Chapter 1

The atmosphere felt damp to the touch; a scent of incense floating through the vacant area he called home. It was also dull beyond imagination- Quite the contradiction I made there. There was no sound to distract me from his lack of amusement. Yet, I believe that my place could be compared to the likes of his.

"So partner, how old are you?"

"Nineteen."

I couldn't help but jump at his loud sigh.

"Do you have experience?"

Of course I did!

I did not reply, once again leaving myself in the awkwardness of silence as he walked toward a fridge. Such an old device should not be in circulation; but then again, a coat of rust laid above its stained painting. Opening it, he reached his hand into the insides. I wonder, how does he power it?

"I said, do you have experience?"

As did my ancestors, I crossed my arms across my chest. It felt uncomfortable; my protective vest contributing to this effect.

"Barely, I just waltzed in the office yesterday."

Sarcasm is not my specialty.

SLAM!

The fridge door closed with immense power, the source holding a cylinder, blue container.

"You dear disrespect me boy?!"

"Um-"

"Answer my question!"

It was obvious that he was angry. His voice shook the room while his eyes were intensely focused on me. The can began to crease under the pressure of his hands; which was pretty unnecessary.

"W-Which one?"

Within a split second he sprinted from his spot; towards me.

Using my years of supposedly questionable experience, I backed up a bit then began to create a connection with his couch.

My vision on the couch, I turned around just in time to meet my opponent; who was a foot away from me.

Holy Buddha, is that even possible?

Totally unexpected, his palm connected with my muzzle.

...

The sky held a grey haze; due to my ancestors' carefree manners. A look at the sky only results in a seemingly cloudy day. In my lifetime the smog has never dispersed enough to give me a glimpse at the azure sky above. I mean, I have seen pictures. But seeing the sky itself would brighten up my day.

Woah, a pun. One point to me.

As usual, I was patrolling my sector; Alpha 1B. Better known among my friends as Westopolis. The skyscrapers around here are normally redundant with the cliché grey palette. Also, the people are mostly traders, so I could nickname the city 'Neo-New York'-

But that would technically mean New New York... Then again I am talking to myself; so that wouldn't matter.

"I swear to god I'm going to bust this kid's lip."

Voice sounding familiar, I turned around ninety degrees to face my now arch-enemy; Shadow Le Douche. Seeing how we have only known each other for a day, I'm still getting used to his stares.

"It's Silver by the way-"

"Are you even paying attention?!"

In the field of my sight, I caught a glimpse of a lady who seemed pretty distressed. Her head would constantly turn towards us every few second interval...

Pretty suspicious stuff.

"Maybe I am. I'm just having some internal thoughts."

Once again another sigh from him.

"Did you at least notice that cat?", he asked with a touch of attitude.

Nope. Not replying. I think it was very obvious that I was looking at her.

"While you were in La La Land, I was actually doing my job-"

"But we're both in duty-"

"Don't you dare interrupt me."

Back to the suspect, she was now gaining speed after she spotted me advancing on her. If I was alone, I would have probably shift my gaze onto something else before cutting into a shortcut. Normally this tactic works. However there are those days that I'm partners with some guy.

Guess I have to improvise.

"Lets see if she's going anywhere-"

"For the past thirty minutes I watched her look at us."

"Geez, okay then, let's go ask her some questions."

"Hmph."

I basically left him behind in the crowd; lessening the distance between the suspect and I. I couldn't exactly make out her appearance until I was within a meter or two from her.

"Excuse me miss."

She either ignored me or did not pick up that sentence.

Though she did turn around; again. Thus revealing features of a somewhat serious woman.

"Yes, officer?"

I was quite taken by surprise by her sudden change from being anxious to disturbingly calm. Like, wow.

"You seem worried. Is there something wrong?"

Her face suddenly morphed into a shocked expression before she took off.

Why would she-

"Jesus Christ Silver, chase her!"

Behind me, Shadow skated across the floor in high speeds; somehow dodging each civilian in his way.

My legs began to move in a rhythmic motion; my strides lengthening within each step. I could just fly above the crowd, but...

I dunno, I just felt like running.

The suspect was pretty agile for some ordinary citizen. With little energy she slipped through the civilians like a butter knife would through butter. It seemed almost graceful even, resembling moves that a ballerina would perform. Her hood would catch the wind during each dodge, revealing her face.

My knee-high boots began to slap the floor with heavy thuds as my endurance started to decrease. Pants escaped my mouth, my windpipe burning from the intense cardio-exercise I was doing.

I couldn't catch up to her like this.

Summoning up my abilities, by hands began to make a turquoise aura. The crowd began to stare at me with bewildered expressions; then again they were doing that before. An echidna guy was walking in my pathway; rendering my current path to be useless.

The same light from my hands began to engulf him; causing him to float upwards to clear the path. Some more started to part like I'm Moses; parting the waters of the Red Sea. Many others floated due to my awesomeness and badassery. With that, it was relatively a jog to catch up to her.

On the other hand, Shadow was basically within an arm's length from her.

The floating civilians behind me fell as I passed them. Well, I'm pretty sure it did hurt.

My partner suddenly grabbed the hood of the suspect before pulling her to the ground; then proceeded to throw a green energy beam at her face.

She dodged; thankfully, getting up with a back-flip then threw a roundhouse kick at his face. He ducked before it could hit him. His arms caught the leg in a lock; his frown growing with each move.

SNAP!

Her leg bent in a very uncomfortable position as her body jolted from the shock of the pain.

"Blaze!"

The voice originated from the crowd, yet I could not see the source.

Shadow basically threw the lady on the ground; greatly increasing the pain of the injury. His ears then began to scan the waves of sounds vibrating through the air.

Above him, another cat jumped onto his back; wrapping her legs around his waist. She then threw her torso backwards, causing his center of gravity to shift.

"Run Blaze!"

The source was now understood to be that other cat that is now attacking my partner. Although it was hilarious to see him thrashing around, I did have to help him.

So I picked up an empty can from the ground and aimed it at her head. It flew at great speeds through the air. However, when it made contact with her, she dispersed into a column of back mist.

"What-"

The hooded person AKA Blaze had disappeared from her spot, most likely limping in the crowd a good distance from us by now.

I scanned the area for the new person of interest, trying to understand the situation.

She's behind me... Isn't she?

Without hesitation, I turned around to see the same person charging at me. She was very familiar if memory serves me right. I mean, I have seen those 21st century boots before...

I tried to gain control of her, but it was as if she was non-existent-

Oh, right. That's the lynx. The lynx I tried to catch, the lynx chosen especially to raise my rank. That lynx.

It was an illusion, so I just stood there seeing that it'll have little to no effect on me.

Out of nowhere, my partner Umbra, no wait that's too feminine, Shadow landed before me; a fighting stance already in motion.

"Back up Silver!"

"But-"

Well of course I turned around, just in time to see the most-likely-the-real-one running away at full speed.

So with a simple flick of my hand, she flew through the glass of a store.

My sidekick turned around just in time to see my most spectacular move of the century.

"Is that the real one?"

"... Yup."

"Yup?"

"Erm... Yes sir?"

"Hmph."