Time Leapers - Will to continue

Star Leap jolted awake. What happened? What was that feeling? The emotions of sorrow, hopelessness, and pain still lingered, clawing on his pelt. He struggled to get on his paws. “Where am I?” Star Leap thought to himself as he scanned the area around him. It wasn’t like the place of the Forgotten Timelines, no, it was different. VASTLY different, yet so familiar. He wasn’t in the medicine den anymore, well, at least his spiritual body wasn’t. A sudden flash of light blinded Star Leap.

“God damn it.” Star Leap muttered under his breath, “Is this the main character treatment? Can I at least a power boost or healing? Damn.”

Star Leap opened his eyes as he noticed the blinding light disappearing. Star Leap’s eyes widened with amazement. The dark, void-like area he was placed he was once in changed into a forest under stars that shined brighter than the sun itself. Star Leap had a strange sense of déjà vu. Has he been here before?

Before he could answer his question, he heard a loud explosion. Star Leap suddenly felt a wave of pain. But this was a different feeling of pain. It wasn’t his pain. It was the pain of others. The pain of losing their loved ones, the pain of losing their childhood home, the pain of everything.

The pressure of this emotion pushed Star Leap to the floor. Star Leap struggled to get back up, the pain continuously pushing him back down. Screams of agony erupted in Star’s head. What was this? Who are these people?

“Help!” “AHHHHH!” “SOMEONE! PLEASE!” HELP US!”

Star Leap continued to struggle. The more he pushed to get back up, the more the pain increased, pushing him back down.

“No...” Star Leap whimpered, “I-I must help them! In any way possible! I just need... need more strength...” Star Leap started to claw his way to the explosion, the pain still pushing down. It was crushing him at this point. He continued to claw slowly. He huffs after each tug, trying to catch his breath. The voices calling for help grew louder and louder until they covered Star Leap’s line of thought.

He tugged on one more time.

…

Star Leap gave up. Star Leap’s hope was fading. The voices continued to cry for help, but he couldn’t do anything anymore. His body wanted to give up.

…

Until a familiar voice ranged inside his head, overpowering the cries for help. It sounded sweet, calming, and hopeful. “Star Leap...” the sweet voice said, “Don’t give up!”

Star Leap’s blue jewel suddenly glowed. “Yu?” Star Leap whimpered weakly. The jewel began glowing brighter. “Get up...” “Don’t give up.”

Slowly, Star Leap got back on his paws, fighting against the powerful force of pain weighing him down. Star Leap continued to press on, as the calming voice and the blue jewel gave him the power to move on. The pain slowly started to dissipate, allowing Star Leap to move faster.

“I have no idea if this was supposed to teach me something!” Star Leap shouted “But screw it! My name is Star Leap! Protector of the Timelines! And this! Is my character development!!!!”

Star Leap continued running, dodging the trees and bushes until he reached the explosion area. The voices were now gone, but he could still feel the pain. The explosion created a huge crater that leveled many trees. Star Leap scanned the area the crater created but unfortunately didn’t find anything. No bodies, no screams, no voices. Only him, the crater, and the fading pain.

Star Leap started to question himself. What was this? Was this a test? What was this place? Star leap would a crunch and quickly turned to find... himself? Before he could think of anything, the other Star Leap stared him dead in the eyes. “Uh, hello?” Star Leap said, getting no response.

Star Leap’s doppelganger held out his paw, seemingly wanting Star to do the same. Star slowly reaches for his doppelganger as blinding light slowly engulfs the two.