“Picture perfect…” was Haley’s sarcastic response. “Yep, we’re just hanging out here, having a laugh.” She continued in a dry fashion. Tim knew that even though she was trying to put on a brave face, deep down, she was terrified. Jenkins, on the other hand, did nothing to hide his abject horror as he continued to tug away at the needles.

Jenkins isn’t even halfway through those needles, and Wazp could be on us any second. I have to buy us more time while he finishes freeing them. Tim kept examining his options.

“Watch out!” cried Haley as Jenkins continued to tug at the needles keeping her captive. Wazp had fired another set of needles at Tim in an attempt to pin him down. As Tim tried to avoid the projectiles, their path suddenly changed midway, nearly hitting him.

They turned?! Great, he is controlling them! Tim confirmed as he tried to dodge them. He ended up on his back and quickly swung his legs midway into the air, flowing into a quarter front flip to regain his momentum off the ground. He’s faster than the average Blood. I’m going to have to get closer for a better shot! Tim thought hastily.

“What’s happening?” Rodney inquired. “I can’t see!” He tried to turn his head, but it was impossible. Tim’s next shot nearly hit Wazp, but the Blood had pushed off the ground to gain speed.

Good, thought Tim, gaining more confidence. He’s slowing down a little.

It’z getting-z zo-z cold-z! thought Wazp, shivering while rubbing several of his hands together as he hovered in the air.

Tim attempted to fire again, but all that came from his Derringer LRP 1827 was a clicking sound. Tim’s face twisted into a mix of surprise and shock. He was out of ammo. Shoot … Rule 1, Always count your shots! Tim cursed to himself in realization.

“Heh-z heh-z,” Wazp gloated. “Out-z of-z ammo-z, puka-z? Heh-z heh-z.” His mandibles buzzed in amusement. He landed close by and began to step towards Tim with an evil gleam in his eyes.

“Hey, Buzz Boy! Behind you!” Haley shouted out of the blue. Wazp turned around in surprise, not expecting Haley to be free and up to no good.

“Huh-z?” said Wazp dumbly.

But Haley was still pinned against the wall; half of the needles were neatly piled on the ground as Jenkins slowly worked away at removing the rest.

Got you, loser! thought Haley, smirking.

Tim quickly took this opportunity to reload the remaining four rounds he had left from his pocket into the antique pistol. Wazp heard the completed reload and whipped around in anger.

“How-z dare-z you-z trick-z me-z you-z lowly-z mynahz!” Wazp said furiously.

Hearing that gave Tim an idea. “If you were tricked so easily by a ‘lowly mynah’, then what does that make you?” Tim taunted, hoping to prompt him into making the first strike.

“Quiet-z, fulu-z!” Wazp attempted to throw a few quick punches, which Tim evaded.

“Is that the best you can do, Buzz Boy?!” Tim continued to taunt as he ran off.

“Don’t-z call-z me-z that-z!” Wazp bellowed, lunging at him. Tim dodged the giant Wasp-Blood, running off again. Wazp charged after him, but in an almost sluggish manner. “Get-z back-z here-z you-z little-z puka-z!” He shook a pair of his fists in the air.

“Ha! Catch me if you can, Buzz Boy!” Tim shouted. He did a bullfighter’s spin just as Wazp charged, steering him away. Tim pulled away from the needles fired at him from behind, but a single needle grazed his arm as it changed direction at the last second.

“Is that all you’ve got, Buzz Boy?!” The stinging sensation of the wound was rapidly being replaced with a burning pain which would hopefully fade fast. But Tim didn’t let the pain deter him. 

The Blood buzzed in absolute rage. Wazp recklessly zipped past Tim’s shot, a dangerous feat as the Fractite mist had slowed him down drastically. As he flew towards his target, Tim sprang into another bullfighter’s spin. Wazp fell and skidded across the ground in shock; his torso was developing a blotchy bruise.

“How-z?!” He exclaimed, buzzing uncomfortably. Tim had snuck a shot at him from under his arm during the spin.

“Give up, Wazp. One more shot is all I need. How ‘bout you make it easy for all of us, and turn yourself in?” Tim suggested. Wazp buzzed in defiance, crawling towards him with great effort. Tim shrugged, “Eh, have it your way.” The final shot hit the Blood’s torso, his anger frozen in place.

Sarah sighed as she peered at her phone one last time. There were only seven minutes left, and she was certain that Tim hadn’t changed yet. He said that his coworkers would be really suspicious if he walked around in formal wear when he always wore his trench coat. She wanted to tell him that he looked way more suspicious on a normal basis compared to if he were dressed formally. Her two friends patted her on the shoulder and headed towards the Ceremony hall to take their seats. Housten was already sitting there with his Gardios, Rouge, a Hawk-Blood.

Rouge had magenta eyes and a dark gray-brown complexion. Her head had a scarlet-red plumage adorned with a chain of emeralds over her forehead. She wore black robes with white swirls. Her wings were covered with metallic brown and white hawk feathers. The wing tip ended with what looked like opposable feather fingers.

Sarah sighed again, turning off her phone. “Do you think he will come?” she asked as Tabitha approached her. Her mother hugged her tightly.

“Sa-sa, today is your big day! Don’t worry, Tim definitely wouldn’t miss it for the world!” She smiled warmly at Sarah.

“Thanks, Mom!” Sarah anxiously smiled back, but deep down, she was still worried. The time was nearly upon her. Sarah tried to put her best face on as she pulled away. “I have to head out now, Mom. See you soon.”

“Good luck! May Lady Phoenia be with you!” Tabitha called after her daughter as she made her way to her designated seat beside the stage. Sarah’s legs felt like jelly.  As she drew near, she could hear Markus, Jonathan, and Terranis discussing Tim’s situation.

“It appears as though things have calmed down for him,” observed Terranis.

“I knew he could do it! There was only one bad chap out there,” Markus bragged.

“But he’s still pretty far from the ceremony hall,” Jonathan reminded them.

“Don’t sweat the details, Sonny. You’ve been late too, remember?” Markus said.

“Not this late.”

“Remember the time when ...”

Terranis looked up at the clock hanging above the entrance. It was almost time.

“If I may, I shall head to my station now,” he said. Terranis bowed his head as he excused himself and left the two to continue their little debate.

“May I have your attention, please!” the Head Elder commanded gruffly. “All phones must be off at this point. All guests make way to your designated seats at the benches. The ceremony will begin in three minutes.”

The Head Elder adjusted his robes, flattening a slight wrinkle that had developed at his shoulder during his announcement. It irritated him to no end that he had to make that announcement now. Back in the day, everyone took their seats the instant he made his appearance. Young ones these days!

As Terranis took his place beside the stage, the familiar feeling of when he took part in Tim’s ceremony years ago began to set in. It was hard to believe that almost eight years had already passed since then.