Pitch received a text while cleaning. From Ishwada, the text was a simple update that another division captured the Doppelganger killer trying to kill Frenchie's husband. The capture was made thanks to the information Pitch sent about the Doppelganger’s identity. Pitch smiled slightly. “Well that's one less thing to worry about.” Pitch continued cleaning and organizing, losing track of time the sun started coming up. Pitch washed his hands and took a walk around the house to see if anything else needed getting done. Eventually Kasa came out from the garage and nodded at Pitch.

  “Hey Kasa, good morning. I'll prepare you breakfast since Kathryn's not back yet.” Pitch started cooking up some meat that was prepared beforehand and dished it to her. She nodded at him and started eating. “I know I can't communicate with you as easily as Kathryn can. I'm going to start setting a few things up for later. You'll be fine on your own right?” Kasa nodded and choked out a “Yeah.” in a gruff and gravelly voice. Pitch looked at her with raised eyebrows. “... You've made progress I see. Anyway, Kathryn should be here soon.” Pitch left and drove around, stopping at a few stores. He picked up an old fashioned quilted blanket, a hand woven wicker basket, apples, watermelon chunks, and stuff for sandwiches including sandwich baggies.

  Once everything was gathered he started making sandwiches and putting them in bags, then put them as well as the fruit in the basket before putting the blanket down at a spot by a fountain in the park and set the basket down before sitting on the blanket himself. He then texted Kathryn to meet him there once she was free after stopping at the house. He sat, and he waited. It may not have been perfect, but this was his set up. Today was the day he would propose to her.

  Kathryn got home in her silver-blue sedan and let out a long big sigh while pressing her head against the back of the chair head. “Sometimes I hate my job. But hey, one step closer to finding a cure to the Wendigo virus. … Maybe.” She got out of the car and walked to see Kasa in the kitchen licking a plate. “Ah, I see Pitch fed you.” She looked around. “Where is he?” Kasa shrugged. “Out.” She choked.

  Kathryn was taken aback for a moment. “Oh. Okay.” Her phone then went off. “Ah, that's him. Looks like he wants to meet at the park. I'll set up your lunch just in case.” She cooked up some food and set it down with a lid over it. “This should stay warm till noon, but you'd probably eat it cold.” Kasa nodded then gestured to the door. “Go.” She choked. Kathryn nodded and started making her way to the park.

  Pitch sat at the park and checked his clock when he saw Anderson jogging along the trail with a few other people Pitch recognized as members of Black Eagle who were all likely off duty and jogging recreationally. Something Pitch never understood. Pitch waved to the group and they jogged over. Anderson being the one to address Pitch. “Hey man. Are you having a picnic all alone out here?” Pitch chuckled. “I'm waiting for Kathryn to arrive actually.” Anderson looked at the picnic set up again. “Fitting in a casual date night?” Pitch chuckled. “Not exactly casual, but down to earth. I wanted the lunch to be as chill and relaxing as possible.” Anderson chuckled. “Understandable considering how hectic our lives can be.”

  Pitch nodded with a smile. “Yeah, but that's not the only reason why. You see-” Pitch was suddenly interrupted by a woman shouting. “James Holden! I know you're here somewhere! Show yourself!” Pitch tilted his head at the sound of an extremely heated old woman's voice. “Is that… sister Jeanette? I thought she was in prison for… you know… trying to kill me and domestic terrorism.” Anderson also looked in the direction of the voice. “That sounds like her, and yeah. Also not sure how she would know you're here.” Sister Jeanette walked her way through the park with a number of nuns and priests who were all likely from the Black Scripture.

  “You thought you could get rid of me that easily?! I won't allow a demon like you to continue to corrupt the Black Eagle soldiers. Tricking them into turning against their allies in the Black Scripture. It's bad enough they allow intelligent demons to live and work among them just because they are capable of speech. A demon is a demon and I will not suffer a demon to live. I won't rest till I'm rid of you and I'll convince these Black Eagle soldiers that removing you from existence is the right thing to do. I'm not sure how you survived that last attack but I'll make absolutely sure you die this time. Because now that I know exactly what you are, I know how to kill you! And Black Eagle is going to help me once they know the truth about you!”

  Sister Jeannette pointed angrily at Pitch. Pitch chuckled nervously. “(There's no way she could have possibly learned what I am. She's probably just going to go on a religious rant of some sort.)” “How the hell did you get out of prison?!” Sister Jeannette’s hand shook as she continued to point angrily. “God is on my side, I do this in his name you wicked man eating Nyctophobian!” Pitch went pale. “(How the fuck?!)” He then leaned over to Anderson. “Who makes our super secure communicators we use?” Anderson whispered back. “Tomorrow Corp.” Pitch sighs. “Yeah, that checks out.”

  The other Black Eagle soldiers were looking at Pitch and Anderson. “Uhhh… Umbrans can't go out in the daytime and are shadow monsters.” Jeannette yelled louder. “He's a hybrid mutant! Go ahead and cut him, see if he bleeds!” One shook their head. “I've seen James bleed before.” James shifted back and forth. “Actually… She's right. That's actually how Abe gained the ability to look human but I'm guessing that report wasn't public within your ranks because I asked it not to be. I used to eat people because I didn't have any choice but I've since adjusted thanks to being a hybrid and haven't had to eat since these clowns zapped me with that tank and sent me to the fear realm.”

  Everyone blinked at Pitch who had just admitted to everything. “Anderson and Ishwada know, so does Kathryn. I'm guessing Hawkes knows because he has access to even personal files of everyone in Black Eagle and Marrow knows because he's the one who has given you the comms tech. One of them must have sprung this bitch to cause problems.” There's a moment of silence from even sister Jeannette as she didn't seem to expect Pitch to admit what he was. She had likely expected a denial where she would then provide some proof. She then snapped her finger to break the silence and a box was set down.

  Inside the box were several devices that looked like large cannon versions of the UV light Ritter Rifles and flash bangs. Pitch laughed. “Seriously? I'm obviously able to withstand daylight in this form. You really think those will do anything?” Jeannette lifted and aimed the cannon with a bandoleer of flashbangs at the ready. “I’ll shove these flashbangs down your fucking throat and burn your true form through your skin if I have to!” Kathryn's timing was perfect, she walked over to the picnic area just in time to hear Jeannette, who should be in prison, say that.

  Kathryn walked up and stood in front of Pitch. “Listen here you bitter ass raisin in a dusty nun habit, you're not going to lay a finger on my man.” The Black Eagle soldiers also stood between Pitch and the crazed nun, Anderson addressing her. “Yeah, Pitch here has risked himself for each of us here multiple times. He never asked to become a Cryptid but since he has all he's done is his best to maintain his humanity and be a good person. He's done more to help humanity and us than most members of Black Eagle could hope to accomplish.” Anderson paused as he realized he just referred to Pitch by his Cryptid name rather than the human name everyone else knew him by.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Jeannette pulled up her dress to reveal a regular gun. “Fortunately for me, I planned for at least one regular human. So unless one of you wants to catch a lead lobotomy I'd suggest you back away and let me do the Lord's work. I highly doubt any of you have a gun on you since last I checked you were off duty.” Anderson lifts his shirt to show he is strapped. “Concealed carry you stupid bitch. I never go anywhere without a strap.” Pitch showed his Watt he always has. “Same.” Kathryn didn't have a gun but lowered her body as if assuming a pouncing stance. “Thanks for the back up, but I call dibs on the head bitch. I've got something of a bone to pick with her.”

  Kathryn let out a growl and everyone could feel the dark energy of her hatred oozing off her. She put her hands in a claw position and her nails actually extended and became more claw-like. As Kathryn shifted back and forth in her position, rocking on her feet as her body seemed to shift and a tail that split into two after the base grew its way out from under her lab coat. Her legs seemed to become more cat-like and Pitch could swear he saw ears starting to form before Kathryn dashed forward at surprising speed. “Do you have any idea what you put me through?!” She shouted as she came right up to Jeannette who was surprisingly agile and able to dodge the claw attempt by Kathryn.

  Jeannette aimed the Ritter cannon at Kathryn. “So you're a demon too? Or has your body been corrupted by courting the living shadow?” She fired a blast of concentrated UV light mixed with something else at Kathryn who was able to twist and spin her way out of the way gracefully. She then looked at her now more cat-like clawed hands. “I'm not sure what is going on or how, but if it lets me skin your wrinkled ass for making me think that my boyfriend was dead I'll take it.” She swiftly clawed again, this time aiming for the weapon and taking a chunk out of it. Jeannette jumped back to gain distance, dropping the busted weapon and pulling out the pistol. “Stay back demon, I will kill you.”

  The other rogue members of Black Scripture all raised their weapons but were focused on Pitch and started moving toward him while Kathryn was occupied with their leader. The Black Eagle soldiers all pulled out pistols and Anderson issued an order just the same as if he was on duty. “Weapons hot, non lethal only.” The crew all charged their Watt Pistols while Pitch did the same despite being at the back of the line for once instead of in the thick of it. It was a nice change of pace. Especially after the Wendigo Yeti incident.

  Shots of electricity from one side and UV light emitting energy balls from the other were getting sent across the park. Luckily someone seemed to have cleared the park already once they saw weapons drawn so there wasn't any chance of collateral damage. Jeannette shouted in anger as Kathryn skillfully dodged any attempts to shoot her while making swipes at Jeannette. “Keep dodging Sister, your luck will run out eventually.” Jeannette growled. “God is on my side, it is you who'll run out of luck first!” She aimed straight at Kathryn's head only for the gun to jam. “What the-?” Kathryn smiled devilishly. “Sorry Sister, but this Kat is luck. My presence pushes the odds in my favor. That is my power. The power of Luck.”

  The more Kathryn exerted herself the more cat-like she seemed to become as dark purple fur seemed to progress from her hands down her arms and from her feet up her legs as her clothes ripped from the change of shape and musculature. Now looking more like a twin-tailed nekomata than a human at this point as even her hair started to change color to match the unnaturally colored cat's fur. Moving in swift, agile, animalistic manor Kathryn continued to leap and claw at Jeannette who was having a harder and harder time keeping up with Kathryn and started taking damage as Kathryn's claws started tearing at the old nun’s habit as well as the flesh underneath.

  Jeannette let out shouts of frustration, paying too much attention to her own opponent to notice several of her followers had been rendered unconscious by the high tech electric guns while the Black Eagle soldiers had only been burned a bit with spots of extreme sunburn combined with a bit of regular burn. Ritter guns were built specifically with Cryptids weak to sunlight in mind and are not that useful against anything else. Jeannette's habit was torn to tatters and her breath was ragged. She had tossed her jammed up gun to the side and pulled out a stun baton but still couldn't land a blow.

  “You damn demon witch.” She huffed and sluggishly swung her baton uselessly. “You think he loves you? He'd just as soon eat you. He's a man-eating monster, not even human.” Kathryn growled. “I'm sick and tired of listening to your crap. I'm knocking your ass out and sending you back to the slammer.” She clenched her fuzzy fist and slugged Jeannette hard knocking her on the floor but not out. She then sent her now hairy and bare feet right into the old woman's wrinkled face and knocked her out cold. The rest of the rouge Black Scripture members were quickly detained by the Black Eagle soldiers while Pitch stood there with his Watt Pistol and did nothing to help. He looked Kathryn up and down. “Would it be weird if I said I was turned on right now?”

  “Looks like I wasn't needed.” He said as he put his pistol away. Cuda came out from behind a tree having been hiding there as he had originally come to see Pitch propose to Kathryn. “Is it finally over?” He looked at Kathryn. “I'm going to ignore that for now.” Kathryn tilted her head. “Cu? What are you doing here?” Cuda looked at the group and rubbed the back of his head. “Uhhh….” Pitch waved to get Kathryn's attention. “I actually asked for him to show up. I didn't expect to be attacked. I just wanted a nice chill date with a witness for when I did this.”

  Pitch dropped to one knee and pulled out the velvet box. “Kathryn Smith, will you marry me?” Kathryn put her furred and clawed hands over her mouth and gasped. “Are- are you sure? I mean… look at me.” She gestured to her new form. Pitch let out a short chuckle. “Considering I'm a shadowy tentacle monster in a skin suit it would be weird of me to be thrown off by this.” Kathryn grabbed the box with a shaky hand and opened it. Inside was a dark metallic ring with a black gem that seemed to have a blue glow in the center.

  Kathryn put a hand over her mouth and gasped again. “Pitch, it's beautiful.” Pitch smiled. “I made it myself. The band is a mix of metals that occur naturally in the body while the gem is parts of my body pressed together with such immense pressure they fused. That light inside is hope energy from my body. You could say that I put a bit of myself into it and even poured my hopes into it.” Kathryn shakily slid the ring onto her finger and moved her hand around looking at it. Pitch was still smiling. “I know things are moving kinda fast considering it's been only like… a year and a half to two years since we started dating.”

  Kathryn played with the ring on her finger. “Considering all the craziness and everything else it makes sense though. Also, it's a yes. I'll gladly be your wife.” She gave Pitch a big hug while all the Black Eagle soldiers and Cuda clapped. “Okay, now that the craziness is over I’d like to go home now. I want to run a few tests on myself and spend some time with my fiance.” Anderson nodded. “I have to bring these people in and do paperwork anyway. So much for my day off.” Anderson joins the Black Eagle soldiers in taking the Black Scripture rouges in to be locked back up.

  Cuda shifted back and forth. “I uhhh… don't really have anything to do but I'll leave you two alone. I'll probably give Mom and Dad a call to tell them the news while I'm at it. I'll see you two later.” He waved and made his exit. Pitch put his hand around Kathryn's shoulder and together they walked to the parking lot so they could drive home and try to enjoy the rest of the day together. Kasa was there to greet them as soon as they got in the door, completely unbothered by Kathryn's new appearance.

  Kathryn took a fur and blood sample from herself to run tests on before returning to the living room while waiting on results. “I know this looks strange but I think I'll return to normal after a bit. My guess is I activated more of my dormant Cryptid DNA.” Kasa put her paw on Kathryn. “Sister.” Kathryn smiled. “Yeah, I mean I guess that's as accurate as anything. Oh, Kasa, check this out.” She showed Kasa the ring. Kasa seemed to smile. “Pitch and Kat, official mates.” She nodded. Pitch pet Kasa. “A full sentence. You've been practicing, haven't you?” Kasa nodded.

  Pitch then went and cooked dinner for Kasa early and set it out. “Think you can keep yourself busy for an hour or two?” Kathryn blushed. “Pitch, are you saying that you want to take me before I change back.” Pitch chuckled. “I mean… yeah? I'm definitely down to mess around with your Cryptid form. After all, it's only fair.” The two laughed as they went to the bedroom.