"Ya sure yer ready for this?" Johnny whispered as he ducked low behind a barrier and checked his heavy water gun to make sure he had enough ammo. Behind him Meena was pressed against the barrier, dressed in a white t-shirt and shorts that matched Johnny's own white outfit. She looked up at Johnny and nodded solemnly, brandishing her own water gun.
"It's now or never." She whispered and nodded towards their target. Gunther was dancing through the barriers, dodging various shots of colored water as they soared through the air towards his white-clad body. Meena took a deep breath and took up position on the barrier, her water gun aimed for their German friend. She looked through the sights and took a long, deep breath. The chaos around her disappeared as she focused on her target, secure in the knowledge that Johnny had her back while she took out Gunther. She waited until Gunther's surprisingly quick form danced closer to where she was kneeling.
Like lightning she pulled the trigger and a strong stream of purple liquid shot out and nailed Gunther straight in the back. He turned around in shock to see who had finally gotten him out and Meena took the opportunity to shoot him again, this time right in the chest. The purple liquid splattered against his white shirt, staining it immediately. Gunther looked down at the color of the water in shock and then dazedly began to walk off the course and over to the sidelines.
Meena immediately broke out into a grin at her success and suddenly Johnny's warm voice whispered in her ear.
"Perfect shot love." She blushed at the familiar term of endearment and turned her head to reply. Just as she turned her head a splash of red liquid hit the barrier right where she had been a moment ago. She gasped and fell back into Johnny's arms. He caught her and quickly helped her to her feet, gently but urgently pushing her to run towards new cover.
"Go! I'll lay dahn sum cover fire. Get ter the bloomin' base!" Meena nodded and sprinted towards the protected base that she and Johnny had claimed at the beginning of the match.
It all started when they were approached to participate in a charity fundraiser for the city. They each got to pick a charity to sponsor and would then compete in a water gun fight for that charity's benefit. The winner's charity would get the majority of the donations with decreasing amounts for each charity that placed after that. Everyone was required to wear white and was assigned a color of water so that the judges would know who got whom out of the competition.
Even though Meena and Johnny had different charities, Johnny knew that the others would underestimate his girlfriend so he promised to train her on how to win the water fight. Meena had turned out to be a quick learner and her skills quickly surpassed Johnny's.
Johnny had been her rock and her biggest fan since the moment the contest had been announced and Meena knew that she could count on Johnny to protect her from stray shots and push her to the top of the competition.
Meena swerved on instinct and a splash of blue hit the wall next to her. She felt her panic start to build but she quickly pushed it down, hope blossoming in its place when she caught sight of their base. She ducked again as another round of blue water splattered the ground around her. Her heart pounding and her lungs burning, she raced desperately towards the base. She launched herself over the protective wall just seconds before two blue shot splattered against the wall. Meena pressed herself close to the wall, breathing heavily and gripping her water gun with all of her might. Without it she was a sitting duck and she refused to let down her charity by losing so early in the game.
She tensed when she heard the sound of someone running stealthily towards her base. Their steps were light but quick and their obvious destination was her cover. She pressed herself against the barrier in preparation and waited for the steps to get in range. She wasn't going to lose this base without a fight, that was for sure. When the runner was in range she quickly got on her knees and rose into position, her eye already in the sights and her finger on the trigger. She was met with a winded Johnny who was half-heartedly holding up his arms in surrender.
"Daan't shoot I come in peace." He chuckled and Meena quickly pulled him into base as a barrage of pink water soaked their outer walls. Johnny chuckled and peeked over the wall to where Rosita was brandishing one of the larger water guns and was soaking their outer wall in pink water.
"It's Rosita." He hissed and Meena frowned. It wasn't easy for her to shoot down her friends, even if it was just water and for a good cause.
"I'll take this wahn. Give me a distraction okay?" He smile sympathetically and his gentle girlfriend nodded and began shooting haphazardly over the edge of the base, drawing Rosita's fire and attention over to her. Meanwhile, Johnny snuck around to the corner of the base where they had stashed water balloons of their given color. He picked out a couple of green balloons and took aim. He pulled back his arm and stuck his tongue out slightly as he took aim. Under his breath he counted to three, waiting for Rosita to pop out of her hiding space and fire at Meena.
He watched in simultaneous amusement and amazement as Rosita hefted the large water gun over her cover and started shooting at Meena who quickly ducked behind the barrier to wait out her fire. With that Johnny saw his chance and he quickly launched a green water balloon with all of his strength. He watched in awe as the balloon flew through the air and arched gracefully towards Rosita. She looked up as the balloon approached her and gaped as it came down and smacked her directly in the stomach, covering her front in a bright green stain.
Instead of being upset Rosita just laughed and put her gun down, raising her hands above her head as she walked off the field to join Gunther on the sidelines.
"Well played you two!" She called out as she walked away. Behind the cover of their base Meena and Johnny smirked victoriously and high-fived each other.
" 'Oo do we 'ave left?" Johnny whispered and Meena mentally went through the list of their remaining opponents.
"Eddie, Ms. Crawley, Ash, and Buster." She whispered and Johnny nodded his understanding, "I-I think we should probably go after Eddie next. I think he's holed up in the tower with some snacks. If we strike at the same time as one of the others we can get in and surprise him." She looked up at him with wide eyes, waiting for his input on her plan. Johnny gazed at her, amazement shining in his eyes and he broke out into a huge smile.
"You're a genius." Meena blushed at his praise but quickly focused in as he elaborated on her plan, "Buster said 'e was garn ter get Eddie aht so 'e's prolly there na."
They both looked out over the edge of their base suspiciously, scanning the surrounding area for threats. When the area remained silent they quickly climbed over the short wall and began sneaking towards the short tower that sat in the middle of the field. As they got closer they could hear the sound of water guns firing and the trash talk being exchanged by the two best friends.
"Come out you coward!" Buster called up to the tower where Eddie could bee seen munching on some chips and shooting from his vantage point. Fortunately he seemed to be a terrible shot so the risk was significantly lowered. Johnny and Meena snuck around the edges of cover until they got to the cover closest to the side of the tower. Between their cover and the tower there was a large stretch of grassy, open area with a high risk factor if Buster saw them.
Meena peeked out at Buster and grinned when she found that his attention was solely focused on Eddie and their verbal sparring. This might be their one and only chance to outsmart the master of the plan and make it into the tower unnoticed. Meena went first so Johnny could provide cover just in case she was seen. Those few seconds that she spent dashing across the open space to the tower door were the most thrilling of the game because while she was running she was vulnerable, and Buster was a very formidable player. When she made it to the doorway she took cover in the alcove and motioned for Johnny to join her. Since Johnny was faster than her he was once again by her side in seconds and they snuck their way into the tower.
The lower level was empty except for a few black water balloons, Eddie's color, and a ladder that led up to the top level, where Eddie was comfortably perched. Meena silently climbed up the ladder so that the top half of her body was on the upper floor and Johnny held onto her legs. She positioned her gun at Eddie's back and let her finger hover over the trigger. Deciding that he wanted there to be an even more apparent sign of his victory she let out a low whistle. Eddie whipped around in surprise and in the process Meena nailed him with a shot to the chest.
Eddie groaned in disappointment and threw down his gun and his bag of chips. Meena and Johnny climbed up to the second level and watched as Eddie descended from his
Johnny moved around the tower, taking stock of all of the goodies that had been left for everyone while Meena surveilled the field for Buster. She searched every inch of the surrounding area, but the fuzzy koala had vanished. It was like he never even existed. She frowned and turned back to Johnny who was refilling his gun with a water bucket and some dye. She followed his example and filled her gun as well. She also grabbed a few purple water balloons and shoved them into her pockets. Once she and Johnny had everything that they wanted they headed back downstairs and into the playing field. As of now they were aware how unsecured and difficult it was to maintain cover in the tower so they left as soon as possible.
They were sneaking through the tree line, looking for another opponent when fortune shined on them once more. As they were rustling around, they came across Ms. Crawly who was toddling around watering bushes with the orange water that flowed from her squirt gun. Meena and Johnny exchanged looks and cautiously emerged from their hiding spot. When Ms. Crawly saw them she beamed and waved casually as she gently placed her water gun on the ground.
"It's such a beautiful day today isn't it?" She said distractedly and closed her eyes for a second as she soaked in the warmth of the day, "I'm afraid you caught me watering the flowers." She chuckled to herself and then opened her arms in surrender.
Johnny stared at her in confusion and slowly raised his water gun to point at her chest, " 'Re ya sure abaht this Ms. Crawly?" Ms. Crawley nodded and Meena looked away as Johnny took aim and fired a stream of water at the old lizard's chest. A large green splotch began to form on her white dress and Ms. Crawly looked down to examine it with interest.
"Oooh a wet t-shirt contest. How risqué." She muttered to herself and tried to cover up her imagined indecency as she hobbled over to the sidelines. Meena let out a little giggle and Johnny rolled his eyes affectionately as they watched her walk away to safety.
Once she was out of sight Meena and Johnny once again began their trek around the course. The only ones left at this point were them, Ash, and Buster so things were starting to get serious, and that also meant that they were in for a fight.
They came to a maze area that the organizers had set up for the competition. Johnny frowned, unsure whether or not they should potentially corner themselves in the maze, but ultimately a rustling sound in the maze caught his attention. One of their potential targets was in that maze. He looked back at Meena for confirmation and when she faltered he quickly turned around and pulled her in close.
"We've got this love. You're gonna win this and I've got your back. So you've got nuffin ter worry abaht." He encouraged her and Meena nodded firmly, her confidence mounting again.
"Let's go." She whispered. Johnny grinned and turned around to lead the way into the maze. They were able to stick together for a little while but eventually the maze opened up into two different paths. There hadn't been any sign of anyone else in the maze just yet so they couldn't risk not splitting up. Meena headed to the left and Johnny reluctantly headed to the right. He trusted her skills implicitly but he would much rather be watching her back than leave her to fend for herself. Johnny watched her go and didn't move down his chosen path until she had disappeared into another part of the maze.
Neither of the large animals noticed the slight form watching them through the entrance of the maze. Ash smirked and held her water gun at the ready. She decided in the moment that Meena was the easier target so she headed down the same route that her large friend had taken. Meanwhile, Johnny, who had been lingering back just in case Meena changed her mind, suddenly felt a strong urge to turn around and protect Meena. He stopped in his tracks and cursed. He turned around and ran full speed after Meena, his heart pounding in his chest.
Meena was walking through the maze slowly but steadily, looking out for her targets in front of her. She turned a corner and groaned in disappointment when she came face to face with a dead end. She turned around to head back and find Johnny but came face to face with the end of Ash's gun. She gasped and fumbled with her own gun but it slipped through her fingers and fell to the ground. She gulped and held her hands up in surrender, cursing herself for separating from Johnny and going on her own. She may be a great marksman but strategy was not her specialty.
"Meena, Meena, Meena." Ash tisked and kicked Meena's gun away from her reach, "You poor unfortunate soul. It looks like I'm gonna have to take you out." She said slowly and lined up her shot on Meena's chest.
"Wait Ash…" Meena protested but Ash jut took another step closer to Meena, her gun dripping menacingly.
"It's just business Meena. Nothing personal." There was some rustling from the wall behind them but neither girl noticed as Meena closed her eyes to accept her fate and Ash slowly began to pull the trigger. Right at that second Johnny launched himself over the wall and landed in front of Meena, his water gun already firing a continuous blast of green liquid.
Ash yelled in anger when she looked down and found her white outfit soaked in green water. Johnny landed on his knees and smirked at his friend, still panting slightly from his run to find them.
"Ya mess wif Meena, ya mess wif me." He said cockily but his smirk faded as he looked down at the big red splotch that was slowly growing on his chest. He fell onto his hands and knees and then rolled over onto his back dramatically. Meena fell to her knees and cradled his head in her lap.
Johnny coughed and squinted up at her face weakly, "We 'ad a good run love." He rasped and Meena gently stroked his hair.
"Shhh don't speak Johnny. Save your energy." Meena whispered and sniffed, wiping a few stray tears off of her cheek.
Johnny coughed again and groaned as he clutched his chest, "Meena, me Meena. Ya need ter carry on wifaht me."
Meena gasped and clutched him closer to her, "No Johnny I can't. I won't survive without you." She whimpered. Johnny cupped her cheek in his hand and made her look him in the eyes.
"Ya 'ave ter. I believe in ya." He whispered and Meena nodded, tears once more flowing down her cheeks.
"Okay." She whispered just loud enough for him to hear her. Johnny coughed violently and gasped for air, clutching the part of his chest that was covered in red water.
"Avenge me…." He gasped out and then went limp in her arms, his tongue lolling out of his mouth. Meena let out a distressed wail and hugged him close to her chest. After a few seconds she gently laid him down on the grass and stood. She grabbed her gun and took off towards the center of the maze.
"I will avenge you Johnny!" She yelled as she ran away and disappeared around the corner. Ash watched her go in confusion and then walked over to where Johnny was still playing dead.
"Get up weirdo. We're out." Johnny popped open one eye and looked around before getting up and following Ash over to the sidelines.
"You guys are so weird." Ash teased him but Johnny just shrugged and sat down on the grass.
"It's called acting." He sniffed and then focused his attention on the exit to the maze. The first person to emerge unscathed would be the winner, and while everyone else may underestimate Meena, he had faith that she would come out of there the winner.
Inside the maze, Meena was creeping towards the center where she was sure Buster was waiting to ambush her. She crept into the center o the maze where she finally caught sight of the tiny kola dressed in a completely white suit. She moved behind a tree and took aim with her water gun. Buster suddenly spun around and aimed his tiny pistol at her. Meena's eyes went wide and she quickly dodged out of the way as a barrage of blue water splattered against the tree. She dove back into the entrance to the center of the maze and fired a couple of shots towards where she thought Buster was taking cover.
"Well I never thought that you would be the one that I would be battling for the win Meena but I think my odds of winning just went up. Meena frowned behind her cover and with that comment her determination solidified like a rock. Her blue eyes were hard and cold like icicles and suddenly she was a different person. She poked her water gun around the corner and fired a couple of shots to see where Buster was. When he fired back she pinpointed his location and jumped out from behind her hiding place. All it took was a split second for her to line up her sights and pull the trigger just as Buster turned around and prepared to fire.
On the sidelines Johnny watched in anticipation as a figure emerged from the maze. He heard the gasps of shock from everyone else but he just jumped up and bean cheering loudly along with the crowd. All because his girlfriend was proudly escorting a soaking wet, purple koala out of the maze.
He rushed over to Meena and pulled her tight into his embrace. he pulled away to capture her lips in a short but sweet kiss that only made her high from victory that much more intoxicating. Everything was a whirlwind from there. They were all handed checks for their charities and Meena was given an oversized winner's check that everyone gathered around. She smiled bright for the photographer but after a few clicks of the camera her smile turned to Johnny who met hers with a bright grin full of happiness and bride.
"Told ya, you could do it." He winked and Meena blushed slightly but remained proud and excited.
"Yeah…I did didn't I?"