Ni-hao! This is "Familiar Binds," a part of the Eternal Dreams Saga.
Callie thinks that she knows Penelope, but isn't sure why. Who or what is World's End, and why do they want Jake to be defeated? Ohtori feels that Nanami was manipulated into the Duel. Also, Callie gets an unusual offer from Penelope.
Author's notes: There is a missing scene. It didn't fit in the prolouge, it didn't fit at the end of the Arcana Saga, but it's a pretty important scene(I think). It's not the sort you can revist in a flashback, but I'll figure out how to get it in. See if you can figure out what the missing scene is about.
As always, send any comments or questions to AkaneKitty@aol.com. Or, drop me a line in my review section at Fanfiction.net. Enjoy!
Ja ne,
AkaneKitty, who's glad her stories can be easliy read by JAWS.
**************************
The Eternal Dreams Saga:
Familiar Binds
**************************
"*...Again?*"
"*...It was such a passing comment...*"
Callie sits back in her chair, thinking, while Penny looks over some building proposals. The elderly she-kat was taking her time.
"*She feels so familiar...*" Callie continues to think. "*Kind of like Ulysses...like I know them from a long time ago...*"
"Calico..."
"*It's like what we discussed the other night...him being familiar...*"
"Calico?"
"Oh!" Callie snaps back into reality. "Sorry about that. I was just thinking."
Penny looks at her. "Anything wrong?"
"Nothings wrong...so, how do those proposals look?"
"They look great." Penny flips through a stack of papers. "Though I'd like to see the buildings first."
"Of course. We can do that anytime."
"Is today too soon?"
"No. I need to get out anyways."
Penny continues to look at her. "I saw your picture in the paper. And, I have to admit, that you and my son looked good as a couple. "
"Thank you." Callie stands up.
"And, I'm glad to see him happy...but, I won't say much more." Penny also stands up. "Ulysses gets enough pressure from his father about that."
"So do I...but from my mother" Callie mumbles, to which Penny chuckles.
*********************************************
"Aren't we exercising our newly given powers, Ohtori? Calling a meeting so soon."
"I don't think so. Besides, we need to talk."
Eboni, a raven haired she-kat, crosses her arms. "What for? We know Nanami violated the Rules. She's suspended. You now have her powers. What more is there?"
"Yes, what?" Sonji speaks up. "We can't do anything until we receive a letter from World's End."
Ohtori sighs, sitting down at a table inside the Sakuru Shrine. "That's the thing."
"What do you mean?"
"I feel that Nanami was manipulated into that Duel with the Dragon Prince."
Eboni widens her eyes. "By who?"
Ohtori looks solemn. "World's End."
"Oh, come on!" Eboni laughs. "We are all manipulated by World's End. The tell us when to Duel, and who to Duel with. The President carries out the orders."
"But, that's the thing. World's End has been increasing eager for Duels." Ohtori extracts a letter from his clothes, to which Eboni and Sonji gasp. Ohtori tosses it on the table:
Defeat the Dragon Prince...For your own sakes as Duelists.
*************************************************
"Well...you've finally decided to come home! Care to tell where you were?"
"...Long story."
"What kind of answer is that?"
Kia flops on the couch in the apartment she shared with her friends. Lori leans over her.
"Ah...I bet I know." Lori smirks. "You figured out a way to get with that mechanic, didn't you?"
"His name is Chance." Kia says, suppressing a yawn.
"Whatever. Anyways, Meg's picked up Lokii's trail again."
"Really?"
"Yeah...But, we still don't know what that spirits up to."
Kia stretches out. "So, what do we know?"
"She fixated on the SWAT Kats, the Commander, and the Queen."
"Uh, huh."
"And, we don't know who else she contacted."
"Mmm, hmm." Kia yawns.
"So, maybe she's acting like she supposed to, wrecking havoc." Lori looks over to Kia, but the she-kat has fallen fast asleep. "Great. There goes our fearless leader."
******************************************************
"Well...what do you think?"
"I love the windows....but, I need to look at the inside more closely."
"Go ahead. The door is open."
Callie shifts through some papers as Penny walk into one of the downtown buildings. They were in the new shopping district that was created a year ago.
"Hey, you."
"Hmm?" Callie turns around. "Hi, Ulysses! What brings you by?"
Feral takes a quick look around before kissing Callie on the forehead. "Well, I was tracking you down...and my mother. Anshi finally told me she was here. When you two put your mind to it, you're head to find."
Callie laughs. "Well, your mother's in this building."
"So, I see."
"Do I hear the familiar baritone of my son?" Penny emerges from the building.
Feral smiles. "Hi, mom."
Penny pauses to take a look at her son. "You finally grew your hair out! You know I cried when you cut it the last time..."
"Well, don't cry now! I hate to see she-kats cry."
Penny smiles. "How very Knightly of you."
"I try...so, what brings you here? Did dad send you on a mission?"
"He did tell me to tell you to get your tail in gear."
"Figures." Feral snorts, to which Callie giggles. "But, I know that's not the only thing."
"You know me too well." Penny extracts a picture from her briefcase. "This year is the 20th anniversary of Murachi Designs. And, I thought I'd celebrate by opening another store, and debuting my newest wedding dress." Penny hands the picture to Callie. "What do you think?"
Callie looks at it. "Wow...It's very pretty."
"Thank you. It hasn't been sewn yet, because I need a model."
Feral crosses his arms. "Mother..."
"What? You know I cater to working she-kats!"
Callie looks confused. "I don't understand."
Penny narrows her eyes a bit and smiles. "How would you like to model this dress for me, Calico?"
***********************************************
"Chance will be released from the hospital tomorrow."
"That's good. I'm glad his injuries wasn't that serious."
Jake is with Phoebe on the outside of MegaKat City hospital, hailing a cab. Phoebe interlocks her claws with Jake's.
"I know I'm going to get it when he returns to the garage, but, I don't mind." Jake says.
Phoebe gives Jake's paw a squeeze. "I see."
"What's on your mind?"
"The other night...you talked about something you lost." Phoebe faces Jake. "What did you lose?"
"...It's a long, complicated story." Jake sighs. "That I'm not sure I want to believe."
"Ah...So, what next? You know your father wants you to leave."
"I know. But, I'm not leaving, regardless of what Dad says." Jake looks into Phoebe's eyes. "I hope you understand."
"I do." Phoebe gives Jake a reassuring smile. "I can wait another year."
"Phoebe..."
"J-kun, you need to be with your friend right now. So don't feel obligate to me." Phoebe gives Jake a kiss on the cheek while a cab pulls up. Jake helps Phoebe into the cab."
"And, J-kun..."
"Hmm?"
"Don't be a stranger."
****************************************************************
"I hate being led by the nose."
"That sounds like a vote of no confidence against World's End."
"It should." Ohtori slams his paw down on top of the letter. "I still feel that Nanami was manipulated into the Duel."
"Why would they do that?" Eboni asks. "We don't even know who or what World's End is, or their motivations."
"But, this letter is almost compelling us to Duel." Sonji says quietly. "And, we all get individual letters."
Eboni blinks. "That's right."
" 'Defeat the Dragon Price. For your own sakes as Duelists.'" Ohtori repeats the letter. "Guess that means that Eboni and I are next to Duel."
"But, it's too soon. Even I have to admit that." Eboni says.
"How very accommodating of you."
"Don't joke with me. I feel that the Council has made too many concessions to the Dragon Prince."
"And, you don't like him because of that?"
"I don't like him for lots of other reasons."
Ohtori laughs. "Sounds like you're still bitter that you lost to Jake."
"May I remind our esteemed Vice President that he lost, too!"
"...So testy."
"Watch it, Black Dragon."
Ohtori laughs again and stands up. "Well, I guess that's it for this meeting. You're all excused."
"And, where are you going?" Sonji asks.
Ohtori smiles. "Going to do some research. So you later."
***************************************************************
"Me? Model?"
"I think you'll be a lovely bride." Penny says, holding the picture of a drawing up to Callie. "Oh, and this isn't a requirement to get me to buy this place. I love it regardless."
"Oh..." Callie blushes and glances at Feral. "What do you think?"
Feral shrugs. "I think you'll be a lovely bride, too."
"You're not helping, Ulysses!"
Penny laughs. "Tell you what. If you model this gown for me, I'll design the outfit you would wear the day you're sworn in as Mayor."
Callie blinks. "But, I haven't even started my campaign!"
"Calico, you need to be more confident." Penny gives her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure the katizens will do what's right."
"Well...all right." Callie smiles a bit. "It does sound tempting. So, you'll take this building?"
"Yes. This building will be perfect."
"Great. All you have to do is fill out the paper work back in my office and you can start up any day." Callie turns to Feral. "Are you coming?"
Feral looks at his watch. "I guess I can make this my lunch break."
Callie walks away, and Penny lingers by her son's side. "Think I'll design a wedding dress for your bride?"
"Maybe." Feral smiles and walks away to catch up with Callie, leaving Penny behind to collect her thoughts.
"Remember your past, my son..."
To be continued...
Callie thinks that she knows Penelope, but isn't sure why. Who or what is World's End, and why do they want Jake to be defeated? Ohtori feels that Nanami was manipulated into the Duel. Also, Callie gets an unusual offer from Penelope.
Author's notes: There is a missing scene. It didn't fit in the prolouge, it didn't fit at the end of the Arcana Saga, but it's a pretty important scene(I think). It's not the sort you can revist in a flashback, but I'll figure out how to get it in. See if you can figure out what the missing scene is about.
As always, send any comments or questions to AkaneKitty@aol.com. Or, drop me a line in my review section at Fanfiction.net. Enjoy!
Ja ne,
AkaneKitty, who's glad her stories can be easliy read by JAWS.
**************************
The Eternal Dreams Saga:
Familiar Binds
**************************
"*...Again?*"
"*...It was such a passing comment...*"
Callie sits back in her chair, thinking, while Penny looks over some building proposals. The elderly she-kat was taking her time.
"*She feels so familiar...*" Callie continues to think. "*Kind of like Ulysses...like I know them from a long time ago...*"
"Calico..."
"*It's like what we discussed the other night...him being familiar...*"
"Calico?"
"Oh!" Callie snaps back into reality. "Sorry about that. I was just thinking."
Penny looks at her. "Anything wrong?"
"Nothings wrong...so, how do those proposals look?"
"They look great." Penny flips through a stack of papers. "Though I'd like to see the buildings first."
"Of course. We can do that anytime."
"Is today too soon?"
"No. I need to get out anyways."
Penny continues to look at her. "I saw your picture in the paper. And, I have to admit, that you and my son looked good as a couple. "
"Thank you." Callie stands up.
"And, I'm glad to see him happy...but, I won't say much more." Penny also stands up. "Ulysses gets enough pressure from his father about that."
"So do I...but from my mother" Callie mumbles, to which Penny chuckles.
*********************************************
"Aren't we exercising our newly given powers, Ohtori? Calling a meeting so soon."
"I don't think so. Besides, we need to talk."
Eboni, a raven haired she-kat, crosses her arms. "What for? We know Nanami violated the Rules. She's suspended. You now have her powers. What more is there?"
"Yes, what?" Sonji speaks up. "We can't do anything until we receive a letter from World's End."
Ohtori sighs, sitting down at a table inside the Sakuru Shrine. "That's the thing."
"What do you mean?"
"I feel that Nanami was manipulated into that Duel with the Dragon Prince."
Eboni widens her eyes. "By who?"
Ohtori looks solemn. "World's End."
"Oh, come on!" Eboni laughs. "We are all manipulated by World's End. The tell us when to Duel, and who to Duel with. The President carries out the orders."
"But, that's the thing. World's End has been increasing eager for Duels." Ohtori extracts a letter from his clothes, to which Eboni and Sonji gasp. Ohtori tosses it on the table:
Defeat the Dragon Prince...For your own sakes as Duelists.
*************************************************
"Well...you've finally decided to come home! Care to tell where you were?"
"...Long story."
"What kind of answer is that?"
Kia flops on the couch in the apartment she shared with her friends. Lori leans over her.
"Ah...I bet I know." Lori smirks. "You figured out a way to get with that mechanic, didn't you?"
"His name is Chance." Kia says, suppressing a yawn.
"Whatever. Anyways, Meg's picked up Lokii's trail again."
"Really?"
"Yeah...But, we still don't know what that spirits up to."
Kia stretches out. "So, what do we know?"
"She fixated on the SWAT Kats, the Commander, and the Queen."
"Uh, huh."
"And, we don't know who else she contacted."
"Mmm, hmm." Kia yawns.
"So, maybe she's acting like she supposed to, wrecking havoc." Lori looks over to Kia, but the she-kat has fallen fast asleep. "Great. There goes our fearless leader."
******************************************************
"Well...what do you think?"
"I love the windows....but, I need to look at the inside more closely."
"Go ahead. The door is open."
Callie shifts through some papers as Penny walk into one of the downtown buildings. They were in the new shopping district that was created a year ago.
"Hey, you."
"Hmm?" Callie turns around. "Hi, Ulysses! What brings you by?"
Feral takes a quick look around before kissing Callie on the forehead. "Well, I was tracking you down...and my mother. Anshi finally told me she was here. When you two put your mind to it, you're head to find."
Callie laughs. "Well, your mother's in this building."
"So, I see."
"Do I hear the familiar baritone of my son?" Penny emerges from the building.
Feral smiles. "Hi, mom."
Penny pauses to take a look at her son. "You finally grew your hair out! You know I cried when you cut it the last time..."
"Well, don't cry now! I hate to see she-kats cry."
Penny smiles. "How very Knightly of you."
"I try...so, what brings you here? Did dad send you on a mission?"
"He did tell me to tell you to get your tail in gear."
"Figures." Feral snorts, to which Callie giggles. "But, I know that's not the only thing."
"You know me too well." Penny extracts a picture from her briefcase. "This year is the 20th anniversary of Murachi Designs. And, I thought I'd celebrate by opening another store, and debuting my newest wedding dress." Penny hands the picture to Callie. "What do you think?"
Callie looks at it. "Wow...It's very pretty."
"Thank you. It hasn't been sewn yet, because I need a model."
Feral crosses his arms. "Mother..."
"What? You know I cater to working she-kats!"
Callie looks confused. "I don't understand."
Penny narrows her eyes a bit and smiles. "How would you like to model this dress for me, Calico?"
***********************************************
"Chance will be released from the hospital tomorrow."
"That's good. I'm glad his injuries wasn't that serious."
Jake is with Phoebe on the outside of MegaKat City hospital, hailing a cab. Phoebe interlocks her claws with Jake's.
"I know I'm going to get it when he returns to the garage, but, I don't mind." Jake says.
Phoebe gives Jake's paw a squeeze. "I see."
"What's on your mind?"
"The other night...you talked about something you lost." Phoebe faces Jake. "What did you lose?"
"...It's a long, complicated story." Jake sighs. "That I'm not sure I want to believe."
"Ah...So, what next? You know your father wants you to leave."
"I know. But, I'm not leaving, regardless of what Dad says." Jake looks into Phoebe's eyes. "I hope you understand."
"I do." Phoebe gives Jake a reassuring smile. "I can wait another year."
"Phoebe..."
"J-kun, you need to be with your friend right now. So don't feel obligate to me." Phoebe gives Jake a kiss on the cheek while a cab pulls up. Jake helps Phoebe into the cab."
"And, J-kun..."
"Hmm?"
"Don't be a stranger."
****************************************************************
"I hate being led by the nose."
"That sounds like a vote of no confidence against World's End."
"It should." Ohtori slams his paw down on top of the letter. "I still feel that Nanami was manipulated into the Duel."
"Why would they do that?" Eboni asks. "We don't even know who or what World's End is, or their motivations."
"But, this letter is almost compelling us to Duel." Sonji says quietly. "And, we all get individual letters."
Eboni blinks. "That's right."
" 'Defeat the Dragon Price. For your own sakes as Duelists.'" Ohtori repeats the letter. "Guess that means that Eboni and I are next to Duel."
"But, it's too soon. Even I have to admit that." Eboni says.
"How very accommodating of you."
"Don't joke with me. I feel that the Council has made too many concessions to the Dragon Prince."
"And, you don't like him because of that?"
"I don't like him for lots of other reasons."
Ohtori laughs. "Sounds like you're still bitter that you lost to Jake."
"May I remind our esteemed Vice President that he lost, too!"
"...So testy."
"Watch it, Black Dragon."
Ohtori laughs again and stands up. "Well, I guess that's it for this meeting. You're all excused."
"And, where are you going?" Sonji asks.
Ohtori smiles. "Going to do some research. So you later."
***************************************************************
"Me? Model?"
"I think you'll be a lovely bride." Penny says, holding the picture of a drawing up to Callie. "Oh, and this isn't a requirement to get me to buy this place. I love it regardless."
"Oh..." Callie blushes and glances at Feral. "What do you think?"
Feral shrugs. "I think you'll be a lovely bride, too."
"You're not helping, Ulysses!"
Penny laughs. "Tell you what. If you model this gown for me, I'll design the outfit you would wear the day you're sworn in as Mayor."
Callie blinks. "But, I haven't even started my campaign!"
"Calico, you need to be more confident." Penny gives her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure the katizens will do what's right."
"Well...all right." Callie smiles a bit. "It does sound tempting. So, you'll take this building?"
"Yes. This building will be perfect."
"Great. All you have to do is fill out the paper work back in my office and you can start up any day." Callie turns to Feral. "Are you coming?"
Feral looks at his watch. "I guess I can make this my lunch break."
Callie walks away, and Penny lingers by her son's side. "Think I'll design a wedding dress for your bride?"
"Maybe." Feral smiles and walks away to catch up with Callie, leaving Penny behind to collect her thoughts.
"Remember your past, my son..."
To be continued...