Not a lot of people had the privilege to ever fly above a big city on the back of a Morpho Mon. Not a lot of recorded Morpho Mons in the area were able to fly, much less carry a person on their back.
But Goada, the Partner Morpho of Catalina Ramírez, was one of those few flying Morpho Mons.
He was in his Pergrandis Form, a huge, red and green bird with majestic wings and a black beak. He was soaring through the sky, and Catalina was on his back.
“Ah-” Catalina looked at her smartphone. “I have received a message this morning from Charlotte… She asked if we want to switch shifts…” She chuckled nervously. “Maybe I should check my messages more frequently…”
“Well, Milady,” Goada spoke in a deep and gentle voice, “We are already high in the air. Would you like to return to HQ?”
“Nooo… I declined. I bet she’s already busy again anyway, but she can still join me if she wants~ but I’m not giving up my shifts to anyone. It’s been a while since we’ve been out together like this, right, partner?” Catalina petted Goada’s neck.
“Indeed, Milady. Speaking of Miss Evans…” He glanced upward to look at Catalina. “When do you intend to ask her out?”
Catalina bit her lips. “Mmmmehhhh tomorrow? Next week? I dunno… She’s always busy and so am I… And I still get so nervous talking to her.”
“Well. You should not wait forever. A lot of people adore Miss Evans, you know.”
“Mehh…”
Catalinas phone made a sound.
“Oh! The Morpho Com!” She checked out the Morpho Com app.
The Morpho Com App was a messenger relaying updates for Defenders on Patrol, notifying them about suspicious occurrences, or to ask for support in difficult situations.
“Yo!!” Catalina patted Goada’s back. “Someone has seen Basu around the area!! We should go down and investigate!!”
“As you wish, Milady.” Goada tilted downwards to land.
~~~~~
Despite it being afternoon, the alleyway where Basu had landed was dark. It was so narrow and long that there wasn’t much sunlight shining through it, and it was still too early for street lights to turn on. Which is why Basu would often come here, as well as the other rebels.
Basu laid a flower down on a certain place in the alleyway.
Yukaci, the small mouse Morpho Mon, sat on their shoulder, letting out a deep sigh.
“I know, Yukaci.” Basu petted his head with their finger. “I will miss him too.”
“Basu…”
Cookie arrived in the alleyway. They wore a black dress, their dark brown hair open, laying over their shoulders. “I heard the news… About Robert… and- I’m so sorry… I wish we could have helped him sooner...”
“... Humans are complicated beings.” Basu looked up at the sky. “A lot of them are in dire need of aid. But more often than not, they get denied what they need… and Robert was no different.”
“Can we- River and I- be of any help to you? Or his Morpho Mon?”
Basu took Yukaci off their shoulder and held him in their hands. “We can find him a nice home to stay at. Maybe even… with the Defenders.”
Cookie’s eyes widened. “The Defenders?! But- we are against the Defenders, right? They’re bad people!!”
“...” Basu looked at Cookie. “The Defenders aren’t bad people. The organization itself is questionable, their rules and restrictions are flawed. But the people and Morpho Mons themselves… aren’t all bad.”
“Why are you saying this? Only a few weeks ago, you told us you want to destroy the Defenders. What has changed?”
Basu looked away. “I know someone from the Defenders.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. She doesn’t know who I am. But I know her.” Basu glanced at Cookie again. “But… you too know a Defender, right?”
Cookie’s mouth stood agape.
“... Thought so.”
“Ah-” Cookie shook their head. “Randall- is just a band mate. Sure- we hooked up once- but nothing more. This doesn’t change my stance on the Defenders.”
“Hmm…” Basu closed their eyes. “I just wished the good people and Morpho Mons from the Defenders would realize how corrupt their organization is. Try to make a change. So that they can truly do something for the people they claim to help. If only one day -”
Basu’s eyes opened again. “Someone’s coming-” Basu let down Yukaci. “You must leave, Cookie. You can’t be seen with me.”
“B-But-”
“LEAVE!!”
“AH--! Okay!!” Cookie turned around and ran, swiftly leaving the alleyway.
“AHAH! We found you, Basu!!” Catalina and Goada landed before Basu. “You are hereby arrested!”
“... I don’t have time for this.” Basu swung their arm forward, thrusting a lightning fast splash of water towards Catalina.
“Ugh!!” Catalina was struck and thrown back against Goada.
“Milady!!” Goada caught her with his wings.
“Pah. And you call yourself an Elite Defender? Pathetic.” Basu brought their hands together, forming a ball of water.
“Milady, we don’t stand a chance against this Humanus Type. We have to retreat!”
“Muh…” Catalina got up again, now drawing her gun. “I will show you how Elite I can be!!”
“I will destroy you-!” The ball of water grew in size. “Perish!!” Basu threw their hand forwards, shooting the massive orb like a projectile in Catalina’s direction.
But before it could impact, it was interrupted by a ball of fire.
“ENOUGH OF THIS!”
A shadow emerged over them.
But before they could make out their shape, Basu was kicked in the face with a heel.
“UGH!!” Basu fell to the ground. “You sorry bitch---”
In front of Catalina landed Cinq in her Pergrandis Form, and Charlotte standing before Basu.
“I’m sorry, Basu.” Charlotte kicked Basu in the side. “But I cannot allow you to hurt my friend.”
“Charlotte!!” Catalina’s eyes lit up.
“Ghrr…” Basu got up in one swift movement, pulling up their scarf to hide their bloody face. “I don’t have time for this bullcrap…” They jumped in the air and disappeared over the rooftops.
Charlotte turned around to Catalina. “Are you okay? Do you need medical attention?”
“Ah- No no no no no-” Catalina blushed and looked away. “I just got a few scratches. Nothing severe. I’ll be fine.”
“You know.” Charlotte crossed her arms. “Even as Elite Defenders it’s not a good idea to face a Humanus Type on your own.”
“Yeah I know I know…” Catalina sighed. “I’m sorry… I thought that… Maybe I could impress you…”
“Mh?” Charlotte raised her eyebrows. “Impress me?”
“Y-Yeah maybe-!! Because you see- You see… I...”
“Hey. Charlotte.” Cinq raised her voice. “There’s a Morpho Mon.”
“Oh?” Charlotte followed Cinq’s gaze. And indeed, a small, mouse-like Morpho Mon sat between the trash in the alleyway, shivering in fear. “Oh dear…” Charlotte approached the mouse and squatted before it. “This must have been scary to witness, right?” Charlotte laid her hand down before the mouse. “Come. You’ll be safe with us.”
The mouse Morpho Mon hesitated, but then climbed on Charlotte’s hand.
“My my, what a cute specimen you are. I’m sure we have already registered you, you seem very, very familiar. MM-023, right?”
Catalina pressed her lips together. She had been so, SO close. But Cinq had interrupted her.
Charlotte faced her again. “You wanted to tell me something, Catalina?”
“Huh-” Catalina shook her head in surprise. “Yeah I- uh-” She gulped, then took a deep breath. “You are a wonderful person, Charlotte, did you know that!”
Charlotte tilted her head. “What?”
“Yes! I adore you so much! For a long, long time!” Catalina was flushed red. “And I wanted to ask you if you’d like to go have dinner together later!”
Visibly surprised at Catalina’s words, Charlotte took her hand to her chest. “My oh my. That is very kind of you.” She smiled. “Of course I’d like to go out with you later. But… only if he won’t come along.” Charlotte’s gaze wandered to Goada.
“Oh-” Catalina looked worried. “Right- sure, you don’t like birds, right?”
“It’s not like I don’t like them… They just give me the creeps.”
“I am deeply sorry, Miss Evans.” Goada took a bow. “For your comfort, I will stay at home while you have your date with Milady.”
“D-Don’t call it a date!!” Catalina puffed her cheeks, and Charlotte giggled.
“Well.” Charlotte placed the mouse Morpho Mon on her shoulder. “Pick me up at seven. You know where I live, right?” Charlotte went to Cinq and climbed on her back. “Don’t be late.”
“I- I won’t. Thanks- See you later!” Catalina waved, and Charlotte left on Cinq’s back.
“Milady, what are we going to do now?”, Goada asked.
“W-Well-” Catalina pushed up her glasses. “We’re still not done with our shift, right? So let’s go back up into the air!”
“As you wish, Milady."
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