The sound of Juno's paws pounding against the ground filled the dark forest as the giant feline ran straight ahead. Juno ducked and dodged around trees and rocks as her gaze remained forward. On her back stood Nox who watched Juno guide her. Nox's nerves were wracked as she attempted to mentally prepare for the battle ahead. Hitsu sat crouched on Juno's head, his gaze just as focused and determined as Juno's.
"Hey Hitsu," Nox called up to the hero, "how do we know we're going the right way?"
"Don't worry," Hitsu responded, "Juno's got really good hearing."
"Alright," Nox said. "I can do this, I'm ready," she assured herself.
"Alright Nox," Hitsu interrupted, "if things get too dangerous you get on Juno and get to safety, I'll make sure Joy gets out of there."
"No way!" Nox complained, "I'm not gonna leave you alone to fight for my family."
"This isn't up for debate Nox," Hitsu said sternly, "this is dangerous. You could get hurt, maybe even die, and I'm not gonna let that happen."
Nox stayed silent for a moment before she spoke again. "Fine, I'll leave... But only if you promise me."
"Promise?" Hitsu said in confusion.
"Promise me that you'll make it out alright, I won't run away unless I know for sure."
Hitsu looked back at Nox. She showed no sign of joking, her face was completely serious as was her tone. Hitsu turned so he could face her and held his hand down to her.
"Alright," he said, "I promise."
With a smile, Nox reached out and shook Hitsu's hand. "Good," she said, "if worse comes to worst I'll get out of there."
Hitsu smiled just like Nox, both of them seemed happy with their agreement. The two were brought back to reality when Juno's pace began to slow. Hitsu and Nox quickly turned to look at what had caused Juno to stall.
"What is it, girl?" Hitsu asked.
Juno let out a quiet meow as the humans scanned the area. They quickly found what they were looking for. Straight ahead was a small clearing in the forest. Grass seemed to avoid the clearing like a plague as the ground consisted of nothing but solid rock. Filling the clearing was dozens of shadows, all of them giving off an aggressive aura.
"There's so many of them," Nox whispered.
"About thirty," Hitsu whispered back, his eyes darting from shadow to shadow.
Nox watched attentively, hoping to find any sign of the shadow that possessed her sister. Despite her best efforts, her eyes found not a trace of Joy. To her surprise, Nox did see the shadows aggressiveness turned towards each other. Some of the shadows growled and snapped their jaws at their brethren.
"What are they doing?" Nox asked.
"If I had to guess I would say that they know they messed up," Hitsu responded.
"You're talking about how they took Joy and not my mom right?" Nox asked without averting her gaze.
"Yeah," Hitsu answered, "I think they're scared of whoever sent them. That person is also how so many of them were able to teleport into the house."
"Wait," Nox said with a slight sense of panic in her voice, "That person was that close to my house?"
"Not nessicarliy," Hitsu said helping calm Nox. "Some of the bigger and more powerful shadows can teleport through cast shadows, like that one back in the shopping district. But if someone had enough time and the right power they could easily teleport a large group of shadows."
"So that's why they took so long to attack," Nox said.
"Most likely," Hitsu responded.
Before either of them could say another word a sudden sound stopped them both. It was the sound of muffled crying, but not any crying, it was a babies crying.
"Joy!" Nox barley managed to whisper.
The two located the source of the sound as the largest shadow in the group, the one who happened to be the farthest away. It seemed the other shadows heard the noise as well as they all stopped to turn their heads in the large shadows direction. The largest shadow turned its head to the side and slowly opened its mouth. Hitsu and Nox watched in horror as Joy gently fell out of the shadow's mouth and was set on the ground below. Her crying was no longer muffled and the shadow's anger seemed to only increase. The largest shadow raised its one of its front paws high into the air, its claws shined in the moonlight.
Nox gasped in fear of what was to come. "Hitsu!" She said paniced.
"Juno! Go!" Hitsu shouted.
Without hesitation, Juno sprinted into the clearing before leaping high into the air. All of the shadows turned in time to see the cat land in the middle of them all, crushing two shadows in the process. As the smokey remains of the shadows surrounded the three Hitsu and Nox jumped off of Juno's back. Nox lifted one leg, ready to defend herself while Hitsu's arms became surrounded by neon.
"You ready Nox?" Hitsu called over Juno.
"Yeah," Nox replied, "I'm ready. Let's do this!"
With those words, the two waited for the shadows to begin their attack. To their surprise, the shadows only movement was to raise their heads to the sky. Every single one let out a howl that sounded more pain filled than battle ready.
"What's going on?" Nox asked concerned.
"I...I don't know," Hitsu said just as concerned.
In an instant, the shadows all threw down their heads and turned. The twenty-seven remaining shadows all charged towards the largest who backed away from Joy. The shadows collided with the largest but instead of pushing him back, they began to sink into him. Hitsu, Nox, and Juno watched in horror as the already large shadow began to grow. Larger and larger with every shadow that fell into its body the shadow grew. Its legs seemed to melt away, its front paws began to resemble arms, and its face blended into a horrifying mix of human and monster.
With every last shadow fused together the monstrous amalgamation let out a deafening roar. The force of the roar seemed to push the three back as they covered their ears in pain. Overcome with pain, Juno shrank back to her original size in a flash.
Three challengers and a monster stood in a clearing, in the middle of them all...
...Lay a crying baby.
...
End of Episode 15