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The crowd huddled in front of the City Hall awaiting the government's address to the public. Over 20 news reporting vans stood in a straight line, all the crews preparing to provide a live feed worldwide. All along the stairs to the city state's centre of laws and political power stood security, watching over the area, alert and ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. The civilians we murmuring amongst themselves, each person trying to foresee what the Prime Lady will say, other's were arguing what should be done about the menace that these now so-colled "metas" were turning out to be, yet others have already managed to produce signs for protesting -mere hours after the announcement of the speech by the government's PA- some in favour of keeping around the super beings and the rest wanting their immediate apprehension and/or eradication. A grizzly bear had a great overview of the area, by virtue of being tall, and could move through the crowd effortlessly for whenever someone bumped into him he wouldn't so much as budge, or notice for that matter. His friends were initially against him coming to see the event first-hand but he'd managed to convince them that he'd be able to handle himself if push came to shove, which they could not deny. Also, he doubted that even a stampeding crowd could so much as scratch him nowadays. But he needed to know what the authorities as well as the people on the streets thought of his kind. Just two streets ago when he was passing a toys store, he overheard two mothers with their little rascals in tow chiding their kids; "Don't pretend to be those abominations Timmy! Who knows who they'll assault next?" Online, the feedback seemed to have been more mixed, with the majority of support coming after the popularisation of videos that featured 'Sunblaze' and 'The Sentinel', the ermine and the wolf, whom had taken a stance against their fellow metas and protected innocents. Those two had already attracted quite the following of fans whom have already created sites dedicated to their new idols.

When a hush fell over the square, Liam's attention moved back to the podium where Prime Lady Janice Fairhorn, an ibex, was descending the stairs to towards the microphone, a posse of four personal guards at her side. Many stood on their tiptoes to get a better look.

"My dear citizens of Neopolis. We are faced with a new phenomenon, a new challenge... a new danger. The sudden and unexpected development of powers among those now dubbed 'Metas' poses a threat to our way of living, to the safety and prosperity of each an every citizen and the operation of public institutions. We will be taking every step to ensure that this unprecedented brand of criminals is brought to justice."

"Will the military be involved?" asked one reporter. Many of the gathered looked around worried, no one wanted their city to become a battle ground or to instate Martial Law.

"We see no need for this just yet. We believe that the city can employ its own resources to sufficiently handle the situation."

"What about the metas that have shown themselves to be heroes?"

"First of all, it is important to acknowledge that they acted as vigilantes. They have no right to engage in the activity that they have." This sparked a furore, particularly amongst the pro-meta crowds.

"They saved people!"

"My cousin would have died if not for that flaming ermine!"

"The cops can't keep us safe and you know it people! Haven't you seen what that zebra did until The Sentinel arrived?"

"We have to have some metas on our side else we're fucked!"

Exasperated, having known this would happen, the Prime Lady waited for the ruckus to die down before proceeding to explain, "We understand that other metas have a clear advantage when combating their kind. I did not say we will outlaw their existence. Only that vigilantism won't be tolerated. I am here partly to make a statement to all the upstanding men and women whom have been blessed with these abilities; report to their district's Police Precinct to register for service."

'They want us to register? Will we have to give away our identities and previous jobs?' Worried the bear.

"Does that mean that metas will be introduced into the police force?" asked a citizen.

"Not quite," she replied, "we haven't yet created a designated agency for this so metas will probably follow the procedures that cops follow and will take orders from the Chiefs but only temporarily until a seperate code for their conduct gets formalised. Once we have a meta department, we can begi-"

"I don't think so." Came a firm voice from above. People started looking around, some with fear, until one cheetah pointed to the approaching form of a glowing wolf. Liam could barely contain himself: it was the Sentinel himself! The wolf floated down to the Prime Lady's level and spoke loud enough for the microphones on her podium to pick up his voice. "Metas hold Citizenships of either Ordinary Tier or Extraordinary Tier just like all others in this country so you cannot compel us into service, its against the Constitution."

Now this had piqued Liam's interest. The wolf clearly had no issue performing that job and assisting police officers, yet he would not serve the public? Lady Fairhorn didn't like the idea either. "Oh, and you think I'm going to allow you to just roam around the city causing havok? To just terrorise the people of this land?" she gestured to the disapproving crowds behind him.

Seeing the negative reaction from the observers, Wilbur quickly repositioned himself sideways to, not facing away from, the crowd and conjured up an armchair for himself to sit and invited the Prime Lady to do the same once he made one for her. The display of powers caused the security around her to reach for their guns, but she waved them away, and with a stern look at her intelocutor, sat down in the -granted, suprisingly comfy- seat he had graciously provided. Now that they talked like equals, and more crucially without his own back to the audience, Wilbur could make his case, speaking partly to the Prime Lady, and partly to the gathered parties as well as all the world wide observers whom are receiving the news feed. "I have not said any as such. On the contrary, I intend to create an alliance of metas dedicated to the safekeeping of tranquility and prosperity. We will, however, be an organisation independent of the government."

The crowds erupted into a cacophony of outrage and celebration and indignation. Liam stood stupefied by what the wolf just proposed. How would that work?' he wondered.

"You cannot do that." countered the Prime Lady. "There are no legal paths for you to follow to establish such an institution."

"Of course I can," the wolf calmly said, "I've just finished the paperwork and soon the 'Meta Guild' will be listed at the Corporate House on 12th Avenue."

All of Neopolis was stunned, whilst anyone watching not familiar with Neopolian culture or legal system was confused. The Prime Lady paled; the Corporate House on 12th Avenue was infamous, no one even referred to it by its proper name; The Corporate House of Ordinary Tier Affairs. Like the Citizenship tiers which confered different privileges and rights, so too did corporations benefit from an identical treatment in having the option to be registered under one of the tiers. Corporate House on 12th Avenue dealt with all firms of the Ordinary Tier. Each Neopolian knew from the get-go that this meant that government had very minimal ways of interfering with the new 'Guild'.

He continued, "The Guild will have its own internal rules regulating the behaviour of members, we will monetise many of our endeavours to fund the institution though I haven't yet figured out how we'll handle all of the expenses such as pay and legal issues, but I'll release this information once it actually exists and I hope that by staying out of political institutions we will be less corrupt or under pressure to act in ways that please political interests. Hopefully, that is: I have yet to finish designing most of the safeguards and I do need to sleep sometimes."

The crowds around Liam started clambering for answers, flashlights from cameras obscuring the wolf and the Prime Lady.

~~~~~~~~

Theadus sat comfortably in his limousine as it rolled down the street in a more upscale side of town. He wore a fine blazer with gold trimmings at the cuffs with a freshly ironed out shirt underneath. Instead of a tie, he preferred to wear decorated burgundy cloth scarf. The stag decided to wear glasses for this occasion, knowing that such trivial accessories made him look more respectable to the fellow gala guests. Not that he held any contempt for them, but the upper class wanted a degree of conformity to their presuppositions and he deigned to oblige them to look like the professorial archetype. Besides, he was invited for the specific reason of advising on the rarity and value of the artifacts on auction. It wasn't uncommon for the 49 year old to be called in for his expertise in archeology, symbology and occult history. He was looking out of his window, watching the buildings lit up for the night pass by, perplexed.

"Not nervous, are you sir?" asked the young ocelot chaffeur asked.

"No, of course not Charlie," the stag said warmly, "I'm just mulling over today's events."

"Hm?... oh! The broadcast with the Prime Lady and that wolf who goes by 'Sentinel'?"

"Yes, I wonder as to how the public will take the presence of a group of metas once that wolf puts his project into motion."

"If I may, I for one would welcome such. For the mere excitement if nothing else."

'Oh child, you really don't fathom the gravitas of this affair.' chastised Theadus in his thoughts, 'He just juxtapposed metas, or at the very least those that will join him, with government power and authority intentionally or not but nevertheless brazenly. Friction is inevitable.' Looking at the reflection in the driver's rear mirror, he smiled, "At least someone is optimistic regarding this debacle."

"Well, if it goes as the Sentinel claims, we'll have a league of superheroes flying around saving people." the lad offered.

There were fewer meta attacks this day, probably thanks to the widespread knowledge that some metas would fight back, so if one were to look at it from that angle, the city is already halfway there. Which reminded him, "May I presume that you're a fan of Valkyrie ever since her début?"

The young ocelot blushed, though his fur hid most of it, "How did you know sir?"

"Call it a lucky guess." he replied with a chuckle. 'Lad, I would hazard a guess that every fine young feline man is drooling over this lioness shieldmaiden.' he mused to himself. Not that he blamed them, despite his love for his late wife, he had to admit that the lioness was an eyecatcher, even for other species. And her power was nothing to scoff at either.

"We're here sir. Enjoy the night." Charlie informed.

"Thank you Charlie, I'll see you in about an hour and a half." Theadus vacated the vehicle and climbed up the stair to the museum; it was a baroque building, full of splendor. The lights lit up the museum's sides and gave it a golden look in the near-night sky. The security let him pass through once he showed them his invitation and soon he had to mingle with the donors and auction participants and alumni. Half of them were well known celebrities, but he held no delusions that pop stars held an interest in historical paraphernalia, this was a publicity stunt for many of them likely arranged by their agents._ 'C'est la vie.'_ he brooded.

The evening dragged on, excruciatingly slowly, and his lips began to ache from all the fake smiles he had to serve. He decided it would be an apt opportunity to excuse himself to the toilet, to recuperate some sanity. But as he washed his hooves, sounds of distress and an odd hush fell over the soirée. Curious, he snook a peak through the door and saw a gang of armed robbers dressed in black tactical gear -professionals- keeping everyone hostage and collecting jewelry amongst other spoils.

Quickly retreating back into the bathroom, Theadus was enveloped in runic scriptures over his limbs and body and he disappeared in a flash of golden light to reappear atop the glass dome that dominated the museum. He bore a short burgundy zupan with golden stubs for buttons and somewhat loose trousers, with firmer wrapping closer to the bottom of his legs, one held to the other by a golden sash instead of a belt. As an outer layer, Theadus dorned a billowing robe that began at his pointy and padded shoulders, ran down his backand sides and ended just below the knees whilst the sleeves ended at the elbows. The edges were lines with golden silk. His forearms were protected by thin brass gauntlets, whilst his face was hidden behind golden runic tattoos that marked his face thoroughly to the point of hiding his identity. Around his neck, a tight, though somehow not uncomfortable nor heavy clasp of gold and atop his head, a golden circlet which for some reason he doubted would ever fall off.

~~~~~~~~

"Dats all? There outta be more!" growled one of the robbers; a black bear. He was looking around, trying to spy any leftover valuables.

"Dude, half these things will sell for thousands each, we really don't need that much." said a horse.

"Either way, we should start leaving. We have about a minute before the cops get around he-"

"May I assuade you that it is not the cops that ought inspire the fear in you?" a voice cut them off. The gang looked around frantically before one of them spotting the slowly descending figure of Theadus. Some started panicking when they realised that a meta had arrived to the scene but to the more thick-headed Theadus' warlocky look inspired more humour than terror. Undeterred, he decided to give them a chance, "My guess is you won't, but surrender and hand yourself over to the law enforcement. Otherwise, face my power."

Despite that he expected them to not give up easy, even the cautionary ones seemed to stand ground out of peer pressure or a mentality of group safety, the laughter was unappreciated. 'This evening is too long as it is. Let's resolve this issue.' Having ran out of patience, Theo raised one hooved palm; faint ribbons of glowing gold danced around his 'fingers' and shot out, elongating along the way, to form solid binding ropes around one of the dissidents. His incapacitation drew the others back to reality but before any could react, another two were bound.

The horse, being the most experienced and level-headed drew his gun first and fired off a shot at Theadus' head. The bullet struck and the stag stumbled forward. But whereas the horse thought he'd killed their opponent, Theo felt a dulling pain at the back of his head. Turning around slowly, he stared down his attempted murderer. All the thugs were tense now, all their weapons drawn and pointed at him in desperation, even the horse was acting out on muscle memory and instinct despite knowing that this wouldn't get far. The bear, usually the toughest man of their group, was quietly wimpering.

Yet rather than engaging in an open brawl with them, Theadus raised one arm above his head, commanding attention and drawing everyone's gaze to his hoof.

Snap! A blinding light burst from a simple finger snap (hoof, whatever) and blinded everyone sans the caster himself. Only in the moment that all his foes were ill-disposed did Theo spread out his arms allowing the material of his robe, from the bottom frill and his sleeves, to reach out to all corners of the hall and start wrapping itself around the thugs. As their eyesight returned, the horse couls see only the fierce yellow glow of the sorcerer's eyes and and the crawling tentacles of the cloth as is swallowed him up, turning the world dark.

~~~~~~~~

Six police vehicles parked right outside the museum inclunding one tactical van. Over a dozen officers pooured out and prepared to take positions to either storm or infiltrate the building or begin negotiations if hostages were taken. But before anyone could take more than three staps towards the building, the doors flung open and out poured endless sand. It wasn't ordinary sand; it had a fluorescent sheen to it. As it poured down the stairs, some larger heavier lumps started being uncovered and began drifting down the sand towards the awaiting and astounded law enforcement. When each lump was identified as an unconcious person dressed in black, the sand stopped pouring and a figure of gold and burgundy floated out. The stag's eyes lit up, runes appeared all along his torso and limbs, sand began swirling around him until he disappeared in a flash. The sand, all of it, withered away seconds later leaving behind just the perps for the cops to sweep up.

~~~~~~~~

Terrence sat atop the tallest building in the central business park overlooking half of Neopolis. He was only a few blocks away from Corporate House on 12th Avenue. It only took him a minute to fly across the city, but he'd been out for over half an hour -for an evening stroll he had to tell his parents- and still could not get himself to approach the tall drab grey building that was to be the future headquarters of the Guild. This was no trivial matter. 'Should I even join?' he wondered. This wasn't an issue of motivation: he wanted to bust the nose of every jerk that decided to abuse their new gift. But was this new Guild the right way?

His feet dangled off the side, his sitting at the edge though not caring a single bit. The breeze there may have been pleasant and soothing, but did nothing to calm his nerves. 'Ought I tell them?' he asked himself. There was little he held secret from his family, trusting them with everything from his childhood fears to his feeling about his previous relationships. This was a matter beyond mama's hugs and papa's pats. He was on the verge of enlisting into an organisation that would-

*Da-ding*

He reached in his pocket for his phone. Now of all times was not a good moment for a text. Yet his eyes widened when he saw it was a notification from "Mis-Match", the dating site he had joined recently. His match, one "SlimWuffer", had taken the leap of faith and asked if Terrence (or "BigBoi20") wanted to meet up at "The Pagoda", Mis-Match's own restaurant where new prospective coulples from the site could meet face to face for the first time! The one good news for today. He texted back:

BigBoi20: Sure. I'll book for tomorrow if you're available.

SlimWuffer: At 8pm? I know it's late but I'm quite busy with a new venture, so to speak. Leave the booking to me though.

BigBoi20: Fine by me. And hey... It will be nice to meet you.

SlimWuffer: Settled. And vice versa big boi :)

This really put a smile on Terrence's lips. They'd finally get to see what each looks like; they didn't even share their specie info! The website believed in mixed-specie coupling when personalities aligned but gave customers the option to retain their physiology secret. No more would "SlimWuffer" be just a turquoise paw icon, now he'll be able to put a voice and a muzzle to the person.

Stretching out his immense frame as he stood up, he turned into his costume and flew right back home. He would spend the rest of the night ironing out his best shirt for tomorrow.