Pain Was Never A Virtue

[Cat]

Gently the Scientist smiled. It was an evil smile. He opened the door to Mira's cage and reached for her. The girl shrunk back in the cage and he growled in irritation. Suddenly he wrapped his hand around her neck and pulled her out like she had the scruff of a dog. Mira screeched in pain and Cat awoke who was sleeping in the cage next to her.

The Scientist next to the one who had pulled Mira out of the cage smiled wickedly at Cat and opened her cage. Before she could fling herself at him in rage, he stuck a needle into her arm, effectively knocking her out. The last thing she heard was Mira's screams and the laughter of the Scientists.
~
When Cat awoke, she was strapped to a chair. Immediately she began trying to break the ties on her, but it was usless. Suddenly she stiffened as she heard Mira screaming. Cat looked up and saw Mira strapped to a table that was angled at 45*. She looked at Cat with terrified eyes and Cat snarled at the two Scientists that stood only a few feet away from Mira.

"What do you plan on doing to her?!" Cat roared.

One turned towards her in a friendly way. "We're going to give her some shots to see if she reacts to anything...badly." An evil smile tugged at his lips and Cat went berserk.

"Lay a finger on her and I'll kill you! And why am I here?" Cat yelled with her face a flushed red color.

"You're here to watch. And we don't take your threats seriously." He smirked slightly and turned to inject the first needle into Mira's arm. She screeched again; after all, what 3-year-old wouldn't scream when given a shot?

Soon her screams began to get fainter as needle after needle was poked into her skin. Mira's eyes slightly rolled back in their sockets, and her body became limp. Cat's eyes widened and she managed to knock around in the chair violently. "If she's dead I swear I'll rip your throats and heart out!"

"She's fine. She merely passed out. We're done anyways. Glad to see the show?" The other Scientist asked with heavy sarcasm.

"Stuff it, bastard." Cat snarled as she dangerously narrowed her eyes.

"The other experiments have gone through it as well. You're next." The Scientist continued like she hadn't spoken.

"You mean the others? Era, Mill, Lexi, Coco, Aaron...even Rane?!" Cat snapped, rage taking over her body. Suddenly she felt herself morfing.

The Scientists stared in shock at her and her figure changed into a large, blood-red eyed wolf monster. Her claws grew and she easiley broke the bonds on her. She flung herself out of the chair and attacked the Scientists.

Mira had woken up at Cat's voice and watched in horror as Cat literally ripped the throats out of the Scientists and killed them ferociously. Soon Cat stopped and stood over their bodies with a grunt. She turned towards Mira and her blood-red eyes gleamed in the light. Cat's eyes softened and she whined lightly at Mira who looked horrified.

Suddenly the door was flung open and several Scientists and Erasers stood there and looked in horror at Cat and their dead comrades. One Eraser suddenly pulled out a gun and aimed at Cat. Cat snarled and tried to leap at them, but with a loud bam, she fell to the floor as blood pooled around her...

*This Was In The Far Past, About 3 Years Ago When The Flock Was Still At The School*

~Cat

[Mira]

*several hours later*

Cat had been bandaged up and put back in her cage with litle Mira, who was still drowzy from her injections. The little girl whimpered when Cat attempted to approach her, her eyes wide as dinner plates. Mira still remember the mean Cat that attacked those scientists and was really scary looking. However, when she saw Cat turn away looking all sad the young girl whimpered a little. This time it wasnt out of fear, but out of concern.

"Mama Cat!" The Little one cried, running over and pratiaclly latching onto the older girl, tears bulleting down her face. her arms were bruised from the injections but she didn't care, she just wanted Cat to feel better. Now, three year olds really can forgive and forget, but Mira would remember the scary cat for a while, but it was rather obvious she wanted to push those thoughts away as she cuddled and hugged her 'mama' "They Hurt you...they took you away! I no want you to leave!"

[Cat]

I blinked at Mira in shock. Shouldn't she be frightened of me and hiding at the other end of the cage? "Oh Mira, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you had to see me like that."

I had been aware the whole time that I contained that vicious monster within me. The Scientists had injected too many batches of Wolf DNA into me and made me that way. I had hoped no one in the Flock would ever find out about my True Form, but I knew, eventually, they'd find out. I just had hoped Mira hadn't found out that way...

[Rane]

Across the room Rane sat silently watching the two of them. Mira and Cat had become the only ones he could talk to, well civilly any way. He could always talk to Lexi, who was three cages over, but he found it was almost like talking to himself. " Are you two alright?" He called over, he felt bad for them. Not that he didn't have his own injuries to worry about. His arm was still bandaged from when one of the scientists had broken it almost a day ago. Sure they healed fast but bones still took a while to heal.

[Cat]

I looked up and moved to the front of the cage to speak to Rane. "I think. Mira had several shots and me...I was..." I bit my lip, wondering if I should tell him I was shot. In my opinion, my killing the two Scientists had shown them; 'We're still here, and we're tired of being used.' Shaking my head, I knew he could probably see the bandages that covered my entire chest. Bastards didn't even leave me a shirt, and I was covered with the uncomfortable gauze from my stomache to the base of my throat.

"I was shot when I...killed...two of the Scientists. I decided to show those bastards who's the stronger species." I lightly bared my teeth, but on the inside, I was trembling. Now that I had killed two Scientists, they'd probably, 'Put Me Down', as they liked to call it. Any Experiment that didn't cooperate and was considered a threat was given a lethal injection. Every time an Experiment was killed, all you could hear were their dying screams, that'd make you think you were next...

[Rosepetal]

Subira turned round and round in her cage. She roared. Where was Ruby? she couldn't rest she couldn't eat... Those scientists were doing something to her, Subira just knew it. When her faint whimpers had stopped, Subira had gone nuts, killing the nearest Eraser with a single swipe of her paw and ripping another's chest into shreds. She could bone through the blood and torn skin as five more piled on her and stuck her with a dart. The world had started spinning, and when it had stopped, she had woken up in her cage, a huge sore on her neck and her sister still gone. She roared again, louder. She started gnawing on her cage bars, and the Eraser guards poked her with a shock-stick. Just then two scientists came in, carrying her sister's limp form. There were new things grafted onto her back, large red wings. Her shirt was slit in half, and her back was bloody and torn where the wings joined her body. Subira liked to stay in lion form, just in case an Eraser felt like trying to take her on, but now she morphed, moving to the edge of her huge cage and sticking her arm through the bars and trying to touch Ruby's limp form. She heard her door clank open and a rough Eraser fist grabbed her tail and dragged her out. It took her a second recover, and then she put all her energy into transforming as fast as she could. But before she was half-way done, a Scientist stuck yet another dart in her shoulder. It was a sting she reconized well. She felt herself slipping, turning into her human form, slipping into a deep sleep. She struggled, but it was no use. The Eraser carried her solemly into the white lab, and set her face down on a table. She was still struggling, and she saw a scapel flash before her eyes, and then a horrid, screaming pain before the darkness swelled, and devoured her.

[Cat]

I stiffened as I heard the roar of another Experiment from farther down. I shivered, knowing pain had come to it. I looked towards Rane, and seeing no Scientists or Erasers around I called out lightly; "We need to escape. All of us." My eyes widened in terror as I smelt blood, and my body quaked in thoughts of my True Form. Please don't let me transform in the same cage as Mira, and with the others so close by! Yet my body and mind calmed down and I settled for leaning against the cage, shivering as sweat beaded my forehead. We needed to get out...even if we died trying...

[Mira]

Mira accepted Cats apology obviously because she stayed close to her. The Little girl smiled contently as she stayed practically glued to the older girl, trying to not pay attention to the Roars. But when she heard them, she burried her face it Cats side, not wanting any of it to be real. The tiny girl shifted into her kitten form and hid behind Cat, sniffling a little bit.

"I Okay Rane...just scared." the Little girl whimpered, her entire body shaking helplessly. "No More scarry things please." the Little one whimpered

[Cat]

I turned with saddened eyes to Mira. "Man, I wish something could be-" I was going to continue when three Scientists and two Erasers came stalking towards our cage.

"Mira, hide in the back." I whispered lightly.

I moved to the front and snarled as they stopped in front of the cage. "What do you numbskulls want?! Haven't you hurt us enough in one day?!"

"On the contrary," One drawled, "we're here to take you away." He grinned and immediately I knew what they meant.

"Bastards! Think you can just kill us off left and right just because we're not exactly human any more?! You're wrong! We have hearts, minds, souls, and feelings!" I shook with anger and fear. I had to think fast.

"Your time is up." The Scientist said with a sudden coldness that chilled me right to the bone. Now it was time to fight or die!

[Rane]

(Rane is going to stay silent for a lil bit ^.^)

Anasazi rolled her eyes at the other two Scientists. "Alright you two, enough." She ordered as she stepped closer to Cat's cage. ''So this is the mutated mutant huh?'' She thought aloud to herself with a small chuckle. "Alright now listen here, I am going to give you one last chance to live." She stated as she looked at the mutant girl. "Well there are two things we want from you, but right now we will focus on one thing." She added as she motioned an Eraser forward. "Take the kitten to the room." She ordered. The Eraser opened Cat's cage and snagged Mira quickly before shutting it again. He smiled evilly at Cat before moving back behind Ana. "Now here is my first offer. You have to go through a couple of test courses, and save this little mutant, or we kill you and the rest of them." She explained crossing her arms over her chest. "So which will you choose?"

[Cat]

I stared at her and at Mira who was in the Eraser's arms. Fury overwhelmed me and I had a plan. I suddenly smiled secretly to myself. Bingo. We have a way.

"Alright," I snapped coldly, trying not to show how excited I was. "I'll do your tests, and I'll pass with flying colors." A light smirk crossed my face at the challenge.

"Now, what kind of tests do you want? I warn you I won't be the kindest person in the world if it's gruesome." And I meant it, too.

[Mira]

It wasnt exactly hidden that the three year old was absolutely terrified at the moment. First, she had thought the Erasers were gonna take Cat away from them and make her dissapear like some of the other experiments. Now, Mira was yanked out of the cage in kitten form and she couldn't help but start to mewl in absolute terror. Tiny kitten claws dug into the Erasers clawed hands causing him to growl loudly at the kitten. Mira meowed helplessly, trying to escape but failing miserably.

"Mama!" The Kitten mewled desprately, shaking in the Erasers clawed hands. She wanted to be safe with Cat and Cat was her mama so she wanted to be safe with her!

[Cat]

I bared my teeth lightly at the Eraser that held Mira; reminding him who was the 'Ultimate Eraser'. "And again, I do remind you, hurt Mira or anyone else...I'll kill you." My eyes were hard as the plan swirled around in my mind. I already knew what I was going to do; I just hoped the ending would be the same.

First, I'd go through their tests, save Mira...and then it got nasty. I'd make myself transform for the second time in 24 hours into my True Form and attack and kill anyone that got in my way. Afterwards, I would rush out to the cages and set as many experiments as I could, free. I knew most of the Experiments would not go with us, but I knew at least a few would. Maybe we would be like Maximum Ride's Flock. You don't think their legend hasn't spread, do you? We all know about them, and we envy them. We revere the stories and we weave our own lives into it. Hopefully, ours will be better.

[Rane]

Ana's smirk faded as she heard the kitten mewling helplessly behind her. Even though she knew that it was really a mutated little girl in the form of a kitten it still registered on her animal lover radar. She gritted her teeth and tried to block it out. "Oh no need to worry about it being ugly Cat. It's really simple just run through a few mazes and disable a few puzzles and then you can how the little fuzz ball back." She explained as if she were talking to a three year old. "Oh and then of course you have to follow through on our second test, and I might be able to pull some strings to get you and your pack of misfits better living conditions." Ana smiled and leaned down to eye level with Cat. "Our second test is that we want a pure breed mutant, of course since your the oldest that means you and one of the males...of your choosing of course."

[Cat]

I stared at the Scientist like she had lost her mind. So I voiced my opion. "What the hell? Are you all insane?"

I looked at the Eraser that held Mira. "Cover her ears, please." The Eraser strangely did as it was told and I drew in a large breath.

"#$#^&*)&)(@#$@#@$^&(%^#$!" I exclaimed in such a fury, I didn't even understand half of what I said. I had to admit, this was the most freakin HI-LAR-I-OUS joke they've pulled yet. (Hint the sarcasm in my voice!)

"Read. My. Lips. Kusa. You. All." I snarled violently.

*Gets Kicked By Rosepetal* -I know, I cussed in Japanese! Leave me alone! T_T-

[Rosepetal]

Ruby woke up and whimpered. the wings on her back hurt so badly. They must have Subira now, she thought. i wonder what wings they'll give her. Her puppy mind was already wondering. she heard a meowing noise, like a kitten in trouble. She sent a wave of relaxation, confidence, and courage in that general direction, trying to seek out the kitten in particular. But that was Subira's job, so she couldn't be sure that she helped. But at least she tried. She transformed, and found with a yelp that her new wings didn't like being sucked in. But now she was a little red puppy, and she ran in circles trying to catch that elusive tail. She barked happily, and the Erasers standing guard shifted their feet. She didn't have to have Subira's gift to know that they want to have fun too, but the scientists would only let them fight and kill and maime. The door opened wide, and three scientists rolled Subira in on an operating table. She was curled up in human form, with gleaming black wings firmly attached to her back. They dumped her in the cage, and slammed the door before she could jump up. Subira snarled, then relented. She settled down, and eyed the Erasers incredulously. Ruby continued to chase her tail, and the scientists laughed. Ruby jumped around catching imaginary prey, then doing half-flips in the confined space. nothing could bring this puppy down!

[Rosepetal]

Subira growled. She could sense very strong emotions further down the hallway. Someone was NOT happy. in any sense of the word. in fact, her anger aura was so strong, Subira could hear her angry shouts (she winced at all the cuss words and tucked the new ones in the back of her brain) inside her head. She smiled and whispered the news to her sister. Ruby frowned, and sent out another wave of good feelings. Subira cocked her head and noticed that others in the area lightened up, but the other stayed angry. Subira shook her head. Ruby stamped her paw, and sent out a mood change so strong, probably the whole school felt it. She growled. The noise got much louder, as Experiments perked up and began to play and have fun, and the Erasers at the door ran in circles trying to find a tail. Subira just felt optimistic, and slowly crawled toward the door of the cage, she quietly opened it and slipped out. The Erasers didn't notice. Subira transformed, winced, and leapt high, latching her claws onto the cealing. She leapt from there to a beam,a nd crawled out the door over the Eraser's heads. Ruby just sneaked around them. Subira purred in triumph, but it wouldn't last long. Two scienitsts, followed by five Erasers, spotted the two, and they made a dash for it. Subira ran ahead, her golden fur flat against the wind she created. Ruby followed in her wake. They turned a corner and crashed into a room. A dead end. Ahead was a scienitst and several Erasers, one holding a kitten. in the surrounding cages, several various mutants sat in their cages. Ruby whimpered. Would the scienitsts put her down, just because she lifted the mood? Would they know it was her? She reconized the scientist ahead and whimpered again. She crouched and barked at the Erasers. Subira crouched too, but she didn't bark. She attacked. The Eraser holding the kitten was first. She swatted the kittten gently away, and purred sweetly, telling her to close her eyes. She was on the Eraser, cracking his neck and moving on. She was an efficent killer, and she finally came to the scientist. Meanwhile, ruby had been opening cages. She just felt like it, and then she turned to help her sister. But a dart came whisling in, and it hit Subira. She roared, then made a choking sound. slowly she fell, then started transforming. Her new wings covered her face. Erasers grabbed her, and Ruby too. They were hustled out, and then the Erasers went for the other escapers.

[Cat]

I started in shock at the mutant that opened my cage. Yelling a quick thanks, I launched my self at the female Scientist. I knocked her over and gave a feral growl at the Erasers. I leapt at one and easily tore his throat out in my wolf form. Blood splashed onto the ground and I practically rolled in it in joy. I heard an Experiment roar and fall, so I knew it was time to get going. I quickly ran and began unlatching cage doors.

"Run and follow Rane!" I screeched for anyone that wished to follow us.

I unlocked a few more doors and grabbed Mira in my bloody teeth by her kitten scruff. My eyes went wide at the Erasers blocking our way out. Alright, they wanted death so badly, then who was I not to give it to them?

I allowed myself to turn into my True Form but I held my mind strong. I easily swatted a few unconcious with my wings, and attack one with my claws. I turned to a nearby Scientist and easily bit into their leg. I felt my teeth hit the main artery, and they fell to their knees, screaming in pain. I glared at a few Scientists, and they got the message to stay away or die.

I grabbed Mira up again and rushed towards the door as other Experiments went rushing out. We were free once we ran the length of the hallway!

Three Erasers stood there but scrambled away in panic and fright as they saw over twenty Experiments charging them. I hit the door with blinding speed and crashed through it. As soon as I felt grass beneath my paws, I took off into the air as my black wings unfurled from my normal wolf form. I glanced down to see other Experiments running and I saw a few come up to the air. I lightly helped Mira crawl up to sit on my back between my wings where she'd be the safest.

"If you want to follow me and have a Flock like Maximum Ride, then do so. But if you wish to be free elsewhere, then go." My voice raised over the roar of the School's alarms and the screams of Scientists, Erasers, and Experiments.

My eyes swept around and I waited for others to join me. I glanced around and spotted several friends I had made that looked like they were deciding they wanted to come with. Some of them were Rane, Lexi, Mill, Coco, Era, and Aaron.

"You six coming with?" I asked once I drifted down closer to them. They had to decide quickly where we could quickly leave this god-forsaken place!

[Rane]

Rane was stunned by what the Scientist had asked of Cat. 'How dare she?!' His mind howled in outrage he was so angry he almost missed what was happening now. When he finally calmed enough he spotted the female scientist on the ground and Cat out of her cage. His own cage door was wide open and he didn't miss the chance of getting out of there. Not caring if he injured himself he threw his weight forward and launched out of the small cage. He hit the ground in his snow leopard form with his wings pulled against his sides to keep them from getting injured. He scanned the chaos hoping to find Cat and the others. He spotted them not to far away and rushed over careful not to hit the other experiments rushing past him. "Of course we are coming Cat!" He called to her as he changed back into his human form. "Now lets get the heck out of here!"

[Mira]

Mira was too confused and too scared to let out any sign that she was even concusses at the moment because she was now getting out of the place she was terrified of. Mira clung onto Cat desperately in her kitten form, staying nestled between cats wings amidst her fur. The Kitten looked absolutely content in the little fury ball as she looked absolutely adorable like that. It was one of those things that proved that beauty could come from even hell holes like the school. Mira’s wings did not allow her to fly to well, she could if it were an emergency but she hadn’t exactly perfected the landing thing, so she figured it would be best just to be with Cat during the whole incident.

Mira had actually started to fall asleep during the whole thing ((something that young children tended to do when they were physically or emotionally exhausted)) when a bunch of Erasers had rushed out after the group. However, soon they were faced with a giant man eating Whitecoat who tore at bodies of what it looked to be the flock members. The Erasers hightailed it back inside and the thing disappeared as soon as it came. Now, Mira had no idea what she had just done, primarily do the fact she had her eyes covered by her tail, trembling like a leaf.

”Nightmare man came back!” She whimpered softly, burying herself in cat’s fur.

((presenting the first time Mira’s powers start acting up!