Harsh Realities Author Psykorabbit2000 Scene 1 A shuttle in space KINJITE is sitting in the pilot seat. He is leaned back and has his feet up on the panel. His eye is closed, his head leaned back, and he seems very relaxed. Occasionally his nose will twitch and he rubs it. The door slides open and CASSIE walks in. She is wearing a normal body suit and has a partial set of red spell gems on. She glares down at Kinjite and shakes her head. Cassie (grumbling) “Typical for a male, lazy.” Kinjite opens his eye partially and looks up at her. Kinjite (calmly) ”What is it this time, Cassie? Forget how to use the food dispenser?” Cassie glares at him and sits in the co pilot seat. Cassie (coldly) ”I came up here to see where we are heading and I find a lazy male sleeping at the controls.” Kinjite (closing his eye) ”Oh, the tea option is broken. Is that why you are acting like the Ice Queen?” Cassie (hissing) ”You arrogant male! You just lay up here like there is nothing wrong!” (reaches over and flips the pilot stick) ”Do you even care where we are heading?!” Kinjite (eye still closed) ”Sure I do. I am completely aware of our destination and where we are flying.” (points to a switch) ”I also believe in auto pilot and relaxing a little.” Cassie glares at him as he lays there. He opens his eye and looks at her. Kinjite (calmly) ”What? Didn’t you know about auto pilot? I know you are royalty and all, but I figured even you would have known about auto pilot.” Cassie stands and storms out of the cock pit, muttering something under her breath. Kinjite chuckles as he closes his eye. Kinjite (to himself) ”It has only been two weeks and I am quite sure she wants to kill me.” (he nestles down in his seat and relaxes) “Why do the nicest looking Aldebaran females always have to be so conniving and underhanded?” The shuttle streaks through space in silence. A half hour later… Kinjite is walking down the hall of the shuttle. He stops in front of Cassie’s personal chambers and rings the buzzer. Cassie’s voice (from inside) ”What do you want?” Kinjite (leaning against the door) ”Just thought I would see if you were hungry or if you already grabbed food before you ran in there.” Cassie’s Voice (from inside) ”Leave me alone! I’m fine!” Kinjite (with a shrug) ”Alright. I can play this game. I’ll be in the central room if you need me.” He walks down the hall and into the central room. He walks over to the food dispenser and punches a few buttons. A tray slides out with two bowls of a thick stew. He picks up one and walks over to the air ventilation. He punches a couple of buttons and walks over to the table. He sits and starts eating the stew. Kinjite (to himself) ”Felicia did a good job on this mix.” Above his head, the air is pulled into the vent, along with the smells. It quickly spreads through the ship and into Cassie’s chambers. A few seconds later, Cassie walks into the central room. She walks over and picks up the second bowl. She sits across from Kinjite and glares at him, again. Cassie (flatly) ”That was a dirty trick.” Kinjite (with the spoon in his mouth) ”Yeah, but it worked.” Cassie (starting to eat) ”Where are we heading?” Kinjite (examining the spoon) ”Andoris. I have always wanted to meet the Andoris Apes. I’ve heard that they are an enlightened race.” (looks at Cassie) ”Maybe they might even be able to teach you the way to become a social able feline.” Cassie glares at him again as he gets up. He walks over and sets the empty bowl on the tray. Kinjite (with a stretch) ”Have to remember to ask Felicia about the recipe.” Cassie stops and looks down at her half empty bowl. Kinjite looks over at her and sees this. Kinjite (walking out the door) ”What, you didn’t’ know Felicia knew how to cook? Don’t feel bad, neither did I.” He walks out the door and back up to the cockpit. Cassie quickly finishes her stew and walks back to her chambers. Scene 2 Andoris The shuttle slowly lands and the ramp extends. A couple of male apes walk up and wait patiently, as Kinjite and Cassie walk down it. The apes bow to them and Kinjite bows back. He looks over and sees that Cassie isn’t and a tendril snaps her in the ribs, causing her to bow quickly. Male Ape #1 (gently) ”Welcome to our humble planet, outsiders. We are happy to see visitors, but we do ask that you please refrain from causing any problems while you are here.” Kinjite (nodding) ”Of course. Where might we be able to buy a few supplies and trinkets in our travels?” Male Ape #2 (gesturing) ”The market square is in that direction. How long might you be staying for?” Kinjite “One night. Can you tell me of a decent place to stay for the night?” Male Ape #2 “What are your tastes?” Kinjite ”The sun is nice to see and the breeze is good to feel in the morning.” Male Ape #2 (smiling) ”The Banzai is a quiet little inn that is in the upper branches. Their food is good and rooms are fair priced.” Kinjite (bowing again) ”Thank you. It is nice to meet you two.” The Apes nod and walk off. Kinjite turns and looks at Cassie. Kinjite (patiently) ”Your not royalty anymore. You really should remember to bow to others, if they bow to you.” He turns and walks down the walkway and doesn’t see Cassie stick her tongue out at him. She quickly follows him into the Market Square. That evening… Kinjite opens the door to the room and steps in. He looks around and nods, as he steps out of the way. Cassie walks in and looks around. There is a plush couch, a table with two chairs, one bed, a bathroom, and small hot tub on a balcony. Kinjite walks over and flops on couch. Cassie stands by the door and looks at him. Cassie (bluntly) ”One bed? You expect me to sleep in the same bed as *you*?” Kinjite (stretching) ”Not at all. I expect you to sleep in the bed. I plan on sleeping on this couch.” (looking at Cassie with mock horror) ”I mean seriously, what would your aunt think?” Cassie glares at him and walks into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Kinjite watches and lies back in the couch. Kinjite (to himself) ”She’d probably think I was crazy or drunk as hell.” A few minutes later, he hears the bathroom door open, but doesn’t move. Cassie “Are you just going to lay there?” Kinjite (not moving as he stares at the ceiling) ”It’s comfy. Why, are you hungry already?’ He hears a snort and some footsteps. A few moments later, he hears the hot tub start up. He hears a slight gasp shortly followed by a sigh. Cassie “Royalty or not, after being stuck on that damn shuttle for two weeks, this is a luxury.” Kinjite turns his head and sees her head above the edge of the hot tub. Kinjite (watching her) ”Enjoy it. We are leaving tomorrow.” Cassie looks at him and slides across the hot tub, so she is facing him. Cassie “Why don’t you ever stay in one place for very long? For the last two weeks, we flew through space! A couple of days on this planet aren’t going to kill us!” Kinjite (laying flat on the couch) ”To sit in one place for to long will make you a target. My job, given to me by the Throne, is to protect you and guard you. We leave tomorrow morning.” Cassie (with a snort) ”I bet you acted like this with your wife! I can see why she left you!” Kinjite quickly bites his lip and holds back his retort. He rolls over on the couch and closes his eye. A tear still slips out and he wipes it away. Cassie laughs as she hears the silence and lies back in the tub, enjoying the reaction. After awhile, she gets out, dries off and puts on a robe. She walks over and sits on the bed. She looks over at Kinjite and he simply rolls over to face away from her. Cassie (teasing) ”What? The mighty male has nothing to say?” Kinjite (calmly) ”I have plenty to say, but I will only say this. I know my wife is with my daughter and they will return to me with open arms and love. You have nothing to return to on Aldebaran except females who will always think of you as a traitor and you will never feel the warmth of another’s heart.” Cassie just sits there in silence as his words sink in. She gets up and walks into the bathroom, quickly. After a few moments, she comes out in a nightgown and climbs into the bed. A tendril rises from Kinjite’s shoulder and flicks the lights off. The next morning… Kinjite wakes up to the sound of some worry sounding words in the hall. He gets up and walks over. He opens the odor and sees two Apes out there talking. One is a male in working clothes and the other is a female wearing a dress. Kinjite recognizes the female from the front counter. Kinjite (rubbing his eye) ”Is everything alright?” The Apes turn to him, realizing he is there. The male opens his mouth and suddenly clamps it shut. The Female looks at the male and shoves him. Female (angrily) ”Ask him!” The male looks at her in anger and remains silent. Kinjite (leaning against the door frame) ”Ask me what?” The male clears his throat and looks at Kinjite. Male (hesitantly) ”Are you…the Kinjite from Aldebaran legends?” Kinjite (with a sigh) ”Yes, but I am not…” The male suddenly grabs both of Kinjite’s shoulders in a tight grip. Male (quickly) ”I and my wife need your help! Our little daughter was wandering in the woods and came up missing! The Howlers are out and about and she’s been gone for a full night! Please, you have to help us!” (Cassie walks up behind Kinjite in a robe) ”I am sorry to bug you and your lady friend so early in the morning, but according to the legends, you are the only one who can stand up to a Howler!” Cassie raises an eyebrow at the mention of “lady friend” but remains silent. Kinjite gently pries the Ape’s paws off. Kinjite (quietly) ”I’m sorry but I am already on an assignment.” Female Ape (pleading) ”Please Kinjite! She is only six and our only child! I’ll let you stay here as long as you need if you can find her!” Kinjite looks at the two large apes. He sees the tears welling up in the Female’s eyes and the worry on the male’s face. Kinjite (thinking) (out loud) ”Alright, I’ll find her for you. I’ll need a little information thought. First what does she look like and second, what is a Howler?” The Female grabs him in a giant hug, crushing the air from his lungs. She sets him down and pulls out a picture of a young female ape. Kinjite takes the picture and slides it into a pocket. Male (relieved) ”The Howlers are a savage predator. We tried using masers on them, but it just seems to irritate them! They stand about four foot high at the shoulders. They have large jaws that have several rows of teeth. They run around on all four and have nasty four inch talons on each paw. You will know if they are after you, because they start howling and it increases with volume as they close in.” Kinjite (nodding) ”Alright. I’ll do my best. If I find her and she is already gone, do you want me to bring back the remains?” The female gaps in horror and the male shushes her. He turns to Kinjite. Male (nodding) ”I hope you find her alive, but if you don’t please bring back what you can.” Kinjite nods and turns around, realizing Cassie is standing there. Kinjite (gruffly) ”Get dressed. We are heading out now.” He shuts the door and the two Apes stand there for a second. Male (scratching his head) ”I thought Aldebaran females order the males around.” The two Apes turn and walk down the hall. The Female is crying gently as they walk. Scene 3 Andoris, later that afternoon Kinjite is walking through the underbrush and Cassie is right behind him. Cassie (nonchalantly) ”So let me get this right, you say your job is to guard me, but yet you still take this job to look for a lost child, who is more than likely dead. Why?’ Kinjite walks in silence for a few seconds. He is using a tendril, shaped like a machete to cut a trail. He stops and looks at Cassie. Kinjite (quietly) ”Cassie, I am guessing you don’t have any kittens of your own or ever had any. I am a father. I know the pain of when you don’t know where your daughter or son is or if their safe. It is worse than any physical pain you will ever feel.” He turns and cuts through a bush. Cassie watches him as he walks off. She falls in step behind him again. Cassie (calmly) ”So just because their daughter is missing, you will put the assignment you received from the Throne on hold?” Kinjite (cutting through a bush) ”Two things Cassie. First, Queen Katrina would never forgive me if I didn’t help them. Second, I didn’t stop the assignment. You are still with me aren’t you?” They walk in silence for several moments. Cassie (thinking) (studies his bare upper body) A period of silence passes and Kinjite soon finds another place to camp. He slowly sits down and leans his back against the wall. Cassie sits against the other wall. Cassie (looking at him) ”How’s your back?” Kinjite (quietly) ”Sore, but I will manage.” Cassie just sits there and watches him. Her eyes trace his upper body and they soon fall on the eye patch. Cassie (curious) ”How did you loose your eye?” Kinjite (looking at her) ”I lost it saving Queen Katrina from a falling boulder. We were teenagers at the time.” Cassie (wrapping her arms around her knees) ”So even back then, you were saving Aldebarans.” Kinjite (looking up at the stars) ”Cassie, I don’t know what they said about me during that time and I really don’t care. I have always valued life, despite what the Sister Hood said. I even helped demons in the world of Darkness.” Cassie (intrigued) ”So what did you do that caught your wife’s eye?” Kinjite looks over at the Aldebaran. He carefully studies her face and eyes. He shakes his head and closes his eye. Kinjite (quietly) ”I really don’t want to talk about it right now.” Cassie watches him and sees the discomfort on his face at the mention of his wife. Cassie (with a shrug) ”Fair enough. Is it safe to sleep here?” Kinjite nods silently. Cassie lies down and rests her head on her arms. Kinjite opens his eye and watches her as she falls asleep. He notices her shiver a little and shakes his head in amusement. He closes his eye again and drifts off to sleep. The next morning… Cassie rolls over and feels something under her head. She reaches up and touches it and finds fabric. She opens her eyes and looks around. She sees Kinjite’s leg under her head and she is curled by up by him. She slowly sits up and looks around. Kinjite is sleeping gently. As she stretches, he opens his eye and sees her. Cassie (yawning) ”Why did you put my head on your lap?” Kinjite (calmly) You looked uncomfortable and you were shivering.” Cassie glares at him and stands up. Cassie (bluntly) ”I didn’t ask for your help, male! Now let’s get going so you can find that damn ape!” Kinjite mutters something and gets up. He unties his shirt and stretches a little. He can still feel the tenderness, but not as bad. He drapes his shirt over his shoulder and starts walking. The sun is rising over the horizon. A couple of hours later… Cassie swats a bug as they walk through a bog. Cassie (irritated) ”What makes you think that the child went this way or that she is even still alive?” Kinjite (over his shoulder) ”First of all, children are amazing survivors. They aren’t bound to thinking in logical ways as adults are. Obviously, those Howlers are fast on the ground. I am guessing she climbed a tree in fear and started going through the branches. The logical thing would be head towards the town in hopes of getting to safety, but sooner or later, she would have to be on the ground. The illogical thing would be go deeper into the woods and hope that they Howlers would loose interest.” Cassie (pushing aside a soggy bush) ”That is stupid! If she went deeper, she would run the risk of running into more! Face it, she probably died in the first night.” Kinjite nods and looks around. His eye narrows and he smiles. He wades through the muck and reaches into a tree. Kinjite (reaching up) ”That is a strong possibility.” (pulls down a brightly colored piece of fabric.) “Can you tell me when trees started wearing the same fabric that your jump suit is made out of?” Cassie wades up and looks at the fabric. She looks at Kinjite and he is studying the tree. He suddenly leaps up and grabs a branch. He pulls himself up and disappears into the tree branches. A few moments go by and Cassie stands there watching. Suddenly a black paw reaches down and grabs her shirt. Kinjite (pulling her up) ”Come on or are you wanting to stay in the mud?” Cassie is pulled up into the branches and set on a thick branch. Kinjite is studying the area. Cassie (looking around) ”The branches are wide enough to walk on easily.” Kinjite (kneeling down on a branch) “Correct and I am guessing that the fabric was torn as she ran by here. Then the wind blew it down to where I found it.” (he touches the branch and sniffs his finger tips) ”She is about four hours ahead of us. I am guessing she is still running, by the smell of sweat on this scrape.” He rises and starts walking. Cassie quickly follows him. Cassie ”Sweat?” Kinjite (nose wrinkling) ”Yeah, apparently she lost her shoes and she really needs to wash her feet.” Cassie just shakes her head and they walk in silence. Scene 4 Deeper in the Bog Kinjite leaps from a branch and lands on another. He turns and sees Cassie leap as well. She stumbles and he ends up catching her. She briefly clings to him and regains her balance. Kinjite (smirking) “Well, this is a change. You clinging to me?” Cassie immediately yanks herself away from him and glares at him. Cassie (glaring still) ”How much farther?” Kinjite, smiling, turns and looks around. Suddenly there is a weak cry for help. Kinjite (darting) ”That way!” They leap from branches to branches as they bound through the trees. Kinjite lands on a branch and looks down. Below him, he sees a group of Howlers circling a tall tree stump. Through a crack in the upper part of the stump, he can see the young Ape. Cassie lands next to him and looks down. Cassie “I’ll be damned, she is alive.” Kinjite (quietly) “Hush!” (quickly counts the Howlers) ”Eight of them? This isn’t going to be easy.” Cassie (muttering) ”No kidding. What was your first clue?” Kinjite looks around and spits on the branch. Kinjite (muttering) ”Stars! I wish I had a piece of obsidian!” (he tears off a chuck of dried tree sap) ”Hope the spell works with this.” Cassie watches as his paw glows slightly and the crystallized sap melds into his paw. She looks at him and notices that his fur takes on a golden tint. Cassie (curious) ”What did you do?” Kinjite (quietly) ”A simple alchemical spell. It toughens up my fur, but it is meant to work with obsidian. I can only hope crystallized sap is a good enough substitute.” Cassie (muttering) ”Great, so it will take them longer to tear you apart. What am I suppose to do? Deliver myself as dessert?” Kinjite (shaking his head) ”No stupid!” (points to the top of the stump) ”Leap over there when they go after me. Get the girl and get out of here! I’ll catch up with you.” With that, Kinjite leaps off the branch and lands on the back of a Howler, sinking his claws in. The Howler screeches in pain and starts thrashing around, bucking and throwing itself, trying to dislodge the cat on it’s back. The other Howlers turn and see this. They leap onto the other one and Kinjite. The whole group quickly becomes a thrashing pile of legs, talons, and teeth that rolls out of the clearing. Cassie watches and waits for a few seconds. She then leaps over on to the tree stump. She hears a gasp of fright from inside. She breaks open a weak spot and the Ape sees her. Cassie (quickly) ”Come on! Let’s get out of here!” The young ape quickly climbs up and onto her back. Cassie turns and leaps to another branch. The sounds of the fight pick up in pitch as other howls are heard. Cassie bolts through the branches towards the town as fast as she can, with an ape child on her back. At the fight… Kinjite leaps up and barely avoids a bite aimed at his leg. He brings his foot spinning around and smashes it downward into the Howler’s snout. There is a crunch and the Howler falls to the ground. Kinjite launches a tendril up and grabs a tree branch. He pulls himself up ward and barely avoids another bite. He quickly rolls up into the tendril like a giant yoyo and launches himself through the branches in a spinning fashion. He flips around and grabs a smaller branch. Kinjite (shaking his head) ”Now to clear my head and figure out which way is up.” (Suddenly the branch breaks and Kinjite looks up in disbelief) ”That was fast!” He drops to the bog down below and lands with a plop in the mud and water. His head breaks through the surface, just in time to see a Howler lunging towards him. Kinjite quickly ducks back under the water, as the Howler bites towards him. In the Branches… Cassie runs as long as she can. She stops and leans against the tree. It is darker now and the sun is disappearing over the mountains. The Ape is clinging to her back in fear. Suddenly there is a familiar sound of a shuttle over head. Cassie (yelling and waving her arms) ”Down here! Hey! We’re down here!” The shuttle circles over head. Voice (over speakers) ”We hear you, but it is to dark to see! Do you have a flare or something?” Cassie quickly casts a simple spell and she and the ape glow brightly. Voice (over speaker) ”We see you! Lowering a basket on a cable! Climb in and we will haul you up!” Cassie watches as a basket is lowered. Just as it gets low enough, a howler lunges forward. Cassie slam dunks the ape into the basket. She back flips into the basket, landing a solid kick against the lower jaw of the Howler. The basket is yanked up and the Howler falls to the ground. It gets up and tries biting again, but the basket is out of reach. The basket is raised to the shuttle and brought in through the air lock. Cassie climbs out of the basket and collapses on the ground, beside the young ape. A medical crew starts checking them both as the shuttle races towards the town. Later in the town… Cassie is walking out of the shuttle, with the Ape holding her paw. She stops and looks around. The Captain is behind her. Cassie (quickly) ”I almost forgot! There is an other cat out there, fighting those creatures!” Captain (shaking his head) ”Sorry to hear that, ma’am, but with the number of Howlers I saw when we found you, it is safe to say that the other one is probably dead by now.” Cassie (getting angry) ”I’ve seen that cat take on stronger things than those Howlers and you expect me to sit here and think he is dead? That is bull!” Captain (with a shrug) ”Believe what you want, but even Kinjite of legends couldn’t take as many Howlers as I saw out there.” The Captain turns and walks off. Cassie watches him and looks down at the young Ape. Cassie (sighing) ”Let’s get you home.” They walk down the street towards the inn. In the bog… Everything seems quiet and peaceful. Suddenly a busted up Howler is launched out of the water in a spray of water and blood. A bloodied and battered Kinjite breaks the surface and takes a deep breath. Kinjite (gasping) ”Stars! Just how many of these damn things are there!?” He dives to the side as another bites down towards his shoulder, barely missing. He leaps out of the water and a tendril snaps out of his left wrist. It lies out under him and he lands on it. He shoots through the bog, leaving a spray of water and mud beneath him. He streaks towards the town and suddenly swerves to the left. Kinjite (to himself) ”Damn, as many as I have following, going to the town is the worst idea!” (looks around as he races through the trees) ”I need something to even up the odds.” (spots two large old growth trees) ”Bingo! Just what the psycho ordered!” He swerves around and streaks towards the trees. As he approaches, He raises his right paw and a large orb of darkness begins growing. Kinjite (as he touches the first and second tree in one pass) ”A little of dark energy and negative current combined with living matter…” (the trees start shifting and bending) …and the forest will fight back!” He whips his impromptu sled around and lands on the first tree, as it stands up out of the ground. The main trunk cracks and bends into a face on both trees. Several Howlers come running up and stop at the sight of the two towering humanoid trees. Kinjite (sitting in the upper branches of the first tree) ”Hey, some friends of mine heard we were rumbling in the swamps and wanted to play as well!” The first tree brigs it foot slamming down onto several Howlers that were sitting near each other. At the inn… Cassie is watching the Mother hug her daughter tightly. She turns to the Father as he talks to her. Father (quietly) ”Where is you male friend?” Cassie just stands there and looks at the Male ape for a few seconds. Cassie (thinking) (out loud) ”He attacked a pack of Howlers to provide a distraction to get your daughter out of a tree stump.” Father (sadly) ”That is sad. Reports say that the Howlers are highly active. I’m afraid that even he won’t be a match for as many as we are picking up out there.” Cassie (nodding) ”Probably, but I am sure that if he was to die, he would want to die fighting.” She looks out the window as the moon rises over the horizon. Her eyes narrow as she sees tow tall trees moving around. Cassie (eyes widening) ”What are those?!” in the bog… The two trees are ripping apart the Howlers. Kinjite is using his tendrils to attack from on top of the first tree. In a matter of minutes several Howlers are laying dead and the others retreat back into the bog. Kinjite (patting the trunk) ”Good job, old fellow. Let’s head towards the town.” The two trees turn and begin trudging through the bog, towards the town. In the town… Several apes are running around in fear as the two towering figures approach the town. Maser turrets are turned and aimed as shuttles are beginning to lift off. Cassie runs to the edge of town and her eyes open even wider as she sees a familiar black cat riding on a shoulder of the first one. Cassie (yelling) “Don’t fire! Their with a friend of mine!” (thinking) The Apes hold their fire and watch as the first tree kneels down and Kinjite leaps off. He turns to the trees. Kinjite (ordering) ”You two heard your orders! Keep the Howlers away from the town!” The trees turn and wade back into the bog and Kinjite turns around to face the crowds. He waves gently and collapses from exhaustion and blood loss. Cassie (thinking as she looks at his still form) She watches as a medical crew puts him on a stretcher and rushes him to the medical facility. Scene 6 The Next Day Cassie wakes up in the bed of their room. She lays there looking at the ceiling. She watches the sun come through little holes in the roof and creating a series of little spots of light on the room’s floor. Cassie (thinking) She slowly slides out of bed and walks over to the hot tub and turns it on. She slides in and relaxes as the warm water flows around her. Cassie (thinking) She closes her eyes and relaxes further. A short while later, she steps out of the hot tub and quickly dries off. She pulls on her body suit and walks out the door. In the Medical Facility… Kinjite is lying on the bed, wrapped in bandages and has an IV in his arm. There are a couple of machines off to the side tracking his vitals, even though he is awake. He is staring at the ceiling as well. Kinjite (thinking) (he looks down at his body and sighs) A tear rolls down his cheek and he lays his head to the side. Kinjite (thinking) (looks back at his wounds and anger raises in him) He sits up and yanks the IV out of his arm. He rips a piece of the blanket and binds his arm. He pulls off the wires and slides out of bed. Kinjite (hissing) ”I survived four hundred frelling years in the world of darkness! I fought creatures ten times stronger than these damn Howlers! So why am I laying here liked a whipped kitten?” He storms over and pulls out the remains of his clothing from the closet. He pulls on his pants and tosses the shirt in the garbage. He turns to the door and a Ape nurse comes in. Nurse (shocked) ”What are you doing out of bed?” Kinjite (pushing past her) ”Leaving.” He walks down the hall and people step out of his way. Everyone goes quiet as they see the bandaged cat walking down the hall. He walks out the doors and comes face to face with an Ape wearing a military suit. Ape (nodding) ”Good, you’re a quick healer. I was coming to speak with you anyways.” Kinjite (with a shrug) ”Fine, you can walk and talk.” The Ape nods and falls into step beside him. Ape (walking) “I was sent to request your help. After your little stunt yesterday, we have detected a large increase in Howlers around the town. Normally, this would not be a concern due to our defense net, but we are noticing that they are acting strategically. They have torn apart two of our troop movements.” Kinjite “Sorry to hear that, but not my problem.” Ape (while walking) ”Does the name Anglosax mean anything to you?” Kinjite stops in mid stride and looks at the Ape. His eye burns with rage. Kinjite (trying to control his rage) ”Where did you hear that name?!” Ape (taking a step back) ”It is a name the survivors of the attacks told us. They heard it from the Howlers. Somehow their speaking now!” Kinjite (anger now out of control, grabs the Ape and pulls him down to his face) ”YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT FRELLING DEMON IS ON THE MATERIAL PLANE?!” The Ape’s face grows white as he feels the blood drain from his face. Other Apes stop and watch. Ape (terrified) “D-D-D-Demon?” Kinjite shoves the Ape aside and storms down the street. Ape (getting up) ”Where are you going?” Kinjite (over his shoulder) ”To get my damn armor! Have someone find me some damn obsidian and diamonds!” The Ape stands there for a second and runs off the opposite direction. A few blocks away… Cassie is walking down the street towards the medical facility. She looks up and sees a determined Kinjite storming in her direction. She stops and watches him as he walks up and past her. Cassie quickly falls in step beside him. Cassie “And just where are you going?” Kinjite (harshly) ”To kill someone!” Cassie stops and watches him storm onto the shuttle. She just stands there confused. A few minutes later, Kinjite storms off the shuttle wearing his armor. Little flames of black fire and white fire leap around on his fur. Cassie steps back and watches as he storms past her again. She falls in step with him again. Cassie (irritated now) ”What is going on?” Kinjite (staring ahead) ”An old enemy is here and he will frelling DIE this time!” Cassie (calmly) ”And who is this enemy?” Kinjite “Anglosax!” Cassie stops dead in her tracks as Kinjite keeps walking. Cassie (shocked) ”A demon Prince! When did you make an enemy out of one of them?!” Kinjite (over his shoulder) ”When the Sister Hood sealed me away! Only this time, the bastard has a body and will die!” Cassie quickly shakes her head and catches up with him. At the Military Compound… Kinjite storms through the main gates and the Soldier Apes step to the side as he comes through. The Ape from earlier steps in beside him, carrying a pouch. Ape (offering the pouch) ”The Head of Military was able to retrieve the items you asked for, sir.” Kinjite (snatching the pouch) ”Fine.” (stuffs the pouch into his armor) ”How strong is your defense net?” Ape (proudly) ”Second only to Genus, sir! Kinjite (flatly) ”Yeah, Genus got conquered. Is it on at least?” Ape (nodding) ”Yes sir.” Kinjite (still walking) ”I can walk through it, right?” Ape (nodding) ”Any mammal can walk through it.” Kinjite (picking up speed) ”Fine!” He darts through the Compound and through the hazy blue barrier. Cassie quickly follows him. They immediately sink in the bog. Kinjite turns to Cassie. Kinjite (trying not to yell) ”What the hell are you doing here?!” Cassie just stands there stunned by his actions. Suddenly several Howlers surround them. Kinjite glares at them. A Howler steps forward. Howler #1 (growling) ”You are the one that the Alpha is looking for!” Kinjite (growling) ”Tell Anglosax to quit hiding and get his tail out here!” There is an evil laughter from behind the Howlers. A larger and bulkier Howler steps up and glares at Kinjite. Kinjite’s ears lay back and his claws unsheathe. Cassie steps back towards the barrier. Apes are watching from the other side. Kinjite (hissing) ”Anglosax!” Anglosax (amused) ”Well, that weak and pathetic cat survived? I am impressed. Especially after I ate your teacher!” Kinjite stands there, rage burning in his eye. Cassie can see his body swelling with anger and rage. Anglosax (taunting) ”So I am guessing that you think that I can be killed since I am in this mangy creature’s body?” (laughs and sneers at Kinjite) ”Don’t forget, little cat! This isn’t my body! I don’t have a body and you can’t kill me! You will kill this creature and I will merely slip back into the world of Darkness again!” Kinjite (sneering as well) ”Is that so? Try this on for size then! Athiyk Ulu Siltrin!” Anglosax’s eyes widen in horror as his body glows briefly. He quickly looks at himself and glares with pure hatred at Kinjite Anglosay (rage in his eyes) ”Spirit to flesh?! I’m going to kill you!” The giant Howler lunges at Kinjite, Kinjite whips around and lands a solid kick in the creature’s face, The creature whips around and lands on its back. It whirls around and quickly regains its feet. Anglosax (eyeing Kinjite) ”You’ve gotten stronger.” Kinjite (reaching in the pouch) ”Yeah I have and I have learned a lot from Antori!” He flips his hand into the air. A piece of obsidian and a diamond fly upward and separate as they start to fall. Kinjite catches one in each hand and squeezes. Cassie’s eyes widen as she hears them both crunch into powder. Anglosax takes a step back in amazement Kinjite (growling) ”Every spirit is a demon and every demon is a spirit!” As his words finish, there is a flash of light. Cassie quickly rubs her eyes and stares at Kinjite in shock. His fur is now has a black metallic sheen to it as does his hair. His eye is know crystalline and faceted His body is larger and his armor is stretched to fit. Anglosax (hissing) ”Alchemical magic!” (turns to the Howlers) ”Destroy the town! I no longer want it standing!” Cassie (gulping) ”Uh-oh!” She turns and dives back through the barrier as the sounds of multiple howls go through the sky. To the Apes’ horror, Howlers start leaping through the barrier! Cassie runs towards the shuttle, but a Howler lands in front of her, growling. She dives to the side and flings an energy blast at it, catching it in the face. She runs down the street, towards the Inn. Scene 7 Outside the barrier Anglosax and Kinjite collide into each other. They tumble into the mud and water, thrashing and tearing at each other. Sparks fly from each other as their claws tearing into each other’s flesh. Kinjite kicks the large Howler away form him and flips up to his feet. The Howler lands on the ground, panting. Suddenly its joints twist and some of the flesh tears. It rises up on its hind legs and the forelegs suddenly bend to match arms. Kinjite raises his arms and waits. Suddenly the Howler lunges again and they collide again in a shower of sparks. Near the Inn… Cassie rolls across the ground and flings another energy blast. It rips through a Howler and drops it to the ground. She rises to her feet and looks around. Several Howlers are circling her, growling. Cassie raises her paws and a barrier forms around her. A Howler lunges towards her and slams into the barrier. It is knocked back as energy crackles all over its body. Another Howler steps up and studies her. Howler #1 (sneer in its voice) ”She is a spell caster like the Alpha described. Her energies will wear out. We just have to wait.” Cassie (Thinking to herself) She watches as Apes fire on the Howlers and have little effect. She closes her eyes but can’t stop hearing the screams of the innocent dying around her. Suddenly. Kinjite comes flying across the ground, taking out a couple of Howlers as he skips across the ground. Cassie drops her shield and runs towards a tree. She quickly climbs up it, barely avoiding the bite of a Howler. She looks around and notices that several civilian apes did the same. On the ground, Kinjite looks up and sees the others in the trees. Kinjite (quickly) ”Works for me!” He slams a fist into the ground and the trees suddenly stand up. They move in closer and form a defensive ring around the mammals. Kinjite turns and stares at the rapidly approaching Anglosax, who stops as the trees move. Anglosax (growling) ”Parlor tricks! Moving trees won’t stop my warriors!” Kinjite smiles and points behind Anglosax. Anglosax turns and sees the two trees from earlier behind him. One of them lands a sold kick into a group of Howlers. Kinjite (sneering) ”And the trees fight back!” Anglosax turns back in time to receive a savage blow across the face from a leaping Kinjite. They tumble across the ground again, kicking and clawing each other. Suddenly they both fly apart and slam into the ground. Kinjite leaps to his feet and raises his paws above his head. With an archaic cry, he slams both paws into the ground. A shock wave rips through the ground, leaving a jagged crack as it goes. Howlers are flung aside as straw before a storm, as the shockwave races towards Anglosax. Anglosax raises his arms and the shockwave slams into him. The ground explodes around him and behind him, but he is unmoved or unharmed by the attack. He stomps down with a cry. Kinjite instinctively dives to the side as a long jagged rock, shoots upward from under him, flips around and slams back down into the ground, just a mere inches from his tail. They stand facing each other across the torn opening that use to be the market. Anglosax smiles evilly as he watches Kinjite. Anglosax (with a shrug) ”To bad you have a heart, Kinjite. As strong as you are, we could have taken any of the demon princes and beaten them!” Kinjite (wiping some blood from his eye) ”Excuse me for caring!” He flips the blood to the ground and the drops of blood erupt into twin streams of black flames. The flames race across the ground, towards Anglosax. Anglosax just shakes his head and leaps over the flames. Anglosax “I thought you would not even consider that attack! It is so easy to dodge!” Kinjite (suddenly clenching his bloodied fingers into a fist) ”Normally it is!” Suddenly the streams leap up from the ground and wrap around Anglosax. As soon as he is in the middle of the flaming coils, they suddenly explode. Kinjite lowers his paw and waits. Suddenly Anglosax appears in front of him and lands a lighting fast spin kick, that flings Kinjite across the clearing. Anglos (panting) ”Nice trick, but not good enough!” Up in the trees… Cassie is watching the two combatants tear at each other. She watches more intently when they start using unique attack spells and tricks. Cassie (thinking) She continues watching as the fight continues. Down below… Kinjite slams into a tree and leaps forward as soon as his feet touch the ground. He and Anglosax collide and rapidly exchange blows. They are both launched from each other. As Cassie watches, they literally mirror each others movements. They both dig their paws into the ground as they skid across it on their backs and flip over onto their feet. They begin running towards each other and Cassie can see energy flowing out of the ground into each other. They both run forward and leap. Their legs snap out towards each other. Just as they collide, there is a huge explosion. Just before the explosion, Cassie sees Anglosax smile. Then the explosion and a wall of darkness appear around the trees. The shockwave hits Cassie and slams her into the tree trunk and everything goes dark. Outside the Dark barrier… Anglosax looks up from where he landed and sees the wall. He turns to Kinjite and smiles. Kinjite pulls himself out of a pile of rock and dirt and stands waiting. He glances over and sees the barrier as well. He grins and looks back at Anglosax. Anglosax (arrogantly) ”One last ditch effort to save them?” Kinjite (shaking hie head) ”Nope. Just figured I would make the battlefield more even by taking away the only thing stopping me from going all out.” Anglosax stands there fro a second and studies the cat. Anglosax (firmly) ”Then let’s see your best, furball!” Kinjite (walking forward) ”You know what? I was going to let this battle end after that last kick. I was going to forget everything you did to my teacher, but you know what? I’ve changed my frelling mind after those last remarks! You’ve done pissed me OFF!” Suddenly, \Kinjite vanishes and appears right in front of Anglosax, landing a vicious upper cut with claws extended. Anglosax flies up and backwards in a shower of blood. Scene 8 An unknown time later Cassie slowly opens her eyes and finds an Ape standing by her. She slowly sits up and the Ape offers a hand up. She takes it and stands. She looks around and sees that she is standing on the ground. She also sees several Betelgusian Berserker Baboons walking around. Cassie (rubbing the back of her head) ”What the hell happened?” Ape (keeping an eye on her) ”I’m not sure. That black wall appeared before the group and we all felt the shockwave come through it. It knocked you into the tree and you hit your head hard. Next thing we saw was the wall fell after about thirty minutes and the Betelgusains were here, fighting the Howlers and being more effective with their fist than we were with our weapons.” Cassie looks around and notices that the area is completely destroyed, except the trees they were in. Cassie (looking around) ”Where is Kinjite?” A bettelgusian stops when she asks and looks at her. Betelgusian Baboon (looking at her) ”You mean da black feline? He is in da medical tent. Something wrong wid’ him.” Cassie looks at the tent and runs over to it. She comes through the flaps and sees a Baboon trying to restrain Kinjite, who is thrashing around on a cot. Cassie (running up) ”What’s going on?” Baboon (holding onto Kinjite) ”He went into convulsions about ten minutes ago! There seems to be a foreign substance in his stomach!” Suddenly Kinjite knocks the baboon aside and rolls off the cot. He lands on his knees, holding his throat. Cassie quickly kneels by him and shakes him. Cassie (urgent) ”What is it?!” Kinjite (choking) ”Wa…ter! I…need wa..ter!” Cassie (glaring at the Baboon) ”Get him some water!” A Berseker quickly hands over a canteen and Kinjite snatches it from his paw. He yanks the top off and takes a large swallow. He quickly yanks the canteen away from his mouth and vomits on the ground. Cassie takes a step back as he does to avoid the splatter, but stops. She sees blood in the vomit, as well as chunks of obsidian and diamond. He vomits three more times and more chunks come out. After the fourth time, he takes another drink and coughs a little. He pulls himself up on the cot and drops onto the cot, gasping. Kinjite (gasping) ”Damn…spell.” He takes another swallow of water and hands the canteen back to the Berseker. Cassie walks up, avoiding the mess on the ground. Cassie (looking at him and the floor) ”What kind of magic is that?” Kinjite (rolling over) ”I”ll tell you in the morning. I need to rest.” Cassie stands there for a second and watches him. She shakes her head and walks form the tent. The next morning… Cassie wakes up and sits up on the blanket she is laying on. Kinjite is sitting next to her, wide awake. Kinjite (calmly) ”It is time to go. Cassie shakes her head in disbelief and gets up. Kinjite turns to a Berseker and nods. Then he turns and walks towards their shuttle. Cassie follows him into the shuttle and up to the cockpit. Kinjite sits down and punches a few buttons. Cassie sits in the copilot seat and watches him. A few minutes later, the shuttle lifts and shoots into the sky. Scene 9 Space, a few hours later Cassie walks into the dining area and looks at Kinjite, who is sitting in a chair reading a paper. Cassie (walking over_ ”Alright, I have waited for almost half the blasted day. What kind of magic was that?” Kinjite (setting the paper down on the table) ”I was wondering when you going to ask again.” (looks at Cassie_ ”That is an ancient type of magic from the World of Darkness. It is Alchemical magic. Basically it alters your body, but it has a price.” Cassie (sitting down) ”You used that same kind of magic to save the young ape and it didn’t’ do anything to you.” Kinjite (nodding) ”It is the same magic, but it was much weaker. The stronger the spell, the stronger the price is. I altered my body to almost living steel with the last use. When the spell expired, that stuff became highly toxic and I needed to get it out of my body. That is why I needed the water. When water is mixed with the components after the spell is over, it makes you throw up.” Cassie (leaning forward on the table, interested) ”The Archive doesn’t mention anything about that kind of magic. They say that the price of magic usage is you become exhausted.” Kinjiet (nodding) ”Normally it is, but Alchemical Magic is also known as Demon magic. Demons aren’t gentle.” Cassie (raising an eyebrow) ”Demon magic? Who taught you?” Kinjite (quietly) ”My teacher was a succubus. She taught me the magic to help me survive in the world of darkness.” Cassie ”Why would a demon want you to live? I figure it would just make a meal out of you.” Kinjite (shrugging) ”She never said why, but she made me learn the magic. Then she gave her life up fighting Anglosax so I could escape.” Cassie (nodding) ”I see and did you kill Anglosax?” Kinjite (Looking down) ”No, he broke the spell and escaped the body before I could kill him. He got away.” Cassie leans back in her chair and nods. She studies the cat before her and feels a strange stirring in her. Cassie (thinking) Kinjite looks up and sees her looking at him. Kinjite (crossing his arms) ”What are you thinking now, Cassie?” Cassie (standing up) ”Just how much of an enigma you really are, Kinjite. I find that interesting.” Kinjite watches her walk out of the dining area and sighs. Kinjite (muttering) ”First Katrina, then Alissa, and then Ayami. Stars, I hope Cassie isn’t added to that list.” He shakes his head and closes his eye. Scene 10 Samantha’s house Aldebaran Samantha is sitting in a chair reading a book. She looks up as her twelve year old daughter Ariel walks through the door. Ariel is now wearing a partial set of gems and has grown into a slender and athletic young female. She looks at her mom as she shuts the door. Ariel (hopefully) ”Have you heard the latest?” Samantha (shaking her head) ”No, what is it?” Ariel (walking over to the chair across from her mom) ”You know how Cassie took the throne by force, right? I just found out it was Lance who took it back for the Queen!” Samantha (putting her book down) ”And who told you this?” Ariel (smiling) ”Princess Felicia! She also said that he can come back to the planet for short periods of time as well!” Smantha (smiling) ”You seem awfully happy about this news.” Ariel (nodding) ”I am! It means I can see him again after six years! Plus, I heard that some of the Sister Hood is changing their opinions on him as well!” Samatha shakes her head in disbelief. She stands and walks over to the shelves and puts her book back. Samantha (calmly) ”So he can come back for short periods of time and the Sister Hood is starting to change their opinions of him? I wonder what brought this on.” Ariel (confused) ”You don’t sound happy to hear this mom. Why?” Samantha (quietly) ”It will take a lot for him to be fully accepted, because of what happened when he was sealed away. Only he, the Queen, and one Sister knows what happened back then.” (she turns to Ariel) ”Let’s not get our hopes up to high about this.” She stops when she sees the Lizard standing behind her daughter with a sword to her back. She feels a hand grab her around the throat. Voice (beside her) ”Let’s hope a lot, witch. We have a good price on his head and for your sakes I hope he shows up.” (To Be Continued In the Outsider)