Chapter 1: Marston’s Wood

“Huff, huff, huff.”

Martin awoke in a cold sweat. He had, that… dream again. The dark fantasy that has plagued him for most of his life. The source of a irrational phobia that has made life very, interesting. The reason why he is living in this little hamlet of “Marston’s Wood”.

Though Martin had little time to think about that. Checking his PET the date was 25th October 2541 He had overslept and today, despite appearances, was not a normal day. Today was the final day of the school term. 

“C’mon Martin get out of bed.” Martin’s inner monologue helped muster up the willpower to get out of the bed, meandering over to the mirror. Reflected was himself. A Polar Bear type human of average height. Piercing yellow eyes were set in his face, like two Topazes. He was dressed in naught but a black under sticker. Martin never wore anything to bed if he can help it, his tuft of chest fur was quite downy, trapping the heat in.

After taking a moment to inspect himself Martin proceeded into the bathroom and practically threw himself into the fog cycle. The quicker he could wash away the sweat the better. It only took a few seconds to freshen up but he stayed in for an extra cycle. He has to be at his best today after all.

Dragging himself out he dried and dressed himself. A short sleeved polo shirt with bog standard blue pants. He really did need to hurry now though. There wasn’t time to savour breakfast. He head downstairs and into the kitchen grabbing a luscious apple and rushing to the porch, with a quick stop to put on his shoes, and out the door into the world.

—

The day was absolutely gorgeous. There isn’t even a single cloud within the sky. For a settlement with no weather centre to make the weather as desired, this was perfection. The brilliant sunbeams were making the golden leaves on the trees especially vibrant. 

Martin wasted no more time. Pacing up into a jog while taking a bite out of his apple. Glancing at his watch he was relieved to find that he still had time to meet up with Laura, a friend and pack-mate, before heading over to the school building.

Rushing across to the next lane over he stood himself outside the door and rang the doorbell, after hastily disposing of the apple. Before long the door opened. Martin was greeted by a young mouse lady, dressed in a homely manner with lovely brunette hair tied up into a ponytail and lovely baby blue eyes. This was Laura Birch, a good person and an even better friend. Her fiery passion such a influence on Martin.

“Hey there Martin~.”

Something was amiss. After a decade of friendship, Martin knew that Laura would never speak in such a manner, stretching out his name like this? Completely out of character.

His expression unchanging. “Good Morning Ms. Birch, is Laura in?”

He was met with a brief fit of giggling. “Silly Martin~. I am Laura.”
The conversation was abruptly interrupted as another mouse descended down the stairs. Another youthful woman with delightful Brunette hair and sky blue eyes.

“Ignore her Martin. Mom’s in a trickster mood again. Though I’m surprised she even knows about that hologram app.”

The imposter took out her PET and cancelled the program. The illusion was destroyed, though the changes were all in all slight. The main difference was the hair being styled in a beehive manner. There was no doubt now that this was Ms. Birch.

“Cheeky. I’m not so old that I can’t use holograms daughter dearest.” the mouse matriarch pouted. 

Taking a moment to inspect herself in the mirror Laura quickly brushed her hair back before tying it into a ponytail and rushed out the door.

“We really need to get going. Bye Mom!” Laura rushed out, the sunlight causing her to sneeze reflexively.

“Bye Sweetie!” She turned to Martin. “By the way Martin you will be joining us for dinner tonight, won’t you?”

“How could I possibly refuse? I’d be glad to Ms. Birch.” He would be foolish not to. Ms. Birch’s cooking was amongst the best in the town. Some would claim the best in the continent but that was hyperbole.

Making his goodbyes Martin rushed to catch up with Laura and walk along to school.

—

The pair made it to the municipal district. The centre of the town where all of the facilities for governance and education could be found. Including M.W.A.S.: Marston’s Wood’s Amalgamated School. It was the final day of the current term and that meant one thing. A tedious lecture.

“Why do we have to go through this again? We all know how this is going to go. Mrs. Oldman is going to talk about the town again, there isn’t a single person who doesn’t know her scripted speech by now. Don’t you agree Martin?” Laura turned her gaze towards him for his reply.

Their eyes met, with Martin breaking contact after a moment of awkwardness. “Well it is the final day of the school term, I think that a half hour speech is worth it for the day off. Which means more time to pack.”

Laura bore a puzzled look before her mind cleared. “Oh yeah, vacation! Have we decided where we’re going to go?”

Martin furrowed his brow, recalling the decisions. “I think it’s down to Locksmouth or Anchorsway. Harbington is mostly agricultural which might make it feel too much like home, not to mention the trouble I’ve been hearing of. And I’ll always veto The Ring…” his expression turned dour. “…always.” 

Laura nodded in agreement “Plus anywhere else would be practically a ghost town. So, we’re going to make a final decision today? Good.”

The conversation had run its course- and not a moment too soon, as the pair had made it to the school building. Taking a last breath of fresh air they entered.

—

Marston’s Wood Amalgamated School. It is a facility designed to hold students from the elementary level all the way to high school across three floors. The students had already taken their seats in the auditorium. It could easily seat 500 pupils inside, at present there were only 20, which was a majority of the students. 

An elderly lady took to the stage. It was Mrs. Oldman, a peacock who one could say was growing old disgracefully. Rather than go for muted tones in her ensemble, she would wear bright and vibrant colours to accentuate her plumage.

“Right now Children. It’s time to go over the history of our fair town.” The crowd starting to murmur. A sharp glare from the versed peahen soon silenced them.

She pulled up a hologram. At first all was projected was a simple circle. It rotated upwards to face the audience. Lines darted through the Circle making a cross shape before further strokes connected each point of the cross making a wheel and spokes. It was the layout of Marston’s Wood. After a brief pause a single exclamation of awe emerged from the crowd

“Yes thank you young Courtney, it is impressive.” Clearing her throat she continued.

“Marston’s Wood is atypical for a settlement. It is relatively young compared to some of the other cities and towns on the continent. It was established as a way to get closer to nature without giving up all of the trappings that civilisation can offer. As an example we do not have a dome or a climate centre, we go through each day with the weather that nature dictates will occur.” Nature, that fickle mistress had truly blessed the day, even through the blinds light streamed in where it could.

“Many people who have visited have called us “rustic” or “quaint”. This may be down to the relaxed charm of the people, the old reliable Mag-Lev Train that connects us to the world or even just the ambient silence.” Taking a pause the students proved her point, keeping quiet for their teacher.

“It won’t have escaped your attention that our population is skewed towards the elder generations, I too would be classed as such despite my youthfulness.” A snicker from the audience interrupted “I’ll ignore that rudeness.” Her gaze fixated on the student in question.

“But I digress, more and more we have those who move here to slow down and enjoy their Twilight Years. This is why we encourage you to leave and explore the world. This vacation time would be the best to go out and explore, as long as it’s done safely.” Her message seems to have sparked some sentimentality within, as it almost looked as though she was shedding a tear.

In previous years Martin and Laura took this last message cynically. Thinking it to be just an excuse to be rid of children for a fortnight. But this time it stirred something up inside the both of them. But now they were mature enough to appreciate the message now.

After that little lull in lecture Mrs.Oldman concluded “Thank you.”

With that she disabled the hologram, its pale glow slowly dying out as the children filtered out of the doors, the younger among them going as fast as they can.  

—

It was still beautiful outside, wispy clouds had started to form. Martin and Laura made their way out.

Laura practically sprinted outside, limbering herself up, before her solar sneeze reflex kicked in. “Achoo! Right that was a boring waste of time. At least we can get on with vacation prep.”

Martin was not so swift looking pensive. “No, Mrs. Oldman had a point at the end there. We do need to give some thought about where we’re going to call home.”

“Oh that’s easy. Wherever you, Hector, Sandra and I are, will be home.” There was naught but sincerity in her voice.

“But where exactly is that? Is it here? Is it Locksmouth? Midbourn? Harbington? Esterwood? Brightwater?..” he started to trail off

“That’s something we can decide later. We can discuss this when we meet up? Is it Sandra’s where we’re meeting at today?. Noticing that Martin was getting lost in thought, she knew she’d have to snap him out. Though she was in half a mind to let him trail on. He was adorable in a way to see contemplating so deeply. Walking back to him, she quickly kissed his cheek.

“…Anchorsway?... huh?” Martin snapped out of little trance, blushing as he realised what happened. “Oh yeah. Let’s not keep them waiting any longer.”

—

Making their way to the outskirts of the town, Laura and Martin found themselves outside of the abode of one Sandra Schwartz- A rather fetching contemporary styled bungalow with a meticulously raked rock garden. It gave off an aura of tranquility. One could easily lose track of time in the peace.

Martin and Laura walked inside. The door was unlocked, of course, as there was little reason to lock them at all. 

The interior was a multi-purpose kitchen, dining room and living room rolled into one, sparsely furnished with hardly any decorations, only divided by a counter for the kitchen. It was a  truly minimalist design.

“Think Fast!” Called out a voice, its dulcet tones belying the intent. 

Before Martin and Laura knew what was going on, they were both hit by a single hurtling object each. 

*Whap*

Taking a second to compose himself from the shock of the impact, Martin peeled off the unorthodox munition. It was a Sticker Sole... and based on the smell, it was freshly used.

“Wow, that was a direct hit!” The voice rang out with an infectious glee.

Leaping out from behind the counter the source of the voice made itself known: A Flying Squirrel boy with messy dirty blonde hair and piercing eyes of lime green, garbed in a flight suit. Hector Parsons. The life and mischief of the party, he proclaimed himself leader of the pack

“Hector! Keep your paws off of my things!” A voice called out from another room in the house. Emerging from the vestibule was the statuesque figure of a woman garbed in a sports bra and yoga pants, a purple hoodie wrapped around the midriff. A single Teal eye peered from behind her lilac hair. Sandra Schwartz was the protective elder sister type who grounded her packmates- and was also the actual, de facto leader of the pack.

“I am not sorry, it was an amazing feat of accuracy.” As annoying as his little stunt was, it’s hard to stay too mad at Hector for long.

*Whap*

Laura made her counter attack. The spare sole slapping squirrel shoulder. “Damn, missed his big head”.

“If you really were aiming for my ego, we both know there’s no way it could miss,” Hector chimed in with a quip.

Interjecting Sandra made sure to bring the pack into focus. “Alright settle down. Now. You remember why we’re here?” She pointed to a suitcase.

“Seriously?! You’ve already finished packing??” The words echoed out in a harmony as Martin and Laura expressed their disbelief. 

“Look around, it’s not like I have much to pack! But anyway, staying on topic. We’ve got to decide where we’re going. Quite frankly I think there is only one option.” It should have been a light discussion, but her tone was serious.

“With all of these incidents recently... Those invasions from a few months back? The trouble in Harbington?” 

Thinking about it she had a point. No one could deny that the world had changed. Trouble was much more commonplace ever since the Inkling Invasion in Locksmouth.

After a pensive pause, Sandra continued “I think Anchorsway is the place with least chance of trouble.”

The room was silent. She was right. There wasn’t any other option. Anywhere else would either be a waste of a journey or an unnecessary brush with danger. 

“Well… I guess that’s sorted that then,” Martin uttered awkwardly. He knew that Sandra was right of course. Though these interlopers fascinated him. Aliens that granted powers to those who host them? Absolutely incredible.

Laura spoke up. “So… what should we do now. We’ve got plenty of time before Martin and I need to get back for dinner.”

“Vixen only, No Equipment, Terminal Terminal!.” Hector had just thrown down the gauntlet. Seems the pack were in for an afternoon of Wallop Fraternity.

Many hours passed. The blue of the morning slowly blurred to ochre as the evening began to set in. The Pack did not realise then but this would be the last time for a while that they would be able to have a good time like this. 

—

Another Time, Another Place

A lone capsule stood in a darkened room. The machinery whirred into life. The capsule filled up with viscous substances of many different colours. The capsule started to vibrate and spin, the force helping the contents to all mix together. Finally the capsule was exposed to a burst of energy briefly illuminating the room. 

The machinery died down, their humming fading into silence. The room was no longer darkened, as the new mixture in the capsule pulsed light into the room, a different colour each time. Each flash like a heartbeat.