Chapter 4

The robbers took flight and hid in every spot and crook, that their bodies could squeeze into. The sirens were only a few feet away from them; the patting of the policeman's feet were close by. When the coast was clear, they dashed away with their cargo and weapons. They hid in a small alleyway, waiting for the scene to calm as they catch their breath.

But as they recovered, they clearly weren't happy. Exhausted, they took off their balaclavas, finally getting fresh air from the smelly old socks they cut open.

The tallest one was a huge fat hippo, as he wiped the sweat off his shiny forehead. The next two were a scruffy skunk and a slim ferret as they placed the money bags onto the floor; stretching out their backs. The last two were a featherless parrot and the leader; a large Pitbull dog. The parrot was scratching all over, as he was relieved from his mask.

"What the heck happened? Where did that kid come from?" The parrot squawked as he continued to itch every part of his body.

"We left loads of stuff in that car; money, weapons. What's the boss gonna say now?" The skunk spoke in frustration.

"Who's bright idea was it to get the car anyway? We needed a large van or something; not all shoved in, like we're going on summer holiday!" The ferret blasted his comrades.

"Hey! It's what I could afford at the time!" The hippo argued back.

"You idiot, you are a thief! We don't pay!" The ferret shouted in frustration.

Both animals locked eyes, ready for a showdown. But the leader shoved between them as he pushed them away from one another.

"ENOUGH! Hopefully he won't ring our necks in. We better move to the rendezvous point; we don't want the boss to be waiting."

"But what if they aren't happy?" The skunk asked.

"Then we better hope, they're in a good mood today." The Pitbull huffed as he collected his weapon and money bag, moving onwards.

Worried, the group grabbed everything they could carry and keeping a close ear to the walls, made their way through the maze of the city…

Later then what they predicted; they had reached their destination of the abandoned factory. Exhausted and annoyed, they heaved the bags of remaining money into the safe box provided, while one of them kept a look out for any police. But as the final bag heaved into the large container, it shut up quickly; so much so that the group stepped back as the latch sealed shut.

Confused, the Pitbull moved forwards and tried the codes for the lock; access was denied. The hippo moved forward and tried lifting the lid with his bare hands; nothing.

But something else was coming as the skunk returned with a worried face. Police? Was this a set up? Rising their guns up, a swarm of small robots entered through the cracked roof and smashed windows; their weapons targeted at them. All their tiny red beams all focussed on their bodies; a slight move of them, will alert the robots to fire.

The small group closed up together, till they saw one of them appear to them up close. Opening up, the droid opened up to reveal a small blank screen. It was emitting a call; the end of the line was nothing but a blank dark low voice. It was mumbled with static, making it hard to be familiar with the voice. It was clear to them, that whoever the boss was, they wanted no intention to provide clues.

"This was not the amount we agreed on. You promised me good results." The voice boomed.

"Yeah well, if we weren't distracted by that bat, we wouldn't be messing up in the first place!" The Pitbull argued back.

Then there was silent for a moment. The group looked unsured as the robots around them hovered in silence as well.

"So, she is alive. Well, like any pest, they are hard to kill. But I will deal with her, in my own time. For now, I have another job for you."

"You got to be kidding me; we only just scrapped this one!" The ferret responded furiously.

Suddenly, the group heard the low humming sounds of Lazers being triggered; ready to fire at any moment.

"Or would you rather have me destroy you, right at this moment? I shouldn't provide any cut we agreed on, after your poor efforts. The safe box has already calculated how much is there and unfortunately, it is clearly not enough. But do this job for me, and I can happily ignore our little disagreement and come out with a clean slate. Would you agree?" The voice boomed from the screen.

The group looked around, with the small robots still latched onto them. They were clearly outmatched and under powered by this mysterious tyrant. They simply sighed and lowered their guns down.

"Excellent, I'm glad you see things my way. I shall provide an image as I speak." The voice notified them.

The screen on the droid, altered its appearance, as the image on the screen changed. The group looked at the image, to see the young girl from before.

"Hey! That's the little brat!" The skunk shouted as he pointed towards it.

"That is no little brat! It is simply a disguise. This is what she truly looks like. Anyone familiar to you?"

When the next image showed up, the group hissed and growled. The image showed Metamorphia; along with her identification when she worked for Robotnik.

"I don't believe it! I thought she was dead." The Pitbull replied in shock.

"She was presumed Roboticized; order by the Doctor himself." The parrot spoke up, as he continued to scratch his frail pink skin.

"After her failures against the freedom fighters, she was exiled. After her discharge, no one had seen her since; until today. You job, is to retrieve her. Alive and unharmed; do I make myself clear?" The unknown presence commanded.

"But boss! She's too powerful; how can we capture her if she could do something like that to us?" the ferret protested.

"Do whatever is necessary; failure will not be repeated again. Am I clear?"

Those last words burned deep, as the group looked down at their last remaining weapons. With no other choice and filled with dread, they agreed. The floating robots lowered their red markers down, as they scattered in different directions; leaving the warehouse.

"Take this little one with you. It will be your map; giving you a bird's eye full of the city. They will spot her soon; do not disappoint me." The voice boomed, lowering its tone to a deadly serious threat.

The group then watched the robot with the screen, shut down its projector and hovered above their heads. Instead, it displayed a mini scale view of Metropolis; with a small red button of their location. The group looked at each other, took hold of their weapons and marched outwards back into the city. The droid however above them, keeping a firm watch on them.

Unfortunately, their job hadn't ended yet…

Stepping back from the computer, the caller ended their conversation and pressed a few buttons on the keyboard. Codes and digits displayed on their screen. Keeping their focussed determination, they gave the full command on all the nearby robots, to locate the bear. One door closes and another door opens.

"Time for a reunion Metamorphia."

Back at the Groovy train, Ebony was finally ready to set off, when she spotted Super Sonic serving a customer. However, looking at her, she looked slightly odd. Looking closer, she was wearing a sheet or something around her face; a homeless person maybe? Politely dismissing himself from the table, the hedgehog went up to her.

"Been busy?" She asked, as she adjusted the bag around her shoulder.

"A few hick ups but nothing big. Have you got the shopping list for today?" He asked.

"Yeap, all prepared for once." Ebony joked.

The cat's tail flickered as she pulled out the long list of shopping; just to make sure. With an agreement from her co-worker, she shoved it back inside.

"Is there anything you need while I'm out?" The feline asked.

"Nah; I don't think so. Oh wait; how about those fruit pastilles? If you got time that is." Super smiled.

"You already went through that whole pack? How many are you stuffing your face at a time?" She asked, resting her arms on her hips.

"This guy needs all the sugar he needs, oh which reminds me!"

"Of what?" Ebony asked as ruffled in her bag for her keys, as he was clearly changing the subject quickly.

"A joke I heard, wanna hear it?" Super smiled.

"Have you been talking to Mr Henderson again? You know his jokes are terrible." The feline sighed.

"Ah but this is good one. Alright, how did it go? Oh right!" he spoke as he made a little cough to prepare himself.

Ebony folded her arms, ready for not to be amused. And yet she couldn't help holding a little smile to her friend; after all he was trying his best.

"I visited the doctor today and he said my sugar was too high. So, I came home and moved it to a lower shelf" he smiled as he finished the joke.

Ebony looked at him, holding a back small chuckles. Then she burst into laughter as she couldn't hold it back.

"Oh no! That is certainly a bad joke." She shook her head in embarrassment.

"Maybe, but it did make you laugh." Super smiled back.

Both of them continued to laugh when suddenly, a smash caught them of guard. Both turned around suddenly to see the woman Super was talking to previously, had jumped up from her chair, with a smashed cup; her drink spilling across the table and floor. Before they could assess the situation, the figure looked panicked and stormed towards the customer's bathroom in a hurry. The other customers looked concerned as well.

"Oh no, a bad cup?" Ebony asked.

"Hmm not sure. We only just moved her from a spillage at another table. But even Mr Henderson spotted something off with her."

"Right, I better go and check it out. Will you clean up the mess?" Ebony asked.

"No problem." Super replied as he was commanded to grab the brush and shovel.

Super Sonic continued his work as Ebony headed for the customers direction; hoping that she was alright…

Metamorphia watched the couple intensely as she sipped on her drink. The stab of jealousy still clung onto her as she watched them chat away. She did have good friends at the College, but nobody was as close to her, as much as she watched those two.

I wished someone looked at me like he does to her, she thought to herself.

She spotted the long list that the feline had pulled out; a shopping list perhaps? Looking at her shoulder bag, it didn't take long to see she was setting off soon. Maybe they were thinking of going together? Or maybe it was a date?

I wish someone like him would go out on a date with me, she thought.

What on Mobius was she thinking? Why was she suddenly thinking such stupid things? Sipping on more of her drink, she had to come up with something way more important; like what to do of her own predicament.

But then she stopped thinking as the couple burst into laughter; overhearing from the faint calm noise of the playing piano. Seeing the feline; laughing with the hedgehog, her jealousy started to boil. The feline's luxurious body, her sleek black fur; she was the spiting image of what she inspired as a woman. But as she looked at her self-right now, she didn't dare look upon her face reflection in her tea.

You will never be as pretty as her. Look at you! You're hideous! If they were to see your face now, they would run for the hills! Wouldn't you like to be like her? Liked by so many?

Her hands clenched tightly on the rim of the cup, her nails digging deep on the decorated clay. She wanted to ignore her own thoughts, but they kept returning back.

You think you can be liked by them? Don't be so naïve! Where you belong is in prison! You're always be a failure, no matter how good you do in this world?

The nagging stab of guilt started to return; mixing with her jealousy. As she tried to ignore and suppress her inner voice, she couldn't help but look at the couple. So happy and so…free.

Suddenly she only noticed that her hands were cracking the cup; till the liquid erupted onto the table. In shock, she jumped up as the cup smashed into pieces in between her fingers. She looked down as the liquid seeped down and poured on the floor.

Looking up, everyone was staring towards her; all eyes upon her. Even the pianist stopped his melody. Looking around, she started to panic. Before anyone could move to assist, she stormed off towards the bathroom, hurrying down the long corridor to the public ladies toilets.

Running inside, she went straight towards the sink. Looking around at the other cubicles, she was the only one inside. Turning both taps on, she let the water run, as she looked down at her hands. There were no cuts luckily, but her hands were wet from the hot liquid. Pressing her hands into the water, she tried to gain her composure.

What they heck are you playing at? You deliberately made yourself the centre of attention!

Placing the dusty sheet onto the floor, she took a glance at herself at the mirror. Her face was harsh; sweat dripped from the side of her head. But her black eyes pierced herself; thoughts of doubt, fear and guilt made her lose her perspective on anything.

You can't even look in the mirror without disgust! Who are you pretending to be? Normal like the rest of them? Who are you kidding yourself! You can never have a normal life! Why continue with this charade?

Metamorphia closed her eyes shut as tears strolled won her face, trying to shake off the cruel voice in her head. Could this day be any worse?

"Hey! Are you alright?"

Bolting up straight, she only noticed that someone else had walked into the bathroom. Turning to face them, she was even more shocked to see the feline coming in looking worried. There, both of them looked at each other, which felt like hours. Then a sudden twitch changed in both of them. The showdown had begun…

Hoping the customer was alright, Ebony went down the long corridor to reach the ladies bathroom. As she stepped inside, she thought she could hear loud muttering. As she pushed the door through, she stopped to see the woman had stopped and looked straight at the feline; ignoring the running water. The water had gushed over the basin and onto the floor, making the only sound in the whole room.

Her friendly welcome, was suddenly cut off as she finally saw her face. In that moment, alarm bells were ringing inside Ebony's head. Looking at the creature, she certainly didn't look like any normal citizen. It was her dark sinister eyes and large pointed teeth, that made the chills on her black fur.

And just in a heartbeat, everything shook her whole body into attack mode. Feeling the magic within her body, she rose her hands up. The woman looked at her raising her hands up in defence.

"WAIT! It's not what you think!" The creature waved her hands in distress, but the feline wasn't having it.

"Oh, I know exactly what I'm thinking; Metamorphia!"

In that one instant of naming her, the woman brought down her defence. The feline jolted forward, about to release her magic, when she suddenly was caught off by the running water. The sink had overflooded and spilled vast amounts of water on the floor. As Ebony moved forward, her foot slipped in the mess, feeling her whole body shift the wrong way. As Metamorphia moved backwards, she wasn't quick enough as the cat landed straight on her. None of them couldn't slow down or stop. Both cried out loud as they collided, with Ebony shoving into her, as they collapsed.

But as Ebony bolted backwards to steady herself, away from her, her whole body froze. Standing in front of her, Metamorphia was suddenly altering. Like water being chucked onto a painting, the figure swayed, dissolved and morphed into someone else. Her transformation, caught Ebony completely off guard.

"How…is that possible?" The feline spoke in shock.

Stepping back, she only just remembered that the floor was still incredibly slippy as she slipped once again. Her whole body fell backwards but there was nothing to slow her down. Her head banged against the sink and her whole body fell down. Her magic evaporated as Ebony went into complete shutdown. Her eyes no longer keeping open, darkness overcame her…

Metamorphia stood frozen, her whole body shaking. She stepped closer to the collapsed feline on the floor. She was motionless, lying down on the floor on her side. Her voice came out in a whimper, as she tried to speak out towards her. But as moments passed, the horror of what she had done overwhelmed her.

"What have I done? I'm so sorry!"

But as she frantically ran towards her, she reached out her hand to check on her. But stopped as she looked down. Those…weren't her usual clawed hands. They were smaller, delicate and covered with black fur.

She stepped back and slowly turned herself towards the wall mirrors by the sink and almost screamed. Clasping her hands over her mouth, her reflection had suddenly altered. There were no hideous Metamorphia, but a beautiful feline standing there instead. She had cloned herself as the black feline!

Her old self had brought back another returned power; the power of camouflage. Or to Metamorphia, the power to personate someone else. Things had gone from bad, to worse…

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT PART "The date!"