//------------------------------// // The start of it all // Story: Nightshade // by outerjay //------------------------------// With a small box in his hand, a man walked out of a rather dull cafe, the drizzle of rain bouncing off his figure and the pavement around him. He headed down an alleyway and about half way through he heard a sound; *click* then a voice, “Put the box down, as well as your wallet and your phone.” The man turned around. "You want me to put down this box? My wallet? And MY phone!?" This new hooded man was looking nervous, his hand shaking, he looked about ready to drop his gun and run. "Yes I do, now be quick about it." He proclaimed, fear evident in his voice. "How about..... No." The man with the box seemed fearless in the face of death... as though he welcomed it. "Come on man I don't want to shoot you." He uttered, his voice cracking, on the brink of tears for doing something like this. It was as if he had no choice but, of course, everyone has a choice, even now they both have choices. “You point a gun at me and say you don't want to shoot.” he put his left hand behind his back “Guns were not made for threats, they were made for actions.” When he was close to the gun he put the box down with his right hand and grabbed the barrel of the weapon with his left. He pointed it at his forehead."If you don't shoot me now you'll regret it, if you do you'll regret it make your choice." He stated with a devil's grin. A minute went by, the rain was stopping. The hooded man holding the gun had a terrified look on his face. When he looked into the mad man’s eyes one was blue the other green, his pupils were like a cat’s. He also had what looked like whisker but he was definitely human. *BANG* "Too late..." The 5'10” man with cat eyes said in an angry tone. "Too bad, I thought you'd do it." Meanwhile the hooded man fell to the floor in pain. As the catlike man was about to leave he heard a whisper, "Go to hell!" The menacing man turned and said his one liner, "How about n...." He couldn't finish as a bullet went through his skull. He was now in blackness. After what felt like an eternity he woke up to hear a voice, a voice that made him feel fear for the first time since his father. "You will be granted 3 wishes before I send you to another world. Be warned you will not get another chance at this life.” "WHO ARE YOU?!? SHOW YOURSELF!" He screamed in panic. A large red flame burst out from the bottom of the void, as a large red centaur stood looming over the small man. "Who am I? Take a guess." With a grin, he remarked, "How about..." but was interrupted before finishing. "Shut up James and take this seriously. If I had it my way, I’d be dining on your soul right now, but I’m under orders not to, so make your damned wishes so I can send you on your way!" Demanded the demon, who looked very vexed, and very hungry. "Okay okay, just please never say that name." He pleaded in fear. He contemplated for a second, and knew all three wishes. "I can ask for anything right?" he inquired, with a sly smile. "Anything but immorality.” Confirmed the demon. "One, I wish I was half cat." He stated. Swiftly, the demon grabbed him by the skull and sent flame from his hand into the very being of James. James' body began to change his nails grew into long claws that were sharper than military combat knives. He began to grow fur from his new paws up to his thighs; from his hands to just above his elbows. In addition, he seemed to have grown some facial hair that made him more cat like. His whiskers became sensitive and his senses heightened, he had fuzzy black ears as well as a long black tail with a white tip. His muscles morphed into ones more suitable for jumping and running at great speeds, and finally, he grew to a height of six feet. James took time to recover his thoughts after what seemed like his body being burnt to ash and rebuilt. Nevertheless, after an hour he was ready with his second wish. "Okay, number two. I wish I had wings!" The demon rolled his eyes and slammed his palm into James's chest. He felt his back tear open and bones grow from nothing, the pain was unbearable and he passed out before the process was complete. When James woke, he found himself on a spit hanging over a fire. He screamed as he felt the fire sear his flesh. The demon picked up the spit and looked at the catman. "So you are alive. Shame, I always wondered what cat tasted like." he laughed while licking his lips. “You have one last wish what will it be?" James, scared out of his mind, looked at the demon "In-improved h-healing abilities." "It is done. Also for miraculously surviving your transformation, I will grant you eternal youth." The demon said with a rather forced smile, while untying James from the spit. "Where are you sending me?" James asked the demon who looked at him and spoke "You'll find out soon enough you'll need a new name as well. Hmm... I think Nightshade will do. I’ll be taking your old memory, the only thing you'll remember is your new name. Bye." And with that the demon was gone, and Nightshade was falling. At first he saw the Moon it was beautiful. Then he turned around and saw a castle, and a flash of light. Then there was a blue and black blare, that kind of resembled a centaur but with two legs and not four. He looked back down as he was approaching the castle, and approaching it fast was an understatement. Nightshade waited for the inevitable impact to break his body into pieces, but the impact came and all he received was a light bruise to the head. He looked around to see a small crater and a looming creature of pure white with rainbow hair. It was then he passed out, into a dreamless sleep.