I hope you enjoy this. I came across my favorite anime movie, not that I watch too many but I really liked this one, and I just had to write a fanfic for it. I present to you, the prologue! Enjoy.
Lovest Always, Lady Merridell
Disclaimer: I don't own The Cat Returns.
Prologue
All was silent in the cold swamp. A black cat tentatively took another step, his one white paw squelching unpleasantly in the marsh. He curled his lip in distaste and flicked some moss from his white-tipped tail. He adjusted the pouch tied around his figure toga style.
A twig snapped behind him, causing the cat to whip around. His amber eyes searched the land and found mist curling towards him. The cat braced himself and wrinkled his nose at the awful stench that overwhelmed his nostrils. The stench of fear, pain, and everlasting shadows.
"You are late," hissed a voice from within the dark mist. The cat's ear flicked away a misty finger that curled to scratch his ear.
"My apologies. I was a bit caught up in some business. Human business."
A figure in the mist snorted. The cat glared at the mist defensively.
The figure pointedly ignored this, or at least from what the tom could see. "So, I pray this 'human business' did not distract you from your duties?"
"No, I have it." The black cat reached into the small pouch and held a beautiful mirror with paintings of cranes and pine trees between his paws.
A gloved hand reached from the mist and took the mirror from the cat and held it up.
"Beautiful," he murmured.
"I didn't bring it here for you to stare at yourself, did I?"
The figure roared with laughter. The cat couldn't help but flinch at the cold, menacing sound.
"Rest assured, your attempts were not in vain," the figure replied. "Now, Mirror of Matsuyama, reader of intentions, show to me the Baron." He looked into it and saw the frozen figure of a cream and ginger cat doll. It's green eyes were glazed over, but deep inside intelligence shone bright. It held a cane in one gloved hand and was dressed in a smart white suit complete with a matching top hat.
"So, my old friend, let us see what haunts your dreams. Show me, great mirror, his dreams." The image changed to reveal a lovely meadow of tall, lush green grass.
"Pleasant enough," the figure remarked. It focused onto a large oak. Underneath it sat the cat doll and a lovely young...human?! The creature hissed, not unlike that of a cat's.
"Despicable," he growled.
The girl had short brown hair and dressed in a soft yellow dress with a flower in her hair. The two talked, laughing and smiling while sipping tea. The handsome tom stood up and helped the girl up and they began to dance, gazing lovingly into each others eyes.
The figure spat in disgust. "Mirror, show me no more this disgusting display." The figure sighed, his breath actually freezing and paced thoughtfully.
"And I?"
The figure stopped and looked at the black cat. He lifted a finger and black clouds swirled around the cat. In a whirlwind of lightning, the cat's fur grew shaggy and ragged. His one white paw and tail a shock against the jet black. Long canines protruded from his mouth and his amber eyes glowed red around the rim. Long claws flashed with a metallic luster.
The monster cat stretched and closed it's eyes as the figure flashed it away with one finger. The figure then turned to the mirror.
"Show me the girl's dreams." The mirror faded into a different scene, revealing darkness in which the figure saw his monstrous ally stalk a frightened young girl.
The figure chuckled maliciously as the massive black cat clawed and hissed at the girl, drawing blood. He concentrated in the dream and sent the image to the dream of the cat doll.
"And so, the war slowly, but surely, begins."