In the Night

Chapter 1
Aftermath

On January 5th in the year 2012, due to a government funded yet highly unethical scientific experiment, a deadly virus broke out around the globe.
Anyone who was infected began mutating, their very genetic code transforming on a molecular level, becoming more animal like.
Fur, fangs, scales, wings, tails and even gills were quickly becoming the norm.
After the physical changes, the mental traits would soon transform, making people territorial, primal, violent and sometimes cannibalistic.
Two days after the psychotic break, blood would pour from every orifice of the infected's body due to massive rupturing of blood vessels.
Two weeks after exposure was death.
It was the most terrifying thing man had yet faced.
On august 12th of that same year a miracle cure was invented that also acted as a vaccine, it was administered to every living human on the planet.
But that didn't reverse the physical changes though the chemicals did reverse most of the violent effects in the brain even if it didn’t reverse them all.
So now a new species of human walks among us, frozen in different stages of transformation, different breeds of beast.
The proper term for them would be Anthromorphic Humanoids, but the general population simply called them 'Hybrids' for they were a Race of animal/human blends.
In the last two years Scientists have tried to reverse the effects countless times, but they have failed.
Hope has been lost, hybrids live & thrive, they aren’t going anywhere..

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The Gato Loco was one of the most popular dance clubs in New York City.
A Hybrid/Human mixer that made hard drinks, played heavy music and awakened a person's inner primal instincts.
It was the spiritual embodiment of the City itself.
The beat was loud; the thumping of the base and the zing of the guitar echoed down into the bartender's very soul...it was so addictive in fact she had a hard time not dancing as she mixed her customers drinks.
“You just can’t stand still can you?"
Aeris Johnson twitched a black fur covered ear in amusement, signaling that she recognized her younger but still twin sister's voice.
"And your point?"
The Egyptian Mau hybrid replied as she turned to face the bumblebee at the counter.
Jewel Johnson snorted as she fluttered her iridescent wings, the reflections from the strobe lights and disco ball catching and dancing along the thin shiny membrane.
"One of these days you’re going to spill a drink all over your customer, and then they’ll sue you for ruining some crazy expensive jacket or something."
Aeris laughed as she slammed the shot down onto the counter, her emerald eyes gleaming.
"Not bloody likely, BLUE BALLS ON THE ROCKS!"
With a shove she slid the drink down the bar, landing it safely in the hands of the customer who ordered it.
The human threw back the shot and slammed the empty glass back down onto the counter.
"WOOHOO Kitty Cat you know how to make em!"
The cat laughed as she watched her tipsy client sway his way to the dance floor and proceed to grind up on a very provocatively dressed brown haired, blue eyed crane hybrid who seemed to not mind his company at all much to the displeasure of her current dancer.
Thankfully he simply shrugged and turned to dance with a blue bird of paradise thus avoiding a potential crisis.
Jewel leaned up against the bar, her red tub top dipping low enough to offer an ample amount of cleavage to a hungry eye.
But the occasional angry buzz kept any unwanted potential courters from touching.
Aeris plopped her rump onto the counter, lifted her long black and green striped clad legs above her head and spun around to face the dance floor.
"So how’s the human boyfriend?"
The cat purred fluttering her eyelashes teasingly at her sister, tail twitching with mischief.
Jewel snorted and eyed any potential bedmates that happened to be on the dance floor.
"Dunno he and I split a couple days ago, I caught him in bed with a pink haired, Tree Frog hybrid named Lola."
Aeris snorted in amusement as her sister emphasized the name sarcastically.
"Well it takes all kinds I suppose."
Jewel looked up to answer but just grinned instead.
Then she felt it, the presence at her side that made her instincts awaken and her body twitch with need.
"Takes all kinds for what?"
A rich voice sounded in her ear, smooth and luscious like her favorite dark chocolate, bathing her in delight at the sound.
Aeris turned to face her boyfriend, her pupils dilating slightly when she caught the heady scent of His usually cologne, which was her personal favorite.
"People, to make the world."
Marshall leaned up against the bar, his bright blue eyes sparkling under the strobe lights and behind his thin glasses.
Oh the stories those eyes told, she could still see the last time they were together in them. Hot gasps, desperate tears, whispered I love yous between heavy kisses.
The cat shook her mind mentally as the male in front of her caught her attention with a knowing smirk.
"Very true...How’s business?"
Aeris chuckled softly at her jackal lover.
"Great as always, there will always be people, who want to drink, dance or get laid."
He let out a hearty laugh which always made Aeris giggle.
Marshall suddenly grabbed the cat and pulled her off the bar into a tight hug.
"God I've missed you kitten, I was gone too long."
Aeris nuzzled his chin.
"I know darling and I've missed you as well."
A sudden tap on her shoulder drew the cat's attention back to her sister with a scowl.
"What?"
Jewel was looking across the room, a glare taking over her features.
"I don't want to interrupt your guys' moment but we have company and your not going to like it."
Aeris looked to where her sister had nodded and let out a dark hiss.
Three female hybrids and two males were sauntering their way toward the bar.
Aeris felt all her fur stand on end as the snake hybrid slithered her way into the cat’s personal bubble and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
"Well Aeris, it seems your clan has been doing great for yourselves."
Aeris Growled
"And what have I done to receive the honor of having high members of the Dead Blood Clan come visit me in my establishment?"
The snake, whose name was Angelica, sighed and examined her long manicured nails.
"No reason just came to visit an old friend."
Jewel buzzed angrily.
"We are no friends of yours! You tried to have us hunted down!"
Angelica sighed as she looked back at the bat and koi hybrids behind her.
"Must we dive down such unpleasant memories?"
Aeris growled.
"We were almost killed because of you, unpleasant is a fucking understatement."
The Snake glared as she replied, Anger hissing along her tongue.
"Now, now Aeris, is that any way to speak to a clan mate?"
A load roar ripped itself from Aeris's throat as the cat leapt off the bar, pupils thinned to narrow slits.
"Clan mate!?! You are no clan mate of mine!"
Angelica let out a hiss as her friends glared menacingly, carefully watching the Jackal and Bee for any signs of attack.
"Quite the contrary, I was married to your brother, I received the color in my hair, I am nearly Equal to you!"
She retorted as she yanked at the pink streak in her reddish brown hair, brown eyes gleamed angrily.
Aeris laughed, her purple tips catching the light of the strobes.
"Bullshit! You may have received a color in your hair, but that means NOTHING! Anyone can dye their hair; we only do that for amusement. Yes you were married to my brother but you aren't anymore besides he is now a nomad by his own choice and further more you never received the tattoo of the Zodiac clan!"
With that Aeris turned back to the bar and jumped over it, revealing the Black scorpion and red rose tattoo that marked her back just above her Black and green skirt and just below her sheer tank top.
Angelica turned to glare at Marshall and Jewel who continued to stand nearby also taking note that they to had Zodiac tattoos, Jewel's was a brown ram's head with daisies on her left breast just showing above her shirt while Marshall's was also a black scorpion but instead of roses the insect was surrounded by ferns on his upper left arm, opposite to his gold and red phoenix, both well toned arms were open to inspection.
Angelica sniffed sensing that she had been dismissed.
"Well you should know, the winds of change shall blow soon enough, the Zodiac clan WILL fall and when it does the Dead Blood clan will be ready to take its place."
And with a hiss the five unwelcome guests turned and left the premises.
Aeris leaned against the bar after refilling a guy's beer; a troubled look crossed her face.
"We need to warn Vater & Mutter."
Jewel looked at her puzzled.
"Why."
Aeris turned a stern eye on her slightly younger twin.
"Because that wasn't a warning, it was a threat."
Marshall sighed and stretched.
"Lets save this talk for a more appropriate place, meanwhile Aeris clock off early a come dance with me."
Aeris grinned and signaled Amy, a dark haired human waitress, that she was taking off early to enjoy a little downtime before she went home.
After making sure Amy was okay to close up by herself, the cat gracefully followed her lover to the dance floor where a fast paced rap song began to play.
"So...."
Aeris started as she turned her back to the Jackal and sank into his arms, noticing not for the first time, how well she seemed to fit.
"What gives? You usually hate dancing."
Marshall leaned forward slightly, inhaling the sent of his Lover, and then pulling back before he lost the will to fight, taking his Kitten there on the floor.
"Nothing I just missed you is all, I was on assignment for far too long."
Aeris hid a smile as she caught the aroused scent that flowed from her boyfriend.
She arched her hips up gently, rubbing her rump against his front and stifled a giggle when she felt him harden slightly.
God knew how she loved to tease him.
She felt his hand tighten as he yanked her hips firmly against him and shivered as he hissed in her ear.
"You’re playing with fire Kitten, you might get burned."
Aeris turned in his arms to face him and grinned cheekily.
"That’s okay, I'm flame proof."
Marshal nipped her neck in response.
"Come on, let’s go talk to Vater."
The couple signaled to the bumblebee trying her moves on a blushing Carmel skinned, black haired Latino Boy, and slipped out of the building.
"So we taking your car?"
Aeris asked her lover who smiled at her.
"If you want."
Jewel jumped up and down.
"Hell yeah Aeris's car isn't as smooth a ride as yours, in fact it’s down right irritating."
The jackal laughed as the cat threw a half hearted glare and they piled into his black GTO with green flames.
With a roar of the engine and Korn blasting from the speakers Marshall put the car in gear and the trio sped off into the night.