Chapter 2

Two days later…

Metropolis was once again in the boom of activity as all animal folks continued on with their day. The streets were full of open shops, customers buying stuff every place they went to. Sounds erupted from the constant beeping of cars and rustle of the city folk. Others meanwhile took the less chaotic path and shopped closer to home.

And besides, you can't find better deals like these. Ebony thought to herself as she grabbed the bag of fresh vegetables. Thanking the stall man, the feline continued her shopping in the small shopping district of the neighbourhood. It was busy for an afternoon as the animal folk ventured for something to eat at the local cafes and restaurants.

It was of course another lovely sunny day, as the feline felt the heat on her warm black fur. She looked once again at the shopping list that was made for her, just before she left. She had to double check however, as the writing was clearly fast paced with some of the ink blobbing onto the napkin.

Looking around the animal folk, she knew that he was around somewhere. But after a few incidents; one particular one at Halloween, her friend thought it would be best to have a real disguise. Something that even Ebony will have to double check who it was; even when she was the one who came up with the idea. Anyway, sure he was alright she thought to herself. Meanwhile she might as well enjoy herself from her little getaway from the office; heck a nice cool drink would make the shopping trip even better. Smiling to herself, she ventured forward to get the jobs done…


Meanwhile in another part of the district, there was a small stall placed at the corner of the street. There, a whole collection of newspapers, magazines, and comics showered across the shelves. A few animals passed and glazed the shop by; all expect for one. The stall man, an elderly rhino had to smile as his customer was eager to purchase the newest comic, along with the daily newspapers.

"And I thought we were too old for comics." The rhino smiled.

"Ah you can never be too old for an adventure." The customer replied.

Reaching out some change from his coat pocket, the elderly animal reached out for the collection of newspapers and placed them inside his shoulder bag. Brushing down his white beard and adjusting his thick black sunglasses, he was caught by the attention of the news article on the front page. It wasn't the writing he was interested off, but by of the image they used. It showed a large smooth grey stone, located at the centre of the Metropolis gallery.

"Ah it's been two days since someone took it. Apparently, they said it was a group of master thieves."

"Hmm, just looks like a rock to me. Anyway, I be seeing you tomorrow as usual." The elderly man smiled; well best he could see over that large white beard.

The rhino wished him a good day and saw his best customer walk away, with a wooden stick in his hand. The animal always saw him with his overlong brown coat and yet after all these weeks, didn't even know his name. Then he was distracted by another customer walking to his stall and continued on his day.

The elderly gentleman was taken no notice as the world around him zoomed by. Cars beeped on the busy roads, while teenagers and younger adults were enjoying the highlight of a warm sunny day by chilling nearby the large water fountains. Suddenly someone screamed out as a thief tried to make his getaway as they ran down the street. A small female dormouse, cried to anyone to stop him as they had taken their handbag. The thief took off like a shot and into the path of the gentleman.

"Get out of my way grandad!" The youth shouted out.

But instead of getting out of the way, the man twisted his walking stick to hold the end and in a quick swoop, caught the tip of his stick at the thief's shoe and twisted the wooden object, sending the poor thief into a full swing mid-air. They landed with a heavy thud and the handbag flew into the air. The thief watched in awe as the man caught the handbag in his hand and lowered his gaze at the youth.

"Respect your elders" He stated, before leaving the youth confused and disarrayed.

The youth looked at him with shock. When the man lowered his gaze at him, he could have sworn he saw his eyes. Did he see red spiral eyes?

By that time, the dormouse had managed to get help by a local patrol officer. Only to see the thief on the floor. While an elderly gentleman gently passed back the stolen bag, waved his stick to them, nodding his head and saying to have a nice day, before making his way down the street.

Shoving his hand into his coat pocket, he saw the time on his mobile. To his annoyance, he was already late to head back to work. Hearing the tapping of his stick, he pressed forwards ignoring the chaos around him….


However, in Metropolis, there was always some chaos in the city.

Rouge was exhausted. Located in a desolated and abandoned building, the Bat opened up the small laptop onto the ground. But she knew she didn't have time, for she knew Omen and his goons will be close on her; but how? How did they always seem to find her?

Suddenly the laptop beamed up and showed a message board. There from their previous conversation, the recipient never gave their name, picture or their whereabouts. All she had was the instructions given to her. Typing away, the Bat communicated to the sender.

"Have you received the Stone?"

"Affirmative. But I have been placed with a bug, will take a while for me to lose them." Rouge responded, feeling agitated. Knowing all too well, the boss wouldn't be too pleased with this news.

"You better lose them now! If you are trying anything funny, you know what will happen to you. The deadline is still the same, do not disappoint me. END CHAT"

Sighing she closed the laptop and shoved it back in her bag. Annoyed, she checked one last time to see if Omen had placed a bug in her bag, but found nothing. She even changed clothes in case the bug was placed on her; stealing anything she could from a washing line. Not her best colour choice but this was desperate times.

All she had left was the Stone, placed carefully between her clothes. With the echoes of sirens, she knew she had to move on; they won't be long. Adjusting the cover around her head and mouth, she flew down into the quiet streets and made her way onwards…


Satisfied with her refreshing drink, Ebony returned back to her shopping. To her disappointment, the last few ingredients she had to venture more out from the neighbourhood. She had to snigger a little as the writer of the list, was quite keen to try new recipes. She thought Pyjamas was to blame here, especially when the poor feline was the tester to some of his crazy ideas. But seeing him try so hard, she couldn't help but smile.

Maybe she could find something for him as a treat, after all the hard work he's put in. Now with a burning ambition, she didn't matter the long walk further out. But unlike the hustle and bustle of the stall markets, she decided to take a short cut through the back streets.

However, something was off. She heard a commotion of raised voices. As she turned to one of the corners, she was caught by surprised as someone ran straight into her. Her bags were flown all over as the fresh vegetables scattered on the cobbled stones. Dazed and confused, Ebony lifted her head just at the same time as someone else.

The feline was staring right into the eyes of a bat as they rubbed their head, wincing from the pain. But as they quickly got back up, both of them looked into the direction where the woman had run from.

"There you are!" A green suited gorilla shouted, pointing his red suited gorilla comrade to see.

"THEY'RE AFTER ME! WAIT! THEY'RE AFTER YOU?" Both Ebony and the bat spoke in unison and confusion pointing fingers at one another.

But now was not the time for questions, as the green gorilla lifted his arm up and pin point his two targets with his massive rocket…

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT PART "Two for one bargain?!"