"They all think I'm crazy for wanting to leave," Ralph continued, his tone unusually serious. He avoided her gaze, scratching at the back of his head as if embarrassed. "They look at me like I'm some sort of joke. They worship Alpha like he's their savior, and anyone who questions that? Well..." He let out a humorless chuckle. "They treat you like you don't belong. Like you're defective."
The cheetah stared at him for a long moment, her amber eyes unreadable. Then she sighed softly. "You're not the only one who feels that way."
Ralph blinked, surprised. "Wait, you—?"
"Don't get any ideas," she snapped quickly, cutting him off before he could finish. "I'm not saying I trust you. I'm just..." She paused, searching for the right words. "...considering my options."
A smile slowly crept across Ralph's face, the seriousness replaced with his usual sly charm. "Well, that's the nicest way anyone's ever said, 'Ralph, you're my last hope.' I'll take it."
The cheetah rolled her eyes. "I didn't say that."
"Close enough," Ralph quipped, stepping in front of her with a sudden burst of energy. He extended his hand dramatically. "So, what do you say, partner? Team up with the future dictator and break out of this prison together?"
She stared at his outstretched hand like it was something unsanitary. "Don't call me partner," she muttered, though her lips curled into the faintest smirk. After a pause, she reached out and shook his hand firmly.
"The name's Nyx," she said, her tone curt but clear. "Asian cheetah hybrid."
Ralph grinned wide. "Nyx, huh? Nice name. Suits you—mysterious, dangerous, a little scary. I like it." He puffed out his chest theatrically. "I, of course, am Ralph. Future dictator, revolutionary, and everyone's favorite American red wolf."
"I already know," Nyx deadpanned, releasing his hand.
Ralph's grin faltered for a second, but he quickly recovered, winking at her. "You'll get used to my introductions. I'm a big deal, after all."
Nyx ignored him and turned back toward the direction of the event room. "Come on. If Alpha notices we're gone, he'll send patrols after us."
"Right. Good call." Ralph fell into step beside her, though his usual exaggerated swagger was toned down. "So, uh, what now? Are we just gonna go back and pretend we weren't almost Sentinel chow?"
"Not quite." Nyx glanced sideways at him. "During the next gathering, the other endangered species will be there. I need to talk to them. If we're going to escape, we need allies."
"Allies? Oh, you're serious about this!" Ralph beamed, his excitement palpable. "We'll be like a ragtag team of rebels! I'll be the leader, obviously—"
"You won't be the leader."
"Fine, co-leader," Ralph said quickly, undeterred. "And together, we'll storm this place, take down Alpha, and be free! The stuff of legends!"
Nyx shot him a glare. "One step at a time, dictator. We're not storming anything yet. First, we gather information. Then, we plan."
"Yeah, yeah. Baby steps." Ralph nodded eagerly. Then he leaned closer, grinning. "But just so you know, if this works, I'm still taking credit for the idea."
Nyx sighed. "You're impossible."
"I've been told worse."
As they walked back through the cold, metallic corridors, Ralph couldn't help but feel a strange sense of hope bubbling in his chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, he wasn't alone. Nyx was sharp, determined, and clearly capable of handling herself—but she hadn't pushed him away. Not completely, at least.
And that was enough for him.
---
The silence of the event room was deafening when they returned. The massive hall was dimly lit, with hybrids seated on raised platforms like statues, their expressions blank and obedient. At the far end of the room, the enormous holographic face of Alpha loomed—stoic, lifeless, and cold.
Ralph grimaced as they slipped inside, trying to remain inconspicuous. "Creepy, right? Feels like he's watching everyone. I bet he doesn't even blink."
Nyx ignored him, her gaze sweeping across the room. "Do you see the others?"
Ralph squinted, scanning the crowd. On the far side, he spotted clusters of hybrids huddled together—odd species that stood out even among the diverse crowd. Giraffe hybrids with elongated necks, small avian hybrids with sharp eyes, and a few feline hybrids like Nyx, though none of them had her intensity.
"Yeah, they're over there," Ralph muttered, nodding toward the far side. "They look just as miserable as the rest of us."
"They'll need convincing," Nyx said quietly. "Alpha's indoctrination runs deep. Most of them won't trust us."
Ralph smirked. "Lucky for you, I'm a people person."
"More like a nuisance."
"Same thing."
They moved through the room, keeping to the edges to avoid drawing attention. As they neared the gathering of endangered hybrids, Ralph felt Nyx tense beside him.
"Are you nervous?" he teased, leaning toward her.
"No," she replied sharply, though her tone lacked conviction.
Ralph grinned. "Don't worry, Nyx. With me by your side, we'll have them eating out of the palm of our hands."
"Or they'll report us to Alpha and get us killed."
"Hey, I like my version better."
Nyx rolled her eyes, but Ralph didn't miss the faint twitch of her lips—just barely the hint of a smile. For all her cold, calculating exterior, Ralph was beginning to think there was more to Nyx than she let on.
As they reached the edge of the group, a giraffe hybrid glanced up, his yellow eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What do you two want?"
Nyx stepped forward, her expression calm and commanding. "We need to talk."
The giraffe hybrid looked them over, his gaze lingering on Ralph, who offered a cheeky wave. "About what?"
"Freedom," Nyx said simply.
The word hung in the air like a challenge. Around them, other hybrids turned their heads, murmuring softly to one another.
Ralph's grin widened as he stepped forward, arms spread wide. "That's right! Freedom! No more cages, no more rules, and no more Alpha telling us what to do. Who's with us?"
Silence.
Nyx shot him a glare. "You're not helping."
"Give it time," Ralph whispered back. "They just need to warm up to me."
"Or they'll throw you out."
"Optimism, Nyx. It's key."
As the hybrids stared, uncertainty written across their faces, Ralph couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. This was it. The beginning of something bigger than himself. For the first time, he wasn't just the punchline of a joke—he was part of a movement.
And if he had to play the fool to make it work, well...
That was fine by him.