*AUTHOR'S NOTE: You have reached the final chapter of this book. Congratulations! Enjoy the finale :)
MOMENTS BEFORE CHAOS...
Chiko's POV
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Hello! I'm Chiko Phoenix, and right now, I am busy preparing for something. I was a whirlwind of activity, my paws moving deftly as I dusted, swept, and polished every corner of my cozy Pittsburgh home. The sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the rooms that were soon to be filled with laughter and celebration. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I wanted everything to be perfect. After all, I'm quite a perfectionist. I cannot help it. I want everyone to see my organized side. It always shows anyways, but little they knew I had more going on... not to mind my messy room.
Anyways, as I moved a stack of magazines to dust the coffee table, a small, worn box tumbled out from behind. It landed with a soft thud, the lid popping open to reveal an album brimming with photographs. Were these my childhood pics? Or were these something else? Curiosity has gotten into me, so I decided to check. I paused, the cleaning rag slipping from my grasp as I picked up the album, my heart swelling with nostalgia. I didn't know what it was yet, but I was fully confident it was something from the past. I barely use an album nowadays, like a hard copy one. I mostly keep my memories on my phone, although it's quite a messy gallery. I don't remember how many times I recall saying I would organize them. Heh, turns out I never do so.
As I explored the album, I was fascinated. The pictures were a colorful tapestry of memories, each one capturing a moment of the wild, wonderful escapades I'd embarked on with the Phoenix Gang. There they all were: Brando Heeler with his infectious grin and magic, Olga Koopa's mischievous glint and dragon, Dom and James Dalmatian's boundless energy, fire and steel combined, and so many more. But as I flipped through the pages, my eyes widened in realization. I had forgotten to send invitations to the most important people in my life—the Phoenix Gang. "How can I be so forgetful like that?!" I shouted.
A sigh escaped my mouth, a mix of frustration and fondness, as I leaned back against the couch. It was then that my gaze fell upon a particular photo, one that took me back to the very beginning, to the day I met each team member. I decided to pause the cleaning, and instead focus on recalling. I'm about to recall how exactly I met each member...
[FLASHBACKS, READER'S POV]
MEETING BLASTER
The world was a blanket of white, the snow falling steadily, painting the city in shades of frost and pearl. The café was a beacon of warmth in the cold, its windows fogged up from the heat inside. Chiko, the young furry canine, was behind the counter next to his mother, helping her pour steaming cups of cocoa for chilled customers seeking refuge from the winter's bite. Meanwhile, outside, a small husky pup from another universe was wandering around in the cold breeze. While it is part of his nature to accommodate into the freezing weather, he wanted to be somewhere warm and chill. "I'm starving. I don't even know where I'm at, and my sister is lost somewhere. That's just sad..." the young pup said until he arrived upon Phoenix Café, the place where Chiko was helping his mother at. "Phoenix Café? This should be interesting... at least they have food..."
