Disclaimer: The SWAT Kats are owned by Hanna Barbera and the Tremblay Brothers. I own the OCs.
Sorry for the delay but I still managed to get this posted over the weekend!
My Co-Author both really liked the way this chapter turned out. So I hope to get more than one review and wait until you meet Spencer!
Final note: MisaRae posted another chapter of Two Plus Two on Friday. Go and read it, if you haven't already.
Persival soared in through the air, letting the warm air currents hold him aloft with Helen lightly holding onto his neck. He loved being in the air and having a companion who shared his love of flying was a bonus. Through a smile a mile wide, Persival asked, "Are you enjoying yourself milady?"
Helen was nervous at first when Persival effortlessly lifted off from the ground and took to the air. However, after she opened her eyes and looked down at the city's lights below them she loosened up and relaxed. Helen also loved being up in the air without having to use a plane. She had a secret ability that her husband didn't even know about, she could fly like a bird only without wings to keep her aloft. This ability manifested itself on her thirteenth birthday. Helen remembered celebrating her birthday with her parents and after she blew out the candles of her cake, she took a few steps back and tripped over a carpet edge. However, instead of falling backwards, she floated as if supported by a pillow of air. Her parents just looked at their daughter in astonishment as Helen floated in the dining room. Helen snapped out of the memory when Persival asked his question, and responded, "Yes, I am Persival. Although its not as fun as flying under your own power as you well know."
"What are you talking about milady?" Persival asked.
"Watch," Helen said before she let go of Persival's neck and fell off of his back.
Persival instantly was panic struck when he didn't feel Helen's weight on his back and saw her falling. "Helen!" Persival yelled as he folded his wings tightly to his body and dove after her.
Helen noticed Persival diving after her and she calmly said, "I'm alright Persival." She lowered her arms to her sides, closed her eyes, and concentrated on the wind flowing around her body. Helen stopped falling and floated in mid-air as Persival dove past her.
Persival craned his neck to look at her and opened his wings to stop is decent. He flapped his wings and soared back to her current altitude, then hovered in the air, looked into her eyes, and asked, "How is this possible?"
"I can fly Persival," Helen replied as she reached out with her left paw to stroke his fur. She pulled her paw back then said, "I'll race you back to the house." She brought her left knee to her hips and flew off towards her house.
Persival smirked at her and said, "You're on milady," before flying after her as fast as he could go.
The two newfound friends tried to outfly each other. They took turns flying loops around the others body and enjoying the freedom of being in the air.
Eventually, they stopped their playing and flew back towards Helen's house. As they flew, Helen and Persival heard a small explosion off to their right. Helen turned her head and noticed a small fireball leaping into the air. She turned to the right and said, "Let's go Persival. Someone might need help."
Persival followed her lead and felt that this was a very bad idea. However, he swore to protect Helen and that is exactly what he was going to do.
Helen stopped and hovered about a block from what she could see as a building fire. She watched as families ran from the building but she also noticed a she-cat being held back by whom she could only assume was her husband, screaming, "Our daughter is still in there!" Knowing what she had to do, Helen used her magical abilities to scan the building to find the couple's daughter. She found her, hiding in a closet on the top floor of the building. Helen said to Persival, "I'm going to get her out of there Persival. Watch her family and make sure they don't do something stupid." Before she used her powers to wrap herself in a protective shield and flew towards the building at top speed.
"My mistress is not going to like this at all," Persival said as he watched the family Helen pointed out.
Helen brought her arms up to protect her face right before she crashed through a window and into the apartment. As soon as her feet hit the floor, she ran as fast as possible towards the closet she found the girl hiding in. She entered the girl's bedroom and saw a large beam blocking her path to the closet's door. Helen quickly examined the beam before she raised her arms above her head and magically moved the beam away from the door. Helen lowered her paws and ran to the closet door, opened it, and noticed the all black furred kitten, curled up in the ball. She scooped the kitten up in her arms and ran to the window she came in and flew back out of it before the flames consumed the apartment.
Persival let out a sigh of relief when Helen flew back out of the window she darted through earlier. He then looked down and saw the girl's mother break free of her husband's grasp and run into the building followed by her husband.
Before Persival could react, there was another explosion and the entire front of the building collapsed. Persival was about to charge into the rubble and attempt to find the girl's parents, when the fire department arrived. He knew he would be spotted if he acted now but then he thought about the girl's parents and his stomach wretched from guilt.
Helen flew to his side, looked at the crowd below them, and asked, "Where are her parents Persival?"
Persival slowly brought his head around to face Helen and saw the young kitten in her arms. Tears filled his eyes as he answered, "Please forgive me milady. I failed to keep them safe. They are in there."
Helen held the kitten tighter as she feared the worst and watched as the fire department extinguished the flames.
As the fire department worked, Helen landed in a alley across the street. She gently moved the girl away from her, looked into her eyes, and asked, "Are you alright honey?"
"Honey is my mom," the kitten replied as Helen brushed some of the soot from her face. "My name is Gwendlyn."
"And what a pretty girl you are Gwendlyn. Can you do me a favor?" Helen asked.
"Yes I can and you are pretty too," Gwendlyn replied.
Helen smiled at the kitten, then said, "I need you to go over to those nice police officers over there and forget you ever saw me."
"Why?" Gwendlyn asked.
"Some don't understand what I can do and fear the unknown. Please do this for me," Helen said.
"Ok, but before you go can I give you a hug?" Gwendlyn asked.
Helen embraced Gwendlyn then let her go before returning to the air and to Persival.
Unfortunately for Helen, she was spotted by the lens of a News camera.
Helen and Persival arrived back at her house luckily before Michael returned with Callista. Helen went over to Persival, hugged him and said, "That was amazing Persival."
"You are welcome milady," Persival replied. "How are you going to hide what you have done from your husband?"
Helen separated herself from Persival, then said, "I hope he never finds out."
Just as she finished speaking, Callista and Michael appeared before them. Michael went over to his wife and wrapped his arms around her before he asked, "What did you two do while we were gone?"
Helen kissed her husband,, then answered, "Oh, not much." She turned her head towards Persival, then said, "Right Persival?"
Persival was definitely not comfortable lying to anyone. It was not something he did nor wanted to do. He simply turned and started walking up the stairs as he said, "I'm gong to check on my mate."
Callista knew him long enough to know something was off. She politely excused herself and followed Persival up the stairs.
Michael watched as the queen ascended the stairs, turned his focus back to his wife, then asked, "What's gotten into Persival?"
Before Helen had a chance to answer, the phone started ringing.
Michael separated himself from Helen and answered the phone, "Hello?"
"Michael, turn on the news, and I mean right now!" His mother ordered.
"Why mother? What is so fascinating that I have to turn on the news?" He asked.
"You will find out," his mother replied.
Michael hung up the phone and went into the den to switch on the TV. He changed the channel to a news station and turned up the volume. He saw the burning building in the background followed by a she-cat flying through a window wearing a t-shirt and red tights very similar to what his wife was wearing. The she-cat emerged through the same window a few minutes later holding a kitten in her arms. "You've seen it here's first," Anne Gora said. "This city now has a real-life Super heroine in its midst."
Michael slowly turned to his wife and very nervously asked, "Is that you?
Helen walked over to him, hugged Michael as tightly as she could, then replied, "Please don't be mad Michael. Being a sorceress is hard enough in today's world. But being one that can also fly is twice as hard."
Michael returned her embrace and asked as he stroked her hair, "How long have you been able to do this and is our daughter going to inherit your ability?"
As Helen rubbed Michael's back, feeling his defined muscles with her claws, she answered, "I discovered I was able to fly when I turned thirteen Michael and I don't know if Evelyn or our unborn kittens will be able to fly too. I sort of hope that at least one of them develops this trait, I want them to know what its like to be free and not have gravity being a barrier. " She lifted her head from his chest, looking into his eyes, then continued, "I love flying Michael. So when Persival took me flying, I could not contain myself, I let go of him and let the wind and sky take over."
Michael was torn between supporting the she-cat he loved more than his own life and wanting her to be happy and his family's safety. He looked into her eyes then asked, "Does David know you can fly and if not, what happens when he finds out? You are all over the news and my mother recognized you so someone else might recognize you too Helen."
"I highly doubt David knows what I can do dear. I have been very careful with using my abilities and this is the very first time I flew when it was still early enough for most of the city to be awake," Helen said.
"I hope so Helen," Michael said before he kissed her. He then said, "I would hate to have him try to exploit you and our family."
"That is not going to happen Michael," Callista said as she descended down the stairs with Persival following behind her. "Persival told me what happened tonight Helen."
Helen shot Persival a censuring look before she said, "How could you? I trusted you with a secret and you betrayed me!"
"Persival didn't have a choice in the matter Helen," Callista said. "I asked him what happened and he told me. He does not have a dishonest bone or feather in his body and would not dare to lie." When her feet hit the landing, she walked over to where Helen and Michael were standing and put a comforting paw on her shoulder before she said, "Persival told me that you dove into that burning building, saving the kitten. If you were a member of my court, you would have been knighted Helen. There are not many who would put their own lives in danger in order to save another."
"Thank you Callista," Helen said. "But my husband's concern is a valid one. Could David or someone else in The Society figure out that was me going to into that building?"
"I really don't know Helen," Callista responded. "However, I do know how to make sure that your family is protected from David and those who think like him. But before I act, how do you feel about Evelyn having a pet?"
"Callista, what are you talking about?" Michael asked.
"That answer is simple Michael," Callista answered. "Evelyn needs someone to help her with her powers when I can't be with her; right? What if I told you that Persival has a few cousins that need masters or in this case, mistresses?"
"Are you thinking of giving Evelyn a familiar?" Helen asked.
"Exactly Helen," Callista answered. "Spencer is almost as big and cuddly as Persival is. Although he is not as formal as his cousin and has been known to be a little, rambunctious at times."
"Callista, as much as I appreciate this generous gift, Evelyn is only five, do you think that she will be able to handle Spencer?" Michael asked.
"Spencer wouldn't dare do anything to cause Evelyn harm Michael," Callista answered. "Like I mentioned, he does have a wild side that comes forth every once in a while. However, he is just as loyal as Persival is. Would you like to meet him?"
"Yes, I want to meet him, especially if I am going to trust him to keep my family safe," Michael said.
"Alright, let me see if I can find that winged-fur ball," Callista said before she started searching for Spencer. After a few minutes, she found him on the outskirts of Canada. She reached out with her powers to contact him and when she connected, she asked, "Spencer, what are you doing in Canada?"
Spencer was just sitting on a wall, overlooking a batch of very cute of female pumas. He had just managed to capture the gaze of one female in particular with these golden eyes that burned into his soul when she looked at him. He then heard Callista in his mind and replied, "You have some very poor timing, I was about to get a date."
"Spencer, you can get a date after you complete your assignment," Callista sternly replied.
"Assignment?" Spencer asked. "What's the matter with Persival? Can't he handle things in the city by himself?"
"If you must know, Persival has found his mate and is going to be a father Spencer," Callista answered.
"My big cousin actually found a female that wants to have his cubs willingly?" Spencer asked as he stood up on his paws and stretched his wings. He then winked at the female he was interested in.
She noticed him winking at her, cocked her head to the left, and turned around to walk away.
Spencer's mood changed at her rejection and Callista felt it. She said, "Isis loves Persival and he loves her back. It seems, Persival is having better luck in that department than you are Spencer."
"Har har Callista," Spencer said. "Alright, since I'm not having any luck up here, what is this assignment?"
"There is this little girl that needs guidance in using her powers. I want you to help her as well as protect her family. Care to try your luck at that, since you seem to be striking out up there?" Callista asked.
"Little girl?" Spencer asked. "She s not going to try and dress me up like your granddaughter did to my cousin?"
"Persival loves Callie and would do anything for her, that included wearing a dress and a hat and no, I don't think Evelyn will try to dress you up Spencer,"Callista replied.
"I remember seeing a few photos of Persival wearing a dress when he was a cub and I also remember taunting him about wearing that dress," Spencer said as he flapped his wings and lifted himself off of the wall.
"And so do I Spencer," Callista said. "I have to warn you though, Persival has gotten quite large in the past few weeks as he prepares for fatherhood."
"So my big cousin is not the scrawny cub he used to be huh?" Spencer asked. "If you don't mind, I could use a lift back to the city. It's a long flight from Alberta; if you get my drift?"
Callista severed the link between Spencer and her then concentrated on teleporting Spencer to the Higgins' living room. Her eyes turned white and glowed while she concentrated on the spell.
Helen, Michael, and Persival stepped back to give Callista some room to work and after a minute, her eyes returned back to normal and she fell to the floor from exhaustion.
Michael and Persival were at her side almost immediately and helped her to her knees. Then Michael turned his head to his wife and asked, "Can you get her some water please?"
Helen went into the kitchen and over towards the sink. She reached up into the cabinet to retrieve a glass then filled it with cool water from the tap. After she turned off the tap, she turned around and faced a black puma adorned with white wings and black tips.
Spencer arrived in the kitchen just after Helen went to the sink. He turned his body to the direction he heard water flowing from and saw a shapely she-cat wearing tight pants that showed off her tail and legs. He watched as her tail swayed while she accomplished her task and when she turned around, he said, "Hi toots."
Helen was not accustom to being addressed in such a manner and she didn't like it. She steeled herself and walked past Spencer without saying a word to him.
Spencer followed her movements with his head and eyes and after she passed him, he said, "Don't be like that babe, I was only trying to be friendly." He then followed her back into the living room.
Helen handed Michael the glass full of water, then went back over to Spencer and grabbed his left ear with her left paw. "One, my name is not babe or toots, its Helen and two, you are not to address anyone in this house like that again or I will tie your tail in a knot so tight, you will have to get it cut off!"
Spencer smirked at Helen, then said, "Feisty, I like my she-cats to have spunk."
"She is feisty and my wife!" Michael said.
Callista took a sip of her water, then shot a censuring glance at Spencer, She then said, "Spencer! I can't believe you hit on your mistress' mother!"
"She is what?!" Spencer asked as his head shot around to face Callista forcing Helen to let go of his ear. He slowly turned back to face Helen again, then said, "My apologies,I thought that you were still single considering your youthful appearance." He then turned away from her and muttered, "And your great body."
Helen was about to teach Spencer a lesson when she heard, "Mommy, Daddy, why are you yelling?" Evelyn asked as she rode downstairs on Isis' back.
Spencer lifted his head and saw two of the most beautiful females he had ever seen. First, he noticed Isis and the way her sleek body walked down the stairs. Then he lifted his gaze higher to Evelyn. Not only was she the spitting image of her mother, but there was something else that made him want not only to be her protector, but to be a friend and companion that she could tell anything to and she could trust him not to betray her.
Isis's front paws hit the floor and she walked over to Persival and gave his neck a nuzzle before she asked, "Did you and the House's Mistress have fun?"
Persival nuzzled Isis back, then replied, "I wouldn't exactly call it fun, my love. However, we did love soaring through the evening air. I wish I you could experience what I do when I am flying Isis. Saying it's breathtaking does not do it justice."
"I'm perfectly fine with my four paws planted firmly on the ground Persival. But I hope our cubs have your wings," Isis said.
"Wait a minute," Spencer exclaimed as he shook his head in disbelief. "Cousin, you are mated with this gorgeous female?"
Persival looked to his cousin and replied, "Yes I am Spencer and she is with my cubs. I wait on panted breaths for the day when they are brought into this world and I see them for the first time."
"Persival, dear," Isis said. "With the amount of love you are going to give them, you are gong to spoil them."
"If I do, my love. We will have to have another batch to raise properly," Persival said before he turned to his cousin and said, "Spencer, since you are going to be the guardian of this family, you should be formally introduced. Your master is Michael and his wife is Helen."
"Yes, Helen and I met in the kitchen already cousin and I extend my sincerest apologies again for making a pass at you," Spencer said.
Helen and Michael slowly went over to Spencer and they both gave him a good scratch behind his ears, then Helen said, "I guess I forgive you Spencer."
"Cousin, standing at my side is my mate Isis and the little girl on her back is Evelyn," Persival said.
Spencer went over to where Isis was standing and walked around to her left side. He craned his neck to look up at Evelyn and said, "Evelyn, I'm Spencer, your familiar and guardian. It's late and little kittens should be in bed with pleasant dreams playing in their heads. Climb on my back and I will bring you upstairs and when you wake, I'll tell you a few funny stories about my big cousin that will make you laugh hysterically."
Evelyn climbed off of Isis and with the help of Spencer, got on his back. She cuddled up into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She then said before she drifted back to sleep, "You are so soft and warm Spencer, I like you."
Spencer felt warm all over after hearing Evelyn. A small tear left his eye as he realized he had finally found a home and he didn't have to roam the globe anymore and he said, "I like you too Evelyn. Let's get you into bed." Spencer carefully walked up the stairs and into Evelyn's bedroom. As gently as he could, he put the sleeping kitten into her bed and covered her up with a blanket before he kissed her forehead and said, "Goodnight princess, sleep well."
Spencer watched the kitten sleep for a few minutes then curled himself up on the floor and fell asleep himself.
End of Chapter