CLAWS OF THE MAREKAT part 1. by KS Claw Well. Look here! I have not written one, but almost three SK-fanficīs. Impressive or what? (to think Iīm just a new beginner!) Anyway, this story is supposed to happen about three years after Dr. Viper has mutated. And itīs about five months before he meets Cobra, so sheīs not in it. And AGAIN! Itīs about two months after "Katastrophe," so Darkcrud is still out for revenge. And, what's a MareKat? Just some evil creature that is the worst thing in your nightmares. If anyone knows the comic "Darkness" or the Spiderman story "The Tarantula" you can say it is a little mixup. Enjoy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER 1: SEARCHED..... MEGAKAT CITYīS SUBWAY. 2:00 A.M The train stopped with whining brakes. A few kats stepped off it and headed for a hotel or to call a taxi. Two kats, a male and a pregnant female ran as fast as they could up the stairs of the sub-way. The male, a bit younger than the female, reached up a paw and a taxi stopped by the pair. They talked quickly and the female sat in the taxi. She rolled down the window and said quickly, "Are you sure you will be able to find him?" The young tom-kat nodded. "Iīm sure. Just trust me, Samantha. I know where to look." Samantha nodded and said something to the chauffeur. Then, she said to her younger brother, "Good. We will meet at the Goldstar hotel. Be careful, John." "I will," replied John, and he watched as the taxi drove off. Then, he started to ran down a street which lead to the MegaKat Biochemical lab. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "WHAT! You wake me at two oīclock in the morning to ask about Elrod Purvis!?" shouted Dr. Johnson, the newly chosen headmaster of MKC biolab. The young tom-kat nodded. His coat dripping with water from the rain outside. "Exactly. I need to find him quickly! Itīs a emergency. Do you know where he lives?" Dr. Johnson shook his head. "Elrod Purvis died two years ago. In a laboratory accident. You might as well look at the graveyard. Good night." But, the young tom-kat was not going to go. He grabbed Dr. Johnson by the collar and stared into his eyes. For a second Johnson thought he could see the kat's eyes glow with a silvery light. But, that couldnīt be possible. "You're lying!" the tom-kat sneered. "Now, tell me where I can find Elrod Purvis or they will have to find a new headmaster by dawn." "You dare threaten me?" growled Johnson. "No," replied the tom-kat."I only ask for help." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The old tom-kat was awakened by a strange noise. It sounded as if one of his swamp-boats had been switched on! He jumped out of bed and hurried out of the door. He just got out in time to see the swamp-boat disappear in the heavy fog. A note was attached to a plank with a few dollars saying: "Iīm just gonna borrow it for a while. You will get it back, I promise. But right now, itīs an emergency." The old tom-kat took the money and read the note again. Then, he put the money in his pocket mumbling, "As long as he pays, then itīs OK." And then, went back to his bed to sleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Purvis sped through the swamp in the swamp-boat. He had been looking for about an hour. "It just HAS to be here! Can that idiot that calls himself a doctor have lied to me? Of course not. I would have sensed that. But then, where is it!?" he growled as he tried to see through the heavy fog. Then, he saw it. Stretching towards the night-sky stood a huge tree. Tall as a building, though easy to overlook, Dr. Johnson had said. A ladder hang down from a wide branch, easy to climb up. John steered the swamp-boat near the ladder, switched off the engine, and climbed up. The steps were slippery with mud and algae, and it was a bit difficult to climb, but he managed not to fall in the swamp. He saw a door, just wide enough for a full-grown kat to slip through. "So it is true," thought the young tom-kat. "He lives like other reptiles." He checked the door. It wasnīt locked. Apparently, Dr. Viper didn't expect any visitors. He stepped into a huge "chamber." Bottles and tubes were bubbling with mystical liquids in strange colors on a table nearby. Algae-like substances hung down from the loft in unison with a strange wheel where two dead swamp alligators were hanging. "Like taken straight out of a Frankenstein movie," thought John. Suddenly, something touched his tail. John gasped and spun around. A terrible mistake. A huge deformed fungus stood in front of him with long green, slimy tentacles. It roared and lunged out and grabbed John around the wrist, pulling him towards its slimy body as if it would try and give him a hug. But, John knew too well that wasnīt its purpose. It was trying to strangle him. But, he would not let himself get caught so easy. He lunged out, grabbed one of the bottles from the table, and threw it at the fungus. It immediately exploded with a loud bang. **************** If there was one thing Viper hated more than being defeated by the SWAT KATS, it was to be disturbed when he slept. That was why he had posted his mutated fungus at the entrance to his cave. He was awakened by a loud bang. He growled and sat up in the bed and yawned. "What now?" he thought, annoyed. "Canīt even a villain have a good night's sssleep?" he asked himself as he stepped out of bed and dressed himself in his labcoat. He walked in and saw his mutated fungus splattered all over his lab. "What hassss happened here?" said Viper, terrified. "You have always had the ability to make a surprise attack, Elrod." "WHAT!" Viper spun around in shock and saw who the intruder was. "Nice to see you again, my dear brother," grinned his little brother John Purvis.. CHAPTER 2: .....AND FOUND Viper narrowed his eyes. "What are YOU doing here?" he hissed. "Now, I see why you donīt have a lock on your door. With a guard dog like that..." mumbled John and rubbed his neck at the place where the fungus had had one of its tentacles quite tight. He looked around. "Nice place you got. Whoīs your decorator?" Viper crossed his arms impatiently. "That doessss not anssswer the quessstion," he growled. "Never been the one for a nice little chitchat, Elrod. I see Dr. Johnson was right about you," said John and sighed. "Well, anyway. To tell you the truth, I need help. Or to be more correct - our dear sister needs it." "I can guessss that you arenīt here to invite me to a family reunion," said Viper. John replied by rolling his eyes. "Listen. I REALLY need help. Samanthaīs with a kitten. And, thatīs a MAJOR problem." Viper stared coldly on him. "Ssso?" He turned his back against his brother. "And, why isssss that sssuch a problem?" "Because we are being hunted by a psycho MareKat!" said John. "You know, the creatures Mom always warned us about?" Viper rolled his eyes. "Thereīssss no sssuch thing asss a "MareKat". They only exissst in ssstoriesss made to ssscare kittenssss." He twisted his mouth. "And, I can sssstill tasssste that horrible garlic-ssstew that Jodie forccced usss to eat!" He had never accepted calling his father's second wife "Mom." It would be like sacrilege to his real mother's grave. "No, that was against vampires," mumbled John. "She made us wear silver-crosses and have a Bible in our schoolbags." "Oh PLEASSSSE, donīt mention it!" said Viper. "Iīm sssstill embarressssed over the way you shouted out about our, "Ssssecret weapon" againssst "MareKatsssss" when the teacher told ussss about them!" "Give me a break - I WAS only six years old!" said John. "But, that makesss you sssstill a blabbermouth," replied Viper. He turned around to face the younger tom-kat. "And, bessssidesss," he said, "If you are in sssuch big trouble, why donīt you go sssummon the crysssstal-wolvessss? They ssshould alssso "exisssst," and should, according to the myth, know how to defeat a "MareKat." (A.N: A "crystal-wolf" makes sure you get good dreams or wake up from a nightmare.) "We tried," said John. "We got help from a priest and got one of them summoned. We asked her about what to do." "And what did sssshe tell you?" asked Viper. John narrowed his eyes. "She told us just to hand the kitten to the MareKat when it was born. So much for THAT help." He shook his head and then said to Viper, "Weīre staying at the "Goldstar Hotel." If you come, we can tell you a bit more about it all. We REALLY need help, I tell ya." Viper looked thoughtful. "Let me get sssome ssleep and Iīll think about it. I wassss up all night yessterday." John grinned. "I knew we could count on ya." Viper shook his head. "I didnīt sssay I wasss going to help. I ssaid I would think about it. Now get out of here. You're lucky I havenīt already told my plantimalsss to tear you apart." John grinned and slipped out of the door as he said, "Thanks anyway. We can meet at 8 oīclock tonight. Weīre staying in room 609." Viper sighed and headed back for the bedroom. There was a lot to think about now. But, right now, he REALLY had to get some sleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MKC "GOLDSTAR HOTEL" 4:00 a.m Samantha walked back and forth in the hotel room, chewing heavily on a chicken wing. "God, I hate these cravings," she mumbled and threw the wing bone in the trashcan. She sighed and let her paw slip over her belly. "And to think what is causing me all this trouble. A simple little kitten whoīs not even born yet." She sighed again. "Where is he?" A knock on the door answered her question. She quickly stepped over and asked, "Who is it?" "Itīs me." "Me who?" "Cut the crap, Samantha, and open up!" Samantha sighed in relief and unlocked the door. John stepped in and locked the door behind him. Samantha wrinkled her nose. "You smell like a swamp!" John just nodded. "I know. I have something to tell ya, sis." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ When John had told her about their brother, Samantha just sat and stared into thin air. Then, she said slowly, "You're kidding, right?" John shook his head. "No. Itīs true. Elrod has turned into a strange snake... lizard... kat... thingie. But, I doubt heīs ALL evil. When he told me, I should go away, he also told me I was lucky he hadnīt told his plantimals (whatever those are) to tear me apart. Dr. Johnson said that his mind was sharpened by the chemical "Viper Mutagen 368". It was supposed to turn him into some kind of psycho. But, I doubt it." Samantha nodded. "Iīm surprised he d...didnīt kill you," she said as she tried to stifle a yawn. John laid a paw on her shoulder. "Try and get some sleep. Iīm gonna go to the library. I saw one on the way to the biolab. It may give us answers to some questions." Samantha nodded and yawned again. "Just be careful." John hugged her gently. "I will." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE REALM OF NIGHTMARES. (No time needed. Seems endless at this place) Syphon the MareKat, a bloodthirsty killer. No better assassin could you get for any price. Except for the fullmoon samurai, but that belonged to another time. (Look at me! Wasting time with worthless chitchat. Letīs get on with the story!) Syphon stood and stared into a strange, magical pool with the same color as his fur. A face could be seen in the pool, though it didnīt belong to himself. It belonged to his master. A dark-cloaked mage, as old as time, some said even older then the Pastmaster himself, though he looked like a fullgrown kat in the middle of its 20īs. His eyes were filled with a hexing red glow and his fur a deep golden color. The name of this mage had been unknown for 800 years. Now, he was simply known as The Master of Past and Present. His voice was soft and gentle like silk, with a sharp essence of evil. Right now, he was talking about Syphon's assignment: "You havenīt eliminated the she-kat yet, Syphon?!" The bloodred MareKat shook his head, so the white forelock that covered his left eye swept from side to side. "No master. But, I intend to do it soon enough. I have a plan." The mage listened as Syphon told about his plan, and smiled cruelly when the MareKat was done. "A good plan. But, do not dare to fail me. Or you will know your punishment!" Syphon narrowed his single eye and bowed his head. "Yes, my master." The face in the pool disappeared. Syphon felt a paw on his shoulder and turned around. It was a female MareKat named Milai. She looked at him with her silver-like eyes with a questioning look. "Youīve been talking with our master again?" she asked and let a paw glide gently over Syphon's forelock. He nodded and held her paw. "Yes, indeed, my dear mate. Soon, we will have the kitten and we will raise him to be like us. And, when the right time has approached..." He kissed her gently and passionately. She returned the kiss and hugged him tightly, purring softly. "And then, we won't be the only MareKats left, will we?" she asked quietly. Syphon shook his head. "Oh no, my beloved. Our race will be reborn and once again terrorize katkind." They both laughed. "Now I must go," said Syphon. "As soon as my plan is set into action, I will return." And then, he disappeared in a thick red cloud of smoke. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE DARKKAT LAIR. 6:00 a.m Darkkat did not like to be disturbed while he was having breakfast ("Early up and early go. That will keep a villain all through" was his motto). And, especially not while he was planning different stuff. Including revenge over that damned snake-kat Dr. Viper. (A.N: Again, this is a little while after "Katastrophe.") So, it was with great surprise that Syphon suddenly stood in front of him. Darkkat jumped up and called for his creeplings. The little dragon-like creatures came running to their master's aid, but ran into some sort of invisible wall. "Who are you?" sneered Darkkat. The kat in front of him walked up to him and stared calmly at him. He was a very big kat. He was one head taller than Darkkat. A height that could make Darkkat a bit nervous. (Who wouldnīt be when you must lay your head back to look up on him?) "I am Syphon," said the kat. "And, you must be Darkkat?" Darkkat narrowed his eyes. "What if I am?" Syphon gritted his razorsharp teeth in a scary grin. "Then, I want you to do something for me. And, in return, you will be able to get revenge over a certain Dr. Viper. I donīt believe that you let a betrayer get away?" Darkkat narrowed his eyes even more. "Iīm listening," he said. Syphonīs grin, grew wider. "Excellent. In the place you call MegaKat City is a place called "Goldstar Hotel." Dr. Viper is going to show up there at eight o`clock tonight to have a meeting with someone in room 609. He is going to meet with a young tom-kat and a pregnant she-kat. You are free to kill both Viper and the tom-kat, but do not DARE to touch the she-kat! If you harm her, I will rip you apart and spread whatīs left of you over the earth." "Threatening is no use against me," said Darkkat. "What will I get if I do not harm the she-kat?" Syphon narrowed his single eye and replied, "Revenge, and a big reward from my master." Darkkat narrowed his eyes so they now were nothing but tiny yellow cracks. "Itīs a deal." Syphon's smile grew wider and made him almost look like a humorous gargoyle. "Excellent. Now, hand me your paw." Darkkat reached his paw towards Syphon who took a golden ring from his finger and sank it into the flesh of Darkkat's paw. It felt like as if someone was holding a flaming stick against it, and Darkkat let out a cry of pain and pulled his paw back out of Syphon's grip. The ring had left a black mark in his paw. "What was that all about?" sneered Darkkat angrily. "So you won't forget our little deal. And, remember! Donīt you DARE harm the she-kat or the kitten she is carrying," Syphon said coldly, and then he disappeared as suddenly as he had arrived. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Milai was waiting for Syphon as he returned to the realm of nightmares, dressed in a long, black silk dress. "Well?" she asked. Syphon gritted his teeth. "The fool jumped on the hook. I told him I would give him a special reward if he didnīt harm the she-kat. HA! The only reward he will get is a quick death!" He grabbed Milai at her wrist and swung her around. "Oh, my beloved mate. Soon, katkind will be restless, fearing to meet the horror of THE MAREKATS!" He put Milai down and kissed her passionately. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEGAKAT SWAMP. VIPERīS LAB. 6:30 p.m Viper had taken a long nap, and right now, he was walking around in his lab, thinking on what John had said. "Hmmm. The "Goldsssstar Hotel" isssnīt ssso far away. Maybe I SHOULD think about going there. It may be a little difficult to get in there. On the other hand, it ISSS a long time ago sssince I lassst had contact with any of my relativesssss. And, if Ssssamanthaīsss in trouble...." That did the decision. Viper quickly grabbed a trenchcoat that covered down to his feet, curled up his tail so nobody would see it, and hid his spikes under a cap. Then, he headed via the sewers for the "Goldstar Hotel". To see his brother John and his sister Samantha. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER 3: AN ESCAPE FROM EVIL "GOLDSTAR HOTEL" ROOM 609, 7:55 p.m Samantha woke up at the knock on the door. She raised herself from the bed, a hard process because of her huge stomach, and staggered over to the door. "Who is it?" she asked groggy, still feeling like she was half-asleep. "Itīs just me, Samantha. Open up," came Johnīs voice. Samantha opened the door and let John inside. He closed the door and locked it behind him. "How are ya?" he asked gently. Samantha groaned and leaned on the wall, letting the coolness wake her up. "I was sick again. Oh, it felt horrible. Then, I just went back to sleep." She yawned. John nodded. "Itīs gonna be alright, sis. I just hope that Elrod will come." He looked at his watch. "If he comes, he should be here any minute." Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. John spun around. "Who is it?" he asked, pulling out a gun from his pocket. Samanthaīs eyes widened. "Where did you get that from!?" she asked with a scared voice. John narrowed his eyes. "I just bought it," he mumbled and asked again. "I said, who is it?!" "Room service," replied a voice. John gave Samantha a questioning look. Samantha shook her head. "I didnīt order anything!" she said. John loaded the gun and opened the door. A kat in a large trenchcoat wearing a cap stood outside the door. John pointed the gun at him. "Get inside and be quick!" he growled. The kat walked past him and into the hotel room. "Alright! Who are you and what do you want!?" sneered John as he pointed the gun at the kat's head. "Jessusss! I thought we had a deal about meeting here at 8 oīclock!" said the kat and took off the cap. It was Viper. John sighed in relief and put the gun away. Samantha stared at Viperīs three spikes on top of his head. Viper looked back with a little smile. "Nicccce to sse you again Sssamantha," he said. Samantha looked at him. Then, she also smiled. "So John was right. You have changed. Did you do something with your hair?" She looked at the spikes again. Viper laughed. "You could ssay that. I alssso got a powerful tail, if that hasss any kind of interesssst." He took off the trench-coat (Donīt worry, he has his labcoat under) and curled out his striped tail. John and Samantha were stunned. "Wow!" Said Samantha. "Iīll bet you donīt use that to swat annoying flies!" Viper replied with a toothy grin. "That too. But now for some sssserious busssinessss." John nodded. "We might as well sit down." "I prefer to lie down. I get a bad back from sitting," said Samantha and laid down on her bed. John sat down beside her, while Viper took a chair and sat down, looking from the one to the other. "Ssso?" he asked. John looked at Samantha, who sighed and slowly began: "I met him about two years ago. I was at a disco, sitting and having a drink, when he came. I found him interesting. Not because of his looks or his charm. It was more because of his smile and that long forelock that covered his left eye. We started talking about different stuff, and he told me his name was Simon. Then, he invited me to dance. I said yes and we had a great time. After the disco, we started to date. After a couple of months, he proposed to me and, like the little fool I am, I said yes. When we had been married for about a year, I started to feel ill. I visited the doctor who told me I was in the third month of pregnancy. I was so happy that I immediately ran home to tell Simon. But, I was in for a horrible surprise when I got home. He had completely changed. His fur had turned from brown to blood-red and his eye burned with a strange inner madness that I couldnīt identify. It was horrible. I blinded him with the flash of a camera, and run off....." Samantha started to sob. John laid a arm around her and continued: "Samantha came to my house, and told me what had happened. At first, I didnīt believe her, but then he showed up. It was like taken straight out of a horror movie. It was a miracle that we actually escaped. I threw a Bible at him cause I remembered what mom had told us. It hit him square in the face, and he roared as if he had been burned by a glowing iron stick. We fled out the door and hurried out to my car and drove off. We have been on the run ever since. And, Samanthaīs stomach has grown bigger and bigger....." He shook his head sadly. Viper looked thoughtful. "And, there issss nothing to do?" "Nothing," said John. "We have tried everything. I already told you about the crystal wolves. Then, we have searched advice from witchdoctors, priests, scientists that have knowledge about magical creatures, but they have all delivered the same answer: "Just hand the kitten to the MareKat and youīll be safe." The only problem is that Samantha doesnīt want to deliver the kitten...." Samantha looked up with a angry look. "I wonīt let my future kitten become a killer!" she said angrily and sat up. Viper sighed. He knew too well it wouldnīt help arguing with his sister when she was in that mood. "But how come he wantīssss to kill Ssssamantha if she carries his child?" he asked. John narrowed his eyes. "One of the scientists told us that the female MareKat is unable to get pregnant from the male. So, to get a child, the male must charm a mortal she-kat and make her pregnant instead. After that, they must keep the she-kat in prison in the nightmare realm. And, straight after she has given birth to the kitten, they must kill her so she won't be able to feed the kitten with the first milk. Because, if that happens, the kitten will either be protected by the good or he/she will never survive in the realm of nightmares. That is why the real mother must be killed instantly. I did hear about a she-kat that managed to get away with her kitten though. But, that was a long time ago. I think it was back in the Dark Ages. She was saved by some warrior from a faraway land...." "Did you sssay the Dark Agessss?" asked Viper, his eyes glowing with interest. "Yes, why?" said John with a surprised look. "Becausse," said Viper, "Right here in MegaKat Ccccity, there isss a sorcerer that issss from the Dark Agessss. He knowssss how to open portalsss and to ssssummon creaturesss from the passsssst. He hassss more than once tried to turn the city back to the Dark Agessss." "How come it didnīt happen?" asked Samantha. "Becausssse he wassss ssstopped by two massssked katsss known as the SWAT KATSSSS. They are two pilots that protect the cccity. They have many sssspecial weaponsss," said Viper and clenched his fists at the memory of the last time they had humiliated him. Suddenly, there was the loud sound of shooting outside the door. John jumped up and ran over to the door and looked outside, and then he slammed it shut. "There are a bunch of ninjaīs outside and the weirdest looking kat Iīve ever seen! His fur is all purple!" Viper jumped up from the chair. "Thatssss Darkkat!" he said. "If heīssss here, then there can only be trouble. We musssst get out of here!" "Whoīs Darkkat?" asked Samantha and sat up. "There iss no time to essssplain now. We need to get out of here!" replied Viper. "We canīt get out of the window or the door," said John. "What can we do? You were once the brainiac of the family!" Viper glared at his little brother and thought for a second. "Wait a minute!" mumbled the mutant-scientist, "Issssnīt there some kind of tunnel for the laundry? For thosssse who are staying at the hotel for very long?" Samantha walked over and checked. "Yes there is!" she shouted happily, "And there is room enough for two kats standing together." "That means there is room enough for you," said John and looked at Viper. "Is that what you intend to do? To use the laundry tunnel as a slide?" "Quick thinking Ssssherlock," replied Viper. "Now, you go down firssst and make sssure that there will be sssomething soft to land on. Make a signal assss sssoon as you reach the bottom, underssstand?" John nodded and crawled down in the laundry tunnel. There was a loud bang as the door shattered. "They're coming!" whispered Samantha. Viper looked down the laundry tunnel. There was a shot, that ricocheted right by Viperīs head. "HEY! Watch it!" he shouted. "Sorry!" shouted John up through the tunnel. "Iīll bang on it next time." Viper signaled to Samantha, and she crawled down in the tunnel. "Iīll meet you in a moment," said Viper. Samantha looked at him with a worried look. "Be careful brother." Then, she slid down the laundry tunnel. Viper waited till he could hear a loud "clang" as John gave the signal. Then, he crawled up, and was ready to slid down just as he got an idea. He reached out, grabbed the handle on the door, and closed the door. Then, he also slid down the laundry tunnel. He landed with a soft "thud" in a small laundry wagon. Samantha and John stood and waited for him. "What now?" asked John as Viper crawled out of the wagon. "Weīll go to the ssswamp. Darkkat doesssnīt know where my lab isss. We can ssstay there for ssssome time." Samantha had a puzzled look. "That sounds fine enough. But what about, when the kitten comes?" Viper shrugged. "Weīll think of ssssomething." He walked over to a kathole, and lifted off the cover. He signaled to his two relatives and jumped down in the darkness of the sewers. John and Samantha joined him shortly after. Viper looked around in the dark and found a path. He grabbed Samanthaīs paw, Samantha grabbed Johnīs, and then they headed for a drainpipe to make it back to Viper's lab. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Darkkat was furious. Not only had Viper managed to escape, but he had also taken the she-kat and the tom-kat with him. Darkkat didnīt know how Viper had managed to escape, but one thing was for sure. Syphon would NOT be happy to know that he had failed. CHAPTER 4: UNEXPECTED ASSISTANCE It had been a hard trip through the sewers. And, things did NOT get any better when Viper and co. ran into the Pastmaster, who was looking for some stuff to one of his spells, so he could turn MKC back to the Dark Ages. (like THAT'S something new) Viper, John, and Samantha were discussing how to solve the problem of Syphon. "There jussst HAS to be some other way then jusssst to run away!" said Viper. "You know you canīt keep up running away from your problemssss." John glared at his older brother. "Why not? YOU did!" Viper gritted his teeth in anger. "Thatssss different!" Samantha interrupted the two brothers. "Look! Iīd hate to interrupt your little discussion, but donīt we have other stuff to worry about? Like how to keep my baby safe from those MareKats?" "Did anyone say "MareKats"?" interrupted a voice, and the Pastmaster came around the corner. Samantha shrieked as she saw the little red skeleton in the purple robes. Viper turned to face the small sorcerer. "Well, well, well. If it ainīt the Passsstmaster himssself," he scowled. "What are YOU doing here, ssssorcerer?" "Oh, just looking for some ingredients. And I couldnīt help but to hear your little talk about MareKats." His single eye glowed as he looked at the trio. He walked past Viper and John, and bowed to Samantha. "I am the Pastmaster. Sorry if my looks scare you, my dear. Though I did look much better 800 years ago." Samantha just took one step backwards, her eyes widened in fear and suspicion. Viper stepped in front of his sister and looked down on the little gnome. "What do YOU know about MareKatssss, ssssorcerer?" he scowled. The Pastmaster just crossed his arms and looked around with an annoyed look at their surroundings. "Why donīt we talk about it some other place... Should we? Say, my tower?" He took his watch and chanted a spell. Viper blinked, getting a sick feeling in his stomach. He would never get used to magic! That was certain. Then, it was over. From the stinking sewers, they had appeared in the tower of the Pastmaster. A wyvern who had been sleeping on the top of a shelf made a high shrieking noise as it noticed the intruders. The Pastmaster threw a book towards the wyvern who instantly jumped off the shelf and flew out of the window. The gnome/troll sorcerer grumbled something and then looked for something on the bookshelf. "It has to be somewhere... Where could I have put it?" Then, he started to take down books, looking on the cover or in the books, and then throwing them over his shoulder. Books were flying around, causing the three siblings to duck every fifth second. But, one of the books that the Pastmaster threw had the luck to hit Viper in the face. "OW! Hey! Watch where you throw thosssse thingsssss." "Sorry." John walked over to look down on the Pastmaster and watch him search through the books. "What are you looking for anyway?" he asked. The Pastmaster just grumbled: "Hmmm. One of my books....It should have something about MareKats..." John looked over the top of the shelves and spotted one of the books. "Uhmmm. Is it large with a black cover?" The Pastmaster stopped throwing books over his shoulder and said: "Why yes." "And, does it have silver letters on the back that say something like this: Dark creatures of the nightmare realm?" The Pastmaster nodded. "Yes! That's exactly what I am looking for. Why?" John stretched out his arm and took down the book he had spotted, then handed it over to the Pastmaster. "Four words: You're... much... too... short!" The Pastmaster grabbed the book and gave John a dirty look. Viper spouted with laughter. Samantha covered her mouth with her right paw and giggled. The Pastmaster grumbled. "Veeeeery funny. Sometimes, you mortals have a strange humor." And, with another dirty look to John, he started flipping through the pages. "Hmmm. Let me see...." he mumbled as he searched through the book. "Killer sprouts....Minotaurs....Sphinxes....Shantu...AH! Here it is! MareKats." He read through the page and mumbled something. And then, handed the book to Samantha. "Here you are. This should give you some information." Samantha took the book and her two brothers gathered around her. On the first page was a picture of a MareKat with bloody claws and a evil snarl. Under the picture was a small text saying: "Chapter 10: The MareKats and Their Nature." Viper gritted his teeth in disgust. "WHOA! Uuuuu-gly." John nodded. "Yeah, he couldnīt win the "Mr. Universe" contest even if he paid or threatened the judges!" Samantha gave them both an annoyed look. "Could you dump the jokes just for a while!?" The two brothers grinned, and Samantha began to read loud: "MareKat. An evil creature that is right after the Shantu for being one of the most feared creatures of the nightmare realm. Since the female MareKat only can get pregnant from a mortal tom-kat, the male is forced, with help from their hypnotic-like charm and attitude, to charm a mortal she-kat and make her pregnant. Then, right after the birth of the kitten, he kills the true mother to the kitten. The female MareKat will then raise the kitten to be a fullgrown MareKat and then teach it to kill without any emotions blocking its way. Not much can fight these horrible creatures back to exile in their realm. Except the holy Bible, a priest of Sebaoth, and a silver cross. Not much can kill a MareKat - since they have a powerful way of healing fast in a battle. Though, if a MareKat is injured by the Dragonsword, the Colbratech Emerald, or the legendary Dragoncross, it will retreat to recover from its injuries. The Dark Ages, was one of the most dangerous periods for MareKats since they were tracked down and killed by The Full-Moon Samurai, a Japanese warrior from feudal Japan. According to legend, The Full-moon Samurai was part Kappa, the name of a Japanese demon. He had the three weapons that could defeat a MareKat and tracked down almost every MareKat in the world back in the Dark Ages. According to legend, he disappeared after he went out to track down the leader and creator of the MareKats. The darkclothed mage, known under the name of: The Master of Past and Present, a hard opponent of the Pastmaster...." At this point, the three siblings looked up and gave the Pastmaster a weird look. Viper narrowed his eyes and walked up to the small gnome/troll sorcerer. "Lemme guesssss. You are NOT too happy with thisss... whatever hisss name wassss and jusst because you heard usss talk about the MareKatsss, you think you can usse us assss sssome sorta weapon!?" The Pastmaster just shrugged. "Yes, I heard about it," he said and looked at his claws. "And, I thought that it would be the perfect opportunity to give The Master of Past and Present.... what is it you mortals call it?" "A good old 'kick in the buttī?" suggested John, questioning. The Pastmaster nodded. "Yes... .Thatīs exactly what I meant," he mumbled, and turned his gaze to Viper. "And, I know just where to find the Colbratech Emerald." "WHAT!!??" the three siblings yelled in unison. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "WHAT!! They got away from you!!??" screamed Syphon into Darkkat's face. The tall MareKatīs tail swished from side to side in anger. His teeth were gritted in a horrible snarl that made Darkkat's creeplings screech in fear and hide behind their master's back. Darkkat stood calmly with narrowed eyes and looked upon the MareKat in front of him. "It is not MY fault, that they had an escape path. How was I supposed to know that they would escape through a laundry tunnel?" he said. The MareKat replied with a sneer and started to walk back and forth. His mate, a very attractive she-kat with a silver stripe in her golden hair, but an ugly scar over her left cheek was nearby. She was on an even height with Darkkat and her eyes were narrowed as she watched her mate walk back and forth in front of her. She stepped in front of him and laid her slim paws on his chest near the white mark. "My love. Take it easy! We can easily find a way to stop them before that simple mortal gives birth to her child..." she purred gently into his ear. He closed his single eye and breathed a deep sigh. Then, he smiled cruelly. "As always, you know how to calm me down, my beloved..." he purred and kissed her gently on the forehead. Then, he turned to face Darkkat with a look that could make Mount Everest crumble to bricks. "And, as for YOU!" He growled and grabbed a unlucky creepling that somehow had come too near him and ripped its wings from its small "arms." The creepling shrieked in pain and fear and quickly crawled away when he dumped it on the ground, whining and screaming in pain. Darkkat normally didnīt care much for his creeplings. To him they were just his own "factory-made" bodyguards and thieves. But, the quick way Syphon had ripped off its wings, shocked him. Though he didnīt show it in his facial expressions. Syphon had a cruel grin on his face. "Fail me once more, and you will end like that creepling of yours. But, with you, I wonīt make it end so quickly!" he hissed coldly. Then, he laughed evilly and disappeared with his mate, back to the nightmare realm... CHAPTER 5: PAINFUL MEMORIES AND POWERFUL SPELLS. John angrily grabbed the Pastmaster by his collar and held him up at eye level. "You mean that all this time our hope for salvation has been in some wacky museum!!!" The Pastmaster struggled to get free of Johnīs tight grip. Samantha laid a hand on her brotherīs shoulder. "John, PLEASE! Behave yourself." John scowled and looked over at Viper, who just narrowed his eyes and said calmly: "Drop him." John loosened his grip and the Pastmaster was dumped down on the floor. "Ooow. Couldnīt you be a little more careful next time!? I am not as young as I used to be," he grumbled. The three siblings exchanged looks as if saying to each other without words: "Well, DUH?" The Pastmaster started to walk around his lab, gathering some magical thingies. "I need some time to prepare myself so I can get the Colbratech Emerald. In the meantime, you can recover from your few injuries. (though I doubt there are many)." Samantha moaned and sat down on the floor with a soft thud. Viper quickly kneeled down and asked gently his sister: "Are you OK, Samantha?" Samantha nodded and smiled tiredly. "Yeah. Itīs just, that I canīt help but to look forward to when this little guy comes out." She looked down on her huge stomach with a little smile. Viper smiled gently and aimed his gaze at his sisters stomach. "Hmm. To think that such a little kitten, whoīssss not even born yet, can caussse sso much trouble for itīsss relativessss," he murmured. John came over and sat beside them. "Whassup kitties?" he asked. Samantha yawned tiredly. "My back is killing me, and Iīm amazed that I havenīt dropped the baby yet, with all that action for the past twenty-four hours. Thatīs what's up," she said. John stretched and leaned up against the wall. "Man. Iīm all beat up," he murmured and closed his eyes. Soon, both Samantha and John were soft asleep. Samantha had leaned herself up against Viper. But, Viper couldnīt sleep. He watched silently as the Pastmaster walked around in his lab, looking through his books every now and then, mumbling to himself. Then, Viper turned his gaze towards the bookshelves. It reminded him of his father's library. Old and painful memories came sneaking through his mind. To a December evening, many years ago...... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Now, kids, we are just gonna be at the party for a couple of hours. So, donīt stay up too late," Miranda Purvis said and looked at her two kittens, Samantha and Elrod. Her husband, Eric Purvis, and the father of their children laid a hand on her shoulder. "Miranda, take it easy! Samantha and Elrod are old enough to take care of themselves. You shouldnīt worry so much." Miranda sighed. "Yes, I know, but still...." Eric laid a heavy paw on his son Elrod's shoulder and gazed seriously into the young eight year old tom-kat's black eyes. "Now, Elrod. I leave YOU the responsibility for your sister. Watch her carefully." And then, he added with his "doomsday-voice": "Donīt fail me, or else!" Elrod laughed. "Donīt worry, Dad. Everything will be just fine. I am just going to do some homework, thatīs all." Eric gently ruffled his son's half-long black hair. "Thatīs my kid," he murmured, and then turned to face his wife. "Come on, honey, or weīll be late." They both said goodbye to their children and then walked out to their car and drove off. Elrod stood in the door and waved to his parents. "Come on Elrod!" said Samantha, excited. "Letīs go see if we can fix some waffles for dinner. Perhaps we might even get to catch 'The Grinch'." Then, they closed the door, and the two siblings headed for the kitchen. ******************************************************* Elrod sat down and started to read on some math. After a couple of hours, his head started to nod sleepily. Soon, he had fallen asleep on the desk. ******************************************************* He sat straight up. Somehow, he could feel a unwelcome presence nearby. He turned around and faced an old tom-kat with a short, gray beard. He was dressed in a long golden robe, which made Elrod think of mages and wizards from the books in his dad's library. The old tom-kat looked at him with sad, cloud-grey eyes. "I have come to tell you about your future, young Purvis." When he spoke, his voice sounded like it came from someplace a long distance away, with a slight echo. "I sense a power within you, young one. But, it has not yet to be awoken. A dark and unclear future awaits you. To of those that are most dear to you will be taken away from this world. Four in the future will need your aid. Three as relatives, the fourth as a foe. One time will come where you shall help your opponents. You will have a long journey to strange worlds and mystical creatures. The fate of a scientist, warrior ,and relative awaits you. Good luck, and do not always seek the answer from only within your mind..." ******************************************************* ...BRRRIIING.....BRRRIIING.... Elrod sat straight up. He blinked several times before he realized where he was. He tried to remember what the dream had been about, but it stayed unclear to his mind. The phone rang again. Elrod heard his sister walk downstairs and take the phone. He raised himself from the chair and walked downstairs. He saw Samantha sit with the phone in one hand, staring emptily out into the room. Elrod did not like the look on her face. "Samantha?" No response. Elrod carefully removed the phone from her paw, and then heard a voice from it. "Hallo?...Hallo?..." it muffled. Elrod lifted it up and spoke into it. "Hallo? Elrod Purvis here." The voice from within the phone sounded a bit surprised. "Hallo? This is Dr. Harley from the Kembertonville General Hospital. A minute ago I thought I was talking to a Samantha Purvis!" Elrod gazed at his sister. "Uhm.....Sheīs not available right now. Anything I can help you with?" he said. "I am afraid I have some terrible news for you. You better sit down...." What Elrod heard made him drop the phone on the floor with a clang. He couldnīt believe what the doctor had just said..... "...Miranda and Eric Purvis were in a car accident. And..... Miranda Purvis did not survive. Mr. Purvis is at the hospital in a critical condition...." ****************************************************** A loud bang made Viper snap out of it. He sat straight up with a gasp. Outside, it was thundering. "Jesussss! Talk about a heart attack!" murmured Viper and shook his head. When he looked around, he noticed that the Pastmaster wasnīt in sight. Viper carefully lifted his sister's head and leaned her against John. He raised himself from the floor and walked over to the window. Outside, the Pastmaster was working with a spell no doubt about that. As Viper watched, the Pastmaster summoned a few Wyverns. He sent them in a few directions and then headed back for the tower. When Samantha awoke, she saw her brother standing by the window, staring out into the dark. She struggled to get up, but she only succeeded when she tried a second time. Then, she walked over to Viper and laid a paw on his shoulder. "A penny for your thoughts," she said gently. Viper smiled at the old joke. Then, he sighed heavily. "Oh, nothing sssspecial. Just old and painful ghostsss of the passsst, coming to haunt me," he murmured. Samantha just looked at him. Then, without him noticing it, she whispered something to herself and closed her eyes. "You were thinking of dad, right?" she asked. Viper looked at her and then nodded. "Yesssss. And, what happened to him...." he whispered hoarsely and covered his eyes with a paw. "There was nothing you could have done, and you know that," Samantha whispered. "He didnīt want to live anymore. It had become too much for him. Mom, dead in that car accident. And us...becoming more grown-up and reasonable. He couldnīt bear it." They both remembered that horrible day..... ******************************************************************* Their father had started to drink. With no other reason than to dig down into his sorrow over the loss of his wife Miranda, who had been dead for nearly ten years. John, Samantha and Elrodīs half-baby brother, had almost just turned eight. He had been at school. Elrod had had a horrible fight with his father, causing Eric Purvis to freak out. If Elrodīs sister and step-mother hadnīt called the Enforcers, Eric would have killed his own son. Elrod and Samanthaīs step-mother Josie had moved with the kids to a motel. Elrod had forgotten some books for school and had went back to the house, armed with a baseball-bat. When he stepped inside, he heard a shot. He ran to the library and found his father on the floor, dead. He had shot himself. There had been a note left on his desk, left to Josie, Samantha, Elrod and John which said: "My beloved wife Josie and my children, Samantha, Elrod and John I know, these last couple of years have been horrible for you all. Especially YOU, Elrod and Samantha, the offspring of both your mother Miranda, and me. You, my son Elrod. I know I probably have been very mean to you, and I know I almost killed you when we had that fight. I only wish for you to forgive me for my sins and not think of me as the father who almost tried to kill you..... But, as the father that loved and cared for his children and their mother as well. And you, Samantha. You, that remind me so much of your mother. Donīt waste that special power you got from us both. I sense your mother's presence, my children. Her smile, almost blinding me... And, her beautiful face, not looking aged at all. She is calling for me; I can hear her musical voice. I only beg you one last time before I leave this world. Forgive me Eric J. Purvis. " Elrod had just stood there for a moment, staring at the paper. Then, he had run to the phone and called the Enforcers. He had to repeat twice before they could understand what had happened. When they arrived, Elrod had sunk down to the floor, whispering to himself: "Dad, Iīm so sorry.....so sorry....!" ******************************************** Strongly against his will, a single tear forced its way down Viperīs cheek. He wiped it away forcefully. Samantha looked sadly on him. "Sometimes, crying can move away the worst of your pain, if you're sad about something," she said softly. Then, she hugged him. He returned the hug warmly, crying silently. They stood like that for several minutes. None of them had noticed that the Pastmaster had been standing outside the door, listening to what they had been talking about. He was definitely shocked. Normally, he didnīt care for other kats' feelings or private lives. But to think that one katīs father would commit suicide because of a broken heart and his sorrow over a she-kat who had been dead for several years! (A.N: Well, donīt THAT give you something to think about, huh PM?) Then, he knocked on the door. "Can I come in?" he asked. The two siblings quickly separated and stood as if nothing had been going on. The Pastmaster ignored it, and walked over to John, who was still sleeping. "You there. Wake up. You need to hear this as well." John murmured something and dozed off again. The Pastmaster growled and pushed him violently. "Ahr, mom...I donīt wanna be in the school's play...they make fun of me..." Samantha looked at Viper. Viper looked at Samantha. "Shall we?" "My pleassssure!" They both walked over to the sleeping tom-kat and Samantha began to whisper in John's ear: "John...Oh, Johnny-boy. Wake up. Itīs time to get up..." John just muffled: "Nah...I donīt wanna.." Samantha looked at Viper. He grinned evilly. "Johnny....You know what time it is?" he said. John mumbled something. "IT`S NOOGIETIME!" Samantha shouted, and they both held John while they scruffled his hair. He woke up, yelling and screaming. "IīM UP! IīM UP!" They stopped, and he gave them both a dirty look. "That was mean!" he grumbled. Samantha and Viper laughed. Viper hadnīt laughed like this for a long time. The way that Johnīs hair had gotten all messy made him look like a miniature haystack. The Pastmaster was surprised at hearing Viper laugh like this. It wasnīt the laughter of a mad-man. It was more the laughter of one who had been going through a rough time and was finally in his element. A friendly and joyful laughter. "A-hem. As I said, you all need to hear this," he said and caught their attention. "I found out that the Colbratech Emerald really IS at the MegaKat Historical Museum. There are only two problems: 1: how to get into the museum without getting caught and get out again. 2: How to avoid that the MareKat's attacks while trying to steal the sword." Then he turned to John and Viper. "And, that is where you two get into the picture..." The two siblings looked at each other and then at the Pastmaster. Viper narrowed his eyes. "Weīre lisssstening." CHAPTER 6: THE OATH Donny, the nightwatchman, loved to be at the museum. He had always admired the old museum's things. And, that had been one of the reasons why he had become a nightwatchman. He especially adored the Dark Age weapon exhibits. One of his favorites was the powerful-looking Colbratech-sword. A beautiful green emerald shone brightly on the sword's stock and made it look more deadly and magical at the same time. Donny looked at the sword and smiled. To him, it always seemed so.... living. Like as if the emerald somehow gave it a life. "Heh, if metal could speak, Iīll bet youīd have something to tell," he murmured. But, the sword remained silent. Then, he suddenly caught a movement at the other end of the room. He grabbed his flashlight and aimed it at a suit of armor. He raised an eyebrow and then walked over to it. Then, he looked behind it. "Thatīs funny! I could have sworn I saw something." "AND, YOU WERE RIGHT!" a voice shouted, and the heavy armor fell down on him and it all turned black. ************************** "Mussst you ALWAYS be thissss noisy!?" Viper asked, irritated as he looked for the sword with the help of his powerful night-vision. (Remember: Heīs a mutant. His senses are sharpened) John shrugged. "Hey. Iīm the annoying little-brother. Iīm supposed to be noisy," he said and suddenly eyed something VERY interesting. "YO, Viper! (he had started to use his half-brother's "second name") I think I found it!" he said. Viper came over and looked at the sword. The bright Colbratech Emerald reflected beautifully in the flashlight. Viper didnīt know why, but it seemed as if every nerve and muscle in him screamed in excitement to grab the sword and swing it in battle. "We found it!" John whispered. "And, I found you!" Viper and John spun around. "Darkkat!" Viper hissed. Darkkat grinned cruelly and pointed at the two kats with his stick. "GET THEM!" he shouted, and his creeplings attacked. Viper swung out with his tail and knocked out a few creeplings. John smashed the glass of the display case and grabbed the sword. He let out a high yelp of pain and let go of it. "John, what do you think youīre doing!?" Viper snarled. "We donīt have time for thissss!" "I know, I know, but itīs like the sword was burning!" he whined. Viper growled and looked up. He gasped as a creepling tried to attack, but Viper quickly slammed it away with his powerful tail. "Letīssss get out of here," he growled and set off with John at his tail. But suddenly, a tall, hooded figure stood in front of them. John's eyes went wide. "Uh-oh!" he whispered. The hooded figure laid back the black hood and showed a dark grey-furred she-kat's face with long golden/silver like hair and a large zig-zagged scar on her left cheek. Her cold, black eyes seemed to burn themselves into Viperīs mind. "I am Milai," she said calmly with a voice like ice. "And, YOU are dead!" Then, she pulled a large, black sword of pure obsidian out from within the cape and attacked. Viper gasped, and ducked away from the deathly black blade. "JOHN! Get yourself to ssssafety! Go to the Passstmaster! He will know what to do!" John quickly ran for it followed by a few creeplings. Viper hissed in pain as the black sword cut him at his collarbone. Green blood seemed to glow on the black sword, and Milai grinned evilly. "Now, I shall fulfil what the fool Darkkat couldnīt finish!" she snarled, and jumped forward. Viper gasped and sought safety behind a display case. He growled in pain as he tried to examine the wound. The blood dripped from his fingers down to the floor and his lab-coat was almost glued to the wound. Viper grit his teeth. "Itīsss even worsssse than I thought," he thought, and licked the blood off his fingers. It tasted warm and metallic. "Come out, come out, wherever you are! I am getting impatient, little snake-kat," Milai said teasingly as she looked for him. Suddenly, the same feeling as when Viper had looked at the sword came back with double power. Viperīs eyes widened as he suddenly heard a sweet and soft voice. "Grab me! Swing me! Use me to kill!" The voice sounded as if it came from someplace nearby. "Use me! I was made for battle! I was made to slaughter creatures of the dark! Use me for the thing I was created for!" The voice came from the sword in the display case! (A.N: I admit it. For those of you who know the Dragonlance story called "Huma and the Silverdragon," itīs almost the same procedure with the Colbratech as with the Sword of the Tears.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Milai swished her tail impatiently. Where was that damned snake-kat!? The other kat had escaped. Too bad. She had looked forward to drinking his blood. She grinned evilly and licked her lips. Then again, there would always be the mortal she-kat Samantha when she had given birth to the kitten. Suddenly, she eyed a bright green glow and turned around. She gasped in shock and fear. "NO!" she whispered. "Itīs impossible!" Viper stood with the Colbratech sword in one hand, teeth gritted and bright golden eyes shining like stars. He growled. Milaiīs eyes widened and she started to back off. "Whatīsss the matter? Not in the mood for a fight!?" Viper snarled and laughed as he crouched down in attack-mode, swishing wildly with his powerful tail. Milai quickly realized that if he hadnīt been a mortal, he could easily have been taken for a horrible demon of the darkest abyss. Darkkat came running with some of his creeplings and gasped as he saw Viper. Viper turned to Darkkat and snarled. "BACK OFF!!!" he roared and swung with his tail, slamming the huge purple master-criminal into the nearest wall, knocking him unconscious. Viper turned to Milai, who had tried to run past him. "Leaving ssso soon!? We weīre just getting ssstarted!" he shouted and attacked. Milai quickly parried with her own sword, but could barely keep the Colbratech sword's deadly blade from her heart. Viper snarled and attacked again and again as he cursed and swore at the female MareKat. "All my life, the people I cared most about have been taken away from me! Firssst my mother in a car accident! Then, my father committed ssssuicide! My uncle who took care of me after high ssschool, died after hours in pain of a brain tumor! All thossse who were mosst dear to me!" He sensed an opening in Milaiīs defense and slashed the Colbratech sword into the female MareKat's stomach. She shrieked in pain and dropped her own sword. Viper slammed it out of reach with his tail. He lifted the sword and stared coldly into Milaiīs frightened black eyes. "I am tired of it, you hear me!" he hissed and slashed downwards, cutting the sword into her stomach again. She screamed in pain. "No....evil...mussst....ever...hurt..my...family...again!" he continued. Milai finally laid still. Her black eyes were closed, never to be opened again. Viper gave the Colbratech sword a disgusted look and dried the blade off on the female MareKat's cape. He finally grabbed a sword sheath from the wall and hung the sword around his waist. Then, just before he left the room to go back to the Pastmaster's tower, he turned to look at the dead body of the MareKat. "Never again," he murmured and disappeared down a kat-hole. ************************* What Donnyīs eyes met when he awoke with a powerful headache made him wish he was still knocked out. First, there was an unconscious master-criminal - none other then Darkkat himself - and a lot of knocked out creeplings. Second, there was a missing sheath AND the dead body of a she-kat with a horrible scar lay on the floor. But, the last thing was the most horrible. The Colbratech sword was missing! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Samantha sat and cried silently. John sat with her and tried to comfort her. The Pastmaster mumbled and cursed to himself. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and the door was flung up. Viper stood and leaned on the doorframe, exhausted, bloody and wounded. Samantha, John and the Pastmaster looked up. "VIPER!" Samantha shouted. Viper grinned weakly, but, before he could take one single step, he fell unconscious to the ground. Both John and the Pastmaster rushed to his side. ************************* Syphon was getting worried. Milai had been away for a long time. Too long, to be exact. He murmured something and appeared in front of the museum, looking exactly like an Enforcer. He ran up to the doors of the museum and knocked on it. A very nervous guard opened the door and looked out. "Boy am I glad to see you could come so quickly!" he said, relieved, and let Syphon in. "But.. eh...Why are you alone?" "My patrol car is nearby," Syphon just said. "Now, tell me what has happened." The guard began to tell. "Well..." he admitted. "I donīt know much, but I DO know that there has been a heavy fight in the department for the Dark Ages. AND, thereīs missing a sword." He showed the way to Syphon. When Syphon saw Milaiīs bloody corpse, he gasped. The guard nodded. "Thatīs how I found it. I think I need to call the morgue. I..." Syphon had started to chant. "May all in this room, forget the past and the present. Forget, Forget, FORGET!" When he stopped, the guard stood like a zombie. Syphon stood in front of him and said coldly: "You will remember nothing about the she-kat. Only that the sword already had been taken, and that Darkkat tried to steal it, but was late. You knocked him out, by tipping over a suit of armor, and knocked out his creeplings as well." Then, he turned to the unconscious Darkkat. "And, as for YOU! You didnīt prevent that blasted Viper from either stealing the sword or killing my mate! You have failed me for the last time and death would be too mild a punishment. May you rot in the deepest and darkest prison of the abyss!" Then, he crouched down by the body of his mate and gently lifted her up. Tears floated down from his eyes. He buried his face into her wonderful golden/silver-like hair and cried silently. When he looked up again, his single eye burned of a deep, bloodthirsty hate. He threw his head back and roared in agony and sorrow: "I WILL GET YOU FOR THIS, VIPER! YOU KILLED MY MATE! I WILL GET MY REVENGE, I SWEAR!!" Then with a last roar, he disappeared in a thick red cloud of smoke with the dead body of his beloved mate. Revenge would be horrible. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Viper! Viper wake up, please!" "Come on, bro! We need ya!" Viper opened his eyes, but closed them again because of a sharp light. "Oy...my head..." "Heīs awake! Thank the Gods!" "Viper? Are you OK?" "...Thirsssty...." "Here. Drink this. It will make you feel better." A cup was hold towards him. He took the cup and drank the cool water slowly. It felt good, and cleared his mind. Samantha and John came into view. "Wha..what happened?" John twisted his mouth. "Thatīs what WE would like to know!" he said. "You came through the door, blood all over, and you had an ugly cut at your collarbone that bled like hell, and then you blacked out. That simple." Samantha glared at John. "Would you calm down!" Then, she groaned and rubbed her belly. Viper gave her a worried look. She just smiled and said: "Iīll be fine. Itīs just the baby whoīs seeking attention." Viper looked at his little brother. "How long have I been out?" "About thirty minutes." "That long?" "Yes." Then, Viper remembered the fight and got a sick feeling in his gut. "I...I killed the MareKat!" Samantha looked shocked. "WHAT?" Viper nodded. "I killed a female MareKat who attacked us. I dunno. I hid behind a display case, and... it ssseemed as if the sssword called for me!" "I think I can explain that," A voice said. It was the Pastmaster. He stood with the sword and turned it between his skeleton paws. "Kind of a interesting weapon," he murmured. "But, as I said, there is a explanation. The Colbratech Emerald has a powerful spell cast over it. More powerful then any I have ever seen before," he said. John growled, annoyed. "Ah, skip the crap and get on with it!" he growled. Samantha looked shocked at him. "JOHN!" The Pastmaster shrugged. "Alright then. To be exact, this spell...or should I say curse...is made for battle against demons, werewolves or, in this instance, a MareKat. If thereīs a warrior nearby and heīs in battle with a dark creature and needs a powerful weapon against it, the sword will call him to battle and, as he fights with it, the sword will slowly turn him into a bloodthirsty warrior - maybe even more dangerous then the creature heīs fighting. The sword will drive its carrier insane, and sometimes even drive them to suicide. Itīs a miracle that you, Viper, didnīt get under it. How that is possible, I have no idea." Viper laughed darkly. "I got a theory there. My mind issss already so "twisted and insssane" asss that fool Zyme once exspressed it..." "That you in some way are immune to the sword!" Samantha said and groaned again in pain. Viper nodded. "Precisssely," he said. The Pastmaster looked thoughtful. "Hmmm. You got a point there," he murmured. Viper narrowed his eyes and looked at his two siblings. "I donīt know about you, but I wonīt allow any evil, MareKat or not, to harm MY family again!" Samantha shook her head. "Me neither," she said. "I got an idea!" John said. "Letīs make a family oath!" The two others looked at him. He nodded, excited. "Yeah! An oath that makes special bonds between us, so we can keep contact between us, no matter how far apart we are!" "I donīt know..." Samantha murmured. "I will only do it if Viperīs in." Viper nodded. "It ISsss a good idea," he said. "Who knowīssss when Syphon will attack again?" Samantha and John shrugged. "Thatīs the point," John said. "We can feel if one of the other two is in trouble!" He reached a paw out. "Well?" Samantha and Viper reached their paws out as well. "Weīre in," they said in unison. A bright green, blue and violet aura surrounded them. The Pastmaster watched in awe as the three colors swirled around the three siblings and changed forms. The green formed into a griffin and seemed to suck its way into John. He gasped as the green aura-griffin got into place. The violet turned into something that looked like a unicorn and reached into Samantha and the growing life inside her. And then, finally, the blue turned into a dragon, and almost seemed to electrify Viper as it got into place. The siblings sat close together, in a powerful triangle. Then, they separated. "It is fulfilled," John said groggy, and shook his head. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ About two months later, the time for the birth of Samanthaīs kitten came. The birth went well, and Samantha became mother to a beautiful and healthy son. (A.N: Or as Kristen Sharpe would describe it: Wonderful and cute.(: ) It was night at the Megakat City General Hospital. Samantha laid and slept peacefully. And, so did her baby kitten in a little hospital cradle by her bed. She awoke to a sudden cold wind from the window. She sat up in bed and looked around in the dark. She felt a paw on her shoulder and gasped in shock. "Eassssy, Sssssamantha. Itīssss just me," a familiar voice whispered in the dark. Samantha sighed in relief and hugged her brother. Viper returned the hug and his eyes glowed as friendly as two small candlelights. He looked over at the cradle, walking past the hospital bed and looking down into the cradle. "A beautiful and healthy son," Samantha said with a tired smile. Viper smiled gently at her. "Congratulationssss. He looks wonderful. Jussst like hisss mother." Samanthaīs eyes twinkled with happiness. "Thankyou." Then, her face turned sad. "I just donīt hope he has his fathers' nature...." Viper gently hold a paw under her chin and lifted her head to look into her eyes. "Asss long as you are his mother, I doubt it will be like that." Samantha smiled. Then, Viper walked over to the window, the same way where he had entered and looked over his shoulder with a smile. "Ssssleep well, my sister. I will see you again....Ssssomeday." Then he crawled out of the window and down to the ground, where he disappeared down in a kat-hole with one last look towards one hospital window, where a white-dressed she-kat stood and watched after her brother in the dark of the night. Then, she heard the door open behind her and a nurse walked over and shoed her back to bed. "Unless you want your kitten to get a cold, you go straight back to bed and keep the window closed!" she snapped. Samantha just lay down in bed and gently patted her kitten. When the nurse had walked out of the room again, Samantha laid awake for awhile as if she was listening to the words that Viper had said before he had crawled out of the window. "I will sssee you again....ssssomeday." THE END Last note from the Author: Well, this might have been the end of the story, but not the end of the adventure. Be looking forward to the next chapter in the trilogy of "CLAWS OF THE MAREKAT." BTW, the thing about Viperīs life is just something I made up, and you donīt have to send me hatemail because I write stuff like this. Tell me what you think on: fantasygirl47@hotmail.com Comments and critiques are welcome anytime. This story was finished on the 1st of January in the year 2001.