A Case of Snow Leopardsy...

Disclaimer: Well for this story there really aren't a lot of things to warn about. I mean there's TF but it's rather clean. I know this is different from what I usually do but I wanted to mix things up a bit, so enjoy.       

         Don wiped the sweat from his forehead as he pushed up the snowy hillside. Only a walking stick to help him. The wind was freezing him cold. Don wished he had gotten some warmer gear for this trek. Though he couldn't let that hinder him now. Not when he was so close to his goal. Months ago Don had learned of rumors that the locals had spread. Rumors telling of ancient necklace said to hold the power of a natural predator.

      He always did want to be stronger and predatory animals had always interested him, especially leopards. It wouldn't be an easy task however, other people would be after this necklace to. And just getting to the thing would be hard enough. Apparently it was located somewhere deep in a sacred cave up in the snow covered mountains that Don was currently attempting to make his way to.

     The shivering man picked up the pace, both to try and warm himself up as well as get to his destination faster. Snow boots and a heavy jacket might help someone in a more tame environment. Here though it didn't do enough for poor Don. Eventually he caught sight of some snowmobiles parked around the entrance to a unique looking cave. Don let out a relieved sigh, this must be the cave he was after!

     The presence of the snow mobiles was a tad worrying. Don's suspicions of other treasure seekers coming after this necklace was correct. Whoever was already in there hadn't left yet though, so they must not have found the necklace. He still had a chance.

     Keeping low, Don inched slowly past the vehicles. Seeing no one guarding the entrance Don slipped into the cave's mouth. He was thankful to be out of the cold. The pitch black darkness of the cave however, not so much. Don fumbled with his coat pocket before bringing out a flashlight and flipping it on. Finding himself face to face with some grinning skeletons.

     Don gave a frightened yelp and back away. Getting his barrings, Don could see that the ghoulish decorations, while frightening, weren't threatening. There was actually a fair amount of skeletons in the cave, all propped against walls, tied there. This was defiantly not a good sign. Don gulped and forced himself to better inspect his surroundings.

     He soon found to pathways leading deeper into the cave heading in opposite directions. There was multiple boot prints leading down the left path. So that must have been where the other people went. Don figured that his chances were fifty fifty in picking the path that would lead him to the necklace. So he chose the right path, the one were he wouldn't probably run into potentially hostile treasure hunters.

     Walking steadily, making sure not to slip, Don made his way down the path. It soon grew narrow and cramped. Twisting and turning as if to make the walk all the more frustrating. Finally the path opened up into a large chamber. And Don's jaw dropped, the chamber was magnificent. Gorgeously carved pillars lined the chamber in rows. Forming a circular pattern around what lay in the center of the large room.

     And in the center lay a miniature moat, that was only as deep as a puddle. The moat surrounded a pedestal, and on that pedestal was a small black chest. Heart pounding, Don strode up to the moat. As he passed the pillars Don noticed the carvings on them depicting what looked to be a hunting snow leopard in all it's glory.

     Coming to the chest Don found the lock on it old and aged to frailty. So he had no trouble in breaking it and looking at what the strange chest had inside. Low and behold, it was a stunning necklace, it was silver, with a locket at the center that displayed a blue crystal. With a gleeful smile Don took the necklace from the chest and put it around his neck. Although, he didn't feel any stronger or imbued with any power.

     That was when the treasure hunters arrived. Don took a step back as a pair of rather intimidating men walked into the room. One of them spoke in a fed up tone.

     "Hey! You punk! We saw your tracks back in the cave entrance, thought you could slip one by us eh?"
 
      Don nervously gave a shrug of feigned innocence. It only seemed to upset the men more.

     "And now your asking for it! Give us the Necklace right now or...What the?!"

     A Bright flash emanated from Don's necklace, blinding both the hunters and Don. The necklace then pressed itself up against his chest and started to pulsate. Don felt a wave of energy course through him and he shuddered. Then his eyes and those of the hunters went wide as the transformations came underway.

    Don gasped as his nails on his toes and fingers became small back claws. His palm's hardened and turned black. Don curiously poked his new palms and felt their roughness. Next all of Don's muscles tightened and gained strength. As if he had just been through years of workouts. Amazed by his new strength Don tested it out by picking up the chest and tossed it back and forth in his hands like it was as light as a feather.

    He also figured that running would be a lot easier and faster now as well. The hunters started to take note of the transformations by this point and were backing away.

    Don rested a hand on the pedestal and groaned in discomfort while his very face started to shift. Both the mouth and nose inched outwards from Don's face into what resembled a muzzle. The teeth inside becoming sharp while his nostrils were covered in another more rough black patch. His ears turned to that of an animals and made their way to the top of his head. Poking out from underneath his brown hair.
 
    As the discomfort slowly faded and Don felt his new facial changes he smiled or what he guessed passed for smiling now.

    "This is actually pretty awesome! I could get used to this." He said to himself.

    By now the treasure hunters had seen enough and were inching back towards the pathway they came from. However they were unable to take their eyes off of what was happening to Don.

     Another pulse sent from the necklace made Don's body tingle. This tingling set off a wave of whitish, black spotted, fur, that overtook his entire form, covering places of his body that Don didn't even know he had. After that had finished Don gave a relived sigh as he felt that his brown hair was still there. He appreciated the fact that the fur took care of his warmth problem as well.

     "Okay I didn't sign up for this man!" Cried one of the hunters as he gave up and booked it back down the tunnel. Leaving the other man standing there in both fear and amazement.

      "Huh...well necklace? You got anything else?" Don asked.

      A tug at the back of his pants soon answered that question. It was coming from just above his rear. Don lowered the back of his pants just a tad and beheld a massively long furred tail come shooting out. It was like a whole new limb. Don waved the tail around, mesmerized by it.

      And with that, the necklace was done. The light in the crystal faded and the necklace went back to hanging on Don's neck like a regular piece of jewelry. Don rubbed his eyes with his now rather comfortable furry hands and looked himself over again. He was now half snow leopard. The necklace had certainly fulfilled it's promise of giving him the power of a predator.

     Don could even feel some new predator like instincts flowing through his brain right now. For the time being he suppressed them. Tail waging pleasantly behind him, Don strode confidently over the water, taking off his shoes to let his pawed feet enjoy the cool ground on the other side of the mini moat. Don reached the still quivering man, leaned towards him. And whispered. "BOOOoooo!" The Man screamed and ran after his friend.

     Don soon after heard the sound of snowmobiles taking off. With those numbskulls out of the way Don took his time to stretch his legs and grow somewhat familiar with his new form. He made a mental note, buy some new clothes. His current ones felt to tight now. And to add to that cut a large enough hole in the back of his pants to fit his tail through.

     Done with all that, Don ran from the cave. Enjoying his newfound speed and heading for the nearest village. Don just hoped people would come to tolerate his new form no matter how weird it was.