Golden

[freakshow]

So I started this story at the beginning of the summer for a friend of mine. It depicts the Origns of Our OCs, Kitty, and Ryuu. Now Currently the two are bing used in an ongoing plotline that we have been carrying out through text messaging since the eighth grade. The Rp is in its third generation right now. Kitty and Ryuu are bsically immortal characters able to change their ages, and forms at will. They also control time space, and are masters of phsychic abilities ((Way OP'd I know). Golden depicts where they came from and how they got their abilities. So while you read. Please enjoy, and Feel free to PM your thoughts on the chapters as they're released. I really appriciate it!

[freakshow]

“Please, no more…” a small voice cried softly. She curled into the concrete corner; her small tail curled around her paws as she wept. “I don’t want to kill anymore” she whimpeed, cowering in her bloodstained white clothes.

“You’ve no choice in that XD07; you will fight as we tell you to!” a masculine voice screeched through the speakers. The young lupine whimpered once more as the lights on the floor began to shut off.

“NO, don’t make it dark! I don’t like the dark!” she screamed, though her cries were in vain seeing as the lights were soon switched off, and the room was engulfed in darkness. Soft sobs echoed an the otherwise silent room. A doorway opened across the floor and bled light into the darkness. An inky figure appeared in the doorway reflecting an eerie light from his glasses.

“This way XD07; it’s time for your evening meal” the voice called. At first hesitant, but soon at a sprinter’s pace the small lupine raced from the dark room into the light. She was handed a small bowl and led down a long corridor. “You know what you must do. You’ve five minutes or you don’t eat” he said sharply. The lights down the hall flickered on and a hatch on the back wall opened; this was the point the she-wolf needed to reach. When the man instructed her to do so the lupe was off down the hall. Suddenly the floor fell from under her, and five pillars of spikes shot up; with little hesitation she bounded from the first to the second, third, and fourth in succession. Leaping to the fifth spike she hesitated jumping up to the ledge. Her ear twitch to the right, and not even moments later the walls opened with a spray of sharpened bamboo spears. The she-wolf was forced to crawl through a web of spears; reaching the other end of the bamboo maze the floor opened once more and a wall of flames was released from the gaping maw in the floor. A yelp echoed the hall, but only because the fae was startled. Carefully pulling herself from under the bamboo trap she took a flying leap over the pit. Patting herself down to douse the flames she placed the bowl in the slot; at this point all traps shut down. Grabbing her bowl she sprinted back towards the trainer; proud of her achievement when she presented her trophy to the gray coated instructor.

“I did it” she chirped tiredly. The trainer his handheld stopwatch before turning the screen to the she-wolf.

“Five minutes….twenty-five seconds” he said coldly. Her ears drooped sadly knowing what was to come. She braced herself as the bowl was slapped from her hands. “You are still too slow XD07!” the man growled “You will not eat tonight” he said shoving her into her cage “Pray you do better come morn” he said coldly. As her cell door slammed shut another closed nearby; the lupine looked to the cell beside her, there sat another of her kind. It was eating out of a small metal bowl.

“Hi” she whispered to him. This was the first being she’d seen other than the scientists and trainers. He looked at her with empty green eyes.

“Hey” he said softly.

“I-I’m XD07” the she-wolf chirped quietly. The male laughed.

“You know that’s just the name the lab gave you” he said.

“What?” she asked.

“That’s not your real name. It’s just a tag” he explained setting his bowl down with disinterest.

“Oh” she replied. “So…What’s your name?” she asked. He looked at her scornfully.

“What does it matter to you? You can’t even remember your own name” he said. The she-wolf backed away deeper into the emptiness of her cell. He shook his head with a sigh, but ever Curious, crawled over to the bars between the cages and sat his bowl down at the bars. “here” he said softly. Reluctant, she slowly inched closer to the bars once more; with a tentative hand she reached for the contents of the bowl. Stuffing a handful of the bitter tasting meal into her starving maw she flashed a chipmunk grin at the male.

“Thank you” she said graciously as she swallowed the contents of her mouth. She glanced at him with innocent eyes, and a pure smile.

“It’s Ryuu, by the way” he said quietly. She looked to him inquisitively as she stuff more food into her mouth.

“hm?” she hummed curiously.

“My name is Ryuu. The cloak jockeys call me XC95” he explained. The female smiled softly at him.

“Well what are you gonna call me?” she squeaked excitedly as though names were new to her. Ryuu looked at her in thought, and overall confusion.

“Well…” he said hesitantly. He dropped a nervous glance at the ground before returning to her. Her eyes glistened brightly with childish innocence; this was rare considering the horrors and tortures of this place. Her sapphire eyes easily resembled those of a young cat. A bright smiled spread across Ryuu’s visage. “Kitty” he said smiling.

“That sounds so cute!” the she-wolf clapped happily. Ryuu smiled back.

“You like that huh?” he said beaming a smile at his cleverness. “Then that can be your name” he grinned. Kitty smiled kindly at Ryuu.

“Thank you” she whispered softly. Ryuu laughed.

“No problem kitty” he smiled. The young she-wolf laid down beside the gate with a soft yawn.

“Ryuu” she cooed softly in her daze.

“Yes?” he replied.

“Will you be my friend? I don’t have any friends” she said with another yawn. Ryuu smiled understandingly, and nodded.

“Yeah. I’ll be your friend” he said softly. Kitty smiled as her eyes began to droop.
“Thank you” she mewled quietly in a drifting speech as she fell slowly into her sleep.

[freakshow]

Bright light filtered into the bleak emptiness of the metal cage. Large blue orbs flittered open with a soft whine pattering against her vocals.

“XD07, it is time for your morning tests” a hard feminine vice called. Auds plastered themselves to her head as she crawled forward and landed on her feet. A wicked grin spread across the scientist’s visage “Today’s test is pain resistance” she smiled softly as she saw the she wolf cringing at the hot rocks below her paws. As warm tears streamed down the sides of her cheeks also moistening her sapphire orbs she spoke.

“Yes, ma’am” she squeaked softly as she held back a sharp yelp.

“This way” the woman said as she lead the she-wolf off into the lower levels of the lab. Without hesitation the young wolfess followed the scientist down a chilling slope of metal. The grate was cold as walking on ice, and the female lupine was barefoot-as if they cared for her comfort. As they passed down the darkened corridors the light slowly disappeared.

“Where are we going” she whispered. She’d never seen the lower levels of the labyrinth of the base.

“That is not for you to questions; only to follow as I lead” the scientist snapped harshly as they continued further down.

“Yes, Ma’am” she chirped as her eyes drifted down and away through the large panes of one-way glass. Through one she glimpsed a flash of movement. Curiosity coaxed her into taking a closer look. Carefully she climbed she climbed up to the window without drawing the vision of the scientist’s leading her. Golden paws trampled over the glass, and crimson mane trashed wildly in the gusts created though running. Her eyes widened in amazement, and she plastered herself to the glass to watch the display. A wisp of flame passed over the glass and faded only seconds later. The center of the room illuminated in flame, and only a few feet away stood a golden spec in light of the flame titan.

“XD07!” a furious voice called. Her right ear twitched towards the sound, but it faded, ignored. The golden pelted lupe was knocked across the room; cringed for him. He bounded off the back wall stumbling onto his paws; he panted heavily a look of exhaustion wrecked his features. Her ears drooped softly in concern; for all she knew she could be next in that pit. It wasn’t till the lupe began changing the she realized maybe he wasn’t the one outmatched. A smile began to spread across her face as he began charging at the flame beast with a seemingly renewed vigor.

“Go get ‘em!” she cheered. Suddenly a sharp burning pain crawled up her spine and a yelp echoed the blackened silver halls of the lab. She looked up with hazy vision at an angry face.

“How dare you disobey me!” the scientist scowled. “Get up now!” she commanded. The she-wolf growled with an angered glare towards the scientist. A popping noise crackled in the scientist’s left hand, and as the prod touched the she-wolf’s skin the same searing sensation surged through her body. A louder yelp echoed the halls and died down. “If Mr. Cyes didn’t need you, you lot would be decommissioned and disposed of! Especially you, ya little scrap!” she snapped. The she-wolf climbed to her feet a soft growl pattered softly in her throat. With a shove she was forced deeper into the la; she didn’t know why they were going down so far or what awaited her down below. As she descended her eyes showed alight luminance, and it showed clearly in blue light on the walls. With a scratch of a pen it was clear that this trip was something new. Not long after setting forward from the main arena they came to a stop at a silver gate.

“What’s this?” the small lupine asked.

“Assessment room. Enter” she instructed. With a nod the lupe hesitantly filed into the room only to hear the thunk, and click of the heavy locks. The room was dark for the most part and loosely lit with wall lights.

“What’s going to happen?” the wolfess asked.

“Today’s test XD07; pain resistance” the voice crackled through the speakers. As the voice said so the floor began to separate. Four platforms became apparent as well as a jungle of spikes that rose up to level with the platforms. A second floor below the spikes opened and magma rose up to level with the spikes, heating both the uncovered tips of the spikes, and the platforms to outrageous temperatures. The wolfess stood pinned to the door, unwilling to move from the cool platform. “You objective is to survive the test period” the voice crackled. The she-wolf glanced around to see what was so hard about the test. All she had to do was stay by the door.
“S-survive what?” she asked. The whirr of gates was an unsettling sound. Glancing up she saw the iron bars lowering and across the molten lake rose a bolted steel door. In the darkness behind the door glowered four football sized golden eyes. As the bars hit the floor and the gate hit the ceiling the wolfess cringed leaping out onto the metal platforms. The sound and scent of searing flesh was putrid and immediate, but it couldn’t be helped. The shadows shifted and a deep growl reverberated out into the air. “Shit…” she mewled quietly.

[freakshow]

The Shadows shifted slowly as the beast seemed to be waking. The she-wolf leapt around constantly moving to keep from burning her paws further. The platforms formed a diamond shape in the center of the room; each platform was about 25 feet from the next and between each lay a path of heated spikes and magma. The bleached white behemoth slipped into the magma pool. The young lupine glanced around searching for the ivory beast, but to no avail.

“Where are you?” she growled cautiously. She knew if the objective was to survive then this beast was no friendly creature. An array of bone surfaced in the molten rock and retreated. Her eyes squinted to see clearly over the brightly lit surface, but the creature was gone. The air in the room was thick and heavy, and he bubbling silence would choke the bravest hearts. The wolfess was beginning to tire from her constant movement, and by now her paw pads were charred and numb. Blood dripped with every step; with every landing point there was a diminutive sizzle where the veins were burned shut. Now able to stand without feeling she froze in place panting heavily. The surface of the lava buckled and broke as the creature reared its head from the surface. With a roar it displayed its three pairs of serrated fangs that lined its jaw. “How the hell does that thing hide with all these spikes around?!” the lupine barked angrily. The beast roared once more before retreating under the lava’s surface. She glanced quickly around searching intently for her attacker. The deafening rumble of the lava serpent’s tail rising from the molten lake echoed behind her. She darted through the maze of spikes to get to the next platform as the pillar came down on the platform and drug it beneath the water. As she landed the beast’s claw swept forward; she was unable to dodge. The serpent’s heavy claw forced the breath from her lungs; the impact sent her across the room into the tempered glass of the control station, though it didn’t crack. She slid down the pane to the shelf; standing on the cool metal made her cringe, only briefly as her consciousness swayed from her lack of oxygen. Her lack of balance allowed the ledge to slip from under her, and the lupine plummeted towards the surface of the lake. Limply the body fell drifting with an unknown consciousness, as she did not respond. Her eyes met with the beast’s in her descent; she noticed a confusion otherwise absent in its demeanor. A faint purple hue appeared in her eyes; it replaced her natural sapphire coloring and grew brighter with her awareness. All too late however, she sank into the magma quickly, but where one would expect a scream, only silence ensued. Moments later she found herself on her feet; her pelt was blessed in crimson light. She held her head, only to stumble backwards. Her paw came to rest on a soft warm surface, glancing behind her revealed the pale flesh of the beast’s tail. She jumped backwards only to be lifted into the air; looking down she realized she stood on the creature’s head. The beast’s body rumbled with a purr; her ears perked up. Not yet sure what had changed, but quite thankful for the turn in events the femme settled down on the serpent’s head; she smiled softly. “Hey there buddy” she cooed quietly as she patted its snake-like skin.

“Terminating Session” the speakers screeched. Two robotic claws clamped around the serpent’s neck and torso and began dragging it back behind the bolted doors. The iron bars lifted and the silver doors the protected opened.

“XD07! This way!” the scientist called. As the magma level and spikes lowered the floor began to close. The lupine female sprint jumped the gaps in the floor, and exited. A quick glance back at the room she only caught a fleeting sight of the creature’s golden eyes before the steel gate finally fell. “That was quite the interesting result” the scientist mumbled as she scratched her note’s down on her clipboard. The she-wolf glanced around the air-conditioned room, though she could no longer feel the floor.

“Is that all for today?” she asked. It took a bit for the scientist to look up from her notes.

“Yes, for today. Back to your containment cell” she instructed as she began transporting the she-wolf back to the upper levels of the labs. For once in the life of the small lupine she gladly returned to her cell. As the door closed behind her she eagerly looked to the one beside her. The look of excitement quickly turned to disappointment and worry as she realized it was empty.

[freakshow]

She curled up to the bars, and a feeling of relief washed over he.

“Ryuu. Are you ok?” She mewled. His fur was frazzled a bit, and his hair, at least his mane, was doing no better. He sat with his tail curled around his feet; his face was hidden in his arms, or at least it seemed so. His back was to the bars as if he couldn’t bear to be seen in his current state.

“Go away” he growled.

“I can’t really go anywhere right now Ryuu” she replied softly. “What’s wrong?” she asked softly, worry threaded through her words. He turned to her with a tag dangling from his left ear.

“I’m being transferred to Division S” he said. “I fell like a fucking cow marked for slaughter…” he snarled.

“Bit isn’t Dividion S where all the dangerous ones go?” she said. “You’re not dangerous” She said trying to convince him.

“The coat jockeys are scared. I guess I developed this new power during training” he said. His mane and eyes were bathed in a golden glow as his palm developed a flame with the same hue. He smirked. “They’re definitely scared” He chuckled.

“I don’t get it though. They have creatures bigger and way more dangerous just locked up here. Why transfer you over one ability?” Kitty asked?

“Must be more to it then, huh?” he smirked. Kitten laughed.

“What’s with that look?” she giggled. Ryuu turned to her and scooted over to the bars.

“We could break out of here” he whispered.

“What!?” she shrieked. He shushed her.

“God you’re gonna call them over here!” he growled. Kitten gave him a stern glare.

“They’ll kill us!” she growled.

“If we’re caught! Which won’t happen” he assured.

“Ryuu, I don’t know” Kitty hesitated. She covered her eyes as his paws glew brighter. The red glow of the bars signaled the heat coursing through them; as he gripped each one it melted and was easily removed. Quietly he placed each on the ground.

“You said we’re friends right?” he asked. As the room cooled the light dimed, and returned to their regular low lighting. Kitten nodded.

“Of course, I’m the one who asked” she mewled softly.

“Friends trust each other right?” He said. Kitten nodded. Through the hole he created by removing the bars he offered his hand. “So do you trust me?” he asked. Kitten just stared at him for a bit, as if he’d gone mad. His ears drew back slightly seeing as she didn’t seem to believe him. He withdrew his hand. “they can’t keep me locked up her forever, I’m no one’s puppet!” he growled turning away. Ryuu fell with a heavy thud; with angry surprise he kicked up and pinned the only being able to act as an attacker. Though she smiled playfully and laughed; he merely glared with an annoyed confusion.

“I trust you Ryuu” she smiled. Sighing he let her up; as she sat up he sat next to her; she wrapped her arms around him for a hug. She buried her muzzle in his honey colored pelt comfortably. “you’re so warm” she purred softly. Both having been raised under the cruel hands, and maddening isolation of their cells found solace in each other’s company. She curled up at the male’s side with a relaxed sigh as her eyes drifted closed. He relaxed against the back of the cage his hand lay cautiously over her shoulder; a soft smile spread across his maw.

“Sweet dreams” he whispered. A red light bathed the inside of the cell and four metal walls enclosed the unsuspecting duo in a reinforced metal transfer crate. It rocked gently as the crate was carried form floor to vehicle and finally placed in the sights of security once more. Crimson security lights flashed as the warning alarms blared. The pair were startled from their sleep.

“What’s going on?” Kitten whimpered. Red specks hovered over the two; glancing around, the origins could not be seen, but it was assumed they were targeting lasers of snipers or turrets.

“You got caught in the transfer” he growled in a low tone. She clung to his side.

“Ryuu I don’t like this” she whimpered.

“XC95, proceed forward” a voice screeched through the room’s intercom.

“C’mon” he whispered. She took his hand shakily and kept at his side as they moved through the black room. A heavy mechanized door slid open and light flooded in. What lie on the other side were cells of tempered plastic reinforced with steel. The room was engulfed in wrecking chaos.

“Ryuu…” Kitty whimpered. He didn’t look at her; his gaze was focused on gathering information about the room. The room appeared to be an upwards spiraling labyrinth.

“They aren’t in cages it’s a wall” he muttered softly. “They can’t control everyone placed here so they let it govern itself” he said. Four heavy armored moved in behind the two; rifles pointed at the base of their necks.

“To the center” one instructed. The others forcefully shoved the pair forward; the first approached the master control board. Within seconds an infrared laser cage rose around the two at the center and the soldiers backed down.

“Welcome to Division S, meat. We’ll make you feel right at home here ya little wretches as long as you can follow a few simple rules” the lead said as he made his way over to address the new inmates. “First, the wall is what separates MEN from rejects like you; stay behind the wall if you want to live. Second, you create your own problems; you deal with your own problems. No one’s babysitting you here” he said coldly. “Third, final, and most important rule. No one ever leaves Division S. Ever” he finished. A heavy iron gate raised slightly and lowered. A tall, lanky, and shriveled woman with a scowl drawn across her pale visage. The soldiers posed into a starched salute as she entered.

“At ease boys” she croaked. “This the new arrival?” she said peering into the cage.

“Yes ma’am. Biogenetic experiment XC95” the lead replied. The woman squinted closer at the pair in the cage.

“Hm…I was only expecting one new inmate. Who is this young fae?” she hissed. Kitty shrunk behind Ryuu trying to hide the woman’s cold silvery gaze.

“We’ll have her removed immediately ma’am” the lead said nodding to another. Their armor allowed for them to reach through the beams of the cage without issue. The cold metal hand touched kitty’s scruff; in the thought of preparation a panicked yelp and struggle against the soldier’s grip ensued.

“Ryuu! I don’t wanna go!” she whined tightening her grip on his hand. Tears of distress began to well up in her eyes as her grip faltered. Ryuu leapt at the soldiers and shattered one of their helmets while severing the power source of the other. A vicious snarl ripped from his throat and a deep emerald glow illuminated his eyes. The lead drew his gun aimed for the back of the male’s head.

“That’s enough Captain” the woman said forcefully lowering the captain’s gun. “Let the mutt have his toy. Neither of them will survive very long behind that wall anyway” she chuckled maliciously.

“Yes warden” the captain muttered letting his weapon fall to his side. “you two stand down” he ordered. Even as the two soldiers cleared away Ryuu stood defensively between the aggressors and his friend. The warden turned away and began retreating into the depths from which she emerged.

“Hurry up and put them behind that wall” she called back.
“Yes Warden, it shall be done” the captain called as he began working on the transfer controls. The floor of the cage glew in a bright ivory light before a flash not unlike that of a camera’s. Once the lights died down the pair of lupines had vanished, and the infrared container was powered down.

[freakshow]

Vision staggered and blurred as they came to. Groggy from the warp; the first awake was the young fae. She glanced around the dimly lit room at the groups of eyes staring down at the newcomer. She sat up; with a soft groan she held her head in an attempt to keep the room from spinning.

“Where are we?” she glanced around. “Ryuu…?” she whined softly. She didn’t see him; perhaps the became separated in the warp. There was a chorus of snickers and laughter from around the room.

“You’re on your own here kid” a cold voice rang out. “Looks like you’re in the wrong place” another cruel voice sang. A paniced look came over her as the space became more and more claustrophobic. Scrapes of rusty blades, and venomous laughter became louder as they drew nearer.

“Get away!” she shrieked. They continued closer until the rotting stench of their breath was apparent; he panic rose her mane began to glow ever brighter. The grouping continued closer; her eyes widened with fear. “I said get away!” she shrieked again; this time a burst of energy was forced out in all directions clearing the area ten feet around her. Panting heavily she looked around confusedly. Alone and still surrounded by malicious, unfriendly, unfamiliar faces she shrunk down; curled into a ball. A soft weeping permeated the air as the fear and hopelessness sank in and claimed her.

“Kitty!” a small voice echoed through the surrounding tunnels. Her head shot up in surprise as she frantically looked around for the source.

“Ryuu!” she called out in response. In this system it was impossible to pinpoint a sound, hell, one could barely hear themselves over the noise. She leapt up and sprinted through the crowed. She was knocked back when she collided with a particularly immense brute. She looked up in a slight daze.

“Well what have we here?” the brute said looking down on her. “I heard we’d be getting a new arrival today. I heard it was supposed to be a male though. Information gets confused huh?” he chuckled. “Aren’t too many females in this part of Division S” he said offering her his hand. She looked confused, but hesitantly accepted the gesture. “Name’s Hawke. Don’t worry bout me, I won’t hurt you. Though you should watch yourself around majority of the people here. They’re not as friendly as me” he chuckled. The entire time she remained silent; just listening, and waiting. “Don’t speak much do you? What were you running from?” he asked.

“Not from. To” she said. Hawke Grinned.

“So the beauty does speak” he chuckled. “To there then?” he inquired. Kitty’s ears drooped sadly.

“My friend. Though, I don’t know where he’s at” she said. Hawke shook his head.

“There aren’t many friends down here, only bad delinquents, and worse criminals” he said.

“You don’t know Ryuu” she said. Hawke shrugged; as she started walking he followed.

“Then I’ll help you find your friend. It wouldn’t sit right with me to have such a nice lady wandering around on her own” he grinned. Kitty smiled slightly looking back to Hawke.

“Thank you Hawke” she chirped. The male walked quietly through the hordes of experiments. He maintained a stoic, silent, and cold appearance as he moved. The condition of his fur and apparel gave him away as an obvious newcomer. People approached him and his demeanor turned from wary to violently aggressive. The explosive volatile changes towards even the slightest gesture kept some at bay, and others in plotting. His emerald orbs glanced around in a manner of searching. He made it through the crowd and to the reinforced wall of the cage. From his vantage point he could see clearly into the opposite side. His eyes brightened considerably as he recognized a small brown figure moving along the edges.

“Kitty!” he called out in hopes she’d hear him. Of course there was a small reaction that was brushed off as she continued away. “Dammit” he growled under his breath. His hands dropped causally into his pockets as he continued on. This was something he knew each of them wanted to avoid. Separation in a place as foreign and dangerous as this was a death sentence. He ventured into the depths of the hell they’d been placed in. The innermost walls were lined with large cells; he wondered what their purpose might be; they were already caged.

“So you’re the new victim, eh?” a bright voice called. Ryuu looked about, but the origin of the voice remained lost. “Up here new blood. The tag gives you away” the feminine voice called. He looked towards the ceiling, nestled in the crook of the wall and ceiling was a young woman with a mane of falcon feathers.

“You are?” he questioned.

“They call me Falcon down here. You are?” she questioned.

“Ryuu.” He replied. She chuckled.

“well, well.” She cooed dropping from the ceiling with a lighthearted bow. “Graced by the king of dragons, eh?” I should count myself lucky I suppose” she laughed lightly. He kept a straight face despite her attempt at a joke. “Lighten up new blood. You might think the cold ones last long down here. There are bigger badasses than you; no one lives long down here alone” she said. He scoffed.

“You’re alone” he pointed out. Falcon laughed.

“I’m never alone” she twittered. “You need only to look. I am one of the predatory birds of the underground. We’re called wingless” she said strutting away.

“Why tell me that?” he asked curiously. “Sounds like a bunch of mindless bragging and shogunistic propaganda” he said. Falcon giggled softly again.

“Because everyone knows about us wingless; everyone knows to avoid us” she cooed.

“If you say so” Ryuu said as he began walking off.

“Hey! Where are you going?!” she called after him.

“To look for my friend; avoiding crazies like you” he called back. Falcon’s demeanor turned from jovial to serious.

“You can’t just walk off!” she screeched.

“Don’t see anyone stopping me” he said casually. Alarms blared and the entire structure was in a panic. Like a chorus of chaos, cell doors slammed with fearful quickness. Just near him a call slammed closed.

“Now you’ll see why you should’ve listened” Falcon chirped. Not even soon after the cells filled and the corridors quieted screams of agony ran wild through the air.

“what the hell’s going on?” he asked.

“You’ll see” Falcon smirked. The screams grew louder, closer, and more frequent; a chorus if snarls accompanied the cries of death. It grew quiet slightly; the clank of bodies ramming on bars hinted at the approaching beast. Barreling around the corner flashed a large dog-like wisp with hot plasma fangs. His mane blazed as he prepared to defend himself. “Bet you wish you’d have joined us now. We protect our own” Falcon teased. Ryuu snarled at her, but had worse things to focus on. The beasts paused and skulked forward as it made eye contact with him. A deep, almost demonic growl rumbled in its throat as it flashed its fangs in an attempt to get him to run. Standing his ground he bared his fangs, and with blazing mane snarled in retort. “Those are called Ifrits. They feed on fire and flesh dumbass.” Falcon cooed mockingly. His eyes took on a glowing golden sheen.

“That’s it!” ryuu snarled. As before, his palm glew with heat, this time as the flame appeared it climbed up his forearm in a raging blaze. Focused through his palms a blast of flame melted the bars of the cell. Falcon stood back; clambered up into the ceiling corner.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” she screeched.

“Rule number two!; You make your own problems, you deal with it!” he snarled. As they seemed to be distracted the Ifrit lunged for Ryuu. Using its own momentum he catapulted it the creature into the cage. “you just made me your problem…” he began. Another blast caved in the fragile rock sealing them within. “…Deal with it” he growled. The flames snuffed out as he continued off through the tunnels in search of his friend.

“This is the underground. Most of us disappear here during the day. It’s safest” Hawke explained.

“So there’s no cages here?” she asked softly.

“You’re in one kid. This whole place is a cage” he explained. “They should’ve explained the rules of living before warping you in here” he said.

“They did” Kitty replied. “What I meant was kennels, I suppose” she said. Hawke looked at her, confused, then laughed.

“What’s your tag kid? You from Division B or something?” he laughed.

“My tag is XD07; I’m from division D” she said. Wagging her tail she added. “Ryuu Named me Kitty”. The laughter ceased.

“And…Ryuu’s Tag?” he asked lsightly shakily.

“XC95; Same division” Kitty stated. Hawke seemed to be in shock as his skin turned pale – paler than he already was.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me…Division D is scrapping you? Both of you!?” he said in obvious surprise.

“Yeah, well I’m not supposed to be here. Only Ryuu” Kitty admitted. For a brief moment a grin spread across Hawke’s face.

“Well, you’re safe with us Kitten” he said assuring.

“Us?” she questioned. Looking around it was only them two inside an isolated cell.

“The Wingless, my group” he explained with a brilliant smile. Kitten smiled back at him.

“Thanks” she grinned back. “Let’s go then!” she said opening the cell door. Hawke reached out to object, only to be forced back by a lunging ifrit. He fell back into the cell slamming the bars shut and locking the two beasts outside.

“Run kid, run!” he screamed at Kitty. She stood frozen in the face of the two snarling beasts that crept ever closer. Hawke turned away and waited for the screaming he knew would ensue. He waited moments, but nothing happened; only the usual chaos of the moment. Hawke turned to look at her, and could only be shocked by the sight before him. Kitten sat amidst the two Ifrit gently petting one while the other laid across her feet. Both purred with soft growls and playful wags of their boney tails. “Just…what are you?” Hawke questioned. He opened the cage only to slam it shut as one of the Ifrit lunged for him with a vicious snarl. Kitten merely smiled.

“I’m just Kitty” she said.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“This cannot be allowed to continue” she hissed angrily. “Get me in contact with Division D, now!” she commanded.

“Immediately warden” a guard replied. The lead walked casually to the side of the warden.

“If I may warden” he requested. She looked to him.

“Go on, what is it captain” she croaked angrily.

“Instead of returning the experiment, why not demand the necessary means of control” he suggested.

“Captain there are consequences to what you suggest” she warned.

“But there is more reward than cost warden” he explained.

“Elaborate captain” She demanded. The captain smiled cleverly.

“We could demand a means of control, or create a clone without any of the defects. One that would be completely under your control. It would give you indefinite control of every inmate” he said.

“So she can tame in Ifrit. I control a horde, how does this give me more control than I already have?” she scowled. The captain placed a thick file folder onto the table.

“Not just one, but two. You may understand more if you read into the project file” he said. The warden gave a wicked glare.

“Very well. Get out of my sight for the time being” she hissed. He nodded.
“As you wish warden” he said as he exited. Door closed; a wicked smile spread across his lips.

[freakshow]

“You’ve done well recruit” he said. Kitty smiled graciously, by now she looked more to the part of the division. Dirt, handmade mends, and ruffled fur were all part of her new look. “To think it’s only been a year kid. Most new recruits don’t make it to a week” Hawke laughed. Kitty laughed as well.

“It helps to be able to keep the Ifrit off” she said.

“Think you’ll be staying much longer?” Hawke asked.

“Nowhere else to go” Kitty laughed. Hawke nodded.

“Well you’ll need a name” he said.

“I already have a name” she said turning protective. Hawke smiled assuringly.

“We’re not telling you to change your name, but a cat in the wingless – a bit weird don’t you think?” he said.

“I guess…” Kitty said begrudgingly.

“We’ve had a pretty good stroke of luck since you joined, y’know stories I’ve heard, whoever sees the first robin in spring will have good luck all year. You’re like our little robin” Hawke said.

“I like that name” Kitty admitted.

“Then we’ll call you robin!” he said grinning. “Welcome, formally, to the wingless” he said. Kitty smiled, but it faded quickly as she remembered when she got her first REAL name.

“I haven’t seen him in forever…” she mumbled.

“Who?” Hawke asked with slight confusion.

”Ryuu. I told you last year, I was looking for my friend” she said.

“your friend also buried one of our own” Hawke protested. Kitty merely glared.

“How would you know, It could’ve been someone else!” she growled.

“Falcon was sent out to find the newcomer; she was the best tracker we had!” he argued.

“He wouldn’t-“ she was cut off.

“You’re from the destruction division. What do you think D division stands for!?” Hawke said. “You’re weapons, tools! What do you not get!” he yelled. “but you can’t even control your abilities can you…” he said. Kitten growled.

“Screw you wingless!” she snarled pushing him against the back wall with a blast of force. “I’ll find Ryuu on my own…” she growled continuing off.

“Quickest member to leave. You know you can’t let that happen though” a voice screeched form the background.

“You never cease to be any less creepy bat” Hake said.
“I never cease to be any less right. If we’re to get out of here we need her abilities and we need to find out more of what she can do” Bat hissed. “Now get moving!” he instructed. Just as Hawke was approaching the door of the cell it shut closed; the lights shut off. The center of the hall lit as a walkway. Within moments the hall swarmed with guards, and within the same amount of time they were gone. “Now you’ve lost your chance, moron” Bat screeched disappearing into the loomed within the walls.