Chapter seven: Man I wish I remembered that movie
***Authors note if I have time I will upload a picture of shadow and Cyrus to the end of one of the chapters…
As I slowly opened my eyes I started moving around. I realized I seemed to be underwater. As I swam up I swear I saw myself fall past me…and I thought " man I wish I hadn't played Kingdom hearts with peanut yesterday…these dreams are really creepy. As my head broke the surface I drew a long slow breath, I was in a large cave but I could somehow see perfectly "ohh yeah I'm a cat". I swam to the "shore" and began to search for an exit "where am I?" I thought. A large crash answered me and Soraiyan crashed through the top of the cave and slammed into the floor in a kneeling position a shimmering sphere forming around him.
"Shadow! Look out" he yelled
As I turned around a large black object flew towards me. I put both of my hands in front of me and before Soraiyan could reach me images of my family flowed through my mind. All the happier moments of my life flashed past and I heard a large explosion. I opened my eyes to see a large hole in the cave and the Judge himself looking back at me.
"Very interesting indeed young one. You have more power than you think"
"wow nice job Shadow" Soraiyan said
"hey quick question why do you call me shadow if you know my real name?" I asked
"it's easier on you" he replied
"Shadow…You have demonstrated the ability to channel your power. However you are only able to use it here it seems. What a shame you would have made a great archangel"
"Um… Thanks?" I said meekly
"And because you performed this final test greatly…your new family is worried about you…and sorry for hitting you with a van"
"Wait you guys did that he…" I started when I shot awake startling fox who was sitting next to me
"y… you're awake?!" Fox stammered
"uhh yeah but sitting up was a bad idea" I groan reaching for my side which felt like I was hit with…well a van.
"Dad and Cyrus are asleep in the hotel next-door I only stayed because I…well you are my adopted brother after all" Fox said choking on the last words"
"How long have you been here?" I ask
"about three days" fox replied
"the doctor said you bruised three ribs and got a really nasty gash on your arm"
"wow sounds like I got lucky" I say back "why didn't I wake up?"
"the doctor said you also had a nice concussion…you were half in a coma"
"Well then it probably wouldn't hurt to get up would it?"
"well yes it would…its 3 a.m" fox said
"well a coma sets your internal clock off a little bit. Um how is Cyrus doing?"
"Well he would barely eat the first two days and wouldn't sleep either."fox said solemnly
"Well tomorrow morning I'll surprise him…goodnight Fox… go get some sleep at the hotel… I'll be fine"
"Alright" Fox said getting up and leaving
As I fell asleep I was instantly back with Soraiyan
"What now? I just want to be with my family"
"I understand but the Judge wants one last look at you"
As we enter the all to familiar "Council" room I realize it is empty and only The Judge is there
"Shadow… nice to see you. I know you don't want to be here but I have one last thing to say to you. I have figured out what your purpose is. You are to balance the game. Your personality and heart are strong and you care for your friends. I will allow you a normal life but remember you may be needed by us again if the "Game" tips out of balance in your world. And I'm sorry I cannot send you home your universe would reject you at this point. Alas I am finished you may awaken…your family awaits…good luck"
I shot awake yet again and realized it was 7:00 "fox said he would bring the others by at 8:00"
I called the nurse and told her I felt that I could stand. She let me hobble around for a while and then surprisingly remarked
"you have healed remarkably fast shadow you can probably leave today"
"thanks"
As a corny joke I added
"give it to me straight doc. Will I ever play the violin again?"
The doctor found my corny joke funnier than most and let out a laugh.
"I didn't think any pets knew that one"
As the clock approached 7:45 I walked around looking for a hiding spot as I walked into the reception area I explained to the secretary I was trying to surprise my family. She pointed out a small indent into the wall in front of a storage closet where you couldn't see me until you were across from the entrance. I quickly hid as I heard the door open and Fox walked in leading Dad and Cyrus behind him as they stopped to talk to the receptionist I softly padded up behind them
"Guess What?" I yelled causing all three to jump
"I'm Fine" Cyrus immediately turned around knowing my voice and threw his arms around me
"Glad to have you back bro"
"Dear god Shadow you almost gave me a heart attack" Dad said
"sorry"
As the receptionist checked us out of the vet I began thinking of what had happened in the cave. "I saved myself…I hope I can save my family"
When we reached the house we all sat down and planned a small party. We invited all the neighbors and everyone showed up. I was sitting on a couch when one of my favorite songs Doomsday by Nero played and Fido, Peanut, And a pet I had only met once King dragged me onto the "dance floor" at first I complained about being stiff but I eventually settled into a dance with the others. I accidentally bumped into one of the other pets while walking back to the couch
"Hi I'm Daisy" she remarked loudly
"Hi…Daisy" I said continuing along my walk I eventually made it outside and decided to go for a small walk. As I walked down the street I saw a figure sitting on a bench and I could hear music playing from his headphones
Knowing it was peanut I walked the other direction not wanting to disturb him. As I turned I ran straight into Daryl one of the wolves that lived with the miltons. I had never met any of them but I had heard they were nice.
"sorry" I said
"don't worry about it. And how come you are missing your own party?" Daryl said
"just wanted some fresh air that's all"
"ohh well I was just going for a walk with Deryn here"
The smaller wolf who seemed about my age who I had not noticed until now stepped out from behind Dayrl
"Hi there I'm Deryn Nice to meet you"
"You too I'm shadow"
As we shook hands I said "you share the name of one of the characters in my book"
"whoa wait are you reading Leviathan?" Deryn Exclaimed
"No I'm reading the second one Behemoth"
"me too"
"Yeah except Deryn is a girl in the book" I say
"excuse me I am a girl"
"ohh my gosh I'm soooo sorry" I said hurriedly
"don't worry about it I get it a lot" she said
"hey where'd Daryl go?"
"is Daryl your brother?" I asked
"no...no he's my cousin" Deryn replied
"ohh that makes more sense. Well I have to go I guess I'll see you around"
"alright see you Shadow"
As I began walking towards my house I thought "she was pretty nice…she had nice eyes"
"wait wait wait" I stammered out loud to myself "I'm a cat she's a wolf….that can't be right!"
