This is a kind of a redux of the main +Anima storyline, up until about the middle of the second book, but with some character personality changes, new characters, and new events put in. Enjoy!

I looked over the inside of the tent. It was big, and fairly dark. I searched for my friend, then realized that she wouldn't be on until 4:30, and it was only 3:45. For now, some exhibit called "The Mermaid Princess" was on display. I knew that she (or he, in disguise) was actually a fish +Anima, but I couldn't stand everyone drooling over her (him?), so I left for the time being. "Hmm..." I thought as I waited for 4:30 to come.

I almost decided to leave, when I heard the announcer say, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Serpentess!" I rushed inside to look at my friend, and she was there, all right. I called out to her, and she discreetly acknowledged me.

I almost didn't hear her say, "Meet me outside the tent after the show." I was standing in the front row, because I had reserved a seat there. I was amazed at her skill and finesse. She was amazing. She probably would have drowned in money if the ringmaster hadn't started filing people out. After a few more minutes, the show was over and I was outside. I rushed over to the circus members' tent, and found my friend, Gina, in there. I was so happy to see her, as we hadn't seen each other in about a year. After a brief hug and exchange of past occurrences, we got down to business.

"So," I asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I was actually sold to the ringmaster by-"

"WHAT?! And he actually accepted you?! Why, I oughta..."

"Cyrus, calm down. I had a say in this, too, and I had no where else to go. I didn't even know what to do."

"Oh. I see. But, the real question is this: are you happy here?"

She sighed. "I don't know. The-"

"You don't know? It's a simple question! Are you happy here?"

"Well...no. No, I'm not. But what else can I do?"

"You can come with me. We'll have so much fun together! We can probably find other +Animas, and travel with them, too."

"Well, I don't know..." She said slowly.

"Please?" I asked in my pathetic little boy voice.

"Oh...fine."

"Yes!"

"We'll leave tomorrow, and that'll be that."

As soon as I said those words, we were attacked. The person(her/him) that was in the circus, and another boy with black hair jumped out of the bushes close to us.

A surprise attack! Gina and I were in our battle forms in no time flat. I felt my birthmark on the side of my head activate, and it all happened at once. My torso was immediately covered in shaggy, chocolate-colored fur, and all my limbs were five times stronger than before. My seeing changed a little, but my other senses were enhanced greatly. My teeth were slightly elongated, and my ears were pointed, like a German Shepherd Dog's.

At this point, if you guessed that my +Anima was a dog, then you'd be right.

Beside me, I saw Gina's +Anima being activated, too. Hers ran down her back, in an intricate, symmetrical pattern. (I knew this because she told me. I AM NOT A PERVERT!!) Her legs combined into a long slithery tail, and she became a sort of snake-human hybrid (Snake +Anima).

We were each squared up with an opponent. A tag-team duel! Fun! I smirked a little. "This is gonna be interesting."

TO BE CONTINUED!!!

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