The Colors And The Deal With Death - Chapter VII: Going To The Ball

Suddenly finding myself back on the road with two new people I just met, having very nearly died a hot fiery death, and my so-called friends abandoned me at my time of need, I definitely wouldn’t have got out of bed this morning if I knew this was all going to happen. The air has been silent for a little while, and you can cut the tension with a knife. After a small moment of continued silence, Brooklyn leans forward to pull out a small box from under her seat. The box looks worn out with a rusted metal casing, and a little sticker of a unicorn with a rapier for a horn, with a few mud splotches and small tears around the edges.

She opens the box and taking a small nosy from over her shoulder, I see she has a small stash of fine wrapped cigars, about 10, maybe 11 cigars stacked in a neat little pile. She takes one out and casually sniffs it before closing her pink lips over it.

“Hey, captain curious, you partake?” Brooklyn asks me, turning to me as she offers me another cigar from the box.

“Oh no thanks. I actually quit a long time ago now.” I say, as my younger self kicks at my foundations, mortified at the decline.

“Really? Shame really, you’re missing out on some fun. Bon, you in?” Brooklyn asks, looking at Bonnie, who responds with a subtle head shake before looking back at the road.

As Brooklyn pulls out a lighter to set the end ablaze, my stomach starts to get worse, as I push back the vomit in my throat. Knowing that I probably won’t get the chance again, I decide to do something I would likely regret in later life.

“You know what, screw it. I’m in.” I say, taking one of the cigars from Brooklyn’s little box, as she lights it up.

Even though it is a little different from what I normally had, all of those memories from my first days of freedom and struggles out in the open air, a lot of ups and downs on my moral compass. All I know is that this feeling is what I imagine love feels like... which only gets sadder the older I get.

“Heh. Now you’re smiling.” Brooklyn says, giggling under her breath, noticing a small smile cracking from the sides of my face.

“Sue me, it’s been way too long. When you’ve lived out in the streets as long as I have, you have to make the harsh choice of where the money goes, smokes or food. Unfortunately, I can’t survive on smokes, so I quit.” I say, taking a long puff, as Bonnie cautiously opens the windows a little, the wind touching our hair.

“Streets? Aren’t you just a little bundle of surprises. Come on, gimme the dirt.” Brooklyn says, suddenly interested in my life, as if it is actually interesting to tell.

Not wanting to tell her too much of my past, I try to think of ways to change the subject.

Bang! Crash!

Something hits the car from the top, as the sound of scraping metal rings out. We all look at each other with the same confused expression on our faces. Bonnie screeches the van to a complete halt, sending us flying forward... if not for our seatbelts.

“What the hell was that?” I ask, looking out of the nearest window to see nothing but the sky and the green grass as far as the eye can see.

“You know as much as I do. I’ll go check.” Brooklyn says, bravely preparing her gun as she attempts the door.

As she goes to open the door, it suddenly swings open, as the giant bird from the other day pokes its ugly head in. Brooklyn jumps back and starts to open fire at it, as it extends its neck forward and bites into her torso, making her scream in pain as it pulls her out of the van.

“Hey, what are you doing, you overgrown flying rat.” Brooklyn says, shouting at the top of her voice at it, as she punches it in the head.

I notice that she dropped her gun as the bird got her, and quickly noticing that my own guns are missing from my pockets, likely still in Arcia, I pick up her gun and follow them outside. The bird is hovering just above the van, teasing us as it holds Brooklyn, who is trying to pry open its mouth. Aiming ever so carefully, I shoot at the bird, trying my best not to hit Brooklyn. As I shoot at its wings, it starts to lose height, coming to the same height as the roof.

Taking my life in my own hands, I climb up to the roof and continue to fire at the bird, as Bonnie joins me up here. Eventually, she taps me on the shoulder and gestures for me to cease fire. I stop firing and step aside, wondering what the hell she is plotting. She pulls a small yellow disc out of her gauntlet and exchanges it for a red one, as the bird dives in for the kill.

Waiting for the bird to get closer, Bonnie clenches her fists before jumping from the van. Timing it just right, using just her fist, she slams the giant bird to the ground like it’s nothing, breaking the soil under it, as it slides into the van, knocking it over, and knocking me unceremoniously onto my ass.

Even after that devastating blow, the bird still draws breath, as it loosens Brooklyn free from its grasp, and flies away in retreat.

“Yeah, get lost, you damn buzzard.” Brooklyn yells at the bird before it disappears into the clouds.

“What is that thing?” I ask, wondering about that ever since it attacked Watcher Central.

“That bird? She is the watching eye of Mandy, her messenger and steed of sorts. Hey, at least your little story wasn’t just a pile of crap after all. Why else would she attack her master?” Brooklyn asks, as she sighs a breath of relief, but I can sense a hint of disappointment also.

Brooklyn takes her gun back from me, as she smiles a more welcoming smile. We all walk back towards the van, which is currently upside down and smoking from underneath.

“Well guys, at least we still have the van, right?” I ask, hoping either of the others have a plan

As soon as the words exit my tongue, the gods of unfortunate timing strike it down, as the van catches fire and immediately explodes just shy of our faces. Speechless, all we can do is stand there and just watch it burn.

“Welp. Guess we’re going on foot.” Brooklyn says, completely nonchalant about her van being destroyed, as she just turns around and starts walking in the opposite direction, putting her hands behind her head.

“It would seem so. You’re not going to mourn for your van or nothing?” I ask, knowing that if it was my van, I would flip my lid for certain.

“Nah, wasn’t my van. Anyway, spit spot and whatnot.” Brooklyn says, feigning a terrible British accent as she walks a little faster away from the van, though I should probably walk a little faster myself.

For another hour, we continue to talk between us as Bonnie listens in carefully to what we say. Before long, the sun starts to set from the apex of the sky, so time is of the essence.

“So, what’s your story? Why are you after Mandy?” I ask, unsure of what else to ask.

“Ohh. No longer beating around the bush, are we? It’s a long story.” Brooklyn says, as she breaks into a beaming smile.

“Might make the journey a little more bearable, so go ahead.” I say, noticing that while I can see Moore Fields in the horizon, we still have a long way to walk.

“Alright then. Well, I should start at the beginning. You see, I was not actually born here. I came from a little place in Black Eye City, now known as Umbrae. My Japanese papa met my American mama after he came back from his services in the army, and I always looked up to him, wanting to be as much of a badass as he was. When I was 18, he reached legendary mentions after he retired, but that fame was his downfall when he was captured by rebels in our own home. Angry at them, I took the risk and stowed away in their ship, but I was found and taken too. My father managed to beat them against all odds, and he gave me his Verse Gauntlet.” Brooklyn explains, showing me more of her Verse Gauntlet.

“From there, for my papa, he was able to live happily ever after back at home with mum, but I decided to stay and better myself. That is where I met an entirely different and talkative Bonnie. While we fought here and there over some stupid sense of supremacy, she and I became besties over time. After our terms ended, we decided to move away and start a new business in greener pastures, and that took us to Vaude Island. There, we built The Robin’s Nest, a show venue and restaurant. Then... we met them. A young boy, a young girl, and their strange tin boy, each with their own gauntlet like mine. For a few years, we went on all sorts of adventures, even saved the world once. I know, you’re welcome. Anyway, after that, Bonnie and I retired to continue the business when we met... her.” Brooklyn going through the motions with her feelings as she explains her story, as if she is reliving it all in her mind.

“Her? Mandy?” I ask, genuinely interested in knowing more about it.

“Nope. One day, half of Vaude Island fell when a strange woman came to town. She took over the entire island almost overnight, and just my luck, she comes to The Robin’s Nest for a drink. While she looks sweet enough, she was a whole lot of trouble, using her power, both politically and physically to bully people. Bonnie and I took her on and... we lost. We crapped out. To stop her from turning our dream into ashes, we swore to become her ranked assassins in exchange for being on her payroll and keep ourselves on her good side. She told us that she wants Mandy dead after a little kerfuffle a couple of years prior, and we were in charge of that, but while she has that crown, she is indestructible, so we have been between a rock and a hard place ever since.” Brooklyn concludes, as the two of them clench their fists in a silent anger.

“Wow, that’s a lot to take in. Well, hey, if you’re going after Mandy, I’ll be happy to help.” I say to them, having my own reasons to want her gone.

“That’s sweet, kid, but Mandy is no picnic herself. She can kill people with just the touch of her little finger if they’re not careful.” Brooklyn says, poking my forehead with her pinky before I bat it away.

“I’ll be careful.” I say to her, as she giggles a little to herself.

In our mindless walk across the barren road, we suddenly find ourselves back in fields of green and yellow, as the road takes us on a winding path which forks out a few ways. In the middle, we see a seemingly abandoned chapel centred around long patches of grass. My interest in creepy abandoned buildings have always led me to places unknown, but tonight, it could very well be either the beginning of the new me, or the death of me in general.

“And there she is. You all ready to finish this?” Brooklyn asks Bonnie and I, putting her arms around us.

Bonnie nods, though she looks a little worried, rubbing her gauntlet as if it is starting to hurt her.

“Sure. I’m going to find those bailers, kick their asses, then go for Mandy, find that guy from the other night and shake him down for the cure, clear my name and live another day.” I say, summing it up in my head as I say it a little bit louder than an intended whisper.

Excited to get this all over with, I start to run towards the chapel, but I don’t actually seem to be making any progress, feeling something tugging at the back of my shirt. I look back and see Brooklyn holding me back with just one hand.

“Don’t count your eggs yet, chicky pie. No point in going in there, guns-a-blazing like it’s an action movie. No, I have a better idea for how we can win this.” Brooklyn says, letting me go, as she picks up a stick from the field across from us.

“Ugh, fine. What’s the plan?” I ask, every tick of the clock weighing on my mind like bricks falling onto my head after each passing second as I just stand here doing nothing to stop it.

“The party doesn’t start for another couple of hours, at the stroke of midnight. The people will gather before then and the doors will open on the dot. They hold this party once a year to honour one of the four crowns, and this year, it belongs to none other than the Crown of Death, held by Mandy. Now, each year, the crownbearer will choose a theme for the party, so it will be hard for us to walk around unnoticed, unless we somehow get costumes for the theme.” Brooklyn says, using the stick in the dirt to draw little stick figure versions of us three around the chapel.

“Alright. What’s the theme?” I ask, wondering how we’re going to get a costume at this time of night, and lord knows where from.

“That’s the thing, I don’t know. Mandy never mentioned. That’s our job to find out. First, we wait for the crowd to gather, see what they are wearing, and see if we can’t “persuade” one of them to lend us their costume for the time being. From there, you will put on the costume and walk in untouched.” Brooklyn says, drawing my stick figure inside the chapel, looking happy.

“Me? Okay, what about you guys?” I ask, wanting to know they’ll have my back in some way.

“It’s your job to find us a safe point to portal in without being detected. If you can find Mandy and let us know, we will trigger a fire alarm, maybe even start a fire for dramatic effect, forcing everyone to leave in a panic. In Mandy’s confusion, we sneak up on her and initiate a three-way all out attack extravaganza on her ass and nab that crown.” Brooklyn says, drawing a little Mandy stick figure in the dirt only to scribble it out frantically. “Any questions?”

“And this plan fails?” I ask, just in case it doesn’t all go to plan.

“Then what else? We run.” Brooklyn says, kicking the drawings with her boot, covering it with more dirt.

“Run? I’m sorry, but I’m either leaving with that cure or I’m not leaving at all.” I say, standing tall for once.

“Your funeral, babe, but one thing about that. If that happens, we’re out of there. No point needlessly throwing your life away like that.” Brooklyn says, nervously laughing.

“You’re afraid of her, aren’t you?” I ask, getting closer to her.

“No. I’m not afraid, I’m just smart enough to know the difference between brave and dumb.” Brooklyn says, looking at me like I’m a child, towering over me like I’m some rag doll.

“I’m not dumb. Anyway, let’s just cross this bridge when we come to it. But when that time comes, I’m finding that cure even if it kills me.” I say, having lost care in my own well-being a long time ago now, but not wanting thousands of people to die kind of takes priority.

“If that’s what makes you happy. I just need that crown. Dying needlessly doesn’t make you a hero, especially when you’ll be remembered as the villain.” Brooklyn says, turning away from me, disappointment in her eyes as she looks back at me as she walks away... yet another person disappointed in me.

Silently, we just watch the sun slowly fall from the sky, as the moon rises to take its place. My heart wants nothing more than to end the stupid fight, but my mind is standing strong. Though thinking about it more, even if they all hate me because of Mandy, I wonder why I do want to save them all, even though my group is still missing... I guess deep down, I can say I don’t care about anyone’s opinion of me, but in truth, I just want someone, anyone to like me. When I see Mandy, I am taking my life back.

Ah, finally. It’s almost time. These people are making me regret my immortality, but it doesn’t matter now. I can just kill them now and be done with it. Alright, here I go. I come back to reality and see that the car is now empty.

“Lizzie, you alright? You’ve been quiet this whole trip.” The annoying blue know-it-all asks, knocking at my window.

“She’s fine. She always struck me as the strong silent type.” The red-headed muscleface says, just behind her, like they’re attached at the waist or something.

“Still, can never be too careful now, can we?” The overly cutesy nurse asks them as she enters the car and places her palm on my forehead.

Feeling my ice cold skin, she understandably backs away, shrieking with worry.

“Poppy, what’s wrong? What happened?” The green punk says, with a sense of urgency in his voice.

“It’s awful. I feel nothing but ice. It almost felt evil. The sickness must be spreading fast. We better get in there. Please Lizzie, stay there. Get some rest.” That nurse, apparently named Poppy says, reminding of my own mother in a weird way.

As the others walk away, I climb out of the car and follow them, as they remain unaware of my presence. I sneak towards them, having such a lovely opportunity to end their miserable lives for good right now. I get ever so close, as I remove my glove. Let’s start with the white lady, she has been the most suspicious of me. I reach out to touch her and... damn, the guests, they’re all here already? We all watch as a myriad of cars in all shapes and sizes pull up in the field, on the dirt outside the main chapel. Not wanting to give away the surprise, I put my glove back on before they turn around and notice me.

“Lizzie, please. I don’t ask for much, it’s just my job and the sorts.” Poppy says, surprised to see me.

“I could do that, but you see, I forgot to tell you about the dress code for the party. I found it out in Arcia.” I say to them, trying to keep them from suspecting me any further.

“Dress code?” The woman in white asks me in an intrigued, yet still suspicious way.

“Yeah. I’m sure there are spares in the dressing room. I booked one in there for myself too. Go on, go on in. We’ll go find it.” I say, pushing them along.

Suddenly, my little necklace slips out of that stupid white dress, as the woman in white looks at me with a shocked expression on her face, before running on inside, bringing the man in red with her. Damn. I decide to run ahead of the crowd myself and quickly get dressed. Hopefully, she doesn’t know too much just yet. Just a couple more hours into the night, and I can be completely free of pests.

Still in silence, we watch from afar as the night slowly comes, the lights of the cars twinkling like stars. Not a word has been uttered since our little discussion earlier. Feeling a little guilty now, I should probably apolo-

“Alright, we’ll do what we can to distract her while you get that cure.” Brooklyn says, with a hint of guilt in her voice, likely going through the same thought process as I.

“It’s okay, really. I’m sorry. I put my own agenda first, and expected you to go with it.” I say, turning towards her, a little surprised that she stepped forward first.

“You did, but I’m not heartless to let innocent people die. Who knows, the plan works and we’re known as the new Three Musketeers or something.” Brooklyn says, putting her arms around Bonnie and I once again.

Bonnie looks at Brooklyn with a look on her face as if to say “Really?”

“What? Muskets are guns. We are just the newest more advanced Musketeers.” Brooklyn says, trying to explain the concept to Bonnie.

Listening to their back and forth makes me do something I haven’t done in a long while. I start to laugh. Not just giggle like I have done recently, but laugh heartily, until I snort, which cuts the magic short prematurely.

“Hey, you finding this funny?” Brooklyn asks, running her knuckles in my hair, as I am still under her arm.

It’s weird. Even though this is almost the end, and we’ve only known each other for a few hours, something inside me makes me feel sad that after we are done here, they’ll be gone. Is this what it means to be a family? Or am I just grasping for straws at the first sign of a happy emotion? I guess I’ll know for sure soon enough if Mandy truly is what is left of my flesh and blood.

“Okay, okay, that’s enough of this making-up mushiness. Put your game faces on, kids, it’s time.” Brooklyn says, preparing her Verse Gauntlet.

Bonnie prepares her own too, and to be honest, I feel kind of left out that I don’t have one now, but I don’t think I am in the position to really ask for one right now.

“You sure you’re going to be alright without one of these bad boys?” Brooklyn asks, if she can read my mind or something.

“I’m sure I’ll get by. How do you get one of those, by the way?” I ask, feeling like the perfect time to ask the question.

“This one came from my papa, Bonnie got hers from our old hometown. They used to sell these babies in weaponry stores before they were taken off the market for good, and most were even destroyed. If we find another one, we will give it to you.” Brooklyn says, with a smile on her face, as she turns to me.

After a small walk, we make it to the chapel, where the crowd has already gone inside, leaving just a sea of cars surrounding the building. As we notice the front door is too crowded to get in without being detected, our eyes gravitate to an open window on the second level, at the left hand side. The three of us sneak over to the window, using the cars to our advantage.

Taking one last look at the surroundings to check if it is completely empty, Brooklyn hands me a standard pistol, and Bonnie picks me up and using an abnormal amount of strength, she throws me up to the window, allowing to grab onto the weirdly soggy and slimy windowpane. I pull myself to safety, before noticing that I accidentally stuck my hand in bird crap. Eww. I immediately wipe it off the best I can.

“Alright, knock at this wall on the ground floor when it’s secure, and for the love of everything pure, please don’t let anyone see you.” Brooklyn whispers up to me, giving me a thumbs up.

I give them a thumbs up back, as I open the window a little more and climb in. Luckily, I find myself in the women’s restroom. With no time to lose, I quickly wash the poop off my hands, find the nearest open cubicle and go in, locking the door tightly behind me. I play the waiting game for about 10 minutes before another woman comes in from the main door. She seems to be wearing a black spidery masquerade gown and an accompanying face mask with a little glittery spiderweb on the side of it. She looks nervous as I watch her take her mask off and fix her make-up so innocently. I almost feel bad for what I’m going to do in 3...2...1...

As she passes by my cubicle, I grab my gun, open the door slightly and whack her across the temple with the butt of the gun about four times, before pulling her into the cubicle. After a couple of minutes, her clothes become mine, and my clothes become hers. Worth it, because this dress and mask is awesome. I kind of wish my main costume was this cool, thinking about it. I just hope the others still have it. Finally able to walk around freely, I leave the poor girl in the cubicle, and open up the main door. I hope you’re ready, Mandy, because I am here, so the party can begin!