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Secrets In The Dark	By : Daniella Category: +S through Z > SwatKats Views: 1763 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own SwatKats, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
Chapter Fifteen

“Talking”

‘Thoughts’

Dena groaned loudly as she slowly regained consciousness. She blinked her eyes a few times against the sudden glare from the council chamber lights that shone in her face as she lay on her back staring up at the ceiling. Near her, she could hear someone calling to her. It seemed whoever it was had been calling her for some time. She finally recognized it as the Deputy Mayor asking if she was alright.

She mumbled an answer in response and made an attempt to try and get up. Only then did she realize she was in her true form and with that memory crashed in on why she was so addled in the first place. Her mate was in trouble. She gasped and made a greater effort to get off the floor only to be pushed down by a firm paw.

“Don’t get up, Commander, stay still for a bit longer.” Callie said, relief lacing her voice.

“No, I can’t…my…” Dena started to say but stopped as she realized the council was still in session and all eyes were on her. She clamped her lips together. No one needed to know who or why she had fainted and lost her form. Callie especially didn’t need to know Dena was now mated and to who.

“Your what, Commander?” Callie asked wondering what was making Feral so anxious. She could see the worry in those gold eyes.

“Nothing that concerns you, Ms. Briggs.” Dena mumbled quietly, then politely moved the Deputy Mayor’s paw away and sat up slowly.

Callie let her get up though her eyes said she knew something had happened and that this wasn’t the end of the subject. Dena got to her feet and stood still until she felt more steady.

“Do you feel well enough to continue, Commander?” Ms. Roday asked, eyeing her in concern.

“Uh, no....I don’t think so. Sorry, I’ve been so busy lately that I’ve allowed myself to become exhausted and the excess stress of all this.” She said, lying while maintaining a stone face. To back up her lie, she allowed herself to appear more rocky than she really was.

Callie continued to eye her in concern, knowing, somehow that Feral wasn’t telling the whole truth but didn’t call her on it.

“We understand. A lot of things have been shoved on you the last few days by your Elders and your Enforcer duties demanding your attention as well. I suggest we continue this meeting tomorrow, that’s if it’s alright with you Mayor Manx?” She asked calmly, looking toward the stocky tom.

Sighing to himself, only too relieved to put this ugly business on hold for a while longer, Mayor Manx was only too happy to agree. “Yes, of course, Callie. I think that is an excellent idea. We can all use a break. Shall we meet here again, say at nine a.m. sharp?” He asked the rest of the council.

After a moments hesitation, all the members nodded their agreement.

“Excellent! Then this emergency meeting of the council is hereby closed for the day.” The Mayor intoned briskly.

Sighing mentally in relief, Dena quickly excused herself and slipped out the door ahead of the departing council members, hurrying down the hall to the elevator. Lucking out in getting a car, she pushed the lobby button immediately, insuring no one else could board with her.

On the ride down, she cast her illusion spell once more then focused her attention on what she needed to do next. Alerting Elder Serena was an immediate priority then she needed to find Razor and Rick. She knew Razor was going to be angry and upset when he heard of T-Bone’s capture by the rogue but she hoped he wouldn’t do anything that would put all of them in danger.

All the while she was planning her next move, her instincts were screaming for her to find her mate......now! But she shoved it back and concentrated on getting what she had to first. It wouldn’t do T-Bone any good if she rushed in trying to save him and get herself caught as well.

As she stepped off the elevator and strode quickly to the outside doors, her thoughts were interrupted by someone calling for her urgently. She froze and turned to see Ms. Briggs hurrying toward her, a set look of determination on her face.

Callie had been able to catch the elevator next to the one the Commander took and was decanted at the same moment. She shook her head at the sight of the ‘now’ male Commander when it had been a ‘female’ who had gotten on the elevator. It was amazing to Callie how Dena did that trick so easily.

Dena groaned mentally, ‘Oh please not now!’ She badly wanted to hiss that out at the she kat’s face right now.

Instead, she said, “What is it, Ms. Briggs?” Her voice level and calm which was a complete contradiction to how she really felt.

“Something serious has happened and you’re keeping it close to your chest as usual. I want to know what is going on.” She demanded firmly, when she had gotten within an arms length of Dena.

“No.” Dena said firmly

“Commander, as Deputy….” Callie started to say in a huff.

“Don’t pull that card out with me, Briggs! There are some things you simply don’t need to know and Iriomkat business is one of them.” Dena said flatly.

“Is it because you can’t tell me or won’t?” Callie insisted, not letting the subject go.

“Won’t.” Dena said bluntly then turned her back to Callie and continued on her way through the door and out of the building. Within minutes, she was in her car and speeding toward Elder Serena’s home.

It had been late afternoon when she’d left city hall but it was now just dusk when she reached Elder Serena’s one story brick house. Two huge front windows flashed with the light of the departing sunlight as she pulled in front of the house. A car was parked in the drive where stood a one car garage.

Before climbing out of her car, she released her glamour spell then got out and walked up the side walk to the front door. She used the stylized knocker on the door and rapped it twice....hard. She looked around the quiet neighborhood as she waited impatiently for someone to answer.

The door popped open and Serena stood there looking at her in surprise. “Dena, is something wrong?” She asked, stepping aside to allow the younger Iriomkat to enter.

“Elder Serena it’s about Zachary. He…” Dena began urgently but was distracted by the sound of a door in the house closing. She blinked in surprise and cocked her head at Serena. “Is someone else here?” She asked in concern, thinking she might of come at a bad time.

“Only my mate. He’s a bit leery around Iriomkats he doesn’t know.” Serena said calmly. “Now, you were saying?” She asked, getting Dena to return to the reason she was there.

“Oh....yes....it’s about Zachary. He’s joined with the rogue.” She said bitterly then went on to tell Serena what had transpired recently; Anwar’s kidnapping along with his family, the reason being a forbidden spell in his family’s spell book, Zachary’s recent behavior, the creation of a weapon by Rick and Razor to fight the rogue, and finally the recent kidnapping of her mate.

Serena listened carefully, her face going grave from this terrible news. “I will have to inform the others about this so they will hold their tongues in Zachary’s presence. Do you know if this glovatrix shield will work?” Serena asked distractedly

“I won’t know for sure till I speak with Razor and Rick. But Razor is a really intelligent Kat and if he says he can invent something like that, it’s a safe bet he will succeed.” Dena said trying to be upbeat.

“Well that’s good to know. I remember the SWAT Kats always seemed to manage pulling off the impossible in the end that takes out the bad guys. We’ll just let Razor do what he does best. Don’t lose hope Dena, I’m sure you’ll find T-Bone in time before anything bad happens to him. He’s not an easy Kat to overcome and that’s to our benefit. Now hurry off and see if Rick and Razor have completed their new weapon.” Serena said encouragingly.

“I will.”

“Oh and Dena before you go......” Serena said, stopping the other Iriomkat.

Dena paused to eye her questioningly. “Yes?”

Serena walked closer to her and placed both of her paws on Dena’s shoulders. “Whatever happens from here on out, don’t blame yourself over the results. Sometimes…sometimes things can get out of control and can’t be stopped it no matter how hard we try. Know that nothing you did or didn’t do will be able to change what will be no matter how much we wish we could change the outcome. Understand?” She asked seriously.

“I understand, at least I think I do.” Dena said trying to make sense of Serena words.

Serena slowly nodded, “Alright, go on. I’ve kept you here along enough.”

Dena nodded and went out the door Serena opened for her. She hurried to her car and climbed in. As her car disappeared from view, Serena closed her door and turned as her mate walked toward her from the hallway looking grim faced.

“We’ve done everything we could, but I’m afraid it still will not be enough.” Serena said worriedly.

Jake moved to her side and wrapped his arms around her. “I know my love.” He said soothingly.

Meanwhile, as Dena was driving toward the city, she saw by her watch that she would be able to catch Razor and Rick still at his shop. She passed through the city center and reached an area of abandoned stores and homes. Making a couple of turns into the heart of the area, she finally reached and old abandoned high school.

For security reason, she parked a block from the school. Locking her vehicle, she quickly walked back to the school. When she reached it, she walked around toward the back. Here was the football field with bleachers on both sides of the field and sitting nearby was the gym building.

This was her destination. She tried the door and found it unlocked as Rick was prone to do when he was here working on his inventions. Pulling the door open, she stepped in and made for a staircase to one side of the entrance. She climbed them to the top, before her was a set of double doors that led to the basketball courts.

Dena pushed the doors open in time to see Rick and Razor putting things away and getting ready to leave. It was Razor who spotted her first.

“Dena, what are you doing here?” Razor called out from his position in the middle of the gym floor with Rick next to him.

Rick paused in his packing and from his kneeling position looked over his shoulder at her. He didn’t like the look in Dena’s eyes even though she kept her face expressionless.

Without a word, Dena power walked over to the pair. Rick’s frown of concern deepened as he stood up to greet her. Razor frowned as well. He could see something bad had happened.

As soon as she got close enough, she blurted out, “Zachary....he’s captured T-Bone.....I....” Whatever else she was going to say was cut off by an explosive shout from Razor.

“What?! When did this happen?!”

“This afternoon. T-Bone said he planned on meeting me at my apartment and I can only assume Zachary was laying in wait for him there.” Dena said in anguished dismay. Her face finally showing her fear and worry.

Fear and fury filled Razor as he growled and suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Dena by her coat collar. “This all your fault! If you hadn’t been locked in that vault with T-Bone none of this would have happened!”

“Back off, Razor!” Rick snapped, jumping between the two of them and shoving the smaller SWAT Kat off Dena.

“It hardly matters when Dena and T-Bone came together. They were fated to be mates and nothing would have prevented that. Don’t forget, you and T-Bone always manage to be involved in everything Dena is so this could have happened at anytime. Don’t blame her!” He growled angrily.

“We have to because the enforcers are unable to do the job on their own. What we do insures the protection of the city and its Katizens.” Razor snarled back.

“Bullshit! If you really wanted to protect the city like you say you want to then join the Enforcers!”

“We can’t!”

“Enough!” Dena roared, furious at their fighting when there was no time for this pissing contest males were prone to. Razor and Rick froze in shock and stared at her. “Who gives a damn whose fault it is? What matters now is finding my mate and your best friend, Razor, before the rogue and Zachary do anything to him! So quit your fucking fighting and tell me if those shields work or not damn it!”

Razor blinked in amazement as he stared at the dark brown Iriomkat female as if he’d never seen her before. In all the time he’d known the Chief Enforcer, he’d never heard a curse word fall from those lips.....ever. Lose her temper constantly.....but swear.....never! Wow, was she angry and scared, Razor finally realized. Sighing he let go his anger. She was right, now wasn’t the time to indulge in fits of anger.

As for Rick, he wasn’t surprised that Dena had lost her temper but he’d never heard a swear word come from her mouth before and he was totally shocked. Her anger and obvious worry was no surprise because an Iriomkat would do anything in their power to protect their mate and kits even at the risk of losing their own life. Chastising himself for getting into a useless argument when she was beside herself with worry, he got them back on track by answering her question.

“It should work but we still need more time to test it.” Rick said but knew it wouldn’t matter.

“We don’t have time.” She said bluntly. “Razor, is T-Bone’s glovatrix fitted the same as yours?” Dena asked.

Razor shook his head. “Only mine has been altered so far but I can make you one when I get back to the hangar. I’ll get it done quickly and get it to you quickly.”

Before Dena could respond, the gym doors swung open suddenly. They stiffened at the sight of the one standing in the door looking at them.

Zachary had a false smile on his face as he released the doors and walked calmly toward them. “So this is where you two have been. I’ve been looking all over for you. Dena, you should have told me where you’d be.” He said jovially. He ignored Razor as he approached the other two.

So involved in his act of nonchalance, Zachary never noticed how tense Rick was and how he refused to look at him while Razor’s body vibrated with barely leashed fury and he never noted the fact Dena had her paws clenched into tight fists reflecting the rage within her.

He blindly walked up to them and asked, “What’s wrong? What’s up with the silent treatment? Did I do something wrong?” He asked when he finally felt the tense silence greeting him. He halted a short distance from them in confusion.

A brown blur flashed past Rick and Razor as Dena moved like lightning to tackle Zachary to the floor. They watched as she wrapped her fingers around his neck then shot a powerful jolt of energy into him......not enough for unconsciousness but enough to paralyze.

Some hours earlier, T-Bone gradually regained consciousness and groaned loudly. He tried to rise but halted as the room went spinning at first before finally slowing down. He rubbed his temples to ease his aching head.

“Crud! Where am I?” He asked the air, not really expecting an answer.

“In a warehouse somewhere near the Megakat docks.” A male voice answered.

T-Bone lifted his head slowly and turned toward the voice. Across from him, leaning against his cage bars, was a tan colored tom with gray eyes. Rolling onto his side, T-Bone realized he was in a cage too. Looking around the room he spotted another cage across from his that held a white furred she-kat with blue eyes, her arms wrapped around two kittens who eyed him with wide eyes.

“Don’t worry! I’ll find a way to get us out of here.” He said quietly as he got to his feet. Only then did he realize his glovatrix was gone. No surprise there, he sighed.

“They took it and even if you did have your gadget it won’t do you any good. The barrier spell on our cells is very strong and your normal weapons won’t work on it.” The tom said bluntly.

“Who are you? Why are you here in the first place?” T-Bone asked.

“I’m Bruce Anwar. The rogue took me to cast a spell that will break your bonding with the rogue’s sister.” The tom said unhappily.

“Your Abrielle’s brother. We heard about you and what happened and have been making plans to find you. Don’t worry, Dena, Rick and my partner will find us soon.” T-Bone said firmly.

Bruce shook head, “No, they won’t. First, they don’t know where we are and, second, it will be far too late.”

“It doesn’t help to be negative. A positive attitude can see you through anything. My partner and I have gotten out of tougher situations. There must be something you are capable of that might work to our advantage. So stop thinking negatively and start thinking defensively.” T-Bone growled.

“I’m sorry but I’m not a warrior and don’t know the first thing about fighting or my family wouldn’t have been taken so easily.” Anwar said bitterly.

“I’m not blaming you for this situation. Not everyone is cut out to be a warrior. That’s not a crime what is wrong is not using what tools you have to try and correct your situation.” T-Bone said gravely. “I understand completely how helpless you must feel having your family in danger believe me.”

Anwar blushed in embarrassment. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to snap at you. You’re right I’m very worried about saving my family.”

“Don’t be! I would be doing the same thing if I was in your place.” T-Bone said gently then asked, “I know about the spell your family developed and what it does but I’m still confused about why the rogue wants it......as for Zachary....I know his reason only to well.”

“I told you, it’s the same reason the rogue wants it broken.” Bruce answered moving closer to T-Bone’s side of the cage. “He knows what will happen when the spell is used but neither one of them cares.”

“The same reason?” T-Bone said ‘Damn, that certainly confirms what his behavior was saying but still doesn’t answer who this rogue is.’ T-Bone thought. Before he could ask anything else they were interrupted by the sound of a door opening and closing followed by foot steps.

Bruce and he fell silent and went tense for different reasons. Bruce’s wife, Lesley hurriedly moved as far back in her cage as she could, hiding her kittens behind her as two Iriomkat males entered the area where they were being held.

T-Bone’s mouth fell open in shock at the large brown tom that came to stand before his cage. “You! But why!?” T-Bone asked Demon.

“Because you kats are disgusting creatures and need to be put in your place.” Demon said emotionlessly looking at T-Bone with unfeeling cold eyes.

“Dena trusted you! Both of you! How can you do this to her?!” T-Bone snarled angrily at them as his paws clutched tightly the bars of his cage.

Demon tesked at him, “You should talk! You don’t deserve to be around Dena much less be with her.”

“What?! What right do you have…”

“I’m her brother! That gives me the right! Scum like you will only hurt her in the end.” Demon barked.

With that Demon turned his attention toward Bruce who simply snarled at him. Demon simply smirked at him.

“Don’t forget your part of our deal now. You won’t want anything to happen to your mixed family now would you?” Demon said sinisterly

Bruce grit his teeth in anguish and closed his eyes, turning his head away. “No, I haven’t forgotten. I’ll cast the spell.” He bite out bitterly.

Satisfied, Demon nodded then turned to walk away, Zachary moving to follow after him until T-bone forced him to stop.

“So what’s your reason, Zachary? You were her best friend. What’s your reason for betraying her now?” T-Bone demanded.

Zachary came closer to T-Bone’s cage once more and hissed at him. “I’m not betraying her! If anything, I’m trying to save her. Dena needs someone who understands her and won’t use her as he sees fit as you do.” He began to walk off but paused. “Oh, and T-Bone.....” He said suddenly moving closer till he was face to face with the tabby. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of my mate.” He said with a cold smirk on his face and then followed after Demon.

“It won’t matter because I’ll still be around and I’ll make sure that she and I will remain mates even after the spell is cast.” T-Bone shouted after him, fiercely.

Zachary sniggered a little at T-Bone’s words. “Nothing you do will matter because you will be dead once the spell is finished. I promise you that.” Floated over his shoulder as he vanished from sight.

Outside the warehouse where their prisoners were being held, Zachary parted from Demon and headed for his car. He need to find Dena and be by her side when the spell was cast to offer her comfort.

When the door shut behind Zachary and Demon, T-Bone pulled his paws away from the bars he had been gripping so tightly. He looked over at Bruce and spoke resolutely.

“You and I need to work together if we are to have a chance of getting out of here. We have to come up with a way to save your family and tell Dena who the rogue is!” The tabby said grimly. ‘Dena is going to be so upset when she learns her own brother is responsible for all the grief that’s been happening!’ T-Bone thought unhappily. ‘I hope she is alright!’

Bruce stared at T-Bone thoughtfully and considered his words. He wasn’t sure if they could really come up with a way out of here but as he looked over at his mate and kittens, he knew he had to try. There was no insurance that Demon would keep his word to release his family unharmed. His hatred of Kats and mixes ran too deep to be trusted.

“What…what do you have in mind?” Bruce asked, uncertainly.

While T-Bone and Bruce discussed ways to escape, Zachary had arrived at Club Irme. He walked to the front doors and was stunned to see a note that said the club was closed for fumigation for the next few days. He wondered why Rick hadn’t told him.

Confused, he went back to his car. He needed to find Dena. He knew she would be worried about T-Bone as she would have felt his capture earlier. He wanted to offer his concern and keep her company until everything was over. Now he would just have to search for her. He knew he had been missing for a few days from work but he thought Rick would have called him if something had happen. He pulled out his cell phone and checked for any missed calls or messages but there were none.

He moved away from his car and went around to the back of club to a staircase that lead to a second floor apartment where he and his brother lived. Entering the apartment, he called for Rick but was greeted with silence. He looked around to see if his brother had left him a note but found nothing.

Frowning in concern, Zachary left his home and tried to think where his brother might be as he made his way down the stairs and back to his car. Then it came to him.

“Of course, the gym!” He murmured to himself. Climbing into his car he took off for his brother’s workshop. The gym at the old high school was where Rick would often be found working some invention or other.

Ten minutes later, he arrived at the abandoned high school. As he parked his car, he noted Dena’s was right nearby. He smiled and climbed out of his vehicle and walked swiftly to the gym. Running up the stairs, he pushed open the doors and found he had been right.

Dena and Rick were at the center of the gym. His smile turned sour though when he also saw the cinnamon tom known as Razor. He growled mentally but warned himself to stay calm and just ignore the SWAT Kat. He was so busy pretending that he failed to note the hostility being directed toward him until it was too late.

Now he lay helpless from Dena’s unexpected attack. His body jolted from the shock Dena had delivered when she’d grabbed him by the throat. He blinked up at her in stunned amazement and dismay.

Dena panted heavily as she gradually let go of her once best friend’s neck. She then grad Zachary by the shirt collar and pulled him to his feet as she got to her own feet. She dragged him over to the side of the court and threw him against the stone wall beside the bleachers.

“We know everything Zachary.” Dena hissed. “But what we don’t know is who the rogue is or where he’s hiding and where you’ve taken my mate.”

Zachary couldn’t move any part of his body except his eyes which darted to each of them before settling on Dena once more. His body hurt from being thrown against the wall but not as much as it hurt to see that look of hatred in Dena’s eyes as she looked at him.

“I’m only going to say this once. Tell me where my mate is.” Dena demanded coldly.

Zachary grunt out a harsh ‘no’. Dena growled and grabbed him again by his collar, pulling him to eye level.

“I’m not playing around! Tell me where my mate is!” Dena hissed, flashing fangs.

“No.....Rick…” Zachary called out to his brother.

Rick shook his head sadly. “No, Zachary. You need to face the consequences of your actions.”

Before Zachary could say anything else, he felt himself being jerked out of Dena’s paws and being brought face to face with an angry Razor.

“Listen scumbag! Tell us were T-Bone is or else…”

“Or else what?” Zachary sneered at Razor, “You can’t do anything to me so fuck off!”

Razor growled threateningly at him but lost the Iriomkat to Dena who had once more yanked Zachary into her paws.

“He can’t but I can. I had enough of this! You leave me no choice.” Dena said heavily, almost in an apology.

Zachary’s eyes widened with fear, “No, Dena! Don’t do it!”

“Rick, I’m sorry to do this to your brother.” Dena said turning her head to apologize to her long time friend.

“I know, you don’t like doing this but if we are to stop the rogue and find T-Bone, it needs to be done.” Rick said sadly but agreed with her reasons.

Razor glanced at the two of them, trying to fathom what they were talking about. Whatever it was had Zachary scared. Only, Dena looked upset and sorrowful about what she was about to do as did Rick. ‘What the heck was going to happen?’ thought Razor.

Dena laid Zachary on the floor and knelt down beside him. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She needed to have her emotions under control if she was to cast the spell correctly. Lifting up her paw, she covered Zachary’s face with it as she closed her eyes speaking the spell words.

Razor’s eyes widen as Zachary’s eyes suddenly began to glow a solid light blue color while Dena’s paw glowed a soft gold color. He gasped as he noted Dena’s eyes were open wide and glowing the same color.

“What’s she doing?!” Razor whispered, not wanting to disturb whatever Dena was doing.

“She’s scanning Zachary’s memories.” Rick said unhappily.

“How?”

“Dena enters the kat or Iriomkats mind by creating a link using their life force. With that she can access any part of the person’s mind allowing her to search their memories for the information she needs.”

“But why did Dena look like she didn’t want to use it?” Razor asked looking at Rick.

“Because Razor, when she goes through a kat or Iriomkat memories, it’s like she is them and they are her. Feeling every emotion that person felt through their lifetime.” Rick said regretfully.

“Then why didn’t you cast the spell?” Razor asked.

Rick shook his head in regret. “I can’t. It’s a clan spell that can only be used by the clan family that developed it.”

Razor was silent a moment, absorbing this bit of information. “Does this mean T-Bone will be able to use this magic as well?” He asked in amazement.

“Yes.”

A gasp from Dena alerted Razor and Rick. They moved a little closer to her but didn’t touch her. Dena broke contact with Zachary’s mind, letting go of him. But the look on Dena’s face was that of disbelief, deep regret and pain. Tears began to fall freely as she covered her face with her paws and sat back on her knees.

“Dena?!” Rick said worriedly, dropping down beside her and wrapping his arms around her, providing comfort.

Razor knelt down as well and asked softly, “Dena you have to tell us. What did you see? Please!”

“How?…How can I choose between my mate and my own brother?!” Dena cried out in anguish.

Rick and Razor looked at each other in stunned silence. Zachary could only watch, his body still paralyzed, an expression of guilt and remorse spreading across his face.
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Secrets In The Dark