*Jaan held his hot, sunny Red Lotus petal. Flowers, trees, and shrubs of the Grasslands mixed with the caustic red flower. He threw his goals around in his head. Breaking down what he must do to gain his key into the high life. "Right, join my family. First, I must complete my metamorphosis. Then, slay my former human friends." Taking a nervous gulp, he placed the prime Red Lotus into his jaws. Beginning to chew it up. "I don't know what will hurt more... the transformation, or having to kill my party mates."*

*Jaan's orange fur started to glow, flashing red. Convulsions throughout his body, making the mimiga fall to his knees. Staring at the grassy floor, his environment was unrecognizable due to the chaos warping his perception. The training warrior began wheezing. As his eyes became a ruby-like, his orange was now a mix of red. Mildly uncomfortable start, in a helpless position.*

*Jaan felt dry, his eyes watering and mouth drooling. Pain from his choice sets in, hurting all over. His body felt empty, as if he had not fed for two days. Clenching his waist, leaning into the floor, Jaan felt like he was going to gag.

Jaan: "Ma, I'm... doing it... I... I think I messed up! It hurts so much-"
"... So thirsty, s-starving... it hurts!"

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*The group catches on to the incident taking place with Jaan. Two of the adventurers walk up to see the mimiga. Witnessing the shaking, balled up, utter mess of a rabbit. They saw his wide, red eyes, covering himself as if scared.*

Adventurer 1: "Hey what's wrong with Jaan? Did he eat a poisoned plant?"
Adventurer 2: "Oh no, he might have. I know that they eat flowers and stuff, must've been a bad one."

Jaan: "W-water!... Water... Everything hurts."

*The two quickly pick up the small mimiga. One commenting "Geez, he feels really warm. Is it a fever?" Dragging the guy towards the lake in front. As for the additional two who later take note, they move towards Jaan. Hoping he wasn't sick; they search for whatever plant he might have eaten. One veteran adventurer, Locke, moved towards where he last saw Jaan. A bit further back, he saw a strange, vintage trinket towards the back.*

*Locke picked up the trinket. Brass metal, a mechanical clock that has stopped turning. Checking out the back, he saw the engravings. The 2 monsters, ravils, biting down on the flower in the middle.*
Locke: "This looks like a timed contraption."

*He checked out the hidden compartment that was open, empty. Locke decided to sniff the empty pocket, getting an oddly strong whiff of a spice.*
Locke: "What is this? It looks, old, worn, ceremonial... Wait, what is going on?"

*He watched his party members give Jaan everything they can. Lowering his head into the water... watching him drink at an alarming rate without restraint. Locke looked at the ravils on the trinket, then at Jaan. Both of them had a similar rabbit physique. Locke was brainstorming possibilities.*

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*Locke decided to press the shoulder of one of his idling friends. Showing him the trinket. *

Locke: "Check this out. I think this fell out of Jaan's pocket... smell the hidden compartment. The substance, spicy but, there is something oddly familiar about it. He must've deliberately ate something from it. Why'd he willingly eat poison?"

Adventurer 3: "That's a creepy looking rabbit monster there. Maybe it's ceremonial? Wait, you aren't suggesting-"

Locke: "Yes, ritualistic origins. I always felt wary around Jaan. This is some suspicious paraphernalia. I'm going to confront him on this."

Adventurer 3: "You're being judgmental. He is a tribal like most of the mimigas we saw on the island. Jaan saved our lives a couple times, and in turn saved his too! Why'd you suggest he betray us?! Or are you jealous because Jaan shows survival skills rivaling your own?"

Locke: "Please stop for a moment. Haven't you noticed any clues; a chance Jaan is setting us up? The weird big footprints when we backtracked? How Jaan is trying warm up to us, buddy up. Yet, quieter the later in the weeks it became. These last few days he seemed most distant."

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*Jaan finished drinking water from the lake, the coldness helping to subside the pain. When Locke and his partner checked towards Jaan, the mimga changed... Dramatically.*

*Jaan stared at the reflection in the water. He's grown 4 times his size. Going from the smallest in the group, to the largest. The 2 people assisting him backed up in surpised. The ravil-turned mimiga sighed. His face was so different. Long, seed shaped eyes. His jaws becoming jagged. His emotional frown was more of a grimace. Running his large clawed hands slowly through his head. Ears growing longer and flatter.*

*The orange white fur was now an orange-red. Now getting up on his knees. Finally in touch with reality. Quenched, he began to speak. The ravil having a tear run down his eye.*

Jaan: "I would have died if you had not helped me. Thank you, all. You truly are good friends... I feel so terrible. Sorry."

Adventurer 1: "Sorry for what? We're here for you. Well, you certainly changed from a mimiga. What are you now?"

Jaan: "I'm a ravil. It's what mimigas must strive to become... Remember that question I asked you all those days ago? If I had to choose, friends or family? My answer is clear... I must choose family. Therefore, please forgive me for what I must do next."

Adventurer 1: "Why, wha what's the sentimental dribble you're say-"

*The ravil Jaan propped up from his spot, on 2 legs. It was sudden, the first human caught in a daze, seeing how tall Jaan was. Grabbing the party member's shoulders, yanking him close to his jaws. Opening up like a shark, bringing his first former friend over. The adventurer's thoughts going, "huh?" Locke's jaw dropped, already reaching for his sword.*

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*It was clear what happened next. Yet, everyone was mentally processing the fact Jaan killed one of his party members. By the time he finished, the first victim was already a pile of bones, dropping to the ground. Jaan felt energized, fully lucid for the time being. Turning gradually to his group, reacting in a mellow, apologetic fashion.*

Jaan: *"...Watch me."*
"Please die dignified deaths."

*The second adventurer had drawn out his lever-action rifle. As for the other two humans, they jumped to the offensive. Locke was first charge, angrily swiping with his great sword. "I was right!" Jaan drew out his blade with one hand, blocking the slash. The recoil sending a few hot shards between both of them. Jaan was about to give a killing blow to the irrational Locke, who the ravil towered over.*

*Bang-*

*Jaan took a shot from the rifleman. Causing him to give an angry muffled hiss. "Range superiority. My least favorite trait." He gives a swift foot kick to Locke, sending him into the lake water. Immediately focusing on the rifleman, Jaan used both hands now to hold the sword. Charging in a jousting fashion, the backup swordsman deterred Jaan with equal speed. Every time spent detouring around the swordsman, the further his true target got.*

*Now the human opponent was giving him additional cuts with decisive, quick blows. Treating the encounter, the way any would to a monster, disregarding the friendships they shared. With the rifleman continually shooting at him, he was taking mild injury.*

Jaan: "Losing blood, damn that gunman! It makes me so livid; I wish I could, rrrrgh, reach out and stab him! If only I had drawn out my 'latent power...' Must, persevere."

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*Jaan was filled with fury, holding his sword sideways. He imagined how brutally he wanted to smash that rifleman, who now was sitting on higher ground. His whole vision turned reddish purple. Crimson eyes shaking. He reared the blade back, the scenery he watched, now being pinched backwards (like witnessing hyper speed). He jousts his blade forward. The environment elongating with the distortion Jaan saw towards the rifleman's image.*

*An audible, sliding pierce is heard. The rifleman dropping his gun in confusion.*
Adventurer 2: "Did someone, gank me through the back?"
*"No, it was the front." Head slouched downward, noticing the portal distortion where Jaan thrusts his blade through a wormhole. The blade retreats, passing back through his front chest again. The rifleman falls.*

Jaan: "Hmmm, that shows promise. My abilities hit the lottery on this one."

*Jaan wanted to know more about how he pulled that off, making a portal to thrust his weapon and hit enemies from afar. His mind preoccupied, his only explanation... It happen with instinct, no practice or training.*
*Two humans left. Locke, now exiting the water. By the time he re-entered the battlefield, pushing through the shrubs, he saw the last standing companion, struggling. The last swordsman, lacking ranged support was crumbling under Jaan's ferocity. Badly bruised, the swordsman was kicked to the curb. Rolling across the ground, appearing pitifully hopeless.*

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Adventurer 3: "H-help. My legs, I can't feel them."

*Locke was swearing under his breath. Rage building, temptation drew him to kill Jaan, but to leave his friend here? The party member reaching out into the air. Locke smacked his own forehead. "Agh, I'll kill that traitor later!" Picking up the bruised comrade, and turned tail. Running with the man on his back, they dashed through the forest. Locke sneaked a peak behind him.*

*Jaan stares back with plain, crooked indifference. Walking towards the crew, followed by many large leaps. Locke uses the thick vegetation to hide himself from the pursuing ravil. Judging by Jaan's physique to be that of a rabbit or kangaroo, he will catch up if this was neutral ground. Least now, Locke had the advantage to hide. Searching for a spot where they could sneak by, he found a spot for now.*

*Locke awkwardly pushes his partner inside a fallen hollow log. The great sword user follows suit, tucking in. Hoping for now, Jaan was misdirected to keep running past them to eliminate the remaining contenders.*

Locke: "Curse it all to hell, why, why Jaan?! What is the island's problem, what did we do?!"

Adventurer 3: "Khhh, hugh, Locke... Find one of the villages. Warn that Jaan is a murderer. Get medical help."

Locke: "Shhh, lets not waste energy. Rest for now, while I figure out how to get us out of this mess."

*Both of them laid on their sides, biding their time. Locke, wishing to fight, is held back tending to the wounded that was his partner.*

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*Back at the Lotus capital, the entire tourist group were being summoned to another get together. This time, it was by the order of King Midas. "By order," odd that the king made it a requirement to come. Scheduling it from an hour from now. Everyone had to stop what they were doing and attend the "get together." The only hook being given, "it was native tradition."*

*Johnny was in his bathroom. The journalist felt anxious. In any moment, butterflies may erupt from his torso. Holding his head, this "native tradition" being the warning sign. The investigator was more bothered by the prospect of never getting out. He checked out the airport, but was never able to board the plane. Being directed to go back to the palace. Unable to simply flee, his choice was to hide. Thousands of feet in the air, there was no way to exit normally.*

*Opening his backpack, and taking some nausea/headache pills, he washed up his face.*

Johnny: "Options, options. I barely memorize the landing routines. I can maybe hide in a loading crate for the plane to take me."
"I also could craft a parachute, hide long enough for me to build one... But what about the others? I'd have to make plenty of parachutes."
"You know what, I got to break the news to the others. Or build us distraction."

*Returning to his backpack, he took as many essentials he was able to in his jacket. Pepper spray, medicine, recording devices, and his self-recharging energy pistol back when he used to work federally. He made one last detour to meet with one of the other tourists.*


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*Johnny entered the room of the scientists. It being just Date, Moromin, and Sue who were just about to follow their colleagues to the meeting area. The head scientist and doctor gaved mixed reactions. Moromin crossing her arms at the intruder. Date cringing, knowing where this is going.*

Johnny: "The island, we're in danger. We-"

Date: "-Need to go. Yes, already told her."

Moromin: "Eugh, not you too! I think I had enough of this nonsense. A one in a lifetime opportunity to study a phenomenon found nowhere else. And you all keep spoiling the moment. If you people hated this place so much, you all never should've boarded the plane. It's really hurting workplace morale. Believing it was just Date, now it's you, Johnny."

Sue: "Bet Itoh's conspiracies are infectious. They're rubbing off people. Mmh haha~"

Johnny: "Oh shut up. It's not a conspiracy, stupid kid! I have the tapes and pictures to prove it. Plus, I bugged the mess hall not too long ago. Evidence to prove it."

Sue: "Weird nuts like you deserve to get bullied in school. I'll show you a 'stupid kid,' come 'ere!"

*Sue was ready to throw up hands. Yet is ultimately is held back by her mother, already annoyed by both of them.*
Sue: "Hrmgh. I still have 3 years left to beat you up as a 'stupid kid.' Jerk..."

Johnny: "Nice. If I was still a federal agent, I'd have you later thrown in prison instead of juvenile detention."

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*After the pointless arguing was finished, Johnny played the tape from the bugged mess hall. It was King Midas speaking with his guards and alike. Everyone listened it out for the truth to come out.*

*Beginning of recording.*
King Midas: "... Is Echo up here yet? It's reaching the end of the 3 weeks and everyone pushing the schedule ahead. I don't think my subjects can take waiting for any longer. Besides, I am getting very bored."

*Much waiting around, typical chatter. The recording is sped up to when the new individual named Echo arrived. His voice, soft but quick witted..*

Echo: "Sorry, my king. It's very difficult rushing to these occasions, when I cannot freaking walk!"

King Midas: "Eesh, tone back the sarcasm. And lets get to the point."

Echo: "Yes, your lordship. If only my arms could dial the knobs despite me being quadriplegic... I can practically hear the ravenous thoughts going through your ravils' minds. You want me to label as many people with 'Label F' as possible. Yes, I get the drill. You people are practically starving with bloodlust. Okay! Okay...."

King Midas: "Exactly~. You can, skip giving people labels such as 'S' and 'E.' Please."

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Echo: "No can do sire. That isn't protocol. You know what Head Director Scott said, he needs proper test subjects and personnel. Plus, you all will have plenty of food anyway... You know how important it is we stay allies with the humans, right?"

King Midas: "Aurrrrgh. Defy me? I, order you, to give them all, 'Label F.' My people grow impatient."

Echo: "I'll try. Perhaps in the meantime you ravils can gnaw at each other while I patiently go over with the screening~"

Background Ravil: "You mouthing little punk! Watch what you say around the king. Disrespecting your superiors. You're just a pathetic, purple-pink looking mimiga!"

*Motions of stomping towards the figure in question, Echo. A loud swing towards Echo, followed by a glassy gong sound. Someone is thrown back and crashes. Mild monstrous whimpering.*

Echo: "Not very smart, attacking a psychic. That's what you get. While I may be paralyzed, I am not helpless. Enjoy dinner with a broken arm, ravil... Okay, we're done here. Call them in."

*End of recording.*

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*The whole room feel silent, none of the travelers were in a mood to comment. Sue was in defiant disbelief. Considering this was all just a big misunderstanding.*

Sue: "Well, that, ummm, they meant for the better of us. They weren't talking about us specifically? Everyone here is, well, paranoid. Surely when the event takes place, everything will be cleared up."

Date: "Hate to say it, Sue, you're in denial. I told everyone we should have booked a flight back home."

Moromin: "I'd like to say the same as Sue... What do we do now?"

Johnny: "I have an idea for an escape plan. Unfortunately, it means we can't save everyone. Lets look at the truth first. Your co-workers will probably be dead... Here's 2 options we got. We can all try creating parachutes and fall towards the surface. At that point it means finding a human settlement then contacting the authorities with the evidence I got."

Johnny: "Second option, we sneak back on the plane. But we have only a few times to do that once a week. We'd have to get lucky and get into crates, hoping we don't get seen... I'm going to find the others, see if I can stage a rebellion or resistance."

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*Johnny leaves the room, trying to find anyone else remaining that may be of help to him. Date, Moromin, and Sue reluctantly exiting and moving towards the mess hall. Quietly, they join the ranks with the other humans. Standing across them, was a droll. A droll, holding a mimiga. The purple-pink one, mentioned in the recording.*

*Echo's eyes were naturally wide, with small pupils. Holding a quiet expression. All four of his limbs looked pale and limp. Echo rocked his head back and fourth, urging towards the humans. Then putting on a happy smile.*

Echo: "Hello everyone! Nice to meet you all. It's going to be a swell day for everyone. My name's Echo, and I'm here to give you all your ceremonial badges. Here, we give foreigners special marks that will hold them a secret, unique honor among Lotus Island. Now please line in a linear fashion as I hand you people your badges... Heh, I mean, my assistant will."

Echo: "F! F! F! F! F! You get an F... F... F..."

*Echo looks at the doctor, focusing on him then immediately recoiling. The purple-pink psychic answering in an exaggerated manner.*
Echo: "Definitely F!"
*Date gave an angry frown.*

*Soon turning to Moromin. Echo paused slightly longer, scratching his chin using his ears.*
Echo: "Hard to find special folks like you... You get an S. Congratulations."

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*Then it came to Sue's turn. Echo was acting nonchalant, handing out labels pretty fast. This time he legitimately had to slow down. Echo thinking "Oh no... Poor thing."*
*Echo turned his head towards the mimiga who were sitting impatiently at the side, then at Sue. Biting his lip, tossing what label he thought best. "She's just a kid." Also beginning to shimmer a purple glow, Echo tried analyzing her memories.*
*"Ugh, I hate my life. Why do I have to be the one to potentially seperate a family?" Echo closed his eyes. Giving his best answer for Sue's situation.*

Echo: "Sue gets the Ffffffffffff-....."
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
Echo: "The 'E' mark."

Sue: "The 'E,' what is that?"

*Sighing, it was the best he can do for her situation. Sue turned her head, scratching. Why did she get the E mark and not F? Maybe Echo wasn't too heartless.*
*Echo then had moved to Johnny the investigator. At first, he didn't expect anything unqiue from this human. But Johnny raised his hand, interrupting Echo before he could speak.*

Johnny: "Excuse me but I'm not feeling well, again. Can we do this another time, just hand me the S or E mark and be done with it, yeah? There's a lot of things I'd like to do here and help with."

*Echo silently reacting. "Oh, Sugar Hot Ice Tea-. This is really bad. He's onto us." Echo has a warm smile, giving 2 distinct "Khhlck khhlck" lip smacks.*
Echo: "Johnny gets 'F', nice knowing ya. Always trust your gut feeling."

*Johnny's heart sank. Head lowered, then back towards his travelers. Reaching into his jacket for an object, holding his hand in there.*

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*A huge, hulking individual walks into the room. Gazing down upon the 2 female humans of the room. His red cat eyes watching the duo. Tightening his green tie, and reaching into his green pockets. The buff ravil held 2 strange, high-tech wrist watches. Handing one to Moromin. Igor blinked, taken back to seeing Sue, "Odd choice, Echo... Me feels, deja vu." Finishing his blinking, he hands Sue the high-tech wrist watch.*

Igor: "Professor says put these one. Need them for right-of-way, for safety. I explain, during the way. Lets go."

*The 3 "special" guests then leave the area. Closing the double, heavyset doors with a loud boom. King Midas closes his cat eyes, then leans forward onto the table, sighing. The atmosphere changed; a couple travelers smilingly confused to the vibe of the air. A mimiga who's arms were crossed; steps forward close behind Johnny. Face holding an expression like: '_'
*The rabbit found the event, tenacious. "Start the graduation ceremony already." In the mimiga's other arm, he was flipping a coin shaped red pill in one hand, scented spicy. Again and again. Awaiting the opportunity to pop it into his mouth.*

King Midas: "I think it's time I told you, the rest of our history, yes?~"
"Jack must have filled you in. Now here, is the rest. You will want to hear this. My favorite moment in these events is the reaction of their faces right before the storm~"

*The door behind the guests was clamped shut by a wooden click sound. The one behind Johnny now couldn't help himself, breaking character and growing a most wide grin. Faint chuckles in the background. Mimigas' hands in their pockets. Some already holding red-looking pretzel sticks in their mouths...*