Chapter 2

Moaning, Phia tuned over as her alarm clock went off. Placing the pillow over her head, she hoped the ringing noise would stop. But then her eyes bolted open as she only realised there and then, she hadn't changed her alarm clock the other night.

She jumped up from her bed and looked at the clock. To her dismay, the display showed that it was half past eight in the morning; only 30 minutes till her morning exam.

"Ah shoot! I'm late." She shouted, as she rushed around her room collecting her clothes.

In a mad panic, she threw her pyjamas away as she made the quick transformation into her clothes. She didn't have time to brush her fur back as she scattered around, looking for her green skirt.

"Where did I put it?" She shouted in annoyance.

Getting agitated with how messy she had become, she took one quick glance at the clock and to her horror, five minutes had already passed. Cursing, she found the green skirt in a pile of clean and dirty clothes. There, she also found her pink and yellow sneakers. As she sat on her bed tying her shoelaces, someone knocked on the door.

"Phia are you up? You're gonna be late!" A voice came from the other side.

Distracted, she quickly got up and headed towards her college bag. So much in a hurry, she accidently tripped over on the crunched-up papers on the floor and fell with a thud.

No longer waiting, the voice called out again, opened the door and gently poked her head round the door. The small brown fox tutted as she looked at the state of the room. It was a complete mess of thrown around clothes, left over trays of food and takeaway, and dozens of books and papers, scattered across the floor.

Phia was rubbing her knee as she got back up, throwing the rubbish away from her in frustration.

"Girl! You need to get this place clean; this isn't exactly a "revising" environment."

"I'm sorry, I've been studying non-stop since. Have I missed the bus?" She asked as she buttoned up her yellow shirt.

"That's why I came here. It went at half 8; you missed it. Everyone else had already set off."

Phia didn't stop moving as she shoved more textbooks in her bag, pushed through the mountain of clothes as she collected her green cardigan.

"How long will it take, for me to leg it?" She asked, as she continued to run wild in her bedroom.

"Gosh, about twenty minutes? Given the fact if you could run as fast as Sonic." The fox joked.

Then suddenly she popped into the bathroom, collecting the last thing. The fox watched as the young beat, carefully looked into the mirror and adjusted the bright pink bow on her head. Perfect, but unfortunately very late. No time for brushing fur; neither her teeth. She would have to simply wing it.

Pushing the fox to leave her room, she quickly locked the door, fumbling with the keys. No time for breakfast, she gave her friend a farewell and dashed through the student accommodation as she reached for inside her bag. She didn't even have time to put on her white gloves, as she opened the front door. Jumping onto the street, she jumped back suddenly to let a bicycle dash in front of her.

"Watch where you running!"

Not even having time to turn back and apologise, Phia ran through the street. Passing through, Phia didn't have time for slow pokes to be in her way, as she jumped from the edge of the road, to pass by the pedestrians on the street. Clutching onto her bag pack with both hands on the straps, she could feel her heart beat racing as her body pushed on to move those feet.

Street after street she passed, but because she was so determined to make it on time, she didn't slow down as other pedestrians continued on with their day. One elephant cursed behind her, as they nearly bumped into one another. Phia didn't have time to apologise as she continued to run.

More and more animals were either quickly getting out of her way, or cursing behind her as she ran dangerously without being aware of her surroundings. Other than that, Metropolis city continued on with its busy morning outgoings…but?

On the other side of the city, sirens erupted as pedestrians and drivers, were moved out of the way quickly. Police cars stormed down the busy streets as they continued to chase after the criminals.

A collection of different animals wearing balaclavas, held onto dear life as their getaway driver, pushed the accelerator to full thrust. The small getaway car, was full to the brim of the robbers, all squished in the back of the vehicle; with the leader and driver at the front. The money they only just stole from the bank minutes ago, was seeping through their collection bags; some notes escaping and disappearing through the open windows at the back.

"Hey, keep every note will yah? We do not want the boss to be disappointed." The front passenger shouted out.

"But they're gaining on us! Push it down will yah?" One of the robbers shouted back out.

With no choice, they ignored the other drivers as they swung pass them. Horns beeped behind as they nearly collided. They didn't even look back, as they nearly ran over pedestrians crossing the road. All they needed to do was to get the rendezvous point and leave the money there; a simple job.

Well, it would have been except for that blasted bat…

They continued onwards; even when the traffic lights were red. They were living dangerously and knew they were taking a huge risk, but as the police were on their tail, they had no choice.

"Just keep going!" we'll keep them distracted!" One of them shouted, pulling a gun from his black rucksack.

As they continued racing, one of the robbers released his seat belt and shifted his body to emerge out of the back window. He turned the gun and fired towards the police. Screams echoed throughout the streets as the animals flee and ducked for cover. The police pushed their brakes down, as the robbers saw their faces duck under the dashboard; missing the shots at them. This caused them to lose steer and crash into other cars. The robbers laughed in victory as they wind the windows up, forcing their gateway driver to step on it.

Chaos erupted Metropolis; just a typical morning…

She just had to get to that test. She had studied for months for it, spending day and night for this one exam. But she was starting to run out of fuel as her legs started to ache. She quickly paused for a quick rest. She stopped in front of a glass building as she rested her hand against the cold glass. Lowering her head down, she tried to catch her breath as her other hand still clutched onto her bag pack.

But then as she regained herself, she looked toward her hand on the glass, and almost screamed out. There, in her reflection, was her. But not the Phia she knew. Her reflection was the same high figure from her dream. Her hand in the reflection was an enlarged claw spread out. In panic, she stepped back in fear, only to not acknowledge two small mice walking on the street behind her. They screamed as they saw her foot impending their doom. Phia spun around as they screamed.

"Hey! Look where you're going! You nearly squished us you maniac!"

Her body was out of balance as she fell back and whacked against the glass wall. As the mice continued to throw shouts at her, she took one more glance back at the reflection…nothing.

What was that just now? The only thing she saw was just her usual self; except completely worn out and exhausted. Was that just a trick of her eyes? Or just because she was out of breath? But either way, she only had enough time to look up at the nearby clock tower, to see the time. It was already ten to nine; ten minutes till the exam started!

In panic, she turned and bowed down to the mice to apologise and made another dash for it down the street. She tried to focus on the running, but as she left behind some very distressed and disgusted mice, she couldn't stop thinking of what she saw in her reflection.

No, it simply couldn't possibly be that, for that version of her was gone. That part of her was forever no more. So why? She looked forward and some luck at last; the pedestrian crossing lights just turned green. Maybe she would make it time, as she saw other students heading the same way too. Ignoring everything; even the upcoming sirens in the distance, she ran straight into the road…

Blast, more traffic the getaway driver thought as he saw cars in front of them slowing down. But taking no chances to stop, the driver pulled the green car to a sharp right and into the middle of the road. The other drivers had no idea as they witnessed the vehicle, pull up and darted through the opposite side of the road.

All they had to do, was take over the cars, pass the crossing and hop back onto the left side of the road. A clear and easy shot. And most importantly, give more distance from the police.

They didn't even slow down to see the animals crossing the street; when it was suddenly too late. The robbers yelled as someone ran right in front of them. Their brakes weren't quick enough as they ram down the road in full speed. In that moment, they saw the young bear look at them, with horror in her face. They awaited the impact….

She was so focussed on her destination; they she didn't see the upcoming danger heading her way. In that slow motion second, she turned to see the animals moving away, looking out to her in shock and terror as they rose their hands toward her. They were too late to warn her.

In that second, everything stopped frozen. Her heartbeat suddenly skipped a beat as she felt the vehicle's roaring engines heading straight at her. The driver and passengers face matched hers; complete shock, as they tried to break.

Then a voice roared inside her head; a scream that broke through her very core and thoughts.

"I don't want to die! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"

She closed her eyes, as she readied herself for the impact, first feeling the metal front bumper of the green car, touching her finger tips.

CRASH!

Phia continued to close her eyes, not having the confidence to open them to whatever state she was in. Her hand was still reached out as her body fell to the ground. She could feel the cold surface of the road and hear the screaming of Mobians around her. But…something wasn't right. She wasn't in pain. How could that be so?

Then she opened her eyes…

The scene in front of her was complete chaotic. Mobians scattered all around her to see the accident. While some went to investigate the scene, others simply watched in horror and of awe from the sides. She was still resting on the floor, but when she looked up to see the car, she was straight away confused.

Where was the car?

But then she looked down at her hand and to her horror, she saw her hand had completely transformed. Instead of her fingers reaching out, they had twisted from her wrist, to form a full-scale shield in front of her. She was completely unscathed as she reflexed her fingers, to see her fingers were still attached to her. Like wings, between her fingers, her body had formed more flesh and expanded to cover her full body. But there was no pain. Her skin moulded to a new material; as it felt hard as nails and cold to the touch.

Looking around, some animals panicked, calling the emergency services.

In panic, Phia got up and by instinct, her hand quickly reverted back into fingers. Everyone watched as the young girl's hand grew down in size to become fully functional fingers in seconds. Phia clutched her hand by the wrist, only just realising what had happened. But as she moved her fingers, they were intact and moving perfectly.

Looking in front of her was the green car. Its front had been completely smashed inwards, with the air bag inside gone off. The animals inside the car, crawled out of the car in disarray; dropping full black bags onto the floor. They looked confused and dazed as one of the bags fell down, revealing tons of money, pouring onto the road. The paper money, blew in all directions and suddenly caught attention of the other animals surrounding them.

"Are you alright?" One of the pedestrians came to Phia.

Then suddenly, seconds later, they all heard the sirens approaching quicker. The cars moved out of way as a dozen of police cars stormed pass them. The robbers looked backwards and panicked. They grabbed the bags and made a dash for it. The animals nearby moved at their way, as they witness the masked robbers, carry guns in their hands. In shock, the animals screamed and ran.

And that one moment, all of Phia's thoughts turned into panic. The police? No, anything but them. She quickly scanned around her surroundings, looking through her options. In desperation, she made a break for it as well in the confusion. The animals were astonished as she tried to make her escape; even in her lucky state.

But then one Mobian, a large rhino stepped in front of her way.

"Hey Misses, are you alright?" he smiled, but unfortunately was blocking her way.

Phia simply closed her eyes, as she didn't have time to stop. But instead of feeling the impact of the Mobian, she suddenly felt light as a feather. As she held her breath, her surroundings felt steady but as she tried to reach out in front of her, she couldn't detect anything.

Then she opened her eyes. She looked down at her and discovered, she had no body! Like an illuming gas, her body had vanished into literally air; as it spread itself around the Mobian. The Rhino was frightened as he fell backwards from the sudden transformation.

As she pushed past him, her body suddenly reverted back. Frantically touching her face and body, she was all intact. But everyone continued to stare and watch in awe and shock. Then she caught others reaching out for their cameras, were they taking pictures of this? She couldn't be seen like this.

Ignoring the animals, she dashed away and onto the side streets. She ignored their cries and shouts as she ran down the cobbled path. She no longer cared about being late, all she wanted to do was hide. The paths intertwined and merged with one another, until they returned back onto the main road. Panic overcame her as she heard the rushing sounds of sirens heading her way.

"I got to get out of here! FAST!" she cried out.

But just as she said those words to make a full jump, she watched in horror as her body malfunctioned. Her body lifted, twisted and turned. Her limbs became liquid; every bone started to melt away. Her face scrunched up as her whole body became squished into one large shape.

The animals nearby screamed in horror as they watched the young girl bear, transform into some sort of weapon.

"What is that? A rocket?" One of them shouted and pointed.

But as they stopped and stared, a sudden explosion rocketed themselves straight into the sky. The Mobians below yelled and ran away from the lurking danger. Phia however was screaming from the sheer force of the blast, as she tried to unwind her body back to normal.

"What is happening?" She screamed out as the booster pack, which felt connected to her feet somehow, suddenly died off.

Then in mid-air, her body reverted back to the once small Bear in a second…but there was another problem. Now she escaped from one scene, she was about to land straight into another as her body came crashing down to the ground.

Screaming out loud, she closed her eyes ready to face the pavement; if only she could reach the nearby buildings to slow her down. Then suddenly, a tingle of her fingers made her open her eyes. Her fingers had stretched out to enormous scale, as they clipped around everything around the buildings to slow her down; from flat balconies, to satellite dishes. The fall started to slow until it fully stopped, her feet dangling inches from the cobbled street below.

As she reached out her foot to let her down, her fingers let go and retracted back to her fingers in seconds. She fell to the ground on her knees, as she tried to catch her breath. Her vision became blurred, sweat dripped from her forehead. But what felt wired was the stabbing sensation she felt with her teeth.

Gasping out loud, Phia pulled herself up. She stretched out her hands as her vision started to return. But they weren't her hands. Panicking, she headed to a broken glass on the floor. Carefully picking it up, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glass; only to throw it down with a scream.

Her body had completely transformed. She was no longer the tiny cute bear, but a hideous long scale creature that tore through her delicate skirt and blouse. Instead, was replaced a full purple battle suit. Her fur was messy and spiked up. Her teeth were jiggered and sharp. She clasped her mouth, trying to hold back the tears. She glanced one more time at the broken glass to see her reflection, only to see the innocent eyes she held to, were replaced with a black hallow abyss, with only two white pupils for any light or soul.

"No! This can't be right! This can't be!" Phia desperately cried out.

She was no longer Phia the bear, for she had become something she hated and feared.

And her name was…Metamorphia.

"I don't understand, how can my powers return?"

She tried closing her eyes; maybe if she kept calm, the transformation would be reverted. But no matter how many times she tried; she was still the same hideous creature. She watched to scratch herself out, see if her body was being trapped within. Fear and anger overcame her, tears strolling down.

"Please! Stop it! Go back!" She cried out, feeling her anxiety was becoming a full panic attack.

Then suddenly she was caught off guard as she spun towards a coming siren. Taking no chances, she ran away from the sound, further down into the street. Surely someone can help her? She tried to think of something quick as she was going to pass more Mobians further down. But what if someone recognised her? Quickly looking at the situation, she took hold of a nearby dusty sheet on the floor and placed it over her head, covering her face.

Then a lightbulb hit her.

Tails! He could help. He was the only freedom fighter that knew about her new identify. With all the tech he had, surely, he could help her. The next problem was, how could she get to him?

Looking in front of her as she exited the pavement, she had returned back to the main streets; busting to the scene with animals and vehicles alike. Shops scattered all around, with customers brimming with bags and goodies. Looking above her, there was a large sign at the entrance of the area; named "The Neighbourhood"

"Let's just hope they're friendly." She hoped to herself…

However unbeknownst to the Mobian, something already had their eyes on her.

Hovering over the crash scene, the small robot detected the heat movement of its targets. Small enough to not be detected, it moved closer and witnessed the car accident and the residents surrounding it.

On the other side of a large screen, its audience was watching, mainly in frustration. It seemed even this job was too much to handle for these fools, they thought as it watched the scene. But as the robbers fled the area, it commanded the robot to return to see what had caused the crash.

And had a pleasant surprise. They watched the movements of the young girl; how she was able to enlarge her hand and form a shield, to witness her whole body evaporate as she fled. Looking closer at the screen, calculations were running in their head as the robot froze the shot and took face figurations. They looked and stared in wonder and curiosity.

Shifting their gaze to another large computer, they scrolled through the old citadel recruitment paperwork. And there, they pulled and enlarged the full identification of Metamorphia. There was no doubt about it; after all this time, she was alive and well. And what an amazing opportunity this was brought to them…

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT PART "Lurking danger!"