DC57: Here it is. I made mention in my "redo" of my Cheetah story, that this one was going to get an overhaul as well. Again, my continuity errors were atrocious in the first Tigra story. As opposed to just re-editing ALL those chapters... Well, I have a tendency just delete what I started and start over. I kinda felt this would be a better way to get the story the way I wanted it.
Greer Grant was working on guarding a shorter post during her basketball game. Her friend, Patsy Walker had the ball, heading towards their goal to score.
This was the playoff game. Her school's team never made it to the play offs. Not until the "dynamic duo" of Patsy and Greer hit the floor. They proved themselves during their sophomore year of high school, taking the junior varsity team all the way to the semi-finals. When they tried out for basketball again, they were eagerly scooped up by the varsity coach.
Patsy was smaller, faster and the best ball-handler of the team. She was also willing to pass the ball to her teammates. Coach made her a point guard.
Greer was stronger and fast as well. Taller than most of the girls in their league, she easily caught rebounds to pass, or to reshoot again for an easy two points. Also because of her size, she was often fouled on, and also garnered free throws.
It also helped the team that the two had been the best of friends since elementary school.
"Grant!" Bobbi Morse called out to her teammate.
Greer looked up too late. A member of the opposing team had the ball and was headed straight for her. Greer tried to brace herself underneath the goal, but the woman kept coming.
Greer had taken hits during a game before, but when the smaller woman's shoulder made serious contact with Greer's sternum and her elbow rammed right into Greer's solar plexus. Greer went down and smacked her head on the floor, knocked out cold.
"Greer? Greer! Wake up hun!" Patsy delicately tapped her face.
"Mmmf…." Greer groaned, she was still on the floor of the basketball court. Her vision was blurry at first before it finally cleared. "What happened?"
"You took one hell of a charge." Patsy stood and offered her hand to help Greer up. "From Karla Sofen." She thumbed to the blonde now scowling on the opposing bench as she was berated by her own coach for blatantly charging Greer.
Greer pushed herself upright, then grabbed the offered hand. She felt dizzy though and held on to Patsy's shoulders. The crowd gave their traditional applause when an injured player got up under their own power.
"We gotta check you out, Red." A medic approached the pair of women. "You took a hard hit to the back of your head. Make sure there ain't a concussion or nothing."
Greer rose an eyebrow to the man, but looked to Patsy, who also gave the man a strange look. "I think you should go. Bobbi and I can finish these guys off." Patsy gave her a smile and Bobbi, further away gave her a thumbs-up.
Greer reluctantly followed the medic into the locker room. She was relieved when another nurse was present as well.
"Take a seat, Red." The brash man said.
"Do you think I'll be able to play again tonight?" Greer asked as she sat on the bench.
"Prolly not tonight. Dunno about your other games. Just depends on how you check out." He said roughly before nodding to the nurse. "You got some green eyes, don'tcha?"
Greer just decided to ignore him.
The nurse approached. "Do you mind undoing your ponytail?"
Greer tugged out the elastic band out of her long, black hair. She mussed it before straightening it out.
"There, now I can get a feel for what happened." The nurse gently grasped Greer's head. She looked to the other man, whom had just taken a position leaning against a locker and looking at her. Rather intently, and it unnerved Greer. She hissed in pain when the nurse's fingers touched the back of her head, where she hit the floor.
"Sorry hun, must be tender. Wooden floors aren't very forgiving, are they?" She asked.
"Not really…" Greer grumbled and started to pull her hair back up into her ponytail.
"How do you feel over all?" The nurse reached into a medical bag.
"My head is killing me, honestly. I hurt elsewhere, but that hurts the worst." Greer admitted.
"Here, I'll give you something for pain." The nurse pulled out a syringe. "This will be quicker than giving you ibuprofen." She tapped the tube.
"I… I guess…." Greer had never heard of something like this, but they were the medical personnel, not her.
The man finally moved and stepped over to Greer. He wrapped the belt around her upper arm, tightly. The nurse touched the bend in Greer's arms, looking for a vein. She smiled when she found one and drew the needle closer.
Greer didn't mind injections, but could never watch the needle go in. She turned away as she felt the familiar pain. She then felt plunger pushing the medication into her system. The nurse was right and immediately she began to feel the pain in her head begin to wane. After it was over, the nurse wrapped her arm in orange gauze.
The medics then dismissed her and allowed her to return to the bench. Greer watched the rest of the game and cheered on her best friend. Their team also charged the floor when Patsy made a winning 3-pointer.
After the celebration and the coaches' congratulations, the girls were ready to go home.
"So what did the medics say about your head? Are you missing a brain?" Patsy teased.
"Shut up!" Greer elbowed her friend as they drove in Patsy's car. "I've never seen a shorty like you make a 3-pointer."
"Touché. But what did they say?" Patsy asked more seriously.
Greer thought. "You know… They really didn't say anything about it. They both kind of looked me over then gave me a shot for pain. Maybe it was nothing and I'll be able to play in the tournament in two weeks."
"I guess… but an injection for pain? In your arm?" Patsy rose her red brow.
"It was new to me too, Pats." Greer shrugged as they pulled in to Greer's driveway.
"Your mom working tonight?" Patsy asked as they walked in the door.
"Yeah, swing shift, then the morning shift. I dunno if we will see her." Greer set her bag floor, then flopped on the couch.
"Well, that's why you have me here, right?" Patsy joined her on the couch.
"Well, the sleepovers on Fridays have been a tradition since we were nine." Greer grinned.
The two girls met in first grade after Greer moved to the neighborhood. Greer and Patsy met during recess, and they were fast friends.
"So what is on the menu tonight?" Patsy asked, "Getting hungry."
The two girls ordered a pizza and continued with their usual sleepover antics. Pillow forts never got old for them, even as a 16 and 17 year old. Once constructed, the both buried themselves inside with blankets. The spent the rest of the night, joking, watching a movie, listening to music, and finding videos on the internet to laugh at.
They fell asleep on top of each other, and on top of the now destroyed pillow fort thanks to an onset of a tickle fight. The usual fashion.
Greer stirred first and yawned awake. She looked to find Patsy rolled over on her back, and snoring loudly. Greer merely rolled her eyes and went to her bathroom. Her long raven hair was an askew disaster. She brushed it thoroughly and quickly tied it back.
The aroma of fresh coffee and cinnamon buns caught her attention as she headed downstairs. There was also a note from Catherine, Greer's mother addressed to both girls.
Morning sleepyheads. You two were sound asleep when I got home. I hope you don't mind that I left you girls some breakfast. Just remember to clean up after yourselves. I'll be home around three.
"Your mom is awesome." Patsy said as she joined Greer at the island in the kitchen.
"I know." Greer smiled happily.
Both girls began enjoying their breakfast. Though they were interrupted by the doorbell. Greer rolled her eyes and answered.
"Hey Red, how ya feelin'?" The blonde man answered with a wry grin.
Greer was in shock, it was the same man that was the medic from the basketball game.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Greer asked in irritation. "How did you get my address?"
"Aw, c'mon that's baby stuff to find out." He grinned again. He had crooked teeth. He was beginning to infuriate Greer. "So how you feelin'?" He asked again.
"To be blunt, you're beginning to piss me off." Greer growled.
"That's a shame, ya see, most girls like me."
"I don't see how, you're about as charming as a horse's ass." Greer spat. "Please leave."
"Nah, I don't feel like it. I wanna see you." He took a step into her doorway.
Greer had it. This pervert was trying to force his way into her home! She balled up her fist and swung.
She didn't feel an impact. She merely swung forward and through the man. Literally, through him! "What the fuck…?" Greer whispered. She stepped back inside and slammed the door in his face.
"Greer, what the hell is going on?" Patsy stepped out of the kitchen.
"Pats, grab the phone and call the cops." Greer ordered, still looking at the door.
"But-"
They both heard a male chuckle before the man's head phased through the door. "I'm Ghost. Boo!"
Both girls screamed. Greer ran back to grab Patsy by the arm, they both rapidly ran up the stairs and into Greer's room, slamming the door behind them.
Ghost laughed loudly. "I'm gonna get a good payday. Maybe he'll even take the other girl and give me a bonus!" He wrung his hands.
"I don't think so Ghost."
"Ouch! Greer! What the hell!" Patsy pulled her arm away from Greer's grasp. She rubbed it, and found a series of scratches. "Damn, when this is done, you are getting a manicure!"
"But I-" Greer started. She looked down at her hands. Something was wrong. Her nails were long, and pointed. Greer always kept her nails short. Even had a terrible habit of chewing on them when she was nervous.
Her head began to ache, even worse than the night before. She held her head and tried to think. All the noises in her room. Patsy breathing heavily, the voice of a 911 operator on the other line, her watch on the nightstand across the room, ticking.
It was so overwhelming, nauseating. Greer doubled over and vomited.
"Greer! What's wrong?" Patsy called out.
Greer was clearly struggling. She panted, her vision blurred. Everything felt wrong and her head hurt worse. Her nose began to bleed. Her hands ached, then cracked. Her fingernails growing longer, curving into points and turning black. Her mane of jet black hair was turning a shade of brown, then from that brown, a shade of dark red.
Her eyes could only make out the shape of her changing hands. Seeing pads form on her fingertips and palms, her hands were becoming more paw-like, a mix of human hands and large paws. The color began to wash out and everything was black and white. Greer's back arched and gave a grotesque snapping sound as her frame grew taller and wider.
Greer's lean frame was quickly become more bulky as her muscles contracted and relaxed, building upon one another and become larger. She struggled to put her feet underneath her to stand, but her balance shifted as her feet elongated. Her toenails pointed out from her socks for a few moments, before tearing the toe-end of both socks. Greer's arches lengthened and all that remained of the unfortunate socks was the elastic clinging around her ankles. Pads also formed on the balls of her feet, and her toes.
The tank top was stretched past its limits around Greer's growing body. The fabric finally surrendered and tore away. Greer's front wasn't exposed long. At the base of her hairline, vibrant orange fur started to grow out then across her shoulders and across her face. From her chin, white fur began to grow out. Getting longer the lower it got on her chest, and longest where it covered her breasts. Black stripes also heavily decorated the fur. Deep V-like stripes appeared on her neck and chest. Even smaller stripes appeared on her face and under eyes. Her ears had migrated to the top of her head, sticking out from her now rusty-colored hair. They rotated back and pinned against her head, fur covering them black and white.
Greer bellowed out as everything hurt. Nothing felt right. Her face and nose felt like she took a direct kick from a horse and she tasted blood. Her teeth and tongue felt wrong. Everything shifted as her face contorted more into a muzzle. Her teeth reshaped within her strengthening jaws.
Patsy looked at Greer, or what was Greer. She stayed hunched over, panting. Only moving a limb, a toe, a finger. Flicking an ear. Her eyes stayed her shade of green, but looked unfocused, hazy. Patsy wasn't sure if Greer was even still conscious.
"….Greer?" Patsy spoke tentatively.
The tigress lifted her head to spoke her name. She struggled, but she managed to crawl over to whomever called her.
Patsy panicked for a few moments. She didn't know whether Greer was still…. Greer. She had just witnessed her best friend turn into some sort of hybrid-animal-thing. And now she was getting closer…
Greer heard where the sound came from. The scent she was following was familiar… so familiar… So tired. Her head nuzzled against the familiar scent, Patsy's stomach and the tigress gave a chuff as she finally laid down, wrapping an arm around Patsy's middle. Patsy seemed to relax slightly and rested a hand on Greer's head.
Greer's body immediately went rigid again. Black fur on her neck and shoulders bristled. Her bark arched again and she gritted her teeth and growled. Her claws dug into the carpet and into Patsy's side. In one motion, Greer lifted her head upright and gave out a loud roar in pain. A long tail tore Greer's shorts away. It was orange with black rings of various sizes that ended in a white tip.
Greer lost consciousness after that. Her grip went lax and her eyes finally closed. Patsy tried to relax for a few moments, but the sound of the doorknob turning caused Patsy to jump and grip Greer.
A tall woman wearing a uniform or sorts stepped through. She had a badge, but after everything that happened today, Patsy did know whom to trust anymore.
"Relax. I'm here to help you and your friend. My name's Madeline." She squatted down and began to study the slumbering Greer.
DC57: So let me know what you guys think. A lot of things from the previous story will be repeated. Just hopefully, in a better fashion. Leave a review!