[America Mew Mew] Episode Thirty Five

[sunrises]

Haha, so... I fail at hiatusing, but this story just popped into my brain, and I've been working on it for a while. >///< Thankfully, it's not much left (you guys are special and get a double-posting in one day), but I think the twists are legit and it'll surprise you.

Title: Episode Thirty Five: The Last Stand Begins! Miles' Sanity Disappears
Fandom: TMM [but incredibly AU]
Summary: Briar and Mew Primrose duke it out while Ryou and Roy notice the sudden, looming rain over their city. Also, Miles is struggling with his sanity? And what does Chive have to do with all of this?
Claimer: If you don't recognize it, it's mine. o/ That is all.

"Ribbon, Primrose Enforce!"

"No fair! You're cheating!"

Mew Primrose winked at her floating opponent. "Not really," She sweetly responded, swaying from side to side as she kept the yellow-tinted barrier up. "This is my only attack, 'member?"

Briar wrinkled his nose as he floated down towards her. "It's not even an attack, stupid."

She pouted, "Don't say that."

"You remember the rat."

Immediately, Mew Primrose's eyes watered. Her barrier completely disappeared as she fell to her knees. Briar could only stare as he watched her burst into hysterical sobs. First, he looked almost confused before adopting a look of genuine alarm.

"Oy! Why're you crying over that? Don't you have like... starving children in some other country?"

She still cried, curling up into a ball as she involuntarily detransformed. After five minutes of no silence, she slowly looked up at the sky to see Briar sitting on thin air in front of her. Opening one eye, he peeked at her carefully.

"... You probably don't want to fight anymore."

It was a statement, not a question. Primrose nodded as she carefully rose from the ground. Brushing the dust off her, she slowly headed back towards the swing set at the other end of the park. Normally, she would be there every moment she got. When her father and Bennett went to walk the dog, they'd often let her swing in the park while they walked the dog along the trails nearby. The walk itself never took long, and Prim got all the swinging time she ever wanted.

Today, however? She hadn't expected on an ambush like that. It wasn't really much of a fight, though - Briar and she had mostly traded wits and comments more than actual attacks. (Was he going easy on her?) Briar took the swing beside her, and the two silently swung in unison before either of them thought to speak to each other.

"So, uh---"

"Hey. I, um..."

"You go first--"

"No, no. You go!"

They both stared at each other with confused expressions. Finally, Briar spoke first. "Did we just share our first awkward conversation?"

Primrose blinked, "I think so."

She giggled, swinging faster, "But speaking with you's never awkward! Not normally, anyway."

He pouted, "Is it? It's not like I'm willingly talking to you."

"But you're still here, aren't you?"

His hands tightly gripped the metal chains as he stared at the gravel below him. "And if I did?"

"There's probably a good reason for it~" Prim sang as she got closer to him. Finally letting her feet rest on the gravel, she added, "Uh, why'd you come?"

Briar looked very solemn as he replied, "We no longer have contact with our leader."

"What?"

He took her surprise as genuine concern, so he continued, "I've no idea what Chive and Panforte plan to do from here on out, but... losing all contact with our leader isn't exactly something good."

"No, I mean how bad is that?"

He blinked. "Oh yeah. I forgot you don't know about our leader."

Pausing, he looked up at the suddenly cloudy sky. "Chive, Panforte, and I were assigned to this Earth city. We had to see if our people could conquer it. Three people can't conquer a world, you know. If we said the people were weak - and we could defeat Earth's protectors - then our people would come down and take over."

Primrose frowned, "So you wanted to take over Earth?"

"No! I mean yes... argh, I don't even know what I mean anymore," Briar pouted, swinging slightly as he now turned to look at Primrose. "I don't know how you girls even did it, but. We couldn't beat you, and the leader started hating us."

"I'm sorry."

He stared at her. "Why're you crying for again, you stupid girl?"

She ignored the tears flowing down her face as she responded, "I'm crying because no one should hate you."

Blushing, he immediately looked away from her. "Your world doesn't exist in my home, okay? You don't have to be so sensitive all the time."

"Daddy says that too," Primrose said in-between sobs. "But I'm really, really sorry. I don't like it when people hate each other. Why can't we all smile and get along?"

"... More people should take your advice," He sighed.

She smiled at him, "You think so?"

"Yeah."

Primrose then jumped off her swing as she took Briar's hand and led him to the nearby bench. The two sat there next to each other. Lazily letting his leg lean over the side, Briar said, "I came here to warn you."

"Warn me?" Primrose furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

Briar nodded, "My leader isn't a very nice person. If we can't contact him, we've no idea what's going to happen to this planet. I actually have a feeling something very, very bad's going to take place."

Primrose couldn't help hugging him. "I know you've got cooties," She said, still not letting go as she wrapped her arms completely around him, "But thank you. You're a nice person!"

"I don't mean to be nice," Briar sneered instinctively. Still, his face was red, and he didn't seem to want to let go of Primrose anytime soon. Letting his head rest on her shoulder, he added, "I just don't want someone as weird as you to be killed by my leader."

She sung under his breath, "You're still nice~"

"Shaddap."

+

The cloudy skies were getting darker. Not that either Jishou nor Ryou noticed the looming sky as they stared each other down. Roy and his father watched the staring match nervously, though Roy had long ago stopped paying attention. Instead, the orange-haired teen was content kneeling down and inspecting his garden.

"Brett," Jishou whispered, addressing Roy's father. "Why do you think Ryou's so upset this time?"

Shrugging, Brett responded, "He can probably hear you."

"I can," Ryou glared, his arms crossed as he refused to have eye contact with his father. The blond added, "I'm going to be sixteen in October. I'm old enough for this. Really."

Jishou looked thoughtful for a moment before he finally said, "You think so?"

"Of course I think so!"

"Careful," Roy called, nudging Ryou away from the garden. "You almost trampled those poor flowers."

"Not like I care---"

Ryou was immediately hushed by his best friend's glare. Instead, the blond sat back down in the picnic chair. Leaning back, he muttered, "Otousan. Could you at least give me a chance?"

Brett's cell phone rang. Sighing, he picked it up and started, "Hello?"

It didn't even take five seconds for Brett's entire body to tighten as he gripped the phone even more tightly. Hanging it up abruptly, he apologized, "There was an emergency at the hospital. I don't know what happened, but one of my patients was almost attacked."

Roy and Ryou stared as they watched Brett run off towards the front of the house.

Jishou blinked, "... Did the patient have a heart attack or something?"

"Don't know," Roy shrugged. "Dad hasn't been that upset in a while. I don't think your fight made a difference, but... something about that seemed off."

"Yeah," Ryou echoed, blinking. "... Tousan, I think I'm gonna wait to prove my point next time."

"If you wanted to go driving," Jishou sighed. "All you had to do was ask."

Ryou stuck his tongue out, "Gee thanks. Now you agree with me."

The blond blinked, staring up at the pitch-black sky. "... Huh. It's raining." He then jumped out of his seat, motioning for everyone to go back inside. "Forget that. It's pouring cats and dogs!"

The three immediately ran inside, sliding the glass door behind them as they watched the pouring rain hit the ground. Sighing, Ryou and Roy fell to the floor.

Jishou picked them both up and sighed, "Hit the showers, you two. I've a feeling this is going to be one heck of a storm."

+

He lay on the carpet; his hands pressed against the ground as his eyes widened. Groaning, he muttered, "You can't do this."

Foolish boy. Are you expecting me to give up so easily?

Hollowly laughing, the boy replied, "That'd be kinda nice, actually."

His entire body shook; groaning again, the boy hurriedly put all of his hair in a tight ponytail. Slowly rising, he could feel his bones popping as he sat down cross-legged.

You have her sense of humor.

"Her sense of humor?"

If someone were to look in the room right now, he knew he'd be given a one-way ticket to Arkham Asylum (though in retrospect, that might actually be pretty cool.) He glanced over at the wall mirror and stared at himself.

His face was gaunt, his eyes almost bloodshot... God. How long had he been trying to fight off the voice in his head?

The voice didn't respond for a while, but he knew better than to rejoice. He had merely stumped the voice into silence; it'd come back within the next ten minutes or so.

(Perhaps he should tell someone about this. It'd be better than pretending everything was okay.)

Her sick, twisted sense of humor. Perhaps you should learn from her mistakes, little Miles.

... The voice was beginning to sound more like his with each second.

"I'll go to Mass every Sunday," He whispered to himself, putting his hands over his ears. "Every Sunday! Just please stop talking to me."

You think this is a punishment from your little Earthling religion?

So it wasn't? Well, that was just lovely. Who was this voice, anyway? It sure liked taunting him at every possible moment. Thank heavens his parents were out at the movies with Evelyn; he didn't have to explain himself this time.

They thought he was sick again, as he had been.

For a miserable Earthling, you talk too much.

"I'm not an Earthling," Miles spat out, staring down at the carpet. Ignoring the mirror (and his poor state of health), he added, "My real mom wasn't even from this planet."

So you know.

"I didn't want to," He grumbled. "It would've been nice to stay the way I was."

Would it? Really?

Miles didn't respond.

You can do me a favor and I'll leave your head forever. Do we have a deal, little Miles?

"Stop. Calling. Me. Little."

Miles, then. Do me the favor and I'll leave.

Miles stared at the ceiling. "What's your catch?"

Catch?

"There's always a catch," Miles sighed as he slowly rose from the ground. Walking towards the hallway, he opened his bedroom door and walked downstairs. "I've read too many superhero comic books to know otherwise."

The voice didn't respond as Miles took a peach and sliced it into eight pieces. He salted the pieces and happily ate them. And then he looked out the window. Staring, he muttered, "It wasn't supposed to rain today. Not like that."

Silence. Miles knew he should be enjoying this... this lack of a voice that sounded like his, but with a much more sinister attitude. Was he being possessed? It didn't make much sense to him.

His family walked in through the door. He could hear Evelyn happily chirping about how the movie was, and his parents laughing in response.

"Miles? Did you like the soup we left for you?"

He found himself nodding, "Yes, mother. It was scrumptious."

Whoa. Whoa. That wasn't him talking or smiling at his mother as if nothing was wrong with him. Miles tried to bite his tongue, but it was as if none of his internal organs were listening to him anymore.

"You must've been reading Shakespeare," His father laughed as he ruffled Miles' hair. "You sure look better. No bloodshot eyes... no gaunt face..."

This couldn't be happening. Miles blinked, "Huh?"

"See for yourself," Luciano laughed, gesturing towards a nearby mirror. Miles walked towards it and stared at the perfect reflection staring back. His eyes were the same brown-green, his face was perky and not at all gaunt... everything just seemed so normal.

And that was why Miles tried to run. But his leg just wouldn't move. He couldn't even bring his arms down to physically move them.

"Father," His lips moved without him even trying, "When're we going out for dinner?"

Luciano and Stella exchanged glances before Luciano finally replied, "How'd you know? You were asleep when we mentioned it..."

That was the thing, Miles wanted to scream. He didn't know. Who was this voice, taking over his body and manipulating him like this? It was unhuman and completely... completely...

You want control over your body, yes?

Miles nodded - or at least, he would've nodded if he could.

Then do my favor, all right? Or it'll keep going on... and on... and then eventually? Little Miles, you won't be here anymore.

How was he supposed to fight against something that was interally controlling him? He couldn't move his arms... his legs... it was all spellbound and tighter than ever...

"Fine," Miles found himself agreeing - whoa, he could control his own lips!

Everyone stared at him, but Miles only nervously laughed as he finally ruffled his own hair, "... It's nothing. I guess I wasn't asleep when I heard you guys, huh?"

"Apparently not," Stella agreed, reaching in to hug her son. "Go get ready. We'll leave when the rain lessens."

Miles nodded as he walked up the stairs.

Good. Then that means we'll begin when those detested humans go out for their evening meal.

Grumbling, Miles retorted to the voice, "Those detested humans are my parents."

For now.

ARGH! How much more of this could he bear? It would all end tonight, he reminded himself... it would all end tonight.

+

When he had gotten the call from Dr. Andrews, this was honestly the last thing Dr. Brett Bancroft had been expecting. Running his hand through his hair, Brett whistled as he walked through the abandoned halls of the hospital. Most of the personell seemed unaffected. Good.

Turning the corner, Brett waved at the doctor leaning against the wall. "Zach," Brett called as he neared his acquaintance. "How is everything?"

"Not good," Dr. Andrews admitted, sighing as he put his hands in his pocket. "The AC suddenly broke down, but that's the least of our worries."

Brett crossed his arms, "So I've heard. How're we planning to do crowd control?"

"No idea," Zach replied, walking towards Brett. Pushing his glasses up his nose, he added, "But I heard they're rounding up the students that're in town. It's not that bad yet, but it looks like it'll worsen if we don't figure something out."

"We need to protect the hospital," Brett suddenly said, glancing towards his fellow doctors and patients. "I'll go finish my rounds - you should too - and then we'll round the others up."

"Already done on my part," Zach smirked. "I got your nurse practictioner to look at people too."

A rare smile crossed Brett's lips, "You're one step ahead of me this time. ... I like that."

"Good," Zach laughed. "'Cause we're having a meeting in the basement. Hurry," He immediately took Brett's hand and dragged his acquaintance to the elevator. "We don't exactly know who's behind the current attacks, but it's been oddly fluctuating."

"Fluctating?"

"Yeah," Zach shrugged nonchalantly. "It's like... strong one hour and then suddenly weak the next."

Brett frowned, "That doesn't sound too good."

"Exactly. We need to keep the hospital under control, and see what the rest of the city's doing after that. From what I can tell, they're really only concerned with Long Island. The other boroughs haven't been affected."

"That's weird," Brett let Zachary walk out of the elevator first. "But I'll do what I can. You do realize my powers don't work that well near technology, right?"

Zach nodded, "Yeah. Just stick near the gardens. There isn't much technology there since some dope put up a sign---"

"Thanks," Brett smiled. "I owe you one."

There was a rare blush on Zach's face; he shook his head as the two parted ways. "We'll be even once this threat drops."

"Still," Brett called. "Let's grab something at the bar later?"

"If you insist," were Zach's last words before the two finally took their separate patrol paths around the New Island Hospital.

+

The rain was lessening. Shuugo, Minoru, and Fuyuki stared from the ice cream store window as the pouring rain became a light drizzle.

"That's weird," Minoru commented, his hands pressed against the glass. "Was it even supposed to rain today?"

"Nope," Shuu replied, tilting his head at his best friend. "The weather report said nothing about it..."

He trailed off, staring at Fuyuki. Fuu made a face, "Don't look at me. I don't have that kind of power and you know it."

Noru blinked, "Shuu...?"

"Weather mage," Shuu whispered in his friend's ear. "But Fuu's right. If it's not him, I've no idea who would willingly create that much rain."

Noru's eyes lit up, "Aaah. That's pretty cool."

The three could hear Minoru's parents chatting to themselves in the opposite end of the store. Ignoring them, Shuu stared off into the distance. Were those the Alescis walking towards the restaurant nearby? Shuu blinked. "Hey, is that...?"

"It looks like them," Fuu stared at the umbrellas. "Go ahead and say hello to them."

Shuu nodded, taking a purple umbrella from the store. To Minoru's parents, he called, "I'll be back in five minutes!"

It was weird how Miles didn't notice his close friend coming. Instead of even glancing around at his surroundings, the blond was keeping his eyes focused ahead of him. Shuugo didn't want to admit it, but it was like... he was possessed by something not of this world.

"Miles!"

Luciano gently nudged his son, "Hey. Shuugo's here to see you."

"Huh?" Miles jolted up, then apologetically smiled at his friend. "Ah, Shuu... Dad, could you let me talk to him for a minute?"

Nodding, Luciano held the door open for his family. "Easily. Please promise me that you'll come in and eat with us, okay?"

Shuu blinked, watching them leave. "Um, what's up? You don't seem like yourself."

Miles didn't look at him. After a while, he whispered, "I'm fine. I promise."

"You don't sound fine," Shuu put a hand on his hip as he waved his umbrella around. "Miles, you are going to tell me what's wrong even if it kills you!"

"I can't tell you."

"Now you're just scaring me," Shuu sighed. "The way you're acting... it's kinda putting me off."

"He's perfectly fine~"

Shuu jumped. The rain disappeared completely; Miles smiled sinisterly at the redhead. (It couldn't be Miles - he seemed a little older; his eyes were completely yellow now.) Shuu nervously laughed, "Hey, Templare. No hard feelings, okay?"

"Templare? ... Mmm, a useful nickname, I suppose. But you have no business talking to him, mage."

"No business?! But he's one of my closest friends. And since when has the Templare been this rude? I thought he practically taught the manners course!"

The Templare didn't respond for a minute. Instead, he glanced back at the clock behind them, "I suggest you do not speak to little Miles. He's currently doing a favor for me. And if you mages interfere? I do not forsee a happy ending for him."

Oh. Great. Shuu cursed interally as he watched Miles' eyes return to normal. The blond blinked, then shyly headed towards the door.

"I'm sorry, Shuu. He'll leave as soon as I finish his favor."

Shuu exasperatedly shrugged, "... You're really under his control, aren't you?"

Miles didn't say anything as he hurried into the restaurant. The rain slowly started appearing again. Shuu cursed to the sky, running back to the ice cream store without a single word. Stupid, stupid, stupid! If only he'd realized this earler... then maybe he could've done something for Miles.

Could he still do something? He didn't know. But if Miles did his bidding, it surely wouldn't end well either. This was one of the weirdest dilemmas he'd ever faced, and he wasn't sure how it was all going to end.

Fuu and Noru looked at him with worried faces when Shuu walked back in.

"That didn't look like a pleasant conversation," Fuu murmured, inspecting the water all over his cousin.

Shuu frowned, "It wasn't."

Minoru's father called the boys then to go home. Shuu sighed with relief when they walked out for the final time and towards the SUV. If anyone knew what to do during a situation like this, it'd be Ryou, right?

+

The stars weren't coming out. Chive knew it was because of the rain, but that didn't stop him from standing in the rain. He held his arms out wide, letting the torrents splash him. So what if he caught a cold?

He wanted to see the stars one last time.

The bushes rustled. Chive blinked, but still kept his focus in front of him. The rain had to make the bushes move, right? They had always made that sound.

No, wait. The bushes were still rustling - even more than usual. Glancing over his shoulder, Chive squinted in the direction of the darkness.

"Who's there?"

For the next few minutes, all Chive could hear was the pitter-patter of rain as it hit the grass. Pressing his lips together, he slowly pushed his limp hair out of his eyes.

"I repeat: who's there?"

Again, there was nothing. Chive didn't move. He pretended to briefly turn away from the bush; a flicker of yellow ran past him.

The Templare? Chive instantly rose, shaking his entire body as he persued the mysterious yellow blur. The Templare didn't seem like the type to seek revenge. Why was he back here? Panforte may have kidnapped him once, but wasn't the Templare like some uber-polite freak who easily forgave people? ... Maybe he wanted information. Either way, the whole situation was weird.

The Templare - it was definitely the Templare, with that long almost-white hair - ran for about a mile before he stopped, stooping to catch his breath. Chive hid behind a tree, daring to peek only when the Templare closed his eyes and held his hands out to catch the falling rain.

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter.

It was a soothing rhythm. Chive shook his head. He wouldn't fall asleep. Not now, and especially not in the rain! The Templare was here for a reason: it was obvious in the stoic way he stood; the way his amber eyes scanned the area for signs of life; and in the confident stance he held.

"I know you're behind that tree."

That wasn't the Templare's voice. Chive felt shivers down his spine. Who was this person, possessing the Templare like this? If it was really the Templare, there would've been no need for blunt remarks. He was too well-mannered to even think about it.

Chive didn't respond, closing his eyes as--- BAM! Floating higher, Chive swerved to see the Templare knocking at the base of the tree. His eyes didn't look the same close-up... they were swirled like Chive's, but they were... red?

"Are you deaf?"

Chive narrowed his eyes, "You are rude."

Blood-red eyes glared at Chive. There was a moment of silence, before the Templare spoke again, "Your English is lacking."

"You speak my language?"

The Templare exasperatedly sighed, "I am one of you, am I not?"

Chive shrugged. "You never showed signs of understanding it - let alone speak it until now," He remarked, switching immediately to his native language. He then added, "What're you doing at this hour? Here?"

"Keeping this body safe."

Chive moved back instinctively. His eyes bugged out as he nervously stammered, "Wh-what do you mean?"

"What I said."

The Templare then brushed past Chive casually. Ignoring the sopping wet conditions they were both in, the Templare also added, "If you're smart, you won't interfere."

"I have to interfere," Chive sneered as he easily kept up with the Templare. Blocking the door, he stared his archrival down. Placing a hand on his hip, he retorted, "You're not allowed in here - unless you'd like to be kidnapped again?"

There was a moment of silence before the Amber Templare started chuckling softly. Chive frowned, "What's wrong?"

The laughter grew louder; the Templare even had to put his hands to his lips to keep from guffawing out loud. Chive crossed his arms, "what---"

"Hahahaha," The Templare snickered. "You still don't recognize me? You're dumber than I thought."

Only one person had ever sneered at Chive like that. The teen's eyes widened; he immediately stepped aside as he bowed down to the Templare's feet. The rain pelted on the rooftops above them, but Chive ignored the rhythm completely.

He respectfully (and grudgingly) responded, "Welcome to Earth, Commander."

The Commander didn't respond as he walked through the metal doors. Dragging Chive behind him, the Commander growled, "Where's the safest room in this building?"

"You barge in and then demand to know the safest room?"

"Of course," The Commander teased, laughing as he navigated the hallways. Pausing upon hearing multiple kicks and punches, he began, "What is--"

"Battle training," Chive effortlessly finshed, floating in front of the Commander. "Shall I call Panforte in for you?"

"No need," The Commander shook his head. "Just lead me to your safest room."

Chive nodded, obediently floating towards a room in the lower floor of the base. The Commander followed effortlessly. The metallic door was opened, and the two boys found themselves standing in a completely empty room, save for a couple of mattresses and a stash of food in a couple of cardboard boxes. Inspecting the food, the Commander nodded knowingly.

"This will work. Look over this body, will you?" He smiled, satisfied. Lying on the mattress, he closed his eyes and raised a hand to the ceiling.

And then? Without warning, he suddenly collasped. Chive immediately ran to him, "Commander?"

The Commander's eyes opened - and they weren't red. The Templare groaned as he fell into Chive's arms, "You need to stop him."

Chive didn't say anything as he let Miles rest on his shoulder. "Why? He possessed you, but..."

"He's on Earth," The Templare explained, closing his eyes. "And if I'm not mistaken, he's going to destroy this planet himself. I don't know why he wants me out of the way, but you need to stop him, Chive."

"I can't."

The Templare frowned. "Why not?"

Chive gave him a knowing look. "Did you not hear him? He wants me to protect you."

"Because I'm alien too?"

"No," Chive shook his head. "I think I understand. Kid, your mother is important to my leader."

The Templare jolted up to stare at his new caretaker. "What do you mean by that?"

"He feels loyal to you," Chive smiled softly. "My leader may destroy this city, but he will keep you safe."

The Templare frowned. Crossing his arms as he moved away from Chive, the Templare grumbled, "But he's destroying my life in the process! Don't you realize he'll be killing Mimi and my family? And everyone and everything I care about?"

Immediately, the Templare started heading for the door. "You don't understand! I have to go---"

"No."

Chive blocked the door. Ignoring the curses and slurs from the Templare, Chive added, "You need to stay. My leader is a cruel man sometimes. I know."

Glancing away from the Templare, he also added, "... If it is revenge my leader seeks, you will die if you go back."

The Templare blinked. "Revenge?"

"My leader thinks your father killed your mother," Chive shrugged helplessly. "We cannot leave this room now. Wait until Panforte sees if it is safe."

"It won't be safe," The Templare protested. "Let me leave!"

Chive seized the Templare's arm. "Stop thrashing!" Chive growled. "If we leave, then Commander will suspect us."

A look of understanding washed over the Templare's face. He slowly nodded before sitting back down on the mattress.

"So we have to sit and wait," The Templare nodded. "I'll go with that. But we have to get out of here soon, okay? I have a feeling the damage is going to be pretty bad."

Chive nodded, leaning on the door. "If you feel that strongly about Earth."

The Templare laughed sadly, shaking his head as he stared down at his damp, wet clothing. "Of course I do. Earth is my home - it has the people I love. And I don't care if you're going to stop me, Chive, because I love Earth too much for your stupid leader to kill everything I care about."

"Words well said," Chive nodded sagely. He began, "but then---achoo!"

Both boys immediately began fits of sneezing. Neither stopped, really, until Briar burst into the room and stared at them both.

"I don't know how the Templare got in," Briar sighed, rubbing his temples. "But you're going to need showers. Pronto."

And without a single word of protest, both the Templare and Chive followed Briar to the showers for a much needed bath. So much for following the Commander's orders.