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The Gala: Chapter 1

Emergency!

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Thud, thud, thud. Bolting through the halls, eight creatures dash towards the hallways with loud clanks of their pads treading on the platinum surface that served as their floors, stretched towards several rooms and pathways that resembled a complicated twist and turn of rooms. All of them had one goal in mind; to get to Poppy as soon as they possibly could. The sudden signal that they received was left without warning and quickly raised alarm and suspicious amidst the group. Surely— something must be wrong.. right?

Dogday was in the front, followed by the rest of his team in a V-shaped formation, running through the halls in a haste! Trying their best not to hit other Space Riders that were unfortunate enough to be wandering the hallways at such a time of emergency. What was happening? Why now? What does Poppy need from us? Did one of the Space Riders get into an accident with The Prototype Cult? All he could think of were the many, MANY possibilities on why Poppy would summon them without any warning or information, what they received was just a simple 'Get over here' message from the android mech. Sweat dripped from his forehead, the tension was high. Whatever it was, they need to take care of it, STAT.

As they neared the room, the purple feline slid forward, past his canine companion in a rush, leading ahead of the group and stretched his paw forward, aiming towards the hand panel. Pssssh... The mechanism whirred, a sound of a friendly beep and green glow surrounding the pad of the hand granted them access to enter the room.

“ACCESS GRANTED.” The doors opened at a moderate pace, the sound of a metal click audible just as it reached the top of the plating.

Go, go, go! Catnap signed shakily— panting lightly in quick breaths while watching the rest of the team enter the room shortly.. and so did he, lashing his tail as the doors automatically closed behind him upon entering.

Dogday bolts forward, skidding into a halt shortly after taking lengths to where Poppy was located, at the center. “Poppy!” He spat, panting heavily. His posture was defensive, tense even, like an enemy could strike at any moment inside here. Wiping off the sweat on his forehead with the back of his clenched fist, he sharply exhales, focusing his ebony optics at the alabaster android resembling porcelain. “What is.. it?! Why.. did you call us?! Is— is- Is something wrong?!” The sunny canine took pauses between his lines, continuing to pant— he needed to catch his breath. “Did.. did anything happen?! What is it this time?!” There were.. a lot of red flags being displayed here to be frank, Dogday only grew more tense by the second. His heart pounded, not just from how tired he was, but also from internal panic that was stored deep inside his chest. Surely there was a way they can—

Poppy blinks, “Hm?” quirking a brow upwards. Puzzled, she scans the room's ambience, sensing the troubled nerves of each member of the Crew with their brows knitted, exchanging glances at one another and then locking back at the android. Then, it clicked. Poppy perks almost cartoonishly, blinking twice. “Oh! There's nothing wrong!” Her eyes happily closed, gracing a cheery smile on her facial plating, bringing confusion among the group in front of her who's faces were bewildered and dumbfounded.

Dogday blinks. And blinks again. An awkward moment of silence reigned temporarily within the room, spiralling everyone with questions more than answers, and so did the confusion grow onwards. Hoppy lunges forwards, placing her hand on Dogday— the canine flinches suddenly. “Hold on!—” Her face scrunches up; a twist of a puzzled look and annoyance. “You're telling us that we came.. AAALL the way here, just for you to say that NOTHING'S WRONG?!” She pushes herself forward, now at the front of the group. Her ears pin down backwards, fur bristling slightly out of irritation. The rabbit points a finger digit at the android. “Hey! Maybe you should experience what it's like finishing a mission and immediately being drafted here to—”

An eyeroll, “Alright, alright, I'm sure Poppy can explain this to us.” Dogday grabs her by the arm and pulls her back behind him, much to the annoyance of Hoppy glaring at him then back at Poppy. “Why did you call us here then?” As the sunny canine raises a brow, his arms crossed in front of him, straightening his posture more formally to best suit the atmosphere.. and for a more 'professional approach'.

The glowing, brilliant blue pad that Poppy stationed herself on pulsed ever so slightly with a luminous light just as she hovers forward, excusing herself from the holographic panels that were occupying her. “I have good news AND bad news,” Her servos clicked, shifting a fixated gaze on the canine. “Which one do you wanna hear first?” Tilting her head, her arms locked behind her back, lenses shifting. Dogday blinks, glancing towards the others.. deciding through their expressions. Once confused, now thinking of an answer. A light exhale escapes Bobby, raising her hand and walking forward next to the purple feline and tangerine canine. “How about we hear the good news first? To lighten up the mood?” Looking around the group, it seemed like a mutual agreement; motioning a nod with their heads, glancing right back up at the alabaster android.

“Alright then!” Poppy snapped her fingers and lifted her hand up, summoning a holographic panel into view. “The good news is..” She gently pushed the panel towards the Crew, levitating over to Dogday until it automatically stopped right in front of him. The image it contained featured what one could assume was a letter, fashioned with lace patterns as borders with bouquets of flowers donned at the bottom of the interior of its box-shaped framing; seemed akin to an envelope of sorts.. though he wasn't able to make up any words of the content at the center— too foreign perhaps? He glanced back at Poppy with a raised brow, and much to his surprise, the android exploded in a bundle of joy; raising her arms in the air. “Surprise! You and your Crew— and a few others were invited to participate at the Gala that'll be hosted at the Syvaan Empire!” Squealing in happiness, her arms lowered slightly; around the height of her shoulders to motion her jazz hands! “Isn't that so exciting?”

Dogday's jaw DROPPED. Catnap and Bubba's eyes shot OPEN. Bobby LOUDLY gasped. Kickin, Picky, Hoppy, and Crafty grinned WIDELY.

The rest of the group began murmuring to themselves, exchanging glances and commenting about the wild turn of events! Seems like things won't go so bad afterall!

However, Dogday was still.. visibly shocked, barely responsive and frozen; processing the information slowly. Shaking his head, he snaps back to reality. The canine walks forward, approaching Poppy's glow pad in just a few steps. “I'm— I'm sorry,” A hand raises, the palm facing at the android. “Did you just say we got INVITED to a GALA?!” He sharply inclines his hand downwards, and.. let his jaw drop to the floor. Again. Words could not describe how absolutely bewildered he was, unsure how to take the news.. but it did sound like a fun idea the more it was ingrained into his brain. He grabbed his maw and closed it shut, “I mean..” chuckling awkwardly, he scratches the back of his head. Small, rusty colored tufts ruffling where he scratched. “It's an honor really! I wasn't expecting this, truth be told.” He exhales.. what a relief.

“Yep! Exciting, isn't it?” Poppy giggled, swirling around in her spot, followed by a blue trail of the loops below her feet. “Just think about it! You and the rest, wearing fancy outfits! Chatting, dancing, and doing all sorts of stuff with other guests!” She gestures her left arm upwards in a happy cheer, closing her eyes in delight. Looks like even Poppy was pretty hyped up about it too, seemed obvious enough from a different standpoint. “But.” Her eyes opened afterwards, raising a finger. “Here's where we get to the 'bad news.' unfortunately.” The android's brows began to furrow slightly, looking somewhat uneasy, now laced in a more serious tone than what was previously seen just a few moments ago.

The chattering among the team paused, ears were perked in alarm at the sudden shift in tone. In a synchronized manner, everyone turned to face Poppy in a focus.

Dogday's eyes would narrow, his gaze locked. “..Okay.” Now placing his hands on his hips. “Go on..”

The android hovered back down, though did not connect with the floor's surface of her glow pad. “There's a.. few things that might go wrong at the Gala.” She placed her hands in front of her, the other layered over the other servo, tapping the back of the porcelain-white plating. “Just a few hours ago, after I received the invitation, the messenger who sent it to me warned me about signals of activity coming from The Prototype Cult.” Poppy began, witnessing the cheerful and excited faces of the Crew suddenly transition into a stern and attentive shift. Cultists.. they were on the rise again. “That's what they need some of us for, to scan for any signs of danger that the Cultists might be plotting against us during the time of the Gala.”

Dogday grumbled.. his eyes looking down at the floor beneath him. Disappointed and lingering with slight frustration. “Of course..” Looks like they have another thing to do while out there.

“There's a chance they might be planning to surround the location where the Gala's hosted, or worse— infiltrate certain parts of the Empire.” The android raised her hand up, opening up multiple panels, featuring several images about the Planet where the Empire was located; Planet Jhyra - AB6H. Zooming into the map, she was able to pinpoint the location of the Empire and a few key points of areas that would be best to keep track of during their stay. Her gaze lands back on Dogday and the rest of the group, letting out a sigh of worry. “With the high activity surrounding the Planet, they've suspected more groups of them than usual, and it could be a rally.” She slides her finger against the screen, switching through images and notes that were displayed. “Having you and the others around can help ensure the safety of the Guests, inside or out of the venue. I just hope they won't plan anything rash this time around.” She ends her statement with a sigh, looking back at the rest.

Footsteps tread forward, tail tip twitching slightly. The purple feline pauses, standing side by side with his friend. I'm guessing we'll be extra security in the Gala? His hands motioned as a brow of his raises, to which Poppy replied with another sigh and a nod. “Seems like it.” Oh dear.

Catnap and Dogday exchange glances, the two nodding in sync as they face the android back. Dogday opens his mouth, “Well, if it's to stop The Prototype's cause of corruption.. then I guess we'll do anything to stop it!” A determined look on the sunny canine's face appeared; brimming with energy and confidence, greatly contrasting his reaction earlier. “And hey, even if we might be busy there, I bet the Gala's still going to be a blast, eh?” He glances at the feline and nudges him gently with an elbow, to which Catnap responded with a weak nudge of his own, rolling his eyes playfully. He turns around to face his crew, holding up a thumbs up in the air, to which the rest of them complied with a cheer! They'll ensure the safety of everyone!

Poppy froze slightly.. but warmly smiles right after. “Hehe— how motivating!” She clapped her hands. “Still, please be careful. We still don't know what threats they'll have this time— especially if the Guests aren't aware of the situation at hand.”

“Don't worry Poppy, we'll make sure everything goes smoothly the entire event, we promise.” The canine gave a toothy smile towards the android.

Relieved, Poppy nodded in response. “I guess you're all free to leave. Thank you!” Both the feline and canine nodded back and turned, walking back to the others. “Hey! Wait up!” Hum, hum, hum! The android waved a goodbye to the rest of the crew, watching Dogday and Catnap catch up and tag along.

“Oooh! D'ya think I can wear something awesome at the Gala?”

“How about a ball gown!?”

“Too much, probably too much.”

“Guuuys! Does that mean I have to wear a.. suit?”

“Haha! I'm gonna look SOOO awesome in mine! Just you wait!”

“Oh! Measurement! We need measurements!”

The chattering soon faded away as they exited the room, ready for preparations.

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(Chapter 1 complete! No artwork yet, I'm saving them for the actual Gala! Just thought I'd give a quick preview of what's there to come in the story! I look forward to posting more of the chapters as we progress into the main event of the story.)

The Space Riders Au belongs to @onyxonline