MMPSH: Edward's Struggle

Chapter 6: Joining the Shadow Hunters

The next morning, Edward woke up feeling all better from yesterday. He looked outside and saw Erica looking around. Edward thought he would talk with her before his initiation started.

"Erica!" he called.

Erica turned to his direction. She saw him near the healing hut. She went to him in a flash.

"I was worried," she said, "Where were you?"

"I thought through what you told me," Edward sighed, "I left Fuyuki, for good. I couldn't take anymore abuse, so I decided to join the Shadow Hunters."

Erica looked pleased.

"My anger almost killed him," Edward went on, "but my mom's spirit stopped me. I knew if I killed Fuyuki, I would be no better than he is. I left and came here last night."

Erica took in what he said.

"Your mother stopped you because she was watching you," she said, "I was surprised when she told me she and my mom were close friends...:"

"She never told me.." Edward added, "Guess she wanted me to stop doing bad things. The more time I've spent with you, the more faith I have in the Star Mew Mews. I'm glad my mom stopped me."

"I knew you would be able to do it," Erica cued, "Leaving Fuyuki was the right choice. Everyone will understand."

Edward met her warm green gaze.

"I'm glad I met you Erica," he cued, "I would have suffered to death if I didn't. You gave me hope and the free-will to leave Fuyuki. I don't want to be controlled by him anymore."

Erica nodded.

"No one deserves to suffer," she replied.

"Edward, come on!" Gar called, "Your initiation starts in a few minutes!"

"I better get going," Edward added, "I'll see you later, my little fire-flower..."

Erica giggled and hugged him for good luck. Edward went inside the base for the first time. He saw some unsure eyes of the other boys. Percy was waiting for him to come to the front.

"Everyone!" Percy called out, "Last night, Edward came to us to join us. Sure he's done some awful things, but he came to help us win the war!"

Otto was unsure at first, but he knew his younger brother was telling the truth.

"That's why I have this initiation for him," Percy continued, "to prove his worth to the group. He will have to go through some trials to do so for a start."

Edward gulped.

"No worries, they're easy," Percy whispered in his ear.

Edward would have to prove his loyalty to his new found group. He used his powers and his skills to hunt. Gar clapped for him and even his older brother Otto.

"You did great," Percy said, "Welcome to the Shadow Hunters Edward."

Edward felt like he's welcomed. Finally, people who care about him after all those years of abuse and sorrow. Gar purred to him. Otto knows he's suffered enough by Fuyuki.

"Let me show you to your room," Andrew barked.

Edward can trust him since he's now an official member. He saw that all of his troubles are now over. No more suffering, no more abuse and no more sorrow. Edward felt happy being with someone who understands him.

"Well, this will be your room for now on," the Houndour boy added, "Hope you feel the comfort you long craved.."

Edward went inside his room, everything is clean and felt the carpet under his feet. He can tell he'll make himself at home at this rate.

Four years have passed and Edward feels more welcomed by the other Shadow Hunters. They trust him now. Edward went for a walk and saw Erica waiting for him.

"You seem to be at peace," she said.

"I am," Edward replied, "Glad I made the right choice. I'll help the Shadow Hunters plan out the attack. I don't care about Fuyuki anymore, since he never cared about me at all."

"We'll make him pay for sure," Erica nodded, "After the awful things he's done to Ivy and Kana, he deserves to be put down."

"Let's have a little fun first," Edward added, getting cheeky.

"Maybe later," Erica replied, "I have things to plan out with Linda."

"Okay then," Edward put in, "Sorry for thinking ahead of myself..."

Erica nodded to him.

"I need to see if Am has something to say about it," she said.

She took off and then Edward saw Mya, Erica's youngest sister. He came to greet her and Mya just looked at him.

"Your sister seems busy," he said.

"Erica's more focused on the ambush," Mya mewed, "and I don't know how I would ask Gar to go out with me, I'm so nervous.."

Edward knew she was ready.

"Play it cool," he told her, "You waited to be with him for the past four years, now's your chance little kitty."

"Don't call me little!" Mya hissed, "but thanks for the advice. Guess I really can trust you after you saved me and Gar from Sora..."

"That's what I like to hear," Edward grinned in a friendly way.

He watched Mya take off to her group's base and Edward could tell it isn't going to be easy confronting his brother again. He saw Ivy coming to him.

"About what happened," she said, "I'm so sorry for blaming you for my eye injury. It was Fuyuki who should pay. I'm ready to avenge my parents!"

"But Rose is still alive!" Edward added, "I've seen her someplace!"

"I haven't seen my older sister for a very long time now," Ivy sighed, "I hope she'll forgive me for ignoring the warnings about your brother..."

"Let's find her together," Edward suggested, "I'm sure she will."

He and Ivy went to the old place where her home once stood, now a pile of soot and ashes.

"Ivy?"

Ivy heard a voice. It was Rose. Ivy couldn't believe her eye. It has been so long since she's seen her.

"Ivy, it really is you!"

Rose ran up to her younger sister and hugged her. Ivy felt her embrace as she hugged back. Then Rose saw the injury on her right eye.

"What happened to your eye?" the Purrlon girl asked.

"A puma clawed it out," Ivy sighed, "I've learned to adapt. I may need you to guard my blind side."

"I'll be gladly to," Rose replied.

"I'm so sorry Rose," Ivy sobbed, "I've should have listened to you about Fuyuki. You were right about him!"

Edward was puzzled, but knew it was six years ago it happened.

"It's okay, you didn't know," Rose purred, "Glad you're still alive, I would have killed myself if I didn't find you in one piece."

"You should join the group I'm living with!" Ivy cued.

"Well, I have no where else to go, I'll join them," Rose added, "And Edward, I'm sorry I've doubted you."

Edward nodded and showed the girls back to the South region territory. They parted ways after that. Edward found forgiveness with Rose and hope he can find the courage to face Fuyuki.