Rebellious Duo (#Wattys2016)

12: A Flawless Escape

Akira, Kei, and Reiko were crouched down together in the catwalk of a grand stage. Guests were filing into a small theater for the show to begin. The large velvet curtains hid the stage from everyone's view but theirs. "I hope you aren't scared of heights," Akira jeered at Reiko.

"No I'm not! Are you?"

"Definitely not."

"Let's focus on the mission, alright?" Kei was shining his hook on his pants. "You two keep quiet. Raiden is coming out soon."

"I'm being as silent as the grave! It's Reiko who--"

They all stopped when they heard footsteps coming across the metal bridge. Reiko cupped her hands, ready to conjure a stone, and Kei reached for his sword. But it was only Nao. "I just wanted to tell you," he said, ignoring their violent expressions, "that the captain is doing alright. I'm with her down below. The plan hasn't changed. We'll go on the stage and wake Kaine up, you'll drop down and take on Raiden, then we'll all escape. Okay? And keep your voices down." Nao straightened his bowtie. "I can hear you from down there."

"See?" Akira hissed at Reiko. "You're loud!"

"'I'm not loud, you are!"

"Say that to my face, I dare you."

Kei sighed as the two continued to bicker. "I'll take care of them," he told Nao reassuringly, although he had the countenance of a babysitter faced with two alarming charges. "I think Raiden is coming on soon, I can see some of the stage crew getting ready."

Nao nodded. He climbed back down from the catwalk to where Nori had taken a seat in the audience.

"Hot, isn't it?" Nori said as Nao took a seat next to her. She was fanning her face, which looked pale. "I wish they opened some doors in here."

"Kei told me Raiden's about to come on. You aren't worried, are you?"

"Not really. Maybe he bested me once, but I don't think he's a wizard, so he shouldn't be much of a threat. I'll let Kaine take care of him." Nori paused in her fanning to see the red velvet curtains swing open, revealing Raiden wheeling an operating table onto the stage. Something was hidden under a large white cloth. The men and women around Nori started to applaud, drinks still in hand.

"Everyone!" Raiden called. "I know you're looking for something... more, in life. All of you have done truly impressive things in life. And we have seen many interesting items today, to be sure. But this is unlike anything you have ever seen! Behold!" He grabbed the sheet and pulled it off the table with a flourish. Kaine's lifeless body was lying down on it. Nori's eyes narrowed. She put down her fan and moved her hand close to her katana. "This is Kaine Kiln, the world's smartest girl, and I will perform a revolutionary experiment before your very eyes that will give her intelligence to me! It may seem impossible, to be sure, but my extensive research says otherwise. The Resolution Shield will topple the Divine Skulls, ladies and gentlemen! The new world order begins with this experiment!"

"We've got to move," Nori growled. Nao tensed up.

"Et scuta, cum volo cacti!" One of the men in the audience cheered. They all raised their glasses to Raiden, who seemed invigorated. He reached onto a small tray beside him and withdrew a shining scalpel. The knife was raised to catch a metallic glimmer from the spotlight, then brought down slowly to Kaine's head.

"MOTLEY! WE MOVE NOW!" Nori crowed. Nao and Nori hurdled over the men and women in the seats in front. Screaming and gasping from all around. Nori leaped onto the stage and cut the tube of anesthetic gas.

"You! I thought I killed you!" Raiden glowered at Nori.

"Take a clue, pal, that never works." Nori shot the scalpel out of his hand with a jet of flame. "Come on down, everyone!"