It was not a cat.
Or at least, it wasn’t a normal cat. He approached as a civilian, morbidly curious about the sounds that were coming from where it had been sitting, so there was no way for him to know that it was a cat-shaped youma chowing down on…something. The second it turned to face him he saw the distorted, disturbing expression on what was supposed to be its face, he dropped his curiosity like it was dead weight and darted down the alley like a bat out of hell, managing to power up along the way.
Urda could hear it coming after him, could hear the havoc it was wreaking on the alley in its wake, and glancing back he saw that it had somehow gained in both size and speed. If it was a cat-shaped youma, rather than an alley cat it now more resembled a big cat of some kind. Jaguar, maybe, or a cheetah. So he ran as hard as he could, which considering he was a bit of an athlete was pretty damn fast, but each time he glanced back the gap between it and him was gradually getting smaller.
It was moving fast enough he wondered if he could even afford to stop and try to do something with his magic.
He was caught up in that thought as he took a sharp left in an attempt to possibly lose the thing, and he wound up skidding right in between a perfectly human-sized space between a couple of dumpsters and the building they belonged to. It smelled awful, but for the sake of trying to turn the tables he put a hand over his mouth and nose and tried to slow his own breathing.
How the <********> was he supposed to get out of this?
Or at least, it wasn’t a normal cat. He approached as a civilian, morbidly curious about the sounds that were coming from where it had been sitting, so there was no way for him to know that it was a cat-shaped youma chowing down on…something. The second it turned to face him he saw the distorted, disturbing expression on what was supposed to be its face, he dropped his curiosity like it was dead weight and darted down the alley like a bat out of hell, managing to power up along the way.
Urda could hear it coming after him, could hear the havoc it was wreaking on the alley in its wake, and glancing back he saw that it had somehow gained in both size and speed. If it was a cat-shaped youma, rather than an alley cat it now more resembled a big cat of some kind. Jaguar, maybe, or a cheetah. So he ran as hard as he could, which considering he was a bit of an athlete was pretty damn fast, but each time he glanced back the gap between it and him was gradually getting smaller.
It was moving fast enough he wondered if he could even afford to stop and try to do something with his magic.
He was caught up in that thought as he took a sharp left in an attempt to possibly lose the thing, and he wound up skidding right in between a perfectly human-sized space between a couple of dumpsters and the building they belonged to. It smelled awful, but for the sake of trying to turn the tables he put a hand over his mouth and nose and tried to slow his own breathing.
How the <********> was he supposed to get out of this?
He had finally found a warm place to sleep. It wasn’t exactly the nicest place but it was warm and that was all that mattered to him. Right under a some kind of heating vent exit. It just happened to be tucked away in an alleyway under some dumpsters. The smell was horrendous but just about anything was tolerable when you were freezing your paws off. The guardian cat was dozing when a commotion had him cracking an eye open. He couldn’t see anything, being under a dumpster would do that, but he could see a pair of boots close by him… and a set of shadowy paws stalking closer.
Mel also felt something was off… something he should know. Something he did know. But what was it? He was trying to rack his brain for the answer when a claw covered arm tried to swipe at him from his warm spot. The guardian hissed and scrambled away, backing into the boots of the human that was hiding from the youma. It was clearly a youma. He glanced once at the senshi standing there before bounding on top of the dumpster and proceeded to curse the larger monster cat out. Calling the damn thing every name in the book, “Aren't you going to help?” He asked the young man who had been hiding, while swiping at the youma with his own claws.
“You know… like Super Senshi it’s a** or something?” He didn’t truly notice that the young senshi wasn’t exactly a ‘super senshi’, nor did he connect the dots with what he was trying to remember, at least not yet.
Mel also felt something was off… something he should know. Something he did know. But what was it? He was trying to rack his brain for the answer when a claw covered arm tried to swipe at him from his warm spot. The guardian hissed and scrambled away, backing into the boots of the human that was hiding from the youma. It was clearly a youma. He glanced once at the senshi standing there before bounding on top of the dumpster and proceeded to curse the larger monster cat out. Calling the damn thing every name in the book, “Aren't you going to help?” He asked the young man who had been hiding, while swiping at the youma with his own claws.
“You know… like Super Senshi it’s a** or something?” He didn’t truly notice that the young senshi wasn’t exactly a ‘super senshi’, nor did he connect the dots with what he was trying to remember, at least not yet.
It might have been because it’d been a long while since he last came across one, but the first few moments of hearing a talking cat threw him until he realized that it wasn’t just any old cat but in fact a Mauvian. Urda wasn’t quite glued to the spot, nor was he married to the idea of confronting the youma—he only had so many chances, after all, with his little bush attack—so he waffled between leaving the Mauvian to handle the thing (he had a forehead beam that would probably dust the thing easy-peasy, right?) and actually trying to do something to help.
”I don’t know if my attack will do anything,” he said as he finally started to think instead of just standing there like a useless idiot, “but I can try something.” More than anything, he imagined Abby would try to skin him if she ever found out that he bailed in this kind of situation, but also it was just the right thing to do, to help. He had been the one to lure the youma over…
“Also, I’m not a Super Senshi, but probably still strong enough for this.”
It was disgusting, but he positioned himself so his back was against the dumpster, and using his legs he pushed off the wall as hard as he could. He had strength enough to send the dumpster flying into the creature, catching it off guard for all of a couple of seconds before it jumped out of the way. The dumpster crashed into the building across from them, and the creature landed gracefully, quickly setting its eyes fully on Urda once more.
”I don’t know if my attack will do anything,” he said as he finally started to think instead of just standing there like a useless idiot, “but I can try something.” More than anything, he imagined Abby would try to skin him if she ever found out that he bailed in this kind of situation, but also it was just the right thing to do, to help. He had been the one to lure the youma over…
“Also, I’m not a Super Senshi, but probably still strong enough for this.”
It was disgusting, but he positioned himself so his back was against the dumpster, and using his legs he pushed off the wall as hard as he could. He had strength enough to send the dumpster flying into the creature, catching it off guard for all of a couple of seconds before it jumped out of the way. The dumpster crashed into the building across from them, and the creature landed gracefully, quickly setting its eyes fully on Urda once more.
Mel watched in growing surprise while the senshi launched the dumpster at the shadowy leopard, even if it wasn’t all that effective. “But you are,” He shook his head before going after the youma himself, his claws digging into the dark flesh of the chaos creature. Of course the youma wasn’t happy about that and returned the favor, driving Mel away, leaving multiple bleeding claw marks on his side.
“Rude!” Mel hissed at the youma, retreating towards the senshi. “Come on man! You’ve got the power, use it!” The guardian pressed the senshi even as he nearly backed into him. The youma wasn’t happy with either of them and was growling as it stalked forward.
“Rude!” Mel hissed at the youma, retreating towards the senshi. “Come on man! You’ve got the power, use it!” The guardian pressed the senshi even as he nearly backed into him. The youma wasn’t happy with either of them and was growling as it stalked forward.
It annoyed him a bit that the dumpster tactic hadn’t worked. The damn thing swatted it aside pretty easily, and now the two of them were out in the open without anything to put between them and the slowly oncoming creature.
To the Mauvian’s credit, he jumped right in without hesitation. Urda couldn’t tell right then if that was brains or brawn, but he was all for it. It bought him time to kneel down and set his hand on the ground, pulling his focus as he called out his basic attack.
The shrub wrapped around the youma for all of a few seconds before it again swatted its way past. Urda curled his lip, ignoring the heat of embarrassment suddenly in his ears as he glanced down at the Mauvian, nudging him to start walking backwards to try and put a bit more space between them and the youma.
“I don’t know what kind of power you think I have, but that was my only attack. Technically I’ve got two more uses, but you saw how it just walked over the damn thing.”
He felt the brick wall against his back soon enough, and he sighed. “Besides, don’t you guys have a beam or something that you can use?”
To the Mauvian’s credit, he jumped right in without hesitation. Urda couldn’t tell right then if that was brains or brawn, but he was all for it. It bought him time to kneel down and set his hand on the ground, pulling his focus as he called out his basic attack.
Basic — Urda Thorn Shrub!
He summons a Blackthorn shrub by placing the palm of his hand on the ground while facing his intended target. The shrub rapidly grows around the intended target, trapping them from the waist and below. While inside the shrub, the target will experience the sensation of being pricked by little thorns for 25 seconds, after which the shrub withers away. It feels similar to the tingles that come when blood circulation is restored to a limb that’s fallen asleep. It’s possible to escape, though not without sustaining actual physical injury from the thorns in the shrub. The injuries would largely be minor, though if one is extra careless it could be a little bit worse than that. Can be used up to 3 times in battle.
He summons a Blackthorn shrub by placing the palm of his hand on the ground while facing his intended target. The shrub rapidly grows around the intended target, trapping them from the waist and below. While inside the shrub, the target will experience the sensation of being pricked by little thorns for 25 seconds, after which the shrub withers away. It feels similar to the tingles that come when blood circulation is restored to a limb that’s fallen asleep. It’s possible to escape, though not without sustaining actual physical injury from the thorns in the shrub. The injuries would largely be minor, though if one is extra careless it could be a little bit worse than that. Can be used up to 3 times in battle.
The shrub wrapped around the youma for all of a few seconds before it again swatted its way past. Urda curled his lip, ignoring the heat of embarrassment suddenly in his ears as he glanced down at the Mauvian, nudging him to start walking backwards to try and put a bit more space between them and the youma.
“I don’t know what kind of power you think I have, but that was my only attack. Technically I’ve got two more uses, but you saw how it just walked over the damn thing.”
He felt the brick wall against his back soon enough, and he sighed. “Besides, don’t you guys have a beam or something that you can use?”
“No, you totally have a super attack too,” The cat insisted even as he got between the youma and the senshi, hissing and swiping at the creature to keep it back. “I know you do.” He growled when the youma took a swing at him but the guardian easily dodged back, keeping between the two larger fighters. “Nope. No beam thing. Only claws and paws and my mighty wit.”
Mel had absolutely forgotten that as a guardian cat he did indeed have several abilities on hand. It wasn’t until he opened his mouth to say something else before figurative lightbulb went off. “Oh wait. I do! I totally forgot I could do that. Now how do I do it again? Something like this?” The cat made a face, a grimace really but nothing happened. “Hmmmm nooooo….. Maybe?” He tried a few more times in short succession until finally, a beam of light shot out of his forehead and struck the youma squarely in the face.
Sadly it left Mel panting and a little wobbly, being hungry also likely didn’t help much, and the youma was still there. Still standing. Not moving. Just glaring. “Uh…. got a bat in those pants kid? Or a spear or something? Anything cuz I’m a little wiped now. Don’t think I could pull that off again if I even knew how I did it in the first place. Just pull out the super magic or something.” He really wasn’t letting that particular point go. Mel was certain that the senshi behind him was stronger than he appeared.
Mel had absolutely forgotten that as a guardian cat he did indeed have several abilities on hand. It wasn’t until he opened his mouth to say something else before figurative lightbulb went off. “Oh wait. I do! I totally forgot I could do that. Now how do I do it again? Something like this?” The cat made a face, a grimace really but nothing happened. “Hmmmm nooooo….. Maybe?” He tried a few more times in short succession until finally, a beam of light shot out of his forehead and struck the youma squarely in the face.
Quote:
Shoot a laser out of their forehead star. This expends a large amount of a Guardian Cat’s energy but is capable of stunning a target. It doesn't do damage, but it can stun a human or any average youma entirely. Very weak level youma may be temporarily dusted when hit with this beam, but this would be incredibly rare.
Sadly it left Mel panting and a little wobbly, being hungry also likely didn’t help much, and the youma was still there. Still standing. Not moving. Just glaring. “Uh…. got a bat in those pants kid? Or a spear or something? Anything cuz I’m a little wiped now. Don’t think I could pull that off again if I even knew how I did it in the first place. Just pull out the super magic or something.” He really wasn’t letting that particular point go. Mel was certain that the senshi behind him was stronger than he appeared.
Seeing the youma frozen over on its side was curiously satisfying, and with a little smile he gave the Mauvian a quick pat on the head before jumping in to do his part in this fight. Granted…it felt a little bit late to suddenly be brave. Not to mention–did jumping in to dust a non-moving youma count as being brave?
Whatever. He could sort through these thoughts later.
Urda quickly closed the distance between him and the youma, drew back his fist and started a flurry of punches that resulted in the youma ultimately, finally, getting dusted.
Once satisfied that it had gone, he turned back to the Mauvian and made his way over. “Nice work,” he said, bending down to try and scoop him up off of the ground. “I guess I didn’t need whatever super magic you were talking about. At least not this time, but I really don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just a regular senshi.”
Whatever. He could sort through these thoughts later.
Urda quickly closed the distance between him and the youma, drew back his fist and started a flurry of punches that resulted in the youma ultimately, finally, getting dusted.
Once satisfied that it had gone, he turned back to the Mauvian and made his way over. “Nice work,” he said, bending down to try and scoop him up off of the ground. “I guess I didn’t need whatever super magic you were talking about. At least not this time, but I really don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just a regular senshi.”
The guardian stood there and watched as the senshi just decided to wail on the frozen youma. It wasn’t exactly what the cat figured the kid would do, but whatever floated his boat. It worked. That's all that mattered. It didn’t take long before the youma was dust and the young man was picking him up. Mel just hissed softly and warned the senshi to be careful of the claw marks on his side. That s**t hurt. Then again, if it didn’t hurt that was likely a worse sign. “I don’t suppose you have a first aid kit on you, do ya?” He asked even as he tried to carefully look over the damage, while not squirming too much. He knew he was a large cat, and likely smelled like trash, so he tried to be careful.
“Cuz you are. Just need to unlock-” He trailed off even as his eyes went wide as the metaphorical lightbulb flicked on. “Thats why! Of course! Why didn’t I think of that earlier!” The guardian got excited and wiggled until he was balanced rather precariously in the young man’s grip. Back paws in his hands, front balanced on his shoulders, and face right in the senshi’s face.
“You absolutely are a super, you just need a little help to access it. Now, let's see if I remember how to do this.” He said the last part quietly, mostly to himself, as a distant look crossed his face. He was trying to access his memories from the last time he had assisted a senshi in freeing their next stage. “It was… No… Not that. That one didn’t turn out right. I’ve got to remember to find her. I wonder how he is doing.” He muttered and debated for a bit before, nearly literally, brightening. “Ok, so, I’ve got this. I totally remember now… I think. Here, put me down and let me see your pen.”
As soon as his orders were followed the cat moved quickly. He crouched over the Henshin pen and after a moment or two of working on it he stepped back, batting the pen towards the senshi he then requested the young man crouch down. With that done Mel quickly got up in his face once more, “Focus with all your heart on your homeworld but don’t transfer there. Think of everything. The power. The wonder. The memories. Everything… and close your eyes.” His own golden orbs stayed locked on the senshi until it was clear the young man was following his instructions. With that done Mel also closed his eyes and focused. He focused hard. So very hard.
After a moment of nothing, a heart stopping moment where Mel feared he was wrong, the guardian cat felt a surge of power. Cracking an eye open just a peek he spotted what he had hopped. With a crow of pleasure and triumph the guardian practically shoved the senshi as he started to celebrate, bouncing and jumping for joy. “I did it! I did it! I knew I could do it! Ha! I told you! I knew you were a super! I just knew it!” It wasn’t until a particularly acrobatic twist in the air reminded him of his injuries that Mel calmed down.
“Cuz you are. Just need to unlock-” He trailed off even as his eyes went wide as the metaphorical lightbulb flicked on. “Thats why! Of course! Why didn’t I think of that earlier!” The guardian got excited and wiggled until he was balanced rather precariously in the young man’s grip. Back paws in his hands, front balanced on his shoulders, and face right in the senshi’s face.
“You absolutely are a super, you just need a little help to access it. Now, let's see if I remember how to do this.” He said the last part quietly, mostly to himself, as a distant look crossed his face. He was trying to access his memories from the last time he had assisted a senshi in freeing their next stage. “It was… No… Not that. That one didn’t turn out right. I’ve got to remember to find her. I wonder how he is doing.” He muttered and debated for a bit before, nearly literally, brightening. “Ok, so, I’ve got this. I totally remember now… I think. Here, put me down and let me see your pen.”
As soon as his orders were followed the cat moved quickly. He crouched over the Henshin pen and after a moment or two of working on it he stepped back, batting the pen towards the senshi he then requested the young man crouch down. With that done Mel quickly got up in his face once more, “Focus with all your heart on your homeworld but don’t transfer there. Think of everything. The power. The wonder. The memories. Everything… and close your eyes.” His own golden orbs stayed locked on the senshi until it was clear the young man was following his instructions. With that done Mel also closed his eyes and focused. He focused hard. So very hard.
After a moment of nothing, a heart stopping moment where Mel feared he was wrong, the guardian cat felt a surge of power. Cracking an eye open just a peek he spotted what he had hopped. With a crow of pleasure and triumph the guardian practically shoved the senshi as he started to celebrate, bouncing and jumping for joy. “I did it! I did it! I knew I could do it! Ha! I told you! I knew you were a super! I just knew it!” It wasn’t until a particularly acrobatic twist in the air reminded him of his injuries that Mel calmed down.
“Sorry. And I do at home, yeah,” he replied, being extra mindful now that he was reminded that the Mauvian was actually injured. He might have said more but it randomly went back to talking about him being a super…and then it got right up in his face and asked for his pen! Which, considering he just basically saved the two of them from that youma, Urda didn’t feel he had any reason to not trust it, so he handed over his pen and set him back down on the ground.
Everything after that happened so fast. Watching as the Mauvian worked on his pen, then crouching down and, after being given his pen back, told to close his eyes and focus on his homeworld, and all the things he knew about his powered life.
It was hard to tell what was supposed to happen, but before long he felt something suddenly very…strange. The feeling of branches coiling around his feet and starting to move up, soon wrapping around the entirety of his body and engulfing him in the most comforting warmth he’d ever experienced. He remembered everything he experienced up to this point as a senshi, he remembered his first trip to his homeworld, and he remembered what he found…
Then the warmth gradually faded, and with it the branches began to uncoil and release him as well, though at the same time he felt a sudden rush of warmth in his chest.
And power.
He felt a new strength flowing through him, and when he next opened his eyes the Mauvian was still there, but he felt different. A little bit stronger somehow. Taking in a breath, he let out a little sigh and, after watching the Mauvian cheering for a little bit, couldn’t help but let out an amused huff.
“So that’s what you meant,” he said when it finally calmed down (thanks to the reminder of his injury). “As thanks, how ‘bout I help you out with that injury?”
Urda carefully picked him up again, careful not to aggravate his injury. “We could start with a bath, and then get you patched up. And then after that, dinner. Bet you’re starving after that beam. How’s that sound?” And it was one of the most interesting things he’d experienced to date–having a full blown conversation with a cat.
And about food, no less, but it was a good conversation all the same.
Everything after that happened so fast. Watching as the Mauvian worked on his pen, then crouching down and, after being given his pen back, told to close his eyes and focus on his homeworld, and all the things he knew about his powered life.
It was hard to tell what was supposed to happen, but before long he felt something suddenly very…strange. The feeling of branches coiling around his feet and starting to move up, soon wrapping around the entirety of his body and engulfing him in the most comforting warmth he’d ever experienced. He remembered everything he experienced up to this point as a senshi, he remembered his first trip to his homeworld, and he remembered what he found…
Then the warmth gradually faded, and with it the branches began to uncoil and release him as well, though at the same time he felt a sudden rush of warmth in his chest.
And power.
He felt a new strength flowing through him, and when he next opened his eyes the Mauvian was still there, but he felt different. A little bit stronger somehow. Taking in a breath, he let out a little sigh and, after watching the Mauvian cheering for a little bit, couldn’t help but let out an amused huff.
“So that’s what you meant,” he said when it finally calmed down (thanks to the reminder of his injury). “As thanks, how ‘bout I help you out with that injury?”
Urda carefully picked him up again, careful not to aggravate his injury. “We could start with a bath, and then get you patched up. And then after that, dinner. Bet you’re starving after that beam. How’s that sound?” And it was one of the most interesting things he’d experienced to date–having a full blown conversation with a cat.
And about food, no less, but it was a good conversation all the same.
Fiction1119
Backdated to 12/27/24.
