Chapter 15 – Reprisals and Realisations.
A/N: Okay, it's tail-kicking time, but first:
DH – Don't talk to me about computers misbehaving; if it weren't for the fact they don't do internet I'd still be using a typewriter! Anyway, read on for further fics about the 'almost-couple' :-).
HHH – Owwie, I sprained my ankle once, that hurt badly, but hey, you're getting out of most PE, go for it!
RGN – So the dingo's kind of like what happened with Europe and the wolf (except we've now mostly wiped it out because we're stupid and intolerant of its bad image); wow, interesting. Just another point though: how many time zones are there between your part of Australia and the UK; e.g. if it's twelve noon here, what time would it be to you?
GTP/Ri2 – Yep, Big's for it now; hope you understand why what happens below pans out the way it does (I'll explain next chapter if it's not clear).
TH – I'm continuing, I'm continuing – geez, what a slave-driver!
It would have made an extraordinary scene had anyone been close enough to see; having bid Shadow farewell and waited for a couple of torturous minutes to be sure he was out of earshot, Mighty was now seemingly engaged in a deafening and seemingly one-sided shouting match with the swamp in front of her.
"Don't make me come in there", the armadillo roared, shaking her considerable fists towards the tree line as though challenging a spectral foe, "when I get hold of you I'm going to turn your tattered fur into a throw rug!" She recaptured her breath, feeling the blood singing in her ears as she strained her ears, waiting for an answer she was almost certain she wouldn't get; if Big had any sort of sense he'd be halfway to the hills by now but for some reason, Mighty didn't think he'd bolt. He sent me that picture; she scowled and her cheeks went pink as she recalled with crystal clarity that sketch and, more impertinently, the reactions it had generated to the detriment of her pride; because he must have thought I'd react like this, and I am. I'm walking right into his hands…and I don't mind?
She paused for a second, running that novel through in her mind as she analysed her reaction to that realisation; no, it was perfectly true, she didn't have any objections to what she was doing now – in fact, she was rather looking forwards to it, but why was that? Her brow furrowed for a second, some serious soul-searching commencing as the armadillo sifted the reasons she thought she had. Yes, he had absolutely mortified her in front of her friends and her boss, though fortunately the two went hand in hand as she got on well with both guardians, and she was anticipating her revenge with baited breath, but that wasn't quite enough to explain why she was trying to make like the Big Bad Wolf and blow Big's home away by dint of volume. It took a little while, but eventually she made a connection and a slow, searing smile crept over her face; she fought it every step of the way but, just like Big had the first time she'd had the misfortune to almost literally splash down on him, it beat her by logic and the plain, simple truth; I'm having fun.
Mighty snorted, almost chuckling now as those three simple words broke into her thoughts; she tried to put herself in the shoes of a neutral third party – here was a fiery looking Mobian armadillo, shouting herself hoarse as she level curse after curse at something above average size? It must have looked ludicrous, but so what? Who was out here to see her act like this – she could do whatever she liked and no-one would be any the wiser. That's why he's out here; she snapped her fingers as she understood at last, answering her own question as Big must have known she eventually would; he can do what the hell he wants, when he wants and no-one's going to tell him otherwise – brilliant. She had to raise her respect for him a notch; living in a swamp in the middle of nowhere seemed a lunatic's idea at first, but the more you thought about it, the better a plan it was…; hold it, what's that?
A sudden sound echoed out from the heart of the swamp, a serene answer to her hot-tempered challenge; Mighty smiled wolfishly as the low, almost dirge-like chant filtered through the trees, not in a language she recognised but somehow more compelling because of that.
"Right, that's it", she was only grateful the cat couldn't see her grinning face as she began storming towards the swamp, using her ears to home in on the source of the ballad, "you're making me come in here Big; I'm going to hunt you down, beat you to death and use whatever's left of you as fish food". There was a sudden break in the singing; she paused fractionally, afraid she'd driven him underground before,
"Well, fair's fair; I've been eating them for years so I suppose I should give something back". Mighty bit back a laugh as the chant resumed its former pitch; he'd got her again, she couldn't fence verbally the way Sonic or Rouge could, and though Big didn't look as advanced as either of those two, the minnow was king if it was up against a tadpole. She didn't deigned to reply, merely shaking her head and ploughing on, bulldozing her way through the clinging marsh towards her target, a strategy in place as the voice grew louder and the time of their reunion neared.
XXX
Big had used what little time he had well, packing away at the same time as try and form some semblance of a plan as to what he was going to do next when the vengeful armadillo caught up with him. He remembered her physique very well indeed and had very little desire to be on the receiving end of it, so his thinking had been remarkably quick and he had something. It wasn't much of a something and relied far too much on luck to be anything like watertight, but as he saw the bushes close by rustle and cut off his tune; after all, I don't want to have to go and find her again – I'd like to see here, but I really need all the home turf advantage I can get; he stood tall as there was a sudden crack and whip of dislodged branches, then Mighty appeared across from him, stepping slowly into full view, face grim and impassive as she looked him up and down, him reciprocating with a lot more speculation as he really didn't need to be thought of as improper right about now. Slowly, not taking her eyes from him, she slid her travel bag off her shoulders and let it fall to the dry ground she was stood upon,
"Hello Big".
XXX
It was a furious, all-out war; Mighty's face muscles were virtually in spasm as she had to clamp down on every single neurone she had to ensure she wasn't about to break down into giggles, straining to keep her face straight at the look of nervous greeting and abject terror on the purple cat's face,
"Ah, hi Mighty, umm, good to see you".
"Oh I couldn't agree more", she allowed herself a smile, venting a smidgen of the mirth she felt as she took one pace forwards, rubbing her knuckles as he fell back several steps; nowhere to run Big, unless you want wet feet; "I've been looking forwards to this all day".
"Really", she had to admit he had bottle; despite the virtually tangible menace in her words he even managed a slightly sarcastic smile, "nice of you to say that; don't often get many guests".
"I wouldn't say I was a guest, more of an executioner", the fight was getting harder ever second; it felt like someone had dumped a barrel load of feathers down the back of her shell and resisting these internal ticklers was driving her around the bend, "now about that picture you oh so kindly drew for me, or should I say of me?" He must have been playing for time as he scratched his temple; she almost went in swinging until he brightened at the very last second,
"Oh that one; yes I remember it well", he looked at her anew, beaming like a sunrise, further undermining her righteous anger with the sheer disbelief at his next words, "did you like it?"
"Not as much as my friends did", she growled back through gritted teeth, though she couldn't stop the very corners of her lips creeping upwards; gotta do this now or I'm gonna break down; she raised her fists, "so you took my pride, now I'm gonna take it back in blood!"
"Hey now; no need for that", Big raised his hands, staving off his… "if you want it autographed I'll use a pen, I'm not into that sort of thing". Her mouth fell open and a panted laugh escaped her; he's too cheeky for his own good – all right you, coming ready or not!
XXX
Even as he watched Mighty get ready for her charge, Big realised she was fighting the same battle he was, just not as well. He was on the verge of falling apart laughing like her, but she was just hopeless at hiding it; only the false anger was staving off the inevitable giggling fit he could see plain as day just fighting to get out. As he had simply prayed she would, she was forced to let her anger empower her and charge her forwards, legs hammering the ground like pile drivers as she speeded towards him. Unfortunately, as she did so, she had no idea she'd been had hook, line and sinker by the same illusion that had caught out so many other people; just because Big was a lot larger than most, that didn't mean he couldn't move when he needed to.
He judged it perfectly; when he pivoted on the ball of his left foot, spinning the vast majority of him out the way of the armadillo's headlong charge, Mighty saw with horror exactly what was behind him and slammed on the brakes. Her determined sprint faltered into a stumble, arms flailing as she fought to kill her speed, the water ahead of her, recently fished by the cat, blinking and flashing warningly as she suddenly saw with horrible certainty that there was no way she'd stop in time. She braced for the sudden icy kiss of the water, the chill it would bring as she hurtled towards the embankment, her last desperate grab at Big thwarted as the cat moved again, spinning behind her as she lunged for him with one last snatch. Hold your nose girl, were gonna get…saved? There was a sudden constriction around her neck, something grabbing the back of her top and arresting her sudden fall; she stayed still, battling for balance as a suddenly sly voice purred in her ear,
"Now Mighty", she let out an involuntary squeak as she suddenly dropped a little lower; boy that water looks chilly; "what's it worth I don't let go?"
XXX
Phew; for a second he'd been afraid he'd missed the target and Mighty had slipped through his fingers, but luckily he'd snagged a finger full of her collar and just had enough time to quickly take a firmer grip, suspending her precariously over the crystal clear water. Looking down into the reflection, he met her eyes and saw her jaw drop just before her face hardened and she tried to struggle back to dry land without getting wet. He had every honourable motive of letting her do just that, but not without a little payment first,
"Now Mighty", her face went from furious to frightened as he dropped his arm a touch, swaying her closer to the water surface, "what's it worth I don't let go?" For a second she was still, then, still keeping his eyes on her reflected face, he heard her growl an answer,
"If you so much as threaten", her body convulsed once, as did her face; Big raised an eyebrow as she continued, "to drop me, I'll…" she couldn't seem to continue; her face was folding in on itself with barely contained mirth – somehow Mighty was finding this whole thing funny, just like he suddenly found himself doing as well, a chuckle building up inside him as he watched her furious gesticulations, miming all sorts of terrible things with her hands before spluttering, "…pain, lots of pain, you get ihihit!"
Big had planned to be nice, he really had good intentions at heart, but the sight of the armadillo trying not to give into the furious laughter welling up inside her somehow broke his own barriers down completely; the little devil of mischief deep inside him rose up full force, taking over and somehow disguising itself as proper manners as, after a second, he relented; he heard Mighty's sigh of relief as he slowly, inch by deliberate inch, pulled her clear from her vulnerable position.
"Mighty, I'm surprised at you", the cat had to be grateful she couldn't see his face, "I would never drop anyone in anything, anyone would tell you that". There was a gruff chuckle as the armadillo caught her breath again,
"You dropped me in something Big; ask any of the Chaahaheeyyy!"
Mighty was about to turn around when suddenly she felt herself seized by a couple of pincers around her waist. The shock was a killer; before she could really start struggling she'd been hoisted up with Big's gleeful proclamation swirling the air about her,
"I wouldn't drop you in", she felt herself drawn back as though she was in a catapult, still too stunned by this turn of events to even think about what was going on; icy dread flushed her system as he finished, "not when it's much more fun to throw you!" The words hadn't quite registered when she felt the cat's hands quiver; with the force of a bow Big whipped both his arms, and therefore his prisoner, forwards; Mighty had a split-second view of how a bird sees the world before suddenly finding her voice with a scream of shock; she had just enough time to hold her breath before impacting in the water like a cannon ball, sending spray everywhere and her need for revenge suddenly into overdrive.
XXX
I was in trouble before: the triumphant cat folded up on the back, hands on his thighs as he tried not to laugh at the implications of what he'd just done; she'll have a price on my head after this. He looked out over the water in time to see her erupt back, lifting her torso from the water like some great aquatic colossus from ancient times, hurling fresh spray in her wake as she sank back down, the water just above her chin as she overcame the water's sudden coldness and her now properly blazing eyes settled on the form of the suddenly innocent looking cat.
"You git!" She extended one hand, trembling with rage as she unleashed a barrage of vitriolic words at the architect of her discomfort, "you absolute, utter swine; look at me now!"
"The view's much improved; I can only see your face".
"You die"; Mighty set one foot in front of the other, her raging snarl the only emotion stronger than her somehow still intact mirth; for some reason she was still playing along with Big's insane game. She began to drag herself forwards, ignoring the clinging weeds with no effort before Big suddenly bent down, retrieving his fishing rod and slowly extending it to her,
"Grab on, I'll pull you in"; Bingo; either he'd forgotten who he was dealing with or was so high in his euphoric victory that he didn't care, but as Mighty grabbed the branch, she suddenly set her feet in the mud of the lake and called back,
"Nah, better idea", she gave a great heave and exulted, "I'll pull you instead!"
XXX
The force of the tug ripped the rod out of Big's hands involuntarily, but even so it had done enough to pull his centre of gravity too far. For a second the cat tottered on the bank, arms wind-milling madly as he fought to keep his balance and stay out of the cold water, before with a yell he went forwards, splashing down in the shallows in a perfect face plant, unable to even dive properly due to his lost balance. Eyes delighted, Mighty surged forwards and grabbed the scruff of the cat's neck, hauling on the purple fur to drag Big into deeper water at the same time as shriek,
"Come on in, the water's lovely!" Big rose up enough to snatch a quick breath before the armadillo plunged both her hands down, waited a second and then wrenched back up,
"That was for the picture…" She dunked him again, trying to speak coherently at the same time as finally let her laughter go, almost doubled over as she forced herself to haul the bedraggled cat to the surface again and continue his well-earned punishment
"…this is for making me fall out the tree fist time…" Down he went again, struggling to keep his head above water but not able to stand up to Mighty's greater strength and dominant position as she made to raise him again,
"…and what the heck, third time's a charaarrgh!"
Big had been fighting to curl up underwater, keeping his intentions masked as Mighty ducked him continually, but he'd finally managed to get his feet underneath him. Now to get out of this; he reached both his arms back and to the side of him; Mighty felt a couple of pythons snake around her thighs before Big reared up, his arms tearing her feet from the lake bottom and lifting her clear out the water, ending up in some kind of side cradle. The armadillo looked down and saw exactly what he was going to do next,
"Don't you…"; the rest of her words were lost in a stream of bubbles as the cat, laughing almost as much as she was, simple toppled backwards, keeping his own face above water at the same time as plunging Mighty under again. Fortunately the impact was enough to jar his grip a touch and the armadillo wormed her way free, fighting to break the surface a little way behind him, recapturing her breath as he swung around to face her, grin stretching almost as wide as her own as she beckoned with two fingers,
"That all you got?"
"Not even started"; he sank lower in the water, his arms flowing out behind him as Mighty did the same, mischief in both of them as simultaneously they sent artificial waves of water forwards to buffet the other, shrieking dire threats and promises as the water war continued, neither side willing to back down first.
Under the midday sun, a pair of Mobians fought painlessly as children would, caring for nothing save the fun they were having and why should they not, for who was around to see them behave like this?
XXX
The sun was sinking in the west as Big finally stood tall, Mighty's latest attack washing into his flattened chest fluff as he called,
"Mighty, we better quit here".
"You coward", the armadillo raised her arms in triumph as her opponent surrendered before her power, "I am the champion".
"Champion of what's probably better left unsaid", he quickly finished before she could retaliate with a couple of gallons fresh from the pond, "anyway, it'll get cold soon, and the midges will be out to play". He pointed at the sun; Mighty spared it a glance and saw with consternation it was already low and going down fast; much as I enjoyed it, playtime's over. Both sloshed their way to the bank, leaving eddying wakes behind them as Mighty clambered back onto dry land, running her hands down her front to help the water run from her, speaking as she finally registered just how tired that water fight had actually made her,
"Great, I'm completely knackered, lost again and soaked to the bone", she flinched as a sudden cascade of water landed on her shell, soaking the back of her top again as Big must have shaken himself off, "and that really didn't help". The shaking stopped and she heard the cat heave a sigh,
"I agree"; curiously raising an eyebrow, the armadillo turned to look at her former playmate and somehow her aching lungs managed to find a few more giggles; she pointed at the sudden spikiness of the purple cat's fur and mocked,
"You looked like someone plugged your tail in a mains socket".
"Don't", Big shook his head as he tried to tame his errant fur; cats hate water - there's a very good reason for it; when he'd managed to comb out most of the frizz he waited patiently for Mighty to compose herself before speaking, "why'd you pull me in like that?"
"Excuse me?" Mighty's expression was a picture of speechless shock, "why did…why did you throw me in the first place more like, you rotten sod". Big waved a finger,
"Don't say you weren't asking for it" he cautioned, smirking slightly now as Mighty tapped her foot with her hands on her hips, "you came into my swamp and you threatened me; you paid my price". She scowled, though it was still touched by humour as she retaliated,
"Then you better not come to Angel Island any time soon; that's my turf now fleabag – you put a toe on that place and it'll get chopped off, I'll make sure of it".
"I don't doubt it", the cat chuckled back, clearing the mock tension in the air as he pointed at her sodden clothes, "that's twice you've been here, and both times each of us ended up soaked". The vision of raindrops pattering on the cat's head flickered through Mighty's mind as she agreed good-naturedly,
"Yeah, you're right", she stuck out her hand, challenge in her eyes as she offered, "first to three wins?" Big smiled and took her hand, shaking as he sealed the deal,
"You're on, but right now we've got, almost literally, bigger fish to fry"; he pointed at the water still dribbling from her shorts, though to his surprise she smiled,
"Don't worry about that; I came prepared this time", as he watched on, she went back to her rucksack and tapped the side of her nose knowingly, "I brought some spare kit second time around, now", she pointed in a random direction, "lead on; I'm starving and dinner awaits". Big chortled and pointed a long way to the right of Might's indicated direction,
"My place is over there".
"Ah, whatever, I'd have got there eventually".
"Yeah, by me playing catch-up the clown".
"What was that?"
"Er, nothing; come on".
XXX
She sat back, enfolded once more in the cat's blanket and chair, Froggy this time sat contentedly on her lap as she licked a trail of melted juice from her bottom lip, the last of the shells flipped nonchalantly onto the large platter that had held the meal they'd shared.
"Big", the cat looked over, his eyes reflecting yellow the light from his little cooker unit as Mighty snuggled down deeper in the chair she was sat in, content to let her tired body soak up more of this uniquely placid, timeless atmosphere and rejuvenate itself through the contact, "that was absolutely delightful; I can honestly say I've never had a better meal that involved shellfish in my entire life".
"Thanks", the cat grinned at the praise before turning to the side of him, "but who said it was finished?" Mighty mock-groaned and raised a hand, being careful not to dislodge Froggy by the movement; she kind of liked the amphibian being there as a lap warmer,
"No, I can't eat another bite".
"Just as well, because you don't eat these"; the cat reached up, half-standing to pluck a couple of leaves from another of his hanging bushels; looking at it more closely, Mighty saw that the leaves of this plant were still green and fresh – it couldn't have been picked longer ago than yesterday to stay so lush. Taking the leaves from his prize, Big lifted the small bowl he'd placed on the water heater and tested its temperature with a pinkie the size of Mighty's index finger. She saw him nod, satisfied at the heat and watched curiously as he took each individual leaf and rolled it hard between his fingers, the motion crushing the green tissue and forcing out a pearly, thick green liquid, which dropped into the waiting bowl held below. Eight times he repeated the process, not saying a word as his guest watched on, taking in what he was doing at the same time as wonder what the meaning of this ritual was; maybe it just smells nice? Nah, can't be – he said it was the dessert, if you like, maybe it's his answer to a cup of tea?
Several ideas collided within the armadillo's head, each conflicting those that had gone before at the same time as providing support for those that followed, before the cat sat back, apparently pleased with his concoction as he swirled it around, peering into it as though it were an augury into the future. With a smile, he handed it towards her, speaking as she reached forwards uncertainly,
"Drink, but don't take too much; don't worry, it's not poisonous or anything like that". Peering down, Mighty saw the water had become obscured by the juice of the leaves, now veins of opaqueness writhed, were sundered and reformed within the gentle heat of the water that surrounded and supported them. Well, nothing he's done has killed me yet – mortally wounded my pride maybe, but not killed it outright; with the barest hint of hesitation, the armadillo lifted the small basin to her lips and quaffed a small measure of the beverage her host had provided.
XXX
Oh I hope I made it strong enough; despite his calm exterior, Big was a bundle of nerves as he watched Mighty's throat bob once, twice, and then a little bit more before she removed the bowl, smacking her lips with a curious expression on her face, as though she was trying to make a comparison without really knowing what to compare his drink with.
"Tastes a bit like", she held the puzzling look for a few more seconds, making a series of clicking noises with her tongue before her eyes lit up, "yeah, hot crème soda, that what this is like; tastes great". That's okay then, she liked it; Big smiled as he took back the offered bowl, draining his own share from the bottom as Mighty carried on,
"I can't figure you out Big", still occupied with his drink, the cat merely raised an eyebrow, prompting her to speak; she smiled and raised her hands, indicating his whole domain, "take a look around; you did all this mostly if not wholly by yourself. You're completely self-sufficient and you're certainly not stupid, but all you do is stay here and fish all day? It just doesn't make sense", she looked down, troubled as she shook her head, "not to me anyway". Compelled to say something, if only to banish the look of nervous apprehension from her face, the cat cleared his throat, setting the dish aside for now,
"Well, you just said I was self-sufficient; I don't need to go anywhere else, so I generally don't".
"But don't you want to?" She appealed to his sense of adventure, face open and honest as she leant forwards, ignoring the croak of protest from the toad in her lap, "come on, Station Square's a couple of hours away, probably less; don't you want to get out this swamp every so often and go and see people?"
"I sometimes do", he refused to get angry, merely explaining the facts as they were, "I just have a look around, and I do go and see old friends occasionally; I just, like it here most of the time".
XXX
She wanted to press, ask more, but for some reason, maybe a realisation that this was his territory, somewhere she had to defer to him as it was his private life, Mighty swallowed his story, speaking maybe a little down-heartedly, but barely enough to be noticeable,
"All right Big; I have to say I can see why you like it here after all", she beamed again and the cat felt his heart lift, "fresh food when you want it, plenty of free time and sweet air by the tonne, it's got advantages this place".
"True on all counts except the food", the cat held up one of his bared hands, a small cut visible on his thumb as he explained wistfully, "sometimes lunch fights back". The armadillo craned forwards, trying to think what fish had a bite like that, unless it came from a single tooth and that was too scary to even consider,
"What was it?" Big looked a little sheepish before pointing at the remnants of their shared meal,
"One of those clams; they've got sharp edges believe it or not". As he'd expected, Mighty laughed and pointed at him, though there was no harshness in her mirth, no mockery directed at him, just genuine humour at the situation,
"So, the great purple hunter thwarted by his prey's canny defence". Matching her smirk, the cat leant back,
"Fortunately I had a can opener handy; anyway, you enjoyed the fruits of my labours, don't laugh at the harvester's injuries".
"But of course o noble provider", she tried to bow whilst sitting down at the same time as try not to crush Froggy to green pulp, "I'm most humbled and honoured to see such well-won battle scars, but don't try to gain any pity points from me", she suddenly added as her hand knocked the secret pocket of Big's chair and she remembered the original reason for her coming here.
The cat looked up as she tried to snarl at him, though in light of what had happened since formulating her first plot for revenge she couldn't hold it with anything like venom.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the meal, the drink, that crazy romp in the pond…"
"The bed for the night?"
"…the bed for the night", she added, not having considered this point until now, "but I'm still angry with you over you-know-what".
"Hey, you asked for a drawing, that image just stuck in my head", he raised his hands to defend himself as she scowled, a light chuckle welling up from the cat's manner as he enquired, "anyway, what's the problem, I sent it in a sealed envelope for you; if you didn't want it you should have just kept it there".
"Much as I'd have liked to, I wasn't the one who opened it", the armadillo shuddered as she remembered being treated to the house of ridicule when she'd walked in after wandering around the shops with Rouge, "in fact, I was the last one of the Chaotix to get a look in; even Knuckles saw it before I did". Big winced,
"Ouch, but you can't blame me for that; someone opened it instead of you, if you're going to shoot anyone shoot the delivery boy".
"Believe me I thought about it", Mighty recalled the struggle she'd had not to knock the blocks off Tails, as well as her housemates and employers, before sighing with a smile, "bet you any money that'll be framed and on the wall by the time I get back". She looked up in time to realise exactly what Big was going to do, and in the next instant she knew for sure she didn't need to hear it after all,
"Save it", she cut off his apology, looking at him directly with a chuckle, "it was a drawing of me after all, so I can't complain too much – at least I didn't have to pose for it".
"You think I'd have even asked?"
"Only if you were feeling suicidally brave".
"My point exactly; I've kind of grown attached to my life, I don't really want to lose it; besides, what'd happen to Froggy if I was no more". The armadillo didn't move as the toad, almost reacting to his name, blinked back to wakefulness and crawled forwards; Mighty scooped him up and placed him gently on the floor; he began to crawl over to his saviour as Mighty answered,
"Don't worry, I'd look after him; besides, if I really wanted you dead you'd have more pressing concerns than his well-being".
"I know, that's what worried me", he offered the bowl, the last few swallows of liquid still simmering within, "hence why I needed to sweeten you up before I tried to apologise; out here, the police can't hear you scream".
"Luckily for you", Mighty licked her lips, settling down in her chair again, all thoughts of violence gone from her head in the fug of a full day of activities, "it worked, but don't bank on it happening again – next time you pull a stunt like that…"
"I can guess", Big reached up once more, pointing at the bowl, "top-up?"
"If you're offering".
XXX
As the cat's snores echoed through the cabin, there was a little movement, though it was sluggish and fighting sleep every step of the way. I know it's here somewhere; for once Mighty was grateful for her shell's bulk as her toe found what she was after; squatting down, her hands found the dial on the side and ever so slowly turned it up, ceasing the second a dim orange glow became tangible; that's enough to see by. Reaching to the side of her, as soundlessly as she could make her movements, the armadillo reached into the pocket of the chair she'd been resting in and drew out Big's sketch book; she recalled what had happened last time he'd mentioned her art and realised for some reason it was a sore point for him, but at the same time she really wanted to see those priceless drawings once more. Holding the book close to the light, dimming it as much as was possible to avoid rousing the slumbering cat, Mighty flicked through the pages again, transported to each of the scenes involved as every page told, not a story, but a whole life tale. Jesus Big, you really are something special; Mighty finally broke eye contact with Amy and absent-mindedly flicked the page over, only to then remember that was the last one, but there was something odd here; there looked like a page missing just after the drawing of Amy.
In her sleepy state, it took Mighty a few seconds to join the dots; that had been where his drawing of her had nestled until recently. Chuckling slightly, she suddenly cut off as a sudden idea struck her. The more she looked at it, the more appealing it became until, having flipped the sketch book around to see where she needed to go, Mighty extinguished the light, bounced back into her chair and slipped the sketch book away; well, something else to do tomorrow before I get back to the day job.
A few minutes later, all four of the denizens of Big's swamp were resting once more.
XXX
As he stumped into his store, warned of a customer by the trilling note of the shop bell, Reg was taken a little aback by the sight in front of him. The Mobian had her back to him and, though trying hard not to think ill of a potential client, his first impression was that the kind of canvas she'd be most at home with wasn't the sort he could provide. Luckily, he managed to throw off such prejudices before she turned around from the small but lovingly maintained selection of art notepads she was currently browsing.
"Hello Miss", she span at the words, obviously not hearing him come in from the back as Reg finished, "can I help you at all?"
"Umm", much as Mighty liked to do things on her own, she was out of her depth in a place like this; art was never my forte; "yes, I'm ah, I'm looking for a sketch pad".
"Oh aye", the elderly human came forwards a little more, peering at the pieces she'd been looking at, sizing them up before turning to her, "let's see your hands first; if I know the sort of pencil size you'll be using I…"
"Oh no", Mighty smiled self-consciously as she tried to correct his assumption gently, "it's not for me, it's for a, well, he's a friend".
"I see"; didn't think she looked like the type; Reg casually noted the armadillo's slightly reddened cheeks as she looked away at saying that, "what does this friend of yours draw?"
"Pretty much anything, but very well; he's actually got a pad from here, maybe you know him?" Reg raised an eyebrow, cycling through a list of potentials as Mighty elaborated, "he's a large purple Mobian cat, goes by the name…"
"Big?" That one had been right at the bottom of the heap; the name exploded from the older man with more force than he'd meant it to, causing Mighty to jump back startled. As she recollected herself, so did the owner of the art house,
"Sorry Miss, bit of a shock that", he explained quickly before moving on to the meat of her last announcement, "yes, I do know Big, pretty well as a matter of fact; you do as well?"
"He's a friend, like I said", Mighty replied, pointing at the sketch pads again, indicating a particular one as she thought that was what the original looked like, "I think this is the one I'm after".
"That'd be it, if it's for Big"; Reg led her back to the till, running the price on the old fashioned keys with well practised skill, just reaching for a bag before,
"You know Big well, you said?" He glanced up to see the Mobian looking pensive,
"Fairly, much as anyone can; he comes in to see me every now and then if he needs supplied, like a pad" Reg smiled, placing the article she'd just purchased into the carrier before her next words stopped him again,
"Can you tell me anything about him?"
He turned to face her squarely, looking her dead in the eye as he tried to gauge what she'd meant by that,
"That depends; what did you want to know?"
"Pretty much anything", Mighty saw his potential font of information and thirsted for it vehemently, "I don't know much about him despite my best efforts; he's a bit, you know, shy on the details; can you help?"
"Maybe", Reg looked her up and down again, still feeling for what she was really after with his larger friend as she fired away,
"Well for a start has he been in here long, or known you long should I say?"
"Aye, fairly, I knew him when he was a little un, about eight or nine he started coming in regularly".
"He was always arty then?" Mighty laughed, though when she saw the store owner's face darken, she choked it off, wondering what it meant before he answered her,
"Not at first", Reg looked back with his memory, the first introduction to the scared, crying kitten that had thrown itself through the door of his shop and begged for help, to make them stop and go away; it still hurt even now, "I got him into it as a way to..."
"To…?" Mighty prompted, seeing the turmoil on the human's face and now more concerned that ever; she had to know what was causing this and she looked like she might succeed as Reg relented,
"…to let him forget what the bullies did".
Bullies; the words stirred up vile memories within Mighty; she'd had her own share of scraps in the past and it wasn't something she'd have wished on anyone else, least of all someone as placid and easy going as Big. Her fists unconsciously balled up and her face hardened, voice harsh as she grated,
"He was bullied?"
"Yes, he, didn't have a good school life, but please", he raised a hand as though trying to fend off the remaining questions, "don't ask me more about that; I'll say nothing else about it – I know Big wants to forget about that episode in his life and I tried to help".
"How?" Mum got me into sports to get rid of them; the armadillo tripped back in time to how she had avoided the coward's depredations; did Big find succour in art?
"I let him draw here, and paint as well; how well would you say you know Big?"
The question was direct and challenging, their eyes locking and not dropping their gaze as Mighty tried to convey what she knew was inside in a manner that would sound reasonable to this almost paternal guardian,
"I, I've spent nights at his home", she stuttered unsteadily, trying to make that sound better when she realised she'd said it, "he's helped me find my way though his swamp before, and I've seen the sketches he's drawn. He's even drawn one of me, it's at home". Inspiration lit up her mind at that; Big had drawn her; that had to count for something. Reg fixed his eyes on her again; she had the unsettling sensation of being scanned with an X-ray before he gave a single, shallow nod and turned to head back to his desk.
"I believe that; come here a sec Miss…"
"Mighty, just call me Mighty".
"Very apt", the owner said dryly as he leaned under his counter, placing a thin folder on the top of the desk and his hand atop it, protectively, "well Mighty, listen well; in here is Big's portfolio, every painting he's ever done in this store is here. It's not in me to lie – he's one of the brightest talents I've ever seen, and I've been in the business near enough all my life, but he won't show it. He could be a millionaire at the stroke of a brush, but he prefers to stay where he is, as he is and I don't know why. I'm showing you this on one proviso only; that what's in here is never talked about and never discussed or explained to anyone else; this isn't mine to show, it's his. Do you understand?"
"Yes"; the words was out before she realised she'd said it, her eyes resolutely fixed on the leather bound folder as slowly, as though each centimetre was a personal battle between his head and his heart, Reg pushed the folder her way, muttering that he had some work to do in the back and he'd leave her be a while.
XXX
You old fool; he berated himself as soon as he was out of her sight; Big trusted you to keep that secret and now look what you've done – but this girl, could she not help him come to terms with…whatever happened to him? He was torn it two for an eternity of guilt mixed with reassurance that he was helping his friend, when there was sound from the front of his store that made his blood run cold. It sounded like a strangled scream, gargling through a stifling hand; he moved like he hadn't moved in years, back out the front and next to Mighty in seconds,
"Are you alright?"; of course not – look at her face, and her skin's like ice; slowly, as if letting him take in the full horror of her suddenly bloodless, stunned face, the armadillo turned to face him and said four, strangled, whispered words,
"I've seen that picture".
She was pointing at the photo Reg had taken mere weeks ago; the older man looked down to assure himself before speaking,
"The End of the Hunt? You sure?"
"Yes, I know it".
"He took that one, but he never said who…hey, where are you…?" He made to grab her arm as Mighty suddenly took off, running away from his as something overcame her shock and lent her feet wings; she crashed out the front of the store, just pausing to shout,
"To find out why he wasn't there" over her shoulder, before carrying on, running to Mystic Ruins as Amy had run, a burning need within her, questions that drove out all other thoughts and, unfortunately, danger senses as well. Had her rush not been so headlong, Mighty may have caught a glimpse of her shadow as he followed her, concealed behind the cloak he had unjustly liberated from its former owner.
XXX
Never had the train crawled as it did then, so slowly passing between Station Square and the Mystic Ruins; Mighty couldn't sit still, always in motion as she tried a thousand theories as to why Big hadn't unveiled his masterpiece to those who it belonged to; why had he sent it anonymously? Try as she might, she could see no reason save one; that for some reason, he was afraid, mortally afraid, of the art he created, or the reactions it might give; but why? Who in their right mind would bad-mouth something so perfect? She needed answers and, as finally her purgatory of a journey ended, she had a chance to find her answers; she forced the doors open and sprinted free, out into the open air and towards Mystic Ruins.
All the way there, her mind was concentrated solely on her objective, nothing else registered; not the warmth and brightness of the sun, not the grass beneath her, nor the sound of screaming jet boosters as the tore up the air behind her.
A/N: So, Big did paint the End of the Hunt, but why did he miss the grand unveiling, and who's after Mighty? Answers next chapter!