Work Text:
Johnny's breath hitches as he spots the flash of tawny fur vanishing into the treeline – the Endling, a saber-toothed cat named Ghost, is loose. "Forest edge! Move!" he barks, already sprinting.
Julia scrambles after him, her usual simmering anger replaced by sharp focus. "Leopold'll kill us if the cops see that thing," she mutters, vaulting a fallen log.
Tabby’s fingers fly over her tablet, launching Mr. Spittles with a whirr. The drone zips overhead, its blaster gauntlet humming.
"Relax, Jules," Tabby snaps, though her voice holds an edge of panic. "Got thermal. He's circling that big oak."
Finn urgently tugs Julia's sleeve, pointing. His wide eyes mirror the frantic sketchpad clutched in his hands: Ghost tangled in glowing vines.
Johnny pulls a sonic lure from his pocket—'borrowed' from Leopold's lab—and pulses a low thrum through the air. Ghost pauses, ears flicking. Julia tosses chunks of synth meat, her movements precise.
"C'mon, big guy," she coaxes, softer now.
Tabby guides Mr. Spittles lower, projecting Finn's calming vine-drawing onto the forest floor. Ghost hesitates, sniffs the meat, then pads warily towards the shimmering vines. Johnny lunges, activating the capture net woven into the projection. Ghost yowls softly as the energy mesh settles over him, safe. Finn beams, hugging Julia’s leg. The farm cat watches from the porch, tail flicking.