"Message in a Bottle"
Under the glow of the waning moon, Sky walked the Scuttle Town streets with Wrench perched on her hand.
Unsure of what to make of anything she learned at the zombie camp, she felt herself losing direction. A growing sense of helplessness gnawed at the back of her mind and wracked her nerves.
As they approached the hatchery, Sky glanced at Wrench. "Okay, bud . . . it's sleepy time for you. No more arguments."
He looked at her with narrowed eyes.
"I just need some time to clear my head, all right? I'm fine. Now give me a kiss and go to bed." Wrench hesitated, scanning the area briefly. After giving Sky a quick, gentle peck on the cheek, he flew back home.
Sky took a seat on the ledge of the fountain. With her head bowed, Sky closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. Just as her pulse was about to ease, Sky heard a loud CRASH! Her ears traced the sound back to Mimic's Workshop. "Is Mimic finally back?" she whispered to herself.
Sky quietly eased her way around the outside of the workshop. She sidled up against the exterior wall before peeking through one of the windows.
Sky didn't see Mimic inside. She saw a tinkerbat.
It was rummaging through some junk Mimic left abandoned on his workshop floor. Sky continued to watch the tinkerbat as it examined the handful of nuts and bolts it held close to its chest. Seemingly content with its findings, the tinkerbat crept toward the door. After scanning the area, it hurried to the fountain.
Strangely, the tinkerbat stuck its hand in the water. It felt around until something clicked. Sky watched, open-mouthed, as the water stopped flowing, and the entire fountain began to slide slowly across the ground to reveal a hatch door. Once the fountain came to a halt, the tinkerbat opened the hatch and jumped inside.
Sky tiptoed over to the hatch and carefully spied inside to discover a hole with a ladder leading down into darkness.
Sky knew this was the time to call for backup. However, before she could even make a move, she felt the cold metal of a pistol jab at her back.
She froze as a familiar cackle oozed into her ear.
"Ho Ho Ho Ho! A curious one, aren't you?" said Risky Boots. "Well . . . if you're dying to know what's down there, I guess I could oblige."
Bolo turned.
He found himself staring up at a demon. She stared back with yellow eyes and furrowed eyebrows. Her spade-tipped tail slowly swung back and forth as she examined him with crossed arms.
Bolo let out a high-pitched laugh. "Uh . . . hi . . . there! Y-You . . . you're a BatGal . . . cool . . . super cool."
The BatGal didn't respond.
"Th-That's a-a weird name, don't—don't you think? BatGal? Kind of goofy, you know? Haha . . ."
She stayed silent, continuing to study him over.
"Unless you like the name! Then it's—it's totally not goofy." Bolo tilted his head to the side. "You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?"
"We all speak what the Chosen speaks now," the BatGal said, "and that name . . . BatGals . . . that's just what the humans call us."
"Oh . . . yeah. I knew all that for sure . . ."
"What do you call yourself?"
"Me? I-I'm a Bolo—I mean, my name . . . Bolo. It's Bolo . . ."
"A Bolo . . ." she said, stroking her chin, "interesting."
"In-Interesting?"
"Yes. You look like a human, so I thought you were one of them. But your cognitive functioning is very unusual. Far different from that of any human I've ever seen."
"Cognitive functioning . . . yes. Yup. I'm . . . I'm all about that. Especially when it's unusual. That's, um—that's me, all right!"
The BatGal smiled at him. "My apologies. Welcome back, brother." She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him away from the dead-end of the hallway.
"Oh, we're moving now? Okay . . . that's . . . that's great . . ."
"I'm guessing you were out scouting? Anything to report? Are the human kind as oblivious as ever?" she said, ending with a laugh.
Bolo forced out a laugh that came out far louder than he thought it would. "Yup. Definitely. Super oblivious. Those humans . . . am I right?"
The BatGal stopped to look him dead in the eye, sending a chill down his spine. "Bolo . . . you must be one of the few who blend in with the humans . . . who live among them . . . is that right?"
"Uh . . . yeah . . . you could say that . . ."
"Is it just because you . . . you look like them? Is that why you can live with them?"
"I guess that's part of it . . ."
She broke her gaze. "I-I'm trying . . . to understand . . . like the Chosen wishes. But it's . . . it's against my nature. I have difficulty understanding . . . especially humans."
"Hey . . . that's okay," Bolo said with a warm smile, "I don't understand people, like, most of the time!"
The BatGal's shoulders dropped. "Really?"
"Yup! That type of thing is always hard. But I think . . . I think it's really cool . . . that you're trying. Trying to understand, I mean."
"'Cool' . . ." the BatGal said. She seemed lost in thought for a moment before grabbing Bolo by the shoulders. Her face beamed. "Bolo . . . will you . . . will you join my party for the Final Hunt? It'd be, um, 'super cool' if you did!"
"The Final Hunt, huh? That's . . . that sounds like . . . fun. Um . . . of—of course! Haha. How could I say no?"
"Wonderful!" she shouted with glee. "You have to meet the others! Come on!" She grasped Bolo by the arm and began running down the hall, pulling Bolo along with her.
Far below the streets of Scuttle Town, Risky marched Sky through the dark caverns—and they were not alone. Dozens of tinkerbats scurried back and forth carrying all sorts of tools and components that Sky had never seen before.
At the cavern's end, Sky laid eyes on the towering spire of glowing, white crystal for the first time. She didn't pull her attention away from the mesmerizing glow until she realized that Risky had lowered her pistol and placed it back in its holster.
Risky walked around to face Sky. She wore a devilish grin. "So . . . let me guess," Risky said, "you think I'm the one who stole all those poor zombies' coffee. Am I right?"
Sky refused to answer. She fought to keep a glare centered on Risky despite the fear pulsing inside her that she knew the pirate could no doubt sense.
"Well, no matter," Risky said, "although, I must admit . . . I'm quite thrilled that we get this chance to chat. Just you and I." She laughed at Sky's confusion. "Yes, it's true! You see, not too long ago, I nearly had everything I could ever hope for. I held it in my hands! It was all mine!"
Risky's grin vanished. "But then it was stolen from me. At the very last second. I think you know who was behind that. But . . . do you know what a little birdie told me? How the runt managed to stave off her corruption. It was because she had help. The help of those other two sniveling brats. And help from you."
Risky pulled her glare from Sky and casually strolled over to the pile of scrap parts on the cavern floor nearby. She began to peruse the parts. "So, here's the deal. I'll tell you anything you want to know. No lies. No tricks. But . . ." Risky picked out two metal poles from the scrap pile. She tossed one of the poles to Sky, who caught it in spite of her shaking hands. "I'll only tell if you can manage to stay conscious as I beat you to a bloody pulp."
Risky charged. Sky barely managed to dive out of the way of Risky's overhead strike. With little experience using melee weapons, Sky chose to use evasion to stay in the fight long enough for her to find the best chance to make a run for the exit.
However, Risky caught on to her tactics too quickly.
She charged at Sky again, but just for long enough to get Sky to make her move. Once Sky committed to her tuck and roll, Risky pivoted. She wound up and, as Sky came out of her roll, released a blow that struck her just below the knees. Immediately, Sky felt the searing pain that sent her to the ground.
Risky stood over Sky and shook her head. "Pathetic," she spat, "I would've thought this was your first fight if I didn't know better. In fact, I know exactly how you normally fight. Like a coward. Using birds? Seriously? Birds to fight for you? And look at what you are when you don't have your bratty friends or pigeons around. Helpless. Dead weight."
Sky clambered back to her feet. The fury coursing through her veins helped her block out the pain just enough to regain a fighting stance once again. "I'm not done," she said.
Risky sneered. "Oh, no. You're far from done. Because I haven't even begun to break you apart!"
Now on bad legs, Sky's hope for an escape were dashed. She had to fight. She knew that taking Risky down might be the only way she'd get out of that cavern alive.
Risky didn't move in for another assault but instead chose to taunt Sky, approaching slowly as she twirled the metal pole between her fingers. Sky clenched her jaw. Using all her strength, she delivered a barrage of attacks at Risky. Risky easily blocked the first wave, but when Sky came at her again, she was caught off guard by the sudden burst in force. Risky absorbed a few strikes until one finally snuck around her guard and smacked her across the face. The impact sent Risky reeling backward.
Sky pumped her fist in celebration. But her joy was short-lived, as she noticed the fire now raging in her opponent's eyes.
"Uh-oh," Sky muttered.
In a single swing, Risky tore the metal pole from Sky's grip, sending it flying out of reach. Before she could even register what happened, Risky began her onslaught. Dealing blow after blow, Risky sent Sky back on her hands and knees. She felt nothing but blistering pain over her whole body. After letting Sky squirm for a few minutes, Risky unleashed the final blow to the back of Sky's head.
All went black.
As the BatGal continued to pull Bolo further down the mysterious silver hallways, Bolo was hardly prepared for what the hallway would open up to—a massive space with walls that appeared miles apart and stretched high above them. Bolo couldn't see a ceiling. It seemed to stretch endlessly. A single, yet enormous, ramp spiraled up the entire height of the wall.
Along the ramp were a countless number of strange rooms sealed off by barriers of translucent grey light. Each of these rooms appeared to take up a massive space all on its own. Above each room was an engraving of a particular species of plant, animal, or monster—just like the engravings on the hallway walls but far, far greater in size. A few of the massive engravings were glowing in a silver light; however, most remained unlit.
Despite how unreal of a place he had stumbled into, Bolo quickly had his attention stolen by the thousands of monsters—monsters of all kinds—that flew, floated, crept, crawled, slithered, and sauntered everywhere the eye could see.
"I don't think this is the Art Gallery," Bolo said to himself.
"Bolo?" the BatGal called, snapping him out of his trance. He hadn't even noticed that they stopped moving.
"Huh?"
"Meet the rest of our party!" she said, gesturing to a group of three monsters nearby.
A ghost girl, Crab, and Shrieker waved to him. Bolo waved back with a nervous laugh.
The Shrieker—a tall, ghoulish figure wrapped in a purple cloak with only his bony hands and birdlike head exposed—slunk up to Bolo and bowed. "It is a pleasure. I sincerely hope you have found your time here among the Collective rewarding thus far. I find it quite an honor to be given the chance to engage with so many other species who have been granted the gift to hear the call of the Chosen . . . do you not?"
Bolo exhaled. "Man . . . you said a lot of things just then. Um . . . I'm going to say . . . yes?"
The ghost girl vanished and reappeared over Bolo's shoulder, causing him to yelp. "So, you must be some sort of . . . mutant human, huh?"
"Oh yeah. I'm a mutant all right. All the way."
"Nice!" she said, "I'm a ghost, duh. I kind of haunt that treasure chest there."
Bolo viewed the red chest on the ground nearby. "Why haunt a treasure chest? Is there good stuff in there? Like a ball and chain that has a slightly longer chain than the ball and chain you already have? That'd be so awesome . . ."
"Nope. It's empty. I like it because it's super comfy inside! Also, it's the color of blood!"
"Oh . . . haha. That was really cute . . . up until the whole blood thing . . ."
"It's really more like my house than something I haunt. I use the word 'haunt' because . . . you know . . . 'Boo, I'm a ghost' and all that. To be honest, I feel kind of pressured to do the whole spooky business. I guess that's just the burden of being Ikki . . ."
"Ikki?"
"That's my name—well, actually, that's the name the humans gave me. I can't really complain though . . . Ikki is way better than some of the other monster names . . . like the poor Wetmen . . ."
"Wetman . . . yikes . . . yeah, that'd be a rough one to live with," said Bolo.
"I'm just called Crab," the Crab said, fidgeting his claws, "not CrabGuy or CrabGal . . . just Crab. It makes me feel . . . like I'm not important at all. Just like every other Crab . . . waiting to get swatted away by some adventurer . . . like the Purple-Haired Terror . . ."
The other three monsters recoiled.
"We said we would not speak of . . . her," said the Shrieker.
"Sorry . . . sorry . . . I got a little carried away there. I just get so worked up about the whole Crab thing, that's all. Sorry."
"Well . . . why don't you just choose your own names?" Bolo asked.
The monsters stared at him blankly.
"Like the humans?" asked Batty.
"Yeah! So, come on! Let's pick you all out some new names!" Bolo pointed at the Shrieker who shifted nervously. "You first!"
"Uh . . ." the Shrieker uttered, shuffling in place, "that—that is a-a lot of pressure."
"No, it's not. Just pick any name you think sounds cool!"
"B-But will I not be stuck with this title for all eternity?"
"Uh . . . nah. You can just pick another name."
"Oh . . . I see . . . then I shall choose—" the Shrieker thought and thought until a panic began to set in. He held his hands over his head. "I-I am at a loss! I lack the mind to conceive of a title capable of epitomizing the very core of my being!"
Bolo held up his palms. "Hey, hey. It's okay. Would you . . . want me to pick a name for you?"
The Shrieker's eyes lit up. "You would do this for me? Yes! Yes, please!"
"Yeah, no prob. How about . . . BirdFace?"
"BirdFace . . . yes. Yes! It defines all that I am and hope to be! Thank you, Bolo! It is perfection!"
"Great! What about you, Crab?"
The Crab grinned. "What about . . . CrabStar?"
Bolo's jaw dropped. "CrabStar! That's the best name I've ever heard! It's like you're a rockstar but also a crab!"
"My turn! My turn!" said the ghost swimming in the air with excitement.
"Go for it!"
"Okay . . . ready?"
The others waited in anticipation as she, wearing a big grin, relished in letting them stew.
"Doctor GhostPants McGhostly the Third . . . Dr. GhostPants for short."
"Whoa, that sounds so smart and fancy!" Bolo said in awe.
"I know, right?" said Dr. GhostPants McGhostly III.
Everyone turned to the BatGirl. She avoided the others' gaze, twirling her tail in her hands. "Oh . . . mine's not as . . . 'cool' . . . as everyone else's . . ."
"You came up with a name already?" Bolo asked. "Well, come on! Let's hear it! I'm sure it's awesome!"
"It's . . . um . . . Batty."
"That's perfect!"
"Really? You think so?"
"Yeah, I do!"
Batty blushed. "Thanks, Bolo! I'm really glad you're in our party!"
The others smiled wide and nodded in agreement.
Bolo matched their smiles with one of his own. "I know we've only known each other for, like, five minutes . . . but I feel like there's this, um—"
"Chemistry?" BirdFace suggested.
"That's a word! Sure, I guess! All I know is that it's just, like, super awesome, you know? I'm really happy that I—"
Bolo hesitated as a thought crept into his mind.
"What's wrong, Bolo?" asked Dr. GhostPants.
"I feel like I'm supposed to be doing something," said Bolo, crinkling his face. "Like I should be looking for something. And it's important. Like really important. Really, really important . . ."
"Sky? Sky? Can you hear me?"
As she slowly opened her eyes, Sky saw the world blurred. She could just barely make out a large figure kneeling beside her on the cold, wet cavern floor.
Little by little, Sky's vision returned to her and so too did her memory. The large figure was now in view. "M-Mimic?"
Mimic gave Sky a soft smile. "You had me worried there for a second, kiddo."
"Wh-What are you—" Sky mumbled as she tried to sit up. But she was quickly met by a severe pain that radiated throughout her entire body—her muscles so battered and sore that she could barely move.
"Hey, hey," Mimic said, holding up his palms, "take it easy, now. Don't push yourself."
Sky tried to look around but couldn't make out much from her position on the ground. "Risky . . ." she said, worry rattling her voice, "she was here. Mimic, we have to—"
Just then, walking out from behind Mimic's shadow, came the Pirate Queen herself.
Sky gazed up at her in horror.
"Now, now," Risky said, grinning as wide as ever, "why the long face, birdie? Think I'd be going so soon?"
"Haven't you done enough?" Mimic scowled.
Risky's nostrils flared. "Don't get wise with me, old man."
Sky glanced from Mimic to Risky before finally landing back on Mimic again. "What is going on? Why are you here . . . with her?"
Mimic sighed. "It's . . . kind of a long story."
"This whole time . . . this is where you've been?" Sky growled, "you've been here working with Risky Boots?"
"'With?'" Risky said with a short laugh and raised eyebrow, "I think not. I'd never stoop so low as to work with this bumbling buffoon. We just happen to have a . . . shared interest. For the moment."
Sky ignored Risky. Her eyes still fixed on Mimic. "You've been helping her do this to those poor people? How—how could you?"
"'People?'" Mimic asked, blinking, "what people? Who are you talking about?"
"She's talking about the zombies, you dolt," Risky interjected, "didn't you see them all out there? Are you honestly that oblivious? Birdie here thinks I stole all their precious coffee."
"Are you trying to convince me that you're innocent?" said Sky, "because I'm not buying it for a second! You're the only one in Sequin Land horrible enough to do something like this!"
Risky cackled. "I couldn't care less what you think of me, brat. Nor do I care what happens to those idiots up there. They have what's coming to them if you ask me. They're the ones weak enough to let themselves get turned into monsters."
"Look who's talking," Mimic shot back.
Risky drew her scimitar and pointed it at Mimic. "One more remark from you like that, old man, and this cavern will be your tomb."
"Then why, huh?" Sky shouted, grabbing both their attention, "if you're not hiding all the coffee here . . . then why would you be down in this hole?"
Risky waved a hand in the air. "Just tell her, old man. She's already seen it. And I think she knows now what will happen to her if she squeals."
"Why did you take her down here in the first place?"
Risky smirked at Sky. "Oh, just for a quick chat . . . and a bit of payback."
"You're beyond evil," said Mimic.
"Indeed. And don't you forget it."
Mimic rubbed his brow as he turned back to Sky. "Okay . . . where do I even begin?"