New Body, Old Mind

Meanwhile in Madison, Hope Snowpaws is currently packing her bag, putting in several jars and a pair of clothes. "Are you ready?" She asked, as she zipped her bag shut. "Yeah, we're ready." Bruce explained, as he put his gloves on. "Do you think you can do this? You know you don't have to do this." Joy said, as she came out of the kitchen, looking at Karl who was putting on his beanie over his cat ears. "I have to do this. Something dark is coming, and we have only one chance to stop it from happening." Karl explained, his eye's full of determination. "Karl.... I know this has been hard for you; the kids have teased you about your.... unusual clothes that you had to wear to school and that you had a terrible experience at the Kidder Corp. But you don't have to carry the whole world on your back. All this isn't your fault, it's Adam. And we will make him regret that he had ever hurt you, right now I want the real you back." Bruce muttered, putting his hand on Karl's shoulder. Karl flinched and stepped away. "The old me is gone, lost it when Adam changed me. I have seen many strange things, both now and in the past. And I don't know what is true or not, all I know is that I'm a monster, a shadow of Adam. Where is the son of God when I need him?" Karl grunted, putting on his fingerless gloves. "Karl.... you know that isn't true, you are not a monster, nor are you Adam's shadow. Listen, God loves you so much and he doesn't care who or what you are, he still loves you. Don't you remember the bible verse psalm 139:13-14? We are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, and he doesn't care if you have cat ears or tail, he still loves you." Bruce explained, gently grabbing Karl's wrist. "God is here and look how much he had done to help us; he helped us get you back here and he kept the kids safe when Lily and Zeve took them home. And when bad thing happened, well he turns them into good. Remember when the school was attacked? God sent Zeve and his army to back Maya and her siblings up and pushed the dark hybrids out. God is good and he cares about you. And so, do I. I don't care what happened to you or that you have new features, I know you, I know you better than anyone in the whole wide world. I know that you wouldn't hurt a soul. So, stop acting like you are a monster, you're not." Bruce finished, looking at Hope who nodded in agreement. Karl stood still for a long moment, his long brown hair covering his eyes. Suddenly he swung his arms around Bruce and hugged him tightly. Bruce gasped in surprised but didn't stop Karl. "Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed that." Karl muttered, tears running down his cheek as he continues to hug Bruce. Then Greenpaws came out of the basement with Ashpaws right at his tail. Greenpaws was wearing a large apron that was covered in oil and googles on his forehead. Ashpaws was wearing a white shirt with a large imprint in the middle that says 'Kidz Bop rule!' and was also wearing a grey pant. She stared at the mirror on the other side of the room, clearing unhappy with the clothes she is wearing. "I don't know why you insist me to wear this.... uncomfortable clothes. I mean, who is Kidz Bop Kids? I don't even know them. Can I please put on my moss dress back on?" She groaned, tossing her white and black hair back. "Sorry Ashpaws, you have to deal with it. Many humans don't usually wear clothes that are made of plants, so it's best if you wear human clothes." Green paws mumbled, wiping his oily hands on a rag. " And change your name. Ashpaws isn't an ideal name on earth." Frostfur added as she came out of the kitchen, carrying a small purple jar. "Joy, I want you to have this." Frostfur said, as she handed the jar to her daughter. "This jar holds the elder seeds, only use it in time of needs." she explained. Joy glanced at the jar, then to Frostfur. "Will do. thanks, mother." Joy muttered, as she carefully placed the jar in her pocket. "Oh! That remind me. Hope, you will need this." Greenpaws said as he handed her something. Hope took it and held it up to the light. it was a small metal block with a red button in the middle. "Ummm? A button? Why in the world do we need a button?" Bruce asked as he stared at it, confused. Greenpaws laughed. "Oh, dear lad. This little 'button' is actually a hoverboard in disguise. The first person I ever know that built a hoverboard is Zeve Prowler. He was one of kind that loves to build and create things, and I got to admit that his inventions are amazing. This 'button' holds one of his hoverboard that he had made." he explained. Hope stared at Greenpaws, confused. While Joy glanced at her mother for help, Frostfur shrugged. "Can we get going now? And my human name is May if you were wondering." Ashpaws said, tugging at her shirt.

Meanwhile with Leo, he was walking in the dark alley, his feet making no sound as it hit the ground. This place stinks! Glad that Maya isn't here to see this. Leo thought, his nose wrinkling in disgust. then he turned into a different alleyway, heading toward loud noise that was echoing across the town, unaware that someone was watching him.

What is Zhen doing? Chris thought as he hid behind a trash can. He just robbed a bank in less than a second! Who is he really? Is he a superhero? An alien!? What about his sister? He thought as he watched Leo sniffed the air before turning into a different alleyway. Chris quietly followed after him, making sure he stayed in the shadow. Then he noticed that Leo was heading toward the concert that Jax is going to sing at. Why is he going to Jax's concert? He knows that Jax is a snobby singer and that he doesn't care about anything. Chris thought, as he watched Leo go to the alleyway that goes behind the concert. What is he doing now? Chris wondered as he watched Leo go up a back door that says Stay Out! Members only. Suddenly Chris accidentally kicked an empty can and it hit the ground several times. Clang, Clang, Clang! Leo whipped his head toward the noise and scanned the alleyway for anyone who might be there, his eyes narrowed. Chris gasped silently as ducked out of view, his heart hammering against his chest. His eyes. Chris thought, as he pushed himself against the wall. It's not green anymore, it's yellow. Like a cat. Leo looked at the alleyway for a few more minutes before shrugging his shoulder and turned his head away, facing the door once more. Chris let out a deep breath that he didn't realize that he was holding. Leo knocked at the door three times. "Windy, please let me in. It's just me, Leo." Leo muttered, glancing around. Leo? Why did he call himself Leo? Unless that is his real name?! Chris thought, staring at Leo. "You are right on time, Leo. But next time, look up and not on the ground." a deep voice said somewhere up high. Chris looked up and scanned the rooftop, trying to see who spoke. Then his face turned pale when he saw two yellow eyes glowing on top of a building near the concert. Leo looked up and spotted the glowing eyes, he smiled. "I see you Windy. I have to admit that it is a good spot to hide." Leo explained, purring in amusement. Then Chris heard a rush of wind and saw Jax appeared next to Leo with a few orange feathers gently float down to the ground. What just happened? Where did he came from? Chris wondered as he watched Jax walk toward Leo. "Did you get it?" Windy asked, looking at Leo's bag. " Yep! I got it. Here, it's in this box." Leo explained, as he took the box out of his bag and handed it to Windy. Windy took the box into his hands and examined the ancient writing on the box. "Esto toy mas, lega tou Greypaws. Here lies the silver dagger of king Greypaws." Windy muttered and he read the writing. How did he know that language? And what kind of language is that? Chris wondered as he stepped an inch closer. "Greypaws's dagger? But it has been lost ever since the battle against Slitherfang. How is this possible?" Leo asked. Windy opened the box and carefully lifted the old dagger out of the box. The dagger was long and sharp, the still blade gleaming in the streetlight and the handle was covered in ancient markings such as roses and of the four spirits. Whoa. Chris thought, his eyes widened as he saw the dagger. "Hey, that marking.... that looks like the mark we have on our shoulders." Leo muttered, as he pointed at the markings of the four spirits. Then he lifted his sleeve up, revealing a diamond shape with four different colors on his shoulder. "My father told me that marking on our shoulders tells others that we are on the light side and it has been there even since the dark hybrids arrived on Tiere Leben." Windy explained, as he put the dagger back into the box. "But that doesn't explain why it was here. You might have to be careful when you go back to your concert, I have a bad feeling that it might be a trap." Windy said as he put the box in his pocket. his eyes momentarily flashed yellow before going back to normal blue as he shook Leo's hand. His eyes... he was the one on the roof! But how did he get down here and that fast?! Chris thought as he slowly backed away from them, determined to get away before they saw him. But unfortunately that is not what fate had planned for him to do. As soon as he backed away he knocked into a trash can, causing it to fall onto the ground with a loud clang! Leo and windy's head whipped toward the noise and spotted Chris who was staring back at them with scared eyes. Chris spun around and run away as fast as he could, not daring to look back. Leo and Windy looked at each other and nodded. "Hey come back here, lad!" Windy yelled as he leaped up into the air as he transformed into an orange falcon. Windy swooped up into the night sky, disappearing into the clouds. Who are they?! Did Jax just literally transform into a falcon? Chris thought as he searched the clouds, not looking where he was going. Suddenly something slammed against Chris's side, knocking him down to the ground. Chris groaned for a minute before looking up and into Leo's face. "Chris? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at the concert, getting ready for your big moment." Leo growled, pinning him to the ground. "Whoa! Whoa! it's just me Leo. What are you doing here meeting with that big jerk?!" Chris asked, looking at Leo with anger. Then Windy swooped down from the clouds and landed on the ground, leaving a small crack on the pavement. There was a girl beside him, glaring at Chris with her icy blue eyes. "Watch what you are saying, young lad. My name isn't Jax, it's Windy. And you better not say anything rude to my sister." Windy grunted, walking toward him. " What are you doing here?! what do you want? Are you with the dark hybrids?!" Flurry hissed. "W-what?! No! I'm not one of them! Who are you? What are you really are?" Chris asked, trying to get loose from Leo's grip. Leo looked at Jax and sighed. " Sorry about that Chris. We had to make sure you are not one of them. You want to know the truth about everything? I'm afraid that might not be possible if you are going to tell the secret to your friends. Besides you weren't supposed to be here, spying on us. Now go back, i'll be there with you in a moment." Leo muttered, as he loosened his grip on Chris and started walking toward Windy and Flurry. Chris stood up and brushed the dirt off of him. what just happen? Zhen... no. Leo was really friendly when I first met him, and now he's acting like something big is about to happen. I need more answers. Chris thought as he reached out and grabbed Leo's wrist. Leo spun his head around and faced Chris, his eyes narrowed. There's no going back now. Chris thought, as sweat began to form on his forehead. " Tell me everything! Tell me what you are you hiding from us and why you are acting like the world might end? How did you know about Jax and why do you call him Windy? Who are you really? I'm not going to tell anyone, unless you want me too, I swear." Chris explained, completely shocked at what he just did. Leo's mouth opened in shock and Windy smiled at Chris's burst of courage. "Well, might as well tell him, Nobody will probably believe him anyway." Flurry muttered. Leo sighed and motioned Chris to sit down. "OK. You already learned that my name isn't really Zhen, it's Leo. However, you did not know that I am actually a hybrid in disguise and so is Flurry, Windy, and my sister Maya. We came from a planet called Tiere Leben." Leo explained. Chris looks at Leo, his mind swirling with thoughts. " And you and all the other humans are in danger. There is a war coming and there's no backing down." Leo muttered, glancing at Chris. Oh brother, I landed smacked flat in a heap of arms and legs in all directions. Chris thought as he realized what Leo was saying.

Meanwhile back at the Kidz Bop Kids concert, "Five minute tell show time, get ready!" shouted a lady who was carrying a clipboard as she scrambled to the other side of the stage. "What is taking Zhen so long? The show is about to start." Matt explained as he knocked at the door to the changing room several times. " I don't know, maybe he's listening to music on his headphones." Maya said as she looked around nervously. Where are you Leo? The show is about to start and the kids are getting suspicious. Maya thought as she glanced at the door. Sarah noticed the look on Maya's face. "OK. what is going on here really? Where is Zhen? And why are you so nervous?" Sarah asked as she walked up to Maya. But before Maya can stumble out an answer, the back door of the concert flew open and five figures trooped inside. Matt grunted in frustration as he turned around to meet the new arrivers. "What are you doing here?! You are not supposed to be back here." Matt explained angrily as he pointed at them. But before he can say another word... "Flurry, Hope, Joy, Bruce, Ashpaws, Karl?! What are you guys doing here?" Maya said as she scrambled toward them. Sarah and Matt looked at each other in surprise. Karl stepped forward, his beanie hanging loosely from his head. "Sorry about interrupting your big moment, but I have something urgent to tell you." Karl muttered. Maya immediately remembered what Windy had told her earlier and nodded. "Tell me. I'm ready." she said, completely ignoring Matt's questions and Sarah's confused look. Karl cleared his throat and began to talk. " King Greypaw stood before me with a man brighter than the sun beside him. He warned me of the danger that will soon come. He said... ' Watch out for the one who is like a wolf disguised as a sheep. He lures his prey into his trap and gives it its ending. Do not be deceived by his innocent smile or his kind words. he will strike when you least expect it, so beware.' Then he showed me a pair of red eyes that were looming over you and you were fleeing from it." He explained, glancing around the room. " And this person is not too far from here. In fact, he is one of them." he said, pointing to the crowd of Kidz Bop Kids. "W-what! That is impossible! I know most of them my whole life, And I also know that they wouldn't do it." Matt explained, glaring at Karl. "Look, i'm sorry. But that's the truth and cannot say that he will change anytime soon." Karl muttered. Then the back door opened and Keal stepped in, his hair ruffled and his hand was covered in ash. "Keal where were you?! I was looking for you all over." Sarah explained, walking up to him. Keal looked at her and smirked. " Sorry guys, I was in the back helping an elderly man get rid of the ash's on his streets. Let me get cleaned up and we can start the show." Keal mumbled, smiling at Maya. But before anyone say anything else... " You!" Karl explained, pointing to Keal, his eyes narrowing as he continued to point at him. " Me?" Keal asked, his head tilting questionly. "Yes. You. You are that striker. A wolf in disguise that was sent here to finish the job that Varian had commanded you to do. You are here to make sure that Maya will never see the light of day again. You are a dark hybrid in disguise." Karl continued, stepping closer to Maya, his ears twitching under his beanie. "Leave this place now and else you will feel something that you will never want to feel again." Karl finished, as he slowly lowered his hand. Keal stood still for a long moment, then his eyes flashed black. "He. you are smarter than I thought. My name's Blackclaws, i'm a Slayer. Those useless hairless creatures are no use to me anymore, I can finally do what I came for." Keal said,(now knowed as Blackclaw) chuckling darkly as he pulled out a wicked looking dagger. He glared at Karl, who hissed at him furiously. then to Maya who was slowly backing away. Suddently without warning he leaped at Maya and pushed her back. They stumbled onto the stage and the crowd gasped as they saw Blackclaws wrestling Maya down. He raised his dagger into the air and Maya closed her eyes, accepting her fate.