[center][h2]Royal Waterways Reconnaissance[/h2]
Word Count: 5810 (+6 exp)
[b]Location:[/b] The Under - Home of Tears
[color=BB2F56]Ichiban[/color], [color=gray][b]Omori[/b][/color], and [color=BC8DBF]Therion[/color]
[sub][@TruthHurts22][@Majoras End][@Yankee][/sub][/center]
It was nothing short of miraculous that the only thing Therion was feeling at the moment was a headache - physically, anyway. The nurses' bedside manner had been atrocious, and it was during a heated argument when the thief was about to walk out and take his chances with the sickness that he'd been stuck with a needle and sedated. He'd woken up pissed and groggy, but otherwise no worse for wear. Once more a certain, much more gentle apothecary came to his mind, but he shoved the thought away as he headed for the exit. 

He should probably rendezvous with the others. That queen bee had told them to meet up at the city's clock tower, but he didn't care to follow that order at the moment. 

In the main lobby, the helpful stranger in red was waiting. Therion didn't recall the man giving his name, but then again he hadn't asked either. Nor was he going to, though he did accept one of the bags of snacks as repentance for not giving a heads up about the weirdly aggressive nature of the medical staff.

[color=BC8DBF]"Yeah. I wouldn't recommend that trip to anyone,"[/color] Therion responded flatly. He turned the plastic over in his hands, clearly unfamiliar with the product. There was a picture of some baked good on the outside of it, so he assumed that was what was inside. He squeezed the bag in both hands until it popped open with a puff of air. The noise surprised him, his cat ears sticking straight upright. Then, his ears flicked and tilted in the direction of the hall where he heard a set of footsteps approaching.

If Therion looked down the hall he would see a small black cat walking towards the group. Her owner, redressed and no longer bloodstained, idly lagged behind with his arms wrapped around himself. In all honesty, Omori hadn't been afraid of the nurses or the hospital's unorthodox practices. But something felt...[i]off[/i]. He couldn't figure out what.

Therion wouldn't blame the kid if he wanted to give up the campaign now after the frankly hellish experience they'd just been through. After a few moments the thief called out, [color=BC8DBF]"Hey,"[/color] to get Omori's attention and pointed to Ichiban next to him, who'd come bearing free snacks. 

[b][color=gray]"Mm?"[/color][/b] Omori glanced up to Therion, his eyes following where he pointed to towards the guy that guided them to this stupid hospital. He seemed to perk up at the sight of snacks. Might not heal anything, but he had to atleast get something in his stomach. The boy walked over to grab a random bag of chips, nodding to Ichiban in thanks.

A random bag of chips Omori was given indeed, an almost blank packet with two featureless shapes intersecting on the front. [color=BB2F56]"The machine I got these from is kinda weird,"[/color] Ichiban said, unprompted. [color=BB2F56]"None of the snacks are name brand. Or [i]any[/i] brand. They still taste good though."[/color]

Omori shrugged, inspecting the packet. [b][color=gray]"Probably potato chips."[/color][/b] His warped voice speculated. To test the theory, he ripped the bag open and popped one chip into his mouth.
 
He felt a little bit better.

Mewo meanwhile was pawing at Therion's leg while they talked and ate. It was a wonder what she wanted. The thief's tail flicked back and forth impatiently as he ignored her, up until he felt the pin pricks of her claws as she started climbing his person. At that point he scooped the little cat up and tucked her under his arm, intending to pass her off to her owner.

Before that he turned his attention back to Ichiban. [color=BC8DBF]"By the way, the bag you were carrying. Some kind of potions? Where'd you get so many, someone selling them?"[/color]

He recalled the man saying he had to drop the stuff off at the sanitarium. If they were some kind of healing concoction, it would be good to stock up after the ordeal the Seekers had just gone through.

[color=BB2F56]"Oh, those?"[/color] Ichiban hooked a thumb over his shoulder to nowhere in particular. [color=BB2F56]"Nah, ain't nobody selling them. I hope not at least. They were property of the head doctor here, some experimental stuff, I didn't really understand most of it. Some guys ran off with a shipment of them, so I went to get 'em back for her."[/color]

Though it wasn't the answer Therion had been hoping for, it was still informative. This place was a city, so it made sense that their was some criminal element to it. There was someone getting their hands on useful items, they just weren't merchants. Not legitimate ones anyway.

[color=BC8DBF]"Thieves, huh? Wonder where they set up shop?"[/color] he asked anyway.

Ichiban shrugged. [color=BB2F56]"I wouldn't know. Somehow they ended up in the sewers with some pretty nasty monsters. I didn't even catch whoever took them all, all I did was go down there and got them back."[/color]

An expression of intrigue flickered across Therion's face. It may not have been implied by Ichiban, but what the thief heard was that whatever opportunist had hijacked the doctor's goods had dumped it in the city's sewer, assuming it would be safe enough there to come back for - only for someone else to get it first. Monsters or not, there was a good chance that there were other ill gotten goods stashed down there. Although Therion wasn't looking for a battle, especially so soon after escaping the "womb," he was eager to work his muscles after the sanitarium's treatment rid him of the heaviness in his limbs and the grogginess in his brain. A quick trip to see if he could find anything of interest before retiring for the night sounded pretty good. 

He nodded, acknowledging Ichiban's reply with a glint in his eye. 

[color=BC8DBF]"Well thanks for the biscuits,"[/color] he said, clearing gathering himself to leave the sanitarium. He realized he was still carrying Mewo (who had been trying to paw at his ears) and handed the cat to Omori before turning for the door.

[color=BB2F56]"Hang on a minute!"[/color] Ichiban clasped Therion on the shoulder to stop him from just trekking off. [color=BB2F56]"I know what you're thinkin' - that these sewers I'm talking about must be full of loot. And you'd be right."[/color] Ichiban let go, stepping around to get back in his view. [color=BB2F56]"But you shouldn't go waltzing up down there on your own. You just got over being sick!"[/color]

[color=BC8DBF]"Key words being [i]got over[/i] it."[/color]

[b][color=gray]"The rest of us haven't even popped back up yet."[/color][/b] Omori added, not really concerned about their missing teammates as he probably should be.

[color=BC8DBF]"That bossy bee said to meet up at the clock tower so we'll just regroup later,"[/color] Therion pointed out. 

The boy furrowed his brows.[b][color=gray]"I was refering to Primrose, Rubick, and that circus of self-proclaimed [i]'bad guys'[/i]."[/color][/b] He clarified, sarcastic air quotes included.

[color=BC8DBF]"Because we went through a dungeon into a river of blood. We need to find a way back up to them, but before [i]that[/i], I'm doing [i]this,[/i]"[/color] Therion all but snapped, further souring Omori's mood in turn if that glare meant anything. Now that Ichiban had actually confirmed there were treasures to be found down there, he wasn't about to give up the chance to explore it a little. Who knew how many useful things he might find? [color=BC8DBF]"I know how to handle myself, alright?"[/color]

Ichiban looked up in thought, not quick to simply let Therion go. [color=BB2F56]"Alright then."[/color] He nodded once. [color=BB2F56]"Then I'll go with you!"[/color]

[color=BC8DBF]"Didn't I just say I don't need a babysitter?"[/color] the thief said, his tail swishing back and forth. A second look at the two with him and he added, [color=BC8DBF]"and I don't want to be one either."[/color]

[color=BB2F56]"It ain't like that,"[/color] Ichiban answered, the determinated stubborness clear on his face. [color=BB2F56]"I know I can't talk ya outta going down in there, so I'm tagging along to help. Every dungeon dive needs the right party, don't it?"[/color]

Supressing the urge to make a quip aside, Omori's expression lightened up a little. [b][color=gray]"Look on the bright side: At least it'll be someone who knows his way around that place."[/color][/b] He glanced at Ichiban for further confirmation. [b][color=gray]"Last thing we need is another one of us going missing..."[/color][/b] He slightly frowned in thought.

It looked very much like Therion was going to keep objecting, his tail swaying exactly like an agitated cat's - but he ended up pinching the bridge of his nose and sighing loudly. 

[color=BC8DBF]"Do whatever you want,"[/color] he said, relenting. 

Omori glanced around. [b][color=gray]"I should really look for somewhere I can sell some of this loot, but what the heck this place is kinda boring."[/color][/b]

As Ichiban fell into line behind Therion, he piped up again. [color=BB2F56]"By the way, I'm Ichiban. Ichiban Kasuga. Figure if we're going to go hunting for loot we should know each other, yeah?"[/color]

[color=BC8DBF]"...Therion."[/color]

[b][Color=Gray]"Omori."[/color][/b] The monochrome boy introduced himself next. He then held Mewo up. [b][color=gray]"And Mewo."[/color][/b]

"[i]Meow.[/i]"

It was just after introductions that Jesse emerged from the operation rooms and sauntered over. As luck would have it she requested a tour guide of sorts, and although Therion had just resigned himself to exploring with a tag-along or two, now he thought this was the perfect chance to go through with his original plan of going alone. 

He grinned at the red head, and perhaps the expression looked weird on his face since he rarely did it. [i]Nice save, Jesse.[/i]

[color=BC8DBF]"Yeah, actually, why don't you go with her instead?"[/color] the thief suggested, more than happy to exploit the out his fellow Seeker had unwittingly granted him. Then he turned right around and strode out of the lobby.

Unfortunately, this didn't force [i]Omori[/i] to stay behind.

[b][color=gray]"Nice try, Stupid."[/color][/b] He deadpanned, following behind Therion.

Scratching the back of his head, Ichiban gave Jesse an apologetic smile. [color=BB2F56]"Oh, nah, I ain't a local like that. Been around for a bit but I don't know it [i]that[/i] well. Y'should talk to Cornifer though, that guy loves mapping out places. I'm sure he knows some hot spots I don't."[/color] With a small salute he turned and hurried after Therion, truly snuffing out any plans the thief had for alone time.

[color=BB2F56]"Hey, Therion. How come we got a, uhh, a kid comin' with us?"[/color]

The answer was something Therion hadn't thought much about since meeting Omori. [color=BC8DBF]"He's tougher than he looks,"[/color] Therion replied, and left it at that.

[hr]
Together the three of them left the sanitarium, heading back toward the heart of the city. After a jog through the rain they made it to the entrance of the Royal Waterways. They descended, Ichiban first, then Therion, then Omori (and Mewo). Once they were all out of the rain and into the sewer, they took in the [url=https://64.media.tumblr.com/4026c2306df7b40e7fbdcdd7a8bb3903/6d485c9ea29b892f-37/s1280x1920/14d55a327b03df9ef84add34fc8ebb9c828d1016.png]tunnels beneath the Home of Tears.[/url] It was very similar to the infrastructure above - cool, dark colored cobblestone and brick. Iron embellishments completed the aesthetic, twinkling with dimly reflected light. There was water everywhere around them, but that didn't come as a surprise. It almost seemed to glimmer, mirroring the glow of some piping that twisted about the ceiling, lending just a little more light for the three to see by. From where they were all standing, the could see that the tunnels split off in different directions.

It was cleaner than a lot of other gutters Therion had found himself in. There hadn't been any further complaints from him just yet, instead he glanced at Ichiban. [color=BC8DBF]"Do you remember where the stash was?"[/color]

Ichiban scratched the back of his head, ruffling his messy perm as he looked around. [color=BB2F56]"Uhhh. I think it was... maybe... down that way?"[/color] He pointed down a dark side-tunnel, ominous orange globs stuck at various parts of the brickwork. [color=BB2F56]"Definitely somewhere with a lot of that glowy stuff."[/color]

Stepping over next to Ichiban, Omori shone his headlamp down the tunnel. [b][color=gray]"I don't think I want to know what that orange stuff is."[/color][/b]

With that Therion agreed. [color=BC8DBF]"The tunnels are pretty wide, we can move through them without touching it."[/color]

With no real objections the ragtag group took the path Ichiban laid out for them. Their footsteps echoed through the area, splashing as they walked through pooling water. Some puddles turned out to be little [url=https://i.ibb.co/P9cztPd/Waterling.png]waterlings[/url], most of them timid but the more aggressive ones as easily dispatched as they were disturbed. Utility lights were widely spaced, but the soft sickly glow of orange patches filled the dark areas in between. 

Now and then a wandering [url=https://i.ibb.co/j8n1zM8/B-Flukefey.png]Flukefey[/url] would buzz toward the group, becoming more common as they approached a more spacious area of the waterways. It was a crossroads of sorts, in a wide angular room, but this time their choice of which route to take was an easy one: there were two tunnels, and in one Flukefeys congregated in numbers enough to suggest their was a nest nearby. The trio swiftly headed in the other direction.

After another couple minutes of walking the once again approached a more open area, though this one seemed much larger than the last. Before they even left the tunnel mouth it was apparent that the connecting room extended below them, and they came to an upper level with a sturdy iron railing overlooking what could only be described as a garbage dump... or maybe a junk pit.

It was full of discarded insect shells and broken masks, but also outdated household items, deflated tires, random knickknacks, torn clothing, and hundreds of other items that had been thrown away and ended up in the city's sewer system. Piles and piles of [i]stuff[/i] reaching almost to the ceiling. The sounds of scratching and shifting could be heard from up there, and some piles within the garbage seemed to moving around. 

"Gla..." A [url=https://i.ibb.co/9ySH7kF/Fluke-Hermit-Ledge.png]bug[/url] was peering over the ledge at the pit below, though she turned to regard the humans with some curiosity as they exited the tunnel and came onto the balcony. "Gla gla... visit?"

This looked like another one of those maggot-things they kept running into. Omori faintly tensed up when the hermit turned to face them, but once she began speaking he allowed himself to relax. [b][color=gray]"Yes. We were just exploring the area for a bit."[/color][/b] He answered first.

[i]He understood that?[/i] Therion stepped around the bug, occupying a free space and looking over the balcony himself. His eye flickered around the piles of junk, trying to suss out any items worth taking.

[color=BC8DBF]"This has gotta be the place."[/color]

Ichiban looked around at all the junk, his uncertainty still clear on his face. [color=BB2F56]"I don't think so,"[/color] he muttered. [color=BB2F56]"This wasn't where I got the medicine from. It's probably some other loot-filled place."[/color]

"Oh, who's this now?" Came an echoing voice behind everyone.

Walking down the tunnel they'd just come from was a paper thin [url=https://i.ibb.co/K6vL9K3/Dazzle.png]person[/url]. With a big smile and a hat like a jester's (and dangling star pieces, Therion immediately noted), he gave the trio a friendly wave. When he turned to greet the Fluke Hermit they could see that he wasn't just thin, he was literally two-dimensional. 

"Yay! Meeting people down here is rare, usually its just she and I, and those brutes downstairs. My name is Dazzle!" 

[color=BB2F56]"Yo, what's up? I'm Ichiban."[/color] Ichiban took the role of the 'face' for the trio, since Therion seemed like a bit of a loner and Omori had... he just had a weird vibe to him. [color=BB2F56]"This is Therion, and Omori. Oh, and Mewo,"[/color] he added, not missing Omori's pet. The cat in question popped her head out of the unzipped space of the boy's backpack.

[color=BB2F56]"Is this your place? Hope you don't mind us looking around, we're doin' some dungeon exploring. Lotsa stuff y'got here!"[/color]

"Oh no, don't mind at all, guy. I live down here but I certainly don't own this junk pit."

"Mother sends treasure..." the hermit added. "Gather it up."

[b][color=Gray]"You mentioned 'brutes', have they been giving you any trouble?"[/color][/b] Omori asked Dazzle.

"Well..." the smile on Dazzle's face didn't go away, but he fidgeted slightly. "They are the ones who [i]do[/i] claim to own this pit. They fight over it. They're trouble[i]some[/i] but we try and stay clear. Its a big area, with lots to find, so be careful not to cross their paths!"

[color=BC8DBF]"Might be worth checking out,"[/color] Therion said, his attention shifting from the area below to his companions. He was confident in his own ability to get in and get out of a place without being spotted, but he couldn't say the same for the other two. Well, maybe Omori's monochrome look would help him blend into the shadows.

[color=BC8DBF]"I can go alone and then meet back up."[/color]

[b][color=gray]"If you do plan on breaking and entering, we'll need to think up a signal in case things go sideways."[/color][/b] Omori crossed his arms in thought. He wasn't against the experienced thief sneaking into bad-guy territory, but where are they even located at?

[color=BB2F56]"I don't think splitting up's a good idea,"[/color] Ichiban said. [color=BB2F56]"This place has some serious baddies. You shouldn't get caught going solo."[/color]

With opinion split Therion turned completely around to face the others, leaning back on the balcony's railing. If the Seekers were going to stay in the city for a little while, he could always slip down into the waterways himself to check things out later if they didn't do so now. He'd gotten his bearings for the most part. [color=BC8DBF]"Okay. So. We wanna go down there, head back or keep going?"[/color]

Ichiban looked back toward Dazzle and that, uh, hermit worm lady. [color=BB2F56]"Those guys down there keep messin' with you, right? Thinkin' they own the place?"[/color] He didn't really know the 'deal' with the sewers, if the so-called brutes actually had a hold over the treasure/trash pit, but even if they did, using it to justify having a bad attitude was something he couldn't let happen.

[color=BB2F56]"I say we go down there - together, I mean."[/color]

With a nod Therion pushed off the railing. Omori seemed fine with that plan too, so it was settled.

Since they were braving the pit, Dazzle gave them what information he could. He pointed out a quick route to the lower level, and as for the 'brutes' - he only said the group would know the dangerous hoarders when they saw them.

"Good luck, guys!" Dazzle said to the group. The Fluke Hermit waved at them, gurgling a similar farewell. 

As Ichiban and Omori headed away from the balcony, Therion lagged behind. Before leaving he turned back to Dazzle and pointed to the shiny fragments on his hat. Before he could even open his mouth to ask, the paper person's beady eyes sparkled passionately.

"Interested are you? They're star pieces! I collect them - the more I collect, the happier I am!"

[i]Star pieces?[/i] Therion supposed if you fit a few of them together they would take the shape of a star... sort of. He happened to have the three he'd picked up in Twilight Town, and hoping they were worth something he asked, [color=BC8DBF]"Collect them for what? Are they worth more in a set?"[/color]

"Oh I'd never sell them. I've never met anyone interested in buying them anyway! They just make me very happy. If you happen to find any, I'll trade you my badges for them!"

Well there went the thief's plans to cash in on them. Of course Dazzle could always be lying about there being no buyers, but all two dimensions of him didn't look the type. With a half-restrained sigh he said, [color=BC8DBF]"I might have some. Let's see what you've got."[/color]

Pulling a large paper scroll seemingly from nowhere, Dazzle smiled widely and laid out his badge selection with a flourish. There were a dozen or so pinned to the scroll, all equally as flat as he was, and they come in a variety of colors and designs. "Yay! Which badge do you want to trade for?" 

He went on to describe the effects of each, which took Therion by surprise. He'd figured they would just be shiny little chunks of metal with no more value than as collectibles, but it turned out that better described the star pieces. The badges were basically paper, but useful. The Fluke Hermit crawled over to watch the exchange as Therion ultimately traded two of his star pieces of his chosen [url=https://i.ibb.co/wrNmczy/Chill-Out-TTYD.png]badge[/url]. It felt silly pinning the flat thing to the shirt under his shawl, but he did it - and then went to catch up with the other two amid a second round of goodbyes from the friendly sewer dwellers.

Once reunited they all followed a side path that curved and declined, bringing them into the [url=https://i.ibb.co/87MBM6R/Screenshot-HK-Royal-Waterways-09.png]Junk Pit[/url] proper. It was huge, more spacious that it appeared even from above. Though there was clutter everywhere, a lot of it was collected into mounds, leaving room for the group to walk. Down here it was easier to make out the individual items stuffed into the piles, and naturally the thief drifted over to anything that caught his eye. The trio slowly moved through the area, generally exploring. Their thief's senses were on high alert, his cat ears flicking in the direction of any suspicious noise. 

The sound of metal clanging was common down here, what with pieces of junk tumbling from the top of precarious piles or some new piece of trash falling in from somewhere above the sewer. Eventually though it became apparent that there was a steady, rhythmic metallic sound like metal shoes on stone - and coming towards them. 

A tall, dark [url=https://i.imgur.com/vVN2wQz.png]figure[/url] with a grisly beaked mask stalked slowly through the Junk Pit, scooping up items as it went. What looked like human body parts dangled from the pack on its back, a warning of what would become of any intruders caught on its turf.

[color=BB2F56]"What the hell?!"[/color] Ichiban gasped, trying to not be [i]too[/i] loud about it. Instead of being shocked by the whole visage of the beaked figure, he was more worried about what it was carrying. [color=BB2F56]"Yo, does that guy have... hands and shit, in his bag?"[/color]

[color=BC8DBF]"That Dazzle guy really understated the situation,"[/color] Therion said, voice hushed. [color=BC8DBF]"This thing's a killer."[/color] From beneath his cloak Therion drew his dagger for some modicum of safety.

[color=gray][b]"Well, just means this might be worse than we expected."[/b][/color] Omori reached for [i]any[/i] of his ranged weaponry at this rate. Something told him getting caught in the grasp of that [i]thing[/i] would only add their limbs into its collection. [b][color=gray]"We can always fall back and let the others know what's going on down here."[/color][/b] He whispered.

As much of a waste as Therion thought it would be to leave now, it was probably a good idea. Though their wounds and illnesses had been taken care of, both Omori and Therion had gone through a gauntlet of fighting that day with each battle more dangerous and disgusting than the last. The thought of facing down yet another monster right now was exhausting. 

[color=BC8DBF]"...yeah,"[/color] Therion agreed after a moment. It wasn't a total loss even if it wasn't the spot they'd been looking for - in their short time down there he'd managed to find a couple of useful things, like surprisingly clean [url=https://i.ibb.co/hcsf5W2/1bandage.png]bandages[/url], discarded [url=https://i.ibb.co/ZWwk4dX/1earring.png]jewelry[/url] that might fetch a pretty leaf or two, and [url=https://i.ibb.co/jJpJh5t/1toy.png]something[/url] he'd just picked up on a whim. Retreat for now sounded fine. [color=BC8DBF]"Let's go. Quick and [i]quiet.[/i]"[/color]

The guys started backing away from their hiding place and towards the place they'd come in from, their attentions fixed on the beaked menace. The atmosphere in the junk pit grew more and more tense the closer it got to them as they tried to make a stealthy escape. It felt like their were eyes on them, but Scrapbreak hadn't noticed them just yet. Whether it was their new acquaintances in the balconies farm above watching them, or someone else hidden among the garbage piles, they didn't know.

The trio were almost close enough to the exit to make a break for it when something shifted. It could have been coincidence, or it could have been that one of them had bumped into a heap of junk (though none were going to claim responsbility for that), but the closest pile to them toppled over. The sound was painfully loud and echoed throughout the space, and with the items scattered all over there was no where for the three of them to hide before Scrapbeak caught sight of them.

With a horrifying scream the monster shoved his hand into the nearest mass of junk and pulled out a [url=https://i.ibb.co/mbzCG7t/B1-pitchfork.jpg]pitchfork[/url] just before rushing toward the intruders. 

 [b][color=Gray]"Move. MOVE!"[/color][/b]

Needless to say, said intruders turned tail and booked it. In the middle of their mad dash to the exit, Therion's ears picked up the whistling noise of something being thrown. Whatever it was sailed right over them, aimed at the opening they were running towards. 

[color=BC8DBF]"Wait!"[/color] Therion shouted, spreading his arms to stop Omori and Ichiban in their tracks. A second later the projecticle that Scrapbreak threw hit the stone in front of them and exploded - a spring-loaded razor wire that violently unfolded, spreading like a deadly spiderweb to block their escape.

Less agile than either the thief-like Therion or the tiny child Omori, Ichiban couldn't stop with much grace. He slid along the wet bricks, dress shoes providing next to zero traction so that he ended up falling on his ass. [color=BB2F56]"Ah, shit!"[/color] He was probably a bit of a priority to keep safe, considering that unlike the others Ichiban was still Gleaming - getting hit by Scrapbeak would force him to fight it, meaning the other two would [i]also[/i] have to jump in to save him.

Being a hero was hard work.

Therion pulled the man up by the scruff of his jacket as the monster's advance drew ever closer. They had to find another exit, but first they had to get away from their deranged pursuer. As soon as it got close enough Scrapbreak thrust the pitchfork at the group, hoping to skewer any of them, but its prey turned out to faster. They split up to avoid the attack and weaved around Scrapbeak, running through the pit to seek any other route out of it. The monster screamed again and gave chase. 

Omori had taken the first initiative to kite Scrapbeak away by firing a couple of rounds from his Boxing Glove to direct it towards him. Just as long as he kept his distance and stayed focused, he could give the other two some time to either get the heat off him or find another way out!

[color=BB2F56]"Over here!"[/color] Shouting was [i]not[/i] a good tactic right now, but it was the only one they had. Down one of the split paths Ichiban stumbled into a less cluttered section of the dump, able to catch sight of the way out at the far end of the pit. Not wanting to keep running empty-handed, Ichiban grabbed a jutting-out piece of metal from a nearby junk pile, yanking it out (surprisingly without disturbing the rest), the [url=https://i.imgur.com/deNnfH4.jpg]crowbar[/url] clutched firmly in his hand. Not like he wanted to fight this freaky guy, but it might come to it.

Surprisingly their un-coordination worked to their advantage. The monster would give chase to one, then abort and turn the other direction as it tried to decide which would be an easier prize. Though it didn't deter the hoarder in the slightest, the confusion did give them a bigger gap between themselves and it. With a small lead, the two of them met back up with Therion as the latter ushered them over after finding an easier path through the pit. 

Scrapbeak's screeching form disappeared as they got as far away as possible, but the group knew they hadn't lost it completely. It's echoing cries and harsh metal footsteps still followed after them. Then, making up for its slower speed with its size and knowledge of the room, Scrapbreak suddenly headed the three off by taking a short cut directly through a smaller mound of junk, throwing items everywhere and swinging its weapon to try and clothesline the lot of them, missing by a hair's breadth.

[color=BB2F56]"Hey you!"[/color] Ichiban chucked his crowbar at the beaked monster in a desperate attempt to draw it away from Omori. He might not stand much of a chance against it, but to Ichiban, it's better for this killer to focus on him rather than the two still healing from their illness. He only managed to throw it against its giant backpack, though that did dislodge one of the severed hands (ew, gross) and a couple [url=https://i.ibb.co/yBPb2FY/Cold-Snap.png]more[/url] [url=https://i.ibb.co/S5dc13z/Ammo-medium.png]items[/url].

Scrapebeak let out a piercing shriek, beaked head turned to stare at Ichiban with empty eyes... though there was a lucky moment as it chose to stoop down and collect the dropped hand. Ichiban took the chance and booked it again, across Scrapbeak's path to join the others before it decided to keep going.

Luckily, they wouldn't be running in circles for much longer. [b][color=gray]"Hey- I think I see an exit!! This way!"[/color][/b] The boy had called out as soon as he spotted another door nearby, having snuck around and scooped up the items that fell out of Scrapbeak's backpack.

Omori, Ichiban, and Therion had managed to avoid Scrapbeak so far. They had an exit in sight, but their route was littered with debris that made running through it without tripping a difficult task. With the monstrous hoarder on their tail, falling may well have been a death sentence. They sprinted as fast as they could go, nearing their escape with the screaming right behind them. 

With his speed and dexterity a level beyond his two companions, Therion reached the door first. He whipped back around to check the status of the others to find Scrapbeak just about to catch up to them. The monster hoisted its pitchfork to go for a stab, but seemingly out of nowhere a heavy porcelain bathtub crashed down from above, directly on top of it. 

[i]What?[/i] The thief was dumbstruck by this turn of events. Then, he remembered that there were [i]two[/i] menaces down here. The other self-proclaimed owner of the Junk Pit and apparently Scrapbreak's rival in body-part collecting sat atop the tub, a wicked smile on [url=https://i.imgur.com/WoSMAls.png]his[/url] goblin-like face.

"What's got you so distracted, birdy?" The new monster said, laughing down at Scrapbreak as it struggled to get out from under the tub. Saved by the violent rivalry, Ichiban and Omori slipped through the door to join Therion.

Working out the last of their adrenaline they jogged down the connecting tunnel, ending up in an open [url=https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/006/074/103/large/paul-slusser-ps-omdu-flushed.jpg?1495835922]area[/url] where they could catch their breath. 

Ichiban rubbed his palms against his forehead, leaning his lower back against the wall. [color=BB2F56]"Hahhh, jeez. That guy was... was a real weirdo."[/color] Understatement of the year. [color=BB2F56]"Look, if it's alright with you two, I-I think we should get outta here."[/color] He gestured to one of the pipeways branching off from their rest spot, familiar enough with the way out it seemed.

[color=BC8DBF]"What, scared of a little serial killer?"[/color] Therion quipped. Truth be told though, he agreed. Live to steal another day and all that. Plus now that he knew what was actually down here in the sewers, he could come back more prepared - after a good night's sleep. He followed Ichiban's indication of the piping and nodded for the man to go ahead, himself and Omori to follow right behind. Thinking back, it was incredible luck that the guy's gleaming "fight-to-the-death" trigger hadn't gone off. Therion would have felt a little about leaving him down there to battle those things. 

The going was out was slower than going in as they took care trying not to run into trouble. They passed by naught more than a very large [url=https://i.ibb.co/FVKJvc3/YSSlug-Artwork.png]slug[/url] during the route. When the group traced their way back to one of the Royal Waterways' exits and made their way out, it was still raining. That massive clocktower showed that their little misadventure had felt longer than it actually was, and there was still some time left in the night surpisingly. 

[color=BB2F56]"Man, what a workout,"[/color] Ichiban said, still huffing to catch his breath. He looked back to Therion and Omori. [color=BB2F56]"If you guys wanna take care of that dude, you might wanna get some more help. I'd offer too, if y'let me. Doesn't feel right letting a murderer roam around where innocent people are."[/color]

[b][color=gray]"Doubt they'll be going anywhere anytime soon."[/color][/b] Omori groaned, running a hand through his hair. [b][color=gray]"It's getting late. The others probably turned in for the night by now."[/color][/b] Hopefully there's a shop still open that he can sell some of his extra stuff at.

After a bit of silence where he seemed deep in thought, Ichiban suddenly snapped his fingers. [color=BB2F56][i]"Ganondorf!"[/i][/color]

[b][color=gray]"What about him?"[/color][/b]

[color=BB2F56]"Yeah, that one guy who was knocked out with you earlier. He looked kinda familiar and I was racking my head the whole time tryin' to place it. But now I remember. He looks a lot like this bad guy from this video game, came out a little while before..."[/color] He stopped himself short of saying [i]something[/i], a small nervous cough to reorient the conversation. [color=BB2F56]"Anyways, that guy was called Ganondorf. Is he some sorta cosplayer?"[/color]

Cosplayer? What was he talking about? Omori rose a brow, trying to figure out what Ichiban meant. Something seemed to click in his head after a second, but he didn't say anything further. Whatever the kid had figured out, Therion hadn't. It was clear the thief had no idea what Ichiban meant, and didn't have enough info to even guess.

[color=BC8DBF]"Is this one of those different world things?"[/color] He said, more to Omori than anything. On second thought, he really didn't care. Now that they were out of the Waterways and into the rain, Therion was getting eager to dry off as soon as possible. 

[color=BC8DBF]"If you're sticking around you can ask him tomorrow. As far as I can tell he's some self-important, self-proclaimed 'King of Evil.'"[/color] Therion replied to Ichiban. [color=BC8DBF]"I'm gonna go find a place to bunk in."[/color]

He gave the both of them one quick wave in place of a goodbye and wandered off, traveling under the eaves of buildings to escape most of the rain. 

Hm. Therion had a point. Omori had to find some place to dry off and spend the night. Mewo was probably getting drenched inside his backpack. But first, somewhere to sell stuff. [b][color=gray]"See you around."[/color][/b] With a nod to Ichiban and a wave goodbye, he walked off and the remaining two went their separate ways, ending the trio's little misadventure.

...But Omori still felt like something was off. Almost as if the feeling was [i]following[/i] him. Maybe once he goes to bed he'd feel better in the morning.