//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Bad Luck Cat // by Dulcepanque //------------------------------// "Cats of Panthera! Get ready to meet your new king... the Storm King!" the creature announced with a flourish towards the ship. A giant poster unrolled over it, displaying the picture of a horned monkey-like beast. The crowd gasped. The creature smiled proudly. "They're always so impressed," he said to himself. "Uh, where y'all going?" Two female cats came rushing out of the castle, panting and coughing. They looked weak and exhausted, one of them could hardly stay standing. The whole crowd ran towards them to help. "Oh. Uh, hey, you two!" He pointed at them. "Give us all your treasures and gold and all that shiny pricey stuff... or else!" he demanded. He fixed his posture and puffed his chest to try to look more intimidating. One of the cats shot him a disgruntled look, but didn't respond. Clearly, his act required some polishing. "I'll take care of this, Grubber." The Storm King appeared behind him. "Y-Your Majesty!" exclaimed Grubber, jumpy. "Of course." "Ladies!" the Storm King called in a seemingly joyful manner. The crowd turned toward him. Despite his towering size and outlandish features, he didn't seem so menacing. On second thought, he actually seemed quite friendly. "Cordial greetings." One of the cats walked towards him and greeted him with a bow. "We welcome you to our kingdom. My name is Queen Kefira, and that" – she gestured toward the other, who was being assisted by the crowd of pantherans – "is my wife, Queen Tora." "Yeah, yeah. Greetings, hello, salutations!" He grabbed her hand with both his claws and shook it frenetically. "Okay. You see, here's the thing; I'm in the middle of a rebrand and I could use some financial support. Paying for royalties, patents, it's not easy! You know how it is." She gulped. "I don't think I understand. Y-you need a... loan?" "Hahaha! Oh, you're so innocent... No." He shot a stern look. "I think I'm not being clear enough, am I? This is a heist. We're taking all of your riches. 'Your kingdom' is now mine! You're free to leave whenever you want." He pushed her aside and made his way to the entrance of the castle. "But if you're still here tomorrow morning, I'm taking out the dogs." Grubber followed him inside, escorted by a dark purple unicorn pony. She glanced over Kefira with a cold look on her eyes that sent a shiver down her spine. "It's nothin' personal," chuckled Grubber as they passed by her. Chaos engaged. Once the door to the castle was closed, Storm Guards stormed out of every corner. Capper knew he should've ran away as soon as tables started to fly through the air, but he was frozen solid! Instead of trying to escape the turmoil, he just stood at an unsafe distance, and watched as panic took over the place. "Careful, Mr. Dapperpaws!" Suddenly, a gray cat appeared out of nowhere and pounced over Capper to get him out of the way. Just as they hit the ground, a large wooden bench landed at the same spot Capper was standing at. "What do ya think you're–?! Hey! It's you! Why are you–" The cat covered Capper's mouth. "Don't raise your voice or you'll draw their attention!" he exclaimed under his breath. "If we go now then maybe we can sneak past them and arrive at your place before they take your–" "MY FORTUNE!" Capper yelled, alerting the Storm Guards. They all stopped their labor for a second and turned their heads to him. "What did I tell you?! RUUUUUN!" the cat cried. He and Capper burst out of the market and into the neighborhood. The guards did not attempt to chase them, and as soon as they were gone went back to work. Capper and the gray cat ran off as fast as they could and didn't stop until they lost sight of the Storm King's guards. They puffed and panted, about to faint from the exhaustive chase that took place in their heads. They hid in a dark alley near Capper's house. Capper checked around the corner to make sure they hadn't been followed there. "Ya really think they're going to seize all my stuff?" he asked while poking his head out ever-so-slightly so he wouldn't be noticed. The cat grabbed Capper by the shoulders and dragged him back into the darkness of the alley. "You heard what the monkey guy said! He's claiming Panthera as his own" – he put his hands to his head distressedly – "that includes all of our valuable possesions!" Pause. "Hm. Good thing I don't have any, I guess" he admitted calmly. "Th-then–" Capper gulped "–I guess I'll just go and... make guard, heh heh..." he chuckled nervously. He fumbled through the multiple pockets of his coat and took out some keys. The cat followed him silently all the way home. "It's Chummer, by the way," he said to break the silence when they finally arrived. "What?" Capper asked, as he unlocked the door. "You asked what my name was." "I didn't." "Oh. Really? Well, you know it now. I'm Chummer." He extended his hand to Capper with a friendly grin. "Okaaay...?" "Hey, I thought, since I don't have anywhere to stay and we two are such good friends already, then maybe–" Capper shut the door in Chummer's face. Capper let out a relieved sigh. He was finally home after such a wearisome day, and now he could just sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the evening. He couldn't be happier it was all over. Except it wasn't! A melodic MEOW! rung across the room. He looked up at the cuckoo clock hanging on the wall. It was barely midday yet, there was still a lot to do! Of course. He put his palm to his forehead. He had left so fast he left everything at the market! He grabbed from the table the same bowl he had had breakfast on earlier that day and walked into the kitchen. With some luck, he could find a decent meal. He searched among the drawers and shelves full of food for something to eat, but his quest proved unsuccessful. Then he walked by a window and noticed his reflection on it. Capper purred at his own image in the glass. "Oh, hello, handsome! Nothin' can stop ya, ya magnificent fool." "Gee, thanks, Mr. Dapperpaws!" "ACK!" Capper nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Chummer appear out of his window so suddenly. "W-wha-what are you doin' here?!" "Ah, you know, just hangin' around..." he said as he opened the window. "W-well, don't!" Capper cut, closing the window. Silence. Chummer opened the window back again. "I wonder how things are back at the castle. How long do you think 'till they give up to anarchy?" he asked. Capper just turned around and didn't respond. "Maybe they already started a rebellion? Ha, I should go back and see! " He turned to Capper. "Hey, wanna accompany me to the market? We could find you something to eat. With all the fuss going on they're sure not to notice if we sneak by and–" Capper grabbed a can of tuna from the shelf and opened it with his claws. "Oh. Then I guess not." Silence again. Chummer leaned his head against the window frame, looking piteous. "It sure gets lonely out here..." "Uh-huh." "Don't you wish you had some company?" "Nope." Awkward silence. "Besides..." Capper turned to him. "Just look at this place. Delicious food, the comfiest furniture, entire rooms filled only with my clothes. Does it seem like I need more?" Chummer rose and stuck half his body inside the kitchen. "Wouldn't you want more, though?" Capper's ears flicked forward. He was suddenly interested on what Chummer had to say. "...Keep talkin'..." "Well... I mean, your house is lovely and everything, but didn't you see all the stuff that Storm King had? Sparkling armors!" "Airships..." "An entire army at his command!" Capper extended his hand to Chummer to help him enter the house. "Sounds like you might have something in mind..." "I do have a plan... though you might not like it."