This is the story version of the comic "Under the Gutter". It goes much more in detail. The comic version can be found in Topic-564392
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Prologue
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Long long ago, citizens of a large city drove out a group of mice. They had to survive with the scarce food supply so they voted that was the best option. The mice who were driven out, were pushed to the edge of a bridge, where many jumped. Those who hadn't jumped died a merciless death. After the jump, bones were broken. Some injuries were so severe they required amputation and with no way to disinfect, many more died.
After much digging, the surviving mice created a long series of tunnels, all leading to one destination. That destination was an underground society. The entrance to the first tunnel was blocked off so that no mouse shall ever find it. But of course, when one door closes, another opens. The underground civilians lived off of insects and grub. Occasionally they'd find a small animal that tunnels. The society grew strong and would last for many generations to come.
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Chapter 1
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"Oi, wake up Newt!"
"What?" Newt said in a daze.
"I've thought hard about the stories old Jim tells us!"
"What the hell Vidluch (Pronounced as Vid-luck), you know the old mouse is delusional." Newt said, irritated that his nap was interrupted by such nonsense.
"Hey, simmer down there Newt. What do you say? We begin a rebellion, an adventure into the outdoors! They deserve it for keeping us trapped down here for, well forever! At least to see how the outside really looks." Vidluch proposed.
"I always did wonder how the outside looked like. Sure I guess." Newt said, brushing off dirt on his shoulders.
Vidluch already knew he'd need a lot more people to help them start a rebellion. The suggestion was undecided, but Vidluch thought that people would eventually start agreeing. Both of the mice ran out of their den and started convincing others to join them.
"Hey Jim! Would you like to join us in an adventure into the outdoors? I know you're always talking about the olden days." Newt said.
"I remember the outdoors. I used to walk around there when I was a young lad. There was a food crisis, and we were driven out by those damned bastards. I'm old now, not sure if I can handle it anymore. Oooh, if I had the chance to fight 'em one on one they'd be down sprawling in the dirt, kinda like we are now..." Jim replied as he repeated the story he told at least once daily.
"Well, what's your answer, I know the story already." Newt chuckled.
"Hell! Why not, I'll be too old to get up in a day or two! Hahahaha!" Jim laughed with a hardy laugh.
Three mice ready to head out from the underground society. Vidluch, still trying to gather more.
"Come! Come!" Vidluch shouted, excited as a newborn mouse.
"Outdoors? What outdoors?" [Name I do not remember xD]
Eventually [Name] agreed to join. Thus making four adventurers. The time to head out, was soon.
The four mice got ready to leave. As they headed out Jim lead the way to the secret opening. Each mouse jumped out of the ditch, and they were no longer "Under the Gutter". Ahead of the group was a lush green hill, something that looked like heaven to the mice. Something that looked like a memory to Jim. They dashed quick as a cat to the gates of the enormous city, and entered. A great view it was, houses, buildings, skyscrapers, it was all a fantasy they could not live. They traveled farther into the city, only to find a few wealthy bastards making fun of their ragged clothing.
"Hey Mr. Fancy pants! Shut your damned mouth before I go over there and do it myself!" old Jim had lost it, he couldn't take it any longer and retorted furiously.
"What did ya' say grandpa? Because if it's a fight you're looking for I'd be glad to hand your tail to ya'!" one of wealthy youngsters retorted.
The group of ragged mice ran as they were being chased down by three young and fit mice. They spotted an alley which they thought they could hide, but unfortunately they were found, cornered and backed into a dead end.
"Ooooh you don't know what you're messing with boy! I'll whip your ass with your own tail kiddo." Jim was pumped, ready to fight.
The old mouse was unfit and old, though he posessed great skill in fist fighting, he was caught in a mess here.
"Run boys, you got much more to live for! There's not a minute to spare!" Jim shouted as he threw himself onto the smaller of the three wealthy mice, pummeling them into the concrete.
He smashed the mouse's head against the dumpster, and kicked hard against the mouse's knee. A loud crackle sounded, which signalled a severely broken bone. Startled, another mouse leaped onto Jim and punched him in the snout. Jim had taken beatings worse than this, and persevered as he flipped the attacking mouse over, putting himself ontop of him. Struggling to hold his ground the grizzly mouse pinned down the other's paws with his knees and grasped around his neck. Jim was lucky the final mouse was still searching through the dumpster for a reliable weapon. As the mouse being choked was close to his last breath...
Thunk...
A mouse sprawled over against the concrete. Blood rushing down his motionless body. The wealthy mice fled leaving a horrible mess behind. Jim was left in a puddle of blood and for the first time, he was free...

[To be continued...]