It was only a few moments later that he had finally caught sight of Lyra and Victor, who dipped around the corner towards the street where the maniacally loud attacker was causing a fit. Felix followed suit and found them clinging to the stone building's corner, gazing out onto the next street.
"Lyra," he brought up her case as he joined them, "why do you have this?"
"Force of habit," she shushed him, "now look! Over there, at that…that…guy?"
Felix poked his head around Victor's tense shoulder to see that Lyra had all the reason to question the large, bulky figure's species. What seemed at first to be a large man leaning on his gigantic fists, wearing a dark brown caveman outfit, could be described as a mish-mash of many creatures. He had tiger striped fur and a large black nose instead of skin, but his ears were that of a panther, with a tail of a reptile and feet in the shape of an elephants.
As a civilian? He's terrifying. As the son of a fashion designer? He's sickeningly horrendous.
"I, BEAST BOSS, WILL FIND YOU," The man-thing yelled with pride, "AND I WILL CRUSH THOSE WHO DARE STAND IN MY WAY!"
Behind Felix saw where the smoke was coming from. Having thrown a broken car into the window of a convenience shop, it had caught fire and set the products ablaze, causing enormous damage to the surrounding area.
"That blundering beast is going to destroy the city if something isn't done!" Lyra clenched her case so tightly Felix thought it may burst. "Where are the police? The fire department? Our own superheroes?!"
"What superheroes?" Victor spoke the hard facts. "We're all this city's got."
"Great," Felix murmured as Beast Boss picked up a large van to search under, "all that stands between that mutant and the destruction of the city is a track team star, a "sword"-wielding violinist and a snooty rich kid."
"Guys, guys, guys, guys, guys!" Lyra tapped his and Victor's shoulder until they were ready to bruise. "B-behind that car! I-It's Ben!"
Felix made out the tiny huddled figure of their friend, his inky black hair contrast to the car's hot pink coating, and his blue and white tee and black jeans splattered with cement dust. He peeked over the car hood before retreating back into its shadow, wary of Beast Boss' movements. In his arms he cradled an old blue backpack that looked ready to fall apart at the seams.
"This is bad, guys," Victor turned back to Felix and Lyra, "we need a plan."
"First things first," Felix tried to think rationally despite the racing of his heartbeat, "let's make sure that beastie is really after Benjamin."
"I KNOW YOU'RE HERE, BLUE BOY WITH THE BACKPACK WHO SPEAKS NOTHING BUT SILENCE! COME OUT, COME OUT, OR I WILL EAT YOU!"
Victor stared at Felix for a long, hard three seconds. "Pretty sure we can skip step one. Step two?"
Felix stepped in front of the two and studied the area. The road was vacant save for him, Lyra, Victor, Benjamin and Beast Boss, cars tossed aside and lampposts dominoed for blocks. He glanced back over at Benjamin, who took around peek around the car. It was then that he sported the trio, and nervously placed a finger to his lips.
Be quiet!
"THIS WILL DRAW YOU OUT," Beast Boss opened his mouth wide and inhaled what seemed to be half the air in the city, "BOOOOOOOOOOOM!"
His voice, Felix gasped as another tremor shook the ground and brought his hands to his ears, his voice is what's causing the earthquakes!
Benjamin clutched the backpack tight as he tried not to fall over. Beast Boss looked about, growing angrier by the minute.
"…We need a distraction," Felix turned to Victor, "something to keep Beast Boss occupied while we find a way to get to Benjamin and escape."
"Got it, but…what sort of distraction?"
As if on cue, the sound of enchanting music wafted through the stale air. Felix turned back to the road where, alongside her open case, Lyra began to play upon her newly polished violin, a tune filled with upbeat notes and vivid rhythm. It had obviously caught Beast Boss off guard, as he fell still and silent, watching Lyra with wonder.
…Well…that works.
"Alright, my turn," Victor pat his sore shoulder, "watch my back."
"What are you going to do?"
He gave Felix a thumbs up. "Step three." Without a second thought he leapt behind the nearest mailbox, keeping his eyes glued to Beast Boss, who was slowly dragging his knuckles towards Lyra. As he passed by, Victor took a chance and sped over behind car after car.
It's like he's a living, breathing electrical current…no time to nerd.
"SUCH A BRAVE GIRL," Beast Boss continued to speak at maximum volume, "TOO BAD YOU'LL BE A PANCAKE UNDER THESE MIGHTY FISTS SOON!"
Not good, not good! Felix felt helpless as he watched Beast Boss step right in front of Lyra, who kept her beat strong and eyes closed. He caught a glimpse of Victor running over beside Benjamin, whose knuckles were going white from clinging to the bag so hard.
I have to do something…what would Chat Noir do?
"ENOUGH OF THIS!" Beast Boss raised his fist in the air. "I AM GORILLA BOSS, HEAR MY POUND!"
Lyra had little time to react as she opened her eyes to the sight of Beast Boss looming over her. "Wha-?!"
"No!"
His brain hadn't caught up to his actions until he felt himself and Lyra hit the ground as Beast Boss' fists created two large craters behind them. He sat up over Lyra, who looked as stunned as he felt. He didn't know how he had managed to knock them out of the way in time, and he didn't dare question the physics.
"...That was a rush."
"YOU'VE MADE A GRAVE ERROR, PRETTY BOY," Beast Boss gritted his teeth, "NO ONE STANDS BETWEEN ME AND MY PREY AND LIVES TO TELL THE TALE! I SHALL NOW CRUSH YOU BOTH WITH MY SUPREME POWER!"
And there goes the rush. And my heart.