Author Note: I know I should be writing the end of these fillers and get back to the true meat of the story… let's see how everything flushes out.
Episode Twelve: Chaotic Birthday
Due to the unplanned release of Joe's chaotic form in public, it was not possible to keep the local secret anymore. Several cell phone photos of the silver haired human had been posted onto the internet and multiple television stations were fighting for the best position to catch another glimpse of the abnormal male in town. The only true recourse that he had left was the family camp tucked deep away in the mountains of upstate New York. Lucky for everyone involved, the camp sat on a hidden private road that was covered up with wild grass and was impossible to see from the main road without knowing it was there. Sitting on the floor of the large camp, Joe was watching himself on TV and sighed out as the photos of a shocked human continued to be replayed every newscast. There goes any chance to try and get the cats back as waitresses… While the news that a popular celebrity was locally grown, it didn't help that the restaurant was stuffed with nothing but media personal looking to score the first interview.
Just as he turned off the TV, someone punched the male in the back of his head. That's it! Someone's dea- Feeling up the sore lump on his noggin and cursing under his breath, Joe turned around and prepared to slug whoever was responsible for hitting him unprovoked. "Oh… it's you Lucy." While normally it would be perfect to turn around and counter-attack the offender, the bandanna wearing feline was in her full human form and clothed in a combo of jeans and a short cut black t-shirt. The daily smacks were common whenever Joe failed to sense the feline's strike in time. "What do you want now… did Jeff send you here to punch me again? I said I was sorry!"
"No you idiot, Felicia sent me here to tell you that we need more milk." Shopping for a set of eight cat women was easy: Milk and Fish in bulk. If the little ones are good… the occasional non-Grace approved treat of peanut brittle. While the eldest feline was against giving the young felines the human made treat, Joe had assembled a team of cat girls who trusted their silver haired ally greatly. His wallet was thrown at him by the commanding cat woman as Joe stood up and scoffed. "I don't have a problem with going shopping for you guys, but how do you expect me NOT to draw attention?" A pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap were then dropped on him from above. Looking up, the twin catgirls Nana and Mimi were laughing and enjoying how Felicia's close human friend reminded them of the animated hero shows on TV.
Taking off on a bicycle towards a small corner store down the road, Lucy sighed and walked back into the kitchen as the smell of something baking started to fill the camp. Working at the table, Felicia was trying her best to create a cake for their resident hero. The kitchen was a mess as the lone attempt was nothing but a roasted shell of a cake. A ruined pan was in the trash as Grace was now helping the hyper famous feline work on the second attempt. "Thanks Grace…." Felicia squeaked out in shame and continued to wipe off the flakes of toasted batter from an apron around her normally semi-nude body. Smiling at the young cat woman, the elder feline simply smiled and took out a non-charred cake from the oven. "Hey, it's ok… no one's a one person army." The smiling Grace's left ear twitch as she commented. "Lucy… get away from the frosting you sneak." Caught like a bandit, the harsh speaking Lucy backed off not wanting to spite the elder feline.
Arriving at the corner store, the area was quiet for being a Wednesday. Reading a few of the covers of newspapers all of the headlines made Joe out to be some kind of hero. However… many of the opinion articles inside were questionable as they accused him of being the cause of the devastation and loss of life in New York. Pyron didn't care who he killed… he'd kill the whole planet if not stopped. Tossing the rag aside, he grabbed a couple gallons of 2% milk and walked up to the counter. The older man behind the counter was working on ringing out the simple purchase as Joe noticed something behind the normal man's head. "Sorry, could I get a pack of smokes please?" Pointing at a display to the old man's right, the disguised hero smiled and quickly reached behind to grab something outside the shop owner's attention. "My bad, I just realized my friend doesn't smoke." Taking both jugs from the counter, he left behind the correct change and headed out for home. With both jugs of milk in one heavy bag, the cycling Joe was out of sight before stopping to look at what was caught. A black and green fly looking as if it was from a terrible horror movie was about to bite the kind owner's neck. "What the hell is this?"
"It's a Majigen insect…" Hearing the echoing voice, Joe expected to be visited by Morrigan again. Before he could react, John Talbain in his human form had jumped down from a tree limb and startled the chaotic human. Recovering, Joe was glad to see someone else from the fight after Pyron. John was bedridden for a few days after the combat and at night was almost unable to be controlled due to his wild rage from being beaten. Grace was able to put the wolf in place with a hard backhand and a swift jab to his sore ribs. Alto soon called him "Uncle Jonny" due to witnessing Grace giving more attention to the injured fighter while he was laid out. "Majigen insect? Sorry… I wasn't around for the fight against Jedah, but Felicia filled me in about the crazy stuff in there."
"Those insects are only supposed to exist in that dark world… they were used to steal souls from the living to power that 'savior's' jar." Reaching up into the air, John plucked another insect in his hand and smashed it easily. "They're weak to those who have the darkness in them, but they thrive on those who do not. However, I've noticed more of them arriving... seems that light creature's destruction is a signal to them to come out." Not saying anything, Joe was wondering if destroying Pyron was indeed the correct move now that a new threat was taking the prideful creature's place. "Don't worry about it; you aren't someone they would fight with."
"Right… hey, Grace told me if I saw you to…" Mentioning the feline's name made Jon nervous and he vanished as Joe turned to speak with the wolf warrior. Smirking, it was apparent that the oldest cat woman had made her mark on the lone wolf. Heading back towards the camp, Joe was back on the main road and unaware of the dealings at camp. Sliding the bike back next to the grill, the silver haired male removed the restraining cap and glasses. I wonder why they sent me out to pick up more milk… I thought there was a full gallon and a half in the fridge already. Sighing, Joe walked in and found the camp was quiet. "Uh guys…?" Hearing shuffling around in the kitchen, Joe pulled the door open and was pounced by a five-member team of cat girls. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Shocked at the presence of a fresh cake and the sudden appearance of his brother with the cat women, Joe got up with one of his 'attackers' still sitting on his shoulders. "What's going on around here? This is why you sent me out…?" Nodding, Alto was on his shoulders and pointed at Felicia. "… Felicia worked hard, wanted to see you smile again." Turning around, Felicia was blushing in embarrassment from being exposed so quickly. Blinking, Joe was being pushed by the other little felines as he surrendered and chuckled. "Ok ok, I'll join you crazy cats." Cheering happily, the kittens wanted to tell him all day… but were threatened by Grace if they spilled the secret before they were ready.
Several hours passed by and it had gotten dark outside… from the kitchen laugher could be heard as Jeff had a recording of Phobos' memories of the fight before it was knocked out of commission. The part of Joe catching fire was replayed several times due to the ridiculous look on his face. Grinning and bearing the torture… the cake was down to a few pieces as Alto yawned out. Tired from the day's action… the little feline was starting to doze off on Joe's shoulders. Resting her head on the chaotic warrior's hair, it was soft and comfy. Not spiky and sharp as previously thought. "Uh oh… we got people falling asleep." Grace commented at her adoptive daughter passing out.
"I'm not tired!" Standing up quickly, Pico proved she was not tired… but that changed as her knees wobbled and Lucy had to grab her tail to keep from crashing to the floor. Handing the already out-cold Alto to her mother-figure Grace, the other little cats followed Lucy and Jeff up to their rooms leaving behind Felicia and Joe. Alone in the kitchen, the human was trying to come up with something to break the silence with the cat warrior. "Um… thanks."
"Huh?"
"Well, its just I kinda forgot about how nice normal life can be…" Moving towards the window, the sky was clear with a full moon. The moonlight was coming in and reflecting a little off of Joe's unnatural hair. Rubbing away some sleep dust from her own eyes, Felicia flicked it away with her tail. Smiling at the human, the cat woman answered. "You forgot?" Giggling a little at his statement, Felicia could not help herself. "And Morrigan calls me simple minded…" Shaking his head, Joe didn't agree with that idea. "No, its not that… just thanks Felicia." Smiling directly at the feline, the blue haired ex-entertainer was moving closer to the birthday boy. Leaning in suddenly, Joe turned and caught the feline against his chest before she fell onto the floor. "Felicia…?" A cloud went over the bright moon and darkened the room as Felicia looked up at her catcher.
In a different dimension… Jedah was getting frustrated. While Dami had allowed him the resources to start collecting souls for his master plan – to unite all souls as one entity and restart existence, the collection rate was lower than he wanted. If this rate continues, those who interfered last time will notice and react again. How can I speed up the process? Smirking evily, the dark savior released a few souls into the Makai World with one simple order. "Bring me the souls of the dark… and kill anyone who interferes!" Knowing full well his ally Dami would notice, Jedah had plans for possible backlash already at work.
"Master Dami!" Running back into Demitri's captured throne room, Helicia came in to alert her dark master. Pushing open the throne room doors… only Gallon was there to greet her. Not paying any attention to the dark wolf, the feline born of darkness was still looking for her master. "Where's Dami?" Growling lowly, Gallon didn't answer right away. "Tell me!"
"Since you are asking so nicely…" A flash went past the black furred feline's stomach and cleaved out a large wound. Groaning and grabbing her sliced open body, blood started to flow out and onto the floor. "He said to take out the trash, starting with you." Tossing aside the blood on his right claw, Gallon started to move closer to the wounded cat. Taking a random swipe at her attacker, Helicia couldn't land a blow on him no matter how close Gallon was. "Why can't I hit you?" Gasping, the feline felt something grab her neck from behind and squeeze tight.
"So weak…" Walking a gasping and bleeding cat towards a closed window, Gallon pushed a frightened feline's face up against the glass. Cracking softly, the glass surface started to splinter from the force of being used as a wall. "Before we part ways, I'll confess… I knew you'd attack me. No matter how much you ignore it, you and that cat are the same." Pulling back, Gallon threw the defenseless kitty into the glass and watched it shatter. Staring up at the sky of the human world, Helicia finally realized that she was just a clone. Reaching up with a bloody paw, tears swelled up as she whispered something before the wounded animal fell towards the ground.
Waking up suddenly, Felicia found herself in bed and groaned. Oh god… did I oversleep again? Feeling something lumpy underneath her cat woman body, Joe was under a blanket and mere inches from the feline's face. Frozen, Felicia realized that she fell asleep due to pushing herself during the daytime hours and transformed into a cat. That in mind, the kind hearted Joe must have carried her up to his room and let the cat sleep with him. Something hard was brushing up against Felicia's stomach and made the cat woman blush deeply. Reaching down, it turned out to be nothing more than her own tail. Figures, no one would want a freak like me…
Just then, someone started knocking on Joe's door. "Hey wake up, we got a problem!" Hearing the jingling of keys, Felicia jumped up and over the divider wall that separated the rooms. The jumping around woke up the sleeping male who was unaware of his night-time visitor. Seeing Jeff in a panic, Joe wasn't fully awake yet. "What's the problem… its like nine in the morning." Hit in the face with a thrown t-shirt, Jeff was visibly upset. "It's the kittens… they aren't waking up."
"WHAT?" In the other room, Felicia was shaking. She knew what this could mean… No way, he's dead… he can't be doing it again!
End of Episode 12
Trailer for the next episode:
For unknown reasons, the five little cat girls will not wake up. Leaving their friends confused and upset… and one cat woman, highly nervious.
Jeff: Who could do this…?
Joe: Only one person… J-
Felicia: NOOO! *runs off*
Joe: Felicia?
Next time… Episode Thirteen: Return to the Dark
AN: Fair warning, the darker aspects of the world of Darkstalkers are coming up… you've been warned.