Hey Readers and Swat Kats Fans!
Wow! It's been a while since I last posted a new chapter for this story, so I first wanted to apologize for the wait. Between midterms, Spring Break and my other stories, it took me longer to get this chapter completed. I hope you find it worth the wait.
Basically, as a recap of the last chapter the Original Swat Kats and Feral are going to Dr. Void's house for his notes while Max and Hackle try to figure out a way to help. I hope you like this chapter; sorry again for the wait!
Also, a DEINER is a person who handles a dead body before burial.
Visiting the Doctor:
Ann POV:
Ann had been to Professor Hackle's house before to interview him on some invention of his, but now as they knocked on the front door, she wondered what she would find. The large house outside of Megakat city had a new uncertainty to it, but she relaxed when Johnny gave her hand a small squeeze, letting her know all was well.
The elderly kat himself opened the door. "Ah! Johnny and Ann; you're a most welcome sight at the moment!"
"Thanks, Professor," Johnny said, leading Ann into the house. "Is he here?"
"Downstairs in the lab. Also, feel free to use a medibot to fix your nose; they've already managed to fix Max's broken hand."
"Got it. C'mon, Ann," her boyfriend said, leading her towards a staircase that led downwards and ended in a long hallway with metal walls and several doors.
"You really know your way around here," she commented.
"Yeah. I used to spend the nights here back when Max was still in pain. I took turns with Jake and Chance, and we'd simply sleep out in the hall, ready in case he had a nightmare." Ann noticed how sad the tan kat looked as he said that, and could only imagine what it must've been like, watching your best friend be in so much pain and unable to help them.
Eventually, they reached a large room filled with different machines and computers, and found the alien, or human, standing in front of a supercomputer with many screens. "Max!"
The man turned around, grinning at the sight of the kamerakat. "Johnny!" He hurried over, giving the kat a hug. "Dude, I'm glad you're alive!"
"It'll take more than one super-kat to take me down," Johnny said proudly. "I suppose you remember Ann?"
The human looked at her, and she at him. Yes, she could vaguely remember the teen friend of Johnny from that Halloween so long ago, wearing that costume… but of course it wasn't a costume now. "Nice to meet you," he said kindly, holding out his hand to her. "Sorry I've taken so much of your boyfriend's time."
"It's… it's fine," she said, shaking his hand and smiling as well. "It's nice to finally meet the Lonestar. How'd you get that name?"
"Well my state back home is called 'the Lone Star State,' and my uniform also kinda looks like the flag. The name seemed fitting." He turned back to Johnny. "You just missed Feral and the Swat Kats; they're going to some scientist's house to get his old notes so we can build a dimensional portal to go and stop Gorgan and his father from destroying both our planets."
The two kats stared at him, processing the information. "Wow… how much time do we have," Johnny asked.
"Not much," Max replied. "We have no idea when he's going, but we assume it's gonna be sooner than later. Why're you two here?"
"To help you," Ann said, motioning to Johnny's kamera bag. "Right now, the news stations are painting you as a dangerous alien that needs to die." The human looked shocked at that. "But we're about to give you an exclusive interview, and with it being here, we don't have to worry about giving away your location."
"So… you want me to go back on TV and say what?"
"Anything. Johnny's told me that you humans aren't that different from kats. Talk about your time here on our planet, minus the whole Swat Kat thing, and let them know that you have no plans on attacking our world. Show them that you're not the enemy, and everyone will probably calm down and offer their aid."
The human looked thoughtful, but eventually nodded. "Fine. I'll do it!"
"Awesome," Johnny grinned. "Where should we set it up?"
"Somewhere with a plain background and good lighting," she replied. "Which looks like everywhere down here."
"An excellent idea," Professor Hackle spoke up, approaching the group from the stairs. "Though if I may have a quick word with you in the hall, Miss Gora?"
The newskat quickly gave Johnny a fearful look, but he nodded and smiled, giving her hand one last squeeze before letting her follow the elderly feline towards the hallway. She had no idea what he was going to say, but she could already guess what subject he had in mind.
"I promise not to tell anykat about your involvement with Max," she told the Professor.
He shook his head. "I just wanted to make sure you were aware what this plan of your means for you and Johnny. You could both get fired from your jobs at Kats Eye News for doing an unscheduled broadcast; especially if it's going against what everykat else is saying."
Ann nodded, understanding what he was saying. "I know; Johnny told me that this could probably ruin our careers."
"But you chose to follow him," Hackle asked.
"Yes. I… I trust Johnny."
The old kat smiled, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Johnny has chosen well, I should think; he has found someone who cares for him as much as he cares for you."
The feline blushed a little under her fur. "Thank you," she said modestly. "But I wanted to ask if there's any questions I should avoid because of the… You know…"
Hackle nodded. "Of course. Just write down what you plan to ask him, and I will approve the ones that would most likely not trigger a flashback."
"Fine." She hesitated before speaking up. "Uh… Professor?"
"Yes?"
The newskat looked down at her feet. "I… I wanted to…" She looked back up at him. "Have… have you ever lost a best friend?"
At first taken aback, the elderly kat nodded. "Yes… my wife died nearly fifteen years ago. She was my best friend. But I had my living friends and family to help me through that difficult time." He gave her a small smile. "You certainly have a lot of friends here ready to help."
Ann smiled too. "It's just… everykat else seems so… calm about it; they seem unfazed."
"You'll find that some kats show their pain and sorrow in different ways. They are upset as well, even if they aren't crying yet. Now come; you have an interview to give."
Feral POV:
"Enjoyin' the view, Commander" T-Bone asked from the front seat of the Turbokat.
"Just focus on getting us to this Void kat," Feral snapped, trying not to show how impressed he was by the sophistication of the jet's interior; it was much better than the planes his Enforcers had.
"Though what kind of scientist lives on his own private island," Razor asked. "Toyger Island?"
"Must be rich, like Hackle," the other Swat Kat replied, flying them across Megakat Bay, heading Southwest. "Maybe I shoulda been one!"
Being vigilantes probably doesn't pay much, Feral thought to himself as they flew over the waves. However, right now, he had too much on his mind to deal with instead of those two annoyances. First and foremost, of course, was Felina.
When he'd watched his only niece get shot on television, needless to say, he was stunned. He'd trained Felina herself; she wasn't dumb, and she wasn't slow. But, somehow, she was now dead, her body being brought to the Enforcer Morgue, where he'd gone to see her. There, with only the Diener to see him, he cried, holding her hand as he tried not to choke on the occasional sob or cough.
It was like the end of the world for Commander Feral; there had been so much he had wanted to tell her, and she was supposed to replace him when he was gone. Now, he had to choose somekat else before Steel tried to wriggle his way into the position. Seargant. Talon was always the second choice (though he never thought he'd have to ask him), so after he finished his time in the morgue, he'd automatically promoted the kat to Lieutenant, but refrained from telling him about being Commander someday. The kat was loyal, took after Feral, and served as the second in command whenever Felina wasn't around… so, naturally, he'd be the next Enforcer Commander.
But what hurt him the most was that she'd died before him; he'd lived his life, and would die a peaceful death, knowing he'd lived a full life. Felina, however, was in her early twenties, just on the edge of what could've been a great life and career. He, like most others, thought that she didn't deserve to die, and it only drove him to stop whoever was behind her murder.
I just can't believe all the crazy stuff that's happened in the past hour, Feral thought as they approached the small private island. The third Swat Kat is revealed to be some creature from another dimension whose world is about to be attacked, some kat on their planet is planning on creating a superior kat with these humans to take over their kat world, and now he had to deal with the Swat Kats, a human suffering the aftereffects of PTSD (which was no joke, since he knew kats from the Megakat Wars who suffered from it), the deupty mayor, and Hackle in order to save both their worlds. It's like something from a cruddy cartoon!
"Maybe we should've called first," T-Bone said as they landed on the large front lawn in front of the two-story brick home.
"Too late now," Razor told him. "Ready, Commander?"
"Let's just get these notes and get out of here," the Enforcer replied tersely, climbing out of the plane first. "Shouldn't be too hard; records say he's slightly senile."
"And he lives by himself," the blond Swat Kat asked.
"No. He has a butler."
"Radical!" Razor and Feral turned to T-Bone, who gave an embarrassed shrug. "What? Butlers are cool."
"Idiots," Feral muttered as he started towards the front door. "I should go first."
"Why," the cinnamon kat asked.
"Not everykat likes you, so he'll probably need some reassurance that the Enforcers are doing their job!"
"For once," T-Bone muttered.
Feral turned on him, quickly covering another cough; allergies only made it worse, and a nearby bed of flowers did little to help. "Look you two," he said annoyedly, "we don't have time for any snarky remarks or quips at one another! We are facing a crisis right now, and if you two can't handle it, then leave now!"
The two Swat Kats looked surprised by the older kat's outburst, but eventually nodded. "Fine," Razor replied. "Lead the way." Nodding as well (and covering another cough), Feral led the way to the front door, knocking on it. Moments later, a middle-aged kat with stripped fur answered the door, wearing a butler's tuxedo.
"May I help you," he asked, taking in the three visitors with mild interest.
"Enforcers," the Commander said, holding up his badge. "Is Dr. Viverral Void home?"
The butler nodded. "Yes. Will this take long? He needs his rest."
"It shouldn't take much time," Feral agreed, covering another cough. "Cruddy allergies!" The butler held up a finger, closing the door and leaving the three on the front step. A minute later, he reappeared, holding open the door for the three kats, who entered the home.
The house looked like an average home, though the spacious rooms had large windows to let in natural sunlight (though there was none now), and give an impressive view of the ocean. Feral and the Swat Kats were led into an ornate living room, where they found an old kat with grey fur sitting in a wheelchair, a blanket over his legs. A nearby TV was on, showing Kats Eye News, which was still reporting on the events from over an hour ago
"Dr. Void," the butler said, turning the chair to face the trio, "you have visitors."
"Really," the old scientist replied, his voice sounding weak as he squinted at them through black sunglasses. "My; I haven't had visitors in such a long time! Get them some tea, Karson."
"I'm afraid we can't stay long," Razor spoke up, speaking loudly and slowly for the old kat's benefit. "We need your help, Dr. Void."
The old kat raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yes," Feral explained. "Right now, we're facing an attack from an enemy agent-"
"A what," Void repeated, holding a hand to his ear.
The Commander stiffed another cough. "Well," he said more slowly and loudly, "we need your old notes on inter-dimensional travel."
The old kat looked surprised at that. "My… my old notes?"
"Yes," T-Bone spoke up. "We're gonna save the world."
"Wow!" The scientist turned to his butler. "Do you hear that, Karson? These three are gonna save the world!"
"I did, sir," the striped kat replied.
"Well, I'm afraid I can't get the files myself, but if Karson would push me, you three could follow me to my office."
"Fine," Feral replied, covering a cough. The butler pushed his master down the hall, the three other kats following him to a room down the hallway.
"It's around here somewhere," Void said simply, looking around the room. "Karson, put me behind my desk."
"Yes, sir." The butler put the chair behind the desk, the scientist now facing the three visitors. "I apologize; I'm not as quick as I used to be."
"That's fine," the cinnamon Swat Kat replied kindly.
"Karson and I aren't used to visitors," the elderly kat continued, opening a desk drawer, rummaging through it as the butler walked out of the room. "It's just the two of us, though we were blessed with a new addition a little over a year ago."
Feral frowned at that. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I adopted a son. Now, all the fruits of my labor won't go to waste." He continued to look through his desk drawers, putting a few files on his desk. "I just can't seem to find them…"
"There's no rush," T-Bone told him.
"There kind of is," Feral hissed at him.
"But you two look pretty strong," Void commented. "Though you seem a little under the weather, Commander Feral."
The Enforcer stiffed a cough. "Yes… just allergies."
"No… it's something else," the old kat said. "I may be old, but I'm not that far gone yet. You're not yourself, meaning you would probably loose a fight against Gorgan."
The three visitors were shocked, to say the least. "How did you-"
"Saw it on TV."
"Oh… yeah." The Commander recalled the TV being on in the living room, and decided to change the subject. "Well, what about your adopted son? How old is he?"
"He's still young; Karson helps look after him." Dr. Void smiled. "He's really a smart boy, though he does have some trouble making friends; Karson and I can only give him so much company. He looked up at the trio "Would you like to meet him?"
"No thanks," the blond Swat Kat said. "We're not tryin' to be rude, but we really don't have time-"
"Please," the elderly kat said, suddenly pulling out a pistol from his desk and aiming it at them. "I insist!"
Before any of the trio could react, somekat grabbed Feral from behind, throwing him off balance and slamming him to the floor. The Enforcer briefly saw black fur, along with a butler's uniform, before something grabbed him and hoisted him to his feet, pinning his hands behind his back. Looking over, he saw Razor was slumped against the wall, and T-Bone was currently being restrained by the kat monster that killed Felina. It was so unbelievable and unexpected, the Commander was left speechless.
"Sorry for the masquerade," Void said, standing up from his wheelchair, his voice no longer weak or slow, a triumphant grin on his face. "I couldn't have too many visitors interrupting my plans, though they happen occasionally."
"I do good, Father," Gorgan asked, grinning as he held the Swat Kat by the neck with one hand, pinning his arms with the other.
"Yes, my son. Karson?"
"Yes, sir?" It appeared that the butler was currently restraining Feral, and, despite his appearances, was stronger than he looked.
"We'll take them downstairs," the scientist said, putting away his gun. "Gorgan, take their friend here as well; can't have any of them warning their human friend of our plan."
"He'll come looking when we don't show up," T-Bone said angrily.
"I'm counting on it." Dr. Void pulled a small device from his pocket, tapping its surface a few times. "And I will be ready for him when he does; I have enough formula to transform his entire world into a kat one, but I've saved a vial for Lonestar. Gorgan here has been wanting a sibling for a long time, and I intend to give him one!"
"You're not gonna-"
"Shut up," Gorgon said angrily, slamming the Swat Kat into the wall, leaving the blond kat dazed. "Don't yell at Father!"
"But consider yourselves luck," the scientist told them. "You three are about to witness the rebirth of a new kat era!" He snapped his fingers. "Take them downstairs."
Max POV:
"Cut," Johnny said from behind the camera.
Max gave a sigh of relief; finally, the interview was over "I never knew being interviewed could be so tiresome," he said, taking a sip from a nearby water bottle.
"Well, it was longer than most interviews," Ann said, wiping her brow with a handkerchief. "Nearly forty minutes, but you had a lot to say."
The human nodded; the newskat asked simple questions, but he felt that he needed to spend at least three minutes answering each one. Who knew that, in forty minutes, he was able to talk about his old life, his old world, and his time in this kat world. It seemed like something that could be written down as a story, but he doubted he had the skill to write it all. He was careful not to mention him being from the future, not wanting to cause a panic, but lied and said it was still the 90's back in his dimension.
"Good job, Max," Hackle spoke up, giving him a kind smile. "You did very well under the circumstances."
"Thanks, Professor." He stood up, stretching his limbs. "Are they back yet?"
"No."
The third Swat Kat frowned at that. "That's odd; they're just picking up old notes from Dr. Void."
"Dr. Void," Ann asked. "I know him; I went to visit him one time when doing research on who the third Swat Kat was." She gave him an embarrassed look before continuing. "Did some background research on him; he tried to build a dimensional portal and time machine, but failed. Why do you need his notes?"
"Because Hackle thinks he can build it," Johnny explained, packing up his equipment. "He's definitely smart enough!"
"Thank you," the old kat said modestly. "But it is still suspicious for them not to be back yet; Toyger Island's not that far from here. Especially given that jet of yours."
"What's taking them," Max wondered, feeling that something had gone horribly wrong. "How long does it take to get some files from some old guy?"
"Do you think something went wrong," the kamerakat asked.
"I don't know," Hackle replied, looking thoughtful. "I've met Dr. Void before; he's a kind old kat who lives alone, and from what I recall, a most brilliant scientist before he grew older. There should be no reason for a delay."
"Unless something went wrong," Max said. "What if they got attacked on the way there or back? They could be in trouble!" He started towards the door.
"Where are you going," Ann asked.
"To save my friends," he replied.
"You can't go without backup," Johnny protested.
"And I suppose I can just walk back to Enforcer headquarters and ask for backup," the human snapped. "Or don't tell me you're seriously suggesting that you guys wanna come."
"Why not," Johnny asked. "You're one of my best friends, and the last time we left you alone, you got revealed to the entire world and Felina-" He cut off, noticing Ann's face. "Look… I don't care if I can't fight or anything like that; I'm not gonna let ya run off into something dangerous without back up."
"Then I'm coming too," the news kat spoke up.
"NO," Max and Johnny both said.
The feline frowned, crossing her arms and glaring at them. "Look, I'm the one who always ends up in difficult situations and survives! Besides, I happen to know a guy who could give us a ride."
"Al? He'd never do something like this for us; especially after that broadcast," her boyfriend told her. "He's not the bravest kat."
"That is most likely true," Hackle spoke up. "But fortunately, you can take my car."
"Uh… they went to an island, Professor," Max reminded him.
"I know. It is an invention of mine; it also functions as a boat and airplane."
The three of them blinked in surprise at the kat. "Wow," Ann said. "So I guess we have a ride."
"But you two don't have any weapons or fighting skills," the human told them. "If the others are in danger, then the last thing we need is for either of you to get hurt, or worse."
"But you can't stop us," Johnny said determinedly. "We're coming; whether you like it or not."
"Hackle, can't you stop them or something," Max asked desperately. "They can't die on my behalf!"
Hackle looked at the three of them thoughtfully. "I'm afraid I cannot," he eventually said. "Technically, they are adults, and Johnny would be able to help you in case you have a flashback. But, if you would feel better if they had help, I could send Cybertron with you three."
"You still have him," the third Swat Kat asked.
"Who," Ann asked.
"It was a robot I created to help the Swat Kats years ago," the Professor explained. "He did not go well at first, but I've made some modifications; he'll protect Ann and Johnny should the need arise. He also will alert me of your location, and, if necessary, I can call the Enforcers to send backup without scaring them."
Max thought about it; he didn't want his friends to get hurt or killed, but he could tell by the kats' looks that they weren't gonna let him go by himself. It would be better to bring them, allowing him to look after them instead of letting them stay and possibly sneak out after him, risking their lives. "Fine," he eventually said, "but if things get too dangerous, you two gotta promise to leave and get to safety."
They nodded. "Fine," Johnny said. "We'll start at Void's house; maybe they were able to stop by before whatever happened to them."
"I agree," Hackle spoke up. "I'll wake Cybertron and give him the directions; you three better prepare for anything that might happen. I also have some gadgets you might find useful."
"Fine." Max turned towards the main control room. "I just hope their plane's out of fuel." But he could tell that it wasn't, and that they were about to enter the beginning of the conflict.
Looks like things are gonna get pretty radical in the next few chapters! Again, I'm sorry for the long wait, and hopefully, the next chapter won't take that long.
Feel free to follow or favorite this story to be updated on new chapters, and feel free to leave a review on this chapter or others if you want. And, as usual, have a safe and happy week/weekend!
-aggiefrogger
