Tiger, Tiger, Burning bright, In the Forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry? - William Blake "LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON!" By Glen Battilana NOTE : In my last story, Torment, I said that I would not be creating a sequel to that story, but as a friend of mine put it, it was begging for one. So I decided to write another. And here it is. Also, some of the events in this story, are related to one of my other FanFic's "Their First Assignment." If you haven't read that story yet, I suggest you do, or else some of the things they're talking about won't make any sense. PROLOGUE : Five days ago....... Megakat Bay In the dark murky water of the bay, the ever calm waters suddenly stir. In an explosion of bubbles, water and green blood, the clawed paw of Dr. Viper shoots out of the water. Where am !? He swims over to the ladder, by a pier, and climbs up, and onto the wooden pier. Gasping, he coughs up green blood. Am I alive? Am I dead? Dr. Viper is now free. Free of the Witch's Voodoo. Free. He is no longer a slave of evil. Of death, and of things most unholy. However...... He looks around, and feels all the scars on his body. "What happened to me?!" ....He has no idea of what has happened. "How did I ssssurvive that explosssion?" He tries to get up, but he is very weak. He collapses on the pier. Now free of the insidious drums, Viper has his mind back...... As he holds his head, a dark shadow falls over him. ......But for how long. Viper slowly looks up, at the figure standing over him. He gasps. He backs up, looking a the huge figure standing over him. Dark Kat. "NO!" Viper cried out. "Nonononononononononononono!" Afraid. "Y-you're dead?!" Viper cried out, pointing at him. He is afraid. "I sssaw you die!" He should be. "Who are you?!" The figure of Dark Kat loomed over Viper. "I am Dark Kat," the figure said. Weak. "Dark Kat’sss dead." Viper said. "I sssaw him die with my own eyesss." Pathetic. "I am he." He said. "As Mark Twain once put it, the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." "No." Viper hissed. "You’re dead, dead, dead!" He began to whimper. Fool. The once frightening figure of Dr. Viper. One who could spread terror into the hearts of the bravest of kats, now stood before a supposed ghost, crying like a newborn kitten. How the mighty do fall. Smiling, Dark leaves the crying Dr. Viper alone on the pier. Many things to do. Dr. Viper gives one last look, at Dark Kat, disappearing into the rainy night. Then, he slowly picked himself up, and looked at himself in a puddle of water. Once he held the balance of power, now he was a tattered mess. He almost looked like he did after Megakat Biochemicals blew up. This is the mighty Dr. Viper. He then headed towards the nearest kathole. He had to get underground, where no one could see him. He’s had enough. He will return to the comfort of his sewers, and rest. Sleep the sleep of the dearly departed, until he rears his ugly head once more, to threaten the city again. CHAPTER 1 In a mansion on the East side of town...... Since the tragic death of it’s original owner -- known to the world as Dark Kat -- this sprawling mansion has stood empty. Host to nothing but dust and echoes. In what looks like a hunter's trophy room, crouches Dark Kat, he has stripped of all his clothing, and now stands crouched, like his four legged ancestors, ready to pounce. An echo is all Robert Darkson ever really hears when he speaks. The child his father never intended -- never made room for. Dark Kat growled. Bearing his sharp, white teeth, at a stuffed panther, forever frozen in a prowling pose. His dark purple fur almost makes him invisible to the naked eye. Only his glowing yellow eyes make him known. I am Darkson --- He leapt at the panther, letting out a cry of rage. --- the beast. With a snarl, he grabbed the stuffed panther, and hurled it across the room. Not satisfied, he begins to crawl towards a stuffed gorilla, with it’s arms poised above him. Dark Kat stood up to his full height, to mimic the gorilla. My mind is rage and glory. With the thrust of his palm, he knocks the gorilla's head right off its shoulders. My heart is fire and pride. He then grabbed the headless gorilla, and tossed it aside, like the panther. My body is grace and power. Satisfied, he then turns to leave the room. I am Darkson --- He then throws open two large double doors to his private study. --- the kat. He then enters the study and pulls on a gown. My family came to this country, shortly after the overthrow of the Czar -- some seventy odd years ago.. There was no room in Russia for aristocrats. For culture. For honor. He paused for a moment. For Feline dignity. He then continued putting on the gown. But all those things were bred in my bones, long before the Trotskys and the Lenins dragged my homeland into the pit. Dark Kat then walked over to his desk, and started to pour himself a drink of wine. Dignity? Honor? Where are such qualities today? All the world, it seems, has followed Russia’s sad example. He then reached under his desk, and pushed a small button. Were my great grandparents alive today, they would look upon this frightened, wounded animal called civilization without recognition --- and with great fear. His face twisted into a snarl. And great disgust. The bookcase at the other end of the room, suddenly swung open, to reveal a secret passage into another room. I am Darkson --- He then picked up his drink, and walked towards the passage. --- The Dark Kat. He then entered the room. It was set up like a church, with chairs set up either side of an isle. Candles lighted the room, along with stain glass windows. At the very end of the room. Lay a coffin, surrounded with flowers, like a funeral. I have found dignity, not in the cities, but in the jungles. I have found honor not in the civilized, but in the primal. I have found morality, I have found meaning --- in the hunt. Dark Kat began walking up the isle, towards the coffin. The hunt. I have hunted many, animal, and kat alike. But still, one thing eludes me..... He walked up to the coffin, and reaches into it. .....A reason. He pulls out a uniform. It is that of T Bone, the SAT Kat. Why? He then drops the uniform back into the coffin, and picks up the mask. He will die. He must die..... He holds the mask, draped over his fingers. He stares into the eye holes. .....But not yet. Megakat City Salvage Yard...... Who was she? Chance sits on the couch, bandages wrapped around him. Some are on his chest, his legs, arms, and some on his head. Where did she go? The hero sits there, and wonders. Wonders about the unprovoked, and unreasonable attack on him, five days ago. Scaredy kat is on T.V. But as he sits there, watching the screen, he hardly cracks a snicker, as his mind drifts elsewhere. Why did she do what she did? What is her relation to Dark Kat, let alone Viper? Chance rests his head on his left paw, staring hard at the T.V., but not seeing what’s on. Where is she now? The hero has many things to think about. The Witch is one of them. She nearly killed him. She could luckily, next time. But until she does strike..... Chance jumped at the sound of the thunder, rumbling in the distance. ...He can only pray. Elsewhere.... Joe Xander is dead. Why should I care. Razor drives though the street at night. There is no traffic on the route he is taking, but for how long. Right now, he has other things to worry about. He was just another street snitch..... a two-bit thug. Sometimes, T Bone and I would pump him for information and sometimes we’d put him away. Thunder cracked over head. And now he’s dead. So why should I care. Razor finally came to his destination. A small run down bar, called "Johnny’s Corner." On the front of the door, the ‘Closed’ sign can be seen. This place is never closed at this time of night. He stops just outside the joint, then drives the Cyclotron into an alley, behind the building. He then climbs up the fire escape, and onto the roof. How many Joe Xanders have I known over the years? Too many to count. They’re not kats. They’re obstacles in my way. Means to an end. And they die.... Razor then walks over to the ventilation shaft. Removing the grate, he hopes in, and climbs though the metal system. ....Why should I care? Inside the building, the reason it’s closed, can be found. Eleven kats are all gathered around a coffin, which is actually a large wooden crate. Next to the coffin, is a chair, with a plate of money on it. The bartender was speaking. "Poor stupid sap." He said. "Didn’t leave behind no money. No family ta speak of. We’re all ya had, Joey. An’ this is the best we could do." All the other kats had the heads hanging down. "We got up a collection for ya, Joey. Figured the least we owed ya was a decent box an’ a piece o’ ground. Yeah. An’ maybe someday....Somebody’ll do the same for us." Up in the ventilation system, Razor watched the funeral taking place. He then kicked out the grate, and jumped onto the ground, just in front of Joe Xander. "Holy Kats!" One cried out. "It’s a SWAT Kat!" But they can’t quite get the name out of their mouths. Their too scared. Running from someone who doesn’t even exist. Some of the kats turn and bolt for the door. Joe Xander was scared too. He used to shake when he’d see me. He used to run --- just like they’re running. There is no Razor. He’s a mask. A myth. Razor fired a burst of cement slugs, and sealed off the door, preventing anyone from leaving. "Stop!" Razor called out. "I didn’t come looking for trouble!" A lie. Oh sure it’d be great if putting on a costume could miraculously change the kat underneath. But it can’t. I’m not Razor. Razor looked down at Joe. I’m just --- Jake Clawson. "I just came to say good-bye." Razor said. And I guess I do care. One of the kats in the crowd, gets a strange look in his eye, and he reaches into his coat. But they’ll never understand that. How could they? How could anybody? The kat pulls out a side arm. The bartender gasps. "Jerry." He hisses. "No!" Sometimes I wish they could get it in their heads...see myself the way they see me. "You kiddin’?" The kat said. "I nail that SWAT Kat freak an’ my rep’s made in this town!" On second thought --- maybe not. "Don’t even try!" Razor said, aiming his gloveatrix at the kat. He then lowered his gun, and put it back into his coat. Good boy, Jerry. Skitter off into a corner and hide. Wouldn’t want to get too close to the "SWAT Kat freak," would you? Razor reached into his pocket, and pulled out a good handful of bills. Wouldn’t want to find out that he’s as feline as you are? Razor then dropped the bills into the plate of money. "A decent box and a piece of ground." Razor said. As fragile? Razor then turned, and walked out the back door, closing it gently behind him. He then walks over to where he left the Cyclotron, hops back on, and drives of into the night. As scared of dying? That’s what this is all about isn’t it? After what happened to Chance. He nearly died. Made us both think, that we weren’t immortal as we both thought. Made us wake up, that like Joe Xander --- we too, can die. Razor came to an intersection. The lights were red, so he pulled to a stop. Above him, the sky gave a mighty crack, and opened up, spilling it’s watery contents towards the earth below. Yesterday, Dark Kat. Today, Joe Xander. Tomorrow.... Felina? Callie? Me? A trickle of rain traveled down Razor’s nose, and onto his lips. He licked it away, tasting the sweet rain. Funny. I’m out there facing death every day as Razor --- But I never really think about it. Guess I don’t let myself. Yet so many people I love have died before their time. Friends at the Enforcers. Villains of the SWAT Kats. And now, Joe Xander. Do I think I’m somehow immune? I’m going to die. Just then, the light changed back to green. Razor lifted his leg and speed of down the street, back towards the garage. But not yet. CHAPTER : 2 Megakat City Cemetery...... In the Darkness of this place of spiritual rest, things most unholy are once again, taking flight. This large piece of selected ground, is the refuge of the dead. Spirits who have not yet made their journey over to the other side. This is the one place where they can relax...... In a small crypt, a figure sits around a bowl, with a candle light on either side of her. She sits with her legs crossed, and her arms out to the side, her fingers shaped like a ‘v.’ ....but not anymore. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM She chants words, unfamiliar to the English language, to the rhythm of the drums. But very familiar to the souls of the dead. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM The fire in the bowl begins to go from a bright yellow flame, to a dark purple. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Using her powers of the Voodoo, she calls to the souls around her. Commanding them, to come to her. To aid her in her quest, for power, for passion --- DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM She opens here eyes, which are glowing bright red. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM ---and vengeance. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM She raises both arms, above her head, while chanting more words. Then she brings them down, level with her face, then sticks her arm into the flame. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM She knows how to get him. T Bone. The SWAT Kat. The one who killed her lover. Dark Kat. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM A dark blue mist rises out of the bowl, and begins to encircle her, swirling around her, like a tornado. Lifting her paw out of the purple flame, she then points it towards the heavens. It is unscathed. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM She now calls to the dead. Calls them, to obey her every command. She then holds her paw over the flame, the one she stuck into it, and down the middle of her palm, she drags a long sharp knife, cutting deep into her flesh, beneath her fur. She then holds the cut over the flames, and lets the blood drip into it. The moment, the blood touches the flames, there is a tremendous fire ball, that nearly consumes the witches paw. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM She has the power, now..... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM She then points, with the bloody knife, towards the open door to the crypt. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM ....She intends to use it.... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM The mist then disperse and vanishes from the crypt. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM ....To KILL!!! Elsewhere...... Razor drives home on the Cyclotron. However, he’s feeling a little dizzy. Head’s pounding like someone’s playing drums inside my brain. Jungle drums. Razor let go on the handle bars with his right paw to rub his forehead. Got the shivers. Stomach’s in a knot. Maybe I’ll just crawl up into a ball and --- He slammed on the breaks, and skidded to a halt. NO! Breathing heavily, he started up again. Just keep moving. Gotta keep moving --- and everything’ll be all right. "Okay Jake." Razor said. "Let’s get real. Ever since Chance was nearly killed by some psycho she-kat, You’ve been upset lately. Scared even. So..... "That’s to be expected. That’s normal." So why..... "And what you’re feeling now.....It’s not surprising. You haven’t been sleeping well. You’ve been on the move constantly. And seeing Joe Xander tonight didn’t help things." So why am I so sure that...... "Your nerves are shot. You’re dog tired. You’re probably coming down with the flu. So why am I so sure that something’s out there! That’s something’s waiting for me! Suddenly, Razor feels it. Sticking his mind, like a thousand ice picks. Stabbing into his brain. The pain is unbearable, and overwhelming. He screams out, and falls of the cyclotron, clutching his head. It is done. The pain is too much for the SWAT Kat to handle, and Razor passes out. Lying there, in the middle of the road, in the pouring rain. It is time..... A green colored van comes around the corner, and stops just buy the fallen SWAT Kat. The back doors open, and out jump four kats wearing black ninja suits, like the ones that used to work for Dark Kat, when he had created the Black Widow. They pick Razor up, and take him into the van. Then closing the doors, they drive off into the pouring night. .....To collect the bait. But the van does not drive away unbeknownst. Two yellow eyes watch the van leave. For years the SWAT Kats has thwarted me. Mocked me. Humiliated me. In the beginning, I was naive. I thought they were just kats. But they couldn’t possibly be kats. NO kats could do to Dark Kat what the SWAT Kats have. The eye’s narrowed to slits. No kat! He slowly got up, and walked back to his helicopter, which was lying on the roof top. So dark. So infeline. So beautiful. You exist to test me, don’t you? To taunt and challenge me? And I cannot rest until I have proven myself. Until I have destroyed you---. The Helicopter flew off into the night. ----I cannot rest! Megakat City Salvage yard...... Where the hell is he? Chance now paced back and forth across the carpeted floor, waiting for the sound of a Cyclotron, to pull up outside the Salvage yard, and his best friend to return. What could have happened? He checked his watch. Jake should have been back at least two hours ago. Face it Chance. Ever since you encountered Psycho lady, you’ve been rather jumpy, and nervy about when you’re friend leaves you alone. Now, he’s not back, and you’re worried half to death about him. Chance headed for the hanger, but stopped. What if he comes back just after to leave. You could miss him. Chance looked down at his watch. Give him another hour. He could be just letting of a little steam. Megakat City Cemetery...... Razor slowly come too. He looked around. He was tied to some sort of stone altar. His arms and legs were tied to each corner of the table. His shirt had been taken off, and on his bear chest, some one had painted a Pentagram with a circle around it, on his chest. Around the stone altar, was a circle of candles. What the hell ---?! "Ahhh." A female voice cooed. "You’re awake." Razor turned his head in the direction of the voice. "How are you?" He demanded. The she-kat smiled at him, and drew her claws along his check. "My name is not important." She said. "What is, is that you must remain alive, long enough to someone the other one. The other one? "You are the bait in a trap." Trap? "However, you too, are also responsible, so you too, must die." What the hell has she been on?! "Don’t worry." She said, throwing some pink dust over his face. "You won’t feel a thing." What was that?! "Some fur, from the Hero." She said, pacing it on the middle of the pentagram on Razor’s chest. "This will act as a spiritual link." She’s crazy. "T Bone escaped me before. He will not escape me again." Razor gasped. Could that be the psycho lady, Chance told me about. "Relax." She said, placing her paw on his forehead. "I’ll try and make this as painless as I can. Just don’t try to resist. She then began to chant words Razor didn’t understand. What’s she ---- doing?! Razor suddenly felt the same pain he’d felt earlier. AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHH!!!!!! "Let it flow." She said, smiling. "Let it flow, all the way ----" The PAIN!!! "---To your friend." Meanwhile, Chance was watching some T.V. when suddenly he felt an all to familiar pain in his skull. Oh no! Chance grabbed his skull as the pain shot through his head. NOT AGAIN!!!! Chance fell of the couch, screaming. The same pain he’d felt when the psycho lady tried to kill him. Then, as quickly as it came, it vanished. Chance lay on the floor, breathing heavily. Curled up in a ball, his tail, quivering. She’s back. Slowly, Chance picked himself up off the floor, and headed for the hanger, to out on his costume, to become the SWAT Kat. T Bone. She’s got Razor. Chance somehow knew, mentally, that Razor was in trouble. She wants me. Chance quickly pulls on his uniform, and races for the nearest Cyclotron. She’s going to get me ---- The Cyclotron roared to life, as it shot down the runway, and out into the stormy night. ----But not the way she thinks! Back at the cemetery...... Razor lay on the altar, breathing in and out, asleep. The pain had caused him to pass out. The witch smiled down at the sleeping SWAT Kat. He’ll die. She then walked over to the door to the crypt. They’ll both die. She looked out into the pouring rain. They’ll both pay. She had a plan for destroying them both. Dark Kat’s soul can finally rest in ---- She then spotted a figure outside, in the rain. ---peace?! She gasped. She ran out into the rain. Sure enough, standing out in the rain, was Dark Kat. In his uniform, with the ‘D’ and ‘K’ on ether side of his shoulders. Who? "Darkson?" She said. The figure just looked at her. It’s as if doesn’t know me. "Is --- that --- you?" The figure then slowly turned around, and began to walk away. He’s leaving. "NO!" She cried out, rushing out into the storm. "Don’t leave me." She looked around, but couldn’t see him anywhere. "Not again." She dropped to the ground. What’s that? She could see a helicopter leaving the cemetery. It lifted up off the ground, and flew off into the night. I know where he’s heading. She quickly turned around, and stormed into the crypt. She then looked down at Razor, lying there. "Vengeance can wait." She said. "Right now, I must go." And with that, she was gone. Some time later...... "RAZOR??!!" T Bone cried out. "Razor?! Where are you?!" He ran though the cemetery, looking for his friend. He’s here. "Razor! Answer me!" I know he is. "Razor! It’s me, T Bone!" I can fell it. He then spotted an open crypt. There! He rushed into the crypt, and saw Razor, lying on the altar, his shirt off, the pentagram on his chest. He was burning up, and he was breathing in and out, very heavily. "Cripes Jake." He whispered. "What’d she do to ya?!" He ran over to his friend, and picked him up. He looked around. Where is she? He looked around some more, then headed back to the Cyclotron. "Don’t worry buddy." He said. "I’ll get ya home, faster than I could in the Turbo Kat." Placing Razor over the back of the Cyclotron, he then started it, and speed for home, suing the rockets on the back. Some time later, at Darkson Manor..... Dark Kat poured himself another drink, as he looked over at the picture of himself up on the wall. He then held the goblet up to the picture, as if proposing a toast. Then he gulped it down. When he’d finished, he then turned to the bed beside him. "How long have you been in my house?" Dark Kat asked the witch, who lay on the bed, stretched out like a leopard, her tail, lashing back and forth. She smiled at him, and gave him a lazy eye. "Not long Robert my darling." Dark Kat eyed her suspiciously "What do you want?" These words seemed to shock her. "I want to know what you’re up to. Running away from me back in the cemetery." Dark Kat began to approach her. "Acting as if you hardly recognized your beloved." He was now at the very side of the bed. "I know we’ve played many a tantalizing game with each other over the years ---" She leaned up a bit more to face him. "--But my sweet Dark Kat--- This one has me --" She leaned closer to his face. "--Mystified." She whispered into his ear. She then pressed her lips against his, kissing him deeply. Dark Kat did little to resist her. She then moved from her lying down position, and wrapped her legs around him, while pulling of his gown. Dark Kat lifted her up, so her face was at level with his. He stirred into her eyes, and she the same. Slowly, the single candle that lit the room, went out, enveloping the entire room in darkness. Some time later..... Dark Kat, with his gown back on, sat in a huge arm chair. The Witch was snuggled up to him, lying on his lap. Her face was buried deep into his chest fur. "...Ah, Dark Kat." She whispered. "Dearest Dark Kat. I knew the day would come when I would see you again....Feel the wrath of you against me." Dark Kat held her close to him. "Our love was decreed before time began -- and, as we have both proven -- not even death, can keep us a---" Suddenly, Dark Kat’s paw reached up, and grabbed the Witches hair, pulling her hair back, along with her head. It hurt. "--PART?!" She cried out in pain. "What.. What are you doing?! Let go of me, Dark Kat, before I ---" "Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Dark Kat Laughed out, showing his white teeth. His eyes were large, and his mouth was wide open. It was like this was the funniest thing in the whole world. "Why are you laughing?" The Witch asked. She didn’t like it one bit. And something told her, that she wasn’t going to like the answer. "It’s amusing, don’t you think." He chuckled, as he pushed the Witch of his lap, to land on the cold hard floor. "What is?!" She demanded, as she stroked her sore tail, which told the brunt of the fall. "The fact that you came seeking the father ---" His face twisted into an evil grin. "--And found, instead, the SON!" The Witch was horrified. It couldn’t be. "The --- SON?!" She cried out. Forgetting the pain in her tail. She refused to believe it. Her lover, Dark Kat, had -- had cheated on her?! "I’m afraid it’s true my dear." Dark Kat said. "You weren’t the only one, my idiot father fell in love with. Rest assured, my dear, that I am the only true heir of my father’s criminal empire." He lost his huge grin, to look over at the picture of his father, the true Dark Kat. "He never told you of me, or anyone else. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Alexander Darkson. The one, and only, son of Robert Darkson. And I can assure you this ---" He pointed right at the Witch. "--that I have no further need of you." "YOU DARE?!!" She screamed, as she jumped to her feet, and leapt for Alex, bearing her long, sharp claws. Alex smiled. "Of course." He said. At the last moment, he dodged aside, and allowed the witch to sail past him, and land neatly on his desk, behind him. "After all, I am a Darkson." "Where is Dark Kat." He smiled. "Right here." He said, patting his chest. She growled. "You’re father." Alex shrugged. "Where ever the after life has taken him." "But what about you?" "The formula that changed my father, also changed me. I was not born normal. I was born with my father’s formula inside me. I was born with his genus, his strength----" The grin turned into a sneer. "---And his ruthlessness." Then, he pushed a button on his desk, and a door at the far end of the room opened. Out of it, came at least six creeplings. They all flew over to Alex, and rested around him, as if protecting him. "I’d just as soon let my pets take care of you. I wouldn’t want to soil my paws any more than I already have." He then began to smile. "Of course, if you choose to leave....I’ll do what I can to restrain them." It was the Witch’s turn to snarl. "Oh, I’ll leave." She growled. "But I’ll be back, young Darkson! Of that, you can rest assured." And with that, she turned around, and leapt out the still closed window, shattering it to pieces. Outside, the lightning flashed over the night sky. CHAPTER : 3 Back at the Megakat City Salvage Yard....... T Bone screeched to a stop as he came down the runway. He then picked up his best friend, and pull of his helmet and mask. "Christ Razor." He said, caring him up the ladder. "What happened to you?" He carried Jake all the way to his bed, and put him down on his bed. He then turned on the fan to full blast, and pointed it at Jake. "This should cool you down -- a bit." "Ooohhhh." Razor moaned. Chance looked down at his friend. She’ll pay. He then headed back for the Cyclotron. He was heading back to the cemetery. To find her. By God, she’ll pay. He then drove out, into the stormy night. Back at the mansion...... Tonight. Dark Kat had his gown on, as he approached a small cage, containing a rat. In one paw, he held a fifteen inch long hunting knife. In the other, a cigarette lighter. He light the cigarette in his mouth, and brought the knife down on the rat, who just managed to dodge it. I feel the Herb’s, the roots, the potions spreading wide my mind. He stabbed at the rat again. Missing, on purpose. Feel them reaching out to touch --- destiny. He brought the knife back up again. The Newspapers call them the SWAT Kats. They call them Hero’s. They should call them murders. But I know. I am Dark Kat. And I know all. In the stormy night, T Bone drove the Cyclotron. However, as he drove on, he began to get a strange feeling. As if, he were being watched. I am inside you, T Bone; can you hear my call? T Bone shock his head, ignoring the funny sensation he was getting. Don’t resist : Let destiny take our paws, and draw us closer together. T Bone looked around. But couldn’t see anything strange. I understand now. There must be a test. A way to understand him. A way, to understand my father. And only when I have tested, can I fully understand. You are my test T Bone. My fire of purification. Don’t fear me. Love me. Dark Kat, then grabbed the cage, with the rat, and tossed it out the window. For I intend to bless you. With pain, and blood, and sorrow. Tonight. At the open window, Dark Kat looked out into the stormy night sky. He then took of his rob, and began to pull on his normal clothes. "Tonight!" He hissed. T Bone lost that weird feeling he had before. He shook his head. Trying to think straight. T Bone! T Bone! Burning bright. He chose to ignore the sound of the chopper overhead, figuring it to be an Enforcer chopper. In the forests of the night. He finally looked up, right into the face of Dark Kat, grinning down at him. What immortal paw or eye, "What the ---?!" He cried out, seeing the figure of his dead enemy. Could frame thy fearful symmetry? Dark then aimed a rifle at T Bone, and fired. Only got one chance at this. T Bone did a back flip of the Cyclotron, and reached out, and grabbed the dart with much skill. "Got it!" He cried out, only to land on the hard pavement. The Cyclotron slammed into another lamppost. Christ. Not again. The helicopter landed, and out got Dark kat. He was holding a rifle. "Dark Kat!!" T Bone cried out, as he ran at him. Come to me SWAT Kat. T Bone ran at Dark kat, and threw a punch at him. Dark Kat easily caught it, and flipped T Bone over his shoulder. Tonight I have widened my consciousness with Herb’s and roots. Tonight I have immersed myself in your being. Tonight my mind has penetrated your essence. It feasts upon you, like maggots feasting upon a corpse. He grinned, as he let the rifle fall to the ground. COME TO ME!!! "Come to me SWAT Kat---" Dark Kat said, as he walked towards T Bone. "--AND LET ME KILL YOU!!!" With that, he grabbed T Bone, and threw him threw a window, shattering the glass, and sending broken glass everywhere. Dark Kat, then walked over to the buildings door, and kicked it open, and walked inside. "I must admit." T Bone said, picking himself up, out of the pile of broken creates. "You really caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting you to come along." He forced a smile at Dark Kat. "In fact, you look great. You appear to be in exceptional health for a corpse." Dark Kat chuckled. "Tell me T Bone." Dark Kat said. "Dose it terrify you to look into the eyes of the only kat to push you over the edge? Who nearly killed you ---" He then pulled out a grenade. "---And will succeed this time around." T Bone was about to answer, when he felt a slight tingling in his head. He blinked a few times, and his vision started to go bleary. What’s happening. "Ah, SWAT Kat ---" Dark Kat said. "You drove Dark Kat mad -- then drove him to his own grave! Can you imagine what it was like for him to blow himself up. To push the button, and embrace oblivion?" "---Weak ---" T Bone managed to say. "---So --- weak --- w-what --- did you ---you do? Feel --- so -- so --so---" "So weak? So Terrified? So small?" Dark Kat jeered. "My dart didn’t pierce your skin. The poison it was dipped in was strong enough to affect you --- even through you’re gloves!" T Bone growled. He’d been though this before with the witch. He didn’t feel like going through it again. Not again. "NO!" He cried out. "You’re not going to do it! You’re not going to kill me!" He then clasped both paws together, and swung them at Dark Kat, knocking him head over heels. "YOU’RE NOT!!!" I won’t let it happen again. Suddenly, Dark Kat’s legs shot out and wrapped themselves around T Bone’s waist. Then, he slammed T Bone’s head into the ground. Making a rather loud crunching sound. Then he threw T Bone into a pile of crates. I can’t let it happen again! Dark Kat watched as T Bone crawled out of the wooden creates "I’m going to kill you for real this time SWAT Kat." He said. He smiled, as he watched T Bone stumble towards him. He’s beautiful. Dark Kat rushed at T Bone, and brandished his claws. T Bone took a swing at him, and missed. Then, Dark Kat grabbed him around the arm, and the back, and dragged his claws along him, tearing the back of his flight suit, and three long scratch marks up his arm. He’s strong. T Bone cried out in pain, and kicked out with his right leg, sending Dark Kat sprawling into a pile of creates. Dark Kat whipped the small trickle of blood of the side of his mouth, and smiled. He’s mine. T Bone raised his gloveatrix at Dark Kat. But Dark Kat leapt at him with lighting speed, and ripped the gloveatrix right of his paw. "No weapons!" Dark Kat shouted, as he slammed T Bone’s head into the wall. "Just fists." Then slugged T Bone in the face again, sending him sprawling. T Bone got up, blood forming in his mouth, and growling. Yes. T Bone rushed head long at Dark Kat. His claws were out, and he was screaming for blood. Yes. Release you’re primal side. Show it to me. T Bone leapt at Dark Kat, and body slamming him to the ground. Do not hide back. Do not worry about you’re temper. Just --- T Bone picked Dark Kat up, and held him above his head. He let lose a savage scream, before throwing Dark Kat into a wall. --- LET IT GO!!!! "DARK KAT!!!!" T Bone screamed, as he leapt over to him. He landed just in front of Dark Kat, and grabbed him by the collar. "YOU!!!" He then began to land blows to his face. Savage...... "VIPER!!!!" Brutal.... "ALL THE REST OF THEM!!!!" Unforgiving.... "WHY WON’T YOU STAY DEAD???!!!!!" ....Just like me. "WHY???!!!" KRACK!! "WON’T??!!!" SPAKK!! "YOU??!!!!" WHACK!!! "STAY???!!!" THACK!!! "DEAD???!!!" THOMM!!!! T Bone stopped beating Dark Kat, to realize that if he kept it up, he’d kill him. He dropped the bleeding Dark Kat, and looked at his own paws, covered in Dark Kat’s blood. "What am ---- I doing?" He said. "Letting my ---- emotions get to me ---- just like psycho lady ----" He hesitates..... "I won’t become ----like you --- Dark Kat." T bone said. " Do you ---- hear me? I ---- WONT!!!" ...bad mistake. "No killer eh SWAT Kat?" Dark Kat said. He then grabbed T Bone by the head, and kneed him in the face. Very big mistake. "What a pity." Then he landed a decent blow to the chin, knocking T Bone over to the ground. He lay there, gasping in short breaths. "The potion should have totally saturated your blood stream by now. You’re helpless before me -- just as you were that night nearly three weeks ago." It is time. Dark Kat pulled out a grenade, and held it in front of T Bones face. Time to let him know. "But before I kill you, I believe an introduction is in order." T Bone looked up at him. "My name is Alexander Darkson. Son of Robert Dark, a.k.a. Dark Kat. Last , and only, surviving child of my father." Son? Dark Kat had a son?! "My Father tried to kill you before, by blowing you up." He fingered the release pin. "I intend to do the same." And to show him.... "But unlike my hapless father ---" ...The true meaning of fear! He tossed the grenade away. Then he pulled out of his coat, a weapon that looked allot like Dark Kat’s lighting gun, which he last used before he died. "---I don’t like to end you’re care with a bang!" He then pulled the trigger. FZZZ - ACKK!!! "NO!!" T Bone cried out, as he leapt out of the way, just in time, as the crackle of energy sizzled past him, and exploded the create behind him. However, he was a little slow. The blast had singed his arm. Head feels like it’s gonna blow apart... Muscles are like lead! Everything I’m looking at, is totally twisted...Distorted! But I can’t let that maniac get off another shot! T Bone then used his good arm to propel him towards Dark Kat. Then grabbing him by the coat, sent him slamming into a wall behind him. And --- I --- wont!! T Bone raised his fist to strike Dark Kat, only to stop when he saw that the villain was smiling. "What are --- you smiling --- about?" T Bone demanded. "I am pleased SWAT Kat." Dark Kat said. "You are everything I thought you would be!" He then gently pushed T Bone off him. T Bone fell back and hit the floor. But not even you, can fight off the effects of my potions. He stood, towering over T Bone, who lay on the ground, slowly losing conscious. "It’s time I think we had a lengthy talk. There is much we must discuss. Must I must learn --- that only you can tell me." He watched as T Bone’s eye lids slowly closed. "About my father." CHAPTER : 4 T Bone slowly came too. Okay, I’m not dead. I don’t think my stomach would be heaving quite so much if I was dead. Still groggy. If I could just get the room to stop spinning I’d ---- T Bone suddenly notes the bandage on his arm. Hey... My arm’s bandaged. Someone’s treated my wound. But who? And where’s---- "You’re probably feeling quite nauseated at the moment." T Bone turned to the direction of the voice. Well, we’re not in the warehouse anymore, that’s for sure. This looks like a mansion you’d find on the East side. He looked around some more. Hey, this is Robert Darkson’s mansion. Where he lived, until later he was found out to be none other than the notorious --- "DARK KAT?!!" T Bone cried out, as he saw him, standing by the fire place. "Nauseated and disoriented : Two unfortunate aftereffects of the potion." He was pouring some sort of liquid into a cup. "But I’ve taken the liberty of mixing up a little jungle concoction that should quickly wash the toxins from you’re system and restore your energy." But I don’t get it. If this guy really is Robert Darkson’s son --- why on earth is he playing happy host --- after he’s just tried to kill me? Dark Kat approached T Bone, and handed him the cup. "Drink." He said. "From what I know of you, you have always been able to judge when situations are dangerous, and I take it you’ve been sensing nothing from this place the moment you entered." T Bone shock his head. "You should know that I could easily kill you, and I have fixed you up." T Bone hesitated, and then drank up. He’s right, I don’t feel any bad vibes from him, now. But the potion didn’t deaden it in any way. I get a small feeling from the cup, but I suggest I can trust him. He finished the drink, and whipped his mouth. For now. Not a bad taste. Tastes kinda like some of those herb teas Jake’s’ always trying to get me to drink. He blinked a few times. I can feel my head clearing up already. "So what’s the deal here Alex?" T Bone demanded, placing the cup on a nearby table. "If you don’t really wanna kill me -- what do you want?" Alex let his head drop as he turned to face a picture of his father. Dark Kat. "I want --- to understand." He said. He then looked up at the picture of Dark Kat. "I was born, in the heart of the African jungle.... twenty-one years ago. Born --- and raised there." He then turned to face T Bone. "Unlike my father -- I never knew life in so-called civilization. Oh, my father provided me with tutors. I was taught about history, poetry, philosophy, and art." His head dropped again. "But these were all abstractions. Words and pictures in books. Distant echoes from the world of Kat. The only reality I knew --- was the reality ---" He suddenly growled, and bearded his teeth, snarling, and then, gave a mighty roar. "---Of the beast." Look at him! Not a vestige of feline.... of kat intelligence.... in those eyes! It’s as if, in one seconds time..... Alex then jumped onto a table top. ....He’s literally become an animal! Alex threw back his head, and let lose an unearthly roar. So first he shoots me, then he helps me --- and now what? Alex calmed down, and let out a soft growl. "What’s it gonna be junior?" T Bone asked. "We here to talk or are you gonna try ‘n’ eat me for dinner?" Alex just crouched there, staring at T Bone. Then he jumped off the table, and returned to his more civilized state. "I have on occasion, eaten feline flesh, SWAT Kat, and have savored it. But that --- was a matter of survival." He then sat down in an arm chair, next to T Bones. "I simply wanted you to see my true face. To understand who I am.... and the life I have lived." He shock his head. "All these lonely years." T Bone scratched his head. "Well....Ah.... To be honest --- I don’t really understand anything yet." Dark Kat smiled at him. "Permit me to explain. Robert appeared only periodically in my life. But her was never there long enough for me to actually know him. He remained mysterious. Aloof." He placed his head, in his paws. "My kat contacts were limited to my servile tutors and the primitive tribesmen I sometimes lived with. But my only true friends -- were the beasts themselves. I found freedom... contentment.... among the creatures of the wild. But as I grew older, my curiosity about the outside world, about my heritage --- grew." He sighed heavily. "The reason I attacked you tonight was not to take revenge upon you. Not to hurt you. No! I needed to taste your presence and power. To enter your very consciousness. You see, I need to know him, SWAT Kat -- in the way that you did. I wanted to see him through your eyes." He turned to face T Bone. "You were his greatest foe.... his greatest obsession! That obsession drove him to his own destruction, where he took his own life, trying to take you down." "Believe me -- if there’d been anything I could have done to prevent it ---" Dark Kat held up his paw. "And I do believe you." He said. He got up, and walked over to a small coffee table, and picked up a small brown book. "I have my fathers diaries --- and they make it painfully clear that, as the years passed, Robert grew more and more unstable." He held the diary closer to his face. "The madness that claimed Robert Darkson, also claimed Dark Kat. But even in these diaries ---" He then tossed the book away, letting it fall on the floor, pages fluttering in the wind. "---ARE ONLY WORDS ON A PAGE!!!!" He shouted. He then turned to T Bone once more. "You, of all who live, can bring these words to life for me." He walked over to T Bone. "I beg you --- please --- tell me what you KNOW!!" T Bone just stared back at him. I don’t know why.... But I trust him. I think he’s telling the truth. But how can I ever express in words... What that monster did to me. No other enemy.... except for Viper.... Ever hurt me the way Dark Kat did. How do I explain? I don’t know. But for Alex’s sake --- and maybe mine... I’VE GOT TO TRY!!! Slowly, T Bone got up, and looked at the picture of Dark Kat on the wall. "In the early days, I kinda admired him. He was huge, powerful, and mysterious. Here was this kat, who was all powerful, who seemed able to pull entire armies out of nowhere, and bring all sorts of destruction to the city. At some times, he even frightened me. I even began to think he was invincible." He then cocked his head to the side. "But after our fist couple of encounters, Dark Kat lost his novelty. Truth is -- he became kind of joke to me. He’d come after my partner and I with all sorts of master plans, and weapons... And Razor and I would just trounce him and send him off to jail." T Bone then turned to face Alex. "But then --- something happened to him. He changed. The last time we battle, I could see that Obsession you were talking about. Only someone, as obsessed as Dark Kat could have done what he did. He was so desperate to kill us, that he blew everyone up, to try and kill us. Us, the SWAT Kats. Just two kats." T Bone then turned back to the picture of Dark Kat. "I remember the first time I fought him as a SWAT Kat, he’d caused me so much pain before, when that time we meet, I wanted to take him apart. Make him pay for everything he’d done to me. But I soon realized that I was a good guy, and if I did kill him, buy my own paws --- I’d be no better than he was." He turned face Alex once more. "That hatred of you’re father stayed with me for all those years I fought him. I must confess, that there were times when I was tempted to just kill him, there and then, to prevent him from ever coming back to cause more trouble---" He gritted his teeth. "---And pain." He continued his story. "During our final battle, I was with two innocent bystanders, who didn’t deserve to be caught up in this mess. When Dark Kat activated the bomb, it came down to a choice between vengeance --- and duty. Duty won." He turned away from Alex. "And I left him there and --- and he took his own life." He shrugged. "I never let your fathers death haunt me. In fact, I was sort of pleased, that he was finally gone. That there would be no more master schemes, no more framing, no more suffering, and no more pain." Suddenly, Dark Kat looked up. "What’s wrong?" T Bone asked. Dark Kat’s face turned into a snarl. "I feel danger, nearby." he said. "We must seek safer ground before ---" Just then, the window at the far end of the room, was suddenly blown open, and kats in black ninja suits poured into the room. "We’ve got company." T Bone said, strapping on his glovatrix. "I know these kats." Dark Kat said. "They once served my father." "Indeed!" A female voice said. "But now they serve me!" T Bone turned to see the Psycho She-kat. "Not you again." T Bone said, as he fired two bola missiles at the ninja kats, wrapping four of them up. "Alex!" The Witch cried out. "It’s bad enough the way you mocked me before --- but to conspire with your father’s greatest enemy!" She pointed a long finger at T Bone. "The kat responsible for his death! For this --- you shall both pay. DEARLY!!" "Have to catch us first." T Bone said. He and Dark Kat leapt at the ninja kats, landing blows, and knocking them over. "To me, my creeplings!" Dark Kat cried out, as the seven creeplings flew into the room, and began to aid their master. Clawing, biting, and scratching at the ninja’s. However, due to their size, and the fact that some of the ninja’s had sharp swords, they didn’t last long. They where sliced in half, and thrown away before they could do much harm. Dark Kat seemed to be doing well, tearing into the ninja with all his power, slamming heads together, some he tossed into the path of throwing knives, and others snapped their necks when he got the chance. T Bone was less violent, just landing blows to the face, knocking them out, and tossing some over his shoulder into others. "They’re all gone." Dark Kat growled, as he turned to face the Witch. "All you’re men are gone. You are next!" He reached out with his claws, and rushed at the Witch. "DIE!!!" "Not today." She then raised her paw, and threw a paw full of dust at Dark Kat, which hit him square in the face. Dark Kat fell to the ground, grabbing his head. he was experiencing what T Bone had felt, when he first meet her. She then reached down and lifted Dark Kat up by his collar, and held the hunting knife next to his neck. "One step, SWAT Kat, and the death of another Darkson will be on your head." T Bone growled at her. "Surrender. NOW!!!" "Doesn’t look like I have much of a choice." T Bone said, raising his paws into the air. She smiled, as she threw another pawful of dust into T Bone’s face. "At last!" She cried out. "You are mine!" T Bone slowly began to lose conscious. Not again. "Enjoy you’re peaceful sleep while you can SWAT Kat." She said, as the ninja’s picked the two bodies up. "For when you wake, It’ll be you’re worst nightmare." Two hours later...... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Drums --- coming from nowhere --- and everywhere. This is all to formula. T Bone opened his eyes. He wasn’t tied up, but he was in a cage. It’s a struggle just to keep my thoughts from falling apart! What did that she-kat hit me with this time? What powder did she use. On me. On us? DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM He looked over to his right, and saw Dark Kat in another cage. Feel panicked --- so afraid --- as if every fear I’ve ever known has come crawling up out of my unconscious. And let lose in my brain. He looked at the bars, and reached out to touch them. Can’t believe that I let them throw me into this cage like some sort of animal. And transport me to this grave yard. Where that she-kat nearly sent me. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM "Ah, young Darkson." The Witch said, as she walked over to his cage. "It breaks my hart to do this." She walked around his cage. "I never loved a man with depth, the passion --- that I loved your father. Dark Kat looks as bad as I feel. He’s cowering there, like a whipped animal. "As the son of my beloved Robert, I would have been your friend, your family, your partner ---" She bent down to face him. "I would have given you anything!" She straightened herself. "But you mocked me, turned your back on your heritage --- made a pact with the devil himself!" Her eyes began to glow bright red. "That --- I can, and will never, forgive." She then turned to face T Bone. "And you SWAT Kat. Are everything I loathe! You destroyed the bravest, most honorable kat that ever lived! You destroyed my heart! And now, I shall destroy you----" Her face twisted into a savage snarl. "---Once and for ALL!" DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Can’t bear to look in her eyes. She --- scares me so! T Bone cowered in his cell. Oh God -- don’t let her hurt me! Please --- don’t let her hurt me! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM The drums grew louder, as the kats nearby began to beat loudly on the drums. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM "And now --- the dance." The Witch began to dance. A strange, exotic dance. However, it was not pleasing in any way. It was calling on power. The power of Voodoo. The power of the Unholy ones. The demons. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM "The dust!" She then threw pawfulls of dust over T Bone and Dark Kat. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Lungs are burning! Every nerve ending, on fire! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM She’s doing it too me again. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM "Now, the naked fear that I implanted in you’re souls is washed away!" She cried out. "Replaced by rage and loathing and blind cruelty!" DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Never felt so --- out of control! So filled with HATE! So hungry for...... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM ....BLOOD!!!!! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM The witch now chants. Chants from some long forgotten, and forbidden book. Hidden away from eyes, but found by the witch. She now calls forth all the powers of Voodoo, as her dance keeps her two victims both under her control, and under control of the demons. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Her hair whips around, as she dance in the rain. The rain splashes down around her, but she ignores it, dancing like wildfire, her feet, moving to the evil rhythm of the drums. Her tail lashing like a whip. Her arms are placed into all sorts of strange positions as she summons the creatures of the Under World. Yomie. The Land of the Gloom. Hell. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Her mind is elsewhere, as her body jerks with every motion of the dance. Her thoughts, are one with her mindless victims. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Here me, my pets. Here my thoughts. They control you. They are all you here. They are all you live for. They are all that exist. You here my thoughts, and no other. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Let lose your deep, inner demons. Let them take control, let them out! Let them tell you what to do. Let them control you’re every movement. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM kill. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Listen to them. And follow them. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Kill. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Obey them. For they are true meaning. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM KILL. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Now! Let lose you’re primal rage. Let lose the demons. And follow their urges. KILL!!!! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM I HAVE TO KILL!!!!!! CHAPTER : 5 Megakat City Cemetery : Midnight..... T Bone and Dark are out of their cages, and now stand, facing each other, growling like savage beasts. Foaming at the mouth, and brandishing claws. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM The rhythm of the unholy drums, is all they here. Lighting strikes, and thunder roars. The rain pelts down, almost like a weight of it’s own. Yet they feel nothing. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM All they do feel, is..... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM HATRED!!!! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM The drums! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM They’re talking to me. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Telling me that Alexander Darkson, the son of Robert Darkson.... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM ....must die! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM And I’m going to enjoy it. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM T Bone leapt at Dark kat, tackling him to the ground. Dark Kat roared at him, but T Bone just kicked him off. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM He then grabbed a near by rock, and raised it above his head...... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Before smashing it into Dark Kat’s face. sending blood flying. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Die! He has to Die! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM And I’m going to kill him!. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM "Very good SWAT Kat!" Dark Kat cried out, as he grabbed T Bone. "But not good enough. You may have drawn first blood. But I will finish, what you started." He grabbed T Bone and began to choke him. Crushing his windpipe. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM "It’s time, for you to go where my father went. Time to follow him ---" DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM "---STRAIGHT TO HADES!!!!" DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM I know ---- I know that it’s not right! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM I know --- that it goes against everything I believe.... Everything I stand for ---- DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM But she’s enchantment --- It’s too powerful! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM I can’t resist it --- and neither can Alex. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM We began this night as enemies --- and then found common ground..... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM ....But now it looks like we’re going to end it as each other’s executioner! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Dark Kat raised his right paw, and brought out his claws. Ready to strike the final blow into T Bone’s throat. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Suddenly, T Bone mustered up all his strength, and slammed Dark Kat in the gut. Then in the face, sending him sprawling. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM And so Help me God.... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM .....I’m going to LOVE it! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Now I understand. I understand what Viper was feeling, when he was under control of the Witch. The lust. The need. The want, to kill. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM To satisfy the demons who demand it. And to satisfy mine.... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM ....I MUST KILL DARK KAT!!!! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM All my life. I’ve wanted to kill him. But he cheated me my vengeance! He killed himself. Now. Now he has a son. Who wants to pick up where his dear dead daddy left off. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM He’ll do just fine. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM T Bone fired a bola missile at Dark Kat, tying him up. Dark Kat growled, and hissed, as he tried to free himself. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM T Bone then attacked a nearby ninja, and stole his spear. He then turned around to face Dark Kat. His eyes, wide, and white. Filled with nothing but RAGE!!!! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM Something tells me that this, all of this, is wrong. But the drums say other wise. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM They tell me that morality is a great big lie. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM That I’m a fool for trying to be a kat. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM When in the end, what I truly am..... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM ...IS A MURDERING SAVAGE!!!! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM T Bone ran for Dark Kat, and raised the spear. Ready to throw it. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM But the truth is.... DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM T Bone then suddenly, turned around, and threw the spear right at the witch. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM ....I’m a hero. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM The spear landed in her right shoulder with a sickening crunch. DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DO** The drums are silent. The spell is broken. And the demons..... Dark Kat suddenly snapped back to reality. He shock his head, and blinked a few times. .....Are gone! "Here, junior" T Bone said, ripping the Bola missile off Dark Kat. "Let me unwrap you!" Dark Kat gave him a smile. "I am impressed, SWAT Kat." Dark Kat said. "With the will power it took for you to overthrow her influence!" He ripped the rest of the ropes off himself. "I too have struggled against her -- but I fear in the end, she would have had me -- for the ways of the beast run too deep in my soul." "I don’t know Alex!" T Bone said, as they both ran for the Witch. "I’d like to think that if push came to shove --- you would have done the same for me." The witch ripped the spear out of her arm, making a squelching sound. "KILL THEM!!!" She screamed. The ninja’s by the drums suddenly grabbed weapons, and leapt up from their sitting positions, and rushed the two. "Y’know, I may be feeling more like myself." T Bone said. "But I’ve still got an excess of violent urges left over from psycho ladies whammy!" Dark Kat smiled at him. "As do I." He said. "Whaddaya say we exorcise em?" T Bone said, as he leapt at some of the ninja’s. The witch watched with anger, as T Bone and Dark Kat began to easily disperse her men. Suddenly, she herd a growl behind her. Turning around, she saw a wounded creepling. It had a deep gash on its wing, and it looked pissed. "What the --?!" It leapt at her, clawing and snarling. It’s jaws opened wide, and closed around her neck. T Bone turned in her direction. "DARK KAT!!" T Bone cried out. "Do something, it’s gonna kill her!!" "BACK!!" Dark Kat yelled to the creepling. "I command you." The creepling slowly got off her, and crawled over to Dark Kat, as if looking for some sort of comfort. Dark Kat stroked the poor creature, then put it on his shoulder, before walking over to the Witch. "What do you want?" She demanded. "Woman ---" He said, sticking out his paw. "---Give me your paw!" She just looked at him. "The time has come to lay the enmities of the past to rest." She looked at him, for a few seconds, then accepted it. "Yes---" She said. "You may be right." "You really loved my father, didn’t you?" Dark Kat said. "What do you think?" The Witch said. Dark Kat rubbed his chin. " Perhaps I should have some to you first --- in my quest to learn the truth about him --- and about my heritage." The Witch turned to face T Bone. "Why didn’t you." She hissed. "Why did you got to ---HIM, instead?" Dark Kat sighed. "I suppose I was --- jealous. Robert Darkson loved you. He shared his life with you. Gave you the very things he always denied me." He raised his eyes to look straight into the Witches eyes. "So I convinced myself that you were worthless. Unnecessary. I was wrong. And so -- I ask for your forgiveness." The witch just looked him in the eye. "There is much we must talk about. Much I can tell you about your father." She then turned to face T Bone again. "But this monster! --- This SWAT Kat---!" Dark Kat interrupted. "You are as wrong about him as I was about you." He said. "He did not kill Robert. The madness that is the legacy of my family is what destroyed Dark Kat." He sighed. "Just as it destroyed my great grandparents." He raised his face once more. "I intend to be different. I will not becalmed by the madness that was an unluckily inheritance into my family. I WILL BE DIFFERENT!!!" The Witch then turned to face T Bone, this time, to talk to him. "I will accept your interceptions of events, young Darkson. For now." She then reached for her belt, and tossed T Bone a small bag of powder. "This should cure you’re partner’s illness. Stir it in warm water, and make sure he drinks it all." T Bone looked at the small pouch. "Alex." T Bone said. "Are you sure we can trust her?" Dark Kat reached out and shock T Bones paw. "Why not." He said. "My father did." And with that, the ninja’s, the Witch, and Dark Kat, all disappeared into the stormy night. T Bone was left alone, in the grave yard, with his thoughts. Despite the fact that she tried to kill me.... She’s not wanted for any crimes. It’s not like I can just drag her into Enforcer Head Quarters and have them book her for practicing Voodoo without a license. And I have no proof of her trying to kill me. He rubbed his arm. Except these scars. So I guess I’ll just leave this to Alex and hope that --- T Bone then spotted something. Wow. I don’t believe it. T Bone was looking at a grave stone belonging to Dark Kat. The original. The first. This tomb stone. It’s like a symbol of all the hate and lunacy that turned the Darkson family against me. Well, maybe tonight.... Their obsession with The SWAT Kats, has finally been laid to rest, once and for all. It was then, that T Bone felt the rain. So heavy, so sweet. So --- beautiful. He then checked his watch. It was nearly two in the morning. Time to go home. Another day, another battle. Another victory, for the SWAT Kats. T Bone will head home. It’s time he forgot about heirs, and voodoo priestess, and ninja kats. Time he forgot about the nightmare he’s just lived tonight, and the one he lived nearly three weeks ago. Not wishing to chance it, T Bone raids a local Life Line bin, for a trench coat, and puts it on. Checking he has enough money in his wallet, he removes his mask, and helmet, and hides them under the trench coat, and hails a taxi ride home. He has a friend to save. Later...... The nights rain has ended. Dawn washes over Darkson Manor in luminous reds and gold’s, and a cold peace settles over this century - old estate that my father so loved. The peace --- of the grave. Inside, the study is littered with the dead bodies of the ninja kats. Their blood stains the carpet. The blood, and bodies, led out to the stairs. The trail of blood Leads up the stairs, into a bed room. The bed room of the late Robert Darkson. Inside. Alex stands over the dead body of the witch. His body fur is stained with blood. Beside him, the wounded creeplings are all screeching in triumph. I am Darkson. I am Dark Kat. Dark Kat tilted back his head, and let lose an unholy roar. The madness that costumed my family is a curse. A curse that has passed over to me. When I fought the SWAT Kat, I was filled with a joy. A joy never felt before. The joy of madness. I now understand what my father felt when he hunted the SWAT Kats. He finished his roar, and looked at a picture of the SWAT Kats. And I shall continue that hunt --- to the DEATH!!! He smiled, as he picked up the picture. The only way to really, understand my father, is to become him. To hunt the way he hunted. To kill the way he killed. No SWAT Kat. You have more important things to worry about. Dark Kat has returned. And the slaughter..... He then smiled, down at the dead body of the witch before him. ....HAS JUST BEGUN!!!!! T Bone! T Bone, Burning bright. In the Forests of the night. What immortal paw or eye, could frame thy fearful Symmetry? END.