Beyond The Great Unknown, a Big Mouth/Final Fantasy crossover

Multiple POVs

Baku and the crew went over the plan again, carefully explaining every step to their new, temporary "crewmates". They listened carefully, occasionally exchanging glances with each other. The girls let out cries of disgust when Blank took out an oglop again. Baku even passed out scripts of I Want To Be Your Canary to all of them so they could familiarize themselves with the play. 

"It should be a short, simple job. In fact probably the easiest job we've had in a while. We should be in and out with the princess before they even notice she's gone. Then we'll fly the Prima Vista back to Lindblum, and you'll be free to go your own way from there", Baku finished as the teens sat listening, some looking through the scripts of the play. 

"But WHY are you kidnapping somebody?!!", Jessi asked incredulously. "A teenage girl not much older than some of US, let alone a PRINCESS??!" Jessi couldn't believe this. She felt like SHE and her friends had been kidnapped themselves when they were ripped from their own world, and STILL felt like they were being kidnapped NOW. Baku and his crew were treating them like guests now, but it still felt like they were prisoners. NOW these strange people wanted her and her friends to help them kidnap somebody else. 

Baku was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't tell you. That information is for Tantalus members only. We can't share any more information than what we just told you. But if it eases your minds, I promise she will not be harmed. We are simply to bring her straight to our client in Lindblum. I know this client well, and I know he means her no harm."

Jessi wasn't sure whether to believe that or not. Only an hour or so earlier these people had ambushed them with weapons drawn, ready to take them prisoner.  

The others had more or less the same feelings. They were confused. They were scared. Hungry. Tired. And above all, they were worried they would never see their homes and families again. Their school. Their friends. 

Even their Monsters were worried and anxious about their predicament. Not being able to teleport back to Earth or their own world was unusual. The portals between Earth and the Monster World were usually only shut off in emergencies, or if the generator was damaged, like that bad storm a year or so ago where Gavin had died restoring power. Also, it was strange, and a bit terrifying, not being able to sense or hear the thoughts of other Monsters. Connie could no longer sense Bonnie, or even hear her thoughts. As twins, they could usually hear and feel each other's thoughts and emotions, even when one was on Earth and the other in the Monster World. To a somewhat lesser extent, all the other Monsters could usually sense one another nearby, and feel the emotions of both each other and their clients. But even though they were standing next to each other in the cramped storage room, leaning against the stacks of crates and boxes, they couldn't seem to get a read on each other, even when they turned to look at one another. Maury had to guess Connie's emotions by her expression and body language. Bored? Angry? Frightened? All three? Even their perception of their human clients emotions was barely audible. Connie could sense Jessi's mix of shock, confusion and anger over this situation and the "job" they were being pressured into, but only JUST. And Mona could still feel Missy and Devin's nervousness around these strangers, and their sadness and fear that they might not see their families again. But these feelings came through subdued, barely audible, like a radio station with static, or a bad Internet connection. 

Jessi, being Jessi, still wasn't done arguing yet. "But if things DO go south, my friends and I aren't fighters!! I mean, yeah, our Monsters can fight, but I've never been in a fight in my life. Well, I mean, I wrestled Lola that one time, but......"

Lola snorted. "And only won cause I took it easy on you!! I say, bring em on!! If I can overpower a court security guard and take his club, AND take down Lulu while avoiding the crossfire in the school caf, I'm sure I can take a few medieval dudes armed with, I'm guessing, swords?"

"This is why I wish I hadn't lost my wand and smoke bombs", said Jay. "I've been working on improving my teleportation act, and I'm sure I could nail it now, but I need my wand. If I had my wand and smoke bombs, I could just toss a couple smoke bombs to cover our escape while you grab this bitch, then I could just teleport us out of there!!!"

"But if I'm being forced to go along with this bullshit, I should have a part in the play!!", cried Matthew. "I can sing and dance, and I've been into theater my whole life. But I don't want to start doing my big part, then have to cut it short cause security is coming after you nutjobs!!! Couldn't we do the entire play THEN do the kidnapping?"

"Yeah and like I said I never got to play my big role in the school play either ", said Missy. "But also kidnapping is wrong!! Whatever you want to kidnap this poor girl for, surely it's not something that simply can't be discussed in peace talks? Maybe over a big dinner? I've always dreamed of eating in a castle, with a big table and waiters, maybe with a fireplace roaring in the background and...."

And with that everybody started voicing their suggestions, concerns, or issues with the plan, their voices drowning each other out like earlier. Baku groaned. In all his years as the leader of Tantalus he had never had to deal with people this annoying. He was almost considering asking his client to pay him double when they got back to Lindblum. 

After almost a minute he slammed his fist on the table. The candle jumped and almost fell off the table. It was loud enough to get everybody to shut up and turn back to him. He sighed. "Look, I've thought it over. I think it would be best if it's just me and my boys here who do the play. Oh and Ruby here", he pointed to the young grey-haired woman. Seeing Matthew about to protest, he raised a hand. "But, you'll have the best seat in the house, watching the show from backstage. It's for the best, really. You kids obviously aren't from..... THIS world, assuming your story isn't a bunch of hogwash, but either way, your parents are probably worried sick. I may be a thief, but I DO have a heart, and I don't want you to be in danger if things don't go according to plan. Like I said, this shouldn't take long. The entire play is just about two hours long. It'll be over before you know it and we'll all be on our merry way to Lindblum with the princess. Now, why don't y'all go back outside and get some air? We should be almost to Alexandria by now. Believe me, the town is definitely a sight to behold from the air, especially Alexandria Castle."

The teens were fixing to protest some more, but realized it would do no good. Besides, he was probably right. They didn't know this place they were headed to. If something happened and they got separated, what if they couldn't find their way back, and the ship had to leave without them? What if the castle guards arrested them and threw them in the dungeon? All at once they thought of a million things that could go wrong. Perhaps staying on the ship WAS the best plan, at least until they got to this Lindblum place. At least there Baku and the others, who were familiar with the place, could show them around so they wouldn't get lost. So, some sighing, they turned and walked up the stairs and back onto the deck of the ship where they had arrived.

The Mist still obscured much of the view from the deck, but seemed to be lightening up a bit. They could make out mountains in the distance, towering over the lands below like giants. 

Suddenly, the ship descended slightly, and the Mist finally parted. The teens cried out as the sun finally shone fully, the sudden brightness hurting their eyes. As they blinked and rubbed their eyes, they gasped as they saw where they were headed. They ran to the front of the ship to get a better view.

The town's cobbled streets were surrounded by many small buildings, some probably houses, some a bit bigger, possibly shops. Many of them were probably really old, some crumbling, the wood rotting, the brick falling away. Smoke poured out of crumbling smokestacks, birds nested on the roofs and eaves of buildings, and armored soldiers patrolled the town square and large front gate. But it was the people bustling throughout the ancient streets that most captured their attention. Beings of every shape and size and color. Many of them were humans like them, but others were creatures that made the Hormone Monsters look like Chihuahuas. There were green-skinned humanoids that looked like a Halloween witch costume. Short, very fat hippo creature, walking as fast as they could with their stubby legs. Blue-skinned creatures with fish-like heads and beady eyes.

Nick stared, amazed. "It's almost like I stepped into the Monster World again. I never thought I'd see anything this....... surreal again."

Devin smiled next to him. "I've always wanted to see the Monster World. Celeste always promised to take me, just for a few minutes, but of course always forgot. Half the time she kept forgetting how to get back herself. Maybe one day I'll ask Mona, maybe SHE'LL..... Lola, GET DOWN from there!!!" Nick turned to see her gasping at Lola, who had climbed on top of the large mermaid statue that served as the ship's figurehead. 

Lola laughed. "Look Devin, I'm Queen Of The World!!! Gee, sure we don't hit an iceberg. Or rather, cloudberg!!" She snorted at her own lame joke. 

Devin sighed and shook her head. Then she gasped, her eyes wide. She took a step back in surprise. "No.....no.....WAY. That...... that's IMPOSSIBLE!!!"

Nick stared at her. "What, what is it? You look.....scared."

Devin gasped again. "That.....the castle."

Nick turned. Sure enough, a giant castle loomed ahead, its shadow already darkening the deck. Everybody turned to stare. Even Lola was stunned into silence and slowly lowered herself carefully off the statue as they all stared. 

Compared to the rest of the rustic medieval town with its rundown buildings and crumbling streets, Alexandria Castle was a testament to radiance. Its numerous shiny towers and turrets caught the pale sun, shining magnificently. Many smaller towers surrounded the main tower, their domed roofs topped with spires of all shapes and sizes. But it was the main tower itself that caught their attention. Jutting from the castle, towering over the turrets and spires, reflecting the afternoon sun and clouds and even the city below, was a giant sword. No hilt, unless the castle itself could be considered the hilt. They looked closer. The sword seemed to be made of glass, or perhaps a clear crystal. 

Devin gasped again. "This is IMPOSSIBLE", she said again, closing her eyes and opening them, as if the castle would disappear. 

"What do you mean?", Nick asked. Devin had gone pale, her freckles standing out even more. 

She turned to him. "The castle..... I've seen it before. In my dreams. All those places I told you I've seen. Well, I've seen this exact castle in one of them." 

Everybody looked at her, as if she had shed her skin and turned into an alien. Devin didn't seem to notice, her gaze still on the strange, beautiful castle, which the ship was slowly lowering towards. 

Nick didn't know what to say, so, feeling like an idiot, he merely asked: "Um.......I mean, are you sure? I mean, are you sure it was THIS one?"

Devin nodded. "Well, I'm pretty sure there's not many castles with a SWORD sticking out of it. And now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure in the dream I saw that town too, before the castle. Alexandria." Devin felt a chill run through her, a mix of deja vu, confusion and fear. Which wasn't helped when her sister came to her side and said the words she dreaded. 

"I've seen it too", Tiffany said. Devin turned to her. She looked frightened too. "The town, the castle." She turned to Devin. "And didn't most of the places we saw have a bunch of fog. Fog, or maybe...."

Devin nodded. "Mist", she finished. The sisters looked back up at the giant sword, which was looming bigger by the second as the ship kept descending, headed towards a giant hole in the center of the main tower, which they noticed was surrounded by many seats, in rows headed up, like a movie theater. 

"Magnificent, isn't it?" They turned to see Baku with the rest of Tantalus behind him. "You kids are lucky. Not many people get so close to Alexandria Castle, and even fewer get to go INSIDE. We'll be landing any second, and we still have so much work to do. Me and my boys still gotta put on our costumes, and we still have to put the set together and get the band ready. Y'all can help with the set construction if you want. Just don't get in the way." 

With that, the deck exploded into a frenzy, some of the crew rushing below to change, some returning with set pieces or prop weapons. The band members headed to the other side of the ship to the podium to prepare for their musical numbers. 

Andrew looked at the members setting up the stage. "Well, I WAS part of the set crew when we did Disclosure. I guess I could help with some of it. Better than standing around."

Matthew nodded. "And I'm gonna go talk to the band, see if they're looking for a singer. Apparently it's a tragic love story, so it definitely needs a classic ballad." 

Andrew and Matthew walked off. Missy sat down to read the rest of the script. Just because she wouldn't be in the play didn't mean she couldn't finish reading it. There were plenty of scripts. The others just watched the chaos, too afraid to move for fear of interfering with the hurried, hectic last-minute work. By now the ship had fully landed in the theater, and they could see some citizens were already arriving early, sitting down in the numerous seats watching the work unfold. 

"Wow, and I thought Comic Con was a crazy place. This is definitely something else", said Nate, watching the crew work on the giant set background, which they finally realized was a castle. Zidane and the others were practicing the fight scenes with their prop weapons. 

Rachel nodded. "It's crazy. I've never been into theater to be honest. I prefer roleplaying. Much safer, and less noise. Just a game board or computer."

Jessi nodded. "It IS crazy. This WHOLE THING is. " She lowered her voice so only they could hear over the noise. "Guys, are we REALLY going through with this, helping these people kidnap somebody? Guys, we aren't CRIMINALS, we're TEENAGERS. STUDENTS. With families. Families who taught us right from wrong. Families we have to get back to!! We can't stay here. We have to get away, find a way to get back home, before...."

"You heard what they said Jessi, it's too dangerous out there", said Nick. "I mean, I'm not a big fan of the plan either, but we'd never make it on our own. Besides if we just wait, we might just find another portal, one that will take us back."

Tiffany pulled out her necklace from under her shirt. "When that portal pulled us in, the crystal started glowing. It hasn't done anything since we got here. I don't know if it MADE the portal appear, or if it glowed BECAUSE of the portal, but it hasn't glow or vibrated since we came through." She tucked it back under her shirt and shook her head sadly. "I don't think another portal is coming."

Devin put a hand on her shoulder. "We'll find a way, Tiff. I promise. We'll ALL find a way back. "

Lola snorted. "Speak for yourselves, I'm not going ANYWHERE until I find Rodney. Even if I have to steal a sword from these freaks and go out on my own and have to slay a gagillion monsters, I'm not going to rest till I find him. And by the way, this theater BETTER come with catering, cause I'm STARVING!!!" 

She walked over to the crew practicing their fight scenes and grabbed a spare prop weapon and joined the battle, jabbing, swinging and lunging. The others backed up, taken back by her recklessness and fury, but Zidane laughed and eagerly rushed forward, matching the fury of her blows with half-hearted blocks and dodges. "Come on, you gotta do better than that!!", he teased as he leapt over a low swing of her fake sword. 

As the others watched, Jessi tried to get their attention again. "But guys, we can't just....I mean if they catch us, we could get locked up. Maybe EXECUTED. I mean this IS a medieval place, right? If they catch us, we can't fight. I've never held a weapon, and....." Jessi couldn't finish. The thought of a bunch of soldiers in armor marching after them with weapons drawn terrified her. Being chased by the Ponytail Killer suddenly seemed like a pleasant midnight stroll in the park.

Connie sensed her fear and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Jessi Bear, but they're right. We can't just run off. Even WE'D have a hard time protecting you kids out there. I'm not fond of all this either, but maybe if we wait, somebody in the Monster World will find a way to get a portal here. Me and the others couldn't do it from here, but maybe somebody THERE can. All we can do is be patient, sweetie."

Camden smiled. "Yeah, and besides I won't let anything happen to you. I actually used to take fencing classes when I was younger. I'm sure I could handle a sword. Better than Lola anyway", he added, watching her swing the prop sword from side to side as she charged at the others again with a furious yell. 

Jessi laughed, but she still couldn't push down this growing fear. After all, she had been right about something bad happening at the observatory, which led to their current situation. 

Devin and Tiffany too were worried. They were literally inside of a castle they had both seen in their dreams. In a town they were pretty sure they had also seen. How was this possible? What did it mean? Were their dreams a warning? A premonition of things to come, like Cassandra of Troy? And like the ill-fated oracle herself, were these warnings doomed to be ignored, disbelieved until it was too late? Was the ship on which they stood a wooden horse bringing them into a giant battle that would destroy it, the castle, and everyone in it, including them? Like a soldier marching to their death, were they doomed to never see their home or family again?

Meanwhile, in the city of Alexandria.....

The streets were busy, people practically shoulder-to-shoulder as they rushed to Alexandria Castle to see the play. The ones who could afford a ticket anyway. The ones too poor to buy a ticket were already scrambling to the rooftops where they would watch the play from a distance. Not exactly comfortable, and a bit dangerous, but for a small, working-class city like Alexandria, watching the play any way you could was a luxury. 

As the crowd bustled through the aged, cobbled streets, a young boy ran to keep up. He appeared to be about 9, although it was difficult to tell. Mostly because there wasn't much to see. Under a large, pointed yellow hat was a black void where his face would be. No nose or mouth, just a pair of large yellow eyes, like two tiny suns in the black canvas of space. Besides the hat, he wore a blue jacket, slightly oversized green and white pants, large red and white leather gloves, and brown children's boots. 

Pausing to catch his breath, the boy was suddenly struck by something behind him. He fell to the ground, his hat almost falling off. Grabbing his hat to readjust it, he stood up and saw what had knocked him down. It was a boy about the same size as him, but possibly older. He had brown fur, a long, rodent-like face with whiskers, and a long, furry rat-like tail that twitched in an annoyed manner. He glared at the pointy-hatted boy angrily. "Why you......get outta my way!!!" 

The rat boy ran off before the yellow-eyed boy could point out that HE ran into HIM. He stared after him for a moment, adjusting his hat again, and continued walking, passing by a pub and several businesses until he reached the town square. Up ahead were the front gates of the castle, guarded by two fully armored soldiers. There was also a large inn, and a weapon and synthesist shop. Children ran around the square, trying to get a look at the nobles headed to the play. Several little girls stood by the inn, playing a game of jump rope. The boy scanned the area. Where was the.......THERE IT WAS, right in the center of the square. He walked over to the ticket booth, standing on tip toes to peer in. 

The Ticketmaster, a humanoid with a pink, wolflike face, peered down at him. "Can I help you, son?" He asked. 

The boy pulled out of his pocket a ticket for the play. The man squinted at it with his tiny white eyes. His brown snout twitched, as if he could smell the ticket in his hands. "What's this? There's something fishy about this ticket.......why, it's another fake!! I've seen so many today."

The boy hung his head in despair. "Noooooo", he moaned. He had come all this way. Leaving the comfort of his dearly departed Grandpa's home for the first time and getting a ride from a stranger had taken lots of courage and planning. And only for his ticket to turn out to be FAKE!! 

The Ticketmaster smiled in what he obviously thought was a comforting way, but only made him look frightening, his wolflike teeth bared. "Now, don't cry. I know how you must feel." He fumbled around in his pockets and pulled something out, placing it on the counter. "Here, take these. Do try and cheer up." 

The boy reached over and picked it up. A small, rectangular box. "Um, what is it?"

The Ticketmaster smiled again. "A box of cards. The game is called Tetra Master. It's super popular in Lindblum, but is quickly catching on here in Alexandria and other parts of the realm. Each realm has its own rules and variations. I really don't know much about it myself. I just, um...... FOUND that deck. Yeah. You'll have to ask somebody else how to play. Maybe you can watch the play from the rooftops and play a game with some of these other kids. Have a nice day fella, I got to close now. I have to get down to the castle myself, the play starts in like half an hour. Hope there's still a good seat."

He reached up and pulled down a screen over the booth window. The boy looked at the box in his hands. He'd never played cards before, or learned how. His grandpa hadn't been a card person. Still, he put the box in his pocket and looked around the square, which was slowly getting empty, people either heading through the gate to the castle or to the rooftops. The boy sighed. What would he do now? He saw the alley off to the left of the inn. He wondered where it led. He might as well see the rest of the town before heading back. 

He walked into the alley. Up ahead, a large, stocky white-furred humanoid with a bearlike face was hitting a sign with a hammer, perched precariously on a ladder. The boy squinted, trying to read the sign in the dim alley light. He was so distracted he tripped over a crack in the sidewalk and fell down. The man on the ladder, startled by the boy's cry, hit the sign wrong, and it fell off the sconce on one side, dangling by a chain from the other. The man stepped off the ladder, cursing. He shook his hammer at the boy as he stood up. "Hey, you made me miss, you little klutz!!" 

The man stepped back on the ladder as the boy dusted off his pants. The signmaker fixed the sign back on the sconce, and with a few more strikes from the hammer, securely fastened it on both sides. He stepped off the ladder and stretched, yawning loudly. "Phew. That should do it." He walked off down the alley the way the boy had come, whistling as he walked. The boy was about to call out and tell him he forgot his ladder when a voice yelled out from behind him. 

"Hey shrimp!! You're the one with a phony ticket, right?" 

The boy turned. It was the rude rat boy from earlier, the one who had knocked him down. He was grinning from ear to ear, as if pleased at his misfortune. 

Despite his sadness and annoyance, the boy nodded. "Yeah, it's fake", he said. 

The rat boy nodded. He seemed to be fighting the urge to snicker. "Bummer!! But I'll let you into the show if you'll be my slave for a while."

The boy had to stop himself from gasping. A SLAVE? His grandpa had told him how the old civilizations had used slaves for labor, forcing them to do difficult, often impossible tasks, often beating them to force them to work faster. Often they had died from exhaustion, starvation or disease. But surely this boy didn't mean an ACTUAL slave? The boy knew that kids liked to joke around, dare each other to do crazy things. Just games. Surely that's what this was, right? A game. Just a game. And the boy had said he would help him get in to see the play if he did. So finally he nodded. 

The rat boy smiled and jumped excitedly. "Awesome!! Ok, first assignment: go stand over there", he pointed in the direction he had come from, "and tell me if you see anybody coming."

So the boy ran to the side of the alley he had entered and scanned the town square. Only a few kids remained, including the girls playing jump rope. But they were all too busy playing to even bother glancing down the alley. He turned back around just as the rat boy called out. "All clear?" He nodded. 

The rat boy jumped excitedly. "Awesome!!! Engage according to mission parameters!!"

The rat boy ran to the wall and grabbed the ladder, holding it over his head by the middle rungs. He ran off down the alley. The boy started to follow, but took a second to read the sign the man had been nailing up, and the sign posted over a chained-off flight of stairs in the corner: 'Coming Soon: Mini-theater. Under construction.' The boy made a note to check it out if he was ever in town again, and quickly turned to continue following the other boy. He saw him run down another alley. Up ahead, he saw a tall vertical tower with a bell at the very top. A steeple of sorts? He ran to catch up, stopping next to the rat boy, who was breathing heavily from his efforts to keep the ladder above his head. He turned to him. "Ok, it could be dangerous. You go first!!"

The boy was about to protest, but bit his tongue. This was his first time away from home. His first time seeing Alexandria, or ANYWHERE really. He had only heard about Alexandria and the rest of the world through his grandpa's teachings. He was NOT ready to turn around and go back. So, fighting the urge to groan, he stepped up to the steeple ladder, fixing to climb up, when something fell from the top and landed on his head!!! 

The boy fell to the ground, his hat nearly falling off again. Whatever had landed on him groaned to the side of him. He heard the rat boy laugh nastily. "Haha!! What was that?!"

The boy stood up, straightening his hat as he looked at the thing that had fallen on him. The creature was tiny, even shorter than him. It had bright white, fluffy fur, a large head with small catlike ears and a bright red nose. On its head, perched on top of an antenna-like appendage, was a large red ball, which was twitching with excitement or nervousness. On its back was a pair of small, batlike wings. 

The creature shook its head. "Sorry bout that, kupo!!"

The rat boy nodded. "That's Kupo. He's a Moogle."

The creature turned to him and nodded. "Kupo!!", it said again. 

The rat boy gestured to his "slave". "And this is slave number one. Try to get along, ok?"

The Moogle turned to the boy. "Kupo!! Pleased to meet you."

The rat boy shrugged and adjusted the ladder on his shoulders. "Ok, time for some upward mobility!!" He ran to the steeple and started climbing, keeping the stolen ladder hooked through one arm as he climbed. He finally reached the top and peered down. "Ok, come on up, slave!!"

The boy was fixing to follow when a voice called out behind him. "Kupo. You here?"

The boy turned. Another Moogle was walking towards them. This one had golden colored fur, and carried a small pack on his back and a satchel on his side. He wore a brown and yellow bandana on his head. 

Kupo turned to him. He looked at him curiously. "Stiltzkin? Why the getup? You leaving again, kupo?" 

Stiltzkin nodded. "Yeah, and this time I might be away for a long time."

Kupo hung his head. "I'll miss you, kupo."

Stiltzkin smiled. "Now don't worry, I'll write. Well, I'm off. Take care. Oh, and say hi to Mosh in the castle for me." He turned and headed off down the street. The boy and Kupo watched him go. "Was that a friend of yours?", asked the boy curiously. 

Kupo nodded. Yes, kupo. A very special one, kupo!!"

"Hey slave!! I thought I ordered you up here!!!" The boy turned to see the rat boy glaring down at him. He gestured to his wrist, as if pointing at an invisible watch. With a sigh, the boy grabbed the ladder of the steeple and climbed until he was in front of his temporary "master". The rat boy nodded. 

"All right!! The play's gonna start if we don't hurry!!" He turned and ran across the rooftop. As he watched in horror, he ran nimbly across a stack of wood binded together which connected this rooftop to another across a narrow gap leading to the street below. The boy stared at the planks uncertainly. They looked very brittle, unstable, and there was nothing to catch his fall if they broke.....

The rat boy growled impatiently. "Come on, get over here!!" He sighed. "Lemme guess, you're afraid of heights, aren't you? It's ok, just pretend you're on the ground. Just keep looking at me, don't look down. Come on." He gestured with his free hand. 

The boy sighed, and slowly stepped on the thin strip of wooden boards. They wobbled slightly, and he thought he heard them start to snap. Taking the other boy's advice, he fought the urge to look down, and ran the last couple inches until he was finally on the other roof. The rat boy nodded, smiling. "Come on already, we're running out of time." 

Without pausing, he ran to another thin plank of wood and ran across it like he was running through a field of daisies. The boy stepped forward and, unable to stop himself, peered down the narrow gap between the two buildings. They were higher than he had thought. A few people were still on the streets, but he was too high up to make out their features or even species. He felt his stomach lurch. 

He heard the other boy groan. "Not again...... don't worry, it won't fall!!" 

Trying to push his fear down, the boy slowly stepped onto the plank, which like the one before, wobbled and shook as he slowly walked across. Then, suddenly, this time he DEFINITELY heard a snapping sound, and, without thinking, the boy jumped just as the wood gave out with a final SNAP that echoed down the narrow alley below. The boy landed on the roof as the board fell, falling out of view into the street below. The boy resisted the urge to look down. His heart beat heavily, and despite the cool afternoon air and wind, he was sure he was sweating. 

The rat boy shrugged. "Haha, guess it DID fall. Well, no sense in worrying NOW, right?"

He turned and dashed across the roof, jumping to the next. Luckily THIS gap was small enough to jump across, small enough in fact he'd probably get stuck between them than fall to his death. Still, he paused to catch his breath as the other boy continued running. Finally he turned back to him. 

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I don't even know your name!!"

The boy took another breath, trying to put his near-death experience out of his mind. At least they were almost there, surely. He straightened up and looked at the rat boy, who was staring at him impatiently. "I........ I'm Vivi", he said finally. 

The rat boy snickered. "Vivi, huh? Kinda funny name.....well, my name's Puck!! Pleased to meet ya!!!" 

He turned and dashed across the next couple of roofs, which again were mercifully close enough to simply jump or step across. The boy followed, and finally they stood in front of their destination: the roof of the castle theater. Puck threw the ladder at the gap between the roof they were on and the roof of the theater. Luckily it was long enough to form a bridge between the two, the theater roof being slightly higher. He turned to Vivi. "Phew!! We finally made it. After this wall we'll be at the castle. Come on, let's go!!" He crawled up the ladder, crossing the gap between the two buildings until he was on the roof of the castle theater, then turned and gestured to Vivi. 

This time, Vivi, knowing he couldn't avoid looking down this time, closed his eyes as he slowly climbed the ladder. It felt pretty sturdy, unlike the boards, it didn't rock or creak. Still, he kept his eyes closed until he felt the smooth stone of the castle wall under him. He stood up, opening his eyes as he brushed himself off. His pants, gloves and boots had soot from the chimneys on them, but at least he was finally here. They had made it. He looked up. Up this close the castle was truly breathtaking. The giant sword caught the final rays of the afternoon sun and reflected it magnificently on the town below. 

Puck gazed up for a moment too, then turned to Vivi and pointed to the door ahead. The upstairs door to the theater, he guessed. "Come on, let's go!!"

The two boys ran towards the entrance, hoping they would make it in time. They could hear the music of the opening from out here, and the excited applause of the audience. They hoped it would be worth it for all this trouble......

Sometime later, at Alexandria Castle.......

The audience had by now fully arrived, seated in comfortable, if somewhat small seats in the theater. Some were seated in back of somewhat taller people or creatures, and had to actually stand to get a better view. Seated above them all, in the royal box, sat their royal highnesses, Queen Brahne Raza Alexandros XVI and Princess Garnet Til Alexandros XVII. 

For a couple who were supposed to be mother and daughter, they couldn't possibly look more different. Brahne, at only 39, was severely overweight, with pale blue, almost waxy skin, dotted with many freckles, large lips, and a purple nose. Despite the ridiculous amount of makeup and purple lipstick, it didn't help one bit, nor did her hairdo: her hair was blonde, and tied into twin ponytails kept in an upright position by her large crown, flowing out from both sides like golden flowers. She wore a large red coat with a furry collar, and many rings adorned her stubby fingers. She waved a large paper fan in her face while casting a condescen

ding gaze on the people in the audience, as if waving away the stench of the people literally below her. 

Princess Garnet, meanwhile, was strikingly beautiful, with fair, almost pale white skin, and long night black hair, which she wore tied back in a ponytail. Her eyes were large, brown, and seemed to radiate some inner sadness or conflict as she watched the opening festivities with little interest.

Baku stepped forward on the deck of the ship below. He was dressed in his costume for the play, where he would be playing the role of 'King Leo'. His costume consisted of a large red and green coat, the back and sides trailing the floor like a cape, and under it, a black shirt with a red cross. He had also donned a silver white powdered wig. He raised his arms to silence the cheering crowd. 

"Tonight's performance is a story that takes place long, long ago", he said, speaking as loudly as he could so everybody could hear. "Our heroine, Princess Cornelia, is torn from her lover, Marcus. She attempts to flee the castle, only to be captured by her father, King Leo. When our story begins, Marcus, having learned of this, crosses swords with the king. And now your royal majesty, Queen Brahne, your highness, Princess Garnet, noble ladies and lords, and our rooftop viewers, Tantalus proudly presents........ I Want To Be Your Canary!!!!"

The band on the podium started playing a dramatic, exciting theme as the curtain lifted. Zidane, Blank and Cinna stood behind the curtain, their prop weapons drawn. 

"Bereft of father! Bereft of mother! Marcus!! Thou hast lost even thy love!!!", cried Blank. 

Cinna raised his hammer angrily. "Fortune hath escaped thee!! For what end shalt thou live?!"

Zidane raised his prop sword boldly. "For the sake of our friend, let us bury our steel in the heart of the wretched King Leo!!!"

Blank and Cinna nodded. "Aye!!!!", they cheered, and together the three rushed to the center of the stage, where Marcus was fixing to "battle" 'King Leo'. 

"We shall back thee, kinsman!!!", cried Blank as he and the others ran up beside him. 

Marcus shook his head. "Pray, sheathe thy swords!! This villain is mine alone!!"

Cinna shook his head as he glared at the "King". "Nay, kinsman!! For I, too, have lost a brother to this fiend!!" 

'King Leo', backed by Zenero and Benero, drew his sword. "What ho? Out, vermin!! Away!!! Thou darest bare thy sword before the King?!! All who stand in my way will be crushed!!!"

"Treacherous Leo, my kinsman's suffering shall not be in vain!!", cried Zidane. "For I shall instruct thee in his incomparable pain!!"

And so the actors slash thieves went into "battle". Besides clashing with their fake weapons, they had had their technicians in Lindblum rig the stage to give the illusion of magic. Between sword blows and the occasional pretend stab or slash, a rigged system set off a fake flame spell here, a ball of light there. The audience, as expected, practically ate it up. They heard the cheers, gasps and applause as they acted out their well-rehearsed battle perfectly. Eventually, Zenero and Benero were 'slain' and 'King Leo' backed away, his hand covering a fake wound. 

'King Leo' walked up the stairs of the castle the stage crew had built. He glared down at them, raising a fist. "Thou hast not seen the last of me, Marcus!!" 

"Get back here!!!", shouted Zidane. He rushed after him, but Blank ran in front of him. 

Zidane gasped. "What....get out of the way, Blank!!" 

Blank shook his head. "Consider this, Zidane: If Prince Schneider were to marry Princess Cornelia, peace would reign over BOTH their kingdoms!!"

Zidane shook his head. "Tis foolishness!!! If all were so easy, why, none would suffer in this world!!!"

This initiated a one-on-one swordfight that literally left the stage and spilled out onto the floor in front of the rows of seats, close enough for the people in the front row to touch them. Zidane and Blank swung, blocked, ducked and jumped, their prop weapons clanging away as the audience cheered and applauded. Queen Brahne jumped out of her throne, pumping her hammy fists excitedly. So caught up in the fight she was, she barely noticed as Garnet got out of her seat and quietly exited the booth. 

Finally, Blank turned and ran, Zidane following, swearing to kill the 'traitor'. They exited through one of the stage doors instead of returning to the ship to prepare for their next scene, but the audience was so caught up in the excitement hardly anybody noticed. 

Watching from backstage, taking turns peeking behind the curtain, the teens and Monsters watched the play. Despite their predicament, they couldn't help but be as amazed as the audience. 

"This is SO COOL!!!", said Missy. She had finished reading the script before the play had started, and couldn't wait to see the entire thing. "And I thought Rock Of Gibraltar was a good book. But this...... this is just.....WOW!!!"

"It certainly is something", Nate agreed. "Really, this whole thing makes me want to attend a Renaissance fair when we get back home."

Matthew scoffed. He was still fuming because the band had refused his offer to let him sing, saying their band was strictly an instrumental orchestra, no vocals. 'Those Philistines wouldn't know a good singer anyway. What would a band with a TRUMPETER know about good music?', he thought. Out loud, he said: " Oh PLEASE, what drivel!! Nothing but melodramatic dialogue, bad choreography and cheap special effects!!"

Jay nodded. "Well, that IS kinda harsh, but I DO agree about the effects. If I could find my wand I could have provided the magic for the battle scene. I REALLY gotta find it, or another one. I mean, if this place has castles and flying ships and stuff it's GOTTA have a magic store!!!"

Nick watched in awe. His sister had been in a couple school plays, and he had to admit she was pretty good. He'd never actually say it, but he hoped she became a successful actress one day. He thought again about his role in the cancelled school play. "It must be awesome, being up there in front of the crowd. Hearing them cheer and beg for more." He turned to Devin. "I wish they hadn't cancelled Disclosure. It would have been awesome."

Devin nodded. "Yeah, but I wasn't in it, remember? I didn't get picked. " 

Nick nodded. "Right. I forgot. But I wish it hadn't been cancelled, and YOU got picked for the part Missy got. Then I could have kissed you back THEN."

Devin smiled. "Yeah, if only. But to tell you the truth I don't think the spotlight is for me. Maybe back then, but now I'm just fine being ME. The dialogue is interesting though. I'm thinking of working on some new poems when we get back."

Nick smiled. "Can't wait to read them."

The Monsters were also watching. Mona sighed. "I hate to sound like Missy, but there's just something about theater that makes my pussy rumble!! I gotta get back to London one day. I miss seeing young thespians sharing their passion for the art on stage. And often more than THAT. Sometimes they get totally nude!!! I wonder if THIS play will have a nude scene?"

Megan nodded. "I know what you mean. The men are a bit.....rugged, but still pretty strapping. Especially that Marcus. He can be MY leading man any day!!!"

Connie and Mona gagged, but Megan tried to elaborate. "Come on, those muscles are to die for. And the tattoos just make it hotter. And the whole pirate theme he's got going makes me want to walk HIS plank!!!" 

While the Monstersses continued chatting, the teens kept watching the play through the curtain. 'Where had Zidane and Blank gone?', they wondered. 

Little did they know, or the audience for that matter, after exiting the stage door, Zidane and Blank had followed their memory of the stolen castle map to find the guard quarters, which was on the same floor. As they hoped, a couple off-duty guards, probably members of the less successful Knights Of Pluto rather than the better trained and better equipped Alexandrian soldiers, were lying in the bunks, trying to catch some sleep before their shift. It took only a few seconds for them to grab their discarded helmets and knock them from sleep to unconsciousness with them. Then, quickly, they pulled off the rest of their armor and put them on, leaving the two unconscious Knights lying on the floor in their underwear. 

Blank, adjusting the gauntlets on his hands, turned to Zidane. "Finished changing, Zidane?"

Zidane pulled off the helmet and tossed it on the table. "Yeah, but the helmet kinda smells."

"What're you talking about?!!", said Blank, his voice muffled by his own stolen helmet. "MY helmet totally REEKS!! My armor's way too big. My back's real itchy. The boots are all wet. My gloves are real slimy. There's cookie crumbs in my pockets...." 

Zidane held up his hands. "Ok, I get the picture. You still got the package, right?" 

Blank nodded. "Don't worry, I won't screw up!!" 

No sooner had he said that than an oglop popped out of his pocket and started bouncing around on the floor. Blank cursed and jumped after it. After a few seconds he caught it and fished the small sack out of his pocket and stuffed the oglop back inside with his buddies. Making sure he tied it extra securely this time he stuffed the sack back in his pocket. 

Zidane nodded. "Alright, first I'll go pour some sleeping potions into Princess Garnet's teacup."

Blank snickered. "And I've got a special something for the lovely Queen!!"

Leaving the unconscious Knights still lying on the cold floor they left the guardhouse. They knew the royal seats were directly above them. Provided everything went according to plan they should have the Princess in their clutches and back to the ship before the final climactic scene of the play. As Baku always said, "a Tantalus always gets what he sets his eyes on." And so far, they had ALWAYS completed every job they had set out to do. Usually. Surely THIS job would be no different. Right?

End of chapter 9

Hope y'all enjoyed it, as always. Next chapter will again be familiar to those who played the game, and will also feature another Earth chapter. Again, a few things WILL feel a bit different though, cause as I said I occasionally have to take a few liberties to make this story fit my narrative better, but right now any changes will be very minimal. 

Of course, as always, please follow, like and review. Don't make me have to send a Tonberry after y'all!!!