Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Mew or anyone in the origanl story. I do, however, own Pepper, Ruth, Robin, Apple and Kiwi. Cherry belongs to my bata reader and Ickle sis, Cherry.
Three years after the story The Green Fruit of Snow, Kiwi, Cherry and Robin have come to England to find their comrads. Pepper, a cleaver and sly witch. Ruth, a caring and emotional woman and Apple they one they fear to trust.
xxxBefore The Dawnxxx
"Ten girls, ten heroes, ten untold stories! Each week, I been travailing the world and find about the life and trials of our beloved Mew's. Tune in every Saturday, seven o'clock, with me, James Denies to find out who our heroes-"
Click!
"Boring," Pepper sighed as she switched off the television. She must have been the only girl in the whole of Britain who was board enough of the Mew's to switch the channel whenever they were mentioned. Though it had been three years since the original team, Tokyo Mew Mew, had defeated their enemy's and driven the alien scum back where they came from, there was still a loud buzz about the hybrid girls, especially since there was another group of five on the other side of the world.
With the small flat now silent, the dark haired girl lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Though Pepper was uninterested in media gossip, it was impossible for her to escape it, for Pepper Howe herself, was one of the ten Mews known to the world. Many who knew her, would say the seventeen year old was someone not to mess with and wasn't ashamed to attract attention, good or bad. A two-faced wretch to some and an angel hiding her pitch fork to others with memorable looks. A tiny waist, big brown eyes and dark hair that couldn't decide whether it wanted to be wavy or crumpled. Pepper often fashioned her hair in two bunches on the side of her hear, much like a little spaniel.
From above, someone flicked her head. Scowling, Pepper sat up and glared at a small child with short flaming orange hair that appeared to have already claimed the bed. The little girl puffed her chest and scowled right back with her narrow, sapphire eyes that were much too mature to fit on the face of a seven year old. Mirroring Pepper, this girl also wore her hair up in two bunches. On the back of her right hand, was a small, orange 'x' with its ends curled. The mark of the Mew's.
"Apple, move," Pepper ordered the girl but the child did not obey. Instead she started clicking her tongue ferociously at her idol.
"Oh give it a rest, you two," A firm and annoyed voice injected. It came from another teenage girl, about sixteen, who was sitting on the bedroom windowsill. On her lap, curled up in the tightest ball he could possibly mange, was a young mature red fox, sleeping soundly. She was watching her two friends with grey eyes that had a soft round shape to them. Sitting just above her eyes, a curled fringe that tickled her thick eyebrows hung from her forehead. It very much suited the style of the rest of her long tangled main that flowed down her back, making her upper half appear at a rough tree trunk from behind. She was not pretty like Pepper, having no dramatic curves to her body, nor was she popular, but in the world of the Mew's Kiwi was in charge. "Pepper, let Apple have the bed."
Sitting on the floor below Kiwi was her younger sister, Cherry. Only a year younger then Kiwi, the two couldn't be more different in looks. With a short bob the colour of dried blood, Cherry's round face seemed even rounder and younger than her sister's. Though their eyes and blood were the same, their styles couldn't be more different. Where Kiwi liked skirts and lace, Cherry preferred more baggy and boyish things in life. And unlike her sister, she was happy to let the two squabble.
"Kiwi, just because she's special-" Pepper hissed
"Pepper!" Kiwi yelled.
"Cookies!"
The two girls fell silent ant turned to face the oldest in their group. Ruth Wilson was a tall, slim young woman with short brown hair she kept in a neat pony tail, tied off with a ribbon that changed colour each day. She didn't look like anything important with her gentle hazel eyes, only a poor house wife. But Ruth was so much more than that, she was their second mother and like a good mum, she held in her hands a tray of steaming cookies, freshly baked.
The fox on Kiwis lap lifted his head, sniffing the air and started whining, looked to Kiwi pleadingly. She just laughed. Apple was already up, snatching up a cookie and nibbling on it happily. Not long after that, all five girls and the fox were snacking on the warm dough. Eventually, every crumb found a stomach to sit in, helping to cool everyone's temper.
Ruth sighed and headed to the door. "Come on, guys,"
"Where are we going?" Cherry asked as she rose to her feet. The others also stood, wondering what Ruth wanted.
The oldest girl turned and smiled at them. "The new parks opened up," she explained, jerking her thumb over her shoulder. "Since it has our name on it, think we should check it out?"
"Yeah!" Cherry cheered instantly. Pepper rolled her eyes but Kiwi just smiled. It had been nearly a whole year now that the group had been together. A whole year of laughter and trouble. The park Ruth mentioned had been built on the land where the public first witnessed a battle between The Mew-Team and The Watchers.
The aliens in Tokyo had been pretty nasty and big news the day they arrived. Kiwi knew all too well what monsters were like. When she first became a mew, they had tricked her in to helping them and hurting Tokyo Mew Mew and Robin, someone she now cared for deeply. She became a willing lab rat for them but managed to escape there clutches after making them believe she had died by Pai's hand during an execution. They were one thing, but The Watchers…Kiwi shivered. How could she describe them?
The Watchers were monsters. Aliens that were as far from human as possible. While Kisshu had common sense and a conscience, these monsters of the night were wild animals. Cold and viscous. They could not speak, and they could not hear so there was no way to find out what it was they wanted. They appeared shortly after they had retrieved Apple from her last home, snarling and growling at them; attacking with no apparent target in mind. Their presence baffled them all, especially since England was the only place that seemed to be aware of them. Lately, they seemed to be targeting The Mew-Team, seeing them as a threat since they interfered with them so much.
Kiwi shook the thought out of her head and joined the others in putting her shoes and jacket on. From behind, the fox watched her carefully. His large golden eye filled with worry as she walked out the door. Before she could close it, Kiwi stopped and looked down at the fox. "What's' wrong, Robin?"
He stood there, and then shook his head. They had been in each other's company for so long, Kiwi knew he was lying and that he wouldn't change today. Robin, the very thought of his name made Kiwi's heart skip a beat. This fox was the one that found her when she was lost and afraid of Kisshu. He had gone through such great lengths to be with her in England now; leaving his home, changing his way of life, even suffering from Peppers experiments. In the end though, it was worth it. Thanks to Pepper, Robin had been given the ability they all had, to transform from animal to human. Well, almost human. At first, Robin had been stuck in a human form for quite some time before Pepper flashed a light on him and gave him the ability to change whenever he wanted. The only down side was his tail. While in human form he could make his ears come and go, but his long bushy tail would forever remain. Now, he chose to stay as a fox for reasons Kiwi could not fathom and he would not tell.
Robin's ear flicked and he shook his head. "It's nothing," he admitted. Since Kiwi herself was part fox, she could understand him perfectly. "I think I'll sit this one out."
Her heart sank. Thought she hadn't admitted it yet, it hurt to not have him close by. From the moment they came back to England, Kiwi had started blushing when ever Robin licked her cheek or took off his top; something he did often as he disliked clothes. The trouble was that they were both brought up to show affection in different ways. Robin was innocent and ignorant when it came to signs attraction from a human. Kiwi had no idea how he felt about her. At first she thought he liked her but despite the fact that he was with her most of the time, he was just as kind to Pepper as he was to her. Annoyingly, Robin was a gentleman.
"Why? You usually love to go to parks, day or night."
The fox sighed and sat down. He wasn't looked at her, but through her. "Kiwi, can't you feel it?" He asked, his voice heavy with worry. "Something's not right." He's eyes focused on her again, firm and concerned. "Something big is going to happen."
Kiwi frowned. Robin usually had a good intuition. He knew trouble before it jumped out on them, so why she wished he was wrong, was foolish. Suddenly, Robin rushed over to her and leaped into her arms, nurseling his face against her shoulder. Her heart thumped violently before she could bring herself to wrap her arms around him.
"What's going on with Ichigo?" He asked a moment later.
Ichigo? The leader of Tokyo Mew Mew? Why did he want to know what she was up to all of a sudden? "I don't know," she admitted. "In her last letter she was heading back to Japan with her boyfriend. You know she came here for some time to study but that's over now. There's been no problems over there, just the usual crimes but the groups practically been disbanded. Pudding's in China; Zakuro's making a film somewhere; Ichigo in England. Tokyo Mew Mew's history. There's no help, Robin. No one's going to save us."
The ultimate truth. They had been staggering for a year now and were no closer to getting rid of them. Robin was silent for a long time. They sat there, in a miserable embrace for so long; the others started to call for them, wondering what was keeping them.
Since it wasn't far from Ruth's flat, they decided to walk there. Robin told them that he needed to go hunting, leaving the five girls to walk there alone. Apple was sitting on Ruth's shoulders trying to touch the candyfloss clouds. It was a very quite walk and Kiwi started to wish she went hunting with Robin.
It wasn't long before they reached the park. It was nothing big or impressive but to the young eyes of the world, it was an exciting wonderland. Build in the middle of a wide, flat grass land, wooden poles and bridges stood tall and proud as it supported slides, monkey bars and tunnels. Being so large, the climbing frame alone would have been enough to satisfy the children. However, nearby stood four sets of swings, a tower with a long slide down its side and something Cherry liked to call a spider web. A large pole sticking out of the ground, daring to reach the heavens. Gathering at the poles tip, were the tops of eight other poles that surrounded it, and threaded and hooked between the poles were a sires of thick ropes that formed a web-like climbing aspirates. The only sign that this park was build for someone was a golden plaque attached to the tower stating 'In honour of our England's heroes, The Mew-Team.'
Upon seeing it, Cherry rushed forward and jumping onto the spider web first. Ruth laughed at her eagerness and Pepper rolled her eyes, but smiled. Not too long after, Kiwi put aside her worries and ran to join her sisters. Meanwhile, Apple's thoughts were far way, among the starts, wondering what could be of her first home before sanity slipped.
Her home in question was light-years away from the reality where humans went about their lives serenely as they had done for hundreds of years. Yes, humanity had considered that there might be 'others', but no one knew, not like she did.
The lost child clicked her tough while the other mews played. This was her way of communication, mores code. "Twinkle, twinkle falling star," she eerily clicked. "Light shines behind the bars. Eyes as empty as the abyss, snatching those upon the list. Twinkle, twinkle, falling star, takes them away and leaves their mark."
A quiet mark, thought Apple. Dead and cold, they are that now. Whirling arms and fire drowns them. "Fire drowns them," she softly snapped.
Fire was burning fairway, burning her home and neighbours while the crowd cheered. A fine day it was to have a celebration. Down on the street below people gathered to cheer and worship soldiers that returned home from the war. There had always been friction between the two people and now, it was over. They had won!
Away from the exploding shouts and trumpets, high above in an exquisite suit, lined with the finest materials and decorated with the best of goods, stood a young man, looking down on the world. He was much like any boy you could find on the streets. Pale complexion, amber irises', forests green hair, long, pointy ears. The only thing that separated him from the rest of the crowd was that he was a hero. He had not only saved their planet once, but twice now. Men and women kissed the ground he walked on. Every child knows his name from birth and grows up dream that they would be like him and his comrades one day. Kisshu, the savour.
Since his return from earth, the brave boy had been given honours of all kinds and even a powerful rank in the plants military. He was given charge of all the plants defence. Any and everything to do with war, defence and protection of the people against each other, was his proud responsibility. His comrades were also as famous.
Pai, a tall, purple haired man with dark narrow eyes and sharp ears. He was often the man with a plan, going into more dealt about statics, facts and possibilities then Kisshu had ever known. To make his genius friend's dream come true, Pai had been given charge over a number the research programs, especially those to do with alien life forms and technology. If anyone wanted something old or foreign investigated, Pai was the man to ask to.
Taruto, however, refused any offer given to him, military or scientific. Instead, the young solider spent his days peacefully running and earth styled sweet shop. This diction had baffled both his friends. Since day one on their mission on Earth, the young brunette boy with large, sharp brown eyes had been brutal and willing to cause havoc. However, he had started to changed after one failed murder attempt on the youngest mew they knew. A monkey girl named Mew Pudding. Though he wouldn't admit it, he had changed a great deal for her.
At the moment, Taruto was the only one in the trio celebrating the victory. Kisshu would be joining him, if it wasn't for that fact that he was expected to give a big speech soon. And Pai? Well, he decided the parties could wait after he explored one of the many enemy ships that had crashed onto their beloved planet.
Bored, Kisshu sighed heavily as he looked, wishfully out of the window. If only he could go out and join the fun for just a moment instead of being left alone with his own thoughts. Whenever there was silence around him, her face appeared. He thought that the distance and time would make him forget about Ichigo, but his love only clung onto her vied memory. Her smooth, chocolate eyes, her long, graceful legs; the way her silk, black ears popped up whenever she was embarrassed or surprised. How could he ever forget her, his koneko-chan. Kisshu wondered if she ever thought of him. Of course she didn't, she was with him, in his arms, saying his name in a loving, caressing voice. But maybe, just maybe, in the late night when all was dark, she would remember him, all those times he had confessed his love to her and maybe, just maybe, her heart would beat a little bit fast at the memory. That was all he could hope for, after all, that is the only fantasy of his that could be reality right now.
"Kisshu-sama?" A timid voice asked from behind him. Kisshu turned to see a shy woman standing in the open door way. When she saw that she had his attention, she continued. "Pai-sama asks for your peasants. He says he found something in one of the ships."
He found something? The last time he had been on a ship, there wasn't anything interesting in sight at all. What could, he wondered, be different with this one?
Kisshu dismissed the woman and teleported straight to the lab where Pai worked on the ships. In seconds he found himself in a large, white room occupied by a great object that Kisshu could only assume was a crashed ship. To his surprise, he instantly found Taruto, looking rather small and worried next the large dark crimson mass. Parts of the intricate device were burnt from attacks and the hull had been ripped to shreds upon entering the atmosphere. Kisshu whistled which echoed and caused Taruto's head to turn.
"Hey shrimp," Kisshu greeted.
Taruto nodded, "Kisshu," then he turned back to the ship. As Kisshu approached, he realized that he wasn't looking at the ship, but in it at Pai who was standing in front a screen, taping furiously on some controls before him.
"What's going on?" Kisshu asked as the stepping into the damaged ship. All round him, bits of wire and metal hung from the walls and calling. He was surprised that the main computer was still in working order while the rest of the ship was in disarray.
"Pai found a log from before the war." The brunet explained. "Well, more like a report. He's just translating it so we can listen."
Kisshu didn't find this interesting at all. "So?" he shrugged.
Taruto opened his mouth but was interrupted.
"I believe it has something to do with our friends back on Earth. I thought you might like to hear it." Pai stated coolly.
This instantly caught Kisshu's attention. "Ichigo?"
"Possibly. It defiantly mentions some information regarding a girl that is genetically modified." A few more taps and the dull screen came to life. It displaced the inside of an intact ship, much like the one they were in now. A deep red inertia, almost black with very vacant surroundings. In the centre of the screen was a being, whose skin was a glistening work of green pitchers covering its tall bony body. A head shot was all that was visible in the screen. Large black eyes that cover most of the upper half of its head shone like oil. Under these were two silts that represented its nose. The low part of its head, at first glance, appeared to be nothing more than tightly fitted skin. However, once it began to speak, the skin blow its nostrils starched and rip, like wet dough, reviling three rows of sharp, lethal teeth, one set on the bottom and two on top.
"This planet is bountiful with weapons," the thing corked. Though they had been fighting these characters for some time, they could not find a name for them, however, thanks to Pai, they were able to understand every word in their reports. "However," the best continued, "many are undiscovered. We have, though, successfully abducted one we believe to be very power. A small, female that promises to be a strong helper in the war. After preparations, the being we will refer to Project X, will be deliver to the war canter for training. Tests start in one, four, zero, zero."
"A weapon?" Kisshu asked as the screen flashed black, signalling the end of one log and the start of another.
Pai nodded. "I believe they wish to use her in a war, against us or another race, however, the tests had a side effect to the human girl that they did not foresee."
The screen crackled and a new log began.
"It has been two day and Project X is becoming…difficult. It is not strong enough to fight against the restraints but it struggles immensely. Sometimes it sprays clear liquid, aimed at our eye and can have a temperay blinding effect. Other than that, there are no problems and tests are running smoothly. Starting a full stem scan."
At that instant, there was a blood-curtailing, shrilled scream from somewhere behind the green being. Taruto flinched; they all knew that cry belonged to a human in great agony.
"The results will show its zone of potential development."
Another flash. This time, the ship's hull was dark, as if all the lights were switched off for the night. Standing in front of the screen was not the monster, but a human infant with hair like Earth's fire. She was so young, unlikely to understand herself why she was even there. The child stared at them with deep, ocean eyes, so full of unnatural wonder that it entranced them.
Ever so slowly, the girl raised her hands and placed them side by side on the screen, showing her mysteriously blood covered palms. Ever so gentle, she turned them outwards, than started smudging the blood into shapes underneath her handprints. The end resulted was an image of what looked like red wings. "Look at the butterfly," she whispered. Before they could even blink and take a second glance at the girl, there was a black flash and the being was back, screen cleaned as if there had been no interruption.
"We have decided it is best to transport Project X to the facial as quickly as possible. After the last test preformed, its regular behave pattens have changed. It is no longer making a shrill cry or spraying is liquid. Project X has also found away to escape from her holding cell. On a number of occations it wonders the ship at night and stand in our chambers for hours. we are still unsure as to why it dose this. Research show this does not camper with her species regular behaviour."
Flash.
Night time. The bloody butterfly was on the screen again but the girl was nowhere in sight.
Flash.
The beast was back, its mouth open as if out of breath. "We cannot hold it much longer. Project X has gone missing. The crew believe it is in the ventilation shafts but we can't be sure. Will report back once there is further news on the situation."
Flash.
It was even worse shape than before. The monster's breath was ragged; its face splattered with a purple liquid witch Kisshu had discovered early was the colour of their blood. Behind it, a whinging but urgent alarm sounded. "Code red. Repeat, code red. Anyone, anyone whose close by, we need assistances. Project X is…is out of control. Three crew members are missing and one has been found dead with mutable puncher wounds. We are stronger but it is fast and unpredictable. Whoever is listening to this, do not let..."The video crackled. The image and sound becoming full of static. Words were lots as the being continued to try and warm others. "...there will be no hope. Abandon Operation Me…earth...win…" After that, the video stopped.
Kisshu blinked and stared at the screen. Surely that was not it. He didn't even know if they got the girl in the end or not.
Pai stepped forward and taped some bottoms on the control panel. "This was a log that was transmitted to all the ships plus some other records," he explained. Another click and the window lit up with data, green with diagrams, images of the ship and its experiences. There was also an attached file that had been translated to 'X'. "This information show that in three days, the crew on the ship decreased from twenty to one. On the fourth day, an escape pod was released, heading for the nearest planet at the time, Earth."
"She killed them?" Taruto whispered, shocked that someone who looked so young, maybe only four or five human years old could do something even he didn't have the heart to do when ordered.
"You must remember, the tests what were preformed were developed to be carried out on an adult human, not a child whose mind is still developing."
Kisshu shook his head. "But what does this have to do with the Mews?" These records were years old, dating before the war ever happened. What did it have to do with Ichigo now?
The scientist brought up a file labelled 'Operation Meway'. "Meway is an operation to require the best weapon alien's have to offer. Through research it's thought that the best thing to have in a fight is a powerful Mew." Underneath the file name was the word 'Active'. "According to the log, the operation was supposed to be abandoned."
For a moment, there was a brief moment of silence before Pai turned on Kisshu. "You said yourself that you did not think they were putting all their effort into the fight. They know our history. What if the fight was only a detraction?"
He was right. They had to get to earth.
Fast.
Eva - The frist realy chapter, Hope you enjoyed it. If you have any prefances as to what you would like to happen, please leave a comment.
R&R
