Forgotten Reality
Chapter One: Rude Awakening

I liked this idea. And believe it or not - I was watching the Powerpuff Girls when it came to me.

Fixed Ideas are the absolute worst fighters in the world - but put three together and all hell breaks loose. Cybersix had run into José as he was terrorizing a car salesman, and had chosen to intervene. She broke away from the three Fixed Ideas who had decided to leap to his defense, then turned to face them. Two rapid kicks downed the first, a solid punch sent the second flying, and the third bravely chose to run away. José didn't like that much.
Argh! YOU IDIOT! GET BACK HERE! Don't make me fight her alone - Your pay is going down! I mean it! And with that final threat, José flung himself at Cybersix.
She was surprised at the force he carried; she staggered back several steps in shock. He had the advantage there, and his hands pummeled her repeatedly. She sought a handhold, any way to throw him away from her. However, a vicious slap sent her senses reeling, and the grip she almost had on his shirt was lost. His surprisingly sharp nails raked the skin of her neck, and, unable to focus clearly through the unstopping assault, Cybersix stumbled backwards, tripped over her cape, and fell to the ground.
The ceiling went black, and the last thing she heard through the fog was ragged, struggling breath. Whether it was José's, or her own, she could not tell.

Without the aid of the special sensors in her hat, Cybersix always felt a little deafened, but waking from the cold dimension of unconsciousness far surpassed anything she'd felt before. As she sat up, she seemed to be moving through water, arms and legs numb. She managed to pick up her hat and place it back on her head before she remembered the events that had led her here. Frantically, she screamed at her right arm to move faster, and her fingers desperately saught the marks of José's attack. To her surprise, no blood spilled down her chest or dripped onto her fingers. Gathering more of her senses, she turned around to the place she had fallen - the floor showed no signs of ever being coated in blood. The room was still in disarray, however. Cybersix shook off the initial surprise of awakening and stood up, albeit weakly at first. José and the Fixed Ideas were long gone, that much was certain. No point chasing them... time to get home. And she left the room.
After returning to her apartment and clothing herself in the disguise of Adrian once more, she noticed that her hands were shaking slightly, and her head was beginning to ache. Deciding that coffee would help ease her nerves and stop the pounding in her temples, she inspected her glasses, checked her hair once more, and headed for the café on the corner.

Upon entering the café, a familar voice called out in a mock impatient tone. Adrian, you're late!
Am I? Adrian sat down across the table from Lucas, who set aside his empty lunch plate.
We agreed to meet here at one; it's nearly one-thirty now.
Adrian didn't remember making this appointment. Oh... ah, I'm sorry, Lucas.
Not a problem. You can make it up to me by picking up the tab. Meantime, look at this. Lucas tossed him a section of the newspaper, and Adrian nearly dropped it in shock.

MERIDIANA [AP] - The mysterious phantom known as Cybersix was spotted again, this time in the southwest area. Several witnesses claim to have seen black, shining eyes and glinting fangs, though no account matches any others. This strange woman has been seen repeatedly, and police are getting ready to take some action against her. Should you see Cybersix, stay inside and keep all lights on. Do not go out at night unless absolutely neccesary. Travel in groups and wear bright clothing. Take no shortcuts when walking home. The woman is a menace to the safety of our city, and will be stopped as soon as is possible.

Adrian looked up at Lucas, hiding his feelings of puzzlement and shock.
They saw her again, Lucas muttered, his voice shaking with rage and - was it really... disgust? It isn't right. Meridiana is such a safe town; or at least it was until she came around about three months ago. Nobody knows anything about her. She never talks to anyone, but there's always something weird or dangerous going on. If you ask me, the sooner she gets out, the better it is for all of us. By now, Lucas' voice was dripping with contempt.
You've seen her, though, haven't you?
That's the thing. She's been hanging around my apartment lately. Sometimes I see her cape, or hat, or her eyes - they look like yours. Lucas leaned over the table, peering closely at his friend's black eyes. Adrian had the sudden shivery feeling that Lucas was not only seeing past the glasses, but past the disguise as well. However, Lucas returned to his seat. Must have been the light or the glasses or something. They look brighter than hers up close.
I thought you two might be an item, the way you keep going on and on about how much you dislike her. Adrian was incredibly surprised at the ease with which he stated this comment.
Me and her?! Lucas' surprise was genuine. You're delirious, buddy! I'd have to be insane to go looking for her, much less ask her to the movies! He laughed nervously. Besides, who knows if she'd try to eat me?
She's probably just looking for a friend, not a meal. And she probably isn't a vampire- Adrian added, remembering the supposed fangs, -they aren't real.
Neither are humans who can jump fifteen stories with extreme ease, right?

I rest my case.
The café suddenly seemed small and threatening. Adrian fidgeted for a moment, then stood up. Sorry, Lucas, I have to run. And he quickly exited the coffee shop, leaving a very miffed and somewhat confused Lucas to pay the bill again.

Later that evening, Cybersix paced restlessly in her living room, holding her own copy of the paper, her cape swishing around her legs endlessly. He hates me, thinks I'm a monster. The whole TOWN must think like that. No, there must be an exception, there must be. But Julian and Data 7's boat doesn't exist, I checked. Yashimoto - won't be here if there haven't been the disturbances I've dealt with. Enrique is around, I should check him out. No, no, the police are supposed to be after me... But I have to know, dammit, none of this makes any sense at all!
Von Reichter must be behind it somehow. Erasing memories, brainwashing the citizens; he hasn't done it before but I'm sure... I'm sure he could find a way. She stopped pacing and lifted her eyes to the ceiling. Lucas... hates me. She looked down at her hands. Am I... a monster, as he believes now? I've considered that possibility, of course... but before, Lucas... he acted as though it didn't matter whether I was or not. And when I was with him, it... DIDN'T matter. I'm going insane, she said aloud, then I've got to keep busy. So declaring, she leaped from her window and headed for the police station - possible suicide, but a chance to learn what was truly happening to her city.