Planeswalkers, Part 1

Stars twinkled brightly overhead as the small black cat moved swiftly through the shadows of an alley. He glared about distastefully as he passed through, for even though he often travelled this path, it had never been a pleasant experience. Often, the objects in the alley were shifted about due to the comings and goings of the humans, and because a butchery and deli were adjacent, stray dogs and homeless humans were often to be found picking through garbage for scraps.

He stopped. His muscles tensed like a jungle panther's as his ears twitched this way and that, listening closely for the sounds of a pursuer. He couldn't lead them back to his home, his palace, his fortress. The Haven was one of the few places in this town he was never mocked or ridiculed, the only place he could go to escape and rest.

He detected no other life in the alleyway, no sign of anyone following him. Reassured by a quick glance around, he hopped onto a nearby crate, then up onto a stack of boxes, then over to the ledge on the opposite wall. He just barely made the leap, hanging on for dear life with his front paws while he kicked his way up onto the ledge, skillfully moving his small body to the end of the ledge and into the hole he could just barely squeeze through.

"Char! What are you doing, man, you nearly scared me to death!" a small voice echoed from the dim candlelight of the room.

"Sorry, Bentley, I forgot the signal," the small black cat said into seeming darkness and shadow.

"We agreed on the signal for a reason, Char," said a large black rat, stepping out of the shadows. "There's a lot of Ferals out there who would just love to make a dinner out of me. That's why I keep you around, after all," he added with a smile as he gave the cat a friendly hug.

"I know, Ben. It's just been a really rough day. That Feral ringleader was pestering me again."

"Wanted you to join up?" the rat inquired as he poured some water into a saucer almost as big as he was.

"When will they get the idea that I'm not like them. I could never do the things they do! Bully smaller cats, catch and kill innocent rodents, steal food. They steal, Bentley, can you believe it?" Char said with some resignation.

"It is tough to be a cat these days, they say. You street cats don't have all the luxuries those fancy housecats have, either. They still calling you names?" Bentley asked gently, pushing the saucer towards Char. "Here, have a drink."

"You know they do, Bentley. 'Oh, here comes Char the Rodent King', 'Hey look, it's Char, the hero'! It never stops." Char said, before taking a few laps from the saucer.

"You can't let something like that get you down, man," Bentley said as he reclined in the corner, about to settle down for the night, "You have to remember, Char… Tomorrow's another day."

Char looked up from his saucer and smiled at Bentley. "Another day of the good life, eh Ben?"

"Always Char, always."

And with that, the friends extinguished the candle and bid each other a good night. As Char rested his head on his paws and drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but wish his nightly wish; that somewhere, in this big town, there was a cat like him who he could become friends with. But he'd been wishing that for years now, and it never came true… But tomorrow was always another day.

Meanwhile, across town, a group of cats ran swiftly and silently thru the moonlight, their feet falling lightly on cobblestone illuminated by the bright light of the moon above them. As they turned into the alley they were joined by three more cats, and then more at another turn. The group of cats continued to grow as they raced towards the edge of town and into the forest.

They ducked into roots, they took to the branches, but well over a hundred cats sat in the dark forest, strays from five towns around who had conglomerated into one massive group of felines, a veritable crime family of thugs and thieves, Ferals all.

It was among this group of miscreants that young Laudia had grown up, and, as disgusted as she was with some of the things that occurred in this group, this was the only home she had ever known. She needed these cats, and they needed her, for she was an excellent fighter and as fast as cats could be. Her orange fur bristled as she sat next to a large calico, her friend Leanne. Leanne had raised Laudia from a kitten, watching out for her and teaching her the ways of the Feral.

"When is the meeting starting?" Laudia asked impatiently as her eyes darted from side to side; lots of cats hated each other in this large group, and fights were bound to break out at any point.

"The Lizari cats called this meeting," Leanne said patiently, "and they aren't exactly renowned for their punctuality, dear." The Lizari cats were one of the top groups in the area, so prominent they had become almost untouchable for fear of retaliation. It was said that dozens of cats were either sworn Lizaris or hired Lizari muscle, but there was such fluctuation within Feral ranks that this was difficult to verify. Only one thing was certain: you didn't ignore a summons from the Lizari.

"I know, Lea, it's just these mass meetings always make me uncomfortable. What could they possibly want with this many cats?"

"Whatever it is, Laudia, I'm sure it's benign," Leanne assured her, "There's no need to get bent out of shape about it."

Just then, as the moon rose to the top of the sky, the mark of midnight, a regal-looking cat stepped up onto a massive stump in the middle of the assembled cats, his snow-white fur shimmering in the moonlight. He cleared  his throat and suddenly a hush befell the assembled crowd.

"My fellows," the cat began, "allow me to introduce myself. I am Reginald, of the Lizari cats. I am the son of Stephen, whom many of you know as the leader of the Lizari. I am here today with a heavy heart to pass along the news that this is no longer the case. My father has left us.

"Fear not though, Ferals, for this does not leave the Lizari, arguably the largest and most powerful group among you, without a head. As Stephen's only son I am forced to step up and enact his last wishes – that I take his place at the head of our noble and powerful clan. I shall be an effective leader to you all."

At once, the previously silent gathering burst into a roar of outrage. Not only was Stephen, a well-respected and, by most accounts, benevolent ruler dead, but in his place was appointed a green, untested leader. All the crowd continued bantering and arguing for several minutes, but Laudia remained silent. A thought had occurred to her. There was something strange about what Reginald had said. Then it hit her.

"What does he mean by 'you all'? We are not Lizari!" Laudia whispered to Leanne.

"Some of you may be wondering," Reginald began again, "exactly what this means for you. Why should you care that the Lizari have a new leader? It matters little to any other clan."

It was then that something very dark flickered in Reginald's eye, a gleam of greed which led to nothing good. "It matters to you, friends, because I am making a proposition.

"On this night, I propose an alliance of clans. An empire, if you will, united under the might of the Lizari. I already have the consent and partnership of the Sibenni clan and the Y'Zolmi group. Under this Grand Trio, and with taxes and statements of supplication, not only will you be protected from outside threats, you will also get a great payout system if your group performs well for the Empire.

"This is a big decision, I know, so I am giving each of you a week to return to your home bases and talk this out amongst yourselves. Within a week's time, should you decide to join us, you are to return to this spot with a token of supplication. Know, however, that if you are not with this group, you are against it, and the repercussions will be dire for any who refuse this invitation.

"I hope that you choose wisely," Reginald concluded, "And that you each have a pleasant night.