Disclaimer: So if the government's shut down, does that make everything legal? *eyes bank suspiciously*

AN: Welp, looks like I'm posting a second one tonight. This one might be a bit shorter. Also, I would like to thank TheBookwormBakery for posting a review five minutes after I updated. Rock on, my devoted follower.

Maddie Travil (14)

FG: What exactly are you going to do

I actually take a moment to contemplate this. What am I going to do? I'm still a bit fuzzy on the details myself. Both Molly and Michael claim I rush into things before I even know what I'm doing. But right now, I don't have time to think.

LE: Oh, you'll see.

I can either choose death, or risk my life. The best decisions are made quickly, after all. That way, I don't waste time worrying about making the right choice.

LE: Take notes, Quinny.

I launch my self out the window and begin my descent.

It's rather similar to my recent free-fall. However, this one is not for kicks. This one is so I can live. I've fallen two stories before instinct kicks in. On the third story down, I ram my spear into the side fire escape below. It catches nicely and jams between the sidebars, leaving me hanging, suspended 150 feet above the panicked city streets, hanging onto the end of a spear. I'm about to heave myself up when the knot I made with Mika's tail becomes undone.

I manage to grab her tail before she falls completely. As I try to hurl her to safety, the spear begins to slip. I freeze. One part of me wants to scream for help. Another part of me wants that part of me to screw itself. If I can't rely on myself, who can I rely on? Still though, there's one part of me I hate even more.

The part that wants me to let go.

I despise that part of me. The quitter. To quit would mean to admit defeat. To admit that the opposition won. And if there's one thing I know, it's that I refuse to accept anything but victory. If I chose to accept my fate, let go, and let death win, I wouldn't come out on top. If I ever do die, I'm going to battle it every step of the way. However, that day is not today. Today, I win. Today, I live.

A new plan formulates in my head. I'm not even sure if I'm capable of pulling this off. But I have to, in order to live. All my training has prepared me for this moment. In one fluid motion, I fling Mika into the air, up to the top of the roof, and twist-flip up onto my spear. I land with two feet on the pole. I feel the shaft tilting backwards under my weight. I spring over the fire escape railing and grab the head me weapon before it can fall. It's a good spear, and I'd hate to lose it.

Not even stopping to catch my breath, I scurry up the steps as fast as I can go. When I reach the end, I jab the point of the spear into the floor and hoist myself up using the end, scampering onto the roof.

LE: Quinn!

LE: Bring the pre-punched card up here now!

LE: Also bring the totem lathe. I only have like a minute!

FG: I cant move the lathe

FG: We dont have enough build-grist

LE: Crap.

LE: Ok, leave the card by the lathe. I'll be right there!

I captchalogue an orange cruxite dowel and hop back down onto the fire escape. Climbing over the railing, I slide my way over near my window and drop, grabbing the windowsill before I can fall too far. I hoist myself back into my room and grab the pre-punched card, inserting it into the lathe. Now all I need is the dowel. I activate my sylladex, and as the cards spin around me, I don't even bother searching for the correct card. Instead, I slap all of them, not bothering with the mess of stuff that flies out. I simply grab the dowel, insert it into lathe, and grab the carved product before flying out the window.

This time, I launch myself up instead of falling, barely grabbing the end of the fire escape. I use what little strength I have left to drag myself up and hop the railing again. The first thing I head for is Mika. It's time for her to fulfill her awesome destiny.

I'm still pressed for time, so I don't even get to see her fly into the kernelsprite.

The totem in hand, I dash towards the alchemiter and drop it onto the small platform. A laser scans the carved item and begins to work its magical science. A large target board appears, as well as a line of rope that pushes me back 15 feet and refuses to let me get any closer. So apparently I have to hit the center of the target. I'll use my spear for this one.

As the timer, now at thirty seconds, ticks slowly down, I feel the heat of the approaching meteor. The people screaming down below don't break my concentration. If I'm going to win, I need perfect focus. Both Molly and Michael claim I rush into things. I know it's true, but I have trouble seeing a problem with it. I'm still alive, right? And as long as I continue to win, I'll stay that way. People who take too long to make decisions, or decide to just give up, never win. They die. You don't win if you don't fight. And you don't live if you don't win. That's why, no matter what, I'll fight. I'm far too awesome to die. My spear is grasped in my right hand, stretched out backwards. My left leg takes a step behind me. I align my body side ways and tilt my torso slightly back. My knees are slightly bent, my arm ready. The next moment is a combination of skill and luck. The left leg steps forward, the torso bends down, my arm cranks and releases the weapon. The spear flies through the air, heading towards the target as the meteor's glow turns everything a lovely shade of red.

Bull's-eye.

AN: Okay that was a bit of a short one. Don't forget to review!