The Hybrid

Let's Get to Business

After three days, Raven could see some results. "Cheetahs while fast, have low endurance. Make sure that you push through. Come on, keep up," Kadiba ordered as Raven trailed behind a bit. With a small game of tag, Raven could see the difference and experienced the fine-tuning of her body and speed. Her already slender legs smoothed and curved into their finely sculptured slim-tone muscular form. She soon pushed through her tiredness to get to Kadiba and tap him on the shoulder.

"Tag!"

"Good," Kadiba panted, coming to a stop. They took a while to catch their breath. "Wow, I've missed running."

"I thought you didn't like-"

"I said it's been a while since I ran. I didn't say I didn't like it," Kadiba replied. After Raven caught her breath, she looked at him, silently curious.

"This Jinni. What is she like?" Kadiba sighed gravely.

"For the most part, she's fine, but recently she's been very aggressive. She used to be fairly okay. She even made the Cheetah Palace to help find the Cheetah Animalist. But... you said it's been a couple of months since your arrival? Yeah, that sounds about right." Kadiba sighed.

"So, I have to fight her?" said Raven hesitantly.

"You might not have to," He mumbled, "I don't think she's really... corrupted. If this gem is as powerful as you say, she would have turned over every rock just to find us. Plus, we should have seen armies hunting out here by now." Kadiba sighed again. "Hmm, I don't think she's ambitious, her actions seem... worried." Suddenly, they heard a flapping noise come from the sky.

"Edgar?" Raven called.

"What's up!" Ed excitedly said as he touched down.

"Bird, why aren't you with my wife?" Kadiba asked harshly. Ed rolled his eyes but didn't respond defensively. He knew Kadiba was only worried.

"I told her you and Raven are just training. She doesn't believe me, but I help around the house just to make sure she's fine."

"So why are you here?" Kadiba reiterated.

"To tell you that there's been some trouble in the Cheetah Palace," Ed told Kadiba.

"I should care because-"

"Well-"

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Macaan walked through the crowded streets of the city while Ed perched on her shoulder. Macaan sighed out of relief as they finally made it to the outer wall of the Cheetah Palace. A little further was the market. "Thank you, Ed. I don't understand why that lazy feline of a husband never helps."

"I'm sure he means well, Mrs. Macaan," Ed said sweetly. "I know it!"

"AHHH!" shouted a voice from over the wall.

"That came from the palace! Someone's in trouble!"

"I'll go see it. You stay out of trouble," Ed instructed. Macaan looked at the bird doubtfully

"Ed, you ARE trouble," Macaan cautioned, noting the bird's normal clumsiness.

"First, Ouch. Second, it's better than nothing," Ed remarked as he flew over the wall and perched on the inner court wall. The Palace had several small domed-shaped huts lining the front, probably separate rooms for the cheetahs to sleep. An open arena had a large obstacle course with a running track to boot. The complex was about 200 feet long and 50 feet wide. In the center, an elderly cheetah was thrown to the floor by a leader rhino, the same rhino that Raven fought off from the kids.