Untold Tales

A Close Call

Drake City, a metropolis full of wonder, prosperity, and... dishonest acts.

There were the anaconda twins; Charlie and Nixon, who were ever so smug and snide. They were walking along the streets as they noticed an old panhandler off to the side. Being the snakes they were, they plopped one gold piece in the panhandler's coin mug, to which they snatched at least four gold pieces which flew out upon the impact.

"Ha!" Expcalmed Charlie. "Nothin' like the sound of gold in the mornin', eh Nixon?"

"You said it." Nixon agreed. "Here old man, cool off a little." He then poured a fountain drink he was holding on the old panhandler. The old man barely flinched, not that the two jerks noticed, as they just laughed and walked away. They barely made it a few feet when a young elf girl, Piper, appeared out of nowhere.

"Good morning good sirs!" Said Piper. "Feeling lucky today? All it costs is one coin to win!"

"Hmm, I don't know Nixon." Charlie's said in a mocking tone. "You think we can take this 'fierce' little elf?" He finished with a wink.

"I hope so Charlie." Nixon replied "These are my last coins." He then smugly smirked afterwards, to which both burst into laughter, and placed one coin.

"Fabtacular!" The young elf then picked up a snake clock and placed on her table. "Pick the right cup and you'll win this razzmatazz prize!"

Charlie and Nixon chuckled with confidence. Poor fools, little did they know that this was a well thought out scam. In the shadows, Zarya and Choko seized the opportunity to copy a key that Nixon was holding. Once that was done, sneakily as possible no less, Piper stopped moving the cups.

"That one." Nixon said. As the elf moved the cup, it was empty.

"Boo-hoo. Sad face emoji" Piper slumped mockingly.

"Blimey cheater!" Charlie growled, swatting the cups out of the way to reclaim his coin.

"Time to clean up this mess." Nixon added, turning the table over, causing the elf to step into the shadows while the twins proceeded to destroy the table.

"Ha, dummies." Piper Said. "They'll be at that for hours!"

"Come on, Piper." Zarya said. "Clock's ticking on this copy."

With that, both ran as fast as they could would the two dimwits were preoccupied. It wouldn't be too long before they reached their destination... Creed Slitherwick's cargo ship, filled with pilfered goods.

"Bullseye!" Zarya said with triumph. She then turned to Piper, who looked nervous about boarding that vessel, past experiences considered. "Don't worry, Pipes. This is only a grab and go. So let's go in, then grab, then go."

Piper seemed reluctant at first, but then she remembered that the Undercity kids were counting on them. "Yeah, let's do it!" Piper said

They then board the vessel, evading all of Creed's goons every step of the way. Zarya tells Choko to keep watch while they search the cargo. So many to choose from, so Zarya just chose one at random, using a crowbar made from magic to pry it open. "Jackpot!" She said.

"All this could feed everyone for a week!" Piper added. Both didn't hesitate to get started.

As Piper and Zarya finished rounding up as many goods as they could, they saw their faithful foz sleeping on the job.

"Choko!" Zarya said irritably, catching the poor mole-like creature off guard. "You were supposed to keep watch!"

Little Choko looked ashamed for a moment. That moment only lasted a few seconds at the sound of a reptilian tail hitting the floor of the ship, catching their attention. The sight was enough to turn poor Piper pale. There stood Creed, the boss himself, with a very irritated Charlie and Nixon standing with him. Piper hid behind Zarya at the sight.

"Well, well. What have we here?" Creed said calmly. "My two favorite trouble makers, starting trouble as usual." He then tsked, wavering his finger. "Sadly, ladies, I'm afraid this just won't do."

Zarya just smirked. "Funny, I could have sworn I found a snake in the grass." Piper giggled pretty hard at that, finding it very funny indeed.

Creed, on the other hand, was not amused one bit, banging his cane on the floor. "I'm not in the mood for idle banter! Now, you're going to return my resources right back where you found them... or else."

"Or else what?" Zarya said with daring scowl, making it very clear she wasn't afraid of him whatsoever. Creed then hissed with frustration.

"Boys," he said. "Show these good for nothing thieves exactly what happens when you steal from Creed Slitherwick!"

"Thieves?!" Piper exclaimed loudly. "You're the only thief here, you monster!"

"C'mon Pipes, lets go!" Zarya declared, seeing Creed's muscular henchmen advancing toward them. With that, they ran.

After a long, tedious chase, it seemed like both Zarya and Piper were cornered, as they were at the very edge of a construction beam.

"My, my." Creed chuckled. "Looks like our little game ends here." Just as he approached, Zarya notices the train passing by below them. "Any last words?"

"Yeah... later haters!" Zarya suddenly said, causing Creed to stare in confusion. Both street rats jumped off the beam, using belts to slide along the magic train cable. Creed could only look on with a controlled annoyance, robbed once again.

"Them has got to be the best thieves in the entire realm!" Charlie said, gritting his teeth.

"They just got lucky." Creed said dismissively. "Sooner or later, their luck will run out." That lasted sentence ended in a cold hearted tone, as he hissed in anger.