[Discontinued] Mao Mao x Spy! Reader: Spying for the Enemy, Flying with my Crush

Chapter 7: That's Fair

Small nod to Blackquill.

A few minutes later, all of you were flying over Pure Heart Valley where, sure as day, a pirate ship hovered over the Pure Heart. The alleys of the village area were completely empty. Not a single peep could be heard. "This is definitely suspicious," deduced Mao Mao. "I haven't seen anyone trying to offer us pie."

With an eye roll, you asked, "The pirate ship also makes this situation suspicious, right?"

"Obviously, which is precisely why I didn't point it out." He tapped his head with his index finger twice and said, "You must not verbally point out anything not worth pointing out. That could give away your position."

"Oh, so the loud aerocycle beneath us doesn't?"

The hero muttered before landing just inside the walls, besides the fountain. He took off his helmet and stage whispered, "Next time, you're wearing one of these. You had me worried sick!"

With a smirk, you whispered back, "Did you not trust your driving skills?"

"Of course I do! It's just...I want you to stay safe." He cut you off, continuing, "I know that you said that I can't protect everyone, but I want to at least extend my defense to you."

"Jeez, you make it sound as if I'll die from a single injury."

"It could happen, okay? Anyways," he sighed, grabbing something from the foot space of the bike, "keep this with you." He held out a scabbard with the handle of the blade within it facing you.

You pulled out what looked to be an exact replica of Mao Mao's sword, save for the silver blade and purple hilt. "No way!" You sheathed the katana and tackled your boyfriend into a hug. "Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou—"

Mao Mao pushed you off of him, stood up, and helped you up. "Calm down. You're being loud." He pulled out a leather cord from the scabbard's exterior and said, "Take off your cape for a second." You quickly pulled it off and threw it onto Aero. The sheriff-hero slid the cord over your head and down your body until it reached your waste and tightened it to fit you. The scabbard sat comfortably on your left. "There we go. Now you're ready to fight!"

"Thanks a million!" Your grin was soon replaced with a frown. "Wait, didn't you say 'keep this with you'?

"I did."

"Does that mean—"

Mao Mao shut you up with another peck, this one to your cheek. "Yes, you bumbling, lovely fool. You are officially a hero now." He threw your cape on you and took your hand. "Now come! We must take back the valley!" The two of you started running towards the castle. Upon reaching it, a platoon of guards jumped out from nearby blindspots and bushes. "They've already established rule?!" He started to unsheathe his weapon, but stopped when he realized just who exactly the guards were. "Are...are these the valley-goers?"

"I've never seen them before, but they do seem to fit the bill for a place like this." The colorful little scamps were dressed in oversized helmets and heavy-looking chest plates and carried swords three times their size. "Guys, drop the swords before you drop yourselves," you bartered.

"Never! In the name of King Orangusnake! We will take you down!"

"Not with that weird sentencing-grouping!"

"Oh, uh, sorry." The one in front, a lime mouse, giggled in an embarrassed tone. "I'm a new guard, and I haven't gotten the lines down yet! But I'm now a...sur-jent may-johr!"

You gently confiscated the green marshmallow's sword and picked him up. "Aw! You're too adorable to be violent! Listen up, okay?" He eagerly nodded, happy to please. "I want you and your platoon to go gather all the others and start preparing as many pies as you can handle."

"Okay!" After being set back down, the mouse led his squadron away.

Mao Mao sighed and massaged his temples. "That," he scolded, "was the worst decision you could have made! For all we know, they could be reporting us right now!" He held up a hand to stop you from interjecting. "However, they are under my protection, so I thank you for not trying to slice them up."

"It was nothing! I wouldn't be able to kill such cute creatures anyhow!" you replied. The ebony feline smiled and crossed his arms. "Come on!" You picked him up bridal-style and started up the stairs leading to the throne room. Anger fueled your steps.

You quickly swung Mao Mao over your shoulder and, upon reaching the doors to the throne room, kicked them open. "Orange Snake! Show yourself! I demand an audience with the king!"

"Actually," called a voice in front of you, "he's been waitin' for ya!" In front of you stood a giraffe with a metal neck and football armor, an ostrich with a cowboy hat, and a rat with orange padding.

You gently put down Mao Mao before unsheathing your sword and pointing it at the trio. "Well, get him out here!"

"Well, you see," started the ostrich, "Boss ne'er said that we had to bring you back breathin'!"

'Wait, what?'

"You are not murdering my dear [Y/N]!" growled Mao Mao, also unsheathing his sword. He charged the trio of pirates and swung his sword wildly at them.

Three voices simultaneously yelled, "Oh, crud!"

Not wanting to bear witness to the heavily one-sided fight/massacre, you walked over to a corner and stared at it, completely ignoring the fight going on behind you. "[Y/N], you can look now." You turned to see the giraffe, the ostrich, and the rat all dazed in the far corner. "Why didn't you help me? You have a sword."

"I didn't want the fight to be unfair."

"That's fair," admitted the sheriff. "Anyways, while I was fighting with the three of them, I figured out just where Orangusnake is. He's underground. Apparently, he turned the monster pit into a coliseum."

"How did you figure that out?"

"I smelled the same sulfur and limestone coming off of him as I did the king when I discovered his...'secret'. Said 'secret' could be found under the stairs leading to the throne room. As for the coliseum bit...Ramaraff had on a small Roman helmet under her normal football one."

"Detective savvy, I see. You're extremely smart, you know that?"

Puffing out his chest, Mao Mao bragged, "I am extremely smart."

Exhaling disappointedly, you decided, "We can work on your modesty later. As for now, do you have any idea as to how you got down to the monster pit?"

"Most definitely! I still have the key on me as well!"

"What are we waiting for, then? Let's go!"