6: Evil Incarnate
Another uneventful day seemed to sneak upon Rouche, catching him off guard. He was so full of energy and was desperately trying to waste it on something worthwhile. He left the apartment he had been staying at early in the morning, seeking out some form of life that might be crawling around. The orangish hue scarring the sky seemed to fade into light blue without notice. Not a cloud in the sky, thought Rouche, smiling at the notion. Constantly his eyes searched around, trying to find the last of the nightlife that inhabited this unfamiliar city. Discouraged at his failure, he strolled down to the business district, hoping that some store were open for browsing. As he passed one after the other, they all stared back at him blankly, laughing at him for his foolishness. Lights flickered on across the street and immediately caught his eye. He crossed the unpopulated street to the now open store. Bordered with blue, the large white text read 'Juere Sparring Arena'. Peeking through the glass panes, reflecting the now all blue sky, he noticed one object that immediately caught his attention: the large boxing ring located near the middle of the complex. With black overhangs covering the sides, silver-coated steel poles jutted skyward out of the mat, as if challenging the Earth for superiority. This thought of testing his strength was enticing to him. If only the other zoanthropes were here also, then he could test all his abilities against them, seeing who would be the most challenging.
The hair on the back of his neck swayed as the wind gently swept across his neck. Out of the corner of his eye, Rouche noticed a shadow. Refocusing his eyes from this inner sanctum to the reflection, a rather large figure of strong stature smiled back at him.
"Judging from your looks I'm assuming that you are Jack Rouche?" the stranger asked.
Peering through darkened glasses, as if judging his soul, this man seemed intent on getting answer out of Rouche. Hmm…., Rouche thought, although my instinct says not to trust this man, I somehow feel some sort of bond to him, like I know him from somewhere. Images flashed through his mind, seeking this somewhat familiar face in the furthest reaches of his memory. It suddenly stopped, as if laughing at his ignorance. I know this man!!, Jack exclaimed inwardly, he's, he's Gado!
Becoming quite peeved that words were not forming from this man's mouth, the tall figure slowly started turning away, irritated that he had been mistaken.
"Wait…" Jack called to him.
Slowing his pace, he turned to face this man once more, raising an eyebrow in query.
"I must apologize for not answering your question quick enough. Yes, I am Jack Rouche, and I also know that you are Alan Gado."
"I see you recognize my face. My daughter Jane has told me much of you, and regards you highly as an ally. Though your fighting has not developed, since you have only fully transformed recently, you must know that we are here to guide you through." Gado responded coarsely.
"I humbly accept all the help you have to offer kind sir." He said, giving a slight bow to the lion zoanthrope.
"I am only here to promote human and zoanthrope relations as they should be. Hmmmm…," he said, glancing at what had caught Rouche's attention. "I see you are looking at that boxing ring. Your animal must crave a fight, seeing as its been hidden for so long, yes?" He asked quizzically.
"Very astute of you. Yes, that was what had caught my attention previously. I'd really like to test my new powers and see who will be the most challenging for my beast." He answered, a slight smile playing upon his features.
This one is most eager to test his bestial strength, thought the lion zoanthrope, but he mustn't forget to control his rage, to not let it overcome his senses.
"Very well then Rouche, I will arrange for our meeting in this facility. The other zoanthropes have talked to me in some way or another, all expressing their wish to meet you. We will find out how strong your beast really is, and show you how to improve it as well as the beast that dwells inside." He said, pounding at his massive chest for emphasis.
"Thank you Gado. From your tone I assume that you will be leaving?" He asked, slightly disappointed as his new friend was leaving him.
"Do not worry friend, we shall see each other soon. You can be sure of that." He replied, letting the shadow encompass him as he left as silently as he had appeared.
Another friend has entered my life, he thought, and I feel more complete as they begin to show me my follies. I am sure that if I can align myself with my beast, then my complete power shall unleash itself, marking the world like none before. His thoughts receded into his mind as he was brought back to reality. Slouching his stance once again, and slipping his hands into the warm depths of his pockets, he walked down the barren streets again, wondering as to why no one dared show their face to the world that so eagerly embraced their presence.
After eating a quick lunch at a small café, Jack headed over to the hospital. Getting directions from the desk clerk, he found how to locate Alice Tsukagami. I have to thank her for her help, he thought, because without Jane, Yugo, and her help, I would have possibly died. He sighed to himself, remembering the tragedy that had occurred just a few days ago. All because of my beast!! If I had never participated in that ridiculous experiment I would still be a normal human being!! He thought angrily, gritting his teeth in frustration, trying to find a suitable way to vent his anger, while not drawing attention to himself. After locating Room 1384 A, he noticed a silhouette moving from behind a curtain.
"Ms. Tsukagami?" He asked shyly.
"Yes?" She answered, peeking from around the curtain, trying to discern as to whom might be calling her. "Oh!," she exclaimed, holding her frail hand to her mouth. "Mr. Rouche! What brings you back so soon? Did the medicine wear off already?" She asked, her mind riddled with questions.
Red creeping across his face, as she seemed slightly over-anxious about his condition, he began to answer her questions. "Well, I figured I really needed to thank you for the other day. As for the medicine, it worked fantastically, and I'm sure all the symptoms are well gone by now. But anyway, how are you doing?" He asked of her.
"Me? Oh, I'm doing all right. The usual," she said, making a sweeping gesture toward the empty beds, "with all the patients I attend to. In case you're wondering, this isn't the room you stayed in. That was 843 B." She said, trying to make small talk while still running through her duties.
"Hmm… I wonder," Rouche started, "if we had a sparring competition, would you be interested in fighting?" Jack wondered, trying to read her thoughts ahead of time.
"Well, I am opposed to fighting in general, seeing as treating people is my main concern. But if you really need me to fight, I will." She said, pride registered in her eyes.
Well, it's a start, he thought, If I slowly get one after the other to join in the sparring event we could have a real challenge build before our eyes. He thought, a propitious look drifting towards his features.
"Well, I guess I'll leave you to finish your shift Alice."
"Yea, I kinda do have a lot more patients to check up on. Heh, you know the routine." She said, a small laugh escaping her throat.
With that, they both said their good-byes, each not wanting the moment to escape them. Leaving the sanctum, Rouche felt alone again, no one to ease the pain with resided deep in his heart. Why are you sad Jack?, Draedgo asked, not sure of this new emotion his friend was feeling. Is it something about our bestial form? The sudden echo of his beast shocked him, as he had not heard its voice recently. Draedgo? I hadn't realized that you still resided in my mind, he answered. Well where else would I go? I merely watch your reactions with others and you surroundings when you do not need my assistance. Reassurance coated Draedgo's voice, and soothing images floated into Jack's mind. Ahh.., I thank you friend, for these images relieve my stress. Ask nothing of it, for I am here as your guide.
The subtle tension edging toward Jack subsided into nothingness. Wholeness entered his being, veering dark thoughts away from him. As his being was experiencing this new feeling, he couldn't help but feel as if he was being watched. Glancing over his shoulder, he only noticed the rustling of leaves upon the cold and unforgiving concrete. I could've sworn something was behind me, Jack thought, peeved that he had been wrong. I'd better check my surroundings better next time, he thought, his eyes roaming in all directions, trying to find this unknown assailant. Finding nothing that could pose a threat, Rouche quickened his pace as he headed homeward.
* * *
Shifting restlessly in his chair, Gado was not at ease with the latest developments with the UN. Again they showed signs of resistance to his proposal for zoanthrope-human co-existence. When will the fools open their damn minds? Always they fear what they cannot control, and they never think to find peaceful means. His heavy-set brow sloped downward as rage began to set deep within his beast. Setting the paper down on the oaken-crafted table, a heavy sigh eased his rage a little. Closing his eyes, he tried to rest, seeing if thoughts would form in his mind, showing him how to deal with these virulent humans.
Hearing footsteps, he opened one eye to notice his daughter walking through the hall. How much she has changed over the years. She has grown in strength and speed, but her malignant attitude stays as always. Watching as she dried her sopping wet blonde hair, now flowing downward as opposed to her normal spiked back look, he noticed her leaning over the table, checking the laptop he had recently purchased. As she began going through the usual sites, he closed his eye once more, returning to his peaceful thoughts.
For Jane, however, peace was not likely to be found. CNN had posted the usual about the world, as it seemingly never changed from the course of action. Why is it that they brand us as the evil in the world. There are so many others who cause hurt, and they pay no heed to their repulsive acts of abhorrence. Disgust was portrayed upon her face, as she cringed at the fact that she couldn't stop them. After reviewing the other major news sites, she found nothing interesting, other than more zoanthrope rebels causing havoc amongst the populace. Closing the browser and opening an instant messenger, she signed on as LepShiJGad68. With only the most trusted of her zoanthrope colleagues knowing of this name, she found Tgr59Lg as idle. The only other one signed on was KeMol309. Not wishing to bother Long, as he might be doing his meditation, as was his custom, she decided to talk to the mole zoanthrope.
'Hey, how's it going?,' she typed, reading what she wrote afterwards, a habit she found hard to break.
'Hello. What brings you on at this time?' he responded, a hint of curiosity lacing his tone.
'I have to have reasons to come on?!? Jk friend. I just wanted to know if anyone had told you of our new zoanthrope friend.'
'Another has joined our force? Where might this one be from, and how did he cross your path? Not in a fight I hope…'
'Yea yea, very funny.' She laughed inwardly at his stereotype. 'Well, it isn't that I fought him, its that he noticed me fighting someone else, and we kinda got off from there. He told me that he isn't a natural zoanthrope like us, but created by a Tylon sub-division. Anyway, Gado said he saw him earlier, and he seemed eager to meet us all.'
'Interesting. He seems like a nice man from what you say. Do you know what type of zoanthrope he is?'
'I'm not completely sure, but it looks like a dragon. I know it sounds unbelievable, but I watched him transform, and that's the only explanation I could give..'
'A dragon?!? That's a new one. Does anyone else besides you and Gado know about him?'
'Yugo helped me bring him to Alice when he had a thing resembling a seizure. It was nothing serious if you're wondering. But other than them, no one else knows he's a zoanthrope. Hasn't Yugo told you about him yet?' She wondered, peeved that Yugo had not said anything to Kenji about Rouche.
'No, Yugo hasn't told me anything about him. I'm not surprised about it though, he doesn't tell me anything anymore.' A sadness glazing his voice. She could imagine his eyes lowering as he said that.
'Well, when I see him next, I'll have all the others meet him. Then we'll all be able to identify his strengths and weaknesses, and hopefully bring him up to speed with the happenings in the world.'
'That sounds like a good idea. Well, it sounds like your going on your way, yes?'
'You read my tone so easily that it scares me.' She laughed again. 'Yea, I'm gonna sign off pretty soon. So, until then, take it easy friend.'
'Farewell too, friend.'
As she noticed the final message, 'KeMol309 has signed off', she sat, staring at the now motionless screen before her. As she closed the instant messenger, she started wondering what Jack might be up to. Looking down at the table, she let her eyes dilate, letting the table dance before her eyes. As the forms began to fade, white blotted her vision, and her eyes began feeling heavier. She laid her body against the sturdy table, asking for its comfort as she delved into sub-consciousness.
* * *
Breathing deep and releasing all hate, a man sat, resolute in his decisions. He chose to attain a clear mind in an attempt to further develop his fighting skills. His inner beast was aligned with this concept, as it too wished that the world would be more liberal and not make such hasty accusations. Opening his mind, he visualized his target, and concentrated on the best way as to attack it. A clear mind results in a pure spirit. From that spawns clear fighting, and a sense of justice. Hearing a door close, he opened his eyes to see what had disturbed his thoughts. Hmm, Jane just signed off. Heh, this technology seems all too new to me. He thought. And to think, without it I would never have made relations with the other zoanthropes.
The images of the other zoanthropes floated into his thoughts. Yugo, Jane, Gado, Jenny… Alice, Kenji and Uriko. All have brought happiness to my life in some manner, though Uriko's playfulness eludes me. The cat zoanthrope's playful nature amused him, as she treated everything like a game. She seems to get along with the boy Kenji quite nicely, though he seems timid in response to her actions. He gave a small chuckle, as he remembered the first time Uriko showed the boy signs that she showed interest in him. He stepped back suddenly, and tripped over his own feet, sending her toppling towards him. As she slowly raised her posture, fearing that she might have hurt him, she noticed that red had crossed his features. A large smile greeted he joyfulness, as she realized what had happened. Ever since then, she had devoted herself to finding some way of getting him to give response to her actions.
Hmmpf.., he chuckled, so like teenagers. Some are eager for accompaniment, and others are not sure of response. As he sighed, the thoughts drifted away, returning from whence they came. He stood up, trying to relieve the numbness he felt in his legs. He hated when this happened, for when he walked on the numb leg, it felt as if gravity was taking advantage of him. Shaking it off until feeling returned, he then proceeded from his sanctuary into the small kitchen in his humble abode. Getting out a kettle, he prepared to make herbal tea, for it would further free his mind of stress. Walking over an open window, he noticed a figure moving slowly down the street, casually glancing at the happenings around him. Long had not seen this man before, and wondered whom he might be. I'll have to ask Jane about him. He seems lost, but at the same time full of purpose. I sense a strong aura about him. I wonder… could he be a zoanthrope?
Leaving from the window, he heard whistling. Taking the kettle from the greedy stove, he poured the boiling liquid into his cup, welcoming the steam, as it entered his nostrils. Mixing in the herbal ingredients, he sipped the tea graciously, not wishing its bountiful flavor to escape his joyous senses. As he pondered about the mysterious man, a knocking was heard amongst the silence, breaking his concentration. As he moved to the door, a different man was opening Pandora's box, unleashing his power to the unknowing world.
* * *
A swirling tempest raged on within the soul of one man. A dark form set before the cerulean sky focused all senses towards one goal. As he stood atop the pyre beneath his feet, his balance remained unchanged as a dark aura was building around him. The scent of death lingered in the air as blood dried upon scathed fingers. Loathsome figures wept, as life had ended in such a pitiful way. Cape billowing in the afternoon breeze, a maniacal figure stood firm, not showing fear. Staring at the moaning figures lying before him, the man read hate within their eyes, noticing revenge foaming about their mouths. Certainly I can find a better challenge in this barren wasteland. These are just pawns, wasting their worthless lives on meaningless squabbles. They know nothing of the battle I crave, nothing of the power I seek.
"You hear me!! You know nothing of my hate, my contempt for your souls!!" He shouted, defying the very world that gave birth to him.
Echoes streamed off the darkened walls, its brazen sound lowering with each passing moment. As tears of anger and frustration lined his face, he was oblivious to the actions of the outside world. For that one moment, nothing mattered to him, and he felt at peace, though how was beyond his reasoning. Blood splattered on the walls as he was so rudely brought back to reality. Slamming to the pavement, he noticed one of his victims had retaliated. Extreme hate ran through his veins. Looking down in amazement, he noticed that it was indeed his blood that was ran down the cracks of the shattered cement. Hearing heavy breathing and speedy footsteps, he looked up to see his assailant charging at him, poised for battle. After jumping up from his dazed position, he too took the position of a fighter.
The desperate man took his only open chance of an attack and attempted to knock this evil incarnate back to the hellish pit he crawled out from. This demon of a man was obviously void of all senses as he laughed at his friends' last cries for mercy. His error was soon realized as this jackal moved quicker than he looked. Grappling arms in deadlock, the hellish beast soon over-powered his muscles, straining them beyond pain. His muscles already racked with pain from attempting to defend his friend, he was out matched in every aspect.
Slamming the now limp body to the ground, his frozen gaze remained unmoving as he glanced in the direction of a running shadow. Foolish man, does he really think he can outrun me?!? He thought, knowing in his heart that no man could defeat him. His lust for battle remained unchanged, as he knew that only the zoanthropes posed so much as a threat to his life. That was why he chose to find the new zoanthrope that had revealed himself to the world, although it knew nothing of his existence as of yet. I shall see if his power can quench my thirst, for it grows stronger every day, and soon it shall overcome me.
As he walked down the corridor, the luminescent sun bouncing its glare onto his form. He grimaced at this, as light was one of his disfavored things in the world. He let the disgust float away as he began to drift into a shadowed alley, letting the shade encircle him, enveloping his form in its comfort. When night falls, my strength shall know no bounds. Concluding on that thought, he disappeared from the sight of man, wishing to not be disturbed further.
* * *
Jack felt that he should call Jane, seeing as how nothing else seemed interesting. Moving towards the small table that held the phone, he dialed the numbers written on the scrap of paper Jane had given him the day before. Moving towards the soft mattress, he sat down, somehow knowing that it would take a while to get an answer. He soon lay upon the springs, letting his muscles relax from their tension. After about ten rings, he finally got an answer.
"Whom might I be speaking to?" a female voice asked.
Acting hesitant at first, he timidly answered the request. "A friend…"
"Is this the friend I had met earlier before? If so, tell me something only he could answer." She asked, hesitation also in her voice.
"This is he, and in response to your query, only you know of my unexpected change." He answered, trying as best as he could to not reveal certain details if this happened to be someone else.
"Jack? Is that you?" the female voice asked, a hint of shock glazing her tone.
"Jane? Yes, its me," he said, chuckling at the precautions both sides had taken. "I'm glad its you. For a moment there I feared someone else was attempting to expose me, heh."
"Heh, yea well, that's what you get when you were raised on the battlefield. 'Trust is something only fools believe in', he once told me. I can't believe that it actually served a purpose this time." She said, laughing.
"So, what are you up to?"
"Well, nothing as of yet. Actually, I was wondering what you were up to. I talked to a couple of the other zoanthropes and they showed interest in your little sparring event."
"Oh really? Who told you of that?"
"Gado. Do you have any day in particular that you'd like to set up this event?"
"Any day is good for me really. Do you really think the others will welcome me, seeing as how I'm a man-made zoanthrope?"
"They don't judge solely on someone's past Jack, they judge on character. They'll have no problem with you being a man-made zoanthrope. And by the way, you can cut all those formalities, I find them to be some rich man's bullshit excuse for an answer, no offense to you, of course."
"Heh, I guess I can't help it. I've lived alone so long that I've sort of grown accustomed to talking that way, trying to figure out things by myself."
"That's OK. Well hey, I'll gather the others as soon as I can reach them and give you a call back, alright?"
"Yea, that sounds fine."
With that, Rouche gave his number to Jane. Each having a suitable way of reaching the other, they said good-bye. Well, that was fun... he thought, chuckling to himself. So what to do now? He thought, trying to find something worthwhile to spend his time on. Walking down the barren streets tire me out too much, and I gave up on TV a long time ago. So what is there to do?
As he pondered what to do, a silhouette landed across from his hotel, checking up on the prey that it had set its sights on. He lies there so casually, as if not realizing my presence. All the more better, then. Silently crossing the massive, tar-ridden roof, he turned his back to this foolish creature, not sure as to what it might be thinking. Shooting skyward, he dropped into the dismal human world, concealing himself in the crevices they had produced from the positions of their massive steel structures. Fading away into the black shade, one last thought slipped into his mind. Of what importance is he to the other zoanthropes? Disregarding this thought, he returned to the silence that man had long ago paved over, his form once again entering into the oblivion known as human society.