Authoress Update: I can't believe I paid over $900 on my computer to have a trial version of Word put on! The trial period has expired and I don't have the proper 25-digit code. Thank God my dad has an older copy of Word that he let me install. Bill Gates, you're a jackass.
Man, I had such a tough time writing this chapter. I had the 'ending', and a vague notion, but the worst time getting any momentum! Hope it reads well - I put myself at your mercy.
Mandark: "Dexter? What are you doing here? You're not a Warner Bros. cartoon."
Dexter: "Duh, I know that, Mandark!"
Mandark: "Then why are you here?"
Dexterwith eyeshine: "Well, if yoo must know, I am here too get Bugs Bunny's autograph!"
Mandark: "Ha-haha! Ha ha ha, ha ha ha-ha! Oh you silly fool, it's too late for that!"
Dextereyes a-watering: "You mean he's…"
Mandark: "Gone! He was in the first chapter-your about seven chapters too late. kisses autographed photo Ah, this will make a lovely, treasured gift for my beloved Dee-Dee. Ah, Deeee-Deeee!"
Dexter: "Wah-ahh! Now all I have left are these stooped disclaimers! Wahaahahaaa!"
….
A.S.D.A
The Future Is Wild!
By Nefertanya dragongurl Ahhotep
Chapter 8: EchoesGrowing Concerns for Acmetropolis?
By M. Bidewell
It is now the year 2775, three years after the horrible tragedies that befell our city-planet that humbling day. The day heaven sent us a message, a threat, a judgment. Take your pick.
The great cities of Acmetropolis have been patched and rebuilt at remarkable speeds, and the pioneering use of genetic alteration on biologics has helped feed and clothe us all. With construction already well underway, the APC1 has budgeted for a few astronauts to return to the Acmetropolis's original position and try to salvage any and all remaining satellites. By next year, if all goes well, these old fuddy-duddies will join the new kids on the block now in orbit, along with that gloriously kitschy moon2.
Ironically, Acmetropolis' new orbit has allowed scientists to find in months what they'd spent millennia searching for before-interstellar life. Attracted by the constant buzz, clicks, whines and chatter (sort of sounds like my teenage granddaughter's social life), beings from other worlds sent the space equivalent of 'instant messages', offering advice, asking questions, and sending a convoy of ambassadors who demonstrated a popular, if dangerous, game that took the younger generation by storm.
And based upon their recommendations, certain chemical compounds were released into the atmosphere to halt the ozone depletion. Unfortunately, there seems to be nothing in the works to restore what was taken away. And thanks to those chemical reactions, eventually, the sky lost much of that depressingly deep purple hue. I've been told we will never see that beautiful aquamarine blue of our youth again, but personally, I'm not losing hope. In the meantime, at least the red-orange skies at noon are a nice change of pace.
But not everything is 'hunky-dory'. Not by a long shot. As the years have passed, a growing number of strangely empowered homo and anthro sapiens have begun to appear, and they are creating more and morehavoc by the month. Once kept hush-hush by local government forces, these super-beings have grown in nerve and brazenness. The fact that last night's raid in Central Chinatown3 was even mentioned in the news reports proves that everyday forces are ill-equipped to handle this new brand of lawbreaker. If the police can't stop them, if the armed forces can't stop them, and they are allowed to spread unchecked, will Acmetropolis have survived one external horror only to fall prey to internal ones?
Next
Under a halogen streetlight in a lonely section of the world, a figure cloaked in red perused the words on a small teleboard once more before withdrawing it behind the velvety fabric. From the slender frame, delicate features, and make-up, one could surmise that the figure was female. But there was no one on the street to inquire otherwise, or to ask her business. She had come here because she believed. She believed that the articles assumptions were correct, and that government cover-ups would only allow these destructive superbeasts to assume greater power and control. She believed that the people of Acmetropolis needed a champion. And she believed that this champion could be found right here, in Greater Los Angeles. Pulling her cloak tighter around her, she slipped into the shadows of darkness to find her light-bringer.
--o0o--
Chapter 9: Hooray for HollywoodOn the other side of G.L.A, a Chinese pagoda stands proudly, its gilded roofs illuminated by slowly sweeping searchlights. This is the neo-Chinese Theater. Its predecessor, destroyed by the great fires that swept through the area three years ago, was a landmark among landmarks. The biggest and brightest stars of Hollywood had left their indelible marks on the sidewalks, the walls, the ceilings, and the floors. The past and present had mingled here, and throngs of the devoted made a pilgrimage here everyday. So it seemed only natural to rebuild it, and make it better in the process. The roofs were gilded with twenty-four carat gold, and special booths were installed that featured massaging chairs, surround sound, and specialized cup holders that held any size beverage and popcorn!
The biggest problem was the fanaticism itself. Due to the intense heat, exploding whatnots, and the chemical snuffers that doused the fires, much of the legendary past had been decimated. The Screen Actors Guild then did something they would soon regret-they asked the public who was included on the new Walk of Fame. Think of all the time saved from doing research, they thought. Millions of people had gone through the theater since its inception, after all. It'd be easier just to ask the people than to open ancient, dusty, unorganized file boxes.
So the people spoke…and spoke…and kept speaking until the mailrooms were full. And unfortunately, there wasn't the random variety the SAG had hoped for. Yes, classic stars were mention like Bugs Bunny, Kermit DeFrogge, and Marilyn Monroe. But for every correctly named star, a thousand more came in for the new starlets, like Hillary Lohann, who mainly got by on their bland god looks, teenage angst, their homogenized roles, and aggressive ad campaigns. Finally fed up, the SAG announced a finalized list that included as many of the original recipients it could verify, and a couple of the popular stars of the present age. Hundreds were, of course, outraged, and protests were often seen in the area.
It was a protest gone awry that had put Ace in his current situation. Since his casual recruitment by that general all those months ago, Ace had been one busy bunny. His ability to stay calm and cool under pressure, as well as his martial art/stunt double background, made him a desirable asset in the battle against the new wave of 'super-freaks', as the rank-and-file called them.
He never let on that he was one of them. He spent every moment of free time he had learning to contain the laser vision he had somehow acquired along with enhanced eyesight. He was very careful not to let his control slip, partly for fear of hurting innocent people, and partly in fear of becoming hunted down by the very same organizations that employed him.
Organizations like the SAG, who hired him along with a platoon of regular SWAT officers to cover the addition of the latest star in front of the glittering pagoda. It had started well, with beautiful people in skimp, glittery things donning forced smiles for omnipresent reporters who asked stupid questions at stupid times. The protestors were well-behaved at first-just a quietly circling group bearing picket signs denouncing the values of the current flash-in-the-pan actress who happily misspelled her own name in the wet cement in a gown that would never be seen without pixellation ever again. But apparently they got tired of being ignored, and became more vocal. Eventually, one large Bull broke loose from the circle and elbowed his way into the throng of oglers.
"That plasticized bimbo doesn't deserve a star! This is a place to honor great actors, not good whores!" He shouted, snorting heavily.
The crowd roared and gasped in collective outrage. The theater owner angrily cried out for security while the starlet, one Mindy Mooshie, took the opportunity to make a poorly organized attempt to look frightened while simultaneously taking a deep breath (The picture that resulted would eventually make an appearance in every comedian's routine that year…).
Cameramen, reporters, and security began to push at the Bovine, while more protesters, seeing their chance at free airtime, joined the fray, shoving their placards and picket signs into any and every available camera.
"Stop them, Murray!" Mindy whined. "They're taking away all my attention! This is my night!"
"Don't worry, baby." The tall gentleman patted her head absently, mussing her hair slightly. "GET HIM OUTTA HERE!" He snarled at the theater manager, a balding man with a pinched face and a penchant for sweating profusely.
"We're trying!" The exasperated man wailed as he mopped off the top of his head with a white hanky. He shoved it into one back pocket and whipped out his two-way phone from the other. "Get the back-up security in her quick before we have a riot on our hands!"
"EEEEK!"
The poor manager looked down to the screaming starlet. He was currently standing in the middle of her cement square. The only legible thing left was the word 'Moo'.
"Security back-up requested. Assemble all units STAT!"
"Dat's our cue, boys!" Ace crowed. Ace had been very proud when Sergeant Sam told him he was to be in charge of the SWAT platoon that night. Yes, he was aware that the mission was considered a 'baby-sitter's' job, and of the grumblings of the men and women behind him who resented being under the command of a rookie anthro. But he was an old hat to the Hollywood lifestyle. No small parts...right?
So eagerly he gave out his orders. "Half a' youse go cut off dat crowd before da udders get up da courage to join the exhibitionists over dere. Da rest of youse guys come with me. We'll get a rope on 'Bossy' and her crew. And remember the higher-ups don't want any of dis on da news, so be discreet about it!"
Despite their disapproval fore their leader, an order was an order, so the eleven officers split up and proceeded to do as they were told. Meanwhile, 'Bossy' was becoming more and more enraged by the growing pandemonium. It wasn't helping that Mindy and Murray were in a screaming match with each other as the poor owner tried to pull his Italian leather loafers out of the dried cement. The Bull's eyes bulged as foam flecked from his mouth and onto the nearby lenses. Suddenly, with a great bellow, he dipped his massive head and rammed the nearest object!
The poor girl was saved only by the fact there were so many people around her-the Bull did not have enough room to do much more than spear her camera. But the sight of it dangling from a horn sent cameras clicking. The endless flashes made him go ballistic! Dropping to all fours, he used his massive neck to pick off people left and right, goring one poor soul in a rather…distinctive place.
"AHHH! AHHH! AAHHHHH!"
"Dammit!" Ace cursed as he lent over the wild-eyed man. "Get dis guy to a medic, and get back here pronto!" He yelled over to the nearest officer, who quickly complied. This wasn't going well, he thought with a grimace. Things were spiraling out of control almost faster than he could think. Almost.
"Hey, Bossy!"
The maddened creature turned bloodshot eyes onto the rabbit. Those who could still move quickly took the opportunity to do so. The Bull turned his massive bulk in the same direction as his head, snorted, and pawed the ground.
"C'mon doc! Whaddya say we talk dis whole t'ing over a nice cuppa joe, like civilized beings?" In response, Ace's opponent bellowed and shook his horns.
"Look, don't be stubborn! Dere's a whole platoon of SWAT agents just itching to turn youse inta T-bone. All dey need to hear is my tellin' them go. T'ings don't hafta end dat way! Just put 'cher hands up an' come quietly!"
"NO! Not while that bubble-headed bimbo is alive!" And with that, he chargedthe bubble-headed bimbo in question. Mustering every drop of poise and control with in her…she screamed her fool head off.
"EEEeeeEEEeeKKKKKKKKKK!"
What happened next was a blur to Ace. One moment he was standing helplessly a good twenty feet from the girl, watching half a ton of hamburger prepare to deflate her over inflated bust line, the next moment he was in the air, his eyes filled with that familiar, damning red glow. A moment later, he was crouching on the ground, and the moving meatloaf was covered in the thick red velvet drapes that had hung above the platform. He thrashed in confusion, but only for a few seconds more, because then his sharp horns managed to rip the thick fabric and out popped his head.
Now he was really pissed. A puny rabbit had thwarted his efforts to rid the world of a cinematic blemish. He reared back, tearing the cloth with his hands as he did so, and made his way forward, never once tearing his gaze from the gray-and-yellow lagomorphs.
"How dare you! It's plebian fools like you that allow the bastardization of the great medium of film to continue!"
Ok, big, scary, and learned. Not often you got that combo in an opponent. "Look doc, you got it all wrong." Ace made a placating gesture with one hand as he gestured for back up with the other. "I'm a big fan of da classics!"
Desperately he looked away, wondering why the help he requested was taking so long. Protestors and SWAT officers alike were just staring at him. They had all seen the red beams of energy shoot forth from his eyes. They knew. They were in the presence of the mutating effects of the meteor, and it fascinated yet repulsed them at the same time. The officers were doubly so, for this…this miscreant had been their squad leader! They had been following a mutant!
"Looks like your fan club just disbanded." The bovine chuckled maliciously.
For a moment, Ace allowed the hurt to show in his eyes at the unexpected betrayal. After all he'd done…! Well, no use trying to fix things now. He could see he was on his own, and a moving feast with sharp pointy bits was still on the loose. As much as he hated these 'fair-weather friends' right now, he wasn't the type of hero to let them get maimed over it. Time to move to a different venue.
"All right, hamburger helper! Catch me if ya can!" Ace took off down the street. Ten seconds later, the Bull got over his shock and charged after.
--o0o—
Chapter 10: Familiar StrangersThe night had started out so well. Ace had been given command of his very first squad. All he had to do was keep things under control, maintain a presence of security, then return unscathed to the sergeant for a few words of praise and a better job next time around.
Instead, he had nearly allowed an enraged Bull to tear a hole thru a high-profile celebrity, exposed his special abilities, and seen his platoon mutiny in front of a hundred cameras-probably on live feed, too. Gee, what to do with the rest of the night?
Ace dared to glance over his shoulder. The Bull was gaining faster than he had hoped. He needed an idea, and he needed it quick, or otherwise a dressing-down from his superiors was to be the least of his worries!
"Hey! Watch it!"
The glance back had been costly. Ace had just slammed full speed into a citizen. The rabbit's momentum caused both anthros to bowl down the sidewalk for several paces before breaking apart. Both males rubbed their respective heads as the city spun about them for a few seconds more.
"What a fine kettle of fish!" The other anthro, a Duck, snarled in the slightly lispish tone common among the waterfowl. "Why dontcha watch where yer goin', long ears?"
Ace, seeing as his was not such a very good night, prepared a delightfully envenomated4 retort. Then he saw 'El Toro' over the Bird's shoulder, and decided to let the moment pass.
"MOVE!" Ace snagged the civilian's arm and ran again, the fowl barely managing to get his webbed feet underneath him as they went.
"Now just a cotton-pickin' minute here! You can't go around kidnapping innocent little ducks! I have my rights! I demand to see an attorney!"
"I ain't kidnapping ya, I'm saving your feathered butt! Unless ya'd rather be run over by half a ton of hamburger?"
"Huh?" The duck looked behind him and into the blood-shot eyes and a drooling maw. In a very tiny voice, he plaintively whispered. "Mother." Then…
Adrenaline rushed through to his big feet and he overtook the rabbit (by actually running over him), screaming "AHHHH! I'm too young to die!"
"Calm down and quit screaming! We need ta think up a plan!"
"We! Who's 'we'? You're the one who got me into this mess in the first place!"
"Well, what were ya doing in this part of town at this time of night in the first place!"
"If you must know," the duck replied airily, "I am practicing some top secret maneuvers for the military."
"Maneuvers?" Ace asked skeptically.
"Yes! Oh, I wouldn't expect an ordinary citizen like you to understand! Anyway, it's top secret stuff, so you'd have to have a security clearance badge like…the one you…have…"
Ace smirked as he flipped his wallet shut and replaced it in his pocket. He hated to admit it, but he was starting to like the quacker. It had been a long time since he'd been free to get a rise or two out of someone, and this little black duck definitely needed to get knocked down a few. "So, what maneuvers are ya working on, duck boy-HEY! QUIT BREATHING ON MY TAIL!"
The Bull stopped. The duck stopped. Ace stopped. The Bull was dumbfounded. Ace was horror-struck. The duck was just confused….
"ROOOOAAARRRR!" The Bull bellowed with all his might, sending fur, ears, and feathers flapping in the mighty wind. With a weak smile, Ace patted his muzzle before taking off again. Three steps away he realized the duck was still awestruck, turned around and grabbed him by the back of his tank top.
"Gack! Hey!"
"ROOOOAAARRRR!" The bovine bellowed again as his quarry got away again. Lowering his head once more, he charged after them like a train engine.
"Wha-ha-ha-ho!" The feathered one squealed as his senses got together again. "Got a plan yet, blue eyes?"
"Not yet and the name's Ace."
"Ah. Danger Duck's the name!" He half-heartedly saluted as he ran a few steps behind. "Ever ready for the battles that lay ahead-"
"Yeah, well, don't look now, but the battle's behind you at the moment." Ace quipped. He chuckled at Duck's whimper. "Hey! Ya got anything red?"
"Well, if you must insist on playing matador, my friend, let me point out a few minor details of importance: one, bulls are color-blind, and therefore are enraged by movement, not color. Two, I have nothing but a map and the clothes on my back, thank you very much. And three: THIS IS A DEAD-END STREET!"
"WHAT? Oh Crap!" Ace and Duck skidded to a stop in front of a brick wall. "Now what?" He wailed.
"What we need is a big cattle prod!" Duck commiserated. "And a super-sized holding pen."
A light bulb clicked on in the lagomorph's brain, and he glanced around. Yes…yes…it could just work! "We need a distraction, Duck!"
"Well, whaddya looking at me for?"
Ace had already hopped up atop a garbage bin, gathering his plan. But he paused to bend over and pat the duck's head. "Because I'm just an average citizen." He said sweetly.
Duck grumbled murderous things as Ace slipped into the shadows. With a sigh of resignation, he tried to ignore the white-hot panic that threatened to overwhelm him. No, he had let that happen to him when the meteor hit. Danger Duck wasn't a fledgling anymore. His parents weren't going to shield him-not that he had ever really expected them to anyway-or throw themselves at the Bull's mercy. No, it was all up to him to save the day. Ace was counting on him. The rabbit was a smart-alec, for sure. But he obviously needed a levelheaded fellow (like himself) to keep him out of trouble.
"Okay…" Duck pulled off his shirt and unfolded his cheap 'map to the stars' and held them in his hands. He stretched out his arms and pulled his legs together like a dancer would. He inhaled deeply and held still for a moment. Eyes closed, he counted the rhythmic snorts as the enraged bovine drew near. Three…two…one!
"Whoo-Hoo! WHOO-Hoo! Whoo-HOO!" Duck began to leap wildly about, waving the map and his shirt about. Up on the fire escape, Ace started, nearly slipping off the ladder. He snickered behind one hand as he watched the poor avian make a fool out of himself. But it worked – the long-horned creature was in sensory overload, unsure of where to charge first.
"Oh, Ace pant pant Think you could gasp, wheeze speed it up a little? I think he's pant wearing out!"
Ace paused to wipe the sweat from his brow before resuming his work. He had never used his new laser powers this long before. His head ached, and his eyes felt like a case of Visine would be a Godsend. "Just a little longer, buddy."
The Bull was getting bolder by the minute as Duck's 'dance' grew more and more subdued. "Done!" Ace whispered proudly. "Duck! Move him over here!"
"Are you kidding me?"
"Look, Just get him over here! You maybe wanna keep dancing? Personally, I'd rather have a drink right about now."
"You buying?"
"MOVE IT, DUCK!"
"All right, all right." He muttered. With a last desperate burst, he somehow managed to lure the mad cow into just the right spot.
"Duck!"
"Hey, I'm wriggling as best as I can here, mister!"
"No doc! DUCK!
Duck turned and did a double take as the large, black metal object careened towards his head. Barely, his head managed to clear underneath, the top feathers ruffling in the breeze. With a loud 'Clang!' It swung right into the other's head, dazing the creature.
"Step back, duck!" Ace ordered as he landed next to his feathered colleague. A split second later, he used his laser vision to soften the iron one last time. Sensing the added heat, the Bull thrashed about, twisting the pliable material all around his horns. As it cooled, he found himself thoroughly enmeshed in the stuff, unable to break free. Ace, with Danger Duck's assistance, had trapped him in a way that he could move back and forth, but not be able to turn and therefore gain enough leverage to snap the metal frame away.
"Dat'll hold ya till tha' authorities come." Ace smirked in satisfaction.
Duck stared agape at his new friend. "You had laser vision…you had laser vision? YOU HAD LASER VISION!" He roared.
"…And his control was most impressive." A feminine voice cooed from the darkness.
"Who's dere?" Ace drew back into a fighting stance while Duck…ducked behind him. Even the Bull's curiosity was piqued, and he tried to look behind him worriedly.
"Do not be alarmed, Ace Bunny. I am a friend." A red robed figure stepped into the paltry streetlight calmly. She stopped at the end of the alley, and withdrew a slender, pale arm from the red fabric. "I am called Zadovia. I wish to offer you employment."
Duck quickly stepped in front of the rabbit. Hey, you couldn't make an omelette without breaking an egg, right? "Employment, madame? Well, I'm honored, but I believe a traditional meeting place would be-"
"I was referring to Mr. Bunny, not to you." Zadovia said firmly. Her mouth was drawn in a thin scowl.
"Well, dat's all well and good, Miss, eh, Zadovia." Ace gently pushed the heartbroken duck aside, "But I'm going to have to go with 'Feathers' here. I mean, I don't really know you-"
"Is that all?" She smiled. "Well, I cannot give you much to go on, I'm afraid. What I'm organizing must, at the present time, be kept in the strictest confidence." She glanced over to the waterfowl, who was currently digging into his ear. Ace nodded-he got her groove now.
"But, I will divulge this. I have been following the rising trend of these 'superbeast' attacks, and I am growing gravely concerned. I believe Acmetropolis must create and maintain an equally powerful force to combat and contain them. Do you agree?"
Ace and Duck shared confused glances before shrugging. "Yeah…" he replied slowly.
"Well, every team needs a leader, Ace, and I believe you will perform splendidly."
"Me! You want me to lead a team of…of superheroes?"
Zadovia's lips split to reveal a brilliant white smile. "I do. Tonight in particular you have proven that you have the strength, speed, courage, and willpower to lead most effectively."
"But his laser vision!"
"Evidence to the point, Mr. Duck. Ace could have destroyed this Bull tonight. Instead, he risked his own life-"
"And mine too…" Duck muttered.
"-To keep even those who turned their back on him from harm. That is a true leader in my book." She finished proudly. "But don't feel pressured to answer me now. Take this-it's the address of the building where I plan on using as a headquarters. If you do not show up by this time tomorrow, I will accept your decline. But I do hope you will be there." She gave Ace a folded paper and retreated. As soon as he was sure she wasn't looking, Duck read it over his shoulder.
Ace tilted the paper slightly to give him better access, while his brow furrowed in thought. The new leader of a group of superheroes….
"Say, that's in the capital city!"
"Huh?" Ace blinked. "What is?"
Duck rolled his eyes. "The address, dumb bunny! Don't you read the net papers? It's the new mystery building that was built in just a few weeks, but is completely vacant! Which is just as well, since I'll be needing a large amount of space for all my awards."
"Awards?"
"Y'know, humanitarian awards, Nobel peace prizes, that sort of thing! Superheroes need to think of things like that!"
"Superhero? I don't recall the lady calling you out!" Ace ribbed him good-naturedly. He owed the duck-his dignity (or lack of it) saved his furry tail from a messy end. He'd convince the new boss to let the featherhead in-but not before making him sweat a little first! "Besides, to be a superhero, one must have superpowers, like say, laser-vision?"
Danger Duck stopped his preening at once, and turned cool eyes on the rabbit. "You think you're something special, Mr. Yellow-cheeks? Ever notice these?" He held his orange dipped hands in front of him. "I was changed that day too, long ears!" He slapped on hand onto Ace's shoulder. Ace tried to apologize, but the Bird squeezed tight, making him wince instead. Suddenly a tingling formed in his stomach, and looked with frightened eyes at the now smirking little black-and-orange duck.
"You're not the only super-critter in town."
1. APC: APCAcmetropolis Planetary Congress. See chapter 'Crowning' for details
2. The New Moon: A gift from an eccentric group of wealthy romantics, who believed dark forces would tear the fragile planet apart if the night sky had no "romance". They pooled their fortunes to have artisans sculpt a perfect (if small) recreation, which was sent up by 2 spaceships to its current orbit. Hailed by many to be a huge waste of money and time, many others felt comforted to just see it and pretend…and snuggle.
3. Central Chinatown: The one located in the capital city of Acmetropolis that is seen on the show.
4 Envenomated: The authoress wonders if this word exists. She seems to recall seeing it somewhere…regardless, she's sure you, gentle reader, get the drift.