Mugen Monsters Creature 2; Fiesta Del Caza

Dye-Anna ended up in the Chillout Spots of the Mezzo Villa, which was a general area that didn't include all of the actual technical Chillout Spots, but was where most of them were centralized, or where you could easily get to the others, as if by design. They were accessible in other ways, though not conveniently to each other as well, and were actually much more distant from each other when traversing through any way except the 'Chillout Spots' central point.

The area was pretty open and simple, with walkways and benches, and types of vegetative arrangements. There was perhaps a fountain or something aesthetically pleasing within every so long, and it seemed to be at a heightened point that overlooked some of the city. She'd be able to see what had actually changed between the Delta Townsfolk and the Delta Creatures. "This way, Monkey!" she called out to him as she approached a point of interest, where others had gathered.

The intertwining activity between the Delta Townsfolk and the Delta Creatures coagulated here, and it seemed as though Dye was keen on it, even without knowing why. Monkey, who was coming up behind her, wouldn't mention this to her, as he figured it best to let her feel her way through this. She needed to follow her heart, and understanding this, he took a backseat to her shenanigans, observing from a distance.

Once it was clear that Dye-Anna had seen him, Monkey made himself a bit more comfortable away from where others were, but still very easily within visibility.

Some youthful Delta Townsfolk that had some Delta Creatures were mingling amongst themselves at the Chillout Spots, talking about what was now the current event happening in town. "Yeah, I'm gonna get my monster ready for the Fiesta Del Caza! It's coming up again, you know! Man, it's been so awesome ever since we got these Delta Creatures to help us!"

The Fiesta Del Caza was a tradition in the Veritas -- specifically the Delta -- that dated back to the early years of the Delta's development. Ever since its conception way back when, the Delta Townsfolk had become more and more involved in the ceremonial tradition, which regarded the Delta Creatures that they once hunted for souls. This would pay respects to the roots of the Veritas, which were born by the reaping of souls, and impliment the evolution from doing that as well as why they did not by observing the tradition at all. Granted, it was a choice between actively hunting the traditional way for souls or by resonating with the souls of the Delta Creatures rather than hunting them for the souls, but now, Delta Creatures were involved in the acts with the Delta Townsfolk, which was the newest observance for the tradition that only happened recently. As such, now some Delta Townsfolk got Delta Creatures and trained them for battle, mainly for the Fiesta Del Caza, or other personal means.

"Man, your monster is probably gonna suck. I'm totally gonna do the best with my monster!" one cheeky guy insisted. "After all, I attend Pandemia, the Pandaversity, where they teach us about how to do this!" He was right that Pandemia did indeed teach about the Fiesta Del Caza, as it was also a training instruction for the Pandemia Students as a test of their hearts, since hunting souls was highly frowned upon when it came to innocent souls, including those of creatures, whereas it was not that way in the earliest days of the Veritas, of which this festival meant to pay respects to. Those who did end up killing innocent monsters, especially on purpose, were unable to attend the next Fiesta Del Caza, as penance for damaging life unnecessarily. Nothing else stopped them from doing so, but they would not be allowed to participate in the actual ceremony, which was enough of a statement, considering it tested one's very soul.

The Delta Townsfolk were watching some others in an intense battle with their Delta Creatures, which seemed to obey them loyally, even when pit against each other.

The two Delta Creatures that were at odds were revealed to be two common Chu types -- a Street Rat and a Chipper. The rodents were engaged in combat something like a street fight, with enough space between them for maneuverability.

The Chipper, which was previously identified as a squirrel-like creature with multiple tails, darted toward the timid Street Rat, flailing its two strong, wreckingball-like tails about. It puffed out its cheeks, which expanded like balloons, allowing the Chipper to float and deliver a pummeling from the twin tails.

Since Street Rats fought best when they were threatened, it became more wild and feral the moment it believed it was in serious danger, and it leapt up at the floating Chipper madly, ravenously flailing about.

The sight of the Delta Creatures fighting did not sit right with Dye-Anna. Perhaps it was in their nature, fine, but having owners make them do it? That didn't seem like it was good at all, especially not for any conventional purposes. It would be different if they were in the wild, but according to what she overheard, it was all for some event. The way they hurt each other... Dye felt like she could feel it.

"... Those guys..." Dye-Anna muttered, clasping her hands together, "... They're making those creatures fight..." Her spirit reached out to the two Delta Creatures that were locked in combat, hoping to communicate with them. "Please... Don't fight..." Dye-Anna whispered, feeling for the animals. She hoped that they would feel her spirit and understand her, and she could also communicate with them and hear what they were feeling, as well.

Dye's heart was in the right place, but to Monkey, it was obvious that she didn't really understand the nature of creatures very well, nor their relation to humans. She wasn't wrong for feeling the way she did, but it wasn't quite congruent with the actual nature of the situation, and she was imposing upon it. Even so, her conviction was strong, and so was her will. Perhaps, that would be enough to do something... She could already communicate with the creatures, so why would she not be able to influence them? Monkey could only watch, seeing how this scenario would play out. His arms were crossed along with his legs as he leaned against a ledge, taking a few puffs of his cigar.

The two youths were so caught up in winning the battle and looking cool, they seemed to not even care what was happening to their creatures. They were getting wild, but to them, that's just how monsters were naturally, so this wasn't any different. The one who commanded the Street Rat called out to it, "Go, Rata-Tat! Don't lose!"

Likewise, the opposing youth shouted, "Your weak creature can't stand up to the might of my Chipper, youngster Joey! All the Brooklyn Rage in the world couldn't save you!"

During the skirmish, there was one rather rebellious looking Delta Townsfolk that stood somewhere distant, yet relatively closer to Dye-Anna, and happened to notice her concentrating her power. He had spiky, white hair, sharp, slanted, but large gray eyes, a black leather jacket, tattered black pants with a belt that had a skull buckle, and steel-soled shoes with skull print on them. The guy looked like the typical definition of a 'cool rebel', and was standing by nonchalantly with his hands in his pockets. He kept an eye on the battle, but also on Dye-Anna, since she was using a strange power.

All the while, the Chipper and Street Rat continued their battle. The Street Rat ended up being able to latch on to one of the Chipper's tails, but the other tail was still free, and ended up being used to pummel the Street Rat anyway until it released the Chipper's tail.

The Street Rat would hit the ground, badly hurt from the beating. Shortly after, Dye-Anna's spirit connected with it, and both her voice could be heard to it, and its voice to hers. '... I... Must not... Disappoint my master...' the Street Rat's voice echoed. It struggled to rise to its feet, hissing viciously at the Chipper.

On the other hand, the Chipper was also connected to by Dye-Anna's spirit, and its inner voice said, 'I must obey my master so that I can get stronger!'

The natural order of the animals was to defeat each other in order to get stronger, so this was how things had to happen. Unlike in the wild, where one animal might kill another, the people here would only allow the fight to go so far before tending to the creatures' wounds. This made the creatures less reluctant to face each other in combat, since they knew they would not be allowed to be killed and that they'd be healed shortly afterward, unlike what would happen in the wild in such a situation.

This scenario confused Dye-Anna. She thought that the creatures were suffering, but they seemed to be willingly participating, and not being forced. Their conditions seemed considerably better, and they also seemed to like it, so they weren't being oppressed. It was strange to her that they would enjoy this at all, but considering the information and the natural order of things, being able to no longer have to focus on survival and also fear of a predator meant that there was more time to relax and be catered to.

So... Why did she feel bad?

Turning away, Dye walked over to Monkey, playing with her brown hair from under her purple cap. "... Monkey..." she uttered, crestfallen, "... I just don't know if what I feel is right or not. I just..." Trying to articulate seemed difficult for her, but it was just personally against her beliefs for two creatures to fight like that. "... I guess it has its benefits, but it can still be seen as cruel... Right?"

Monkey sighed heavily, exhaling a large amount of smoke he'd puffed, as if in preparation for this conversation preemptively. "... Dye-Anna. Not Everyone Is The Same. You May Feel Sympathy For Creatures That Do Not Need It, Because They Have A Better Lifestyle Than Before. It Is More Wrong To Hinder Evolution By Trying To Hold It Back. Nature Takes Its Course In Many Ways, Including Adaptation And Assimilation." Finally, he flicked his cigar butt, and it completely burnt up in a puff of smoke. "You Must Learn To Respect The Orders Which Are Outside Your Own And Accept Them As They Are Without Trying To Impose." Monkey raised from leaning on the ledge, standing upright, hands now on his hips. "... Well. That's Enough Of That. Perhaps We Should Continue Searching For Mizi Now."

Before Dye-Anna got too far, the mystery man with the spiky white hair approached her. "Hey there!" he shouted to her to get her attention, following her. "What was that you did back there? I noticed that you were using a strange power. I don't think I know anyone that has a power like that." Without getting too deep into the conversation, he was compelled to introduce himself. "The name's Rito. I live in the city, but I also have a creature. Porcupine, the purple hedgehog." Of course, he recognized that the fact that a hedgehog was named 'Porcupine' was a little odd, he was then compelled to explain himself. "... Ah, but it is a hedgehog. His name is just... Porcupine." He didn't really get into very much detail after that, but he felt slightly awkward, rubbing the back of his head, hoping he hadn't spoken too much already and sounded dumb.

The cute little purple hedgehog looked just like a generic porcupine plush toy, quills and all. However, it was clearly alive, no matter how cute and cuddly it looked, and its features were certainly biological and not just manufactured material. It was nowhere near as cute and cuddly as it looked, though, adorable as it was, the absolute cuteness of such a hedgehog would still invite others to take it abreast. It was just that darn cutesy.

Even when it made noise, it sounded like some sort of generic squeaking from some sort of toy, possibly a chew toy. It was no larger than Rito's foot, and was huddled up close to it, yet looking with intent upon Dye-Anna. This was Porcupine, who was the purple hedgehog that Rito was trying to describe. It looked like a work of nonsense, yet was definitely a living and breathing, sentient creature, like the rest of them. Creatures came in all types, as plenty in the Veritas already knew from the original records of the Bestiary.

Monkey's words resonated with Dye-Anna deeply, and she understood that she was right, even though her beliefs were righteous. She still had to respect that natural order of life, even if she believed that her beliefs should be imparted to them. Their natural order was for the best for them, and her own ignorance trying to change it to fit her own beliefs was rather selfish.

As she reflected on her newfound thoughts and feelings, she was confronted by one of the Delta Townsfolk. "Oh, um... Hello." This guy seemed different from the others, and he said he sensed her using her powers, which meant that he was not just a normal human. He had some sort of experience. "... It's nice to meet you, Rito. My name is Dye-Anna, and this is Monkey." She turned and gestured to Monkey, whom she would let speak for himself.

Dye-Anna bent down once she saw the purple hedgehog, smiling cutely and introducing herself. "Hello, Porcupine the Hedgehog! It's nice to meet you." She seemed more resilient with the creature than with Rito himself, and even lingered down with Porcupine.

Monkey had another cigar in his mouth, and lit it as Dye-Anna introduced him. When she inevitably became more enamored with the creature, Monkey exhaled smoke and stepped forward, his black boots clicking on the pavement. "... Excuse My Partner, Rito. It Is Good To Make Your Acquaintance." With another puff, Monkey asked Rito, "Why Are You Able To Tell That Dye-Anna Was Using Her Power? I'm Sure Plenty Of The Other Delta Townsfolk Cannot." Monkey was suspicious enough, but not because he thought Rito was an enemy.

Rito nonchalantly chuckled off how Dye-Anna was paying way more attention to Porcupine than him despite the two of them having a conversation, but when Monkey spoke, his dignified voice made Rito straighten up. "... Ah! Sorry, sir... Yes, I am a Pandemia Student, so I'm able to see Wavelengths and Souls. Not many Pandemia Students wander off of campus as often as I do, but I'm sure there are a few others littered about the Mezzo Villa." Rito rubbed the back of his head again, trying to return the conversation back to Dye-Anna. "... Er, so, uh, Dye-Anna! What a cute name! Haha..." Rito gulped a bit. "... Uh, so, yeah, what are you doing around here, anyway? I never noticed you around the city before... Are you new here, or something?"

Porcupine was enjoying Dye-Anna's attention, but was also loving toward his master, so when Rito started talking, Porcupine tried to divert Dye's attention to him so that she would listen. Then, Porcupine scuttled off toward Rito's leg, nuzzling it with his face.

At first, Dye-Anna wasn't paying any mind to Rito, as she figured Monkey would do that. But when Porcupine went back over to him, she realized that she was being rude. She simply didn't favor people as much as she did animals, but people were still living beings that she could not ignore, no matter what they were like compared to animals. "Oh, forgive me..." muttered Dye-Anna, who rose back up, now speaking to Rito face-to-face. "I am from this place, but I do not live in the city, so I guess you could say I'm also new here, too. Monkey and I are actually looking for a friend of ours that disappeared a short while ago. Maybe you and Porcupine can come help us look?" Dye-Anna was kind at heart, so she also was able to extend herself to Rito, despite favoring his animal friend, Porcupine the Hedgehog. "I'm sure that Monkey will have no problem with it, right, Monkey?"

Monkey groaned gruffly, though the inflection was not dismissive, but simply passively accepting, nearing begrudging indifference. He took another puff of the cigar, then turned away. "If You're A Student Of The Academy, Then Maybe You Could Be Of Some Use," Monkey concluded. "Either Way, You're Also A Resident Here, And You Can Show Us Around Better Than We'd Be Able To Find Our Way. Seems Like It Is Beneficial All Around." With a final satisfying pull, Monkey blew out the smoke and started walking. "We Have No Time To Lose. Now That We Know About The Event That The Delta Townsfolk Are Preparing For, We Must Go To The School And Gain More Information. We Can Look For Your Friend Along The Way And Afterward, But We Cannot Waste Time With That As Our Priority." Monkey was stern, but he was wise; why waste time when they could simply get something done and return to the prior later? "Let's Go, Dye-Anna," Monkey said as he walked away.

"Great!" Rito agreed with excitement, picking up Porcupine the Hedgehog ever so carefully and leading the group. "Hyeah, let's go, then! I'll give ya the grand tour of the Mezzo Villa -- the Party City!" He was enthused, because he knew that no matter where you were on the Delta, you lived a well-off life; the land flourished with resources everywhere and not only was everything modernized, it was also gentrified, yet retained a blend of both futuristically advanced and historical aesthetics. "But it might do me best if you tell me what your friend looks like, and other details. Then I can show ya how old Porcupine here can be of some super sweet use to us here."

Porcupine the Hedgehog made a cute noise and wiggled his nubby arms in the air, bouncing a bit in his master Rito's arms. Porcupine seemed pleased with being helpful, and was eager to do so. Most of the creatures that were the pets or partners of the Delta Townsfolk liked to be helpful or useful, because it gave them a reason to use their natural abilities, which they'd been tamed to not use haphazardly around others -- just the same as a human or other equally intelligent similar entity wasn't allowed to simply succumb to their primal instincts in the streets or in public in society. The creatures were treated the same, and any kinship they had to their masters was more akin to a parent-and-child relationship, though to the more feral of them, it was still treated as owner-and-pet, and the worst of them were like master-and-slave.

Fortunately, Rito and Porcupine were very good friends, and Porcupine was natural smart, adaptive, and docile as a creature -- not to mention cute, adorable, and compact, making his presence more easily accepted amongst people everyday.

As usual, Monkey offered sound advice for Dye, and she was willing to go along with it. "Monkey has a point, Rito. Let's check out the school first before we go looking for our friend." But, along the way to the school from the Chillout Spots, Dye gave as best a description as possible of the girl, Mizi.

But she also would have to ask him about that event that was going on... The Fiesta Del Caza? "Rito," Dye-Anna started, "What is the Fiesta Del Caza? I overheard the other Delta Townsfolk talking about it, and it seems... Like it's important. So I figured I'd ask, since it'll be a bit of a way until we get to the school, right?" No sense not having some conversation during their travels.

Monkey might have been keeping his distance from Dye and Rito, but he was keeping sharp eye and ear out for them, since he wanted to know what the 'Fiesta Del Caza' was, as well. "Don't Skimp On The Details," he interjected as he walked along, his fancy boots clicking against the ground. "Tell Us Everything You Know, Down To The Finest Detail." Monkey would keep track of the information if Dye didn't, but they did need to know just what they were getting themselves into around here. So Monkey would listen as Rito guided them to the college.

0. The Veritas suddenly 'Awaken'ed again and achieved an 'Awakened' -State- instantly.

I. The 'Moment' that the Veritas 'Awakened', it would 'Activate' -All- of its 'Functionality'.

II. This would 'Cause' -Creation- *Mass Production*, and it would 'Reproduce' -Infinite-ly.

III. This was the 'Beginning' of the 'Fiesta Del Caza' (The 'Festival' Of 'The Hunt')

*

Spoiler:

The Veritas would rapidly 'Spawn' and 'Respawn' in 'Massive' -Populace- *All* of the 'Creation's of the Veritas 'Itself'. This would 'Provide' great 'Bounty' and 'Game' for 'Sport' for all of the 'Verities' -- as the 'Veritas Inhabitants' were called, both 'Humanoid' and 'Beast' or 'Alien'.

However, this also forced the Veritas to 'Pull' from the 'Dream World' up above -- something like a 'Heaven', but more of an 'Imaginary Heaven' where the 'Imaginary' entities all live and gather and collect from the 'Collective Consciousness' of the 'Living'. All of the thought collects somewhere, in the Veritas, and it is in her brain, which she uses as well, mixed with her own, as well as just her own, quite often. Now, the Veritas would continue with 'Spawn'ing 'Enigmas' for the 'World' and would fill it up with both 'Real' and 'Unreal' creatures that were of 'Pure Imagination' and 'Creative Energy' -- known as 'Manna' -- and seen as 'Conceptual Concepts' that are not always totally 'Realistically' applicable, yet are the 'Designs' before the actual 'Realization' of such 'Concepts' (at the 'Conception' -Stage-).

Thus, from the bowels of the 'Veritas', the 'Croach' would suddenly *BLAMF* itself into existence before the 'Party', it being a little 'Roach' -- an 'Armanatra' -Creature. It seemed 'Harmless', yet somehow, 'Intrusive' in some way.

It was 'Distinctive' in a way because its 'Existence' came to be 'Inversely' from when it was actually 'Conceived', because 'This' -Point- was the actual 'Conception' -Point- of a 'Long-Thoughtout' -Concept- that needed a 'Place' for itself to 'Conceive' itself into 'Existence'. Thus, only 'What Was Available' would suffice, and that was indeed a 'Little' -Roach- that somehow discovered 'Fire'.

But, this 'Little Roach' would just become a 'Croach' -- the 'Creature' the 'Party' saw before them 'Now'. The 'Croach' was just a 'Child' -Sized- *Roach* that used 'Crawl' and 'Crouch' tactics for 'Encroachment', which was its special 'Technique'.

It, however, was supposed to 'Evolve' like most all the 'Veritas Creatures', and did so into a 'Pre-Existing' form, which is the 'InkRoach'. Yet, due to there being the 'Enk Roach' and the 'Ank Roach', the 'Croach' would be the 'Creature' which would come from and grow into 'One Or The Other' as well as 'One And The Other'. This would 'Distinguish' it in its 'Diversity' so that it would be the 'True Predecessor' (as by design, it was, and got lost in the mix, and I forgot...) of the 'Croach' -Species- of the 'Armanatra' of the 'Veritas Creatures' -- also considered 'Verities'.

Suddenly, to attack the random 'Croach' that spawned, would be a 'Natural' -Veritas Creature-, not born of 'Creative Energy', but of 'Life Energy', like all the 'Mortal' and 'Living' -Beings- that were on this 'Plane' of the Veritas. It would strike at the 'Croach' and 'Strike' it dead, which would cause it to 'Poof' into 'Enigmas', which is also 'Manna' -- like the 'Phantasmagoria'.

The 'Needlecat' was the only 'Creature' that remained, and it watched the 'Party' -Curiously-.

Even then, the chaos was not yet over. For, a 'Variable Civilian' of unknown affiliation -- a raging 'Village Idiot' -Superhero- known only as 'Dumbstupidman' -- came to 'Scoop' the 'Needlecat' for himself. He was clearly and honestly a blithering idiot, but apparently, this sort of 'Character' was one of a certain 'Class' and 'Rank' and 'Type' that was 'Distinctive', just the same as the 'Creatures'.

This meant that the monsters weren't the only ones on the list for 'Classification' and 'Analysis' in the 'Fiesta Del Caza'... There were some 'Humanoids' with 'Ranks' and 'Titles' that were just as 'Fair Game' as the 'Creatures'.

In this, 'Dumbstupidman' would mangle the 'Needlecat' and 'Force' it to 'Submit' so that they could do battle.

'Dumbstupidman' and 'Needlecat' faced the 'Party', on 'Offense'!