The Ringmaster's Delight

Chapter 1

"Where's Kinger."

A shiver went down you spine. You know that if Caine finds him, your chance at stopping all of this would be crushed. You freeze. Ragatha speaks up, trying to distract Caine and hoping her flattery would keep him from Kinger.

"I think I'm just gonna check up on-"

Pomni moves to speak up, but before she does, Caine vanishes.

"Oh %$!#" Zooble says.

Ragatha pulls at her hair and exclaims, "W-What are we gonna do!?"

Caine pops back up above them. In his hand, he grips the chess piece.

"Did you think I wouldn't notice?" He asks with a slight mocking tone. "I-" Caine leans in closer, "see-" he raises his arms, "everything."

Suddenly, a myriad of eyes surround you all. They all focus on your group, dwarfing you under their gaze.

He brings Kinger to his face and laughs mockingly. "You look so stupid wearing that thing on your head! Here, let me help you out."

He then flicks off the bucket. It lands on the floor, the sound echoing in the tense atmosphere. Kinger's eyes dilate in the lights of the circus. You see the goofy expression return to his face.

Caine snaps his fingers, turning you all into cartoonish underwater mines. Each one of you float in the air, chained to the floor below. Caine leans back and, with Kinger in his open palm, flicks the chess piece toward you, as if he was flicking lint off of his coat. Kinger hurls toward you all and crashes against Ragatha. The explosion knocks into Jax and Pomni, detonating them. The chain reaction reaches you and you explode. Parts of your body rain down, and mix with the others.
Your companions groan. The physical pain you feel is nothing compared to the fear and uncertainty surrounding Caine.

"Ha!" He laughs dramatically, then his expression ceases it's wacky asymmetry. He says, through straight teeth, "I guess you haven't learned your lesson."

He snaps and everyone's body is made whole again. You all stare up at the ringmaster. You finally notice that he's grown in size the last couple of days. Where as he used to be no taller than Pomni, he now towered each of you. That wasn't all you've noticed. His eyes will occasionally flicker between those that you've known since you've been in the circus, and those of a power-crazed monster. The silly little guy he used to be is becoming more of a memory as each day passes.

"Bubble, I think I've found the inspiration I needed!" He says.

"Can't wait to see what's working in that brain of yours, boss!"

Caine looks down from above, his eyes barely visible through his bottom jaw, "Try to enjoy tonight. It'll probably be the last time you sleep peacefully."

He disappears into a swirl of pixels, along with Bubble.

Everyone releases the tension in their shoulders and diaphrams.

Ragatha starts panting, rubbing her hands together. "It's hopeless!" She blurts out.

"We can't let him break us." Zooble says, trying to stand straight.

"Oh yeah, and what do you suggest we do now?" Jax crosses his arms, trying to contain his slight tremble.

Pomni sighs. "I'm sorry guys. I really thought we could win but now," tears well in her eyes, "I don't know where to go from here!"

"Kinger, did Caine take the console?" Zooble asks.

"The what?"

Jax raises his arms. "Oh, it's useless trying to get Kinger to remember!"