Guilt
[The scene opens with a stagelight as the camera pans down to the inside of the Cherryton Academy rehearsal room where the students are practicing their acts or moving supplies and equipment around the room wherever needed. While the other students are engaging in their own conversations in the foreground, the focus is on Tao and Kibi as the two come across a set of thick poles that need to be moved]
Kibi: Well, this shouldn't be too difficult, we just need to take these over there.
Tao: Don't strain yourself too much, they look a bit heavy.
Kibi: Heh, this'll be nothing, so long as you're giving me a hand.
Tao: Oh, so I'm the muscle between us? Well, makes sense given I'm the jaguar.
[Kibi reaches down to pick up one of the poles, but it's heavier than he was anticipating]
Kibi: Okay, okay, hold on, lemme just-EH!
[The weight of the pole causes Kibi to become unbalanced as he begins to swing it out of control. Tao notices this and tries to steady the aardvark]
Tao: Hold on, you're gonna hurt yourself, I've got it!
[Tao grabs the pole, but at the angle Kibi is swinging, the black panther ends up pulling the pole up harder than he'd intended. At that moment, a splintering crack is heard, followed by a loud cry of anguish coming below Tao. The entire room turns to see what has happened]
Kibi: AAAAAAAAAAGH! Oh GOD! My arm, my ARM!
[Tao's face takes on a look of pure horror; below him, Kibi is writhing on the floor in pain, his right arm separated from his shoulder with blood on the floor. Everyone stands in shock as the aardvark continues to wallow in agony]
Tao: Oh my god…Kibi, it was an accident, I didn't mean to…!
[A church bell tolls as Tao finds himself in a void with a single light hanging above him…he finds himself standing before a wooden podium as a row of people are seated behind him. To his right, another group of people are seated, their faces are censored. Even though he can't see their eyes, Tao feels incredibly uncomfortable with the judgemental vibe emitting from the individuals. In front of him is a large podium where a judge is sat at the top. Much like the others in the room, we cannot see his face, but the panther still feels small in his presence]
Tao: I…I…what is this…?
[Tao's pupils suddenly shrink as he sees Kibi standing before him, this time with both of his arms missing, worse still are that his shoulders are still blood red as if they had been torn off on the spot]
Kibi: Why did you hurt me…?
Tao: I-I didn't mean to, I swear! I was just trying to he-!
Kibi: You're bigger and stronger than me…don't you know you're supposed to be delicate around those smaller and weaker than you…? Do you not care…who gets hurt…?
Tao: Please, it was an accident, I didn't mean to hurt you…!
[Murmurs and sneers can be heard among the audience, Tao feels sick to his stomach with guilt and anguish, even more so with Kibi's eyes staring coldly back into his own]
Kibi: Then why were you so…careless…?
[The impounding sound of a gavel hitting its case echoes around the room as Tao finds himself behind the silhouettes of cell bars, several officers hidden in the shadows standing in front of the cell, coupled with the glowing red eyes of other inmates locked away in their compartments as if this were some twisted zoo]
Tao: It's so cold…it was an accident…I'm sorry…please…don't leave me like this…
[The sound of something dripping catches Tao's ear and he looks to his left…there, standing right in the corner of the cell is Kibi's seemingly lifeless body as he continues to bleed out from his arms, a trail of blood seeps on the floor and right up to Tao…the blood shows a reflection of a feral black panther as it digs its teeth into its prey, blood dripping from its mouth…it cuts back to Tao as he looks down…blood is coming from his mouth…he gasps as the remains of a prey mammal are lying in front of him]
Tao: No! I didn't…do this…
[Tao's eyes look up…there lies a pile of dead prey animals as his whole body is covered with blood…his pupils shake as the image of the feral panther comes back to him…its own face and Tao's meshing into one as the feline gives a ferocious expression as if he were a cold-blooded killer]
Tao: GAH!
[Tao wakes up in a cold sweat, breathing heavily…he looks around…he's in his bedroom, cautiously glancing over in all directions…he looks toward the clock, it reads "3:37 A.M."...the black feline sighs]
Tao: Not again…what am I going to do…?
[With a heavy heart, Tao lies back down on the bed and silently drifts off back to sleep as a gentle piano tune plays over the scene, picture Gymnopedie No. 1]
[The scene transitions to the next day as Tao is seen walking solemnly down the street, passing by Brisby, Mulan, and Chance while looking down at the ground]
Tao: That damn dream again, how long has it been? Why am I still thinking about it? And why am I talking to myself…?
[Scar and Grimhilde pass by the scene as the former gives an eye roll and the latter gives a sneer. Tao looks down with an embarrassed look on his face]
Tao: Why do I have to look so awkward…[sighs]...I need to clear my head…
[Reluctantly, Tao continues on his walk as the scene cuts to Napier Park. As Tao walks along the path, passing by Arnold and Dylan going in the opposite direction, he looks over to an open field where the Woodland Kids; Bear, Beaver, Fox, Rabbit, Goose, and Raccoon are playing football/soccer in pairs of two while Badger, Skunk, Otter, Snail, and Squirrel watch from the sidelines. He stops as he hears them all chatting and laughing with one another, and then looks back at his current situation…the black feline sighs, he envies those children]
Tao: How pathetic do I have to be…? I need to sit down…
[Tao approaches the fountain in the center of the park and takes a seat on it. As he sits in solitude, he looks over at the others walking about, appearing contentedly with one another; the Tremaine Sisters; Anastasia and Drizella are snorting about something they must have found amusing, Sylvester and Wile are talking about something through ambience, Hotaru and Chibiusa are sharing apple cider donuts with each other, while Mordecai and Rigby are chilling on a bench with a row of Pocky Sticks between them]
Tao: Isn't that ironic…?
[From behind Tao, the POV shows someone approaching him before cutting back to the panther as he suddenly jolts from a paw placed on his shoulder]
Tao: GEH!
Bill: No need to fret, black and brooding, it's only me, your favorite theater star.
Pina: So he says.
[Bill gives a sweatdrop as the camera pans out to reveal him and Pina standing next to Tao]
Bill: Regardless, you doin' alright? Ya' looked kinda lost sittin' all by your lonesome.
Pina: Maybe he was trying out a pick-up line; lonely and brooding, that always gets them.
Tao: It's not that…I was just…minding my own business, really.
Bill: Huh, whatever that means, you're certainly not chipper about it.
Pina: You weren't having another one of your "sessions", were you?
Tao: What? No, of course not.
Pina: Hmmmmmmm, that's a lie.
Tao: And how would you know?
Bill: C'mon, man, you're not exactly subtle.
Tao: And you're sure either of you two are?
Pina: Now, now, no need to be so defensive. Did I happen to strike a nerve?
Tao: Look, it's really not that important.
Bill: Is it really?
Tao: Yes. Now leave it at that, please.
[The trio is silent for a moment as Clifford, Sayaka, Ariel, and Foghorn pass by in the background]
Bill: …It happened again, didn't it?
Tao: [sighs] What gave it away?
Pina: Well, your sullen mood for a start, and the fact that you look like a black cloud in the middle of all these "bright happy faces".
Tao: That's certainly one way to put it.
Bill: Still, why don't you come with us? It's better than sitting here looking awkward.
Tao: [sighs] Perhaps…
[Reluctantly, Tao stands up and the trio begin to walk down the trail. The black panther looks up at the sky, a light wind rustles in the air, blowing a few leaves about]
Tao: Hmmmm…
Pina: Distracted?
Tao: Huh? Oh, not really, just saw some-
[A leaf blows onto Tao's muzzle]
Tao: -leaves…PFFT!
[The leaf blows off as Tao wrinkles his nose]
Tao: That's better…I suppose a walk with company is some kind of relief…
Bill: Well, you know me, I always swoop in to save the day.
Pina: Is that really your M.O.?
Bill: Lemme have this, won't you?
[Tao looks to see a few red leaves flying about in the breeze…as he looks at them intently, the screen statics to his dream as the crimson leaves are supplemented with the blood trickling down Kibi's arms, cut back to the leaves, cut back to the leopard's bloody teeth, cut back to Tao's panic-stricken eyes…]
Bill: Tao…Tao!
Tao: Wha-huh?
Bill: You alright, you're zoning out.
Tao: Oh…sorry…
[The scene transitions to the trio walking down the street as the time of day has shifted from noon to evening. Passing by Samus, Spyro, and Crash heading in the opposite direction, Tao is shown still looking rather solemn as Bill and Pina flank him on either side]
Pina: You're not easy to cheer up, are you?
Tao: What makes you say that?
Pina: Well, let's analyze that; throughout the whole day, you've been looking like someone died. And you've been reclusive from us.
Bill: I'll admit, the pretty boy's got a point. There's something you're hiding from us.
Tao: Look, whatever I've got going on is none of your concern. I have my own issues to deal with, and I'd rather you didn't get involved with them.
Pina: Okay, touchy, just try to relax, won't you? I'm almost tempted to help you myself.
Tao: Don't even think about it, I know you wanna stick those hands on any man within three inches of you.
Pina: Sha, I'm quite hurt by that accusation.
Bill: It's not really an accusation when there's eyewitnesses.
Pina: Well, you would know, wouldn't you?
[Pina gives a sly wink as Bill looks away]
Tao: [sighs] You two are far too active sometimes, you know that?
Bill: And you're not active enough. You're selling yourself short in all honesty.
Tao: …Are you flirting with me?
Bill: Well, you're not half bad to look at for a start.
Pina: Yeah, I happen to have a preference for felines of…your type, tck.
Tao: Ehhhhhhh…
[Tao tries to look ahead, but then sees Kibi coming up the road in the opposite direction. The aardvark smiles as he sees the black panther approaching him]
Kibi: Hey there.
Pina: Well, well, if it isn't your little boyfriend, Tao…Tao?
[The camera shifts to Tao who has a continuous stare straight ahead. It cuts to Kibi as he continues to walk closer to the group…the screen statics back to the cell where Kibi is sat in the corner bleeding out from his arms, a further static shows Tao covered in blood behind the bars, then cuts to him kneeling down over the body of a prey mammal with the same look in his eyes as the jaguar]
[Cue echo of Kibi's voice repeating "Tao…Tao…?"]
[Cut back to reality. Kibi has stopped in front of Tao with a concerned look on his face]
Kibi: Tao...are you alright?
[Cut to Tao. The feline has a purely shell-shocked look on his face…without warning, the panther suddenly darts off in a frenzy, much to the shock of the others]
Bill: Tao?! TAO?!
Pina: Where the hell are you going?!
Kibi: Tao! Come back!
[Cue musical piece similar to "Run Nancy, Run" playing over the following scene]
[Cut to Tao sprinting down the street with a look of panic and anxiety. He darts in between Streaky and Alice as the two spread to the side in shock]
[As Tao looks up, the streetlights emit a red glow from the usual orange as if he had stepped foot into Hell. His eyes dart from left to right as the walls of the buildings seem to ooze a dark red substance. The echo of a whistle is heard through the music before it cuts to a close-up shot of Emily's whistle]
Emily: Look out!
[Emily comes to an abrupt stop before the crosswalk as Tao darts through it, still lost in his trance as he rushes past Twilight, Pinky, Brain, and Dorothy Gale on the other side waiting to cross]
Emily: Och, where was he in such a hurry? He looked a bit lost.
Twilight: I think he's having a panic attack by the looks of those eyes…
[As Tao runs above a street drain, Ursula can be seen popping her head out from the cover. She gives a disappointed click of her tongue]
Ursula: Oooooh, what a poor unfortunate soul, hmmhmmhmm…
[Tao finally turns a corner into an alleyway and props himself against the wall, breathing heavily as he gradually slips down to the floor]
Tao: Oh god…oooooooh, damn…
[Tao leans his head back to the wall as his vision becomes dazed, as if he were about to pass out]
Tao: God…someone…help me…
[The feline slumps to the floor, from his perspective, everything feels a blur, he feels sick, he feels anxious, he feels as if he could have a stroke…his vision turns to darkness as he blacks out…]
?: [echoing] …Tao…Tao?
[The POV shows the blurry outline of a figure standing over them before it's revealed to be clearer…Kibi stands over Tao with a concerned look on his face]
Kibi: Tao, thank God! Are you alright?
Tao: [groans] Agh…my head…what happened…?
Kibi: Well, you darted off before I could speak to you. Bill, Pina, and I went on a manhunt to find you, and here we are…you look like a mess.
Tao: [sighs] That's because I am…and more than that…
Kibi: Whatever do you mean by that…here, lemme help you up.
[Kibi reaches down to pull Tao up from the ground with a groan]
Tao: No, no, don't hurt yourself.
Kibi: Hurt myself? How?
Tao: I don't want a repeat of…the incident.
Kibi: Wait, is that what this is about? Tao…you know I forgave you for that.
Tao: I know, but…last night, I got a reminder…only worse…and I can't get the image out of my head…I hurt you…
Kibi: You didn't mean to, it was purely an accident.
Tao: But I was careless! I didn't know my own strength, and you suffered because of it!
Kibi: You suffered too!
Tao: It was all my fault! I'm a FUCKING IDIOT!
[Kibi takes a step back from Tao's ferocity…the feline realizes his tone and reels back timidly]
Tao: Look at me…could I get anymore pathetic…?
Kibi: You're not…I don't believe you have any ill will towards me or anyone else…I know you're a good person.
Tao: But I-
Kibi: You came to visit me in the hospital and expressed how remorseful you were…that's how I knew…
[Kibi reaches out to take Tao's paw in his own]
Kibi: You were hurting just as much as I was…my arm could be fixed, but your life would have been ruined…I didn't want you to suffer that…
Tao: …Do you really believe that…?
Kibi: I do…I want you to be happy…you don't deserve to live in fear of what might happen…
[Tao looks down at Kibi's hand…then back at the aardvark]
Tao: Kibi…
[Kibi proceeds to wrap his arms around Tao, much to the panther's surprise…his face softens to an expression of gratitude as he holds the smaller mammal in a tender bind]
Tao: I just…I don't want to be burdened by all of this…I want to believe I'm not a danger to you, but…why can't I see it?
Kibi: That's why I'm here…I want to help you…if you'll let me…
[A small tear runs down the side of Tao's face as he holds Kibi close]
Tao: Please…let us both heal…
[Kibi gives a tender smile as he holds the hug between him and Tao for a bit longer]
[At that moment, Bill and Pina turn the corner on their search and find the two in the alley, lost in their own little world]
Pina: Well, isn't that adorable? Now if only you could do that to me…
Bill: I need to reel you in sometimes…okay, a lot of the time. Either way…I guess it is kinda cute…
[Tao looks over to the tiger and sheep, he blushes, but his dark fur conceals most of the red on his face]
Tao: Oh, it's just you guys…
Kibi: I think he's better now…do you still wanna go somewhere to relax?
Tao: Yeah…I wouldn't mind that…
[Kibi leads Tao out of the alley and down the road as Bill and Pina watch on]
Bill: …Well, at least he looks to be in a better mood…good for him.
Pina: Quite…
[The scene cuts to the inside of Tao's bedroom as he lays on one side of the bed while Kibi lays on the other side. The black panther is breathing steadily as the aardvark soothes him with a gentle rub on his shoulders]
Tao: Hmmmmmm…
[Tao lets himself fall into a peaceful state of mind, somewhere like an open field as he and Kibi are shown laying down next to one another. The scene transitions back to reality in the bedroom as Tao breathes a sigh once more]
Kibi: Feeling better?
[Tao looks back at the aardvark with a content expression on his face]
Tao: Now I do…
[Kibi smiles back at the feline and lays down next to Tao. A gentle guitar tune continues to play over the scene before fading out as the screen fades to black]
Character Guide:
Tao, Kibi, Bill, Pina - Beastars
Twilight Sparkle - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Ursula, Ariel - The Little Mermaid (1989)
Emily - Thomas and Friends
Alice - Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Anastasia Tremaine, Drizella Tremaine - Cinderella (1950)
Arnold Shortman - Hey Arnold!
Bear, Beaver, Fox, Rabbit, Goose, Snail, Skunk, Badger, Raccoon, Otter, Squirrel - Franklin
Chance Furlong - SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron
Chibiusa (Sailor Chibi Moon), Hotaru Tomoe (Sailor Saturn) - Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
Clifford - Clifford the Big Red Dog
Crash Bandicoot - Crash Bandicoot
Dorothy Gale - The Wizard of Oz
Dylan - 101 Dalmatian Street
Elizabeth Brisby - The Secret of NIMH (1982)
Grimhilde (The Evil Queen) - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Mordecai, Rigby - Regular Show
Mulan - Mulan (1998)
Pinky, Brain - Pinky and the Brain
Samus Aran - Metroid
Sayaka Miki - Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Scar - The Lion King (1994)
Spyro - Spyro
Streaky - Krypto the Superdog
Sylvester, Wile E. Coyote, Foghorn Leghorn - Looney Tunes