Once more, I would like to thank my readers for being patient.
This update is relatively quick, as this was an inspired chapter.
For the third scene, at a certain point within it, I will recommend you to play Despicable Me by Pharrell Williams.
It has to deal with Neo.
I think we have an understanding.
The final scene of the chapter contains ANIMAL CRUELTY.
Reader discretion is advised.
Once the door clicked closed, two ears flattened upon matted black hair. She noted her hair was far oilier and dirtier than she would like, but for now, she would have to deal. An audible sigh echoed through the room, golden eyes that shimmered like amber as she gazed upon her friends. "So where are we? This obviously isn't normal?"
"Neither of them could keep their eyes off my features, and I don't think it was simply for the normal reasons I get stared at. They were open and accepting, easily readable. They just looked so…"
"Confused."
"Some bizarre place called Tokyo," Weiss responded softly as Ruby and Jaune's eyes also turned to her, unable to turn up much. "That abyss led us here, and we haven't had a chance to look recuperate and try to figure anything out. Seeing you get hit by the car was only the start of our problems."
"That's what hit me?" Blake groaned and closed her eyes, wincing for a moment, shaking her head before her eyes slowly after recalling the brief image, grimacing at the memory. "Everything was a blur, and I could barely make anything out. What did that darkness do to us?"
"I still don't feel right." Blake frowned as she lifted her left hand, turning it to gaze at her palm quizzically. "My aura feels off. It not only doesn't feel like it hasn't recovered, but…"
"It feels like it's not working correctly." Jaune finished, and Blake's attention snapped to his as Ruby frowned and furrowed her brow, noting how difficult it had been to use her semblance since arrival. "I tried amplifying your aura to help you recover on the scene when everything started to break down. Admittedly, I was drained at the time, but I felt something was quite right about how it usually functions."
"It was hard to wield and felt. I don't know the right word to describe it, but it felt heavier. Like I couldn't direct and control it like usual."
"Now that you mention it," Ruby commented as she added to Jaune's statement, her brow furrowed in thought. "I could only use my semblance in brief bursts. And each time, it was difficult to start, so I thought it was because I was so exhausted and drained. But now that you mention it…"
As rose petals began to gently lift off and around Ruby as her brow furrowed in concentration, Ruby's breath labored momentarily before they gently returned to her. "My control is all weird and messed up. My aura feels lower than it should be after a good night's rest. I should be close to peak condition, not counting recovering from our fight."
Having come to similar conclusions during the night, Weiss puckered her lips at the display. She hadn't put any of the theories into practice as she was too busy trying to learn everything she could about their predicament. She scrounged for every last bit of information she could from any nearby conversation she understood. Apparently, there was still quite a bit of the tongue she was rusty on and didn't understand, and dialects and slang she couldn't account for…
"Interesting…" Weiss muttered as she watched Ruby's display of her semblance, crossed her arms across her chest, and rapped her fingers against her arms. "We'll have to do further tests with our semblances and our later to try and narrow it down to solve the issue. I don't think it's going away as I'm feeling something wrong, and I'm certain it was caused by coming through."
"But we have more pressing concerns to address first." Weiss addressed the situation as she settled the conversation down. "And that is where we are, and Yang is currently in the custody of the local police."
"What?" Blake's ears straightened, her golden eyes dilated, and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end as she hissed. "Why? What happened?"
"She, Burned when you were hit by that car." Ruby simplified the answer as she hung her head, her silver eyes dulling thinking about what Yang was dealing with. "While we all rushed to your side, she chased straight after the car and busted the guy."
"Yeah, and while it didn't seem like it was excessive by our standards, here," Jaune continued where Ruby left after a short pause, seeing she was rather uncomfortable and knew she was worried about her sister, "it was. And now we have a more serious issue because of it."
"They confiscated our weapons and put us under surveillance." Weiss scowled; her sky blue shimmered like ice before her face fell, and a downcast expression overwhelmed her. "We're in an unknown location, surrounded by people that speak a foreign language with our aura limited, without our weapons, and cut off from the rest of what few friends and allies we have left."
"I don't think I need to paint further how bleak our situation is."
The room fell silent as everyone allowed Weiss' words to settle in. Blake's ears drooped, and her gaze settled toward her lap, wondering what they could do before looking around the room. She saw Ruby's head hung low, clutching her chest in worry. No doubt worrying about Yang and everyone back on Remnant, wherever that was from here. Jaune stared vacantly out the window as if searching for an answer.
However, as she looked over at Jaune, she noted something peculiar next to Jaune. It was a simple receipt left on the food tray, and while that wasn't out of the ordinary, her eyes focused on…
"Jaune, hand that to me!" Blake demanded as she held out her hand and looked at his tray.
"Um, Blake, I understand you might be hungry, but there's nothing left." Jaune nervously chuckled as he brushed past his ear and scratched the back of his head, now feeling somewhat selfish seeing his friend was awake. "I kind of ate everything Haru got me…"
"Not that you dolt!" Weiss rolled her eyes as she immediately followed her friend's eyes, walked over, picked up the receipt, and handed it over to Blake. "I fear it's what you think it is. I recognized it too, although…"
"I think you are far more polished in the language than I am. The lessons father gave me have only been enough to help me uncover and understand enough to get us through so far."
Narrowing her eyes as she held Weiss' gaze for that moment, she took the receipt and quickly scanned it. The muscles in her face tightened. She then muttered a curse, and her ears flattened. "What else can go wrong? Not only does it seem that the people of this world don't understand what a faunus are, but…"
"They're using an ancient dead language that is kept alive in Remnant by its descendants. What is going on?"
"Aren't you a little young to be a police officer?" Yang warily glanced up at the shaggy-haired teenager in the interrogation room with her as she lay on the floor, finding this a bit convenient for her tastes.
"Aren't you a little young to be an American super spy they claim you are?" He smoothly responded and tilted his head at her, and smiled. "I think age belittles our abilities, don't you think?"
"Got me on that one." Yang rolled her eyes and exhaled in annoyance before glancing at the table and then balked at his outstretched hand. "Your gesture is considerate and all, but there's a small problem here."
"That does make things difficult." He looked at the table and her, nodding as it was an issue. "I should more than be able to, but…"
"I think you can save us the trouble and snap that cuff off your hands and be done with this farce." The kid's smile faded as the muscles in his face tightened, and he retracted the hand he offered. "We both know you are far more capable than what you let out on to be."
"I've seen the feed of what you did at Shibuya's crossing." Brown eyes pierced into shimmering lilac eyes as he simply stated facts. "In fact, a lot of people did. Shibuya Crossing has several live feeds available for the whole world to watch at any time. It's a famous landmark, after all. People like seeing what transpires there."
"So your impromptu stunt was broadcast for everyone to see. If you want, I could go online now and pull it up?"
"Show you what you did to this world that doesn't understand what kind of gift you have and will persecute you for it."
Yang's eyes flickered as she stared back into his unflinching, calm eyes as he spoke. The way he delivered every line, she knew it was laced with sinister intention, yet, she had done that? Wherever this was, she had broadcast her abilities and weapon for all to see. Usually, she would have felt that was encouraging, as that would mean someone they knew could come to their rescue, but…
She didn't think anyone was coming.
Not here.
She Burned in front of so many people and gave away their only chance to remain hidden in this strange world. Had she really screwed up staying quiet and trying to find their way out of here and back to Remnant as fast as possible so quickly?
With such a simple action?
"No, I didn't…" Yang muttered and shook her head, trying to keep a calm and level head.
The shaggy-haired kid looked at the blonde-haired girl before pulling a small key out of his pocket, reaching over, and unshackling her wrist from the cuff as she was lost in thought. The sudden freedom caught her attention as he offered his hand to her for a second time, closing his eyes. "I think we need to start again."
"My name is Goro Akechi. I'm here because my boss has a proposition for you."
Twirling her parasol on her shoulder as she skipped through the crowded streets of the unknown busy city, uncaringly passing everyone, one Neopolitan was left in awe. This play was an utter mystery to her. There was so much to explore and experience, but first and foremost…
She was hungry. After what felt like a day of aimless wandering trying to figure this place out, seeing if she could find Little Red, Big Yellow, or Cat Ears in the process, she had only learned one thing.
Lien was no good here.
It seemed the currency in this odd place was something else as she saw vending machines everywhere, and they would accept her lien! People were putting in different bills, change, and cards than what she was used to, which was so frustrating!
The machine was damaged and dented as she walloped it for its transgression!
And when she said everywhere, she meant every time she turned, there was one staring her in the face! They were in so many places that she didn't think they should be! There were things that shouldn't be in vending machines! She didn't know half the flavors or things of what she was looking at! It would be a gamble on what she would grab even if she had the strange symbol currency! When it refused to take her lien as she wanted that bag of interesting-looking chips and chocolate bar, it refused to give it to her…
Neo swore she needed to kidnap Cat Ears so she could translate half of what she was seeing! She was pretty sure the animal was of the same or similar ethnicity as these people. Didn't matter if she was or not, but it at least gave her a fighting chance to understand what she was looking at!
Sniffing the air, a lovely aroma filled her nostrils. What was that smell? A burger? Oh, she hadn't had one in such a long time. In fact, the last one she had…
She shared a shake with him…
Hetero-chromatic brown and pink eyes sparkled as a grin stretched across her lips. She would pull an old page from her man's book. First, she needed to…
Locate a hapless target.
After a quick scan of the crowd, her eyes locked on a man wearing a loose, long-fitted coat as he scuttled on the sidewalk, seemingly not paying attention to the world around him. And sticking out of his pocket…
Check.
Next, find an appropriate location to cross paths without looking suspicious.
Seeing he was on the other side of the street, she frowned momentarily before grinning, seeing a crosswalk ahead that he was forced to stop at. And from the looks of it, he was walking in this direction.
Perfect.
Trap location designated.
Keeping her eyes fixated on her target and the lights, she patiently waited. She had learned from the best and done this a hundred times after leaving her home in Mistral. She knew to strike when the timing was just right.
He had taught her well.
Seeing the light shift on the pedestrian signal, she tipped her hat over her eyes as she started to walk forward with traffic. Each step was taken meticulously. She couldn't make a single error or misstep.
And with a single bump of her shoulder, she immediately spun in place, giving a bowing curtsy to the man who looked confused at what had happened. He accepted her silent apology and carried on his journey, none the wiser about what had just befallen him.
As she continued by and stopped at the street corner, Neo slid out a small stash of bills before tossing the wallet haphazardly into the street. She quickly adjusted her jacket and stashed the bills in her pouch. She wasn't sure how much it was, but it looked like enough to get her something to eat.
That was a start, at the very least.
Now, where was that intoxicating smell coming from? She had to have it. It reminded her so much of that moment she spent with her beloved. She needed to spend a moment and relax with him.
Oh. That made sense. The place with strange posters with a weird cartoon mascot of a hamburger with eyes on it while it was floating on some sort of disc hanging on the walls for advertisement.
Weird.
She wasn't sure if she had seen anything like that before, but she'd go along with it as she could see the appeal of the strange design. Food was food, and she was starving. And what was with the odd lighting as she walked into a tunnel that led to the door?!
What was this place?! Was it trying to give her a migraine?
It was working!
There was a line!
Of course, there was a line! She was starving, and there was a line! It was only a few people, but that was too many people in her way!
She needed her belly full now!
No one was getting in her way! She would just have to use a little bit of trickery, deft hands, and she would take her rightful place in front of the queue!
Grinning at the suspecting person in front of her who wasn't paying attention, she quietly whistled as she looked away, slipping her parasol under his unsuspecting ankle. With a quick tug and yank, a sudden cry, and a trip, he had fallen to the floor and lay sprawled against the linoleum floor, groaning in agony as he gripped the back of his skull.
Neo simply stepped over him, took her rightful place in line, and moved up in the order while a few people in front of her and the staff came to check on him. A wide grin spread as she held her parasol in front of her in both hands.
Three down.
A few more to go.
Carefully examining the next person in line, she knew exactly how to take care of them. A bit overweight? Check. Lack of confidence? Seeing his eyes nervously fluttering away from her…
Check.
Her grin only increased further.
A soft bump against his left side, and as expected, he shifted to look and see what brushed against him. And as he turned around, in front of him, Neo stood happily, smirking as she tilted her head back and forth, letting her hair sway elegantly, and flutter in his vision. She then glanced back at him and let her eyes glimmer and gleam, adjusting and sliding her jacket slide several inches further down her arms…
The young man, wearing an odd piece of garment on his face, seemingly blushed and looked away, too embarrassed to make eye contact and let her take the spot. All the while, he seemed to mutter to himself, almost seemingly cursing his lack of courage.
Turning back in front, her eyes shone brilliantly.
Another one down, and one had taken their order. If she could only…
Oh, another teller arrived for work, and another cashier opened up?
Yes! She was in front of the queue now!
Victory! All she had to do was wait for the person…
The person in front of her mysteriously slipped on something seemingly insignificant in front of them, smashing their face into the floor. Another person immediately rushed to her side as Neo walked up to the new cashier with her parasol outstretched, lying on the counter as if nothing had happened. She then opened up her pouch, pulled out the stack of bills she had just stolen, and placed them on the counter.
With a pointing gesture at her mouth using her finger, she shook her head to illustrate her point. She followed by holding her hands out like she was holding a burger and started to act like she was biting into one. The teller began to speak in the gibberish she had heard before, annoying her greatly as it was obvious what she wanted, and she blinked owlishly at them.
Could they not understand a simple gesture?! She wanted a burger! If she had to do this again…
She then pointed at bills, then at her mouth, before rubbing her stomach and making the burger-like motion again, followed by holding a cup and acting as if she could get a drink too. She wasn't sure how much she could afford with what she had, so she wanted to see what it's worth. It would be a good gauge to tell her how much money she had stolen.
This time the cashier looked very confused before calling out in the strange gibberish to someone in the back. Soon an older woman came out of the office door looking very annoyed, and he spoke to her in the same stupid language she didn't understand. She wished they would hurry up as the woman turned to her and…
Did she just sign to her?
No, those were strange signs—ones she didn't recognize. Then as if the woman identified her confusion, the hand signs changed.
She recognized these!
Her eyes gleamed as she placed her hands together, returning a simple set of signs as it had been a while since she used practical sign language. She was using odd signs that confused her before reverting to those she knew, making her realize the gibberish must also have its own set of signals. That would be an issue. As it was, she already struggled on a daily basis. No one seemed to know it, so it was pointless using it when gesturing and miming often got her point across. She had taught him a few words so she could communicate, but…
He was no longer here with her.
Neo happily exchanged signs, not having done so with another person in such a long time. It was explained that she had more than enough to get what she wanted and that this place did have shakes! It seemed there was enough to return later at least once or twice.
That was helpful to know! And that numbers were universal and that they would bring her order out to her when it was done!
So happily taking her change and strolling to one of the booths, Neo comfortably slid into a window seat. She gave a muted sigh of contentment, knowing her stomach would be full soon enough, as she looked out the window, gazing at the bizarre and massive structures outside.
For now, this was what she needed to do. She was doing what he had taught her to do after coming to her rescue. She knew he would be proud of her for doing the one thing he was always known for.
Surviving in a cruel, harsh world.
Until Little Red brought about his unfortunate fate. Well, her and…
The Fire Witch's scheme to bring about the fall of Beacon. It mattered not to her any longer. She didn't care about the gap in their strength. She would find a way to bring her down.
They both would pay for taking him from her. But for now…
Her eyes lit up brilliantly as she started to shake her head side to side, tapping her fingers excitedly. The lovely aroma swathed over her and a tray was placed before her. Tipping the bowler hat with a manic grin, the slightest stain of drool dripped from the corner of her lips at the sight of the humongous burger placed before her.
It was glorious! Her hands lifted upwards as she slowly reached toward the behemoth, her fingers rapidly twittering in anticipation. Oh, she wished he was here to share with her! She wasn't sure she could handle this on her own!
And then they could share a straw with her favorite shake together!
A plain vanilla with a strawberry on top with chocolate powder dusted on the top, as she requested! Then she could dip the strawberry in and…
Her eyes glistened at the thought before she grabbed the mammoth burger and bit in ravenously, chomping away with raw determination!
She would have to eat enough for both of them! Fill his stomach too!
And onlookers and staff alike watched in horror as the petite woman ate the entire Big Banger Burger special with her bare hands.
Navigating the corridors and halls as she made her way to her designation, holding a black business tote and purse over her left shoulder and under her armpit, a slender woman wearing a feminine black business suit with a matching turtleneck underneath gave off an intimidating aura to all that she passed by. Her asymmetrical silver hair flowed to the right as she brushed bangs from her steely brown eyes with a piercing gaze that stared directly before her, blistering her path to her intended destination.
Withdrawing a cell phone from her suit jacket pocket, as she walked, scrolling through it promptly and nodding her head as if she had received confirmation, she continued forward. It became apparent she had arrived at her assignment, seeing two plain-dressed officers stationed at attention before a door, conversing with one another.
While she wasn't one for idle conversation, the unique circumstances of this case were fascinating, and she slowed her pace and listened carefully as she walked toward them. Every detail could be vital.
"...not normal. Think those are some kind of mutation?"
"Could be plastic surgery? You've seen the kids here these days, and there are weird trends online. Wouldn't be surprised if a rich American girl thought of trying something like that."
"I'm not so sure it is. Even the nurses and doctors are startled by them. Something is weird about that frea…"
"Ms. Niijima!" The officer on the left suddenly stopped his partner as he recognized the woman that walked in front of him. "The Special Investigation Department was called in? I admit this is a strange case, but I didn't think it would warrant…"
"You would be mistaken, and it is being given our full attention," Niijama responded sharply as her brown eyes shimmered through the officer as she walked on to the door, stopping at the door and giving a scathing gaze. "Anything I should be aware of before I head on in?"
"Each of them is present in the room." The officer reported as he withered under the stare. "Two young girls and a young punk came by earlier to visit them, but they seemed to have left. Must have been witnesses at the scene…"
"Freak is still unconscious from being hit by the sedan." The other police officer responded. "Otherwise, they are all in reasonable condition and appear open to questioning. Don't know a lick of Japanese outside the white-haired one, but she can't speak it."
Frowning at the informal tone the other officer spoke in and how he referred to the victimized girl, regardless of circumstances, Niijama swept her vision to the other officer. And with a scathing rebuttal, her brown eyes burned vividly. "And who are you to call someone such? A label like that can easily be applied to yourself with proper clearance and search into your search history, no? Wouldn't want the world to know your darkest secrets? Your chances of promotion would decrease exponentially."
The officer stiffened at the burning gaze of Niijima. It would have sounded like a threat if it had come from anyone else. But coming from her…
It was a promise. She was one of the few people that could carry through with those words, and he would be busting street corners for the rest of his life…
If he was lucky.
Turning away from him, as he turned away from her and stood at attention, knowing better than to cross her, Niijima reached for the handle. "If you need our assistance, please call us. We are standing by."
"What for? Have you noticed something about them that is dangerous?" Niijima turned to the other officer, her brow furrowed. "I am well aware the suspect was detained with unique weapons, and they were brandishing swords and a unique rifle. Is there more reason to suspect they are a threat?"
The officer shook his head, holding out his hand before explaining. "Far from it. They have been cordial and polite, doing everything to keep their heads low and avoid trouble. Unfortunately, I think these cosplayers were carried away in their costumes and used deadly weapons and armor to be as accurate as possible. Even the girl with cat ears, even if it is extreme what she did to herself."
"I warn of precaution because we still don't know everything, and that girl's weapon was fully functional despite its uniqueness."
"Cat ears?" Niijama was surprised, frowning and softly shaking her head as she heard that. "Like the fake ones, those viral streamers wear all the time?"
The other officer huffed and tried to hold his tongue, but seeing he had brought her stern gaze upon him once more, he sighed and shook his head. "If they are…"
"They are the most lifelike abominations I've ever seen. They twitch and sway when she breathes like a real damn cat. Lucky she's unconscious, as I think those things will only get worse when she awakens."
"I stand by what I said earlier. Something's not natural about her."
Frowning, this time slowly taking her attention away from the man without rebuking him, Niijama withheld judgment. She wouldn't take the word of some street cop and would see with her own eyes.
Without further hesitation, she slid the door open and entered the room, looking at the startled youth within the room. Closing the door behind her as she looked amongst everyone in the room, her eyes fell onto the young black-haired girl with red highlights she saw in the video that had calmed the blonde.
Her sister if she read the report accurately. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sae Niijima. I am from the Special Investigation Department…"
"Lead prosecutor on your sister's case."
The room was dim and lit by the sun peeking through the curtain, its rays exposing it. It was relatively simple in structure.
In one corner, there was a desk with a few books and odd trinkets scattered across it, most likely used for studying. Not too far away, there was a stand where a gaming system lay flat, connected to the flatscreen television mounted on the wall. Nearby, over in another corner, was a small closet filled with neatly stacked and hung clothes, as well as some scattered or haphazardly thrown aside.
There was a small table in the middle of the room with a few more trinkets and a controller in the center of the table with a zabuton on the mat below. On the table specifically, there was a letter cut open with a strange symbol emboldened in the corner.
Posters of all kinds of materials were strewn across the room. Some depicted action scenes—other romances. One was an anime girl with fiery blonde hair and blistering red eyes fighting a swordsman in a red trench coat.
But the last piece of the room was the futon buried in the corner where the ray of light shone. They landed upon the individual, still softly depressed against the bed.
His eyes dully looked upon his room, knowing his time in this place was limited, and he was no longer his home.
Why did everything turn out the way it did?
What more could he have done?
Could he have done anything differently?
These questions ran through his head, but no answer came to him. There was no answer to be had. His life was permanently changed, and there was nothing he could do about it.
He had a record for an assault charge.
All for trying to help save that woman crying in desperation, and the man fell on his face.
And he succeeded in pressing charges against him while staying anonymous. He would never get to look at the face of the man that ended his life. End his chance to make a difference in this cruel society.
Nearly every school did not want him now. He was kicked out of the school he was attending. And all his friends had cut ties with him, not wanting to be known to hang out with a thug with a criminal record. It would look good for their image…
Shallow! Each and every single one of them!
Where were they in his time of need? Why didn't a single one of them step up and say anything? Stand against the grain when they knew what kind of person he was!
A rasp echoed from the door of his room, and he winced. He knew who it was. But he dared not show his face.
He did not want to show her what a disgrace he had become—to him.
He had failed to uphold their honor.
"Ren, honey," A soft and feminine voice echoed on the other side of the door before sighing. "Breakfast is ready whenever you feel like coming out. Your father and I want to see you as we have something important to tell you."
"But know, no matter what, we love you, and it pains us to see you hurting like this. This is, unfortunately, the most we can do outside of giving you our support, which you will always have."
"Please come down before it gets cold."
Her steps slowly trickled down the hall as he lay listlessly in bed. His eyes shimmered, and his face distorted as he tried to hold it in. But it was to no avail as he turned on his stomach, burying his face in the pillow.
This was his fault that they were suffering. Something more could have been done! Anything!
Why was this his lot in life? He held solid grades in class and was a top-tier student. Was one of the most popular kids, and suddenly everything fell apart because he did the right thing.
There was no justice in this corrupt world, and he was dragging down those that he cherished most with him. And yet, as he turned back and looked at the dimly lit room, wiping the remnants of tears from his eyes, he noted a small blue light floating before him…
He grasped towards it as he dared to hope. Clutched it in his hand, but alas, it was nothing but air. It, too, had abandoned him. His gaze was sullen as he shifted his body, slowly sat up from his futon, and began to tread his way forward.
He, Ren Amamiya, desired someone to stand by his side and help him through his…
Someone that wouldn't send him away, leaving him to fend for himself.
He truly felt alone in this cruel world, wishing and hoping…
For a friend.
It's time. Come forth and fulfill your destiny.
Disaster is looming.
Help him triumph and overcome this trial.
But there is one more task…
The task is tall. I am asking much of you.
A second wildcard is needed to overcome this tragic turn of events.
She is lost, but there is still hope…
Only you can open the door.
And allow others in.
Her heart is clouded in darkness, but a dazzling spirit remains.
Bring it forth.
Steal the treasures of one's heart.
Change the course of fate.
And save the world.
My dearest creation.
Now go forth.
Morgana.
"Ugh…"
Why did everything hurt so much?
Everything ached and didn't feel like it was moving naturally. Light seared through his eyelids, burning his vision and searing blobby blackish-orange shapes into his sensitive eyes despite holding them shut. He wanted to open them, but he feared the rays would only worsen the situation.
Even with his eyes closed, the world around him swirled and swayed. His stomach rumbled, and he felt a regurgitating sensation push its way forward.
But nothing came forth. He only seemed to gag nothing as he spat up only saliva and a foul, noxious liquid as he rolled on his stomach; pushing himself up would not make him lie in his own vomit. Breathing heavily as he lay on his belly, rolling his forelimbs beneath him, blue eyes curiously scanned his surroundings.
"Where am I?"
Seeing several garbage bins lining the area and very little else, he shook his head and noted a stream of what seemed to be people walking in the distance. He blinked at the sight before looking confused as he tilted his head.
"Better yet, what am I doing here?" The voice asked again as he slowly stood up, wincing as his body ached and tried to reject his movements, tilting his head curiously as he began to walk forward slowly and steadily. "Everyone is over there."
"Maybe one of them knows where my lady is?"
"Wait, who is my lady?" The small figure stopped and questioned his statement, bewildered by his thought as he neared where all the people were walking. "In fact…"
"Who am I?" The figure lowered his head in a sulking manner, his deep blue eyes sullenly glistening. "What is going on? Why can't I remember anything? I can't even recall this lady, but I know I'm supposed to be looking for her."
"I feel it within me."
"But how will I find her if I don't know where to start?" The tiny figure wondered as he lifted his head and moved forward undauntedly.
"Wow! Why is everyone so big?!" He screamed as he walked to where everyone was walking through, looking in awe as he looked straight up and blinked owlishly at the sight before him. "Or am I really small?"
"What's going on here?"
Shaking his head, he thought he would call out to someone to ask for help. "Anyone! I need help!"
There was no response. Everyone continued on their paths as they walked forward, ignoring him. Undeterred, he tried again as he walked closer to the crowded sidewalk. "Please! Someone! I require some assistance!"
Still, there was no response. A woman's head turned in his direction briefly, looked at him oddly, but continued on their path.
"Hey, listen to me!" He grew tired as he jumped into the crowd, no longer caring that they were much larger than he was, and started to hiss upward at them. "Would someone give me a moment of their time?! I could use some help!"
"Sir!" The petite figure yowled as he was nearly trampled upon by an unsuspecting pedestrian who stumbled upon him.
Who then immediately began to angrily kick at him, unable to make contact as he jumped back. "Hey, what are you doing?! I'm only trying to get…"
"Ah!"
Screaming as another person stumbled onto him, stepping on something that caused him excruciating agony, he darted forward and through the crowd at remarkable speed. Bouncing off their legs in a panic, being shooed and kicked at, he was blinded by a sense of looming dread.
Why was everyone treating him like this?
Why were so many people ignoring him?
Why was everyone else not listening to him as he cried out for help?
It didn't make sense!
All his questions intensified as he found a small path to escape the traffic, scampering into it and barreling under the first object he could hide behind.
He didn't understand any of this. It was all so alarming as he watched a few people annoyingly look into the small outlet he ducked into as they continued on their path, uncaring.
"What is everyone's deal?" He peeked his head out from behind the garbage bin he hid under and hissed at the scene of people traveling on the street. "I was only asking for help, jerks! No need to be so rude!"
"Wait, what was that pain I felt earlier? That didn't make any sense." He mused as he turned around and looked behind him. "That wasn't my hands or feet…"
"WHY DO I HAVE A TAIL?!"
Skittering out from underneath the bin and running in a hysterical fit, running in a few circles, bouncing off the walls of buildings, and knocking over a few bikes and boxes, he tripped up on the cement and skidded into a rough section of the road. "What the…"
"Why is the street cracked and cratered here?" He curiously looked at the small indent he had fallen into before slowly pushing back up.
Then he realized something further, and he began to feel a sense of dread. "Why am I running on all fours?! Why do I have fur?!"
"What's going on?! This isn't right! What happened to me?!"
His onset terror blinded him as he yowled loudly, pawing at his body as he focused on the soft black fur coating. "This can't be! I'm a human! I can't be a…"
Air left him as something impacted his rib cage, followed by an audible crack. The world turned temporarily black as he felt his body thud and clatter against several objects, crashing back down into the ground. As he blinked, the light slowly began to filter painfully back through his eyes. A searing pain ruptured from his torso as the image before him permeated, and an understanding of what had happened came to him.
It was someone's foot that collided with him. And that someone looked like a young man, maybe a teenager, walking toward him with a devilish smirk gracing his lips. "Look what we have here."
"Another mangy fleabag that needs to be put down."
"What?" The black cat with white fur lining his mouth meowed softly; his legs sprawled out on the box he fell through. "What did I do to you?"
"Pitiful creature." The young man rasped, rearing back his leg, driving his foot into the cat's stomach once more, acting like he didn't understand anything the cat had said. "Begging to be spared. You will get no mercy from me."
Darkness took hold for a brief moment as his back struck against something sturdy, his head flinging back and smashing against it. A wall, perhaps?
It didn't matter as he slumped painfully against the cold, unforgiving pavement as his eyes flickered, but everything was blurry, and he couldn't make anything out. He saw a figure slowly making his way over to him, knowing it was the deranged teenager, but…
He couldn't move. Something was wrong. His body wasn't cooperating.
"The strong persist, and the weak perish, stray. We don't need more of your filthy paws skittering around the streets, proliferating any more of your kind."
"I'm doing this world a favor by putting you out of your misery."
"No," He muttered as he looked up and tried struggling to his feet, a hiss coming to his throat. "I can't let it end here! I have something important I need to do!"
"You aren't getting in my way! Come at me!"
With a furious yowl, he lunged forward. Every movement felt like it would tear his stomach apart, but he didn't care! He would fight his way out of this situation! He would leave this place!
And he would find what he was looking for! He would find this lady, and maybe he could start remembering who he was! What it was he had to do!
"What the hell?!" The teen cried as his foot failed to connect as the cat aptly dodged with agility he thought would have been taken from it with his last two kicks and latched onto his free leg, tearing into his clothes and flesh with a hellacious flurry. "Get off of me!"
Grabbing it by the nape of the neck and tearing it off his leg, he gasped in pain. It turned into a roar as the cat reached its claws up, gripping his arm and swiveling its head with the leverage it had, and bit his wrist, drawing blood. Screaming in agony, he flicked his arm forward and, with a heave, tossed it into the wall with a sickening thud.
"Fuck! Does that thing have rabies or something?! Going to need to get checked out of this…"
Collapsing into a heap of fur, his chest barely rising, everything was dark. A coppery taste filled his mouth. He could barely hear anything. He couldn't move his legs. His eyes' lids refused to open. Was this how it was going to end? No, he needed to find her…
Was that the sound of a crash? What was that?
"What the hell? Get off me, you psycho…"
Was that the kid screaming? Was someone helping him? Yes, maybe he would make it through this after…
A nauseating snap rang in his ears, followed by a hollowed scream.
"AAAHHH! MY ARM!"
What was happening? What was that sound? Did something break?
Another fleshy smash filled his sensitive ears. He heard another crash echo nearby, and everything became apparent as the voice, gripped with terror, weakly muttered for forgiveness.
"Wait, please… No more… Stop! I didn't know it was your cat!"
Several revolting plops of something smacking harshly against flesh reverberated through the whiskers in his ears. What was happening to him? His breathing was becoming ragged and slowing. It had almost come to a complete stop!
This was wrong! He knew he was trying to kill him, but…
He didn't want anyone to die!
Not even to save him!
Someone help him!
"Hey! The hell is going on out here?!" A rough, rigid male voice called out with fierceness before his tone shifted, and his voice was muffled, his hearing barely managing to pick up what was said. "Holy shit…"
"What happened here?"
Feeling two slender arms gently and gingerly lift him, he hung limply in the grasp as he was pressed up against something soft as darkness was still swallowing him.
"Hey, wait! I understand, but…"
Even in darkness, everything had become a blur. It was moving so fast for him. He didn't know what was happening as he couldn't stay awake any longer, but the light lifted for a moment. And the flash of colors was burned into his retinas as he faded.
A strange mix of pink and brown fluttered as the shadows took him.
Accentuated by the scent of strawberries.