Bus Stop

Evening 2 of the Moonlight Festival

The city of Cirque is split into 4 separate sections: North, East, South, and West. Surrounded by a giant circular wall, the only entry to the city is the single gate at West Brick. Downtown Cirque, is located in the same west region, it's where all the tourists gather. Not surprisingly it's where businesses such as Rockaburger thrive the most.

Korra's tail formed into a question mark, "North Cirque? Where is that?"

"This city is split into four regions. I just happen to live in the northernmost one."

"What are you doing over here then?"

"In the moment? Paying off a debt…"

Her ears flicked with interest, "I'm in debt too! I ate here yesterday during the festival, and they charged me. They even handed me a beer before I started ordering! That should be illegal!"

"I got handed a beer too. Didn't get to drink it, though. A car hit me before I could try."

Her tail froze mid-air. "You got run over?! Are you okay, Nya?!"

"Yeah, but now I'm paying for the damages his car took from hitting me."

"That's… horrible! Does everyone in this restaurant owe Boris money?"

"Boris? Oh the owner. Yeah, that's probably how he makes his living. I've talked to some of the other employees; they've all just accepted the situation."

"No one should settle for less! Not even you!"

"Gee thanks. I feel the love."

"You're welcome!" she said brightly. "But still, we need to think critically. I only had a single meal, but my debt isn't going down after hours of working."

"That's just how it goes. Just accept your current situation."

"Accept defeat!? That's quitter talk! An angel never knows when to give up!"

"Hmph. If you keep calling yourself that, maybe one day a god might actually take you seriously."

She gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "I am an angel! My god sent me here to find someone worthy of being his left wing!"

"Does your god know you knock down innocent civilians and put stickers on your face?"

"It's all part of the great plan, to find another angel!"

"Sheesh. You're like a child playing make-believe. I've heard of angels and gods, but I've never seen proof they exist. I'm a believer of mathemagics."

"Ew, math."

"Mathamagics" I said trying to point out that there is indeed a difference.

"Still gross. Only god can create miracles!"

"Proof?"

"ME! Angel, Remember?!" She said as if that should have been more than enough.

"Oh, yeah. You're the picture-perfect definition."

"You're being soooo difficult, you know that?" She reached into her pocket, pulling out a feather that glowed faintly, it's gold hue, felt unearthly. "Here. Eat this."

I stared at it. "I'm not eating the first thing you pull out of your pocket."

"You wanted proof. Go ahead."

I took the feather reluctantly, its glow playing tricks on my eyes. "How do I know that this isn't some narcotic, and you're some master drug dealing genius trying to give me the first hit for free?!"

"So you admit I'm a genius~?" Her cat ears twitched with a smug smile.

I don't know what about that sentence pushed me to my limits but that line made me perform my next actions out of spite. I tilted the mascot's head up and let the feather drop in the mascot's mouth. The feather fell onto my tongue as I swallowed it whole letting my cells spark. I felt my body shake and churn. My eyes started to water and I felt something unexplainable rise in my stomach, it rose and rose until I was met with the most unexpected result... a small burp.

"Nothing's changed?"

"Well that's step one," She smirked, "The proof you're looking for is in the three step process."

"Oh? What's step 2?"

"Kill yourse—"

I grabbed her hands in a flash, glaring daggers at her. "Oh yeah, I'll get right on that. LIKE HELL I WILL! Did someone give you another damn beer?!"

She just grinned as she matched my strength. "You wanted proof! It's not my fault this is the fastest way to see my god!"

Before I could snap back, a strange stillness settled over the street. Everyone started to quiet down on this eventful night. Lanterns were turning off again, but it's too early the town agreed to turn the lights off at 8pm… No, they were following a drill, a scenario in case of an emergency. Turn off your lights, and pretend that no one is home. This is the survival tactic that every beast, human, and beastman know when faced with a predator they can't win against.

I was looking around, but the dangers caught my ears first: the crying strain of metal against the concrete, distant but growing louder. A bus, moving sluggishly, came to an unnatural stop in the middle of the road. The festival crowd parted, silent murmers as a massive figure stepped out from behind the bus, towering over everyone. Its fur glistened under the three moonlights—pure white, almost like fresh snow. The air grew heavy around us.

"Korra..." I muttered, my throat tight. "Quiet down... I think—"

"ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!"

The sound tore through the air, louder than anything I'd ever heard. Korra and I froze, eyes wide, locked in a shared look of terror.

The beastman no, this creature was far larger than any I'd ever seen. His muscles rippled beneath his fur, and with a casual movement, he reached out and grabbed the bus.

The crowd gasped in disbelief. His massive hand clutched the vehicle as if it was no more than a toy, and with a deep grunt, he lifted it effortlessly into the air. I started moving, making sure to keep my eyes on the beast.

I couldn't process it. My brain told me it was impossible, but my eyes refused to look away…

"What the... he's really lifting it..."

Without warning, the beastman hurled the bus toward the both of us. It spun through the air, a two-ton mass of metal and machinery flying straight at us like a cannonball.

I glanced at Korra, who was frozen stiff. Damn it, that idiot! Without thinking, I turned and quickly shoved her.

Time slowed. And it kept slowing... as if the goddess of time were holding her breath.

Pushing the cat-girl out of the way, the bus slammed into me, crushing me against the brick wall with a deafening crash. Pain exploded in every part of my body, my vision darkening around the edges. I heard glass shattering, metal twisting, and the distant, horrified screams of the crowd.

On a random Tuesday night, just like any other... imagine getting hit by a bus.