sum came down holding a file booklet.
"Here you go. Did you ask him?"
"Yes, yes, I already did. Honestly, you need to be more trusting towards..." he leaned forward, and muttered something that Steven read his lips as "his kind."
Steven's fur was ruffled a little, but he said nothing.
Sum set the paperwork down on the table, gave Steven an apologetic look, and walked back up the stairs.
Tripple cleared his throat, and said "Alright, that's enough questions, and here is the contract."
He pushed the paper towards Steven, and he looked it over. It was two pages long, and was typical of any land ownership. No inviting more than two people at a time without consent of land lord, no smoking inside (except the land lord.) No alcohol allowed (unless purchased by the land lord and have a written slip that allows consumption of said alcohol that was given by land lord and approved by said land lord) Nothing illegal within this state allowed on property (not even if purchased by land lord.)
The list went on, but since Steven didn't smoke, drink, or donate his organs to science, he had nothing to worry about. He read through it, skimmed it again in case he missed something, then signed it.
Tripple took the paper, said thanks, and he took the file upstairs, motioning Steven to follow him.
When they got back into the hallway, Steven saw a group of people lounging around the living room, and eating dinner in the kitchen.
Tripple looked at Steven and said "After I introduce you and show you to everyone, I want you to get your stuff and bring it back. You're with us now."
Steven nodded, happy that he was finally going to have an excellent and cheap place to stay. He knew that getting to that 4-year college would be easier than he had hoped. Tripple took him to the main room, where two humans were playing against each other on the Wii, while a Wolf holding hands with a Gecko watched on one couch, and a bunny tuning a guitar while also watching the two humans playing on the Wii. There was also a Cat who had, in his lap, a domesticated cat with it's eyes closed. In the kitchen across from the couches sat Sum, eating a bowl of Top Ramen with another Nekomimi and human. Across from them was a white fox by the stove, cooking what smelled to be macaroni and cheese. There was a Jakkai* that walked in through the front door with a fedora in his hand that was filled with dollars and coins. He also had a Ukelele strapped to his back, and he closed the door behind him, saying "I'm home, everyone! Hi, Tripple! Hi, random thief guy!"
Steven was taken aback, but he could tell that this small Jakkai didn't mean to be offensive.
Tripple winced, and said "Jack, Steven is not a thief, he's the new tenant. He's also your new roommate." At the announcement of a new tenant, the people who were at the kitchen eating paused mid bite, and looked at Steven. The people on the couch simply looked towards him, said hello, and went back to either playing the Wii, or doing what they were doing while watching them play the Wii. Steven looked around at the normal day to day life and thought: "I could get used to this."
Chapter 4: A few more faces.
As Steven was about to go get his things, Tripple said "I think it's time you met everyone. Don't worry, they won't bite." With that, he walked off. Steven was about to tell him to stop, but Tripple was already closing the door behind him as he went into the basement. As Steven turned around to face everyone, they were all looking at him quizzically, but instantly went about their business. He was about to ask Sum who everyone was, when the Jakkai put his ukulele down and set his fedora full of money on top of it and started to walk towards him. Steven was about to say hello when the Jakkai named Jack broke into a full run, leaped, and glomped himself to Steven's face. Steven fell back on his ass, completely taken by surprise. Jack started sniffing him, saying "You smell nice. What's your name, again?" Steven was at a complete loss of words and had no response except for "...uh, Steven." He got up, with Jack still hanging on, but now he was on his back, hands locked arm in arm around Steven's neck. "Can you get off, please?" Steven asked. "No can do, Steef. Ah'm gonna introduce you to everyone!" Steven thought that this was a better idea than nervously trying to meet everyone on his own, so he replied "Alright, where to first then, Jack?" Jack looked around, as if unsure of where to sail the S.S. Steven, but then he pointed towards the two humans playing the Wii and said "Maka Card land! Go!"
Steven hoisted Jack a little higher on his back since he was slipping, and Jack hooked his feet into Stevens arms. As he walked over, Card and Maka finished their match and looked at Steven and Jack, who pointed out who was who.
Jack said "The chick wif the red hair is Shelby, and the guy wif the black hair is Mark." The one called Shelby chimed in "But just call me Card, everyone does. If you call me Shelby, I'll skin you alive. <3" She said the last part with a smile, so Steven hoped that she was joking. Hearing Jack gulp with fear wasn't helping, though. "a-a-and here," He stuttered with fear at first, but then composed himself. "Is mark, but we call heem Maka. They both play loads of games and read mango's and stuff, so if that's your thing, you can join them when they are not playing." Card and Maka resumed playing after Card corrected Jack "Manga" and started another match. Jack then tugged Steve's collar and pointed towards the Wolf and Gecko, holding hands and leaning on each other while watching Card and Maka play. Jack said "The Wolf is Alfalfa, but we call him Alpha, and the Gecko man is Spiney. They are dating, which is why they are holding hands." Steven blinked, and said "That's...pretty straight forward there, Jack." The wolf called Alpha turned to him and said "He's a straight forward type of person. Nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy hanging out with us. You need anything like groceries, just ask. It's our turn for shopping this week."
Steven nodded his thanks, and then Jack turned him towards the bunny and the cat with the domesticated cat in his lap. Jack first pointed to the bunny. "That's Samantha, but I like to call her Xiili. She's really good with the guitar. She writes her own songs and stuff, and she's really nice." Xiili looked up, and smiled at Jack and Steven. "Jack, you flatterer, stop it. You're going to make me blush." Steven said hello, and asked "Why does he call you Xiili?" Xiili replied: "When Jack first came here, he had a slight lisp, and I would always hang out with him. He tried calling me silly after I made some jokes but he couldn't pronounce it quite right. So, it stuck and everyone likes it. So do I, in fact I prefer it that most people call me Xiili instead of Samantha." Steven nodded. "Will do, Xiili." Xiili smiled again and said "There ya go, chief!"
Jack then pointed to the Cat that was starting to droop off while petting the domesticated cat. "The big cat is Fuzzy, and the small one is Seeker." Fuzzy woke up, and grinned at the both of them. "Nice to meet you. Jack, don't you think you should get off the new guy?" Jack shook his head furiously. "Nope, I like it up here. Steef, do you want me off?" Steven decided to play along, so he did his part perfectly. "Not a chance, buddy." Jack smiled and nuzzled the back of Steven's head. Fuzzy chuckled and said "Well, welcome anyways, Steve. If you got any questions about how things work, we basically take turns doing clean up with Mom, whenever she comes over. Even though it's rare, but she does a really good job. Since Tripple can't really show his face around the city for obvious reasons, we hope you can keep the fact that we have a dragon in the basement a secret most discreet." Steven nodded once again. "Don't worry, not only would people not believe me, I would never do anything to harm Tripple." Jack looked at him and said "That's a serious thing to say, Steef. I think the only way you can proof it is if you make the ultimate promise, the one that requires your absolute dedication, an unbreakable vow."
With total seriousness, Jack stuck out his smallest finger and said "Pinkie promise?" Steven laughed, and instantly took a liking to his new roommate. "Pinkie promise, little man." Steven was about to turn away when he saw the domesticated cat open it's eyes. All four of them. Steven was startled, and then Fuzzy smiled again, saying "Yeah, we don't really know why that is, but he's a really clever cat. He's very nice when you get to know him." For his part, Seeker took one look at Steven, then went right back to sleep.
Jack tugged Steven's collar yet again and shouted "To the kitchen! The land of women and damn good bacon with sandwiches!" Steven walked towards Sum and the Nekomimi and human as the white fox finished cooking his Macaroni and cheese, and began to serve it onto his plate. As Steven walked towards the Nekomimi and the human, the Nekomimi immediately got up and walked towards him. On the step down from the dining room, she tripped, only saying "Hey, I'm Mooowoooaah!!" *CLUNK* She hit her head, and Sum along with the human were immediately at her side, lifting her up, their expressions giving away that situations like this were common. "Monk," Sum started, "How many times must I tell you? Watch your step!" Monk was rubbing her head, and said "Sorry, It's just that there's a new guy!" Sum sighed, and said "Hey, Steve. Hello, Jack. Steven, this is Monk-" "Hi." "and Digerius, but call him Digg." "Please do."
Sum continued, despite Jack's sad face at no longer being part of the tour guide. "If you've ever wondered what we do, I like to build things, Monk is a gamer like Card and Maka, and Digg also hangs out a lot on the internet. Oh, and that fox over there is Torack. He's an assistant martial artist instructor." At this, Torack walked by, saying "I know a lot of martial arts, but I'm not going to get into a long list about it." Steven asked "What's one of your favorite types?" Torack paused, and said "That's like asking Steve Irwin which animal is his favorite. The one I use the most would have to be Jujitsu, though. Although I'm pretty good at Wing Chun. You ever see the movie Ip Man?" Steven nodded, and Torack continued. "It's always been a dream of mine to reenact the fight scene between him and those karate black belts."
Torack continued to eat his food, and Sum let Digg take Monk to the table while she went to go get some ice. "Another person that you should meet would be Cliff, but he doesn't get home till later. Do you like cake, Steve?"
"What kind of cake, and why are you asking me such a celebration related question?"
"Because we are getting a chocolate cake for Cliff's birthday, of course! Alpha's going to go get it right now!"
"Say WHAT?"
"Oh, don't be such a sour puss."
Jack cleared his throat and said "Well, that's pretty much it, Steven. What do you think?" Steven looked around, and said "I think I'm going to like it here. I'm going to go get my stuff, it's at the last place I've been staying."
"Oh, Alpha can give you a ride on the way, as long as you don't mind getting the cake too."
Steven shrugged. "Sure, as long as he doesn't mind."
Alpha was about to protest, but a glare from Spiney caused him to sigh and say "Don't worry about it man, it's no problem."
Jack slid down and said "I'm gonna clean our room, but I hope you don't mind that I have top bunk, Steef!"
Steven waved as Jack ran up the stairs. "Nah, it's fine. I'll see you guys later."
Everyone collectively said goodbye as Alpha and Steven left to go get Steven's stuff and Cliff's birthday cake.
With that, Steven walked out and started heading back to his last apartment along with the cake.
Meanwhile....
Tripple was down in his basement room, getting ready to take a quick nap before the party. It was an interesting day, he supposed. But then he heard an announcement from his computer. One that he wasn't expecting until the end of next week. "You have mail."
He checked, and it was indeed addressed from one of their locations. Norix was using his "Superstud45" account, which was one of the few accounts CG knew for a fact wasn't under surveillance. With a trembling claw, Tripple opened the E-Mail, knowing that they wouldn't dare send an E-Mail without him setting up his firewall first. He read it. He read it again, and slowly stumbled backwards, thoroughly shaking with rage and nervousness. He swept a claw over his face, an attempt to calm himself down. Think, think, think... he thought, but slowly the gears inside his head began to turn, and he knew with a grim frown what he had to do. He left the room making necessary preparations. Calls, looking up information, anything that could make the upcoming assignme-...Could you call it an assignment? He's probably never done this before. Tripple shook his head. It's a meeting, not a mission. Steven should be fine. But still, using him? What other options were there though, and as long as he met up with Norix and Crenox first, it should be fine.
With that, he walked back up the stairs to discuss the situation at hand with sum and to get her to help convince Steven to travel even though he just got here, leaving the computer moniter with the message "She's claiming that she's willing to cut ties. Just in case worst might come to worst, send someone expendable."
Chapter 5: Let's light this candle. Part 1.
Steven and Alpha got into the car that was used by pretty much everyone in the apartment. It was a dark red Nissan Frontier Navara Single Cab Pick Up Truck. Steven took passenger side as Alpha started it up and got on the road.
As they were on the road, Steven relayed the address and they were there in a few minutes. "Wait here, I'm going to go get my stuff ready." Alpha replied "Ok, just set it in the back, I'm gonna wait with the ropes so it doesn't fly off, although it's highly unlikely." Once Steven got all of his clothes he packed up the remaining items in his previous room, including a few important items such as photo's, his Toshiba Qosmio X505 Laptop, and a steel key chain with an obsidian black claw as an emblem that looked very old, and refurbished countless times. As he got back, he helped Alpha tie his suitcase with his clothes down, and Steven took his personal things with him in the front seat. Alpha started up the car again, and when they were on the road, he asked "So, what do you think of the place?" Steven thought back and saw how nice everyone was, the fact that he met a dragon he could talk to, his hilarious roommate, and the cheap prices that are going to keep him going in life. "You know," Steven replied "I think I'm going to like it here. Doesn't seem to be anything bad about it, it's like a dream come true."
Back at the apartment, Tripple and Sum were in the middle of a heated debate.
"No! You can't do that! You don't know what she'll do!"
"He has a job, and I've let his boss know about what's he doing, and who he's going to talk to, he'll be fine."
Sum walked closer and slapped Tripple as hard as she could across the face.
"YOU IDIOT. She's so powerful, she could probably just buy him out! She's the head of Amega corp, for christ's sake!"
Tripple rubbed his face, tears starting to well up. "You think I don't know what she's capable of? What she's willing to do to anyone to get what she wants? I'm very much aware of that. Unless you've forgotten my story so easily."
Sum paused, her hands falling to her side, face downcast, filled with regret. "I know, it's just...why someone so new?"
Tripple walked forward, and raised her chin up. "Two reasons, Sumi. One, he's going to meet Norix and Crenox, so they will watch the situation once they know when he's meeting with her, and Two: They recently managed to get another tube of Animox."
Sum paled. "You don't mean, you plan on using it on him, do you?"
Tripple shrugged "If worst does indeed come to worst, then he needs to fight for his life. It won't activate unless he does, and I've given Norix specific instructions to let him know everything he needs to know about it. He needs to trust us, so we can trust him."
Sum replied with "Yes, but still...it's very dangerous."
"It's also incredibly useful. It's gotten Tye, CG, Norix, and Crenox out of many bad situations. It's also done strange things to Odie, he can survive pretty much anything these days."
Sum couldn't think of anything to say, but when she did, Tripple just said "It's my team, and I've got this planned out perfectly. Steven will meet up with the rest of them, find out what she wants, he is going to leave, and we can get some more information."
Before Sum could respond, there was a distant ring ring while the door opened and closed with the faint voices of Alpha and Steven carried into the basement.
"Hey guys, we're back."
"We also got the cake. Spiney, can you please go see who's calling?"
Tripple and Sum walked up into the main room, and saw Spiney talking on the phone.
"Hi, this is Spiney, who's this?...yes, I know Clifford...may I ask wh- WHAT? WHEN? Do you know where he is? What do you mean, "untraceable?" HOW THE HELL CAN YOU-...okay...wait, here she is."
Spiney looked towards Tripple and said "Tripple, they want to talk to the land lord."
Tripple nodded to Sumi, and she took the phone. Steven gave a quizzical look at Jack, who was now with them all again, but Jack just replied "Sshhh, Steef. I'll explain later."
Everyone watched Sum with nervous anticipation as she took the phone and said "Hello? Yes officer, this is Sumi Dudiok. May I ask what the problem is? He's what? Can you find him??!? A few hours?!? But...you...I see...no, I understand. Goodbye, officer." She hung up, hands shaking. She turned around, and faced everyone, who was looking at her in total silence, except Spiney who was sitting on the couch with his face in his hands.
Sum looked around, and said " Clifford has been abducted."
END OF PART 1.
PART 2: Let's light this candle.
Everyone listened with fear of what could have happened while Sumi explained everything.
"The police are saying that Clifford was in a cult. They don't know what this cult does, but this is what they found." She looked at the clock above the cabinets in the kitchen and saw that it was almost 10:30 PM. She walked over to the couch and turned on the TV, setting it to the most popular TV news show, "Furry facts".
A Cat was sitting at the desk, with a screen showing a face of a Salamander that Steven suspected was Clifford.
The cat started with "Thank you, Jonathan. Today a young Salamander named Clifford Fugin, age of 20. was reported missing by the police, allegedly abducted by a group of people who refer to themselves as a cult known as "The Called." The police are still investigating the exact location of the cult, but they were contacted by the group, explaining his dissapearance. Here is the recording of the phone call made by the group to the police."
The camera went to a dark blue background, and words starting appearing according to the recording of the phone call.
"911, what's your emergency?"
"Hi, we have someone named Clifford Fugin."
"Alright, and what is the problem?"
"Nothing, we just wanted to inform you that he lives at 1337 Rubicon Road. He will not be returning, because he has been chosen to give himself up for the cause."
"..."
"Hello?"
There was a clicking sound, and then:
"Can you repeat yourself, sir?"
"There's not much time, I know you're tracking me. Do not attempt to come find him. He is beyond your assistance, and he does not wish to be saved. We are The Called, and our destiny shall be fulfilled tonight."
*Click*
The camera went back to the news anchor cat, who continued with "If anyone has any information on this salamander's whereabouts, please contact our hotline at 1-353-3963. Again, tha-"
Tripple turned it off, and turned around. He asked just one question: "Who's coming with me?"
At first, Steven thought it would be crazy since they didn't know where they were, and that a dragon couldn't just walk around town without being seen. Also, aside from Tripple, noone seemed to be good enough to fight a group of people, and they could be arrested under vigilante charges. But then he saw Torack and Jack raise their hands. Torack was obviously trained in martial arts, though Steven didn't know how well. But Jack? What was Jack able to do?Everyone else seemed aware that they were not good at combat, but everyone seemed eager to go. So it was with an air of great reluctance that many of them kept their arms at their sides.
Before he could ask any questions, Tripple looked at him. "You're probably wondering why we would do this, but just remember. Don't underestimate people who can save a friend. I know you're new to this, but I don't know what use you can be in. So I'm going to ask: Are you willing to come with us?"
Steven felt the obsidian claw at the end of the keychain he kept in his pocket and said what his father would say: "They won't ever see us coming."
Tripple looked at Sum, and asked "What about you, Sum? You in for this one?"
Sum shook her head, saying "You know Clifford means a lot to me. To all of us, but I have to stay in case police come over and ask for me."
Tripple nodded, and said: "Seeker, come on."
The domestic cat Seeker immediately obeyed, and walked over in front of Tripple. He went down on one knee and said "We need to find Clifford, take us to him."
Seeker nodded, and walked to the front door, jumping through the cat flap. Jack walked back up the stairs, coming back with a backpack filled with things that he wouldn't talk about when Steve asked him. Torack just got some boxing tape and kept it in a roll inside his pocket.
They all walked out, and Steven finally had to ask "Tripple, how are we going to hide you?"
Tripple just looked at him and said "What, away from people so they don't get scared? Like this." He raised his hand towards the stars and muttered something in an entirely different dialect than Steven had ever heard. At once, Steven was starting to notice that Tripple looked different. At first Steven rubbed his eyes, but as he looked closer, he knew that he was changing.
Tripple scales started to dull, and they extended outwards a bit more and seemed to multiply. Immediately, they looked like blue feathers, but they started to turn brown, as if they were decaying. His wings did the same thing, and his claws on his hands and feet started to resemble talons. His horns and his head started to turn white, and his eyes went dark brown. His horns sunk into his head, and his mouth area started to curve and turn a dark yellow, until it looked like a beak. When the process was over, he looked like a bald eagle.
Before Steve could say anything, Tripple said "It's a dragon perk. Something about the Gift of the Cosmos. I've not tried all the tricks, but I won't sit here and play twenty questions about it. We have some searching to do."
They all set off, following Seeker who seemed to know the exact path. Tripple strode ahead, Torack right behind him, and Jack walking side by side with Steven. (He didn't get a piggy back ride because when they tried his back pack was quite heavy.)
While they walked, Steven decided to ask Jack a few questions.
"Hey, Jack."
"Yeah, Steefen?"
"How can a cat know where Cliff is?"
"We don't really know, but Tripple says that Seeker is very smart and can know anyone by smell. He once found my toy I left at the park by sniffing me."
"Ah, but what's the plan, honestly? We don't really know what could happen."
Jack was about to reply when Torack turned around and continued walking backwards with "Tripple is a dragon with cool powers that are stronger at night, I'm the best fighter in the country, so says 6 of my national awards in the championships that I have attended, and I suppose you're here for....?"
Steven wasn't going to fall for this intimidation technique so he replied "To save the big bad martial artist from danger, of course."
Torack turned with only a smile at the joke. "I see. Good to have you anyways, Steve."
"Likewise, Torack."
They continued walking for about twenty minutes making only small talk until they hit the east side, which was the area of collective construction buildings and sites. Seeker paused, and sniffed the door of an old and abandoned warehouse. He pawed at the door, signaling that this was the place.
Tripple was about to open the door, but then he turned around and looked at Steven. "You can wait outside if you don't want to fight. It might be a good idea too, since if something bad happens, you can go and get help."
But Steven just shook his head. "No, I want to come along too. I can't just leave someone to these crazy people."
Tripple smiled, and walked in. Torack and Jack followed, and then Steven walked in. He heard a meow behind him, and saw that Seeker was sitting outside, obviously refusing to go in. Steven waved his thanks and goodbye while closing the door behind him.
Seeker was starting to get uncomfortable without anyone, so he changed his mind. He pawed at the door, hoping to be let in, but they were already walking down the hallway, discussing what to do. Seeker tried to look around, but the warehouse was too big and this seemed to be the only entrance. He then noticed major pieces of machinery and construction laying by the side, and near the top was the only open window. Seeker began to walk towards his own entrance.
***********
Tripple, Torack, Jack, and Steven walked down a dark hallway. There were a few pipes following along, rusted out from lack of use and age. There was the occasional puddle from some leaks in the ceiling, and the air had a stuffy aura to it, as if something terrible was further inside. As they got closer to a big pair of metal doors, they heard some sort of incantation made by one man, and every second man was sounded off by some sort of chorus of a group of people.
"To wash away the wickedness of the world..."
"We must cleanse it with blood."
"Our mission is looked down upon for many reasons..."
"The world is plagued with lack of insight."
"Today we sacrifice a brother..."
"Who has insight."
"Today we cleanse the world..."
"Using the Wrath of the Cosmos."
At this line, Tripple bolted forward and ran through the doors, knocking them off their hinges. His disguise dissipated, so he looked once again like a dragon.
Steven, Torack, and Jack ran in, looking around. It was a large empty warehouse room, with three building tall windows on each side, and a massive symbol of some design written in white chalk in the floor. There were 11 people wearing monk robes in a circle, with one man with his hood down standing over an Orange Salamander who appeared to be unconscious. Torack stepped forth and cried "Clifford! What have you freaks done with him?!"
The ten people surrounding Clifford and the robed man seemed nervous to be confronted with a dragon and three other people, but the person who seemed to be in charge simply said "We are sacrificing him for the Cosmos, you ignorant child. Brother Clifford here shall help us achieve the greatest power in this book that shall help us reach immortality." With that, he raised a book that had a red symbol on it that looked the same as the one on the floor.
Tripple sighed and said "I don't know where you got that book, but it's best if you hand it and my friend over right now."
The man stepped forward and removed his hood. Steven saw that he had sunken eyes and matted hair. He smiled, revealing a row of badly taken care of teeth, and grinned in a fashion that made him look crazier than he already appeared.
"and why," he said very bravely, "Should I do that?"
Tripple stared at him coolly and replied "because the only sacrifice will be every single person here besides Clifford when I taint the floor with your dirty blood, along with that trashy image of vulgarity."
The man closed his eyes, and seemed to be frustrated with Tripple. "I see that you have no insight with what this can do to you."
Tripple extended his claws, stating "I see that you have no insight on what we can do to your face. Hand over the book and my friend, and I might consider not ending your life."
Torack stepped forward, and said "No. Don't kill them."
Steven looked at Torack, wondering where this mercy was coming from. Torack hit his right palm with his left hand, saying "I want them to suffer first."
Tripple looked between Torack and the group, as though considering this, but then-
"Heeheheheheh." the leader chuckled. "I'll cut a deal with you, Fox. If you can beat these ten men, You can have both you're friend and the book." He looked towards the ten men, and said "Men! It's now a martial arts fight! Go!"
The ten men now looked more brave, noting that it was only one fox that they had to contend with. They removed their robes, revealing normal clothes underneath. The formed a half circle towards Torack. He stepped forth, obviously unfazed by having to deal with ten people at once. He looked angry, and he asked one "You, what does it mean to know martial arts?"
The person he was referring to replied with "Pfft, it means to kick anyones ass that steps in your way."
Torack looked down, his fists now shaking with rage. "You take my friend, and spit on what it means to be a martial artist. You will suffer for your ignorance."
The man replied with "Be quiet, chi-"
"SHUT UP TRASH." Torack yelled. He stepped forth, and Jack, Steve, and Tripple stood back and watched. What happened next was so amazing, it was difficult to put down into words, so all Steven could think of was that it so closely resembled this scene from 0:52 to 2:30 that Steven thought that destiny itself had orchestrated the entire conflict.
As Torack set down the last person, he whispered in his ear "Martial arts is defense, not assault."
Steven was taken aback, Tripple seemed unsurprised, and Jack looked down at the Uzi gun he brought in his backpack, saddened that it would not be used tonight.
The Leader who was standing by suddenly pulled out a knife and ran for Clifford. Steven and Torack both bolted forward, but it was Tripple that got to him first. The leader turned around, and Tripple nearly got cut with the knife. He didn't have much to worry about though, since the knife was not a very good one, and could do nothing against his scales. The leader struggled out of his grasp, and fell at the edge of the symbol. Torack, Jack, and Steven caught up to Tripple and he said "Torack, Jack, Steven, get Clifford and that book." Torack and Jack got the body, and Steven grabbed the book. They were away from the emblem when Jack was starting to walk back so Steven could help get Cliff away from there while Jack held the book, but then it flew open when Steven touched it and Steven was stuck to that spot.
All of time stood still as Steven looked at the ancient writings inside. He looked around, and saw that everything except him, Tripple, and the man were frozen in time. Steven looked around. Jack was almost at the emblem completely unaware of the situation, but he wasn't touching the symbol on the floor. Jack was dragging Cliff towards the door, and Tripple was just standing there as the man tried to ward him off with the knife. As soon as both of them noticed the change, the man looked at Steve. "Wh-what have you done? You've ruined everything! I hope the Wrath of the Cosmos sorts you out in life afterwards, you fool! No matter, this just means I need to do one thing."
Tripple started to walk towards him. "What's that?"
Without reply, the man lifted the knife and stabbed himself in the chest."
As he fell, time went back to normal and Tripple was starting to walk towards Steven and the book when something happened. There was a great force that originated from the man's body that sent Tripple flying and Steven fell back and was sliding across the floor from the force alone. Soon it stopped and the man sat upright. His body started to crack and shift around, while he seemed to be secreting black tar and blood from his skin.
He pulled the knife out of his chest and beckoned towards Steven. Immediately the book started to slide towards him, Steven still holding on.
Tripple roared "DON'T LET GO OF THAT BOOK, STEVEN! WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HE CAN DO WITH IT!!"
Steven was starting to freak out, but he obeyed and kept holding on. Tripple caught up and picked up Steven while flying. He did a back flip in mid-air and immediately flew towards the opening where the double doors previously were. Jack, Torack, and Clifford were nowhere to be seen. "They must be outside!" Tripple yelled as he tried his best to get away from the unnatural man with the ability to bring things towards him. He kept flying until he was at the entrance.
He stopped and put Steven down while he opened the door.
Steven risked a look back and instantly regretted it. The man was standing in the middle of the hallway, his mouth and nose were now covered with a film of excess skin that was riddled in dark veins. The black tar seemed to cover his arms and legs, but instead of slowing him down, he was running at a very fast pace. His eyes were gone, replaced by blackened sockets with blood oozing out. His chest was torn open, with his rib cage revealed and protruding in the fashion of a venus flytrap. In the middle, his stomach was one big hole that breathed heavily. The organs were deadened and those that weren't there seemed to be missing.
Tripple opened the door and Steven ran outside with him. Steven ran straight into Tripple as he stood completely still. Steven got up and yelled "Why are you stopping?!? We gotta go!"
Tripple turned around and said "Look, Steve. Look all around you. Where are we going to go?"
As Steven looked around, he was standing on top of the concrete parking lot, and in the sky there were stars. Far more stars than he thought there should be. The moon was gone, and as he kept running, he almost reached the street when he saw that there was no street. The parking lot ended in nothing and Steven saw stars even below him as he looked down for as far as the eye can see. He turned around, and saw the beast that he decided to refer to as Rathos.
Rathos was looking at Tripple, and Tripple stood there, his hands clasped together as he started to mutter an incantation of his own. Steven decided to stay out of the way, so he went near a wall and stayed where he was, terrified about what would happen if Tripple lost, but even more horrified when he realized that he was holding the book that Rathos wanted.
*****************************
Tripple was nervous, but he knew that since they were apparently in space and so close to the Cosmos, he probably stood a chance. He rushed Rathos and pinned him to the ground. As Tripple started attacking, Rathos immediately kicked him off. As Tripple was in mid-air, he extended his wings and started doing dive bomb attacks. On one, Rathos caught him, and threw him very hard at the wall before he could avoid it. Tripple fell, and slowly got up. He took to the sky (higher space?) and clasped his hands together. "Never tried it, but here goes nothing" he muttered as he said an incantation. Immediately, his eyes started to glow and the aura around him seemed powerful.
He fell to the ground, and as Rathos was about to attack him, he was knocked back by some sort of force field that was set around Tripple. Every time he struck, archaic rune symbols appeared wherever he hit. As he stumbled back, something intelligible echoed from his stomach. "Wgh...er....youuuuu...?"
A blinding light enveloped Trikius, and when it was gone, he stood up. He was almost two feet taller, his horns were much more pronounced, and he looked much more stronger. He extended his claws, which were now serrated, and he talked in a voice that sounded spoken by many people at once.
"We are the followers of the Kindness of the Cosmos.
We are the friends of the forgiving fire,
We are the sons of the sun,
the peace keepers of times long forgotten.
We are the Arazik, or in this language: Ash Kin. The clan of Peace, Tranquility, and Stability...and you" the voices continued as Tripple pointed a claw at Rathos, "are not welcome in this realm.
A light flew from Tripple's claw tips, and it engulfed Rathos in a blue flame. Just like that, he slowly disintegrated, and the book in Steven's hands slowly burned in the same flame. It was cool to the touch, but Steven thought it must have been very hot at the rate it destroyed that book.
***********************************
Steven's vision began to blur, and as he rubbed his eyes and opened them, he saw Tripple standing there, the bright light leaving his eyes. He heard footsteps, and beside him running towards the street that was now there ran Jack. He paused, looked at Steven, and asked "Where did you go, and where did you come from just now, Steef?" Steven was still dazed, so he just rubbed his head as he heard Torack yell "Hey, Jack, come help me! I've found Tripple!"
Jack ran towards Tripple as Steven got up and started walking towards all three of them, Torack having Clifford on his back. Tripple was about to walk forward for a moment but then he collapsed. Steven ran over, now accompanied by Seeker who seemed to have come from the building and bent by Tripple. "Trikius! Come on, not now, I hear sirens! Trikius! Trikius!Get up, come on!" The voices faded as Tripple slipped into exhausted unconsciousness.
END OF PART 2.
Chapter 6: According to plan.
Steven was worried. The police sirens were only getting louder, and him, Turkas, and Jack had to move a grown salamander and a dragon out of sight before they were surrounded.
Not the easiest of tasks.
As he, Turkas, and Jack tried their best to first move Tripple, they saw Alpha's truck pull into the parking lot right next to them. Samantha and Fuzzi got out of the back and helped haul Trikius into the back. Steven didn't ask any questions as the sirens were very close now and he helped load Clifford into the back with Trikius. Samantha took the front seat with Alpha, as Fuzzi got behind them in the back with Jack and Turkas. Steven quickly got into the back with both unconscious people.
Once he got in, Samantha tossed back a tied down tarp pack and they were off. Once he had it undone, Steven was about to expand the tarp as the police drove around the corner and started to drive and give chase. They shined a light on Steven, and he did his best to cover up with the tarp. He stuffed the corners into the truck and on top of the back of the head of the car, but he knew they probably saw him. He heard voices.
"Stop! Pull over and step out of the vehicle! If you do not stop, we will be forced to take extreme measures to apprehend you!"
Steven heard Alpha growl: "Apprehend this." With that, Steven heard a click and suddenly they were going very fast down the nearly empty street. He turned a corner, and Steven saw that Trikius woke up.
"What's happening? Where am I?"
"Long story short: You fought some weird Dead Space freak, you turned all Enlightened and went unconscious, we saved Clifford, but the police are after us while we are in the back of Alpha's truck."
Trikius looked at Steven in total confusion, but then he heard sirens. He looked tired, but he still held out his hand and runic emblems started to appear out of his palm. Immediately, the tarp started to shine and Steven could see through it. It was as if he had obtained some sort of visual powers. Not only that, but the truck turned silver.
Trikius was starting to fall asleep, but he muttered "Steven, hold my hand upright and chant: "Ilek tiju bihut".
Steven did so, and Trikius lost consciousness again. As he kept chanting the words, the power of sight and the color of the car remained the same. The odd thing was, that once Steven started chanting it, the chain with the black claw around his neck started to glow.
Immediately, the police caught up with them, but then they seemed to leave as Alpha made a turn away from them, obviously looking for a truck with a different color and people with tarp in the back. Steven was about to laugh and joke about how stupid they were for not pulling them over to ask questions, but he decided not to push his luck anymore.
Alpha noticed the new paint job, and said "Fantastic job, Trikius."
*********************************************************************
They were finally home, and everyone besides Jack and Turkas helped carry Trikius inside while Alpha parked the truck in the back, saying how he was going to put it in the garage for now.
Jack and Turkas followed behind, carrying Clifford between them. They set Clifford on the couch while Monk and Samantha started to tend to him. Everyone else seemed to be in their rooms sleeping. Steven followed as Fuzzi and Turkas took Trikius down, where he heard Sumi agreeing with someone down stairs. Steven looked back, saw Alpha coming the front, and nodded a quick thank you as Alpha nodded in return.
"Open the door, I need my supplies."
"Yes, mum."
"I don't know why you insisted on waking me up, just set him on fire, he'll be fine."
"Yes, but we also have Clifford ups-"
"Samantha knows how to use a trauma kit, and while Monkita maybe a ditz, she's a good learner. I've taught her much about how to treat someone with such conditions. From what you've told me, he was drugged."
"Yes, but you always said-"
"To consult me before using my medical supplies, yes yes, I'm aware of that. Honestly Sumi, don't you know what you're doing?"
*sniff...sniffle*
"...He's going to be fine, dear. I promise."
Steven walked down as he saw Sumi being hugged near the bottom of more stairs with a human female, seemingly in her late 30's. She looked up at Steven as he went down the stairs with Fuzzi and Turkas and said: "You must be Mr. Schotgin. I'm Marion, but everyone calls me Mum."
She was a Brunette with a grey Witches Lock on the left side, steven guessed her age was between 36 and 42. She had long hair, but it was tied back into a pony tail with a black leather thong. She had a suntanned complexion with a sparse scattering of freckles on her face. There was an old scar barely visible under her left eyebrow, and it went up until it stopped just beneath her hair line. She had such deep brown eyes, Steven felt that he could drown in them, and she wore a pair of Lennon style glasses with silver frames. She stood at about 5'11.
"Hello, um...Mum. I heard something about setting Trikius on fire...?"
Mum chuckled a little and said "Oh, you heard that, did you? Aye, that's the plan here. I'm going to go get the flame thrower now."
Steven watched her as she walked off into the darkness. He looked around and saw a lobotomy style table that had severe burn marks on it's surface being wheeled into the only light in the room. Steven looked around. He couldn't see much but he could tell that this room was big. Very big. The space could probably fit the entire apartment complex.
Jack came out of nowhere and brought in a table with two giant canisters and a nozzle device. Once Mum put it on, Steven saw that it was a flame thrower device. Everyone stepped back as Mum clicked the nozzle and set Trikius on fire. As he was covered in flames, Steven asked Turkas "I know he's a dragon, but will that really work?"
Turkas shrugged and said "None of us know if this will help, but Trikius always said that if he's seriously wounded, they setting him on fire is the quickest way towards recovery."
Mum twisted the nozzle until the fire stopped, and Steven noticed that the fire turned a color to match Trikius's scales as they slowly died. Trikius soon started breathing more, and seemed to be sleeping peacefully than painfully exhausted.
Mum turned to everyone and said "Ok, now off to bed, the lot of ya. Only me and Sumi need to stay here."
Noone protested, since everyone was so tired. Steven and Jack went upstairs to sleep, Fuzzi was going to have a snack, and Turkas decided to watch some TV.
*****************************************************
"Alright Steef, welcome to your new room!"
Steven was surprised that Jack was so relaxed despite all that had happened, but he supposed that trying to keep Jack down was like trying to fall up. He set his side down next to his bed on the bunk while Jack climbed up the ladder and pointed everything out from his bed, while tuning his ukelele with his Fedora perched upon his bed post.
"Tomorrow if you like Steef, we can get you your own blanket! I know I didn't like mine when I got here."
Steven looked at his. It were a light green, and he had to agree that he would have preferred a pattern on his blanket.
Jack had a drawer where he said his clothes were inside. He pointed to a mirror closet that opened with a laundry basket and shelf space that he said could be all for Steven. Jack also had his own desk with a laptop for his own size with a mouse plugged in to replace the touch pad. He also had a Turtle Beach headset beside it along with a open notebook with random words and doodles on the desk. He claimed to write songs for his busking in his notebook, or on his laptop. Steven noted that Jack also owns a Nintendo DS, and has some obscure games for it. There were also a couple of guitar picks, and some spare ukulele strings in open drawer on his desk, amongst some stationery.
On the other side of the room, there was a shelf with some ukulele books, philosophy/chemistry books, and a dictionary. Steven looked around as he started to lay down, and Jack clapped his hands twice until the lights went out. Steven turned over and saw a glow-in-the-dark clock that read 1:12 AM. He muttered good night to Jack, who yawned and replied "Night, Steef." Then they both went to sleep, both secretly hoping that tomorrow things would be much easier.
Tripple slowly sat upright, his head still aching from the use of such power. All he could remember was that he used a spell that he knew from instinct and it was a lot more powerful and demanding than he had thought. Sumi came forth and handed him a bottle of water with some medicine. He took both, pondering what to do next. That abomination of a book and man were both destroyed, so why did he feel that it was only the beginning of his troubles?
As soon as he realized he still had to send someone (preferably Steven) to deal with the issue Norix contacted him about, Turkas ran right in and stood beside Tripple.
"Trikius, I...I have some bad news."
Tripple stood up. They don't use his real name unless it's urgent. "What is it?"
Turkas was still breathing heavily from the sudden running, but then he said "The police...they have Steven labeled as an accomplice to some sort of explosion that took place at the warehouse we were at. When you guys disappeared, a force knocked me and Jack back, it sounded like an explosion to us, so someone must have reported it to the police. They're saying that everything inside the warehouse is scorched, and Steven's one of the one's to blame. They're looking for him for charges under arson and police evasion."
Trikius wanted to smile due to the circumstances, but he just looked down and said "Thank you, Turkas. I'll take care of it."
Torack nodded and walked back up stairs. Mum told Tripple to take it easy, and she took her leave as well until it was just Sumi and Trikius. Sumi looked at him and asked "So that's it? You're going to think that it's guilt free to send him to her because it's either that or prison?"
"....I never said that."
"Then what is your plan, Trikius?"
"...He meets up with Norix at the airport-"
Sumi looked up as if in prayer and walked away, as if this was the stupidest idea she had ever heard before he had even finished explaining it.
"That's the stupidest Idea I have ever heard, and you haven't even finished explaining it."
Trikius took another swig of the water bottle before continuing.
"Norix will fill him in so he knows what's going on. He might agree since it's either that or jail time. Possibly prison."
"So what, you're going to blackmail him?"
"Not blackmail, I'm giving him a choice. He needs to lie low for a bit, and all he has to do is talk. He scratches my hide, I save his."
"Blackmail."
"Bargaining."
"Extortion."
"Call it what you will. I've been hiding low for too damn long. We need to make a move soon, and as soon as she believes that we think we're safe, she might let her guard down, and it will be easier to move forward with Operation: Mind Flight."
"That's what you're calling your suicide mission? Why is this so important to you? You honestly think you can save all of them?"
"I know I can. I have to. I just need a little more time. Nobody should be put through the stages that I was. This isn't about personal redemption, Sumi. This is about ending one of the greatest threats the world has ever seen. If she succeeds with her plan, then the world as we know it will be gone. I don't think I can save all of them, but we have to do something about it."
Sumi sighed and said "Alright, fine. Just promise me you'll have Norix and the rest keep tabs on him. Against her...there's no knowing what she'll do to find out about you."
Trikius laid back and said "Don't worry. If things go according to plan, then the whole thing will go more smoothly than we had hoped."
Despite the severity of the situation, Trikius couldn't help but smile at all the good that he had a chance to do. He knew that this decision was the safest yet quickest way. Nothing could, or would be allowed to go wrong.
*END OF CHAPTER 6*
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Chapter 6.1: Intermission
Darkness. The room was cold, and he felt a sense of foreboding. As he sat down, he heard the door behind him lock with a click and a giant monitor turn on at the other side of the table. The monitor took up a good 4/5ths of the wall, and in the illumination, he saw his temporary employer. Mrs N. From the outline, he could tell that she had a beak, and that she had a small stocky body with feathers, unless it was fur. The mouse in the green hoodie decided on feathers, since he heard her clucking in mid-thought.
"Mr. DeWilds."
"Yes, Mrs. N?"
"You're here because your wife couldn't keep her mouth shut. If you want to ever see her again, you are going to tell me exactly what you found in that basement. Understood?"
Mr. DeWilds gulped visibly, but he had to be brave. For Grace.
"Yes, Mrs. N."
He saw a flicker of fire, and saw that she was lighting a cigarette. She inhaled it, and then blew it out slowly.
"Good. Now, tell me exactly what the creature looked like."
Mr. DeWilds started to describe Trikius, as well as he could since Tripple was hidden in half-shadow on the ceiling and the mouse was scared.
"When he awoke, I thought he was going to eat me. But then he introduced himself as Tripple, and asked me if I was there as a tenant. I said that I wasn't interested, since it wasn't what I was looking for, and he looked angry. That's when I ran." One must have sensed he wasn't there for fun. Mrs. N thought to herself. Either way, I know it's him. Time to cut the ties with this one.
"Alright, I hope your telling me the truth because I don't take lies very well. Your wife is waiting in the garage, with my associate Tinguru. He's in the middle of a meal, so remember: Don't interrupt him when he's eating."
Mr. DeWilds paled visibly, but he didn't say anything. He knew about Tinguru, and what he did to traitors. He started to walk outside the room, but he almost fell in horror at what might happen. Nonetheless, he did his best to believe that Mrs. N would honestly let both of them go.
He walked down the hallway towards the elevator, and could have sworn he had heard both of the falcon guards chuckling as he slid the key card he was given to access the garage, which was actually a massive floor that he had never been on. His wife told him about the inhumane things that went on in there, including what Tinguru did to people who didn't do what they were supposed to. Evan DeWilds was worried. It wasn't likely that Mrs. N would let him just walk away like that, but he couldn't leave Grace behind either.
The elevator slid to a halt, and opened. A cold draft hit him as he walked into the dimly lit hallway. He walked down, each footstep echoing into the empty space. He heard a voice from one room.
"Enter."
He walked inside the large room, and saw a shadow in the chair.
"G-Grace?"
What stood up and walked towards him was not Grace. He was a Tiger, and was holding his hands behind his back. Evan turned and ran, but the gates locked themselves. What terrified him was not that he met Tinguru, but was that he was covered in blood, and tied to the sash around his waist was the pocket watch Grace had inherited from her father. He also saw and almost reeled with horror at the sight of Grace, the bottom half of her body ripped from her and her eyes torn out.
"Nice to meet you, Evan. Grace was...an absolute treat to meet."
With that, he smacked his lips and slowly walked towards Evan as he rattled the bars and screamed.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOARRRRRRRRRRGGCCKKHHAA-"
*END OF CHAPTER 6.1: Intermission*
--------------------------------------------------
Chapter 7: Wake up to your life Scritch. Scritch scritch. Someone was scratching Steven's ear, but he just pulled the covers over his head and went back to sleep.
"Steef, wakey wakey."
"Mrmrmrmmmmmrrrmm...what time is it?"
Wrong question.
"ADVENTURE TIME!"
Steven immediately sat upright, and hit his head on the bottom of the top bunk's metal bars that upheld the matress. He rubbed his head, and someone cleared their throat for attention. He looked, and saw Sumi standing in the doorway with a serious expression on her face. "We need to talk. Come downstairs when you are ready."
Steven gave a confused look at Jack, who just put on his fedora and shrugged with confusion.
***********************************************************
Steven and Jack walked down into the main room, where everyone was either playing Mario Kart on the Wii, or eating breakfast. Monk and Fuzzi were both watching over Clifford, who seemed to be awake but very tired.
Trikius was at the table eating breakfast with Sumi, when he beckoned to Steven to sit down. He did so, across from Sumi, who was on an iPad*, and then handed it to Trikius, who showed it to Steven. It was on a news website, and on the headlines were: "POLICE INVESTIGATE MYSTERIOUS DISTURBANCE IN ABANDONED WAREHOUSE: Raccoon knows more than authorities?" Steven felt a chill go down his spine, but he continued reading the article.
"Police investigated a report of an explosion on Grobit Avenue, but they found no trace of any crime on the scene. That doesn't mean that they were the only ones there, though. Upon arrival, they saw a Silver Pick up truck fleeing the scene with this raccoon in the back." Steven scrolled down, and he saw a picture of him trying to cover up with the tarp, but they saw his eyes and ears. Even though he could easily identify himself, it was clear that they could not, because it followed with:
"If anyone knows who this is, please contact the authorities immediately."
Steven slid the iPad away, not sure what he was going to do now that there was a chance that he would be arrested if found. "What does this mean? You're not going to turn me in, are you?"
Trikius gave him a hard stare and said "On the contrary. We're going to help you take a little vacation until things cool down a little. Here's a ticket." Steven looked at the plane ticket Trikius handed to him, but he just let it sit there on the table.
"Is there a reason that I'm going to this specific place?"
Trikius frowned, and said "Not really, but while you're there, you can do a favor for me." With that, he slid an envelope across the table alongside the ticket. "Please deliver that to Amega Corp, it's headquarters is in the city you're going to."
Steven just looked at him and said: "If I refuse?"
Trikius looked down at his claws and said "Turning in that envelope is entirely up to you, but they are powerful...doing a favor for them like that can get you some brownie points. I'm certain Mrs. N would easily clear up a misunderstanding like that."
"What's in this envelope that's so important that someone would help me avoid the police?"
"Pay that no mind, just give it to her."
"But I'm just one person, and this is a one-way ticket. How can I get back? I don't have the money for these tickets, Tripple."
"You don't need to, some of my associates will be there at the airport when you land. They will help you lie low for a few days from the authorities, and help answer any questions you have."
"Even the ones about what happened in that warehouse?"
"No, they have no idea and it's best it stays that way. We'll discuss that later. At the airport you will meet Crenox, Norix, CG62, and Tye."
"This isn't a mission, I can just stay here, can't I? Why can't you send someone else?"
Trikius looked down again and said: "Because I saw your necklace. I know your story. If you ever want to find the rest of them, you will do this."
The entire world didn't matter to Steven as he heard this. Nothing else mattered. He thought he hit a cold trail, but...no, that's why the Cosmos sounded so familiar. He had seen it's power before.
"...You'll help me find out who was responsible if I do this?"
"Absolutely. I know plenty, but the reason you should go there instead of staying here is because maybe you can coax Mrs. N to discuss about who she's REALLY working with."
"She...she works with them?"
"Yes. I know how you feel. I know what it's like to get stepped on as they walk towards what they want. We need to stop them, and you can help us do that if you turn this in." He tapped the envelope as Steven took both it and the ticket.
Trikius stood up with Steven and said: "Do we have a deal?"
Steven shook his hand and said "Alright, deal. I'll do this. But I want more answers when I get back." If you get back, Trikius thought sadly.
Steven looked at the ticket and pocketed both that and the envelope. He planned on surviving this entire ordeal, even if it killed him. Anything to find out who he was going to kill with his own hands. As he began packing his clothes, he saw one of his possessions. An old photograph with him as a young kid, barely 8, with two older raccoons, a man and a woman as they sat by the shore of a beach. Someone took a picture of them as they were posing in the water. This brought old memories.
***************************
He was eight on that fateful night. They just came back from the beach, and his mom was making some spaghetti with the french bread Steven always loved. His father walked down, the last one from showering, as he sat down and read the evening post. Steven himself was watching some television when the doorbell rang. His father got up, saying "I've got it, honey."
When he opened the door, a man walked in, with an emblem on his chest. The symbol had a sword with a bow crossing underneath it. His dad stood still for a moment, and then said "What do you want, Runso?" The Lion walked in, and said "I know you have it Shane. I want the necklace. You stole it, and thought you could run. I'm giving you your last chance to hand it over."
Steven's father reached under his shirt as if to remove something, but then pulled out a Kukri blade. He held it out in defense, but Runso just lauged. "We warned you about families. Your runt is so small, he doesn't even know of his power. We can train him. It's either that, or death for you all."
Steven looked on in fear and asked "Dad?"
His father just said "Janet, get Steven out of here!"
Steven's mom nodded, and she pulled Steven up and tried to leave the room. There was a crash from the kitchen, and a giant falcon broke down the door as he stormed in with three people in similar garb behind him. Runso immediately assaulted Shane, and they both went down, the blade flashing wildly. Janet reached into her kitchen robe and pulled out a gun. She shot one between the eyes when two bears broke through the living room window and grabbed her. "STEVEN, RUN!" Steve was scared, and ran for the back door. A tiger blocked the path, wearing a red sash....He reached for Steven, but was bitten on the hand for his trouble. As the tiger yelped in pain, Steven ran out the back door, and looked back. Shane stood up, covered in blood. Runso lay on the floor, not moving, and Shane raised his hand, saying: "Saokul, Robber of the cosmos, protector of thiefs, born under the star of Wrath, teach me your craft!" Janet shot the men holding her in the head, broke free, and clasped hands with Shane, saying "Renjika, Child of the cosmos, guardian of children, born under the star of Wisdom, teach me your craft!" They both shined with a radiant light, and it warded off everyone else in that room.
Immediately, one of them pointed towards Steven who was running through the back yard and said "The kid! He's got the necklace, I can sense it! GET HIM!" They all ran out, but before they could get outside, Steven's parents looked at him and they both said "We love you." then the light flashed, it expanded around his parents and the house exploded into flames. Steven was thrown back from the force and was stunned. When he came to, he heard sirens in the distance, and he saw the house engulfed in flames. He was about to run in when a firefighter came out of nowhere and held him in place. "No, kid! It's too dangerous!"
"MOM!!! DAD!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
He screamed and cried as his house, his childhood, and his parents went down in flames.
*********************************
"Steef? Steef, you okay?"
Steven suddenly woke up. He must have fallen asleep. He checked the time, and finished his packing. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was just tired, that's all."
"You had a nightmare? You looked all in pain."
"I'm fine, Jack. Don't worry. I'll be right back, I'm going to use the bathroom."
When he came back, he saw that the rest of his stuff was packed up and the suitcase was shut tight. Jack must have finished his packing. Steven smiled. He got his things, said his goodbyes, and was on his way as Alpha gave him a ride in another car, who he said was Spiney's. It was a small Hyundai car. Steven lifted his suitcase into the backseat, noticing that it was heavier than he remembered.
Alpha started the car, asking: "You ready for a vacation?"
Steven looked to the road and said "I've been ready for this trip for a long time."
On that note, they left for the airport.
Meanwhile, at the house:
Trikius was in his basement, monitoring the big room and the back yard, checking up on roll call, see if anyone was out and about. Even though he wandered for no reason, he noticed that usually the little guy would be eating by now. Where's Jack, Trikius wondered.
At the airport, Alpha and Steven said their goodbyes, and Steven walked off towards the airport, lugging his suitcase on it's rollers behind him. Trikius said he contacted my boss, so hopefully I still have a job when I get back. Steven smiled when he remembered Tripple saying how his boss promised not to report him. All those trips to the grocery store on break to get him food really seemed to pay off. He walked nervously into the airport and hoped that no one would identify him. He submitted his information while trying to look as casual as possible, but he noticed that he was getting weird looks.
As he was waiting in line, there was a small kid right behind him that was talking. A lot. Steven just stood there and shuffled along the security line. He checked his things and noticed that his suitcase was slightly open. He zipped it back up. The same thing happened again, so Steven started suspecting the little kid behind him. However, he just had to play it cool since he didn't want to attract attention to himself. He checked again, but this time the suitcase was only open a little, and he noticed a straw. Stupid practical joke Steven thought.
He was about to remove it when he was next in line. He removed all of the things the detector needed, but he asked to keep the obsidian claw necklace. "Family heirloom." The woman inspected it, found nothing wrong, and moved him along. He waited for his luggage to be checked through, and the Jakkai that was running the X-ray scanner was sipping coffee. When he saw Steven's luggage, he spat it out all over the screen. "CODE BROWN! CODE BROWN!" He pressed a button and an alarm went off. and he was tackled to the ground by two of the nearby security guards. Then a bag went over his head with his hands tied behind his back, and he was half carried, half dragged towards someplace with tiles. He was then placed in a chair as they hauled his suitcase onto a table. One of the people in the room wearing a TSA outfit slowly opened the suitcase, revealing Steven's clothes. He looked at the Jakkai that reported him and said "You sure?"
The Jakkai nodded furiously. "It's in there. Probably under the shirts."
Steven was confused, but they gagged him after he started arguing with the officers. The TSA agent started removing clothes when suddenly Jack popped out of the suitcase sending clothes flying as he stood up and announced "Steef! I'm coming with you!"
*END OF CHAPTER 7*
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EXPLANATIONS
*Domesticated: Not humanoid, these types of animals are killed for burgers, or kept on farms. Any animal not referred to as Domesticated is humanoid.
*Jakkai: http://www.sdamned.com/about/jakkai/
*Nekomimi: Human with animal ears and a tail. Search in the search bar for more info.
********:Will usually indicate a sudden scene change. I'll update chapters where this applies later.
iPad: One of the most worthless Hackmac jobs in existence. (imho)
CHAPTER 8: Come with me, please.
------------------
Steven just sat there, dumbstruck. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. There he was, inside Steven's suitcase, was Jack Swiftpaw, Steven's Jakkai Roommate. The TSA agents were at first completely dumbfounded and shocked, but when one of them found their voice, they immediately started questioning Jack, while two more immediately seized Steven. "Sir, you're going to have to come with us while we talk with him." They started to take Steven away, but Jack wasn't having that.
He sensed his friend was in danger, so he somersaulted on top of one of the TSA agents that was taking Steven away and sleeper held both him and the other agent while saying "Doink!" each time. From there, he jumped onto Steven's back and set his legs over his shoulders as he held out his hands in a combat pose, as if daring the remaining personnel to so much as move.
Steven however, was far more willing to cooperate, and tried to convince the remaining agents who were running out of the room that there was no present danger, but they wouldn't listen. The only people who got close were two of them trying to drag the unconscious bodies out of there. One of them seemed like he was whimpering as he locked the door behind him. Steven set Jack in the chair, and squatted as he talked.
"Jack, this trip was for me. Why are you here?"
Jack seemed unfazed by Steven's curiosity and just shook his head as if he knew a big secret that no one else knew.
"Steefin, steefin, steefin." He started as he just shook his head and tsk'd. "Tripple wasn't going to let you go alone! He had me go too!"
Steven was surprised by this statement, and asked: "Are you sure he wanted you to come?"
Jack just looked at him and said "Steef, are you aware of dat thingie they call Reverse Sykology*?"
Steve nodded. "Of course."
"Well, Tripple said to me that I needed to let you do this on your own, and that I shouldn't try anything funny whatsoever, so OBVIOUSLY, he really wanted me to go but couldn't say it in case someone was watching us!"
Steven just blinked for a few moments while Jack just sat there with his feet swinging and face wide and smiling, satisfied with his cleverness. Finally, Steven stood up and said "I'm not sure that he meant for you to take the opposite of what he said. You sure you just didn't want to come with me?"
Jack nodded "Of course I wanted to come with you, but Tripple said no, so I had to hide in your suitcase! Although..."
"I don't think that was a good idea."
Steven remarked "Yeah, I might have hidden you if you asked, to be honest this whole vacation thing is odd...oh ****." He put his hand across his face as if realizing something.
Jack looked up and said "What's wrong?"
"I'm-" He paused, worried to say anything else in case they were being recorded. As if confirmation was needed, there were two cameras watching them.
"Never mind. What do you think the chances are of them letting us go, Jack?"
The door opened, and a black panther in a business suit responded: "Money is in on that bet whether you'd think it or not, Mr. Schotgin."
Jack stepped down from the chair and scratched his chin as he wondered to himself "Is this guy related to Kevin Michael Richardson?"
Steven looked at him and asked: "Who are you, and what do you want?"
The Jaguar adjusted his tie and smiled. "I'd adopt a friendlierrr smile in front of Mrs. N if I were you, Mr. Schotgin. She doesn't respond preferrrrably to such an attitude. I'm just here to make sure you have a wonderful....vacation."
He seemed to think about how to say the last word, as if he knew what was really going on more than even Trikius did.
Before Steven could respond, he saw a bear wearing a business t-shirt and black khaki pants walk in holding a coffee mug made for his size.
"What's going on here? I thought I told you to wait in my office!"
The Jaguar turned to the bear and said "Mr. Kassit, you're out of line."
Mr. Kassit seemed infuriated, but he said no more. Clearly the Jaguar was more powerful in his job as a worker for this Mrs. N.
The Jaguar walked over to Steven, tailed by Mr. Kassit, who seemed to be under the impression that as long as he kept the person in the business suit within his line of sight, he was still in charge.
"My name is Collins. You can refer to me as Mr. C, or Mr. Collins, which ever one you prefer. If you want to leave and avoid the legalities that this situation permits, you'll follow me."
Steven was getting irritated by how this day was going, so he felt pretty brave. "If I refuse?"
Mr. C started to turn and walk away while he said "If not, then have fun serving your time in prison. Smuggling people is a very harsh offense, and Mrs. N doesn't let those who know about her walk out and about without at least visiting her first."
Steven stood there for a moment, a little nervous, but then he walked outside with Jack, who also seemed suspicious of Mr. C, leaving the Bear in the plain business suit flustered and sputtering with anger as he stormed behind them, clearly irritated at his loss of power.
Some workers were completely puzzled, but an angry glare from their boss Mr. Kassit whenever they approached Mr. C or Steven kept them at bay. As they approached the gate, they saw that there was quite a long line to get to the city of Steven's destination. Steven looked at the line and said "Wow, looks like we're waiting."
Mr. C just shook his head and said "Not on my watch."
With that, he walked to the front of the line and stepped in front of everyone. There was a sudden uproar from the rest of the line, but Mr. C just snapped his fingers. Grudgingly, Mr. Kassit called all of the airport security guards to get away from the reception area as Steven and Jack (greatly confused and nervous) were ushered up to the front with Collins and a very surprised looking fox receptionist with a name tag labled Cassy.
Collins didn't even bother saying hello at all, but instead just held up two fingers and said "Two tickets, please. one for me, and one for Mr. Schotgin here."
Steven waved it off, saying "No no, I already have one, but that other one can go to my friend Jack."
At first, Collins looked confused, looked around for a moment, but then seemed to notice Jack for the first time when he had to politely clear his throat. "Ah...very well, two tickets for me and Mr..."
"Swiftpaw." Jack said. "Jack Swiftpaw."
"...Quite."
"Indeed."
Collins and Jack stared at each other, but while Steven could only tell they didn't like each other, they were actually sizing each other up for a possible combat situation.
The receptionist cleared her throat and said "Very well, here you go. Just go down the gate and enter the plane, please. Next!"
Then Collins did something even more daring. "No, we are the only ones getting on this plane. I don't want anyone else."
"I'm sorry sir, bu-"
*ahem*
Mr. Kassit cleared his throat and beckoned Cassy over to him. She looked confused, but agreed. Her and Mr. Kassit went a bit away from everyone and as she started to protest, Mr. Kassit started to say things that from the look on her face, convinced her not to argue.
She pursed her lips in irritation over the deviation from standard protocol, but she went back to her station and opened the door that let Collins, Steve, and Jack into the hallway that led to the plane. They walked through, Steven still hearing the protests and commotions of everyone else who was starting to get very angry that they had to wait for the next flight.
Apparently the flight crew was made aware of the situation, because they did not so much as bat an eye when Collins informed them that they would be the only passengers. Steven and Jack were escorted to their own area in first class, while Collins stated that he needed to stay in coach, take care of some things. Steven didn't know what he was talking about, but while he was going into first class, Collins seemed to suddenly have a laptop sitting on his lap.
When they were all settled, they watched a bunny air-flight attendant mimic the instructions that were given over the intercom. They then took off, slowly rising to the desired altitude before they heard the ding followed by "You are now free to move about the cabin. Thank you for choosing Kat Transport."
Steven sighed and looked out his window. He had an issue with heights, but for the sake of airplane travel, he did his best to remind him how safe he was. But every time he did that on air planes, he was just reminded of that episode of Lost where that air plane was TORN APART and so many people died and some of those who survived died anyways because it still wasn't safe and that one guy was walking by and he was all "Hey, what happen-WHOOSH Oh no, I got sucked up into an exploding turbine, teehee, to hell with everyone who don't like air planes" That was annoying, and it didn't help wh"Steef."en he saw Independence Day either, with everyone up in flying helicopters getting torn to pi"Steef!"eces by those aliens who were all "Pew pew, we want your planet so we can screw it over for the lols, pew pew pew troll face" Or during 2012 when that Russian Jabba guy with the plane was all "Steef!"
Steven snapped back into attention. "What? What happened?"
Jack looked at his friend worriedly. "Are you alright? You seem a bit nervous."
"Just a little edgy with planes, that's all. I'm fine."
"Try explaining that to the table."
"What?"
Jack pointed at the table between them, and Steven saw that he left claw marks that were deep into the wood work.
He retracted his claws, but couldn't, so he tapped nervously and tried to hide the new decor on the table as a Cat helped put his luggage into the compartment above their little sitting area. Steven looked around. It was a nice area, two windows to his left, and both Jack and Steven got their own couches built into the wall that could probably fit three people each. There was a nice rectangular table between them, not to mention the new art design that Steven was clearly going for.
When someone came around asking if they wanted a meal, Steven ordered some Macaroni and Cheese. When he got nervous, he didn't feel like chewing anything, despite how hungry he got at the same time. Jack however, ordered a big steak that was apparently ready to be cooked. When the attendant left, Steve snuck a quick peek and for the first time saw what first class was like. Down the hallway both ways, there were two more areas like his and Jacks, so that made five rooms. In one direction, was coach, where Steven distinctly heard Collins typing on his laptop.
In the other direction, Steven heard some cooking going on and saw a full fledged kitchen past some curtains. How big is this plane? Steve thought to himself. He sat back on the couch, wondering how soon they'll get there, and if they get their own beds too. He turned to look at Jack, but he seemed to have taken a nap, and for some reason pulled a fedora out of thin air (maybe in his shirt?) and had it over his face as he seemed fast asleep.
Steven smiled. Jack shouldn't have been here, but he felt a little bit better that he had someone who was willing to incapacitate two airport personnel for him. He didn't know Jack for more than a few days, but he seemed like someone that he was glad to know. But...
Steven steepled his hands and placed his chin on them. Who could he really trust? Trikius never mentioned anything about this Collins character. Once their food arrived, Jack woke up and they both ate in silence, both too hungry from last nights work of awesome battles to really have a normal discussion. When they were done, the table slid downwards and disspeared underneath the carpet floor. A mattress slowly slid out from a compartment underneath the windows. It had a wire attached to it, so they watched in curious fascination as it inflated itself. Rather snazzy They both thought.
"No wonder people were mad that they had to wait for the next one." Jack said.
"Yeah, this is pretty high class."
"So...I guess we should go to sleep?"
"I'm pretty tired, but you can take the bed."
"No no, you can take it. I insist."
"You sure?"
"Absolutely, Steef."
"...I can't, yo-"
"No no, it's no trouble."
They both finally just settled in, each having their own pillow, blanket big enough for both of them. They both dressed into their own PJ's first, Steven in his normal grey sweatpants and winter shirt, Jack in his one piece PJ suit with Pulp Fiction characters all over it.
"Good night, Steef."
"Good night, Jack."
Jack fell right asleep, exhausted from the days events, but Steven was still awake, wondering what was going to happen next. Trikius never said anything about this, and he was certain that this Mrs. N character was bad news if things were this serious. Steven decided that just laying here would do absolutely nothing, so he just closed his eyes and hoped that morning would bring a better turn of events.
After a while, they both fell asleep, stomachs full of food, and minds full of questions once they got to their destination. It was getting dark, so the lights automatically dimmed once the stewardess was aware that they were both asleep. When she shut the curtains, she walked over to Collins, who still awake and on his lap top.
"Mr. C, both clients are asleep."
"Excellent Amanda, thank you."
When she left, Collins updated the person he was communicating with.
C: Targets are on their way. Make sure they feel confused yet comfortable. That's the best way to have them.
S: Taking notes. Anything else?
C: Nothing exept...
S: ?
C: Are you using sarcasm with me?
S: Of course not. It's just that you shouldn't treat me like a child. I know what I'm doing. Besides, I'm off shift, I can talk how I want, it's in the contract.
C: See, that attitude is why G was sent to Human Resources. Best to keep your head down and follow orders, Sapphire.
S: Don't say my name, I ask you constantly not to do that.
C: 1. I'm a higher rank than you.
2. I'm off shift, I can talk how I want, it's in the contract.
S: Touche. Well...your symbol looks funny.
C: Oh?
S: Yeah, it looks like a really happy face. C: See?
C: ...
S: Hello?
User C has kicked user S. Reason: You are a child.
User C has signed out. *END OF CHAPTER 8*
--------------------------------- CHAPTER 9: Plan B(oom).
Light was shining through the windows, and Steven felt a slight slope as they touched down into the airport. He was still tired, so in response he tugged the blankets over him, leaving Jack with only a little to cover his back. Jack immediately sat up, not because that woke him, but he heard footsteps. Instead of a stewardess or attendant, it was Collins that pushed the curtains along the rail to the side and stuck his head in.
"We're here. Take your time, you have about half an hour to get dressed and off this plane."
With that, he walked back, presumably to get his own things, even though neither Steven nor Jack saw him with any luggage whatsoever. They both looked at each other, then got up, Steven hoping that this day would be a little less troublesome, and Jack hoping that they'd get breakfast.
********************************
PJ's off and normal clothes on, Steven got out of the bathroom and let Jack go change as he got his luggage down from the luggage holding thing. (Steven has NO idea what they call it. Maybe luggage holder?) He then waited for Jack, who walked out in the clothes that he was wearing while in Steven's suitcase, which was a brown t-shirt with a vest over it along with pants and moccasins with shoe laces. They're his favorite pair of shoes because they look so damn boss in their tan rough leather.
They got their things, Steven with his suitcase, and Jack sitting on his shoulders with no argument, and they stepped off where Collins was waiting for them. They passed through the gate where Steven saw a big wolf wearing a t-shirt, a red bandanna over his head, and a scar on his left cheek that went from eyebrow to jaw. The wolf was looking at him, but the moment Collins was done talking to security and caught up, the wolf had a disgusted look on his face and walked away.
Collins beckoned for them to follow, and neither Jack nor Steven discussed the wolf that they were probably supposed to meet at the airport. Steven felt a little nervous since this was not how Trikius had things planned out.
They left the airport, and saw that a limousine was waiting for them. They walked over to it and Collins opened the door for them. Once Steven let Jack down off his neck, they got in and Collins closed the door. Steven looked at him as he walked away, but was interrupted by someone clearing their throat.
Steven and Jack looked over and that's when they saw a female Raccoon looking right at them. She was wearing a blue female business shirt, and a blue mini-skirt. Her hair was an Auburn brown, and so was her fur, same shade as Steven's. She had piercingly bright blue eyes and had a necklace with a blue tear that had something carved in on it, but Steven didn't want to seem as if he was staring so he tried to keep eye contact. She had her legs crossed and was looking at Steven impatiently, as if he was supposed to say something. Before he said anything though, she said "Take us to Amega Headquarters, Mr. G. Important business to attend to, and what not."
She was looking at Steven and Jack while she said this, but Steven saw the chauffeur driving the limousine reply: "Right away, Ms. S." The Limo pulled away from the airport and was on the highway before Steven found his voice. Why couldn't he talk? For some reason, this Ms. S intrigued and intimidated him. She just looked at him, the way a jeweler looked at a potential diamond, trying to decide if it was a fake or the genuine thing. Jack just sat there, opened a mini-fridge and cupboard, and enjoyed a bag of doritos with a chocolate milk carton he found in the fridge.
Steven was about to say hello, when Ms. S started. "I'm Ms. S, but I suppose that since you're new you can call me Sapphire. I look forward to working with you."
"Umm...working with you? No no, I'm just a courier."
She chuckled at this, and shook her head. "Hand me the letter."
"Uh...I'm sorry, but this is for Mrs. N, so I'm afraid you can't have it."
She looked at him a bit more intensely, narrowed her eyes for effect, and then smiled. It was a nice smile. Steven thought that she wouldn't scare people if she smiled more often, but then again she was probably being serious for this assignment's sake.
"You're smarter than he said. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy having you as my partner, brief as it will be."
"What do you mean, partner? For what?"
"That, is going to be a little secret. Just keep it quiet until we meet again."
"Meet again? Where are you going?"
"Well I'm going to stay here right now and escort you to Mrs. N, my boss. After you're done talking, I'll have an associate of mine lead you away so you can meet the next person to talk to."
Steven bowed his head in annoyance. "What IS it with people and plans? All that I'm going to do is hand her a letter."
Sapphire just looked at him and said "Oh no, Steven. You're going to be much more important than that. Now not a word about this, everything I'm saying is purely confidential, and once we're inside, there will be unworthy eyes anywhere. Mrs. N's aware of everything, so don't waste her time by bringing this up. You do NOT want to waste her time."
They finally arrived at Amega Corp. Steven knew little about this place, only what it's businesses were. It serves as a benefactor for many pharmaceuticals and many other scientific endeavors, along with a major branch of it dedicated to weaponry and equipment for the military to use. They are also a force to be reckoned with concerning the advancement of medical care. They're named after the Dragon of destiny, Amegia who was the guiding force in the Dragon Wars to victory for the humans. In fact, the more Steven thought about it, he also remembered that they were dedicated to the history of the Dragon Wars. Steven knew this subject, even though it wasn't taken seriously.
It was proven on that fateful night that it was to be taken very seriously indeed. He clutched at his chest, fearful of what could happen if anyone but him had it. But no, many considered the artifacts mentioned in the history to be a myth, a dramatization of weaponry that man and animal crafted to fight the dragons. But...no, even if the stories were true, he technically had nothing to worry about. He'd never give it over to anyone, so that kept it safe enough.
"Mr. Schotgin. Are you going to wait outside in this chilly weather, or are you going to accompany me and your friend to the main lobby?"
Steven looked up the steps towards Sapphire and Jack. They were both walking inside, and Steven quickly followed. The building was big, said to be 75 stories high, but it seemed like most other buildings, nothing of note except it had Amega Corp on the front in big letters. He walked inside, and saw a very regal set-up indeed. It was a massive lobby, six enormous pillars holding everything up, a circular hallway to the left in the middle of the wall, and three elevators with someone standing by in front. There were many couches and sofas for people to wait for appointments and other things. Sapphire beckoned for Jack and Steven to accompany her as she approached the yellow cat at the front desk. As Sapphire was talking to the cat, Steven noticed a board behind her that named a bunch of dates. The closest one was some sort of dance that was coming up within a week that was for "A bright new future for the world." The ones after that were covered up, but there were dates scattered through weeks and months. Jack climbed up Steven's back and took a look.
"Why are there different dates that don't have anything?"
The secretary who was named Feline (pronounced Feh-lean) replied after talking to Sapphire. "We have dates up there so people know when something important's about to come up, Mr. Swiftpaw. We don't share what it is so any competitors can't try and copy off of us until it's too late to even try."
Instead of asking about her knowledge of his name, Jack continued with "People will do that? Why, it's so pointless."
Feline simply shrugged her shoulders. "Mrs. N is very careful in how she handles things. She says that secrecy is the key to success."
Jack just looked at her and said "I thought hard work and a dedicated attitude was, personally."
Feline simply shrugged again and said "I'm not really sure. Anyways, your appointment will be within an hour."
Jack and Steven said their thanks and went sit down. Sapphire sat across from them, not saying anything but picked up a copy of a farmers magazine, front cover showing a Bull in a dress with the headlines "Las Lindas: In the spotlight."
After a few minutes of various games such as Rock Paper Scissors with Jack, Steven inquired about the hallway to the left. Sapphire replied without looking: "It's a virtual tour of the history of the Dragon Wars. Keeps kids and history enthusiasts entertained. Mrs. N even insisted on having a gift shop at the end. It pulls in good money. You can go if you'd like, we have a lot of time on our hands." Steven looked at the hallway. It seemed dark, but it also seemed to be working. He got up, and was accompanied by Jack as he walked over.
When they got there, the hallway immediately lit up, and showed many scenes on both sides. One was pictures of certain things like replicas of weapons and artistic renditions of people and dragons, and on the other side were settings, telling a story. Steven read out the first part: The Beginning of the End.
At first, there were the Cosmos. No one knew who they were, or if there was ever anything before them. There were three entities of this being. The Kindness of the Cosmos, the Wrath of the Cosmos, and the Intellect of the Cosmos. They went about creating things such as the stars, planets, and other various things in the universe. One day, they decided to create something, a planet that could manage itself. They would fill it with beings that could think on their own and make their own decisions. Creatures that would love, hate, fight, befriend, and many other things. They started to populate this planet with many sentient creatures of their own design. First, they created man. Then various animals to suffice to keep a balance going including beasts of Land, Air, and Sea. The Intellect of the Cosmos laid out a plan of all of this, noting how many things would be needed for this plan of a hospitable planet to function.
The Entities of the Cosmos worked together. Intellect gave man and animal free-will, inadvertently giving life to animals so most of them became like man, and could talk. Fortunately, the Kindness of a Cosmos, managed to set events in motion that would have man and animal working together, despite their differences. At first Intellect considered wiping out these creatures, pointing out that they were an accident, but Kindness stayed his hand, saying that as divine beings, they were responsible of what happened, and they would never fix anything that any of them did, as long as it did not go against their plans for creating creatures that could have thoughts of their own. This was the ultimate plan, and they all had agreements for never going against one another's decisions for this planet, as long as it was not against the plan.
But one certain Entity had his own plans for this planet. Plans that would unravel everything they worked for, and set forth a series of events that would forever be known as "The Dragon Wars."
*END OF PART 1 OF CHAPTER 9*
-------------------------------------------------------
*CHAPTER 9: Plan B(oom) PART 2*
While Wisdom and Kindness were both hard at work gifting the Animen (That the entities called them, man called them Animals, which is what they called themselves. Any Domesticated Animal back then was called a Beast, or pet.) and Men with gifts only their powers could bring. While Man and Animen didn't know that their own "discoveries" of alcohol and poetry were the result of blessings from above, nobody, not even his brother entities were aware of the plans that Wrath had in store.
For even though he agreed to create a new planet, he felt that his influence was too little. The mortals had it far too easy. They needed to be aware of who they were in the universe, who the entities were, and who they should be worshiping. He brought up the idea that they reveal themselves to the mortals in front of his brothers, but they believed that the point of creating this planet was not so they would be beloved by many, but to give life and purpose to the universe. To help have a planet take baby steps until they could manage themselves. Then they would move on to a new planet, and repeat. That, they both personally believed, was to be their future.
Wrath naturally accepted this, but unbeknownst to them, he was furious. The idea of serving those beneath him seemed completely ridiculous. He felt that the mortals shouldn't even feel happiness for all of their hubris that they caused. They needed to be punished, to be aware that people didn't always get what they wanted. So for everything that Kindness and Wisdom did for them, he made sure that there was appropriate punishment. He believed that if they were to have free-will, they needed to prove that their will was free so that they were capable of anything. So, to prove how powerful he was, he made them feel jealousy, hatred, rage, anger, fury, sadness, guilt, and remorse. He also made them capable of murder, lying, cheating, stealing, backstabbing, betrayal, and everything that's considered illegal today. (Shotgun's Note: He did so much other bad stuff, but the list goes on forever. Everything you can think of that's bad, he made them capable of doing it, just so you get the point.)
When Kindness and Wisdom saw what was happening, they knew immediately that Wrath was behind it all. He defended himself by stating that it wasn't free-will at all if they were not able to think such things, that he was liberating their freedom, and that his brothers were selfish and hypocritical for thinking free-will did not include such things. At first, Kindness did not approve. He accused Wrath of doing this because he wanted to be worshiped, which was not why they were there.. Wrath in his defense stated that he discovered what he was created for. To become a necessary evil. That Kindness was not in charge of what he was able to do, since he was just as strong as him, and deserved a voice just as well. The bickering continued until Wisdom created a rule that would make things fair. The rule stated as thus: Force shall not fight against Force, but instead take counter-measure against what Force decrees is unjust.
There was still hostility, but both Kindness and Wrath accepted this rule. Especially since Wrath's plan would be albeit hindered, but could still be progressed.
And progressed it will be.
While Kindness and Wisdom continued working on things, and Wrath was playing his part creating things like Natural Disasters and Famine so the mortals could better prepare and improve, he slowly crafted something. A beast, something that he created in his own image, a creature that would require something that his brothers would do anything to stop, no matter how dangerous this was. So, with careful planning, Wrath split his mind, and created a demi-god form of himself, while he left his own entity to continue crafting things that he left it to do. (Shotgun Note: In computer layman terms, he left a program version of himself with many codes to continue doing his job as Wrath so there would be minimal suspicion.) He created a being that was so powerful, man and animals would ban together to fight this being, starting the wars named after the fearsome beast that the mortals would name: Dragon.
In the early language of Et'su, the first mortal language, it translated into: Fire King.
The story of the Dragon Wars are so long, that Amega Corps. advises you to consult your nearest library, or visit our history section of our website at http://www.DragonWarsChronicles.org/History.
Steven continued reading, the story leaving out details, but mentioning the important pieces.
The War went on for many ages. The reason why it was so difficult to fight the threat was because while there were many tribes that wanted it gone, many of them believed that it was a greater being, and deserved to be worshiped. Thus Man and Animen both protected and detested this wrathful creature that demanded sacrifice and many material gifts. As the violence and bloodshed continued, less and less people wanted to protect the Dragon. There were even revolts, which were completely destroyed. However, he always had dedicated followers, for he always gifted them in return for their protection. If he didn't keep them in line out of fear, he did it with soothe-saying, and promising them land and riches.
He called himself Rathius, Dragon of Mayhem. While he was borne of the Wrath of the Cosmos, his Cosmic powers were only god-like during the night, or when he was in darkness. Thus, many lives were attempted at him in his lair, many heroes believing that light was the key to destroying him, when in fact all it did was lessen his Cosmic powers.
Even without them, he was indestructible, with no weapon being able to destroy him.
No mortal weapon, anyways.
Kindness and Wisdom had their eyes elsewhere, planning for advancement of the Mortal races, gifting them with intellect and compassion. Kindess favored one Tribe in particular. The Tribe that of their own free-will dedicated itself to a peaceful existence of farming and the arts. The Tribe Agulis was prosperous, gaining many allies that joined it and became the first Kingdom. Wrath's Cosmic entity sided with the tribes that worshiped his Dragon counter-part, a collective of war-like destructive tribes that he formed together and called: Falzirum. Wisdom didn't believe that favoritism was right, so he just continued to monitor Earth's progress. Meanwhile, when Wrath heard of Agulis and it's riches that it had, he set his eyes for it's demise and domination, unaware that Kindness had it as his domain.
When Falzirum expanded after the first of the Wars, Rathius crafted his own army of dragons, in the form of Man and Animen, instead of the massive beast that he was. With hundreds of dragons, and tens of thousands of humans and Animal warriors at his disposal, he set off to enslave the entire kingdom of Agulis. The King of Agulis, Sik'rugo, heard of this army of malevolent destruction. He made sure his kingdom was well prepared, however.
Steven looked at some images of the story so far. The artist was very descriptive, there were paintings of the kingdom and the tribes of Falzirum. While Agulis looked peaceful and friendly, Falzirum appeared industrial, tearing up the land and crafting weaponry such as crossbow's and explosives. There was a depiction of Rathius, and Steven felt Jack shiver as they both saw it. It took up it's own section of the wall, bigger than most other paintings in the hallway.
He stood on all fours, about as big as an average house. Either his scales were obsidian black, or he was in darkness, because all Steven saw was an outline of wings and his body and two penetrating red eyes that glared at whoever dared to look upon him.
Steven looked at some more paintings. He noticed that even though Agulis seemed peaceful, they also had an army of their own, royal guards, everything someone on the defensive would want, in case the tribes of Falzirum wanted to attack. Steven continued reading:
Falzirum reached the borders of the Kingdom of Agulis and laid waste to all of the outstretching villages and communities. When the King took his men to fight back however, they fled, overpowered in number and strength. In response, Rathius flew to the battlefield and cut the forces of Agulis in half on his own, and slew the King. The moment Rathius killed him, it was said that the skies turned dark and there was a shattering scream that rent through the heavens. A star streamed through the darkness and landed in between the body of the King, and Wrath in demi-god form. It was Kindness, in his own respective form. He was slightly bigger than Rathius, and called himself Kadias. Rathius took to the skies, and they did battle. The fight was so great, that both sides ceased fighting and watched in awe as two demi-gods fought for their people. In the end, neither could defeat the other, for they were incapable of hurting either one.
But even though Rathius couldn't fight and hurt his brother, he tried to fight the rest of the army. of Agulis.
But Wisdom wasn't having that. He came down as his own Demi-god, referring to himself as Wizard. He stepped between his brothers, believing this conflict would ruin everything that they had worked for.( Shotgun's Note: Humans and Animals alike were not aware of what was going on, but later on Kadias and Rathius would fill in who they were and what they've been doing.) Wisdom then summoned a pair of dragon horns. He declared that these horns were part of three pieces of armor. He asked both Rathius and Kadias create two pieces of armor for themselves. Kadias created a Shield with no grip for arms, and Rathius created two obsidian gauntlets. With these three peices, it served as a full body of armor.
Wizard then brought these three pieces together and asked both Rathius and Kadias to invoke a promise that they made long ago, before Earth. The promise of Safe-Keeping. To this day, nobody knows what this promise entails, but they both did it without question, even though Rathius did so with much hatred. Wizard then gave the gauntlets to Kadias, the Shield for himself, and the horns to Rathius. They accepted the exchange, and then Rathius asked for one last favor. They talked between each other quietly for a moment, and then both Kadias and Rathius called off their armies and went back to their own Kingdoms. In return of Rathius making his own dragons, Kadias created dragons of his own. Kadius was declared the new king until he found a worthy successor.
The peace went on for a long time, the Artifacts kept within their respective realms, their abilities not realized and deemed as peace offerings when indeed they served a far more dangerous purpose. But within this story is another one. A story of a Raccoon in ages long forgotten, and one theft that uplifted everything.
"Mr. Schotgin, she's ready."
Steven looked, and Sapphire was standing beside him. He turned and said thanks. As she nodded and walked off, he gave a quick look at the rest of the story. Since he knew what happened next, he felt it was more important to meet the woman that knew the people who killed his parents than it was to keep reading a history lesson that everyone knew, but only him and people like the ones who murdered his parents knew it was more than that. That was just a theory, however. There were still many questions that he needed answered, more pieces to his puzzle that he was missing. But instead of just standing there pondering, he walked after Sapphire to the elevators. They went up to the 8th floor, where there was a long hallway that looked fairly business like. There were some potted plants, but other than there being offices with their own waiting rooms, it was about as impressive as a Kaiser hospital.
At the end of the main hallway, there was a big pair of oak doors guarded by two bodyguards. One was an Eagle, and the other was a Bear. They had suits, but Steven momentarily suspected of them having firearms underneath. Sapphire accompanied him to the door, and said good luck.
"You're not coming in?"
She shook her head and walked back to the elevator. She pulled out a PDA and typing on it. Steven said thanks out of courtesy, and she simply waved farewell.
"Mr. Schotgin, the hat has to wait out here."
Steven turned to one of the guards and was at first confused until Jack climbed down.
"Steef, tell him I'm a V.I.P, not a hat."
The guards began to glare and Steven hastily explained that Jack should wait out here, to keep an eye on things. Before he could protest, Steven walked inside and closed the doors behind him. The room was dark, and was illuminated by the monitors behind someone at the other end of a long table.
"Mr. Schotgin...please, have a seat."
Steven turned around and saw a chicken lighting up a cigarette for herself as she turned around from the monitors that was looking at many parts of the building. One had an eye outside her room, and displayed a very annoyed Jack sitting on the floor with his arms crossed, and another one was watching Sapphire in an elevator. The monitors switched from camera to camera, but Steven was more focused on other things, such as trying his best to procure the envelope from his shirt as calmly as possible without making it look like he had a gun for some reason. He sensed that proving he did not was very important in keeping his face intact.
"Mr. Schotgin..." she started before inhaling her cigarette "We have a lot to discuss, you and I."
Steven thought back to his parents and of all of the happy memories that he had and never would have and replied "Yes. Yes we do."
*END OF CHAPTER 9 PART 2*
------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER 9: Plan B(oom) PART 3
Steven looked at the chicken that was illuminated by the glow of the monitors yet cast in shadow from the lack of light. He took the seat at the other end of the table, and held up the envelope Trikius had given him. "I'm here to give you this."
The chicken seemed to stand still for a moment, but then she stubbed out her cigarette and clapped her hands twice. The lights came on, and Steven saw her in full light.
She wore a business suit, and had pants that seemed to be tailor made for birds of her type. She had wide arm holes for her wings, and her feathers were vividly white. Her eyes were clear, but her eye color was bright yellow. She also seemed to have a patch of darker fur in her forehead, along with the fact that her beak seemed to be sharper than chickens usually have them. She had a folder containing a few thick looking documents right by her ashtray where there were about four cigarettes.
She walked over and snatched the envelope irritably, as if expecting more initiative from Steven. She ripped it open, and unfolded the letter. She read it over, and immediately crumpled it up.
"Is that what you really think your here for? My boy, don't try and hide it from me. I know what your after."
She leaned in towards Steven and whispered "and I can help you find them."
Steven started to get nervous. How did she know so much?
"What do you mean?"
She stood up and started to walk back to her seat. "Don't toy with me. I didn't make it here by believing that most people are oblivious. You think you can fool me? child, I'm one that lays plans within ideas inside of plots nestled upon under-handed dealings. Nothing escapes me." She sat back down and lit up another cigarette.
behind her, a screen showed an alleyway, presumably near this building. A Wolf, a Black Cat and a Goat immediately ran down the alleyway, as if they were doing something. They were immediately followed by a man in a black wife beater holding a courier back-pack over his shoulder.
Mrs. N was about to turn around when Steven decided to play the cooperative card to grab her attention before she saw these people.
"What do you mean, help me?
She took in enough tobacco to shrink her cigarette to 50% and exhaled it through her nose.
"I can help you find the people who are responsible. Names, locations, anything you want."
"I'd like a name, at least."
"First, you need to do something for me."
She's holding out. A voice rang in Steven's head. She's not looking for partnership, but obedience. She was one of them. I'd better watch myself. Steven examined Mrs. N, looking for the signs that he learned to tell apart friend from enemy by a class and books he read on a subject. She was calm, and her face was unreadable. Confident. But was it a bluff, or did she really think him so stupid as to trust her instantly? But then again, he wanted to know who killed his parents more than anything else. Either way, he formed a plan.
First, get information from her about what needs to be known. Steven tried to form his next question, to make it seem that he knew very little while at the same time not making it obvious that he was trying to hide something.
"What do I need to do for you?"
She smiled. Have to pull apart her sentences. Someone this powerful is bound to muddle facts to make herself look nice.
"I'm aware that you're familiar with One. He calls himself Trikius. We used to do business together, but he no longer wished to work here. So, he left."
Steven continued listening, and saw on the screen that the man in the wife beater was crouching next to a wall leaning over his bag as he pulled some sort of device out and started messing with it. Steven quickly made sure his attention was on Mrs. N, so she wouldn't turn around. The people on the monitor looked a lot like the people that Trikius had described as his "associates"...
"I've received word that he wishes to visit my facilities. Unfortunately, his status as an employee has been revoked. In addition, he intends to destroy my life's work because he has this belief that what I am doing is cruel."
"What ARE you doing?"
She looked at him and inhaled her cigarette again. The cigarette seems to be a little effect of hers. I need to find out what she's hiding.
"That" she started, "is none of your concern. All you need to do is find out a possible way to keep him away until the end of this month. You will have my total support as you look for those who are responsible for killing your family, Mr. Schotgin."
Steven eyed her suspiciously. "How am I supposed to keep him away from here?"
She chuckled. "If you can prolong him, convince him to plan things out, you'll be buying me time. Inform me when he chooses to strike, and you will be handsomely rewarded. My associa-"
**BOOM*
The room shook, and the lights flickered as an explosion sounded off. Muffled voices came from the hallway.
"The hell was that?"
"I don't know, I'll go check it out. You inform the boss."
The doors opened, and a blur of orange went between the legs of the guard that burst in.
"Mrs. N! There's an intruder!"
She got up, and looked very irritable. Steven barely saw the paw that swiped the folder with the documents by her and snuck it under the table.
"I'm aware of that, you idiot! Show me where they are!"
The guard walked over and brought up the screen. There was a lot of rubble, but there was a hole in the side of their building in the alleyway. There were sirens sounding off in the background and an alarm was buzzing.
"They're inside, we don't know where they are though, most of our internal cameras are shut down at the moment."
"How did this happen?"
The guard shook his head. "We never expected them to be this daring, ma'am."
"Idiot. You can't underestimate Zenneth. Keep Mr. Schotgin safe, they're probably coming for him."
"Uhh....Mrs. N?"
"What?"
They both looked around and saw an empty chair across the table.
*********************
Steven and Jack ran for their lives down the hallways since the elevator was not an option.
Jack held the folder he had and tucked it inside his vest while Steven looked around for an exit. He was about to pass a hallway when at the end, he saw the cat Seeker. The little four-eyed pet looked at Steven, and then walked through a closed door. Steven blinked, but he was certain that he just saw that cat pass through a solid object. Steven immediately dashed down that corridor, followed closely by Jack.
Before he could open the door, the wolf from the airport opened it and looked at him. He looked the same, but now he had a belt with multiple tear gas canisters.
"Are you Steven Schotgin and Jack Swiftpaw?"
They both nodded.
"I'm Norix. Let's go."
*END OF CHAPTER 9 PART 3*
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The remainder of this page will now be dedicated to the Biographies.
BIOGRAPHIES:
People:
Steven Schotgin. (Gaming handle: Shotgun_Steve) *Bunking with Jack Swiftpaw*
Race: Raccoon
Age: 19
Job: Book store attendant.
Hobby: Gaming
Sex: Male
Sumi Dudiok (internet handle SumDude) *Bunking with Samantha Xilox* (A.K.A. Xiili)
Race: Lizard-Like Snake
Age:19
Job: Electronics Store employee.
Hobby: Building stuff
Sex: Female
Trikius Dontob (Nickname Trippledot) (Nickname is rumored because of the silence spell people would have when they see him.)
Race: Dragon
Age: 23
Job:Land Lord.
Hobby: Being in charge.
Sex: Male
Jack Swiftpaw (Bonabopn) *Bunking with Steve*
Race: Jakkai (http://www.sdamned.com/about/jakkai/)
Age: 19
Job: Welfare, he gets benefits from the government for some reason.
Hobby: Eating fish/ playing Ukelele
Sex: Male
Spein Eyinto (Spiney) *Bunking with Alfalfa*
Race: Gecko
Age: 19
Job: Inherited a large fortune, but lives there because he has no one else.
Hobby: Exercising/gaming
Sex: Male
Fuzzi Gontack (Sirffuzzylogick)
Race: Cat
Age: 18
Job: Video Game Testing (With Alfalfa)
Hobby: Helping out/Gaming
Sex: just ask Male
Alfalfa Pindersut (Alpha_The_Beta) *Bunks with Spein*
Race: Wolf
Age: 20
Job: Video Game Testing (With Fuzzi)
Hobby: Being a smart-ass/Gaming
Sex: Male
Samantha Xilox (Xiili) *Bunks with Sum*
Race: Bunny
Age: 23
Job: Plays the guitar on some nights for everyone's entertainment.
Hobby: Guitar
Sex: Female
Digerius Duggerton (Digg) *Bunks with Monk*
Race: Human
Age: 18
Job: Stock Market (through the internet)
Hobby: Internet/Gaming
Sex: Male
Mark Katisas (Maka) *Bunks with Card*
Race: Human
Age: 18
Job: Coffee shop attendant *Works with Card*
Hobby: Gaming/Anime
Personality: Lively, spontaneous, loud.
Appearance: 5'6 - Blonde
Sex: Male
Shelby Sace (Card) *Bunks with Maka*
Race: Human
Age: 18
Job: Coffee shop attendant *Works with Maka*
Hobby: Gaming/Anime
Personality: Intelligent, Lazy, Procrastinates.
Appearance: 5'10 - Red Hair
Sex: Female
Turkas Morgarneth (Torack) *Bunks with Cliff*
Race: Arctic Fox
Age: 18
Job: Assistant Martial arts instructor (Judo, Karate, Wing Chun, Muay Thai, and Tae Kwon Do)
Hobby: Martial Arts/Reading/Internet
Personality: Loyal, Joker, Narcissistic.
Appearance: Long white fur - 5'9 - Gray/Blue eyes.
Sex: Male
Clifford Fugin (Cliff) *Bunks with Torack*
Race: Salamander
Age: 20
Job: *Classified* (Says Cliff.)
Hobby: Gaming/Wandering off for no reason with no explanation during the day.
Personality: Quiet, smart, and slightly paranoid.
Appearance: Orange Scales - White belly - Yellow eyes - 6'1
Sex: Male
Monkita Kirisum (Monk) *Bunks with Digg*
Race: Human - Nekomimi
Age: 22
Job: Grocer
Hobby: Gaming/Snoozing
Personality: Lazy, ditzy, dedicated, friendly.
Appearance: 5'5 - Brunette - White Nekomimi ears - Blue Eyes
Sex: Female
Steven looked it over. He looked it over again. This could be good news. Ever since he got out of the house and started getting into college, he was able to pay room and board to finish up his community junior college. Now he was 19, getting on to 20, and he barely had enough money to make ends meet.
Steven looked it over. He looked it over again. This could be good news. Ever since he got out of the house and started getting into college, he was able to pay room and board to finish up his community junior college. Now he was 19, getting on to 20, and he barely had enough money to make ends meet.
Some mistakes in that Paragraph.
Elaborate, either in your post or in a PM, with the correct grammar, please.
Thanks. It's going to take a slower pace, but it should bring you all up to speed. I don't know when I'll update it, hopefully tomorrow. Glad you guys like it!
Thanks. It's going to take a slower pace, but it should bring you all up to speed. I don't know when I'll update it, hopefully tomorrow. Glad you guys like it!
DISCLAIMER (EDIT 1):
This is a story I wrote, it's got anthropomorphic people and other cool stuff. It's just a story I wanted to write, so I'm writing this. If you don't like it, tell me what could make it better, but don't think there's gonna be epic battles or hero saves the world type of thing *wink wink* Just a group of people in an apartment complex...yep. I'll get into detail more when I feel like it, and update it when I feel like it as well. Let me know what you like about it so I know what works. Enjoy. <3
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BOOK 1: It's a start.
CHAPTER 1: "All that glitters...."
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'Apartment complex! Cheap rates! Two story building with four rooms on each floor! Looking for new tenant to live in the lap of luxury! Friendly neighbors! House maid, and giant plasma TV! Full Kitchen and Rec Room! Come on over and check it out yourself! Address is…'
Steven looked it over. He looked it over again. This could be good news for him. When he first left home and started getting into college he was able to pay room and board to finish up his community junior college, but now he was 19, getting on to 20, and he barely had enough money to make ends meet.
Thankfully, he got a job at the local book store, but unless he could find cheaper rates than what his current land lord was asking, getting to that 4-year college for the degree in game design he wanted was going to take a lot longer than this raccoon was hoping for.
He swung his circled tail pensively, as he often did when pondering a major question. If it’s so great, why was this ad still here for a whole month? He saw it when he was graduating, but he didn’t think much of it. For a week or so, he believed the free space to have been sold to another tenant, but one day he saw the same ad, still there, still cheap, and still oh so tantalizingly convenient for his situation.
After pondering a few more minutes, he finally made up his mind, “To hell with caution, I’m checking this place out.”
Steven Schotgin, an average 19 year old Raccoon, had no idea what this decision would bring to his life one day…
He walked 9 blocks from his job after he was done with his break and shift, said goodbye to his friend The Owl, and pushed the doors open with a voice message on the speakers on top of the “gate way room” that said “Thanks for shopping at Turner’s. Our books will have you turn the pages ‘till you’re done!” There were a few signs that offered special “Loved One’s” sales, available in the upcoming two weeks around Valentine’s Day. Steven had no interest in such a holiday, having no one to call his own valentine, and to him, gifts you can buy was a poor way to say the three magic words.
Thoughts and memories out of mind, Steven pressed on, and came across the apartment complex. It was BIG, two stories high, and the ad boasted a jaw-dropping 60,000 square feet. The giant house/mansion/apartment building was taking up a good 4/5ths that amount, and he had to guess that the rest belonged to the back yard, which the ad either didn’t consider important enough, or didn’t want to draw too much attention to. Pools were expensive, and rare in one building apartment complexes. In fact, Steven wasn’t even sure if it was legal, but it was only a hunch that the building and backyard were that big, respectively.
The door was open, and it was about the time of day where people normally were welcome to drop by. The lawn was manicured perfectly, and boasted an unobtrusive water sprinkling system that Steven barely noticed. He walked down the path, eyes down, curiously wondering if this place was right for him.
Before he was half way to the door, a white mouse in a green hoodie hurriedly walked past him from within without so much as a hello, fear bright and evident in his eyes. Before Steven could speak or ask, the mouse stumbled and got up, whimpering in apparent terror.
…
Steven was very curious about this place now.
CHAPTER 2: "I'm sorry, is this carcass yours?"
Steven walked in, and was quite taken aback at the sight that greeted him. In front of him was a modern spiral staircase, with a black, twisting rail on one side as it went up to the second story. The only area that he could see on the ground floor that wasn't covered in rug was the kitchen, across the room from the living room.
Steven was looking at the enormous plasma TV, when a voice talked behind him.
"It's nice, isn't it?"
He turned around, and standing face to face was a Lizard-like Snake. Black scales covered most of the body with light gray scales for the underbelly, exposed under the tank top she was wearing. She was standing underneath one of the skylights in the ceiling, so the scales on top of her head gave off a reflective green light. There was also a thicker, more evident green pattern line, that was easy to see on top of her head. Steven knew these types of reptiles, and briefly thought that it must go from her head to her tail-tip. Steven looked and just had to ask:
"I hear you're looking for a new tenant?"
"Yeah, you interested? We got a free room on the top floor. You get your own bed, dresser, closet, and desk."
"That sounds great, but I was just going to wander around, if this is an open house."
"Yeah, just don't go poking in our rooms, though. Most people think they can just go snooping around without permission, no matterhow many times I say to stick to the main rooms. Tripple's in charge of rent payment, so you'll want to talk to him. He might be in the basement. I'm Sumi, by the way. But they just call me Sum." She extended her hand.
He took it, and shook it, stating: "I'm Steven. Steven Schotgin."
They chatted for a bit, and then Sum said that she was going to her room, and left Steven to explore the main part of the house, reminding him that Tripple is in charge, and to go meet up with him in the basement.
Steven wandered around, ears perked up in curiosity and and tail swishing with prospects of a good home.
When he was done looking around the backyard, his room, (which had generous master bedroom style spacing) the backyard, (pool suspicions confirmed, and the Jacuzzi was a double bonus) and sat on the couches and the living room.
"I could get used to this." He said, with a satisfied grin. But he tensed up when the suspicion and doubt came to the surface. No one would pass up a great home like this he thought. But indeed, this place was without a final tenant for a month, and that mouse guy didn't seem to like this place. Did Sum scare him off? Mouses are stereotypically pretty timid, but Sum seemed like a nice person. Maybe it was a case of sudden fright, and that mouse just decided to run off because he was scared. Maybe many people just weren't looking for an apartment complex...
The more he thought about it though, the weirder it seemed. All of this is perfect, no college student would resist this. Not at these rates. Steven finally decided on what had to be done. It was time to put these doubts to rest, and go downstairs to see the landlord called Trippledot.
He walked to the hallway, and saw the door Sum pointed out. It was plain, and white like the wallpaper for the rest of the house. The bronze, faded doorknob just loomed at him, and for one moment he felt a cold shiver and his intuition told him to book it and run. He shook his head, dissapointed in his own paranoia, muttered What am I, a kit? With that, he opened the door, and started to walk down those wooden stairs into a very dark basement.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he felt along the side for a switch. With a flick, a single light bulb dimly turned on. While the decor was lacking, Steven could see why the landlord was down here. It was a big space, possibly extending beneath the entire house, and this was where most of the house's systems were. Heating, cooling, and many other machines hooked up that Steven wasn't really interested in. Being a fan of books, however, is why he liked this place. Along one wall was a massive wall of books, and with it were several chairs and a big couch. Steven went forward and looked at some of the books, noticing a few of his favorites, including one that he had to wait a week longer than he wanted to because someone purchased it first. That was when he made an interesting connection.
He had met Sum before. She had purchased the book. Is this her library? Steven wondered. Maybe it was a library for all the tenants to use. Steven felt some pride. Obviously these people have visited the book store that he worked at. This was a good thing, maybe if he told this Tripple guy that he could get discounts for friends, they might cut off some of his rent, saving him even more money.
While he was pondering this, he heard a small sound which caused him to turn around. The moment he did, he saw a small tip of a scale tail going around the staircase. Steven slowly walked over, guessing that Sum was going to give him a tour of the library now.
"Sum, is that you?"
He walked over, and looked around the staircase. Noone there. He walked around the staircase completely, yet he couldn't see Sum. He walked into the center of the other side of the stairs. On his right was the wall of books, on his left were various pipes and a concrete wall. There was also a maze of files and boxes. He walked through, thinking maybe she was just getting something and was too busy to be bothered. He continued to explore, and wanted to see what was on the other side. The further he got through the hallway stocked with boxes, the more a smell became more noticeable.
It was an odd smell, but it was one that his core animal instincts refused to ignore. He pressed on, determined now to find the source. As he got closer, he recognized it as some kind of meat, but it was starting to rot. As he passed through all the boxes, he came across a disturbing sight. A domesticated* sheep appeared to be torn open with fang and claw. It's fur scattered everywhere, the creature just lay there in the middle of a room with it's intestines either missing, and the parts that weren't gone were maimed in the middle of a rather violent meal. Steven didn't know what could do this, except- No...here? They have one HERE? He tried to keep calm, since he knew he was in a very dangerous position. He looked around, and saw a few blankets formed into a misshapen nest big enough for two full grown bull people. He saw that it was empty, which must have meant that it was...somewhere around here...
Steven slowly backed away, and turned, hoping to get away from this as soon as possible. Above him however, was the problem he was trying to avoid. It was surrounded in shadow that wasn't lit, and it was sleeping. Until now. It opened it's eyes, and when Steven was moving through the maze of boxes, it let out a low growl of satisfaction as it crawled along the ceiling towards it's target. Before Steven was through the boxes, he heard a *THUD* in front of him. He walked cautiously forward, calling out with faint hope "S-Sum?"
He got a hiss in response. Steven backed up in fear, but what he didn't know was that in the basement, sounds were tricky and didn't always belong in the right direction. As he backed up, he didn't notice it dart along the ceiling and slide silently behind him.
*bump*
Steven froze. It was a good foot taller than him, and the scales were cold to the touch. He expected to be grabbed, but all that happened was a question by the 7 foot dragon behind him.
"Hey, are you the new Tenant?"
CHAPTER 3: The Discussion
Steven was at a total loss for words. Here was a fully grown dragon, one of the most dangerous and least humanoid scale-people in all of the planet, and it asked him a normal question. There was no "You tasty", or "RAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR" that was usually associated with a furry coming into contact with a dragon. They were rare, they were violent, and the most certainly wouldn't know what the word Tenant was. Steven was confused. It didn't look like it wanted to eat him, but if it was willing to kill and eat sheep, there was no telling just how dangerous this thing was. It had soft blue eyes, with a hint of gray. It wore no clothing, but didn't seem to need to. It's scales were a shade between teal and turquoise. He didn't know how to respond, so he just stayed quiet, wondering what this dragon would do next. It reached out for him, and Steven flinched a little, expecting him to grab and throw him, make the meal go by quicker. He closed his eyes, knowing running would be futile, and waited.
and waited, and for a few more seconds, nothing happened. He opened his eyes, and saw that the dragon extended it's claws in a hand shake gesture. "You know," the dragon said "It's polite to shake hands with someone you just met. Me being the Land Lord, I didn't know you weren't keen about making a good impression."
Steven looked, and and slowly took his hand and shook it. "Y-you're the land lord? But, you're a dragon. Are you going to eat me?"
Tripple nodded, and retorted "You're the tenant? But you're a raccoon. Are you going to steal from this place? Don't judge someone from their appearance, I'm nicer than you would think. Come, let's talk business."
With that, Tripple led Steve towards the couches, and Steven sat down, hands on lap in anticipation and eyes glued to Tripple in fascinated curiosity. How did he learn to speak? Why did he become a Land lord? What was he doing in America? Most dragons stayed out in the wild, and were common in places like South America, Asia, and less populated areas of Europe. But here was a dragon who seemed more sophisticated than Steven himself, and he knew that it was actions, not looks, that decided who you were. But still, Steven was curious, so he had to ask.
"Uh, I'm sorry, but I might have a few questions, if that's okay."
Tripple ignored him for a moment, walking up to a bookshelf in front of all the seats and couch, and pulled a book entitled "The Golden Compass". There was a click then the wood of the shelf slid forward, and to the side, covering an entire section of the library filled with dictionaries and books on how to handle taxes. Behind the secret section, was a small coffee machine on top of a kitchen counter, with a sink, and a mini fridge on the bottom left section of it. Tripple stopped the machine, which was brewing a cup of joe and opened the cabinet above to get second cup. "I might have a few answers." He finally replied. "I hope you don't care for the book I use. No one ever wanted to finish it, so instead of throwing it away, I had Sum hook it up to make this pretty cool door switch thing.
Steven just nodded, deciding to pop the question over drinks and an imminent contract signing that seemed to be leading up. Tripple continued casually, asking "You want some coffee? It's either that, water, or milk." Steven was partial to dairy products, so he replied "Milk, please." Tripple nodded, and got out a half gallon of milk, and poured Steven a glass. The machine was done, so Tripple got his coffee, and gave the milk to Steven, after putting the milk away. Steven took some sips, and Tripple tasted his coffee, muttered "Not warm enough", and held his finger against the bottom of the ceramic mug. Immediately, the coffee began to boil, but Tripple took a few satisfied sips as if it was only mildly warm. "mmmm, that's good coffee, if I do say so myself."
He slowly began to relax, and then Steven politely coughed to get his attention. "Hm? Oh, yes, you had questions. Well, before I get the paperwork, I need to ask you some things as well. Is that alright?"
Steve started shifting nervously, not sure what kind of things Tripple would want to ask. "Uh, sure."
Tripple nodded again, and said "OK, go ahead and a......huh...excuse me." He stood up, and turned around, apparently touching his face. Steven couldn't see what he was doing, so he asked "What's wrong?"
Tripple was muttering "Just a bit of food, sorry. Getting things stuck between my teeth drives me crazy." He finally pulled out a small chunk of what appeared to be chewed sheep's brain, and flicked it carelessly away from him.
"Sorry about that. Now, since you asked your first question, I'm going to ask mine."
"That counted?"
"Yes. Oh, two questions. Excellent. Now, abo-"
"Wait wait wait, you're going to count those? They don't count, I was just curious."
Tripple gave him an apathetic leer. "Want to go for three? Please don't interrupt when I'm talking." Steven sighed and said "Alright. Go ahead and ask." With that, Steven took another sip of his drink.
Tripple sipped his still bubbling coffee, saying "Excellent. Well first of all, are you able to afford the rates I'm asking?"
"Yeah, but why is it so cheap for a place like this?"
"Because few people besides us scalies would want to live with a Dragon in the basement."
Sum had walked down, holding a book that she put back into it's original place. She gave a quick nod to Steven, who replied with a hand wave, and whispered something in Tripple's ear. "Yes, yes, I'm getting to it." He gave a dismissive wave, obviously wishing he wasn't bothered with the news. Sum walked off, annoyed at the curt reply. She said "I'm going to be in the attic, calibrating Mr.Peace if you need me." With that, she walked up the stairs.
Tripple sighed, and continued to drink his coffee. When he was done, he set it on a cover on the coffee table between him and Steven. "Yes, it's like she said, many people have turned us down. But I have friend's in influential places, so when I took over this complex for my own business, they generously cut down the bills so I wouldn't have to charge the tenants so much. In return, I'm usually gone doing favors for them and their affiliates."
Steven decided that it was best he didn't pursue the topic of doing favors so he just nodded and said "Alright, I suppose that makes sense."
"Good. Another question, do you discriminate against anyone? I don't mind if you were startled by me, but there re some people here who aren't fond of unwanted attention."
"What do you mean?"
Tripple tried to put it politely, but all he could say was "Just tell me whether or not you mind living with people of different sexual orientations, religion, species, politics, and beliefs."
"I have a good tolerance policy. If they don't bother me, I don't bother them."
"That's good to hear. But if you have any secrets that might endanger us, you need to tell me right now."
"No, but why would you need to know that?"
"If it doesn't apply, don't worry about it." Tripple looked away towards the stairs, as Sum came down holding a file booklet.
"Here you go. Did you ask him?"
"Yes, yes, I already did. Honestly, you need to be more trusting towards..." he leaned forward, and muttered something that Steven read his lips as "his kind."
Steven's fur was ruffled a little, but he said nothing.
Sum set the paperwork down on the table, gave Steven an apologetic look, and walked back up the stairs.
Tripple cleared his throat, and said "Alright, that's enough questions, and here is the contract."
He pushed the paper towards Steven, and he looked it over. It was two pages long, and was typical of any land ownership. No inviting more than two people at a time without consent of land lord, no smoking inside (except the land lord.) No alcohol allowed (unless purchased by the land lord and have a written slip that allows consumption of said alcohol that was given by land lord and approved by said land lord) Nothing illegal within this state allowed on property (not even if purchased by land lord.)
The list went on, but since Steven didn't smoke, drink, or donate his organs to science, he had nothing to worry about. He read through it, skimmed it again in case he missed something, then signed it.
Tripple took the paper, said thanks, and he took the file upstairs, motioning Steven to follow him.
When they got back into the hallway, Steven saw a group of people lounging around the living room, and eating dinner in the kitchen.
Tripple looked at Steven and said "After I introduce you and show you to everyone, I want you to get your stuff and bring it back. You're with us now."
Steven nodded, happy that he was finally going to have an excellent and cheap place to stay. He knew that getting to that 4-year college would be easier than he had hoped. Tripple took him to the main room, where two humans were playing against each other on the Wii, while a Wolf holding hands with a Gecko watched on one couch, and a bunny tuning a guitar while also watching the two humans playing on the Wii. There was also a Cat who had, in his lap, a domesticated cat with it's eyes closed. In the kitchen across from the couches sat Sum, eating a bowl of Top Ramen with another Nekomimi and human. Across from them was a white fox by the stove, cooking what smelled to be macaroni and cheese. There was a Jakkai* that walked in through the front door with a fedora in his hand that was filled with dollars and coins. He also had a Ukelele strapped to his back, and he closed the door behind him, saying "I'm home, everyone! Hi, Tripple! Hi, random thief guy!"
Steven was taken aback, but he could tell that this small Jakkai didn't mean to be offensive.
Tripple winced, and said "Jack, Steven is not a thief, he's the new tenant. He's also your new roommate." At the announcement of a new tenant, the people who were at the kitchen eating paused mid bite, and looked at Steven. The people on the couch simply looked towards him, said hello, and went back to either playing the Wii, or doing what they were doing while watching them play the Wii. Steven looked around at the normal day to day life and thought: "I could get used to this."
Chapter 4: A few more faces.
As Steven was about to go get his things, Tripple said "I think it's time you met everyone. Don't worry, they won't bite." With that, he walked off. Steven was about to tell him to stop, but Tripple was already closing the door behind him as he went into the basement. As Steven turned around to face everyone, they were all looking at him quizzically, but instantly went about their business. He was about to ask Sum who everyone was, when the Jakkai put his ukulele down and set his fedora full of money on top of it and started to walk towards him. Steven was about to say hello when the Jakkai named Jack broke into a full run, leaped, and glomped himself to Steven's face. Steven fell back on his ass, completely taken by surprise. Jack started sniffing him, saying "You smell nice. What's your name, again?" Steven was at a complete loss of words and had no response except for "...uh, Steven." He got up, with Jack still hanging on, but now he was on his back, hands locked arm in arm around Steven's neck. "Can you get off, please?" Steven asked. "No can do, Steef. Ah'm gonna introduce you to everyone!" Steven thought that this was a better idea than nervously trying to meet everyone on his own, so he replied "Alright, where to first then, Jack?" Jack looked around, as if unsure of where to sail the S.S. Steven, but then he pointed towards the two humans playing the Wii and said "Maka Card land! Go!"
Steven hoisted Jack a little higher on his back since he was slipping, and Jack hooked his feet into Stevens arms. As he walked over, Card and Maka finished their match and looked at Steven and Jack, who pointed out who was who.
Jack said "The chick wif the red hair is Shelby, and the guy wif the black hair is Mark." The one called Shelby chimed in "But just call me Card, everyone does. If you call me Shelby, I'll skin you alive. <3" She said the last part with a smile, so Steven hoped that she was joking. Hearing Jack gulp with fear wasn't helping, though. "a-a-and here," He stuttered with fear at first, but then composed himself. "Is mark, but we call heem Maka. They both play loads of games and read mango's and stuff, so if that's your thing, you can join them when they are not playing." Card and Maka resumed playing after Card corrected Jack "Manga" and started another match. Jack then tugged Steve's collar and pointed towards the Wolf and Gecko, holding hands and leaning on each other while watching Card and Maka play. Jack said "The Wolf is Alfalfa, but we call him Alpha, and the Gecko man is Spiney. They are dating, which is why they are holding hands." Steven blinked, and said "That's...pretty straight forward there, Jack." The wolf called Alpha turned to him and said "He's a straight forward type of person. Nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy hanging out with us. You need anything like groceries, just ask. It's our turn for shopping this week."
Steven nodded his thanks, and then Jack turned him towards the bunny and the cat with the domesticated cat in his lap. Jack first pointed to the bunny. "That's Samantha, but I like to call her Xiili. She's really good with the guitar. She writes her own songs and stuff, and she's really nice." Xiili looked up, and smiled at Jack and Steven. "Jack, you flatterer, stop it. You're going to make me blush." Steven said hello, and asked "Why does he call you Xiili?" Xiili replied: "When Jack first came here, he had a slight lisp, and I would always hang out with him. He tried calling me silly after I made some jokes but he couldn't pronounce it quite right. So, it stuck and everyone likes it. So do I, in fact I prefer it that most people call me Xiili instead of Samantha." Steven nodded. "Will do, Xiili." Xiili smiled again and said "There ya go, chief!"
Jack then pointed to the Cat that was starting to droop off while petting the domesticated cat. "The big cat is Fuzzy, and the small one is Seeker." Fuzzy woke up, and grinned at the both of them. "Nice to meet you. Jack, don't you think you should get off the new guy?" Jack shook his head furiously. "Nope, I like it up here. Steef, do you want me off?" Steven decided to play along, so he did his part perfectly. "Not a chance, buddy." Jack smiled and nuzzled the back of Steven's head. Fuzzy chuckled and said "Well, welcome anyways, Steve. If you got any questions about how things work, we basically take turns doing clean up with Mom, whenever she comes over. Even though it's rare, but she does a really good job. Since Tripple can't really show his face around the city for obvious reasons, we hope you can keep the fact that we have a dragon in the basement a secret most discreet." Steven nodded once again. "Don't worry, not only would people not believe me, I would never do anything to harm Tripple." Jack looked at him and said "That's a serious thing to say, Steef. I think the only way you can proof it is if you make the ultimate promise, the one that requires your absolute dedication, an unbreakable vow."
With total seriousness, Jack stuck out his smallest finger and said "Pinkie promise?" Steven laughed, and instantly took a liking to his new roommate. "Pinkie promise, little man." Steven was about to turn away when he saw the domesticated cat open it's eyes. All four of them. Steven was startled, and then Fuzzy smiled again, saying "Yeah, we don't really know why that is, but he's a really clever cat. He's very nice when you get to know him." For his part, Seeker took one look at Steven, then went right back to sleep.
Jack tugged Steven's collar yet again and shouted "To the kitchen! The land of women and damn good bacon with sandwiches!" Steven walked towards Sum and the Nekomimi and human as the white fox finished cooking his Macaroni and cheese, and began to serve it onto his plate. As Steven walked towards the Nekomimi and the human, the Nekomimi immediately got up and walked towards him. On the step down from the dining room, she tripped, only saying "Hey, I'm Mooowoooaah!!" *CLUNK* She hit her head, and Sum along with the human were immediately at her side, lifting her up, their expressions giving away that situations like this were common. "Monk," Sum started, "How many times must I tell you? Watch your step!" Monk was rubbing her head, and said "Sorry, It's just that there's a new guy!" Sum sighed, and said "Hey, Steve. Hello, Jack. Steven, this is Monk-" "Hi." "and Digerius, but call him Digg." "Please do."
Sum continued, despite Jack's sad face at no longer being part of the tour guide. "If you've ever wondered what we do, I like to build things, Monk is a gamer like Card and Maka, and Digg also hangs out a lot on the internet. Oh, and that fox over there is Torack. He's an assistant martial artist instructor." At this, Torack walked by, saying "I know a lot of martial arts, but I'm not going to get into a long list about it." Steven asked "What's one of your favorite types?" Torack paused, and said "That's like asking Steve Irwin which animal is his favorite. The one I use the most would have to be Jujitsu, though. Although I'm pretty good at Wing Chun. You ever see the movie Ip Man?" Steven nodded, and Torack continued. "It's always been a dream of mine to reenact the fight scene between him and those karate black belts."
Torack continued to eat his food, and Sum let Digg take Monk to the table while she went to go get some ice. "Another person that you should meet would be Cliff, but he doesn't get home till later. Do you like cake, Steve?"
"What kind of cake, and why are you asking me such a celebration related question?"
"Because we are getting a chocolate cake for Cliff's birthday, of course! Alpha's going to go get it right now!"
"Say WHAT?"
"Oh, don't be such a sour puss."
Jack cleared his throat and said "Well, that's pretty much it, Steven. What do you think?" Steven looked around, and said "I think I'm going to like it here. I'm going to go get my stuff, it's at the last place I've been staying."
"Oh, Alpha can give you a ride on the way, as long as you don't mind getting the cake too."
Steven shrugged. "Sure, as long as he doesn't mind."
Alpha was about to protest, but a glare from Spiney caused him to sigh and say "Don't worry about it man, it's no problem."
Jack slid down and said "I'm gonna clean our room, but I hope you don't mind that I have top bunk, Steef!"
Steven waved as Jack ran up the stairs. "Nah, it's fine. I'll see you guys later."
Everyone collectively said goodbye as Alpha and Steven left to go get Steven's stuff and Cliff's birthday cake.
With that, Steven walked out and started heading back to his last apartment along with the cake.
Meanwhile....
Tripple was down in his basement room, getting ready to take a quick nap before the party. It was an interesting day, he supposed. But then he heard an announcement from his computer. One that he wasn't expecting until the end of next week. "You have mail."
He checked, and it was indeed addressed from one of their locations. Norix was using his "Superstud45" account, which was one of the few accounts CG knew for a fact wasn't under surveillance. With a trembling claw, Tripple opened the E-Mail, knowing that they wouldn't dare send an E-Mail without him setting up his firewall first. He read it. He read it again, and slowly stumbled backwards, thoroughly shaking with rage and nervousness. He swept a claw over his face, an attempt to calm himself down. Think, think, think... he thought, but slowly the gears inside his head began to turn, and he knew with a grim frown what he had to do. He left the room making necessary preparations. Calls, looking up information, anything that could make the upcoming assignme-...Could you call it an assignment? He's probably never done this before. Tripple shook his head. It's a meeting, not a mission. Steven should be fine. But still, using him? What other options were there though, and as long as he met up with Norix and Crenox first, it should be fine.
With that, he walked back up the stairs to discuss the situation at hand with sum and to get her to help convince Steven to travel even though he just got here, leaving the computer moniter with the message "She's claiming that she's willing to cut ties. Just in case worst might come to worst, send someone expendable."
Chapter 5: Let's light this candle. Part 1.
Steven and Alpha got into the car that was used by pretty much everyone in the apartment. It was a dark red Nissan Frontier Navara Single Cab Pick Up Truck. Steven took passenger side as Alpha started it up and got on the road.
As they were on the road, Steven relayed the address and they were there in a few minutes. "Wait here, I'm going to go get my stuff ready." Alpha replied "Ok, just set it in the back, I'm gonna wait with the ropes so it doesn't fly off, although it's highly unlikely." Once Steven got all of his clothes he packed up the remaining items in his previous room, including a few important items such as photo's, his Toshiba Qosmio X505 Laptop, and a steel key chain with an obsidian black claw as an emblem that looked very old, and refurbished countless times. As he got back, he helped Alpha tie his suitcase with his clothes down, and Steven took his personal things with him in the front seat. Alpha started up the car again, and when they were on the road, he asked "So, what do you think of the place?" Steven thought back and saw how nice everyone was, the fact that he met a dragon he could talk to, his hilarious roommate, and the cheap prices that are going to keep him going in life. "You know," Steven replied "I think I'm going to like it here. Doesn't seem to be anything bad about it, it's like a dream come true."
Back at the apartment, Tripple and Sum were in the middle of a heated debate.
"No! You can't do that! You don't know what she'll do!"
"He has a job, and I've let his boss know about what's he doing, and who he's going to talk to, he'll be fine."
Sum walked closer and slapped Tripple as hard as she could across the face.
"YOU IDIOT. She's so powerful, she could probably just buy him out! She's the head of Amega corp, for christ's sake!"
Tripple rubbed his face, tears starting to well up. "You think I don't know what she's capable of? What she's willing to do to anyone to get what she wants? I'm very much aware of that. Unless you've forgotten my story so easily."
Sum paused, her hands falling to her side, face downcast, filled with regret. "I know, it's just...why someone so new?"
Tripple walked forward, and raised her chin up. "Two reasons, Sumi. One, he's going to meet Norix and Crenox, so they will watch the situation once they know when he's meeting with her, and Two: They recently managed to get another tube of Animox."
Sum paled. "You don't mean, you plan on using it on him, do you?"
Tripple shrugged "If worst does indeed come to worst, then he needs to fight for his life. It won't activate unless he does, and I've given Norix specific instructions to let him know everything he needs to know about it. He needs to trust us, so we can trust him."
Sum replied with "Yes, but still...it's very dangerous."
"It's also incredibly useful. It's gotten Tye, CG, Norix, and Crenox out of many bad situations. It's also done strange things to Odie, he can survive pretty much anything these days."
Sum couldn't think of anything to say, but when she did, Tripple just said "It's my team, and I've got this planned out perfectly. Steven will meet up with the rest of them, find out what she wants, he is going to leave, and we can get some more information."
Before Sum could respond, there was a distant ring ring while the door opened and closed with the faint voices of Alpha and Steven carried into the basement.
"Hey guys, we're back."
"We also got the cake. Spiney, can you please go see who's calling?"
Tripple and Sum walked up into the main room, and saw Spiney talking on the phone.
"Hi, this is Spiney, who's this?...yes, I know Clifford...may I ask wh- WHAT? WHEN? Do you know where he is? What do you mean, "untraceable?" HOW THE HELL CAN YOU-...okay...wait, here she is."
Spiney looked towards Tripple and said "Tripple, they want to talk to the land lord."
Tripple nodded to Sumi, and she took the phone. Steven gave a quizzical look at Jack, who was now with them all again, but Jack just replied "Sshhh, Steef. I'll explain later."
Everyone watched Sum with nervous anticipation as she took the phone and said "Hello? Yes officer, this is Sumi Dudiok. May I ask what the problem is? He's what? Can you find him??!? A few hours?!? But...you...I see...no, I understand. Goodbye, officer." She hung up, hands shaking. She turned around, and faced everyone, who was looking at her in total silence, except Spiney who was sitting on the couch with his face in his hands.
Sum looked around, and said " Clifford has been abducted."
END OF PART 1.
PART 2: Let's light this candle.
Everyone listened with fear of what could have happened while Sumi explained everything.
"The police are saying that Clifford was in a cult. They don't know what this cult does, but this is what they found." She looked at the clock above the cabinets in the kitchen and saw that it was almost 10:30 PM. She walked over to the couch and turned on the TV, setting it to the most popular TV news show, "Furry facts".
A Cat was sitting at the desk, with a screen showing a face of a Salamander that Steven suspected was Clifford.
The cat started with "Thank you, Jonathan. Today a young Salamander named Clifford Fugin, age of 20. was reported missing by the police, allegedly abducted by a group of people who refer to themselves as a cult known as "The Called." The police are still investigating the exact location of the cult, but they were contacted by the group, explaining his dissapearance. Here is the recording of the phone call made by the group to the police."
The camera went to a dark blue background, and words starting appearing according to the recording of the phone call.
"911, what's your emergency?"
"Hi, we have someone named Clifford Fugin."
"Alright, and what is the problem?"
"Nothing, we just wanted to inform you that he lives at 1337 Rubicon Road. He will not be returning, because he has been chosen to give himself up for the cause."
"..."
"Hello?"
There was a clicking sound, and then:
"Can you repeat yourself, sir?"
"There's not much time, I know you're tracking me. Do not attempt to come find him. He is beyond your assistance, and he does not wish to be saved. We are The Called, and our destiny shall be fulfilled tonight."
*Click*
The camera went back to the news anchor cat, who continued with "If anyone has any information on this salamander's whereabouts, please contact our hotline at 1-353-3963. Again, tha-"
Tripple turned it off, and turned around. He asked just one question: "Who's coming with me?"
At first, Steven thought it would be crazy since they didn't know where they were, and that a dragon couldn't just walk around town without being seen. Also, aside from Tripple, noone seemed to be good enough to fight a group of people, and they could be arrested under vigilante charges. But then he saw Torack and Jack raise their hands. Torack was obviously trained in martial arts, though Steven didn't know how well. But Jack? What was Jack able to do?Everyone else seemed aware that they were not good at combat, but everyone seemed eager to go. So it was with an air of great reluctance that many of them kept their arms at their sides.
Before he could ask any questions, Tripple looked at him. "You're probably wondering why we would do this, but just remember. Don't underestimate people who can save a friend. I know you're new to this, but I don't know what use you can be in. So I'm going to ask: Are you willing to come with us?"
Steven felt the obsidian claw at the end of the keychain he kept in his pocket and said what his father would say: "They won't ever see us coming."
Tripple looked at Sum, and asked "What about you, Sum? You in for this one?"
Sum shook her head, saying "You know Clifford means a lot to me. To all of us, but I have to stay in case police come over and ask for me."
Tripple nodded, and said: "Seeker, come on."
The domestic cat Seeker immediately obeyed, and walked over in front of Tripple. He went down on one knee and said "We need to find Clifford, take us to him."
Seeker nodded, and walked to the front door, jumping through the cat flap. Jack walked back up the stairs, coming back with a backpack filled with things that he wouldn't talk about when Steve asked him. Torack just got some boxing tape and kept it in a roll inside his pocket.
They all walked out, and Steven finally had to ask "Tripple, how are we going to hide you?"
Tripple just looked at him and said "What, away from people so they don't get scared? Like this." He raised his hand towards the stars and muttered something in an entirely different dialect than Steven had ever heard. At once, Steven was starting to notice that Tripple looked different. At first Steven rubbed his eyes, but as he looked closer, he knew that he was changing.
Tripple scales started to dull, and they extended outwards a bit more and seemed to multiply. Immediately, they looked like blue feathers, but they started to turn brown, as if they were decaying. His wings did the same thing, and his claws on his hands and feet started to resemble talons. His horns and his head started to turn white, and his eyes went dark brown. His horns sunk into his head, and his mouth area started to curve and turn a dark yellow, until it looked like a beak. When the process was over, he looked like a bald eagle.
Before Steve could say anything, Tripple said "It's a dragon perk. Something about the Gift of the Cosmos. I've not tried all the tricks, but I won't sit here and play twenty questions about it. We have some searching to do."
They all set off, following Seeker who seemed to know the exact path. Tripple strode ahead, Torack right behind him, and Jack walking side by side with Steven. (He didn't get a piggy back ride because when they tried his back pack was quite heavy.)
While they walked, Steven decided to ask Jack a few questions.
"Hey, Jack."
"Yeah, Steefen?"
"How can a cat know where Cliff is?"
"We don't really know, but Tripple says that Seeker is very smart and can know anyone by smell. He once found my toy I left at the park by sniffing me."
"Ah, but what's the plan, honestly? We don't really know what could happen."
Jack was about to reply when Torack turned around and continued walking backwards with "Tripple is a dragon with cool powers that are stronger at night, I'm the best fighter in the country, so says 6 of my national awards in the championships that I have attended, and I suppose you're here for....?"
Steven wasn't going to fall for this intimidation technique so he replied "To save the big bad martial artist from danger, of course."
Torack turned with only a smile at the joke. "I see. Good to have you anyways, Steve."
"Likewise, Torack."
They continued walking for about twenty minutes making only small talk until they hit the east side, which was the area of collective construction buildings and sites. Seeker paused, and sniffed the door of an old and abandoned warehouse. He pawed at the door, signaling that this was the place.
Tripple was about to open the door, but then he turned around and looked at Steven. "You can wait outside if you don't want to fight. It might be a good idea too, since if something bad happens, you can go and get help."
But Steven just shook his head. "No, I want to come along too. I can't just leave someone to these crazy people."
Tripple smiled, and walked in. Torack and Jack followed, and then Steven walked in. He heard a meow behind him, and saw that Seeker was sitting outside, obviously refusing to go in. Steven waved his thanks and goodbye while closing the door behind him.
Seeker was starting to get uncomfortable without anyone, so he changed his mind. He pawed at the door, hoping to be let in, but they were already walking down the hallway, discussing what to do. Seeker tried to look around, but the warehouse was too big and this seemed to be the only entrance. He then noticed major pieces of machinery and construction laying by the side, and near the top was the only open window. Seeker began to walk towards his own entrance.
***********
Tripple, Torack, Jack, and Steven walked down a dark hallway. There were a few pipes following along, rusted out from lack of use and age. There was the occasional puddle from some leaks in the ceiling, and the air had a stuffy aura to it, as if something terrible was further inside. As they got closer to a big pair of metal doors, they heard some sort of incantation made by one man, and every second man was sounded off by some sort of chorus of a group of people.
"To wash away the wickedness of the world..."
"We must cleanse it with blood."
"Our mission is looked down upon for many reasons..."
"The world is plagued with lack of insight."
"Today we sacrifice a brother..."
"Who has insight."
"Today we cleanse the world..."
"Using the Wrath of the Cosmos."
At this line, Tripple bolted forward and ran through the doors, knocking them off their hinges. His disguise dissipated, so he looked once again like a dragon.
Steven, Torack, and Jack ran in, looking around. It was a large empty warehouse room, with three building tall windows on each side, and a massive symbol of some design written in white chalk in the floor. There were 11 people wearing monk robes in a circle, with one man with his hood down standing over an Orange Salamander who appeared to be unconscious. Torack stepped forth and cried "Clifford! What have you freaks done with him?!"
The ten people surrounding Clifford and the robed man seemed nervous to be confronted with a dragon and three other people, but the person who seemed to be in charge simply said "We are sacrificing him for the Cosmos, you ignorant child. Brother Clifford here shall help us achieve the greatest power in this book that shall help us reach immortality." With that, he raised a book that had a red symbol on it that looked the same as the one on the floor.
Tripple sighed and said "I don't know where you got that book, but it's best if you hand it and my friend over right now."
The man stepped forward and removed his hood. Steven saw that he had sunken eyes and matted hair. He smiled, revealing a row of badly taken care of teeth, and grinned in a fashion that made him look crazier than he already appeared.
"and why," he said very bravely, "Should I do that?"
Tripple stared at him coolly and replied "because the only sacrifice will be every single person here besides Clifford when I taint the floor with your dirty blood, along with that trashy image of vulgarity."
The man closed his eyes, and seemed to be frustrated with Tripple. "I see that you have no insight with what this can do to you."
Tripple extended his claws, stating "I see that you have no insight on what we can do to your face. Hand over the book and my friend, and I might consider not ending your life."
Torack stepped forward, and said "No. Don't kill them."
Steven looked at Torack, wondering where this mercy was coming from. Torack hit his right palm with his left hand, saying "I want them to suffer first."
Tripple looked between Torack and the group, as though considering this, but then-
"Heeheheheheh." the leader chuckled. "I'll cut a deal with you, Fox. If you can beat these ten men, You can have both you're friend and the book." He looked towards the ten men, and said "Men! It's now a martial arts fight! Go!"
The ten men now looked more brave, noting that it was only one fox that they had to contend with. They removed their robes, revealing normal clothes underneath. The formed a half circle towards Torack. He stepped forth, obviously unfazed by having to deal with ten people at once. He looked angry, and he asked one "You, what does it mean to know martial arts?"
The person he was referring to replied with "Pfft, it means to kick anyones ass that steps in your way."
Torack looked down, his fists now shaking with rage. "You take my friend, and spit on what it means to be a martial artist. You will suffer for your ignorance."
The man replied with "Be quiet, chi-"
"SHUT UP TRASH." Torack yelled. He stepped forth, and Jack, Steve, and Tripple stood back and watched. What happened next was so amazing, it was difficult to put down into words, so all Steven could think of was that it so closely resembled this scene from 0:52 to 2:30 that Steven thought that destiny itself had orchestrated the entire conflict.
As Torack set down the last person, he whispered in his ear "Martial arts is defense, not assault."
Steven was taken aback, Tripple seemed unsurprised, and Jack looked down at the Uzi gun he brought in his backpack, saddened that it would not be used tonight.
The Leader who was standing by suddenly pulled out a knife and ran for Clifford. Steven and Torack both bolted forward, but it was Tripple that got to him first. The leader turned around, and Tripple nearly got cut with the knife. He didn't have much to worry about though, since the knife was not a very good one, and could do nothing against his scales. The leader struggled out of his grasp, and fell at the edge of the symbol. Torack, Jack, and Steven caught up to Tripple and he said "Torack, Jack, Steven, get Clifford and that book." Torack and Jack got the body, and Steven grabbed the book. They were away from the emblem when Jack was starting to walk back so Steven could help get Cliff away from there while Jack held the book, but then it flew open when Steven touched it and Steven was stuck to that spot.
All of time stood still as Steven looked at the ancient writings inside. He looked around, and saw that everything except him, Tripple, and the man were frozen in time. Steven looked around. Jack was almost at the emblem completely unaware of the situation, but he wasn't touching the symbol on the floor. Jack was dragging Cliff towards the door, and Tripple was just standing there as the man tried to ward him off with the knife. As soon as both of them noticed the change, the man looked at Steve. "Wh-what have you done? You've ruined everything! I hope the Wrath of the Cosmos sorts you out in life afterwards, you fool! No matter, this just means I need to do one thing."
Tripple started to walk towards him. "What's that?"
Without reply, the man lifted the knife and stabbed himself in the chest."
As he fell, time went back to normal and Tripple was starting to walk towards Steven and the book when something happened. There was a great force that originated from the man's body that sent Tripple flying and Steven fell back and was sliding across the floor from the force alone. Soon it stopped and the man sat upright. His body started to crack and shift around, while he seemed to be secreting black tar and blood from his skin.
He pulled the knife out of his chest and beckoned towards Steven. Immediately the book started to slide towards him, Steven still holding on.
Tripple roared "DON'T LET GO OF THAT BOOK, STEVEN! WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HE CAN DO WITH IT!!"
Steven was starting to freak out, but he obeyed and kept holding on. Tripple caught up and picked up Steven while flying. He did a back flip in mid-air and immediately flew towards the opening where the double doors previously were. Jack, Torack, and Clifford were nowhere to be seen. "They must be outside!" Tripple yelled as he tried his best to get away from the unnatural man with the ability to bring things towards him. He kept flying until he was at the entrance.
He stopped and put Steven down while he opened the door.
Steven risked a look back and instantly regretted it. The man was standing in the middle of the hallway, his mouth and nose were now covered with a film of excess skin that was riddled in dark veins. The black tar seemed to cover his arms and legs, but instead of slowing him down, he was running at a very fast pace. His eyes were gone, replaced by blackened sockets with blood oozing out. His chest was torn open, with his rib cage revealed and protruding in the fashion of a venus flytrap. In the middle, his stomach was one big hole that breathed heavily. The organs were deadened and those that weren't there seemed to be missing.
Tripple opened the door and Steven ran outside with him. Steven ran straight into Tripple as he stood completely still. Steven got up and yelled "Why are you stopping?!? We gotta go!"
Tripple turned around and said "Look, Steve. Look all around you. Where are we going to go?"
As Steven looked around, he was standing on top of the concrete parking lot, and in the sky there were stars. Far more stars than he thought there should be. The moon was gone, and as he kept running, he almost reached the street when he saw that there was no street. The parking lot ended in nothing and Steven saw stars even below him as he looked down for as far as the eye can see. He turned around, and saw the beast that he decided to refer to as Rathos.
Rathos was looking at Tripple, and Tripple stood there, his hands clasped together as he started to mutter an incantation of his own. Steven decided to stay out of the way, so he went near a wall and stayed where he was, terrified about what would happen if Tripple lost, but even more horrified when he realized that he was holding the book that Rathos wanted.
*****************************
Tripple was nervous, but he knew that since they were apparently in space and so close to the Cosmos, he probably stood a chance. He rushed Rathos and pinned him to the ground. As Tripple started attacking, Rathos immediately kicked him off. As Tripple was in mid-air, he extended his wings and started doing dive bomb attacks. On one, Rathos caught him, and threw him very hard at the wall before he could avoid it. Tripple fell, and slowly got up. He took to the sky (higher space?) and clasped his hands together. "Never tried it, but here goes nothing" he muttered as he said an incantation. Immediately, his eyes started to glow and the aura around him seemed powerful.
He fell to the ground, and as Rathos was about to attack him, he was knocked back by some sort of force field that was set around Tripple. Every time he struck, archaic rune symbols appeared wherever he hit. As he stumbled back, something intelligible echoed from his stomach. "Wgh...er....youuuuu...?"
A blinding light enveloped Trikius, and when it was gone, he stood up. He was almost two feet taller, his horns were much more pronounced, and he looked much more stronger. He extended his claws, which were now serrated, and he talked in a voice that sounded spoken by many people at once.
"We are the followers of the Kindness of the Cosmos.
We are the friends of the forgiving fire,
We are the sons of the sun,
the peace keepers of times long forgotten.
We are the Arazik, or in this language: Ash Kin. The clan of Peace, Tranquility, and Stability...and you" the voices continued as Tripple pointed a claw at Rathos, "are not welcome in this realm.
A light flew from Tripple's claw tips, and it engulfed Rathos in a blue flame. Just like that, he slowly disintegrated, and the book in Steven's hands slowly burned in the same flame. It was cool to the touch, but Steven thought it must have been very hot at the rate it destroyed that book.
***********************************
Steven's vision began to blur, and as he rubbed his eyes and opened them, he saw Tripple standing there, the bright light leaving his eyes. He heard footsteps, and beside him running towards the street that was now there ran Jack. He paused, looked at Steven, and asked "Where did you go, and where did you come from just now, Steef?" Steven was still dazed, so he just rubbed his head as he heard Torack yell "Hey, Jack, come help me! I've found Tripple!"
Jack ran towards Tripple as Steven got up and started walking towards all three of them, Torack having Clifford on his back. Tripple was about to walk forward for a moment but then he collapsed. Steven ran over, now accompanied by Seeker who seemed to have come from the building and bent by Tripple. "Trikius! Come on, not now, I hear sirens! Trikius! Trikius! Get up, come on!" The voices faded as Tripple slipped into exhausted unconsciousness.
END OF PART 2.
Chapter 6: According to plan.
Steven was worried. The police sirens were only getting louder, and him, Turkas, and Jack had to move a grown salamander and a dragon out of sight before they were surrounded.
Not the easiest of tasks.
As he, Turkas, and Jack tried their best to first move Tripple, they saw Alpha's truck pull into the parking lot right next to them. Samantha and Fuzzi got out of the back and helped haul Trikius into the back. Steven didn't ask any questions as the sirens were very close now and he helped load Clifford into the back with Trikius. Samantha took the front seat with Alpha, as Fuzzi got behind them in the back with Jack and Turkas. Steven quickly got into the back with both unconscious people.
Once he got in, Samantha tossed back a tied down tarp pack and they were off. Once he had it undone, Steven was about to expand the tarp as the police drove around the corner and started to drive and give chase. They shined a light on Steven, and he did his best to cover up with the tarp. He stuffed the corners into the truck and on top of the back of the head of the car, but he knew they probably saw him. He heard voices.
"Stop! Pull over and step out of the vehicle! If you do not stop, we will be forced to take extreme measures to apprehend you!"
Steven heard Alpha growl: "Apprehend this." With that, Steven heard a click and suddenly they were going very fast down the nearly empty street. He turned a corner, and Steven saw that Trikius woke up.
"What's happening? Where am I?"
"Long story short: You fought some weird Dead Space freak, you turned all Enlightened and went unconscious, we saved Clifford, but the police are after us while we are in the back of Alpha's truck."
Trikius looked at Steven in total confusion, but then he heard sirens. He looked tired, but he still held out his hand and runic emblems started to appear out of his palm. Immediately, the tarp started to shine and Steven could see through it. It was as if he had obtained some sort of visual powers. Not only that, but the truck turned silver.
Trikius was starting to fall asleep, but he muttered "Steven, hold my hand upright and chant: "Ilek tiju bihut".
Steven did so, and Trikius lost consciousness again. As he kept chanting the words, the power of sight and the color of the car remained the same. The odd thing was, that once Steven started chanting it, the chain with the black claw around his neck started to glow.
Immediately, the police caught up with them, but then they seemed to leave as Alpha made a turn away from them, obviously looking for a truck with a different color and people with tarp in the back. Steven was about to laugh and joke about how stupid they were for not pulling them over to ask questions, but he decided not to push his luck anymore.
Alpha noticed the new paint job, and said "Fantastic job, Trikius."
*********************************************************************
They were finally home, and everyone besides Jack and Turkas helped carry Trikius inside while Alpha parked the truck in the back, saying how he was going to put it in the garage for now.
Jack and Turkas followed behind, carrying Clifford between them. They set Clifford on the couch while Monk and Samantha started to tend to him. Everyone else seemed to be in their rooms sleeping. Steven followed as Fuzzi and Turkas took Trikius down, where he heard Sumi agreeing with someone down stairs. Steven looked back, saw Alpha coming the front, and nodded a quick thank you as Alpha nodded in return.
"Open the door, I need my supplies."
"Yes, mum."
"I don't know why you insisted on waking me up, just set him on fire, he'll be fine."
"Yes, but we also have Clifford ups-"
"Samantha knows how to use a trauma kit, and while Monkita maybe a ditz, she's a good learner. I've taught her much about how to treat someone with such conditions. From what you've told me, he was drugged."
"Yes, but you always said-"
"To consult me before using my medical supplies, yes yes, I'm aware of that. Honestly Sumi, don't you know what you're doing?"
*sniff...sniffle*
"...He's going to be fine, dear. I promise."
Steven walked down as he saw Sumi being hugged near the bottom of more stairs with a human female, seemingly in her late 30's. She looked up at Steven as he went down the stairs with Fuzzi and Turkas and said: "You must be Mr. Schotgin. I'm Marion, but everyone calls me Mum."
She was a Brunette with a grey Witches Lock on the left side, steven guessed her age was between 36 and 42. She had long hair, but it was tied back into a pony tail with a black leather thong. She had a suntanned complexion with a sparse scattering of freckles on her face. There was an old scar barely visible under her left eyebrow, and it went up until it stopped just beneath her hair line. She had such deep brown eyes, Steven felt that he could drown in them, and she wore a pair of Lennon style glasses with silver frames. She stood at about 5'11.
"Hello, um...Mum. I heard something about setting Trikius on fire...?"
Mum chuckled a little and said "Oh, you heard that, did you? Aye, that's the plan here. I'm going to go get the flame thrower now."
Steven watched her as she walked off into the darkness. He looked around and saw a lobotomy style table that had severe burn marks on it's surface being wheeled into the only light in the room. Steven looked around. He couldn't see much but he could tell that this room was big. Very big. The space could probably fit the entire apartment complex.
Jack came out of nowhere and brought in a table with two giant canisters and a nozzle device. Once Mum put it on, Steven saw that it was a flame thrower device. Everyone stepped back as Mum clicked the nozzle and set Trikius on fire. As he was covered in flames, Steven asked Turkas "I know he's a dragon, but will that really work?"
Turkas shrugged and said "None of us know if this will help, but Trikius always said that if he's seriously wounded, they setting him on fire is the quickest way towards recovery."
Mum twisted the nozzle until the fire stopped, and Steven noticed that the fire turned a color to match Trikius's scales as they slowly died. Trikius soon started breathing more, and seemed to be sleeping peacefully than painfully exhausted.
Mum turned to everyone and said "Ok, now off to bed, the lot of ya. Only me and Sumi need to stay here."
Noone protested, since everyone was so tired. Steven and Jack went upstairs to sleep, Fuzzi was going to have a snack, and Turkas decided to watch some TV.
*****************************************************
"Alright Steef, welcome to your new room!"
Steven was surprised that Jack was so relaxed despite all that had happened, but he supposed that trying to keep Jack down was like trying to fall up. He set his side down next to his bed on the bunk while Jack climbed up the ladder and pointed everything out from his bed, while tuning his ukelele with his Fedora perched upon his bed post.
"Tomorrow if you like Steef, we can get you your own blanket! I know I didn't like mine when I got here."
Steven looked at his. It were a light green, and he had to agree that he would have preferred a pattern on his blanket.
Jack had a drawer where he said his clothes were inside. He pointed to a mirror closet that opened with a laundry basket and shelf space that he said could be all for Steven. Jack also had his own desk with a laptop for his own size with a mouse plugged in to replace the touch pad. He also had a Turtle Beach headset beside it along with a open notebook with random words and doodles on the desk. He claimed to write songs for his busking in his notebook, or on his laptop. Steven noted that Jack also owns a Nintendo DS, and has some obscure games for it. There were also a couple of guitar picks, and some spare ukulele strings in open drawer on his desk, amongst some stationery.
On the other side of the room, there was a shelf with some ukulele books, philosophy/chemistry books, and a dictionary. Steven looked around as he started to lay down, and Jack clapped his hands twice until the lights went out. Steven turned over and saw a glow-in-the-dark clock that read 1:12 AM. He muttered good night to Jack, who yawned and replied "Night, Steef." Then they both went to sleep, both secretly hoping that tomorrow things would be much easier.
************************************************************
Torack was watching TV, and as he was watching some cartoons since he couldn't sleep, he decided to watch the news.
What he saw sent him sprinting downstairs towards Trikius.
*************************************************************
Tripple slowly sat upright, his head still aching from the use of such power. All he could remember was that he used a spell that he knew from instinct and it was a lot more powerful and demanding than he had thought. Sumi came forth and handed him a bottle of water with some medicine. He took both, pondering what to do next. That abomination of a book and man were both destroyed, so why did he feel that it was only the beginning of his troubles?
As soon as he realized he still had to send someone (preferably Steven) to deal with the issue Norix contacted him about, Turkas ran right in and stood beside Tripple.
"Trikius, I...I have some bad news."
Tripple stood up. They don't use his real name unless it's urgent. "What is it?"
Turkas was still breathing heavily from the sudden running, but then he said "The police...they have Steven labeled as an accomplice to some sort of explosion that took place at the warehouse we were at. When you guys disappeared, a force knocked me and Jack back, it sounded like an explosion to us, so someone must have reported it to the police. They're saying that everything inside the warehouse is scorched, and Steven's one of the one's to blame. They're looking for him for charges under arson and police evasion."
Trikius wanted to smile due to the circumstances, but he just looked down and said "Thank you, Turkas. I'll take care of it."
Torack nodded and walked back up stairs. Mum told Tripple to take it easy, and she took her leave as well until it was just Sumi and Trikius. Sumi looked at him and asked "So that's it? You're going to think that it's guilt free to send him to her because it's either that or prison?"
"....I never said that."
"Then what is your plan, Trikius?"
"...He meets up with Norix at the airport-"
Sumi looked up as if in prayer and walked away, as if this was the stupidest idea she had ever heard before he had even finished explaining it.
"That's the stupidest Idea I have ever heard, and you haven't even finished explaining it."
Trikius took another swig of the water bottle before continuing.
"Norix will fill him in so he knows what's going on. He might agree since it's either that or jail time. Possibly prison."
"So what, you're going to blackmail him?"
"Not blackmail, I'm giving him a choice. He needs to lie low for a bit, and all he has to do is talk. He scratches my hide, I save his."
"Blackmail."
"Bargaining."
"Extortion."
"Call it what you will. I've been hiding low for too damn long. We need to make a move soon, and as soon as she believes that we think we're safe, she might let her guard down, and it will be easier to move forward with Operation: Mind Flight."
"That's what you're calling your suicide mission? Why is this so important to you? You honestly think you can save all of them?"
"I know I can. I have to. I just need a little more time. Nobody should be put through the stages that I was. This isn't about personal redemption, Sumi. This is about ending one of the greatest threats the world has ever seen. If she succeeds with her plan, then the world as we know it will be gone. I don't think I can save all of them, but we have to do something about it."
Sumi sighed and said "Alright, fine. Just promise me you'll have Norix and the rest keep tabs on him. Against her...there's no knowing what she'll do to find out about you."
Trikius laid back and said "Don't worry. If things go according to plan, then the whole thing will go more smoothly than we had hoped."
Despite the severity of the situation, Trikius couldn't help but smile at all the good that he had a chance to do. He knew that this decision was the safest yet quickest way. Nothing could, or would be allowed to go wrong.
*END OF CHAPTER 6*
-------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 6.1: Intermission
Darkness. The room was cold, and he felt a sense of foreboding. As he sat down, he heard the door behind him lock with a click and a giant monitor turn on at the other side of the table. The monitor took up a good 4/5ths of the wall, and in the illumination, he saw his temporary employer. Mrs N. From the outline, he could tell that she had a beak, and that she had a small stocky body with feathers, unless it was fur. The mouse in the green hoodie decided on feathers, since he heard her clucking in mid-thought.
"Mr. DeWilds."
"Yes, Mrs. N?"
"You're here because your wife couldn't keep her mouth shut. If you want to ever see her again, you are going to tell me exactly what you found in that basement. Understood?"
Mr. DeWilds gulped visibly, but he had to be brave. For Grace.
"Yes, Mrs. N."
He saw a flicker of fire, and saw that she was lighting a cigarette. She inhaled it, and then blew it out slowly.
"Good. Now, tell me exactly what the creature looked like."
Mr. DeWilds started to describe Trikius, as well as he could since Tripple was hidden in half-shadow on the ceiling and the mouse was scared.
"When he awoke, I thought he was going to eat me. But then he introduced himself as Tripple, and asked me if I was there as a tenant. I said that I wasn't interested, since it wasn't what I was looking for, and he looked angry. That's when I ran."
One must have sensed he wasn't there for fun. Mrs. N thought to herself. Either way, I know it's him. Time to cut the ties with this one.
"Alright, I hope your telling me the truth because I don't take lies very well. Your wife is waiting in the garage, with my associate Tinguru. He's in the middle of a meal, so remember: Don't interrupt him when he's eating."
Mr. DeWilds paled visibly, but he didn't say anything. He knew about Tinguru, and what he did to traitors. He started to walk outside the room, but he almost fell in horror at what might happen. Nonetheless, he did his best to believe that Mrs. N would honestly let both of them go.
He walked down the hallway towards the elevator, and could have sworn he had heard both of the falcon guards chuckling as he slid the key card he was given to access the garage, which was actually a massive floor that he had never been on. His wife told him about the inhumane things that went on in there, including what Tinguru did to people who didn't do what they were supposed to. Evan DeWilds was worried. It wasn't likely that Mrs. N would let him just walk away like that, but he couldn't leave Grace behind either.
The elevator slid to a halt, and opened. A cold draft hit him as he walked into the dimly lit hallway. He walked down, each footstep echoing into the empty space. He heard a voice from one room.
"Enter."
He walked inside the large room, and saw a shadow in the chair.
"G-Grace?"
What stood up and walked towards him was not Grace. He was a Tiger, and was holding his hands behind his back. Evan turned and ran, but the gates locked themselves. What terrified him was not that he met Tinguru, but was that he was covered in blood, and tied to the sash around his waist was the pocket watch Grace had inherited from her father. He also saw and almost reeled with horror at the sight of Grace, the bottom half of her body ripped from her and her eyes torn out.
"Nice to meet you, Evan. Grace was...an absolute treat to meet."
With that, he smacked his lips and slowly walked towards Evan as he rattled the bars and screamed.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOARRRRRRRRRRGGCCKKHHAA-"
*END OF CHAPTER 6.1: Intermission*
--------------------------------------------------
Chapter 7: Wake up to your life
Scritch. Scritch scritch. Someone was scratching Steven's ear, but he just pulled the covers over his head and went back to sleep.
"Steef, wakey wakey."
"Mrmrmrmmmmmrrrmm...what time is it?"
Wrong question.
"ADVENTURE TIME!"
Steven immediately sat upright, and hit his head on the bottom of the top bunk's metal bars that upheld the matress. He rubbed his head, and someone cleared their throat for attention. He looked, and saw Sumi standing in the doorway with a serious expression on her face. "We need to talk. Come downstairs when you are ready."
Steven gave a confused look at Jack, who just put on his fedora and shrugged with confusion.
***********************************************************
Steven and Jack walked down into the main room, where everyone was either playing Mario Kart on the Wii, or eating breakfast. Monk and Fuzzi were both watching over Clifford, who seemed to be awake but very tired.
Trikius was at the table eating breakfast with Sumi, when he beckoned to Steven to sit down. He did so, across from Sumi, who was on an iPad*, and then handed it to Trikius, who showed it to Steven. It was on a news website, and on the headlines were: "POLICE INVESTIGATE MYSTERIOUS DISTURBANCE IN ABANDONED WAREHOUSE: Raccoon knows more than authorities?" Steven felt a chill go down his spine, but he continued reading the article.
"Police investigated a report of an explosion on Grobit Avenue, but they found no trace of any crime on the scene. That doesn't mean that they were the only ones there, though. Upon arrival, they saw a Silver Pick up truck fleeing the scene with this raccoon in the back." Steven scrolled down, and he saw a picture of him trying to cover up with the tarp, but they saw his eyes and ears. Even though he could easily identify himself, it was clear that they could not, because it followed with:
"If anyone knows who this is, please contact the authorities immediately."
Steven slid the iPad away, not sure what he was going to do now that there was a chance that he would be arrested if found. "What does this mean? You're not going to turn me in, are you?"
Trikius gave him a hard stare and said "On the contrary. We're going to help you take a little vacation until things cool down a little. Here's a ticket." Steven looked at the plane ticket Trikius handed to him, but he just let it sit there on the table.
"Is there a reason that I'm going to this specific place?"
Trikius frowned, and said "Not really, but while you're there, you can do a favor for me." With that, he slid an envelope across the table alongside the ticket. "Please deliver that to Amega Corp, it's headquarters is in the city you're going to."
Steven just looked at him and said: "If I refuse?"
Trikius looked down at his claws and said "Turning in that envelope is entirely up to you, but they are powerful...doing a favor for them like that can get you some brownie points. I'm certain Mrs. N would easily clear up a misunderstanding like that."
"What's in this envelope that's so important that someone would help me avoid the police?"
"Pay that no mind, just give it to her."
"But I'm just one person, and this is a one-way ticket. How can I get back? I don't have the money for these tickets, Tripple."
"You don't need to, some of my associates will be there at the airport when you land. They will help you lie low for a few days from the authorities, and help answer any questions you have."
"Even the ones about what happened in that warehouse?"
"No, they have no idea and it's best it stays that way. We'll discuss that later. At the airport you will meet Crenox, Norix, CG62, and Tye."
"This isn't a mission, I can just stay here, can't I? Why can't you send someone else?"
Trikius looked down again and said: "Because I saw your necklace. I know your story. If you ever want to find the rest of them, you will do this."
The entire world didn't matter to Steven as he heard this. Nothing else mattered. He thought he hit a cold trail, but...no, that's why the Cosmos sounded so familiar. He had seen it's power before.
"...You'll help me find out who was responsible if I do this?"
"Absolutely. I know plenty, but the reason you should go there instead of staying here is because maybe you can coax Mrs. N to discuss about who she's REALLY working with."
"She...she works with them?"
"Yes. I know how you feel. I know what it's like to get stepped on as they walk towards what they want. We need to stop them, and you can help us do that if you turn this in." He tapped the envelope as Steven took both it and the ticket.
Trikius stood up with Steven and said: "Do we have a deal?"
Steven shook his hand and said "Alright, deal. I'll do this. But I want more answers when I get back."
If you get back, Trikius thought sadly.
Steven looked at the ticket and pocketed both that and the envelope. He planned on surviving this entire ordeal, even if it killed him. Anything to find out who he was going to kill with his own hands. As he began packing his clothes, he saw one of his possessions. An old photograph with him as a young kid, barely 8, with two older raccoons, a man and a woman as they sat by the shore of a beach. Someone took a picture of them as they were posing in the water. This brought old memories.
***************************
He was eight on that fateful night. They just came back from the beach, and his mom was making some spaghetti with the french bread Steven always loved. His father walked down, the last one from showering, as he sat down and read the evening post. Steven himself was watching some television when the doorbell rang. His father got up, saying "I've got it, honey."
When he opened the door, a man walked in, with an emblem on his chest. The symbol had a sword with a bow crossing underneath it. His dad stood still for a moment, and then said "What do you want, Runso?" The Lion walked in, and said "I know you have it Shane. I want the necklace. You stole it, and thought you could run. I'm giving you your last chance to hand it over."
Steven's father reached under his shirt as if to remove something, but then pulled out a Kukri blade. He held it out in defense, but Runso just lauged. "We warned you about families. Your runt is so small, he doesn't even know of his power. We can train him. It's either that, or death for you all."
Steven looked on in fear and asked "Dad?"
His father just said "Janet, get Steven out of here!"
Steven's mom nodded, and she pulled Steven up and tried to leave the room. There was a crash from the kitchen, and a giant falcon broke down the door as he stormed in with three people in similar garb behind him. Runso immediately assaulted Shane, and they both went down, the blade flashing wildly. Janet reached into her kitchen robe and pulled out a gun. She shot one between the eyes when two bears broke through the living room window and grabbed her. "STEVEN, RUN!" Steve was scared, and ran for the back door. A tiger blocked the path, wearing a red sash....He reached for Steven, but was bitten on the hand for his trouble. As the tiger yelped in pain, Steven ran out the back door, and looked back. Shane stood up, covered in blood. Runso lay on the floor, not moving, and Shane raised his hand, saying: "Saokul, Robber of the cosmos, protector of thiefs, born under the star of Wrath, teach me your craft!" Janet shot the men holding her in the head, broke free, and clasped hands with Shane, saying "Renjika, Child of the cosmos, guardian of children, born under the star of Wisdom, teach me your craft!" They both shined with a radiant light, and it warded off everyone else in that room.
Immediately, one of them pointed towards Steven who was running through the back yard and said "The kid! He's got the necklace, I can sense it! GET HIM!" They all ran out, but before they could get outside, Steven's parents looked at him and they both said "We love you." then the light flashed, it expanded around his parents and the house exploded into flames. Steven was thrown back from the force and was stunned. When he came to, he heard sirens in the distance, and he saw the house engulfed in flames. He was about to run in when a firefighter came out of nowhere and held him in place. "No, kid! It's too dangerous!"
"MOM!!! DAD!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
He screamed and cried as his house, his childhood, and his parents went down in flames.
*********************************
"Steef? Steef, you okay?"
Steven suddenly woke up. He must have fallen asleep. He checked the time, and finished his packing. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was just tired, that's all."
"You had a nightmare? You looked all in pain."
"I'm fine, Jack. Don't worry. I'll be right back, I'm going to use the bathroom."
When he came back, he saw that the rest of his stuff was packed up and the suitcase was shut tight. Jack must have finished his packing. Steven smiled. He got his things, said his goodbyes, and was on his way as Alpha gave him a ride in another car, who he said was Spiney's. It was a small Hyundai car. Steven lifted his suitcase into the backseat, noticing that it was heavier than he remembered.
Alpha started the car, asking: "You ready for a vacation?"
Steven looked to the road and said "I've been ready for this trip for a long time."
On that note, they left for the airport.
Meanwhile, at the house:
Trikius was in his basement, monitoring the big room and the back yard, checking up on roll call, see if anyone was out and about. Even though he wandered for no reason, he noticed that usually the little guy would be eating by now. Where's Jack, Trikius wondered.
At the airport, Alpha and Steven said their goodbyes, and Steven walked off towards the airport, lugging his suitcase on it's rollers behind him. Trikius said he contacted my boss, so hopefully I still have a job when I get back. Steven smiled when he remembered Tripple saying how his boss promised not to report him. All those trips to the grocery store on break to get him food really seemed to pay off. He walked nervously into the airport and hoped that no one would identify him. He submitted his information while trying to look as casual as possible, but he noticed that he was getting weird looks.
As he was waiting in line, there was a small kid right behind him that was talking. A lot. Steven just stood there and shuffled along the security line. He checked his things and noticed that his suitcase was slightly open. He zipped it back up. The same thing happened again, so Steven started suspecting the little kid behind him. However, he just had to play it cool since he didn't want to attract attention to himself. He checked again, but this time the suitcase was only open a little, and he noticed a straw. Stupid practical joke Steven thought.
He was about to remove it when he was next in line. He removed all of the things the detector needed, but he asked to keep the obsidian claw necklace. "Family heirloom." The woman inspected it, found nothing wrong, and moved him along. He waited for his luggage to be checked through, and the Jakkai that was running the X-ray scanner was sipping coffee. When he saw Steven's luggage, he spat it out all over the screen. "CODE BROWN! CODE BROWN!" He pressed a button and an alarm went off. and he was tackled to the ground by two of the nearby security guards. Then a bag went over his head with his hands tied behind his back, and he was half carried, half dragged towards someplace with tiles. He was then placed in a chair as they hauled his suitcase onto a table. One of the people in the room wearing a TSA outfit slowly opened the suitcase, revealing Steven's clothes. He looked at the Jakkai that reported him and said "You sure?"
The Jakkai nodded furiously. "It's in there. Probably under the shirts."
Steven was confused, but they gagged him after he started arguing with the officers. The TSA agent started removing clothes when suddenly Jack popped out of the suitcase sending clothes flying as he stood up and announced "Steef! I'm coming with you!"
*END OF CHAPTER 7*
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EXPLANATIONS
*Domesticated: Not humanoid, these types of animals are killed for burgers, or kept on farms. Any animal not referred to as Domesticated is humanoid.
*Jakkai: http://www.sdamned.com/about/jakkai/
*Nekomimi: Human with animal ears and a tail. Search in the search bar for more info.
********:Will usually indicate a sudden scene change. I'll update chapters where this applies later.
iPad: One of the most worthless
Hackmac jobs in existence. (imho)------------------
Steven just sat there, dumbstruck. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. There he was, inside Steven's suitcase, was Jack Swiftpaw, Steven's Jakkai Roommate. The TSA agents were at first completely dumbfounded and shocked, but when one of them found their voice, they immediately started questioning Jack, while two more immediately seized Steven. "Sir, you're going to have to come with us while we talk with him." They started to take Steven away, but Jack wasn't having that.
He sensed his friend was in danger, so he somersaulted on top of one of the TSA agents that was taking Steven away and sleeper held both him and the other agent while saying "Doink!" each time. From there, he jumped onto Steven's back and set his legs over his shoulders as he held out his hands in a combat pose, as if daring the remaining personnel to so much as move.
Steven however, was far more willing to cooperate, and tried to convince the remaining agents who were running out of the room that there was no present danger, but they wouldn't listen. The only people who got close were two of them trying to drag the unconscious bodies out of there. One of them seemed like he was whimpering as he locked the door behind him. Steven set Jack in the chair, and squatted as he talked.
"Jack, this trip was for me. Why are you here?"
Jack seemed unfazed by Steven's curiosity and just shook his head as if he knew a big secret that no one else knew.
"Steefin, steefin, steefin." He started as he just shook his head and tsk'd. "Tripple wasn't going to let you go alone! He had me go too!"
Steven was surprised by this statement, and asked: "Are you sure he wanted you to come?"
Jack just looked at him and said "Steef, are you aware of dat thingie they call Reverse Sykology*?"
Steve nodded. "Of course."
"Well, Tripple said to me that I needed to let you do this on your own, and that I shouldn't try anything funny whatsoever, so OBVIOUSLY, he really wanted me to go but couldn't say it in case someone was watching us!"
Steven just blinked for a few moments while Jack just sat there with his feet swinging and face wide and smiling, satisfied with his cleverness. Finally, Steven stood up and said "I'm not sure that he meant for you to take the opposite of what he said. You sure you just didn't want to come with me?"
Jack nodded "Of course I wanted to come with you, but Tripple said no, so I had to hide in your suitcase! Although..."
"I don't think that was a good idea."
Steven remarked "Yeah, I might have hidden you if you asked, to be honest this whole vacation thing is odd...oh ****." He put his hand across his face as if realizing something.
Jack looked up and said "What's wrong?"
"I'm-" He paused, worried to say anything else in case they were being recorded. As if confirmation was needed, there were two cameras watching them.
"Never mind. What do you think the chances are of them letting us go, Jack?"
The door opened, and a black panther in a business suit responded: "Money is in on that bet whether you'd think it or not, Mr. Schotgin."
Jack stepped down from the chair and scratched his chin as he wondered to himself "Is this guy related to Kevin Michael Richardson?"
Steven looked at him and asked: "Who are you, and what do you want?"
The Jaguar adjusted his tie and smiled. "I'd adopt a friendlierrr smile in front of Mrs. N if I were you, Mr. Schotgin. She doesn't respond preferrrrably to such an attitude. I'm just here to make sure you have a wonderful....vacation."
He seemed to think about how to say the last word, as if he knew what was really going on more than even Trikius did.
Before Steven could respond, he saw a bear wearing a business t-shirt and black khaki pants walk in holding a coffee mug made for his size.
"What's going on here? I thought I told you to wait in my office!"
The Jaguar turned to the bear and said "Mr. Kassit, you're out of line."
Mr. Kassit seemed infuriated, but he said no more. Clearly the Jaguar was more powerful in his job as a worker for this Mrs. N.
The Jaguar walked over to Steven, tailed by Mr. Kassit, who seemed to be under the impression that as long as he kept the person in the business suit within his line of sight, he was still in charge.
"My name is Collins. You can refer to me as Mr. C, or Mr. Collins, which ever one you prefer. If you want to leave and avoid the legalities that this situation permits, you'll follow me."
Steven was getting irritated by how this day was going, so he felt pretty brave. "If I refuse?"
Mr. C started to turn and walk away while he said "If not, then have fun serving your time in prison. Smuggling people is a very harsh offense, and Mrs. N doesn't let those who know about her walk out and about without at least visiting her first."
Steven stood there for a moment, a little nervous, but then he walked outside with Jack, who also seemed suspicious of Mr. C, leaving the Bear in the plain business suit flustered and sputtering with anger as he stormed behind them, clearly irritated at his loss of power.
Some workers were completely puzzled, but an angry glare from their boss Mr. Kassit whenever they approached Mr. C or Steven kept them at bay. As they approached the gate, they saw that there was quite a long line to get to the city of Steven's destination. Steven looked at the line and said "Wow, looks like we're waiting."
Mr. C just shook his head and said "Not on my watch."
With that, he walked to the front of the line and stepped in front of everyone. There was a sudden uproar from the rest of the line, but Mr. C just snapped his fingers. Grudgingly, Mr. Kassit called all of the airport security guards to get away from the reception area as Steven and Jack (greatly confused and nervous) were ushered up to the front with Collins and a very surprised looking fox receptionist with a name tag labled Cassy.
Collins didn't even bother saying hello at all, but instead just held up two fingers and said "Two tickets, please. one for me, and one for Mr. Schotgin here."
Steven waved it off, saying "No no, I already have one, but that other one can go to my friend Jack."
At first, Collins looked confused, looked around for a moment, but then seemed to notice Jack for the first time when he had to politely clear his throat. "Ah...very well, two tickets for me and Mr..."
"Swiftpaw." Jack said. "Jack Swiftpaw."
"...Quite."
"Indeed."
Collins and Jack stared at each other, but while Steven could only tell they didn't like each other, they were actually sizing each other up for a possible combat situation.
The receptionist cleared her throat and said "Very well, here you go. Just go down the gate and enter the plane, please. Next!"
Then Collins did something even more daring. "No, we are the only ones getting on this plane. I don't want anyone else."
"I'm sorry sir, bu-"
*ahem*
Mr. Kassit cleared his throat and beckoned Cassy over to him. She looked confused, but agreed. Her and Mr. Kassit went a bit away from everyone and as she started to protest, Mr. Kassit started to say things that from the look on her face, convinced her not to argue.
She pursed her lips in irritation over the deviation from standard protocol, but she went back to her station and opened the door that let Collins, Steve, and Jack into the hallway that led to the plane. They walked through, Steven still hearing the protests and commotions of everyone else who was starting to get very angry that they had to wait for the next flight.
Apparently the flight crew was made aware of the situation, because they did not so much as bat an eye when Collins informed them that they would be the only passengers. Steven and Jack were escorted to their own area in first class, while Collins stated that he needed to stay in coach, take care of some things. Steven didn't know what he was talking about, but while he was going into first class, Collins seemed to suddenly have a laptop sitting on his lap.
When they were all settled, they watched a bunny air-flight attendant mimic the instructions that were given over the intercom. They then took off, slowly rising to the desired altitude before they heard the ding followed by "You are now free to move about the cabin. Thank you for choosing Kat Transport."
Steven sighed and looked out his window. He had an issue with heights, but for the sake of airplane travel, he did his best to remind him how safe he was. But every time he did that on air planes, he was just reminded of that episode of Lost where that air plane was TORN APART and so many people died and some of those who survived died anyways because it still wasn't safe and that one guy was walking by and he was all "Hey, what happen-WHOOSH Oh no, I got sucked up into an exploding turbine, teehee, to hell with everyone who don't like air planes" That was annoying, and it didn't help wh"Steef."en he saw Independence Day either, with everyone up in flying helicopters getting torn to pi"Steef!"eces by those aliens who were all "Pew pew, we want your planet so we can screw it over for the lols, pew pew pew troll face" Or during 2012 when that Russian Jabba guy with the plane was all "Steef!"
Steven snapped back into attention. "What? What happened?"
Jack looked at his friend worriedly. "Are you alright? You seem a bit nervous."
"Just a little edgy with planes, that's all. I'm fine."
"Try explaining that to the table."
"What?"
Jack pointed at the table between them, and Steven saw that he left claw marks that were deep into the wood work.
He retracted his claws, but couldn't, so he tapped nervously and tried to hide the new decor on the table as a Cat helped put his luggage into the compartment above their little sitting area. Steven looked around. It was a nice area, two windows to his left, and both Jack and Steven got their own couches built into the wall that could probably fit three people each. There was a nice rectangular table between them, not to mention the new art design that Steven was clearly going for.
When someone came around asking if they wanted a meal, Steven ordered some Macaroni and Cheese. When he got nervous, he didn't feel like chewing anything, despite how hungry he got at the same time. Jack however, ordered a big steak that was apparently ready to be cooked. When the attendant left, Steve snuck a quick peek and for the first time saw what first class was like. Down the hallway both ways, there were two more areas like his and Jacks, so that made five rooms. In one direction, was coach, where Steven distinctly heard Collins typing on his laptop.
In the other direction, Steven heard some cooking going on and saw a full fledged kitchen past some curtains. How big is this plane? Steve thought to himself. He sat back on the couch, wondering how soon they'll get there, and if they get their own beds too. He turned to look at Jack, but he seemed to have taken a nap, and for some reason pulled a fedora out of thin air (maybe in his shirt?) and had it over his face as he seemed fast asleep.
Steven smiled. Jack shouldn't have been here, but he felt a little bit better that he had someone who was willing to incapacitate two airport personnel for him. He didn't know Jack for more than a few days, but he seemed like someone that he was glad to know. But...
Steven steepled his hands and placed his chin on them. Who could he really trust? Trikius never mentioned anything about this Collins character. Once their food arrived, Jack woke up and they both ate in silence, both too hungry from last nights work of awesome battles to really have a normal discussion. When they were done, the table slid downwards and disspeared underneath the carpet floor. A mattress slowly slid out from a compartment underneath the windows. It had a wire attached to it, so they watched in curious fascination as it inflated itself. Rather snazzy They both thought.
"No wonder people were mad that they had to wait for the next one." Jack said.
"Yeah, this is pretty high class."
"So...I guess we should go to sleep?"
"I'm pretty tired, but you can take the bed."
"No no, you can take it. I insist."
"You sure?"
"Absolutely, Steef."
"...I can't, yo-"
"No no, it's no trouble."
They both finally just settled in, each having their own pillow, blanket big enough for both of them. They both dressed into their own PJ's first, Steven in his normal grey sweatpants and winter shirt, Jack in his one piece PJ suit with Pulp Fiction characters all over it.
"Good night, Steef."
"Good night, Jack."
Jack fell right asleep, exhausted from the days events, but Steven was still awake, wondering what was going to happen next. Trikius never said anything about this, and he was certain that this Mrs. N character was bad news if things were this serious. Steven decided that just laying here would do absolutely nothing, so he just closed his eyes and hoped that morning would bring a better turn of events.
After a while, they both fell asleep, stomachs full of food, and minds full of questions once they got to their destination. It was getting dark, so the lights automatically dimmed once the stewardess was aware that they were both asleep. When she shut the curtains, she walked over to Collins, who still awake and on his lap top.
"Mr. C, both clients are asleep."
"Excellent Amanda, thank you."
When she left, Collins updated the person he was communicating with.
C: Targets are on their way. Make sure they feel confused yet comfortable. That's the best way to have them.
S: Taking notes. Anything else?
C: Nothing exept...
S: ?
C: Are you using sarcasm with me?
S: Of course not. It's just that you shouldn't treat me like a child. I know what I'm doing. Besides, I'm off shift, I can talk how I want, it's in the contract.
C: See, that attitude is why G was sent to Human Resources. Best to keep your head down and follow orders, Sapphire.
S: Don't say my name, I ask you constantly not to do that.
C: 1. I'm a higher rank than you.
2. I'm off shift, I can talk how I want, it's in the contract.
S: Touche. Well...your symbol looks funny.
C: Oh?
S: Yeah, it looks like a really happy face. C: See?
C: ...
S: Hello?
User C has kicked user S. Reason: You are a child.
User C has signed out.
*END OF CHAPTER 8*
---------------------------------
CHAPTER 9: Plan B(oom).
Light was shining through the windows, and Steven felt a slight slope as they touched down into the airport. He was still tired, so in response he tugged the blankets over him, leaving Jack with only a little to cover his back. Jack immediately sat up, not because that woke him, but he heard footsteps. Instead of a stewardess or attendant, it was Collins that pushed the curtains along the rail to the side and stuck his head in.
"We're here. Take your time, you have about half an hour to get dressed and off this plane."
With that, he walked back, presumably to get his own things, even though neither Steven nor Jack saw him with any luggage whatsoever. They both looked at each other, then got up, Steven hoping that this day would be a little less troublesome, and Jack hoping that they'd get breakfast.
********************************
PJ's off and normal clothes on, Steven got out of the bathroom and let Jack go change as he got his luggage down from the luggage holding thing. (Steven has NO idea what they call it. Maybe luggage holder?) He then waited for Jack, who walked out in the clothes that he was wearing while in Steven's suitcase, which was a brown t-shirt with a vest over it along with pants and moccasins with shoe laces. They're his favorite pair of shoes because they look so damn boss in their tan rough leather.
They got their things, Steven with his suitcase, and Jack sitting on his shoulders with no argument, and they stepped off where Collins was waiting for them. They passed through the gate where Steven saw a big wolf wearing a t-shirt, a red bandanna over his head, and a scar on his left cheek that went from eyebrow to jaw. The wolf was looking at him, but the moment Collins was done talking to security and caught up, the wolf had a disgusted look on his face and walked away.
Collins beckoned for them to follow, and neither Jack nor Steven discussed the wolf that they were probably supposed to meet at the airport. Steven felt a little nervous since this was not how Trikius had things planned out.
They left the airport, and saw that a limousine was waiting for them. They walked over to it and Collins opened the door for them. Once Steven let Jack down off his neck, they got in and Collins closed the door. Steven looked at him as he walked away, but was interrupted by someone clearing their throat.
Steven and Jack looked over and that's when they saw a female Raccoon looking right at them. She was wearing a blue female business shirt, and a blue mini-skirt. Her hair was an Auburn brown, and so was her fur, same shade as Steven's. She had piercingly bright blue eyes and had a necklace with a blue tear that had something carved in on it, but Steven didn't want to seem as if he was staring so he tried to keep eye contact. She had her legs crossed and was looking at Steven impatiently, as if he was supposed to say something. Before he said anything though, she said "Take us to Amega Headquarters, Mr. G. Important business to attend to, and what not."
She was looking at Steven and Jack while she said this, but Steven saw the chauffeur driving the limousine reply: "Right away, Ms. S." The Limo pulled away from the airport and was on the highway before Steven found his voice. Why couldn't he talk? For some reason, this Ms. S intrigued and intimidated him. She just looked at him, the way a jeweler looked at a potential diamond, trying to decide if it was a fake or the genuine thing. Jack just sat there, opened a mini-fridge and cupboard, and enjoyed a bag of doritos with a chocolate milk carton he found in the fridge.
Steven was about to say hello, when Ms. S started. "I'm Ms. S, but I suppose that since you're new you can call me Sapphire. I look forward to working with you."
"Umm...working with you? No no, I'm just a courier."
She chuckled at this, and shook her head. "Hand me the letter."
"Uh...I'm sorry, but this is for Mrs. N, so I'm afraid you can't have it."
She looked at him a bit more intensely, narrowed her eyes for effect, and then smiled. It was a nice smile. Steven thought that she wouldn't scare people if she smiled more often, but then again she was probably being serious for this assignment's sake.
"You're smarter than he said. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy having you as my partner, brief as it will be."
"What do you mean, partner? For what?"
"That, is going to be a little secret. Just keep it quiet until we meet again."
"Meet again? Where are you going?"
"Well I'm going to stay here right now and escort you to Mrs. N, my boss. After you're done talking, I'll have an associate of mine lead you away so you can meet the next person to talk to."
Steven bowed his head in annoyance. "What IS it with people and plans? All that I'm going to do is hand her a letter."
Sapphire just looked at him and said "Oh no, Steven. You're going to be much more important than that. Now not a word about this, everything I'm saying is purely confidential, and once we're inside, there will be unworthy eyes anywhere. Mrs. N's aware of everything, so don't waste her time by bringing this up. You do NOT want to waste her time."
They finally arrived at Amega Corp. Steven knew little about this place, only what it's businesses were. It serves as a benefactor for many pharmaceuticals and many other scientific endeavors, along with a major branch of it dedicated to weaponry and equipment for the military to use. They are also a force to be reckoned with concerning the advancement of medical care. They're named after the Dragon of destiny, Amegia who was the guiding force in the Dragon Wars to victory for the humans. In fact, the more Steven thought about it, he also remembered that they were dedicated to the history of the Dragon Wars. Steven knew this subject, even though it wasn't taken seriously.
It was proven on that fateful night that it was to be taken very seriously indeed. He clutched at his chest, fearful of what could happen if anyone but him had it. But no, many considered the artifacts mentioned in the history to be a myth, a dramatization of weaponry that man and animal crafted to fight the dragons. But...no, even if the stories were true, he technically had nothing to worry about. He'd never give it over to anyone, so that kept it safe enough.
"Mr. Schotgin. Are you going to wait outside in this chilly weather, or are you going to accompany me and your friend to the main lobby?"
Steven looked up the steps towards Sapphire and Jack. They were both walking inside, and Steven quickly followed. The building was big, said to be 75 stories high, but it seemed like most other buildings, nothing of note except it had Amega Corp on the front in big letters. He walked inside, and saw a very regal set-up indeed. It was a massive lobby, six enormous pillars holding everything up, a circular hallway to the left in the middle of the wall, and three elevators with someone standing by in front. There were many couches and sofas for people to wait for appointments and other things. Sapphire beckoned for Jack and Steven to accompany her as she approached the yellow cat at the front desk. As Sapphire was talking to the cat, Steven noticed a board behind her that named a bunch of dates. The closest one was some sort of dance that was coming up within a week that was for "A bright new future for the world." The ones after that were covered up, but there were dates scattered through weeks and months. Jack climbed up Steven's back and took a look.
"Why are there different dates that don't have anything?"
The secretary who was named Feline (pronounced Feh-lean) replied after talking to Sapphire. "We have dates up there so people know when something important's about to come up, Mr. Swiftpaw. We don't share what it is so any competitors can't try and copy off of us until it's too late to even try."
Instead of asking about her knowledge of his name, Jack continued with "People will do that? Why, it's so pointless."
Feline simply shrugged her shoulders. "Mrs. N is very careful in how she handles things. She says that secrecy is the key to success."
Jack just looked at her and said "I thought hard work and a dedicated attitude was, personally."
Feline simply shrugged again and said "I'm not really sure. Anyways, your appointment will be within an hour."
Jack and Steven said their thanks and went sit down. Sapphire sat across from them, not saying anything but picked up a copy of a farmers magazine, front cover showing a Bull in a dress with the headlines "Las Lindas: In the spotlight."
After a few minutes of various games such as Rock Paper Scissors with Jack, Steven inquired about the hallway to the left. Sapphire replied without looking: "It's a virtual tour of the history of the Dragon Wars. Keeps kids and history enthusiasts entertained. Mrs. N even insisted on having a gift shop at the end. It pulls in good money. You can go if you'd like, we have a lot of time on our hands." Steven looked at the hallway. It seemed dark, but it also seemed to be working. He got up, and was accompanied by Jack as he walked over.
When they got there, the hallway immediately lit up, and showed many scenes on both sides. One was pictures of certain things like replicas of weapons and artistic renditions of people and dragons, and on the other side were settings, telling a story. Steven read out the first part: The Beginning of the End.
At first, there were the Cosmos. No one knew who they were, or if there was ever anything before them. There were three entities of this being. The Kindness of the Cosmos, the Wrath of the Cosmos, and the Intellect of the Cosmos. They went about creating things such as the stars, planets, and other various things in the universe. One day, they decided to create something, a planet that could manage itself. They would fill it with beings that could think on their own and make their own decisions. Creatures that would love, hate, fight, befriend, and many other things. They started to populate this planet with many sentient creatures of their own design. First, they created man. Then various animals to suffice to keep a balance going including beasts of Land, Air, and Sea. The Intellect of the Cosmos laid out a plan of all of this, noting how many things would be needed for this plan of a hospitable planet to function.
The Entities of the Cosmos worked together. Intellect gave man and animal free-will, inadvertently giving life to animals so most of them became like man, and could talk. Fortunately, the Kindness of a Cosmos, managed to set events in motion that would have man and animal working together, despite their differences. At first Intellect considered wiping out these creatures, pointing out that they were an accident, but Kindness stayed his hand, saying that as divine beings, they were responsible of what happened, and they would never fix anything that any of them did, as long as it did not go against their plans for creating creatures that could have thoughts of their own. This was the ultimate plan, and they all had agreements for never going against one another's decisions for this planet, as long as it was not against the plan.
But one certain Entity had his own plans for this planet. Plans that would unravel everything they worked for, and set forth a series of events that would forever be known as "The Dragon Wars."
*END OF PART 1 OF CHAPTER 9*
-------------------------------------------------------
*CHAPTER 9: Plan B(oom) PART 2*
While Wisdom and Kindness were both hard at work gifting the Animen (That the entities called them, man called them Animals, which is what they called themselves. Any Domesticated Animal back then was called a Beast, or pet.) and Men with gifts only their powers could bring. While Man and Animen didn't know that their own "discoveries" of alcohol and poetry were the result of blessings from above, nobody, not even his brother entities were aware of the plans that Wrath had in store.
For even though he agreed to create a new planet, he felt that his influence was too little. The mortals had it far too easy. They needed to be aware of who they were in the universe, who the entities were, and who they should be worshiping. He brought up the idea that they reveal themselves to the mortals in front of his brothers, but they believed that the point of creating this planet was not so they would be beloved by many, but to give life and purpose to the universe. To help have a planet take baby steps until they could manage themselves. Then they would move on to a new planet, and repeat. That, they both personally believed, was to be their future.
Wrath naturally accepted this, but unbeknownst to them, he was furious. The idea of serving those beneath him seemed completely ridiculous. He felt that the mortals shouldn't even feel happiness for all of their hubris that they caused. They needed to be punished, to be aware that people didn't always get what they wanted. So for everything that Kindness and Wisdom did for them, he made sure that there was appropriate punishment. He believed that if they were to have free-will, they needed to prove that their will was free so that they were capable of anything. So, to prove how powerful he was, he made them feel jealousy, hatred, rage, anger, fury, sadness, guilt, and remorse. He also made them capable of murder, lying, cheating, stealing, backstabbing, betrayal, and everything that's considered illegal today. (Shotgun's Note: He did so much other bad stuff, but the list goes on forever. Everything you can think of that's bad, he made them capable of doing it, just so you get the point.)
When Kindness and Wisdom saw what was happening, they knew immediately that Wrath was behind it all. He defended himself by stating that it wasn't free-will at all if they were not able to think such things, that he was liberating their freedom, and that his brothers were selfish and hypocritical for thinking free-will did not include such things. At first, Kindness did not approve. He accused Wrath of doing this because he wanted to be worshiped, which was not why they were there.. Wrath in his defense stated that he discovered what he was created for. To become a necessary evil. That Kindness was not in charge of what he was able to do, since he was just as strong as him, and deserved a voice just as well. The bickering continued until Wisdom created a rule that would make things fair. The rule stated as thus:
Force shall not fight against Force, but instead take counter-measure against what Force decrees is unjust.
There was still hostility, but both Kindness and Wrath accepted this rule. Especially since Wrath's plan would be albeit hindered, but could still be progressed.
And progressed it will be.
While Kindness and Wisdom continued working on things, and Wrath was playing his part creating things like Natural Disasters and Famine so the mortals could better prepare and improve, he slowly crafted something. A beast, something that he created in his own image, a creature that would require something that his brothers would do anything to stop, no matter how dangerous this was. So, with careful planning, Wrath split his mind, and created a demi-god form of himself, while he left his own entity to continue crafting things that he left it to do. (Shotgun Note: In computer layman terms, he left a program version of himself with many codes to continue doing his job as Wrath so there would be minimal suspicion.)
He created a being that was so powerful, man and animals would ban together to fight this being, starting the wars named after the fearsome beast that the mortals would name: Dragon.
In the early language of Et'su, the first mortal language, it translated into: Fire King.
The story of the Dragon Wars are so long, that Amega Corps. advises you to consult your nearest library, or visit our history section of our website at http://www.DragonWarsChronicles.org/History.
Steven continued reading, the story leaving out details, but mentioning the important pieces.
The War went on for many ages. The reason why it was so difficult to fight the threat was because while there were many tribes that wanted it gone, many of them believed that it was a greater being, and deserved to be worshiped. Thus Man and Animen both protected and detested this wrathful creature that demanded sacrifice and many material gifts. As the violence and bloodshed continued, less and less people wanted to protect the Dragon. There were even revolts, which were completely destroyed. However, he always had dedicated followers, for he always gifted them in return for their protection. If he didn't keep them in line out of fear, he did it with soothe-saying, and promising them land and riches.
He called himself Rathius, Dragon of Mayhem. While he was borne of the Wrath of the Cosmos, his Cosmic powers were only god-like during the night, or when he was in darkness. Thus, many lives were attempted at him in his lair, many heroes believing that light was the key to destroying him, when in fact all it did was lessen his Cosmic powers.
Even without them, he was indestructible, with no weapon being able to destroy him.
No mortal weapon, anyways.
Kindness and Wisdom had their eyes elsewhere, planning for advancement of the Mortal races, gifting them with intellect and compassion. Kindess favored one Tribe in particular. The Tribe that of their own free-will dedicated itself to a peaceful existence of farming and the arts. The Tribe Agulis was prosperous, gaining many allies that joined it and became the first Kingdom. Wrath's Cosmic entity sided with the tribes that worshiped his Dragon counter-part, a collective of war-like destructive tribes that he formed together and called: Falzirum. Wisdom didn't believe that favoritism was right, so he just continued to monitor Earth's progress. Meanwhile, when Wrath heard of Agulis and it's riches that it had, he set his eyes for it's demise and domination, unaware that Kindness had it as his domain.
When Falzirum expanded after the first of the Wars, Rathius crafted his own army of dragons, in the form of Man and Animen, instead of the massive beast that he was. With hundreds of dragons, and tens of thousands of humans and Animal warriors at his disposal, he set off to enslave the entire kingdom of Agulis. The King of Agulis, Sik'rugo, heard of this army of malevolent destruction. He made sure his kingdom was well prepared, however.
Steven looked at some images of the story so far. The artist was very descriptive, there were paintings of the kingdom and the tribes of Falzirum. While Agulis looked peaceful and friendly, Falzirum appeared industrial, tearing up the land and crafting weaponry such as crossbow's and explosives. There was a depiction of Rathius, and Steven felt Jack shiver as they both saw it. It took up it's own section of the wall, bigger than most other paintings in the hallway.
He stood on all fours, about as big as an average house. Either his scales were obsidian black, or he was in darkness, because all Steven saw was an outline of wings and his body and two penetrating red eyes that glared at whoever dared to look upon him.
Steven looked at some more paintings. He noticed that even though Agulis seemed peaceful, they also had an army of their own, royal guards, everything someone on the defensive would want, in case the tribes of Falzirum wanted to attack. Steven continued reading:
Falzirum reached the borders of the Kingdom of Agulis and laid waste to all of the outstretching villages and communities. When the King took his men to fight back however, they fled, overpowered in number and strength. In response, Rathius flew to the battlefield and cut the forces of Agulis in half on his own, and slew the King. The moment Rathius killed him, it was said that the skies turned dark and there was a shattering scream that rent through the heavens. A star streamed through the darkness and landed in between the body of the King, and Wrath in demi-god form. It was Kindness, in his own respective form. He was slightly bigger than Rathius, and called himself Kadias. Rathius took to the skies, and they did battle. The fight was so great, that both sides ceased fighting and watched in awe as two demi-gods fought for their people. In the end, neither could defeat the other, for they were incapable of hurting either one.
But even though Rathius couldn't fight and hurt his brother, he tried to fight the rest of the army. of Agulis.
But Wisdom wasn't having that. He came down as his own Demi-god, referring to himself as Wizard. He stepped between his brothers, believing this conflict would ruin everything that they had worked for.( Shotgun's Note: Humans and Animals alike were not aware of what was going on, but later on Kadias and Rathius would fill in who they were and what they've been doing.) Wisdom then summoned a pair of dragon horns. He declared that these horns were part of three pieces of armor. He asked both Rathius and Kadias create two pieces of armor for themselves. Kadias created a Shield with no grip for arms, and Rathius created two obsidian gauntlets. With these three peices, it served as a full body of armor.
Wizard then brought these three pieces together and asked both Rathius and Kadias to invoke a promise that they made long ago, before Earth. The promise of Safe-Keeping. To this day, nobody knows what this promise entails, but they both did it without question, even though Rathius did so with much hatred. Wizard then gave the gauntlets to Kadias, the Shield for himself, and the horns to Rathius. They accepted the exchange, and then Rathius asked for one last favor. They talked between each other quietly for a moment, and then both Kadias and Rathius called off their armies and went back to their own Kingdoms. In return of Rathius making his own dragons, Kadias created dragons of his own. Kadius was declared the new king until he found a worthy successor.
The peace went on for a long time, the Artifacts kept within their respective realms, their abilities not realized and deemed as peace offerings when indeed they served a far more dangerous purpose. But within this story is another one. A story of a Raccoon in ages long forgotten, and one theft that uplifted everything.
"Mr. Schotgin, she's ready."
Steven looked, and Sapphire was standing beside him. He turned and said thanks. As she nodded and walked off, he gave a quick look at the rest of the story. Since he knew what happened next, he felt it was more important to meet the woman that knew the people who killed his parents than it was to keep reading a history lesson that everyone knew, but only him and people like the ones who murdered his parents knew it was more than that. That was just a theory, however. There were still many questions that he needed answered, more pieces to his puzzle that he was missing. But instead of just standing there pondering, he walked after Sapphire to the elevators. They went up to the 8th floor, where there was a long hallway that looked fairly business like. There were some potted plants, but other than there being offices with their own waiting rooms, it was about as impressive as a Kaiser hospital.
At the end of the main hallway, there was a big pair of oak doors guarded by two bodyguards. One was an Eagle, and the other was a Bear. They had suits, but Steven momentarily suspected of them having firearms underneath. Sapphire accompanied him to the door, and said good luck.
"You're not coming in?"
She shook her head and walked back to the elevator. She pulled out a PDA and typing on it. Steven said thanks out of courtesy, and she simply waved farewell.
"Mr. Schotgin, the hat has to wait out here."
Steven turned to one of the guards and was at first confused until Jack climbed down.
"Steef, tell him I'm a V.I.P, not a hat."
The guards began to glare and Steven hastily explained that Jack should wait out here, to keep an eye on things. Before he could protest, Steven walked inside and closed the doors behind him. The room was dark, and was illuminated by the monitors behind someone at the other end of a long table.
"Mr. Schotgin...please, have a seat."
Steven turned around and saw a chicken lighting up a cigarette for herself as she turned around from the monitors that was looking at many parts of the building. One had an eye outside her room, and displayed a very annoyed Jack sitting on the floor with his arms crossed, and another one was watching Sapphire in an elevator. The monitors switched from camera to camera, but Steven was more focused on other things, such as trying his best to procure the envelope from his shirt as calmly as possible without making it look like he had a gun for some reason. He sensed that proving he did not was very important in keeping his face intact.
"Mr. Schotgin..." she started before inhaling her cigarette "We have a lot to discuss, you and I."
Steven thought back to his parents and of all of the happy memories that he had and never would have and replied "Yes. Yes we do."
*END OF CHAPTER 9 PART 2*
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CHAPTER 9: Plan B(oom) PART 3
Steven looked at the chicken that was illuminated by the glow of the monitors yet cast in shadow from the lack of light. He took the seat at the other end of the table, and held up the envelope Trikius had given him. "I'm here to give you this."
The chicken seemed to stand still for a moment, but then she stubbed out her cigarette and clapped her hands twice. The lights came on, and Steven saw her in full light.
She wore a business suit, and had pants that seemed to be tailor made for birds of her type. She had wide arm holes for her wings, and her feathers were vividly white. Her eyes were clear, but her eye color was bright yellow. She also seemed to have a patch of darker fur in her forehead, along with the fact that her beak seemed to be sharper than chickens usually have them. She had a folder containing a few thick looking documents right by her ashtray where there were about four cigarettes.
She walked over and snatched the envelope irritably, as if expecting more initiative from Steven. She ripped it open, and unfolded the letter. She read it over, and immediately crumpled it up.
"Is that what you really think your here for? My boy, don't try and hide it from me. I know what your after."
She leaned in towards Steven and whispered "and I can help you find them."
Steven started to get nervous. How did she know so much?
"What do you mean?"
She stood up and started to walk back to her seat. "Don't toy with me. I didn't make it here by believing that most people are oblivious. You think you can fool me? child, I'm one that lays plans within ideas inside of plots nestled upon under-handed dealings. Nothing escapes me." She sat back down and lit up another cigarette.
behind her, a screen showed an alleyway, presumably near this building. A Wolf, a Black Cat and a Goat immediately ran down the alleyway, as if they were doing something. They were immediately followed by a man in a black wife beater holding a courier back-pack over his shoulder.
Mrs. N was about to turn around when Steven decided to play the cooperative card to grab her attention before she saw these people.
"What do you mean, help me?
She took in enough tobacco to shrink her cigarette to 50% and exhaled it through her nose.
"I can help you find the people who are responsible. Names, locations, anything you want."
"I'd like a name, at least."
"First, you need to do something for me."
She's holding out. A voice rang in Steven's head. She's not looking for partnership, but obedience. She was one of them. I'd better watch myself. Steven examined Mrs. N, looking for the signs that he learned to tell apart friend from enemy by a class and books he read on a subject. She was calm, and her face was unreadable. Confident. But was it a bluff, or did she really think him so stupid as to trust her instantly? But then again, he wanted to know who killed his parents more than anything else. Either way, he formed a plan.
First, get information from her about what needs to be known. Steven tried to form his next question, to make it seem that he knew very little while at the same time not making it obvious that he was trying to hide something.
"What do I need to do for you?"
She smiled. Have to pull apart her sentences. Someone this powerful is bound to muddle facts to make herself look nice.
"I'm aware that you're familiar with One. He calls himself Trikius. We used to do business together, but he no longer wished to work here. So, he left."
Steven continued listening, and saw on the screen that the man in the wife beater was crouching next to a wall leaning over his bag as he pulled some sort of device out and started messing with it. Steven quickly made sure his attention was on Mrs. N, so she wouldn't turn around. The people on the monitor looked a lot like the people that Trikius had described as his "associates"...
"I've received word that he wishes to visit my facilities. Unfortunately, his status as an employee has been revoked. In addition, he intends to destroy my life's work because he has this belief that what I am doing is cruel."
"What ARE you doing?"
She looked at him and inhaled her cigarette again. The cigarette seems to be a little effect of hers. I need to find out what she's hiding.
"That" she started, "is none of your concern. All you need to do is find out a possible way to keep him away until the end of this month. You will have my total support as you look for those who are responsible for killing your family, Mr. Schotgin."
Steven eyed her suspiciously. "How am I supposed to keep him away from here?"
She chuckled. "If you can prolong him, convince him to plan things out, you'll be buying me time. Inform me when he chooses to strike, and you will be handsomely rewarded. My associa-"
**BOOM*
The room shook, and the lights flickered as an explosion sounded off. Muffled voices came from the hallway.
"The hell was that?"
"I don't know, I'll go check it out. You inform the boss."
The doors opened, and a blur of orange went between the legs of the guard that burst in.
"Mrs. N! There's an intruder!"
She got up, and looked very irritable. Steven barely saw the paw that swiped the folder with the documents by her and snuck it under the table.
"I'm aware of that, you idiot! Show me where they are!"
The guard walked over and brought up the screen. There was a lot of rubble, but there was a hole in the side of their building in the alleyway. There were sirens sounding off in the background and an alarm was buzzing.
"They're inside, we don't know where they are though, most of our internal cameras are shut down at the moment."
"How did this happen?"
The guard shook his head. "We never expected them to be this daring, ma'am."
"Idiot. You can't underestimate Zenneth. Keep Mr. Schotgin safe, they're probably coming for him."
"Uhh....Mrs. N?"
"What?"
They both looked around and saw an empty chair across the table.
*********************
Steven and Jack ran for their lives down the hallways since the elevator was not an option.
Jack held the folder he had and tucked it inside his vest while Steven looked around for an exit. He was about to pass a hallway when at the end, he saw the cat Seeker. The little four-eyed pet looked at Steven, and then walked through a closed door. Steven blinked, but he was certain that he just saw that cat pass through a solid object. Steven immediately dashed down that corridor, followed closely by Jack.
Before he could open the door, the wolf from the airport opened it and looked at him. He looked the same, but now he had a belt with multiple tear gas canisters.
"Are you Steven Schotgin and Jack Swiftpaw?"
They both nodded.
"I'm Norix. Let's go."
*END OF CHAPTER 9 PART 3*
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The remainder of this page will now be dedicated to the Biographies.
BIOGRAPHIES:
People:
Steven Schotgin. (Gaming handle: Shotgun_Steve) *Bunking with Jack Swiftpaw*
Race: Raccoon
Age: 19
Job: Book store attendant.
Hobby: Gaming
Sex: Male
Sumi Dudiok (internet handle SumDude) *Bunking with Samantha Xilox* (A.K.A. Xiili)
Race: Lizard-Like Snake
Age:19
Job: Electronics Store employee.
Hobby: Building stuff
Sex: Female
Trikius Dontob (Nickname Trippledot) (Nickname is rumored because of the silence spell people would have when they see him.)
Race: Dragon
Age: 23
Job:Land Lord.
Hobby: Being in charge.
Sex: Male
Jack Swiftpaw (Bonabopn) *Bunking with Steve*
Race: Jakkai (http://www.sdamned.com/about/jakkai/)
Age: 19
Job: Welfare, he gets benefits from the government for some reason.
Hobby: Eating fish/ playing Ukelele
Sex: Male
Spein Eyinto (Spiney) *Bunking with Alfalfa*
Race: Gecko
Age: 19
Job: Inherited a large fortune, but lives there because he has no one else.
Hobby: Exercising/gaming
Sex: Male
Fuzzi Gontack (Sirffuzzylogick)
Race: Cat
Age: 18
Job: Video Game Testing (With Alfalfa)
Hobby: Helping out/Gaming
Sex:
just askMaleAlfalfa Pindersut (Alpha_The_Beta) *Bunks with Spein*
Race: Wolf
Age: 20
Job: Video Game Testing (With Fuzzi)
Hobby: Being a smart-ass/Gaming
Sex: Male
Samantha Xilox (Xiili) *Bunks with Sum*
Race: Bunny
Age: 23
Job: Plays the guitar on some nights for everyone's entertainment.
Hobby: Guitar
Sex: Female
Digerius Duggerton (Digg) *Bunks with Monk*
Race: Human
Age: 18
Job: Stock Market (through the internet)
Hobby: Internet/Gaming
Sex: Male
Mark Katisas (Maka) *Bunks with Card*
Race: Human
Age: 18
Job: Coffee shop attendant *Works with Card*
Hobby: Gaming/Anime
Personality: Lively, spontaneous, loud.
Appearance: 5'6 - Blonde
Sex: Male
Shelby Sace (Card) *Bunks with Maka*
Race: Human
Age: 18
Job: Coffee shop attendant *Works with Maka*
Hobby: Gaming/Anime
Personality: Intelligent, Lazy, Procrastinates.
Appearance: 5'10 - Red Hair
Sex: Female
Turkas Morgarneth (Torack) *Bunks with Cliff*
Race: Arctic Fox
Age: 18
Job: Assistant Martial arts instructor (Judo, Karate, Wing Chun, Muay Thai, and Tae Kwon Do)
Hobby: Martial Arts/Reading/Internet
Personality: Loyal, Joker, Narcissistic.
Appearance: Long white fur - 5'9 - Gray/Blue eyes.
Sex: Male
Clifford Fugin (Cliff) *Bunks with Torack*
Race: Salamander
Age: 20
Job: *Classified* (Says Cliff.)
Hobby: Gaming/Wandering off for no reason with no explanation during the day.
Personality: Quiet, smart, and slightly paranoid.
Appearance: Orange Scales - White belly - Yellow eyes - 6'1
Sex: Male
Monkita Kirisum (Monk) *Bunks with Digg*
Race: Human - Nekomimi
Age: 22
Job: Grocer
Hobby: Gaming/Snoozing
Personality: Lazy, ditzy, dedicated, friendly.
Appearance: 5'5 - Brunette - White Nekomimi ears - Blue Eyes
Sex: Female
Keep it up!
Done, hopefully.
I would say Male.
Sweet.
Some mistakes in that Paragraph.
I am here for you, Don't be afraid to send me a message.
Elaborate, either in your post or in a PM, with the correct grammar, please.
Did I read I was going to be included on this?
If you would like, but only if you PM me with a biography and tell me what you want to be, Xiili. Human, furry, what?
great work :biggrin.gif:
I am here for you, Don't be afraid to send me a message.
I tried to make it better, but you can't top genius. :3
Flawless :biggrin.gif:
I am here for you, Don't be afraid to send me a message.
Thanks. It's going to take a slower pace, but it should bring you all up to speed. I don't know when I'll update it, hopefully tomorrow. Glad you guys like it!
:'D
Okay. This is turning out really good.
Pff, you're just happy that you're a dragon that lives in the basement and feasts on sheep. :PP