The Evanescent

Chapter One

A scruffy black cat covered in feathery fur sticking in all directions hopped about, keeping out of the sun as it baked the ground under his feet, "You know, I really don't like this place..." he blurted scampering between the feet of his trio of friends.

An orange and butter colored Ottsel was perched on the young man's shoulder, "Eh, it looks better than it's been."

His friend nods in agreement, but doesn't speak up.

The Werecat looked up at the hooded giant walking a bit behind the two blonds in concern.

The man looked up to the large building they were nearing, the Freedom HQ, "Here we are.

The cat hopped around, vibrating with excitement on finally finding their destination.

The blond and his furry companion nod.

The woman then reached down and scooped up the Werecat, "Calm down Shadow, we haven't been out her for that long."

"I know Rhi," he mewled pawing at her face, "I just wanna relax..."

"I agree with him. I wanna relax an' get outta this heat." the Ottsel piped up.

Rhi then looked back at the hooded man towering over the group, "You've been awfully quiet today, Dei. Are you feeling okay?"

He responded with a slow nod.

The other man looked back at him over his shoulder, "I think the summer heat's getting to him..."

"Maybe..." she mused.

The Ottsel shrugged, "Then let's hurry up an' get inside."

Rhi steps into the elevator before them as the doors opened, followed by the man and his furry friend.

"So Jak, what did Tattooed Wonder say?" he asked.

Rhi looked to Jak as Deitonin ducked through the elevator doors, they shut behind him.

Jak shrugged, "Not much. Yelled most of the time."

"That seems like him..." a deep voice murmured behind them.

Jak looked back, "So he speaks."

The giant cocked his head a little, "Surprised?"

"You just didn't speak the entire walk here." Jak replied shrugging.

"The sun was draining me..." he replied crossing his arms.

"I see..." Jak replies.

The elevator then shuddered to a stop, causing Rhi to lose her balance and stumble back in Deitonin. She heard Daxter snicker, earning a thwack upside the head from Jak.

She laughed off her clumsiness even as a deep, almost inaudible rumble came from her friend.

Jak shook his head, "Excuse my friend's rude attitude."

She waved it off as the doors opened, "It's fine."

He nodded and looked into the main room.

It was a rather large room whose only source of lighting came from the massive monitors mounted on the far walls and the control panels below them. A device came down to shine light on the round hologram table in the center of the room.

Shadow leapt out of Rhi's arms and pounced onto the dark haired leader of the Freedom League, Torn. She stifled a laugh as he shoved the cat away with a growl, "Stop fooling around!"

Shadow yowled as he dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes, flipping over and scampering back to Deitonin, "He's being mean to me..." he whined jabbing a furry finger at the tattooed man. The Dæmon let out a soft sigh of exasperation as he bent down and picked him up.