Flipped Star

Hoping through Dimensions with a Pony CH.6

As far as the eye could see, lade billions of arcade machines. Every single one of them with a different game loaded in. One could find almost anything in this place. The most popular release of all time stood next to an obscure game programmed by one person. Some machines were so ancient that the only intact copy was here. Others, so new that they were just a glimmer in their creator's mind.

Small bespectacled creatures shaped like squares were playing the arcade machines. All of them engrossed by the colours and sounds. One of these living geometrical shapes was taking a deep breath. He was on the verge of participating in the most difficult challenge of his life. The little square was about to play the most difficult game in the entire multiverse: 'Shake, shake panic'. Some speculated that this game was created by a mad man with no understanding of the body's limits. Or a member of a long-deceased race of six-legged creatures. It was widely believed that nobody could ever hope to reach the end of this game. Yet, thanks to his skills and lots of luck, this square was on the cusp of finishing what was thought to be impossible. He stared at the screen, colourful bubbly letters spelling out 'level 888 FINAL LEVEL'. A cheerful up bead melody accompanied the text. The square shook his noodle legs and pushed the start button. Arrows lazily flew to the top of the screen as an energetic song played its first notes. The square placed his legs on the odd 12 directional dance pat staring at the screen.

As the song gained tempo and arrows reached the top of the screen a portal opened next to the little square. Star, Pony Head and Marco jumped out of the portal straight on the dance pad. A cacophony of screams and desperate attempts to get out of the people pile followed. 'Shake, shake panic' dinging from the input of legs, hands, horns and faces.

It took a while before Star, Marco and Pony Head managed to get themselves off the dance pat. The little square left standing on it alone. Utter defeat and failure washed over the square. He plummeted to the ground his little fists hitting the buttons. Two dings echoed from the machine followed by a victorious song. The square lifted his head. His eyes met a big colourful sign saying: 'Congratulations!!! Level 888 defeated!!!'. The square froze staring at the screen tears of joy running down his cheeks like waterfalls. He did it he completed the hardest game in existence.

Marco stared at the sobbing mess of a square confused. "Is he ok?" the boy pointed at the square.

But, Marco's question fell on deaf ears as Star was in the process of bombarding Pony Head with her own questions. "Why are you being chased? Why are you running? What is happening?" Star pleaded for answers.

Pony Head frowned. "It's a long-" a portal opened. The broad-shouldered figures step through. "Run!" Pony Head ushered the group. Everyone darted off into the distance.

The figures chased after the trio. Broad-shouldered men's movement was precise and efficient. Their masks giving them a creepy emotionless vibe.

The kids dashed through the arcade past many machines and geometric people. In some ways, the giant arcade resembled a labyrinth. Many sharp corners splitting up into different passages. The trio tried to use this to their advantage rushing to the sides and ducking into smaller pathways with the more obscure arcade machines. But despite kids' attempts, it seemed impossible to lose the broad-shouldered men.

Star stopped and turned to face the pursuers wand in hand. A deep breath. The princess pointed her wand at the creatures. "Sleep, sleep wash over those who I demand," Star screamed. The yellow moon on her wand sparking to life. A pale pink mist shot out from the wand surrounding the broad-shouldered men. The creatures blinded by the mist stumbled out from the cloud. All of their clothing now in different shades of pink. "Oh for corn's sake," Star cursed.

The men dashed at Star ready to grab her. But Marco in a split second ran in front of her with a broom and knocked the broad-shouldered men off their feet. He grabbed Star's hand and ran off.