Disclaimer: Don't own Flint. Wish I did. End of story.
AN: Hoo boy....I wouldn't be surprised at all if no one read this chapter.....I actually considered giving it up for a while, but that would be really rude, so, I'm going to attempt to write the next part. Gomen nasai, minna-san!
PS - For all of those out there who love British humor, somewhere in this story is a sketch from a Monty Python movie. Find it, and win....absolutly nothing...! ^_^;;;;
The Tarot Time Shifters - chapter 2 - part 3 by Ly the werewolf
" Come one, come all to the Magical Time Faerie's Shop! Open 24/7! Come one, come all...."
Sara Goodman shook her head, despretly trying to rid her head of the annoying chant that emitted from a large group of villagers.
" Wha....what the hell is going on here?!" she yelled to no one in particular. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. " Oh, Merlock...." she whispered.
" Sara, my dearest," he cooed, brushing some stray hair out of her eyes. " We must go, or else we too will become victims." Sara opened her mouth to protest, but he put a finger gently on her lips. " We cannot help Tony, or get Pentacles if we are mindless zombies as well. We must go back and think of a plan." Sara knew he was right; she just didn't want to believe it. Sara allowed herself to be led away, but not before allowing herself one last glance at her younger twin brother, Tony, waving his hands in the air, each one curled tightly around a generic shelf decoration.
" Tony.....We'll be back...."
Soon after, the entire group of time detectives was together, trying to make sense of the present situation. Flint was the first to start off. " Okay....we need to get Tony and Pentacles!" Everyone looked at him, expectant of an idea. " Does anyone have an idea? 'Cause I'm all out!" Everyone there fell flat on their faces, blown away by the caveboy's stupidity.
" I do." All eyes turned to a small member of their band; the first Tarot Time Shifter, Cups. " It's quite simple, really. Pentacles is a greedy SOB, so all we have to do is set a trap with money. He'll be on that cash faster than a fat kid on a Smartie." No one dared to speak at the sudden outburst of the usually kind time shifter. A small clap was heard from in the back of the crowd.
" Bravo, M'Lady. I admire your ingenuity. " Cups smiled warmly.
" Why, thank you, Lupie." Cups soft expression suddenly changed to one of sheer determanation. " Okay people, get ready! We've got some thieving to do!"
For the next few hours, Merlock, Flint, and any availible time shifter trekked across the village, 'accidently' bumping into everyone, plucking out wallets like apples from a tree. Merlock smiled; it had been a long time since he had returned to his 'old occupation'....'Maybe I'll tell Sara about my past someday.....' The young daywalker sighed and went back to work.
Sara sighed wearily as she sat on a moss-covered rock. Since she didn't know how to pickpocket, or, at least, wasn't very good at it, she was forced to stay in the forest and, well....wait. She sighed again, pushing some stray bangs out of her eyes. She thought frequently of venturing into the village, just to get a closer look, but Lupie, Flint, and her boyfriend ordered her to stay where it was at least relatively safe. " I don't know how much longer I can stand this...." she whispered to no one in particular. A small bird landed a few feet away from where she was sitting, and began singing its song of love and light. Sara watched in childish facination at the tiny flying creature. Nothing could disturb this moment of blissful silence.
" Sara!!!! Yeeahhh!!!! Hello!!!!!!!!!" The startled teen gasped for breath as she watched her tiny visitor fly off in fright. Sara narrowed her eyes at the mini noisemaker.
" Flint!" The boy in question looked up with innocent eyes.
" Yes, Sara?"
" Could you come in a little quieter next time? Please?" Sara's voice had considerably softened. How could you stay mad at someone like Flint for very long?
" Ah, greetings, my fair maiden!"
" Merlock! Hi!" The young Goodman gratefully accepted the open arms of her boyfriend. " How was your guys'...um....'heist'?" Merlock grinned wickedly.
" Much better than we ever expected."
In minutes, hundreds, if not thousands of sacks of gold, jewels and other wealthy objects littered the forest floor. Cups motioned with her pudgey hands to mold it all into a pile. " This is sure to attract that greedy little bastard," she spat, as if the very mention of Pentacles was poison in her mouth. " Now, it's time to put our little plan into action. Sara dearest, do you have any string or rope on you...?"
Pentacles happily hummed a merry tune as he was continuously counting gold coins. " Hee hee hee! My biggest haul ever! ^_^" he exclaimed happily. The shifter's tiny black eyes glanced over to his boy-servant, Tony Goodman. " Doin' some nice work there, boy!" Tony didn't respond, however. He was still just a mindless zombie, lacking any life, personality or excitment. Pentacles scrunched his face up. " Hmmm....Forgot about the whole 'mindless slave' bit....Sorry there, ol' chap!" The time shifter shook his head and continued counting his money. Suddenly, a shiny object on the ground caught his attention. " Hello.....What's this...?" Pentacles jumped off of his 'roost' and made his way to the shining gold coin. " Hmmm...You must've fallen out of someone's pocket...Don't worry, ol' Pentacles here will give ya a good home..." Suddenly, to his surprise, the coin began moving. The time shifter squinted. " Huh?!" Sure enough, the tiny piece of change was making it's way into the forest in tiny, uneven jerks. " Hmm....If I didn't know better, I'd say that this is a trap," He paused momentarily." But, fortunatly, I don't know better! I'm coming!" Pentacles persistantly followed the gold coin until it finally laid to rest on the motherload. All the money, gold and jewels that the Time Detectives had stolen now sat in a large pile - no, a mountain of wealth. The Time Shifter stopped himself from drooling uncontrolably, and instead dove headfirst into the pile of riches.
" Yahoo!!! I hit the jackpot!!" he shouted merrily.
" You don't know how right you are!"
" Huh?" From out of the treetops above, a large net dropped down onto the pile of gold, with Pentacles sitting right at the top. The tiny shifter immediatly began to struggle. " What's going on?! What is the meaning of this!?! Do you know who I am?!"
" Of course we do." Out of the shadows from above, one by one, came the time detectives and the rest of the time shifters. " Hello, Pentacles. It's good to see you again, old friend." Pentacles nearly choked on his words.
" C-C-CUPS?!? What are you doing here, you psychotic enchantress?!" Cups frowned at the insult, but quickly brushed it off.
" I've decided to join with the Time Detectives. They're actually a very nice bunch of people. And look, they even have the lycanthrope time shifter, Lupie, with them. They must be powerful, ne?" Pentacles scowled at his captor.
" I don't care if they have the Devil shifter licking their boots! I belong to no one, and will go with no one!" Now, it was Sara's turn.
" Look, Pentacles...." She paused to regain her composure. Merlock gave her tiny hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. " That boy....the one you have under your control....That's my baby twin brother, Tony....I would really appreciate it if you broke the spell you hold over him. I miss him a lot...." Sara glanced up at the Time Shifter through shimmering eyes. He was not impressed.
" I apoligize, m'lady, but, the boy is mine! I found him fair and square, and I'll be damned by the Tower if I let the likes of you take him!" The young teen's patience was wearing thin.
" Hey pal! I don't care if you found him lying in the middle of the street! He's a human being, not a piece of property! We're linked by blood, and nothing you do will EVER change that! Understand?!" Sara could hear herself begin to snarl. Lupie placed a paw on her leg.
" Calm down, Lady Sara," he hushed. " You don't want to transform now, do you? Besides, he's not worth your time." Cups approached the smirking time shifter atop the pile of gold.
" Enough talk, you scroudral! Release your power on the boy! By the Goddess, I command you!" The time shifter of money and prosperity smirked.
" Not likely." Before anyone could react, Pentacles threw down a magickal smoke bomb, clouding all senses. His mocking voice echoed throughout the forest. " If you want the boy, Tony, back so despretly, meet me in the town square in three hours. No more, no less. I will hold a gambling contest; one of wits, intelligence, and skill. Only two may come; the rest must stay in the forest. If you win, the boy and myself will willingly join you."
" And if we lose...?" Pterri inquired.
" Then you will all become my 'businessmen'." Get-A-Long sweatdropped.
" Um, don't you mean slaves?" she asked in her usually high voice.
" 'Slaves' is such a harsh word, don't you think? Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!" As mysteriously as it came, the smoke, along with the voice, and the pile of gold, vanished. Bindi fumed at the sight.
" That little piece of crap! He took all of our gold!" Merlock shot her a confused glance.
" Bindi, it wasn't ours to begin with."
" What?! Okay, then....We we're gonna give a little bit of it back, right...? Right...?" Everyone shook their heads.
" She's worse than Pentacles!"
" Hey! I heard that, Goodman!" Merlock stepped in bewtween the two bickering females.
" That's enough! Both of you, calm down! We have bigger fish to fry! Like getting your twin brother back!" His last comment was directed at his girlfriend, who blushed sheepishly. Pterri soon joined in the peacemaking effort.
" He's right. Right now, we have three hours to figure out who we're going to send to meet Pentacles' challange. Any volunteers?" Immediatly, Sara stood up.
" I'm going. End of story. That ratty little Time Shifter has my brother, and it's my responsibility to save him." Pterri blinked, taken aback by Sara's sudden outburst.
" Okay....Well, there's room for one more. Any volunteers?" Silence. " Don't all jump up at once!" More silence; the occasional cough. " Alright then....Any nominations?" Get-A-Long raised a puffy white wing.
" I nominate.....Pterri!" The red mechanical dinosaur was shocked.
" !! Wha...? Why me?!"
" Think about it, Pterri. Pentacles said it himself that it will be a contest of wits, skill, and INTELLIGENCE. That's your department! Dr. Goodman programmed you to able to react in any and all situations! You hold a vast amount of intellect in those circuts of yours! Go for it!" Pterri blinked, and his mouth hung open, too shocked to say anything.
" Um....uh....Those in favor...?" All six hands/appendages were thrust into the air. " All opposed...?" No one. " *gulp* Well....It looks like I'm going to be your gambling partner, Sara." Sara smiled at the tiny creature.
" Great to have you along, Pterri! Now, we have about two and a half hours to wait....."
The hours went by agonizingly slowly for the Time Detectives, but, finally, the time was now. Sara hugged and kissed Merlock, repeatedly assuring him that she would be alright. " Merlock, for the millionth time, I'll be okay! I'll have Pterri to watch my back! Besides, if things get really hectic, I always have the Fabled Were-Sara on my side! Don't worry!" Pterri floated up to the distraught vampire.
" She's right, Merlock. I won't let anything happen to her. Besides, according to Cups, you'll all be hiding out just behind the forests' border. " Merlock smiled; Sara was a big girl, perfectly capable of taking care of herself. But he knew how time shifters worked; and they weren't always true to their word. Oh well. If Pentacles tried ANYTHING on his dear Sara, he would make that little shifter scream bloody murder.
" Take care, Sara dearest." He stole her lips one more time before she left. The pink-haired girl smiled while being kissed.
" Don't worry, I will." Sara turned towards the village, and ran off, Pterri right at her heels. " Watch our backs! We will come back with Pentacles and my ototochan!" Merlock waved goodbye with a sluggish hand.
" Goodbye, Sara....."
Instead of the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life, the village was empty. Not a single soul, man or beast, roamed the streets of the tiny living quarters. In the middle of the town square, however, stood Pentalces; the zombie-like Tony still at his side. Sara couldn't resist. " Tony! Tony! Can you hear me? It's me! Sara! Your sister! Your twin! Please Tony! Snap out of it!" She could feel tears begin to sting her eyes. Pterri rested a reassuring wing on her shoulder.
" He can't hear you, Sara." Sara frowned.
" I know, but....I miss him so much." Pentacles took a steady breath.
" Alright! I can see you two were chosen to undertake my challenge. So...Here's the first challenge. Win if you can!" Seemingly out of nowhere, Pentacles pulled out three good sized drinking cups from his billowing cloak sleeve. " The first challenge will be a shell game. Pick which one has the bead under it. If you win, that's one for you. We're playing best 2/3. Understood?" Sara and Pterri both nodded, determanation written all across their faces. The time shifter placed all three cups on the dusty ground. He lifted up the middle one, and looked expectantly at the two players. " Here's the bead, and here we go!" With lightning quick speed, he constantly switched them around, again and again. Although it would be quite hard, near impossible to be done with a normal human, it was simply challenging for the young teenager. After all, she was no ordinary human. Plus, she had a mechanical dinosaur with her. How could she lose? Easy.
" I choose that one!" Sara spoke, pointing to the one on her left. Pentacles went to reach for it, then looked up at her, making eye contact.
" Are you SURE you want THAT one?" Sara arched an eyebrow.
" Why...?"
" Oh, nothing, no reason...." he trailed off. Sara sucked in a breath; this was harder than it looked. Pterri shook his head.
" He's just trying to psyche you out, Sara. Go with whatever one you feel right about." She nodded, thankful for his logical advice.
" I definatly choose that one," she stated, pointing to the one she had previously selected. Pentacles went to lift it up. Sara, Pterri, and all the others waiting on the forest border held their breath in anticipation.
" Ohhhh! I'm sorry, little one! Nothin' here!" Sara sat there, dumbfounded that her werewolf senses let her down.
" But....but....I was so sure...." she mumbled. Pterri nuzzled her affectionatly.
" Don't let it get you down, Sara," he chirped. " We still have two more games to go. Just win the next two."
Sara nodded, and looked up at a grinning Pentacles.
" Okay, I'm ready for the next challange."
" Move out of the way!"
" No! You move out of my way!"
" Both of you! Hush!"
" Sorry Merlie. Y'know, it was all her fault to begin wi--" *SNAP*
" Listen to the vampire and SHUT UP!"
" Oh, go get a flea collar, you mutt!"
" Try me, faerie shifter!"
" Stop it! Both of you! Don't make me use 'Secret Emotions'!"
"....."
"....."
" What happened to Sara?" Everyone froze at Flint's statement. Merlock, however, went nuts.
" What? Sara? What happened to my beloved? Is she alright?!" Flint slowly nodded.
" Yeah....She's alright...But she looks kinda sad...." For the first time the whole event started, Rocky Hammerhead, Flint's father-turned-hammer spoke up.
" I'm pretty sure she lost the first event." Flint brightened up considerably when his father showed up.
" Dad! How long have you been awake?" Rocky 'smiled'.
" Long enough to know what's been goin' on 'round here."
" She has really no reason to be upset," commented Cups. " She and the metal bird still have two other games left. If they win those, they're fine. " The group nodded and turned their attention back to the events unfolding.
" Ladies and gentlemen, the young one is ready for the next challenge!" Pentacles called out, almost seeming like he knew the time detectives were near. " Challenge number two....Q & A!!" Sara took a deep breath and nodded, signaling to the time shifter she was ready.
" Go ahead and ask me, Time Shifter...I'm no afraid." Pentacles held up one finger.
" What.....is your name?" Sara blinked, but recovered and answered the strange question.
" My name is Sara Megumi Goodman." The time shifter held up a second finger.
" What....is your quest?"
" To seek the Tarot Time Shifters." He held up his final finger.
" What....is the air velocity of a swallow carrying a coconut?" Sara cocked her head to one side.
" What do you mean...African or European...?" The time shifter looked dumbstruck.
" I don't know! Argh! Damn! You win! No one is supposed to get that one! *sob*" Sara lept up and thrust her fist into the air, letting out a loud 'whoop!'.
" Yeah! We win! Just one more to go, Pterri, and we'll get Tony back AND Pentacles! Hooray!" Sara, beaming with newfound confidence, eyed the time shifter suspiciously. " Okay! I'm ready for the last one!" Pentacles, although smiling with good nature, was scowling hatefully at the overly-happy teenager. ' I'll make her pay....She'll never win this one....' While Pentacles was fuming, Pterri turned to face Sara.
" Sara, how did you know that?" Sara simply smiled.
" Well, what do you think they teach us in school?"
" Alright then! The last and final challenge, people! Coin Toss!!" Sara didn't move an inch.
" I'm going to get my brother back, even if it kills me!"
" Whatever you say, kiddo....." Pentacles flipped the coin into the air. " Call it!" Sara fumbled for her words.
" Uh, um, uh, TAILS!!" Pentacles effortlessly caught the coin in the palm of his hand, then rested it on top of his other one.
" And let's see if she's right...." Everyone, even from the forest, stopped whatever they were doing to watch what would surely govern their fates. No one dared to even breathe. " Ah! See for yourself!" Pterri and Sara leaned in for a closer look, almost afraid of what they would see. Sara screamed out the answer.
" HEADS?!?! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! This can't be!!!!!" Sara fell to the ground sobbing.
" Tony....Merlock....Flint....I'm sorry......I tried.....I really did......." Pentacles smiled maliciously.
" Well now, girle! Looks like you're going to be joining your brother! That IS what you wanted, was it not?" He turned to the forest. " And the lot of you over there! Come on out! I know you're in there!" Pentacles waited a few seconds, then was greeted by Flint, Merlock, Lupie, Bindi, Cups and Get-A-Long, all holding their hands up. The group walked over to the four of them soundlessly. Merlock wrapped his arms around his distraught girlfriend.
" It's alright, Sara-chan," he cooed. " You tried. It's all right...." Pentacles walked over to the frowning form of Cups.
" Look who's laughing now, sister." he mocked. Cups rolled her eyes.
" Shut your mouth, boy." To emphasize her point, Cups pushed the unsuspecting Pentacles over, and landed very ungracefully on his butt.
" Oww! Hey! You'll pay for that!" The female Tarot Time Shifter was not amused.
" How? We don't have any money. You took it all, along with this girls' innocence." The rest of the group all turned to the developing argument. Pentacles arched an eyebrow.
" Come again?" Wordlessly, Cups walked over to where his gambling supplies lay: the three shells and the coin.
" Exhibit one: the shell game. Take a look at THIS, everyone!" Sure enough, the bead that was supposed to be under the one Sara picked earlier was stuck to the roof of the cup. Sara gasped.
" You....you tricked me!" Cups continued on.
" Exhibit two: the coin toss. Once again, feast your eyes on this malicious trick!" Cups repeatedly turned the coin on both sides, only to reveal it was double-sided; both heads. Sara was going through a range of emotions - shock, hurt, resentment, embarassment.....
" How...? Why....?" she whispered. Pentacles looked at her defiantly.
" Why? You wanna know why? Because I wanted to WIN, that's why! Winning is the only thing that gives me pleasure in this hellhole you call home! Things were fine back with the Oyajisan (Old Man) until some fruitcake wearing a mask decided to bust in and take over, scattering all the time shifters all throughout time!! I have lived in this world, filled with hate and prejudice for....for God only knows how long! I have suffered humiliation throughout time in more forms than I can count! Than I can remember! I WIN BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY THING I KNOW HOW TO DO!!!" Everyone was silent as the once-proud Time Shifter broke down into tears. " Winning....is like a drug.....It's an addiction....Once you try it once, you've gotta have more.....I became addicted.....I'm sorry......" Cups laid a gentle paw on his cloaked shoulder.
" It's alright, Pentacles," she whispered. " I forgive you. We all forgive you. Actually, that's what we're fighting for. These brave young souls are fighting against Petra Fina and the Dark Lord. They want to restore the home of the Oyajisan and the rest of the time shifters, so that the tapestry of time can be rewoven again. Will you join us?" Pentacles looked up, tears still in his eyes.
" You....You'd let me join you...? After all I've done....?" Flint-tachi nodded enthusiastically. Cups smiled in return.
" Of course. Now, as your first act of joining the Time Detectives, could you please release your spell on the boy?" Pentacles sighed and managed a weak smile.
" Okay." He turned to the vegetable-like Tony. " 1,2,3, the spell will flee!" Tony's body jerked suddenly, slowly blinking his eyes. Sara clung onto Merlock as she watched her brother come back to his senses. Tony put a shaky hand onto his forehead.
" Owwww....My head.....What happened here...? The last thing I remember is camping out in the forest...."
" Tony!!"
" Huh?" The younger Goodman never got a chance to reply fully because his twin sister threw her arms around Tony in a great big hug.
" Tony!! Oh Tony....I'm so glad you're back..." Sara laughed through tears of joy. " I was worried that I'd never get you back....My ototochan...." Tony blinked in confusion.
" Um....uh...." he replied, flustered by his sister's emotional outburst. " There, there, sis....I'm okay! Really! I am!" She lifted her tear-streaked face from his shirt and looked into his eyes.
" Are you sure?" she asked. Tony nodded.
" Yup."
" Absolutly sure?" she repeated, her voice just above a whisper.
" Uh huh."
" Fine then.....YOU STUPID BAKA!!! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING WANDERING AROUND THE FOREST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?!? DIDN'T YOU EVEN STOP TO THINK THAT OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT WORRIED ABOUT YOU?!? WE NEARLY GOT OURSELVES KILLED FOR YOU!!! YOU BETTER BE THANKFUL OR I'LL MAKE YOU THANKFUL!!!!" The young Goodman twin cowered in fear from his older sister.
" I'm sorry!" he managed to squeak out through chattering teeth. Sara put on an expression of mock anger.
" That's alright, ototochan....By the way, Pentacles has joined our group now. Looks like it's just Swords and Wands left to go." Flint showed his wide grin to the group's newest member.
" Glad to have you on board! My name's Genshi, but everyone calls me Flint. Nice to make your aqquaintance, Pentacles!" Pentacles smiled in return. He could'nt help it; Flint's smile was contagious. Soon, everyone there was laughing merrily, trying to shake off the worries of the next adventure they were due for.
The cresent moon hung in the inky black sky like the very heavens themselves were grinning down onto the accursed world we live in. A lone figure, adorned in tight-fitting red leather stepped out of the shadows, savouring the little moonlight. Shortly after, another lone figure walked into the forest clearing, taking unknown precautions not to be seen. The first figure shifted nervously while standing. " So, when can I expect to hear from your master? Or should I say, 'masters'?" The second figure shook its head.
" Be patient....Ssssssssssoon......Very, very sssssssssssssoon......." The second figure rolled its 's' like a talking snake. The first figure rolled its crimson eyes.
" Well, I'd hope so. You gave me your word when you gave me this pendant." As if to emphasize its point, the figure pulled out a large ruby that hung on a gold chain. On the back of the ruby was the word DEVIL etched right into the precious stone.
" I ssssssssssaid patience, Petra Fina.....The othersssssssss are coming sssssssssshortly......" The second figure paused for breath. " Do not worry.....The Time Detectivesssssssssss and the other Tarot Time Sssssssssshifters don't sssssssssssssssssstand a chance......"
___________________________
Dun dun dun!!!!!
Well, I finally got the next part out. What Tarot Time Shifter are they going after next, you ask? Why, Swords, of course!
Domo arigato for reading, minna-san!
Ja ne~
Ly the werewolf
PS-Go and check out 'The Adventures of Ly and Darion' in the fantasy section! Make fun of my partner! No! Seriously! Read, review and ridicule! Bwa ha ha ha ha!
Darion: Er-hem.
Ly: Uhh.....Heh heh heh.....Hi!
AN: Hoo boy....I wouldn't be surprised at all if no one read this chapter.....I actually considered giving it up for a while, but that would be really rude, so, I'm going to attempt to write the next part. Gomen nasai, minna-san!
PS - For all of those out there who love British humor, somewhere in this story is a sketch from a Monty Python movie. Find it, and win....absolutly nothing...! ^_^;;;;
The Tarot Time Shifters - chapter 2 - part 3 by Ly the werewolf
" Come one, come all to the Magical Time Faerie's Shop! Open 24/7! Come one, come all...."
Sara Goodman shook her head, despretly trying to rid her head of the annoying chant that emitted from a large group of villagers.
" Wha....what the hell is going on here?!" she yelled to no one in particular. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. " Oh, Merlock...." she whispered.
" Sara, my dearest," he cooed, brushing some stray hair out of her eyes. " We must go, or else we too will become victims." Sara opened her mouth to protest, but he put a finger gently on her lips. " We cannot help Tony, or get Pentacles if we are mindless zombies as well. We must go back and think of a plan." Sara knew he was right; she just didn't want to believe it. Sara allowed herself to be led away, but not before allowing herself one last glance at her younger twin brother, Tony, waving his hands in the air, each one curled tightly around a generic shelf decoration.
" Tony.....We'll be back...."
Soon after, the entire group of time detectives was together, trying to make sense of the present situation. Flint was the first to start off. " Okay....we need to get Tony and Pentacles!" Everyone looked at him, expectant of an idea. " Does anyone have an idea? 'Cause I'm all out!" Everyone there fell flat on their faces, blown away by the caveboy's stupidity.
" I do." All eyes turned to a small member of their band; the first Tarot Time Shifter, Cups. " It's quite simple, really. Pentacles is a greedy SOB, so all we have to do is set a trap with money. He'll be on that cash faster than a fat kid on a Smartie." No one dared to speak at the sudden outburst of the usually kind time shifter. A small clap was heard from in the back of the crowd.
" Bravo, M'Lady. I admire your ingenuity. " Cups smiled warmly.
" Why, thank you, Lupie." Cups soft expression suddenly changed to one of sheer determanation. " Okay people, get ready! We've got some thieving to do!"
For the next few hours, Merlock, Flint, and any availible time shifter trekked across the village, 'accidently' bumping into everyone, plucking out wallets like apples from a tree. Merlock smiled; it had been a long time since he had returned to his 'old occupation'....'Maybe I'll tell Sara about my past someday.....' The young daywalker sighed and went back to work.
Sara sighed wearily as she sat on a moss-covered rock. Since she didn't know how to pickpocket, or, at least, wasn't very good at it, she was forced to stay in the forest and, well....wait. She sighed again, pushing some stray bangs out of her eyes. She thought frequently of venturing into the village, just to get a closer look, but Lupie, Flint, and her boyfriend ordered her to stay where it was at least relatively safe. " I don't know how much longer I can stand this...." she whispered to no one in particular. A small bird landed a few feet away from where she was sitting, and began singing its song of love and light. Sara watched in childish facination at the tiny flying creature. Nothing could disturb this moment of blissful silence.
" Sara!!!! Yeeahhh!!!! Hello!!!!!!!!!" The startled teen gasped for breath as she watched her tiny visitor fly off in fright. Sara narrowed her eyes at the mini noisemaker.
" Flint!" The boy in question looked up with innocent eyes.
" Yes, Sara?"
" Could you come in a little quieter next time? Please?" Sara's voice had considerably softened. How could you stay mad at someone like Flint for very long?
" Ah, greetings, my fair maiden!"
" Merlock! Hi!" The young Goodman gratefully accepted the open arms of her boyfriend. " How was your guys'...um....'heist'?" Merlock grinned wickedly.
" Much better than we ever expected."
In minutes, hundreds, if not thousands of sacks of gold, jewels and other wealthy objects littered the forest floor. Cups motioned with her pudgey hands to mold it all into a pile. " This is sure to attract that greedy little bastard," she spat, as if the very mention of Pentacles was poison in her mouth. " Now, it's time to put our little plan into action. Sara dearest, do you have any string or rope on you...?"
Pentacles happily hummed a merry tune as he was continuously counting gold coins. " Hee hee hee! My biggest haul ever! ^_^" he exclaimed happily. The shifter's tiny black eyes glanced over to his boy-servant, Tony Goodman. " Doin' some nice work there, boy!" Tony didn't respond, however. He was still just a mindless zombie, lacking any life, personality or excitment. Pentacles scrunched his face up. " Hmmm....Forgot about the whole 'mindless slave' bit....Sorry there, ol' chap!" The time shifter shook his head and continued counting his money. Suddenly, a shiny object on the ground caught his attention. " Hello.....What's this...?" Pentacles jumped off of his 'roost' and made his way to the shining gold coin. " Hmmm...You must've fallen out of someone's pocket...Don't worry, ol' Pentacles here will give ya a good home..." Suddenly, to his surprise, the coin began moving. The time shifter squinted. " Huh?!" Sure enough, the tiny piece of change was making it's way into the forest in tiny, uneven jerks. " Hmm....If I didn't know better, I'd say that this is a trap," He paused momentarily." But, fortunatly, I don't know better! I'm coming!" Pentacles persistantly followed the gold coin until it finally laid to rest on the motherload. All the money, gold and jewels that the Time Detectives had stolen now sat in a large pile - no, a mountain of wealth. The Time Shifter stopped himself from drooling uncontrolably, and instead dove headfirst into the pile of riches.
" Yahoo!!! I hit the jackpot!!" he shouted merrily.
" You don't know how right you are!"
" Huh?" From out of the treetops above, a large net dropped down onto the pile of gold, with Pentacles sitting right at the top. The tiny shifter immediatly began to struggle. " What's going on?! What is the meaning of this!?! Do you know who I am?!"
" Of course we do." Out of the shadows from above, one by one, came the time detectives and the rest of the time shifters. " Hello, Pentacles. It's good to see you again, old friend." Pentacles nearly choked on his words.
" C-C-CUPS?!? What are you doing here, you psychotic enchantress?!" Cups frowned at the insult, but quickly brushed it off.
" I've decided to join with the Time Detectives. They're actually a very nice bunch of people. And look, they even have the lycanthrope time shifter, Lupie, with them. They must be powerful, ne?" Pentacles scowled at his captor.
" I don't care if they have the Devil shifter licking their boots! I belong to no one, and will go with no one!" Now, it was Sara's turn.
" Look, Pentacles...." She paused to regain her composure. Merlock gave her tiny hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. " That boy....the one you have under your control....That's my baby twin brother, Tony....I would really appreciate it if you broke the spell you hold over him. I miss him a lot...." Sara glanced up at the Time Shifter through shimmering eyes. He was not impressed.
" I apoligize, m'lady, but, the boy is mine! I found him fair and square, and I'll be damned by the Tower if I let the likes of you take him!" The young teen's patience was wearing thin.
" Hey pal! I don't care if you found him lying in the middle of the street! He's a human being, not a piece of property! We're linked by blood, and nothing you do will EVER change that! Understand?!" Sara could hear herself begin to snarl. Lupie placed a paw on her leg.
" Calm down, Lady Sara," he hushed. " You don't want to transform now, do you? Besides, he's not worth your time." Cups approached the smirking time shifter atop the pile of gold.
" Enough talk, you scroudral! Release your power on the boy! By the Goddess, I command you!" The time shifter of money and prosperity smirked.
" Not likely." Before anyone could react, Pentacles threw down a magickal smoke bomb, clouding all senses. His mocking voice echoed throughout the forest. " If you want the boy, Tony, back so despretly, meet me in the town square in three hours. No more, no less. I will hold a gambling contest; one of wits, intelligence, and skill. Only two may come; the rest must stay in the forest. If you win, the boy and myself will willingly join you."
" And if we lose...?" Pterri inquired.
" Then you will all become my 'businessmen'." Get-A-Long sweatdropped.
" Um, don't you mean slaves?" she asked in her usually high voice.
" 'Slaves' is such a harsh word, don't you think? Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!" As mysteriously as it came, the smoke, along with the voice, and the pile of gold, vanished. Bindi fumed at the sight.
" That little piece of crap! He took all of our gold!" Merlock shot her a confused glance.
" Bindi, it wasn't ours to begin with."
" What?! Okay, then....We we're gonna give a little bit of it back, right...? Right...?" Everyone shook their heads.
" She's worse than Pentacles!"
" Hey! I heard that, Goodman!" Merlock stepped in bewtween the two bickering females.
" That's enough! Both of you, calm down! We have bigger fish to fry! Like getting your twin brother back!" His last comment was directed at his girlfriend, who blushed sheepishly. Pterri soon joined in the peacemaking effort.
" He's right. Right now, we have three hours to figure out who we're going to send to meet Pentacles' challange. Any volunteers?" Immediatly, Sara stood up.
" I'm going. End of story. That ratty little Time Shifter has my brother, and it's my responsibility to save him." Pterri blinked, taken aback by Sara's sudden outburst.
" Okay....Well, there's room for one more. Any volunteers?" Silence. " Don't all jump up at once!" More silence; the occasional cough. " Alright then....Any nominations?" Get-A-Long raised a puffy white wing.
" I nominate.....Pterri!" The red mechanical dinosaur was shocked.
" !! Wha...? Why me?!"
" Think about it, Pterri. Pentacles said it himself that it will be a contest of wits, skill, and INTELLIGENCE. That's your department! Dr. Goodman programmed you to able to react in any and all situations! You hold a vast amount of intellect in those circuts of yours! Go for it!" Pterri blinked, and his mouth hung open, too shocked to say anything.
" Um....uh....Those in favor...?" All six hands/appendages were thrust into the air. " All opposed...?" No one. " *gulp* Well....It looks like I'm going to be your gambling partner, Sara." Sara smiled at the tiny creature.
" Great to have you along, Pterri! Now, we have about two and a half hours to wait....."
The hours went by agonizingly slowly for the Time Detectives, but, finally, the time was now. Sara hugged and kissed Merlock, repeatedly assuring him that she would be alright. " Merlock, for the millionth time, I'll be okay! I'll have Pterri to watch my back! Besides, if things get really hectic, I always have the Fabled Were-Sara on my side! Don't worry!" Pterri floated up to the distraught vampire.
" She's right, Merlock. I won't let anything happen to her. Besides, according to Cups, you'll all be hiding out just behind the forests' border. " Merlock smiled; Sara was a big girl, perfectly capable of taking care of herself. But he knew how time shifters worked; and they weren't always true to their word. Oh well. If Pentacles tried ANYTHING on his dear Sara, he would make that little shifter scream bloody murder.
" Take care, Sara dearest." He stole her lips one more time before she left. The pink-haired girl smiled while being kissed.
" Don't worry, I will." Sara turned towards the village, and ran off, Pterri right at her heels. " Watch our backs! We will come back with Pentacles and my ototochan!" Merlock waved goodbye with a sluggish hand.
" Goodbye, Sara....."
Instead of the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life, the village was empty. Not a single soul, man or beast, roamed the streets of the tiny living quarters. In the middle of the town square, however, stood Pentalces; the zombie-like Tony still at his side. Sara couldn't resist. " Tony! Tony! Can you hear me? It's me! Sara! Your sister! Your twin! Please Tony! Snap out of it!" She could feel tears begin to sting her eyes. Pterri rested a reassuring wing on her shoulder.
" He can't hear you, Sara." Sara frowned.
" I know, but....I miss him so much." Pentacles took a steady breath.
" Alright! I can see you two were chosen to undertake my challenge. So...Here's the first challenge. Win if you can!" Seemingly out of nowhere, Pentacles pulled out three good sized drinking cups from his billowing cloak sleeve. " The first challenge will be a shell game. Pick which one has the bead under it. If you win, that's one for you. We're playing best 2/3. Understood?" Sara and Pterri both nodded, determanation written all across their faces. The time shifter placed all three cups on the dusty ground. He lifted up the middle one, and looked expectantly at the two players. " Here's the bead, and here we go!" With lightning quick speed, he constantly switched them around, again and again. Although it would be quite hard, near impossible to be done with a normal human, it was simply challenging for the young teenager. After all, she was no ordinary human. Plus, she had a mechanical dinosaur with her. How could she lose? Easy.
" I choose that one!" Sara spoke, pointing to the one on her left. Pentacles went to reach for it, then looked up at her, making eye contact.
" Are you SURE you want THAT one?" Sara arched an eyebrow.
" Why...?"
" Oh, nothing, no reason...." he trailed off. Sara sucked in a breath; this was harder than it looked. Pterri shook his head.
" He's just trying to psyche you out, Sara. Go with whatever one you feel right about." She nodded, thankful for his logical advice.
" I definatly choose that one," she stated, pointing to the one she had previously selected. Pentacles went to lift it up. Sara, Pterri, and all the others waiting on the forest border held their breath in anticipation.
" Ohhhh! I'm sorry, little one! Nothin' here!" Sara sat there, dumbfounded that her werewolf senses let her down.
" But....but....I was so sure...." she mumbled. Pterri nuzzled her affectionatly.
" Don't let it get you down, Sara," he chirped. " We still have two more games to go. Just win the next two."
Sara nodded, and looked up at a grinning Pentacles.
" Okay, I'm ready for the next challange."
" Move out of the way!"
" No! You move out of my way!"
" Both of you! Hush!"
" Sorry Merlie. Y'know, it was all her fault to begin wi--" *SNAP*
" Listen to the vampire and SHUT UP!"
" Oh, go get a flea collar, you mutt!"
" Try me, faerie shifter!"
" Stop it! Both of you! Don't make me use 'Secret Emotions'!"
"....."
"....."
" What happened to Sara?" Everyone froze at Flint's statement. Merlock, however, went nuts.
" What? Sara? What happened to my beloved? Is she alright?!" Flint slowly nodded.
" Yeah....She's alright...But she looks kinda sad...." For the first time the whole event started, Rocky Hammerhead, Flint's father-turned-hammer spoke up.
" I'm pretty sure she lost the first event." Flint brightened up considerably when his father showed up.
" Dad! How long have you been awake?" Rocky 'smiled'.
" Long enough to know what's been goin' on 'round here."
" She has really no reason to be upset," commented Cups. " She and the metal bird still have two other games left. If they win those, they're fine. " The group nodded and turned their attention back to the events unfolding.
" Ladies and gentlemen, the young one is ready for the next challenge!" Pentacles called out, almost seeming like he knew the time detectives were near. " Challenge number two....Q & A!!" Sara took a deep breath and nodded, signaling to the time shifter she was ready.
" Go ahead and ask me, Time Shifter...I'm no afraid." Pentacles held up one finger.
" What.....is your name?" Sara blinked, but recovered and answered the strange question.
" My name is Sara Megumi Goodman." The time shifter held up a second finger.
" What....is your quest?"
" To seek the Tarot Time Shifters." He held up his final finger.
" What....is the air velocity of a swallow carrying a coconut?" Sara cocked her head to one side.
" What do you mean...African or European...?" The time shifter looked dumbstruck.
" I don't know! Argh! Damn! You win! No one is supposed to get that one! *sob*" Sara lept up and thrust her fist into the air, letting out a loud 'whoop!'.
" Yeah! We win! Just one more to go, Pterri, and we'll get Tony back AND Pentacles! Hooray!" Sara, beaming with newfound confidence, eyed the time shifter suspiciously. " Okay! I'm ready for the last one!" Pentacles, although smiling with good nature, was scowling hatefully at the overly-happy teenager. ' I'll make her pay....She'll never win this one....' While Pentacles was fuming, Pterri turned to face Sara.
" Sara, how did you know that?" Sara simply smiled.
" Well, what do you think they teach us in school?"
" Alright then! The last and final challenge, people! Coin Toss!!" Sara didn't move an inch.
" I'm going to get my brother back, even if it kills me!"
" Whatever you say, kiddo....." Pentacles flipped the coin into the air. " Call it!" Sara fumbled for her words.
" Uh, um, uh, TAILS!!" Pentacles effortlessly caught the coin in the palm of his hand, then rested it on top of his other one.
" And let's see if she's right...." Everyone, even from the forest, stopped whatever they were doing to watch what would surely govern their fates. No one dared to even breathe. " Ah! See for yourself!" Pterri and Sara leaned in for a closer look, almost afraid of what they would see. Sara screamed out the answer.
" HEADS?!?! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! This can't be!!!!!" Sara fell to the ground sobbing.
" Tony....Merlock....Flint....I'm sorry......I tried.....I really did......." Pentacles smiled maliciously.
" Well now, girle! Looks like you're going to be joining your brother! That IS what you wanted, was it not?" He turned to the forest. " And the lot of you over there! Come on out! I know you're in there!" Pentacles waited a few seconds, then was greeted by Flint, Merlock, Lupie, Bindi, Cups and Get-A-Long, all holding their hands up. The group walked over to the four of them soundlessly. Merlock wrapped his arms around his distraught girlfriend.
" It's alright, Sara-chan," he cooed. " You tried. It's all right...." Pentacles walked over to the frowning form of Cups.
" Look who's laughing now, sister." he mocked. Cups rolled her eyes.
" Shut your mouth, boy." To emphasize her point, Cups pushed the unsuspecting Pentacles over, and landed very ungracefully on his butt.
" Oww! Hey! You'll pay for that!" The female Tarot Time Shifter was not amused.
" How? We don't have any money. You took it all, along with this girls' innocence." The rest of the group all turned to the developing argument. Pentacles arched an eyebrow.
" Come again?" Wordlessly, Cups walked over to where his gambling supplies lay: the three shells and the coin.
" Exhibit one: the shell game. Take a look at THIS, everyone!" Sure enough, the bead that was supposed to be under the one Sara picked earlier was stuck to the roof of the cup. Sara gasped.
" You....you tricked me!" Cups continued on.
" Exhibit two: the coin toss. Once again, feast your eyes on this malicious trick!" Cups repeatedly turned the coin on both sides, only to reveal it was double-sided; both heads. Sara was going through a range of emotions - shock, hurt, resentment, embarassment.....
" How...? Why....?" she whispered. Pentacles looked at her defiantly.
" Why? You wanna know why? Because I wanted to WIN, that's why! Winning is the only thing that gives me pleasure in this hellhole you call home! Things were fine back with the Oyajisan (Old Man) until some fruitcake wearing a mask decided to bust in and take over, scattering all the time shifters all throughout time!! I have lived in this world, filled with hate and prejudice for....for God only knows how long! I have suffered humiliation throughout time in more forms than I can count! Than I can remember! I WIN BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY THING I KNOW HOW TO DO!!!" Everyone was silent as the once-proud Time Shifter broke down into tears. " Winning....is like a drug.....It's an addiction....Once you try it once, you've gotta have more.....I became addicted.....I'm sorry......" Cups laid a gentle paw on his cloaked shoulder.
" It's alright, Pentacles," she whispered. " I forgive you. We all forgive you. Actually, that's what we're fighting for. These brave young souls are fighting against Petra Fina and the Dark Lord. They want to restore the home of the Oyajisan and the rest of the time shifters, so that the tapestry of time can be rewoven again. Will you join us?" Pentacles looked up, tears still in his eyes.
" You....You'd let me join you...? After all I've done....?" Flint-tachi nodded enthusiastically. Cups smiled in return.
" Of course. Now, as your first act of joining the Time Detectives, could you please release your spell on the boy?" Pentacles sighed and managed a weak smile.
" Okay." He turned to the vegetable-like Tony. " 1,2,3, the spell will flee!" Tony's body jerked suddenly, slowly blinking his eyes. Sara clung onto Merlock as she watched her brother come back to his senses. Tony put a shaky hand onto his forehead.
" Owwww....My head.....What happened here...? The last thing I remember is camping out in the forest...."
" Tony!!"
" Huh?" The younger Goodman never got a chance to reply fully because his twin sister threw her arms around Tony in a great big hug.
" Tony!! Oh Tony....I'm so glad you're back..." Sara laughed through tears of joy. " I was worried that I'd never get you back....My ototochan...." Tony blinked in confusion.
" Um....uh...." he replied, flustered by his sister's emotional outburst. " There, there, sis....I'm okay! Really! I am!" She lifted her tear-streaked face from his shirt and looked into his eyes.
" Are you sure?" she asked. Tony nodded.
" Yup."
" Absolutly sure?" she repeated, her voice just above a whisper.
" Uh huh."
" Fine then.....YOU STUPID BAKA!!! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING WANDERING AROUND THE FOREST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?!? DIDN'T YOU EVEN STOP TO THINK THAT OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT WORRIED ABOUT YOU?!? WE NEARLY GOT OURSELVES KILLED FOR YOU!!! YOU BETTER BE THANKFUL OR I'LL MAKE YOU THANKFUL!!!!" The young Goodman twin cowered in fear from his older sister.
" I'm sorry!" he managed to squeak out through chattering teeth. Sara put on an expression of mock anger.
" That's alright, ototochan....By the way, Pentacles has joined our group now. Looks like it's just Swords and Wands left to go." Flint showed his wide grin to the group's newest member.
" Glad to have you on board! My name's Genshi, but everyone calls me Flint. Nice to make your aqquaintance, Pentacles!" Pentacles smiled in return. He could'nt help it; Flint's smile was contagious. Soon, everyone there was laughing merrily, trying to shake off the worries of the next adventure they were due for.
The cresent moon hung in the inky black sky like the very heavens themselves were grinning down onto the accursed world we live in. A lone figure, adorned in tight-fitting red leather stepped out of the shadows, savouring the little moonlight. Shortly after, another lone figure walked into the forest clearing, taking unknown precautions not to be seen. The first figure shifted nervously while standing. " So, when can I expect to hear from your master? Or should I say, 'masters'?" The second figure shook its head.
" Be patient....Ssssssssssoon......Very, very sssssssssssssoon......." The second figure rolled its 's' like a talking snake. The first figure rolled its crimson eyes.
" Well, I'd hope so. You gave me your word when you gave me this pendant." As if to emphasize its point, the figure pulled out a large ruby that hung on a gold chain. On the back of the ruby was the word DEVIL etched right into the precious stone.
" I ssssssssssaid patience, Petra Fina.....The othersssssssss are coming sssssssssshortly......" The second figure paused for breath. " Do not worry.....The Time Detectivesssssssssss and the other Tarot Time Sssssssssshifters don't sssssssssssssssssstand a chance......"
___________________________
Dun dun dun!!!!!
Well, I finally got the next part out. What Tarot Time Shifter are they going after next, you ask? Why, Swords, of course!
Domo arigato for reading, minna-san!
Ja ne~
Ly the werewolf
PS-Go and check out 'The Adventures of Ly and Darion' in the fantasy section! Make fun of my partner! No! Seriously! Read, review and ridicule! Bwa ha ha ha ha!
Darion: Er-hem.
Ly: Uhh.....Heh heh heh.....Hi!