Hollow Time (A Hat in Time X HollowKnight AU)

Chapter 15 (The Nightmare Rift)

Hat Kid and Hornet teleport off the ship into the howling cliffs. They begin their walk to the Grimm Troupe tents while Hat Kid explains what Hornet needs to do. "Ok, so, Hornet, point this end of the tube at Grimm and blow into this end of the tube to shoot the dart and put him to sleep."

"Have you seen how fast that creep reacts!?"

"Yes, but there will be a moment when he is focused on himself and I."

They continue walking through the windy cliffs as Hat Kid keeps a smug look on her face.

"And that moment is?!" Hornet demands in the windy silence.

"Oh, right. Grimm and I will bow before we dance, which is when you take the shot. Try to get it in his arm so it acts quick."

"His arms!? They're so skinny, and he usually has them in his wings."

"Right, but when he bows it'll be exposed which means you can hit it with ease."

"Ok, so I'll sit in the audience and when he bows; exposing his arm, I take the shot?"

"Exactly, you got this."

They arrive on the outside edges of Dirthmouth where the Grimm Troupe tents are.

They enter the main tent to see Grimm's servant Brumm waiting. "S-save us." He says as if he is not himself. Hat Kid pats him and gives him a calm nod of reassurance.

They enter the dark showroom. "The audience seating is up there so get in position, Hornet."

"Okay... is anyone else going to be watching?"

"Uh, last time there were some blob things with masks but I don't know, it's really dark at the moment... they could be watching us right now." Hat Kid whispers.

Hornet jumps into the dark audience seating and ready's the blow gun. Hat Kid steps into the middle of the stage and calls out to summon Grimm. "Hey Grimm, come on out!"

Grimm poofs out of red mist in front of her. "I sleep too; you know? Nevertheless, I sense the child is ready to accelerate growth once more with another dance, where is he?"

"Oh... he'll be here soon..." She looks away for a moment with nervousness. She clears her throat. "Shall we rehearse until he arrives?"

"Yes, but first I want to apologize for my master's behavior against you." Grimm poofs away and poofs back with a timepiece in hand. "I hope this can make up for it, I found it just sitting in the royal waterways. It wasn't broken so it's certainly not the one I took from you and lost."

Hat Kid stands in awe as he hands it to her. "T-thanks." She puts it away in her hat.

"Let the dance begin." Grimm says bowing.

Hat Kid bows back. "Yeah I learned my lesson." She looks at Grimm's exposed arm as he bows with grace. She hears the quick sound of air fly by her ear, next thing she hears is Grimm screaming once more like before. Grimm starts to wobble around trying to grab Hat Kid. She back dashes quickly as his screaming dies down and he falls to the floor unconscious. Hat Kid lets out a sigh of relief.

Hornet gives Hat Kid a happy wave from the audience and jumps down. "What a performance, Hat Kid, the bow you bowed was unlike anything I've ever seen!"

"Don't get smart with me, spider." Hat Kid says taking out her mask. She looks at it for a moment while Grimm's body lies on the stage floor.

"Good luck, time traveler." Hornet tells Hat Kid.

"See you soon, Hornet... I hope." She puts the mask on and her vision goes red. Hat Kid screams and throws her mask off her face; scattering backwards frantically. Hornet rushes over to Hat Kid.