Trials of the Heart

Story by: Phoenix710

Summary: Speedy and Polly are preparing for their upcoming second wedding, and Speedy has plans to make this anniversary one that his beloved Polly will never forget. Speedy books a two-week trip to the Bahamas for himself and Polly, and all of their friends and family are ready to celebrate the joyous occasion, unaware of the evil wind that will soon blow their way. Cheese and Jerry cook up their most evil scheme for revenge. They kidnap Polly after she heads out on a pizza delivery, and they proceed to torture her by re-enacting all her negative actions against Speedy, with the intent of reducing the proud, strong Samurai to a hollow shell of herself. Speedy and the others mobilize to rescue her. Will they reach her in time, or will Cheese finally win?

Disclaimer: I do not claim any rights whatsoever to Samurai Pizza Cats, nor do I claim the rights to any of the characters associated with the series. Samurai Pizza Cats, and all associated characters, are registered trademarks of Saban. All original characters are products of my imagination, except for Polly's brother Nyo. His name was coined by my good friend and fellow writer Merigirl.

Chapter One: A Beautiful Morning

A brand new day was dawning in Little Tokyo, and the first rays of sunshine gleamed through the curtains of the bedroom of the city's most famous couple, the Cerviche's. Speedy woke up and stretched, getting his joints and muscles ready for the day ahead. He reached into his dresser drawer and pulled out the locket that he planned to give Polly when they reached their hotel in the Bahamas, where Speedy had booked a two-week vacation for their second honeymoon. He turned around and saw Polly still laying down, sleeping peacefully. A contented smile graced her lovely face, and Speedy heard her softly murmur "Speedy…I love you…", in her sleep. He leaned down and kissed her on the lips, and then he whispered into her ear, "I love you too, Polly."

The pretty red-haired female cat stirred, and once she'd finished with her morning stretches, she pulled Speedy up against her, and he started running his fingers up and down her spine, using the other hand to gently caress her fiery red hair. Speedy heard Polly purring…he loved it when she did that. He said, "Polly, my sweet Kitten…I love you so much, and I never want to be apart from you."

Polly snuggled her head against Speedy's shoulder, and she replied, "I love you too, Speedy. You've been my best friend ever since I was only eight years old, Pussycat…and now that we're together as husband and wife, I'll never leave your side. Speaking of which, I need to chat with Sayaka after breakfast, and then I'll make sure my wedding dress still fits."

Speedy replied, "Sure thing, Kitten. I gotta chat with Guido and Good Bird about a few things too…but for right now, let's get Aiko up, and then we'll go make breakfast."

Polly smiled, and then she and Speedy headed into the bathroom to take a shower. Once they were clean and dressed, they headed into their daughter's room and found the young kitten making her bed. She said, "Good morning, mom and dad…my bed's all made up, just like you taught me!"

Speedy scooped his daughter into his arms, and he said, "You're just like your mother, Aiko…smart and beautiful. How's my little tiger doing, hmmm?"

Aiko replied, "Just great, daddy. How's mommy?"

Polly walked up and gently took her daughter into her arms, hugging her softly. She said, "I'm doing just fine, my dear. How does apple-cinnamon waffles and French Toast sound for breakfast?"

Aiko smiled, and she replied, "I love that, Mommy…where's Auntie Sayaka?"

The younger Esther sister walked in just then, her hair still slightly damp from her morning shower. She said, "Good morning, Aiko…how's my sweet little niece today?"

Aiko let her aunt scoop her into her arms, and she snuggled against her chest. She said, "I'm fine, Auntie Sayaka. How are you this morning?"

Sayaka chuckled, and she said, "Wonderful, my dear. You're looking more and more like your mother every day…I can see why my sister's so proud of you. Good morning, Polly, and hello, Speedy. I'm so happy to be a part of this family…and a member of the Pizza Cats. It's my lifelong dream come true, sis…being able to fight alongside you, the Cat who's always been there for me when I needed someone to talk to, or if I just needed a friend. I love you, sis."

Polly hugged her sister gently, and she replied, "I love you too, Sayaka." Speedy hugged both Sayaka and Polly, and then they headed downstairs so that Speedy could get breakfast started.

Kitchen of the Pizza Cats' Restaurant…

Guido was sitting down at the table, reading the morning newspaper, while Lucille colored with their now two-year old twins, Yattaro and Pururun. Guido set the paper down on the table when he heard the door open, admitting Francine. She gave her husband Ryuho a quick kiss and hug, before the tall black-haired cat headed for the palace to start his daily shift. Francine said, "Good morning, Guido. How's everything goin' for you and Lucille?"

Guido smiled at his blonde-haired friend, and he replied, "Just great, Fran. She's as sweet and beautiful as ever, and the twins are just dandy. How 'bout you and Ryuho?"

Smiling broadly, Francine replied, "Oh…he's been a wonderful husband. Now I know why Polly's so happy most of the time…I've found that special someone that can make me feel good even on the worst of days, just like Polly has with Speedy…and Lucille with you."

Carla and Lucille walked over and hugged Francine, and then Speedy came down with Polly. Right behind them were Sayaka and Aiko. Polly pulled Lucille into a gentle hug, and then she and Francine repeated the gesture, while Guido and Speedy greeted one another. Good Bird soon joined them, and then they all finished greeting one another. Speedy headed out back, and he was about to start making breakfast, when he realized that he couldn't quite reach the cooking spray. Guido saw his friend's predicament, and so he walked out back. He said, "Here ya go, Speedy. One can of cooking spray."

Speedy said, "Thanks, Guido. Ya know, I really am glad that we were able to make amends. You're a great guy, and I'm proud to have ya not only as a teammate, but also as my friend."

Guido said, "Speedy, I'm the one that should thank you. After all the mean and rotten stuff I used to do to you, you and Polly BOTH were able to forgive me. Speedy, I don't know too many other cats that'd be willing to even TALK to me after all that, let alone give me a chance to start fresh. I'm proud to know ya, Speedy, 'cuz you've been my best friend since the sixth grade, and I want ya to know that I'll always be here for ya."

Speedy hugged Guido in a brotherly manner, and he said, "Thanks, Guido…I'll always be here for you too. Can ya go and let everybody know that I've got breakfast ready?"

Guido nodded, and he headed out to pass the word along. When Speedy came out, he dished up the meal, and everyone sat down to eat. Polly looked over at her sister, and she said, "Sayaka, can we talk in private after breakfast, before Fran opens up for the day?"

Sayaka replied, "Sure thing, sis. In fact, I'm done now, so if ya want, we can go up in my room and chat."

Polly finished the last bite of her toast, and then she washed it down with her orange juice, before turning to face her husband. She said, "I'm gonna go chat with Sayaka for a few minutes, but I'll see ya down here when Fran opens up. I'll be back soon, Pussycat."

Speedy kissed his wife's nose softly, and he replied, "I love ya, Kitten."

Polly blew him a kiss, and then she and her sister headed upstairs. Aiko said, "Daddy, why are mommy and Auntie Sayaka going upstairs alone?"

Speedy replied, "They just wanna have a little chat, that's all. They're sisters, and mommy feels more comfortable talking with Auntie Sayaka about some things than she does with any other girl, even Lucille or Francine…no offense to either one, of course."

Aiko smiled, and she said, "Daddy, can we go outside until mommy and Auntie Sayaka are done talking? I wanna spend a little time with you before the parlor opens."

Speedy smiled at his sweet six-year old daughter, and he replied, "Sure, honey. Come on, let's go play. Fran, I'm takin' Aiko outside for a bit, but I'll be back in by 9:00."

Francine replied, "Alright, Speedy. Have fun…and Aiko…that goes for you too."

Aiko smiled at the pretty blond-haired cat, and she said, "Thanks, Auntie Francine." Hurrying to catch up to her father, Aiko headed outside, and she soon began playing a game of catch with her father, while Sayaka and Polly had a talk upstairs.

Sayaka's room…

Polly followed her younger sister into her room, and she looked around for a few minutes. Sayaka had the framed photo of her Samurai Academy graduating class above her bed, along with a picture of her with the rest of the Pizza Cats team. On the nightstand was a photo of the Esther family, along with a picture of Polly holding her back when Sayaka had been just five years old. Polly said, "What I wanted to talk to you about is…can I sleep in here with you tomorrow night?"

Sayaka was alarmed at first, and she said, "Polly, did you and Speedy have a fight?"

Polly laughed, and she replied, "No, sis…we've been getting along just fine. I just wanted to keep the old tradition of our family alive…one of the few that I follow. Our second wedding ceremony is on Saturday, and I just wanted to ask if I could stay in here with ya the night before. It'll only be until after tomorrow night."

Sayaka replied, "Polly, I don't have a problem with you staying with me. I've got plenty of room in here, so we'll be all set."

Polly replied, "Great. I need to check on one thing…hang on." She headed into her room, and Sayaka could hear her sister whistling softly, as she searched through her closet. Finally, Polly pulled out the box with her wedding dress, and she brought it into her sister's room. She laid it down on her sister's bed, and she said, "I just wanna make sure it still fits."

Sayaka said, "I think it will, Polly. You're still the same slim, athletic, and strong cat you were when you first wore it. C'mon, I'll help ya out."

Polly took off her clothes, and Sayaka helped her get into the dress. When she'd finished zipping it up in the back, Sayaka said, "It still looks great on you, Polly…it really brings out your eyes."

The older Esther sister…now Polly Esther Cerviche, looked herself over in the mirror, and she said, "You're right, Sayaka…it fits like a glove. Can ya help me get it off, so I can get my regular clothes back on, and then let's get back downstairs and get set to punch in."

Sayaka said, "Sure, Polly. It's a good thing ya reminded me…I wouldn't want Francine to come up here and drag us downstairs. She's liable to send a search party up after us if we're late."

Polly giggled, and she replied, "Yeah, she'd do that. Fran's a good friend and all, but she sure is a stickler when it comes to the clock."

Together, the two Esther sisters headed downstairs to punch in for their daily shift. They arrived downstairs just as Speedy was coming in with Aiko. The young kitten hugged her father, and then she ran up and embraced her mother and her aunt, before saying, "Mommy, daddy taught me how to throw a fastball today. He says I'm doing really good."

Polly smiled, and she said, "That's great, honey. Mommy and daddy have to go and work now, but we'll play with you later, I promise."

Aiko replied, "Alright, mommy. I love you."

Polly blew her daughter a kiss, and then she joined Speedy as they all headed into the kitchen to don their aprons, and precisely at 9:00am, Francine opened the door, and another day started up for the Pizza Cats.

Several hours later, 3:00pm…

It had been a typical afternoon so far. Speedy, Guido, and Good Bird were taking turns delivering pizzas, while Polly and Sayaka did the cooking. Francine manned the register, while Lucille and Carla manned the drive thru. Speedy came back in from delivering an order of three pepperoni and meatball pizzas to the Palace, when he heard a few customers start making some rather cruel remarks about him. They were obviously very drunk, since Speedy could smell the odor of booze on them from where he was standing. One of them looked in his direction, and he said, "Well looky there...it's the famous shrimp Speedy Cerviche. As short and dumb as he is, how can he be a Samurai, much less the husband of anyone other than a bug?"

The second one said, "Yeah...and he's so goofy, I think he belongs in a circus or even a nuthouse, not here delivering pizzas. I mean...how the hell can his teammates put up with him, let alone his wife?"

A third one added, "Well, when ya consider who he's married to, it makes sense...even if THEY don't. Polly Esther...resident hothead extraordinaire, and the biggest bully in the city. Why the hell Speedy doesn't ditch that bi-polar witch is beyond me...after all she's done to him."

The last one said, "No kidding. I hear they're planning for a second wedding...why don't they just skip right to the divorce? Those two are never gonna last...he's a goofy dimwitted shrimp, and she's a bossy, hot-tempered know-it-all. In other words...they'll...oh, crud…"

Following their friend's nervous, pale-faced gaze, the other three turned to see Polly standing there, with a look on her face that promised large amounts of pain to anyone that happened to be on the receiving end of her bad temper. She growled out, "Would you care to repeat what you just said about my Speedy? I'm afraid I didn't quite hear you."

The first idiot said, "Oh...sorry 'bout that, Polly. I said that he's a shrimpy, lame-brained, goofy little idiot that doesn't deserve to be a pizza runner, let alone a SAMURAI. Polly, he's a moron...so how do you put up with him?"

Polly's blue eyes narrowed in rage, and Guido vaulted the counter. Lucille and Carla went to watch the kids, while Sayaka and Good Bird assumed a protective stance around them, swords ready just in case. Francine pulled a large frying pan out, and she got set to whack any goon that got in the way.

Polly shouted, "YOU LOUSY, NO-GOOD BRAIN-DEAD DRUNK!! I SWEAR TO GOD THAT I'M GONNA RIP YOU APART WITH MY BARE HANDS!! NOBODY CALLS MY SPEEDY A MORON OR AN IDIOT, OR SAYS THAT HE DOESN'T DESERVE TO BE A SAMURAI!! HE'S THE SMARTEST CAT I KNOW, AND HE'S ALSO HONEST, LOYAL...NOT TO MENTION THE CAT I LOVE, AND HE'S MY BEST FRIEND!! I HOPE YOU IDIOTS HAVE LIFE INSURANCE...BECAUSE YOU'RE ALL DEAD!!"

Guido walked up, and he said, "That goes double for me, ya understand? I may have been guilty of some rather...unpleasant behavior towards Speedy in the past, but he's mature enough to allow me a second chance, and we've made our peace with each other. Anybody that messes with Speedy, ya mess with me. Got it?"

Good Bird even entered the fray. He said, "I owe Speedy my life and then some...he was the one that allowed me to see the error of my ways, and because of him, I'm not only alive, but I'm married to my lovely wife Carla, and I've got a life that I can be proud of, not the life of hate and violence I used to lead. You punks better clear out now, and go find a place to sober up…or else!!"

Speedy walked in, and he said, "Ya better listen to what my friends said, and get lost. Otherwise, I'll personally toss ya outta here. Take my Kitten's advice and buzz off, before she kills ya."

The tallest punk walked up to Speedy, and he said, "I don't take orders from little shrimps, or from halibut-breathed redhead blowhards, ya little goof. Now get outta my face, before I…"

Speedy stopped the idiot in mid-sentence by digging the fingers of his right hand into the goon's stomach, and then he lifted him over his head and tossed him out through the open door. Francine said, "I'm glad I left the door open...I hate when they ruin the furniture dealing with these obnoxious idiots."

The second goon pulled out a knife and went after Guido, only to have the blue-armored cat drive the point of his toe right into his crotch. He screamed in agony and doubled over, and then Guido bashed him upside the head with his umbrella, sending him flying out of the parlor and into a mailbox.

Polly unsheathed her razor-sharp claws, and she made metallic confetti out of the third goon's dagger. She pulled out her Kodachi, and she said, "Bad idea, dimwit. Now get outta here, before I rip ya to pieces."

The idiot said, "No chance, Old Halibut Breath. I'm about to do this city a favor and take out that red-haired abomination that you call your daughter."

Polly saw the goon getting set to throw another dagger at Aiko, and she could see the fear in her daughter's eyes, even though Sayaka was right there, protecting her. Polly shouted, "YOU BASTARD!! NOBODY THREATENS MY DAUGHTER AND LIVES!! I'M GONNA USE YOUR GUTS FOR GARTERS, YA STUPID FREAK!!"

Before the dumb fool could blink, Polly plowed into him with all her might, and they were soon out in the street, trading punches...or rather, Polly was raining down punches on the idiot. She hammered a right hook off his jaw, drilled a straight left into his nose, and then she threw a hard jab into his stomach, before ripping a street sign up and bashing the punk with it, sending him flying like a baseball. She said, "That oughta teach ya...nobody messes with my daughter or my husband, scumbag!!"

Good Bird kicked the last punk in the face, and he went flying out the door. He said, "Don't ever show your faces around here again, you booze-soaked losers!!"

The last idiot said, "We'll be back, you can count on it!!"

Francine said, "Yeah...well guess what? If ya show up again, I'm gonna personally bash each of ya in the head, and then I'll have my husband drag the lot of ya down to visit Princess Vi."

The stupid fool said, "Oh really...what are you gonna do to me, Blondie...I'm not afraid of you."

Before the fool could react, Francine slammed a heavy pan on his head, and he fell over. Francine said, "THAT'S what I'll do…and DON'T CALL ME BLONDIE!!"

Good Bird called Ryuho over, and once he'd heard about the punks' antics from Polly and Francine, he took them away to face Princess Vi's wrath.

When Speedy walked back in, all the other customers began cheering and chanting "SPEEDY!! SPEEDY!! SPEEDY!!", to the point where he blushed almost as red as his wife's hair. Guido said, "Alright, folks. I think my buddy's feelin' a little bit embarrassed, but thanks again for being here to support him."

A young squirrel said, "He's the hero of this city...without him, we'd all be dead. Speedy Cerviche, I wish you all the luck in the world."

Speedy said, "Aww...thanks. I can't take all the credit, though. I've got all my friends to thank too. My best pal Guido, my lovely wife Polly, and my buddy Good Bird, along with my sister-in-law, Sayaka. There's also my great support crew here. My lifelong friend Lucille, and our manager, Francine. Ya see...I may be a Samurai, but without my friends and family, I wouldn't be able to do all this. We're all in this together."

Polly walked up, and she said, "I want you to know this, Speedy...whatever happens, you'll always be my one and only. I'll forever be at your side, and we'll go down the path of life together."

Speedy said, "Polly, thank you so much. It makes me feel so good to know that I'll always have you around to lift me up whenever my spirits go down. I love you so much, my sweet Kitten...and I always will."

Polly took hold of Speedy, and she said, "I love you too, Speedy...with all my heart. Whenever you need me, I'll always be here for you...I promise you this from the bottom of my heart."

Speedy and Polly kissed deeply, and they stayed that way until they heard Francine giggle. They broke apart, and Francine said, "I know you're married, but we've still got a business to run."

Polly blushed furiously, and Speedy replied, "Sorry, Fran...whenever I'm around my Kitten, I can't help myself. She's so sweet and lovely, I always want her at my side."

The blue-eyed female Samurai replied, "Same here, Pussycat...we can continue where we left off after work. Love ya, Speedy."

Smiling, the white-armored cat blew his lovely wife a kiss, and he said, "I love you too, my sweet Pollyanna."

With all the ruckus over, Speedy and everyone else headed back inside, and for the next five hours, they cooked and delivered pizzas, cleaned up when necessary, and when the time came to close up for the night, Speedy and Polly both breathed a sigh of relief. Polly said, "Speedy, since our second wedding ceremony is coming up on Saturday, along with our anniversary, I'm gonna spend tonight and tomorrow night in my sister's room, but I'll be with you every night after that, for the rest of eternity. I mean…it's tradition that the bride-to-be spends the night before the wedding in a separate bed from her husband. I hope ya don't mind."

Speedy replied, "No, Polly…I don't mind at all. I mean…it's tradition. I went through the night before our first wedding without you, and I can get through another night. After all…I know you'll always be with me, and I'll never leave you. Polly, I love you with all my heart."

Polly kissed her husband, and she replied, "I love you too, Speedy. Why don't we have dinner, and then we can read Aiko a bedtime story. After that, we can enjoy some time to ourselves, before I go spend the night with my sister."

Speedy replied, "Sounds great, Kitten. I'll cook, you and Aiko wait here." Polly kissed her husband on the nose, and then he dashed off into the kitchen, while Polly and Aiko colored a picture together. Before long, Polly smelled her favorite dinner, beef stir-fry. Speedy brought out a couple plates full of the warm, fresh-cooked stuff, and he said, "Dinner is served, my beautiful Kitten."

Polly kissed Speedy after he set the plates down, and then the two of them dug in, along with their daughter. For dessert, Speedy brought out three bowls of freshly-made vanilla ice cream, and then they all headed upstairs after brushing their teeth.

Speedy and Polly's room…

While Speedy and Polly went to take a quick shower together Sayaka started playing Go Fish with her niece. Speedy and Polly walked in after finishing their shower, and Polly said, "Thanks for watching her for us, Sayaka. I'm gonna get ready to head to bed now. Thanks again for letting me stay with you for tonight

Smiling at her older sister, Sayaka replied, "Hey, no problem, Polly. You always let me stay with you when I was a kitten if the power went out, or when the thunderstorms would get really bad…so letting you spend a night with me is the least I can do. Good night, Speedy. Sweet dreams, Aiko."

The sweet young kitten hugged her aunt, and Speedy said, "Goodnight, Sayaka. See ya tomorrow."

After Sayaka left, Aiko pulled her favorite book off of her shelf, and she got herself comfortable on her mother's lap. Polly opened the book, and she began reading. The book was the same one that Polly's own mother had read to her many nights when she was a kitten, and now, it was Aiko's favorite.

When Polly finished reading, she kissed her daughter on the nose, and then Aiko ran in to brush her teeth. Speedy turned his daughter's Garfield nightlight on, while Polly tucked her into bed. She said, "Sweet dreams, my dear Aiko. I'll see you tomorrow."

Aiko replied, "Good night, mommy." Speedy walked over and hugged his daughter, and he felt her little arms wrap around his neck. She said, "Goodnight, Daddy. I love you."

Speedy said, "I love you too, Aiko. Goodnight, and pleasant dreams." Aiko was asleep minutes later, and Speedy walked with Polly out into their room. He said, "Goodnight, Kitten. I'll see ya tomorrow."

Polly threw her arms around Speedy, and she said, "Goodnight, my dear. Sweet dreams, and remember…it'll only be for a couple nights. I'll always love you, with all my heart and soul."

Speedy pressed his lips to hers, and he said, "I love you too, Polly. Sleep tight, and I'll be thinking of you."

Polly kissed him once more, long and deep, before heading into her sister's room. She got herself comfortable on the spare bed, and she said, "Goodnight, Sayaka. See you tomorrow."

Sayaka replied, "Sweet dreams, Polly. I'll be here if you need me."

Moments later, the two Esther sisters, along with everyone else, were fast asleep, totally unaware that they would soon have to face their most hated enemy again, and this time, his scheme would target them VERY close to the center of all their hearts.

Next Chapter: A new morning begins, and the Cats start calling all of their friends about Speedy and Polly's upcoming second wedding. Princess Vi and her mother begin supervising the preparations at the Palace, while Lucille and Guido take care of arranging the catering. The day seems to be shaping up to be an ideal one, until Cheese once again escapes from Prisoners' Island with his most diabolical scheme yet. A squad of Ninja Crows is sent out, while Jerry disguises his voice and calls for a Pizza. Polly goes out to deliver it, and the crows ambush her. She fights most of them off, but the last one hits her with a knockout dart. When she goes down, they fly her back to their hideout, while one unlucky crow gets the dangerous job of breaking the news to the others. After Speedy beats up the crow, he and the others mobilize to save Polly. Meanwhile, Cheese and Jerry are setting up for their plan to break Polly's spirit. Be here next time for Chapter Two: The Abduction Of Polly