FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Charm City Champion

Chapter #2

By Marcus Noble

Opening Song: Get the Party Started - Pink

Terry had spent pretty much the entirety of Saturday and Sunday morning making sure that his apartment was clean. He usually did his cleaning on the weekend but since he knew that Victor was coming over, he wanted to make especially sure that his place was spotless. He knew the monkey wouldn't say anything but he knew his friend didn't like dust and dirt of any kind. Terry figured it came from working in IT for so long, wanting to keep dust from getting onto computer parts.

Terry put a bag of popcorn in the microwave and looked for a bowl to put it in when he heard the phone ring. He walked from the microwave to where the kitchen met the living room, the pre-game show playing on the LCD tv. He thought it might have been Victor calling about getting something from the grocery store, but his face sank a bit when he saw the name on the caller ID. It was his father, Martin.

He picked the cordless phone off the receiver and pressed the talk button. "Hello?" he said in a flat, even tone.

"Hello? Really, Terry? That all you have to say to me?" The voice was deep and grumbled. Followed by a short cough.

"You're lucky that's all I have to say. Is this important? I have things to do." Terry was starting to get a bit impatient.

"Well I was going in for my next round of treatment tomorrow and I was wondering if you wanted to come see me." He coughed again, this time a bit louder.

"I will tell you what I told you last time Marty." he said, putting extra emphasis on the name. "I'm not going to see you and if you call me again I'm going to tell the police that you're violating the restraining order."

"I don't care about that Terrance. And you don't call me by my name. You haven't earned that right." Martin said, his voice picking up in volume before another coughing fit started up.

"I hope you choke to death old man. Now don't fucking call me again!" Terry said as he pressed the disconnect button. He wished he had an older phone so that he could really emphasize how he felt by slamming the receiver as he hung up. He then smelled burning coming from the kitchen as the microwave beeped repeatedly.

"Shit!" He sighed and strolled over to the other side of the kitchen, opening the microwave door. The smell of burning popcorn billowed out.

He tossed the burnt popcorn bag into the trash can and opened a window, hoping that the smell would escape outside. He went down the short hall and passed his bedroom to grab some air freshener from the bathroom. He sprayed the apple and cinnamon scent around the room until it sufficiently masked the burned smell. Returning the bottle to the bathroom before tossing another bag of popcorn into the microwave and closing the window. Not wanting to let too much warm air out of the apartment.

Just then he heard his phone ring again, he saw that it was someone calling from the box outside. "Hey Vic, I'll buzz you in." he said, putting on his best smile.

Victor grunted a bit and his voice sounded a bit distorted through the aging metal box. "Allright hon. But be quick. Don't know how much longer I'll be able to hold onto this stuff."

Terry entered his code to unlock the front door of the building and a minute later he heard a knock on the door. He checked the peephole to be sure it was Victor. The Colobus monkey was there wearing jeans and a brown t-shirt with an 8-bit styled cup of coffee on it with "1UP" in an 8-bit styled font underneath. In his right hand he held a six pack of National Bohemian beer and in the left was a large bag of Utz crab spice flavored potato chips. He stepped to the side and motioned the monkey in.

Victor stepped into the kitchen and wiggled his nose as he smelled the air. Setting the beer and chips down on the counter. "You baking a pie?"

Terry's ears shot up and his shook his head "Oh no. I got a bit distracted and burnt some popcorn." he said as he took the bag out of the microwave and would empty it into a large plastic bowl.

Victor pulled two of the beers out of the six pack and followed Terry into the living room. "Distracted? You're usually focused like a laser hon. Everything allright?"

Terry didn't want to concern himself or Victor with the phone call. He wanted to enjoy his day off and he wasn't going to let some stupid drama stop him. "Come on, the game is about to start." They both moved to sit on the couch, the rabbit setting the popcorn in the center of the table and the monkey setting the beers on a coaster on either side of the bowl.

They would spend the first two quarters of the game snacking on popcorn and sipping on beer. At halftime Terry went into the kitchen to put the empty popcorn bowl in the dishwasher. Victor followed him, leaning against the archway. "You sure you're okay hon?" Victor sounded concerned for his friend. "Usually you are a bit more lively during game time. I heard mimes that were louder than you during that last quarter."

Terry closed the dishwasher and walked past Victor, not even turning his head to look at the monkey. "Yeah Vic, I am fine." His voice sounding a bit short as he returned to his seat on the couch. Victor was about to return to his seat as well, but he looked at the phone. He picked it up off of the charging station and looked through the call log. He saw Terry's father was the last call he received.

Victor walked over to the couch and held the phone out toward Terry. His tail moving back and forth behind him. "Why didn't you tell me that your dad called?"

Terry's ears lowered, falling against the back if his head. "Well I wanted to have fun watching the game. Didn't want you to worry about my stupid bullshit with Marty hon."

Victor's tail stood up straight against his back. "Marty? Are you still on that?"

Terry narrowed his eyes. Staring a hole into Victor. "Yes I am. That man has done nothing to deserve being called my father." He picked up the TV remote and increased the volume. "Now can we drop it, I'd like to watch the fucking game. You know? The reason I invited you over in the first place." The room fell silent and they spent the rest of the game saying nothing. Just drinking beer.

After the game finished they both got up for the couch. Victor walked to the bathroom and Terry walked into the kitchen. Carrying the empty beer bottles with him before tossing them into the recycling bin under the sink. Terry then opened the freezer and pulled out a cheese pizza. As he set up the oven to preheat Victor walked into the kitchen and just watched Terry walk about as he prepared the frozen dinner. Victor spoke up softly "Look Terry. I'm sorry I looked at your phone."

Terry said nothing. He just took a baking tray out of a cabinet and started to line it with aluminum foil. Victor groaned under his breath. Shutting his eyes and rubbing his forehead. "If you don't want to talk about your dad that's fine Ter. But at least tell me something. I hate it when you shut me out like this."

Terry would turn to his friend, crossing his arms over his chest. "Look the whole reason I got the restraining order was so that he could stay out of my life. You pressing the issue really isn't helping Victor."

Victor held up his hands and hung his head. "Allright Ter, I'll drop it. Besides, there's no way you're going to eat a whole pizza by yourself. So I know you're not kicking me out."

The oven beeped and Terry opened the door sliding the pizza in before striding over to Victor. Scooping him up in a big, tight hug. Lifting the lanky monkey up off the floor a few inches before setting him back down. Terry smiled widely. "You've always been there for me man. Thanks."

Victor would reach up and pat the rabbit on his strong shoulder. "Well you've helped me out of a few scrapes too."

They would spend the rest of the night reminiscing about all the times that they had helped each other out over the years. Terry grabbed the last piece and took a bite before letting out a deep chuckle. "That first time I met you in elementary school was the best. When those hyenas were making fun of you and pushing you around."

Victor laughed along with him as he finished his pizza, walking over to the trash can to toss out a paper plate. "Yeah then you ran over and punched one of them in the face." he then did his best to look aggressive. Growling and gnashing his teeth. "Anyone messes with that monkey I'm gonna kick them in the ass!" He let out a relaxed sigh. "What happened after that?"

Terry would visibly shudder. "Well Marty didn't care much for that, I got the belt." He would then see Victor's face turn regretful. "But don't worry. It was worth it. If I hadn't done that I wouldn't have such a great friend now would I?" Victor would nod and they would raise their last beer cans in a toast.

While they waited for the alcohol to wear off, Terry turned on CNN on the tv. Talking to one of the anchors was a prim and properly dress raccoon woman. Her black and grey pants suit matching her fur as she looked the anchor in the eye, never seeming to leave his gaze no matter what he said. The caption at the bottom of the screen said she was Cassandra Rosslyn, the legal representative of the superheroes of New York city. Terry let out a loud belch and pointed at the screen. "Why the hell do supers need a lawyer?"

Victor let out an exasperated sigh as he would lean his head onto his friend's wide, strong shoulder. "They fight crime hon. You do anything involving crime, it's best to have someone who knows the law on your side." Terry shrugged as they continued to watch the interview.

As the interview went on the anchor asked about a rumor that Rosslyn wanted to expand her operation into other cities. Including those that did not have problems with super powered criminals. Rosslyn kept an even and professional tone, even after the accusation. "Every city has problems with crime. And after the introduction of super heroes to New York City, violent crime has been reduced by 25 percent."

The anchor would then speak up after she dropped that statistic. "Yes but many cities seem to be doing just fine without them. And they prefer to live without the collateral damage."

Rosslyn kept her cool as she responded. "Yes, because the regular police have never done anything like that have they? No one is perfect, but those I represent those that fight the crime that the police can't. You think a beat cop can apprehend a suspect that can shoot electricity from his hands?" The anchor was silent for a moment before admitting that Rosslyn had a good point.

The show closed with the anchor thanking Rosslyn for her time and her thanking the anchor for having her on the show. Despite the conflict in their discussion earlier they seemed to have a mutual respect for each other. Terry turned off the tv, he and Victor got up off the couch and walked towards the front door of the apartment. They would hug each other tightly for a few moments before letting go.

Victor would turn back as he walked through the doorway, his tail dancing about behind. Him. "I had a great time hon. See you at work tomorrow."

Terry smiled back at him. "Thanks, see ya." He said with a wave as the monkey walked down the hallway and out of the building. Not tired enough to go to bed yet. Terry sat on the couch and turned the TV back on. Switching it over to a channel showing the local news.

The anchor woman, a blonde vixen cut in during one of the commercial breaks with a breaking news story. "This just in. Baltimore police are currently in a standoff outside of the First National Bank of Baltimore. Three robbers entered the bank about half an hour ago and took the night guard hostage. The suspects have yet to be identified but police are asking that anyone living in the area to stay inside until the situation has been resolved." The report would then move onto the weather.

Terry thought about the night guard. Wondering how afraid he probably was, probably hoping he could get home to his family soon. With the robbers taking a hostage the cops weren't going to storm the place just yet. They'd probably be calling in SWAT and a hostage negotiator in soon. But maybe he could do something. It was only a few blocks away after all. He could be in and out with the hostage and the cops could take care of the rest. Still, going in without concealing himself would be a bad idea. So he reached into the the back of the closet for his winter clothes. Grabbing a black balaclava and slipping it on over his ears along with a long sleeved black t-shirt, keeping his blue jeans on.

He jogged down to the basement and locked the door behind him. He placed his hands on the ground and started concentrating. Slowly he moved his hands away from each other and the floor would start to part. A circular shaped hole forming, he made it just big enough that he could fit through. He waited to be sure that his alteration didn't effect the foundation of the building before dropping down into the sewer and sealing the hole closed. He was glad that that balaclava covered his nose, but it still didn't block out all of the smell.

He continued through the sewer, breathing through his mouth to avoid the smell as best as he could. He kept moving in the direction he thought the bank was, the names of the streets above were painted onto the bricks of the sewer. Though the paint had faded quite a bit over the years. After about five minutes he stopped underneath where he believed the bank was. He figured that this would put him in a bathroom, so hopefully he wouldn't catch one of the robbers taking a leak. He pushed his hands up against the bricks over his head and pushed them away. Making sure to be very careful as he looked upward through the small hole. Seeing fluorescent lights overhead, then the tile of what looked like a small, one person employee bathroom. Sitting on the toilet was a slightly overweight boar in a blue shirt and black pants of the bank's security officer. He opened the hole wider and moved his head through it. The boar was startled, nearly falling off the toilet seat.

The boar snorted but spoke softly. "Who the hell are you?" His uniform had an embroidered patch over the left breast pocket. It had his last name, Ramirez on it.

Terry spoke softly enough so that only the boar could hear him. "I am going to get you out of here."

Ramirez looked with wide eyed shock at the rabbit's head coming out of the sewers. "And you expect me to go down there?"

Terry's tone changed from friendly to annoyed very quickly. "Either that or you take your chances with the bank robbers. Just don't breathe through your nose." He held out a hand to the boar who took it. He was then gently helped downward onto the slippery stones before Terry closed up the hole above them. He easily untied the boar's bonds and led him further into the sewers. He followed the street names painted above him until he stopped suddenly. He remembered during the news report that this was where the police had set up their perimeter.

Terry then lifted his hands up, pressing them to the ceiling and then slowly pulling them apart. The pavement above his head slowly giving way as the light from the streetlights and police sirens overhead filtered in. He then suddenly found a gun pointed his his direction. It was held by a slender rat in a Baltimore City Police uniform. "Freeze! Hands in the air where I can see them."

The boar and the rabbit both raised their hands as Terry spoke very slowly and carefully. Not wanting to sound threatening. "Relax hon. I saved your hostage for you. You're welcome." He whispered to the boar and nodded at the opening. "Go on." Ramirez grabbed on to the opening and struggled to pull himself up. Terry got under him to help him up, the officer holstering his weapon to pull on his hands. As soon as the boar cleared the opening and got up on his feet. Terry quickly grabbed onto the opening and pulled his hands together, closing it. The officer cried out for him to stop, but it was too late.

Terry jogged quickly back through the sewers towards his apartment. He was sure that it would take some effort if the cops wanted to chase after him, but he didn't want to make it easy for them to find him. When he got back to the street where his apartment building was, he finally calmed down. He opened a hole above his head and pulled himself into the basement. Closing the hole after getting back onto his feet. He walked toward the exit and was about to turn of the light when the door opened.

In the doorway stood the building's landlord. A middle aged rabbit woman, covered in grey fur. She wore a long black skirt that went down to her ankles and sport top that clung tightly to her chest. She must have just gotten home from the gym. "Oh hey Terry. You didn't answer your door so I thought you would be down here. Wanted to make sure everyone was allright after I heard about that whole bank robbery mess down the road."

Terry gave her an easy smile. "Oh hey Amber. Yeah I heard about that before I came down here. Figured there wasn't much I could do about it, so I wanted to blow off some steam before I went to bed." he said as he wiped the back of his hand over his brow. The rabbit grinned and moved closer to him.

"I see. Did you want a drink? Or maybe some coffee?" she said in a soft and sultry tone. Terry let out a heavy sigh. This wasn't the first time she had come onto him like this, and it wouldn't be the last. Still he wasn't feeling up for anything other than sleep right now.

"Maybe another time Amber. I'm tired and I got work tomorrow. Oh and I'll have the rent on Friday." She nodded at his response and stepped to the side, clearing the path up the stairs.

She stayed silent and watched him as he walked up the steps. Her eyes lingering on his rear before he disappeared around the corner. Terry entered his apartment and flopped down on top of the bed. Too exhausted to bother getting under the sheets. It was the most exciting night he had in quite some time. And he couldn't wait to do it again. Terry closed his eyes, and slowly drifted off to sleep.

Closing Song: What Makes a Good Man? - The Heavy