PCOND Chapter 6

The Pizza Cat continued looking at the lovely Berri. That was until he heard a voice.

Voice: Hey, bell ringer!

Speedy jumped in alarm, knocking down a candle staff in the progress, it was Stan Smith yelling at Speedy.

Stan: What the hell are you doing down here? Haven't you caused enough trouble already?

Speedy: Yikes!

He quickly made his way back to the stairs as Berri saw him.

Berri: Like, I better go after him.

She then followed the Pizza Cat up the stairs.

Berri: Hey, I want to talk to you.

Speedy gulped as he kept on running toward the stairs. The animals noticed Speedy coming back while noticing Berri chasing him.

Kairi: Look guys! He's got a friend with him.

Trent: I guess today's not a total loss after all.

Mike: A true vision of love, cool!

Trent: Yeah, and the hottie's not bad either.

Berri groaned while she watched Speedy running in.

Mike: Hey, Speedy!

Kairi: Good work!

Trent: You got the babe chasing you already.

Speedy: But? Me...

Trent: Hey, don't run too far or she'll leave.

Speedy: I know, but I have to say...

But at that time, Mike interrupted him.

Mike: Just give her some slack, then reel her in, then give her some slack, then reel her in, then give her some slack-

Trent: (hits Mike) Knock it off, Mike. She's a girl, not a mackerel!

Just then, Berri came in. Speedy turned as he noticed the animals turned to stone again.

Berri: Caught up with you...good thing, too. (smiles) I thought I wouldn't see you again.

Speedy: (sheepishly) Well, uh...I gotta do chores.

He then ran off as he continued.

Speedy: But I'm glad that I got to see you again.

Berri: Hey, come back!

Dino remained behind as he looked curiously at the statues. Before he knew it, Mike came to life, making kissing noises to Dino before turning back. He shook his head and looked confused.

Berri still spoke to the cat trying to run away.

Berri: Wait, please! I'm so sorry for what happened today! I didn't know who you were and...if we'd known, we would never in our lives have...pulled...you...up on the...stage?

He stopped as Berri looked amazed at Speedy's room. She looked at the dangling glass mobile and the model of the city.

They looked at the toy models and the mobile as Berri spoke while Dino began eating one of the sheep models.

Berri: Like, what is this place?

Speedy: This is where I lived

Berri: And you like, made these yourself?

Speedy: Most of them.

Berri: (grins) This is like, so beautiful! If I was able to do something like this, I wouldn't bother dancing in the streets for money.

Speedy: But you're a beautiful dancer.

She blushed a bit on the comment.

Berri: At least it gives us room.

As she continued to look at the table, she noticed something covered in cloth.

Berri: Huh? What's this?

Speedy: Wait, don't! I'm not done with them yet!

She removed the cloth as she grinned as did Dino.

Berri: A blacksmith, and a baker. You're like, such surprising and lucky. You have this room all to yourself.

Speedy: Well, it's not just me. There's my statue friends, and the bells.

He flicked his finger on the bell, making a small noise, but loud enough for them all to hear it.

Speedy: You know, maybe I should let you see them.

Berri: That would sound nice. Wouldn't we, Dino?

Dino was eating the last model sheep, then looked confused.

Speedy: Follow me, I can introduce you to the bells.

The Pizza Cat climbed up the ladder as the Berri followed. She looked astounded at the huge bells.

Berri: Speedy, I never expected there'd be so many of these.

Snake: That's Little Sophia, and...(quickly) Jean Marie, Ann Marie, and Louise Marie. Triplets, you know.  

Berri: (points to the big bell) And this?

Speedy: That's Big Marie.

He landed on his feet as she smiled.

Berri: Hello!

The bell began to echo and resonate richly.

Speedy: (grins) It looks like she likes you. Want to see more, Berri?

Berri: (nods) Of course. What about you, Dino?

Dino burped a little, then began freaking out when he heard the echoes inside the big bell.

A bit later, Speedy took her outside.

Berri: Wow. This is like, so great. The king himself doesn't have a great view like this. With something this lovely, it makes me wanna stay up here like, forever.

Speedy: Well, you could, you know.

She then looked at the smiling cat, then sighed sadly.

Berri: Well, I can't.

Speedy: But you have sanctuary.

Berri: But I don't have freedom. Gypsies don't do well inside stone walls though.

Speedy: But you're not like other gypsies. They're...evil.

Berri: Like, who told you that?

Speedy: Duh, it was the Panther King, my master. He raised me.

Berri: (gasps) But how could someone so cruel like him raise someone like you?

Speedy: Actually, he saved my life. He took me in when no one else would...(sadly) I'm...well, a monster.

Berri: (concerned) Wait, what did he told you?

Speedy: Look at me!

Berri looked at him, then she had an idea.

Berri: Give me your hand.

Speedy: Why?

Berri: Let me see it.

He looked puzzled a bit, then gave him his hand. The chipmunk then began to trace the lines on his hand with her finger.

Berri: Now, let's see...I see a long life line. (points to a line) This one means you're like, shy. (looks interested) Hmmm? That's funny.

Speedy: What? What did you find?

Berri: Nothing.

Speedy: (puzzled) Nothing?

Berri: Like, there's no monster lines at all.

She chuckled as she smiled, then turned to the cat.

Berri: Now look at me. Do you think I'm evil?

Speedy: (looks & grins) No, you're kind, and good and...

Berri: And a gypsy. Perhaps...just perhaps, the Panther King is wrong about all of us for years.

Nearby, the animals were listening in, or trying to.

Mike: So, what did the girl say?

Kairi: She said the Panther King's long, and he wears a truss.

Mike: (Chibi smiles) Yes! I knew it! (to Trent) Pay me up!

Trent: (gives him a coin) Awww, I hate losing.

Back with the others, Speedy paused for a moment, looking at Berri and Dino.

Speedy: You helped me when I was down on luck. Now I can return a favor.

Berri: I don't know if you notice that there's no way out, like we're trapped in here. There's soldiers all over the place

Speedy: (smirks) Yeah, but we're not using a door.

Berri: We have to climb down, right?

Speedy: Yeah. Sooo, want me to carry you down, Berri?

Berri: Uh, sure.

Speedy: Good, You carry him (motions to Dino), I carry you.

Berri: Okay *To Dino* Come on, Dino

Dino nodded at Berri, then jumps into her arms

Speedy: So, are you ready?

Berri: Yep.

Speedy: Then let's go!

They then headed to the edge of the bell tower.

Speedy: Don't be afraid!

Berri: I'm not afraid!

Speedy leaps over the edge and holds on to a gargoyle head.

Berri: Now I'm afraid.

Speedy: Just don't look down!

Berri: OK, I won't.

Speedy begins swinging down the exterior of the cathedral.

Berri: You've done this before?

Speedy: No.

Speedy then jumped down. After a while of falling, the three landed safely on the slanted roof.

Berri: Wow, you're something.

Speedy: Thank you.

Just then, the tile they were on began breaking off, knocking them all down. The group slid down the roof very fast. Before they slid off, they jumped off while the tile, meanwhile, landed on the ground.

Shifty: There's something! Check the alley!

The guards nodded as they went to investigate.

Lifty: Over here!

They ran off, missing Speedy, Berri, and Dino, who hid as part of the statue. They waited until it was all clear.

Speedy: Are you afraid?

Berri: Well, not much.

Dino groans as his heart is only just now beginning to beat again.

Speedy: I'll never forget you, Berri.

Berri: Listen, maybe you should come with me.

Speedy: What?

Berri: Well, you could come with us to the Court of Miracles. You can like, leave this place for good!

Speedy: (shakes his head) No, I can't after what happened. I don't want to leave again. Notre Dame's where I belong.

Berri: Well, if you won't come see us, we'd see you then.

Speedy: Are you out of your mind? The Panther King and his men, they'll-

Berri: I'll try to come after sunset, okay?

The Pizza Cat looked worried as he spoke.

Speedy: But at sunset, I ring the evening mass, then after, I clean the kooisters, and then I ring the vespers, and...

Just then, he was given a kiss on the cheek by Berri.

Speedy: (stupidly) ...Whatever's good for you.

Berri took off her necklace, then gave it to Speedy.

Berri: If by any chance you needed sanctuary more than ever, this will help.

Speedy: Uh, what do you mean?

Berri: Remember this: when you wear this woven band, you hold the city in your hand.

They looked at it and Speedy tucked it inside his armor.

Speedy: Hurry, you have to go!

With that, Berri left Speedy. He then began to head back to the bell tower. When Speedy coming back to the tower, he gasped as he saw Conker.

Speedy: Gah!

Conker: (grins) Hi. I'm looking for a gypsy girl. You seen her?

Speedy angrily took out his Magical Ginzu sword and swiped toward him as he dodged.

Conker: Hey, take it easy there! I don't wanna hurt you.

Speedy: No way! Leave now! This is sanctuary!

Conker: Now look, I just wanted to-

Speedy: GET OUT!!!

Conker: I didn't mean her any harm.

Speedy: (screams) I SAID LEAVE!!!

Speedy swiped towards Conker. Speedy tried attacking him again, then the fight continued on downstairs as Conker got out his sword. He quickly swung, trapping one of Speedy's hand's against the wall. Speedy then grabbed Conker with his free hand, snarling to him.

Conker: Hey, listen, can you at least tell her this? I didn't want her trapped here, but I had no choice. I wanted to save her life. Can you tell her that?

Speedy only glared as he continued.

Conker: Can you tell her what I just said?

Speedy: (quietly) Only if you go now!

Conker: (sweatdrops) I'd like to go if you put me down.

The Pizza Cat then looked at Conker, who was being held several feet from the floor. He calmed down, then pulled him back to the floor and dropped him.

Conker: One last thing: You should let Berri know she's very lucky.

Speedy: (puzzled) Huh? Why?

Conker: She has a good friend like you.

With that, Conker left while Speedy looked confused.

Speedy: (to himself) What did he mean by that?

(End of Chapter 6)