Eric blinked, confused.
'' What do you mean it wasn't your mission?'' Eric asked.
Tyson sighed his anger out, '' finally'' he thought, Eric calmed down a little, his eyes focused on Tyson expecting an answer.
Then-
A small voice cut through the moment.
'' Don't tell him Tyson, the kid's full of shit.''
Eric and Tyson froze mid-breath. Their eyes focused on a closed window. then the voice came back again. '' If the kid is so high and mighty, why doesn't he become a hero, huh?. Let him see how it really feels to be the thing hates.''
Erics eyes scanned the room unable to pinpoint the sound, frowning. '' who said that?''
'' Oh me?'' the voice replied slow and sharp-edged. '' Don't mind me, I'm just a random bystander, hanging around minding my business, until i heard some little punk mouthing off about heroes.''
The voice of the person ricocheted around the room, making it hard to pinpoint
'' If You think saving lives is so easy, why don't you try it, why don't you suite up and save someone? see how it feels to bleed for strangers ''
Erics jaw clenched, temper rising slowly '' Show yourself, whoever you are, i dare you to come and say that to my face.''
''Oh?'' the voice chuckled '' I'm so scared, hahaha, ok, if you say so.''
Then-click.
the lights went out.
Darkness swallowed the room quickly, sensing danger Tyson activated his power, a system appeared and out of it he pulled out a claymore, the weapon pulsing with raw power. '' Stay behind me,'' he yelled quickly.
suddenly the lights flicked back on.
Flooding the room with harsh darkness.
They blinked, adjusting their eyes to the light, then searched the room.
No one.
They looked confused.
Until Eric spotted something strange on a bed opposite his.
A cat. small ,white, wearing a black hat and a cute sized black long coat.
Tyson squinted. '' I'm not the only one seeing a cat with a hat and coat on right?''
Eric just nodded.
The cat looked at them. '' yeah I'm a cat, '' it said.
Both men stared, Tyson rubbed his temple. '' So you're an M-Animal?''
The cat hopped down, landing neatly then straightened his coat. '' Yeah i am.'' the cat walked closer , '' pleasure, to meet you Tyson...Eric. then he took his hat off and gave a bow.'' Name's Taffy. species: feline. I'm a detective, I.O.A police department.''
'' I.O.A police department?'' Tyson blinked, shocked by the revelation. ''Why would a cop be around the hospital.''
Taffy adjusted his hat a little. '' There happens to be a bar, right beside the hospital,'' he said, his voice proud. '' Technically for humans, but I go thee sometimes, they serve me catnip neat and milk on the rocks. I swing by when I'm off duty.''
Immediately, he ran closer to sit on a chair. '' Tonight, i just happen to come from karaoke night, just passing through from the rooftops.'' then Taffy's voice changed, sounding more serious. '' Until...I heard someone mouthing off about heroes.'' Then his gaze flicked toward Eric. '' Guess who it is .''
Eric shot a strong gaze back.
'' Don't give me that look, I should be giving you that look ... you know what, Tyson is right, you really are an annoying, arrogant, ungrEATFULL little shit blossom. You're the one talking Big ,huh?. If you think the job of a hero is so easy, why not sign up, to be one, prove allll the heroes wrong.''
Eric crossed his arm with an arrogant smirk drawn across his face. '' Why would i want to become the very thing i hate.''
Taffy stepped even closer this time, his coat catching an unseen breeze like a cape. his gaze, cold. '' Feeling cocky now.? please enlighten me, have you ever fought a calamity.''
Eric had no answer to that question, just a memory of the events before.
'' Taken down a villain.''
'' No.'' he answered.
''Stopped a terrorist.''
Eric exhaled. '' No, i haven-''
''Exactly.'' Taffy continued. '' You don't understand , the sacrifices they make every day for you, with this kind of power they can decide to become villians , or live rich lives with their powers, but they choose to serve and protect.''
The room was still, silent only the peeping of a monitor could be heard.
'' And you think saving one life is some accomplishment, why hero boy, couldn't save two.
That was it, The last straw, immediately Eric sprung off his bed fury surging through him like a storm. The memories of what happened didn't fade away, it was still fresh in his memory, and a cat was mocking the sacrifice of one man. His gaze locked on Taffy, sharp, unrelenting. He rushed toward the cat swiftly.
''Eric Don't!!''
He seized the cat by the coat, and pinned it against the wall, arm trembling with rage. '' Listen and Listen good pussycat. If you dare talk about, the saving of ones life like is was a waste of time again. I swear not even your nine lives can save you, you hear me.''
The cat lunged at Eric on the face, his long coat still pinned to the wall. Immediately He grabbed Eric by the hair and Slammed him to the ground with incredible force. Before Eric could blink
click.
... there was a gun pointed to his head, tiny silver gun- no bigger than a toy.''
Tyson stayed quite, watching like a referee who knew he'd already lost control of the fight. '' Taffy, don't kill him. please''
No response.
'' Now you listen, you little shit.'' he said, his voice steady, eyes sharp and glaring.'' If you EVER!!, call me a pussycat ever again, or i swear to you, your sexy aunt will be wearing black for the entire year.''
Eric laid there on the ground, a small gun pointed to his temple, mouth shut, watching.
''How about this, lets make a bet, prove to be that you can become the best hero, in fact the strongest hero- become the one who can save the world, simple right?, write the entrance exam and the practical, graduate, join a department or create your own...and prove me wrong, i don't care if your powerless . Show us what 'real saving looks like'. otherwise, shut up and go home.''
Taffy redrew his gun and got off Eric to grab his coat.'' Now listen, the entrance exam is divided into two categories all around the first world. First of all is the written exam then the practical.''
You being a non super, you'll be given Mecha gear to help you compete with some of the super powered and non super powered, the Exam starts next month.''
The scene changed suddenly , once two individuals wanting to hurt each other, now , calm.
his voice changed, no longer harsh but rather soft and kind '' Goodluck kid. Sorry for what happened to your friend, but is always best to rational, before jumping to conclusions about anything or someone.''
Eric got off the ground, brushing dust off his hospital clothes without saying much. His face stayed neutral, but the way he avoided eye contact told the whole tale. Taffy's words had left a mark.
''Ok.. I'll give it a try.'' he murmured.
The cat heard then nodded. Without another word he turned, hopped onto the windowsill. The evening breeze fluttered his coat as he looked over his shoulder, he tipped his hat and disappeared into the night.
No insult, No dramatic final speech.
Just gone.
+++
Three days later.
Eric on by his bed as the cats word looped through his mind. ''Is true'' he thought '' I want nothing more but to show the lazy heroes, how their job is really done...then i guess-''
immediately the door opened and a young nurse came in, holding a clipboard. '' All your wounds are healed,'' she announced . '' You'll be discharged today.''
Eric's thought switched to Annabelle. He looked at her bed but she was gone.'' Where is the girl?''
The doctors face softened. '' Her wounds were less severe - so she was discharged yesterday.''
Minutes later, after eric was discharged from the the hospital, he walked out, taking in the nice fresh air, finally rid of the smell and sound on hand sanitizer and monitor beeps. As he walked the streets once more a sharp 'beep beep!'' caught his attention.
He turned, the chuckled, a mini cooper pulled up to the curb and his Aunt Tracy stepped out. smiling.
'' Hey there survivor,'' she said '' You're looking better.''
Eric gave a small grin. '' yeah. You didn't think i was going to die easily to a simple monster did you?, I'm the great survivor, hero to all, savior to the broken hearted, healer of souls, the thanksgiving, lover of-''
'' Ok! okay!!,'' Tracy laughed '' At least i know your childish heart didn't change, quickly get in were going to the Ranvier Estate. The noble wishes to speak to you.''
'' Me.'' he asked, wanting to make sure he didn't hear it wrong.
'' yes you. ''she answered '' apparently, that little girl you saved- Annabelle- is royalty. Her father came days ago, now he wants to see you. Obviously he wants to reward you, as a form of thanks'' she added softly.
'' Heh. A form of thanks; huh?. cool.'' his smile widened '' I like the sound of that.''
Eric slid into the passenger seat, happy to finally be back , alive and well.