Many autumns ago, in a neighborhood that had seen its better days , a young girl was crying in the middle of the road "Yuri! Yuri! Are you okay?" a young boy ran up to her , followed by his canine companion "Why? Why are you crying?" the little boy bent down, being careful not to touch where she was injured "Is it cause you scraped your knee?" "No" snot was coming out of her nose, and her cheeks were damp "I"m...I'm scared." she whimpered "You...you can still see me?"she questioned, wiping her eyes "Of course silly!" he gave her a hug "What kind of question is it that? You're right there! " he poked her in the forehead, tickling her in the process "Don't touch me.." she protested while giggling "If you keep teasing me, I'm not gonna let you meet my mom!" she started to pout.

But I'm supposed to be spending the night at your place for the first time, cause my mom's out of town remember?" friendly and obedient to a fault, the dog they were playing with earlier kept its distance "Derrick?" she hid behind him, still not comfortable around animals-especially ones she didn't know "Can you speak dog?" nearly falling over at the unexpected question, Yuri grabbed him, making sure he didn't trip on the pavement "What kind of question is that?" Yuri blushed in response "I dunno, you get along real well with them, and they always seem to do what you say." she moved her foot around in circles while answering, almost in an attempt to prover her wrong, the dog seemed to bark out of protest, grabbing onto Derrick tighter, Yuri nearly jumped out of her shoes

Make...him go away..." Giving it some thought, the boy knew it was probably for the best to do what made her comfortable, but for some reason he opted the opposite instead, walking over to the gray collie, the pet the dog and whispered into its ear. "What are you doing?" Yuri panicked, backing away "Get back over here!" she begged, tears welling up in her eyes, wanting to comfort her, Derrick took her hand into his.

"'Yuri do you trust me?" Derrick asked, the dog had sat, not a peep was heard from him but the wagging of his tail "Ye-Yes..." she stammered "You're my best friend...so I guess I have to." her answer made him smile "Close your eyes for me...please.." innocent and doe-eyed, his face was one she couldn't refuse "Okay." she relented 'I hope this works.....God please let it work' the boy thought to himself squeezing his eyes shut. Taking slow deliberate steps over to where the dog was, Derrick took Yuri's hand into his, placing to on the collie's muzzle, feeling the soft fur Yuri's first instinct was to jerk her hand back, opening her eyes, to her surprise the dog stayed silent and still allowing her to pet him "He's...so well behaved." While she pet the dog, Derrick scratched the collie's ear, and the friendly pup wagged its tail "He's...so happy!" Yuri giggled, feeding of the change in energy, the dog barked and started running around in circles "See! I told you!! Not so bad!"

"Told ya" the boy smiled putting his hands behind his head "Chester's a good dog! There's no reason to be scared!!" Yuri, continued giggle, Chester had come to stop from running and circles and was licking her face "I know sometimes you get scared and run away from things...I do too...but sometimes things we convince ourselves we're scared of...we don't need to be scared of at all." Drying her eyes, the dog joined in to help, licking her in the face "Stop!" Yuri giggled "That tickles!" Out the blue, Chester's ear's stood up, and the collie looked off in the distance, and then back at them-it was clear he was torn "It's fine boy. Time to go home?" the dog whined and whimpered, crouching low "It's fine, we'll be in the neighborhood again...then we can play even more!" Derrick bent down, petting the Chester on the head "Arf!! Arf!" licking both of them in the face, the dog wagged its tail, then took off in a sprint around the block "Yuri what's wrong?" refusing to let Derrick see her face, she turned her back "Are you...gonna miss Chester..I thought didn't like dogs?"

Shooting him a glare, she turned around, still refusing to face him "Not sure what I did wrong, but I guess we can go on ahead..I'm ready to meet your Mom!" Fist-pumping into the air, Yuri got over whatever was making her upset, taking him by the hand "Alright then! Let's go!" Hand in a vice grip, Derrick thought of snatching away his hand, but seeing Yuri in a bright and cheery mood he decided to let her have her way "Hey! Slow it down a bit!!" Derrick complained, but if Yuri heard him, she didn't acknowledge it or slow down at all-the two skipped and pranced all the way home.

The doorbell rang several times, knowing they were expecting company, Yuri's mother slipped on her house shoes, getting making sure to answer it fast as she can.

"Welllcccoooooommmmmmmeeee home!" Greeting her daughter and her friend, she threw up the peace sign in an awkward pose; embarrassed, Yuri and Derrick were half-way down the steps hand in hand , "Sorry!" a sweat drop appeared on her head "Clearly, we've got the wrong house!" Ignoring Yuri's nervous laugh, Derrick attention was now directed at the beauty standing in front of the door "Pretty" his jaw hit the floor as he continued to stare "Oh what a polite young man! Mayuri dear is this your friend!?" 

Bending down, she found Derrick so adorable, she couldn't help but pinch one his cheeks "He's so cute!" Feeling faint all of a sudden, Derrick started to swoon, if not for Yuri's quick reflexes he might've split his head open hitting the ground "Is...he alright?" her mother placed her hand on her face, pushing in her cheeks "Stop being so embarrassing Mom! You look like a chipmunk!! Derrick's just being weird!"Feeling his forehead and making sure he didn't have a fever, Mayuri's mother exhaled "Thank God. Set him down on the couch, and go wash up-" she smiled in admiration, running her fingers through her daughter's hair "Dinner should be ready soon."

Finally coming to, Derrick passed the time watching cartoons in Mayuri's living room; the smooth velvet couch's cushion was extra soft, and despite his favorite show being on he found it hard to stay awake. Resting his eyes for what felt like only a second, opening them back up, he was greeted with the pleasant sight of Mayuri's mother "Hey, are you feeling better?" she asked standing over him "Oh!" Derrick found himself flustered "Sorry for passing out like that!" he blushed, rubbing the back of his head "It's just, I knew you'd look kind of like Yuri, but I wasn't expecting you to be so pretty!" Mayuri's mother smiled at the compliment, then as if remembering something, her mouth formed a thin line "Um....is there something wrong?" 

Blinking back tears, Mayuri's mother bent down, wrapping her arms around Derrick, bringing him into a crushing hug. Not sure what was going on, but knowing she need him at the moment, Derrick leaned into and returned the embrace "Thank you so much" Mayuri's mother broke down starting to sob "For what?" Derrick asked, her body starting to shake "My little girl...I never thought she'd allow herself to be seen...growing up in this world....but seeing you...now I know...now I know she's got a friend." Derrick didn't understand the meaning of those words that day, nor did he fully comprehend the worry and concern Mayuri's mother had for her daughter, but years later -on the way to Sagara Compound- about undertake the most perilous endeavor encountered in his life, he understood what he didn't back then.

"That's why, in order to protect her, I have to be willing to give it everything I have." Derrick thought out loud "Thinking about her again?" Jay teased, at that moment Derrick was thankful for his chocolate brown skin hiding the tinge of red "Stop easing dropping man, and just pay attention to the damn road!!" Derrick yelled, having just left the city, a long drive had just begun to the countryside. "Something tells me this whole fiasco would be a lot easier, if the two of you would just be honest with each other and tell how you fell." Leaning his seat back, out the blue a jet black streak sped past them on the opposite of the road, turning their heads, despite the window's being tinted Derrick and Jay turned to each other, having a pretty good guess who it was.

"Looks like she got your message." Jay remarked "Yeah" Derrick chimed in a low tone "I guess she did after all." Putting his hand on Derrick's knee, Jay made sure to look him in the eye "From what you've told me, she's strong Jay, if they survived everything we've thrown at them thus far, then Sagara's goons are nothing in comparison." Smacking his hand like gnat, Derrick gave Jay the finger "Ain't nobody worried about that girl man, she's just a pawn" Jay rubbed his hand, looking at him unconvinced 

"The plan works with or without her and her rag tag bunch, if they make it...cool...if they don't...fine." Not in the mood for one of Derrick's, Jay decided to blow off some steam; taking out his lighter and a blunt, he rolled down the window, letting out several puffs of smoke "Denial, not only is it a river in Egypt, it's apparently every damn where!" Gritting his teeth in anger, Derrick leaned his seat all the way back, squeezing his eyes shut tight "Now that right there-"Jay took another hit from the joint, blowing out another puff of smoke "Classic you."

Leanne was a top animal handler and trainer at the New Arcadia Zoo, making her rounds for the night, stepping into the enclosure, a white rhino turned around flaring its nostrils "Hey girl" she greeted with a wave Walking up to her, the rhino stuck out his tongue, and started giving Leanne gentle licks "Laura, it's nice to see you too girl." making sure to be gentle, she ran her fingers over the Laura's horn "Psssstt.." she heard someone trying to call out to her, turning around, it was the head of security-Wendell Johnson 

"Sorry, I'll be right back" she cooed, giving Laura a hug and a reassuring pat on the snout, stepping outside of the enclosure she covered her nose "Good god Wendell, did you get into with the baboons again "You know I did!" he pulled up his pants "I'll tell you one thing! If everything goes according to plan, those tree demons over there" he pointed "-will not be missed!" Leanne slapped him on the arm in a playful manner, and laughed "Stop! You love them and they love you." 

She teased, Wendell put his hand on Leanne's forehead "That Rhino hit you upside the head or something?" Slapping his hand away, pulled out her phone, checking the time "No, but I'm surprised I'm keeping my wits about me, considering we've only got about an hour left " Hanging of Wendell's waist was a set of keys, holding them up, a thought crossed his mind before putting them back "Hope we're doing the right thing here..." staring up at the sky, the full moon was making its travels that night accompanied by the stars 

"When you think about it, the beautiful creatures in the world, the lush green forests, all the sights and sounds of nature, we're never really alone..." Leanne comforted Wendell, placing a hand on his shoulder, hoping to quell his fears and doubts "There goest that Royal League education paying off." Wendell teased, a silver of a smile finding its way onto his visage "You're absolutely right."

"So how're gonna approach this guys?" Douglas inquired, parked behind the building, the docks were n their line of sight "Well, first things first, Gano would you like to do the honors?" Leaning back into the seat, Tess did her best to make room, so he could step over and out the car

 "Sorry random goons, nothing personal.." Keeping watch outside the docks were Z and another one of Slim's men named Turrent, out of nowhere Turrent felt himself being dragged and pulled by an invisible force "Yo! What the hell's going on!?" Arms and legs starting to flail, trying to grab ahold of him Z frowned "This some kind of joke!?"

 Looking around in order to find the one responsible, both of the men were pulled from in front of the dock, and behind the pulling where Mayuri and Gano lied in wait "This...this is impossible!" Mayuri, having gotten out of the car, took of her shades "Maybe, maybe not, once you look into these eyes-" making eye contact with both the men, they could do nothing but scream in anguish upon being caught by her spell.

"What hell's going on outside!" the warehouse was in a panic "I don't know! Those two got dragged off like they were being pulled by invisible string!!" Rick remained calm, placing his hand on his chin he started to formulate a plan "Jason, Jem, I want you to go around and wait outback." he instructed his guards "What?" Jason looked at Jem, then back at Rick "And leave you here! You outta' your mind!" Grabbing Jason by the collar, Rick stared at him in contempt "Alright boss...you're in charge..." straightening out his shirt, the two did as he said 'Hm' Vince thought to himself with a smirk "So it begins."

"Hey there they are!" several members of Slim's crew caught sight of Z and Turrent stumbling from behind the building "You guys alright!" Out of the blue, the two took of running "The hell is going on?" One of the men, attempted to grab them running past, but ended up with a fistful of air "Dunno...it's like they've lost their minds!" From Z and Turrent's point of view, they were giving Mayuri and Gano chase, but making no ground, out of nowhere drones appeared in their peripheral vision they had to shoot down.

"Slim!!" Dexter sprinted over to him, running out of breath "Dex, my men outside taking care of business...I don't have time for you now!" Shaking his head, Dexter continued to pant "Two of your men just shot out the cameras we had placed to monitor things...those men!" Eyes popping out their sockets, Slim couldn't believe his ears "They did WHAT!?" Dexter adjusted his glasses "I don't know what's going...whether it's mutiny or they're under some hallucination of sorts..." Reaching into his suit, Slim pulled out a gun "Watch your mouth.." he threatened, Dexter could do nothing but gulp "I apologize...sir."

Guns being pulled from their hands, the men attempted to run them down only to met with Gano and Mayuri once they rounded the corner "It's just a green-haired brat and a girl! Can't believe those punks were having this much trouble with the two of them!!" Forming a circle, ready to ambush and jump the two, the men blinked their eyes in disbelief "They...they disappeared!! They're gone! The boy, the girl, and the car!" Hearing a whistle, they caught sight of the two making a mad dash towards the warehouse "Quick! We can't let them inside! Run em' down!" Mayuri and Gano watched the men trip over themselves chasing an image "Gano! Make sure that's all the cameras and get the other three out the car!" Mayuri looked on, assessing the situation "We're going in."

"Hey! Who's that walking along with you!" Finally subduing Z and Turrent, the two were tied up outside "What do you mean?" One of Slim's men answered turning around "There's nobody there!" Double checking, the man rubbed his eyes, vision blurring he wondered if he lost his mind once it came back into focus "Wasn't....wasn't there a group of kids right there?" he checked with another one of Slim men standing right beside him "Yes, there was." Jason and Jem came from behind the warehouse holding up their phones, we got the proof right here 

"Don't make another move-" Slim's man pointed his gun at the two, Jason and Jem looked at each other confused "What's going on?" the two looked at each other confused, out of nowhere the pair of phones were snatched from hand, finding its way into Brook and Tess, who placed it in their back pockets "Hey!! Those kids just jacked our phones!!" the two pulled out their guns, only to have those taken away from the too "This...this makes no sense!" 

Jason started to tremble, Jem backed away trembling, in his heart of hearts despite the brave front he was putting on he wanted to run "Chill boys, look into my eyes, I can make any nightmare you're living in go away." Stepping out from the crowd, Mayuri stood center in front "Stare into my gaze, and reality can be whatever you want it to be!" Cackling, Slim and Rick immediately ran outside

"Jason!! Jem!" Rick called out to his men who seemed to be lost in a daze "Report now, what's going on?" From Jason and Jem's vantage a pair of lions were hunting them down, and they weren't the only lions "Hey! How'd those lions get loose!!" one of the men pointed "I don't know, but we might have to get out of here now!!" scrambling around, the men started running amok like chickens that just lost their heads, Slim fired several guns shots in the air, but the hold on the men's conscience was too strong 

"So you must be the big shots, Mayuri stepped forward making an appearance" Not hesitating to pull the trigger, Slim's heart dropped to his stomach when the bullet he fired froze mid-air "What kind of witchcraft voodoo shit you on!?" Making eye contact with Rick, Mayuri winked before being shot down "I got her!! I got her!!" Z bragged, free from his restraints "Well, I'll be damned." Slim looked at his firearm in betrayal "Nah, fuck this." Tucking the weapon back into his suit, Slim walked over and bent down "Let me see if this bitch co-" pausing mid-sentence, Slim looked back at Rick "You need me to come over and check as well?" Slim was apprehensive, not wanting to endanger or lose anyone else "I'm coming over-" Slim held up his hand "Rick! Go get Vince! Vince!!"

Catching side of the dead body bleeding out, vomit rose in Vince's throat, holding his hands to his mouth, it took everything in his power to hold it in "Vince, soon as you got out here, what'd you see?" Rick asked, hoping he wouldn't fall under whatever ill effect plaguing them "I see...I see....I see a dead woman you jackass!" Putting his hands on his hips incensed "Truck's going to be in thirty minutes, and you lot are out here doing absolutely jack shit!! Where's the threat!?" he yelled.

"Nah man.." Slim started shaking "This..this ain't no regular stuff man...mass hallucination is nothing I've ever seen before!" Vincent sneered "Dump that dead body, and come get back to work "That's...cold." Rick looked at Vince's back walking away "I'm not a man with a conscience or anything...still..." heeding Vince's orders the men picked up the lifeless corpse and got to disposing of it, back in the warehouse Mayuri and the others followed Vince over to where the animals were held

 "Tell me" Mayuri pulled out a gun, ready to bullet between his eyebrows "Why didn't you turn us in?" Turning around and smirking, a eureka moment was had "I see! So you're working for him!?" finger on the trigger ready to squeeze, she felt Tess' grab her by the shoulder "Yuri...at least hear him out." Seeing the doe-eyed and innocence in Tess' expression, she put the gun down "They'll be back soon." hearing the footsteps outside, the group broke out into a sweat "Sneaking into the compound won't be possible without Dex and I's help..." Narrowing her eyes, Mayuri weighed her options "So what?" she sneered "He's calling some kind of truce?"

Walking over to the container where Phidro was held, opening it up revealed a second hidden compartment "Get in here and you should have no problem sneaking in..." Having dropped the body off into the water, Mayuri released her spell "So what's it going to be?" the two continued staring each other down "They're coming..." Glancing back, Mayuri made sure to get a nod from Gano, Brook, Tess, and Douglas before reluctantly giving one of her own "Ah.. he knows you well." the look she gave Vince was scathing, but due to their current predicament it was something he was happy to ignore. Crouching down, and jostling for position, the four squeezed into the container laying flat "Mayuri, sure we can trust this guy?" Digging her manicured nails into the sensitive skin on his hand, Douglas bit his tongue holding back a yell "Ever heard of gift in a horse's mouth." she answered in a hushed whisper, Amused by their bickering Vince chuckled before shutting the container and their turned black.

"Vince! Vince!" Slim and Rick were the first ones to rush in, followed by the rest of the men "The trucks!! The trucks are here!!" Vince's face flushed and his ears turned red "DAMN!" he yelled "Look! We gotta remain calm!! Once they got here we gotta make sure everything looks copacetic! Bout to be in scramble mode soon!" Blank stares greeted them, it seemed even Rick and Slim were awaiting his instructions "Don't look at me! Get to organizing and moving!! Go! Go! Go!!" The sound of the trucks parking were heard, and just like that the worker got busy as bees in a flash: moving and lifting, lifting and moving, a constant flow of inside and outside, outside and outside took place. For contingency purposes Vincent nor anyone inside were allowed to meet, greet, or make direct contact with the drivers. Having pulled together despite earlier events, the man worked in timely fashion until they were down to the last box.

"Phidro.." Rick reached out his hand, feeling an elbow nudge him in the side, he looked over to see Slim flashing his diamond encrusted smile "Might be ya' last chance...nothing wrong with salutations saluting an old friend." Giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze, Slim exited the warehouse "It was nice meeting you Rick, the eyes are the window into the soul....you a good dude." Walking over to the box, Rick crossed his heart, and got ready to say good bye, however out of nowhere Vincent blocked him from doing so, making sure to obstruct his path.

"Excuse me.." he attempted to be polite, heart starting to beat fast "Could you step out the way?" Vincent towered over, looking down, he placed his hand on Rick's chest pushing him away "No can do, you're about to make a mistake." Rick's pupils shrunk and his jaw clenched "I need to say goodbye to him.." his tone took on a guttural growl, but Vince wasn't fazed "What for? Haven't you done enough for him?!" Folding his arms and straightening his posture, he widened his stance forming a stone wall "I said no!" Tilting to the side and catching a glimpse of the box, Rick's attention to detail told him something was off "Wasn't that five centimeters to the right?" Vince's right eye twitched only just a bit, but that slight twitch was all that was needed to prove his hunch correct "You are..listen here-" getting on his tippy-toes he made sure to place his mouth next to Vince's ear "Let me talk to the cub I raised...or else." Sucking his teeth, Vince stepped to the side "Looking back, Rick walked on ahead, placing his hand on the container, as a collective Brook, Tess, Mayuri, Douglas, and Gano's hearts dropped.

"Phidro, I remember brining you in, nurturing you as a cub, and filling up your bottle with milk; when we made the initial purchase you were the cutest thing I ever seen..." Rick smile "Raising you from a cub, you were so soft, so tender, then seeing you mature into adolescence-primal instincts taking over and settling into your prime- it melted my heart." sniffling, but not one to cry, Rick blinked hard as he could 

"Don't know where you're going after this, but letting you go...was the mistake of my life..you were in place where you were loved...a place where a giant cat and man could play catch..to this day...you're the closest I've come to having a son...If I could take back selling you off I would..." wrapping his arms around the box, Rick laid his head on it as well, wanting to get close as he could 

"Phidro..I love you. Heaven knows my wishes and prayers, and more than anything..I hope when the smoke settles we can find each other again." getting up, Rick rested his hand on the box, taking a moment of silence for his soon to be departed friend "Love you..boy." On the inside of the box, Dougles nose started to itch, Rick's words stirred something inside of him, and he was on the verge of breaking down "Don't you dare." Mayuri mouthed, and leaning his head back in an attempt to hold everything in, he bumped his head.

'What was that?' Rick thought to himself hearing a sound, eyes darting between the container and Vince, Z and Jason walked in ready to load the container holding Phidro into the truck "Oh man, we are done at last!" Jason yelled in jubilation stretching his arms out into the air "Yes, it's been quite a messy affair" Rick chimed in "But it looks like we got the job done in the end."Reaching into his back pocket, Rick fingers got to work ,Jason received the message and one look was all that was need for him to understand, not even acknowledging him being there Jason walked past with Z and lifted Phidro's container, taking it to the truck. Vince kept a careful watch out his peripheral, but found nothing suspicious going on he could call out.

"Rick, you okay now?" Vince kept his back turned to the man, and Rick kept his back turned as well "I've said my goodbyes and cried my tears...I'm doing fine now." Outside and out the line of Vincent's sight, Jason took a purple sticker out of his pocket and stuck on the bottom of the container before handing of to the truck driver to be loaded in 'Whew. That went of without a cinch, when the boss has a hunch he's usually right, but I'd like to know just what the hell that was about!' he thought to himself 

"Well dammit!" Slim stood beside him, watching the trucks drive off "I guess that's it! It's in their hands now!!" gathering his crew, Slim and the gang started piling back into the luxury cars. In the warehouse Rick still refused to acknowledge Vince's presence-they were in a cold war of sorts. "I get you're having a moment-" Vince spoke, still not turning around "-but your business is through here now." Finally turning around, Rick refused to meet his gaze, walking right past at the same time a cool winter breeze blew through "I may have thrown a wrench into your little plan" Rick said, stopping right before the door "I apologize in advance." Vince remained silent, a whole minute passed without a reply, taking that as his cue Rick walked out the door.

"Jason. Jem. The valet will be here soon to pick us up." his two guards flanked his side, back on the inside Vincent scowled in disgust "Guy's got gall I'll give him that, but he's overstepped his bounds!! Ha! Ha Ha!" he forced a laugh "Someone like you throwing a wrench in our plans! Maybe if the deck wasn't so stacked..maybe if the deck wasn't so stacked.." pulling out his phone, he recited a nemonic device in hopes of remembering the numbers to dial "Oh yeah!" he snapped his fingers "That's what it was!!"