So some of you may have known this as "From Dreary Beginningns in The Undercity", before I made this into a series. I may expand a bit more on Zarya's backstory in the future, but for now I hope you enjoy this.


It was a very foggy, stormy night in Drake City, the rain falling down quite heavily and thunder as loud as the roar of a tiger foz. This kept the usual hustle and bustle down a little bit, though not by a large margin. Those that were out had umbrellas and raincoats, others who couldn't afford that luxury took refuge with whatever they could hide under, some in discarded boxes, others in trashcans or even dumpsters, dumpsters that wouldn't eat them that was... or go beneath the city.

Underground was what appeared to be a smaller city, perhaps another part of Drake City yet was quite different. Unlike the gleaming Drake City above, this place seemed to be dark and somewhat eerie, yet was still lively with ogres, elves, and many others. This was known as the Undercity. Down here is a pretty hard life, many have to scavenge or even steal to get by. Some were kind enough to share their spoils with others, meanwhile there were some who preyed on the weak and frail with force to get by. It was a real wolf eat wolf world here, but at least it was safe from the rain, as no weather could reach the Undercity.

Amongst the rain came a subway train, landing in to the heart of the Undercity. Once the doors opened, all sorts of strange creatures and a few humans exited to explore. Among them was one particular individual, a young human girl who seems to be in her preteen years, sporting a light blue sleeveless hoodie with what appeared to be a wolf symbol on the front, blue jeans, has short purple hair worn in a pony tail, turquoise eyes, and she carried a bag with her as well. She was very tired, hungry, still pretty wet from the rain, and unsure of her new surroundings, as all sorts of oddities and commotion was present. Nevertheless, she couldn't show weakness now, for she had to put on a tough, spunky attitude if she was going to make it here. Off she went into the unknown streets of the Undercity, each moment unnerving her just a little bit.

Suddenly, the Purple Haired Girl heard a small noise coming from a trash can, causing her to back up and gasp. With curiosity getting the better of her, she decides to investigate and see what it is. With a little hesitation, she opened the trash can, only to reveal a little white foz, sighing within hunger. The poor thing looked like he hadn't eaten in days. Upon seeing her, the foz seemed to be very timid, quivering out of fear. From there, the Purple Haired Girl couldn't help but feel sorry for him, so she reaches into her bag and pulls out a few crackers.

"Hey there little guy." She held the crackers a little closer to the foz, being careful not to startle it. "Want a bite? It's not much but I think you'll need it more than me."

The little foz sniffed the crackers first just to be sure they're safe to eat. Once that was done, it consumed the crackers like no tomorrow, chirping with glee, making the Purple Haired girl chuckle a bit. The foz then started licking her hand out of appreciation, even allowing her to pet him a bit.

"You really liked that huh? Tell you what, why don't you stick with me? Honestly I could use a little company, all things considered."

All too happy to accept that offer, the foz climbed up on her shoulder, to which it preceded to nuzzle her face. She nuzzled the little guy back, scratching underneath his chin as well, which it enjoyed. It appears she already made a friend here in the Undercity, their bond already being quite strong.

"Guess I'll have to name you now huh?" She thought pretty hard about a name, as if she never had a pet before, much less an opportunity to name one. Suddenly this name popped into mind. "How about Choko?" The foz seemed to chirp and purr with delight, he seemed to like that name a fair bit. "Choko it is! Don't worry little guy, I got your back."

Having made her first friend in the Undercity, perhaps things are looking up for the Purple Haired Girl after all. All that was left was a place to sleep. She found an old cardboard box that was discarded near the trash cans. She thought this would be okay, she even claims to have had worse sleeping conditions. So she and Choko decide to shelter in said box, falling asleep almost instantly.


Day time had already come in Drake City, the sun shining rather brightly. In the Undercity, however, one almost couldn't tell the difference between night and day, as no sunlight could reach it. The Girl was still sleeping soundly, as was little Choko, snoring every waking moment. Suddenly, she was awakened by people running in the street, screaming "He's coming!", and other such words. People were hiding in the trash cans, locking their doors, some of the markets closed almost instantly. The Girl and Choko could not figure out was the fuss was about. That's when they noticed three shady figures roaming about.

The Girl hid behind a trash can, Choko along with her, peeking their heads ever so slightly to see what's going on. They seemed to be serpentine anthropomorphic life forms by the look of it, snakes that walked like men on two legs. Two of them being large and muscular, bearing heads like pythons, and standing about 8 feet tall. The other one was about 6'1", had the head of a viper. All of them wore fancy suits, though the Viper was wearing a top hat to go along with the rest of his attire, holding a cane with him as well.

Again, curiosity got the better of her, the Girl felt she had to see what was going on. Choko urged her not to with his chirping but the she shushed him, her mind being set on following these characters. She did so very stealthily, hoping not to be seen by these fierce looking creatures. She followed them up to an alleyway, a little darker and eerie one at that. The Viper moved in to scour the area thoroughly. From first person point of view, we see the infrared heat that the Viper sees. It wasn't long before he found exactly what he was looking for, someone was hiding in another trash can. With a smug smile, he signaled one of his python henchmen to empty the trash can, and sure enough out dropped a young boy with pink hair and a dark blue hoodie. Frightened for his life, the boy backed away, shivering.

"Hello Neeko." The Viper said, staring at the boy with hostile intent.

"Cr- cr- Creed! What do you want from me?!" The Viper, whose name is revealed to be Creed, chuckled at that, finding it funny with a hint of annoyance in his tone.

"Did you hear that boys? He asked what I want from him. Isn't that so funny?" He chuckled along with his smug thugs. He then catches Neeko around his upper torso with his tail, lifting him up at head level. "You know full well why I'm here boy, I'm here for satisfaction. You stole gold from me, and no one steals from Creed Slitherwick and lives to tell about it!"

"Please, we were just hungry that's all!" Neeko quickly covered his mouth when he said that.

"We you say? So there are more of you eh?" Creed signaled another one of his thugs to knock down a bunch boxes, revealing several other kids who were cowering in fear.

The Purple Haired Girl looked angry by this, the sight of this cruelty gritted her teeth like a riled up wolf. She felt she had to do something, but first she needed a plan. First, she whispers something into Choko's ear, then she searches for something to throw at these bullies with, a little eye for an eye it would seem. Meanwhile Creed talks on.

"Aw how adorable, several starving children doing their best to survive. This would warm my heart, if I had one." Creed then turns his attention back to Neeko, reaching his hand out to the frightened pink haired lad. "The gold, now!"

Feeling it was pointless to resist, Neeko reached to his left hoodie pockets and pulled out at least ten gold pieces, dropping them into Creeds hand, which was happily accepted by the malevolent serpent. Yet, satisfaction was still desired.

"Now it's time to make an example of you boy. I hope you prayed before stealing from me because this is the last time you'll ever walk in this Realm!"

With that, Creed extends two large fangs, dripping with venom ready to inject Neeko with them. Yet before he could deliver the fatal dose, he was halted by a soda can thrown at his face. He quickly turned the direction it came from and saw it was the Purple Haired Girl who threw it, with a look of anger in her eyes.

"Put him down, NOW!"

The Purple Haired Girl points at him fiercely and boldly. Creed and his thugs laughed pretty hard at this, finding the gesture adorable.

"How cute, a little knight in shining armor decides to join in! What's your name child?"

"My name is Nunya, nunya business! Now leave them alone!"

"Ha! Children, they're all the same. Move along child, I have smaller fish to fry."

Creed then attempts to bite Neeko again, only this time a trash can lid was thrown at his face, causing him to drop Neeko and knocking his top hat clean off. All the kids gasped, meanwhile Neeko put some distance between him and Creed. The kids were impressed, that was a pretty good throw for a girl her age. Creed then rubbed his face, revealing slight blood on him. He picked up his top hat, brushed it off, and placed it back on his head. He had a look of anger in his face. It seems the Purple Haired Girl made Creed mad. Big mistake.

"Boys!" Creed snapped his fingers, "Teach this little ruffian a little lesson."

One of the thugs was approaching her, popping his knuckles along the way. Realizing her error, the Purple Haired Girl tries to break for the kids, only to be cut off by the other thug. Now cornered, she stands her ground, not flinching one bit. With that, the thugs proceeded to pummel her to the ground, kicking her around like a ragdoll. The kids wanted to do something to help, but they knew all too well they wouldn't make a difference, if anything they would have prolonged her pain. All they could is look on as the young Purple Haired Girl takes all the hits. Choko from behind a trash can covered his eyes, not wanting to watch the horrible act.

When the beating was all done, the Girl was still alive but ruffed up pretty bad. She tries to reach out to the kids, only for Creeds cane to pin down her hand, causing her to scream with anguish. Creed kneeled down to the Girl's level, and gives her a cold warning.

"Who do you think you are? You think you're a hero child? No, you're nothing of the sort. All you are is a pathetic, whimpering dog waiting for someone to put you out of your misery, nothing more. So let this be a lesson to you, you impudent little brat. The next time you want to be the hero, don't."

With that, he removes his cane from her hand and signals his thugs to call it a day, feeling he made his point. And so they walked on, leaving the Girl to lick her wounds, meanwhile the other kids, Neeko included, rush to help her up.

"Hey, are you okay?" Neeko asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Wouldn't be the first time I was ruffed up like that." As the Neeko and the other kids help her up she groaned a little, though she didn't care to admit it she did get beaten up pretty good, holding her left arm rather tightly.

"You were amazing!" one elf kid said, "You were so brave the way you stood up to those guys!"

"Yeah, I guess I am." The Girl was still limping when she got up, it may be a while before she's healed. "Who was that anyway?"

"That was Creed Slitherwick, biggest Crime Lord in the Undercity, and the meanest too. He always seems to get what he wants, as long as he keeps everyone scared no one can touch him! I guess I bit off more than I could chew with him but what can I say? We don't have it easy down here. And now we still have nothing."

Neeko was disheartened after explaining that. The Girl looked at all the kids, all of them seemed like they were starving, hadn't eaten in several days or so, just like Choko when she found him.

"Don't let bullies like him get you down. Keep the magic real." Choko approaches them and reveals that he took some gold out of Creed's wallet, turns out this was all part of her plan to help them, while she was distracting the thugs, Choko stole a bit of Creed's gold from under his nose. The kids were over joyed by this act of generosity.

"Th-th- this is great! Thank you so much, I- I don't know how to thank you!" Neeko said, clearly happy they're not empty handed.

"Your name would be a start." The girl said with a smile.

"Got it, name's Neeko. And you?"

"Call me Zarya. Zarya Moonwolf."

And with that, it seems that this, Zarya Moonwolf, has established herself in the Undercity. She may not consider herself a hero, but at least she knows she'll be doing some good for poor kids who are struggling to survive. The screen fades with a confident smile on Zarya's face.