Chapter XX.
Show of a lifetime
"Are we there yet?" Marco impatiently groaned as the team made their way deeper into the woods.
"You ask that one more time and I will find something and feed you to it!" Watch shouted back at him irritated.
"It's a valid question though!" Vhiz sided with his classmate.
Watch sighed. "We are getting to the limit of what I could figure out from the pictures posted online. This is where my ability comes into play." Watch's eyes turned to a bright yellow as he activated his power. "Analeyes." Watch's eyes darted around as he looked for anything suspicious.
"Haha! You just said anal!" Marco chuckled.
"Grow up!"
They traveled another five hundred meters into the forest before Watch raised his arm making everyone stop immediately.
"The pattern of the bark on that tree, that bush over there and the roots jutting out of the ground... We are here." He showed the picture to the others. Luna squinted at something in the background of the photo but Watch quickly put the phone away. "Everyone stay where you are! I'll survey the area before with my eyes first."
Watch walked around carefully observing the soil. A piece of yellow tape poked out of the ground confirming that this was indeed the scene of the crime. Washed out pits in the ground indicated where once footsteps were taken. But after surveying the area multiple times he found nothing. "This might have been pointless after all." He sighed. Faul walked past him stomping through the scene. "HEY! Watch where you are going!" Watch shouted at him, but Faul ignored him.
"What for? You found nothing." Faul said as he walked past a tree and squatted down. "Come, see this."
The others followed Faul who was looking at the carcass of a rotting fish.
"How did this fish get here?" Sun asked, rattled by the carcass, and disgusted by the smell.
"It’s not just any fish. It's a paperfish. They live in forests. This one is too decayed to see it, but they have a large membrane that helps them glide on wind currents. It's covered in a layer of resin that catches bugs while flying, that's how they hunt." Hook explained as he covered his nose.
"What killed this one?" Sun looked for any sign of a bite or a bullet, but the carcass was seemingly unharmed.
"I don't know. Nothing eats it because of its bitter meat." Hook continued his explanation.
"Watch! Could you show me the picture of the crime scene?" Luna requested.
"Sure." Watch pulled his phone out. Luna pointed at the picture. Something white was lying on the ground where the carcass was now.
"That is the paperfish. And it looks like it died around the time when this photo was taken." Luna concluded from the picture.
Watch had a sudden realization as they looked at the phone. "Not just around that time... I think it happened when Turtle was killed."
"How do you know?"
"Turtles cause of death was listed as broken neck. But he did not fall, and broke it, he would have had other injuries. He also did not choke because he had no discoloration on his neck. Watch's mind raced as he put some of the puzzle together.
"What do you think then?” Sun raised his eyebrows confused.
"Paperfish seldom die. The biggest danger to their life is rain, because it can wash off the resin on their skin. Because of that, they evolved a sixth sense that tells them when a storm is coming. But if an overhuman were to make it rain on them the paperfish would have no way of avoiding that."
"So as Turtle was fighting someone who manipulated water? Like Rosa can?"
“Rosa is nowhere near this level. I need to look at weather reports from the time the crime took place but if my assumptions are true, this person can manipulate water within the human body, and that’s how they snapped Turtle’s neck. They also left no trace of their identity behind, meaning they are a professional assassin."
"Poke the hornets nest yourself. That's what the smoking man said before leaving." Luna reminisced on the bar fight.
"This is indeed bigger than us." Sun had sweat pooling on his brows from the stress.
"That just means there is that much more money in it." Watch stood up and took a picture of the carcass.
“You can go after the money but leave my classmates out of it.” Sun declared, santing up to Watch.
"Sun is right. It's a risky game Watch. Not something we should endanger the kids with. Let's take this information to someone who has the authority to do something about it, and maybe we will get a payday." Hook suggested keeping the safety of the children in mind. Watch groaned disapprovingly.
"This Turtle guy... How strong was he?" Sun asked.
"He was an orange striped member of the ever family. Their rankings are yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, red, and black. Yellow being the weakest and black being the strongest. To put it into perspective, a yellow is around the strength of a hundred people while an orange one could wipe out a small village like yours with relative ease." Hook explained.
"So the guy Sledge fought...who was a green one..." Luna's stomach sunk as she realized the power they were facing.
"I am unsure if even I could beat that man." Hook crossed his arms clenching his biceps in excitement.
Suddenly the silence that weighed down on the frightened children was disturbed by the sharp ringing of Hook's phone. Sledge was calling him.
"Hey Sledge? Is the kid's training going well?"
"No time for small-talk Hook! Come back as fast as you can! Niel and Ginna were attacked!"
Back when Niel and Ginna entered the tent.
The main tent was pitch black. No reflectors or lights were on, so the two of them had to hold hands as they made their way to their seats. Niels heartbeat was pounding in his palm as he squeezed Ginna's sweaty, mustardy hand. The seats all had a fluorescent label with the number that matched the one on the ticket. They quickly found their seats and awaited the show.
"Do you think there will be a tiger or a lion perhaps?" Ginna squirmed in her seat excitedly.
"I don't know... They don’t live here so they'd have to drag it out of its habitat." Niel pondered her question.
"You're right! But maybe they'll have a bear!"
"I had enough of bears..." Niel sighed.
They weren't the only ones whispering amongst the crowd. Everyone awaited the beginning of the show. And the mysterious darkness only enhanced the anticipation. Suddenly the murmur of the restless crowd was broken by drumrolls roaring all around the tent.
"My audience, here in the tent and on the internet! Do not fear the darkness I cast upon you. Rejoice when my crew of performers are on stage because they shine brighter than the sun!" Dibdin's voice echoed, overpowering even the drums. Finally, a blinding white light lit up the middle of the performance floor. In those few seconds when everyone's eyes adapted to the brightness, the ribbon dancing girl walked into view. "She is fierce with the ribbon like no other, our beautiful ribbon dancer Odori!" She twirled the purple ribbon in her hand while raising one of her legs behind her head. Then she steadied her body, bent the leg that was still on the ground and pushed herself off the floor. She did a backflip and landed in a split on the ground. While still twirling the ribbon she stood up gracefully and spun her body around with the ribbon.
Ginna watched the act with a glimmer in her eyes. "Beautyful!" She gasped, but this was still more than Niel could master to say.
"You might already be charmed by her moves, but you he seen nothing yet! Show them your real beauty!" As Dibdin gave her the command she let go of the ribbon and with open palms reached out to the crowd. In that instance an army of ribbons appeared behind her. All with different colors flying over the audience in a vivid storm. The gasp that everyone let out was quickly followed by applause louder than thunder.
"You are beautiful Odori!" "Marry me!" People from the crowd screamed. In a last act of showmanship, she called the ribbons back to herself and made wings out of them standing on one ribbon to float over the ground. Yes! Worship me! She thought to herself as she fell to the ground covered in ribbons. In that instance the lights went out.
"Let's hear one more applause for Odori while our next performer comes to the stage!" Dibdin encouraged the crowd who happily complied.
The lights came back on. This time Simon, the boy from the throwing knife act walked on stage blindfolded. "You've seen him outside yesterday, but would you believe me that it was just the tip of the iceberg? This boy is luck itself!" As Simon walked into the light with his hands in his pockets suddenly a large axe swung next to him barely missing him. He walked forward passing axe after axe but all of them missed. "Yes, my dear viewer your eyes don't deceive you! He is completely unharmed!"
"I remember Ken complaining about a kid with a smug smile, he could not hit. I'm guessing that's him." Niel observed Simon as he walked around without a care in the world.
Simon took the blindfold off, bowed to the crowd and made his way off the stage. While he was on his way into the darkness a paper cup was thrown at him from behind. "Dodge this you prick!" A man shouted from the crowd. Simon did not look back, just took one step to the side and the cup missed him.
"Hey! What are you doing to me! It was just a joke! Let go of me!" The man groaned and shouted as the sounds of struggle was heard from his direction.
"Please remain seated while my colleagues escort the man. The show will soon resume!" Dibdin calmed down the audience.
"I guess it was deserved but it sounded like they were quite rough with him." Niel remarked sympathetically.
"Yeah! Poor guy will miss the lion." Ginna agreed with him for her own reasons.
After a few minutes of silence, the show resumed. Next came the clown who operated the balloon popping game. He was introduced as Jacy the clown. He juggled balls that changed in size every time he threw them up.
"I don't like that clown!" Ginna remarked crossing her arms.
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After him the muscle man, Jacques, came on stage and it turned out he had a brother named Ed. The two of them did all sorts of strong men acts. Lifting a car, breaking an atlas stone with a karate chop, and bending a steel beam ninety degrees.
"They are pretty strong! I'd love to arm-wrestle them!" Niel said, impressed by the two of them.
The final act was on its way and out walked a shy, timid girl. She looked at the camera with unease, like she was forced to walk out there. She mustered the strength to look around at the audience while rings appeared behind her.
"I bumped into Vhiz hanging out with this girl. I think her name was Taker." Ginna said reminiscing on yesterday.
"Our last act of the day is the most anticipated one! First let me introduce you to the wonderful Karma!" Dibdin announced her name.
"Or not." Ginna looked at her puzzled.
"And this is a two-person act. Or should I say one person and one beast!" As Dibdin continued the introduction a paw stepped into the light. "Our very own tiger!" The ivory teeth of the magnificent beast glimmered in the white light as it roared at the crowd. Though the roar was closer to a guttural growl, instead of what people might expect from a tiger, no one dared to question it when facing the piercing gaze of a wild animal.
"I knew there would be a tiger! How cute!" Ginna almost jumped out of her seat.
"Isn't this dangerous?" Niel held her down in case she would try to jump in to hug the beast.
"Please watch closely as our Karma subdues the tiger into a completely obedient pet!" After Dibdin's words the tiger lunged at Karma, who despite clearly being afraid, stood her ground and reached out towards the beast. It halted at her hand, sniffing it, then licking it before sitting down.
"Good boy!" Karma smiled at the animal. "Now do the usual." Karma snapped her fingers and the rings around the stage lit up in a roaring fire. The tiger looked at the flaming rings and walked around the stage observing the crowd, licking its mouth. Karma grew ever concerned as everyone slid back in their seat in anticipation and fear. After the tiger circled the stage, it tensed its body getting ready to jump. The audience waited with bated breath. The animal jumped through three rings at once, landing gracefully on the other side. The crowd screamed and cheered for the beast who for a second was frightened by the loud sound, before looking back at Karma for reassurance. She nodded, calming the beast so the act could continue.
The show concluded and finally the whole tent was lit up. One by one all the acts walked out to bow to the audience. At the end Dibdin ran out waving to the people in the crowd sending kisses all around and collecting the flowers that were thrown. As he walked into the middle of the stage Karma stood next to him bowing with him. Suddenly a girl who looked exactly like Karma appeared and stood on the other side of Dibdin. "Karma and her sister Rollette everyone!" Rollette's face was distorted with one of her eyes being black and wide like a camera lens.
Ginna looked at Rollette then Karma, then back to Rollette and finally realized what was happening. "So that's Rollette! I guess she's a twin!"
"But what's with her eye?" Niel observed her face as best as he could from that distance.
Rolette walked backwards filming Dibdin as he walked out with his sister.
The crowd slowly made their way out of the tent. As Niel and Ginna were on their way out Ginna noticed the man who threw the cup lying on the ground beaten to a bloody pulp. Ginna ran over there and turned him on his back and immediately started healing him. Niel followed her and helped, by holding up the man's head.
"What the hell? I get he was an asshole, but this is too much!" Niel expressed his anger.
"Good thing I had that hotdog." Ginna continued the healing. The man slowly opened his eyes as his conscience returned. He groaned in pain as he mustered the strength to speak. "Where am I?"
"You’re in the tent. You've been beaten. Did the strong men did this to you?" Ginna asked as she held her hands on him.
"No... They just threw me out. But that kid that cannot be hit. He came after me!" The man explained.
"Should we call the others? Or is there anyone we could alert? Like overhuman police?" Ginna looked first at Niel then at the man for advice.
"You mean the cleaners?" The man looked at them finding the wording strange.
"Right! Hook talked about those guys." Niel recalled.
"There's no use in calling them! I'm just a drunkard! They'd side with the famous businessman any day."
"Might as well try it. You still need help. I cannot heal all these wounds alone." Ginna said with her hands beginning to shake.
"Just tell me the number and I'll call them!" Niel was about to pull his phone out when a hand grabbed him from behind and pushed him on the ground.
"That's enough heroism." Jacques, the muscle man pinned down Niel.
Ginna turned to help him, but ribbons wrapped around her, and made her unable to move. "Are these the kids from the village?" Odori asked for reassurance.
"Yeah! I saw their tickets. They had the ones Dibdin gave away." Jacques replied while holding Niel.
The man Ginna just healed got up while they were distracted and ran out of the tent a fast as he could. “Should we go after him?” Jacques asked.
“Why? We have what we need here.” Odori ignored the escaping man.
"Let go of Ginna!" Niel gathered all his strength and almost pushed the man off of him, but before he could Ed the other strong man showed up and helped his teammate.
"You need two to hold that brat down?" Odori looked at them surprised.
"His strength is impressive!" The two men smiled at the struggling boy.
"Enough with the chit-chat boys." Dibdin walked into view with a stern look on his face. "Karma! Come! Do your thing!"
Karma appeared unable to look at the two of them in guilt. "Which one should I do it to?" She asked in a whispering tone.
"It doesn't matter." Dibdin said coldly.
"What should I take?"
"Something that conveys the weight of the situation."
Karma slowly walked up to Ginna, she squatted down in front of her and put her hand on her face. "Don't worry. It won't hurt. I take your voice." Ginna's pupils dilated as she gasped for air. She felt something leaving her body with the last breath she let out.
"Now go to the truck Karma get ready to leave!" Dibdin ordered her and she replied with a nod.
"Arghh!" Niel screamed! He grit his teeth with all his strength and pushed the two hulking men off of him. He used this opportunity to target Karma, but before he could get to her a new figure appeared and punched him in the stomach. Blood spilled from Niel's mouth as he flew back slamming into some crates. The new figure had long shaggy black hair that went down to his hip. The shirtless figure was lean as an athlete.
"I did not give you permission to act. Go back to your cage.” Dibdin ordered the stranger. The person groaned as he left the tent.
Niel coughed up some more blood as he stood back up. Dibdin looked at him amused, while the long-haired man turned around shocked.
"You can still move after that? You belong in a cage as well!" Dibdin chuckled.
The long-haired man did not hesitate to dash and dispatch of Niel but his fist was blocked by Blitz's leg. Dibdin looked at him aghast by his presence. The fist of the man and the shin of Blitz were pushing against each other but after some struggle Blitz kicked him away.
"Niel! Are you alright?" Blitz looked at the boy first before assessing the situation.
"I am, but they did something to Ginna! I heard the girl say 'I take your voice.'" Niel said, catching his breath.
"Call someone from the rest of the group! We'll worry about her condition after we are safe."
Niel nodded and took out his phone.
"Hey Niel! How is the date going? Don't tell me you chickened out!"
"Ren..." Niel coughed as pain returned to his chest. "Come quick! They've taken Ginna's voice!" Before he could say the last word, he was tackled by Jacques and Ed.
"Get off me!" Niel screamed and pushed the two men away.
"What do you want?" Blitz asked Dibdin while squaring off with the long haired stranger.
"Nothing from you. I have a message to the rest of the kids." Dibdin looked at Niel. "I'll give you one week. Present me the child who came to this reality before all of you, and I'll give her voice back. Do not bring the Five Champions or you'll never hear about us again!"
"You will regret this!"
"I have never made a deal that I did." Dibdin cackled. "Now let's pack everyone. We don't need to shed more blood tonight." Everyone nodded. The long-haired man lowered his guard and made his way to the tent with the cage. "Jacy! Deflate everything!" As Dibdin ordered, the clown he snapped his fingers and all the tents deflated into small balls." Dibdin and his team got into his truck. "We'll meet here in one week at noon. Do not be late!" They drove away leaving the three of them there.
"What happened Niel? What made them flip out like that?" Blitz asked from Niel, but the boy ran to Ginna without answering.
"Ginna! Are you okay?" Niel tore the ribbons off her. She looked at him and opened her mouth, but she could not say a word. She teared up as no matter how hard she tried, no sound left her throat.
"They weren't talking metaphorically. They took her voice." Blitz exclaimed frustrated.
"Fuck! If I was stronger, I could've kept her safe!" Niel slammed his fist into the ground cracking it.
"Punching the ground won't help Niel!"
"It wasn't on purpose! I am too angry to keep my fist light!"
"Then I hope we can help calm you down!" Ren ran out of the woods and hugged his friend. "You scared the shit out of me on the phone! I thought they took her and killed you. What happened?"
Meanwhile Rosa ran to Ginna. As she comforted her friend Rosa realized that she could not speak.
"The show runner, all his henchmen attacked us. They took Ginna's voice and gave us a week to get them what they want."
"What is all this?" Ken appeared with the rest of the training group. "We have to do boring training while Niel gets the real action?"
"They seemed alright yesterday. What could they want from us?" Ren tried to make sense of the situation.
"The child who came to this reality before all of us. That's what he said." Niel explained.
"They want Rosa?" Ken looked up surprised.
"Or me..." Ren said quietly. "They might know something about why I entered this reality before the last wave." As Ren said that Medicine's eyes widened.
"Ren...We should keep that-"
"I know that you are still wary of the Five Champions, but Sledge protected you and the other girls two days ago and now Blitz protected Niel and Ginna." Ren tried to make Rosa relax.
"I wouldn't say that!" Niel directed some of his frustration at Blitz.
"What does he mean Blitz?" Sledge looked at him with a questioning gaze.
"I... sort of had to go home..." Blitz rubbed his neck in embarrassment.
"What?" Everyone looked at him surprised and disappointed.
"I did not have my napkin on me, and I feel naked without it, so I ran home quickly!"
"We gave you one task you idiot!" Sledge slapped him on the head.
"I still should've been able to protect her from them..." Niel muttered to himself.
"What are we going to do now?" Rosa asked, looking around for an answer.
"We should go after them! We have the numbers on our side now!" Ken declared in excitement.
“I second that!” Niel tried to stand up, but the pain was still too much.
"That's about all we have on our side. Going after them now would be reckless. We should wait for the rest of the group to get back. In the meantime, Ginna should Heal Niel." Sledge declared while taking out some chocolate for Ginna.
They did not have to wait long. The Five Champion's van roared loudly as it drifted to a stop in front of the kids. The children from the passenger seats spilled out as they all rejoiced that they reached solid ground.
"Oh, thank God! I was about to throw up!" Marco hugged a bush like it saved his life.
"Sorry kids but the urgency I felt in Sledge's voice made me press the gas a bit too much." Hook explained as he stepped out of the vehicle.
After explaining what happened the attention was on Hook. He scratched his chin contemplating their choices, before diverting the attention to Sun. "Tell me Sun, what do you think?" Everyone turned to the young boy.
"Why do you ask?" Sun felt suddenly in the spotlight.
"Before we arrived, no matter how short of a time period it was but you were their leader. You’ve already made an important decision today. I think you should decide the next move."
"I think Hook is right. First and foremost, they are our trainers. You are the leader." Luna supported her brother.
"Alright. Let's just clarify one thing. It’s pretty obvious but we won't trade one of our own for Ginna’s voice." Sun's determined tone received respectful smiles.
"That means we need a plan to get her voice back." Ren pondered.
"We have a week to come up with ideas. But that won't be enough." Sun continued.
"What do you mean?" Niel looked at him puzzled.
"They have experience on their side. They make a living using their powers after all. Not to mention the areal advantage that clown guy can create. We need to get as strong as possible in one week!" Sun's serious tone grabbed hold of everyone’s attention, but it was quickly diverted to Hook who clapped his hands together.
"Alright! That's where we come in! Blitz! Go get the mountain bolt-grass! Sledge, Med prepare the circles. Watch, bring the rest of the stuff!" Hook ordered his team. His tone changed. The kids were familiar with his excited smile, but this one had another layer to it. Not just excitement, but a sense of proudness he felt.
"It's too early Hook! They are not ready yet!" Watch objected to the idea.
"If they intend on fighting, they need to at least try!"
"What are we not ready for?" Sun looked at them confused.
"Buckle up kids! You are about to level up!" Hook announced to the children with a wide grin on his face.