Zebedee searched the port for any signs of prey of any kind. Despite lacking a light, his sharp eyesight pierced the darkness of the night with ease. His stomach growled with ravenous hunger, begging for a meal. A slight movement caught his eye. He stopped and looked down to his left. A human, or what appeared to be human, was cowering in fear at the sight of the hungry Z-Stack. Zebedee revealed his anchor like claws. The figure tired to flee, but Zebedee snatched her in a vice like grip. He lifted her to his eye level, and opened his cavernous jaws, and then paused, and slowly closed his maw.
He realized that this wasn't human at all. It was only a small were-cat child. She had a strange marking around her eyes that made her look like a raccoon. Her brown and scruffy tail, ears, and hair told him she had been out for at least a couple days. He couldn't believe she was roaming around this late at night.
"Where are your parents?" Zebedee kept his voice low and had a gentle tone. He was just so huge compared to a full grown man, and to talk normally would most likely deafen the little child.
"They are walking among the stars." the girl squeaked. Zebedee blinked in shock. She was an orphan, and in harm's way. It was too dangerous to be out and about when the Z-Stacks are slithering about.
"Do you have any family you can go to?" he asked. The little girl shook her head.
"No," the little girl squirmed. "They were murdered. They told me to run away, so I ran from home."
Zebedee's eyes grew wide, and he put down what was going to be his potential prey. "Murdered?!" Zebedee almost shouted it out. The girl nodded. She looked like she was about to cry. He wasn't sure how to comfort the child, but he could at least offer her some company. She sat down on his bow.
"What's your name?" the little girl cocked her head to the side.
"Zebedee," the Z-Stack softly replied, "And yours?"
The girl looked up at him. "My name's Wildmask." she stood up and touched Zebedee's nameplate. "I've never been this close a Z-Stack before."
Zebedee's stomach growled again. Wildmask whimpered and backed up until she could go no further, now afraid of her new friend. Zebedee placed an anchor like claw on his gut and chuckled nervously. "Sorry 'bout that." he smiled sheepishly.
"You won't eat me right? Like those stories that my parents used to tell me when I wasn't a good girl?" Wildmask whimpered.
Zebedee spluttered in shock. "Heavens no! You're too young, and I don't want to trigger a war between us and the were-cats. Do you have any other family you can go to?"
"No," Wildmask shook her head. Zebedee sighed. He couldn't just leave her out here, not like this. She needed someone to watch after her just for tonight, but... what if no one else will take her in? She'll be left out in the cold again, and next time a Z-Stack won't be as friendly and devour her. He was going to have to do the right thing, and take her under his wing, and possibly raise her. It wasn't going to be an easy task, but Shadowpelt, his previous and deceased Rider, would have wanted him to do that.
"Alright, you can stay with me." Zebedee smiled gently, but he hid his huge fangs.
"Really?" Wildmask's face lit up. Zebedee chuckled softly.
"Yes, now get under my hat. I don't want you to catch a cold." Zebedee replied. Wildmask didn't question him, and slowly climbed up to Zebedee's hat. She was weak and malnourished, making it a difficult, if not impossible, task. She reached for Zebedee's hat as if to lift it up, when suddenly her foot slipped. She gasped and scrambled to re-establish her grip, only to fall. Zebedee caught her in his claws before she could scream.
"It's okay, I gotcha." Zebedee whispered as he lifted his hat, gently placed her underneath it, and carefully lowered his hat. His stomach growled even louder as if to complain about Zebedee's choice. I'll just get something in the morning. He thought as he turned back to head for home. He looked up at the stars, and sighed. Shadowpelt, if you're up there... please... help me with this kid. She has nowhere else to go. I'm all she has now. I can't let anyone take her from me. It would be too much for her to loose her parents, and her one and only friend. Please Shadowpelt, I'm begging you. He hadn't chosen a Rider since Shadowpelt died. He remembered her sweet scent and kind disposition. She was always loving towards him, all the way to the moment she let out her last breath. He was never so close to a Rider before until Shadowpelt came along. She was... special.
He returned to the Zero Marine Corporation, and settled into his spot. He looked at his reflection in the water, and noticed one star that was shining brighter than the rest. He looked up at it for a few moments, and an unusual thought came across him. What if they were destined to meet? Was it fate? Is this young child destined to be his next Rider, or is this a coincidence? He wasn't sure, but one thing was certain: she needed him. He relaxed and smiled, glad that he had given a new start, and he slowly fell asleep to the steady rocking of the waves.
