Chereads / The Anomaly: Arise / Chapter 21 - First to Fall

Chapter 21 - First to Fall

A week before the scheduled Summit, Professor had announced who will he be joining him on his journey. The eldest of the Anomalies which are Beast, Pandora, Glass, Madusa and Surge were usually the ones being selected so they expected that it will still be one or two of them who'll join the Professor. However, he confirmed it won't be one of them but the one's who'll serve as his advisors/guards will be Zythandra and Calcipher.

"No fair. I was hoping that it's going to be my turn this coming summit." Medusa said.

"I know I was the one who went with the Professor on the last summit but I'm still hoping I can come this time as well. I want to have some more action." Surge butted in.

"More action or more girls?" Glass teased Surge. Surge discreetly nodded in agreement.

"I'm fine staying here." Pandora said.

"It's a drag anyway so I'm cool whoever will go as long as it's not me." Beast added.

"I would want to come too but I'm fine either way." Reaper said.

"Look, Student Council members." Calcipher addressed the group. He's trying to hold his laughter because it's such a cringe for him addressing them as such. "We figured that our adversaries can be everywhere and we are considering that it will be very dangerous for you if we put you out there so he decided that Z and I will accompany the Professor to the summit." He explains.

"Also, we don't know who our enemies are exactly or they're actual purpose so we will keep our ears and eyes open throughout the duration of us being out there just in case we gather any information that's beneficial to us." Zythandra chimed in.

"While we're gone, I want you all to look after your colleagues. We will just be gone for a day or two." The Professor confirmed. The Student Council members couldn't argue further and just agreed to the decision.

That huddle between the adults and the Student Council members ended shortly after then they went back to their assigned tasks. The mentors went back to their offices and the others proceeded to do their chores. Glass and Surge were tasked to sweep the lobby, Medusa was asked to help Sprite tend the garden, Pandora and Reaper are going to wash the dishes and Beast will be cleaning some windows. Other chores were assigned to the rest of their colleagues.

After Pandora and Reaper finished washing the dishes, they decided to go to the living area to fetch some rest. On their way, they noticed Beast near one of the windows as he gazes blankly into the horizon. It seems that he managed cleaning it and some other windows so maybe he's just taking a quick break before continuing the job. However, they felt that something's bothering him so they decided to check on him.

"Hey, Beast. Something seems to be bothering you. Are you alright?" Reaper asked as he and Pandora approached the area where Beast is at.

"I'm fine. You can go back to whatever it is you're doing." Beast responded with his usual cold tone.

"We've been here the longest, Beast. I know if something is bothering you. I don't need to use my Anomaly to sense that." Pandora said which made Beast think.

"Fine. There's something that I've been thinking for a while."

"What is it? You can tell it to me."

"To you there's no problem but does he really need to hear it?"

"That's fine. He's a good person and you know that by now."

Whatever it is that's bothering Beast probably is that concerning because he didn't hesitate further to share it to Pandora with Reaper still around. He confirmed that he's been thinking about his family. The last time he saw them was even before he met the Professor and joined his cause. Pandora may know some details about Beast's life before he joined the Professor but the entirety is still somewhat blurry.

Beast was so troubled that he unintentionally shared his story prior to him discovering his Anomaly. Pandora and Reaper will finally learn Beast past from who he actually is to what he does and how he eventually met the Professor. He initially confirmed the most obvious fact about him that he came from Gallant Africa. He then confirmed something that shocked Pandora and Reaper. He said that he is supposed to be the successor of their clan. The Ojibwes happened to be one of the fastest rising clans in the said nation.

He said that he was supposed to be married to an heiress of another clan which will solidify his title as the new head of their clan. However, he ran away from their wedding not because he doesn't want to get married or to run away from the huge responsible he's about to inherit. It's because that his Anomaly manifested on their wedding day. Everyone in their wedding venue witnessed him transform his limbs to different animals. Due to his guilt of spoiling the event that his clan looked forward to with all their heart, he ran away and eventually met the Professor.

The Professor helped him understand his Anomaly and how to control it. Beast wanted to go back but he's afraid that he's already banished from their clan due to the huge embarrassment he brought so he didn't bother coming back but he couldn't help himself to think about them every once in a while. He thought that head of the clan which is his parents is also trying to suppress the fact of him running away since no news about it has been broadcast. As he ran away and embraced his new life, he left his parents, his younger sister and the rest of their clan behind.

"That's really saddening to hear." Pandora consoled Beast. "I didn't know you are carrying that kind of weight with you all this time."

"It is sad. It made me think of my parents. It made me wonder if where they are now and if they are safe." Reaper commented.

"I know what I'll do. I'll ask permission from Professor to go and visit them back in Gallant Africa. I'm good if I'm just able to see them well. It's fine even if I won't be able to interact with them." Beast said.

"That's a good idea. I'll support you on that. I'll also ask Professor to let you visit your family." Pandora commented.

"I appreciate that, Pandora." Beast responded.

Even though Beast and Pandora aren't actually related by blood, the sibling bond is commendable and the fact they were the first Anomalies who were discovered by the Professor is definitely one of the greatest factors of it. This pact between the two amazes Reaper because these two are worlds different but it does seem that both went through the same hardships and now experience solace under the Professor's care.

"I'm just curious, Beast. What happened to your clan after you ran away?" Reaper asked. "You said that you're next in line for the throne but you ran away." He continued.

"That I'm not actually sure. I only guessing that my father continued his reign or my younger sister took my place as the next ruler of our clan." Beast explained. "I'm more into thinking that my sister did replace me because she's as capable as me if not more capable."

"I bet that your sister is as dependable as you." Pandora complimented Beast.

"It got me thinking. Since you're an Anomaly, isn't your sister one too?" Reaper asked.

"I can't really tell for sure but I haven't seen manifestations of any Anomaly from her. I want to believe that she's normal so she can enjoy her life to the fullest." Beast responded.

"I think they're like Sprite and her brother. Sprite may be an Anomaly but her brother, that Raf guy, isn't." Pandora pointed out.

"That makes sense." Reaper agreed.

The three continued their chit-chat until one familiar voice announced a rather unusual task. It was the Professor. Pandora happens to still be connected to his thoughts so that if he has urgent tasks he can relay it to her as quickly as possible and she can spread his words to others in just a few seconds using her Anomaly. Professor is asking for the Student Council members to gather in his office. As expected, Pandora relayed the message to her peers through telepathy.

"Gather around." The Professor instructed everyone to huddle up as soon as they all have arrived.

"This is a serious matter people. Keep your eyes peeled and ears open." Zythandra announced. Calcipher nodded in agreement.

"It does seem a bit gloomy here. Is there something that matter?" Glass asked. He tries to sound cheerful as he always is but he can't hide the fact that he seemed to be worried of what the Professor and their mentors are going to say.

"I hope that there are girls involve but if not, I hope that I get some more action. My body's itching for some fight." Surge confidently said.

"Are we going to plan an event? If we are, can I be the organizer? It's been so long since I've been in a decent party." Medusa volunteered cheerfully.

"Whatever it is, I know that it's just a drag." Beast commented with his go-to mantra. Everything is a drag for him.

"If you need me for something, I'll be more than happy to help you out." Reaper said.

"Guys, enough. Let them finish." Pandora butted in. Surely enough, everyone tamed down.

"Thank you, Pandora. I'll go straight to the point." The Professor started saying and seemed that the room was filled with a grim intensity that no one dared to even breathe. "Kitty has been taken under custody by the military."

Silence immediately engulfed the Professor's room. It's so silent that they could hear their own heartbeats. The guys suddenly stood up from where they are sitting to contest the idea of Kitty being caught by the military. On the other hand, the ladies almost fainted due to the shock then started to bawl. Zythandra and Calcipher instinctively went into action to calm everyone down so the Professor can also continue his piece.

"That can't be! How did it happen?" Glass shrieked.

"She planned out everything ahead. Did someone rat her out?" Surge furiously asked.

"We need to save her! What should we do Professor?" The always-thinking-of-himself Beast asked. It may not seem like it but with his friends' safety, nothing's a drag for him.

"If we will save her, we must plan it out flawlessly." Reaper said. He may not have a lot of memories about Kitty, he still is part of them and that is enough reason to take risks.

"I hate to burst your bubbles but you will not save her or even attempt on doing so." The Professor firmly stated.

"But why? Are we just going to let the military do stuff to Kitty? Whatever it is that they do to Anomalies" Glass responded in anger.

"You trained all of us for this. We should do something. We must save her!" Surge burst out.

"You have a battalion of Anomalies, Professor. We're all ears. Tell us how we can rescue her." Beast said.

"I think there's more to this than what the Professor just told us. Professor, can you please explain the details further?" Reaper recommended after thinking about the situation more rationally.

Even before the Professor continued on with his news, Medusa couldn't bear the shock of the fact that one of her closest friends has been taken custody by the military so she walked out of the office. Pandora and Zythandra followed her out. The Professor, Calcipher and the male members of the Student Council were the only ones left. Though Reaper is somewhat calmed down already, it doesn't reflect on the others so Calcipher was the one to talked sense into them.

"I'm hoping that everyone is calmed down." The Professor stated.

The Professor then continued on to share the details of Kitty's capture. He confirmed that it happened during one of her tours in Grand Britain. Even the damages were immense, the military force of the said nation did everything in its power to make sure that it will not blow up. As per the Professor's intel, it has been confirmed that Kitty is not the only Anomaly that was captured from that incident. There were two others.

During one of Kitty's live performances, the platform she and his team is performing on collapsed triggering other platforms to collapse as well. It started from the stage and spread throughout to where the audiences are. Most people were trapped in the rubble. Though it has been validated that there are no casualties, there were numerous reports of wounded people. The victims mostly are the attendees and staff of Kitty's tour.

Kitty initially was caught up with the collapse as she and her backup dancer fell from the elevated stage. Most of their equipment along with debris of their props fell with them as well. She immediately went unconscious alongside others as soon as they dropped straight to the ground. Luckily, her injuries aren't as severe as the others so she took it upon herself to help save the wounded while help is still on the way.

Kitty grabbed the one who is closest to her and carefully searched a safe way out. Not long after, she did find a path that the two of them will fit. She took this path slowly but surely and they eventually reached an open field. Even before they got out of the tunnel-like path, she started to hear cries and screams of people from those who are badly injured and from those who are looking for other people.

This harrowing scene convinced Kitty that she has to do something. Since help isn't around for some reason to tend to the wounded and to search those who are still trapped in the rubble, she has decided to get back in there to look for other victims who are still stuck and couldn't make it out by themselves. She immediately realizes that normal effort wouldn't be much of a difference so she was thinking that she has to be extra. She has to use her Anomaly.

"Fiona! Thank goodness you're alright. Let's me take you to safety." Someone called out to her which appears to be her manager. This person seems to be injured as well due to the incident.

Kitty just looked at her manager blankly then continued on to go inside the maze-like rubble to help other victims. The manager tried to stop her but eventually failed. As Kitty goes deeper and deeper within the rubble, she noticed that it's getting harder to see as goes deeper in the rubble due to the light being obstructed. Despite the challenges from her surroundings, she still managed to save two more people. However, it will be impossible for her to go further into the rubble because it's already in total darkness.

"What do I do? My Anomaly is useful for rescue tasks like this but I can't do anything if I can't see." Kitty muttered to herself. Suddenly, a teenage girl who seems to be one of her fans to her Fiona shirt and headband approached her.

"Fiona? I can't believe it. It is you!" The girl screamed in excitement while holding her arm which is obviously bleeding.

"Yes, it is me. I really am flattered that you recognized me but if you have energy to scream and jump around, you should get yourself to safety or you can call for help or something." Kitty responded to her fan. She finds this fan weirder because she wears a heavily tinted black eyewear which doesn't suit her bright outfit.

"I saw what you were doing inside, Fiona. It will be a great honor if you'll let me help you." The girl said cheerfully it's as if she couldn't feel any pain from her own injuries.

"What do you mean?" Kitty got astonished of what she just heard. She knew the risk of someone seeing her use her Anomaly but to be caught as early as she expected is such a waste of effort.

The girl suddenly smiled at Kitty. She seems to be hiding something and is about to be shared. Surely enough she was really hiding something. She leaned a little closer to Kitty which was a little creepy but she stopped as soon as her face is just a few inches away from Kitty's. She slightly took off her glass revealing an unusual black and green pattern. Her eyeballs are pure black and her pupils are in a light green hue with also green ripple-like patterns surrounding it. Kitty immediately knew that she is also an Anomaly like her.

"See that? I'm an Anomaly like you." The girl whispered to Kitty as she put her eyeglass on which made Kitty speechless. "I saw you earlier making your way into the rubble to save some of the people who are still in there. By making your way, I mean contorting your body inhumanely to squeeze yourself in there."

"There's no way!" Kitty screamed in glee but stopped herself immediately. "You're an Anomaly! That is awesome. Tell me what can you do?" She whispered to the girl.

"I can see through walls but in this case, through rubbles." The girl explained.

"I can never ever wish for another useful Anomaly!" Kitty exclaimed quietly. "Listen, I'll personally give you everything of my merchandise including the limited edition ones plus a free front seat ticket on my next concert if you'll help me save those people. What do you say?"

"Say no more! Having a conversation with yo0u this long is a once in a lifetime gift. To think that the Fiona Goodchild herself will send me gifts is heavenly. I could die tomorrow." The girl happily responded. "I will definitely help you!"

"I almost forgot to ask. What is your name?" Kitty asked.

"Please call me Iris. That's what my friends call me." Iris responded then the two shook hands.

Kitty and Iris made a quick discussion on how to they will save those people who are still trapped inside. They arrived at the consensus that Iris will initially scan the area to see where the locations of those people are and she will relay the information she gathered to Kitty. On the other hand, Kitty has the more difficult task. She may know where to go to save those people but her sight is still impaired since no light is still passing through deeper in the rubble. So, she has to rely on her instinct to accomplish her tasks.

"Are you ready, Fiona? Remember the locations I've told you so it will be easier for you inside." Iris said.

"I have no choice but to be ready. Help seems to be taking time to be here." Kitty responded.

Kitty may have taken her time inside the rubble but she was able to save five more people with Iris' help. However, there are more people trapped even deeper in the rubble. Unfortunately for them, ambulance, fire trucks or even police mobiles aren't in sight still and who knows if there are people dying inside. Kitty and Iris talked it out to see if they can still do something about this predicament they're having but they couldn't think of something right away that is until Iris remembered seeing something odd.

"Actually, I may have found the answer for our problem here. You will not believe this. Even I can't believe my own eyes." Iris started saying.

"Get straight to the point, Iris. What is it?" Kitty responded.

Iris continued to explain that someone inside the rubble might be able to help them with their rescue attempt. A little further where Kitty last saved someone, there was somebody else lying unconscious on the ground. What's astonishing is that this person seems to be cut in half by concrete debris but from what Iris is seeing, this person is still breathing properly. She's hoping that this person also has an Anomaly which can surely be helpful and not a person who is actually cut in half.

"If this person turns out to be one of us, whatever is his Anomaly may be, I'm sure that he'll help us out." Iris excitedly told Kitty.

"How can you tell? This person could be dead by the way you described his situation." Kitty responded.

"Trust me on this. I'm sure that this guy is still breathing fine. My eyes may just be playing tricks on me but I'm sure he's still alive. I'll double check your path so you can get to him." Iris said.

Due to the increasing need of extra hand, Kitty agreed to Iris's idea to go fetch the guy. She slowly but surely went back to where she has been last, went a little further, tried her best not be hurt due to the darkness. A little while later, she stepped on something somewhat soft then she heard someone screamed due to pain. Kitty confirmed that this is the guy Iris saw earlier. She also tried to feel the surrounding debris to make sure and a huge block seems to have fallen on his waist that should to him being cut from the waist down but he sounds to be fine.

"Sorry. Are you alright?" Kitty asked in worry. Even though she's not seeing anything, she tried to comfort the guy.

"I'm still alive if that's what you meant. I just need to remove this heavy concrete that is pinning me down." The guy said.

"Actually, you're not pinned down. You seemed to be cut in half. At least that's what my friend told me. Are you sure you're fine?"

The guy went silent after hearing that someone saw him appearing to be cut in half. He screamed like a distress dolphin, quickly made himself sit up then scooted his way discreetly to where Kitty is currently sitting making the small space become smaller. Kitty took this chance to confirm what happened to the guy's lower half. In her surprise, she felt that it's still intact like nothing happened. She also reached her hand to where the guy originally was to check if there's a hole that he might fitted in explaining the sight of him seemingly being cut in half but there are no holes whatsoever.

"I just realized that it's so dark here and you seem to be the only one here aside from me. How can you lie that a friend of yours saw me earlier?" The guy asked.

"I didn't lie. It's true that a friend of mine saw you earlier. I am here to save you so you can help us save other people." Kitty explained.

"Are you part of the military? I know I'll get caught one day but not in an extraordinary event like my queen, my goddess, my life Fiona Goodchild's concert!" The guy exclaimed and sounded like he's about to cry his lungs out. "I hate this! Fine, take me. There's no more reason to live anymore."

"Well, that turned out way different from what I expected. So, Iris's hunch is true. This guy is mostly likely an Anomaly." Kitty muttered to herself. "Calm yourself down, you silly man. I am Fiona Goodchild! I'm not part of the military or some other organization." She told the guy.

"Wait, No way! My queen, my goddess, my life Fiona Goodchild came to save my mortal ass?" The guy shrieked. "There's no way! Wait, I believe you 90%. Can you sing for me even just a little to make it 100%?"

"Fine. Then you will help us after?"

"Of course, I will. I'll do anything for my queen, my goddess, my life!"

Kitty proceeded to sing a stanza from her latest song. As soon as the guy knew what she's singing, he sang along with her with all his heart. Though he may not have the prettiest voice, he didn't care as long as he can have a duet with his idol. After Kitty gained the guy's trust and made him agree to help them out, they started to head out from the rubble. Before they can even leave their spot, they heard huge rumbling from their surroundings.

Both of them knew that there's a high chance that the debris from above them will collapse but there are no more room to move. The guy instinctively held Kitty tight then concretes, metal beams and some other stuff fell on them. They know that stuff started to fall because their hearing things hitting the ground but they seemed to be avoiding them all even though they're not moving. After the guy was sure that the coast was clear, he grabbed Kitty's hand and ran straight outside.

"Was that you? How did you do that?" Kitty asked in astonishment.

"Short answer. That's my Anomaly." The guy answered confidently.

"Who are you?"

"Oh, call me Momo. Pretty cute, right?"

"It sure is! Thanks for saving me."

"Oh my gosh! My queen, my goddess, my life Fiona Goodchild thanked me in the flesh. I'm so ready to die now!"

Shortly after, Iris noticed them so she fetched them both. Iris seemed to be surprised after seeing who is with Kitty. It turned out that Iris and Momo are both fan club presidents for Kitty from different cities in Grand Britain. Iris is the president of Fiona's Angels in Amaranth City which is the capital of Grand Britain and Momo is the MQMGML's president which stands for "My Queen, My Goddess, My Life" in the neighboring city of Vermilion.

"Girly, I didn't notice that it was you!" Iris approached Momo.

"Hey, girly!" Momo exclaimed. "Can you please pinch me? I still can't believe that Fiona is just standing next to us.

"I can relate 100%. Even now I can't believe I'm helping Fiona save people."

"What do you mean? Oh, so mean you are Fiona's friend who needs my help."

"You got that right, girly! Are you up for the challenge? Fiona's counting on us."

"Wait, does that mean you're an Anomaly too?"

"I sure am. Fiona is too so, fan goals!"

"Oh my gosh! I didn't know. Today is such a blessed day apart from this horrible incident of course."

"I agree but let's cut your catching up to that and let's get to business, shall we?" Kitty butted in. "If you want to rest first that's fine just let me know."

The three of them took a quick rest to plan their next rescue. They each told their Anomaly once again to have everyone be familiarized of what they can do and to come up with the best suited tasks for everyone. Kitty can be inhumanely flexible making her able to squeeze herself through holes. Iris can see through walls within a limited time and distance. Momo can pass through walls may it be his whole body, parts of his body and/or with who or what he's touching.

• Iris = Anomalous Perk: X-ray Vision

• Momo = Anomalous Perk: Phasing

They continued their rescue after a while. Iris was tasked to look for the trapped and the injured, Kitty took care of those people who were trapped nearby and Momo was the one who went deeper into the rubbles where Kitty couldn't reach. Momo is perfect for the job since he can take his phone with him which serves as a torch so he can't have problems seeing in the dark. At this point, help isn't arriving still so they were the ones who saved all of the victims of the incident.

Kitty, Iris and Momo managed to pull out all trapped victims. They put everyone in the field so they can easily be found by their love ones and can easily be treated by the medical professionals once they've arrived. Iris suddenly saw ambulances closing in from the distance and not just that, police mobiles and even military trucks are on their way as well. Seeing ambulances and police mobiles are a relief but accompanied with military trucks is a different thing. Iris told Kitty and Momo the situation immediately.

"This is bad! I appreciate your help. I'll find you two once all of these settle. For now, let's scatter." Kitty instructed.

"I agree. See you when I s-" Iris couldn't finish her words as he became unconscious all of a sudden.

"Iris! What happ-" Momo dropped like a fly on the ground as well.

Kitty was about to approach the when someone from afar told her to stay away from the Anomalies. She looked around and saw dozens of military men circling the area holding a sniper position and pointing at Iris and Momo. Even though both of them are already unconscious, the military are still wary of their presence. Medical professional eventually came in to fetch the injured and police helped clear the area.

"Miss Fiona Goodchild, I repeat, step away from the hostiles." A soldier using a megaphone said. It turned out that the military shot Iris and Momo with tranquilizers using snipers. This made Kitty froze in place as she's not sure of what to do. It's clear that the military and the public see Iris and Momo as Anomalies. She doesn't know if she has to do something or let it all be and go to safety.

No. Kitty won't stand for it. Iris and Momo were the only ones who helped her saved these people that their just picking up in the field who are now out of danger. They were willing to risk their identities for her and ultimately for the public's safety. Some men in uniform started to take Iris's and Momo's unconscious bodies but Kitty went ahead and interfered. However, they were not budging and still continued to take Iris's and Momo's bodies. Kitty was being shrugged and keeps on falling to the ground.

"Take me! I'm an Anomaly!" Kitty screamed her lungs out making everyone who heard her be in shock.

No one can deny that there's a moment of silence that embraced the entire area after Kitty announced that she's an Anomaly. Claiming you're one or even having a slightest doubt that you're an Anomaly will trigger the military's radar. That's why Iris, Momo and others are being taken custody by the military. Now, Kitty was successful in getting the military's attention. She's now being taken along with Iris and Momo less the tranquilizer.

Most of the public couldn't believe what they've witnessed since most of them were attendees of Kitty's concert. Even some of the medical professionals and policemen couldn't believe what they saw. Fans and non-fans alike couldn't fathom the idea of the world-famous Fiona Goodchild is actually an Anomaly. Some may believe that she is since the claim came straight from her but majority of the onlookers are convinced that she just wants to save Iris and Momo. Even though many people saw how the three of them rescue others, they couldn't bring themselves to oppose the military.