the forsaken

Syndrome/Ludo/Lawrence Intro

   Cold water splattered onto my fur as I swat the bottle away from my face.
"I said I don't need anything!"
"But Syndrome-"
I feel heat rise into my cheeks as snickering builds up behind me. Tail lashing, I growl, "I need to concentrate on my training, Ludo. No time for breaks."
The snickering grows louder.
"Hey soldier? What's it like having a babysitter? Do you really need that much support to hold you together? You'll be a disaster on the field!"
Feeling my face flush completely, I clench my fists before turning to face the soldier taunting me. But as I open my mouth to snap at them, the other beats me to it.
   "What are you gonna do, soldier? Talk back to your superiors?" [he takes off his googles]
   "Lawrence," I growl at the hedgehog, "Just because I got in via a different...route, doesn't mean you are automatically better than me."
"BAHA! You really think that you, a mere afterthought, a call-back, would be better than me?I was accepted with open arms, obviously more welcomed than you!"
Ludo shifts uncomfortably, the water- bottle in his grasp crackling.
"Well, Mrs. Perfect, if you're so great, how about you test that?" Lawrence's companion.
"Yeah! A race!" His other friend crossed his arms, glancing at hedgehog for his approval.
"Alright. Sounds like a plan. Syndrome? You in? Let's see who really is the better out of the two!"
   I glare at Lawrence, his mangled eye unnerving. "No. I need to get back to base anyway." I mutter as I pick up the bag I had left with Ludo . "Let's go."
   The robot nodded slowly and begins to follow me as I walk away from the group.
   "Of course she wouldn't join. She knows she would lose!"
   "Yeah! What use is a cheetah without spots, after all!?"
   I stop in my tracks, the bag in my hand slipping from my grasp. All I hear is their snickering. "You know what? Fine. Let's race."

-

I gathered myself, preparing to run. Lawrence was fast, for sure. But I'm faster.
Or...I think I am.
"Three!"
I place one foot behind me, leaning forwards.
   "Two!"
   I gather my thoughts, focusing on the task at hand. I have to beat him. I have to!
   "One!"
   And with the sweep of my tail, I was soaring towards the other end of the track. I let a smile brush across my face. Why did I have any doubts before? I'm winning easi-
   My heart leapt out of my chest as I was, quite literally, flying through the air. My foot had hit a stationary rock that had risen onto the track.
   No!
   SMACK! I slam into the ground headfirst, skidding the last few feet.
   My stomach drops as Lawrence passes me, his foot managed to throw up dust into my face. He crosses the finish line with ease as I struggle to my feet, scrapes covering my hands and face.
   As he goes to leave, he turns to me, his friends going ahead. "You really thought you were gonna win, didn't you?"
   I glare at him from my spot next to the rock, unmoving.
   "Such a shame. You power is being put to waste."
   And just like that, he walks off.

   -

   "Damnit!"
   I chuck my deodorant at the locker room floor.
   "God damnit, Ludo! Why did I agree to that?! I'm so stupid!"
   Ludo calmly picks up the deodorant, handing it back to me. I turn back to my mirror, wrapping my towel around my neck.
   "I'm useless as a cheetah. I don't even look like one! I even failed at the one thing I was supposed to be good at. I'd be better off as a snail."
   "You're perfectly fine as you are, Syndrome."
   I roll my eyes at the robot, brushing my hair aggressively. Tossing the brush into my locker, I slam the door. I pick up dirty my bag off the floor, swinging it over my shoulder. "Come on. Let's get some rest. We have training tomorrow."
   I push the door open, stepping out into a wide hallway. Some other soldiers stood outside, paying no attention to Ludo and I. Not that they ever do. I look down at my shoes, torn up from all the intense usage I squeeze out of them.
   Suddenly, a bone-chilling scream fills the hall. In front of us, a little girl was being dragged across the floor towards us by two soldiers. I keep walking, trying to look away as we get closer...closer... but to no avail.
   "Hey." I turn around, tapping a guard on the shoulder. "What's the problem?"
   Obviously pissed off, the soldier glared at me. "This little brat," He tugged at the girl so she would face me, his comrade following, "was out past curfew. That is punished by containment for a few weeks."
   I checked my watch. The time, 7:07, read in bold teal numbers. "Sir, curfew is 7. Surely this can be brushed off." The girls puffy eyes met my own.
   "Who are you to challenge our orders, cat?"
   "I'm not challenging, simply questioning."
   I reach towards the girl, only to get slammed into the wall by my superior.
   "Don't test me, soldier."
   He turns away, facing the wide eyed soldiers who where in the hall. He grabs the girl by the collar of her dress and begins to walk down the hallway again, his partner copying his movements.
   Regathering myself, I stumble back to my feet, and begin to follow the mobian, my long tail constantly in motion to keep my balance decent.
   "Syndrome! This is a bad idea! We could be kicked out..or...or.." Ludo's voice was shaky, showing a hint of worry.
   "I don't care. This is inhumane."
   I take a deep breath, and lunge at the soldier who had attacked me. I leapt onto his back, swinging around to his front to bring him to the floor. Landing on his chest, I slam my bag against his head, the books inside managing to knock him out.
   The other soldier was fumbling with his rifle, still surprised from my attack. Taking this to my advantage, I grab the muzzle of the gun and tear it from the shaky mobians hand. As I kick him to the floor, his grasp of the little girl was released. Grabbing the gun, I grasp the muzzle and smash the butt of the thing into his cheek, effectively putting him to sleep for a bit.
   "Cmon!"
   I grab the girls hand, scooping her up into my arms. "Ludo, grab the gun!"
   Reluctantly, my robot picks up the gun and follows us as I run towards the nearest exit, towards the end of the hall.
   I burst through the doors, the cold night air rushing into the building.
   I grip the girl tight as I begin to sprint out into the desert, Ludo on my tail.

//wcnzjnszz as