Revue Starlight Oneshots

The Piper (AkiMichi)

(Published December 15, 2020)

No One's POV

In a peaceful and beautiful town lived the happy people of Hamelin. They were living in simplicity, simply living by the day. As if they lost their minds, they threw garbage everywhere, dirtying the beautiful city they live in. This huge mess they made of their town brought about the rat infestation that ravaged their town, making nests in shoes and hats, gnawing at cheese and other food right on the table. Having enough of living with the rats, the citizens of the town went to urge their mayor to do something about the rats. The mayor thankfully heed on the problem and said he'll think of a remedy for the problem at hand.

The mayor clutched his head in despair, he concluded that nothing would work against the rats with the ideas presented by the council. Like fate had heard their demise, a strange figure of a person entered, snatching the attention of people immediately as she took a step inside. Her strange outfit might be the most obvious reason for the looks the people gave her.

"I can make the rats disappear, each and every one of them." She proudly says, "I'll take care of them for you if you pay me handsomely."

The mayor had no other choice but to nod his head to the offer presented. They had no other hope, so this was them trying something to make the rats go away.

When the strange person took out some kind of flute, it drew question marks over the council's head. Asking themselves what a flute was going to do about the rats. Answering those unasked questions, the piper started to play a tune and that drove out the rats from where they were hiding. Their mouths left wide open, the piper walked out of the building and walked the streets of Hamelin. She led the rats onto the river and drowned.

Feeling accomplished, the piper went back to the town to retrieve her reward which the mayor didn't give. That brought the piper mad and left the mayor.

She once again let out her flute and placed it against her lips. Another strange melody was heard, this time bringing along the children of the city. The adults unable to move just watched as agony filled their heads knowing the children might not come back if the mayor doesn't compromise with the said prize.

The piper led the children away from the town and brought them to a cave in one of the hills. Brought the children in the cave and closed it off when she was sure the children were in.

It took some time before the mayor was forced to take action. After the future of their town had suddenly disappeared right after the peculiar piper left. Admitting defeat, he brought the promised prize from clearing the town of the infestation. He made his way towards the said cave from the remaining kids who were blind and the other lame, who failed to keep up with the rest of the children.

The mayor called for the piper to come out. He called for a long time before the pied piper came out, getting irritated by the hoarse voice of the mayor. The piper was making sure the irritation in her face was noticeable, making the mayor uncomfortable. But the mayor was determined to get the town's children back and tried to compromise with the piper to return the kids, this time absolutely his promise true.

The piper was still suspicious so she asked for the prize first before letting the children go. Not missing another beat, the mayor immediately hands over the bag of coins to the piper. Then the piper opened the cave, letting the children pour out from it and they ran to their parents back in town.

Sure that all the children had left, the piper let out a relieved sigh. Looking far into the distance, making sure that the mayor and the children with them were already out of sight. Tossing the coin bag up in the air and catching it again, she went back in the cave.