A Zusi's Path

Chapter 1: A New Life

(Art of Ar10L and Re3x0 by me (c) ) 

    "There's a story I want to tell, a story that no one has ever heard before. So, sit down and get comfortable. You will be here for a while, now. Where to begin? I know, I'll start here. It all started on my home planet, Planet Proxima. Unlike here on Earth, each one of us is given a Serial Number at birth and that is what we're called out entire lives. How that life plays out is different for everyone. So you interested in my story? The name's Rex, or, I used to be called Re3x0".

  On the first day of newleaf, the nearest star was shining onto the rocky surface of the area. Small house-like structures lines the ground, each one made out of different types of stone, soil, and rocks to form their shape.

In one of the structures, the outside had a label with the words "Uphire" on it. Inside there were many different types of species waiting to be checked out by a healer. All of different sizes, shapes, and colors. There were some large hairy, some small and hairless, some have scales, some have feathers, and some have fur. Some have claws, some have talons, and some have hooves.

Deeper into the building there was another section that stood out. "Hatching Room" Inside there were all shapes and sizes of eggs, some were black, while others were rainbow, all the eggs were different colors based on their species. The Uphire was used by all villages in the area, it was a place where they are all the same. Though outside the Uphire borders, they are enemies.

Today was a lucky day for many eggs, though. One single Egg was in an incubator, and next to it was a female Zusi of light blue pelt pattern with yellow eyes, and next to them was child zusi of a slightly darker pallet of the mother. They were sitting beside the egg which was in the incubator with many wires attached to it. Today was the day the egg was to hatch.

"Muuum... When is this stupid egg going to hatch..", the young boy groaned. The mother quickly gave the boy a smack on the back of the head. "E4r1c, you shouldn't call your brother stupid!", she scolded. "He is just taking his time to hatch that is all". She said turning her attention back to the egg. I just wish his father could be here to see this.. The mother thought to herself. When the Healer came into the room. It was a zusi of an orange pallet.

"Ar10L? Is it?", the healer spoke. The mother quickly turned her attention to the healer once they entered. "Yes? That is me". The healer looked at a paper they were holding. "It seems your egg hasn't hatched on it's hatch date. Would you like us to start the process or leave it hatch on it's own?", the healer asked. Ar10l looked at her egg, she wanted her child to be in the world now. "He just needs more time, he's just a late hatcher. That's all.". The healer gave a shrug. "Very well, call me in when something changed-", they got cut off as a crack filled the room.

The mother instantly darted towards the egg, getting as close as she could. The cobalt blue egg now had a large crack along the side. And a thumping sound could be heard inside. The monitors the egg was connected to were beeping and sending alarms that the egg was hatching.

The healer went by them and turned them off. And put on a set of gloves and removed the top of the incubator and discarded small pieces of shell that have been broken off. Ar10L was standing as close as the healer would let her. Holding her son E4r1c so he could see what was going on, though not really caring as to what was going on.

The healer then removed a section of the egg shell, helping with the process of hatching. Once the egg was completely open, the young newborn zusi came right out. Small, wet, and hungry. It let out a loud whimper.

The healer was relieved to hear. Picking up the newborn the healer grabbed a towel and proceeded to dry them off. Getting a clean towel the healer then wrapped up the newborn and soon left the room. Leaving Ar10L panicked slightly as to what was going on. She wanted to follow but she stayed in the room with her son. "Where are they taking him?", E4r1c asked looking up as his mother.

"I am not sure..", she answered. "Is he going to get a tag?", he asked. "Maybe that is what they're doing".

A different healer came into the room and removed all the egg shell remains and discarded them into the biohazard box. "Your son is perfectly healthy, he is just getting checked out by the main healer and then he will be returned, tagged and all", they informed her before leaving the room for the two to wait for how long that could take.

A few hours later the mother and son had fallen asleep while they were waiting for the newborn to reenter the room. When the healer from before entered the room, with a light blue blanket wrapped around the newborn. Instantly waking Ar10L from her light slumber, her tail wagging in excitement to see her child.

The healer then handed the newborn to the mother. A purr emitting from her throat the moment she saw the newborn. Gently nuzzling the sleeping child. "He looks just like his father..", she said before looking at his ear and sees the gold tag on his ear with the Serial Number Re3x0 engraved onto it.

Using her tail to gently nudge E4r1c. "Hey, wake up. Come see your little brother!", she said in an excited whisper. The boy soon woke up and looked over to see his brother. "What's his tag say?", he asked looking up at his mother. "He is Re3x0", she answered, smiling down at her newborn.