Disclaimer: The SWAT Kats are owned by Hanna Barbera and the Tremblay Brothers. I own the OCs.
Thank you MisaRae! You make me write things I never thought I would ever write and I am a better writer for it.
Callista and Adonis magically appeared on the far side of the house, away from any prying eyes that might be watching. Callista said, "Please wait here. Persival has not met you yet, and he is very overprotective of me and Callie." She then walked around the corner of the house to go and find Persival and Isis.
She didn't have to search for too long. Persival and Isis were almost in the same spot she had left them in last night, except Isis had her head tucked into the crook of Persival's neck, and his right wing was protectively wrapped around Isis' body.
Callista ascended the steps that led to the rear porch, and once she was close enough to Persival, she crouched down and gave him a good scratch behind his ear.
Isis heard Callista approaching them and lifted her head. She said, "Good morning, Callista. What brings you here? We were expecting your granddaughter and her friends this afternoon."
Callista replied, "I need to ask Persival a favor, Isis. A dear friend of mine needs to move into the house for her own protection. I wanted to ask Persival personally to protect her, just as he would myself or my granddaughter."
Isis looked into Callista's emerald eyes and knew something else was bothering her. She pushed Persival with her paw in an attempt to awaken the slumbering puma, but he didn't waken. Isis then resorted to a more aggressive measure: she bit his right ear.
Persival instantly woke when he felt Isis bite him. His wings flared straight out from his body, his eyes flew open, and he let out a yelp of pain.
Isis let go of his ear once she was satisfied that he would not drift back to sleep, stood up, and waited for him to recover.
Persival shook his head in order to make the pain stop. He turned his head towards Isis and asked, "Why would you do that, my dear?"
Isis simply motioned her head towards Callista in reply.
Persival turned his head towards Callista, and once he saw her, he bowed his head and said, "Milady, it is always nice to see you, but we were expecting your granddaughter this afternoon. Might I ask why you are here?"
Callista replied, "Isis, would you mind giving me and Persival a moment alone?"
Isis replied, "Sure, Callista." She had just started walking down the stairs towards the backyard when she stopped, turned her head to look at Persival, and said, "Be good, Persival. I have a feeling she needs a strong shoulder to lean on." She then continued on her way into the yard.
As soon as Isis was gone, Callista fell to her knees directly in front of Persival, wrapped her arms around his neck, and cried into his left shoulder.
Persival placed his right front paw on her upper back and asked, "What is disturbing you, Milady? I am deeply worried about you. This is not the first time in the last few weeks where you have felt the need for my support."
Callista lifted her head and looked into Persival's concerned, golden eyes. She then wiped her tears away as she replied, "I can't save them, Persival. I have done so much for the kittens of Megalith and MegaKat City, only to be told that there are some that cannot be saved. Why can't I help those kittens, Persival? I am one of the most powerful sorceresses in history, and yet I can't help a sick little kitten? Why?!" A fresh round of tears fell from her eyes as soon as she finished speaking.
Persival rubbed her back while he asked, "Milady, I am confused. Yes, you are very powerful, and you are the most compassionate cat in the world, but who are these kittens that you speak of?"
Callista replied after she sniffled, "While I was visiting Lisa in the hospital, a nurse asked me to help entertain the kittens admitted to the cancer ward. I agreed to help in any way I could. As I worked my magic to entertain those kittens, I also used a healing spell to help their bodies fight that awful disease. After I returned to Lisa's room, the nurse returned with very good news. Half of the kittens I had seen were rapidly getting better. She then told me that the others I saw were given only a few more weeks of life. I wanted to go right down there and use a stronger spell. However, she told me that the kittens had been through enough, and it was time to let them rest. That was when Adonis and I came here to see you, Persival. I needed to cry on those strong shoulders of yours, and for you to tell me that everything was going to be alright."
Persival looked away from her, not knowing what to do. He had never heard of this 'cancer' thing, and from Callista's brief description, he didn't want to. He definitely did not want to lie to her in any way, shape or form. He loved and cared for her too much to do that. Persival finally faced her and replied, "As much as I want to tell you that everything will be alright, I cannot. You have witnessed pain and suffering before, Milady, after the battles your knights fought. As much as you wanted to help those knights who served you so well, you couldn't. You had to let them pass on. Their injuries were far too great even for your powers."
"There is a major difference, Persival. My knights had already lived very full lives. They had wives, husbands, and families of their own. These kittens will never know what life is, or to have another love them with all their heart. I wanted to give them that experience. Don't they deserve that, Persival?" Callista asked.
"Yes they do, Milady, but this cancer must be a very horrible disease. You need to ask yourself: do you want to see those kittens suffer any more than they have to?" Persival asked.
Callista thought about it briefly and replied, "No, I don't want to see them suffer any more than necessary, Persival. I hate giving up, and that is what I feel I am doing with those kittens."
"You are not giving up on them, Milady. You have given them a few more weeks to experience life. For that, you should happy. I only hope when their time comes, they are able to pass in peace and not suffer in the least," Persival said.
Callista wiped the last of her tears away and gave Persival a hug. While she embraced him, Callista said, "Thank you, Persival. Now, where do you think Isis went off to?"
"I haven't the foggiest, Milady," Persival replied. They both then heard a fierce growl, followed by Adonis screaming in terror. They quickly ran off the porch to the side of the house where Callista had last seen Adonis.
Adonis was waiting patiently, leaning against the side of the house. His mind kept going back to Lisa sitting in the hospital under the watch of a she-cat he barely knew. He heard the rustling of the bushes by the rear of the house. He looked towards the source of the sound, and through the bushes emerged a white jaguar with ice-blue eyes. Adonis slowly started to back away from the jaguar, but his back hit the solid, red bricks that were part of the chimney. Not knowing what else to do, he said, "Nice kitty."
Isis emerged from the bushes to see a large tom she did not know. She instantly scrunched her face and let out a fierce growl.
Adonis' heart nearly leapt out of his chest, and he let out a blood-curdling scream, convinced that he was about to be eaten as Isis slowly moved forward, growling and snarling the entire time.
Persival was the first to round the bend and dart through the bushes to see Isis growling at a tom wearing a uniform similar to his young mistress'. He yelled, "Isis! Stop! He is a friend!"
Isis stopped growling and turned her head to face Persival. She then said, "Are you sure?" She turned her attention back to Adonis and continued, "I'm sure he will taste very good, since he is so well built. His meat must be very well-marbled and full of flavor." She licked her lips as soon as she finished speaking.
Callista rounded the corner of the house just in time to hear Isis' speech. She went over to Isis and put her right paw on her back before she said, "Isis, this is Adonis, otherwise known as Mark. He is my friend, and the fiancé of the she-cat who will be staying here for a few weeks while she recovers."
Adonis slowly raised his right paw and waved it at Isis. He then said, "Hi."
Isis calmed down at Callista's touch. She let out a purr and then said, "Sorry, Adonis. My love and I are here to protect the occupants of this house from all that might harm them. Seeing you lurking on the other side of the bushes made me want to guard the ones I care about."
"It's alright, Isis. It is not often that I'm greeted by such a beautiful jaguar, even if she is growling and snarling at me," Adonis replied. He had just started to walk towards the rest of the group, when Persival growled at him. He stopped dead in his tracks and asked, "Now what?"
"You dare to call my mate beautiful in my presence? Give me one reason not to tear the flesh from your body!" Persival said through a series of snarls. His wings were partially extended. Apparently, he was very possessive of Isis and to hear another call her beautiful, triggered fit of jealousy.
Isis went over to Persival and nuzzled his neck. She said, "Persival, you have nothing to be jealous of. I have no interest in him. I only want to be with you, my fearless protector." She then let out a deep purr, which caused Persival to close his eyes and nuzzle her neck.
"Persival, I did not mean to offend you when I called her beautiful. I was only telling the truth. Even though I am completely in love with Lisa, I cannot deny how striking Isis is," Adonis said.
Persival stopped nuzzling Isis long enough to say, "Yes, her beauty is second to none. As much as I love my mistress and Milady, what I feel for Isis is much stronger. Once the new lady of this house takes up residence, Isis and I plan on having cubs together, and when they have grown, they will be the protectors of my mistress' kittens." He then resumed nuzzling Isis' neck.
Callista stroked Isis' fur and said, "Isis, I think it's time we have a little 'girl' talk. Care to join me for a stroll around the grounds?"
Isis turned her head to look into Callsita's eyes, then moved away from Persival. She said, "Lead on, Callista." She then turned to Persival and said, "Persival, please show Adonis some hospitality, and above all else, be nice!"
Persival looked over at Isis as she walked away with Callista. He then turned to Adonis and asked, "Well, what do you want to do now?"
Callista walked with Isis to the rear of the property with her right paw resting on Isis' shoulders, feeling her powerful muscles stretch and move with every step she took. Callista said, "Isis, Persival has been my protector and confidant ever since he was a tiny cub. I love him as a brother. I only want what's best for him."
"You have nothing to worry about, Callista. I love that furball, and he is going to make a great father to our cubs," Isis said as she sat down on the edge of the property and stared out into the ocean.
Callista sat down next to her and also stared out into the ocean. She stroked Isis' fur, and then said, "I'm glad, Isis. Persival's father was a great cat. He loved his mate and his cubs like no other. If Persival is anything like his father, he is not only going to be great father, he is going to be an excellent lover to you."
"I certainly hope so. I was separated from my parents when I was very young. I was moved from place to place until I ended up in the zoo where you found me. Now, I have a mate who I love very much, and I couldn't be happier. May I ask you something?" Isis asked.
"Certainly, Isis. You can ask me anything," Callista replied.
"Has he ever been in love before?" Isis asked.
"No, Isis. You are the first one Persival has even shown a glimmer of interest in. When he first saw you on TV, he was hit by cupid's arrow and was instantly infatuated. So much so that when I suggested we go and meet you, he almost bowled me over," Callista replied.
Isis turned her head to look at Callista and then said, "I remember that afternoon. I was sitting outside, enjoying the warmth of the sun, when I heard this mew originating from one of the caves in the rear of the enclosure. I looked back and saw this tiny, black cub with white wings mewing at me. At first I thought he couldn't be real, but then he stopped mewing and took off into the air. I watched as the air currents kept him aloft, and he appeared to be searching for something or someone."
"Yes, he was helping my granddaughter and I find a little lost kitten's parents. Actually, that kitten is the one who is going to be visiting here today. I'm sure you'll fall in love with her just as much as I have, Isis," Callista said. She then looked out over the ocean and asked, "Isis, how do you really feel about Persival? As I mentioned before, I love him like a brother, and would hate to see him hurt."
Isis turned her head back towards the ocean and replied, "I do care for him, Callista. More than I ever thought I could. Every time I look into his eyes, I see how much he loves me, and that makes me love him even more in return. Not to mention, it makes me want to mate him and carry his cubs sooner rather than later. I never thought that I would find a mate who would care for me the way he does. I'd always imagined I would be paired up with whatever male the zoo was able to procure, and I would have cubs solely to continue our bloodlines." She then turned her head to face Callista and said, "I hope you don't mind that I am stealing his heart? You have opened your home to me, and I can never repay you for that. Causing you pain is the last thing I ever want to do."
Callista leaned into Isis' frame and said, "Persival will always be my big ball of fluff, Isis, but his heart is yours forever. Well, yours and your future cubs, that is; and I couldn't be happier for the both of you."
"You have no idea how hearing that makes me feel, Callista. I love that winged furball so much, it actually hurts to be apart from him," Isis said.
Callista got down on her knees and faced Isis, only to close the slight distance between them and hug the jaguar.
Isis let out a deep purr and smiled as Callista hugged her.
Callista let Isis go and stood up. She then said, "I need to go, Isis. Can you please tell Mark that I left a change of clothing for him upstairs in the third bedroom? I highly doubt he wants to meet little Sarah in his uniform, no matter how good he looks in it."
Isis turned her head to look into Callista's eyes before she replied, "It would be my pleasure."
Callista gave Isis one final scratch between the ears before she disappeared from sight.
Isis watched her vanish, and then turned to watch the waves of the ocean lap against the shore.
Candice and Tim arrived at a large, white house with a long driveway leading up to the house.
Perched on either side of the driveway stood a pair of lion statues, their heads turned slightly towards the end of the driveway as if to judge the worthiness of any and all visitors to the premises. Candice put her right paw on Tim's left thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze before she asked, "Ready to meet my family?"
Tim turned his head to the left, leaned over to her side of the car, and kissed her before he said, "As ready as I am ever going to be."
"Don't worry; you will be fine, I think. Just keep an eye on my grandmother at all times. She has been known to attack when you least expect it," Candice said, just before she put the car in gear and headed up the driveway.
End of Chapter