"An Act to Follow"
Disclaimer: No own Zelda. Da Da Da.
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Author's Note: We're on the home stretch, folks! I'm hoping people like this stuff; cause there's more where this came from, and I mean a lot more…unfortunately much of it is still in script format. But Sond and I are working on stuff. In the meantime, do visit these art archives…they're Sond's and mine, and they have pictures of most of the characters in the story on them…plus a few others…
http://www.side7.com/cgi-bin/S7SDB/Archive.pl?ANO=6648
http://www.side7.com/cgi-bin/S7SDB/Archive.pl?ANO=5346
I know I've said this before, but I'd like to say a big thank you to Sond. Without her, An Act to Follow wouldn't be here. Thank you!! ^_^ And thank you to all the reviewers and stuff! You guys rock! Oh, and if some of the things characters mention in passing during this chapter is confusing, do not despair. Most of those will be explained in full…eventually. Just keep reading, it'll all make sense, I promise…^_^; This is probably the last 'real' chapter, there's gonna be an epilogue, though. So without further ado, for your approval, I present…
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An Act to Follow – Part 14 – Kasumi ex machina
Nick sighed and gritted his teeth as he had to literally pummel his way through the packed crowd. Since the competition had ended, professional players had once again taken over the stage. He wasn't completely sure, but he thought the Zoras on stage might have been relatives to the Indigo-gos. The music sounded generally the same, anyways.
Behind him, Chiron was having equally as much trouble with the crowd. Periodically both of them would yell out Kei and Ana's names, but it really wasn't too helpful; the crowd was too noisy, and they had as much chance of being heard over the din that a narcoleptic Goron had in successfully learning to swim.
"Nutt'rs," Nick grumbled. "I'm 'bout thi' close t' usin' m'dirk t' poke m' way through…"
"Now now," Chiron said behind him, grunting as he shoved by a rather portly man. "We're not supposed to promote violence." His tone sounded almost begrudging, however.
Behind both of the children, Viscen waded through, trying to keep up. He wasn't having quite as much difficulty in standing upright, being an adult, but he was in constant danger of losing the two smaller companions in the crowd. Finally he had to yell ahead. "Wait up, would you!"
"I dunno if it was such a good idea to bring him along," Chiron remarked to Nick.
Nick had accidentally trodden on someone's foot. "Mebbe, but 'ees th' Captain, 'ee c'n mebbe clear th' lobo's name…" The redhead snorted, nearly slamming headlong into a woman as he dodged insults. "Less' get t'where th' crowd isn' so…" He trailed off, trying to find the right word.
"Crowded?" Chiron offered, signaling back to Viscen.
"Tha's it. Cummon…"
Elsewhere, on a nearby roof, Kasumi sat down. He was perfectly still, except for his eyes, which flickered busily, scanning the crowd like a scholar would a textbook. Exhaling, the gray-haired man sighed though his teeth. Any moment now, he'd pick up on where his brother and his friends were. And with them would be Timbre and Tee. Hopefully, although they were on the run, they would have the common sense not to get too separated.
Blinking, he caught a flash of red hair as two small figures pulled away from the crowd. Chiron and Nick. Two down, seven to go.
The tall metallic figure that joined them moments later could only be Captain Viscen. Kasumi raised an eyebrow. No, he wasn't chasing them…
As Viscen's figure stooped to talk to the children, Kas realized that, for some odd reason, Viscen was now an ally. Good, he thought. Maybe he can stop Veneer before anything bad happens. But still, Viscen was the Captain of the Guard in Clock Town. And their encounter a few days ago had drawn him as a man likely to be misinformed.
No, Kasumi thought. His help would still probably be needed. Now, if only those two would show up, he'd be able to offer that help…
The last thing on the others' minds at the moment was not whether or not they were missed; currently all of their energy was donated to one cause, and one cause alone.
Get AWAY from Veneer.
This was proving harder than expected. For one, he had longer legs, and for another, there were a lot more of them than there was of him. And, although the four-legged members of the group could easily outrun him, they couldn't run forever. And Clock Town was still bottled up, and no means of escape had yet opened up.
They had managed one tactical victory, however. When Kat has cried the warning of Veneer's approach, they'd wisely looped around the Milk Bar and headed back to North Clock Town, instead of taking off southwards. In this way they'd managed to avoid getting caught up in that crowd. And it had confused Veneer slightly.
This was the way Sond's mind sifted through their current situation. They were practically trapped in a round robin. They might shake Veneer off for a while, but he'd eventually find them again, after all, there were only so many hiding places. And with a finite amount of hiding places, this would inevitably end with a confrontation.
And when that happened, they might be in for more than just a little trouble. Sond knew there were more of them than Veneer, but Veneer also had some command of the Guards, and well, he was frankly bigger than they were. It had been hard enough for five of them to hold him down.
Kafei half-tripped over his boots as he looked to his right. They were cutting through North Clock Town, but he managed to point excitedly to one side. A drowsy, half-awake Keaton was grumbling about the ruins of what had been, several minutes ago, a healthy clump of Keaton bushes. The three-tailed fox squinted dimly, watching the shapes of five humans, a dancing purple light, and two lupines as they sprinted along the southernmost wall. Yawning, the ghost fox retreated underground, shrugging and grumbling about a busy schedule.
They were now exiting North Clock Town. As the group's flight rounded down towards West Clock Town's square, Link stalled to a halt, glancing over his shoulder. The rest of the humans followed suit, poised and panting. Timbre, Tee, and Tael halted just in the shadows, peering out from behind a large but neatly stacked pile of sacking. The square wasn't deserted, as two Guards proved. Like all the gates leading out of the city, the Western Gate too was blocked. If they were going to go any further, it wouldn't be without difficulty.
"Nuts," Tee remarked. "Last time I was able t'get out that way."
Timbre just shrugged. He wasn't going anywhere near those Guards. But he kept glancing over his shoulder as well. They couldn't stay here. For all they knew, Veneer might easily come hurtling after them at any moment.
Link seemed to think otherwise, as he murmured to the others. "I think he's gone. He's not behind us anymore."
Ty too took a hasty glance, tail a twitch. "Yeah, he's not there. For now anyway…" he added darkly.
"Well, best move on…" Link said, looking over to where Tim and Tee stood. "Come on, guys."
"Ixnay," Sond reprimanded him, thumbing over at the two Guards. "Unlike some of us, they can't just waltz by. Veneer told them to keep an eye out for Tim, remember? And they can't just walk by like they are."
"So how do we get by?" Link asked. One of the Guards looked up from a daze.
Kafei looked from Link to Ty, then over to the sacking pile where the wolves hid. "I've got an idea. You two guys come with me. Sond…Kat…" He started ushering Ty and Link towards the sacks. "Uh, go chat with the Guards or something."
"Thanks a lot…" Kat grumbled. She wasn't able to comment further as one of the Guards spoke up with a rattle of armor that echoed dimly throughout the square.
"'Ey you kids, wot'cha doin' out 'ere?" The Guard leaned on his spear, bemused. "Mighty suspicious, y'know, bein' out here alone like this. Been tol' to keep an eye on you kids. Captain thinks youse kids're causin' trouble."
"No, dummy…" The second Guard seemed a little slower than the first. "It ain' th' kids, he said to watch out for. Its those wo-"
"Shaddap!" The first Guard shot a glance at his companion. Turning back towards Kat and Sond, he squinted, his former bemusement turned to suspicion. "What're you doin' 'ere anyway?"
Kat blinked. "Er…we were just going…going to-"
"The Festival!" Sond piped up, noting the dim roar of the crowd to the south.
"Right!" Kafei added, popping up between them. Apparently whatever idea he had thought up was now in action. "See, my Dad wanted us to do an errand for him back at the house, see, and we had to detour because of the crow-"
"Alright, alright," the first Guard interrupted. "You're the Mayor's kid, aren't ya? What kind of 'errand' did he have you do, then?"
"Yeah!" The second Guard added dully.
Kafei pointed over his shoulder at Link and Ty, who were carrying a large lumpy sack between them towards the southern exit. "Had 'ta get some supplies from his house. It's for…um…"
"A surprise, at the Festival!" Kat added wildly. "Top secret, not supposed to tell anyone!"
"Yeah!" Sond added. "Cause it would ruin the fun!"
Behind them, Link accidentally trod on Ty's tail.
"Yeouch! You stupid-" Ty's end of the sack hit the ground with a thump as he whirled, grabbing the offended appendage. Several loose brown hairs floated about his angry face as he yelled at Link. "That hurt!"
Link, who was still clutching his end of the sack, gritted through his teeth. "Not now, not now…pick it up and get going…you can beat me up later, honest, just keep…moving!"
This seemed to placate the injured boy. Ty seized the sack roughly and they hoisted it once again. "I swear…" he grumbled as they finished the journey. "You are so dead when this is over…"
"It was an accident, sheesh!"
The second Guard peered vacantly. "Odd sort of surprise…hope it's nothing dangerous…I could've sworn I saw that sack move when they dropped it…"
"Oh, don't be stupid, stupid." The first Guard glared again at his compatriot. Looking pointedly at Kafei, he nodded. "Right then. Off you go, and don't let me catch you wanderin' about by yourselves again. Or I'll tell your mother where you've been."
Kafei's eyes widened a little. "R-right, sir!" Looking a bit paler than usual, Kafei followed Ty and Link. Kat and Sond just sighed collectively and followed the boys.
As soon as they were out of eyeshot and earshot of the two Guards, Sond seized one of her arrows and sliced open the string tying the sack closed. A rather bedraggled trio of Timbre, Tejina, and Tael flopped out, looking slightly dazed.
"Sorry about that, guys," Kafei apologized. "Spot decision, maybe I shouldn't have had those two carry the sack…"
Ty, meanwhile, had whirled and punched Link in the shoulder the moment he had the chance.
"Oww…" Link groaned. "I didn't do it on purpose, you know…"
"But you promised me I could hit you," Ty said.
"I didn't mean it literally, it was just to keep you going…" Link whined.
Timbre shook himself off, rolling his eyes in obvious annoyance. It was amazing how expressive he could be even when unable to speak an understandable language. Tee blinked several times, cracked her neck, and shrugged. Luckily, despite being sacked (and dropped), none of them seemed to be damaged.
"So, now where to?" Timbre growled, letting his ears fall back.
"Obviously we can't go back the way we came," Tejina replied. "There's always back to the Laundry Pool…or the Inn…or maybe we could have a go at that locked door in the Observatory-" Tee looked up as she was suddenly greeted by six blank stares.
"Anything you guys would like to share with us?" Link said, rubbing his smarting shoulder.
"I've been telling that to them all day," Tael said. "Can't understand a blinkin' word…Kind of wish Kas was here, eh?"
"Yeah," Ty said vaguely. "He disappeared right around the time those two went on stage." The boy inclined his head at Tee and Tim. "Maybe he just wanted a better seat…"
"Anyhow…" Kat said. "I suppose we should go…"
"But where?" Kafei said.
"I think they're deciding for us," Sond said, looking over at Tim, Tael, and Tee, who were starting to walk down the alleyway. In the dim light all they could make out was two vague shapes by purple light. So, they followed them. As they passed by the 'scene' where Timbre had knocked over the crates, Ty whistled through his teeth.
"Well well well," he said sarcastically. "How horrible a crime, think of all the poor people in Clock Town who will have to do without bottles…"
Timbre looked back, with an expression that appeared to be the wolf version of a sheepish smirk. Ty smirked back. "Hey, it could've been anyone."
"Well," Kafei said as he examined the scene. "I'd say they did go a little bit overboard…" He put a hand on his chin. "I mean, I suppose I'd wonder a little with the pawprints and all, but come on, why hire a hunter?"
Sond chewed her lip. "Well maybe Viscen was scared-"
"Coward, more like it…" Link grumbled.
"Scared," Sond re-iterated. "I mean, what if you were in his place? What would you do? Basically, the entire town would notice anything he tried to do himself. And what exactly do you think this town would do if they found out there was some large predatory animal loose?"
"Isn't that the case now?" Link smirked, looking over at Tim and Tee.
"Well, what if you didn't know they didn't mean any harm?" Sond said.
"Well…I'd be suspicious, I suppose…" Link said. "Okay, so maybe Viscen had the town in mind, but he didn't need to go hire a psychotic to do his dirty work, did he?! I mean, what if that guy had found Timbe before we'd stopped him, huh?"
There was an answering growl from Timbre's direction as Link got his name wrong yet again.
"Speaking of…I think we'd better get going. Staying in one place like this is awfully bad. Maybe we should bury ourselves in the crowd." Ty mumbled. "Darn it, this whole hiding business is getting so frustrating…if only that stupid Song of Soaring worked-"
"-hasn't since last summer," Link pointed out.
"I know that," Ty snapped. "The point is, we can't just keep finding places to hide. We have to physically get out of Clock Town. Leave the premises."
Link scuffed a boot on the ground. "Well, like I said before, you could always-"
"No." Ty said pointedly. "It's too dangerous. I might damage something…"
"Um…" Sond said quietly.
Five pairs of eyes looked over at her.
"I dunno, I was just thinking…well…Ty wouldn't…but Kas kind of just disappeared on us, you know…right after we see Timbre and Tejina on stage…you don't think he's decided to-" She cut herself off. "I dunno, just thinking aloud."
Link swallowed. "You don't mean he'd…help? Well, I mean that would get us out of town, but-"
Kafei blinked. "But where would he fit? He's huge when he-"
"…unless there was some large structure he could sit on…you know, without crushing it by accident." Kat added hesitantly.
Sond looked up. "How about a giant building made of stone, or better yet, a-"
"CLOCK!" Five voices shot out at once. Timbre and Tee, who had been having a quiet idle conversation, looked up in alarm, ears standing straight up. Tael flickered.
"What now?" The fairy squeaked.
"Timbre, Tejina…" Ty said slowly. "We've got to get you to the Clock Tower. Now."
The two looked at each other, puzzled. But after a moment's contemplation, they nodded and stepped forward. Apparently they agreed.
"Right!" Link said, "Off we go then!"
A low chuckle that caused everybody shivers ground through the area. "I don't think so…"
Uh-oh.
Veneer rounded the corner from the south, the exact they had been planning to take. Both Timbre and Tee whirled around, backing away from the man who still smelled horrible. If they hadn't been upwind, they might have been alerted, but that wasn't to be.
"Well well…" Veneer chuckled unpleasantly.
Link looked back the way they had come, only to see the two Guards they'd encountered earlier blocking the way with their spears. There was no way out.
"These two buffoons informed me of a very interesting package you were delivering," Veneer said oily. "I don't suppose live wolves are a legal contraband in this town. Either way, this little game of hide and seek has just ended."
Timbre growled menacingly. There really wasn't a need for translation at this point.
"Shut your gob, you imprudent mutt," Veneer snarled back at Timbre. "You thought you were so clever, didn't you…thought you could stay in this town without being noticed. Thought you could get past me, playing tricks. I should've recognized you the moment we bumped into each other, would've saved me a lot of trouble, and you a lot of running. Well, that all ends now." He retrieved something metallic from his fur-lined boot, which glinted brightly despite the dim light.
Timbre abruptly made a choked noise in the back of his throat. Tee, too, suddenly looked a bit frightened, her eyes widening.
"You two recognize its make, then, eh?" Veneer smiled, flipping the long throwing knife back and forth between his hands. It was a good foot long, with a hilt wrapped in black leather. He flipped it expertly, and caught it by the blade. "Silver-edged blade. Get stabbed by this beauty, and you'll be trapped in that form." He licked his lips. "At least until it is removed, but that won't happen until you're a corpse."
"You leave our friends alone!" Sond said suddenly, notching an arrow onto her bow, her second to last, onto her bow. Likewise, the other four children readied for a fight. Link drew his sword, Kafei crouched, Kat pulled out the slingshot, and Ty held up his fists, tail lashing from side to side.
"I wouldn't do that…resisting the law can be a very serious offense," Veneer smiled, and the two Guards nodded dimly. "And I am under orders, from the Captain of the Clock Town Guard, to find and destroy these two."
"But why?"
"Well," Veneer said airily, "I originally asked for six hundred rupees, but I'm thinking of doubling the fee, for all the trouble that you've put me through."
"You're doing this for money?!" Kat said angrily.
"You make it sound as if I was cheating somebody, my dear," Veneer bowed mockingly. "We all have to get by somehow. How fortunate for me that I've found a line of work that is both pleasurable and profitable. I'd probably kill them even if there wasn't a reward."
"You monster," Link hissed. "They aren't things that you can just…hunt for fun…they're people…it's murder…"
Veneer smiled, ignoring the insults. "I'd put those weapons down if I were you. You see, I'm a very good throw with these knives…and I wouldn't want to hit one of you by accident." Veneer twitched, and a few more silver-edged knives appeared in his hand. "If there's a fight, well…somebody could get hurt…"
Tael growled and flung himself, flashing, at Veneer's face, but this time the hunter was ready. With a careless backhand, he sent the small fairy crashing into the door of the Trading Post with a loud thud. Tael hit the ground heavily with a broken jingle, and his light flickered out.
"Tael!" Ty yelled. "That's it, you've gone too far, Veneer!" He was starting forward when Veneer flipped his arm back suddenly, a knife glinting dangerously between his fingers.
"I'm warning you…one more step…" The hunter smiled. "Do you really want to tempt fate?"
Timbre looked from Tee to his friends, to Veneer. Then he stared at the ground, small brow furrowed in hasty decisions. After a moment, he knew what he needed to do. Looking resolute, he stood up, reverting to human form. "Wait."
Veneer scowled, lowering the weapon. "So, the mongrel decides to speak. What do you want, boy?"
Despite Tee's urgent warnings, Timbre stepped forward bravely, jaw set. "It's me your after, isn't it? Well then why are you after them? Aren't you forgetting something?"
Veneer scowled. "What?" He snapped.
"Waste your time dealing with them, and I'll just get away from you again." Timbre smirked humorlessly. "It's happened before, you know what they're capable of. Do you really want it to happen again?"
Veneer squinted, eyes flickering back and forth from the boy to his companions. "What do you propose I do, then?" He spat angrily, as he realized Timbre was right.
"Let all of my friends go." Timbre glanced down at Tee. "Take me instead, that's what you want, isn't it? Just let them go and I'll surrender." Timbre's eyes looked strangely hooded over as he stared intensely at the hunter.
"Timbe, what are you doing?!" Link gritted.
"Don't do this!" Sond hissed, eyes wide.
The boy turned to them, looking strangely subdued. "Look, you guys, I've been nothing but trouble these past few days. If it weren't for me we wouldn't be in this mess…You've had to bail me out so many times. Sond…Link…you've all had to go through so much trouble just so me and Tee weren't caught. And look how we've repaid you so far. It's time that I helped you. See, it's just better this way, alright?" Timbre sniffed busily as if his eyes were watering, and quickly turned away.. "Just go." He bowed his head, locking eyes with Tee. You run.
Tee's expression was more than surprised. It was shocked. Was he really about to do this, after everything? But why? She drooped visibly, trying to think. Then the Great Fairy's message came back into her memory. "Seek out friends, for they are always willing to aid you, as you aid them." Apparently he was taking that advice to heart. After a moment, she looked back up at him and nodded solidly, waving her tail once.
"Well, is it a deal or not?" Timbre said, turning his eyes once more towards the hunter.
Veneer smiled. "Alright. Surrender, and I promise not to harm any of your friends."
Timbre nodded with downcast eyes, and stepped forward without any resistance. "Agreed." He said, in a tone like a funeral knell, bowing his head and approaching Veneer.
The hunter let out a triumphant yell, and before the boy could change his mind, Timbre found himself half-choked as Veneer's left arm hooked around his neck. He felt his feet leave the ground, and the next thing he knew, one of the silver knives was against his throat. Timbre would've thrashed, but he'd promised to give up. The silver blade felt cold against his throat, and he could barely breathe. Veneer's voice hissed in his ear.
"Now that this silver's on you, you're mostly helpless. But if you or your pals try anything, you'll only die quicker and more painfully. Got that?"
Lights danced in front of Timbre eyes as he looked desperately at his friends.
"Go on," he rasped at them. "Get out of here…"
Veneer chuckled. "Not likely. Guards, they are yours to deal with now."
Timbre's eyes glared up, despite the fact his windpipe was nearly completely blocked. "You said you would let them go!" He choked.
"I said I would, you stupid animal," Veneer smiled spitefully. "I never said anything about the Clock Town Guard, did I? Your friends are in direct in violation of Clock Town's laws, helping a renegade like you escape justice. The Guards are legally obliged to take them all into custody. You don't mess with me without paying the consequences. If they hadn't tried to interfere, maybe they would've gotten off. But not now, not when they've insulted my pride."
"You dirty-" Ty started forwards, eyes on fire.
"One more step, boy, and I'll cut his throat!" Veneer warned, and the arm circled about Timbre's neck spasmed, causing the boy to start choking. "Stand down and drop your weapons - all of you, or he dies now."
"Scum!" Ty was forced to stand down, furiously. Kat lowered the slingshot angrily, and Kafei stood up, biting his lip. Sond and Link dropped their weapons with a metallic clatter, glaring wrathfully at the hunter.
"If only I'd brought my bombs," Link gritted. "Didn't think we'd need it for the Festival…"
Kat swallowed. The premonition she'd had almost two days ago was returning to her mind. The first day of the Festival, hot and sunny, the second day, dreary and cloudy. And the third day, disaster…"It's just like the Carnival of Time all over again…" she said sadly.
"Well, maybe we can convince the Captain, and Viscen'll be able to save Timbre before Veneer…maybe…" Sond didn't sound too convinced though…
Veneer nodded, his arm relaxing slightly. Timbre wheezed, able to breathe again. "Good. You two!" He snapped at the Guards. "I called for backup, they should be here shortly. Take these five, Viscen'll want to deal with them, I think. Leave this one and the other wolf to me.
"Mm, you sure about that, mister Chatrail?" The less idiotic of the Guards said. "That thing looks mighty nasty…" He glanced over at Tee, who was showing her rather impressive dental array with good effect. "And that other one…"
"Pah, they're just pups," Veneer spat. "I was looking forward to a challenge, too. But it'll have to do, for the amount I'll be receiving." A sound of clanking metal slowly became audible over the dull white noise of the crowd. "Ah, that'll be the reinforcements," Veneer smiled, turning his head towards the sound. "Say goodbye to your little pals, kids. Next time you see them there won't be much left of them to talk to."
Sond and Kat had to physically hang onto Ty's arms to stop him from rushing Veneer.
With a final clatter, six Guards arrived. Tee swallowed apprehensively. There was no way she'd make it through the gate with that many people blocking it at once. She stared desperately over at the kids, but their expressions were as helpless as hers. Timbre's eyes were shut, and he was audibly gagging, despite the weapon at his neck.
"They're all yours," Veneer said scornfully to the Guards, gesturing towards the children with his head. "They're all charged with obstruction of justice."
"Hold it!"
Veneer scowled as the ranks parted and Viscen pushed to the front of the crowd. Behind him trailed Nick and Chiron, and behind them stood Kei and Ana. A bright yellow light hovering near Kei's ear proved to be Tatl. The fairy suddenly gave a long screech as she spied her brother's prone form.
"TAEL!" The yellow light shot over to the threshold of the Trading Post. Behind her, Viscen nodded to Veneer.
"Stand down, Veneer. Let the boy go. Now."
Veneer glared defiantly at the Captain. "Your orders, sir, were to bring his head to you." The knife hovered dangerously. "Do you want it now, or later?"
"My orders," Viscen said smoothly, "Was for you to bring me the head of the Wolfos in Clock Town. I never said anything about a wolf. As far as I'm concerned, our contract is null and void, Veneer. There is no Wolfos within the walls of Clock Town."
"You can't do that!" Veneer hissed, his eyes wide.
"I believe I just have, Veneer. Kill that boy, and you'll be charged with murdering him in cold blood in front of about a dozen witnesses, including the Captain of the Guard. Drop him. Now."
Veneer looked wildly about him as if looking for support. There was none to be found. The children were all glaring at him as if their only wish was for the earth to swallow him up. He stared around furiously, then abruptly dropped Timbre, who hit the ground with a yelp. Massaging his neck, the boy coughed weakly, glad that the cold aura of silver had left him. And Veneer hadn't smelled any better up close than he had from a distance.
Nearby, Tatl pulled her brother into a sitting position, slapping his cheeks. "Wake up, bro! Come on!! Wake up!"
Tael's eyes fluttered open as she pummeled him again. "Wha-?"
"He's alive!" Tatl exalted, nearly crushing her brother in a death-hug.
Tael's light suddenly kicked in as he was choked. "That guy, he's gonna-"
"Calm down, they stopped 'im," Tatl said, squeezing the breath out of him again.
Viscen looked to his six Guards, plus the two that had come with Veneer. "You're all dismissed. Thank you." The Guards, puzzled, saluted and marched out.
One paused. "Sir, what should be do about-"
"I'll take care of it, Ensign," The Captain reassured his junior. "Just go."
"Yes sir!" The Guard saluted and left.
When he had left, Viscen glanced down at Timbre and Tee, who had approached the boy.
"You alright there, Timbre?" Tejina looked concerned.
"Never better…" Timbre rasped roughly, though he managed a lopsided grin. "Nothing I haven't had worse of." He coughed again. "Bleah."
Viscen watched this exchange and shook his head in amazement. "I wouldn't believe it unless I saw it myself. You might be paranoid and dangerous, Veneer, but you were right in one way. Some things are not what they seem."
Veneer grunted angrily. "You can't trust them, even when they're that young. I'm telling you…"
Tee growled at Veneer, ears back. "Just shut up."
Kei smirked down at his little sister. "You do realize how much trouble you've caused, right?" Tejina looked crestfallen, and Kei sighed a little. "Don't look at me like that, please…"
Ana sighed. "If she keeps giving him those looks, he'll never reprimand her…"
Nick smirked. "Goo' thin' we foun' Kei an' Ana…"
"Yeah, and luckier still is when we intercepted that group of Guards. Apparently Veneer'd told them to meet him here, armed to the teeth. A little overboard for a few kids, don't you think?"
"I'm telling you, they can't be trusted," Veneer growled through his teeth, shaking his head. The knife turned over and over in his hands. "They'll turn on you someday…I'm telling you…"
"How dare you talk about our friends that way?" Sond burst out angrily. "After all you put them through, too!"
"Look, girl-" Veneer hissed, brandishing his knife.
Viscen caught Veneer's knife arm and yelled in the hunter's face. "Stop this at once, Veneer!" He roared. "Have you gone mad?! Has this assignment robbed you of all your remaining rationale? Think about what you are doing!"
"I am!" Veneer yanked himself out of the Captain's grasp and launched himself with a roar at the wolves before anybody could stop him.
Timbre dodged back. "Run for it, Tee! Go to the Clock Tower!" He yelled hoarsely before changing form himself and dashing towards the South Clock Town exit. Kei made a dive for Veneer's legs, but anger had given the hunter a burst of adrenaline. Kei's arms clasped on empty air as the hunter dodged and followed his prey, refusing to give up.
"Oh no…" Chiron moaned as Veneer whipped around the corner. It took everybody a second more to react. Kat and Sond jumped up, retrieving their weapons.
"Come on!" Sond hissed at them all, and before anybody could say otherwise, she and Kat ran off, followed by Nick, Chiron, Ty, Kafei, and Link. The adults' cries were ignored as they, too, vanished.
"Wait a second! Dang!" Kei pounded the ground with his fist from his prone position on the ground. He hadn't landed very gracefully after missing Veneer. "There they go again…"
"We're going to have to follow them," Ana said to Viscen as she hauled her husband to his feet. "No telling what Veneer'll do, he's obsessed!"
"We're coming too!" Twin voices from the brother sister pair of fairies wafted from above as the two took flight. Hovering busily above Viscen's head, they yelled in unison. "They're headed for the Clock Tower, right?"
"Right!" said Viscen. "I'm still completely confused about all of this, you realize." He added as an afterthought, making Ana and Kei roll their eyes.
"Just come on!" They said in unison, hurrying off.
Tejina wasn't sure weather or not the wheezing sound she was currently making was due to the fact she was winded or because she was scared. Probably both. Bursting out into South Clock Town, she gave a mighty leap, hurtling over the golden Deku Flower next to the gateway, narrowly missing it's portly occupant.
The Deku Salesman popped out of the flower irritably, squeaking. "You pesky dogs! I have the right mind to go a-EEP!"
The Salesman made a sound like a deflated squeak-toy as Timbre suddenly landed on his head, knocking the creature's fez askew. Bouncing off of the enraged Deku's head, Timbre sprang after Tee, calling over his shoulder, "Sorry!!"
"Yes, and a 'Bark bark,' to you, too, Fido!" The Salesman squealed, shaking a fist at them. He retreated huffily back into his flower as moments later, Veneer burst by, knife in hand. He was just able to spot the two as they disappeared behind the crowd.
"Tim, there's the Tower, now what?" Tee yelled frantically behind her. A forest of legs, thighs and feet surrounded her, and she screwed her eyes closed as she coughed up stirred up dust.
"We gotta get somewhere where he can see us!" Timbre yelled, above the roar of the crowd and the twang of the Zora band, which was now playing their tenth encore. Lucky for them, the crowd was too busy with the music to notice them between their feet. But they were also in danger of being trampled. Sometimes inconspicuity was a double-edged weapon.
"What? You're making no sense!" Tee yelled back, tail swishing.
"Just trust me! We need to- Wait a second, we could use that ledge I was on-"
"What?!"
"There's a ledge on the Clock Tower, right above where the stage is. If we could get up there, he'd see us for sure!"
"But so would everybody else!" Tee argued.
"By that point it won't matter anyway!" Timbre said. "Problem is, the ramp to get up on the ledge is on the right side of the Tower. We're gonna have to wade through this crowd."
Behind them, a very unwelcome voice could be heard, barely, if they strained their ears to hear.
"Out of my way! Out!" Veneer shoved crowd members aside like tall grass. "I know you're in here, you won't get away this time!" People were beginning to give the hunter a wide berth as they noticed the weapon he was carrying.
Tejina looked down her nose at Timbre. "You'd better be right about all this…" she warned as they started to thread their way eastward through the crowd.
"I am, don't worry!" Timbre dodged aside, moving his forepaw out of the way seconds before a large boot would have stamped upon it.
Tejina snorted, hopping forward to avoid that boot's twin. "Hey, what exactly can Kasumi do to get us out of here, anyway?"
"You'll see…" Timbre said vaguely. "Hey, there's the ledge, I can see it from here!" Sure enough, there was enough break in the crowd to see the ledge he had been talking about. Tee coughed from dust kicked up by countless feet.
"Good riddance," she said. "It's too dusty down here."
"There he goes!" Link yelled, pointing at Veneer as he dove into the crowd. "Wow, he must really be crazy, braving that crowd…"
"Yeah, who would've known the Zora band had such a rabid following? They aren't even the Indigo-gos…" Chiron commented.
"Guys, if Veneer went into the crowd…" Kat said, "You do realize that means that-"
"So did Tim and Tee…" Sond said. "Wow, if they're willing to take such a risk…I do hope Kasumi does show up. I mean, he'd have to be kind of high up to see them, so-"
"'Ee mus' be on one o' th' roofs," Nick offered.
"But which one? We don't know which one to signal to!" Kafei lamented.
"We don't need to signal," Ty said calmly.
"Why not?" Kafei asked.
"Cause, he's observant. The fact that we're standing here should be enough…" Ty trailed off quietly. "He'll know."
"You sure about that?" Link said, raising an eyebrow. "I mean-"
"Hey, I just know, okay?" Ty snapped. "He is my brother, after all, I think I can be trusted to know things like this…"
"Okay, okay, just asking, sheesh…" Link held up his hands disarmingly, running after the group as they all started towards the crowd.
"Hey guys…" Kafei started.
"What?"
"Uh, they're headed for the Tower, look!" Kafei pointed out two small four-legged shapes as they sprinted up the ramp on the right side of the Clock Tower. "See 'em?"
"And if we can see them, that must mean that Kas can too, right?" Sond asked.
Sond was correct in her assumption. Squinting, Kasumi peered and spotted the two wolves as they broke from the crowd. Timbre was leading them both towards that ledge on the Clock Tower. Smart move, Kas thought. Easily reached area, now if only-
Veneer burst out of the crowd at that moment, hot on their trail. Kasumi bit his lip and stood up, cape flapping in the wind. It was now or never.
"Alright," he said to nobody in particular. "Here I go…"
"Gimme a boost up, will you?"
The platform that led to the ledge had a small obstacle – a five-foot obstacle. In order to reach the platform, one had to jump up onto the ledge and pull oneself up, or get a boost. Timbre couldn't make it up by himself normally in either form, so having a second body to boost was rather welcome.
Tee strained her shoulders as she supported the other wolf's weight. Gritting, ears back, she growled. "Hurry up, would ya? You're not exactly a lightweight, you know!"
"One second!" With a grunt, Timbre managed to grab the edge of the ledge and lever himself up. He disappeared over the edge with a flick of his tail. "I'm up!"
"That's great," Tee grumbled. "So now how am I supposed to get up?"
Timbre's head appeared over the edge. "Good question!"
Tee rolled her eyes. "Yes, and I hope you have a good solution, cause Veneer is still behind us, you know…" She risked a hasty glance behind her, only to have her worst fears confirmed. Veneer was quickly battling past the crowd, his eyes locked upon his target. In less that a minute, he would be completely caught up to them. And if Tejina wasn't imagining things, that silvery glint in his right hand was that hunting knife-
Tejina shuddered as Timbre yelled down at her.
"I'll give you a paw up…just jump!"
"But it's too high, I don't have enough leverage," Tee argued. Veneer was getting closer. "Even if I get the edge, I don't think I can pull myself up"
"Just trust me!" Timbre yelled again.
"Okay…" Tee gulped, and put the idea of looking behind her out of her mind. Bracing her hindquarters, she attempted a leap.
"Ack!" Too short. She'd missed the ledge by a good foot.
"Try again!"
"Easy for you…to say!" Tejina grunted, trying to jump again, and failing. "See…I'm not used…to jumping…straight up and down…"
"Try again!"
"If you say 'try again' one more time, I'm gonna bite your nose off," Tee warned, getting frustrated and panicky in the light of the situation.
"You gotta get up here first!" Timbre said urgently, looking up. Veneer was just battering aside the last few member of the crowd. Eyes wide, Tim urged Tee on. "Come on, come on…"
"ARRGH!" Frustrated, Tee flung herself upwards, buoyed by feminine ire. She managed a one-pawed catch of the ledge, and panicked, managed to secure the other immediately. "Whew."
"Don't relax yet," Tim warned, hovering anxiously. "You still have to get up without falling…" He didn't want to inform her of the fact that Veneer was less than 15 seconds away. "Come on now…"
Tee's hindpaws scrabbled helplessly at the ledge, but she wasn't able to pull herself up without any leverage. "Help me up!" She gritted. "I'm starting to sli-AAAH!!"
"Tee!" Before Tim could do anything, Tejina's forepaws slipped. The panicked wolf's jaws instinctively snapped in an attempt to break her fall. They miraculously did found purchase – in Tim's left ear.
"YEOUCH!" Timbre cried, yelping. It wasn't so much the fact that her teeth were lodged in his ear as much as the fact that it now felt as if he'd gained an anvil as an earring. He nearly was pulled off the edge himself headfirst before he dug his claws in and saved himself a trip. His head was slowly being pulled downward by Tee's gravity, much to his pain and displeasure. "Ow ow ow ow ow ow!"
"Mrrrphmmm…" Tee grunted, eyes wide. She'd managed to stay her fall, but would remain up in this position only if her jaws remained tightly clamped on Timbre' ear. "Mrrrrmphm!!!"
Apparently this mumbled exclamation meant, 'pull me up.' Timbre winced and braced himself. He tried lifting his head, and found it possible, if not extremely painful. Straightening, he slowly walked backwards. His ear seared painfully as it unwillingly found itself Tee's lifeline. The stranded wolf was slowly pulled up, until she was able to find purchase on the slippery ledge.
"Owww…" Tim relaxed a little as his headache receded slightly. Quickly, Tejina scrambled onto the ledge, letting go of Timbre's ear, and not a moment too soon.
A curse rang out as Veneer's knife closed on empty air. Scooting backwards, both Tim and Tee glowered at the man who still chased them despite everything.
"Now," Tee panted as she watched Veneer pull himself onto the ledge, "Now would be a good time for Kasumi to do whatever he's gonna do to help…"
"I agree…" Timbre gritted, his injured ear twitching. "Come on Kas…where are you?" He stared upwards at the sky, which was riddled with wispy clouds and stars. "Please…"
"Hah," Veneer chuckled, clambering onto the ledge with little difficulty despite his size, "Nowhere to run this time. You could always jump I suppose…" Veneer stared down at the stage, where the Zora band had abruptly suddenly stopped playing. The crowd peered upwards, confused murmurs and hisses floating up amid the flickering torches. "But even if you jump I can still throw this blade. And I never miss."
Timbre growled, ears back.
"Scared, are you?" Veneer mocked venomously as he closed in.
In response, the wolf stepped forward boldly, brow furrowed. "Bring it on…" He growled.
"Not scared, then?" Veneer spun his knife, readying himself to strike. "Well…maybe you should be…"
But just as Veneer was starting forward, something happened.
BOOM!
The Clock Tower shook heavily, as if the entire town had suddenly been struck by a giant's fist. The small earthquake rumbled loudly, and the crowd below them began to shout aloud in alarm. Timbre and Tejina scrabbled for purchase, nearly losing their balance as they found their equilibriums disoriented. Veneer too stumbled, nearly losing his weapon.
"What the…"
He didn't have the time nor the care for any more words as he stared upwards at the Clock Tower, slack-jawed. Below him, the crowd was suffering similar loss of voice as they stared upwards at what had caused the sudden earthquake.
A massive blue-gray dragon perched on the Clock Tower like an enormous living gargoyle, scales glinting like mirrors in the glow of the firelight. Foreclaws resting on the top of the muraled face, it stared down its long brownish muzzle at the crowd. Two spiraling horns grew on its crown, framing a massive mane of gray tufty hair that ran down the dragon's long neck. The creature's wings cupped around the Clock Tower, half unfurled, like a mother goose about its nest.
With a deep rumbling purr that resonated throughout South Clock Town, the dragon lowered its head ponderously, until it was level with the ledge. The knife dropped from Veneer's nerveless grasp as he suddenly found himself staring into a massive gray eye, which in itself was easily larger than Veneer himself. The eye blinked.
On the same ledge, Tee cowered. "Wha…what is this thing?" She half-squeaked, fur standing on end. Timbre however, seemed quite unperturbed.
"Don't ask questions, just get on!" Timbre said, approaching the gigantic head.
"What?! Are you crazy?" Tee blinked wildly.
"Not really, I just want out of this city. Don't you?" Tim smirked, twisting his head to one side. He was enjoying this immensely. For once Tee was the one stuttering.
"What are you talking about?!" She exclaimed, looking both scared and exasperated at the same time.
"Well, remember when I said practically the only way we'd get out of this city alive is if we sprouted wings and flew out?" He gestured with his nose towards the dragon's head. "Well, here's the next best thing. We're now leaving Clock Town, thanks to Kasumi."
Tee stared as realization hit her like a home run bat. "You mean that's-"
Timbre nodded, and behind him, the giant dragon's eye winked.
"Come on up," Timbre said, grinning. "We're in for quite a ride."
Down below, Kei, Ana, and Viscen were among those who had gone slack-jawed. They drew level to the group of children they had been pursuing, though their eyes remained locked to the Clock Tower. The two fairies hovered on either side of Kei's shock of hair, for once without anything witty to say.
"Oh…my…" Kei swallowed. "Am I going crazy, or do I see what I think I see?"
Viscen just nodded dumbly.
"I wouldn't worry too much," a small voice said to Kei's right. It was Sond.
"Huh?" Kei sounded a little stunned, unable to blink.
"Yeah, she's right," Chiron said, smirking.
"We're not in any danger. Not too much, anyway," Link quipped.
"He's here to help, you see," Kat added.
"And rather fortunate too-" Ty started.
"Cau' Veneer wa' gonn' catch 'em eventua'lly ot'erwise…" Nick finished.
"Who? What?" Ana managed some coherent thought.
Kafei explained. "Tee an' Timbre are gonna be alright. He's giving them a ride out of town, you see…" The purple haired boy grinned widely along with the rest of his friends, pointing towards the Clock Tower.
"You mean, they're hitching a ride on that…dragon?" Kei could barely choke out the words.
"We have a winner," Link smirked. "Just watch, this could get interesting…"
Veneer could only stare helplessly as he saw his prey clamber onto the dragon's head, lodging themselves firmly at the base of one of the curving horns, amid a tuft of feathery hair. Throat bobbing slightly, Veneer's legs finally gave way as the dragon glared directly at him.
"Grr."
The hunter's nerves had had enough. Abandoning his weapon, Veneer half climbed, half fell off of the ledge in his haste, still unable to make any noise other than a kind of sandpapery rasp. He rolled down the ramp, rolling gently to a stop in a senseless heap at the bottom.
The dragon half-snorted, as if it had found this funny. Just as suddenly as it had, it then lifted its head, staring upwards. The two small passengers whooped as they felt themselves practically flung into the night sky. Clinging tightly, they made sure they wouldn't accidentally become dislodged and be in danger of falling.
The dragon gathered itself up catlike, then sprung into the air, the wings snapping open just as it cleared the rooftops. A massive downdraft from each wingbeat made a wind that blew like a gale through the crowded square, playfully whirlwinding dust and loose leaves about. The flames flickered wildly in a fight to stay alight. The wind slowly died down as the dragon, having gained enough altitude, banked its wings into a glide. It circled the Tower once, then with a thundering trill, flung itself upward, climbing into the dark sky. It's shape slowly melded with the sky as it drew further and further away. Now it was melting into the clouds…Going…going…gone.
The crowd below was completely stunned for half a minute. Nothing could be heard except the sputtering of the upset torches, and the vague rustle as everything that was upset by the downdraft slowly fluttered to the ground. Then, like a wave of rippling grass in a gale, the crowd reacted.
It started with just a single man towards the back of the crowd, clapping slowly. A few companions, then an entire group, slowly joined him. Then like a wave, the entire crowd erupted into applause, cheering, and catcalls.
And nobody was cheering louder than a certain group of children, and their adult companions.
On stage, confusion ran supreme. The head of the Zora band was talking animatedly to both Mayor Dotour and Madame Aroma, assuring them that they hadn't planned on any special effects during their performance. Madame Aroma threw her hands up in the air, making the Mayor and the Zora flinch. Apparently what she was currently yelling at them wasn't very pleasant.
Another violet-haired adult unattached himself from the crowd, jogging over to the group of children. It was B.K., Kafei's older brother. "Kafei!" The young man gasped, breathlessly. "Did you see-"
"Sure did," Kafei said, as his brother joined the group. B.K. looked over to Kei.
"I needed to make sure I wasn't going crazy, or having some sort of wild dream," B.K. wheezed. "But apparently I'm not dreaming…" He put a hand to his forehead. "And I don't seem to be feverish…"
"Calm down, dear," Ana smiled benignly. Kafei snickered.
"And you," B.K. stared down at his little brother. "Where have you been during all this? Haven't seen you all day practically…"
"Oh, this and that…practicing for the competition and stuff…y'know…" Kafei scuffed his toe against the cobblestone ground.
He didn't have any chance to say anything else, as Mayor Dotour and Madame Aroma, having found no explanation on the stage, had diverted to the next best thing.
"Captain Viscen!" Mayor Dotour wobbled. "An explanation, please!"
"Indeed!' Madame Aroma huffed, stooping and practically crushing her youngest son in a giant hug. "Thank goodness you're alright, dear!" She wailed.
"Mom…can't…breathe…" Kafei choked desperately, turning a little blue.
Mayor Dotour wore a vexed expression, looking at his Captain. "You've been strangely absent from duty for a while…everything going well with the…you know…"
"It has been taken care of," Viscen murmured quietly.
"Good! Good! Excellent news," Dotour looked slightly less stressed. "But…can you possibly offer an explanation for…tonight's events?"
"Well…uh…" Viscen stumbled over himself, unable to think of anything to say. "Er…"
"What Captain Viscen means to say, Dad," Kafei started, prying himself away from matronly torture, "is that everything is perfectly fine. It was kind of an idea me and my friends had…We had some help from Kei and Ana…"
Kei and Ana coughed gently, and the children all laughed nervously.
"Well, it was our fault," Kafei said. "It was supposed to be kind of a surprise…you and Mom worked so hard to make this Festival great, and we thought maybe for once you needed a break…"
Mayor Dotour, his wife, and his older son exchanged a trio of glances. "Well," Dotour finally said, after a moment's contemplation. "It was quite a surprise…"
"Glad to know everything was under control…" B.K. added.
"But next time, please inform us before you do anything so…spectacular…" Madame Aroma finished, leveling a stern gaze at her young son. Turning to the illusionists, she congratulated them. "I must say, that illusion was most impressive. And so realistic!" The large woman shook Kei and Ana's hands. "I can't imagine how you were able to make something like that just appear so suddenly…and the wind effects and everything…"
Kei just smiled and nodded as his hand was pumped vigorously. "Trade secret, ma'am. Trade secret…"
*****
Hah! The story's pretty much done, next chapter's gonna be an epilogue, basically all the crazy action has now taken place. But do stay tuned for the epilogue, and there will be more stories to come, just whenever Sond and I have time to write 'em. And although I'm kind of swamped with college work sometimes, I can still manage to write. I hope that people have enjoyed this. If they have, could they please possibly leave a review? It makes me and Sond feel great to know people like this stuff.