You are standing here, As true as you were born on this earth...
Don't pin all your hopes and dreams on someone else's lives...

[End.]
Lyrics hand-copied by me. Frame-by-frame advancing, and switching to the lyrics thing. >< Took forever.

I'm wondering why I am here now?
Though the diamond dust is shining bright,
day after day I'm searching for the aim of my being and keeping body and soul together
Someone tell me what to do in future
Someone tell me where to go in future
The hands of time keep ticking away the minutes,and it shaves me of my life

...The "Gate of Hope" is opened
I don't have regret any more...
Now I can believe that we were born
to search for something which only we can do
under The Northern Lights...! (The words from an ancient sage)
Lyrics thanks to Spiner.

Name: SX
Species: Kitsune
Discription: Navy blue kitsune with crimson highlights. Amazingly accurate with a gun.
Weapons: Rocket Launcher With Handgun, no magic
Powers: (this message was murdered.)
Personality: Very jocular and cocky around friends. When the time comes to do business...Very quiet, professional. Cares a lot about females. Can't stand to see one cry.

SX was leaning on a wall when Teal and Siv came in. "Yo guys, just finished setting up the party! ...Something on your mind, Siv? You look dazed..." SX knew his friends Silver and Teal like the back of his paw. They were almost he only people he knew well, and he knew them well enough to tell somehting was bothering Silver...

EDIT: That's better. >_>

OOC:
Name: Hiro Kaage
Species: Cat
Description: Long-haired tortoiseshell fur, brown eyes
Weapons: Sword (Katana)
Powers: Summon Shield
Personality: Fiery and passionate. Honorable, but often rash in his decisions.

If I misinterpreted the directions about whether a character could have only one power AND one weapon, I'll stick with the sword.

IC:
Hiro stood in the graveyard, his fists clenched. He hated wearing the itchy gray suit he was in. He hated being there, at the graveyard built just within the edge of the city. And most of all, he hated to read the writing that had been etched into the gravestone that stood before him.

"Grandfather..."

The burial had already taken place; it had been a short funeral, though many people had arrived, telling stories of the wonderful man they knew and loved. But they were all people that Hiro did not know, or care about. Only people who his grandfather knew long ago.

The tears came easily, though he hated them as much as anything else at that moment. I am a grownup now! Grandfather would not stand to have me crying like a baby, not after raising me by himself after my parents died.

But even this knowledge did not dissuade his tears, for there was a darker element behind this scenario. His grandfather had been in excellent health, despite being over a hundred years old. His death had not been a natural one.

Grandfather...I know not who you were tracking down, but I swear that I will find your murderer and avenge your death.

He placed his hands together in front of his chest, bowed to the gravestone, then turned and slowly walked to the motorcycle parked outside the graveyard. Mounting it, he revved up the engine and zoomed off back toward the small apartment he and his grandfather had shared since he could remember...

Name: Ryu Ashura
Species: Cat
Description: Dark purple fur, gold eyes.
Weapons: None
Powers: Summon Sword (Kirin Sword (Scimitar from Dynasty Warriors)). It appears as a green energy blade.
Personality: Cold and uncaring, unless he sees it fit, because of a few events within the walls of the city, this cat finds it hard to trust people. He is rather cautious in the way he acts. Although, once someone is able to gain his trust, he will be a loyal friend, at least until that trust is broken.

Name: Mizuki Reli
Species: Cat
Description: Mizuki has pale blue fur, with pure white eyes.
Weapons: None
Powers: None
Personality: Naive, and rather self-centered, and only cares for few little apart from herself. Ryu is part of her small circle of friends.

No IC post as of yet.

EDIT: Added an extra character, and also, is anyone able to download the song which is used for the first Nightmare City flash? www.muzie.co.jp/cgi-bin/artist.cgi?id=a003884
I can only get the song from the second clip.

(OOC: Okay I'll have a go^^)

IC:

On the east side of town a man was walking home from work after his shift at the factory. It was pay day today, and he was planning to have a night on the town!

His appartment was in a back alley a few blocks away from the factory, and he usually walked it. Now he turned into the alley just as normal, fumbling in his pocket for the key to his door.

He stopped short as he saw the two figures stepping out from behind a dumpster.

"Finally." muttered the rat, his nose twitching. "You sure kept us waiting mate!"

The two figuers were advancing towards him slowly. He eyed them for a moment, confused. "Do I know you?"

"Nope." replied the second figure, another Human like himself. "But we know you. We been watchin you for some time." He raised his hand, and the man caught his breath as he saw the iron bar in the thug's hand.

"Livin alone down here ain't always a good idea bud." grinned the rat, pulling out a long shain from his sleeve. "Now we know you got money...give it us and you won't be hurt."

The man looked from one to the other for a moment, then turned and tried to run out of the alley! The thugs were too quick though...before he could get far he felt powerful hands grab his shoulders and drag him backwards! "Bad choice bud." said a voice, then pain exploded through his back as the metal bar impacted!

The beating was nasty, and the man could do nothing to stop it! The bar beat his back again and again, and the chain raked across his face, cutting his skin. He cried out, but no one was in the area...

SHOOM

The beating suddenly stopped, and he heard the thugs utter expressions of supprise. "What the hey is..." muttered the rat. Numbly he raised his head, looking up.

There, stood a little way down the alley, was a figure. She was female...that much was certain, but just WHAT she was was difficult to tell! Her skin was dark green, almost black, apart from a light grey stripe running down her chest and stomach. Her face looked reptillian, with a long, thin snout and glowing yellow eyes. She was incredibly...almost unhealthily thin, but she stood over six feet tall at the shoulder, her long, thin neck pushing her head to a good eight or nine feet!

Her body, although thin, was very shapely, and the impression was increased by the fact she wore only a small, tight fitting vest that didn't reach her waist and a thin, almost bikini style set of shorts that hooked over her hips, excentuating her figure. Both items of clothing were black, made from a material that looked like silk. The only other items of clothing she wore were a long, delicate looking golden chain around her neck, coming down onto her chest for length, and a small golden band around her right wrist.

She simply stood, staring at the figures impassivley, her her hands hanging loosely by her sides...

Name: Solstice Equinox
Species: Wyrm
Weapons: None, but experienced with many forms of martial arts.
Powers: Teleport
Personality: Loner, very quiet, very rarely shows emotions. A mystery.

(OOC: Sry for misunderstanding the rules Silv...hope that's better^^)

OOC: Had to read through this and watch the anime a couple of times to get this (oh yeah, funky flash there- it's well wicked XD).
But erm... if there are any errors, just give us a shout.^^

OOC2: Thanks Silver, just read your OOC. Going to remove the handgun.
I'll try and think of a weaponless charrie for tomorrow.
If you think her 'abilities' are over the top, just tell me. Her 'feeding off blood' is a major characteristic trait though.

IC:

Name: Athena O'shea
Species: Three tailed Fennec fox
Description: Slender female fox with excessively long, devillish ears that slope behind her back, and a long candy pink and yellow striped fringe that covers one of her smoky eye-shaded eyes. Her looks are somewhat a contradiction. On the one hand, she looks like a delicate and proper girl. On the other hand, her features and stance seemed to be dominated by accursed and demoniac traits.
Ability-wise, she can leap high. Is strong. Savage and beastly nature. Excellent visual, olfactory, auditory and reflex senses
Weapons: None, but is well catered for Ability-wise. She can leap high. Is strong. Savage and beastly nature. Excellent visual, olfactory, auditory and reflex senses.
Powers: Summon sword
Personality: Fluctuates in personality. Is calm, calculating on the one hand. Sly, seductive and curious.
To another extreme, when she's hungry for blood (yes, she lives off blood for classified reasons), she's dangerous, short-tempered and if left unfed for too long, uncontrollable and fiercely violent.

IC:
Little did Solstice know, another dark witness within the shadows was watching the unfolding events- through an inky, darkened apartment window.
"Hey there... gorgeous..." muttered the human thug in the alleyway shabbily. He tried as best as he could to come across as hard, and even disrespectful in his tone, but anyone with half a mind could detect a hint of apprehension in his voice.
The Wyrm in standing in an about pose in front of him was indeed intimedating him. As was the rat, who was somewhat frozen on the spot, his expression gobsmacked and in awe- as he tried to figure out how dangerous this being was, despite the limitations of his 'calculating mind'.
"What the... what the hell is this?!" demanded the human thug, breaking the silence "say something woman!"
And as the thug briefly turned to look over his shoulder, he noticed the human victim trying as desperately as he could to open his house door. Except that he was shaking so furiously from the fright and tension of the situation, that he dropped his keys which hit the floor with a clatter and a clang.
The figure in the shadowed apartment blinked slowly, her eyes flashing icily, before she narrowed them cunningly.
"Oh no you don't! You ain't getting away!" the human thug bellowed, wrenching out towards his neck and slamming him against the wall, causing him to cry out.
"Er... dude... you forgettin' about the..." the rat began, but suddenly found a screech escape his throat and his body slammed hard into the pavement with an excrutiating pressure. Let alone the shock and spontaneity of the rapid manouvre which may have been enough to kill someone- he opened his eyes in horror as he saw a pair of pseudo, blue green icy eyes, which flashed in union with a pair of pronounced canines.
Before he could let out another cry, he suddenly felt a piercing sharp pain dig into throat, and his whole world was filled with pain as he found his blood drawn from him rapidly.
"What the...?" began the human thug, suddenly letting go of his victim and stared at the sight before him with a mixture of shock and disgust.
The human victim simply pressed his back against the wall, wishing so badly he could get away from this surreal situation.
As the blood was continued to being drawn, the rat's vision suddenly darkened, his hearing dissappeared and his sense of touch and perception suddenly dissintergrated as the figure retracted her bite and lifted up the victim high up by the scruff of the neck. She smirked as he looked at the dangling and limp body of the rodent, his life merely hanging by a thread. In addition to the lifelessness of his pose, his fur had fallen to a pale hue by about ten shades. She looked towards his blood stained neck, and sniggered, before tossing him against a cluster of trashcans which were knocked over and clattered and clanged.
The silhouette of the demonic... little girl rapidly turned her head, and flashed a razor sharp and white smile through the dark at everyone else in front of her.
"So..." she said, strutting out of the shadows, and exchanging a glance with everyone in front of her "am I a hero now?" she joked, tempted to laugh hysterically, but contained herself as she wanted to see how everyone would react next.

OOC: Yes, you can have more than one char.

Also it's okay to have Summon Sword and the Handgun, but if YOU think it makes it a little unbalanced, (which it kinda sorta in a way does, but not much) then remember it's also okay to just have one weapon and no summon, or one Summon and no weapon, Like Silver And Teal. (my chars)

Also, something I'm experimenting a little bit with here: I would GREATLY aprreaciate if some one used a char with no powers or weapons, and was just trying to find a safe place, and defending themselves with what they can. Not only might this help other characters interact, but it also will show that chaos is still there, even if all the other characters are just sitting down to rest for a bit.

Anyway, I'll IC soon, either later today or tommorow, see you then. ^_^

Solstice was still stood impassivley, watching the proceedings silently. She had barely moved throughout the encounter!

The Human thug was staring wide-eyed at Athena, shaking visably. "What the hey are you???" he muttered, before turning and hot-footing it down the alley in an attempt to escape! "You freaks!" he shouted oer his shoulder. "You're gonna pay!"

SHOOM

A flash of rainbow light, and suddenly a figure was stood ahead of him, blocking his path! The thug gaped as he recognised the form...he spun round, staring at where Solstice had been standing a second before, then turned back to where she now appeared, his face ashen...

Suddenly he buckled over as the Wyrm's long leg impacted in his stomach. The followthrough was instantanious...a visious combo of a spinning heel to the head, making him stagger and spit blood, followed by a powerful kick to the jaw. His body went flying, traveling nearly the length of the alley and slamming into a wall at the far end! He collapsed, uncontious.

Solstice resumed her nonchallant stance, her yellow eyes flicking to the victim of the attack, still curled up on the steps to his door, looking from one to the other of the newcomers in fear! Slowly she sidled forward, her body swaying in a suave, slightly provocative manner, and stationed herself next to Athena, towering over her with her impressive height. Her cold yellow eyes fixed on Athe's face, and she spoke, her voice soft and quiet, but with an underlying power and resonance that carried considerable weight!

"Who are you?"

SX's ear twitched as the voices started. There weere some people fighting, outside the warehouse. SX pulled out his handgun. "Teal, Siv. If they come in, DUCK." And with that, SX headed outside, his only thought being to protect himself and his friends...

(Well I'll be damned, Siv. Didn't think you'd actually GET all the people I said o.o)

OOC: First note, to those that don't know, this is Spiner, just in an alternate account.

Finally seen the second clip to the Nightmare City series. I finally understand more about it.

And sorry Bent, I beat you to the punch of the 'no weapons' charcter, but its' cool, I'll get rid of it if you want. I'm having second thoughts about that character, anyway.

IC:
The purple-furred cat slowly travelled down the streets, his ears drooped, and his body just moving sluggishly. His eyes were narrowed at the people around him, watching each and every one of them cautiously, as if one of them was about to lunge at him.

In one of his hands, he held a small object, a music player, and a cord lead from it and into one of his ears. He had to be careful, especially with the string of attacks which had been happening lately. He had to be on his guard, but he didn't want to make it seem obvious, which was why he was listening to the 'J-Pop' tune which was playing in his ear.

As he paced, he occassionaly tapped his foot along the ground, clicked his fingers, and flicked his tail in time to the music which played. He wouldn't even realise he was approaching the scene of a recent fight, at a nearby warehouse.

Okay, now for the IC post. ^_^

IC:

"Sir... they can't get out." "What?!" "The project failed, they're stuck." "How... can this be? we made sure everything was in working order, right?" "Sir, it's not the equipment, it's them. It's learning from them. It's... too advanced. And there's worse news, sir." "...Yes?" "The prospect of death... actually makes them die." "...When will it start?" "Too soon."

And then, the city shook.

"What the?!", Silver exlaimed, grabbing on to a nearby rail for support. But as soon as it started, it had ended. Silver Ran outside, to see what damage had happened. But there was none... exept..."Hello?", Silver called, out into the once bustling streets where now no car, or person was in sight. "Is anyone there?" The only thing that answered him was his echo, and the silence of the city.

OOC: Hope it's okay if I join, albeit late. Sorry for my slowness, I was trying to prepare carefully.

Oh, and if the weaponless character becomes open, I'd like to remove Bobby's weapon for that. I'm more like third in line, so I'll wait for confirmation on that and just stick with the gun

Question: Even if we put down other species, do we all appear as cats? What about Humans?

Name: Stunodorio (nick: Stu)
Species: Squirrel
Description: Yellow fur, Green-ish eyes
Weapons: HandGun (A good shot, but it's the only combat-related thing he can do. Rots at close-range combat)
Powers: None
Personality: Determined and mischevious, loyal to his friends, of which he wants more.

Name: Jennifer (nick: Jen)
Species: Mouse
Description: Grey-Blue fur, Hazel eyes
Weapons: None, but skilled in hand-to-hand combat, preferring it.
Powers: Summon Throwing Blades
Personality: Stable and outspoken, not one to be told what to do.

Name: Bobby
Species: Human
Description: Wears a ragged t-shirt and jeans, with a messy mop of brown hair on his head
Weapons: HandGun, but has no skill with it or any weapon.
Powers: None (uhh, good at running?)
Personality: Soft-natured and quiet, afraid of people.

My IC takes place immediately before the events in Silver's most recent post.

IC:

Just beneath the city streets, two figures ran in the shadows. A light splashing of water could be heard as they moved. The second figure stopped for a moment, and looked up. "Jen, there's something going on up there. Sounds like a fight."

Jen looked back at Stu. "Come on, we don't have time to dawdle! The Queen will be angry if we're late!"

"You're right."

Stu and Jen continued down the tunnel.

Bobby's eyes opened, and he sat up suddenly as he realized he was in an alley! "Ow..." he complained as a sharp pain pierced his right leg.

Looking down, he saw that the knife wound he had received had been bandaged. The kinfe wound was just one of many injuries he would have receieved, had he not passed out. He was surprised to find he really didn't have any other injuries! As he got to his feet, he noticed a pistol and several extra clips of ammo nearby. Who had helped him? Who saved him from the gang, and bandaged his wound? Who had left the gun there?

He didn't know the answer to the questions that were in his mind, but he decided to take the good fortune he had been given. He stuffed the pistol and ammo in his pocket, and then began to limp down the street, careful of his leg. He was hungry, and as he kept his eye out for the gang members of The Queen, he looked around for food.

Stu and Jen knelt down before a large golden throne, and the gloriously-dressed woman on it. She spoke with a powerful voice. "Jennifer and Stunodorio, I want you to hunt down my boyfriend and kill him."

Stu looked up, surprised. "Kill Bobby?! Are you sure?"

The Queen nodded glumly. "Yes. He was a witness to a murder that ties back to me, and he must be silenced. There is no other way. It seems that the brothers I had with me at the time were unsuccesful in silencing him. I am trusting you with something that is very important."

Stu and Jen saluted. "Yes, My Queen!"

A sudden shaking caused these two to hold on to each other to keep from falling down. Once it had stopped, which was as abruptly as it had began, Jen shouted, "what in the world was that?!" She looked up at the throne, but it wasn't there, and neither was The Queen! "My Queen!!"

Stu put a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever just happened, there's nothing we can do. In honor of her memory, let's fulfill her last request: Let's kill Bobby!"

Tightening her fists, Jen agreed. "Yes. Let us fulfill Her Majesty's last request!"

OOC: I haven't read the last two posts. But I read Wraith's the other day and I really feel I need to stop keeping him waiting and write up a post at least. Been caught up in hectic uni as per usual. Things will get better! Bare with me though as I only have 8 minutes before the library closes... >>; Will have more time tomorrow though as I only have half a day in Uni

IC:

The three tailed kitsune challenged Soltice's stare, slowly narrowing her eyes as an iceyness glowed from her eyes.
"Athena O'shea," she said, forcing a somewhat childish smirk. The three tailed kitsune flicked her eyes between the beaten rat, to the other human thug who lay down, lifeless on the floor after Soltice's powerful attack.
"Those were some pretty slick moves..." Athena mused, supressing a laugh, before casting a sterner glance at Solstice "perhaps I should be asking YOU, who YOU are... or maybe..." Athena continued, circling Solstice "WHAT you are..." she said in a quieter tone.
She then smiled sinisterly as she stared at the human victim, cowering on the floor.
"Did you really have ethical motives in saving this poor sap then... hmmm?" Athena asked.

SX found himself a few minutes later later, also on the ground. "Ow, my head...What the hell was that?! Siv? Teal?! Hello?" He was in the alley by the warehouse, and rushed back inside, but Silver and Teal had already gone...

Bent: In that case, read my post. There are no NPC's left in the city.

SX: ...An hour? I'd rather, y'know, allow other players to RESPOND before moving on. Please edit? >_>

Sorry, I'm a bit cranky, my sugar high just wore off. *eats all the gum in his candy bag*

Eheheh... sorry Wraith. >_> It's just that his main char is called Wraith, so I got confuzzled.

(OOC: lol Silv, you're getting me and Ben mixed up because of her avvie^^

Ben I'll cover for you, so you don't have to edit lol)

IC:

...but the figure had gone!

Athena blinked in supprise. "Where did he...?"

Solstice followed her gaze, staring down at the steps where the Human had lain. "It no longer matters." murmured her quiet voice in response to Athe's question.

SHOOM the light flashed again, and her tall figure was gone! Athena looked around all over, but she had dissapeared...

OOC: Thanks Wraith ^^
What's this got to do with NPC's Silver?
Oh, and I'm not a guy. I'm a girl... ugh, I think it's time I changed my username. =)

IC:

Athena frowned slightly, gritting her teeth a bit after the dark figure had mysteriously disappeared.
"Oh, the shy type eh?" she sneered "we'll meet again petal. I swear it."
The femme kitsune looked down at the cowering man, and forced half a smirk. His cowardice somewhat entertained her.
"You're lucky I've already eaten. That my plasma levels have stabilised. Then your pathetically, cowardly state would be more justified." she said swooping an arm, before pointing at him.
"What are you?!?" the man cried, almost wishing to be dead rather than having to live through this fear for a mere few seconds.
Athena kept quiet for a few seconds, tucking away the srands of her long fringe behind her long ears, before they fell back over her panda shadowed eyes.
"Prouder of what I am now than what I used to be," she laughed sinisterly "know that at the end of the day, things aren't always what they seem. Remember that wherever you go... whoever you meet... if you ever live around to think why."
And with that, Athena bent down and rapidly leapt out of sight, dissappearing within the far stretch of shadows, before becoming a mere silhouette against the light out of the alleyway as she rapidly took off from the scene.

OOC: The lack of NPC's means that the person Wraith started with, and hence the human man you just now interacted with, is gone. Same goes for those two thugs.

I know it's a bit confusing (that's why I didn't join earlier; trying to take it slow so I could understand), but that's what happened.

Another way to look at it is that all characters with profiles are the only ones still there. Silver will have the exceptions, of course (though they won't be NPC's!)

(Correct me if I'm wrong on any of this)

IC:

Bobby clung to the shadows, ears perked at any sound. He knew there were more gang members, and that they would be after him. He just didn't know how many, or what weapons they had. The hair on the back of his neck rose, as he got the distinct feeling he was being followed...and his heart began to beat more rapidly in fear.

erm, sorry again, Bent. >_>;;;;;

Anyway, yeah, all the NPC's now cease to exist. therefore, your character is insane and imagining that person. *SHOT*

Though it would fit... >_>

One thing though, there was an arthquake thing, so you would be feeling it right aboooouuut... Now.

(OOC: LOL The problem with this picture is that if the victim of the assault WAS still there, Solstice wouldn't have acted the way she did...she would have stayed.

Ah, confusion lol.

Maybe we should just skip it all and move on...?)

Forgive me for asking a dumb question, but what exactly is the premise of Nightmare City? I got a slight idea from the opening flash movie, but I'd like to have it spelled out for me.

In the Flash, Good dude (the yellow cat) Is trying o get Damsel lady (Pink Cat) Out of the city. I found out the reason ( it's hidden in the flash, extremely hard to find) but I can't tell you what it is. >_> Anyway, They are attacked by Evil Dude (purple cat) and eventually they beat him (kind of) and get out. (well, one of them) Don't worry, The Flash will become clear through this RP to those who look at it. All will be explained in time.

>_>

OOC: I'll introduce another character here, some random teenager bystander. Actually, I think I've got a fairly decent character that I've used before that would fit into that role nicely.

IC:
Hiro stood at the entryway of his apartment, now dressed in baggy red clothes as his eyes looked sharply about the residence. Strapped to his back under his shirt was the ancient katana his grandfather had trained him to wield, the handle of it only barely visible over his shoulder.

I'm going now to avenge my grandfather. I do not know how, but I will do this...

Suddenly the entire building shook, and he slammed open the door and held himself stable, hands holding the doorframe. "An earthquake?!" he shouted, gritting his teeth as the tremor shook the building around him. He could hear the shattering of the vases from his apartment, and even through the walls he could hear things breaking in the other rooms on this floor.

But just as quickly as it had come, the tremors stopped.

Hiro immediately went to one of the other doors and knocked onto it. "Mrs. Johnson? Are you okay in there?"

He waited. There was no reply.

"Old woman, she could be badly hurt..." Hiro wasted no time in trying to open the door, but to his surprise, the door opened immediately. "Mrs. Johnson?"

But there was no trace of her. Her apartment still had all of her furnishings, but the wheelchair she used to get around stood in front of the television, and Hiro knew she couldn't have left her wheelchair behind.

Hiro went to other apartments and knocked and shouted, but there were no answers and in the ones he could enter, he found no one.

"What is happening? Where did everyone go?!" he yelled, anxiety filling him as he realized he was completely alone in the building, and he dashed down the stairs to head out of the building.

Susie Hjoltzrik, a teenage tigress, rolled off of the wooden chair she had been curled up on sleeping. Her black-haired head struck the ground, and she awoke suddenly to the world shaking around her, the small subbasement room vibrating. "B-Boss? What's going on?" she wailed as the tremor stopped.

She looked up at the desk, and saw no one there. Standing up, she adjusted the belt she wore loosely around her waist and leaned over the desk to look closely under it. "Boss? Where are you? You never leave your desk," she said, stepping around the desk to look more closely, her heavy boots echoing in the concrete room.

Her tails flicked behind her in annoyance as she walked up the cement steps and opened the door out onto the street, cautiously peering out to look around. Her annoyance soon turned to open-eyed curiosity, her left steel-colored eye and her right dark purple eye both goggling at the sight she was seeing.

The streets were completely empty of people. No one was around, no cars were driving, it was as if the city had been completely abandoned while she was asleep and nobody told her.

"No people? What's going on here?" asked Susie, her orange white-striped fur with black fur on her muzzle and down her front all puffing out as she stepped outside. There was such an eerie silence about that she felt instantly that something was wrong, but she didn't have any clue how to explain it or know how it had happened.

"Hey, is anybody here?!" she shouted, dashing out into the street and calling out.

OOC: Susie is a wiry criminal's gofer and sometimes thief, but she lacks any real combat ability. The closest she comes is her amazing reflexes (which are usually used for escape) and her uncanny luck (which usually allows her to stay alive against incredible odds, but sometimes it backfires and she has super BAD luck). She's an anime catgirl, personality-wise. Lemme know if more info is required.

"Hey, is anybody here?!"

The girl's voice in the street above caught Stu's attention. He stopped, and Jen turned to face him. "Oh no...not again. We've got-"

"-a job to do, I know," he finished for her. "But...maybe she's seen him?"

Jen wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Honey, I know a lame excuse when I hear one." Stu winced a little, expecting to get hit. Instead, she said, "here's a better excuse: we should split up, cover more ground."

Stu looked into her eyes fondly. "You mean it?"

"Yes," she said, tapping his nose with a finger, "I trust you. Try to stay outta trouble, and remember our mission."

They embraced each other warmly. "I will!"

The two partners split up, Jen running down the tunnel, and Stu looking for a way up. In a moment, he found a ladder, and climbed up, shoving a manhole aside to reach the streets. It only took a moment for him to see the tigress who had such a hauntingly lovely voice...he jumped out the hole, kicking the manhole back in place. The noise caused Susie to turn and look, startled. He held out his hands appeasingly, saying, "hey, there's still someone else! You're the first person I've seen since the quake! I was getting so lonely...all my friends, gone."

Susie hesitated a moment, her eyes darting to the handgun sticking out of his pocket...

SX walked around the warehouse. "Silver? Teal? Hello?! Guys...Dammit, Silver, I needed to ask you something, too..."

"Right here SX.", Silver said, tapping him on the shoulder, then ducking to avoid the reflex punch. "So, what'd you need to ask me? And is it more important than finding out what just happened?

Meanwhile...

City Center, High above the city streets, a Dark Hedgehog opened it's eyes, gave a slight grin, as though he knew something no one else did, and clenched his fist. There was a flash of Light, and a dark red figure of a simitar shined in his hand...

Above The Building that Hiro Was in, a Grey-Green Fox Stared up into the sky and brought forth a Glowing Green Staff, and Jumped Down from the building...

In the Sewers, The White Huminoid Figures, no faces or other features, materialized, and began searcing for any they could find...

And above the wherehouse district, A red Cat landed on a roof, summond six red throwing knifes in his hand, and jumped toward the wherehouse that Silver, Teal, and SX were currently in...

SX jumped, and would've decked Silverhad he not known to duck. "Oh! Hey...It's nothing. Just a thought that kept bugging me. You feel that too?"

Very curious indeed...

It was a first, that was for sure. She had never seen anything like it.

Still, from her investigations it seemed there were still some people around, so no matter...her life would continue as normal.

She thought nothing of the dissapearence as she trailed her next target, a Human with a bandaged leg. Things would reveal themselves in time...they always did, and there was nothing she could do about it, so why try?

She followed him from the rooftops where he never looked, running and jumping from building to building. Occasionally there was a gap too big for her...she simply dissapeared, re-appearing in a flash of light somewhere else. There was no need for her as yet...indeed, with the city being deserted, maybe there wouldn't be, but this was no excuse to get lax.

SHOOM she dissapeared from the roof of a large mill building, appearing on the sloping roof of a small block of flats nearby, and it was at this point that she made one of her oh so rare mistakes...

There was some debris on the roof of the building, concrete chunks dropped from a skyscraper next to the flats, and as she landed on the roof, her foot caught one of the chunks, sending it skidding down the roof and dropping to the pavement with a clatter...

She froze still as the Human, alerted by the noise, spun round...

(OOC: The Human is Bobby btw, in case anyone's wondering.)

Bobby whipped around at the noise, then held perfectly still as he listened!

...nothing.

His eyes caught the concrete chunk, and he relaxed a little when he saw that was all it was. He turned back again, shaken, but more confident now. He hadn't seen a single person since he had woken up, so what was he worried about? It's not like everyone was stalking him in the alleys and hiding in the sewers beneath and running along the -

His eyes shot open, and he whirled around, looking to the roof from where the concrete block had fallen! Just in case, he reached down into his pocket, getting a grip around the handgun! "Who's there?!" He called out, hoping he sounded braver than he really way...and hoping no one was there...

(OOCC: Up to you whether she's moved already or not. He was looking away long enough...of course, he might still see her as he checks along the rooftops, now paranoid)

*****

Jen reflexively tensed. She knew these tunnels like the back of her hand. She was already uneasy at not having seen or heard any trace of any of the other gang members, or the poor bums who hid down there to keep away from the cops. But now, her ears twitched and her feet began to tingle, as she began to sense something outright wrong down here with her...

She began to move more slowly, emphasizing silence over speed.

Great.

She had already moved from the roof...now regarding him from the shadow of an alleyway at ground level, but now he was aware of her prescence, even if he didn't know her location! She prefared to work undetected until she was ready!

Well, there was no point in hiding now. Slowly she sauntered out of the alley in the same suave manner as before, and stood staring at him impassivley, one hand on her hip. She didn't bother making herself known...she waited for his roving eyes to locate her themselves...

Hiro stepped out of the building, but his ears caught a faint whistling and he leapt forward out of the way just as something crashed onto the ground behind him. Whirling around, his katana drawn, Hiro found himself facing a gray-green fox, holding what appeared to be a glowing double-headed staff. The fox's face as he looked up showed an expression that had the epitome of casual - serene eyes, lazy smile, almost like he was just ready to yawn after a big nap. But the stance of the strange fox was unmistakably one ready for combat.

"I know not what manner of demon you are, but you shall regret attempting to attack Hiro Kaage!" Hiro shouted as he raced forward, his katana held out low to the ground and then swinging upward in a smooth arc.

And to his great surprise, the katana was stopped as the fox unflinchingly blocked with his glowing staff. His expression did not change, and it sent a shiver down Hiro's spine.

"So, more to you than meet the eye, eh? Good, then I'll win my honor with you as my first defeated opponent!" roared Hiro as he pulled back and tried again.

Susie looked warily at the yellow-furred squirrel that leapt out of the manhole nearby. She also noted the gun in his pocket - a big fat warning sign to her, who was used to dealing with criminals on a daily basis and so had learned a lot about observation.

"Uh, yeah, sure," she said nervously, backing away slightly. "Look, I'm actually fine being alone, not that you freak me out or anything just that I'm not used to people popping out of manholes and-OHNOAMONSTER!"

She turned and ran at top speed, not caring whether her random warning had worked in distracting the guy or not. This is way creepy! I've got to find people who are friendlier.

Bobby didn't see anyone, and was about to turn back around and keep going when a sudden thought struck him: "Was that statue there before?"

He was, of course, thinking of the strange lady near an alley. She was moving so little, he almost didn't notice her at all!

In a sudden panic, he yelled out in surprise, and fumbled in hispocket for the handgun! He managed to get it out, rather clumsily, and was just about to lift it up and aim it when it slipped from his hand! As it clattered to the floor, he dove for it, and while he was down there trying to pick it up, his panic stopped. He stood up slowly, and put the gun back in his pocket, laughing nervously. "Heh heh, I guess if you were out to get me you would've already done it...if you aren't my enemy, who are you? I'm, uh, Bobby."

Stu whipped around, arms up in a defensive posture! "What? A monster!? Where, where?!"

Seeing nothing and hearing the sound of running feet behind him, he turned back around to see the tigress run around a corner. Stu sighed so deeply that his entire body slumped. "...Why does every girl I meet do that, with one exception...?"

He began to give chase. As he ran, he yelled, "Hey, wait up, cutie pie! I don't want to hurt you!"

Turned out, she was faster. He slowed to a walk as he realized he'd lost her. "...darn. I just wanted to-"

He tripped, and hit the ground. "Ow!"

Sighing, he picked himself up, and decided to try to find Bobby himself. He had to be somewhere in the streets, right?

"I'm a shadow." came the soft reply. "A fleeting glimpse...a faded memory..."

She turned her head to the side, looking at him indirectly in a coy fashion, the slightest hint of a smile catching the edges of her lips. "You became aware of me, so I appeared."

Bobby blinked. He was now absolutely 0% more enlightened than he had been a minute ago! "So...are you a friend?"

"Perhaps..." She stepped forward slowly, coming closer and closer until she was stood right in front of him! She looked down from her towering height, and one of her thin, slender hands reached up, touching his cheek in a gentle caress...

Her hands were ice cold!

Her hand dropped to her side again. "...but that remains to be seen...Bobby."

Bobby still didn't have a name to go with the face, but he shrugged that fact aside. "Uh, right. Hey, listen, there are some people after me, so it's dangerous to be near me. Maybe you oughtta, well, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but you'll be better off far from me."

"There are far worse threats in this city than lowlife gang memberswith superiority complexes." chimed Solstice's musical voice as she turned and set off walking down the street slowly. She took a few steps, then stopped and turned back to face Bobby, who hadn't moved from his spot, his eyes rivited on her, his mind in total quandry.

"I can assist you with your troubles, if you wish me to." she continued quietly. "Normally I give this help without asking, but you have descovered me before I gave it, so it is my obligation to ask."

"What would you want in return?" Bobby asked hesitantly.

"Secrecy." came the reply. "I don't exist, and I like it that way. In return for my help you would never have seen me, apart for a fleeting glimpse as your enemies are delt with, and we would never have spoken." She narrowed her eyes, and again the slightest hint of a smile touched her lips. "It's only what I would expect...indeed, where you not to keep the secret as I ask, I would be forced to treat you as my enemy rather than those hunting you."

Bobby shrugged, casting a sidelong glance at her. "Sounds good, and I'll agree to the terms, but I don't want to be a burden. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the offer, but this is my problem, and it was an accident that I saw you. Maybe...we could pretend we didn't meet, and you go back to what it is you were doing?"

(OOC: <.< I'm not picking up a whole lot of action from the maker of this RP...not to name names...I wasn't planning on me starting the fight with the three White ones, but I guess I will soon!)

OOC: I'm still here. >_<

IC: "Maybe...we could pretend we didn't meet, and you go back to what it is you were doing?" Just Under the sound, three sets of ears twitched. They Immediately looked up, spotting a sewer entrance above them. They nodded.

Moments later, and explotion of rubble showered Bobby and the other Mysterious figure. As the Smoke Cleared, three vaugely huminoid shapes could be seen. One summoned a whip into his hand, and they charged forward, with no warning, and no mercy.

Wherehouse District:

"Come on, SX, We should get going...", Silver said, but a loud crash from the roof interrupted him mid sentance."What was...", Silver asked, running outside, to get a good look at what was happening. He looked up and quickly dodged to the side as two red throwing daggers sliced into the ground beside him, and dissapeared. Silver stared up at the Red Cat looking down on him with a wide smile, one that seemed to be genuinely happy, but a bit mischevious...
"Who Are you?!" The figure said nothing, but jumped down from the building, preparing to attack...

SX rushed towards Silver, and looked up. "Friend of yours?"

"No, he just attacked out of nowhere!"

"Right. Need help, Siv?"

"Um...YES?!"

SX cruched into a defensive stance, ready to fight dto defend his friend.

Solstice suddenly lept forward, pushing Bobby out of the way and bringing up her arm to block the rush! The three figures hit her, knocking her backward, but she had been prepared, and the impact didn't knock her over.

"You have some curious friends." she remarked, glancing over the creatures before them.

SHOOM she dissapeared in a flash of light, re-appearing directly behind the trio attacking them! Before they had a chance to turn one of the two without weapons found himself flying across the street thanks to a powerful kick to the shoulders!

The leader spun round, his whip flashing forward and coiling round her wrist! With a deft flick he pulled her forward, overbalancing her, and brought his knee up to meet her face as she fell forward. She was knocked onto her back by the blow, landing on the follr with a crash, and instantly the leader stepped forward, raising his foot to stomp on her head...!

She rolled, hooking her leg around his foot and yanking it out from under him, and he tripped! The third figure lunged forward, raising his fist to strike...

(OOC: Sorry, Silver, I didn't mean to complain about your style. It's not often I get impatient...sorry)

The third figure lunged forward, raising his fist to strike...and pulled back at the last second, to dodge a bullet! Bobby had his gun in hand, and had gotten off a lucky shot! As he began to take evasive manuevers to avoid getting hit by one of them, and continued to fire his gun basically at random, he shouted, "These aren't my friends, and they aren't the ones after me! Who the hey are you guys!?"

His answer came in the form of a fast punch to his face. He staggered back, holding his face, and let off another random shot! Tears had formed in his eyes from the pain. This was a bad situation!

Jen had been following the trail of the intruders...and had found the trail end at a now-blasted section of street. Fighting and gunfire could be heard immediately above her. She had a look at the situation, peeking over the edge...

A group of glowing, flying blue daggers narrowly missing the combatants caused the battle to pause for a moment! Bobby's mouth dropped open when he saw Jen standing there, throwing another dagger as she yelled, "First you sneak into Queen's turf...and then you try to kill my target?! You're gonna feel so much pain, you won't be able to walk!"

Jen ran forward, and the fray continued, Solstice and Bobby also fighting against the three White beings...

OOC: It's okay, I was busy, so you had a right to complain, I should be the one oppologising for working myself so hard. >.<;

IC: Silver Backed up as The Figure Jumped down, and tried to attack him. He wasn't expecting the gunfire from SX. The figure was hit, and fell limply to the floor. "...geeze, what was th-AAUUGH!", Silver didn't have time to finish, as the figure jumped up, and Kicked Silver into the wall of the Werehouse. He summoned a few more throwing blades, and ran towards a wall, and performed an amazing wall jump to the next wall, and threw them mid-jump, he kept jumping from wall to wall, throwing the red blades each time. Silver, after getting up, ugred SX and Teal to cover behind a table that had been knocked over.

The whip-wielding White being sidestepped another bullet from Bobby. Out of the corner of what had to be his eyes, he saw Jen and Solstice floor its comrades. Reacting quickly, he flung out with his wrist, and the whip caught Bobby! Using his entire body, he threw Bobby across the area at Solstice! Not waiting to see if they hit or not, he ducked under a roundhouse kick from Jen, and performed an uppercut in her moment of vulnerability!

(OOC: I'm really sorry, everyone, for my dissapearence. I was half way through updating RPs on Saturday when my internet imploded, and it's only just been fixed now! Sorry for the delay, but now I'm back and ready to rock )

IC:

Solstice neatly dodged Bobby's flying body, and as he passed,she quickly flicked out a hand, grabbing his wrist and righting him somewhat. His momentum still sent him sprawling on the floor, but at least he only grazed his knees rather than his head.

One of the two unarmed figures jumped onto his feet again, raising his fists and charging towards her angrily, but she didn't seem too peturbed. She quickly feinted back from his attacks, catching him unawares and off balance, then, raising one of her long legs high into the air, she spun, delivering a powerful kneecap to the back of the enemy's head. He was knocked forward, past her, dazed and almost toppling over! The wyrm continued her momentum from the spin as she turned, completing a full spin and delivering a heel to the same spot on her attacker's head!

Again he was thrown forward, this time into the brick wall of a building nearby, bashing his forehead on it. He staggered, leaning against the wall heavily as he fazed in and out of contiousness.

But Solstice wasn't finished. A split second after he hit the wall, two more blows struck his temples one after the other, one on either side like piledrivers! Solstice jumped back as she landed from the kicks, staring at her opponant through narrow yellow eyes. He was tough...it was amazing he was still standing, albeit with the assistance of the wall. Blood leaked from a deep gash in his forehead, and he was staggering clumsily.

Moving almost too fast to see, Solstice lunged forward once again, implanting a devastatingly powerful foot into the small of his back! The figure coughed as the blow struck, blood and vomit spurting from his mouth as he was slammed up against the wall once again. The blow was so poweful that part of the cement between the bricks of the wall cracked, sending a sprinkle of dust and brick chips clattering to the floor! Another hit may have broken clean through!

The body of the would-be attacker slumped to the floor...he wouldn't be getting up again for a very long time! In a quick, fluid movement Solstice dropped her foot back to the floor and spun back to face the others, her tall, thin body and long tail seeming to flow like water in the movements!

One down...two to go...