Disclaimer: The SWAT Kats are owned by Hanna Barbera and the Tremblay Brothers. I own the OCs.
This is a very moving chapter and for me at least, very hard to write.
My Co-Author told me I was getting better at portraying emotions, please review and let me know.
After about an hour, Callista decided that Evelyn had enough lessons for the day. Especially when the young kitten started yawning. "I think we are done for the day Evelyn. Do you understand what I taught you?" Callista asked as she touched the kitten's right shoulder.
Evelyn let out another yawn before she answered, "I think so Callista but explain to me again why I can't use my powers in public?"
"There are many who don't believe in magic Evelyn and even more that think that all magic users are evil. Pirouette was one of those cats who used to think that way, until I proved to her otherwise," Callista replied.
"Why did she think that way? Pirouette seems to be a very nice she-cat," Evelyn asked.
"She was brought up in a very religious family Evelyn," Callista replied. "I think she mentioned that her father is a priest or something like that." She reached into the pocket of her jeans and fingered the amulet she was going to give Evelyn. As she pulled it out, she said, "I almost forgot, I have something for you that will help you control your powers." She then held the amulet in front of Evelyn's face.
Evelyn looked at the six inch long emerald shard wrapped in gold wire dangling from a gold chain. She reached out with her right paw and touched the amulet.
The amulet glowed when her fingers touched it and moved on its own into her young paw.
"Callista, are you sure she can have such an object?" Helen asked as Evelyn grasped the amulet in her paw."It looks very expensive and I would hate for it to be accidentally lost."
"Its perfectly fine Helen," Callista replied. "Did you notice the way the amulet was drawn to her? If I remember correctly, that amulet was found in the basket I was discovered in when I was a baby and apparently was a gift from my birth mother, whoever she was. This amulet was drawn only to one other before and that was for me when I was Evelyn's age. It now accepts her as its rightful mistress and belongs to your daughter. It will not only keep her safe from those who wish her harm, it will also guide her in the use of her powers when I am not around to mentor her."
The house phone started to ring and Michael separated himself from the group to answer it. He picked up the receiver on the phone in the hallway and answered, "Hello?"
"Mr. Higgins, you don't know me but I have something disturbing to tell you," Angel said.
"What is it miss?" Michael asked.
"Your friend Rodney is dead," Angel replied.
Michael felt like someone had just kicked him in the gut as soon as Angel finished speaking. He cringed and fought back his tears for his friend then asked, "How did he pass?"
"David had him killed and I was the one who carried out his orders. Please come to Alexandra's Pub and I will explain everything in detail. I'll be the one wearing the red dress," Angel said before she hung up the phone.
Michael replaced the receiver, then banged his fists against the wall, a sob escaping his throat as tears welled up in his eyes..
Helen heard the banging and went to check on her husband. She found him slumped on the floor with his face in his paws, his shoulders shaking with the force of his sorrow. She went to him, fell to her knees, and hugged him tightly before she asked, "What is wrong Michael?"
"He killed Rodney," Michael answered.
Helen hugged Michael tighter and couldn't believe their dearest friend was dead and David was the cause of his death. "Why would he do that? Rodney has been loyal to him for decades?" She asked.
"I can only assume he found out Rodney went to the funerals of the two teenagers he murdered," Michael answered.
Helen pulled back away from Michael and asked, "Rodney killed someone?"
He turned to his wife and took her in his arms. Michael looked into her eyes with his tear filled ones and answered, "Rodney was David's hired gun as was his father before him as well as his grandfather. He was not given a choice in his career and was raised to be the muscle for The Society when he turned into an adult." He took a few deep breaths, pulled Helen to him, and continued, "Rodney has killed many during his years of service. Although unlike his father and grandfather, he hated his job. He was just telling me he went to those teenager's funerals, begging for forgiveness of his sins. Rodney had enough of his lifestyle and wanted out by any means necessary. Now, he will never know what it will be like to be free, to be able to love someone, and have that someone love him back."
Helen hugged Michael as he cried on her shoulder. She patted the back of his head, then she heard, "Mommy, why is daddy crying?"
Helen and Michael separated and turned to see their daughter with her left paw holding Callista's right.
Callista felt that something was very wrong and gripped Evelyn's paw tighter. She then crouched down to Evelyn, kissed her left cheek, and said, "Your mother and father need a hug."
Evelyn broke free from Callista and ran to her loving parents. She then hugged them both as tightly as she could as she felt her parent's distress flow through them into her young body. "What's wrong daddy?"
Michael lifted his head and looked into Evelyn's eyes. He hated having to tell his daughter that her uncle was not going to be able to see her ever again. "Evelyn, your uncle Rodney died today," Michael said.
Tears instantly filled Evelyn's eyes, then she yelled, "No! Why is he dead? I loved him!"
"We all loved Rodney dear," Helen said.
Evelyn broke free from her parents and ran upstairs to her room, crying hysterically. Then they all heard her door slam closed and the diminished sounds of her crying into her bed.
Callista watched the scene play out in front of her and went over to Helen and Michael. She then asked, "May I ask what happened to Rodney?"
Michael's tears flowed more freely now that his daughter was visibly upset and crying. He finally answered, "David ordered him to be killed."
"How do you know that to be true Michael?" Callista asked.
"I got a call from his murderer, that is who I was on the phone with. She asked me to meet her at some seedy bar and she is waiting for me right now," Michael answered.
Helen looked at her husband and asked on trembling breath, "You aren't really going, are you?"
"I have to find out why he was killed Helen and the only way I am going to be able to do that is to meet this she-cat," Michael answered.
"And if this is a set-up and this mysterious she-cat who killed Rodney tries to kill you too!?" Helen asked. "Think about your family Michael! I'm pregnant with twins and our daughter is upstairs, crying her eyes out! I don't want to have to tell Evelyn that her father was killed too!"
Callista's temper flared with anger directed at David. She now knew he had to be stopped by any means necessary and she was going to be the one to put an end to his reign. "I'm going with you Michael," she said.
"Callista, I appreciate the offer but I will not place you in harm's way. You are the queen and you should not have to worry about things like this," Michael said.
"And what type of queen would I be if I didn't worry about my subjects?" Callista answered. "I'm about to be a great grandmother to three sorceresses in a few months and I would prefer that David and those who think like him are no longer in power. There is something about this she-cat that interests me and I'm going to find out what that is and I am not taking no for an answer."
Michael and Helen noticed the fire building in Callista's eyes and instantly knew she was deadly serious. "You can come. However, if there is one hint of trouble, you are to teleport out of there," Michael said..
"Same goes for you Michael," Callista said as she flexed her powers. "Remember, I'm more powerful than you are!"
Michael gulped as Callista flexed her powers and let them overtake him. He felt her anger and said, "Yes, you are more powerful than I am Callista."
"Don't you forget it Michael!" Callista said as she pulled back her powers. "I want to check on Evelyn. She was very upset after hearing the news of Rodney's passing, that she might accidentally use her powers and hurt herself. If that occurs, as her teacher, I could not forgive myself."
All three went upstairs to Evelyn's room and Helen knocked on her door.
Evelyn was laying on her bed, surrounded by stuffed animals and other things she loved and comforted her. Just like any other little girl would do. "Go away," she said after she heard the knock on her door.
Helen was taken aback when she heard her daughter. She turned to Michael and buried her face in his chest.
"Let me try," Callista said. She turned to Evelyn's door, gave it a light knock, and entered her room. The room was painted light blue. On the right wall was a white dresser with various toys and dolls. To her front was a large window with a built in seat with two small book cases flanking either side. Finally on the other wall was a twin sized four-poster bed with a white bedspread and little Evelyn in the center. She slowly walked over to the bed and asked, "Can I join you Evelyn?"
Through a series of sobs, Evelyn replied, "You're the queen, you can do what you want."
Callista sat on the left edge of Evelyn's bed, curled her right leg, under her left, and stroked Evelyn's hair with her right paw. She looked at the kitten and said, "I know how it feels to loose someone you love Evelyn. Can I tell you a story about when I lost my adoptive parents?"
Evelyn turned to face Callista and replied, "Sure." Then sniffled again.
Callista twisted her left paw and a tissue appeared in it. She handed the tissue to her and said, "Blow."
Evelyn took the tissue from her and blew her nose.
"That's better," Callista said and smiled at her student before she continued, " When I was about thirty years old and living in my castle many years ago. My adoptive parents contracted a horrible disease which kept them bedridden. As soon as I found out, I ran to one of my dearest friends and asked her to fly me to their house. Of course Esmeralda would not refuse a request from me and crouched down to let me climb on her back. She flew me as fast as she could to my parent's house and as soon as she landed, I ran inside."
Evelyn perked up and asked, "Wait a minute, you are a sorceress. Why would you need to be flown and who was Esmeralda?"
"Oh, that's right. You have never been to my shop so you have never seen any of my books," Callista answered. "Well, I am going to have to rectify that situation soon. To answer your question, Esmeralda was one of my best friends. I could talk to her for hours and she wouldn't complain at all. We loved each other and would do anything for the other. Did I mention that she was a dragon just like Inferno?"
Evelyn shook her head in response.
"Oops, I guess that little detail slipped my mind. Where was I. I ran into their room and saw them both on their bed. I ran to them and fell to my knees and grasped my mother's paw in mine. She looked at me and said, 'My dearest daughter, you have grown to be a great queen. Your citizens love you.' I knew something was wrong because she never spoke to me like that. I asked her, 'What is wrong with you and father and how can I help?' She didn't respond right away but my father said, 'Callista, you have brought great joy back to this kingdom and I am proud to have called you my daughter. Your mother and I very sick and don't have much time left. We didn't want you to see us like this because we knew you would worry about us.' I focused my powers on both of them and quickly discovered they both had a severe stomach virus and it was very aggressive. I tried to heal them and thought I did when they started being themselves again but almost as soon as I returned to the castle, they died."
"I'm so sorry Callista," Evelyn said.
"It's alright Evelyn, they died centuries ago," Callista said. "Although when I learned of their deaths, I broke down and cried for what seemed like for days. Not even Esmeralda or Amelia could break me out of the mood I was in. Do you know what finally made me feel better Evelyn?"
"No," she replied.
"After I attended their funerals and said my goodbyes, I retreated back to my castle and my two best friends were there waiting for me. Amelia took me under her arm and carried me to Esmeralda. She put me on her back, climbed on behind me, and we took off. Esmeralda knew I loved flying with her and to have Amelia with us was a bonus. Especially when Amelia started to get air sick from Esmeralda's acrobatics. After about a half hour of flying, Esmeralda started to get tired and we landed on a remote island just outside of my kingdom. Amelia and I climbed off of Esmeralda and looked out over the sea back at my castle. Amelia brought her arm around my shoulders and said, 'It's alright for you to cry Callista. Your dearest friends are here for you to lean on, cry on, and are here to support you.' And that is what I did. I cried into Amelia's shoulder until the sun came rose the next day. That is what made me feel better, knowing my friends, no, my family was right beside me to help me through my loss."
Evelyn looked down at her lap for a second, then back into Callista's eyes. She said, "I'm going to miss uncle Rodney."
Callista drew Evelyn into a tight embrace and said, "That shows you love him Evelyn and I'm sure he loved you just as much."
"Will you be my friend Callista?" Evelyn asked.
"No, but if you let me, I would like to be an aunt to you," Callista said.
"I would like that, very much Callista," Evelyn said then hugged her tight.
Michael and Helen watched from the hallway as their daughter and Callista talked and hugged each other.
In the heavens above, Bast watched her daughter console Evelyn and a tear left her eye. Her paw reached out to the image before her and attempted to stroke her daughter's cheek. That was when the image faded before her eyes. She steeled herself then commanded, "Ptah, Amelia! To me now!"
At her command her husband and Sergeant appeared before her. Amelia dropped to a single knee with the tips of her large white wings touching the floor before her and asked, "What can I do for you my lord?"
"Rise Amelia," Bast said.
Ptah went to his wife and asked, "What is wrong my love?"
"David has gone too far and must be stopped. I will not allow for him to cause any more pain to our family!" Bast said.
"My love," Ptah said. "You know we can not interfere with what occurs in the land of the living. As much as I want to send David and his cronies to my uncle, I can not. Our fathers would not be pleased if we did so."
"Ptah, I know that and I am prepared to deal with my father!" Bast said. She smirked and winked at Ptah then said, "Besides, we have a wedding to attend."
Ptah lifted his right eyebrow and asked, "We do?"
"Yes we do," Bast said. "We didn't attend our daughter's marriage to Steven and I don't want to miss her getting married again. A daughter needs her mother on her special day, right?"
Amelia smiled at Bast because she liked the way her lord was thinking.
Ptah encircled his arms around his wife's waist and said, "Yes Callista is going to need her mother and father on her special day." He kissed her then said, "Ra is not going to be happy about this Bast."
"You let me worry about my father Ptah, and Amelia," Bast said.
"Yes my lord," she replied.
"You are to accompany us as our guardian," Bast said then smirked before she said, "Plus my daughter's Matron of Honor."
Amelia smirked right along with Bast then said, "It will be my honor and privilege to accompany you and Ptah, plus get tot see my best friend get married to the tom she is going to spend eternity with."
After a few minutes, Evelyn yawned one last time and fell asleep in Callista's embrace.
Callista laid the kitten down, covered her body with her blanket, kissed her right cheek, then got off of the bed and went to Michael and Helen. She closed the door and waved her right paw.
Persival and Isis appeared in a cloud of smoke before her.
"What can we do for you milady?" Persival asked as he bowed before her.
"Persival, how many times have I asked you not to bow?" Callista asked.
"Too many to count milady," he responded.
Michael and Helen backed away when they saw a large black puma with white feathery wings appear out of nowhere as well as a white jaguar.
Callista noticed them backing away and she said, "Michael, Helen, please come and meet my familiar and guardian Persival and his mate Isis."
Michael stepped forward and said, "Pleased to meet you Persival and you too Isis."
Persival looked at the husband and wife for a second then went to him and sniffed his paw. He then looked past Michael to Helen then asked, "Madam, are you expecting?"
"Yes, I'm pregnant with twins," Helen responded.
Persival turned back to Callista and asked, "Why are we here milady?"
"Persival, Michael and I are going to meet a she-cat that will hopefully have some information that will bring down David. I want you to watch over Helen and Evelyn while we are gone."
"Evelyn? Who is Evelyn?" Persival asked.
"She is right on the other side of that door Persival," Callista answered.
Isis nudged the door open with her muzzle and walked in. She heard the sounds of the peacefully sleeping kitten and went over to the bed. Her ice blue eyes fell on Evelyn and instantly felt the urge to protect her. She turned to the door and said, "I've got Evelyn Persival. Stay with Helen." She then curled up on the floor next to Evelyn's bed.
Callista closed the door to Evelyn's room and said to Persival, "Isis just gave you an order Persival, are you going to disobey her?"
"Never milady," Persival responded before he turned to Helen and said, "Until milady returns, I'm your guardian. What may I do to assist you?"
Helen slowly walked over to Persival then stroked his head between his ears as she said, "You are such a gentleman. I wish my husband treated me this way."
Michael turned to his wife and said, "I always treat you like a lady at all times dear."
"You do Michael. However, Persival's voice just sounds so much more debonair than yours," Helen rebutted.
Michael turned to Callista and said, "Since my wife is in good paws with Persival, shall we head out and see what Angel wants?"
"Yes and the sooner the better. I have a date with Ulysses later and I still have to go home and change into something slinky for him," Callista responded.
An image of Callista in a slinky gown came to his mind with Callista just mentioning it and since he and Helen share a mental link together, so did she. Helen frowned for a second then said, "Michael, if you want to see a female wearing a dress like that, then you have to buy me one and I will wear it for you!"
Michael swallowed what was left of his composure then said to Helen, "Alright Helen, if you want a dress like that, I will have one made for you."
"And I know of a dress shop and its owner that will make sure you look fabulous Helen," Callista said.
Helen turned her head to Callista and said, "Something told me we were going to be good friends Callista." She turned her head back to her husband, stroked his left cheek, and said, "The queen is in your capable paws Michael, keep her safe." She then grabbed his ear and said, "And if I ever catch you thinking about another she-cat again in a slinky dress, these will be the last kittens you ever father."
Michael grimaced as Helen's grip tightened on his ear. Once he was able to actually speak through the pain she was causing, he said, "I promise, I will not think of another she-cat like that again."
She let go of his ear, patted him on the head, and said, "Good, your mother wanted a large family again and I think she expects us to give it to her."
"As much as she wants a large family Helen, I think three grandkids will be enough," Michael said before he turned to Callista and asked, "Shall we go?I want to hear what this she-cat has to say."
Callista had to chuckle with Helen's actions since it was obvious to everyone that Michael was head over heels in love with his wife. As soon as she finished, she said, "Yes, I want to get back to my apartment to get ready for my date with Ulysses." She turned to Helen and said, "I will let you borrow my dress, that is if it survives tonight."
Michael separated himself from Helen and stood next to Callista before Callista raised her right arm above them both and disappeared.
Helen watched them vanish then turned to Persival and asked, "What do you want to do Persival?"
Persival looked into Helen's eyes and replied, "Since my mate is watching Evelyn, care to go for a flight? I have been wanting to stretch my wings for a few days now."
Helen's eyes went wide then narrowed as she imagined flying on Perisval's back over the city. She then replied, "When can we go?"
"How about now? Get on," Persival said as he lowered his front half of his body to the floor.
Helen sat side saddle on Persival's back and encircled her arms around his neck.
As soon as she was comfortable, Persival walked towards the back door of the house, exited, and looked out to the sky. He opened his wings, nice and wide before he raised them as high as they could go, and brought them down, launching the two into the evening air.
End of Chapter