QuickShot:
"This is why you and SpeedBlade were gone all morning?"
I ask this as I grab a thick orange jacket from the pile of clothes the two brought.
"Justice. I'm not trying to be mad, but I really, really do not like the color orange."
"And what are these again?" JumpStart asks, grabbing and holding a pair of light blue earmuffs.
"Those are earmuffs," Ms. Justice answers. "You put them over your ears. Like this."
Reaching over and grabbing them, Ms. Justice puts the earmuffs over her ears. She smiles and turns her head to show them off. As I look at her turning her head, my face feels hot again. Clearing my throat, I look away.
"Here," Ms. Justice says, taking off the earmuffs and giving them back to JumpStart.
"Uhhh, thank you," JumpStart slowly says, looking at the earmuffs as he takes them back. "But why are you giving me these things? They look itchy."
"And, please," SpeedBlade starts, "If you may, once again explain to me why I am wearing this?"
We all look at SpeedBlade as he tries to pull the hoodie over his bright-red knight helmet, but the sleeves are keeping his hands down.
"Don't rip that," Ms. Justice yells, rushing to grab SpeedBlade's arms. "It took us over an hour to find that."
Gently lowering SpeedBlade's arms, Justice grabs the purple hoodie and pulls it up for him.
"Okay, guys. I'm not going to hide it anymore. I've been waiting for this day for ages."
Smiling, Ms. Justice reaches into her pocket and pulls out a sheet of paper. Looking like a flyer for something, she then hands it over to us.
"For 3 days only," the flyer starts, "Summer Starter Dock Fair?"
"A fair," SpeedBlade repeats. "Marvelous. Fairs were one of the happiest times for my family and me."
"Yeah," JumpStart adds. "Once every decade, my village would host a sort of nature fair."
"Once every decade," Ms. Justice repeats. "Really? That's kind of a long time."
"Maybe to you, but we elves live a little longer than you humans. So ten years for us is nothing compared to a year for humans."
"Okay," Ms. Justice slowly says. "Anyway, I think we should go."
"What?" I ask.
"QuickShot. We spend almost every day saving the city. Why not enjoy a little of what we saved?"
"Justice. There's a reason why we don't really go out in public."
"Yes, yes. I know. You refuse to take off your jacket and helmet. SpeedBlade refuses to take off his armor. JumpStart's elf ears and white eyes make him stand out. Uhh, no offense, JumpStart."
"None taken," JumpStart replies, waving his hand. "It's the truth."
"I remember all of that. Why do you think I've been looking for all this?"
Justice holds up the earmuffs again and points at SpeedBlade's hoodie.
"With these, we can hide in plain sight."
"Hide in plain sight?"
I reach into the pile and pull out a long trench coat.
"Justice. I think with these clothes, we'll stick out even more."
"Listen. I know I'm asking for a lot, but please, can we go to the Summer Fair? It's one of the biggest events in the city. I used to go all the time before--"
Ms. Justice quickly stops. She looks away and clears her throat.
"Anyway, again, I know I'm asking for a lot, but I really want to go, and honestly, I think it's about time you guys get out of the OutPost. The three of you can't live in here forever. Especially you."
Ms. Justice points at JumpStart, who looks around before pointing at himself.
"Me? Why are you singling me out? What did I do?"
"Remember when we fought Fast-Forward, and I was thrown 10 years into the future?"
"Yes," I answer.
"Yeah," JumpStart replies.
"Aye," SpeedBlade adds.
"Remember what happened to Future JumpStart? JumpStart. I don't want that future for you. You especially need to get out."
Ms. Justice then grabs and throws the earmuff, a pair of ski goggles, and a blue hat at JumpStart.
"Now. Please, put all of those on and tell me what you think. QuickShot. These are for you."
Ms. Justice hands me the trench coat, along with a small brown hat.
"I have to wear this over my helmet?"
"You wouldn't if you just took off your helmet."
"....I'll wear the hat."
Ms. Justice:
"Ahhh," SpeedBlade moans. "Lady Justice, with all due respect, I do know about QuickShot and JumpStart, but this 'hoodie' I am donning is quite uncomfortable.
"Yeah," JumpStart says, adjusting his goggles. "I'm really sorry to add to the pile, but these glasses are very itchy. Ahh!"
Scratching his face for the millionth time tonight, I look around for a bit. The street is full of people: men, women, even little kids. It looks like every family in the city is coming out tonight. As we keep walking, I spot an approaching alley.
"There," I say, pointing at it. "We can stop there for a second. Excuse me. Excuse me. Sorry."
Pushing and squeezing our way through the crowd, we duck into the alley.
"Aahhh," JumpStart moans, taking off the ski goggles and rubbing his eyes. "Yes! Yes! Yesss! Finally, relief."
"Maybe you should've gone with the sunglasses," I say.
"Those dumb things? No. They make my nose itchy."
"And an itchy face is better than an itchy nose?" QuickShot asks.
I sigh and reach into my pocket. Pulling out the sunglasses, I give them to JumpStart.
"Here. Wear these instead."
"No, it's fine."
JumpStart pushes the sunglasses back. Rubbing his face one more time, he pulls the ski goggles back on. JumpStart then shoots both his hands into the air.
"Let's go to a fair!"
"Yaayy," I cheer, leading the way as we walk out of the alleyway. "Don't worry, everyone. A night out at the dock will make everything worth it. Just follow me and enjoy the night."
Smiling as we step onto the city's wooden pier, I look up at the shining neon sign. Right behind it are millions of colorful lights, giant signs telling which way to go for games, rides, and food!"
"Food," I think. Following the sign, I see a stall selling deep-fried foods.
"Oh, you guys have to try these!"
Grabbing SpeedBlade's and JumpStart's hands, I pull them toward the stand.
"What is this?" SpeedBlade asks.
"One of the most unhealthy, hence the best-tasting food in the city! Give it a shot, guys. I promise you won't regret it."
Reaching in and pulling out some money I saved, I order one thing. After waiting for a few minutes, I place it in front of my friends.
"Behold," I say with a smile, "A deep-fried doughnut."
"A what?" JumpStart says.
"Why would anyone deep-fry a doughnut?" QuickShot asks.
"What is this deep-fried nut of dough?" SpeedBlade add.
"Doughnut," I correct. "Not 'nut of dough'. A doughnut."
I smile as I look at the crispy, brown, still-smoking, powdered sugar-covered doughnut. I give everyone a plastic spoon before taking the first bite. Using my spoon to cut off a piece, I cry as I eat it, the hot but sweet taste setting my tongue on fire.
"I miss this," I think, looking at the deep-fried doughnut. Memories of my old life flash through my head. I see myself at the fair, with my parents, sharing food, playing games, and once, even getting lost in the hall of mirrors.
"I really miss this."
Hearing coughing, I shake my head and snap out of it. Turning, I see SpeedBlade hitting his chest while white dust shoots out of his helmet.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, SpeedBlade. I should've warned you about the powered sugar."
"Amazing," SpeedBlade yells. "Despite all taking my life, this is quite delicious! I must have more."
SpeedBlade then leans forward and cuts himself another big bite. He coughs and spits out more powdered sugar, but that doesn't stop him or the others from finishing the doughnut. Once we finish, I throw away the paper plates and spoons.
"Now it's time for the game," I shout, "And I know exactly which one I want to play."
Grabbing SpeedBlade's and JumpStart's hands again, I drag them through the crowd. Stopping a few times, I look around.
"Where is it? Where is it? It has been a few years. I hope the fair still has it."
"Hope the fair still has what?" QuickShot asks. "What are you looking for?"
"Give me a minute. There!"
Seeing the game, I drag the others with me. Stopping in front of a massive screen with speakers on the sides, SpeedBlade and JumpStart look down at the colorful dance mats.
"What is this?" SpeedBlade asks.
"Are those dance mats?" QuickShot adds. Looking up, she reads the game's name. "Dance-Dance-Dance-Off? This is a dancing game?"
"Yes, it is," I say with a smile. "This was my favorite game. I used to play the game with my--Never mind. Come on!"
I make the first move and step onto the glowing dance mat covered in arrows.
"Anyone want to join me? QuickShot?"
I hold out my hand and look at QuickShot.
"Uhhh, no thank you."
QuickShot shakes her hands and steps back.
"I'm really not much of a dancer."
Looking at QuickShot as she turns her head away, I sigh and lower my hand.
"I'll do it," JumpStart says, smiling as he steps onto the Dance-Dance-Dance-Off's mat. I smile and slide some tickets into the machine.
"Are you ready to dance?" The game yells.
"I am," I yell back.
"I don't know, but I am super excited to find out," JumpStart shouts.
Choosing easy mode and picking a song, the screens split apart, and arrows start flying up from the bottom.
"What do I do?" JumpStart asks.
"See the arrows on the floor?"
"Yes. They're very bright and flashing."
"Watch your side of the screen. When the arrows coming up line up with the ones at the top, stomp on the right arrows and get points."
"Points?"
"Incoming!"
JumpStart looks at his screen. Seeing a dozen arrows incoming, he starts stomping on the dance mat.
"Amazing," the game shouts. "Excellent! You got fast feet!"
"Oh yeah," JumpStart yells, "You cannot beat me!"
"Watch me," I scream back. "You're not the only one who's fast on their feet!"
I step on the arrows and earn myself points. Stepping right and left and then jumping up and down, I take a quick second to look at JumpStart.
"Oh, come on."
JumpStart isn't stepping. He isn't even dancing. He's spinning around, doing handstands, and even doing a backflip, hitting two arrows at the same time.
"Okay. Okay. No need to show off."
As three arrows scroll toward the tops, JumpStart slams his hands down on one while getting the other two with his feet. By now, a large crowd has gathered around us.
Robert:
"Targets are here."
Watching from the entrance, I see the three targets: QuickShot, SpeedBlade, and JumpStart. They are wearing poor disguises, are out in the open, among the people, eating food, and playing games.
"Their guards are down."
My mission objective appears before me.
"Mission. Destroy the OutCasts."
Looking left and right, I see myself surrounded by many people, coming in and out of the city's fair.
"Possible plan forming. OutCasts will most likely protect civilians first."
As I look around, I look down at the wooden dock. Turning around and leaving the fair, I walk back onto the street, turn, and go down to the shore. Disappearing beneath the dock, I walk between the support beams. I spread out my hands and shoot out little bits of me.
The bits of me hit the support beams. When I am on enough of them, I start destroying them. One, two, three at a time, the beams crack and fall into the sand or the ocean. Very soon, the whole dock begins to creak and crumble.
"Calculating the percentage of targets' destruction. 95 percent."