Shadow was upset that John had replaced her with Rocky. She thought after all the love I gave John, he replaced me with another kitty. She wasn’t mad at Rocky; it wasn’t his fault that John decided to replace her. She was hurt. However, as she gave the whole situation some thought, she realized John did it because he didn’t know if she would come back to him. After all, she was in a massive war with the Shadow Cat Warriors from Catmoon. The SCWs wanted to see her dead as the SCWs thought Shadow was a threat to their existence because Shadow was part alien and Egyptian cat. And because of that, she had powers that scared the SCWs.

“It’s best that you told Rocky he couldn’t join you in the war against the SCWs,” said Captain Cattitude to Shadow as he tried to comfort her over her decision. Captain Cattitude knew how bloody and brutal the war had been so far. Both sides have lost many lives. “Let’s just say the idea that cats have nine lives was a lie,” said Captain Cattitude to Shadow. “Rocky is but a kitten. He should not be here fighting the enemy. Rocky is too young to give his life to this cause. He needs to be able to enjoy his kittenhood. He still has so much to learn about becoming a cat. “He will most likely die in battle. He doesn’t yet know how to use his cat instincts to be defensive in this war,” he continued as he held Shadow. “I know I did the right thing. I don’t want to see his life be short-lived by dying in this war. He still has life to be a kitten and play and learn what it will be like to be a cat to John,” said Shadow.

“Come, let us get a good night’s rest. We have all been overwhelmed by this war, and it shows no signs of ending soon. The Shadow Cat Warriors excellent defensive fighters, and unfortunately, they believe the world would be better off if you didn’t exist,” said Captain Cattitude to Shadow, who was but a teenager. He felt bad so much had been placed on her young paws. “Yes, let’s go to bed. I’m tired. I need the rest,” said Shadow as she got up and headed to her quarters in the spaceship that had now become their home. Captain Cattitude followed her after to his captain’s quarters.

Shadow felt Rocky’s pain, but she didn’t want him to get killed or hurt by helping her battle the Shadow Cat Warriors. Plus, she thought he was too young to know if he was willing or not to die for the cause of saving the Earth. She thought she must turn down his request and tell him no. She wrote the following back to Rocky:

Although I was much impressed with your offer to help me battle the Shadow Cat Warriors, I am afraid I have to turn down your offer. I can’t expect you to understand my reasoning, but I feel you are too young to risk your little kitty’s life. If you were older, I would jump at your offer. However, you have no idea what you are asking to do. You are asking and telling me you are willing to die to help in the battle. I don’t think you fully comprehend what battles are. Death usually ends up happening on both sides. It’s not pretty or comforting. It’s raw and bloody. It is disturbing down to your soul. I don’t think your young mind will handle it well. If you want to help, I prefer you stay home and look after John. I know he is upset I am not there. At least with you home, John will have companionship. I know this letter will make you upset. I am doing what is in my heart that feels right. You know what you could do? Pray for my brothers, sisters and I that we win the fight against the Shadow Cat Warriors. Take care, and wish our team luck.

Sincerely,

Shadow

Dear Shadow,

You don’t know me but I am your brother according to John our owner, I was moved by his story about you. I find you to be a courageous cat which I can respect. To know you are fighting for Planet Earth and the invasion of the Cat Warriors here on Earth makes me very proud I can call you my sister. I wish to join you in your battle to save Earth, especially those descendants of your ancestors which John told me are the Shadow Cat Warriors’ target. I know I am still a kitten. However, this kitten is fired up about your cause. I want to fight with you against our enemy, the Shadow Cat Warriors. I too want to protect Earth, the place I so lovingly call home. I look forward to your reply and how I might get to Catmoon, so I can join in the battle! I know John will not be happy about my request, so please don’t tell him. I will talk to him about my desire to join you in the battle to save planet Earth. I hope you will be responsive to this message and allow me to join you. I feel it is my destiny.

Sincerely,

Rocky

Determined, Rocky searched for a way to get to his sister. He found a room where the door was locked. He wondered why the door was locked, and why he never saw John enter the room. Later that night, Rocky used his claws to pick the lock. He was at it for hours, his paws getting sore from his multiple attempts to unlock the door. Just as he was about to give up, he felt his claws move the lock. With a whoosh, the door became unlocked.

He opened the door slowly so as to not make a noise that would awaken John. He peered into the room and he saw Shadow’s communicator device and hieroglyphics on the wall. His mouth fell open to the sight he was seeing. “What is this?” he thought to himself. He quietly closed the door, so he could have privacy. He walked over to the communication device and pushed buttons trying to turn it on. After multiple tries, he found the button that turned the machine on. A screen appeared with a blinking cursor. Rocky began to type on the keyboard. He didn’t know what he was doing, but he wanted to help save Earth also and join the fight with his sister. “Shadow, you don’t know me but I am your brother according to John. He told me you were fighting the Shadow Cat Warriors to save Earth. I was much moved by his story. I wish to join you in the fight to save Earth. Please let me join you. John doesn’t know I am doing this and probably won’t be happy I am. But, you are my sister and I wish to help you. Your pictures are all over John’s apartment. You look noble and strong. If you get this message, please reply back with how I may join you…” Rock his the return key and the message disappeared from the screen as it made its transfer to what he hoped would be on its way to Shadow…

Knock, knock, knock on the door, getting louder. “Miss Shadow, Miss Shadow, you’re due on stage in five minutes,” said a nervous stage manager. Shadow arouse from the dream. “Damn, my last music video has been affecting me for some time now,” she thought. Shadow has been dreaming about her latest hit, “Space war”. She has been on her tour of the world for the last couple of months. She is exhausted. “Miss Shadow, you’re adoring fans await you. Come now,” barked the stage manager. Shadow jumped to her feet, grabbed her prop laser gun and began to run toward the stage…

Around her were people fixing her fur, shining her claws, and helping her step into the gun turrent for her opening song, “Space War.” Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two one, counted down the clock projected on the giant video screens around the arena. The curtain opened and the hypnotic beat of “Space War” began to play. The crowd went wild…

“You’re my lover,

You’re my space cowboy,

Come blast my soul,

Save me from this space war, ”

shadow began to sing as she started her choreographed moves. The crowd exploded with energy and began to sing along…and suddenly, the beat dropped “Level Back” said the deep, bass-sounding, electronic voice – the crowd went ballistic as Shadow and her dancers began to perform the “Space War” dance shown in her music video. The crowd began to throw roses onto the stage…

The alarm sounded loud and booming.  Shadow knew what was happening.  The Shadow Cat Warriors were attacking. She immediately ran her way to Phoebe.  Phoebe was crouched like a hidden dragon when Shadow saw her on the ground.  “What are you doing?” said a startled Shadow.  Phoebe just looked at Shadow with bugged eyes.  She was scared.  “Get up!” “We got to get to our battle stations,” said Shadow as she grabbed Phoebe by the paw and dragged her upward.

Captain Cattitude was beyond himself.  He knew the SCW’s would attack but he had become complacent, and it was a shock when the alarm went off.  “Crap,” he thought.  Here we go….”  Shadow must be protected was his only thought.  He ran to meet up where Shadow at the compound’s battle stations…

Shadow loaded ammunition into the gun turret and was ready to start firing at the incoming SCW’s. They were coming in large swarms.  Shadow thought this is it.  This is the day I die.

Christmas came and went.  New Year’s Eve came and went.  The Shadow Cat Warriors have not attacked.  Shadow wondered what was going on.  She wanted the attack to happen, so her crew could move on and either die or survive. The Shadow Cat Warriors wanted Shadow dead, this much she knew.  Her owner, thankfully, pulled through the Omicron COVID variant.  Shadow was happy about this.  She wanted to get home and be back with her owner.  She missed him. In fact, she missed Earth.  Catmoon was not as beautiful as Earth is, she thought as she lay down to rest for the night. Suddenly, an alarm went off….

The night was quiet. However, everyone was on edge even though they have been practicing defensive fighting in their POD training. They knew the Shadow Cat Warriors were coming soon. Shadow lay awake with guilt. She hated that people were going to lose their life over having to protect her. The Shadow Cat Warriors wanted to see that Shadow was killed. They viewed her as a threat to their species. Shadow has special powers that the SCW’s don’t have. They are concerned these mutations will end their species. Not all Catmmoonians are afraid of Shadow and it is that faction that protects her now. Did I mention tonight was Christmas on Catmoon?

As Shadow lay in her bed trying to sleep, she noted it was midnight. She spotted in a corner a mouse barely stirring. The night was eerily quiet and stung with the fear of the upcoming battle. It did not feel like Christmas. Shadow got word earlier in the morning that her owner back on Earth was sick in the hospital with the Omicron COVID variant. His chances to survive COVID were slim. Shadow began to cry. She hadn’t seen her owner in over a year and a half. At first, her crying was soft then she began to sob. her heart was breaking. Her owner had raised her as a kitten to be a fine example of how a cat can behave. The thought of losing him broke her heart…