Legend of Kataria (Draft Version)

Chapter 20

They ran through the streets at an inhuman speed. Pinky was in the lead and Greeny followed right behind. People watched them pass from the safety of their homes, but it would not be for long as Doppler's roars flooded the heavens and the first warning sirens began to blare.

Pulling Greeny close, Pinky led the teen down a side alley toward a tall, sleek building near the heart of the city. He didn't question her, knowing she would know exactly where the meeting was taking place and probably a dozen shortcuts to get there.

"The meeting is on the fourth floor," she explained as they went. "Second lobby, third door on the right. Between here and there are about fifty men armed to the teeth with weapons and armor. Now, we simply do not have time to go through all the proper checkpoints. That would take time. Time that we do not have. Which means the only solution is more...drastic."

He didn't know what that meant, but his confusion was cleared seconds later when she picked up a rather large rock and chucked it through one of the upper windows.

"Um, not to question your actions or anything, but...why did you just do that?"

Pinky glanced back at him and almost smiled. "Sometimes the quickest way to get a response is to give them something to listen to. Oh! Here they come! Hide!" She grabbed him again and yanked him back into the shadows next to her just as two burly guards stepped out the front door with identical grunt-like scowls.

Greeny ducked behind a garbage can. "Now what?" he hissed to Pinky as the girl tied her hair back, looking thoughtful. They couldn't go through the front door now. Not with Twiddle-dee and Twiddle-dum standing right in front of them.

"Now we get creative. Follow my lead."

Pinky stood up and crept around the corner to stand before the guards who looked...less than impressed.

"Oh," one said, "it's you."

"Hi," she said, putting on an innocent sweet tone. "Um...sorry about that. The baseball just...got away, you know? We can...just go get it real quick." She gestured to the building. The guards glanced at one another, hesitant. Pinky sighed. "Look," she said, dropping her voice. "I hate to have to be the one to tell you, but King Morto is coming right now. So, unless you two want to be the cause of everyone here dying, I suggest you let me and my friend here speak to the general." She grabbed a red-faced Greeny by the back of his shirt collar and pulled him over to her.

Oh, that was subtle. "Pinky, I'm not sure this is such a--"

"Go ahead," the other guard said gruffly, cutting off Greeny's hushed and embarrassed hiss, "but you better not be playing another prank on us, Rose." He eyed her suspiciously. "I still recall the last time you 'lost a baseball' in the middle of a building. What happened? It exploded if I recall correctly."

"Did I do that? Huh. Don't remember." Pinky smirked as she hurried between them and Greeny, murmuring hasty apologies, followed close behind.

They walked into the building unopposed. Several guards turned to face them as they hurried through the lobby toward the elevator but no one moved to confront them. Greeny guessed the men outside must have told them to stand down.

They entered the elevator shaft and Pinky smashed the button for the fourth floor.

Greeny leaned back and grabbed the railing bar as the doors clicked shut. "You don't have to be so harsh."

Pinky frowned. "Excuse me?"

"The button," Greeny explained. "You...pushed..." He trailed off at her glare and he coughed nervously. "Never mind."