Act One Scene One

The sun rose over a grand land. A land of luscious green plants growing as tall as they could reach, almost to the tips of the clouds. From every direction creatures crawled from their sleep to exalt the greatness of the morning. A river flowed, a stream trickled, with a song so sweet, that not even that of the nightingale could compare. The wind blew a soft a counterpoint to the song of the stream, creating a harmony as it blew past the trees and the flowers. Yes, this was a beautiful place. But that was to be expected, as the home of the gods and the goddesses, Etheria (Eh-thee-raya). But the most exquisite part of this land was not the forest and it's plants, nor the singing rivers and streams and winds. No, the most glorious element, was the tall mountain in the center, where an alabaster temple stood, regal and majestic, watching over all, especially the humans of the Earth.

Inside this marvelous shrine, a man, in regal gold robes, with a long silver mane, stood. He crossed his room, situated at the very top of the temple, to look into a large crystal. This was his way of searching for things, things that looking down from the top of the mountain would take weeks to procure.

"Oh, watchful eye, show me the one most suited to enter our ranks today, as the last of the elites. Show me one who can do the job that is needed of him, for no one else here is willing to do it. Show me….." The crystal's screen grew dark for a brief moment, then lightened on a young man with short red hair and deep cerulean eyes. The man smiled. This boy appeared to be a street rat, surviving with his buddies in a large Arabian city. This boy was the one the crystal showed him, so this boy he would go and fetch. It was his duty as the guardian of the Earth.

Meanwhile….

"THIEF STOP!" came cries as the young man, in tattered vermillion rags, ran through the bazaar. "GET BACK HERE!"

The boy was soon caught between a group of the guards chasing him. "Here Cats, catch!" The man shouted just beyond the northern most set of guards as he threw a loaf of bread, football style above their heads.

Another young boy grabbed the loaf and ran off the other way. The distraction provided the red-head enough time to slip under the legs of one astonished guard and run after his friend. Both boys were gone before the guards had enough time to figure out which way they'd run.

The two young men stopped once they'd reached their hide-away, a small abandoned cellar with a hole in one of the walls. The hole provided them with sunlight not to mention a great view of the palace.

"Drake, we really gotta stop doing this?" chuckled the other boy, a blonde with green eyes. "There's gotta be another way to get food."

Drake gave his friend a look. "You come up with a way, and we'll do it."

"Ummm, we could always go to people and see if they need help with cleaning, or sitting with their children so mothers can be to their chores."

The fire-haired one laughed heartily. "We'd be laughed away in a moment. We're just poor street rats without a coin to our name." The boy sighed and looked out their little window, towards the palace.

"It's awesome isn't it" Cats asked. "Boy, I wish I could live there."

Drake scoffed. "Live there? Not I? Why would you want to do that?"

Cats shrugged. "They live well there. They never go hungry, or have to steal to make ends meet. All their needs are provided for them."

"Yeah, meaning they never have to go anywhere, or see anyone. I doubt they're even allowed. They may be rich and all that, but they're stuck there. The king and his sons and daughters will never leave that palace unless it's for a war or diplomacy. Cats, it's one thing to be wealthy. But….fortune….fortune truly favors the free, and we are living free." Drake stood and put his arm on the wall, as he looked out. What I'd really like to do, is leave this place. This city, and go on wondrous adventures, it would be….."

But his declaration was interrupted when a guard burst into their little hidey-hole. "THERE THEY ARE MEN! ARREST THEM!" Shouted the captain.

The man nearest grabbed Drake before he could escape. "Got you now you little rat. Your thieving days are over!" The guard sneered as his young captive struggled. "The king will be glad to know that there is one less street rat like you running loose."

But the sneerings of the guard were cut short by the fist of Cats, knocking him to the ground. "Let him go!" The boy hollered as the other guards grabbed onto him. "DRAKE RUN! GET OUT OF HERE!"

Drake made for the door. "But what about you!"

"FORGET ABOUT ME JUST RUN!" Cats ordered, fighting the guards off one by one but being overpowered quickly. "Be free!"

The red-head protested no longer and fled, not wishing to waste his friend's sacrifice. He ran as fast as he could, with more guards right on his heels. He was just stopping for a brief rest, not able to run any further, when an arm jerked him into an empty house.

"Stop let me go!" Drake ordered, frightened that he had been captured at last.

The arm released him. "Do not run, Drake." ordered a voice so soft yet gentle. He knew that he had to obey and he stayed. "Turn around and face me."

Drake did as asked and faced a man, with a kindly face and silver locks. "Who….who are you?"

"I am someone who can help you." The man answered. "I am known as the Great One, I have no other name."

Drake's jaw dropped. "The Great One, the spirit from those children's stories?" He of course never believed in children's stories. "No, really, who are you?"

The Great One smiled and opened his hand, producing a small flame as proof of his power. "I am the Great One, as I told you."

Again the boy's jaw dropped. "Oh my….." He dropped to his knees. "Forgive me, I did not know the stories were true."

"Stand, Drake, I have an offer for you."

"For me?"

"Yes, a place among the elites of Etheria. You would have all the food you needed, and you would want for nothing."

"Why me?"

"Because you are the one most suited for the job."

Just then the guards walked by, outside, pushing forward his friend who was cast in irons. "Cats! Look, it all sounds great but, my friend needs help. Maybe I can convince them to trade me for him."

The god smiled again, a twinkle in his eye and shook his head. "He will not need your help, for a greater destiny is planned for him. He must be taken to the palace for that destiny to be revealed to him. Come, you have no where to go. If the guards see you they will surely cast you in the dungeon with him, and that will not help Cats at all, will it? Come," He offered his hand to the young man.

Drake considered. He was right. And how could he refuse. He was being offered everything he'd ever wanted. Freedom. He nodded and took the god's hand.

END CHAPTER

AN: Wow, that was a long one. And so we meet the man who will one day be the most renowned of all Care Bear villains. The one we love the most. Don't worry, we'll see more of Cats. I'm not done with his character. Please, read and review. I do appreciate hearing from those who read. Even if it is a mean one, I really do appreciate it. Sorry for it seeming a little Aladdin-ish, as with the last chapter, it just seemed right.