A rather run-down yet functional circus was set up just outside of a small town, the performances underway, though it seems the crowds weren't too pleased of it. The clowns were doing all they can to show off, but it didn't seem to make the crowds laugh as much as it should. The ringleader was not impressed by all of this, especially for one particular act that's not been doing very well.
After the poor performance of tonight, the ringleader stormed over to one of the nearby cages and started to whip the little individual, the sounds of whip cracking and the cries of a young being heard. The ringleader growled in frustration and agitation. "You little miserable brat! Why can't you do anything right, you little freak?!"
Inside of the cage is a young boy, about 7 years old. He has shaggy brown hair but with black streaks in the hair, while he has big blue eyes, and whiteish skin. He looks to be about 5ft tall, so he's quite tall for a boy his age. He has a pair of small draconic wings on his back, as well as what were small spines jutting out of his back, plus a leathery tail, and small hidden claws in his hands. The only pieces of clothing are a black shirt and torn pants.
"Please..." The boy whispered in pain, wincing from the injuries he has sustained. "No more..."
"You miserable disgusting freak!" The ringleader now snapped, whipping the boy once again. "You animals are nothing but fodder!"
"Oi! Boss." One person ran up to the ringleader. "There is someone who wants to talk to you outside. They're talking about selling the circus or even giving away our things."
"Fine. I'll deal with it." The ringleader sighed deeply, now leaving the cage as he heads out. "Ugly Anthro..." He muttered under his breath.
The little boy slowly sat up, hugging himself with his tail as he wrapped his wings around him. His name is Braedey, a hybrid of a human and a draconic-like creature. He obtained these attributes from his parents and they were proud of him for them. But they've been forced by this ringleader to work at his circus to try and draw in crowds by exploiting their son. His parents took offence to this, but when they were blackmailed, they had no choice but to work at the circus.
'If only I was treated fairly instead of an Anthro.' Braedey thought to himself with tears in his eyes.
Those who are half-human/animal, they are considered as hybrids. It's a chance thing that occurs, like a 1 in a thousand or so. Those that have this genus, classified as'The Animal Gene', could have minute animalistic details like whiskers, tails, ears, and other little details. Others could even have wings, spikes, claws, horns, or other things. Some may even undergo almost full-body transformations, like those keeping their human heads while the rest of them has the animal body. They have been designated by most as 'Anthros'.
A majority of humans all considered these Anthros hybrids as friendly folks and get along with them, even passing laws for them all, but a percentage don't, and they'd take out their frustrations upon them. Fortunately, laws exist prohibiting abuse and inflicting harm upon them. However, there are those who are willing to exploit and break the rules.
As Braedey sat there silently in the cage, he could hear the sound of approaching footsteps, making him flinch in response to this, fearing it might be the ringleader. But as it got closer, Braedey peeked his eyes through his hands, then sighed in relief when he saw it's his mother and father who came to see him.
Braedey's mother, Naomi Jane Martin, is a lovely lady, with fair lightly peach skin, about 30yrs in age, with bright gentle blue eyes, and a pair of small red lips. Her hair is a golden brown reaching down to her shoulders with a gentle flow, with two strands of her hair framing her angelic face. She has a firm slender body shape with a slightly above average bust and hip size, whilst she stands 5ft tall. She is in a red dress with dark red patterns across it, and a pair of red low-heel shoes.
Braedey's father, James Ryan Martin, is a Caucasian at 35yrs of age, with a set of brown eyes, plus short spiky black hair. He stands at around 6ft tall, and he has a muscular body figure and shape. He is wearing a cotton black shirt that hugged his broad chest and muscular upper arms, along with a black leather jacket overtop, a pair of denim grey jeans, and with black motorcycle boots.
"Braedey..." Naomi sighed solemnly, reaching her hand through the bars of the cage and gently pats her son's head, the latter nuzzling against her hand in response.
"Mom... Dad..." Braedey muttered softly.
"James. The cage." Naomi gestured to the cage.
James immediately grabbed the bars of the cage and he ripped it open. He threw the cage door away, then he carefully pulled Braedey out of the cage, helping him up. "Come on. Let's get out of here." He said to them, Naomi helping their son up to his feet. "We're leaving this horrid place and we're getting out of here."
"But what about the ringleader, his blackmail, and the contract we were forced to sign?" Naomi now asked in concern as she hugged Braedey close to her, giving him the comfort he needs.
Before Braedey was born, James was an Anthro who once had wings and a tail when he was a teenager. He met Naomi when they were in high school, though James got picked on because of his animal features, he and others being ridiculed by those who have a prejudice against them. Naomi didn't care about what they said about James: she saw him as the best and nobody was going to change her mind. But for her parents to agree to their commitment and relationship, James had his wings and tail surgically removed by a specialist, making him human. Naomi was disappointed, but she knew it was for the best. After that, they planned their wedding when they were out of high school and plan on finding work. But when Naomi's parents found out James was an Anthro, they wanted their daughter to break up with James and find someone more... "human and not an animal", as they said to their daughter. Naomi, disgusted by her family's words, severed all ties with her family, and she ran away with James. But as they looked around for work, Naomi was pregnant and gave birth to Braedey, and it was a struggle for them to find a decent job and take care of their new child. That was when a sleazy and greedy ringleader of a failing circus came to them, promising them work and a percentage of pay for their services, as long as they got their son to perform. James and Naomi weren't going to go along with it, only for the ringleader to threaten them for crimes of child abuse and to remove their parental rights of Braedey, meaning he'll be owned by the circus indefinitely. So they had no choice but to go with the travelling circus, doing the acts and trying to rake in people to see it. However, hard times came to the circus, with the failing equipment, lack of entertainment and enthusiasm from those, especially with the cruelty of the workers and other performers either quitting or leaving midway through acts, the animal abuse and sick creatures unable to do their tricks or even go and perform, and leaving the ringleader to subsidise money to try and stay afloat financially, transferring the earned money others obtained for other spending to keep the circus going, despite the crippling failure it is.
James and Naomi had tolerated the abuse of the ringleader, trying to keep their son away from the torture and whatnot, but now, they both decided that enough was enough, and they were severing all ties to leave and get away.
"We're cutting the deal off. It's time for us to make it on our own." James now holds up the contract in his hand, and tears them in two. "We no longer work for that man." He then looks around just outside of the tent. "Coast is clear. Let's go."
"What about the ringleader?" Naomi asked.
"Forget about him. We're out of here." James gestured. "We've saved enough money to try and start anew, and to try and find a new place to work."
The three quickly made their way through the boxes and the other circus equipment that were around. They all sat in silence as some walked past them, but thanks to the shadows, they were hidden from sight. The three made their way out and away from tent of the circus. Eventually, they spot a yellow Chevy Apache 6x6 truck parked nearby that is unlocked. James climbs into the cab, now hot-wiring the engine as it roared to life. Naomi helped her son into the cab of the truck, her following on after him. James shifted the truck into gear, just as they could see the silhouette of the ringleader yelling and running after them to stop them, holding up the torn pieces of the contract in his hand, proclaiming they were still under contract and must follow his orders. At once, James slammed his foot into the accelerator, and the truck races away from the circus onto the open road, just as the sound of sirens from the police could be heard fast approaching the dilapidated circus, surrounding the area and catching the corrupted ringleader in his tracks before he could escape.
"Finally. We're free of that place and away from that horrid man." Naomi sighed.
"We can finally start somewhere new." James added in next as they drive onto a highway and began to head off towards the East.
"But where do we go now?" Braedey now asked to his two parents. "We've been travelling with that circus for a while. We don't have a home anymore."
"It's okay, Braedey. A friend of mine can help us get a place to stay, as well as a new place of work for us all." Naomi reassured to her son, hugging him close to her, Braedey now wrapping his tail and wings around her. "We just have to go somewhere else..."
"But where are we going now?" Braedey asked softly.
"We're going to the Big Apple..." Was all James had answered back to his son.
The City of New York, often called New York City or simply New York, is the most populous city in the United States. It is also the most densely populated major city in the United States. Located at the southern tip of the state of New York, the city is the centre of the New York metropolitan area, one of the most populous urban agglomerations in the world. A global power city, New York City exerts a significant impact upon commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and entertainment, its fast pace defining the term New York minute. Home to the headquarters of the United Nations, New York is an important centre for international diplomacy and has been described as the cultural and financial capital of the world.
Inside of the Chevy Apache, James drove the truck on the highway towards the city before them. Naomi had Braedey lying against her, the two of them with a soft blanket to keep them warm. James smiled as he now gently nudged his wife and son while they stopped at a set of traffic lights, waking them up as they now can see the Big Apple they're now in.
"Here we are. This will be our new home." James announced to his family. "Far from that horrible place and away from that horrid ringleader..."
"Where are we gonna find our new home and work?" Braedey now asked to his parents.
"You're about to find out soon." Naomi reassured to her son, James now driving off towards Central Park.
"I'll drop you two here, then I'll go and find somewhere to park the truck." James told the two, stopping the truck and allowing Naomi and Braedey to climb out. "I'll be right back." With that, he drives off as they both made their way into Central Park.
Central Park is an urban park in New York City, between the Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan. It is the fifth largest park in the city, covering 843 acres (341 ha). It is the most visited urban park in the United States.
"Wow. Central Park..." Naomi mused happily as she looks around at the park around them. "I've always wanted to come over here. See the sights of Manhattan like Times Square, Fifth Avenue, the Chrysler Building, and so much more here."
"So, where are we going, exactly?" Braedey asked as James now walked alongside the two, all of them making their way along the pathways through the park.
"We're all going to our new place of work." James now answered to him, now approaching a zoo. "This place will be perfect for us all."
The Central Park Zoo is a 6.5-acre (2.6 ha) zoo that is located over at the southeast corner of Central Park in New York City. It is part of an integrated system of four zoos and one aquarium managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). In conjunction with the Central Park Zoo's operations, the WCS offers children's educational programs, is engaged in restoration of endangered species populations, and reaches out to the local community through volunteer programs. The Central Park Zoo is a major tourist attraction within Central Park, drawing more than one million people every year.
"Why are we here, Dad?" Braedey asked in confusion.
"I've called a friend of mine, like I said earlier, and she said she'll give us a place to stay." Naomi said to him. "Also, she can get a place to work."
"Here? At the zoo?" Braedey questioned in surprise. He didn't really expect this.
"Don't you worry." Naomi reassured to him. "We're gonna work here for honest pay, and plus, you'll be treated fairly and more. You might even make some brand new friends like you."
When they arrived at the zoo, Braedey could see some of the animals there, including four little penguins in the middle of their own exhibit, as a purple octopus was taken away. While he looks around, he could see the other paddocks and places where other animals were. James and Naomi soon met up with the person they were looking for, who just so happened to be the zookeeper and owner of the zoo. The parents talked to her about what they've been through and what had happened to them, and after some long discussion, the head zookeeper agreed to James and Naomi, and she gave them both jobs to work as fellow zookeepers at the Central Park Zoo. As for Braedey, he was allowed to stay at the zoo, and even help out with performing, maybe even be one of the star members of the zoo. It'll be different from the circus, where he'd be treated like a king, live out the life he's always wanted for him and his family, and be the greatest.
So, Braedey made his way over to one of the vacant paddocks, getting up onto the main pedestal, and he looked to see people looking to him, as if waiting for him to do something. Braedey felt like he was back at the circus, but when he saw his parents giving him smiles and thumbs-up to him. So, Braedey unveiled his dragon wings to show them off to everyone, who now looked on in awe rather than in fear or disgust. The people were all curious. With some confidence, Braedey began to show off some dancing moves, everyone starting to gather around to see what was going on, even cheering the young boy as he dances about. Naomi and James were both surprised and amazed by Braedey's dancing; they have never actually seen him dance like this before.
"Wow. He's amazing..." Naomi muttered in awe, her eyes wide in amazement.
"He's definitely something..." James nodded back to his wife, then raises a fist up in cheer. "Go for it, son! Go! Let your wings fly!" He called.
Braedey smiled, now doing a quick spin on his feet, then shot up into the air with his wings like a rocket, everyone watching him fly upwards. As he spins in the air, Braedey couldn't help but smile happily at his newfound freedom. The small spines on his back now start to glow blue, as does the inside of his mouth, and he then shot a blue fireball from his mouth into the air, and it explodes like it was a firework overhead. Everyone cheered out and clapped as they all watch on, Braedey gliding down and landing on his feet with a wave of his winds, a wall of dust erupting from him as he lands.
Braedey looked to see everyone clapping and cheering for him, not laughing or sneering at him. They all liked him! They did not see him as a clown or a freak. They really liked him! He smiled to the crowds, now letting out a bestial roar to everyone, and that got the crowd riled up and cheered for him even more.
Braedey looked to his parents, who all smiled back to him, even hugging him as he ran over to them. Things were starting to change for the Martin family... and for the better...
A/N: here we go. Here is the prologue chapter for the main story of 'Madagascar'. There will be more to come soon, and many more characters to appear.