Sorry Tomoko, green is not a creative color :(
''Andromeda''
Tomoko did recognize the voice.
''Andromeda?''
But whose was it again?
''Andromeda!''
Loud tapping on the window caused Tomoko to awoke from her slumber, curiously she slowly opened curtains to see what was causing the noise.
A small silver body was glowing into the moonlight, similar to Zeta in appearance, with uptight pointed ears and big eyes but quite bigger, being the size of a 8-orso year old human child.
Tomoko recognized the little guy.
''Mart?''
''Yes! Oh I finally found you! Are Grey and Zeta here too?'' Mart was leaning against the still closed window with his arms.
''Well..'' Tomoko began, not really sure If she should open the window just yet.
''How did you find me?''
''I have been looking for you guys for like 50 years!'' Mart spoke quite loudly but he quickly regained himself ''So, why don't we go back home? The ship is not far from here''
Back home? The Ship?
Tomoko didn't reply, it had been quite some years since she, her father and Zeta were stranded on earth and later taken in by King Hallow.
But 50 years? That couldn't be.
''Thanks Mart...but…..I'll rather stay here...I have things to do'' Tomoko couldn't help but smile but she wasn't actually feeling that well.
Especially when Mart's ears drooped and he frowned
''Oh, are you sure?''
''Yes..''
''So we have been going from solar circle to solar circle, looking for you guys and when we finally find you...you'll don't want to go back!?'' Mart growled, getting irritated. He had been searching so long for her. Even when the others had told him it was impossible to find them anymore.
''What about Grey and Zeta?''Tomoko shook her head.
''Sorry, we can't go, not yet'' She said, crossing her arms, Mart's ears twitched.
''Not Yet? What is so important that...''
''I'm a Pretty Cure'' Tomoko whispered, finally opening the window.
Mart's eyes grew even bigger as he stared at her.
''Pretty Cure?!'' Mart actually had heard of the Pretty Cure, an old friend had even met some Cure quite some years ago.
He didn't even know there was another world out there that needed saving.
Tomoko showed him her Hollow Changer, he immediately inspected it.
''But I'm not alone, there's Yuina, Miku, Wakaba and...''
''So this world is in danger?'' Mart simply asked.
''Yeah..''
''Well let's immediately go to the ship then!''
''Eh? But Mart...''
''Who cares about Earth? They are so behind the times, they've doomed themselves years ago!''
''How can you say that?'' Tomoko crossed her arms with a frown as she stared the little critter down.
''I'm actually surprised that Earth isn't destroyed yet''
''Mart?''
''Are you coming?''
''No! I'm gonna do what I must do! Hey, why don't you stay here in the meantime?'' But before Tomoko could get an answer, Mart had already gone away.
Op: 'Halloween Night' by Aya Ikeda
Episode 23: Aah! The encounter! Cure Alien's Friend?
All of the girls were very quiet during lunch break, most of them lost in thoughts, especially about the possibility that Ms. Morino was the last Cure.
However they couldn't just walk up to her and ask her, right?
''Maybe it's better If we find a someone who is already a Ghost?'' Orlok suggested simply, earning him strange looks from the girls.
''That might be better, than we won't have to deal with all that again'' Larry signed, lying on the ground next to where Zeta was sitting.
''And she will have better control over her power'' The alien added quickly.
''Hmm, but I think that Morino-lady is fitting as well~'' Wisp interrupted, smiling brightly.
No one said anything, quickly returning to pondering while absent mindedly eating their lunches on the empty rooftop.
''Anyway, where's Hotaru?'' Yuina finally asked, the question was mainly directed at Tomoko, who was actually pondering about Mart.
She still hadn't told anyone, not even Zeta, about it. She wasn't sure why.
Would Zeta get angry? Would he want to go back?
Of course not! He was a Precure too, he wouldn't abandon Halloween World, King Hallow or their father.
She would tell him after school.
''Tomoko?'' Yuina repeated, gentle tapping the girl's shoulder, who awoke from her thoughts.
''Eh? OH! Oopsy, I was just lost in thoughts for a moment!'' She explained with a wry smile ''Hotaru is still in the classroom, I think...''
After the last ordeal with Show Kabocha, Hotaru actually started to somewhat avoid the girls, she still talked to them like she used to but didn't say anything about the Precure or expressed any desire to become one anymore. At least they hoped she accepted that she couldn't become a Cure.
It would be better.
''But where would we find a ghost, anyway?'' Miku asked, scratching her long nose, fortunately Jacky had helped her use a spell on herself that normal humans wouldn't' notice her witch-like nose.
The first thing that popped into Yuina's mind was Roberta, wasn't she some kind of ghost?
Where was she now anyway? After she had buried the doll by the clubhouse, they hadn't come back. Never.
She wasn't sure If it was a good idea to go back and look for the doll.
''Uh..What about Roberta?''
''What?!'' Miku shrieked and hid behind Wakaba in panic.
''Are you insane!? She wants our souls!''
''Wait, who?'' Wisp asked, interested, while hovering close to Yuina's face.
''Roberta is a seemingly possessed doll, maybe we should take a loo-''
''SHE WANTED OUR SOULS, GUYS!'' Miku reminded them while she stood up and waved her arms around to get attention.
''But...she did say she was...l-lonely..'' Wakaba quietly said, fumbling her hands together.
Miku fell quiet, sitting down again without saying anything.
''Let's go back to class'' Yuina suggested after a long silence ''Urg, we have P.E the next hour'' She added with a groan.
But they all quietly returned downstairs.
Ms. Morino was noticeably exited during class.
''Come on, I expect better of you, Sugisawa!'' She would continuously roar towards one student to the next, and since they were currently busy playing Dodge-ball, every student which got their hands on the ball would get something yelled at them, not only bad things but also good things and tips. However needless to say, it was really annoying to some.
''Tsukino, catch that ball!''
And distracting to others, the ball hit Wakaba right into her face, causing the tall girl to almost fall over. Being the tallest student, she was the frequent target of the ball.
After getting a few more balls thrown into her face, resulting in a bloody nose. Ms. Morino had finally send the poor girl to the side bench, were Yuina was already sitting (''My legs hurt, I can't play today, unfortunately..'')
''You alright?'' She asked the taller girl, who sat down next to her with a tissue against her nose.
''Don't w-worry, I'm used to it'' Wakaba gave her a wry smile but noticed how Yuina was still staring at her, bloody, nose.
''Um...Yui?''
''Huh?'' Yuina quickly looked up ''Oh, sorry! I wasn't paying attention''
''Big brother, can I tell you something...'' Tomoko had asked Zeta after school was over and everybody was already going home, she was currently walking through the park nearby her and Kabocha's home, the latter apparently not being home when she eventually got inside.
''Hey? Where's Wisp anyway? Didn't she come with us?''
Wisp was with the other three girls, who were in Miku's home, Miku had invited Tomoko but she had refused quite politely.
''I got it!'' Wisp spoke up while everyone (including Kaori) had gathered around the table.
''What?''
''About Morino!''
''Oh? Do tell'' Orlok couldn't help but smile at Wisp's sudden loud voice.
''Let's kill her! She will be a ghost If she's dead'' Wisp suggested excited. Already thinking of various way to do just that.
Yuina, Miku and Wakaba gave each other somewhat frightened look, all were visibly disturbed by the flying orb's gleeful suggestion.
''No, that won't do!'' Larry barked, noticing the girls' disturbance.
THUD.
''Eh? What was that?''
THUD.
''Is there something on the roof?'' Kaori stood up, almost running to the door but was surprised that she couldn't open it, like it was locked.
She quickly turned to the most nearby window, also locked.
Yuina tried opening another window but to no avail, however she did push her face against the glass in hopes she could see what was outside.
Then a face appeared in front of her.
''Greetings, little human''
''Mart!? Mart is here!?'' Zeta felt quite relieved, Mart had been one of this good friend back home.
Well his home-planet though.
Thinking about that he did consider Halloween World as his home since he and his dad and sister were taken in by the King. At first they felt quite homesick though (mostly their father) but slowly they found themselves loving the place.
''Where is he now?'' Zeta asked Tomoko, who shook her head with a frown.
''I don't know, he just left'' She said softly ''He didn't seem to like it that I didn't want to come with him''
''But...why didn't you tell me earlier?'' Zeta sounded much calmer than he actually was.
Tomoko didn't reply, she hoped her brother would shrug it off If she kept quiet for long enough.
And luckily, he did.
However before he could reply, they both were startled by Tomoko's phone ringing.
Wakaba was the one calling Tomoko, she had hidden herself under the table and quickly called the other girl.
''Tomoko! Um...w-w-we're at Miku's house, there's a little-'' Was all she could manage to say before the phone suddenly fell dead.
Carefully, Wakaba peeked to the window, the creature was still loudly tapping on the window, somehow trying to get inside.
''I didn't mean to frighten you'' It spoke slowly, carefully choosing its words.
When Yuina had come face to face with it, she had let out an uncharacteristic loud shriek and almost fallen over but manages to lean against the table just in time.
''What do you want?'' She asked suspiciously.
''It's cold, please let me in''
''Not before you tell us who you are!'' Miku crossed her arms as she stood in front of Kaori protectively.
''What you are'' The younger sister added.
''And what you want'' Miku finished, however she couldn't help but being interested in the little creature. What was it? A monster? An alien?
''Alright, alright'' It said, letting out a long sign, ''My name is Mart, I come from planet ^^^2$''
''An alien!?'' Miku's interest only grew when the creature had revealed its name and that it was from 'Planet ^^^2$'
''Isn't that Zeta's home-planet'' Orlok voiced, turning to his comrades for confirmation.
''Why Yes, Zeta has been a good friend of mine since childhood'' Mart answered, stepping away from the window for a moment. ''And Mr. Grey and Andromeda too, especially Andromeda''
''An real-real-real alien! First Tomo, then Zeta and now this! Awesome! Hehe!'' Miku couldn't help but giggle, Kaori grabbed her arm tightly and held her back.
Mart completely ignored Miku and pointed at Yuina ''Could you..'' He then turned to Wakaba ''..You..'' and lastly to Miku ''….And you give me your necklaces?''
''What?!'' Yuina blurted out, holding her Hollow Changer protectively.
What kind of question was that?
Well, what kind of situation was this anyway?
''Give me those necklaces! Now!...You irritating humans'' Mart growled and started yelling in some unknown language while he aggressively started running circles around the house, jumping on the roof, attacking windows, trying to get inside, somehow.
He sounded quite angry and Yuina actually wasn't sure If she wanted to know what he was saying.
''Mart! What terrible language!''
That was everything needed to make Mart froze into place.
''An...dro...meda?''
Tomoko was still breathing heavily from running all the way here but she still had enough breath to scold her old friend.
''What do you think you're doing?'' She asked, tapping Mart on the head while squinting her eyes a little.
''Andromeda! Let's just go back! These humans are foolish, their windows can't even open!''
''Eh...You need to open them from the inside'' Yuina quickly commented, still from inside the house, still with the locked doors.
''Were you trying to attack my friends?'' Tomoko took a step back.
''Your friends? Your friends!?''
''Yes, my friends, just like you'' Tomoko gave him a bright smile as she knelt down to come face to face with Mart ''They are important to me, even though we don't even know each other that long, I'm just glad, I'm sure we will make more happy memories!''
Finally Zeta decided to show himself, appearing from the pocket of Tomoko's coat.
''Mart. It's me Zeta. I, first, became a Cure to prevent more worlds from getting destroyed, I fought many foes, I protected many people, good and bad alike, and now Tomoko's has taken my mantle, although I don't fully agree with it, I won't let her, or any other Cure'' Zeta took a quick glance at the other three ''Abandon this world''
''Zeta? You're...so small'' Was all Mart could utter, he looked clearly confused while making a few hand-gestures to somehow unlocking the doors.
It didn't take long for everyone inside to come out.
''Gee, You can lock doors but not open windows? Lame!'' Miku crossed her arms with a disappointed glare towards the alien man.
''Forget It, I'm going'' Mart finally said, slowly walking away but he couldn't get far before he suddenly dropped dead in his track as he grabbed his head with his long arms while making a painful cry.
''Oh dear, that poor little guy'' They heard an all too familiar voice purr from above.
''Kuroneko!''
The cat-girl was sitting on a branch of a nearby tree, looking quite relaxed as she watched Mart's transformation into a Two mouthed-monster
The girls didn't wait any moment.
''Boo Boo Bogey! Monster Change!''
''Pure Blood lust, Defeating you is a must! Cure Blood!''
''Magical Spell, Potion with a strange smell! Cure Witch! Hehe!''
''Howling High, Full moon in the sky! Cure Wolf!''
''Bright Grace, The being from outer space! Cure Alien!''
The Futakuchi also didn't wait any moment to use it two long arms to grab Blood and Witch, and slapping them against each other.
''Pretty Cure! Wolf Claw!'' Extending her claws she slashed the chest of the monster.
A little too impulsive, since it wasn't a weak-point, the Futakuchi wasn't fazed at all and only used this moment to chomp the Wolf-Cure into one of its gigantic mouths, luckily she could just barely lift the roof of said mouth up before she would be munched down. Just barely.
''How convenient'' Kuroneko purred leaning with her head on her hands to stare at Alien ''The newest, inexperienced Precure has to deal with this one all alone''
Alien didn't answer, For quite a while now, she had been looking for the Futakuchi's weakpoint, or at least a place where she could attack without any of her friends getting hit too.
Too rub in it even more, Kuroneko gleefully added; ''And that this one also turns out to be an old friend..''
''It's not easy being a Green Cure, is it?'' Kuroneko let out a snarly laugh at her own 'joke'
''COULD YOU SHUT UP!'' Alien snapped, sending a wave of 'Alien Zap' into the Catgirl's direction, who could only barely avoid it because she fell out of the tree.
''You know what, kitty, I like being a Cure, I love it. Sure, I might be inexperienced but I'm sure my friends will teach me the right way'' Cure Alien took a quick look at said 'friends', who still were trapped.
Pointing at the Futakuchi and clasping her hands together, Cure Alien's eyes glowed with bright will -power as she couldn't help but let out a big smile while shouting; ''Pretty Cure! Alien Mania Finisher!''
The Futakuchi relaxed, slowly closing it eyes and letting go of the other Cures as it transformed back into Mart.
''And by the way, I like the color green'' Cure Alien added while Kuroneko hissed and disappeared without a second glance.
''You also have a new attack, Hehe awesome!'' Witch congratulated Alien as they both cheered while jumping up and down.
''Wonder who will get a new attack next?'' Blood pondered, Cure Wolf didn't reply and simply nodded as the girls transformed back.
''What happened?'' Mart asked, he sat on the ground, surrounded by Zeta and the other small fairies.
Tomoko quickly approached him.
''Mart! Are you okay?''
''Yeah, I guess..''
Wakaba was very afraid Miku would faint when they had followed Mart to his spaceship, it actually looked actually like she had expected: ''future-science-like'', made of metal, lots of flickering lights.
''Arealspaceshipisthisthereallifethisisawesomeohmy'' The short girl breathed while Kaori held her in a tight grip.
''You don't wanna come, right?'' Mart asked Tomoko for the very last time but he already knew the answer.
''No, Sorry Mart''
''Hey, why don't you stay here?'' Tomoko asked, quite calmly.
''Sorry, Andromeda but...'' Mart began, avoiding her gaze ''I just don't want to be bound to a single planet, I want to explore galaxies, discover new life, meet new species, try many kinds of food...''
''Alright, I understand''
''No, I didn't understand, I only wanted you back but I didn't even though of your feelings...I goofed up...'' Mart cracked a small smile.
''I suppose Zeta also doesn't want to come?'' Mart turned to the little critter, who slowly shook his head.
''And Mr. Grey?'' Mart added quietly.
''Very long story'' Orlok signed sadly.
''Well, It has been fun meeting you, may we meet again in the future!'' Mart said, getting into the ship and turning it on.
''And please, advance your technology!'' He added jokingly before the ship soundlessly yet fast shot into the sky.
Tomoko was still waving even after the ship had already gone out of sight.
''We meet again soon, Mart'' She spoke softly, wiping her tears.
Mart wasn't actually sure where he would go now, he couldn't go home and most planets nearby Earth weren't really...'outsider-friendly' so to say.
Then just aimlessly drifting through space again till finding another planet.
Not that he minded, he would just turn his TV on and watch the latest episode of 'Secrets and Tears'.
''You've changed Andromeda, '' He signed while staring out of the small window of his ship.
''But you're eyes are still the same''
ED: ''Delusion Disco!'' - Kazusa Murai (Wakaba Tsukino)