The intruder
Montana, Tectum, on the streets,
Zoey became more and more nervous running round the streets of that strange city. The long eared people around her started to whisper behind her back. To them, this cat eared, pink haired girl in the odd black clothing was the strange one. She only hoped to find Kisshu as soon as possible, before the Cyniclons would try to kill her. Even though Kisshu ensured her, that they weren't planning to hurt any humans, this people seemed quite annoyed. Also, she's just broke into their secret city.
- Hey, look at that weirdo with the cat ears! – a Cyniclon said to the others in the nearby.
- Is she a human? – a woman asked.
- Since when do humans look like this?
- Like an ugly human-animal hybrid…
- And look at her dress?! Isn't she ashamed of wearing such revealing clothes?!
The alien people went on like this, and Zoey started to feel even more uncomfortable. Also, the crowd became so great, that she needed to slow down. Soon she hardly managed to walk forward as the people gathered among her.
- Maybe she's a chimera animal! – an older man supposed.
- But our people hasn't experimented with chimeras since our ancestors left this planet! – an other man stated.
- Our three leaders have! – a third guy said. – They used chimera animals to threaten the humans when they came to explore the planet six years ago…
- Guys, guys… - Zoey tried to step in as the crowd just wouldn't let her go further. They have surrounded her on a wider section of the street. – I'm not a chimera animal. And I only want to see…
They didn't let her finish.
- She must be a chimera our leaders have created! Maybe they've changed their minds about taking over this planet…
- I hope they haven't… - Zoey hoped.
- Silence, chimera! – a man told her off! – You must have been designed to destroy the humans for us!
- No, no! That's exactly the opposite of what my purpose was… - she tried to disagree, but the Cyniclons were unreasonable.
- We need to take her back to our leaders! – someone suggested. – She must have escaped from the lab!
- No no no! I haven't come from any lab, I'm a… - Zoey tried to defend herself, as the crowd started to move more and more closer to her. – Please, just… talk this over!
They had no intention of more talking.
- That's true! – People agreed with the previous theory. – Let's catch her and take her to our leaders!
- They will know what to do with her! – they said.
So it was decided. All the men in the crowd reached for a part of her body and tried to catch her. She didn't have much choice. She didn't want to hurt them with her magical bell, so she tried to flee instead. It seemed to be a good idea at the first time. A few Cyniclons have already grabbed her arms or her dress, but she gathered her strength and jumped out of the crowd. They were so surprised by her wildness, that they let her go.
She jumped on the top of the house, and started to run again. She rushed her way into the same direction as before, but now she was jumping from rooftop to rooftop. Meanwhile the Cyniclons decided that it would be foolish to let go just like that, so they went after her. And somehow the other residents of the city felt that something odd is happening.
By the time she arrived at the main square where her instinct had been leading her, the square was crowded with people. At least she found the cathedral, but that was too far from her position. She didn't see any other option, but to run in the middle of the square, as behind her, there were the previous men chasing her. She almost managed to jump on the top of the statue, when a few Cyniclon men appeared next to her, and grabbed her arms tightly.
- Seems like she cannot space-jump as we do! – one of them triumphantly concluded. – She was running the whole way.
- Yes, but why could a chimera space jump? – another asked back. They were holding her strongly as the crowed started to close around her once again.
- I'm not a chimera, and please let me go! – Zoey screamed. – Please!
- Silence, you harlot! – one of her keepers ordered her impolitely. – Our leaders will decide over your fate!
- What… What have you just called me?! – Zoey asked back angrily. Due to her fury, she felt stronger than before. – I don't need anyone to decide over my fate! – she yelled and broke out of their grasps. She gave them a few hits and kicks, and jumped away. – I can write my own destiny!
- I thought the chimeras are supposed to be more obedient – someone said.
- Maybe she's not a chimera at all!
- Yet, our leaders shall know! She's an intruder!
- She must be a human!
So they tried to take hold of her again. Zoey actually understand their point, but couldn't let them hurt her as well. She tried to run away one more time, but now unsuccessfully. The strongest of the men teleported next to her and caught her again. Now they used even more force to keep her captured. She couldn't escape anymore, not even with her Mew Mew powers. Even if she had used the magic bell, she would only hurt a few of them, which would have made the others even angrier.
Meanwhile the people started to shout for the leaders.
- PAI!
- KISSHU!
- TARUTO!
…
Montana, Tectum, inside the cathedral,
Pai, Kisshu and Taruto were still having their daily discussion with the elders. However, they noticed that the crowd outside had grown more loud. The even heard that the people were shouting their names.
- What on Earth is that again?! – Pai hissed. – Haven't you explained our people, that they can share their questions and requests with us during the early afternoon? – he looked at his co-leaders in anger. – We have serious issues to solve!
- We have told them – Kisshu answered. – We tell them every day.
Taruto nodded. – They already know, Pai.
- Then why are they yelling our names? – Pai asked nervously.
- There must be something serious happening! – Taruto suggested. – They wouldn't be so loud otherwise.
- I'll go and check it out – Kisshu offered, placing his hand on Pai's shoulder. – Just calm down and focus on the issue!
- No! I'll go! – Pai decided, and headed to the exit. Kisshu had to let him go.
- Are you sure? – Kisshu shouted after him. – You seemed to be so tense all morning.
- That's why I need to go – Pai said. – I need some fresh air too! – So he rushed his way to the large front door, stepped outside the assembly hall and closed the door behind him.
- Well, if he would like to handle it by himself… - Taruto shrugged.
- Let's get back to work! – Kisshu nodded and they turned back to the holographic screens.
Meanwhile, Pai were leaving the cathedral. He stopped at the top of the stairs and looked around. The main square was crowded with nervous and excited Cyniclons. Somewhere on the square, four men were capturing a girl. A girl with black ears and pink hair... Pai couldn't believe his own eyes.
"What the hell is she doing here?!" He was yet grateful that he didn't let Kisshu handle this situation. This way he can send this kitty away for once and for all!
- Sir!
- Pai, sir! – people shouted his name as they noticed him standing on the stairs. He looked down at them.
- Sir! There's and intruder! She broke into our city!
- We think that she is a human!
- A human mutant…
- Sir! What should we do?!
- Do not worry! – Pai spoke up. – I'm going to fix this! – So he ascended from the stairs and flew where he saw the cat girl was being arrested.
He decided to kick her out of the city and made her swear never to come here again. He also wanted to forbid her to see Kisshu again. Pai hoped that Zoey would co-operate and would not cause an even bigger mess. If Kisshu noticed, the people would know that his co-leader was in love with their enemy. He must fix this as soon as possible.
But something changed inside him as he got closer to her. A blue light flashed in his eyes. Pai didn't want to send her away anymore. He felt an unusual desire to hurt her. He wanted to punish her for everything she did in the past to prevent them from taking over Earth. He felt that all of his previous anger was taking over him.
…
Montana, Tectum, on the streets,
Zoey became more nervous. Although she wanted to see Kisshu, she didn't want such a great audience for this. After all, Kisshu told her that he did not want to see her again and now she was even causing trouble for him. Like she was sure his people won't like to see him spending time on a human girl. On a weird human cat girl. And she was also sure that Pai and Taruto wouldn't even be as indulgent with her as Kisshu would. She broke into their city after all.
- Listen! – she tried to convince them once again. – I really appreciate your effort, but… I only wish to see Kisshu. You really don't need to call the other leaders!
- Do you think that you have any say in this? – one of the men around her asked with contempt. – A human who penetrate into our city cannot mean any good!
- Hey! Isn't she one of the animal-hybrid human girls, our leaders told us about? – a woman supposed.
- What was their name?
- The Mew Mews! – a girl remembered. – She must be a Mew Mew!
- Well, I am, but… - Zoey tried to explain.
- They are the ones who prevented our leaders from taking back our planet!
- Yes, but only because… - Zoey kept on defending herself.
- Only because they were trying to protect their own people – a firm voice said from above. Zoey looked up and it was Pai. – As they would be too selfish to share this planet with us!
The crowd rumbled as he talked from the air 5 meters above them. Zoey felt that he's anything but happy about her presence. Yet, she tried to explain the situation and make him understand.
- Pai! I can explain. I only came here, because…
But he didn't give her the chance to speak.
- Silence! Hindering us for so many months six years ago wasn't enough for you?! You had to break into our city and threaten our people?!
- I didn't mean to threaten anyone – she said, starting to feel really uncomfortable. Those men were still holding her tightly and Pai didn't seemed friendly at all. – Actually, they're the ones who tried to hurt me!
- So you broke into here and also charge our people with nasty things just because they tried to defend themselves?
- But… I didn't attack them in the first place! – she subjected. Pai seemed to be so harsh and ruthless. Even more than six years before. She didn't understand it. – Please, Pai! You need to understand…
- Shut up, cat girl! – he ordered. – I rather ask my people first. Has this girl hurt any of you? – he asked the crowd.
- You will see, that I haven't… - Zoey said, but the people disrupted her.
- Yes!
- She has!
- But but but… - Zoey was shaking her head. – I haven't…!
- She pushed me to the statue!
- She kicked me!
- She hit me!
- She hit my stomach!
- She pushed me to the ground!
The people were only being honest, and she started to feel even worse realizing that. She did hurt them when they were trying to capture her, but…
- Seems like you're the one who has hurt my people! – Pai stated roughly. – I wonder what you can bring up for your excuse!
Zoey thought he would finally give her a chance to come clean, so she tried one more time.
- Yes, it's true that I might hurt them…, but only because they wanted to catch me…
- You're an intruder! What were you expecting?!
- I… I only wanted to see Kisshu, and…
- So you wanted to see my co-leader? – Pai asked suspiciously, as the people whispered among them. – What on Earth could a Mew Mew want from my co-leader?
- I… I only wanted to see… - Zoey tried hard not to stutter, but her fear started to take over her. – I wanted to see him, cause…
Pai didn't let her finish the sentence again.
- Because you wanted to kill him! – he claimed. The crowd started to rumble more angrily, giving furious glimpses to her.
- No! I swear, that's not why I'm here.
- I have no other idea what the humans' little guardian could possibly want from a Cyniclon leader! – Pai stated firmly. Although he knew, Zoey probably hasn't come to kill Kisshu, he needed to charge her with it, so that to justify the following punishment he was planning for her.
Zoey took a deep breath but did not contradict again. She'd already realized it would be useless. Pai seemed to be someone who already made up his mind to oppose her. And the other people would never believe that she has feelings for Kisshu. Or that Kisshu might be interested in such a lame human girl as well. Talking about her attraction towards Kisshu would only make things worse, so she stayed silent for this time.
- Let's kill her! – one of the men holding her suggested.
- She endanger our people!
- She must be eliminated! – others suggested.
- Please! – Zoey sighed in despair. – Please! I don't want to hurt you… I only want…
- We don't care what you want! – they said.
- Let's end her! – they said.
Few of them pulled out some knifes and daggers and reached for her. She tried to move away, but her keepers held her tightly. She closed her eyes with fear, when…
- Stop right there! – Pai commanded. He was still hovering in the air to show his people that he's the one on top. The people stopped. – Lower your weapons! Move away from the girl! – he gave the further orders.
The Cyniclons had no choice but to obey and do as he say. So they took a few steps back. Only those four men stayed who were still keeping Zoey in capture. She looked up at Pai with gratitude and relief.
- Pai! I hoped you would understand… - she sighed.
- I don't remember giving you permission to speak again! – he replied instead with a cold and ruthless tone. – Release the girl and go away! – he turned to his people.
Zoey couldn't understand his angle anymore, nor could the Cyniclons.
- But, Sir! Aren't we going to punish her for breaking into our city?
- Don't worry about it! – Pai said firmly. – I'm going to take care of her myself! – He looked down on his folk with such firmness and dignity that they couldn't question his intention. – Go and find shelter!
The crowd started to disperse. This last statement, however, made Zoey desperate again. "Why should they find shelter? What is Pai planning to do with me?"
- But, sir! – A few men disagreed and refused to leave. – We should make sure, that she won' tell anyone about our…
- I'm the one who is going to make sure about it! – Pai said raising his voice. – You don't have to make sure of anything! – He tried hard to maintain their respect, and it seemed to work this time as well. – Last time I checked, I was your leader, so I'm the one in charge of this situation!
- Of course, sir! – They obeyed finally and also kneeled down with a bow. – Please, forgive us for doubting you for even a second – they said and their voices sounded to be honest.
- Do not let it happen again! – Pai ordered, but there was forgiveness in his voice. And just when Zoey thought she could finally breathe freely… Pai added: - And do not worry about the risks she could cause us! I'm going to execute her myself!
Most of the remaining people seemed to be quite okay with that. Only a few children got scared, but they were carried away by their parents. Zoey couldn't believe her own ears. "Execute?! That's a very specific word, and no way that could mean anything but death for me."
- Pai, please…! – she begged.
- You should start calling me sir! – he said with disdain.
- Pai.. sir! – She tried again. She got more scared as she watched all the people move away from her in a hurry. – Please, I only want to see Kissh…
- Stop mentioning his name! – He yelled, and raised his red and yellow combat hand fan. It was actually a high developed weapon with many functions disguised as a handheld fan. That was when he realized that a few other people are still standing on the street, not too far from Zoey.
- Haven't I told you to find shelter! Go and take cover immediately! – he commanded. – This is going to be a rough fight and I wouldn't like any of you to get hurt.
- By this way, I don't want to fight with you! – Zoey complained. – Please, Pai…
- Shut your mouth up, at last! – Pai scolded her. – Accept your fate with honor! – Ha saw that those few people, mainly woman, just wouldn't go away. – What are you still doing here?! – ha asked them nervously.
- Sir, if I may have a word – a kind looking woman asked. There were two children around her, so he knew she was a mother.
- What is it?
- You and the other leaders told us, sir, that we shall not to fight the humans. Why would you then fight this girl?
Zoey was truly grateful to this woman. However she guessed her words wouldn't make any difference.
- As I recall, we said that YOU shall not fight the humans! We didn't say anything about three of us fighting some humans if necessary – Pai highlighted the point.
- I see, sir – the mother agreed. – But she doesn't seem to be so hostile. Perhaps, you could spare her life!
- I see that you have a big heart – Pai said to her. – But you don't know her as I do. She tried to destroy us back in the days. We can't afford to risk our safety! – The mother would want to try one last time, but Pai looked at her firmly. – Now hurry and take cover! – he ordered again. – I won't say it one more time!
Zoey know that there's no way he will change his mind from then on. She only hoped that Kisshu would intervene. The rest of the people started to move away, but one of the kids of the mother, who spoke recently, escaped from her grip. The little girl ran back to the middle of the street, and stopped right in front of Zoey. The Mew girl couldn't be more surprised and Pai felt the same.
The lassie stretched her arms trying to defend her. Pai raised an eyebrow. He's never seen a kid with such determination.
- But… But she asked you not to kill her and… and she also said please!
- That all doesn't matter. And you, young girl, should spare your strength for other times! – Pai claimed.
He was surprised by her, but not touched. So he just swayed his hand and the little girl was teleported back to her mother. Even though, the Cyniclons could avoid being teleported by others, and it was usually other things they could teleport away with some effort, this girl was still young, thus too weak to resist.
- GO! – Pai shouted towards the little girl's mother and the others.
They didn't hesitate for a minute and disappeared from the street. Pai heard that the mother whisper something to her daughter like "You have tried, sweetie. There's nothing more we could do!" before they left, but he didn't care. Besides Zoey was their enemy, she's distracting Kisshu from his work. His co-leader had wasted so much time on her already. He'd better finish her off before Kisshu make up his mind and does something stupid.
Love can make men act insane, and Pai didn't want to risk that Kisshu falls back in love with this puny human once again. Last time when that happened, he ruined many of their great plans. Although, they agreed that hurting humans would have been wrong otherwise, now it was different. Now all of their people are compromised. If she told the humans or if Kisshu made any mistake because of her, they would be all screwed.
So, after he made sure that no civilians were left on the street, he raised his fan once again.
- Brace yourself for death! – Pai shouted to Zoey. – If you don't defy me, I promise to end you quickly!
- Please, Pai! – she tried to stop him one last time. She couldn't imagine why Kisshu hasn't come yet. "Is he not concerned about me at all? Or doesn't he know, that I'm here?" – Please, I don't want to fight!
- You don't have to!
Zoey felt relieved, but again, erroneously.
- Really? So you were just saying all these bad things about me to make your people go away?
Pai couldn't resist, but to laugh out loudly with contemn in his voice.
- Stupid cat! Could you be more wrong than that?! I would never lie to my people! How could you even consider that I'm going to spare your life? I only meant that any defense is useless!
…
To be continued…