Masked (A Hat In Time)

Outlandish Fates (Reprise)

I feel like I should have some really cryptic message for this chapter.

Oh, well. Black flowers, am I right?

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Everyone was still as they stared at each other. Slowly, the prince rested his hand on Bow Kid's shoulder. She forced herself not to look at him. It was risky to take her eyes off the Outlander.

"Who are you?" the prince asked the Outlander. His voice was stern.

The Outlander tilted his head, eyes narrowing in what must've been amusement. "Oh, really?" he asked, his bright white mouth curled into a smug grin. "Your little friend didn't tell you about me? How rude!"

Bow stiffened. She should've warned the prince about him. She cringed. Over the past few days, her mind had been filled with anxiety and worry. Although the Outlander was a big problem, she'd forgotten to tell the prince or Moonjumper about him.

"I suppose I'll introduce myself," the Outlander said with a mocking sigh. He spread his arms dramatically. "I call myself the Outlander! But tonight, you can call me your doom!"

He suddenly brandished his arms. Shadows had been gathering at the tips of his wrists until a dark, sharp extension grew. Bow Kid watched in horror as blades grew on the Outlander's arms. His weapons were extensions of his own body.

Noticing the fear on her face, the Outlander perked his ears up. "Oh, surprised?" he asked. "I've been gathering my power while you were off fooling around with your pathetic little friends." The light in his eyes became cruel. "It took a few dozen souls, I'll admit. But now I don't need that stupid mask to take you down!"

The prince drew in a sharp breath. "You were the one who killed the minions?!" he asked, alarm in his voice.

Bow Kid's eyes widened. She'd completely forgotten about that!

The Outlander cackled with delight, thrusting the point of his arm-blades in the prince's direction. "You're a smart one, aren't you?" he crowed. "That's right! I had to take what I could get. Dwellers are mindless, disgusting creatures. Those little 'minions', as you called 'em, have personalities and thoughts and all that good stuff." His head tilted as he eyed the prince closer. "Sentience brings much more powerful magic. And, of course, the soul itself."

Bow Kid drew her umbrella, scowling. "Don't you dare hurt Prince!" she yelled. She was shaking underneath the prince's hand, but she was ready to fight to defend him. Whatever it took.

The Outlander laughed again. "Okay, how about a rematch?" he cheered. "I'd prefer it to be a two-on-one with the other brat, but this'll do." He absentmindedly flicked his tail at the prince.

She knew this wasn't going to work, but...Bow took a deep breath. "What about...you just leave us alone?" she asked hopefully.

The Outlander's claws flexed hungrily. "Sorry, kid, but that's not your call to make!"

Before Bow Kid could truly process what he had said, the Outlander launched himself at them.

The prince's grip on her shoulder abruptly tightened, and she felt herself being pulled to the side. The Outlander stabbed the spot where she'd been just a second earlier. He pivoted and slashed again. This time, Bow Kid was prepared to parry the blow with her umbrella.

The Outlander quickly dove at the prince. Before the prince could try and counter, the Outlander slipped between his legs. Bow Kid rushed at the Outlander, but he just slipped into the shadow that the prince cast.

The prince looked terrified. He turned in a circle, scanning the entire manor area. "Where did he go?!" he asked.

Bow Kid looked around as well, tightening her grip on her umbrella. "He went into your shadow," she explained. "He has the power to travel through them."