A/N: Thank you everyone who have read and reviewed thus far. I hope you're enjoying the story, and I always welcome feedback and constructive criticism.
Disclaimer: see chapter one
Music boomed over loud speakers around the carnival site. Massive tents, gaming booths and souvenir stalls had been set up like a small town. Kids ran ahead of their parents, waiting to get in line for the next game they wanted to play. Zoom and Sherman went head to head in a game of basketball while the others stood back and watched. It was entertaining seeing the brawny Buster driver go up against the more agile, smaller scout.
"That sword is mine, Sherman," Zoom declared.
Vert grinned, glancing up at the grand prize on the top shelf of the booth. The replica sword shimmered in the hot sun. The timer flashed five seconds as Sherman and Zoom grabbed their last basketball and tossed it at the hoops. Spinner cringed as Sherman's ball bounced off the ledge and hit the plastic wall. Zoom cheered as his ball sank into the hoop, earning him the high score.
"Nice work, Zoom," Vert praised.
Zoom bowed before shaking Sherman's hand. "Good game, dude. You'd make an awesome basketball player."
Sherman chuckled, but merely shrugged. Zoom walked over to the booth as the man behind it took down the sword, sliding it into its sheath.
"A worthy weapon for a worthy warrior," the elderly gentleman said in a low, raspy voice.
Zoom took the sword, bowing to the man. "Thank you, sir."
The man bowed in return. "Enjoy the rest of your day, children."
The friends walked off to explore more of the carnival grounds. Zoom swung the sheath belt over his head, letting the sword fall against his back. Spinner bought a pack of salted peanuts and Vert bought a giant pretzel. Sherman nudged Vert with his elbow, nodding towards Stanford and Agura when the leader looked at him. Vert glanced over to see the two watching a pair of jugglers on unicycles. As the jugglers wheeled away, Stanford and Agura began walking again. Vert smirked and walked in the opposite direction, nibbling on his pretzel.
"Uh, Vert? They're going that way," Zoom said, pointing after Stanford and Agura.
"I know," Vert replied as he kept walking.
Quickly catching on to their leader's intentions, Sherman, Spinner and Zoom hurried after him, leaving Stanford and Agura walking in the other direction. The boys rounded a corner and disappeared from their teammate's sight.
"It is impressive," Stanford said as they walked by the carnival's Ferris wheel. "But, nothing can shadow the brilliance of the London Eye. Now, that is a Ferris wheel."
Agura chuckled. "Well, I've never been to London, so I guess I'll just have to take your word for it."
"How about you, mates? Any of you been to the glory that is London?" Stanford asked. He frowned when no one answered. "Mates?"
He and Agura turned around, finding themselves alone.
"Where'd they go?" Stanford asked.
"Dunno," Agura said.
Stanford cleared his throat as he felt heat rise up into his cheeks. The heat grew hotter when Agura took his hand and guided him down the path.
"They'll catch up," the huntress said.
Stanford looked down at their entwined fingers. Agura's hands were so soft, despite the hard work she put into maintaining the Tangler. As he continued to stare at their hands, he couldn't help but think about how different they both were, not just in the color of their skin, but in personality and background. He looked up at her beautiful, serene face. She would never know how he felt about her, how he truly felt. He had liked Grace at the beginning, but Agura had gotten under his skin, invading his every thought.
Stanford looked away, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart. She would never accept him as anything other than a friend and teammate. She could never know his true feelings for her.
"You there, ginger," someone called out.
Stanford looked around until his eyes fell on a booth operator who was waving to him.
"Care to try your luck, mate?" the man asked. "Test your skills, win a prize for your lady friend, there."
Stanford and Agura walked up to the booth. "What's the challenge?" Stanford asked.
The man pointed a thumb at a cardboard alien. "Knock it over and you win," he explained. "It's that simple."
Stanford looked down at the plastic guns lined across the table. Agura nudged him.
"Go on, Stanford. You should be good at this game," she said.
"Well, it's no Reverb, but I'll give it a shot," Stanford said, handing the man five dollars.
The man hit a button and the back wall lit up. The small alien began twitching around the wall. The timer started ticking down from twenty, yet Stanford never took a shot. The man gave Agura a confused look. She simply smiled and crossed her arms. She looked up at the timer. Ten seconds.
"Quit fooling around, Stanford and take the shot," she said.
Stanford pulled the trigger, sending a ball flying towards the alien. It slammed into the top of the cardboard cut out and snapped it backwards. The timer buzzed. Agura slowly clapped, to which Stanford bowed to her.
"Here ya go, mate. For your lady friend," the man said, handing Stanford a large teddy bear with a green bow tied around its neck.
"A pleasure doing business with you," Stanford said as he and Agura walked off. "Here you go, Agura. It even has your favorite color."
Agura smiled and chuckled as she took the teddy bear. "Thanks."
Stanford smiled at the sparkle in her eyes. They continued walking, admiring the sights and sounds. Agura brought him over to one booth that was selling charms. She picked up a set of pendants. One was an ancient, warped lock while the other was a spear-like key.
"A fine choice for lovers," the man behind the counter said.
"Oh, we're not..."
The man unhooked the pendants from the display. "Legend says, that if you wear one pendant, and give the other to the one you desire, you will be bonded forever."
"Sounds like a whole lot of hogwash to me," Stanford stated.
"I think it's kind of sweet," Agura said, admiring the lock pendant. She looked up at the man. "How much?"
"For you two, free of charge," the man replied. "These pendants have been waiting for someone special, and I think they've finally found them."
Stanford rolled his eyes, shaking his head. Agura smiled. "Thank you, sir," she said. She held the lock pendant up to Stanford. "Would you put this on me?" she asked.
Stanford took the necklace and looped it around Agura's neck, fastening it behind her neck. "Who's the other for?" he asked.
Agura handed the bear to him before clasping the key pendant around Stanford's neck. The metal key fell against his chest. Agura smiled and took her bear back.
"Perfect," she said.
Stanford stared down at the pendant around his neck. He looked up as Agura turned and headed down the street. Stanford closed his fingers around the key, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he followed Agura through the crowd.
