I don't own Swat Kats in any way. They belong to Hanna-Barbera. I also don't own the song 'Welcome to my Life' performed by Simple Plan.
Date: March 3, 2012 8:00 a.m.
Location: Unknown.
"Woohoo! Nothing beats doing this while watching the sun rise," I yell excitedly while flying my F-14 jet over the city. As I'm flying I feel so free that I don't have a care in the world and that no one can stop me from enjoying it…well…maybe two someone's.
"Decided to go on patrol without us Amber?" someone says as they contact me over the radio.
"Yeah, didn't you want us to go first and to be your tour guides?" replied another.
I look to my right to find the source of the voices and see a very familiar black F-14 jet with two passengers inside. But the thing is, these two aren't really human…they're cats! The pilot, who appears to be 25, has sand-colored fur with brown stripes on his arms. And by how broad his shoulders look clearly tells me that he is the stronger of the two. The co-pilot, who looks to be 23, has cinnamon-colored fur. While he doesn't appear to be as strong as the pilot, his smaller size probably makes him the fastest of the twosome.
I just laugh. "Me? Go into Megakat City without the Swat Kats by my side? As if!"
T-Bone, the pilot, chuckles at my statement. "Hey, I've got an idea. How about we make this tour a little more interesting."
"Interesting, how?"
"Well, how about we race the Turbokat against your jet through town to see which is faster."
"Are you saying my jet is slow or something?"
"Don't have to. You just did."
….He did not just insult my jet right now! "Oh, it's so on tabby!"
Razor, the co-pilot, just groans. "Seriously, a race? Why do you two always have to make everything a competition?"
"Hey, it's no different between the competitions you two have back at the hangar."
"Why do I even bother reasoning with you two?"
"Enough talk, let's get this race started!" And with that T-Bone hits the accelerator, speeds off into the distance, leaving me in the Turbokat's trail of smoke.
"Hey no fair! That's cheating!" I shout as I hit my own accelerator to keep up with them.
"All's fair in this race kid," T-Bone replies as he blocks off my way to pass them.
"Really? Well in that case." I fire a regular missile at them causing the Turbokat to go off course, allowing me to pass.
"Hey! Firing missiles is against the rules!"
"Weren't you the one who said, 'all's fair in this race'."
"Heh, she's got you there buddy," Razor replies.
"That does it. This race just got personal!"
"Bring it on tabby!"
And so for the past few minutes we continue to race each other through the city. Both of us trying to pass the other in any way we could. It wasn't long before I was in the lead again with the finish line a few minutes away.
"It looks like the best pilot is gonna win!"
"…."
"What was that? I didn't hear you groaning over the radio."
"I said wake up," replied a voice that wasn't T-Bone's or Razor's.
"Huh? Just who the heck is this?"
"C'mon sis, you know it's me."
"No I don't. T-Bone, Razor do you guys know?" I asked. When I didn't get a reply I looked behind to see no sign of the Turbokat. Not only was their jet gone, but the city disappeared without a trace as well. What in the world is going on?
"You better get up right now Amber, or otherwise the Bensons will be on your ass all day," replied the unknown voice as they gently shook me awake.
I opened my eyes to see my 23 year old brother William sitting on my bed, trying to wake me up. Well…..actually he really isn't my brother. With his short black hair and light blue eyes being different from my own, you would wonder why I call him that. If anything, I consider Will to be my adopted brother.
"Did you have to wake me up right now? I was close to winning this time," I groaned.
Will just chuckles. "Let me guess, you were having that Swat Kat dream again?"
"Yes, and I would appreciate it if you would stop waking me up from it."
"Would if I could sis, but you know that we only have a certain amount of time before the stepbitches wake up and order us around again."
"All right all right I'm getting up," I groan while snatching our working attire from him.
"Oh, before I forget," he tosses something at me which I easily catch. "You tossed this at me in your sleep. You really need to work on your aim more."
Will laughs his head off as he rushes downstairs, just missing my tossed pillow.
You always try to make each day bearable for me, don't ya bro? I thought while shaking my head in amusement. "You and T-Bone are so lucky Razor. Fighting crime every day to keep the city safe. Working as mechanics to keep your secret from being known. And enjoying every bit of it every step of the way. Man, I wish I was living your lives instead of this hellhole I'm in," I say to my Razor plush that Will threw at me earlier.
What? Don't give me that weird look. Talking to my Razor plush is one of the few things that keep me from going into a total breakdown. If you don't like it, deal with it!
"Well, sitting here talking to you all day won't do me any good. So I'll see you later buddy," I tell Razor as I head down to the bathroom.
As I entered my appearance was the first to greet me as it does every morning. In my reflection I see dishwater blond hair that reaches to my shoulders, brown eyes that used to be so full of light are now dimming, multiple scars and bruises that I received during my time here adorn my entire being. Out of my entire "collection" there is one scar that stands out from the rest. It starts near the right tip of my right eye and curves down stopping and inch above my top lip. It is one of the very few that will never heal. All in all, I'm far from looking like a regular 19 year old.
Well, might as well try and make this day bearable….as usual, I thought as I entered the shower.
After my shower I headed down to what Will and I call the servants quarters. Basically it's just a small storage room that we converted into a small kitchen. It may not be the best place for one but at least it's somewhere to have our meals in peace. As I enter I notice Will is already there in our working attire which is a short sleeved black t-shirt, a long pair of baggy blue jeans and a pair of ratty old tennis shoes that could fall apart at any minute.
"About time, I was thinking I have to eat by myself," he says handing me a plate of scramble eggs and bacon.
I just ignore him as I sit down and scarf down my breakfast like there's no tomorrow.
"Whoa easy there sis, don't give yourself an upset stomach before we do our chores."
"Don't blame me if I have an appetite. Maggie was the one who sent me to bed without any supper all because I missed a tiny spot on the floor after mopping!"
"Well, you could've received a stricter punishment from her than missing supper," he replied while filling my plate again.
"But still, it was just a tiny spot for crying out loud!"
Will just chuckles as he serves himself some breakfast and sits down beside me.
"Hey Will."
"Hmm?"
"How long can we keep living like this? I mean sooner or later those two will find a way to totally break us down."
"I don't know sis, but when the time is right we will get away from this place and start a new life of our own."
"Well I hope it's soon or otherwise I'll lose it from hearing the Bensons bickering all the time."
Will just laughs as he pats my shoulder. "Don't worry it will be soon."
Yeah, but will it be soon enough? I thought while finishing up my breakfast.
"ALLRIGHT YOU LAZY SERVANTS, GET YOUR ASSES UP HERE NOW!" Nathan yells from up top.
Quickly as we could, we clean up our plates then head up stairs to meet the yeller himself. As well as stand beside our fellow "servants" who are Horace the household butler and Yolanda the household maid. Seems a bit strange to me that they have a butler and a maid, yet they need two others to keep things in order.
"All right you two you know the drill," Nathan says as he addresses Horace and Yolanda. "Make sure the kitchen is presentable as usual and have our meals ready on the dot. Understand?"
After quick mumbles of yes sir, they both head off to do their kitchen duties.
Luckies. All they have to do is prepare the meals and clean the kitchen. While Will and I have to do the rest of the household crud.
"And as for you two," he says, snapping me out of my thoughts. "I want these chores done correctly and in their time limit. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir," we reply.
"Cause if it isn't you'll know what's coming to you," Nathan replies as he handles a long belt whip.
"No w.. sir. W..We underst…st..stand," I stuttered.
"Good, and since we now have an understanding….GET TO WORK!"
And with that we race away from him so as not to receive the bad end of the belt whip.
"Okay, you do half of the chores and I do the other half like usual?" Will asks while ripping the list into equal halves.
"Yep, like usual."
"All right. Meet you in the middle of the list. Good luck sis."
"You to bro," I reply while taking my half and going in another direction.
Well, here goes the start of another hell hard working day.
Do you ever feel like breaking down?
Do you ever feel out of place?
Like somehow you just don't belong
And no one understands you
Do you ever wanna run away?
Do you lock yourself in your room?
With the radio on turned up so loud
That no one hears you screaming
My first chore is to pull out all the weeds in both the flower and vegetable gardens. Why they wait for two months before we even do this chore is beyond me. Anyways I'm nearly done when Maggie comes along to inspect my work. As she walks by she notices the already two full wheel barrels I filled hours ago. Deciding that I should work harder in the gardens she "accidently" tips them over causing the weeds to spill all over the place.
"You missed a spot," she says while walking away laughing to herself.
Bitch, I thought at her while once again gathering up the spilled weeds.
No you don't know what it's like
When nothing feels all right
You don't what it's like
To be like me
To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life
Its mid-afternoon meaning it's time for me and Will to clean the windows. Well, I'm washing them up while he uses a rope to get me to them. As we're halfway done Nathan comes along and decides to have a little fun. His definition of fun is to give Will a rough little push causing him to drop the rope making me fall. Will grabs the rope in time just before I go splat against the pavement. Geeze, what is that idiot trying to do? Kill us?
Do you wanna be somebody else?
Are you sick of feeling so left out?
Are you desperate to find something more?
Before your life is over
Are you stuck inside a world you hate?
Are you sick of everyone around?
With their big fake smiles and stupid lies
While deep inside your bleeding
Suppertime comes around and Yolanda gives me the evening meal dishes to serve. As I come to the dining room, I barely notice a wrinkle in the carpet. I notice it too late as I trip causing the food to spill everywhere and the plates crashing to the floor.
"That's it! I warned you what would happen if you disobeyed me! It looks like I'm gonna have to remind you again."
"Take it easy Nathan, it was just an accident," Will says as he tried to defend me. But his plea fell on deaf ears.
"Accident or not she needs to be punished! Maggie dear, would you accompany me this time."
"Of course I will darling," she replies as they both drag me up the stairs while Will and the others stand there. Helpless to do anything.
No you don't know what it's like
When nothing feels all right
You don't know what it's like
To be like me
To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life
In what the Benson's have dubbed as the punishment room, my hands are tied high above my head while my back is fully exposed to them. Using his belt, Nathan repeatedly hits my back with it while Maggie stands there laughing, enjoying every single moment of it. I try my best to not let the tears or screams of pain to come out, but I'm failing miserably.
No one ever lied straight to your face
And no one ever stabbed you in the back
You might think I'm happy but I'm not gonna be okay
Everybody always gave you what you wanted
You never had to work it was always there
You don't know what it's like, what it's like
Will comes in the punishment room hours after Maggie and Nathan left. Being as careful as he can, he unties then catches me before I fall to the floor. Carrying me bridal style he takes me to the bathroom to treat my new injuries.
To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No you don't know what it's like (what it's like)
To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No you don't know what it's like
After treating my wounds and getting me in my night time attire, Will carries me back to my room. As he lays me down for the night he gives me a sorrow filled look.
"I'm so sorry sis. I wish there was more I could do to help you," he tells me while leaving the room.
After he leaves I grab my Razor plush and hold it as close to me as I can.
"Razor, my life so sucks right now," I tell him as I fall into a deep and hopefully peaceful sleep.
Welcome to my life
Welcome to my life
Welcome to my life
A/N: I am so sorry that it took me this long to update this story. I got wrapped up in working on chapter 3 and watching my nephew for the past couple of weeks. I just hope that this was worth the wait for you guys. I will try not to take so long on my updates but that will depend on how things go. The next chapter will either be up sometime in late February or early March, don't know which yet.
Enjoy and don't forget to leave a review.
Happy Holidays everyone!