A/N: Hey, everyone. This is Kman134, here. I would like to show you a preview of a new fic i started cobbling together called "Calamity Rising." It's basically me another attempt at making a post-apoclayptic fanfic with cartoon characters. What caused the apocalypse? Was it Anne Boonchuy opening the Calamity Box? Luz Noceda linking the human world and the Boiling Isles? Or Steven Universe instigating Era 3? Who knows! All you need to know is that this fic will be jam packed with surreal post-apolcayptic horror like large amphibious frogmen hungry for blood and for the female flesh (almost goblin slayer level), posthuman super-soldiers lording their powers over the common folk, and horrific eldritch abominations and lovecraftian gods bleeding through the fabrics of time and space while heroes of both original works and cartoon franchises possibly work together to keep the world from falling even more apart. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy and if you're wondering about if i'm still working on Intruders, then i will answer: Yes! I'm still working on Intruders and am halfway down with the epilogue for Volume 1. I just want to get your thoughts on this potential fic.


Scavenger Hunt

Now

Theodore had stood on the concrete roof for almost an hour, leaning on the edge ever vigilant. His scouring glance darted from one end of campus to the other, no need for binoculars with vision beyond 20/20. There was no sign of movement in the vicinity, neither bandit nor any otherworldly horror lurking. That was to be expected of the Badlands and where he surveyed was no exception. Theo picked up and tossed a concrete clump over the ledge, the rap it made hitting the pavement below was loud, shattering on impact as he listened to any other noise that followed. Complete silence from a few blocks away, much to his own relief.

At the same time, he couldn't help but admire the horizon of St. Denis University, a majestic marvel blended with Gothic Architecture and modern wonder, though no sign of life was present. The dorms and department buildings were dark, with no glimmer of light beaming out the window. Slowly, Theo found himself alone with his thoughts. He turned to a metal chimney, drifting at the reflection of himself, shoulders relaxing.

Theodore was in his early twenties, so there was no fear of a heart attack. A solid six feet tall with calm blue eyes. Like any soldier of his caliber, he was lean and toned, having a body conditioned for combat than anything else. He had short and spikey white hair that contrasted his fair skin tone. It made him stand out like an albino; he was aware, but it didn't put him at risk as he basked in the sunlight. However, his black and blue bodysuit, adorned with a silver breastplate, matching boots and gauntlets, and black mouth-covering attached to the neck, made him stand out. Lastly, a red torch was etched on the front of his breastplate, a symbol he found himself wearing once he awoke from cryo-sleep.

The solitude ended, and Theo jolted up when his walk-talky went off, a young woman's voice on the other line, snapping him out of his hyperfocus daze.

He reached to his side and grabbed the communicator. His attention shifted away from the dilapidated university campus and the roaring mist closing in (that is, the decaying dust of the dead), moving in to answer the call. The young man didn't answer for a few seconds, quickly thinking up a good response. Half of the reason was that he was still on duty and needed to maintain some level of professionalism. Another was because he was socially awkward, so he needed to be careful about conversing with others. Theo took a deep breath, raised the device to his ear, and pressed the button on the side. The walky-talky beeped in his ear as he finally spoke to whoever was on the line.

"Yes, Anne? Suppose you're calling to ask for a status report. From my There appears to be no sign of trouble, so we're in the cleat up, here," Theo answered with the kind of monotonous tone that was both calming and serious, concealing his nervousness. "Any problems on your end?"

"Sorry, dude. Nothing here but utter emptiness, despair, and tons of weed buds," Anne addressed, a tone bordering sardonic.

Theo huffed. "How's the scavenging going along, though? Anything useful you found on your end, or is it another lost cause?"

She chuckled. "Funny you should ask. Me and Molly found a couple of supplies that could last us for a while. Food, water, meds, some hygiene products, we're just gonna do a couple more rounds till we find else, that's all."

"You want me to come down and give you a hand? I got nothing else to do up here and it might make the search go faster."

"It's your call, handsome. You've got unlimited options when it's the end of the world," Anne says before ending the call, Theo reflecting on that little remark. It was indeed the end, but could it be any worse?


The door of a minifridge opened as Anne Boonchuy peered inside, scanning inside while Molly McGee was busy checking the cabinets (some opening by themselves). The two were the only ones in the rec room, empty and untouched for years. The pool table and posters looked straight out of an 80s horror flick, which befitted the ambiance. The girls try not to let it get on their nerves.

Anne was a woman of seemingly unprecedented beauty in her late teens, with a wholly developed body. She stood around 5'7, a few inches taller than the other girl, and had olive brown skin with bushy brunette hair, hair tied back with a red scrunchy, standard features among women of Thai descent. Her elegantly hazel eyes, though, were almost overshadowed by bags. From the white cotton V-neck shirt with blue sleeves covering her bosom to the teal skirt that hugged her legs underneath a pair of yellow sneakers, her attire complimented her womanly figure nicely. On her back, there was a medieval scabbard containing a broadsword behind her yellow backpack, both oddly working together.

On the other hand, despite being the same age and being Thai herself, Molly was shorter, and there wasn't much to brag about in the chest department. Her wide hips made up for that, though. She had straightened chestnut hair that stretched to her back and, like her friend, had hazel eyes. Molly was dressed in a long white shirt with a black collar, a blue sleeveless jacket, and tight lavender shorts with long ripped black stockings and matching sneakers.

"Jackpot!" Anne cheered, pulling out the contents with sheer excitement. In one hand, she held an intact six-pack of beer, the other family-size box of steaks and burgers, her face smiling. "It's been a while since we hit a cache this good, huh, Mols? Actual booze and freshly frozen meat, and not the brown crap in a can. This calls for a celebration."

Molly shut the cabinet and turned, surprised to see a can fly over as Anne tossed a cold one, her clumsy hands catching the beer with luck. "You sure we should be drinking on the job?"

Anne rolled her eyes as she rested on the sink counter, her manicured fingers snapping the lid open.

"Oh, lighten up, Mols. A little alcohol not going to hurt you."

Molly shook her head. "Even though we're not technically old enough? And it's not me, it's Theo. You know how much of a stickler is his about this kind of stuff."

"It's only one drink."

"One's enough to send him into drill sergeant mode."

"True. The guy can be a boy scout, which is kind of hot in a way."

Molly stared at her, brows arched.

"…yeah, I guess."

Though, she was starting to think again. Molly then glanced over to the open windows and the vacant grassy grounds. She counted the lawn chairs and stands on the cobblestone streets. No life, no nothing. It was as lifeless as a cemetery, and just stepping into the dorm sent chills, enough for the usually ecstatic Molly to try and beg Theo and Anne to leave and find some other place to scavenge and avoid the horrid aura that plagued the grounds.

"On second thought, a little sip never did any harm, and we can always explain ourselves and/or get reprimanded later," Molly nervously smiled as she took a swig, much to a particular incorporeal companion's chagrin.

"~Yeah. That's what I'm talking about, girl. Hanging out in this abandon university will totes get to you, and taking the edge off is what we need," she shimmered before taking a long and satisfying sip, the nutty and dry taste hitting her tongue. "Besides, you keep going on about talking to 'ghosts', so forgive me if I need some liquid courage." At that last part, Anne murmured while adding air quotes, which unintentionally irritated Molly as she slammed the can on the table.

Molly huffed. "First off, Anne. there is only one ghost. Scratch, and he is real. Secondly, He just doesn't want to make his presence known because he doesn't trust you or Theo yet," she clarified, the floating invisible blob that was her friend hovered closely.

Yeah, and not without a good reason, Mols. We've only known these two for, like, what? A week? And we can't just open them up to our little club without being entirely sure they don't have ulterior motives, especially the one who looks like he stepped out of a Comicon convention. I mean, how can his hair be that silver? It must be fake! And another thing, Mols, you weren't supposed to tell anyone I exist. Libby was one thing, but these two… Scratch prattled on, but Molly sighed and tuned him out. The pursed lips and shaking head showed her distress, looking like she was having an internal conflict. Anne watched the display, unable to hear the one-sided conversation and felt sorry for the girl.

At first, Anne was a tad miffed. Hand at the hip sort of mad, lips pouting and all. However, remembering what Theo had said before, she tried not to get angry and engage. The apocalypse was a lot to handle as Anne and her silver-haired friend encountered all sorts of people, living in a deluded daydream to cope while wandering the badlands. To the two, Molly was no exception (they couldn't be more wrong, though).

Anne smiled, shaking her head. "You know what, Mols? Forget it. It was just a stupid slip of the tongue and I'm sorry I brought it up," she apologized and reached around to her backpack, struggling to stuff the box of meats inside as Molly approached and offered some assistance. "I think we've got enough supplies for now, so once Theo gets here, we'll meet him by the fire escape, and we can finally leave this godforsaken place and head back to camp."

Reaching for the backpack placed on the ground, Molly threw it over her shoulders. The straps adjusted as the worrisome young woman followed Anne out the door, strolling down the hallway with the lights flickering on the ceiling.

"You sure we have enough, Anne? It's going to be a long trip on this cross-country tour, and we have a lot of mouths to feed," Molly stated matter-of-factly, receiving a wink from Anne.

"Positive. With the haul we've collected, we're good for another three days, or so," said Anne with a reassuring edge.

"But what about our new addition? You know, the girl we stumbled while traveling all the way here?"

"There's enough for her, too, and with whatever kind of crap she went through, the meds and gauze we've recovered will be a godsend," Anne confirmed with a nod. She then crossed both arms against her bosom, shuttering unnervingly. "Now, let's get the hell out of here. I don't know about you, but I can't shake off the feeling we're being watched."

Unbeknownst to Anne and Molly, such suspicions wouldn't be chalked up as simple paranoia. As the duo made their way down the corridor, taking a right pass a myriad of doors, a single eye peered through the peephole. The jaundice yellow orb blinked and observed hungrily, watching the girls walk on pass the wooden door without notice. The door gingerly opened as a wet, slimy hand protruded through the crack. Sharp claws dragged against the frame, followed by a rumbling growl that sounded like a single, inhuman bellow.

"Female!"