The Hunters Become The Hunted
The Hunters Become the Hunted
James stood staring at his phone, suspended in horror. Tears of pain began to stream out of his golden eyes. "What's wrong?" asked a scared Saia. "He's gone..." James weeped. All of the females covered their mouths with their hands in surprise.
Something was not right to begin with. Argos knew he would face Hunters! Why did he go? He wasn't crazy! All these thoughts coursed through his mind. A fierce rage began to burn within the pit of James's soul. The girls' eyes widened in horror as they began to back away from James.
James's eyes were no longer the color of honey, they were now blood red. A deep growl emanated from his chest, and his fur stood up on the back of his neck. Suddenly, he whipped around and crashed through the back door, a red aura was trailing after him. "James?!" called Aeris as she ran to catch him. Shira and Saia caught her shoulders and said, "Don't..."
James fell to his knees and screamed at the sky. "WHY?! WHY DID YOU TAKE HIM YOU BASTARDS!" James yelled. The red aura swirled around him with intensity. James pounded the ground with such ferocity that he ripped a deep crevice in the ground, and his energy released a great explosion scorching everything within a 1000 foot radius. Plants wilted and the siding melted off of his house. Everything was covered in a thick cloud of dust and smoke. The girls peeked outside to find James hunched over in the back yard. He was breathing heavily, surprised at how much damage he caused.
A small hand touched him on the back. James rose up and looked at the hand. He placed his hand on it. "I'm sorry...I-I don't know what came over me..." whispered James. His tears were now tears of blood, streaming down his face and dripping onto his crest. Aeris knelt down beside him and said in a trembling voice, "He died doing what he was supposed to do." "I should have gone with him..." James murmured.
Aeris didn't know what to say. Not only did she lose the closest thing to a father, she also was afraid of James's incredible rage. She desperately searched for words. "James...I-I *mmph*!" She stuttered, but then was caught by surprise with a kiss from James. He held her close as he ran his fingers through her hair. James released the kiss and placed his head on her shoulder. "I'm fine..." he said. Aeris gazed into his eyes as the moonlight reflected off of them. One eye was still red while the other was grey.
They all went back inside.
"What do we do now?" asked Shira. That was a very good question. What DO they do now? Do they just stay at the house and wait for another priest to come to them? Or do they go to the forest near the sea to find more answers? James pondered, and pondered. He grew a slight smile on his face. The girls knew that James had something in mind. "Pack up girls!", James said jovially, "We're going to the beach!"
Was James going crazy? Shira gave James a weird look. "The...beach? Like the ocean beach?!" She said.
"Yeah." James responded. Looks like some shopping was in order!
The next day, James gave each girl fifty dollars to spend on extra clothes. "Now I trust that you won't spend it all on one bathing suit!" James stressed.
This was going to be hard for the girls. "Yes." They all said.
"Now, we are all going to a very busy place. So, there almost definitely will be Hunters. I know that guy from yesterday is tracking me down. So I want you all to stay with me at all times. I don't want to lose any of you." James begged.
The girls all looked at each other in worry. Hunters were more dangerous than ever now, and they didn't like the thought of what they would do to them. Should a hunter attack them, what would they do? James surely couldn't hold off a massive attack from them. Then, as if James knew what they were thinking, he walked into his bedroom. A light clattering could be heard coming from his closet. Saia peeked into the room and saw James preparing four firearms. "James...what are those for?" She asked fearfully.
He picked a fully loaded clip and slipped it into the chamber of the small Glock. "This is for all of our safety." He said as he handed it to her. She took it and nervously slipped it into her bag. James hoped that they would never have to use them.
James walked out and gave Shira and Aeris their weapons. Shira had Smith & Wesson snub-nose revolver, and Aeris had a PPK/S 9mm. They all concealed their weapons within their bags. "Now don't use them unless you are attacked, understand?" James commanded. The girls nodded in response. He stored his two Desert Eagles in his large cargo pockets, and said, "Alright! Let's go!"
Once at the mall, they followed in a close group to the entrance. Aeris held tightly to James's arm as they walked into the bustling mall. People of all ages flowed in large lines from store to store, searching for many different things. James scanned the crowd for anything suspicious. "Ok...I'll follow you guys now. Remember, make your money last." He said. He let them ahead and trailed closely behind, constantly searching for any unwelcome company.
James was suddenly hit with a useful idea. "Follow me ladies." He said energetically. They all looked at him unsure what he had in mind. They were led to a small kiosk. Small, shiny objects were enclosed within a glass case, and some of them were blinking. "How may I help you?" said the suave saleswoman. "Three phones please..." James asked.
The girls looked at each other in confusion. He already has a cell-phone...why would he need three? The sales lady and James discussed different kinds of plans in the background.
"...now if that is too expensive, then we can always go with the monthly plan..." the saleswoman coaxed.
James was beginning to get annoyed by this lady's persistence. "M'am...",James said cutting the woman off mid-sentence, "All I want is three phones that only dial one number."
She looked at James for a second then said, "Oh! Then you would want these emergency phones." She held up a simple instrument with one single button on it.
"That's perfect...how much?" James responded quickly.
With phones in hand, the women split up to look for their own style of clothing. James watched as they headed off in three opposite directions. "I hope they will be ok..." He whispered to himself. He walked to a small bench and sat down.
James watched the people file off of the escalator. One lady with huge sunglasses was heavily laden with shopping bags. Another guy was dressed totally in black, and his ears were studded with various metal objects. "Hmm...I guess he wants to be different." James thought to himself. A strong scent suddenly filled the air in the wake of that dark man. Such a scent only belonged to a Hunter. James's eyes widened as the dark man began to glare around. He was on the hunt, and who knows what that guy had in that large trench coat. James suppressed the fire within his gut, and slowly stood up. Should he and that hunter get into it, all Hell will break loose, and James wasn't about to chance it. So, he strided past the dark man without even acknowledging his existence.
He checked his phone for any missed calls from the girls, then entered a familiar store. The sign above the entrance read "The Emporium". Many large and excessively decorated weapons lined the walls of the store.
"Hey James! What brings you here?" said a voice. It was Ajir, a rather haughty fellow and James's good friend.
"Hey Ajir..." James said calmly.
"Have you any new stories?" Ajir asked in his heavy Arabic accent.
"Nah...Not right now." James lied.
He pulled out his two prized Desert Eagles.
"What can you give me for these?" said James as he set them on the hard, marble counter.
"Woah! I had no idea you had these!" Ajir gawked. He took them up in both hands examining them. He commented on every detail as he examined every inch of the weapons. "...nice beveling treatments with a chrome accent! Wow! Did you make these modifications yourself?!" Ajir asked excitedly.
"Yep...I basically replaced everything except the firing mechanism." James explained.
"I had no idea that you were so handy with guns my friend!" Ajir chuckled.
There it was again...that pungent odor of a hunter. James tensed up as he saw the same dark man enter the store. He needed to get away from him...but how?
James thought of a quick scheme, "Uhh...Hey Ajir...why don't you show me what you have in the back?" James stared at him with his golden eyes.
Ajir understood and said, "Oh yes! You needed that special order didn't you?" he began to walk to the back of the store.
"Ashira! Attend to this customer will you?" Ajir called to a small woman sitting at a desk. James walked around the counter and gave one last glance at the man. What a time to be hunted! All he wanted to do was go to the beach!
Once they were both out of sight in Ajir's office, James became very serious. James shut the wood door and said, "Ajir...this is going to blow your mind...but I DO have a story to tell. I'm an Atlantean."
Ajir laughed, "A what?"
"I am not a human anymore...I am more than a human! I can switch forms between that of a wolf, a half wolf, and human." James explained.
"You're joking right?" Ajir said.
James spread out his arms and changed form. His ears morphed into large pointed wolf ears. His teeth and muzzle grew out, and he had fur covering his entire body. He thrashed his tail around to shake off the loose hair.
"I am being hunted." James said.
And hunted he was. A shrill scream let out in the front of the store, and many objects were being broken and thrown. Loud footsteps thundered down the hallway toward Ajir's office.
This can't happen...not here! Not now! What about the girls? Aeris...Shira...Saia...I will not lose them! James's eyes glowed a bright red, and he slammed his shoulder into the door as hard as he could. The hunter's plan to kick the door in was canceled by James's shoulder ram, causing a stalemate for about a minute or so. "Ajir! Guns! Now!" James struggled. Aijir rifled through his desk and tossed a large Five-Seven Magnum to James. A hail of bullets flew through the solid oak door. "Shit!" James yelled, and he let his power consume him. He slammed his fist through the door and grabbed the man's collar. The man struggled against James's iron grasp. James let out a yell and threw his weight against the door, slamming the man behind it against the opposite wall.
A loud voice screamed, "James! Duck!" James flung himself to the floor, and a loud explosion sounded off behind him. Shards of oak flew everywhere, embedding themselves into walls and the floor. James was impaled by a large splinter in the side. "AUGH!" He yelled.
Ajir slowly stepped up to James. "Are you alright?" He asked.
"Rrrgh...yeah...I'm fine" James growled as he pulled out the three inch splinter. His crest was still glowing with power.
"That was one hell of a fight my friend!" Ajir said as he tossed his sawed off shotgun onto his shoulder.
James rose up and looked at the shattered door. A large puddle of crimson blood began to grow around the door. They both were disturbed by the sight. "Nice shot..." James commented. "Yeah...thanks." Ajir replied as he twirled the shotgun around his finger.
James morphed back into his human form. "What do we do now?" Ajir asked. James was determined to get to Argos, even if it killed him. He also needed to get into contact with the girls. "Thanks for helping me out Ajir...I'm sorry about your store." James said as he helped Ashira to her feet. "Ah...don't worry about it." Ajir replied.
James knew that the Hunters communicated with each other. They would surely hear about this fight. This rose the question; Who was leading them? Why were they even hunting Atlanteans in the first place? And they seemed to be strategically placed so that James always confronted them. This was all too coincidental.
"Ajir...Do you know anyone connected to the military?" James asked.
"I never thought you'd ask! One of my friends is the Central Command Officer of the Trinity Mercinary Corps." Ajir replied while hunching down behind the counter.
He had to be joking! The Trinity Mercenary Corps was one of the most secretive organizations in the world! How could Ajir know someone that powerful?
Ajir rose from behind the counter holding a small ebony chest. "Take this my friend...You deserve it." He said. James opened the delicate case. An extremely well crafted weapon rested inside the velvet lining. Of all the weapons James has seen, this one was the most beautiful.
"What is it?" asked James as he took it up into his hands.
Ajir grew a large grin on his face. "This is one of only thirty blades. Only high ranking Trinity officers carry them." He explained. James examined the seemingly useless piece of metal. There was a tiny button on the underside of the blade. James depressed the switch and a six inch blade shot out of the sheath, barely missing his cheek. "Whoah." James gasped.
"I'ts an extremely powerful little thing!" Ajir laughed.
James began to strap it to his right forearm. "Thank you Ajir...I will use this well."
With a final goodbye, James walked quickly out of The Emporium. He was on a mission to find the girls and get out of there. There was no sense in hanging around such a crowded place, especially when Hunters were so active. James's phone gave off a loud beep, and a very sour feeling came over him. "Oh...Please...", He murmured to himself, "Please let it be me instead of them..." He flipped open his phone and read the name. "Hello?" He answered.
"James! I've been trying to reach you all day! Where have you been?" Said the other line.
"Dad! I was just...out getting groceries." James lied.
"We just heard that there was a shooting at the mall! Are you at the mall?" Dad asked.
"Yeah...I did hear gunshots and I ran outside." James said.
"Ok...um...hang on a sec..." said Dad. There was muffled talking in the background. All James could make out was "Didn't" and "Failed". Highly odd words to say after what just happened.
"Ok...I was just checking in and making sure that you are ok. I'll talk to you later." Said Dad.
"Dad wait!" James yelled, but he hung up before the message got across. How did Dad find out so quickly? There was no news crew on site, and there was no calls to the police that he knew of. This was all a little too weird.
Shira, Saia, and Aeris thought it best to stick together. The gunshots fired at the front of the mall worried them. "Is James ok?" Asked a worried Aeris. Shira and Saia looked at each other. They didn't know what to do. James would have called them if something happened.
With clothes in hand, the girls headed to the cash register. Shira laid her items on the counter and began to purchase them. Aeris and Saia made idle chatter behind her.
A strong hand laid down on Shira's shoulder. She tensed up as the cashier's eyes widened in fear. What does she do? It would be too risky to switch forms in plain sight of a human. Her choices were limited...she decided to skip the firearm and slowly unsheathe her claws. The cashier's eyes stared down at the jet black claws jutting out of Shira's hands. She signaled to Aeris and Saia that there was potential danger, then with lightning speed, she dug those black claws deep into the hand on her shoulder.
There was a loud yell and the hand let up off of her shoulder. Aeris and Saia stood with weapons ready. The hunter drew a large knife and began to charge forward towards Shira. She put up her hands to shield her face. This could be the end...
Suddenly a volley of bullets exploded from behind Aeris and Saia. The hunter staggered backwards in shock. All of the females turned and faced the source. "James!" Aeris yelled.
His eyes were glowing fire red. "You cold hearted son of a bitch!" James growled. The hunter smirked and readied his blade. The hunter sprinted forward and made a mad slash for James's neck. James sidestepped the hunter and caught him by the collar. The hunter tried bringing the knife up to James's eye, but James caught the hand one inch before the knife touched James's pupil. He squeezed, putting pressure on the sinews and bone of the hunter's wrist. The hunter cringed in pain. James kept on applying pressure until he felt the wrist crunch in his hand. The hunter let out a muffled scream.
Aeris whispered, "James...You've become a monster..." Shira and Saia stood in horror. James's ears perked up and he glanced over to Aeris. What was he doing? He was torturing this hunter. He wanted to kill this man so badly, and yet, this guy was still a living creature. He released his grip and dropped the attacker to the floor.
The pale hunter stared at James in fearful confusion. Why did this Atlantean let him live? James knelt down beside the hunter causing him to scurry backwards. "Tell your leader that the pack they've always feared is back!" James growled. The hunter blinked in disbelief. The hunter shook his head, understanding the message. James drug the thin hunter to his feet and shoved him in the direction of the door. The hunter ran outside holding his injured hand.
James hung his head low, curling his fists into tight balls of rage. He fell to his knees and slammed his fist into the ground, pounding a large crater into the floor. He was a monster! It was all because of him that Aeris, Shira, and Saia were in danger. It was all because of him that Argos died! It was all because of him that so much damage has been done. He let his rage consume him and now he nearly killed a man in cold blood. He could not have lived with himself if that happened.
Once again, he was weeping tears of blood. So much stress has been put on him that he shed blood instead of tears.
The girls were right there to comfort him. They knew what lay on his shoulders, and they knew that only he could carry it, no matter how much they wanted to. Saia lifted his chin up and said, "You did the right thing James."
"That's right. Now the hunters will be more fearful." Shira added as she traced her claws across his neck.
James pulled himself together and sighed in determination. Aeris looked up into his eyes and said, "You are our friend, our hope and our leader. We can work together to make sure that these hunters will know our power!"
Inspired by Aeris's words, He embraced all of them at once. "I love you guys so much...I would not have any reason to live if I lost any of you." James whimpered.
The girls smiled and kissed him wherever they could reach. James was taken by surprise by the sudden surge of affection.
Sirens began wailing outside and black and white cars with lights appeared out in front of the sidewalk. That was their cue to leave. "How do we get past these guys?" asked Shira. James's eyes lit up. "I've got an idea!" he said slyly. He and Saia morphed into their wolf forms and found some dog collars. Aeris was leading James and Shira was leading Saia. The police men were none the wiser as they passed by. The only thing suspicious was that the canines looked to be full bread wolves.
James hammed up his role by playing the extremely hyper, young puppy, while Saia played the cautious elder, carefully sniffing everyone and checking to make sure nothing was there. Aeris was playing along shouting commands such as "Easy!" and "Down boy!".
Toward the end of the police force, the canine unit stood at the ready. Every single German Sheppard caught wind of Saia's effervescence and began to tug at their leashes, barking and whining for her attention. Saia decided to tease them even more by snuggling up closer to James. Shira and Aeris looked at each other and laughed. The police handlers were fighting a losing battle against raging hormones as the sheppards pulled and tugged even harder, trying to get to the ripe female. Saia added insult to injury by swishing her tail, and fanning her sweet scent to the ranks of police dogs. James decided to catch her off guard by pouncing on top of her and playfully biting her neck. Aeris and Shira shouted phony commands to cease. They knew that they were having fun, so they just kept to the part while their "pets" played. Saia bucked James off and growled playfully, as if to say, "Not now honey! Wait 'till we get home!" James yipped in response, and they continued to walk until they reached their car.
Once they were out of sight, James and Saia morphed back into their human forms. Aeris and Shira still had hold of the leashes. They all looked at each other for a minute then exploded in a wild bout of laughter. That was the most fun that they have had in a long time! Aeris tugged hard on James's leash, causing him to lurch backwards into her. "Ah...Damn collar..." He growled playfully. Aeris moved tantalizingly close. "Down boy." Aeris said erotically. She pulled him to her lips and delicately traced her tongue around the ridges of his razor sharp teeth.
She released her hold, letting the heavy metal chain fall to the ground. Shira and Saia were leaning against the car. "You two lovebirds ready to go yet?" Shira mocked. James eyed her and said, "Nice kitty." He flicked the tiny bell attached to her necklace. Shira made a playful purr.
James unlocked the car, and everyone began to pile in. He grabbed Aeris right before she sat down and said, "Can you drive for awhile? I'm worn out."
Aeris deftly took the keys and nodded. James hugged and thanked her, then got into the back seat next to Saia. Aeris adjusted the seat and mirrors then started the car. James leaned back on the seat and fell into a deep slumber.
The beach was completely empty. James looked down both ways of the beach and did not see a single soul. "Hmm...seems to me that this place would be very popular." He commented as he sat down on the soft, white sand. Aeris, Shira, and Saia sat around him. The low roar of the waves created a beautiful ambiance along with the singing birds and wind. "This is perfect!" Saia sighed contently.
They all laid out in the sun for about thirty minutes before Saia and Shira began to search for seashells down the beach. Aeris turned over on her side and said, "James?" He blinked and looked over at the beautiful vixen. "Yes?" James responded in a smooth voice.
"Have you ever been with a friend that felt like they were more than a friend?" She asked.
That was such a philosophical question. Aeris must have been pondering that one for awhile. Then again, the somewhat magical atmosphere of the beach compounded by the feelings that both James and Aeris felt for each other was enough to make any soul wonder.
"Hmm...Yes...yes I have." James cooed.
Aeris grew a playful smirk on her face. "When?" she asked.
"Mmm...Whenever I'm with you." He said suavely.
Aeris sidled closer to him, laying her silky tail across his legs. The warmth of happiness and arousal washed over James's body.
"Do you truly mean that?" Aeris whispered into his ear. James turned on his side facing Aeris. He placed a nervous hand on the back of her head and slowly brought his lips to hers.
Her rosy red lips touched his and what felt like a fire wash over him. This was love. This was what it was all about. For the first three weeks they knew each other, they have been nurturing their love and letting it grow into the intense bond that they have now. Each action that Aeris took with her soft tongue, fueled the fire even more. James pulled her on top of him while they were still locked with each other. Aeris steadily became more passionate with the kiss. She leaned her head to the left and right and began to pant in pleasurable ecstasy. James traced his hand around Aeris's back, and started to undo her bikini top. As soon as he touched the small, plastic hook, everything went white.
James slowly opened his eyes, the orange afternoon light searing his sensitive eyes. "Mmph! Wha? Where are we?" he asked groggily. All of the females were asleep. James lifted his head up to the window. They were parked in a parking garage in downtown Knoxville. "Hmm...they must have gotten tired." He mumbled to himself. He carefully pulled on the door latch and pushed it open. He stepped out and stretched his joints letting out a relieved sigh.
He looked around for a minute to get his bearings. They must be in the garage across the street from the convention center. There was a massive amount of cars in the garage, even on the top levels. Was there a convention going on? James walked over to the side of the garage and looked down at the convention center's entrance. Several people were leaving and entering the center.
"Wonder what it is?" James pondered.
There were a few costumed people walking into the center as well.
"Huh?" James said.
Were they part of a kids' show or something?
"Um excuse me..." A voice said behind him. He turned around and saw a small group of people in costumes carrying the costumes' heads on their hips. "Are you here for the con?" asked a young woman. Con? What Con? "Um..." James paused. He glanced back down at the entrance. "Well if you are, registration ends soon. Nice suit by the way." The lady said as she slipped a squirrel's head on. Suit? What suit? James looked at his arms and legs and said, "What s- Oh! Thanks!" They traded goodbyes and the group of costumers walked off.
James completely forgot that he was in his Atlantean form! That was way too close for comfort. Perhaps he should switch back to a human, but that wouldn't have worked because Aeris and the others were in their Atlantean form too.
He wanted to see what that convention was all about.
James knocked gently on Aeris's door, and her eyes flitted open. "Wake up sleepy head!" James said cheerfully.
She opened the door and embraced him sleepily. "What is it honey?" she said softly.
"Did you have a good nap?" James asked cheerfully.
"Yeah." She responded.
James was glad they finally had the chance to get a good night's rest. They definitely deserved it considering all the things they have been through.
"There's a convention going on across the street." James said.
"Really? I've never really been one for conventions or concerts." Aeris lamented.
"I know..." James replied, "You and the girls don't have to come with me if you don't want." He thought that they might get scared in the huge group of people.
"I'm going to go checkout this thing to see if I can dig up any info on the hunters." James said purposefully. It would be impossible to think that there WEREN'T any hunters at that convention. Opportunities to strike back like this didn't come that often, and James wanted to relish the moment.
"When the other ladies wake up, you guys can go explore the city." James said as he held Aeris's shoulders.
"B-But aren't we on a mission?" Aeris asked.
"Yes and no...think of it as a mission-slash-vacation-thingy." James replied humorously.
"Oh! Okay." Aeris laughed.
James gave Aeris a sweet goodbye kiss and began the long walk down to the garage entrance. All the way there, he saw many different kinds of people. One guy was dressed as a tiger carrying a large keyboard-synthesizer thing. There were many others with bags and costumes and drawing pads. This must be a pretty big event!
Once inside the spacious Knoxville Convention Center, a stout man called to James.
"You registering?" He asked quickly.
Registering? For what? Was this some kind of tournament or something?
"If you are, you better do it now! There's only a few slots left." The short guy yammered.
"Uhm...Okay..." James said unsurely.
"Ok...just fill out this simple information sheet and we'll put you in." The man said.
"Alright..." James replied. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. The first questions were simple; Name, Date of birth, address, etc.
The next few were very odd. One question read, "What is your species?" Species? What was he supposed to put? Human? Atlantean? Wolf? James figured it to be safe and write Wolf.
He handed the paper to the man. "All done?" Asked the man.
"Yeah..." James replied while swishing his tail.
The man's eyes widened. "Whoah! How did you do that?!" he exclaimed.
Once again...James almost forgot he was in his anthro-wolf form.
"Oh this? I uh...have a motor in the suit." He said. One bullet dodged.
"Nice! You really did a good job on it! You look real!" The man said as he typed in James's information.
James wasn't meaning to show anyone up. All he wanted to do was find out some information, but he was drawing a sizeable crowd. People were mumbling on and on, speculating how he made his ears meld so perfectly with his head and how he attached the muzzle. A little girl and her father walked up to him. "Excuse me sir." The dad asked politely.
"Yes?" James said as he turned to face him.
"Is it ok if my daughter and I take a photo?" The dad asked.
A photo? What was he some kind of celebrity or something?
"Uh...Yeah! Sure no problem!" James replied.
The crowd went into a series of wow's and oooh's and aah's. They chattered with each other about how he made his mouth movements so exact.
"Almost done sir...I'm just printing off your suit ticket." The short man called.
"Oh...ok!" James replied as the small girl approached him.
"Hi what's your name?" James asked softly.
"Ashley..." The girl replied shyly.
James knelt down beside her and gave a small smile.
"Ok! Say cheese!" The dad said as he pressed the button.
Many other cameras flashed at the same time. The dad also had his picture taken with James flashing a thumbs up sign. James hugged Ashley goodbye and got his suit ticket to hang around his neck.
"Thanks!" He said to the short computer man.
"You're welcome! See ya around!" he replied.
James began to make his way throughout the convention center's hallways with the large crowd of people trailing after him. He eventually ran into a group of people in suits.
"Hey there!" James greeted.
One person, dressed as a squirrel looked up and said, "Oh! You're the wolf in the parking garage! Hey!" She gave him a friendly hug.
She backed up in awe. "How...how did you do that?!" she squealed.
"Do what?" Asked James.
The squirrel rubbed his arm, feeling James's course, yet smooth black fur.
"Oh! I just got some fur pelts from a scientist friend of mine and attached them to a tight long sleeved shirt." James said. Two bullets dodged.
Others began to feel his body, looking for where he sewed on the aforementioned pelts. Things got a little too weird when people started to examine his tail. "Uh...ok...can-can we please stop?" James asked nervously, trying to avoid revealing his true identity. He jerked his tail away from their hands and swished it. Thankfully, the people backed off.
"Thank you." Said James relieved. An announcement came over the building's intercom system.
"Registration has ended...All first timers please go to ballroom 3c for the orientation. Thank you." It said.
There he was, in ballroom 3c, sitting in a rather uncomfortable fold up chair, waiting for the orientation to start. James's ears twitched around, listening to random conversations. He wished he could control that instinct, but no matter how hard he tried, his ears only moved more! His tail was hanging down between the space in the seat and seat-back. He felt pressure on it and a slow pain fired up his tail.
"Mm!" James barked and he yanked his tail up to examine it.
"Oops...sorry" a man in a tiger suit said.
"sallright..." James replied. Damn that hurt.
"Ok everyone! Welcome to the Knoxville Anthrocon 2008!" a man in a white lab coat said.
James and everyone applauded.
"First of all...I hope everyone had a safe trip here." The scientist said.
The rest of the crowd responded, "Yeah!"
James just looked around. The scientist began to ramble on about how to treat the people in fursuits. It was rather hilarious watching the presentation. They used small squeaky hammers to demonstrate the person's limited field of vision. The white bunny that was originally up there signaled that he was overheating.
"Oh...OK...we need another volunteer...Um...How about you sir?" asked the scientist as he pointed the squeaky hammer at James.
This was going to be REALLY awkward.
"M-Me?" James stuttered.
"Yes...would you like to come up and help?" The scientist reiterated.
"Sure!" James said. He swished his tail, wowing the crowd once again, and made his way through the aisle to the front.
"Thank you sir. And your name is?" the brown haired scientist asked.
"Uh...James." James responded.
"Thank you James. My name is Dr. Samuel Conway. Can I see your tail for a moment?" he said politely.
James was extremely nervous. His ears twitched and he grabbed his tail with his hand and handed it to Dr. Conway.
"Now we all know that most species of animal have tails of some sort." He announced to the audience.
Everyone nodded.
"Well, I don't think James here would appreciate it if I yanked on his tail, would you?" He said as he tugged lightly on James's tail.
James shook his head no.
The orientation went on for about another thirty minutes. James basically put everything in a nutshell in his mind. "Don't be mean to people...Don't annoy fursuiters...Maps are posted on the wall." He said to himself as he walked out of the stuffy ballroom. A hand caught his shoulder before he made it into the hallway. James turned around to find Dr. Conway. "Hm?" James asked. "Do you have a few minutes?" Dr. Conway asked quietly. Here we go again with the suit.
"Yeah." James replied.
"Thanks again for helping with the orientation." He said.
"Eh...don't mention it!" James said humorously.
"I noticed that your fur was extremely realistic. How did you do it?" Conway asked.
"Well...I-" James started, but his ears caught an alarming sound, turning to the right.
Dr. Conway stood affixed to James's ears. "I-Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Hang on..." James said as he hurried out into the hallway.
There was a large commotion outside one of the small private rooms. Screams of "Help!" and "Stop it!" could be heard coming from the room. James jogged up to the group of people who were trying to undo the lock.
There was loud clattering in the room. The female voice yelled out again. "Stop! No! AAAAH!" she screamed. James's eyes glowed a faint red color, and he began to push his way towards the door. There was a man trying to pick the heavy duty bolt. "It's not working!" The guy said. James looked at the door handle then at the lock picker. "Allow me." James said angrily. He took hold of the solid metal handle and ripped out the entire mechanism. The crowd stood in shock and awe as he threw the handle onto the floor and slammed his fist into the door blasting it open.
A man had hold of a teenage girl. Her clothes were torn badly and she was scratched and bruised. She was scared out of her mind. James fought hard to suppress his aura from being released.
"Let...her...go." James commanded.
The man dropped the girl and stepped up to his face. "What are you gonna do about it you furry?" the man said.
James curled his hand in rage. "This is the only time I'm gonna ask you nicely to please leave." James said demonically.
The man did not back down. He got closer to James's nose and spat, "FUCK YOU!"
James snapped and latched onto the man's neck. He struggled against the iron grip for air. "How does it feel?" James taunted. The man's eyes were widened in fear of the punishment he so deserved. Without using an ounce of his full power, James brought his fist to crash into the man's face, chest, and stomach. The man shouted out in pain. "You will pay for what you did to this poor girl!" James yelled in the man's face. The man gasped in agony. James reared his hand back and threw the man through the wall, making him land in the main hallway. Many people screamed out in surprise. James stepped out of the gaping hole and picked up the man again, growling. He carried the man by his collar to the entrance, and threw him outside. "And stay out!" James growled.
The crowd that was gathered around the door began to slowly move into a grateful applause. James looked at them and said, "I'm sorry you guys had to see that." Dr. Conway rushed up to James. "Come with me please." He said excitedly.
James took a deep breath and followed Conway to his main office. "That was spectacular James!" he commented. James was cautious, usually enemies present themselves as friendly. "Thanks..." James said distantly. By now, everyone knew that James's suit wasn't actually not a suit due to his all too natural looking tail and ears and fur. Plus, from what the other patrons just witnessed, it was hard NOT to believe that James was something more than human.
"James, I have been studying a very odd subject as of late." Conway said as he and James sat in plush leather seats.
"Odd?" James queried.
"I am actually one of the few scientists that actually believe that real life anthropomorphs exist." Conway explained.
Anthropomorphs? James knew the meaning to the word, but it was just so odd to be referred to as an anthropomorph rather than Atlantean.
"Do...Do you mean Atlantean?" James corrected.
"Wha?" asked Dr. Conway, confused.
"Atlantean...that's what I am." James said pointing at himself.
"How profound! P-Please! Explain!" Conway said, shaking in excitement over this new find.
"Umm...where do I start?" James said to himself as he scratched his ear.
"Were you always like this?" stammered Conway as he held a small black tape recorder.
James blinked and said, "Well...no...I was originally human, but that all changed when Argos came."
"Argos?" asked Conway.
"He was a wolf, just like I was, but he was a priest."
"A...a priest?"
"Yes, apparently Atlanteans have been living with us ever since the continent sank into the ocean."
"ASTOUNDING!"
"There is the common misconception that Atlantis was destroyed by its own inhabitants by becoming too powerful. That's not true."
"How did it sink then?"
"From what I understand through my conversation with Argos, although Atlantis was technologically advanced, the technology wasn't the cause of the disaster. It was caused by the Hunters."
"Hunters?"
"Yes...you may have heard of a shooting in East Town Mall earlier today?"
"Why...yes...yes I have."
"That was me, Hunters were after me and my friends."
"you...you mean you're not alone?"
"No...but I do not want to disclose their names. They are being hunted too and I do not want to be responsible for their harm."
"I understand."
"I hope that explains everything..." James concluded.
"I can never thank you enough! I knew they existed, I just knew it!" Conway stammered in excitement.
"Is there anything I can do for you in return?" he asked.
James was confused. He didn't know what the chairman of Anthrocon could do for him. What could he ask for? That's when it hit him. "Have you heard of the Trinity Mercinaries?" James asked nervously.
Conway's eyes widened. Was it something James said?
Conway depressed a small button on his desk phone, "Get me Major Nemeyer! ASAP!"
Major? Did he just say Major? That is a military rank isn't it? There was a soft knock on the door. Dr. Conway opened the door and a tall man in khaki shorts and a polo shirt entered the office and took a seat beside James.
"Good evening sir." James said respectfully as he extended a strong, clawed hand. The man hesitantly took it and shook.
"James," Conway said, "This is Major George Nemeyer. He runs the internet room for Anthrocon."
"Pleasure to meet you Major." James said politely.
Nemeyer nodded and replied, "Pleasure."
Conway stood and pulled out a small black book off of his shelf. "James, not only is George our internet guru, but he is also commanding officer of the Trinity Mercenary Corps."
For once in his life, James did not know what to say. It looks like he has just obtained a very powerful ally.
James looked the officer square in the eye. He held up his right forearm and flashed his assassin's blade. "Sir, I have some VERY important information to tell you." James said solemnly.