Spirit (draft)

  a gift for

 My name is Issac five years ago me Alice and Chris my two best friends found an old book in our local library. The librarian told us we might as well keep the book as it was old and nobody bothered to read it. We opened it back at my place since my parents were out of town I wish we didn’t I mean things went from homework and boring teachers to a planet where animals became the dominant species and Mankind was wiped out. I should start at the beginning through.

***

Five years earlier…..

 

“So I said no way was I going to tell her and then Sarah was like-“

“Alice shush you hurt my head when you babble on like a three year old”

“Chris just because I have more friends then you doesn’t mean-“

“Enough you two relax it’s just over here” I interrupted my two friends while scanning the bookshelves.

My name is Issac Walker I live in Waterfall Springs it’s a small town that nobody ever takes seriously. My two best and only friends Chris Tucker and Alice Summers live next door to me and ever since we were little we always played and chatted to each other. As we grew up we spent more time at each other’s house’s mostly because my parents were out of town all the time on business trips and the like. I got used to sleeping over at Chris’s house the most Alice’s folks were strict on letting boys stay over as they were convinced I was out to seduce their daughter.

Chris was a cool kid always helping me with homework and other pranks. Don’t get me wrong I was never a troublemaker I just hated Joel with a passion. Joel was a football superstar with a twisted mind that knew no bounds. So me and Chris locked him in the shower room for the night we didn’t mean to leave him there we forgot.

Then when the PE teacher unlocked the door Joel attacked him like a madman the PE coach died in hospital later that night. Joel was expelled and never seen again it was sad because Chris and me felt bad we didn’t mean to forget Joel but enough of that sad stuff on with the story.

“Here it is” I said taking the book out.

It was old I mean really old black leather and the faded title Animal Libra weird title but hell we’re weird people.

“Is this gonna be dangerous?” Alice asked nervously.

“Relax Alice what’s the worst thing that could happen?”

I chuckled and grabbed the book.

“Come on I have English guys we can read it tonight” I said to dismiss Alice’s worry she always worried about everything from homework to her shoes.

***

Later that night…..

 

I walked into my house school was boring it had come and went just like always Chris and Alice followed me and headed for my bedroom. It was your typical teenagers room with posters for Creature Feature and Satanist teddy bears everywhere it always scared people but not my friends they thought it was awesome.

We sat in a circle and I placed the book in the middle I opened to the first chapter titled Chapter 1 choose an Animal. We looked down the list of animals there had to be every species of animal imaginable. There were tick boxes and with a different coloured pens Chris had red Alice purple and I had green we wrote our names in the space marked name/s we guessed this was a choose your own adventure book.

Chris went first ticking the following boxes:

Male

Jaguar

17 years old

Alice went next smiling she ticked:

Female

Vixen

17 years old

I was last we all took chose your own adventures very seriously we always wanted more than reality could offer so we did our best to be as accurate as possible. I ticked:

Male

Weasel

17 years old

 When I was done Chris turned the page Chapter 2 already awesome we thought it was titled: Chapter 2 When and Where? We all agreed on and took turns ticking the next set of boxes after rewriting our names:

 

 

 

 

Future

Fantasy

Magic

Suburban Life

 

Alice turned the page next giggling like she always does when she gets excited the next page had three words and six boxes on the right was and on the left yes the Chapter was titled: Chapter 3 Are You ready to Begin? Chris and Alice ticked Yes I hesitated then ticked yes also. That’s when we blacked out and fell into a deep slumber.

***

I woke my head throbbing like someone had started playing death metal drums you know the kind where the drummer goes spastic trying to keep up.  Yeah like that only louder and faster I stood on shaky feet trying to gauge where I was. It was a typical parking lot with cars, vans and motorbikes. I staggered over to the side of a gym I knew it was a gym from the treadmills and the huge sign Burt’s Fitness that was a clue. I staggered in and collapsed my head was pounding someone was talking above my head I didn’t care the voice in the back of my mind was louder.

“Soon you shall understand”

I had to sleep regain my strength so I let sleep take me.

***

“Ow what the hell hit me?”

“Relax son you’ll be all right”

“Who are you?”

“My names Josh what about you?”

“I’m Chris”

I sat up and tried to get an idea of where I was. A grizzly bear sat in a chair to my right and a shirtless muscular rhino stood next to him staring.

“Hey there remember me? I’m Josh” the grizzly bear spoke perfect English with a slight American accent.

“H-hey I’m Chris how did I get here?” I was confused one minute me Issac and Alice reading a choose your own adventure book the next thing I wake up here.

 “We found you passed out in our backyard” the rhino spoke up still staring.

“That’s Michel he’s my housemate” Josh grinned as Michel rolled his eyes.

“Was I hurt?” I asked thinking the worst.

“No we just never seen any humans round these part we thought they were wiped out in 2020” Josh tried to sound comforting but it was clear this was a new situation for him.

“Umm what year is it?” I was panicking what about my parents and my dog Shadow he was like a brother to me things were getting stranger by the minute.

“3030 AD are you alright you’ve gone all pale” Michel was looking concerned now as he studded my face.

“Yeah….” I trailed off as I fainted.

Josh stood and looked at his rhino housemate.

“I told you we should have taken him to a hospital”

Michel looked at Josh considering his answer/

“And I told what will happen if we do they’ll lock him up in a Zoo with the other non-anthropomorphic animals” Michel looked at Josh with all the seriousness he could muster.

“I know but can we really look after him? He’s a human Michel we don’t know if we can even provide for him” Josh hugged his housemate tears in his eyes.

Michel sighed and hugged Josh back smiling he leaned down and whispered in the grizzly bear’s ear. Josh perked up and smiled.

“You really think we’re fit to be fathers?” he said grinning ear to ear.

Michel laughed.

“Good god no but at least let us try for the kid’s sake”

“Fine your turn to cook dinner” Josh left the room before Michel could protest still grinning his face off. Michel chuckled and went to prepare dinner.

***

“She has no fur”

“She is a human that’s how they are”

“She smells funny”

“Hush she’s waking up”

I awoke groaning to see two pandas looking at me as though I was a museum exhibit. One a male I guessed from his clothes he had a clean white shirt and a grey leather jacket and black jeans and my god was he built his muscles bulged whenever he moved his arms that was intimidating. The other panda obviously the female wore a pink sweater and blue tracksuit pants she also had long flowing brown hair the male spoke first with a Scottish accent this startled me as I though pandas were from Asia.

“Now little miss why have you passed out in our backyard?” he inquired he sounded both curious and cautious he had every right to be after I woke up his backyard with no memory of getting there.

“Please sir I don’t know I was just with my friends and we all passed out then I woke up here” I said trying to sound as innocent as possible.

“You do drugs you’re one of those weirdos from down the street” the female jabbed her finger in my face. She spoke with a Chinse accent making me wonder even more if something paranormal had happed.

“Now Mia calm down go inside and make some tea for our guest” the Scotsman said gently.

Mia glared at me then walked inside with the air of a woman who was not happy and maybe even a bit jealous. That left the Scotsman and me alone in the backyard. Needless to say I was embarrassed I felt out of place a freak among the animals.  

“Now then lass what’s yer name?” the Scotsmen asked.

“Alice Summers Sir I am really sorry about this” I felt like a five year old before this man small and powerless.

“Nice ter meet ya Alice i know you’re not one of them weirdos because well you’re not peeing on my doormat. My name is Douglas" he offered a paw for me to shake "Now let's get you inside"

***

I woke with a splitting headache worse than before I passed out. Now it seemed the drummer had ditched the drums and had somehow got his hands on a pair of giant speakers and an electric guitar. I opened my eyes blinking in the bright sunlight that met my unaccustomed eyes. A rat sat in an armchair watching T.V I sat up feeling groggy and edgy at the same time. I tried to stand but I fell flat on my face the rat turned startled and help me up he sat me down then he spoke in friendly gentle tone.

“Hullo dear boy feeling a little better I see” he smiled as a mole in a black shirt and jeans walked in carrying a tray of a blue china teapot matching teacups and a small green pill.

“Well Sep I got the medicine from Nigel and he said that-“ the mole trailed off as he saw me then he smiled and set the tray down and crossed the room to sit at my feet staring in wonder at me.

“Now Moley don’t stare you’ve seen a human before” Sep chuckled as he poked the mole who jumped.

“But Septimus I have never seen one so young before. You’re fascinating you are if you don’t mind me saying so” the last part of the sentence was directed at me so I nodded and smiled.

“I don’t mind it’s kinda funny” I said with a little nervous laugh. 

“No need to be nervous lad you’re in good hands me and Moley have been looking after you”

“Oh how long have I been out?” I wondered.

“A few weeks not long really” Moley answered.

I nodded and considered the fate of my friends I had to hope they were okay. Little did I know Chris Alice and I would be together soon along with some new friends.

***

Present Day (2035)

It was finally time I thought with glee as I dressed in my usual outfit shorts and a T-shirt. Me Alice and Chris were going to meet up and hang out like we used to. We had been until today chatting online emailing each other we always hung out in a private chat room made my Chris. Today was going to be great I could tell as I stepped quickly down the stairs, rushed into the dining room, and sat down. Septimus was just plating up some bacon and eggs when he saw me and smiled.

“Well you’re in a hurry today” he said placing a plate of toast, eggs and a cup of coffee in front of me.

“Yeah well I get to see my friends finally after all the stuff we went through” I replied eating my eggs as fast as I could spraying mashed up egg all over the place.

“Do remember your manners won’t you?” Septimus laughed as I gaged on an egg yolk.

I took time to swallow before replying.

“Yeah I will um sorry Sep” I said sheepishly.

“Morning you fellows” Moley yawned as he entered the room.

“Morning Dad good sleep?” I always called Septimus Sep and Moley Dad it made things easer instead calling them both Dad I tried that and it was confusing.

“Oh yes mighty fine sleep indeed your excited I see” the mole sat down and Septimus served him some bacon and eggs then sat down to enjoy his own plate of eggs and bacon.

Before I go on with the story, I should explain what happened in five years. Septimus and Moley adopted me because Septimus always wanted a son and since he and Moley were married pregnancy just couldn’t happen. So the two were ecstatic when Bert the owner of the gym found me and asked them to look after me it took me weeks before I could get off the couch. all the time I lay there half asleep the voice in the back of my mind spoke to me telling me of the Guardians and how I was destined for great things. As far as I could tell Alice and Chris were okay wherever they were.

Now on with the story.

 

 

 

 

“Duh I get to see Chris and Alice it’s gonna be awesome” I felt euphoric on top of the world.\

After breakfast

I raced out the door after giving Sep and Moley a tight hug. I called Auron with my mind he answered and his steal like tone filled my head.

“Hey Pup you sure you’re ready?” he was emotionless as ever at first it annoyed me but I got used to it.

 “Duh been ready for ages” I thought back grinning as I felt his magic wrap around me and in a second I was a jackal with amber eyes. Spirit Merging was a simple process I learned it early on it was useful for blending in after all Mankind had been wiped out no need to go attracting attention   

“Alright cool your jets Pup we’re almost there” Auron fell silent as I walked into the café we had agreed to meet at.

“Yo Bro what up!” a familiar tone yelled in my ear I jumped and spun around  faced a jaguar with a slightly bulging stomach black spots and Chris’s emerald green eyes . 

“Chris! Wow you’ve grown” I hugged my friend enjoying his scent and the feel of his fur I felt my happiness explode and make me feel even more euphoric than ever.

“Yeah this is Blue my Guardian you got one too huh?” Chris whispered in my ear I heard him clearly thanks to my jackal hearing.

“Yeah I did this is Auron he’s my Guardian he’s a tough guy” I whispered back in Chris/Blue’s ear.

“Hey fellas don’t I get a hug?” a slender cat with ash grey fur and Alice’s brilliant blue eyes stood grinning. 

Chris and me hugged our friend tightly taking turns to whisper in her ears about our Guardians Alice then told us in a hushed tone about Melisa her Guardian. We sat down and excitedly told each other of our adventures in the five years we hadn’t seen each other in.

 Chris stayed with Josh and Michel who as it turns out were a married couple and were quite rich. Alice lived with Mia and Douglas who were strict but fair Mia kept Alice in line with her strict Chinese discipline while Douglas with his Scottish burr taught her many life lessons. Alice loved them dearly and Melissa helped keep her compony.

My story was boring compared to my friends after Septimus and Moley thing went pretty well after the shock of time travel. The best part of the day was finding out that we all were going to be attending Nova College of the Magical Arts and we were going to be in Year 11 so chances were high we’d be put in the same classes.

After what seemed like only a few minutes of swapping stories and joking as we used to we all went our separate ways after exchanging phone numbers agreeing to call whenever we could. Auron seemed quieter than usual I tried to coax him into talking about but he wasn’t in the mood to talk. I got home hugged my parents and headed upstairs to read and chat with my friends it seemed things were looking up until I started school that’s when shit hit the fan.

***

6 months later…

MEEP! MEEP! MEEP! MEEP!

My alarm clock beeped as if a bomb about to go off I rolled over and switched the alarm off glancing at the time 5:30 AM. I showered and dressed in my new school uniform a white button up shirt grey trousers and an annoying green tie. Septimus had to help me with the tie after I struggled for ten minutes trying to tie the stupid tie. Septimus did make me feel better by muttering while he fiddled with the tie things like:

“Damn rotten stupid thing”

“No it’s the other way no not that way ether”

And my personal favourite:

“Hang and bother the stupid thing I’d rather burn the bleeding tie”

After my tie was successfully, tied Septimus walked to the kitchen where Moley was making waffles for a special treat. Moley’s waffles were a god among food perfect in every way light fluffy delicious with icing sugar. I could eat them forever. Sadly was never any leftover Moley only ever made them on special occasions. So after breakfasting and Septimus worrying about my lunch which I assured him I had packed the night before we were ready.

Getting to Nova High was easy a portal appeared and you stepped through it and emerged at the school gates for first timers it was a terrifying experience. So as the portal appeared Septimus and Moley took turns to hug me and wish me good luck then taking a deep breath I stepped into the portal and found myself in front of a building that could only be Nova High.

 White walls brown doors and a purple sky made Nova High seem like something out of a comic book. The building’s shape and size was constantly changing one minute tall then in a blink it was wide instead. Having a school in another dimension that could change to be any size shape or colour was cool.

I walk through the gates and looked around groups of kids sat in groups all of them furrys. As I entered the yard people glanced in my direction looked away then snapped their attention back to me. People ran up to me looking as though some zoo exhibit had just walked into school instead of a human. The kids took turns touching me and see ing if I’d react when I failed to eat the rat boy who had bravely ventured to touch me the other kids bombarded me with questions. Then a loud squeaky voice yelled:

“Hey there’s another human out the back gate and it has two heads!” the crowd dispersed quickly leaving only me and the rat who had first touched me.

“Hey thanks my names Issac nice to meet you” I said uncertainly as I had no idea how to start a conversation.

“Yeah well don’t expect me to save you again” the rat said rudely.

“Well you could be a little nicer” I said defensively.

“Do I look like I care?” the rat growled,

The bell rang and the rat dashed off leavening me a little confused.

I went to my first class Pyrotechnics our teacher a tall striking zebra named Mr Greaves. He was a smart and patient man always ready to offer advice and hints on the ‘perfect flame’ as he called it. Mr Greaves would click his fingers and summon a large blue flame it was both warm and bright. My classmates would gasp and stare in awe then they all started clicking their fingers trying to achieve their own flames.

Everyone else managed to summon a flame I however failed not even a spark I repeated the theory repeatedly in my mind aloud nothing. Mr Greaves walked over and watched me as I struggled then he spoke in his rich deep tone.

“Repeat the theory Mr Walker”

“The click creates the friction and the heat the magic generates the flame” I recited.

Mr Greaves nodded.

“Correct however I do believe your magical talents lie elsewhere”

“What do you mean Sir?”

“You are a strange one your Mana the driving force behind all Magic is not suited for Elemental Magic” Mr Greaves looked thoughtful.

By now everybody was staring at me and I felt like the scum of the earth. Mr Greaves wrote a few notes on the board and ordered everybody to start writing and he’d be back in few minutes

“Issac come with me please”

I nodded and followed him through the winding corridors and twisting staircases. After a while we came to an office the nameplate read: Mr W Freeman Mr Greaves knocked and a germen shepherd answered the door.

“Hello Joshua what can I do for you?” he asked in a gentle tone,

“Nothing for me Warren just got a student who needs evaluating” Mr Greaves said calmly.

“Alright you better get back to the young ones I can take things from here”

 

Warren opened the door and I stepped inside the office while the two teachers said goodbye to each other. After a few minutes, Warren shut the door and sat down in an office chair he offered me a seat and I sat down.

“Now then Mr Walker shall we begin?”

***

“Rise and shine my dear”

Douglas’s voice stirred me from my slumber as I groaned and rolled over falling out of bed in the process. My name is Alice Summers and today was my first day of school I showered and dressed. Then went downstairs saying good morning to my parents then sat down to my usual cereal and orange juice. Then the portal opened and I said my goodbyes and made sure everything was ready I stepped into the portal ready for the start of a new day.

I hated school sure classes were cool and the teachers were nice and friendly but by god did the kids suck. I was tripped on my way to class kicked by a grinning snow leopard and had my desk set on fire by a panther. I felt terrible usually I’m the popular girl with lots of friends and always in the loop. Now I was on the other side of popularity I was scum I was the source of jokes and ridicule.

“It’s alright young one I’m here they only mock what they don’t understand” Melisa spoke into my mind the calm voice of reason inside my head.

“Easy for you to say you’re older and wiser then I am” I thought back.

I ran into something solid and bounced off the mass landing flat on my ass. People laughed and I felt worse than ever.

“Are you alright Miss?” a rhino looked down at me with an amused expression.

“Yeah I was just thinking and I didn’t notice you” I said as I took his offered hand.

“My names Kent a pleasure” Kent smiled as we stood in the hall then Kent looked at his watch.

“Oh wow I gotta go I got class” he grinned and ran down the hall.

“Miss Summers?” I turned and saw a smartly dressed germen shepherd standing next a set of lockers.

“Yeah that’s me who are you?” I asked.

“Warren I’m a counsellor” Warren replied and it seemed he was looking through me; seeing my soul it was an odd sensation.

“Oh okay I’m Alice you know who I am then?”

“Oh yes would you care to join me in my office Issac is waiting for you” Warren smiled and I followed him to his office where Issac was waiting.