Soooo ... time to accept the situation. What can Chase do with this new body of his ?
The bus where Chase was perched stopped again. The cat widened eyes. Finally ! A hospital. Let's just hope that it was the one sheltering his body. Devineaux approached the edge of the vehicle, and jumped. Right when a user passed under.
CRAP !
Yep. Bounced on his head. Maine Coons being heavy, the poor human took like 22 pounds on his noggin. Enough to knock it out. The cat for his part, landed ungracefully on the ground, with a sound of pain. Thankfully, the feline's body was resistant. Chase trotted to the entrance. Taking advantage of people entering, he got inside. It was noisy and crowdy. Now, was this the place ? How could he find himself ? He hid under a chair. There was so many scents in here … hey wait a minute. That's it ! He was supposed to have a better flair. He smelled the air. He exited his hideout to cover more ground. THERE ! Carmen went here. He had to follow the track and not be caught. On the meantime, Carmen was anxiously waiting for her boyfriend to awake.
" I should have prevented this. This is all my fault. I knew it could happen." she said.
" No it's not your fault, you went to rescue him immediately." replied Zack.
" Then what ? Are you gonna break up with him as soon as he open his eyes ?" asked Ivy.
" No ! I can't do that. And … I don't want to. When I realized he was on the verge of leaving me, I understood how much I needed him, that I loved him. Breaking up would be not only super awful, but it also wouldn't solve the problem. VILE knew him before he joined us." continued Carmen.
" The siblings are right, don't blame yourself. This can happen to all of us, Devineaux knows it too. Plus, apart from being unconscious he is fine." intervened Shadowsan.
" Please Chasey, open your eyes. Come back to me." begged Carmen, her forehead on his cheek.
The man emitted a sound. His eyes finally opened. Carmen smiled, ready to kiss him. He turned his eyes to her … and hissed.
" ?"
He rolled on his belly, growling. Carmen remained petrified. What the ?
" Chase ? Are you okay sweetie ?" she asked tending a hand.
" SSHHHH !" he replied, sending a hand.
Or rather a paw stroke. Carmen dodged by reflex. Chase growled and meowed in a menacing tone. Carmen looked at her teammates, unsure about what to do. The human decided to flee. But not being in his usual body he simply fell on the ground with a sound of pain. Shadowsan and Carmen went naturally to help, only to be welcomed with new hissing.
" Aaaah this is bad !"
Chase arrived, meowing. He interposed between his body and the humans.
" Eurgh ! I didn't know I was that big !" he thought.
His body continued to try to impress the humans in front of him. So Chase decided to pull them away. He stood up and pushed Carmen with his front paws. That one backed away, still not knowing what the heck was happening. Shadowsan backed away too. That reassured the human cat a bit. Then, the real Chase stuck in the cat's body, meowed to both, tending a paw toward his body and himself.
" What ? I don't get it. Chasey, love please talk to me." called Sandiego to his body.
" I AM talking to you !"
The Maine Coon tended two paws to his human self, then tapped his chest, all punctuated with mews. Shadowsan frowned. His eyes went from the cat to the man. It … couldn't be ! Carmen appeared in the human's sight again. He growled, showing teeth. The cat at her feet tapped her leg. He repeated his moves again.
" What do you want you ? And how did you get in here ?" asked Carmen.
" I wonder … no I think … that your boyfriend is in the cat." made Shadowsan.
All heads turned to him. Chase felt hope. Looked like someone finally understood. Carmen and the siblings exchanged a look. That this hypothesis came from the one supposedly the smartest and composed after Carmen was astounding.
" What ?!" they all exclaimed.
" That would explain why he's acting like a cat, and why this one is here and trying to communicate. I just remembered that I saw a cat like this one in the lab, hiding under one of the helmets right before Bellum pulled that lever." exposed the Japanese.
Silence. They were trying to process those intel.
" Chase, is that you ?" asked Shadowsan directly to the cat.
" Mah mah !" replied the animal nodding.
" Wow wow wow. Hang on. You mean … they shifted bodies ?!" exclaimed Ivy.
" Considering what Bellum is able to do, like completely erasing memories or reprogramming someone, as you two almost tested, then this is from the same calibre." he said.
Carmen lowered eyes to the Maine Coon. But … no it was impossible ! However as weird as it seemed, Shadowsan's argument fitted. She looked at her boyfriend's body. He was still scared and on his guards. His behaviour was indeed similar to a cat's one. Sandiego's eyes went back on the cat on the floor.
" Chase ?" she called.
The cat turned his head to her. She startled.
" That's … crazy !" commented Zack, before scratching his head.
" So … let's admit this is true, and Devineaux is in this cat's body. How do we get him back ?" questioned Ivy.
" The same way the exchange was made. Excepted that I'm afraid the Cleaners would made this place disappear, if it's not done already."
" MOW ?!" exclaimed Chase.
Then … was he stuck in this state for the rest of his life ?!
" But there's certainly a way to cure him. Bellum has other labs." intervened Carmen.
" Certainly, but we might need her on that, as we don't know how it was done in the first place. We can't risk grilling them both and losing Devineaux for good." continued Shadowsan.
" Yes please."
A silence followed this. Carmen decided to sit, troubled by all this revelations. The man for his part, tried to escape. Zack tempted to block his way. Shadowsan reacted fast too, and nape punched him when he tried to bypass the young man. This done, he and Carmen reinstalled him on the bed.
" That rise another problem. How are we going to keep him safe if he tries to escape ?" asked Carmen.
" You are right, we'll have to maintain him unconscious to keep risks at the minimum. I doubt he'll be able to seize the situation with the thinking process of an animal."
But how ? How were they to convince a doc to do that without telling the truth ? Even if they were, the docs would certainly not believe them. They could take him elsewhere, but he needed constant medical care, something they couldn't give him. Chase sighed, his eyes on the floor. Could this situation get any worse ? Well, you just have to ask. While they were all musing on this, a doctor arrived to check on Chase's state. That one simply awoke. He hissed again, to the doc's astonishment. Carmen seized this opportunity to ask to maintain him under sedatives, unconscious. The doctor said that maybe a psychiatric care should be more appropriate. Chase briefly showed his teeth. Carmen insisted, and managed to convince the man to do as she required. She watched with sadness the thing being done. Chase gulped. Carmen approached and dropped a kiss on the man's lips.
The team exited the hospital. Time to go back to their HQ. No one dared to speak about what happened. Chase went to his room. It was so big now. The whole world just turned gigantic and he felt more useless than ever. He sat on the floor. The reality of the situation kinda exploded in his mind. Until now he'd been focused on retrieving Carmen, his teammates and his body. He was a cat. What could he possibly do in that state ? He heard someone entering his room.
" Chasey ?"
He didn't move. Carmen closed the door then approached him, before sitting near him.
" How are you feeling ?"
Full of hair. Tiny. Hopeless. Defenseless.
The Maine Coon suddenly stood up and started pacing.
" How do you want me to feel seriously ?! I'm stuck in a cat's body, for God's know how long. Everything is too big for me now, I had no idea of what to do, I can't even protect you nor be a proper boyfriend anymore ! But apart from that it's just peachy !"
Carmen only heard mews from him, but could guess he was ranting about it. She had a vision of him doing it, in his expressive way. It made her smile a little.
" Grraaaah I can't even speak ! No one understands ! I need fresh air !"
The cat walked to the door and jumped at the handle. Once the door opened he ran away.
" Chase wait !" called Carmen.
He was already getting down. The siblings and Shadowsan saw him racing to the front door, opening it and got away.
" Honey !"
Too late. She could only stare at the door mid opened.
" Did you quarrel ?" asked Zack.
" No … I simply wondered how he was feeling. He … let's say expressed his feelings and ran away. I should go after him, he could get lost." replied Carmen.
" Maybe you should let him some space. This is big, he needs time to ponder it." advised Shadowsan.
" Yeah … I dunno how I would cope if I were to lose my own body." approved Ivy.
" Speaking of which, what shall we feed him ?" asked Zack.
It could appeared as a stupid question, however in reality it was a good one. Cats weren't feeding on the same food than humans, some could be toxic for them. Carmen agreed. She decided to let Chase some minutes before fetching him. Ivy and Zack announced that they'll made some research about food for cat.
Meanwhile, Chase stopped in a desert street. He was feeling empty.
Why ? What have I done to deserve that ? WHY MEEEEE !
His yell of frustration ended in a long, loud mew. Too bad cats couldn't cry like humans, because he was feeling like doing it right about now. Heavens decided to do it in his place. Thunder growled, the rain felt drop by drop then poured. In her room where Carmen just finished telling it all to Player, she straightened.
" Is Chase back ?" she called from her room.
" No." replied three voices.
" Then I'll go pick him." she declared while descending.
Her family tagged along. They split up, calling the cat.
" Here kitty kitty kitty !" called Zack.
" Yo pal ! Where are you ?"
" Chasey ! Please answer me !"
Shadowsan walked on his side, calling him from time to time. Where could that cat have gone ? Three minutes later, he arrived in a street. Where a big feline was hitting his head against a garbage. Shadowsan lifted his brows.
" There you are." he said, behind.
Chase stopped hitting the metal, but kept his head leaned on it.
" Listen. I can't even fathom what you're going through. However, you're worrying everyone, especially Carmen." he began.
Chase didn't budge.
" She still loves you no matter your shape. I … I must say it displeased me at first. I raised her, she's like my daughter. However … I saw all what you did for her. The comfort and joy you brought to her. The love you offer her. I'm grateful to you for that. She's really happy now. That's why, you better not let her down. You may be in a cat's body, but that doesn't mean you can't be of any use. You have claws, fangs, you're agile, and are a very big cat. You can turn all of this in assets, all you need is adjustment and training. I can train you. It will be different from usual, but we can achieve some things." continued Shadowsan.
Chase slowly lifted his head.
" It's up to you to either continue pitying yourself, or stand up and fight again."
The cat looked at him from the corner of his eyes. While talking, Shadowsan texted the others. Carmen arrived, running. She lifted Chase she hugged tightly.
" Oh sweetie ! Don't scare me like that, I don't want to lose you !" she said.
Chase turned his eyes to her. Then, he met Shadowsan's look, who nodded. Zack and Ivy expressed their happiness to see him again. Carmen hastened to bring him home. In the bathroom she snatched a towel and began to dry Chase. After a while, that one collapsed on the floor, all paws spread. Carmen tilted her head. Chase sighed loudly.
" Quelle cacaterie.¹"
Sandiego plugged her hair dryer, and continued her care on a cat who wasn't giving a damn about the world.
" Here, all done my love." she announced.
Chase looked at her. Shadowsan's words surfaced.
It's up to you to either continue pitying yourself, or stand up and fight again.
New sigh. Carmen fondled him.
I can train you.
Chase brought back his paws. Lifting a front one, he exited his claws. They looked sharp. It could certainly hurt. He sat down. Looking at both front paws, he examined his claws. True, a human didn't possess those. Devineaux already got clawed by cats, before. It did hurt. Then maybe … maybe hope wasn't lost. Perhaps he could take advantage of the situation. Shadowsan might be right. No one would notice a cat, he could sneak and attack anybody threatening his girlfriend. He lifted his head to her. Sandiego was staring at him with interrogation. He finally stood up on his paws. He had to accept the situation, and do his best. Carmen had an idea to help him communicate. She brought a tablet with a stylus. He'll just have to enter his words.
" Before that …I must say I'm really sorry about what happened to you. I wasn't here to protect you like I swore myself." she confessed.
He blinked. Then, as she placed the stylus between his fingers he clicked on letters.
" Don't. I should've be more vigilant. You trained me so I could improve, and I'm still unable to sense a presence like you do."
Carmen smiled.
" It's nice. I'll do anything it takes to bring you back. Promise." she said.
Chase tilted his head. Sandiego had the impression he could read her soul with his green eyes.
" I'll be there. I'll protect you." he wrote.
" I prefer that you remain in safety." contradicted Sandiego.
Chase negatively shook his head.
" I WILL COME."
The Latina mid-opened her mouth as another vision flashed. She could totally see his face, with this determined look. She leaned and dropped a kiss on his head. Chase smiled internally. They both exited the bathroom, Carmen carrying the tablet and stylus. She cooked some meat for Chase, sat at the table with everyone. That one purred when seeing this, before stopping with a paw on his muzzle. There was no way he'll behave like a true cat !
" That's okay Chasey. At least I know you're satisfied." made Carmen.
Devineaux tried to look more dignified. He began to dig in, detaching small pieces of meat.
" Wow pal. You look more refined than before." commented Zack.
" What's that supposed to mean ? That I usually eat like a pig ?" wondered Chase.
He returned a look tinted with contempt. Ivy snorted. Now that was a cat's attitude. Once the meal finished, Carmen decided to stroll outside. It had been a rough day so she needed to relax. Her steps took her to a café she liked. The young woman ordered a cup. Shortly after she took a sip or two, a man invited himself at her table with his own glass. Carmen returned a dark look as he was starting a conversation.
" Stop. I'm not interested." she cut, raising a hand.
" Aw come on ! Such a pretty girl like you can't remain all alone ! Not only it isn't safe but it's sad."
" I already have someone who comforts me plenty." she informed.
" Is it why you're here by yourself ? Don't worry I won't hurt you."
He put his hand on her forearm. Down there, Chase had followed her unnoticed.
Is he … courting MY girlfriend ?!
The Maine Coon raced to them. He jumped on the table and meowed loudly, his pelt straightened.
" Wha … Is that him, your famous boyfriend huh ?" commented the man.
Carmen stared at him, astonished. The man tried to make the cat fall from the table. Chase gave a powerful kick in his glass, sending it to the intruder's face. Then, with a cry of anger he literally jumped on him, making him fall instead. Hissing, he slapped him several times in a row, without using his claws at first. The man rolled to get rid of the cat. That one attacked again, bit his hand, and clawed the arm trying to seize him. His opponent finally opted for a flee, an angry cat running after him. Chase stopped after some meters. He went back swiftly to Carmen, jumped on her lap before sitting in an authoritarian manner and inflating his chest, his eyes defying anyone to have a try. After a silence, some girls at a neighbouring table applauded and praised this scene, surprising them both. They stood up and approached him.
" That was amazing ! He really defended you !" exclaimed one.
" Did you teach him that ?" asked a second.
" Not really, I didn't even know he was there." replied Carmen, still surprised by what happened.
" I wish I have a cat like that, I'll take him everywhere with me." said a third woman.
" What's his name ? Can I pet him ?" asked a fourth.
" It's Chase, and well if he's okay with that. Right ?" made Carmen, looking at him.
Huh …
A first hand landed on his head before he could voice his accord. Three others joined, strolling on his fur, while they all praised him for defending his owner.
S-stop ladies … t-there's nothing extraordinary about a man protecting his woman.
The fondling stopped as fast as it started, leaving a dishevelled Chase who didn't get what just happened. The four ladies greeted them before getting back at their table. Chase turned his head to Carmen.
See ? I can defend you !
" What ?" she asked innocently.
The cat faced her, his look expressing that he was waiting for approval, or at least a thank. It really seemed like a jaded expression that made her chuckle. He might be a cat, but he was still so expressive.
" Kidding. I got it. Thank for your intervention. It was really helpful." she said, scratching under the jaw.
He let out a purr. Then, as she went back at her coffee, he turned to stand guard. Later, she paid for her consummation and left with her cat. That one was watching carefully around, ready to attack anyone who would try to mess with his Femme Rouge. Once home, they parted at their own doors.
" Have a good night sweetheart. If you feel lonely you can come to my room." said Carmen.
" Mwrah !"
Chase entered his room, then get up on the bed. He turned a couple of time before laying. His head on the mattress, he thought about what happened earlier. Seeing that retard annoying his girlfriend really got on his nerves. He ran with the intention of badly hurting him, before his conscious breathed it could backfire on Carmen. So he simply bit, strong enough to be clear but not too hard to cause real damages.
" Maybe Shadowsan is right. I can use all of this to my advantage. I managed to sneak unnoticed by Carmen. Meaning I can do the same with her enemies."
Fine, he could do this. For now, some sleep was welcome. In her room, Carmen was dreaming she was in Chase's arms. She told him she had an awful nightmare, where he got transformed in a cat. As she lifted her face to him, his head was the one of a cat. The Latina awake in a gasp. She rubbed her face. Alas, it was all too true. Chase was now a feline. Because she failed to free him on time. The young woman got up. She went to his room. Well, he was sound asleep on the back. Carmen approached, then caressed him on the belly.
" FSSSHHH MIAAAAW !"
" Chase it's me !" exclaimed Carmen.
Recognizing her, Chase relaxed but scolded her with a growling voice.
" I'm sorry, I didn't want to scare you. It's just …"
She sat on the ground, her back leaned on the bed. Chase understood she probably had a nightmare. He sat too, and stretched out a paw. Carmen widened eyes when noticing he was comforting her as per usual. It made her smile. She turned her face to him, her chin on the mattress.
" Thanks Chasey. Even in this situation you manage to make me smile." she said.
" Maw."
He approached then rubbed his face against hers. Carmen replied to the fondling. Tomorrow they'll be back to that place where it all happened, even if Shadowsan thought it was all destroyed. Player was tasked to search for all Dr Bellum's labs. Carmen yawned. Chase caught her sleeve, inviting her to rest here with him. She accepted, especially since the place was full of his presence. Four hours later, Chase awoke again. He yawned and stretched. Glancing at his clock, he discovered that it was still the middle of the night. He glanced at Carmen, peacefully asleep. Devineaux remained eyes wide opened for a while, hoping to return to slumber.
…
"I don't feel like sleeping anymore. In fact, this body wishes to do some exercise. Weird, I thought cats were sleeping more than humans."
Or maybe it was split during the day as well. Anyway, he decided to get up and down. Chase didn't know how, but he managed to topple and land on the back. Carmen whined in her sleep when he meowed in pain.
" What was that ? I thought I got it now."
He rolled. Then, he walked until the door's handle. Now, to open it as he did before. Except that this time he miscalculated his jump and hit the handle with the head.
" Aïe sa mère putain ²!"
Chase rubbed his head. But he did it perfectly well just some hours ago ! What did change ? He mused on it. He was … angry. His ears straightened. That's it, he acted without thinking, like doing it on instinct. But now that he was focusing on his moves, it went all wrong again. This was troublesome. Chase had to learn how to control this body as well as well as his original one, before beginning his combat training. Since nights belonged to cats then he'll use this time. Well, if he could get out that is. So let's do this again he thought. Just … not to high, not too low … Chase jumped. And missed because he was too far from the handle. He glanced to the bed. He had to be silent as well, otherwise he'll wake her up. His tail waved as he was planning this. The cat jumped and caught the handle.
YES !
The door opened. Chase exited with his tail all straight, proud of him. He got amazed by how clear he could see. So that was a cat's nocturnal vision hey. Nice. He went down. Everything was closed, so no wandering outside. Which now that he was thinking about it, was certainly safer as he was still a beginner.
" The house will do for now. It's full of obstacles, I can perfectly train here." He thought.
Spotting the kitchen table, Chase ran. Once close enough he jumped.
" WOF !"
His breath got cut as he hit the edge with his stomach. He also slipped and fell back.
" Maybe I'm setting the bar too high."
Let's rather begin with the little one in the living-room. Chase turned and rushed to it. He leaped.
" WAH too far !"
He practically crashed on the other side of the table. Growling, he trotted and jumped.
" HAHA !"
The Maine Coon walked on it. He went on the couch, escalated the armrest then walked on the edge. One of his front paws slipped and he fell again miserably. Fortunately for him his body allowed him to land on his paws. Chase shook his head. Maybe some research could come in handy there. Now, where was Carmen's laptop already ? Probably still stored with her luggage up here. He sighed. Come on, this was for his own good. Chase went back upstairs. His girlfriend didn't close her room's door, and he simply have to push to enter. He found the bag containing the computer. Using his teeth he unzipped it. Getting the engine out of it was more complicated without hands. He had to use his mouth to pull it out. Plugging it prove to be easier, and he opened it by inserting a claw. He observed the keyboard. Perhaps his stylus would be practical here. Carmen put it on her dresser.
" Thank you so much honey, for making my life easier !"
He began by switching the computer on, while trying to climb on the dresser. The handles on it allowed him to reach the top. Chase grabbed the stylus and jumped down. Now then. He knew her password for seeing her entering it.
" This cat vision is awful. Maybe I'll need goggles or I don't know what."
He opened an internet page. Wedging the stylus in his mouth, he clicked on the letters. He approached his head to deciphers the words.
" Using my tail as a balance beam ? Why didn't I think of it ? Hey, is that a video ?"
He clicked on it. As much as his eyes permitted him to, he carefully observed a cat walking on a fence. Then, one jumping, another running … so much and so well that the morning was here.
Translation :
Quelle cacaterie = invented, meaning what a shitty situation
Aie sa mère putain = equivalent of ouch motherfucker
