Of Life and Death (PUSS IN BOOTS THE LAST WISH FANFIC)

Battle

As they grew closer to the skull-shaped hole, the sounds of a battle grew louder and louder. Finally, they reached the opening, with the Wolf peering in to survey the situation.

"Is he there?" The Jaguar asked, attempting to look past her friend, only to be pushed back against the wall.

"Stay here, Gatita. I've got this." The Wolf instructed, his voice deep and quiet.

The Wolf then began his cold whistle again, walking up a rock formation that placed him in the center of the skull shaped rock. The Jaguar then carefully peeked past the side of the formation, looking into the battle and catching a glimpse of Puss in Boots. His fur stood up on end as he stared back at the Wolf, with nothing but terror in his eyes as he quickly forgot the map that was nearby and began to flee.

"Lobo!" The Jaguar called up to the Wolf, who turned to look at her, "We should split up, that way we can corner him. Sound good?"
"Si."

With that, the Jaguar then quickly began pursuit. She followed Puss as he entered the forest, racing through the thickets before he collapsed against the tree. She then paused, watching him from behind a nearby tree as he clutched his chest and struggled to catch his breath.

Then, she heard the sounds of little footsteps and a muffled voice calling for Puss. Then, the little dog that she remembered seeing on the banks run over, holding Puss's hat in his mouth.

"Puss? What's wrong?" The dog asked as Puss continued to gasp for air.

Then...he simply put his head on his friend's stomach, slowly calming the cat down.

"Thank you, Perrito." The cat said gratefully as he placed a paw on his friend's head.

"What's going on with you, Puss?"

"I...I am down to my last life....And, uh, I... I am afraid."

The Jaguar stepped closer, still not allowing herself to be seen yet as she watched the display.

"Well, it's okay to be afraid."

"No, not for Puss in Boots...I-I'm supposed to be a fearless hero," Puss said, looking off to the side, "A legend. But without lives to spare, I am nothing. I need that wish to get my lives back."

As they continued talking, The Jaguar went back behind the tree to think. Some part of her made her think that she should feel pity for this guy. But...she couldn't. She felt like she could understand him, but felt like he still hadn't learned his lesson since he was still planning to take the easy way out. Then, she decided to speak to this cat personaly, walking out from behind the tree and allowing herself to be seen by him.

"Oh Hello, miss!" The little dog immediately ran over to her, looking up at her, "It's been a while!"

"Hola, Perrito. Hola, Puss in boots." She said, eyes immediately meeting his.

"La Vida.." He seemed to know who she was.

"Si. My companion and I have been following you for quite some time."

For some reason, Puss's ears perked up, him standing up and looking at her.

"La Vida! You can help me!"

"...what?" She was a bit taken aback by his sudden enthusiasm.

"You can give me more lives, can you not?"

She just stared down at him, dumbfounded.

"You're not serious."

"I am completely serious, Senorita! That way, the legend can live on!"

The Jaguar felt a deep anger bubbling inside of her.

"You...you honestly think you can just...demand I give you more lives?"

"I mean..." Puss then waved around his arms a bit, unable to really respond.

"Puss in Boots...i took you for selfish. I took you for arrogant. However, I did not take you for the type to just...tell me what to do!"

"Is it not your job to make life?" Puss then retorted.

"My job is to Preserve life in those who deserve it! Not to just hand over lives to anyone that asks! Especially not to a greedy, arrogant Pedazo de mierda like you!" She screamed down at him as plant life began to grow around them.

The Jaguar yanked at the vine she was holding, pulling Puss to the floor as she ripped it from his boot. He then got up and ran away, with Perrito following after him.

"And to think, I was almost feeling sorry for you!" She yelled at him as he ran away, paws balling into fists as she stomped onto the ground with fury, "No puedes esconderte de la muerte para siempre!"

The Jaguar kicked at the ground, sending little bits of dirt up in front of her as she felt her head droop. She took deep breath after deep breath, looking down at the ground for a while.

Then, a hand gently rested on her shoulder, with it seeming to calm her down almost instantly.

"La Muerte.."

"Don't take his desperate words to heart, Gatita."

She then turns to face the Wolf, who's looking just past her to the path ahead.

"You ready to catch this gato?" The Jaguar asks.

"Born ready."