As with the previous two chapters, I made some slight corrections to the chapter. This time is was mostly error corrections.

I apologize for any inconvenience.


As they were driven through their new surroundings, John and Sherlock both looked with wonder at the technologically advanced, but Sherlock was brimming with excitement, or so it would have seemed. His eyes darted around at those who looked like humans with animal features or animals who stood like humans. There were equally animal people and humans moving around, and something else began to intrigue him; magic. People were creating crystals out of nothing, and some were using fire to help warm themselves. not everyone was using it, though.

"So... when did this all happen. The... animal people, and the tricks?"

Daniel, who was in the front of the car with his face in his organizer, snapped it closed. He looked a little annoyed at Sherlock, but sighed, and leaned into the seat.

"That's not really an answer, you know-"

"Oh shut it!" Daniel growled at Sherlock for a moment, "How did my great-grandfather deal with you?" He waved his hand, "No, never mind." Sherlock was about to open his mouth when John looked at him, and he stopped.

"Thank you, Mr. Watson. Now, during your time, there was a virus that was just beginning to run rampant throughout much of the world." He grimaced for a moment, "Nasty little bugger, started out like a bad cold, but eventually shut the cardiovascular system down." He looked out the window, "You two just happened to miss the fun part. About fifteen years after you two went missing, we had a strange set of events. First, people were reporting to be able to perform feats that originally thought to be just fantasy. Come to find out magic began to occur in this world, and people were developing the ability to harness it. People were developing cores to allow them to manipulate magic, and people started changing." He looked back to look at Sherlock's expression, then sighed and turned back, "A few were changing in personality, some switching genders, and many-" The car stopped for a moment, giving all three of them a chance to see a family of cat people walking the street, two children happily laughing as they swung from their parents' arms, "began to develop animal like characteristics. We call them beast-kin."

The car finally made its end stop, and all three entered inside the building. The place was bustling with people moving from place to place as civilians walked around with staff. Soon, Daniel was bombarded by staff members, and he began ringing out orders, and then looked at Sherlock and John. "Alright you two, get to the medical examination." John was confused, "but we were-"

"In cryostasis, yes. But even those frozen in time have been affected. That means we need to get you two checked to see if either of you have cores. It's a requirement now that everyone has been screened for a core by the age of ten." Sherlock was about to walk away, but John glared at Sherlock and grabbed him, "Just do it." They were led to an examination room, where they were quickly checked and re-registered on the government systems. To their surprise, John was found to have a small core, but Sherlock had none. The lady registering them looked at the results.

"Earth based core... Seems its affinity is based on healing." John sighed, but smiled, taking his new identification card.

When they finished, Daniel was waiting for them, "Now, time to show you what I need your assistance with." He led them to a separate room. To John, the room felt like a war room, with pictures and maps all over the place. "You two weren't the only ones caught in stasis. There was a program that was allowing some to be put into cyrostasis, namely individuals who made it past a certain amount of time with the virus in them." He pulled out a long list people names and pictures, "however mishap occurred and many of these pods have been lost to us. They have managed to be put around the underground, and a few suspect that many of these are, or were, being used at material for experiments. I have a team searching, but nothing has come out of it to much success."

Sherlock looked up at Daniel, "and so you want our help."

"Exactly. It's too late now for much activity, but I do believe you have a flat to get to?" John looked at the letter he was given earlier. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Sherlock, "it's a will. From Mrs. Hudson." He showed Sherlock the will, "Guess we do have a flat. Guess we'll be going."


I woke up, and soon I began to cough. I soon stopped, the pain not as bad anymore, but I felt something snug against my throat. I tried to moved, and I felt heavy, and heard the clinging of chains. I looked at my arms, and found each of my arms and legs chained to the bed which I was on. I could move, but not past the bed, and I noticed that I was adorned with strange garments. They were white, and I hardly felt them on my body, but I tried not to look at myself. I heard two people speaking outside the room, and I decided to risk talking, the collar on my neck thankfully not choking me.

"H-Hello?..." I winced at the change in my voice, and heard the people start. Soon a woman came in. She dressed in dark clothing, and from her rear hanged a cat tail "Ah, awake now I see."

"What's going on? Why am I chained up?" The cat woman only purred for a moment, smiling. "Isn't it obvious?"

"No, it's not fucking obvious other than the fact I'm dressed oddly, and I'm in fucking chains! I'm a guy, damn it!" The woman seemed a bit surprised at my language, and smiled even more, "a little spunk. Making you ready for your new line of work will be so much fun."

I blinked at her, my tails lashing against the bed, "What? I'm not going to work for somebody that just put me in chains! Let me out of these, you-" I began to cough violently again, the pain coming back. I could hear the cat lady click her tongue at me, "My, my. You really should watch how much you talk! Don't want you coughing your life away, do we? Of course, there is medicine." She darkly chuckled when she saw my eyes. "But only good children get medicine. You weren't good, so you can't have it this time. I hope it isn't too painful." She walked out on me as I was left to endure.

I kept on coughing for a while longer. By the end I was shaking. each breath burned my throat, and my chest tightened like someone was sitting on me. My voice was raspy and wheezy, and my chest hurt like something was trying to dig its way out of it. It hurt, so, so, so badly. Where was Tony?... I miss big brother. I soon began shivering, cold but unable to be warmed by the bed as there was no bed sheeting or covers. Instead, I covered myself with my tail for a partial relief.

That's all they seemed good for, anyhow.