Chapter 1: An ordinary night

(< and > denote thoughts instead of dialog)

[Setting is approximately a year after the Great Comet Caper]

Unison: "Little Tokyo it's a hell of a town!  The palace in the center and the vendors downtown."

Singer 1: "Little Tokyooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"
Singer 2: ". . . . . . . . . . . . Little Tokyooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"
Singer 3: ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Little Tokyooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"

Unison: (slowly) "It's a hell of a toooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwn!"

Looking across the street, late at night, at a theater who's glowing marque reads "Little Tokyo
the Musical" we see General Catton and the rest of the Rescue Team (Meowzma with his wife
Elizabeth) walk out of the door, followed by Speedy and Polly hand in hand, Carla with Good
Bird's arm around her shoulder, then Luciell and Francine followed by Guido.

Bat Cat: "Man, that was AWFUL!!!"

Spritz: "Tell me about it.  That show was one of the stupidest things that I have ever seen the
government's propaganda ministry do."

Catton: "Every government knows the value of propaganda, heck, the blasted Berlin Scuzzballs
had whole departments dedicated to it during the war, but at least they made sure it was GOOD.
To tell the truth I half believed some of it after looking at it too long."
(I do not wish to offend persons from Berlin, or Germany.  Catton refers to the Nazis of WWII)

Guido: "All I know is that when Princess Vi sees that thing SOMEBODY is getting a one way
trip to Prisoner Island."

The whole company has a hearty laugh.

Polly: "Imagine her face if she found out how much of a paradise that place is."

Meowzma: "She'd blow a gasket!"

Fran: "Ya, then she'd turn red as a beet and start exiling everyone, only she can't exile them
because they would enjoy it."

Once again everyone breaks out laughing.

Speedy: (impersonating a salesman) "Prisoner Island: Maximum Security Prison.  You can be
exiled for life on a white sandy beach drinking a cool fruit drink in the warm sun.  A true example
of an over lenient prison system.  Prisoner Island, greatest honeymoon spot on the globe.
Unparalleled natural beauty.  So come on down, get your piece of paradise, and anger the
princess today!!!"

As the others are laughing loudly, Polly leans close to Speedy's ear.

Polly: (whispering so nobody will hear her) "As I recall, Mr. Cerviche, you didn't see more than
ten minutes worth of the island's natural beauty on our honeymoon."

Speedy: (whispering back) "Who said anything about the island's natural beauty?"

Polly blushes very brightly.

Good Bird (GB): (after everybody finished laughing from the salesman bit and not having heard
what Speedy said) "I don't know Speedy, that health spa in the mountains had some natural
beauty of its own."

Luciell: (reminiscing) I remember both your weddings.  You all looked so happy up at the alter
taking your vows.  First, Good Bird and Carla in the morning, then Polly and Speedy in the
afternoon, and then at the reception I saw the four of you dancing with each other (she is getting
teary eyed) and I just (choking back sobs) felt . . so . . happy for you."

Everybody starts running three seconds too late.
PWWWWEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW (sounds of terrible destruction follow).

Luciell looks around.

Luciell: (apologetically) "Oh, I'm so sorry everyone."

Speedy: (painfully) "Please, don't be.  It might happen again if you are."

Everyone in unison: "PLEASE, don't be!!!"

They all start to pick themselves up and dust the soot off of their cloths when Francine's eyes
suddenly snap wide open.

Fran: (alarmed) "Oh, NO!  I just remembered!  When we went to the show I forgot to go to the
bank and get petty cash for tomorrow."

Guido: (casual) "So what's the problem Francine?"

Fran: (starting to get hysterical) "If we don't have petty cash we can't make change for the
customers!"

Guido: (suave as usual) "So?"

Fran: (suddenly very angry, grabbing Guido by the neck, and pulling him down to her eye level)
"So we're going to loose BUSINESS YOU MUSH BRAINED MORON!!!"

Guido: (distressed) "Fran (choke) air!  Fran (gag) AIR!!!"

Polly: (stepping in and taking Francine's hands off of Guido's neck) "It's alright Francine, we'll
just go to the bank and use the ATM now."

Speedy: (taken aback) "But Polly, we had . . . plans tonight."

Polly: (having a realization) "Oh, the walk through the park I promised to take with
you."

Speedy: (embarrassed and quietly talking through his teeth) "Polly!"

GB: (leaning close to Speedy) "Walk through the park, huh?"

Speedy: (quietly) "Well you fly with Carla up to the top of the palace to watch stars."

GB: (mockingly) "But SHE asks ME to do that."

Speedy: (through clenched teeth) "Good Bird!"

Meanwhile.

Polly: "I can't go to the bank with you Francine, I . . I promised Speedy.  General Catton, could
you . . ."

Catton: "Sorry miss Polly, but the rest of us live clear over on the other side of town, we need to
get back"
Carla: "Good Bird and I still have some errands to run before we go home"

Fran: (a bit frightened) "But, I don't want to go alone at night."

Polly: (thinking for a moment) "Guido!"

Guido: (alarmed) "What?!!" (He had been preoccupied massaging his neck up till now)

Polly: "You can go to the bank with Francine, then she won't have to go alone . . ."

Guido: (strangely reluctant) "But . . ."

Polly: (not even noticing that Guido had tried to speak) " . . . and the rest of us can do what we
want to do too.  Thanks Guido."

Guido: (still nervously reluctant) "But . . ."

Fran: (Giving Guido a relieved hug) "Thanks Guido"

Guido: (Still nervous, but at least remaining somewhat suave) "Ya . . . Don't mention it."

Speedy: "GET DOWN HERE AND FIGHT YOU BIRDSEED EATING JERK!!!!!!"

GB: (flying) "Aren't we the cutest little daintiest little man who likes to walk in the park."

Speedy: "GOOD BIRD!!!  I'M GOING TO TEAR YOU FEATHERS OFF AND STUFF MY
PILLOW WITH THEM!!!"

GB: (mocking in a fake German accent) "Oh, the little girly man Speedy is going to hurt my
pumped up self.  I am shaking within my pants of fear."

Speedy: "WHY YOU . . ."

Polly: "SPEEDY CERVICHE YOU STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!!!"

Speedy: (meekly) "Yes Polly."

GB: (on the ground, but still mocking) "Yes Polly.  Yes Polly.  Yeees Polly.  Yes Pol . . ."

Carla: "GOOD BIRD LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!"

GB: (gets the "I'm in trouble" look on his face) "Yes Carla."

Speedy: (chuckles) "Yes Carla."

GB: (angry look in his eye) "Yes Polly."

Carla and Polly in unison: "NOW!!!"

Speedy and Good Bird fall instantly silent.

Fran: "Carla, I've never seen you like that before.  You're usually meek."

Carla (smiling coyly) "I know how to put him in his place when I need to."

Polly, Francine, Luciell, and Carla all giggle amongst themselves.

Everybody then divides up and leaves.  Catton, Spritz and Bat Cat head back toward their
swinging bachelor pad (they've got a swinging bachelor pad man).  Meowzma and his wife follow
them at a short distance on their way home (the swinging bachelor pad is in Meowzma's former
workshop now turned rental).  Carla and Good Bird head off to do their errands.  Polly and
Speedy walk toward the park.  Both Good Bird and Speedy are getting sound, though quiet,
tongue lashings.  Luciell only lived a block away and is already home.  This leaves Guido and
Francine standing in front of the theater.

Guido: (acting his usual suave self) "Well, we should probably get going Francine."

Fran: "OK . . .  Guido?"

Guido: (with some nervousness) "Ya."

Fran: "Thanks for coming with me."

Guido: (releived) "Sure, don't mention it."

Scene switches to Good Bird and Carla.

Carla: "I just don't see why two such good friends are always egging each other on the way you
two do."

GB: "I don't know, we just do.  Maybe it's because we were competing with each other for so
long."

Carla: "I don't mind some friendly competition, but I just don't want you two acting like children
like that OK"

GB: (somewhat relieved) "Alright Carla, I'll try"

Carla: (seeming satisfied) "Good Bird?"

GB: "Yes Carla?"

Carla: "Did you really think that the mountains at the spa were that beautiful."

GB: "I wasn't talking about the mountains."

Carla blushed brightly.

Meowzma's wife watched the three other members of the Rescue Team walking in front of her
while she walked next to her husband.

Beth: "Meowzma?"

Meowzma: "Yes, sweet thing?"

Beth: (quietly so as to not be overheard) "I still don't know about the people you work with."

Meowzma: "They're fine once you get used to 'em."

Beth: "It's just that we have those three living with us, and those people from the other parlor just
get stranger and stranger."

Meowzma: "Don't worry," kisses her on the forehead, "They may be a bit eccentric, but I've
never found better friends."

Beth: (for the most part satisfied with this) "Well, I just hope those three don't stay up all night
again playing video games."

The three Rescue Teamers: (shouting as if by cue) "FINAL FANTASY SEVEN!!!"

Beth: (groaning) "Oh, no!"

A set of sinister eyes watch Guido and Francine as they walk down the dark streets.

One: "They are heading toward the bank."

Two: "The big group is well out of sight."

Three: "The other two cats disappeared after they went under the tree cover in the park."

Four: "The one who exploded has turned her lights out, she's probably asleep."

A large claw swings around and knocks the fourth speaker to the ground.  The master looked off
into the distance, away from the persons that the others were watching.  He stared into the
blackness of the spaces between the stars as if seeing something there.  He had not even diverted
his stare to strike the fourth speaker.

Master: "Never assume.  It is true that she is most likely in bed, but one must never assume that
there is nothing there."

His attention never wavered from that dark point in the heavens.

Master: "To assume is to weaken yourself.  Assumption leaves you open to error.  Error gives
your opponent an advantage.  Advantage allows your opponent victory.  Victory for your
opponent is failure.  Failure is unacceptable."

Four: (massaging his cheek) "I trust that my training would make that tea house keeper no match
for me."

Without looking, The Master struck the fourth speaker to the ground again.

Master: "To trust is to accept that you know your fate.  Fate is uncertain.  Uncertainty allows
chance.  Chance can allow your opponent victory.  Victory for your opponent is failure.  Failure is
unacceptable."

Four: (fuming inside, but maintaining a respectful continence toward his master) "There is no
uncertainty.  I am easily stronger than her."

The Master made no move to strike the fourth speaker.  The speaker then doubled over and fell to
the ground in agony.  As he writhed, from his gaping beak there issued no scream.

Master: (to the remaining two women and single remaining man) "If he makes a sound you may
be noticed.  Notice may bring discovery.  Discovery may bring attack.  Attack may bring victory
for your opponent.  Victory for your opponent is failure.  Failure is unacceptable."

The crow on the ground ceased writhing, stood up and brushed the dust off his feathers.

Master: "There is always someone stronger Cruel."

Four (Cruel): "Yes Master."

Master: (to all) "Are they alone?"

One: "Yes Master."

Master: "Remember, they will suffer physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually before it is done.
To suffer through it all, their strength and ability must be maintained.  No fatal or permanent
wounds will be dealt."

All: "Yes Master."

Master: "Go."

They vanished so that any who were less than the Master would have thought they had turned
into darkness itself.  The Master could sense them even now thought they were out of sight.  The
Master knew where they were.  The Master knew where their targets were.  The Master knew
where that which he had come for was.

Through this all, the Master's attention never wavered from that black point in the heavens.