Chapter 1 : Enter the Storm
#1 of No World For Tomorrow
My new series intro. Updated as of April 11th 2012.
Gazing into the night sky Destiny sat on the hood of her car, her red tail twitching every now and then in anticipation of seeing a shooting star. Which was to her was a rare treat to see in the nights sky. Ever since her cub years she would go star gazing and upon seeing one would make a wish. It was childish but still she held her hopes high that one day they might come true.
The vixen had been out to this particular spot many times before. Nothing ever changed unless she tossed a piece of trash here or there. In respects she liked to keep this spot clean for a very obvious reason. It was her go to place to get away from the world and she tried her best to preserve its serene splendor.
Having just finished her last cigarette she places the butt into her empty soda can. The hiss of the cigarette being put out would groan from inside the can. Fondly she would remember the time she was last here. It had been nearly a week since she was here last. This time she hoped it would be something different and quietly gazed back to the sky.
She felt at peace even if was for a little while. Her soft brown eyes taking in the infinite wonders of the night sky. So many stars would fill the night sky with their ominous twinkle. She would wonder if their world was only a small part of something bigger and more grand.
One star in the corner of her eye seemed brighter than all the others. Having given this star her undivided attention she watched as it grew brighter and brighter. Almost like it was signaling to her from somewhere in the depths of space.
In her mind she wondered what new star she may have found and begins to think of the possibilities that may be. The star would twinkle brightly for another few moments and then begin to fade. Destiny would watch as the once bright light disappeared into the darkness surrounding it. She felt her ears twitch for a bit as the wind shifted around her. The wind causing her hair to blow around made her raise her paw to clear her face of any stray strands. Having gotten chilled she scoots off the hood and stopped to look at the night sky once more. Maybe just maybe that star would shine again. Much to her dismay the star hadn't returned and left her in the wake of its once bright glory.
Another day had come to the foxen capital of Neon City, a shining new day filled with new dreams and possibilities.
On the stretch of highway leading to the beach, was littered with vehicles traveling to and from the boardwalk. All would seem another working day for some and a day off for others. In the end who could resist a day at the beach.
A vixen lays on her beach towel spending her day off by hanging out at the beach. The sun causing the sands to become especially warm today. Her soft body sinking further into the sand as shifted around as the heat boer down on her. Her coat would reflect most of the suns rays and she would bask in its radiance.
Down the beach a short ways from the vixen were a group of foxes and wolves played volleyball. The females having all but won the game toyed with their male counterparts and enjoyed watching them try their hardest to catch up. Among the females was one vixen, her name Tiffani. She knew how to waste the day by going to the beach and having some fun in the sun. Her company today was her bond mate, Stone.
Tiffani had pestered him enough to take some time off and had come to the beach. It was against his better judgement to come here. He wanted stay home and sleep but knew his mate would only try harder to get him to come here. Rather than deal with her so called "jokes", he would go along with her plan. He figured he would get no peace if he started a war of the sexes.
Together they shared the better part of the morning by showing up and playing some volleyball with some people they just met.Since most of their friends would either be at work or still asleep they would make do with randoms at the beach.
Stone knew he couldn't play for shit but didn't let it bother him today. So far he had been beaned in the head with the volleyball twice and was trying his best to keep it from happening again. The first time it hit him in the face and the second was behind the head. Apparently someone else besides him couldn't play either.
Still it was all fun and he was with his mate. So he would try and let nothing kill the mood. Everything was going to plan except for his team losing the game. It would prove to be another wound upon his pride and left him in a bit of disposition. He wanted to win but since it was guys versus girls the men had agreed to lose out of sympathy.
Stone knew it wasn't sympathy meant for the girls. It was purely planned to give the girls a reason to feel good about themselves. Like any other guy Stone wanted to make her happy no matter the blow to his ego. In the end the females would make up for it. Stone knew it and so did the other males. Collectively the minds of the males would set into motion a chain of events that would hopefully end in a night of passion. Or even a hand job for the ones who weren't picky.
Looking further down the beach Stone sees a vixen pointing to the sky. This seemed a bit odd, what could possibly be at this time of day. The airpport was on the other side of town. Soon after a few more turned to look and began to point to the sky.
Stone looked to the sky in the direction they were pointing and was amazed.
What looked like meteors were coming down just above the high rises of Neon City. From his angle Stone calculated in his mind that they were going to make their landing not far from the beach. Given velocity and speed would be in a matter of minutes.
Tiffani took a sip of her water and looked to the sky. Shielding her eyes from the sun she watched as one flew over head and landed in the water. She had never seen a meteor shower and sure as hell wasn't going to miss this chance to see one especially one during the day.
As more and more came shooting down into the ocean would cause a series of splashes that sent swimmers scurrying back to the beach for safety.
"Such a pretty sight" thought Tiffani as she stood there in awe.
The sight was beginning to grow into somewhat of a spectacle and had gathered a small crowd of onlookers. Tiffani and Stone among the many who watched as the scene began to unfold.
A thought of wonder lingered in other peoples minds as well while they watched the objects falling. A wolf runs pass them screaming at the top of his lungs, "They're coming!" Having not made heads or tails of the situation just yet Tiffani turned to the ocean as the wolf left her view. She had never seen anyone run as fast as he did and she figured he almost got smashed by one of the meteors.
"What's he on about?", comes a voice from behind her. Wondering the same thing she asks, "What did he mean "they"?
She seen a fox swimming for shore when suddenly his head goes under. She watched as he came up screaming then suddenly disappearing below the waters surface. A ripple left in his wake was all that remained.
Tiffani tried not to panic as the water turned from light blue to blood red. Her thoughts numbed her readtion and suddenly she panicked. Tiffani thought she had just witnessed a shark attack and warned others accordingly. Nothing could prove her more wrong.
Rising from the water a lone armored humanoid figure appeared. Suddenly many more came to the surface.
Stone walked over to Tiffani and asks, "What are they?", pausing only for a moment to place his paw on her shoulder. Having not the slightest idea what to make of the situation Tiffani shook her head and replied, "I don't know." She had seen things like this in movies but never before in person. Truth be told she was scared shitless inside and sought refuge in Stone's arms.
Staring on in wonder they watched the things make a line on the beach. Slowly they raised their arms and a low hum filled the air.
Stone knew this was beginning to look like a firing line and pushed Tiffani behind him.
The silence was broken by the sound of a vixen a little ways from their position. Having looked for the source they see the vixens body stop moving as her head exploded into a crimson mist. The resulting shock sent furries running away in terror.
Tiffani closed her eyes and pressed against Stone's back. She tried her best not to remember what she had just witnessed but it played over and over again in her head.
"What the fuck!?", yelled Stone as he turned and grabbed Tiffani's paw, "Run!", he yelled as he ran with Tiffani close behind.
They ran as the area behind them filled with explosions and the cries of furries caught in the skirmish.The peaceful area quickly turned into a makeshift battleground. One of which meant anyone who stayed would surely forfeit their lives.
A fox who had been hit in the leg struggled to crawl away while his leg sizzled from the plasma round. It pained him deeply and he fought to keep form going into a state of shock. Stopping for a moment he looked at his leg and seen that his foot had broken off and was laying from where he had crawled.
A shadow covered his body and he looks up to see one of the figures standing over him. His eyes widen as the opening to the weapon began to charge with a blue essence.
Looking back Stone watched as the fox was blown into pieces that littered the sand with his entrails. in response Stone began to run faster as plasma explosions found their way into the crowd ahead of him.
Tiffani narrowly avoids a plasma round as it hit the sand in front of her. She would watch it sizzle and then fizz out in a puff os smoke. Stone fearing for the safety of his mate had slowed his pace so he could be right behind Tiffani.
As the sight of of the boardwalk neared Stone caught sight of his truck and quickly retrieves the key from his pocket. Stone never believed in keyless entry and was beginning to think that maybe he should've gotten one.
Tiffani rushed to the passenger side and waited as Stone fumbled with his door. Time was of the essence and there she stood, out in the open. "Hurry up!", she yelled as a plasma round hit the car next to the truck. She would pause for a brief moment and watched the plasma melt the car where it had hit.
A plasma round hits the truck's driver side mirror and narrowly missed Stone's arm, "Fuck it!", he yelled in a fit of panic. Not taking another chance with the key, Stone elbows the window and shatters it. No way was he going to die over such a small thing and like hell would it cost him the love of his life.
Tiffani watched as he reached to the panel and unlocked her door. Quickly she opens the door and ducked inside to the safety of the vehicle. She barely had time to close her door as Stone started the truck.
Stopping to glance at the beach they watched more of those things coming onto shore. Their numbers pushing into the size of a small battalion.
Without prior notice a larger machine came out of the water and stepped onto the beach. The sheer size of the machine shook Tiffani to the core as well as the ground it stepped on. Stone figured it stood about 4 stories standing up and left it at that. Science can come later when they are safe and out of harms way. He had seen what the smaller ones were capable of and figured take a small one and times its destructive power by ten or twenty. Either way he didn't want to stick around to find out.
It's shape like that of a giant disc with arms extending from the center of the main body. A giant silver tipped armature glows brightly as it is revealed when the top drew back. Those who stopped watched as it hovered further onto the beach and covered their ears as it moaned out a deep growl.
The silver light glows brightly from the arm on top of the disc. It would look to and fire at a group of furries who were running away. The cowered in horror as the area around them lit up in a silvery essence.
Tiffani closes her eyes when the initial shockwave sent sand and roasted remains sailing in all directions. The very sight sickened her and she tried her best not to puke. Never before had she seen such a horrible end to a group of furries.
Having heard the intial call more of the larger machines came floating out of the water. And among them more of the foot soldiers.
Not wanting to hang around any further Stone shifted the truck into drive and heads away from the beach. He had just about seen enough death to last him a lifetime.
Tiffani looked back as the machines moved past the boardwalk and fired upon any furry they had seen. "All those people.", she said as the truck sped down the street. Never before had she seen war or its evil devices but knew this was just setting the ground work for something much larger. Emotionally a wreck she sat back in her seat and tries not to cry.
The traffic jammed the highway and caused Stone to dodge vehicles left and right.Stone tried to pay attention to the road and glances at the rearview mirror. He seen one of the larger machines blasting at a group of furries hiding behind cars. Their cover proved useless as they were devoured in a haze of plasma.
The sight of a jet flying over head caused Stone to pull his truck to the side and get out. He looked up to see the military forces overhead responding to the events on the beach. Heavy choppers and fighters flew overhead and hit the alien foe in short hit and run rushes.
A jet that made a fly by was engulfed in plasma and was sent crashing into a nearby building. The explosion sent pieces of building and plane to the ground with tremendouse force. A fox who had dodged most of the debris was hit from behind and splattered into bloody chunks that sent others running in fear.
A rocket zooms by overhead and explodes into one of the larger machines.The force from the impact caused it to shift to the side and come crashing down into a small coffee shop. Small sparks could been seen as the light on the top faded out.
Raising his paw in the air Stone yelled out and watched in disbelief as the disc sprang to life once more. The rubble from the coffee shop shot into the air as a shiled was deployed from within the disc.
The forcefield could be seen pushing dust away from the damaged disc and caused Stone to get back in his truck. Shifting the truck into drive he pushed the pedal to the floor and put some distance between them and the terror that followed.
Back on the hill top Destiny watched as the smoke clouds joined into one and made an even larger one. Together they would paint the sky in an orange haze of misery and destruction.
Its origins coming from the beach and surrounding areas.
Destiny had seen the larger plasma explosions and watched in horror and amazement. She had heard the low growl from way over here and was left wondering what had made such a terrible sound. She also would see the military engaing the enemy from the air and seen the ensuing chaos in the skies.
She dropped her head and began to cry the tears that would begin the cycle of sorrow in the times ahead. She knew not what to expect but nothing could prepare them all for the coming of the storm.
A storm that had barely begun.
"Welcome to the storm, where you'll find nothing but ashes. A silent prayer fading into the air. Our tears, raining down upon the city. Our blood, coating the smoldering ashes. It's raining on the streets of Neon City. Raining our sorrow."
- "Ashes" by Anakani