EPISODE 10

It was dark. It was very, very dark. Blackness smothered him like a wet blanket. He wasn't supposed to be here. Had had to do something, but what? He couldn't quite remember. The answer was lying just beyond the veil of his consciousness and he knew that if he really wanted to get it, he could. However, he didn't want to. The thing he needed to do was something difficult, life threatening. Here, he was okay. As long as he stayed in the black, he didn't have to do anything, he didn't have to remember. He found that he didn't remember a lot of things. Where was he and who was he? He couldn't quite understand anything.

A figure appeared in the dark. The young kat was very familiar, but it took him a few seconds to place the name; Jacob Christopher Clawson, that was it. 'Jake', to his friends. Jake wearing tan shorts just touched his knees and a black, sleeveless shirt. Jake was a shy person who kept mostly to himself. He wasn't very tall or big, but he was brilliant. His mind was his sharpest weapon and a deadly one at that.

There came another person. This second kat looked much liked the first, and in a way he was the first, but not completely. They were the same, and yet not. The other's name was Razor, short and sweet. Razor looked like Jake, but he was bolder and braver. Razor had a dead aim and when he set out to hit something, it got hit. There was no piece of weaponry that Razor couldn't work his mind around, that was his brilliance.

Those were the first two to appear in the dark, but not last. Several more materialized from what seemed like the air it's self. He noted each person as they appeared and each came flooding with memories that he couldn't stop, maybe he didn't want to stop them.

The next was Chance Taylor Furlong wearing jeans and a white t-shirt. Chance was tall and strong and although he was the exact opposite to Jake, they had somehow remained the best of friends. It was funny in the way that, even though Chance was such a big guy, he was basically just a kid inside. He loved cartoons and comic books, all that stuff. He was a bit of a flirt and a daredevil, but you could trust him to be there when things went wrong. Chance was always there.

The T-Bone kat was to Chance as Razor was to Jake. The only real difference was that T-Bone wasn't much different from his counter-part. Actually he only acted bolder and crazier. There was the piloting, of course. He flew like no one business, able to pull off stunts that others could spend a lifetime and never get. What a guy.

There was Deputy Mayor Calico 'Callie' Briggs. A very sweet, beautiful woman who put the needs of the city before her own. Mayor Manx was here; short, cowardly, but not all bad. Commander Ulysses Feral and his niece Felina, hard to believe they were related. They looked and acted nothing alike. There was Professor Hackle, who was arguable the most brilliant mind in all of Megakat. Rounding off the list was the ever inquisitive reporter Ann Gora and her camera man Jonny. Funny Jonny should be here. Did he ever really meet him?

Jake spoke to him. At first they all just stood there, waiting, like they were his audience. Strange, but now they were speaking to him.

"Hey," The Jake kat called. "Are you giving up already? Your too close. Keep fighting."

Razor spoke next. "You tired shooting him down. That didn't work. Use that brain of yours. Think."

Chance was next, followed by his alter ego.

"Come on, buddy. Lend a hand, will ya'?"

"You can rest later, now there's a little more left to do."

"Listen, SWAT Kat," voiced the commander. "I may not like you, but you do good work. That's all you'll get from me."

"There's still a chance. You know there is." That was from his niece.

Then came Hackle. "You have a brilliant mind. Use it."

Ann spoke, followed by Jonny.

"I'm looking forward to telling the story of the SWAT Kats' victory."

"We're counting on you, man."

Last was Callie. She stepped from her place in the audience, but only by a little bit.

"You have to get up. You may not want to, but you have to get up."

The darkness started to fade as shred of light slowly rose in the nothingness. All of these people were here and for a reason. All of them were connected by one man. A man who once was a reporter, a mediocre one, at best. However in the man's mind, he was the greatest. He hurt himself while trying to play the hero in an accident that was no accident at all. The man now known as Forecaster tampered with the machine himself. He sabotaged the device so that he could later stop it later from destruction, making him the hero. That plan backfired and made him what he is today. He spent so long wandering the desert in Megakat, surviving off of rainwater and animals. The mixture of heat and power took a toll on his mind, twisting it into the warped shape that it is now.

This is why he needed to get up. He was needed to help. They all had to help to win, this couldn't be done alone. The light was so strong now. Get up. But it wasn't blinding. Get up. It was time, he had to-

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"Get up."

Callie called again. Razor-Jake-was alive, but he wasn't rising. She had been calling out and shaking him, but he just wouldn't wake up. She was so worried that she actually felt sick to her stomach. She just wanted him to get up, she wanted everything to be alright so badly.

From the other end of the street, Forecaster had been using his power to attack Feral and the small group of men that had stayed with him while they fired back with their weapons. She didn't know which side was winning, but she prayed it was theirs. That seemed like all she could do was just hope and prey. She wanted to help so badly, but there was nothing she could other then just wish that things were go back to normal. As if wishing hard enough could make all that had been done disappear. Things like that only happened in stories. There was no magical author that would make everything alright here. This was not just going to go away, if they wanted to restore peace, they would have to do it themselves.

"Please. Please, wake up."

She had just about given up when she heard a soft groan escape his lips. Her heart stopped. Was he really waking? Jake (or Razor) groaned again, a little louder. He started to stir and then his eyes fluttered open. Callie couldn't help but smile as he looked at her.

"Ms. Briggs." He said, a little groggy. "Good to see you."

Callie laughed a little and wiped the tears from her eyes. It looked like she was going to really lose him for a minute there, but being alive and being alright are two different things. Every bone in his body could be broken for all she knew.

"How do you feel?"

"Like I was hit by a car. But generally okay."

Callie glanced at the vehicle that was serving as their shelter.

"That's not a bad guess."

He started to sit up. Callie took his hand to help.

"Can you stand?"

"Yeah, I think I'll be okay."

They got him to his feet with little trouble. He stumbled for a second, but looked fine from then on. Jake was now looking off in the distance where Feral was fighting a losing battle.

"I can't stop you from fighting, can I?" She asked.

"Afraid not."

"Just be careful, okay? You already scared me enough. So be careful, Jake."

"Don't worry about me. I-"

Jake stopped and looked at Callie, wide eyed. She quickly realized her slip and covered her mouth, as if that would make it go all away. Jake felt his face, trying to feel for his mask. He looked and spotted it ripped open on the ground where he lay by his helmet. Callie closed her eyes and looked away, feeling shameful.

"I'm-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to look, it just……happened."

There were two tearing sounds. Jake had ripped his right sleeve off of his shirt and tore it open to make a rectangular cloth which he tied around his face like a robber from an old movie. Given different circumstances, that could had been pretty funny, but not now.

"I'm sorry." She repeated.

Jake bent down and picked up his headgear, and put it back into place. It wasn't much, but it would do, she guessed.

"It's not your fault." He said at last.

"The blast tore it away and I saw and I'm…..I…."

She felt tears coming back and she fought them off as well as she could. Several drops escaped and slid down her cheek anyhow. Two hands took her shoulders and held her in a strong, but gentle way. Jake (Razor now) was looking directly at her, when their eyes met he spoke.

"Don't worry yourself. You have a right to know the truth, but now isn't the time to talk about it. When things calm down, we'll work this out. But for right now, just don't cry."

He wiped the tears from her eyes with his finger.

"Everything will be alright."

She looked up at Razor and threw both arms around him, holding him tightly. She felt his arms wrap around her and for the first time since the destruction had started, she felt safe. She had to believe that the SWAT Kats could finish this. She had to hope against hope. She let go and he did the same. There was a seconds pause between them and then reality came back.

"I have to go now." He said.

She nodded.

"Get somewhere safe and if things don't turn out for the Got it?"

She nodded again.

"Good. Be seeing you, Ms. Briggs."

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Without another word, Razor ran for the battle. He had his mind racing about what he could do and nothing was coming to him. He needed time to think, but time was up. It was do or die time, literally. He only had a few weapons left in his Glove-O-Trix, so he had to hope that one would work.

As he ran down the street, he nearly collided with someone running from out of a side road. They both dodged each other, but it was nothing graceful.

"Razor?" The person asked.

"T-Bone?"

"Razor! You're okay!"

"More or less. How's Felina?"

"She'll survive. Any brilliant ideas, sure shot?"

"None. I think we should just blast everything we have at him."

"No can do. I lost my Glove."

T-Bone brought up his bare paw for a second to prove the point and then dropped it again. Both of them were looking at Forecaster who was still focused on the Enforcers. They were putting up one hell of a fight, Razor had to admit.

"What happened? Don't tell me you lost it!"

"No, the weather man over there zapped it and caught it on fire. I had to toss the thing. I'm lucky it didn't electrocute me."

"Electrocute? That's it! T-Bone you're brilliant!"

"So what else is new?" He joked.

"T-Bone, I need you to line me up with an exact shot on Forecaster's glove! I don't care how you do it, just make it happen."

"With pleasure."

In a flash T-Bone raced down the road. Razor followed at a distance. T-Bone took a mighty leap up in the air and came down on the back of Forecaster. Caught completely off guard he fell to the ground with T-Bone on top of him. He brought down a hard punch on the villains head as Feral called for his troops to hold their fire.

Forecaster managed to get out from under T-Bone and gain the upper hand. He was sitting on his chest, his regular paw clutching T-Bone's throat.

"Why won't you just die! I'm not letting you go now, kid!"

He brought up his metallic glove, the source of his new power, up in the air, ready to fire upon his victim at point blank. That blast nearly killed him from a distance, Razor didn't want to think about it's power up close, nevertheless this was the shot he needed. And if he missed, he could just say goodbye to his buddy.

Razor raised his Glove-O-Trix and then was struck by a horrible thought; what if it didn't work? What if the hit he'd taken shorted out the wiring? What would be do then? Surely if the energy was enough to rip his suit and smash him into a car, it could have messed up his weapons. The only thing Razor could accomplish would be blowing himself up and getting his best friend killed. And if that happens….Then I failed. He thought. I failed again like I've failed a thousand times before. No! Don't think like that! You've been though too much! You can't give up now! You have to try! If nothing else, try! Do it for T-Bone and Callie, and, what the hell, for Feral! Take the shot!

He did.

The selected missile shot out of the glove and traveled through the air. There was a bit of relief at that part, he didn't blow himself off the face of the earth, so that was a good start. Now the thing just had to hit it's mark. Time moved to a crawl. Razor knew he had over shot, that it would sail right over the glove and miss. He could feel it, like anyone could feel that the shot they made was not going to cut it. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair.

Then there was a miracle, no other word for it. The blast he had taken did damage his Glove-O-Trix, and it did it in the most perfect way. The pulse projectory was weakened and the missile wasn't going to travel as far as it should. Razor watched as the small dart dropped sooner then it typically would and attached to the metal glove. It hit the mark! A feat that never would have worked if it wasn't for that one bad wallop.

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That was the moment T-Bone was waiting for. He took the dive and let Forecaster think he was about to win, but when he saw the mini Scrambler strike the glove, T-Bone brought up both feet and planted them firmly on the kat's chest and pushed off. In a matter of seconds, this was done. He flipped free of the attack and Forecaster was sent back. For a minute there was nothing, and he feared that their efforts had been futile. But then there came a small spark from the glove and that was all T-Bone needed to see.

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Forecaster was winning. The stupid kat had taken him by surprise and landed a few good punches, yes, but that hadn't been enough to stop him. He flipped the kat like a pancake and was clutching his throat in his paw. The idea that he had the power of holding his kat's life in his hands was wonderful. All he had to do now was blast at point blank and he was in the clear. The other non-Enforcer kat was dead and now so would be this one. True, he didn't know for sure that the other was down, but chances are, he didn't continue to exist.

Just a beat away from firing, he felt something hit his Weather Control Glove. He looked at it and saw something small and cylinder shaped had attached, he also saw that the kat who, by all rights should be dead, wasn't. He was the one who fired at him! Forecaster was about to yell "How many lives do you have, anyway!" when he was pushed hard. He caught himself in midair and hung there, watching a smile cross the larger kat's face. He didn't know what they were so happy about, they didn't do anything.

That's what he thought, at least. Then there came a slight burning from the glove. Sparks began to shoot of from the device wildly. The burning became unbearable and just when it reached it's peak a title wave of pain ripped through his entire body. His arms and legs shot out at far as they could and his neck snapped back painfully. His entire body started to convulse and an uncountable amount of volts traveled through his insides. The wires attached to his skull and arms tore from his skin and shook about wildly like snakes. Finally the pain ended and the feeling of millions of pins being pulled from his hand came and left. Forecaster fell to the ground on his knees and then to his back. His vision was blurred is everything on him hurt.

Up above he watched as the thunder and lighting died and the clouds broke apart. Mid-afternoon sun came pouring though like water, splashing and lighting up the earth. Only not over him. The shadow of Commander Feral covered his face as the Enforcer placed a heavy boot on his chest and pointed his gun directly at his face.

"Your under arrest." He said simply.

The ex-Forecaster's last thought was This is Kirk Rex, Kat's Eye News. Signing off. He may have said that out loud, but wasn't sure. He would probably never know. That was when the world slipped away and was replaced by complete blackness as he drifted into a long, dreamless sleep.

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It was hot that day, but Ann didn't mind. There was sun, and sun was the most lovely thing she had ever seen in her entire life. Currently, she was standing near the edge of Megakat Park. Behind her were the remains of several buildings destroyed in the attack being repaired and rebuild. She was wearing her favorite blue dress and her hair was combed just right. On her feet were what she had began to call her 'lucky heels'. They were the same pair she that saved her from getting sliced to bits.

The red light on the camera when on and she brought up the microphone to her face, ready to go.

"Hello, this is Ann Gora, Kat's Eye News. It has already been a week since the SWAT Kats and Enforcers brought down the man known as Forecaster, the worst villain Megakat City has ever faced according to recent polls. To some, the disaster my feel like far off memory, though we mustn't forget those lost in the battle. Despite all, the town is slowly returning to it's former glory. Behind me, several construction and volunteer groups are helping reestablish the damage that had been done. Those who wish to join in the work, please stay tuned for further details. Now back to the studio. This is Ann Gora, Kat's Eye News."

"And we're out." The Jonny called.

He lowered his camera with his free arm, the other was resting on his walking cane. Jonny would need the cane to help him move about for another month, but at least it was a step up from the crutches. Despite his handicap, Jonny was still the best Ann had ever seen.

"Good work today, Jonny." She said.

"Thanks." he replied as he put the recorder back into it's carrying case.

Ann reached into the back pocket of her dress and pulled out a small, black book. Inside was her schedule for the rest of the day. After this, she had to finish up her reports on the re-re-re-re building of Megakat Towers, she had to setup an interview with Professor Hackle, get statements from the Enforcer HQ, write up the rough drafts on the damage report, finalize them, and have everything done in time for the eleven o'clock news. This was a case if 'out of the pan and into the fire' if there ever was one.

"Hey, Ann?" Jonny asked.

She looked up from her book. He was holding the cane in one hand and the camera bag over the other shoulder.

"I was wondering," He continued "if you weren't busy or anything, if you wanted to get some coffee or something?"

Ann stood there for a moment, looking at Jonny. He seemed a little nervous as he spoke. Ann never saw him act that way. It stuck her as being kind of cute. She glanced down at her planner again and then tossed it over her shoulder.

"Sure. My schedule just cleared up."

She walked over to Jonny and took his arm in hers as the two of them left Megakat Park to go have a little time to themselves.

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The sunshine came through the open window in Felina's hospital room. Her meeting with the brick wall had broken a few ribs and did a number on her pelvis, but that was pretty good, considering that she could have easily cracked her skull open like an egg shell. She was now on the second floor of Megakat Hospital in stable condition and was expected to be able to leave in a week, give or take. However, it would be much longer before she would be back in the Enforcers, but a little vacation didn't sound so bad to her.

She was a little lonely in the room. Uncle had come to visit every chance he had, but he still had work to do. There were a lot of looters roaming the streets looking for anything they could pick up and sell for a quick buck. (Some people, huh?) The Enforcers were short handed, meaning that her uncle was working over time to help fill in the gaps till the rookies were ready.

The door to her room opened, meaning that it was another doctor or nurse coming to run more tests and the like. See, this was why she hated hospitals. You never got a moment of peace.

To both her surprise and joy, it was no one from the medical staff at all. Through the door came T-Bone. He smiled and closed it behind him then from behind his back he brought out a bouquet of red, blue, and yellow flowers.

"Here. I thought your room could use a little color."

"T-Bone, I-I don't know what to say."

There were empty vases set out on the night stands next to both beds in the room for just such a case. Since she had no roommate, the place had been very bare. T-Bone grabbed the vase from her stand and took it into the bathroom. She heard the sink turn on and then he calling.

"Well, you can start by telling me how your feeling."

He stepped back out and put the flowers in, finishing by setting the once-empty vase down where he had found it. The flowers themselves weren't much, but it brightened up the room greatly. It was the sweetest thing she could ever remember anyone doing for her. Apparently it is the thought that counts.

"Felina?" He repeated after she didn't answer. "What did the doctors say?"

"Oh, A few broken bones, but I'm okay. I should be out of here soon."

"That's good. That's good."

There was silence between them. It felt weird talking to T-Bone like this. They were on the same side, but not on the same team, so to speak. Felina hated when things like this happened; when two people can't think of a thing to say. So Felina just came out with the first thought she had.

"You know, fly boy. You were real heroic back there, carrying me to safety like that."

He smiled. "You think so."

"Yeah, I do." She was smiling too now. "Let me ask you a dumb question."

"Shoot."

"Think I could see under that mask?"

T-Bone shook his head. "Sorry, no can do."

"Didn't think so."

"However……play your cards right and you never know, anything could happen."

Felina laughed a little. "Oh yeah? And how do I do that?"

"Well, you could start by telling me a little about yourself."

She looked at him soberly.

"Your serious, aren't you?"

He nodded.

"Alright, fly boy. I'll talk, but you owe me a little back story too."

"We'll see."

Felina rolled her eyes. However, she found that she really did want to talk, and she had nothing to lose, so she took a breath and began.

They spent over four hours together, laughing and carrying on like old friends. Those were the best four hours of Felina's life.

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Jake Clawson had finally managed to track down his old new bike. It had arrived with that weeks large shipment. He had spent most of the week with Chance re-building the Turbokat from scratch. By the time they got to the old one after everything settled down, it was nothing but a twisted mass of burning metal and melted goo. Nothing was salvageable. However, they had plenty of Enforcer parts to begun work on a new jet and maybe even make it better then before.

"We can re-build it. We have the technology." He had joked earlier.

However Chance had left earlier that day so no work was being done on the jet. Since it was just time, Jake alone who took the shipment and to his surprise, there was the motorcycle, right back to the way he had found it; twisted metal with tires. He was re-starting to build it back up to it's former glory, however there was one thing different this time around. He no longer worked to keep himself from thinking. Those kind of thoughts were gone with Forecaster (who was locked up his own special cell, by the way). Now he just did his job because he loved it.

There were footsteps coming up the drive. Jake sat up and looked to see the visitor.

"Ms. Briggs." He said, a little surprised and a little frightened.

He hadn't seen her since that day and he'd been wondering how she was and what she was doing. And how she was managing her new secret.

"Good afternoon, Jake."

"What can I do for you?"

"I came to pick up my car. I would have come sooner, but things have been so crazy since-" She cut off. "Well, you know. You were there."

"Yeah…."

"Look, Jake. I promise I won't tell. As far as I'm concerned, the identity of the SWAT Kats is still a mystery."

"Thank you, Ms. Briggs."

"Please, call me Callie."

"Alright, Callie."

Jake smiled, relieved that she would be staying quiet. It wasn't that he didn't trust her, it was just that he would always be the worrier type, no matter what.

"Well you car is ready." He said. "The key's are in there waiting for you."

"Thank you, Jake."

She took a step to her Kat-illac, stopped and came back.

"You know, it might not be a bad thing, me knowing. I see it this way; for a long time you two have been protecting our city and you've never really been thanked, but now…."

She smiled and leaned forward. Before Jake knew it, Callie kissed him lightly on the cheek. He held up his hand to where he was kissed, a little shocked and a lot awe struck.

"That was from the city." She said, then bent forward again. This time the kiss was on his lips. It was longer and stronger then the first, sending a shiver down his spine.

"That was from me."

She walked to her car and got inside. The engine fired right up the first try and purred like a kitten. She leaned out the window and called over to a still stunned Jake: "If your not careful, you just might steal a certain someone's heart."

After that she put the car into drive and left the salvage yard, and headed back onto the once-again busy streets of Megakat city. The sun was bright and the air was warm and Jake still stood there, still holding his cheek, his head spinning and heart pounding, he had feelings brewing inside of him that he never felt before. He wanted to laugh to the heaven's but found he couldn't even speak. After a eternity of just standing, looking out at nothing in particular, a single sentence found it's way out of his lips:

"I think she likes me."

THE END