This world hasn’t been the same since the incident. Many of us don’t know what caused it, but what we know is that it left us with a world which had forever changed. Women all over the globe fell ill with the same mysterious symptoms. A boiling fever that left their skin damp to the touch. Misty eyes covered with a glass-like film. But most chilling, a belly suddenly great with child. The scientist said that it was the first sign of the great collapse, and before we could react the women gave birth. Children without fathers, was suddenly the least of our concerns cause the infants were accompanied by… animals. I am one of those children, and Sir is my birth animal. After my mother died giving birth to me and him, my father hadn’t been capable of raising us both. I picture myself in his arms as he with a tearfully wretched face delivers us at the orphanage. That’s at least what I hope had happend.

His jetblack eyes stares at me like i’ve done something wrong. I know it’s his job to make me question my actions, but the way he does it hits like syringes through the heart. “Can you for once please stop staring like I just killed someone?” I say with a whisper. I know it’s a long shot to ask him. Instead of a follow-up question, he just slithers on. “Just making sure you don’t land yourself in trouble,” he hisses almost like he’s about to give up on me. I let out a sigh before eyeing the beautifully lit window casting a dim light a few feet above my head. The silhuette of a slender figure had peaked my interest.

Since my birth Sir has been my only companion. The time at the orphanage would have been pure torture hadn’t it been for him cuddling up next to me to ease the pain. We’d both been abandoned shortly after birth, but as if God existed he had placed us together. In this world, where nothing is of the ordinary, we have travelled together like brothers.

“Misty!”

My pet humans’ voice calls me. I rush to her, meowing happily. She reaches down, to let me pet her hand. Yet, she always scratches my head before I pet her- weird. I place my paw on top of her hand, and pet it. I groom her fingers, picking up all the little dust trapped between her nails and skin. I smile at her, and ask her for some food.

“Me hungwy. Can you cook fwood?”

I know she doesn’t know what I’m saying, but she seems to understand. I don’t know why the pet cooks the food for the owner. But I guess its’ always that way? I’ve seen all the other owners getting fed by their Pets, so it’s nothing new.

I can smell the fresh scent of fish. I race to where my pet cooks, and stare at her. She doesn’t notice me, as she’s just finishing up the meal. But pretty soon, she hears my meows. And gives me a piece of fish.

“Hooway!”

Might make a part 2 since nothing really happened.

Everyone had an amazing pet at birth, some got foxes, wolves, dogs, dragons, unicorns, or cats. The moment one child is born into the world, an animal companion is too. These animals are immortal, staying with their owners till the end. Of course, I had to get the smallest, most wimpy creature ever, a mouse. I do love it, really! But why couldn’t I have got a canine like my brother? Or a cat like my sister Mary? Nibbles is a great pet, small enough to carry in my pocket, but I am tired of seeing kids walk the hallway with horses and dragons while I am stuck with a mouse on a wheel in my locker! I love my mouse, yet I am so tired of getting bullied! Then, one day . . . My perspective changed.

Two Days Ago . . .

“Hey nerd! Quite playing with your toy!” Austin, the biggest jerk ever, says. I grab Nibbles’ in his ball and pull him to my chest. “He is not a toy!” I retort. Austin throws back his head and laughs, and his dumb dragon does to. “You know, Mrs. Fox said that our animal resembles our personalities, so you must be weak and meek like a mouse.” He says. “And you must be a jerk like a dragon.” I smirk. Austin looks shocked, and then grabs Nibbles while I scream, “no!” Everyone in the hallway turns to look at me, including Leo, the cutest, smartest boy ever. “Say bye to your toy!” Austin exclaims throwing the ball on the ground. I watch in horror as the ball shatters, and expect to see a dead mouse. But instead, a cloud of sparkles swirls around the ball and a massive creature emerges. It has emerald grin eyes and a light grey body. Its teeth shine like stars and Its claws are sharp like daggers. The creature is so big, it makes the dragon look tiny. “Nibbles!?” I exclaim in shock. The creature wags its furry tail and nuzzles me, then turns and growls at Austin. “Ahhh!!” Austin screams, and the dragon does to. I jump on Nibbles’ back as he runs after Austin.

Looks can be deceptive, so be careful. A harmless mouse can become a vicious guardian and a dragon can become a scaredy cat. Kids can be that way to, so don’t go judging people on how they look and their size. Just like mice, kids and adults can be tiny but mighty!

Jesse followed Marina to the strange spiral stairs only this time they stopped at floor 6 The room was as far as the eye could see and filled with doors on both sides of the wall as Marina sauntered down the hall Jesse looked around the flooring below them was clear and above them had the same swirling mist there were many doors down the corridor but marina stopped at number 66

“Here we are dearie, don’t let any of my darlings out,” Marina said as she lowered herself into an almost squatting position then slowly opened the door and caught what looked to be a little dragon cat only it was a skeleton but it was alive in an odd way

“Blasé how dare you try to escape.” Marina said as she picked up the dritten “Oh come on in dearie they don’t bite.” She said as she led Jesse into her office room it was a circle-shaped room with a desk to the left, and straight across was a bay window where more dritten's sat as marina went behind her desk she motioned for Jesse to sit

“Alright, dearie what was your living name?.” Marina said as she put on her reading glasses and held a folder

“It’s Jesse.”

“Well, Jesse I’m sorry to say but you need a reaper name the over-world can’t recognize you,” Marina said gently

“I thought Humans couldn’t see grim reapers,” Jesse asked

“Well, they can and can’t per se when you find something in the overworld that remedies you of your old self you become slightly visible, or when you find a meaning Grim reapers have no purpose except to bring souls for the Grim Council to decide their fate.” Marina responded

“So the Grim Council wants you to collect this soul,” Marina said As she slid the file to Jesse

“How am I supposed to -oww,” Jesse said as he looked and saw that a dritten was clawing at his boots

“Morros! No, no we don't bite friends.” Marina said as she walked around the desk and picked up the dritten “Hey I know what your reaper name could be, Morros.” Marina said

“OK,? But how do I get back to the living?.” Morros asked

“Your scythe silly, if you look at the blade and imagine where you want to be teleports you. Then to get back do the same thing.” Marina said “Oh my it's getting late, if you want you can take the phone with you so you know which soul to take but right now I need to get you to your dorm chamber.” marina said ad she sat the dritten down on the cat tower by the window when morros and marina were in the corridor they walked down the hall to the elevator and went to floor seven. Floor seven was a wider hallway with doors Marina stopped at door 6 and opened the door

“Here you are dearie,” Marina said “Oh, and here's this if you need to contact me.” Marina fishes in her red trench coat and pulls out a black bracelet with an orb in the center “Thanks.” morros says as Marina shuts the door quietly morros walks over to the bed and lies down this is not how I saw my day going, it's okay they probably don't care that I'm gone anyway morros said as he grabbed the photo out of his cloak pocket well that's a surprise he thought well Marty won't have to worry about bartending tomorrow Morrow said to himself then grinned maybe being a grim reaper won't be as bad as I thought.

The sound of a newborn child’s cry filled the small cottage. A new Mother held her baby for the first time. “Hello little Jason.” She said. The baby’s father touched Jason’s head lightly. “I wonder what his animal guide will be.” He said. “I don’t know. Let’s find out.”

The Mother stood up holding Jason into the air. (Like In the Lion King) “great spirits please give our son Jason an animal guide. One that will always keep him safe and happy.” She said. “An animal guide that will help him be loyal, kind, respectful, and brave.” Said the father. The cottage was silent as they held their breaths.

Nothing happened. Not even the slightest sound. They waited for a few minutes. “Great spirit?” The father said. “Will you not give our son an animal guide?”

“No I will not give him a guide.” Said a deep voice that boomed through the cottage. “But why great spirit? What have we done to anger you?” The mother cried. “You have not angered me, nor has your husband.” Said the voice. “Then give our son a guide. Just like you have for generations.” Said the father.

“in the jungles deep. Lies a lurking secret. Only one can find this truth of the past. One that has no guide be it animal nor human. I’ve chosen who will right this wrong Jason will have to find the song.” The spirits voice faded away until they family was left with just a feeling of sadness, and fear.

As the years went by they waited for an animal guide for Jason but none was given. Still they waited hoping that one day they wound find a way to save him from his fate. They never told Jason but the secret was always lurking waiting to be told. Will he ever find out no one knows.

Everything is Blurry how thoughts are coming in I don't know I try to scream for help but I can't all I can see is the world fading from view looking out I could see the world but wait am I falling? I looked again but I couldn't see the world am I imagining it? Wait what's that speck it's getting brighter and redder wait no I can't die I'll do things differently he thought as the speck became closer then

Where am I Jesse looked around but all he could see was fog if I could feel he thought to himself I would be able to feel cold I would be able to feel it right? Jesse thought as he stared out into the abyss but just then the ground opened up and a plump little old lady came up the stairs with her cane slowly

“Sorry about the wait dearie the lever gets jammed sometimes.”

“Oh that's right I almost forgot souls can't talk without a body, sorry about that well if you would follow me well get you started.” said the old lady knowing not what else to do Jesse followed or floated behind the strange person down the spiraling staircase Jesse could see the ash floating and twelve stairs down the hit rock bottom

“Now dearie once the Council has decided we will be able to figure out where to put you.” the lady said as she sauntered down the corridor Jesse glanced around and saw millions of souls just wandering toward a Giant Coliseum with gothic architecture once they entered there was a large table were Twelve Huge demons sat and in the center sat a bigger demon with long horns and a horned crown Jesse felt so very small there were two reapers posted at the entrance guiding the souls one by one to the center for the demon in the throne to decide on the line shortened Jesse realized it was his turn the plump lady took his hand and patted it

“It's alright dearie let the grim council decide no need to be afraid.” and with that, she sauntered off Jesse never felt more nervous as the two grim reapers led him to the center he looked up and saw a glimpse of heaven when he looked down he saw hell then he looked at the demon on the throne

“The Grim Council had decided your fate.”

“You are to become a grim reaper Satan has seen potential you will capture souls for the Earhral Realm for the council to judge their fate.”

And slowly Jesse felt a change as he slowly gained a body much colder than the old one he looked at his hands but only saw his bony hand
“So then this is my fate?.” he said in a voice not of his own

“The Council has decided.” and with that, a grim reaper appeared before Jesse with a scythe in hand then handed it to Jesse

“Your adviser will give you a list of souls to kill when you return to the Overworld Then the two reapers led Jesse back to the main entrance Jesse saw the old lady saunter up to him

“It's alright dearie glad the council didn't send you to hell oh goodness I almost forgot my name is Marina,” said Marina

“Are you my advisor? Jesse asked

“Yes, dearie now let's get you sorted,” Marina said

Jesse thought so this is my fate now he looked up and saw a red mist swirling then followed marina

Walking down the main street Jesse quickened his pace I can't be late for work not again he told himself Ah here it is the barrel room as he opened the door it was a large room filled with tables the smell of strong beer and wood filled the atmosphere the sound of music was playing while many people from all walks of life were drinking horsing around and having a good time

“Hey you are late again.” the bartender said Jesse walked to the counter man he always gets like this Jesse said to himself “Sorry it's been a rough morning,” Jesse replied in the nicest voice he could muster

“If I were a nice person I would say that sounds horrible but I'm not so get to work we have a party coming at ten and you are closing tonight so no bailing.” said the bartender

“Ok.” Jesse replied as he went into the back room and put on his work clothes when he came back out Marty was dressed in his best poker outfit “And no flirting it’s not professional for this business,” Marty said then turned around and started for the door Jesse worked until almost three then closed the bar as he was walking home he noticed a black cat by the street lamp he stared into the cat’s Amber eyes and it stared back and then slowly slinked away odd Jesse thought as he started to cross the street then a headlight made Jesse look but it was too late Jesse saw his body laying there lifeless while the police and ambulance tried to sort out what was going on then Jesse felt himself slip and the lights blurred as his surroundings disappeared

After a long time of running, Naya felt the guards stop. She raised her head.

One of the guards unlocked a heavy wooden door and the other placed Naya on the ground.

“Go.” The guard pointed into the dark room.

Naya looked inside. “But it’s dark in there.”

Crashing sounded behind them. The guards pushed Naya in the room and slammed the door. Naya could see nothing. At least until she turned around.

A bright light shimmered behind her. Naya turned around and stared at it. A person suddenly appeared from it.

It flicked on a small switch and noticed Naya standing there. Then he suddenly realized and got a little panicked.

“So you’re the kid with three pets?”

A scream echoed outside the door as the fifth person stabbed a sword through one of the guard’s chests.

The person with Naya grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the light. After what seemed like forever, grass appeared under Naya’s shoes.

Once the person had stepped through, the light disappeared and with it the five people who were behind them.

The person standing beside Naya took his hood off.

“Dad!” Naya exclaimed. She ran to hug him, but her father stopped her.

“Not here. Those Shadow Hunters could still be here. Follow me.”

Her father ran off and Naya quickly ran after him.

——————One not so cool transition from kid to teen because this isn’t a show or movie later:

“When am I going to know what my pets are?” Naya sat on the uncomfortable wooden seat in the beautiful wooden cabin her father had made over the years.

Her father turned to her from cooking some eggs. “When those Shadow Hunters stop chasing you.” He replied.

“But dad, it’s been years! I was supposed to get them years ago, when those stupid Shadow whatevers came in the first place! And how do you know they’re still after me? It’s been years and we haven’t seen them! Not even a footprint!”

Her father sighed and turned the stovetop off. “Because-“ he stopped himself. “Because your mother is one of them.” He whispered. “She had to tell me, right as we were leaving. I learned something that day. I learned that your mother are on opposite sides for this fight. She’s been managing to communicate with me to tell me where-“

“They’re here!” A crackly voice screamed from a small radio, interrupting her father. “Run!”

“Mother?” Naya asked slowly.

Her father got a wild look in his eyes. “Naya, we have to go, now!”

He grabbed her wrist and yanked her out the door. A huge person blocked their way. Naya tried to run the opposite way, but was blocked too. Soon, the duo was surrounded on all sides.

But through a small crack in the wall, Naya could see one of the guards lying on the ground.

“Mother!” She screamed. Tears started to well up in her eyes.

Her father turned his head to the floor. He didn’t need to look to know what had happened. His wife and Naya’s mother was dead.

Once the final person entered the house, Naya’s father pushed the guard blocking the door out of the way and grabbed Naya before slinging out forward out the door.

“Go, Naya!” Her father screamed. “You need to stay alive! The world depends on it!”

Naya cried even more. Her father behind hee ran a little away from the cabin and opened the light portal. Naya took a deep breath and ran inside. It closed immediately after Naya reached the other side.

On the other side:

The leader of the Shadow Hunters calmly walked up to Naya’s father. He turned around and faces him with a defiant look on his face.

“I will never be obedient to someone like you.” He growled.

The leader simply flicked his finger and three guards ran up to pull Naya’s father’s hands violently behind him. Her father grimaced.

The leader then placed a finger under his chin and lifted it up to face him. “You know the rules, puppet. Once a family member dies on my side, someone from the same family has to take that person’s place.”

Her father growled again. The leader held one of his hands up in a fist and touched it to Naya’s father’s chest. He started to rise. A shadowy cloak covering his body.

“I’m sorry, my sweet Naya.” He whispered before the cloak covered him completely and he was placed back on the ground.

“I’m ready to serve you, master.” Her father bowed before the leader.

“That’s what I thought.” He started laughing.

——————Another not so cool transition from the Shadow Hunter’s side to Naya’s side through the leader’s eye as he laughs because this isn’t a movie or show later:

Naya sat paralyzed on the ground. The cold stone floor bit at her hands.

She still couldn’t believe it. Her mother was dead and her father was probably as well.

A kind voice whispered behind her. “Naya?”

Naya immediately stood up and faced the voice. “Wait, Hansen? But I thought the leader killed you?”

“He did.” Hansen replied. “I just thought I’d stop by.”

Naya ran up to him and hugged him tightly. “I missed you.” She sobbed.

“I missed you too.” Hansen then backed away. “I have a few things to give to you. You should have gotten them years ago, but now is the right time.”

He walked over to a large closet. He gripped the handles and pulled the doors open. Three animals were inside.

Naya realized what was happening. “My pets!” She happily smiled.

Hansen gently guided them out one by one. “Yes, your pets.” He smiled at her.

Naya stared at each one in turn. She couldn’t believe it. The day had finally come.

When Naya looked back to where Hansen had stood, he was no longer there.

She looked back at her pets. There stood an Alicorn, a Dragon, and a Griffin. Naya hugged them all happily.

Ran

Naya blinked sleepiness out of her eyes. She flung her blanket off herself and jumped out of her bed.

She raced around her room, tidying as much up as she could. Then she swiftly opened her dressers and began to throw some clothes on.

Once she finally felt prepared, Naya ran out of her room and down the stairs, almost tripping, and straight into her parent’s room.

“It’s finally the day I get my pet! Come on, come on, come on!” Naya shouted excitedly.

Her parents jumped from their beds at the sound of her voice. Their pets, a Kitsune and a Jackalope, raised their heads to look a Naya from their respective sides. The Kitsune on her father’s side and the Jackalope on her mother’s side.

“We’re going!” Her mother ran into her closet and her father opened his dresser drawers. They both threw on some jeans and shirts.

Naya ran from their room and put a piece of bread into the toaster. She smothered it in butter and apple butter once it had popped.

Her parents had finished dressing now and her mother grabbed the keys. Naya shoved the rest of the toast into her mouth and followed her parents out into the car. The Kitsune and Jackalope also came and piled into the car.

“I can’t wait to see what my assigned pet is!” Naya squealed.

“I bet it’s going to be a good one.” Her father whispered to her.

The drive to the court was long, but worth it. Naya couldn’t hold in her excitement as she stared eagerly out the window.

A bunch of people were out with their pets. Naya wondered which would be hers as she watched them.

Before Naya could think about it anymore, they arrived at the court.

Her mother found a good spot to park and they walked through the doors.

The court leader was waiting for her. “Ah, yes. Naya.” He sighed. “I’ve read what your pets are, and I’m truly sorry I have to do this, but it’s the law. Seize her!” He shouted to the guards on their side of him.

Naya was ripped from her parent’s hold and held with her hands behind her back.

“What are you doing? This isn’t part of the ceremony!” Her mother demanded.

“Your daughter is too dangerous. She didn’t get one pet, she got three. Therefore, we need to keep her in our custody.”

“She got three…” Her mother whispered. “That means…”

The court leader only had to nod. Her mother and father started to cry. The guards holding Naya’s arms let go.

Her mother and father walked crying up until they were right in front of her.

“They have to take you, Naya. To keep you safe. But I swear, we will come visit every day, okay?”

Naya started to tear up. “Why? What I do?”

“Nothing, sweetie. Just make sure to follow their orders, okay?”

“Okay.” Naya cried.

Her parents walked away from her and put the doors back to the car. “Why did it have to be her?” Her mother sobbed.

Naya looked back up at the leader and he looked back down at her. There was panic in his eyes. He got up from his chair and ran to kneel before Naya.

“We don’t have much time.” He said. “They’re going to-“

A loud crash sounded behind them and four masked figures stood in front of the broken door.

A fifth person stepped over the rubble and into the building. Naya tried to turn her head, but the leader stopped her.

“Well, well, well.” The person growled. “Looks like we’ve finally found our prize. Hand her over, Hansen.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” The leader growled back.

“Very well, then. I suppose we’ll have to take her the hard way.” The figure pointed with his hand and the four masked people rushed forward.

Hansen angrily turned around and pushed Naya towards his guards. “Get her to safety! Now!”

The guards swiftly grabbed Naya in their arms and shielded her eyes away from Hansen as the fifth person walked forward and stabbed a sword right through his chest.

Hansen gasped for air that didn’t come. The other four guards had stopped to watch the death, then ran straight for the guard holding Naya.

“I didn’t want to have to do that Hansen, but you left me no choice.” The person growled.

Naya started to cry again as she was rushed away to somewhere. She didn’t know where she would be going, but she knew she would be safe and protected.

I sighed, looking at the little lizard sitting on my desk. It’s deep maroon color stood out boldly against the light oak wood below. A maroon that perfectly fit the minuscule beast. Maybe minuscule wasn’t quite the right word, because although it was only as long as a pencil at the moment, it had been much bigger not too long ago. Much bigger. “14 years, Ruby. 14 years. And you only just decide to show me that you’re actually a dragon. Didn’t think that was important?” The lizard eyed me skeptically, scurrying across the desk to a small scorch mark. “That was from my candle, you can’t claim that.” I swear, the darn thing rolled her eyes at me as she began to move again, this time towards my rock collection she’d helped me build up. “How were rocks supposed to tell me you were a freaking dragon?” She flicked her tongue at me, leaped off the desk, and morphed. To my surprise, instead of being the massive fire-breathing, death-insinuating terror she’d been before, she only the size of a large dog. “Oh, so you have more than one size? Ruby, do you know how cool it would been to fly to school? Like everyone else with pets big enough to hold them? Why wouldn’t you let me?” Those orange eyes bored into mine, and though she made no sound, I heard a voice cut through my head.

“You and I were paired for much greater things. Our time will come.”