Sunny Paws: The Adventures
Prologue - A Hero is Born
"I don't know how you managed to do it… but somehow you did."
These were the first words the lioness lady seated at the desk said to the kitten in front of her. At the desk sat a living teddy bear, a nervous expression plastered on his button eyes as he stared at the kitten. The kitten himself just sat there with a confused expression, wondering why he was here in the first place. The desk sat in a void, with nothing but shining stars and strange constellations surrounding them.
For some context, we will have to take a few steps back. The kitten was once a teenage cat of 16 years named Aiden. He had mostly good grades, a healthy relationship with his mother, and was quite adapt at playing acoustic guitar. He was in need of money, so he decided to take that job for a new nursery aid at that strange, walled-off daycare at the edge of town. He never expected to get trapped inside a labyrinth filled with monsters while slowly being regressed with that same living teddy bear as his only friend. That teddy was Sammy, a sort of caretaker for the people who were foolish enough to step inside the daycare.
Aiden decided to play along and try to earn his freedom while keeping his potty training in-tact. He did not expect how nightmarish the daycare would be for him. The puzzles were vague, the kids were annoying, Sammy's constant 'checks' were irritating, that pacifier he got stuck with was infuriatingly addictive for some reason, and the monsters… oh lord the monsters. Anything that could happen to anyone in that daycare, Aiden experienced it. He's been run over by haunted strollers, squeezed by blanket snakes, smacked around by plush dragons, had spells cast on him by baby wizards, and had baby powder sprayed in his face.
Eventually, all this excitement took its toll on the usually mellow cat. He had regressed to a toddler and could not even feel the need to use the bathroom anymore. At this age, most would think he would have a massive tantrum and that would be it. How wrong they were. He was in the bathroom at the time when he had one of his little "accidents" and Sammy had to change him. The bear then had the gall to ask if Aiden just wanted to give up and accept his new life. He just exploded.
One minute, everything was still. The next minute, the bathroom was littered with broken porcelain and monster tentacles, with Aiden standing in the middle of the room with a toy sword clutched in his paw. Sammy was speechless at what he saw, Aiden had destroyed the unkillable potty monster, Louie. After this episode, Aiden blacked out and found himself in the void. That brings us up to speed.
This lioness was the one in charge of the place, Lydia was her name. She sighed before speaking again, "Mostly when people reach their breaking point in this place, they usually break down in tears. You're… different. You killed the unkillable." her voice neither sounded impressed or disappointed.
"Miss… What is up with this place? Are you evil or not? You're not going to just keep me here, are you?" Aiden asked in his new high-pitched voice. One way to describe him right now was confused and full of questions.
"Um… Aidee." Sammy chimed in, using the nickname he gave to Aiden, "How do I say this? This daycare is not like any you know. Mistress Lydia created it to help troubled souls. Originally."
"Originally?" Aiden asked.
"I'm not of your world, Aiden. I originally came from a dimension where magic is real. I am a powerful sorceress." Lydia explained. "After gaining my full potential as a magic wielder, I decided to use my powers to help others. I came to this dimension with a single goal in mind: To help those troubled with life and their inner demons."
"By turning them into babies?" Aiden asked.
"Some people in this world wish to simply start over or live a more carefree life. I come to them with an offer to stay here in the daycare. From there, they can either become a permanent resident or be adopted to a new family." Lydia explained.
"You could think of it like a charity." Sammy added.
"So, what's with the whole 'try to escape' gimmick you pulled on me?" Aiden asked.
Lydia's tone grew somber, "It wasn't always this way. There were two of my fellow magic users who didn't agree with what I decided to do. They sought to destroy me in the hopes of mortals never discovering magic. I managed to defeat them and defend my creation. I also sealed their souls in the daycare for good measure. But even that wasn't enough. For even though their magical abilities may be small in their trapped state, they can still influence the daycare in their own twisted way."
"The monsters you had to fight are a product of that. They roam the halls and try to hurt the children. They even took to defending themselves with some help from us." Sammy said.
"If you guys are so powerful, can't you stop them?" Aiden asked.
"I tried, but something is blocking me from doing so. It's their hatred of me that gives them such control. I knew I needed help. I needed someone with a strong passion to do what's right. So, I created the labyrinth. I invited those with the promise of a job, only to test them on their will and resolve." Lydia explained.
"So, those other kids were…" Aiden began.
"Others who have failed my test. Unfortunately, I can't let them go until the hold on my magic is broken. I was starting to lose hope that would never find someone who has the power to resist the dark magic. Then I found you." Lydia said.
"I was starting to think that you would become just another casualty. Then you smashed Louie to bits. That's when me and Mistress Lydia knew we found the one. No one was able to fight Louie, let alone beat him. You're amazing, Aidee!" Sammy cheerily said.
"You're saying I can help you? But I'm just a normal kid." Aiden said.
"Everyone is special. Your uniqueness lies in your incredible passion. You have a desire to help and inspire others. Don't you?" Lydia asked.
It was true that Aiden was passionate about music. He also considered himself a big people-person. His friend group was testament to that. Hearing this lady's true intentions changed his view of her. It was very sweet that she wanted to help those in need by giving them a new life to live. He still had his concerns, "What do I have to do?"
"Here is what will happen. You will stay in the daycare and help out the other children. This will not be the labyrinth, but the actual daycare. You will still be able to see your family, but your main home will be here. Helping the children will help me get closer to figuring out the hold on my magic. I unfortunately can't give you your old body back when you're inside the daycare, so you will have to complete your task with your current body." Lydia explained.
"If you need any help at all, I'll be glad to be of assistance. Just shout my name and I'll come running." Sammy chimed in with a cute salute.
"If that's what I have to do, then so be it. Could I at least tell my mother?" Aiden asked.
"Of course, dear. We wouldn't want her to worry. Thank you very much for helping me and many apologies for the labyrinth." Lydia said.
"No problem. What you're trying to do here is actually pretty cool. The world definitely needs people like you." Aiden said.
Lydia smiled, "You're too kind."
"We're gonna have so much fun together, Aidee!" Sammy cheered while doing a little happy dance, making both Aiden and Lydia chuckle. In that moment, a hero was born.