Note: A request for an AU version of the Ghost Cat of Stormwind story where Varian is still alive when a certain feline hero (in the making) shows up. This is hopefully the story or I should say stories that they were hoping for. This will start in Wraith of the Lich King, go through Cataclysm and hopefully end during Mists of Pandaria or maybe Legion. Due to the number of in game years, this will be mostly a connected series of one shots and/or short stories. I hope this works. Throw me some ideas as to what sort of trouble the kids can get into and/or cause.
Chapter 1:Little Bitty Kitty (Wanna Bite Bite Bite)
(Insert Stormwind Theme. The camera flies over the city and then zooms into Stormwind Keep, going through halls and doors. Eventually making it's way to the library)
A bored sighed escaped Prince Anduin's lips as he copied from a book. As any healthy 12 year old, he would much rather be outside on the nice sunny morning rather than stuck in the stuffy library. He carefully glanced over toward his tutor, an old woman who sometimes would nod off if in a comfortable chair and the boy remained quiet enough. He carefully laid down his quill seeing that today luck was on his side. Lady Dianna was sleeping so deeply, she was muttering about some suitor from her youth. Carefully, he got up from the library table and softly made his way to the door. With a winch, praying that the door didn't squeak, he open the door and then made his escape. One of the guards chuckled as the boy ran down the hall. So long as there was no direct orders otherwise, they would let the boy have his freedom. Surprisingly he didn't go far, only to the other side of the gardens and hiding between the bushes and a low wall.
"Here kitty, "he whispered, "Here kitty, kitty, kitty. Please be here..."
"Mew?"
A small dark, fluffy kitten, with a bell attach to a collar around its neck carefully stepped out from inside the brush. Its nose and whiskers trembled as if smelling something interesting. Anduin quickly pulled out a small food packet and opened it. Pulling out a small strip of smoked fish, he handed one to his little friend. Reaching out as far as it little neck would go so that it could stay as far away from the boy as possible it took a few sniffs and then quickly snatched the snack from the grinning boy. As it wolfed down the first strip, Anduin got another one ready but just as he was handing it over a large hand swooped down and picked him up by the back of his tunic. The next thing Prince Anduin saw was the frowning face of King Varian.
"Hey Father, "Anduin said with a nervous smile and wave as he hung there.
"Anduin what are you..."
A sound of a small bell frantically ringing caused the king to lower his son to the ground as he looked for the source. The man then saw a small black and gray kitten race across the garden only to disappear into a rather large crack in the wall. With eyes wide open, Varian muttered, "It can't be..."
(Varian's Study/Office, that afternoon)
"Arrrrggghhh!" Varian roared as he threw his chair across the room and it smashed into a stone wall, falling to pieces.
"Sire!"one of the guards bravely called out, "Is there something wrong?"
"Something wrong?! My dau…, "snarled the scarred faced king. He stopped himself and took a deep breath, closing his eyes in an attempt to balance himself once more. He then said, "Yes there is. I need to speak with Shaw, NOW!"
"At once, my lord, "the guard saluted and stepped out.
Varian leans over the desk, holding himself up with straight arms. In between his hands was documents ordering the assassination of small family in Goldshire. Documents with his signature.
About an hour and a replacement chair later, Mathias Shaw walked in and calmly closed the door behind him. The new head of SI:7 then turned and said, "I'm at your command, your Majesty."
"My command, "the king growled as he held over a stack of papers, "Is to find out who did this, why they did it and to bring them to me."
With a raised brow, Shaw glanced over the papers. At first glance it appeared that they were royal commands but looking closer they did seem off. Why would the King of Stormwind order a small family killed? There was something missing. Shaw looked up and asked, "What am I not seeing?"
"Just who that family was, "Varian coldly replied, "They were MY family. My wife, her mother and my daughter. We were married in secret per her request, but I made certain the required documents were filed. Not only in the public record but in the Keep's records AND at the Cathedral. Yet, my assistants were unable to find said documents in either the Keep's or public's record."
"How old was she, "Shaw asked quietly.
Varian's face softened in grief as he replied, "Five years when it happened...she'll be eight next month."
"She'll be...she's still alive?!"Shaw asked, "Where..."
"I DON'T KNOW!"Varia stood with a roar. After a deep breath he continued more calmly, "I was informed that she died with the others, but I saw something this morning that made me think otherwise. I never actually read the report before until now. It states that only two adult female bodies were found..." Varian's eyes closed.
Shaw frowned as he took and looked over the report. This was big. Either there was a traitor who buried evidence or someone very badly dropped the ball. In either case, the princess had to be found.
"What makes you think she's still alive?"
"Did your grandmother ever mention any of her old cases to you?"Varian asked as he sat back down and indicated that Shaw should do the same.
"She never named names, but yes..."
"One of the few disagreements I had with Pathonia was in regards to a certain 'cat woman' who seemed rather protective of me, "Varian turn and looked into nothing as if seeing the past before him, "I later found that Rose had an artifact she called the Cat's Bell. Not only did it grant certain feline abilities it also enabled the wearer to change into a cat. A normal looking, unassuming house cat. Today I caught Anduin feeding a small kitten, with that same bell around its neck. It ran off when it saw me. I can't be certain that was Llainna, but it made me think. I then started looking deeper into what happened that night. We need to find her, bring her home. Find those responsible for killing Rose. If you need to bring in General Jonathan and the City Guard in on this you can, but I want the Cat's Bell kept secret. Is that clear?"
Shaw nodded and did not bring up that this was worse than a needle in a haystack considering how many felines there were in the city. He took a moment to consider the best coarse of action and then spoke, "I'll have my best investigator look in to the murders and I'll look for your daughter personally. Tell me all you know about her and this Cat's Bell. I'll need more than she can turn in to a kitten."
(Cathedral Square, a few days later)
A small boy fell to the ground with a humpf!
"Stay down you little snot wad, "a larger, older boy sneered waving a threatening fist.
"Yeah, some snot wad someone threw away, "another boy snorted and a third laughed.
A snarl caused all three to turn just in time to see a small, dark haired girl using her shoulder slam into the side of the largest boy at full speed. The boy fell to the side as the girl turned, fingers rolled into claws, jumped onto the second largest. "Run!" the third boy cried out, "It's crazy Annie!"
The three boys ran off, but the second didn't escape without a good size set of scratch marks close to his eyes. Where a small raging form of hair, claw and teeth once stood, there was now a now a concerned blue eyed girl who raced over to the small boy as she pushed a long strand of black hair out of her eyes. She asked, "You ok, Renn?"
"Huh huh, "the boy nodded indicating he was as the girl help him up. He then rubbed his eyes and sniffed.
"But..."the girl knowing there was one there.
"They threw my book bag up onto the roof, "the boy pointed towards to a building next to City Hall. And right enough, a dark brown book bag could be seen stranded on the golden-rod colored roofing.
"Oh you have got to be kidding me, "the girl sighed, "I guess even dummies can learn."
"Annie, lets just asked the guard, "Renn suggested, "It's not like the trees..."
The girl shook her head as she walked over to the very narrow alley between the building and its neighbor. With a tilted head, she considered her next move and then nodded. With some effort she situated herself so that her right leg and arm was pushing against one wall and the left arm/leg was doing the same to the opposite wall. Surprisingly quick, she scampered up between the two buildings and eventually made her way to the roof. Sliding slightly on the tiles, she mad her way to the bag. Holding it up, she then called out, "Is there anything that can break in it?"
"Just my schoolbooks, "the boy called, still amazed how easily she got up there.
The girl nodded and made her way to the edge. Feeling the bag up, she rolled it up in a way that she hoped that the books would land flat rather than on edge. She then dropped the bag over the edge and where it landed a small cloud of dust filled the air. As it fell, she considered the height and took in the fact that it was mostly cobblestone down below. She shook her head and made her way back to the small alley to climb back down.
(Different PoV)
Not far away, Spymaster Mathias Shaw stood rather amused by the scene. He was on his way to the Cathedral of Light to see what other records they may have about the elusive princess and her mother's family. Apparently the same people who filed the forged documents also took care to remove what they could from the city and the Keeps records about the minstrel's history. Even SI:7's records were affected, but for some reason the Temple's wasn't. Perhaps lack of access?
He saw the bullying and had considered stepping in when the little ball of righteous fury raced in from out of nowhere. That alone didn't faze him, but how she got the smaller kid's property back did. A proper little roof walker in the making that one was if her family didn't step in, which sadly, was the case for most. Especially girls.
Shaw shook his head as he continued on his way to the temple as the boy gave his thanks to his savior. They both were just out of mind, when he felt a faint tug at his waist. He quickly reached down to catch the would be pick-pocket but only to catch empty air. More amused than angered at someone daring to pick his pocket, he turned just in time to see the same girl from earlier race off into another alley. With a raised brow, he chuckled. That one definitely had promise.
(Deep in the Cathedral of Light records, later that afternoon)
Looking over the records, Shaw made some very interesting discoveries about Varian's second wife. Her father died a long before she met Varian, but she did have an older brother. Who had registered a dependent shortly after the murders and claimed the land that Roselie's house once stood as his property. No doubt, he claimed a dependent to reduce the amount of tax he would have to pay on it. "Now just who could this little dependent be, "the spymaster muttered to himself as the then tried to find where this man could now be located. Shaw sighed as he found the man's death certificate, a literal dead end...or was it. Turning back to the registration of the dependent, he found that it was a girl named 'Annie' who was his niece. Apparently the only thing keeping the girl safe from anyone who bothered to look into the records was the fact that he was listed as carny for the Dark Moon Faire. But where was this 'Annie' now? Ah...a fellow carny, a gnome called Jukebox, volunteered to take over guardianship and moved them both to Stormwind shortly after the recent plague... Just then an image of dark haired champion, with blue rage filled eyes racing to attack a group larger foes filled his mind and it wasn't Varian.
"You have got to be kidding me!"Shaw growled as he quickly got up, nearly knocking over his chair.
(Dwarf District that evening)
Like any decent thief, the girl had quickly learned which merchants wouldn't bat an eye at a kid with coin on her that was much larger than she should. It was at one of these, she quickly broke the single gold she found in the bag of coppers she recently lifted off of a guy. Jukebox tried but he just wasn't making enough to feed and clothe them both, plus the rent was coming up. That gold meant not only a decent meal, which she was now buying the makings for to break the gold, but making rent for the next two months. It was obvious with how he dressed, they guy she lifted the coin-purse from could afford to lose a coin or two and how he seemed more amused than angered at her theft. That made her feel a little less guilty as she left the shop. Stolen coin-purse tossed, most incriminating coin gone and her own little purse full of copper and silver hidden in her shirt. Combine that with a bag of good food, tonight was going to be a good one. No doubt Jukebox will wonder where she got the coin, but she'll explained that she helped out with some odd jobs and what not. Besides, she wasn't planning on showing all her coin at once. A few today, a few more tomorrow will make the odd jobs story more believable.
As she approached their apartment, she frowned seeing that the lights were on. That meant Jukebox was home early. That was was not a good sign. He made most of his steady coin playing at one of the inns in the evenings. If he lost that gig…
"Hey, Jukeox! I'm ho..."the girl called out as she opened the door only to stop in her tracks seeing the same man she pick-pocketed earlier that day. "Crap," was said under her breath.
"Is there something you want to tell me, young lady?"the gnome said with a frown and crossed arms. Shaw leaned back in the low chair he was in, to observe the scene with some amusement.
"Not really, "the girl said slowly with a shrug as she moved to place the sack of groceries on the table.
"Where did you get the money to buy that food? As if I didn't already know,"Jukebox demanded, "I've told you time and again, you don't need to steal anymore…"
"Come on!"Annie cried out, "I'm just trying to help! I …"
Shaw cleared his throat to remind the unusual family of his presence. "Actually, I'm not here because of a minor theft. If she was anyone else, I would actually encourage it to a point. After all, SI:7 will always need more recruits."
The girls face paled at the mention of SI:7 and as if expecting an escape attempt Shaw seemed to have vanished and then reappeared, blocking the door. The girl stepped back and held tight the small bell at her throat. "I'm not here to hurt you, "Mathias said softly and then went for broke as knelt down to look her directly in the eyes, "Your father has been very worried…"
"He's the reason why Mum and Gran are dead!"the girl cried out as she shook her head, now acting much younger than before, "He sent…"
"Annie?"Jukebox hurriedly walked over to place a comforting hand on the taller girl's shoulder.
"No he didn't. Someone forged the..."Shaw first started to explained but then remembered it was a child front of him and then went for broke, "Ask Cat. Would the man that Roselie cared for do such a thing? Send others to kill for him? To kill the woman he obviously cared for enough to spend so much time trying to convince her to marry him and move to Stormwind?"
The girl fell to the ground in tears and shook her head with a quiet, "No...he wouldn't."
Jukebox reached over and hugged the crying child. He looked up and demanded, "Just who is her father that warrants SI:7 attention? And just where the bloody, blues blazes has he been this whole time?!"
(Stormwind Keep, Next morning)
A knock at the door interrupted the breakfast the king was having with his son. With a frown, Varian watched one of the servants walk over to the door to find out who dared interrupt the royal family during one of the few times of the day they could be alone together. Anduin watch on curiously as well, he knew it had to be something important to risk his father's now rather inflammable wraith.
The servant hurried back and quietly said, "Sire, Master Shaw is requesting an audience. He says he found who he was looking for. He has a human girl and a gnome with him."
Varian suddenly stood up, nearly knocking the poor servant over. He turned and quickly made his own way to the door. He swung it open, startling the girl who moved to hide behind his spymaster. A girl, he had not seen in three years but would know anywhere. He knelt down and softly said, "Llainna!" He arms opened as the girl then ran to hug the man she called, "Poppa!"
"Annie?"Anduin, who had followed his father, whispered. Varian reached over to his son to pull him in to the family hug with a nod. The oldest Wrynn said, "Your sister has come home."
Seeing that the King would be rightfully distracted for a while, Shaw turned to the stunned servant and suggested, "Perhaps another place at the table...for the princess. I'll see to Master Jukebox here. Not a word of this is to be spoken until further notice."
To be continued...