A/N After becoming a fan of the movie, Osmosis Jones, I made an OC: a pet hyena for Thrax, named Almira. I decided to introduce her by telling her life story. Her picture can be found in my DeviantART gallery; I go as DarkraixCresselia there.

I own only Almira and any other characters you won't recognize. The ones you DO recognize from OJ are owned by Warner Brothers.

It all started the next day. I overheard Thrax and Mr. Preemer talking. I remained uninterested until I heard the words, "So it's finally happenin'?" At that, I lifted my head.

"That's right." Thrax nodded. "Almira's feelin' better, so I'm gettin' back on track."

"Almira?" Mr. Preemer asked confused. Thrax nodded towards me. "Oh, whatever. Well, don't get caught by the coppers."

"I'll try not to." Thrax chuckled, swinging his chain around. "Well, better get goin'."

My eyes widened in shock. Thrax is leaving today? Why didn't he tell me? When we first met, I couldn't care less whether he stayed or not. But now...I didn't want him to go. As he walked away, I stood up and grabbed the back of his coat in my mouth. When he stopped and looked over his shoulder at me, I whined. Don't go.

"Aw, Almira," I let his coat go as he bent on one knee and laid a hand on my shoulder. "You knew this day was comin'. And anyway, I can't take you with me. You belong here, fightin' dogs; not runnin' from cops 24/7." He stroked my head. "Just remember what I said: be tough and alert, and stay on your toes. Can you do that?"

I nodded. "Good." He wrapped his arms around my neck and shoulders in a hug; I laid my paw and chin on his back and leaned my head against his. "Make Big Daddy Thrax proud." He let me go, stood up and ruffled my head before leaving. I could have sworn I heard him sniffle and saw him rub his eyes. As he walked away, I stood up to follow him, but Mr. Preemer grabbed my collar and pulled back. All I could do was watch Thrax walk away. My ears lowered as I did something I hadn't done for a year: I cried.

For the rest of the day, I just lay in my cage, chin on my paws, with tears falling down my cheeks. Mr. Preemer yelled at me for belong a "sniffly cry-baby" but I didn't care. I missed Thrax. It had only been 24 hours since he left and I already missed him. He had been the only one to show me kindness, rather than beat and abuse me. Sure Mr. Preemer hadn't raised his cane to me, but there was always the rest of the day.

I sighed as Mr. Preemer approached my cage. What does he want now? "Good news, Flame!" He exclaimed. "We got us a fighter! Now y'all can make yer comeback!"

If that was supposed to make me feel better, it didn't. It only made me more depressed. Another fighter meant everything was going back to what it used to be. Great, more fights and lack of food to look forward to. I turned my head away.

"Flame, didja hear what I said?" He shook the cage, but I didn't even twitch my nose in response. He sighed heavily. "Almira?" This time, I twitched an ear, letting him know I was now listening. "I ask Thrax t'get you better, an' he turns ya into a softie." Mr. Preemer growled. "Idiot virus."

That does it! Flying to my feet, I snapped at Mr. Preemer, growling. He could insult me, I was used to it. But when he insulted Thrax, that was when I get mad!

Mr. Preemer just smirked. "Now that's th'Flamin Death I know."

I growled in response and turned away from him.

A couple of hours later, I was in my cage, awaiting the fight. I could hear the familiar cheering crowd. My ears turned away at a sound from the radio.

Attention citizens of Jack, be on the lookout for a virus.

My ears perked up at this. Virus?

He was last seen heading for the brain. The virus is described as tall and red, with a black trench coat, purple dreadlocks, yellow eyes, occasionally sunglasses, and claws, one of which can burn. If you see this virus, do not engage. He is described as very dangerous. Again, be on the lookout for a virus, described as tall and red, with a trench coat, purple dreadlocks, yellow eyes, sunglasses, and claws, headed for the brain. Do not engage, but call for help.

I looked up to see a smirking Mr. Preemer. "Y'hear that? Th'cops're onto Thrax. Y'know why I snitched on him?" He bent down, shoving his face close to mine. "No one turns my best fighter into a softie an' gets away with it." He stood up and walked away, whistling to himself.

I just stared after him, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. He told the Immunity on Thrax? How could he? I thought they were friends! Then I realized it was because of me. Thrax tamed me, and Preemer didn't like that. I barely heard Hangnail do his countdown; all I was thinking about were Thrax's last words to me. You belong here, fightin' dogs; not runnin' from cops 24/7. A scowl slowly formed on my face. Not anymore.

As soon as Puncher pulled the gate up, I ran out as fast as I could. My paws made red blurs in the dirt. My opponent ran towards me. I pushed him aside with my shoulder and leapt over the crates and through the crowd of germs and cells, ignoring the boos and Mr. Preemer's string of curses. All I had in my mind was to get to the brain and fast, before it was too late.

I barreled through the streets, past screaming cells. I stopped and looked around frantically. Where's the brain? Then I saw a huge, circular purple object, with tall elevators beneath. Pawing the ground, I ran for that building. As soon as the elevators were in my range, I leapt into an open one, passing its screaming and running passengers. I pressed the top button with my paw and waited impatiently as it rose up. Finally, it stopped. I crouched down, waiting for it to open.

Finally, as soon as it opened, I leapt out, claws blazing.

A/N If you guessed "Thrax leaving" as the answer to Almira saying "Boy, was I wrong!" from the last chapter, you were right.

The scene where they said goodbye was developed early. I tried not to make Thrax too soft, yet not totally heartless at the same time. And in my mind, from when Thrax turned to Almira, who had his coat in her mouth and whined, to when he hugged her and left, it was similar to when Jasmine, from the Disney movie Aladdin was in the same situation with her tiger, Rajaa (can't spell XD)

I use this a lot, but if this was a movie, from when Almira stood up and was pulled back by Mr. Preemer, to when she leaped out of the elevator, I would use the music "Mulan's Decision" from another Disney movie, Mulan. That music inspires me :) I can just imagine the music playing when Almira bursts through the cage (it's in the "Almira - Speedpaint on YouTube, BTW)