Path to the Apocalypse

A Squirrel carefully crept through the underbrush, when out of nowhere, a small blur pierced straight through its head, killing it instantly! Andrew transformed into his Monkey form a moment later, frowning slightly. "It's quick, but it just isn't satisfying." He sighed, growing claws to dig out the Squirrel's crystal. He backtracked a bit, finding a roughly made sack full of more crystals back where he left it, before searching for his next prey. He probably should have waited for Li Mei… at least they could take turns watching the bag. Plus… well, he hadn't actually been upset by the two girls, he just- it felt awkward in there.

Cathryn was just kind of there while he and Li Jing talked, which made sense since this was Outside and Cathryn didn't have much to contribute on anything except, well, him. He didn't really want to stick around for that, though the Bond still sent a few snippets through… thankfully, from the little he got, he did still have a girlfriend, which- he couldn't even express how much relief he felt at that. Still, he also got the impression he should keep his distance for a bit longer. He'd let the two of them get used to each other while he hunted, then tonight… he and Li Jing had some catching up to do.

A few hours later, once the sky began to turn dark and Andrew's makeshift sack was struggling to hold any more crystals, Andrew's Monkey form grew wings and he flew back towards the base camp. He was still a few hundred feet away from the walls, when he suddenly hit a wall of solid space! "Gah!" Andrew let out a grunt of pain, sending a spike of panic through Cathryn, beginning to fall as he lost his bearings for a moment, hitting another wall of solid space below him. Andrew groaned, getting to his feet, feeling around as he found himself completely boxed in. "What the-"

"What are you, and why are you attempting to infiltrate our territory." A deep voice growled. Andrew turned to see a large Tiger slowly padding towards him, walking on platforms of solid space as he ascended through the air towards him.

"Uh, I- My name is Andrew Xavier Stone. I'm a Bonded! Well, kind of. I'm weird, but I'm safe! Look me up, you'll see!" Andrew explained nervously. He was an idiot! How could he think he could just fly into the base camp, and no one would say anything about it? Of course they would stop and strange, winged Monkey trying to skirt their defenses!

The Tiger gave him a look, not saying anything, probably while his human side looked Andrew up. "It says you have both a Monkey and a Tiger form. There was no mention of these wings."

"I can sort of pick up new forms. I got these from an ant. See?" Andrew quickly transformed into his ant form, then into his Tiger form. "And here's my Tiger form! I'm really sorry about this, I wasn't thinking and I just wanted to get back to my cabin. It won't happen again, I promise."

The Tiger looked him over with a wary look, before nodding. "Very well. We will need to do a quick ability test, to confirm you have the documented abilities and that you aren't just a shapeshifter, but after that you are free to go."

Andrew nodded, following the Tiger down his steps to the wall, then into a familiar looking testing room, where he sent ability energy into a machine that analyzed the energy, confirming that he had both the Monkey and Tiger abilities. The Tiger's human half arrived once he was confirmed to be himself, shaking his head and grinning. "I never would have believed it was possible if I hadn't seen it myself. A human actually transforming into a Beast! Who would have thought?" The man snorted in disbelief. "Alright, kid, in the future, make sure to check in with the local guards when you arrive at a base camp if you want to avoid all this, alright? Plus, it'll let us add any extras you've picked up to your file, helping us confirm your identity with even more certainty."

Andrew paused. "So I should probably add that I also have a Lizard and air control ability, huh?"

The man blinked. "I'll just need to confirm it…" Andrew shifted into his Lizard form, before sending his air control ability into the tester, which showed an error. "Ah, yeah, that version only confirms Clan abilities. You'll need to actually control some air."

Andrew shrugged, sending an air blast at the wall, making some dust fly up. "Good?"

The man nodded. "Perfect. Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time at Base Camp Fortuna."

Andrew breathed out a sigh of relief, returning to his Monkey form and picking up his sack of crystals, before heading back to the cabin. "Welcome back." Li Jing greeted as he tossed the sack inside, turning into an ant to fly to his room.

"Hey." Andrew's tiny voice greeted her as he flew past. "Give me a second to change. Oh, also, there are a few Deer crystals in there if you still need them."

Li Jing hesitantly picked up the sack, using just the tips of her fingers, trying not to touch too much of it as she dumped out the crystals. "What is this?" She shouted back towards Andrew.

"It looks like half a squirrel." Cathryn commented with a disgusted expression, leaning in to take a closer look.

"I didn't have a bag, so I had to make my own!" Andrew yelled back.

"Did you just rip the skin off a Squirrel?!?" Li Jing asked incredulously.

"Of course not!" Andrew retorted, stepping out of the room as he pulled on his shirt. "I don't know how to skin something… but I do know how to cut something in half and dig the insides out." Cathryn gagged. "What? It worked!"

"This is disgusting." Li Jing grimaced, dropping the 'sack'.

"I think I'm going to puke." Cathryn groaned, rushing for the bathroom.

Andrew snorted. "Y'all are just jealous of my ingenuity."

Li Jing rolled her eyes, unable to hide her smirk. "Dork." She muttered as she searched through the crystals, pulling out the ones from the Deer. "Thank you."

"No problem." Andrew grinned as he sat in one of the couches. "What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't occasionally bring my girlfriend some shiny rocks?"

Li Jing rolled her eyes again, sitting next to him. "Ability crystals aren't rocks."

"Eh, close enough." Andrew chuckled, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. He glanced at the bathroom. "Wow, she really is throwing up…" He turned to his 'sack'. "It isn't that disgusting, is it?"

"Andrew, it's still sticky." Li Jing grimaced. "I need to wash my hands." She held them up, keeping them from touching anything. "We'll need to wash those crystals too."

"Yeah, but we need to do that anyway." Andrew shrugged. "I'll put them all in the machine once Li Mei is back." He paused. "Hey, actually, how is she doing? Don't you need to… do whatever it is normal Bonded do?"

Li Jing shook her head. "She's strong enough to not need my guidance all the time. At this point, all I need to do is give her hints every now and then. Letting her act on her own will help her develop her intelligence faster. She'll be back soon."

Andrew nodded. "Want to get dinner after she's back?"

Li Jing smiled. "I would love to."

Cathryn stumbled out of the bathroom a moment later, still looking a bit queasy. She glanced at the 'sack' again, before quickly looking away. "Get rid of that- that thing!" She groaned.

"Hey, I made that bag with love and care!" Andrew protested, repressing a smirk.

"Get rid of it!" Cathryn growled.

"You're breaking my heart, Cathryn." Andrew sighed, getting to his feet, grabbing a paper towel to pick the 'sack' up and toss it in the trash. "There, it's gone." He announced.

"All the way gone!" Cathryn yelled. "Take it to the dumpster!"

Andrew sighed. "So finicky." He muttered, lifting out the bag and taking it to the dumpster while Li Jing was struggling not to laugh on the couch. He quickly took the bag of trash to a nearby dumpster, returning to find Li Mei dropping an actual sack by the door, before turning to smoke as she returned to Li Jing. Andrew picked up the sack, dumping the contents into the crystal cleaner, before grabbing the crystals he'd gathered and putting them in as well, then starting it up. Once they were done, he'd let Li Jing take the ones she needed, while he took the rest. Then, of course, he washed his hands. The crystals were sticky.

With all that done, he turned to Li Jing, all cleaned up and ready to go. "So, dinner?"

"Dinner." Li Jing nodded with a smile.

Andrew glanced at Cathryn. "Uh, feel free to explore yourself. Everything's free, so-"

"I'll just eat here." Cathryn shook her head.

Andrew shrugged. "You do you. We'll be back later." He grabbed Li Jing's hand, walking out of the cabin with her.

They wandered around the camp for a bit, looking for someplace to eat. Outside of the cabin area, the base camp was more like a small town, with shops, restaurants, and plenty of ways to entertain yourself. Since Beasts didn't need their human half to supervise them the vast majority of the time, the humans needed other things to occupy themselves. There were bowling alleys, movie theaters, opera houses, circuses, anything you could think of. There were even places to procure… accompaniment, of whatever flavor you preferred.

Andrew yelped as he felt a sharp pain in his arm, after getting his attention caught by a particularly well proportioned woman with pointed ears. He rubbed his arm, turning to Li Jing. "What was that for?!?"

"Don't stare." She humphed, crossing her arms and turning away.

"I wasn't- I've never seen an elf before, alright! I was just curious." Andrew complained, unable to keep himself from shooting the woman another glance. Simply inhuman.

Li Jing snorted. "Sure."

Andrew flushed in embarrassment. "So, uh, what do you want to eat?"

Li Jing paused, thinking about it. "How about there?" She asked, pointing at what looked like a classic diner.

Andrew frowned. "A little basic, don't you think? I mean, they have restaurants from all over, here! Why go for regular American?"

"Regular American is all over for me." Li Jing pointed out. "I want to see what you usually eat. Come on."

Andrew paused, before shrugging. "Alright, but next time we're going to a regular Chinese restaurant, deal?"

Li Jing giggled. "Deal."

The meal was basic, but just like everything in the Outside, absolutely delicious. Andrew wondered if there was some sort of magic meat they used, before realizing there was absolutely some sort of magic meat they used. Just the meat from a Beast Tide could supply the base camp for months! "I'm delicious." Andrew muttered in a mix of horror and awe.

"Excuse me?" Li Jing asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I just realized they must be using Beast meat to make all this taste so good." Andrew muttered. "I'm a Beast. Therefore, I'm delicious."

Li Jing blinked, looking down at her burger, before looking back up at him. "You have strange thoughts."

"I do, don't I?" Andrew grinned, returning to his own burger. "So, how was your day with Cathryn? I got bits and pieces, but I didn't want to intrude."

"Good. She's an… interesting woman. I could see her being good for you." Li Jing replied.

Andrew frowned. "How so?"

Li Jing paused, considering the question. "She has more… considerations. You're used to being more solitary, only needing to consider yourself. Cathryn however seems to consider everyone but herself. I think you two will balance each other out."

Andrew frowned, before shrugging. He couldn't exactly say she was wrong… "I guess I could see that."

Li Jing grinned. "See? Already making you better. Before you would have been like 'I have to be alone. I've done terrible things. You wouldn't understand.' Now you just agree."

Andrew flushed. "I wasn't that bad."

"You were." Li Jing nodded. "Though… it did help me decide to be with you."

Andrew's eyebrows shot up. "What?"

Li Jing flushed slightly. "I thought I could save you. That we could save each other. I felt how lonely you were, and- I felt the same. I just wanted to grab you and never let you go, because I knew what you were going through, and maybe- maybe you would grab me back. When you disappeared… it felt like a life line had been cut, and when you came back, I knew I couldn't bear to let it slip through my fingers again."

Andrew frowned. "So you like me because we're both depressed?"

Li Jing immediately shook her head. "No, I thought we could be together because we were both depressed. I like you because you're bold. Even when you were the most vulnerable one on the team, you never hesitated to put yourself in danger. You planned around risking your life first. You didn't see us as shields to keep you safe." Li Jing paused. "All my life, I've been told that Bonded don't take risks. Outside, we send out our Beasts, and on Earth, we send out mortals. Before the first hunt, I had never left our compound. A mortal body double took my place in any outing, going to school for me, playing sports for me, making friends for me, while I stayed home with a series of tutors and instructors. I was protected twenty-four/seven. The only reason I could even attend the hunt was because it was mandatory, and only Li Mei would leave the safety of the base camp. To see you not only venture into the wild, but to willingly risk your life… I thought you had to be the bravest man in existence." She finished in a low murmur, flushing slightly in embarrassment.

Andrew blinked a few times. "But- I'm not really all that brave… I just- I don't really think about it. Even if I die… what does it matter? It'd just mean I was done. That I could be done. I mean, I'm not saying I want to die. There are still things I want to do, to experience, but… in the end, life is work. An endless grind without any breaks. Death is almost a blessing at some point."

Li Jing frowned slightly. "I don't think many Bonded, or Beasts, would agree with you. They cling to life, doing anything, everything to keep it. Even mortals are more willing to risk their lives than most Bonded."

Andrew sighed. "I know, I'm weird, but… I don't know. If I lived like that… if I actually want to live my life, then I have to accept I might die doing so. Otherwise, I'd just end up huddled in some bunker, only doing the bare necessities to keep myself alive. What kind of life would that be?"

Li Jing's expression darkened, curling in on herself. "Unhappy. Lonely."

"Right-" Andrew paused. "Right… you- you did- you do live like that, don't you?"

Li Jing smiled lightly. "Less now. I can come here. Be with you. It's… better."

"Jing, that's- I can't even imagine-" Andrew began.

"Can't you? I've felt your emotions, Andrew. I know what you're going through." Li Jing interrupted.

Andrew's expression darkened. "My situation is different. I'm not trapped, I'm… an outcast. I- I messed up, and I'm dealing with the consequences of that."

"You keep saying that… what exactly could you have done?" Li Jing asked. "You don't have to tell me, but… it's hard to help when I don't know what the problem is."

Andrew hesitated before letting out a sigh. "I- when I was younger- As a Monkey, I have a gift for making friends with animals. I didn't have many human friends at the time, because I was too strong to play most of the games, and being able to read people's emotions doesn't make them any easier to deal with, especially for a ten year old. My best friend at the time, the human one, convinced me to take a crow I'd befriended to school, to show him off. Then- there was an older boy who bullied me constantly. Any time he could, he'd steal my bag, ruin my clothes, try to push me around, and I couldn't fight back, because- there isn't any scenario where that would end well. So, when I brought Gregory- uh, the crow, to school, he- somehow he'd gotten a slingshot and he used it to- he killed him." Andrew paused, taking a deep breath to prepare for what he had to say next. "When I saw Gregory lying there, broken, I- I couldn't handle it. I got so angry, and the rock was right there. I just- I threw it, without thinking and- and-"

"It's okay, I know." Li Jing reached out to grab his hand, eyes full of concern.

"I should have known better. I should have been able to control myself!" Andrew continued, full of a frustrated tension, before suddenly it cut and he went limp. "After that, everyone was scared of me. Even the friends I did have abandoned me. And I can't even say they were wrong. Compared to them, I'm a monster. A single slip up, one tiny mistake, and they're done. Because of what I am, I'm just- I was just too dangerous. I won't make any more mistakes, but… I can't escape the consequences of what I've already done."

Li Jing got up and sat down next to Andrew, wrapping her arms around him, wordlessly holding him. Andrew held her back, resting his head against hers, connecting their emotions so that she could see him like he saw her. Two lonely teenagers, clutching each other through the pain of what they'd been through, and the joy of having found each other. It took them a while before they could let each other go and get back to their meal, though Li Jing never returned to her own seat, or lost contact with Andrew for more than a second.

*

Andrew and Li Jing walked out after finishing their meal, Andrew looking around as he put the heavy emotions behind him. "So, what do you want to do now? Catch a movie? Bowling? Pool? Chariot racing?" Andrew paused at that last one, wondering whether the venue was for watching or participating… it didn't look very large. "I'm up for anything."

Li Jing frowned. "Andrew-"

Andrew stopped her. "Jing, I know, but… I'm not going to let it ruin our night. We came out to have fun, and fun we will have!"

Li Jing paused before nodding, considering the options as she looked around, before stopping and pointing at a particular building. "There."

Andrew followed her finger, frowning slightly as he saw what she was pointing at. "The arcade?" He asked, slightly raising an eyebrow at her. Li Jing nodded seriously. "Okay." Andrew shrugged, leading the way. As they stepped inside, Andrew immediately froze, before taking a step back outside, reexamining the outside of the building, before going in again to examine the inside.

"First time?" The clerk waiting by the door asked with a smirk.

"How-" Andrew began, looking around. From the outside, the arcade appeared to be a small box of a building, but once he stepped inside, the place became huge! There were even escalators leading to a second floor that the outside definitely did not have! At first he'd thought they'd walked through a portal, but that didn't make any sense. The portal would have to be open permanently if Bonded were to actually stay here while their Beasts hunted, and that was illegal. No permanent portals were allowed between the City and the base camps, in case a Beast somehow slipped through.

"They're spatial enchantments." The clerk explained, gesturing to runes lining the door and walls. "They expand the space inside. Sort of like a pocket dimension, but not quite. More of a distortion."

"Huh…" Andrew grunted, examining the runes. "What happens if they break?"

"The space will slowly begin to collapse until it's back to normal. It takes a few hours, so people have more than enough time to evacuate." The clerk explained. "But, I don't suppose you came here for a lesson on spatial dynamics, now did you? Would you care to hear the rules of the arcade?"

"Yes, please." Li Jing nodded, staring intently at the man.

"The first floor is free of charge. You may play any game you like, win points, and exchange them for prizes. However, for the second floor, not only do you require credits to enter, but each game costs credits as well. Tests of strength, speed, reaction, and ability, to not only train yourself and your Beast, but also to gain special points you may trade for special prizes either here, or at any other location, including the main branch in the City. You may also use them to purchase time in the training rooms on the third floor." The clerk informed them quickly and concisely, offering them a pamphlet that detailed the games and prizes on the second floor in more detail, along with the guest cards that would activate the games and track their points.

Since the two of them didn't have many credits at the moment, plus they were looking for fun, not training, they stuck to the first floor, which was full of classic arcade games with flashing lights and loud noises. Li Jing immediately dragged Andrew to the section with games based primarily on skill rather than luck. "Win me prizes." She told him, a weirdly intense look in her eye as she pulled him towards the skee-ball machines, swiping her card to activate the game.

"Prizes?" Andrew asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Prizes." Li Jing nodded seriously.

Andrew leaned back, crossing his arms. "What's in it for me?"

Li Jing paused, before flushing. "Secret." She muttered, sounding embarrassed.

"It's a secret?" Andrew asked, and Li Jing nodded. "Then how do I know it's worth it?"

"Trust." Li Jing replied, looking him straight in the eye.

"Trust…" Andrew muttered, before shaking his head and chuckling. "Alright, I'll trust you. But I swear, if you trick me, I'll use my ant form to leave little bug bites all over you!"

"Liar." Li Jing stuck her tongue out at him. "Play. Win prizes." She pointed at the game.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll win your stupid prizes." Andrew grumbled, reaching down to pick up the skee-balls. Seriously though, how many points did she think he could get?

*

"That one. That one. That one. That one." Li Jing repeated over and over as she picked out prize after prize using Andrew's winnings.

*Weren't these games supposed to be hard?!?* Andrew wondered internally as he was saddled with a growing pile of stuffed animals, remote control vehicles, and toy weapons. Mostly stuffed animals though. *They're literally here for Bonded!* Andrew couldn't believe how many points he'd gotten out of these games. How hard was it to just put the ball in the hole, or to make so many baskets?!? Even the timing on some of the more luck based games wasn't very difficult! You just push the button at the right time! How hard could it be? Why the fuck was it so rewarding?!?

"Will that be all, ma'am?" The attendant at the prize counter asked, her cheerful facade not having cracked for a single moment, despite the vague shock Andrew felt coming from her. Still, it wasn't as bad as Andrew would have thought. Maybe this wasn't that unusual? Talented Bonded wouldn't have any difficulty with these games, right? Especially once they were a few centuries old. The arcade was probably a way for powerful Bonded to destress and feel good about themselves. Plus, it wasn't like the prizes really cost the arcade anything. At least, nothing significant.

Li Jing looked over all the prizes one last time, before nodding. "Done. For now." She still had quite a few points left. She was practically skipping as they left the arcade, Andrew following behind as they returned to the cabin. Li Jing giggled like a little girl as she jumped onto a bed full of stuffed animals, piling them on top of herself and squeezing them tight.

Andrew leaned against the door frame, watching her play with a small smile. *Freaking adorable.* He thought to himself. Whatever Li Jing's secret reward was, just seeing her this happy was more than enough reason to have done it. Li Jing suddenly paused, turning to look at Andrew as he leaned against the door. She scooted over in the bed, making space for him in her new nest, before crooking a finger at him. Andrew raised an eyebrow, before grinning as he carefully climbed into the space she'd made for him, wrapping his arms around her as they began to kiss, nestled in her nest of 'prizes'.

Li Jing paused as she pulled away slightly. "Could you- would you mind- it's stupid, nevermind." She shook her head in embarrassment, attempting to go back to making out, before Andrew stopped her.

"What is it?" He asked, pulling away, wondering what would make Li Jing so embarrassed, yet disappointed.

Li Jing bit her lip hesitantly. "I just thought, maybe, you could… get… fuzzy. Like a giant stuffed animal."

Andrew got a weird look on his face. "I think that's just called an animal, Jing."

Li Jing flushed. "I just thought it might be nice if you were all fuzzy and warm…" Andrew smirked, before taking off his shirt, thick fur beginning to grow around his chest and arms. Li Jing's eyes widened, her flush deepening as she buried her face in his furry chest with a small squeal, breathing deeply. "Best prize." She murmured happily as Andrew's arms wrapped around her.