A bit of a Gremlins inspired tale. Only with a flip of roles with the cute animal being the evil one and the reptilian animal as the good one.
Set in an apartment complex, our title pets are initially kept by a mysterious woman in black and always with a briefcase.
While moving in, one of the attendees helps her. The kid [we'll call them Trish] is rewarded with choice of two pets: one of the many same fluffy creatures, a Fuzzball, in the suitcase. With the other being a one and only reptilian animal, a Bat-Goat, hanging upside down in a birdcage. Initially chose the reptile, naming them Rupert, but their mother was repulsed by the reptile, and had them take it back. However, a friend of their's [we'll call them Pat] who was present for the helping, thought to co-parent the animal: stays with the friend in their apartment, but remain under ownership of Trish. Not wanting to feel cheated out, they let Trish have one of the Fuzzballs.
Fuzzballs are in abundance with over 100 squished in the suitcase (a Mary Poppins suitcase) but the creatures don't mind. However, are incredibly high maintenance to train as to not become spoiled, often take after their owners, and can become dangerous. Other kids, one rich kid [Dori] and with family issues, find out about the Fuzzballs and steal a bunch [bribed the landlord into the room]. Dori names their's Floofles. Floofles being our villain.
Accidents start happening and death toll skyrockets when Floofles returns to the suitcase and releases every single one. Floofles kills Trish's Fuzzball for insubordination.
All the Fuzzballs are killed off and the final battle happens on the roof as a raging storm happens. Trish ends up hanging off the side of the building and before Floofles can slash their hands, Rupert scoops in. The loyal pet has a bit of their wing mebrane slashed in the scuffle. Rupert shoves himself and Floofles off the roof and to the streets below. Floofles is dead.
Once the calm has set in, Trish finds Rupert still alive, having landing on a discarded garbage bag. After everything, Trish's mother now accepts and allows Rupert to stay in their home.
At the end, the mysyerious woman has left the room vacant, as if no one was even there. With her suitcase and a new cage with a cloth drapped over it, she utters: "same story every time..."
Here is the original sketches from years and years ago, 2016 most likely.
..And here are the updated designs.
Had thought to keep the Fuzzball from having too much a dramatic change when it goes evil: only gaining claws and [not drawn, but thought of recently] sharper canines.
Rupert. A set of concept sketches and finalized drawing. Why "Rupert"? Because its a un-typical pet name.
Rupert, the goodest of bois.
theartofmadeline
tangentwithtanner
snowghoul