City of Petsco

= The City of Petsco =
=== Prologue ===
The city was on fire. Dogs and cats were fighting, blood filled the scent with the wind and splattered through the battle. “Surrender now!” A German shepherd in camo ripped armor said, he had a scar on his eye, his neck was bleeding, his claws and armor stained with blood, he had bloodshot green eyes. He was fighting a tortoiseshell cat with iron armor, she had a scar heading down her chest. “We will never surrender our side to you!” She mewed, “You will surrender to us!!” He then slashed her throat, her blood then soaked his armor along with all other cat blood. “AMBER!!!” A ginger cat with scars on his legs, and his belly, and no tail, bellowed.  “NOBODY KILLS AMBER!!!” He growled and bashed into him, being bruised, the dog was then so weak, that he died. “Everyone, STOP!!!!” A female voice called. 
Everyone froze and saw a weird pale orange dog stand on the tallest rock. She had one green eye, one blue eye. She had a dog’s ear flapped down, and a cat ear. Not only that, she had a cat’s long claws, and a dog’s sharp teeth. “My name is Lydia Catsopilis-Ruffington, and I’m a dog/cat hybrid.” “A hybrid?” A black cat hissed, “Those were banished since the beginning of time!” “Is it perhaps to never learn that cats and dogs can get along?” He fell silent. “Face it everyone, we need to stop this war, dogs and cats are to be together, look what my parents did! They didn’t follow the rules to make themselves happy, they did what they wanted! “Look, we were brought together for a reason, together we can create peace and happiness, I lived happily away from this war. We have claws and teeth not meant to fight each other, we have these to fight together. Look at yourselves, you’re fighting and killing one another, we’ll be extinct if we continue! So, if you want this to stop, step up and join me!” 
Silence fell all across the city, until the ginger cat walked to Lydia. “I’ve never wanted to fight alongside the war,” He said “I’ve wanted to protect us, but my family forced me to fight, and now that everyone I love is dead. I want this war to end.” He then dropped his armor. Minutes later, more dogs and cats walked up to Lydia until only about a few remained. “The rest of you,” Lydia said “if you want this war to continue, do it somewhere else, Mew York is a city of peace, not war.” Then the remaining people left then Mew York forever. Then the people of Mew York cheered and hugged one another. “The rest of us will rebuild the city, repopulate, make this the greatest city on earth!.” Lydia said, “This city is no longer Mew York… this is now the city of Petsco.”
PART ONE
EMERALDS AND MAGIC
=== I ===
=== Meek ===
=== Sixty years later… ===
From the start, Meek was an adventurous Calico Cat. He would always do even the riskiest things, the highest obstacle courses, the roughest trail on hiking, he would even drink expired milk! But his mother wouldn’t let him. Recently, things have been bad, his dad died, and their money was running low, so they moved to the noisy city and Meek barely gets any sleep. So Meek stopped his adventuring and he and his Bengal cat sister helped their brown Siberian cat mom the best they could. 
“Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow.” 
“Mmmmrrrrghhhhh.” Meek moaned in his green bed, he tried to snooze his alarm clock, he missed, then he felt the button and pushed it, the alarm continued. Meek constantly pressed the button. “AAARRRGGHH!!!!” He yowled, he then used his claws and teared it apart, his claws then stuck to it, he shook his paw really hard until the clock fell, the alarm still went on. He then realized it wasn’t his alarm, it was his sister’s alarm, Callie. “AAAAAAAAA!!!!!” He then walked to Callie’s bed in his gray T-shirt with red sleeves. He was about to shut off her pink and white cat alarm when Callie put her paw on Meek’s.
“Don’t think you’re going back to sleep,” She mewed, “Aww come on Callie!” Meek purred, “It’s the weekend!” “We still have to wake up early,” Callie said as she turned off the alarm, “C’mon, Mom’s making chocolate pancakes.” “CHOCOLATE WHAT!?!?!” “Yep, and I’m going to get yours if you don’t beat me.” “Oh it’s on!” Callie and Meek then raced to the kitchen, wrestling each other. “Ok, guys calm down! It’s just a pancake!” Katya said, wearing a pink shirt and a pink and white flower apron, holding a pan with a chocolate pancake. “You’re lucky I have two pancakes,” Katya then served the twins their food. Then they started to eat, “Hey Mom,” Callie meowed, “Can I go to Katrina’s today? I need to study ballet, for practicing Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker.”  “Okay, but don’t skip two steps when heading up, I don’t want you to trip.” “Okay, thanks Mom!” Callie said as she left, Meek heard her footsteps going up the stairs to the next apartment floor. 
“What about me Mom?” Meek meowed, “Can I go outside and look for an adventure?” “No, no you’re not doing that, instead you could go with Luke to pick up eggs from Julius’s farm.” “Aww, Mom, I don’t want to go with him.” “Meek, I know you’re still upset with your dad getting sick and dying, but Luke is a good man, maybe you guys can have some Father-Son time.” “He’s not my dad!! AND HE NEVER WILL BE!!!” Meek stormed off to his room and slammed the door, and started to cry. Why did dad even get sick? Meek thought Then none of this would’ve ever happened!  He started to think about the dad. Being the exact replica of his father, his smile, always white. And he would always buy Meek and Callie Ice Cream. 
But… 
Meek could never forget how his dad died.
He could never forget how his father fell down that night, the sound of the siren, the doctor giving the bad news, Meek saying goodbye… No. He had to let go of the past, he couldn’t live with all that stress surrounding him. “Milo has cancer.” The doctor’s voice echoed in his head, “I’m sorry, I suggest you say goodbye to him, he’s almost gone.”
“Are you okay kid?” A voice purred, Meek looked behind himself and saw a Birman with a blue shirt and blue eyes come in his room. “Go away, Luke” Meek sniffled, “I’m better off with you away from my life!” “Still upset your dad died, Huh?” Luke sat on Meek’s bed, “It’s okay to talk about your dad,” A slight pause, “Dad was the best.” Meek meowed, “And he didn’t deserve to die, we didn’t deserve to lose our money!” “Meek, can I tell you something?” Luke asked “When I was a kitten, about your age. My parents divorced, I was as mad as you were, I got a step-dad, and I got this same conversation, except when he was small, his family was fine.” Luke chuckled, “So, can we try this again one more time?” Meek then smiled and hugged Luke. “Come on, your mom wants us to buy eggs, I do not want to be there when she has her food rage.” Meek snickered. He put his head on Luke's soft chest, now knowing that his mother made the right decision, and Luke was perfect. But he could never replace his dad.
=== II ===
=== Shadow ===
The black cat with a ripped blue shirt and brown eyes, stared at the sunset on a tree. 
Dogs, she thought, 
Wiped out our entire tribe. 
This village of cats is the only thing left of us. 
I’m the strongest of my generation,
I will follow my parents' oath. 
Destroy all dogs.
But… I don’t think I should. 
“Shadow!” Her mother called. Shadow then climbed down with her sharp claws, and ran to a small village made with hay twigs for the roofs, and oak wood for the walls. She walked into the largest house. Inside, there was a white cat with a teared apart gray shirt. She had a ripped ear, she had a scar on all four legs, her belly, and her tail was much shorter than the other cats, for some reason, her eyes were always fully black. There was a black cat that looked exactly like Shadow, he had two ripped ears, he had three legs, he wore a ripped camo shirt, and he had yellow eyes. And his mothers claws were as sharp as Shadow’s. And there were fifteen other cats, three tuxedo cats, one gray, one Calico, three white cats, two black cats (Not including Shadow), three ginger cats, and two Siamese cats.
“Mother?” Shadow asked, “Why did you decide for me to have fifteen siblings? I only wanted two!” “Well, dear.” Her mother, Snowstorm mewed, “We need more if we need to destroy the dogs.” “But Mother, why dogs? Some dogs might be innocent!” Snowstorm froze, she then grabbed a plate, scratching her claws on it, making an ominous noise. Shadow and their siblings covered their ears. She put the plate back, then she lunged for Shadow. “NO DOGS ARE INNOCENT!!!” Snowstorm shouted, stabbing her claws into her daughter’s shoulder, “DOGS ARE THE REASON WERE HERE!! DOGS MUST BE KILLED!!!” “But what if you’re wrong?” Shadow hissed, she removed her mother's claws from her shoulder, she then slashed her arm. Snowstorm yowled as she clawed Shadow’s belly. Shadow then pinned Snowstorm to the ground, her blood dripping on Snowstorm’s shirt. “Nice, daughter.” Snowstorm grinned, “But next time, save that for the dogs.”  Snowstorm then left the room.
“That’s the fourth time she battled you, Shade.” pointed out one of the ginger cats, Blaze. Blaze had green eyes, and he wore a red letterman Jacket with a bold white B on a small upper pocket, he wore a gray shirt underneath his Jacket. His paws were always in his lower jacket pockets. “Blaze, stop making me realize things I already know.” Shade mewed, putting a bandage around her waist. “But It’s the truth!” “Yeah, but not when you’re saying stuff that is obvious.” Said one of the black cat sibs, Blackout. Blackout had a leopard print shirt and yellow eyes. “Blackout,” Their father, Nightowl, said in sign language. “Wear a different shirt, we need to camouflage, wear something dark. You too, Blaze.” “Well, at least father’s nice enough to not fight us,” Blackout pointed out in English, “he wrestles like a kitten!” Blackout and Blaze went upstairs. 
“Father?” Shade asked her deaf father in sign language, “Why is Mom really crazy about destroying dogs?” “It’s because she’s a killer,” He replied, “I don’t know why I married that crazy cat. But she said to do it because we're the only ones left.” “No, there’s the whole village left to breed with!” “I know, but something happened. I had nothing to do with her, and one day I just magically fell in love, I had no control over me. It’s like she put a love spell on me.” “What if she did, and why didn’t you leave her?” Shade asked, “I would, but I don’t want to leave my children. And if your mother did do magic, it’s impossible, Petveils were all killed before the war.” “But I heard one survived,” She pointed out, “They stayed hidden for generations. I think Mother’s the last one.” “Okay, let’s keep this a secret, if anyone knows, they’ll try to kill her. She’ll go insane and wipe out cats and dogs for good. Promise me you’ll keep this a secret, and take away the love spell.” “I promise dad,” Shade hugged her father. “Does that mean I can’t tell Blackout? Or Blaze? Or any of my siblings?” “You could tell Hurricane. He studied magic, he can stop her.”
Shade then went upstairs to a white door with a note saying, “PLEASE KNOCK, EXPERIMENTS IN PROGRESS.” She laid her knuckles on the door, and knocked three times. A small, gray cat with black glasses on his blue eyes and a white suit, opened the door. “Shadow!” The small cat squeaked, “How good to see you! Please come in!” Hurricane closed the door behind him. “So, what’s today?” He purred, as he was serving green tea out a white teapot into two white cups. “Mind control? Invisibility? Sharper claws?” “My claws are the sharpest they can be.” Shade admitted. “I’m here for an antidote.” “Antidote for what?” “About that, I just found out Mother's a Petveil.” Hurricane froze. He pushed his glasses up, “So you found out the truth, huh?” Hurricane continued, “Did father tell you?” “You knew?” Shade asked. “Please, I knew before I could walk on two legs. It was obvious!” “I need you to turn Mother into a mortal, so that she can be a loving mother, and with that, do you have any potions to change Mother good?” 
“Personality potion?”
“Yes, Just the one.”
"All ready, but for the mortality potion, I need to look at the spell book.” Hurricane walked up to a white pedestal where a big brown book was. He flipped through the pages until he found the M spells. He scanned the page, and then he pointed to the Morality spell. “Alright, let’s see… a frog’s leg, a sunflower seed, a lizard’s tongue, a piece of DNA of the Petveil’s family.” Hurricane plucked a piece of fur out of Shade. “OW!!” Shade shrieked. Hurricane put the piece of fur in a large black pot filled with magic water. The water then glowed green after Hurricane tossed the fur into the pot. “The rest, you need to gather for me.” Hurricane meowed. “Once the sorcerer leaves, the spell resets. That’s why you have to go get them.” “I will, for the sake of mother’s life.” “Be careful! Do what Mother taught you!” “I will.” Shade then left the house and ran onto the forest on four legs. Realizing that the fate of the world rests in her paws.
=== III ===
=== Xander ===
=== Xander was always an Outcast from the beginning. No cats trusted him, No dogs either. “You will never belong with us.” The voices echoed in his head, “Because you've never known what we felt like in the war.” He said it a million times, “But the war is over, we’re supposed to be in peace.” “So? Some pets still hate each other. We were born like this for a reason.” No, that wasn’t right, Lydia said they were there to be together. She couldn’t be wrong, she couldn’t. At least Xander had one friend, Meek the cat. ===
“NEXT!!” Xander’s father called the last farm customer. Xander’s dad was a Doberman, just like Xander, except Julius had blue overalls over a red shirt. He had green eyes and a farm hat, and he was a brown doberman, Xander was a black doberman. The next customer was a Birman cat with a blue shirt and blue eyes and his son, a Calico cat with green eyes and a gray shirt with red sleeves. “Hi Xander!” The boy exclaimed, “Hey Meek.” Xander replied. Meek looked around the farm. “You work here?” “Kind of, my dad’s the farmer, so I have to help him.” “Cool!” “Is this your new dad?” “Yeah, Luke’s not that bad.” “We would like to buy two cartons of eggs.” Luke meowed. Julius grabbed the items and sat them on the table. “That’ll be four dollars and ninety-nine cents.” Julius said. Luke swiped a debit card on the cashier. He removed the card, and Julius gave him the eggs. “Enjoy the rest of your day!” Julius said to them as they started to leave. “Wait, Luke.” Meek purred, “Can we stay a little longer? I want to get to know Xander better, and we need to study for our China one-pagers.” “Okay, you stay safe!”
Xander and Meek then climbed up to the farm’s second floor, where all the chickens were. “Okay, what’s the catch?” Xander said, “I know you, you HATE to study.” “Fine, you got me.” Meek pulled out a pickaxe from his bronze backpack. “I was originally going to go here to buy eggs, but then I realized that you lived under the Firecave mines, so I brought my dad’s pickaxe and I figured. If I can mine a Jewelry for my mom, we’ll be rich!” “That’s one way to raise money, but if I were you, I would work here, or open a lemonade stand.” “But you’re not me.” “But why the Firecaves? That place is haunted!” Xander complained, “Xander, don’t be a puppy, you know how I like adventures! C’mon, let’s start with the gold section!”
Xander and Meek walked inside the cave. That’s when Xander realized that mining was hard. Meek, on the other paw, he was just searching ENDLESSLY!! Until finally, in the end of the cave. They found the diamonds. “We hit the JACKPOT!!!” Meek gasped, “We’ll be RICH!!!!” He then did a fake evil laugh. While Meek was mining, Xander spotted something green, something glowing. “Hey, Meek, check this out.” “Whoa!” Meek’s eyes gleamed, “I think it’s an emerald!” “But they’re so rare!” Meek mined the emerald, his eyes then glued to it. “This, I should keep for myself, this is too special, and not that expensive, BUT SO RARE!!” “Aww, too bad, it has a hole in it.” Xander said sarcastically. Maybe then we leave soon, Xander thought, I don’t trust this place. “I got it!” Meek put his paw in his pocket, he then brought out a piece of yarn. He put it through the hole and made it into a necklace. We put it around his neck, the emerald then glowed again. 
Instantly, the cave shook, gravel started to fall on Xander’s brown shirt. “Well, great!” Xander said, “Now that we took the emerald, this place is going to crumble.” “I-I never expected this t-to happen,” Meek said, looking worried. “RUN!!!” The cave then started to crumble, Xander and Meek started to run as fast as they could. The emerald then started to glow again.
Then all of a sudden, they were back on the farm with the clucking chickens.
=== IV ===
=== Meek ===
“What just…happened?” Meek said, traumatized, his eyes wide. “W-was that… a d-dream?” Xander asked shakily, “HOW COULD WE HAVE THE SAME DREAM!?!?” Meek shrieked, looking at his emerald, which was still on him, “IT HAPPENED FOR REAL!!! I NEVER KNEW ADVENTURES WERE THIS SCARY!!!!” “I can’t believe we survived the Firecaves!” Xander said, “I thought you were always joking about your adventures!” The boys then stared at each other for a moment, then ran downstairs. “DAD, DAD!!!!” They both called out, waving their arms like crazy. Julius and Luke then ran to the boys. “What is it?” Luke asked, “What is so important that we had to pause poker?!?” “Me and Xander went to the Firecaves!” Meek said, “Firecaves!?!” Julius gasped, “Xander I told you, not to go there! Everybody who went there died! How did you survive?” “We don’t know!!” Xander said, “Meek was just getting jewelry for his mom to get money!” Xander handed Luke his pickaxe. “You used my pickaxe!?” Luke asked, “That’s not the point!” Meek said, he then showed Luke the emerald. “I was just mining this for myself, then the diamonds for my mom. But after I got the emerald, the cave was crumbling, then next thing we know, BOOM!! We’re here!!” 
“Good thing you made it out safely.” Julius said, “But Xander, you’re grounded for a week.” “WHAT!?!?!” Xander piped, “But he did it, not me!” “But you chose to go with him.” “As for you, Meek.” Luke meowed, “I’m going to talk to your mom about this, so I’m going to be the parent right now, you’re also grounded for a week.” “But I was just helping mom! Isn’t that a good thing?” “Yes, but also very dangerous! Now come on let’s go home.” The ride home was silent. Meek just sat there and hissed at Luke, his ears drooped down. He then went up to his room and heard his mom and Luke talking. Minutes later, Katya went up to Meek’s room. “I heard what you did.” Katya mewed, “I’m disappointed in you. But I’m also proud of you.” “Proud?” Meek questioned, his ear perched up, “How could you be proud of me?” She held his paw, Meek then looked at her. 
“You took the courage to go in there, you were brave, and you wanted to help us raise money. But that’s not a problem, cause now I have a new job that pays me four thousand dollars a month! And I made a savings account. So in a few months, we’ll be able to move out!” “Actually, Mom,” Meek purred, “I want to stay here.” “You mean it? I thought you hated this place!” “Well, It’s starting to grow on me.” Katya then hugged Meek really tight. “Mom?” Meek said, trying to gasp for air, “I can’t breathe,” “Oh, sorry! Must be my gym workouts.” She then looked at Meek’s necklace. “This is beautiful.” She said. “It’s too pretty to be spent. You can keep it.” 
Suddenly, a black tornado appeared outside, it wasn’t a strong tornado, it didn’t blow any houses down. Then everyone went outside, the tornado then stopped. And a white cat with a ripped gray shirt, a ripped ear, stitches on her arm, and fully black eyes emerged from the tornado. “Citizens!” She announced, “This world is under attack by certain… someone’s, they will rip us up, treat us like cowards, they must be stopped at once! So all cats, may I ask if you may help me defeat these… dogs perhaps?” “The war is over!” Luke called out. “We are all about peace! And what is a Petveil doing here?” “I’m the last one remaining.” The she-cat grinned, “This is a beautiful city, one where helpless cats and dogs must be ELIMINATED!!!!” She then roared, and summoned a thunderstorm, she then created clones of herself with knives, they then started attacking the city. While the she-cat laughed, and massacred everybody she could get her paws on. 
Two of the cat clones caught Katya and Callie. The blades were getting closer to their necks. “MOM, CALLIE!!” Meek shrieked, “Nobody hurts my FAMILY!!!!” Meek shouted, the emerald shot a green beam at the clones and turned to a pile of dust. Callie and Katya were in shock, “D-did you just--” Katya said, “ZAPPED AND EXPLODED THEIR BRAINS!?!?!” Callie interrupted, “WHERE DID YOU LEARN HOW TO DO THAT!?!” “I don’t know!” Meek said, “I never knew I had superpowers!” Callie then gasped, “It's not you, It was your necklace! MY BROTHER HAS A MAGIC emerald!!!!!” “What!?” Meek said, examining the emerald, “That's impossible, only Petveils have magic!” “Maybe a Petveil created that. Never mind that right now. STOP THAT CRAZY WOMAN!!!” Meek then faced the magic cat. He closed his eyes, and sighed. You can do this, Meek. He thought, This is the adventure you've been waiting for. 
He opened his eyes and a green beam shot out and hit the cat’s back. She howled and looked at Meek. Black goop started to come out of her paws.  The emerald then made Meek… Fly. She sent the goop after Meek. The emerald created a shield surrounding him. The white cat then turned thirty times bigger.  The emerald then made a green see-through giant version of Meek, with the real Meek inside the heart. The green giant then wrestled her. It slammed her into buildings, the cat kicked Meek into a Lake, then Meek, he then broke her arm. She roared in pain as she tried to grab him. The giant then started to choke her. But she kicked him and left the city. Meek turned back to normal. Everyone then cheered. “What was that?!?” Callie asked, “I never knew you were so VIOLENT!!” “I’m not!” Meek said, “Those weren’t my claws, it was the emerald, as if it was alive!!” 
“Meek!” Katya cried, kissing his cheeks and checking for bruises, “Are you all right?!” “Yeah, I am.” “Excuse me?” Luke asked, “Can I talk to Meek for a minute?” “What is it, Luke?” “Well, since you have a magic emerald, and you love adventures, I’m going to send you on a quest.” “Ooooh!” Callie said, This will be the perfect story to write about!!” “Meek,” Luke said, “I need you to go and stop that cat from destroying all the dogs in the world, the fate of the world depends on it.” Meek stopped to think, did he really want to take this mission? Of course, it was an adventure, but he then thought about his family. What would Callie and Katya do without him? What if he failed? How will life continue for them? But, what if he came back victorious? He’d have more money than his mom’s job pays her. He would be a legend, a hero. “Alright,” Meek decided, “I’m ready.”
“I’ll pack your things.” Katya moaned, About to cry. “I won’t go on this mission alone, I’ll take Xander with me.” Callie gasped, “You would rather bring your best friend than your own sister!?” “No! I’m doing this because you need to stay with mom, who will scratch your head? Who will Mom serve pancakes to? Who will--” “OKAY!! I GET IT!!! But what about Xander’s family?” “I have two siblings, my dad will do just fine. Besides, my work shift just ended for the week!” Xander said. 
Xander’s a good partner, a voice whispered inside Meek’s head. Who’s there?! Meek thought, How are you in my mind!?! Ahhh, little one, for I am the one inside the emerald, chosen one. The voice said. Wait, WHAT!?!?  I HAVE A TALKING emerald!?!? I was not an emerald forever, I was once a brave and noble cat like you, but now I am trapped in here, waiting for the chosen one to come free me. Chosen?!? What do you mean chosen!?! The main course of the Firecaves is to mine the emerald, I chose if they’re good or bad to earn the magic, but these stupid animals have wasted my time. Ohhhhh, do you choose who gets to be with the emerald and eventually the caves usually crumble? And you choose to save them or not? And when they die the emerald goes back in place? Wonderful knowledge for such a  small mind. Who are you? I am the one you hear in those stories, the ones where a young girl stops a war. But you must know, little one. I am her, Lydia Catsopolis-Ruffington, and I created the emerald.
How are you in there!?! Meek thought, I thought you died of old age! Unfortunately no. Lydia's voice echoed. I just fell asleep, knowing that my time was up, my last craft was the emerald, I was a Petveil myself, I created the emerald to have my magic. I was supposed to be dead, but I woke up here. Young, trapped, hoping someone would free me. Did someone put you here? I’m not sure, it could have been I accidentally used my magic to get myself stuck in here, or another Petveil did it. Who were the last people you saw before it happened? A white cat named--. She then paused as if she was frozen. Lydia? LYDIA!?!?
Lydia then yowled. IDIOT!! I SHOULD’VE KNOWN!!! Known what?! Snowstorm locked me in here, she always hated me for some reason, she must’ve trapped me here, so I couldn’t stop her from her only mission, destroying dogs. Snowstorm? Who’s that? The white cat that we fought today, well… technically  I fought today.  Well, we’re both after the same person, so I’ll try to free you too. Excellent! So do I tell Xander about this? Yes, he’s your best friend, we can trust him. “Meek? Are you ok?” Xander asked, Meek blinked, back into reality. “Yeah,” Meek said, “I’m fine, I was just… imagining about our adventure.” “While you were doing that, I got your backpack from your mom, it’s with all our survival kit, clothes, food, water, a radio, and random survival stuff.” Something caught Meek’s eye in his backpack, it was a stuffed brown bunny with a tiny blue shirt and black button eyes. Pfft, Lydia snorted. You keep a stuffed bunny at fifteen years old? Well, according to your biography, you had a stuffed bear when you were fifteen. Yeah, well…*sigh*, you got me.
“We’re off!” Meek announced, his mother hugged him one final time, crying. “I love you, Meek,” She said sadly, “don’t let anyone hurt you, you can come home at any time.” “Ok mom, I love you too.” Meek replied as he kissed her cheek. “Come on, Meek!” Xander called, “Don’t let your mom snuggle you too much.” Katya started praying for Meek to be safe. Then Xander and Meek walked into Calwood forest, starting their journey to stop Snowstorm, and to try to free Lydia.
=== V ===
=== Shadow ===
Shade had gathered almost everything. She had a sunflower seed (Which she stole from the neighbor’s garden), a lizard’s tongue (it was very disgusting to grab, and the lizard wasn’t happy about that). All she needed was the frog’s leg, the hardest of them all. Shade tried to catch it, but it ran all over the place! Shade was about to pounce at the frog, when she did, the frog jumped away, and she ended up landing in mud. She cleaned herself off (mud DOES NOT taste good, so she drank from a nearby lake to wash it off her tongue.)
Shade then was about to set traps for the frog, that’s when the wind blew. She looked to her left and saw her raging mother attacking the dog city. No, She thought, I’m too late. All of a sudden, a green giant started to attack Snowstorm, Shade then saw a glimpse of something inside it. It looked like… a Cat, a Calico Cat. That was impossible, the village is what’s left of all the cats. Was he… the last one? Shade had to look for answers, but right now she had a frog to catch. She set every trap, every trick that she learned. When she was done, Shade looked up and gasped. The green giant had won the battle, and Snowstorm was running back home, her arm bent in the wrong way. Shade threw up in the nearest lake. Surprisingly, frogs lived in it, they all then died and floated to the surface on their backs, revealing their white bellies and green skin.
She picked up a frog and ripped its back left leg off under the water (so she couldn’t see the guts). The remaining parts of the frog, she ate. After Shade made a spear, one of her traps triggered. And Shade thought she heard two boys shout. She ran to it, and there were two boys, hanging upside down on ropes. The first one was a dog, he was a doberman with green eyes and a brown shirt and a brown backpack. And the other one… was the Calico cat she saw battling her mother. He had green eyes, and a gray shirt and red sleeves, and a brown backpack. “Who are you?” Shade said to the Calico cat. “And why aren’t you in the village?” “Village?” The cat replied, “What village?” “You don’t remember, do you? Did this DOG brainwash you?” She hissed at the doberman, preparing to attack. “No! Xander’s my friend!” “Friend? How can dogs and cats be friends? We’re at war! All cats are extinct!” “Who taught you that?” Said the doberman, Xander. “The war is over, and there’s a whole planet left of cats!” 
What!? Shade thought, Mother… lied to me!?! My whole life has been a lie?!? The war is over, cats are still alive.? What else has mother kept from me? “I’m  Meek.” said the cat, “And you already met Xander, don’t worry about him, he’s friendly!” “I’m Shadow,” She replied, “You can call me Shade for short. How did the war end?” Shade asked, “And how are dogs and cats in harmony?” “Haven’t you heard of Lydia? The dog/cat hybrid? She ended the war with a speech!” “There was a dog/cat hybrid?” “Um, who are your parents?” Meek asked, “I’d like to speak with them, please.” “My parents are Snowstorm and Nightowl.” Meek and Xander flinched. 
“Ok, that was a rhetorical question.” Meek said, “But Snowstorm’s your mom?!? She attacked our city today!” “I know, I saw her, and your Petveil magic saved them and almost killed my mother!” “Umm… that wasn’t Petveil magic.” Meek accused, “What do you mean?” Xander asked. “Yes, I’m telling them, shut up, Lydia!” Meek blurted. “Lydia?” “Ok, Xander, you know this emerald that I mined earlier? Well, this is a magic emerald, and Lydia’s INSIDE OF IT!!!!” “Are you saying that a legend supposed to be dead is in there?” Xander asked. “Don’t believe me? Come out, Lydia.”
A green swirl then emerged from the emerald, making the shape of Lydia. “Hello, young, brilliant minds.” She said with a soothing voice. “Yes, go do your bursts of excitement, surprised I’m not dead, wondering how I’m in here. Well, I’m here because Shadow’s mother locked me in here. I’m supposed to be dead, but I’m young again.” “Wow, Mother’s really evil.” Shade realized. “How do we free you?” Xander asked, “I don’t know, that’s why I’m sending you three on a new quest, try to free me.” “Well that’s easy, all we have to do is go to my house.” Shade said. “That won’t be easy.” “I know my way home, I don’t need some legend I barely know telling me what to do!” “I can guide you, Snowstorm will not be there, know that she knows I’ve chosen you, Meek. So she’s run to Crimsonville, where she grows her magic stronger.” 
VI
Xander
“Crimsonville!?!?” Xander chirped. He cleared his throat, “Crimsonville?” He said with a deeper voice, trying to sound like a man. “That’s going to take about a whole month to walk there! By the time we get there, she’ll be gone and more powerful!” “Who said anything about walking?” Lydia asked, “We can walk for a little while, the rest we’ll fly, sail, or drive there!” “Or,” Shade said, “We can practice Meek and Lydia’s magic of the emerald.” “I learned a few, you can teleport to only where you see or where you’ve been. You can carry things, shield yourself, fly, summon stuff, and do powerful things, like the beam with my green swirl.”
“Let’s practice,” Xander said as got an apple from his backpack, and set it on the ground. “Ok, see if you can carry this apple.” Meek tried to carry it with Lydia’s magic. It started to float, but then it got squished too hard and splattered all over the place. “Ewww.” Shade said, wiping apple bits off her. “That apple was rotten!” “We’ll practice later.” Meek said, giving a “I’m sorry!” look. “Right now we need to move.” Uh-oh, I know that look Xander thought, He only feels sorry for girls… He likes Shade.
“We’ll continue on the way there, short lessons, and if a life-threatening thing happens.” Shade said. “But… guys? At my house, my and my brother, Hurricane, we were making two potions, a personality potion, and a mortality potion, both for my mom. “Yes!” Xander said, “We need that! WE NEED BOTH OF THEM!!!” “That means that we have to go to my house.” “Yessssssssss!” Meek whispered to himself though Xander can hear it most. “Aw, shut up, Lydia!” Meek blurted. “What did she say?” Shade asked, “Oh, um… nothing.” He said with a nervous laugh. 
While Shade, Meek, and Xander started to move. Xander went behind Shade and started to talk to Meek. “Meek?” Xander whispered, “I know you have a crush on Shade.” “Who--me?--No I-I would never--”  Meek’s cheeks started to turn as red as a chicken’s comb. His ears drooped down, “Yes. Please don’t tell her!” “No! I’m your best friend, I never tell any secrets.” “Oh really? What about that time when you told everyone I wet my--” “OKAY!!” Xander interrupted, putting his paw in front of Meek’s mouth. “Let’s just continue to walk there.” 
After a few miles, and snacks. They finally made it where they could see a bit of the cat village. “Okay.” Shade said, “My village is full of cats, and they HATE dogs, so Xander, pretend you're a prisoner. “What?” Xander argued, “Why can’t I disguise myself as a cat?” “Because this village also has a long-lost sense of smell.” “Wait, you mean our ancestors' power?” Xander then remembered what he read in history class about the cats once being domesticated, and they belonged to the extinct humans, along with the dogs. And before the humans vanished, dogs and cats had a sense of smell, hearing, night-vision, and litters! But it all faded once they became just like humans, with new abilities, they could stand on two legs, sweat, eat human food, be the size of a human, and on top of the food chain. But somehow, this village still had the cat instinct. Probably because this village lives in fear of the dogs. Xander thought, They want to destroy them, like the old times, so they’re instincts are still here. “I get it.” Xander whispered to Meek and Shade. “I’ll be your prisoner.” “What about when we get inside your house?” Meek asked, “I’ll tell them everything,” Shade replied, “But I must warn you, I have fifteen siblings. And my parents are the leaders of this village.”
“What!?” Meek squeaked, “I didn’t know she was this crazy!!” “Well, she has her mind set on destroying dogs, so she thought she could raise an army. It wasn’t that bad, she only had three litters, not one every year. That would’ve been painful!” Shade then got handcuffs and a muzzle from her pocket and put Xander’s arms behind him, and she locked the handcuffs on. She then buckled the muzzle on Xander’s snout. “Ow!” Xander whispered, muffled, “The handcuffs are tight!” “They’re supposed to be.” Shade said. They then walked through the village to her house. Cats then started to stare at them. “Don’t mind us.” Shade chuckled nervously, sweating. “We’re just taking this dog to my parents dungeon.” They then went back to their business. 
Soon, they then made it to the giant house of hay and wood. Meek opened the door, and they realized they walked in at the worst time. All of Shade’s family was all gathered in the same place. They then hissed at Xander, bringing their claws out, ready to attack. “Guys, guys! This dog you don’t attack.” Shade protested. She then started to make paw signals at a black cat with two ripped ears and a teared camo shirt, one arm missing, and yellow eyes. The cat then sighed, he then paw signaled to his children. They put their claws down. 
“Sorry for the rude entrance.” Said a black cat with a ripped dark purple shirt and yellow eyes. “We don’t really like dogs, I’m Blackout. Nice to meet you!” She then shook paws with Meek and Xander. “You’re back!” A small gray cat with blue eyes and a small white lab coat hugged Shade. “I hope you got all the ingredients!” “Yep, right here.” Shade said as she set them on the table, Meek wanted to vomit, but he held it in. “Hey, you!” The gray cat pointed at Meek, then sniffing him. “You think you’re good enough for my sister?” “Wha--I m-mean--I’m not dating--s-she’s your--” Meek stammered, “Knock it off, Hurricane.” Shade said. “I just met him.” “Now, let’s go to my lab.” They walked upstairs to a small lab in his room. Cases of different kinds of dirt, liquids bubbling, potions and books stacked on shelves, and a large black pot in the middle of the room. Shade then put all the things she had in her pockets into the pot, it glowed green. Hurricane started to mix it all up with a giant spoon. The pot then foamed up, Hurricane got an empty potion from a shelf, grabbed a funnel, and started to pour the liquid in. 
“Hurricane?” Shade asked, “Since you study magic, I need to talk to you about something.” “Go ahead, tell me anything you want.” “Okay, but first let me just say… mother lied about us being the only cats in the world, there’s a whole city left of us!” Hurricane froze, then continued to pour the potion.”So, mother has been lying to us all this time?” “Yes, and it turns out, Mother didn’t have magic at first, she stole it from a dog/cat hybrid. And the war ended a long time ago! By the hybrid!” “And Snowstorm trapped her inside this emerald,” Meek said as he showed him it. 
“All done with the potions!” Hurricane announced, as he dropped the vials in Shade’s paws, “Here. So, tell me about this emerald.” He sat down on the floor. Lydia then bursted out of the emerald. Hurricane jumped and hid behind the cauldron. “Relax.” Lydia said. “I’m the hybrid inside the emerald. My name is Lydia.” She pulled out a book with her name on it. “Start reading.” Hurricane flipped through the pages until he was on track with Lydia’s life. Suddenly, the emerald started to turn from green to red repeatedly, and Lydia was changing from herself to an ugly cat with red eyes and covered in black goop, repeatedly. “Where am I?” The hideous cat hissed. “Why couldn’t I get into the daughter, Snowstorm was much easier.” The cat looked around the room, then released a wicked grin. “Ahh, the small emerald boy.” “Who are you?” Meek asked “Oh, Lydia hasn’t told you yet? Tsk, Tsk, Tsk.” The cat then started to choke Meek. “Meek!” Shadow and Xander cried, “Let him go!” Hurricane shouted. “Listen to me, boy.” The cat spat in Meek’s face, bringing his face closer to Meek’s. “I will unleash hell on you if you try to stop me. Don’t make me. This is not the last you’ve seen of Rayas.”
He then turned back to Lydia, she then let go of him. Meek started to gasp. Shade ran to Meek and hugged him. “What-what happened?” Lydia asked, “Rayas happened,” Hurricane said. “Whatever that creepy cat’s name is.” “Rayas is alive!?!” Lydia gasped, “He’s supposed to be dead!” “Who’s Rayas?” Meek asked, catching his breath again, “And how do you know him?” Lydia sighed, “Okay, I’ll tell you. Rayas was a good cat, he was king of the north side of cats, he cared for others, he was charming, and he was… my husband.” 
VII
Meek
“Wait, what?!?” Meek gasped, “That crazy cat was your husband!?!” “Yes, but he wasn't always like a black goop monster.” Lydia said “He had a power no one could believe was true, he was a controller of the minds.” “Mind control?” Hurricane said, “That’s a very rare Petveil power.” “But once he figured out he could control minds, but only petveils, he went crazy. Rayas mind controlled the dogs, he made so many innocent dogs die. Until one day, I tried to stop him, we started a fight over a pool of lava. Then, I accidentally knocked him into the lava, and… and I killed Rayas.” “That must be so sad, killing your true love!” Shade said. “Turns out he survived, now that he’s alive he’s going to wipe out dogs and cats by controlling everyone. He controls your mother, and he will wipe out everything existing in earth, until it’s nothing but ashes and dust of broken and forgotten dreams. Starting with me.” “Wow, way to make a good story.” Xander said sarcastically. “How is he alive?” Shade asked, “HE WAS LITERALLY BURNED IN LAVA!!!” “I think I know how, with some Petveils, you get a second life, but if you were killed or burned or something dramatic, all the marks are still there.”
“So, there’s this crazy black goop person trying to kill us, and we have a Petveil here that can stop him. All I’m going to say is, STOP SLOUCHING HERE AND START TRAINING!!!!” The next day, at the crack of dawn, Lydia woke up Meek, and started to train him. He did push-ups, curl-ups, pull-ups on tree trunks. Practiced floating apples, and other things (including a VERY unhappy squirrel. Turns out he had revenge with his entire family and now there was a YouTube video of a chump chased and attacked by squirrels.) After he got good at floating apples and squirrels, he got to move trees and break tree trunks. He was a rookie using Lydia’s magic. A few days later, when night fell, Meek, Shadow, and Xander had a campfire with s’mores. 
“So, is this what s’mores taste like?” Shade said, licking her claws and lips. “The fire’s dying,” Xander said, “I’m going to get more firewood.” Xander then walked away, with Shade and Meek alone, together. This is your chance. Lydia said to Meek, The most romantic place for a first kiss, the campfire, the s’mores, and you two alone. “Shade?” Meek asked, “Yes?” Shade replied, looking more beautiful with her long black hair blowing. Oh boy, Meek gulped. This just got real. Relax, Lydia said, I’ll tell you what you need to say. 
“Shade, you’re as beautiful as a flower.” Meek said, repeating Lydia’s words. “The rare sacred lotus, in fact. Your voice fills my soul with happiness, you are the light in my world, your… knuckles are so pretty?” Shade gave a surprised look, she looked down at her knuckles. “You are as pretty as a… pigeon?” “Pigeon’s are ugly.” Shade said “Are you saying you hate me?” “No, I-I--” “Enough, I’m going to get the firewood with Xander.” Hurry now, before she leaves you. He then ran to her, held her paw, and kissed her.
“I meant to say I love you,” Meek said, “You’re perfect around your entire body. And a pigeon is the only thing I’ve seen, but I once saw a dove, and you are that rare dove.”  He put her hair behind her ear. “Is that how you really feel?” “Yes, every time I look at you and hear your beautiful voice.” Shade then kissed him back. “Hey, guys I got more--” Xander said with the firewood. He then saw Meek and Shade kissing, he dropped the wood. “Oh!” Shade said when she saw Xander. “Hi Xander! Um… what you’re seeing is happening, we’re a thing now.” “Yeah,” Meek said, his cheeks turning red. “I just thought a campfire was the most romantic.” “I’m just going to gouge my eyes out from seeing that.” Xander said, heading back to the woods. Meek and Shade smiled, and they continued to kiss under the moonlight.
VII
Xander
The next day, Xander woke up with no one cuddling for warmth with him. Instead, Shade and Meek slept together. Now that Meek and Shade were dating, Xander thought he wasn’t needed anymore. Just like my friends. He thought, Which I don’t have. I’ll go try to catch them a fish. The only thing I seem useful for. He walked towards the lake. A few fish were swimming peacefully, but not for long. He went on all fours, waiting until the fish were close to him, then he pounced at them. One fish caught in between his claws, the others swam away. So this is what our ancestors did. Xander thought, Much like catfishing. 
He walked home with it on fours and the fish in his mouth. “Hmmf gush, I cauf a fsh!” Xander said, muffled.  He spit it out on the floor. “No, we won’t eat that fish.” Shade said, “You used it in your mouth, your saliva all over it.” “Oh, so now I do something important, and you don’t want it?!” Xander barked “Xander!” Meek argued, “What’s with you today?” “Damn it, Meek, you know what. EVER SINCE YOU MET SHADE, YOU REJECTED ME, SLEPT WITH SHADE INSTEAD OF ALL OF US, AND YOU WON’T EVEN TAKE MY FOOD!!! IT’S ME BEING AN OUTCAST ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!” He shoved Meek to Shade. “ENJOY YOUR ROMANCE!!! I’M GOING BACK HOME!!” 
He got his backpack on. “Xander--” Meek tried to touch his shoulder, but Xander bit Meek’s arm as hard as he could. Meek howled in pain, blood escaping from his veins and dripping into the muddy ground. Xander growled, “Stay away from me.” He then went into the woods. Stupid people, Xander thought, I don’t need friends, I don’t need anyone, only the farm, and my dad. Suddenly, a black goop cat covered his mouth and nose from breathing. Xander started to panic muffled. “Shhh.” Rayas whispered to his ear in his creepy voice. “Not another word and maybe your friends will live!” Those were the last words he heard before he grew drowsy, and everything went black.
=== PART TWO ===
=== LOVE AND HATE ===
=== IX ===
=== Meek ===
“OW!” Meek flinched, while Shade was wrapping a bandage around his arm. “Sorry!” Shade said. “I can’t believe Xander just ran away on us like that!” “It’s our fault,” Meek mentioned, “Now that we’re a couple, we barely spend time with Xander.” “He was a third wheel. I feel bad for him. All done with the bandage!” Meek looked at the bandage stained with his blood. “Quick question,” Shade asked, “Does blood attract predators?” “It did before when raccoons and coyotes were bigger than we.” “That’s another lie from my mother I’ll add to my list.” “Let’s look for Xander.” Meek and Shade then started to explore the forest, Shade told her sibs to send a search party.
Hours passed, and there was no sign of Xander anywhere. They were about to lose hope, when they found something. “Shade!” a Siamese with a brown shirt and blue eyes called out. “I think we found something!” Meek and Shade gasped and followed Shade’s brother. “Earthquake, what did you find?” “Xander’s tracks!” Earthquake then pointed to paw prints. “They continue going until… they just disappear.” “Wait,” Shade said, “What’s that?” She went closer and saw a bit of black goop. “Oh no…” “Xander’s kidnapped by Rayas!” 
“Who’s Rayas?” Earthquake asked, “No one, tell Blackout about this, she has the best sense of smell.” “On it,” Earthquake then ran back home. "We have to find him, we need to go to Crimsonville now." Meek said. He started to go through his phone to look for ways to go to Crimsonville. "When we walk, it'll take a long time, and we can't fly, or take a boat without an adult." Who said anything about those? Lydia asked, We can fly there with me, and we need to train you to take down Rayas. He's really strong, I was lucky. "Wait, your mom's a Petveil, right?" Meek asked his girlfriend, "Yeah, why?" "You might be a Petveil as well!" "Not possible." Lydia said out loud, "When a Petveil marries a non-petveil, their child is a non-petveil, nothing else." She said.
“Let’s wait for Blackout to see us.” Shade said, “In the meantime, let’s show you the woods! I can’t wait to show you all you’ve missed!” Shade and Meek then walked over to a small river and a waterfall. Shade picked a pink fruit. “Try this.” Shade handed him the juicy, sticky fruit. He took a bite, purple juice smothering his face. “Mmm!” Meek said, “This is delicious, why do I feel happier?” “It’s an emotional fruit.” Shade said, “Also known as a Peca fruit. They give you emotions once you eat them. Pink ones give you happiness and heal you, red Peca fruits make you angry, green is sick, and purple is fear, blue is sad, yellow is anxiety or worried. My family grows Peca fruits all over!” “Wow, the Myths were true, Calwood forest is magic.” “More than that.” Shade said, “Come with me.” Shade squeezed Meek’s hand as they ran all the way to a forest of giant glowing mushrooms. Cyan, pink, purple, lime, all bright colors! “Whoa!” Meek gasped. “This is so beautiful!” They continued to walk through the forest when they saw a deer, an unusual deer. It was indigo with pink antlers. And there were strings heading down the antlers, the bottom was like the lights of angler fish. They all glowed blue.
Meek brought his claws out, ready for a feast as he licked his lips. “Don’t eat that.” Shade said, blocking him. “They’re like stink bugs when you kill them, plus they’re too beautiful to be eaten.” They then saw a tree that was like the buck's antlers on every tree trunk and branch. And there was… what it looked like a cat morphed with the tree. “That’s The Mother tree.” Shade said, “A cat lives in that tree, she’s morphed into it. She’s a Petveil, she morphed herself in so that she won’t go anywhere. She’s here to let nature have its balance. Not only that, but she’s ancient.” “This is awfully connected to what the humans called Percy Jackson.” “Yeah, except there's no--OH MY GOSH THEY’RE CONNECTED!!!” “This forest has a force field?” “YES!! It protects the darkness from the forest. JUST LIKE PERCY JACKSON!! But between us, I have an entire Percy Jackson collection left.” “Me too! But all books and movies that humans had, are still here. The humans didn’t die, they just disappeared from the world. And then our war started.” Shade and Meek both stared at each other, and kissed. 
“Good heavens!” The Mother Tree said in a British accent. “Do your nonsense somewhere else! I’m trying to sleep!” “I thought The Mother Tree was busy taking care of the forest and not sleeping.” Meek said. “Who are you?” The she-cat asked Meek, “Why haven’t the trees seen you?” “I’m Meek.” He replied to her. “I live in the city, perhaps your city trees have seen me?” “Oh, I don’t pay attention to those trees anymore, all those scalawags.” “She can see through the trees?” “Yes,” Shade said, “She sees and controls all nature.” “Are you here to request something?” The Mother Tree asked. “No,” Shade said, “I’m just showing my boyfriend the woods.” “With Lydia?” “How did--you just--how did you know?!” “I see all things, how are you Lydia? I missed you.” “Oh I’m well, not dead.” Lydia said. “Snowstorm trapped me here, but she’s not herself. Rayas is back.” “Oh Rayas, that mangy cat.” Mother Tree hissed. “I warned you about him, he’s more powerful than the rest of us!” “Maya, I know now, I’m sorry. But he can control us at any time!” “And we need help.” Shade said, “Rayas kidnapped our friend, Xander. And we need to find him in Crimsonville.” “Shadow.” Earthquake’s voice startled the cats. “Earthquake, don’t scare me.” “Sorry, but Blackout’s here from her fighting class. She is ready to track Rayas.”
=== X ===
=== Shadow ===
“Crimsonville is that way.” Blackout said to her sister, pointing south, towards the woods. “Thanks, Blackout.” Shade said as she hugged her sister. “You should come with us.” “Gee, I wish.” Blackout said, “But I want to keep you safe, in case one of us is a Petveil. Plus we have to keep Volcano away from the cookie jar.” “I love you Blackout, stay safe.” Shade said one final time. “Did you eat a blue Peca fruit, because there’s no need to be emotional. At least I’m here, your boyfriend.” Meek said. Shade silenced herself as her cheeks turned red. “OOOOOO!!!” Blackout teased. “Shade’s got a Boyfriend!!” “Shut up.” Shade growled. “Or I’ll tell Meek your secret!” Blackout squeaked, then shut her blabbermouth. Meek and Shade then headed to the forest. 
“So, what’s our plan?” Shade asked Meek while walking. “How do we stop Rayas?” “Lydia told me that he has no other powers besides his mind control.” Meek said, “However, he is an excellent combat fighter.” “And I’m good at that as well. My mom trains me, well… Rayas trained me.” “Wait, hold on. How long has your mother’s been mind controlled?” “Since I was born, why?” “Why would Rayas live Snowstorm’s life? Why is he so important to her?” “She’s the only Petveil, besides Lydia and Maya--The Mother Tree.” “Or, maybe they’re related?” “Are you saying that Rayas is my Grandfather!?!” “Surprise!” Lydia said, with the emerald glowing every time she said a word. “And I’m your Grandmother, do you think I was just friends with her? Ha! Nonsense, she was my daughter. I knew that would happen one day. Rayas controlling our daughter.” “So how do we defeat the Petveils if they're related to you?” Shade asked, “Let’s not kill them, first things first.” Meek said, “I don’t want to see another cat die in my life.” Don’t ask him who died, Shade, She thought to herself. You’ll only make it worse. 
“We just weaken him.” Lydia said, “We don’t need to go after Snowstorm. We need to stop Rayas, if Rayas can’t control anyone, he’s useless.” “Don’t forget the combat battle.” “Right, so here’s our plan. We go to Crimsonville, beat Rayas until his mind control is weak, then Shade will do the honors of bringing him to prison.” “Won’t he just mind control you?” Shade asked. “Maybe, but when he lived with me, he kept the basement to himself. No one was allowed inside. When I was pregnant with Snowstorm, I looked in the basement for a gift for her when she was born. I saw a robin sculpture, it was so pretty. Then Rayas found me. That was the only time he was so angry.” “Maybe that’s his weak spot!” Shade said, “The robin sculpture!” “Of course!” Meek said, “It’s what all villains have in the comics!” “So, a new plan. We keep Rayas--my grandfather, distracted while someone goes in and destroys the robin.” “And rescue Xander.” Meek added. 
After a few days of flying, walking, eating, watching Meek exercise, and emerald training. They were one day away by sailing on a sailboat Lydia made. “Hey Shade?” Meek asked, “Are you wondering about who died?” “Yeah,” Shade said, “But I thought talking about it made you sad.” “I went over that months ago. But I’ll tell you. About a year ago, my dad got cancer from the side effects of smoking when he was in high school. And on the best day I’ve had to have with him, he fell to the ground right there. We took him to the hospital, the doctor said he had cancer. He was dying, so I went in to say… goodbye.” A tear appeared from his eye as it snaked down his head and into his neck. “I miss him so much!” Shade hugged him, his tears staining Shade’s jacket. “I don’t want Xander to die! He’s my best friend, and I don’t want you to die too.” “Trust me Meek.” Shade said, “You won’t see another friend die, not on my watch. I promise.” “Thanks.” Meek sniffed. Meek and Shadow then went to their bedroom and slept kissing and sleeping.
=== XI ===
=== Xander ===
Xander woke up with tape around his mouth, arms, and legs to a chair. It was cold, of course, he was outside Crimsonville. “Enjoy your nap?” A creepy voice behind him chilled Xander’s spine. He ripped the duct tape off Xander’s mouth. Xander wailed in agony, his fur gone from that area. “Pain toughens the victim up.” Rayas hissed. “Making them stronger, more fearless from all the pain.” “What do you want with me?” Xander asked, trying to sound fierce. “Hush, child. I don’t need you, really. But I need you as answers, where are your friends heading?” “Why should I tell you anything?” He leaned over to knock down a robin sculpture. It fell, but Rayas caught it in a heartbeat. “That’s it.” Rayas spat. “You’ve gone too far.” Rayas grabbed a piece of coal from a fireplace and pressed it against Xander’s back. Xander screamed again, the burning flesh made Xander want to faint. “Tell be, worthless brat, WHERE ARE YOUR FRIENDS!?!?” Rayas burned Xander again. This time it felt hotter, like if the sun wanted to touch his back. 
“Hey!” A female voice called in the shadows of the city. “Leave him alone!” She stepped out into the light. She looked like a dog… but not like any breed. It looked like… a wolf? That was impossible, wolves disappeared along with the humans. Wolves, lions, tigers, and the rest of dogs and cats ancestors. Xander would have to find that out later. She was a gray wolf with brown eyes. She wore a purple shirt. “Or else what?” Rayas laughed at the wolf. “You’re pathetic.” “Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that.” Four more wolves came up behind her. One black, one white, one brown, and one orange. The black wolf had unusual pale blue eyes, and a red flannel shirt. The white wolf had green eyes, and a blue shirt that showed a blue moon and a wolf howling. The brown wolf had yellow eyes and a dark blue shirt that showed the northern lights. Finally, the orange wolf had cyan eyes, she had a shirt with a phoenix on it, half blue, half red, and she had… hair. No animals ever had hair in centuries, but she did. Hairs of gold, red, and brown gleamed with the sun. The gray wolf’s eyes suddenly turned white. Along with the other wolves' eyes.
She then started to float, a nearby deer who was eating some grass, their eyes turned white. The buck went in front of them. She attracted some birds, mice, badgers, and more deer. The orange wolf then floated, and fire danced on her claws. The other two floated as well. “Why can’t I control you, dogs?” Rayas snarled, “Haven’t you heard? We’re not Petveils.” The gray wolf smiled, “We’re wolves.” The deer started to attack Rayas. The birds pecked through the ropes of Xander. He was then free, he ran to the wolves, watching the epic battle. Vines shot out of the ground and trapped Rayas’s arms. His strength was no match for the vines, for as he ripped them apart, the vines turned black. He tied the orange wolf around the vines. But she burned them and… she grew wings and started to fly. 
“What are you doing here?” The black wolf asked Xander in an australian accent. “Get out of there!” He grabbed Xander and ran to the bushes. “Wait!” Xander exclaimed, “What about your friends?” “They’ll be fine.” He said, “Laura and Phoenix usually knock ‘em all out.” “Laura? Phoenix?” “Oh, forgive me. I’m Ryan, the gray wolf is Laura, our leader. The orange is Phoenix, my twin sister, also the brains of the team, I’m the muscle.” Hearing the word “Twin”, made Xander worried, thinking about Meek. How Xander missed Meek. Forget it, Meek didn't want him as his friend anymore. Because now he has no-good Shade as his girlfriend, they’re probably smooching right about now. Meek’s smug face being all romantic, how dare he--. “Are you okay?” Ryan asked Xander, bringing him back to earth. 
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Xander said. “But I have a question, HOW ARE WOLVES ALIVE AND WITH POWERS!?!?!” “We usually don’t share this with pets, but since I’m far related to you, ok! When the humans disappeared, the wolves freaked out. Our wolf pack hid in the emergency den. Our parents were about to go when… a black and white blur took them. I fell asleep in fear, when I woke up, we were the only ones.” “W-wait, black and white!? What did it look like?” “The only thing I saw was a yellow crown.” “Wait, did that mean Rayas took the humans?!”
=== XII ===
=== Meek ===
Meek slept good last night, the first time in years. He woke up with his arm around Shade. The sun in his eyes, he soaked every bit of Warmth he could get. “Enjoy your rest?” Shade purred, “Yep, I loved it with you.” “I love your smug face.” “Attention all crew.” Lydia said. “There will be no kissing in my ship. Save that for when you save Xander.” “Thanks for reminding us.” Meek meowed. “How many more days until we reach Crimsonville?” “Good thing you asked.” Lydia said, “The only way there is blocked, looks like this is our last spot at training. Flying.”
“Um… c-can’t we j-just swim over t-there?” Shade asked nervously, “Don’t tell me you're scared!” Meek said. “I’m not scared! I just don’t like high places!” “It’s ok Shade,” Meek put his arms around Shade to calm her down and feel loved. “I’m here for you, ready?” “I guess so.” A green light glowed around Shade and Meek, then they started to fly, “Whoa, ok! This is terrifying!” Shade hugged Meek as tight as she could, Meek didn’t mind it, though. Her soft fur made him comfy. “Shade, look.” Meek purred. Shade peeked out of Meek’s arms. “Whoa,” She gasped, “The world is beautiful flying!” They flew past mountains, some mountain goats, and Meek tried the biggest dare he could think of. He flew over the Ocean, went lower… until went underwater.
“Lydia?” Meek asked, “Does the emerald make me BREATHE AND TALK UNDERWATER!?!?!” “Yes, magic is capable of everything.” She replied. “LOOK AT THE DOLPHINS!!!” Shade shrieked, Meek has never seen her this happy before. A pod of dolphins swam into the sunset. Meek then swam to some porpoises, coral, fish, and some scuba divers who were confused with Meek’s magic. “This is wonderful.” Shade said, “I’m glad I’m here with you.” “Let’s get back to land.” They burst out of the water and landed safely on the warm sand. “Hey what’s that?” Shade said, pointing to an abandoned beach house. “Wait a second,” Lydia said, “This is MY beach house. Me, Rayas and Snowstorm went there for a vacation.” “Really? My grandparents owned a beach house?” Shade asked, “Wow, my family was great when Mother was a kid.”. Meek and Shade stopped at the rusty, rickety door. Meek knocked on it, it fell instantly. He jumped and ran behind Shade. “Oh Meek, don’t be a scaredy-cat.” They crept inside the house, where they found nothing but rust, rubble, and paintings slowly fading with ashes.
“Geez, what happened here?” Shade asked, “Did a fire happen here?” “Actually, yes.” Lydia pointed out, “Most dogs used to live here, so Rayas burned the entire town. Not knowing his beach house burned as well.” as they started to stalk down the hallway, Lydia kept on babbling about her life as they stopped by old things. Lydia even pretended to walk with herself as a green swirl. The last place they stopped by, before leaving, was what looked like a baby girl’s room from the bunny wallpaper behind the ashes. “Oh,” Lydia gasped, looking around the room. “This was Snowstorm’s room.” “Not much.” Shade included. “This room used to be beautiful, we used to have a rocking chair, a toy box, and…” Lydia stammered as she looked over to a burnt, rickety crib. Lydia walked to it, crying. “Snowstorm’s crib.” Lydia looked up, “Rayas, what have you done to our beautiful angel?” “Mother’s good?” Shade asked, “She didn’t choose Rayas to control her?” “No, she was the sweetest girl in the entire world. It’s a shame you didn’t get to meet her really.” 
“Mama.” A voice called, “Did you hear that?” Meek asked, perking his ears up. “Yeah, I did.” Shade answered. “Mama.” It called again. Meek then spotted a walking scorched doll, coming towards them, with eyes pitch black. As soon as it said “I love you”, more dolls started to rise, heading for them as well. “Um… Lydi--Grandma?” Shade asked, “Can Petveils control dolls?” “No,” Lydia answered, “The only way he could do it is by...OH FOR THE LOVE OF ARTEMIS, WHY IS HE A SERIAL KILLER!?!” “Serial killer how exactly?” Meek questioned. “He killed dogs so he can take their hearts and stuff them in the dolls, that might be one reason he loved killing.” “OH MY GOD, THAT IS THE MOST TWISTED WAY OF KILLING!!” Meek shrilled. “Run!” Shade panicked. Lydia crept back in the emerald as the two cats ran for their nine lives. But running so fast made the Beach house start to crumble. They made it to the door, but it was nailed shut. “Since when did dolls learn to nail doors?” Shade said, “Do something! You’re the one with a magic emerald!” Meek hesitated as the dolls came closer, and closer. 
He started to remove the door by Lydia’s magic. He removed the nails and Shade shoved the door into the dolls like a bowling ball and pins. “Strike!” Meek exclaimed while Shade glared at him. “What? Can’t your boyfriend make a bowling pun?” They jumped out as the beach house crumbled behind them. With the dolls crushed. “Are you alright?” Meek asked Shade, coughing like if she was about to hack a hairball. “Yeah, I’m all right.” She answered him. “Grandma?” “I’m trapped in an emerald, I can’t get hurt.” Lydia said. “Are the dolls gone?” “Looks like they are.” Shade said, “I’ll check just to make sure, you don’t know what Rayas--Grandpa would've put in those.” Rayas knows we’re on our way. Lydia said in Meek’s head. We should be more cautious. Does that mean I have to train more? Meek thought No, you really don’t have to train, I can just take over. You give me a command, and I do it. “Hey guys?” Shade said, “I think I found something!” Meek walked towards Shade, who was staring at the rubble floor. “What did you find?” Meek quizzed. “I think it’s a waffle.” Shade said, pointing to the waffle-shaped object. “This isn’t a waffle.” Meek said, “It’s a trapdoor.” 
=== XIII ===
=== Shadow ===
“A trapdoor?” Shade asked, “To what? All of Rayas’s secrets?” “Maybe.” Meek guessed. “But be careful, there could be anything in there.” “Like… more creepy dolls?” “We’ll be ready.” Lydia said. “Wait a second…” Meek realized, “This is where the robin sculpture was held, right?” “Yes.” Lydia answered, “Why do you ask?” “If the sculpture was destroyed, why would the dolls still come alive?” “Maybe because that’s not his weakness. I think he was just born with the Mind control.” Shade said, “What if it’s something else? What were you right next to when Rayas yelled at you?” “Ah, nothing. Just a bunch of journals.” “That’s it!” Meek snapped his fingers, “The journals! They might have been filled with useful information!” “Like his evil plans?” Shade asked, “Let’s go see and find out.” Meek concluded. Shade opened the trapdoor, which led to smooth stone stairs. 
__NOTOC__