Time to Get Creative

Chapter 2

The room was brightly lit, much to Paige's surprise. She hand-walked to the rug in the center with Tony looking around. "Where is he?" she hissed. He merely shrugged. Paige walked up to him, turning his clock hands so that he smiled. She stepped back to admire her handiwork. "There we go." He frowned, his clock hands turning down again. 

The lights flickered. She turned, looking at Tony. He looked back at her, sharing a frightened glance. Suddenly, a furry, thickset hand grabbed one of Paige's arms and did the same with Tony. It snarled and growled as they stared at him. Money Man, as he was known. The one who kidnapped them all. A strange voice entered their heads, but sadly, it was all too familiar.

Hello Paige, Tony. How lovely to see you two again.

A figure stepped out of the shadows dramatically, its face distorted and twisted. Roy Gibberston. He was playing another mind game with them, not speaking with his mouth, but through their minds. It was distorting, with his outward appearance so grotesque and his inner voice calm and orderly. 

"Don't waste our time with your introductions," Tony glared at him as Paige struggled. 

Release them.

Money Man let go of their arms, but stood directly behind them. He had his infamous club in one of his paws, curled tightly into a fist.

You can change into your normal forms. It's just me here.

They looked at each other again, then closed their eyes. Two bright flashes illuminated the room, as two humans took the place of the previous notebook and clock. Tony was dressed in a dark coat with a red sweater underneath, the coat's neckline edge reaching to the bottom of his ears. A bright, hourglass shaped bowtie decorated the base of his neck, as a pin of his clock form was fastened over his heart. A red and yellow striped sash was strapped over him, as his jet black rapier was hooked onto his belt. His hands were covered with long-fingered, white gloves. His hair flopped heavily onto his brow, his face a bright blue. A shining red arrow was running across his face, highlighting it. He was staring at Paige. 

"What?" He had never seen her in her human form, as she had never seen him in his. 

"You look...different." She looked down at a nearby mirror, peering at herself. Her skin was a midnight black, a stark contrast in comparison to her pristine dress. Her face, however, was a milky white, with waves of pastel hair. The skirt of her dress was adorned with images of rainfall, branches, brains, clocks, oranges, and, of course, Manny, Robin, and Harry. All of them were connected with dotted lines. Paige turned her gaze back over to Tony. 

"So do you." 

I thought we weren't going to waste time, Tony?

He clenched his fists, staring angrily at Roy, easily towering over him now. He had made Tony waste his own time, something that no one had ever been able to do before.

"What do you want with us? We've taught our lessons to your son and his friends."

"Manny really needs to change his favorite color choices!" she interjected. Tony groaned. 

It was your job to teach him creativity, Miss Paige. If you have failed your mission-

Her eyes widened as she realized her mistake. 

"N-no, sir. No, your son was the most creative out of all of them!" She flashed a toothy grin, scared out of her wits. Tony was still glaring at Roy. He had no right to treat them like this, feeding on their fear. 

And you, Tony? Did your three students learn their lesson about time?

"Yes, they did," he said through gritted teeth. "Now why did you call us here? What about Shrignold?" Before Roy could continue, Tony burst into life, pacing the room with one arm folded neatly behind his back.

"And Colin? Gilbert? For God's sake, Gilbert doesn't even deserve to be trapped here!" He whirled around to stare at Roy again. "What do you want from us?"

That, I'm afraid, is confidential. Now, the reason I've called you here is to inform you that your other forms won't be necessary any longer. Please pass on the message to Shrignold, Colin, Gilbert, and the rest of the teachers. Good day.

"So they are all are hum-" Paige got cut off by Money Man's fat, furry paw over her mouth as he grabbed Tony, dragging them out of the room.

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