Ch.15 You're M.O.S.T.ly right... - part.1

After classes, Ruby said goodbye to Buttercup and went home to Grandma. She opened the door and was greeted by Kevin and Devin.

Ruby: Hello Kevin, Devin.

Kevin & Devin: Hi.

Ruby: Do you know where Grandma is?

Kevin: That's the second time we were asked that today!

Ruby: What do you mean...?

Devin: Sometime around lunchtime a black cheetah knocked at the door and asked us where Grandma was.

Ruby: And...?

Kevin: We replied that we didn't knew and told him to go to the night markets.

Ruby: But its not even night...

Devin: He said the exact same thing to us! We told him we couldn't help him, so he left.

Ruby: Are you sure you didn't close the door on him?

Kevin & Devin: Why would we do that?

Ruby: Um... never-mind...

Ruby ran out the door and crashed into Midnight.

Ruby: Midnight! What are you doing here?

Midnight: Giving you some important information. Mayor Irontail is planning to launch their secret weapon on the Vampires in ten days.

Ruby: TEN DAYS?!

Midnight: Yes. Ten days.

Ruby: Wait... When did you find this out? And HOW?

Midnight: I have my connections. And I happened to have some "free time" on my hands.

Ruby: We should report this to the Vampire Lord!

Midnight: Well... I would if I could... but you put me off the team until you thought I should come back, remember?

Ruby: Oh... yeah... I forgot...

Midnight: ...Oh well. Have fun reporting and training!

Midnight turns around and runs to the Village center. Just then, Grandma walks outside to Ruby.

Grandma: What did he do...?

Ruby: Well... he did something behind my back last night.

Grandma: Like what...?

Ruby: He went into a rich UnMythics house last night with some other thieves like him, I guess...

Grandma: And you were mad at him for not telling you?

Ruby: Yeah. Why wouldn't I be? We're partners... we need to tell each other everything!

Grandma: Would you tell him your deepest secret?

Ruby: No! That's... well... a secret. He wouldn't understand...

Grandma: ...And I bet Midnight would think the same thing if someone asked him that. There are just some things you can't tell friends. Respect that, Ruby.

Grandma walked back inside, leaving Ruby alone.

Ruby: ... Grandma's right. I over reacted to Midnight... He just broke into someones house and stole a few things... It's natural for a thief to do that...

Ruby sighs and starts making the walk to the Vampire Lord's mansion.

Ch.14. Midnight makes Amends - part.3

Midnight swiftly follows Boo through the village until they reach a boat. Midnight quickly gets in and Boo follows. Before they could leave, they hear and yell and look up. A purple fox runs at top speeds towards them.

Boo: Oh no... Not Hex!

The purple fox stops at the boat where Midnight and Boo were in.

Hex (purple fox): I want to come with you!

Boo: Hex, you're too young to come with us!

Hex: No I'm not! Mum says I'm old enough to go with you! And besides, you PROMISED me you would take me on your next boat trip!

Boo: This is IMPORTANT, sis! We don't need you to ruin Midnight's mission! And how did YOU know we were going?

Hex: I heard you talking. You REALLY need to fix that hole in the wall... On second thought, Don't! I can keep spying on you if you don't fix it!

Boo: What if a ghost hunter runs into the Village while we're gone? You'll miss a "GREAT" game of Hide and go shriek!

Hex: I'm not falling for that trick again, Boo. No one EVER comes to our Village anymore!

Boo sighs and looks at Hex straight in the eye.

Boo: ... if you come, you have to do EXACTLY what I say...

Hex: DEAL!

Hex jumps into the boat with Midnight and Hex, and they started sailing off. The waves sloshed and twirled about into each other as the boat sliced through them. After what seemed like hours, they start to see tall buildings ahead. Boo ties the boat up near the forest and they run towards the city. After a while, they reach the end of the forest.

Midnight: How well do you know the place?

Boo: Well enough to know where the biggest restaurants, clubs and schools are... The Mayor's building is right in the middle of all that city chaos...

Hex: ... Midnight?

Midnight: Yeah?

Hex: Why do you want to come here?

Midnight: ... I made a mistake last night... and I want to make it right.

Boo darts into the city with Midnight and Hex at his side. They dashed through the dirty streets and through the crowds of the afternoon. After some time, Boo stops at a big building.

Boo: I got a tip that mayor Irontail was visiting this school for inspection...

Midnight: Anything I should know?

Boo: If I knew, I would tell you.

Midnight: ... I better go in alone.

Hex: No! I want to come with you!

Boo: Hex, he's FINE on his own. And besides, you would just get in the way.

Hex: What if they find him?

Boo: With any luck, they won't know he's in there.

Hex: But what if he gets caught?

Boo: With any luck they won't catch him.

Midnight: And knowing me, I won't take no for an answer.

Midnight entered the school and started to blend in with the students. For a while, he searched high and low with no luck. Just as he was about to give up, he heard whispering through the wall. He stopped to listen.

Strange voice: (from behind wall) Are you sure it's not a misunderstanding?

Strange voice: (from behind wall) Yes. Vampires have been sighted in Snowy Hill and MoonFlower meadows.

Strange voice: (from behind wall) This is getting more serious... If this keeps on happening, we may have to launch our secret weapon.

Strange voice: (from behind wall) But its not finished! We need a little more time...

Strange voice: (from behind wall) Enough! If its not done in ten days... well, you don't want to know...

The voices faded away into silence. Midnight looked around to make sure no one had seen him, and dashed back out where he found Boo and Hex waiting for him.

Boo: Got what you came for?

Midnight: Not quite... But at least I'm going home with something. Lets get out of here!

Midnight, Boo and Hex left the big city and back to the boat.

Ch.14. Midnight makes Amends - part.2

Midnight runs over to Grandma's house and bangs on the door. The door is opened by Kevin and Devin.

Midnight: Is Ruby's Grandma at home?

Kevin: We don't know... Why do you care?

Midnight: Well... I need some potions!

Devin: Why do you need potions from her? That's what the night market is for.

Midnight: The night markets potions don't work! And it's not even night-time!

Kevin: Well, sorry. We can't help you. Come back next week.

Midnight: I DON'T HAVE TIME...

Before Midnight could finish his sentence, Kevin and Devin banged the door closed.

Midnight: ... for next week...

Midnight sighed and started running in the direction he had come from and into the forest. After a long time of running, he reached the edge of the forest and saw green fields as far as the eye could see.

Midnight: (thinking) The Village must be here somewhere...

Midnight took a deep breath and started to run through the grassy fields. After a while, he saw what seemed like a abandoned Village. He kept on running until he reached it.

Midnight: (thinking) DarkRiver Village... The only Village that acts like they're ghosts.

Midnight quickly dashed through the village until he stops at a smaller house. He knocks at the door.

Midnight: Open up, Boo! I know you're in there!

The door mysteriously opens and Midnight enters. Suddenly, someone lands on Midnight and pins him to the floor.

Midnight: Boo. Get off me. It's not funny anymore.

Boo (black fox): Sorry! I thought you were... you know.

The black fox quickly lets go of Midnight, and he gets up.

Midnight: You thought I was a UnMythic ghost hunter?

Boo: Yup! After all, we do have a reputation to keep up!

Midnight: So I've heard...

Boo: ... Anyway... Why are you here?

Midnight: Well... It's a long story... but to make things quick, I need to find "Mayor Irontail" who happens to live in the "Big City"...

Boo: Big City? Oh! You must be talking about Sunbeam Shores! The biggest city in all the Island!

Midnight: You know where it is?

Boo: About a day's journey by foot.

Midnight: Bother! I need to be there BY TONIGHT!!! There HAS to be another way!

Boo: Well... A few days journey by foot... But by sea, its only an hour and half away!

Midnight: Brilliant! Let's go!

Boo: Right now?

Midnight: YES.

Boo: Let me AT LEAST pack a few things first!

Midnight: ...

Boo picked up a small bag and shoved a few things in it.

Boo: Ok! I'm ready!

Boo silently ran out the door with Midnight by his side.

Ch.14. Midnight makes amends - part.1

Before the bell rang again, Midnight dashed out of the school and back to the Vampire Village. After some weaving in alleyways and dark streets, he arrived at the M.O.S.T. meeting club.

Stella: Midnight! You're back early.

Midnight: I am?

Stella: You usually get here AFTER night fall. Not before.

Midnight: Well... I'm just tired. I wanted to take a break before heading back out there again!

Stella: Suit yourself... Want something?

Midnight: ... Yeah. Maybe something to drink.

Stella: Do you want Lemon Crush, Summer Bomb, or would you like today's special?

Midnight: Today's special?

Stella: Fire fruit smoothie.

Midnight thought for a minute before answering.

Midnight: ... Yeah. I'll take the special.

Stella: You want anything with that?

Midnight: Got any Vanilla cream?

Stella: I got most things, I believe...

Stella took some bottles down from the shelf and started mixing the drinks together. After a while, she stopped stirring and poured in a cream that smelled as good as it looked. Stella then handed over the drink to Midnight.

Midnight: Thanks, Stella.

Midnight slowly drank the delicious water and cream.

Stella: So... did you do anything interesting today?

Midnight stopped drinking and looked at Stella, almost sadly.

Midnight: I did something wrong last night...

Stella: Yeah. Stealing stuff from a poor girl.

Midnight: She wasn't THAT poor...

Stella: I was joking. I knew she wasn't poor. From the sounds of it, she was the "Richest girl in the world".

Midnight: Anyway... I lied to a... lets say... a "friend"...

Stella looked at Midnight, now interested.

Stella: Lying is part of a thieves job. Why is there a raincloud over you in this case?

Midnight: Well... shes kinda a... "Working partner", if I'm going to be honest...

Stella: So you have a job?

Midnight: What? No! Never going to get a job, even if I WANTED one... but...

Stella: ... But...?

Midnight: Well... I guess you could call it a "Mission"... but...

Stella: You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

Midnight: Oh, I want to tell you... but... If you tell anyone, I could be kicked out... out of M.O.S.T, I mean...

Stella: I cross my heart and hope to turn into a thief I wont tell!

Midnight smiled at Stella then drank the rest of his fruity drink.

Midnight: Well... I'm kinda on a mission for the... Vampire Lord...

Stella sighed and gently took his cup away and started cleaning it.

Stella: Why would you want to work for the Vampire Lord if you're already working for M.O.S.T?

Midnight: It's... quite a story...

Stella: Don't be ashamed, Midnight... You're brave enough to even SPEAK of working for the Vampire Lord, let alone actually DOING IT...

Midnight: But I don't understand why everyone in M.O.S.T. is afraid of the Vampire Lord... He rules this Village...

Stella: The answer is right in front of you, Midnight... The Vampire Lord rules this forest... and everything in it... He accepts stealing as a little kids game, but killing is something he won't have... If he finds out the club you're in does that... You could all be thrown into the dungeons.

Midnight stayed silent. Stella sighed again and put down the cup.

Midnight: How much do I owe you? And don't say that was one the house. I KNOW how little money you got...

Stella: ... Four fifty five, please.

Midnight searched through his pockets until he found the money he needed to pay, then gave it to Stella. She shoved the money under the counter.

Midnight: Well... I best be off...

Stella: Well... if you must...

Midnight looked back at Stella as he left the secret club, and back into the Vampire streets.

Ch.13. Back on track - part.3

After the bell rang, Ruby started to search for Midnight.

Ruby: (thinking) Where on earth is Midnight? He has to be around here somewhere...

Just then, Ruby crashed into Midnight.

Ruby: Midnight! I've got some...

Midnight: Hey Ruby! You will NEVER guess what I found!

Ruby: ...

Midnight: I know where Mayor Irontail lives!

Ruby stared at Midnight in surprise.

Ruby: How did you find THAT out?

Midnight: Well, Mrs. Breeze asked me to... "calm down" Richard and his gang. So I thought stealing EVERYTHING in his and his friends backpacks was a good start!

Ruby: Wait... You were ASKED to do that?

Midnight: Yup! And the reward was no spelling homework!

Ruby: ... Tell me you're kidding...

Midnight: I'm afraid not! Brilliant, isn't it?

Ruby: Midnight, I need to...

Midnight: And guess what I found in one of his friend's backpack!

And so saying so, Midnight showed Ruby a letter.

Ruby: ... What is it?

Midnight: A piece of paper with words on it.

Ruby: I know THAT. But... what does it say?

Midnight: It says...

Ruby: Don't tell me now. We're in the open... But Midnight, I need to...

Midnight: Sorry Ruby! Got to run!

And so saying so, Midnight shoved the letter into Ruby's hands and dashed off without saying another word. A few seconds later, Richard and his gang charged off after him.

Ruby: ... Ask some questions...

Ruby shook her head and slowly went in the other direction. After a while, she arrived at a quiet place and started reading.

Ruby: (reading) "To my favorite nephew, Edward. There have been some serious troubles over in the big city... VAMPIRE troubles. If we don't stop them, who knows what could happen? To make sure it doesn't happen, I want you to keep a secret safe. Are you brave enough for what I'm about to show you? Are you brave enough to fight of Vampires to keep your people safe? I hope you are... From Aunt A."... Who on earth is Aunt A?

Ruby carefully folded the letter and placed it in her pocket.

Ruby: (thinking) Vampire troubles in the big city? Wonder where that could be... And who on earth is this "Aunt A." character?

Just then, Midnight skidded around the corner and dashed over to Ruby.

Ruby: Great news Midnight! We're back on track, partly thanks to you...

Midnight: What do you mean? Who stole the letter? Was it you, a ordinary Vampire? Or was it ME, a trained thief made for stealing the queens jewels and still getting away with it?

Ruby: Your one to talk! You're the one whose been stealing stuff from Victoria's house last night with your "Friends", I believe.

Midnight took a step back, now terrified of Ruby.

Midnight: How did you find out?

Ruby: The whole school should have known it was you by now. Victoria and her friend have been spreading the news like wildfire.

Midnight: But...

Ruby: And now I know why you were being so secretive last night! You didn't want me to find out you were doing what you did best.

Midnight: It's not what it seems like...

Ruby: Oh really...?

Midnight: It's... complicated, Ok? I don't want to talk about it now...

Ruby: Well, until you do feel like it, You can just hang about with your "friends" for a while until I feel like you should come back. Keeping secrets from your partners in a secret mission is not ok...

Ruby turned her back on Midnight and started to walk away.

Midnight: Ruby...

Ruby: Don't say anything Midnight. You've done enough for today.

Ruby turned the corner and out of sight.

Midnight: I've already got enough on my plate without Ruby getting upset with me... But at least she's got something to work on while I'm gone. And besides... It's not like she can become a thief overnight... She's going to need my help whether she likes it or not!

Midnight swiftly dashed through the halls and out of sight.

Ch.13. Back on track - part.2

Ruby and Buttercup walked into Mrs. Redleaf's class just as the bell rang. They both took seats next to each other.

Buttercup: We all had a great time at the Rainbow Waterfalls! I didn't see you with the group, though. Didn't you come?

Ruby: No. I didn't go on the field trip.

Buttercup: Why?

Ruby: ... Because I didn't want to.

Just at that moment, Victoria and her friend marched into the room chatting about something.

Victoria: Can you believe it? Why would they do such a thing to me!

Elizabeth: You are practically the richest girl in the world! Only THEY would want to steal from the best of the best! What did they steal?

Ruby got down from her chair and walked over to where Victoria was talking.

Victoria: ... Some candles, some one of a kind rings, not to mention a few junky clocks, but nothing important was taken.

Ruby: Um, excuse me? What are you talking about?

Elizabeth: Isn't it obvious? Victoria's house was robbed!

 Ruby: By who...?

Victoria: I don't know. A black cheetah walked into my bedroom last night and told me that three thieves were stealing stuff from my house!

Ruby: Is that so...?

Elizabeth: Yeah! He also said if the thieves found out she was awake, they would kill her!

Ruby: hm... Did the black cheetah looked like Midnight?

Victoria: Whose Midnight?

Ruby: Um... The guy who stole your stuff yesterday!

Victoria: Oh yeah! Him... He DID kinda look like him in some ways...

Ruby: Ok! That's all I wanted to know.

Ruby walked back over to her seat.

Buttercup: What was that all about?

Ruby: Some thieves broke into Victoria's house last night and took a few things.

Buttercup: ... And?

Ruby: And Victoria claimed that a "Black Cheetah" warned her that if they found her awake they would kill her.

Buttercup: But that's horrible!

Ruby: Yeah, it kinda is...

Buttercup: How can you take this so lightly?

Ruby: ... Just thinking about something that happened last night...

Just then, Mrs. Redleaf enters the room and walks over to the blackboard and starts writing stuff.

Ruby: (thinking) Midnight and the thieves that broke into Victoria's house must be connected in some ways... Just HOW is the question...

Ruby wondered about it for a while.

Ruby: (thinking) ... Yeah. I'm sure of it... Midnight must be connected to the thieves in some way or other... I need to ask him a few more questions when we meet again...

Ruby thinks deep thoughts until the bell rang again, announcing it was lunch time. 

Happy Australia Day

Or, Happy Straya Mate! as its known around here. Here's Ruby, Sapphire, Midnight, Pandora and Stella when they are looking slightly less plushy! In other words, without their makeup on! Oh, and Fang seems to have escaped from the backpack again!

Ch.13. Back on track - part.1

Early the next morning, Ruby and Fang headed back to the Golden Forests school. Halfway there, Midnight caught up to them panting.

Midnight: Why didn't you wait for me?

Ruby: You have been so secretive last night, it was obvious you didn't want me to see what you were doing... So I doubted you wanted to see me this morning.

Midnight: I'm SORRY... There! I said it. Happy?

Ruby: I'm glad you said sorry, but that's not what I want.

Midnight: Then what DO you want?

Ruby: An explanation! Where on earth did you go?

Midnight: I already told you! Repaying a debt I owe to someone!

Ruby: ...

Midnight: ... You don't believe me, do you?

Ruby: Not really, no.

Midnight: ... Fine. Believe what you want. After all, I'm only a "good for nothing thief".

Ruby stayed silent until they reached the schools entrance.

Ruby: ... If you keep lying like this, those words of yours will come back to bite you...

Ruby walks away from Midnight and greets Buttercup. They both walk away talking. Midnight sighs and walks down another hall.

Fang: What's up?

Midnight turns around and sees Fang following him.

Midnight: Fang, what are you doing here? You're meant to STAY in Ruby's backpack!

Fang: She always shoves me back in that thing whenever I try to ask her a question!

Midnight: Well, you're a talking spider. Most people don't like spiders because you're handsome, smart, and you help us by keeping bugs under control!

Fang: Really...?

Midnight: ... Ok, the first two were true.

Fang: ...

Midnight: I'm being honest.

Fang: I know, but... were you really lying to Ruby?

Midnight: You heard?

Fang: I hear EVERYTHING.

Midnight: ... I know if I say what's on my mind to you, you will tell Ruby about it.

Fang: No I won't!

Midnight: Believe me Fang. I've been with Ruby long enough to know not to trust you with secrets.

Fang: ...

Midnight and Fang walked around the halls until they heard a bell ringing.

Midnight: Now listen to me Fang... You will go back to Ruby and say NOTHING about me... Ok?

Fang: Why would I do that?

Midnight: Because if you don't I WILL turn you into a sandwich... and there isn't going to be any bread included!

Fang: ... Ok, see you later!

Fang scurried off down the halls at top speeds. Midnight opens a door leading to Mrs. Breeze's class, and walks in.

Mrs. Breeze: Aye, Midnight M'lad! Happy t' see ya still in one piece!

Midnight: Why do you say that?

Mrs. Breeze: Och! Sorry lad. Forgot to mention it t' ye earlier! Y'know the low lad who had a wi' bit o' a fight with ya?

Midnight: Yeah...?

Mrs. Breeze: He be t' bully of this here school. Can't stand it when he can't get his own way. Strongest out of every one, too! So when he saw ye' be sittin' in his favorite seat, he nearly blew his top right off!

Midnight: I've noticed.

Mrs. Breeze: Och, sure ye' have! He's also a fair joker in this here class as well! Always whispering to kids tryin' to spell, tossing around paper airplanes... You could almost quit ye' job with him around!

Midnight: So why do you let him take advantage of your class?

Mrs. Breeze: I don't! I try me best to quiet em down but everything I seem t' say just goes in an' over their heads! It's like they can't even hear me!

Midnight: Where is this going...?

Mrs. Breeze: What I'm tryin' t' say is that I need your help to at least... calm them down a lil' bit. Teach em' a lesson they won't be forgettin' in a long time!

Midnight: Why me? Can't you just ask someone else to do it?

Mrs. Breeze: You stood up t' em when no one else would! Don't ye see, lad? Every other kid here is afraid of them! All except you!

Midnight: ... I'll see about it...

Mrs. Breeze: And IF you are successful, I won't give ye' any spellin' homework!

Midnight: No spelling homework? Now this is a offer I REALLY can't refuse!

Mrs. Breeze: Up and at em' boy! I knew I could count on ye!

Mrs. Breeze turned back to her blackboard and Midnight sat down on a beanbag. A second bell rang and a lot more kids flooded in.

Ch.12. Theft or truth - part.3

After training with Melody and Jack, Ruby started to walk on home. On the way, Pandora ran up to Ruby in the middle of the night markets.

Pandora: Hi Ruby! Haven't seen you in a while!

Ruby: Hi Pandora. I guess we both have been too busy with our missions to see each other! Anything new with you?

Pandora: Nope. The kids at my school are strange. Who on earth would want to hide poor spiders and bugs in other students backpacks?

Ruby: Because its funny?

Pandora: Funny for you, weird for me. Would you do that to Fang?

Ruby: You bet I would!

Pandora: ... Anyway. We should do something fun tonight!

Ruby: Sorry, I'm looking for a friend of mine.

Pandora: The only friends I recall you had were me and Jett.

Ruby: Actually, this friend... he's more of an ally.

Pandora: Really...?

Ruby: Yeah. He's helping me in my mission. We were both training together until he said he had something important to do and dashed off.

Pandora: Mysterious in many ways, this "ally" of yours. Whats his name?

Ruby: Well... You know Midnight Darkmoon?

Pandora: He's one of the local thieves in the night markets, right?

Ruby: Yeah... That's him.

Pandora: ...

Ruby: ... Something wrong?

Pandora: ... So what you're saying is that a good for nothing thief is your ally in a mission for the Vampire Lord...

Ruby: I needed someone that knew how to steal stuff!

Pandora: So you chose him?

Ruby: I didn't know any other thieves.

Pandora: ...

Ruby: I need to ask him some questions when I find him.

Pandora: Can't you forget about him for a little while? Just long enough so we can do something fun?

Ruby: ... What kind of fun...

Ruby spots Midnight putting coins in his pockets, a little way off from where they were.

Ruby: Hey Midnight!

Midnight looks up, as if almost scared of something.

Ruby: Come on, Midnight! Don't be that kind of guy! Get over here!

Midnight slowly walks over to where Ruby and Pandora were talking.

Midnight: Uh... Hi, Ruby...

Ruby: Where have you been, Midnight?

Midnight: Um... No where?

Ruby: You don't fool me, Midnight. You said you had "something important" to do. So where did you go?

Midnight: Um... repaying a debt I owe to someone?

Ruby: ... I'll take your word for now. But I want a better answer out of you later!

Pandora: ... You going to introduce me, Ruby?

Ruby: Sorry! Midnight, This is my best friend Pandora. Pandora, This is Midnight.

Midnight steps backwards, almost dazed.

Pandora: ... Something wrong with me?

Midnight: Uh... Nothing! Nothings wrong with me.. I mean, you... Just...

Midnight slowly steps backwards then quickly turns around and runs.

Pandora: ... What's wrong with him?

Ruby: I may have only known him for a few days, but he's never acted like this before... Does he know you?

Pandora: Never talked to him in my life. Although...

Ruby: ... What?

Pandora: ... It's probably nothing.

Ruby: Ok... If you want to say something to me, don't be shy!

Pandora: Yeah... I'll remember that offer.

Ruby and Pandora continued talking until they reached Grandma's house. After they said goodbye to each other, Pandora went home. A little later that night, deep in the shadows, Midnight was hiding.

Midnight: (thinking) She doesn't recognize me... Lets hope Patrick doesn't find out she's in this part of town, either.

Midnight sat thinking in the darkness for what seemed like hours. Finally, he got up.

Midnight: (thinking) I should've told the truth... too late now... Can't go back...

Midnight slipped deeper into the shadows and out of sight.

Ch.12. Theft or truth - part.2

Midnight - followed closely by Patrick and Griffin - silently ran through the forest until they stopped at a huge house.

Patrick: This the place?

Midnight: Do rabbits hop around yelling twenty seven until a fox falls down then start yelling twenty eight?

Griffin: ... maybe?

Midnight: That's your answer.

Patrick: So you don't even KNOW where we are?

Midnight: Hey! This is a big house! I would ASSUME this is the right place!

Patrick: Doesn't matter how big the house is! Never judge a treasure by its chest!

Griffin flies up into a window and enters the house. After a minute, Griffin unlocks and opens the door for Patrick and Midnight. They walk around for a while until Patrick stops.

Patrick: (whispering) Grab ANYTHING you can get your grubby little mittens on! As long as you can carry it...

Griffin silently flies over into another room and starts grabbing stuff to his liking. Patrick slowly follows him and out of sight. Midnight decides to head upstairs. Halfway up, he hears laughing and sees a bright light.

 Midnight: (thinking) If she's awake I'm going to have a hard time explaining to her...

 Midnight carefully tiptoes his way up the stairs until he sees Victoria and her cat.

Victoria: I feel like I have no one that's worthy to talk to me but you, my sweet Katrina!

Katrina ( pink cat): (Pet talk) I'm not sweet! But you do flatter me by saying that you have no one else to talk to!

Victoria: And I don't understand why that poor black cheetah would want to steal my two hundred dollar bracelet!

Katrina: (Pet talk) Because its made of gold, You fool! Why else would he want it?

Victoria: I won't miss that bracelet, but it's an insult to me when someone takes something that doesn't belong to them.. FROM ME!!! Do you know how I feel, kitty? Do you know who did this?

Katrina: (Pet talk) No, I don't know how you feel. And don't call me kitty!

Victoria suddenly looked up and saw Midnight trying to back away. She screamed so loud Midnight thought Ruby and Fang could hear it back at the training area! After a while she stopped screaming.

Midnight: Now that you have calmed down, let me explain.

Victoria: Don't harm me, angry zombie pirate! I promise I won't make fun of you ever again!!!

Midnight: What? Angry zombie pirates? No, no! You got it all wrong! I'm here to tell you something important!

Victoria: So you're NOT going to take away my sweet little kitty? Or eat her tail?

Midnight: Why would I do that?

Victoria: Because it might be tasty?

Midnight: ... Anyway... I'm here to tell you something important!

Victoria: Hey, weren't you the one who took my two hundred dollar bracelet?

Midnight: CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME EXPLAIN?!

Victoria: Well? Were you?

Midnight: Sigh... will you let me explain if I tell you the truth?

Victoria: Maybe.

Midnight: ... No. I didn't take your bracelet.

Victoria: Ok, now what is it that you want to tell me?

Midnight: Finally... Well, three guys are in your house and they are stealing some stuff that may or may not be valuable to you... And if you find out, they may...

Victoria: ... May what?

Midnight: They may... kill you... And that's not good! So I need you to stay here until dawn! Do you understand?

Victoria: ... Yes.

Midnight: Phew... I'm glad... If they come up here, pretend to be asleep or hide somewhere, ok?

Victoria: Ok.

Midnight silently tiptoed downstairs where he found Patrick and Griffin waiting for him.

Patrick: (whispering) Where did you go? What was that screaming?

Midnight: (whispering) Upstairs. Found the girl awake so I had to unalive her... and then I stole her bracelet! Looked like it costs about two hundred dollars.

Patrick: (whispering) Boys, our work is done for tonight! Let's head back to the club hideout and sell this stuff!

Patrick quickly exited the house, with Griffin and Midnight close behind.

Ch.12. Theft or truth - part.1

As the moon slowly rose in the dark night sky, Midnight swiftly weaved his way into allies and abandoned streets. Finally, Midnight stopped at a dead end where some stairs were. He made his way down them slowly, and stepped into a lively hideout.

Midnight: Griffin! Patrick! What's new with my partners in crime?

Patrick (dark grey leopard): Oh, you know how it is - Annoying UnMythics, pickpocketing, stuff like that. Just a normal day on the job for us!

Griffin (black eagle):  Haha, yeah! Bit of a CRASH BOOM BASH kinda day.

Patrick: You guys want a drink?

Griffin: Course I do! I'M PARCHED!!!

Midnight: No thanks. I'm good.

Patrick: STELLA!!! Give us something to drink!

An orange arctic wolf looked up from cleaning cups and sighed.

Stella (orange arctic wolf): Would you like some crab legs with that?

Griffin: NO WAY!!! Those make me crabby!

Everyone except Stella laughed.

Stella: Well, what DO you want with your drinks?

Patrick: I dunno... Maybe a fresh fire berry leaf and a hint of the good stuff!

Griffin: And maybe some of those frost gems to cool it down!

Stella: Two extra sour cloudy fizzy with fresh fire berry leafs, frost gems and a hint of snakes venom, coming right up...

Stella took a few bottles down from the shelf and started pouring them into the cups she'd been washing.

Midnight: You'll never guess what I found this afternoon!

Griffin: ... No, you're right. I can't guess! What is it?

Midnight: Only the location of one of the RICHEST girls in the world!

Patrick: And you know what we're going to do to that poor girl?

Midnight: We're going to rob EVERYTHING that's worth a penny to us from her! And maybe... Unalive her if she finds out.

Patrick: You bet, partner!

Stella: Your drinks are ready...

Patrick and Griffin snatched their drinks from Stella and gulped it down.

Griffin: Why are these cups so small? An ant couldn't even take a bath in there!

Stella: Until someone robs some bigger cups, that's all I've got.

Patrick: No wonder nobody wants to pay you!

Midnight: ...Who's the guy that stole the apples in the basket over there?

Stella: Bingo did. Says he stole them in front of the poor UnMythic who owned the trees.

Griffin: Show off.

Patrick and Griffin banged their cups on the counter and went over to look at the basket of apples. Midnight moved closer to Stella.

Midnight: Why do you even stay here, Stella?

Stella: I could ask you the same thing. Hanging out with those ruffians is dangerous, Midnight. And you should know that!

Midnight: I know, but they took me in when no one else would... I owe them my LIFE... Do you understand how it feels to be homeless?

Stella: More than you could ever imagine...

Stella looked away from Midnight and picked up a cup and started cleaning it.

Midnight: Well... we're going to rob the rich girl's house later tonight... You can still come, if you want.

Stella looked up from cleaning the cup and looked over at Patrick and Griffin.

Stella: ... Nah, I'm better off staying here where it's safer... I'm not built for stealth or strength, unlike you and your "friends"... Besides, I don't want to kill someone just because they weren't asleep.

Stella turned back to the cups and started cleaning the other cup. Midnight took some coins out of his pocket and put them on the counter. Stella looked up, surprised.

Midnight: For the drinks you gave to those "Ruffians".

Stella smiled at Midnight and took the coins.

Stella: Midnight... You're too...

Midnight: Too kind to be a thief?

Stella: Well... yeah.

Midnight grinned at Stella before walking over to where Patrick and Griffin were.

Griffin: These apples are half rotten! Not worth eating, unless you were starving!

Patrick: Does it matter? If it's stolen it tastes much better than if it was bought!

Midnight: Speaking of stealing, when should we raid the rich girl's house?

 Patrick: Right now.

And so saying so, Patrick walked out of the door. Griffin and Midnight followed close behind.

Ch.11. Do you know which end of the sword to hold on to? - part.2

Melody gives a sword to Ruby and Midnight.

Melody: Ok! So this will be your first sword fighting lesson! Do you know which end of the sword to hold on to?

Midnight: Was that meant to be funny?

Melody: Haha, sorry! Couldn't resist! In all seriousness, the swords are real. So I would be careful.

Ruby: Why would training swords be real?

Melody: Didn't you play with wooden swords when you were younger?

Ruby: My elder brothers wouldn't allow me to play with them. Never learned how to fight with swords, so I had to use my brains and swiftness instead!

Midnight: What did I say about a minute ago?

Melody: Sorry! We'll start with a basic parry attack. Watch this!

Melody grabs a sword on the ground and grips it in her claws. She dashes forward, then back. After repeating this a few times, she looks back at Ruby and Midnight.

Melody: A friendly reminder before you start practicing - Make sure you have enough room to fight in, or you could hurt someone by accident!

Ruby and Midnight copied Melody's example for a few minutes. After a while, Melody told them to stop.

Melody: Good parrys! Lets try a simple sword attack. Jack!

Jack slowly made his way over to where they were.

Jack: What is it now...?

Melody: I'm teaching them sword attacks and defenses. I need your help in the next lesson I'm about to show them!

Jack: What do I have to do...?

Melody: First, take my sword.

Melody chucked her sword to where Jack was standing, and then she borrowed Midnight's sword. Jack moved over to a different spot and faced Melody.

Melody: Make sure you take notes, you two! This is important!

Melody and Jack stared at each other for what seemed like a minute. Suddenly, Melody charged at Jack, slashing the sword down upon his sword. Melody and Jack did this for a few minutes before stopping.

Melody: Did you see any patterns?

Midnight: You guys always seemed to raise your swords down upon the others sword.

Melody: You'd be correct! Do you know why?

Ruby: Is it because you get to push your sword downwards, allowing you to get more of a advantage?

Melody: Yup! This may also make us a vulnerable in some places, but with the proper training, even THAT'S not much of a problem!

Midnight: Do you know what's the time?

Jack: Judging by how low the sun is, I would guess nearly sunset.

Midnight looked up at the sky for a few minutes - as if in deep thought. Finally, he looked back at Ruby.

Midnight: You can continue training without me... I need to... do something "important"...!

Jack: Not a good idea, mate. Slash is going to have your head if you leave in the middle of your daily training!

Midnight: I'm sure he won't notice. Even if he does, It's not as if he could really do anything to me.

Jack: You're fearless, and I like that about you. But if you do this more then once, you will get reckless. That's not a good thing.

Midnight: I'm sorry, but I got something important I must get to!

Without waiting for a answer, Midnight dashed off and out of the training grounds in a cloud of dust.

Ruby: ... Do you think Slash saw that?

Melody: With any luck he won't know he's gone. But just in case, I suggest we continue training - just like NOTHING happened!

Ruby continued sword fighting with Melody and Jack. And in the deeper part of the Vampire Village, Midnight sat waiting in the shadows.

Midnight: I hope they can forgive me one day...

Midnight quickly dashed further into the dark dark streets of the village.

Ch.11. Do you know which end of the sword to hold on to? - part.1

Ruby, Fang and Midnight entered the Vampire Lord's meeting room and began to wait for the Vampire Lord.

Fang: When do you think he'll show up?

Ruby: From experience, it doesn't take that long.

Just after Ruby finished her sentence, there was a crash of thunder and lightning and the Vampire Lord appeared in a puff of smoke. As usual.

Fang: Do you always make a entrance like that?

Ruby: Don't sound so disrespectful!

Vampire Lord: No, I don't always make a grand appearance... but it is the polite thing to do.

Fang: I guess.

Ruby: You might want to read this letter before we head off for some more training!

Midnight gives the letter to the Vampire Lord. After a few minutes, he looks up from the letter.

Vampire Lord: This is more serious than I thought. If this "Mayor Irontail" really wants to drive us out, we may have no choice...

Midnight: ... No choice in what?

Vampire Lord: It is nothing. You should hurry along to your next training session.

Ruby: Fang, go home.

Fang: But I want to come with you this time!

Ruby: Fang, you are hard to see and you could easily get stepped on. Besides, you would just whine all the time and keep on asking "When are we going to eat?"! So no.

Midnight: Do you think he'll find his way home?

Ruby: If he doesn't, we can always replace him.

Fang: I'm still here!

Ruby: Good. You can start going home now.

Ruby and Midnight headed towards the training grounds. After a few minutes of walking around, Captain Slash spots them and stomps towards them.

Slash: Just the two I'm looking for!

Midnight: Did we do something wrong?

Slash: Yes! You were meant to arrive an hour ago!

Midnight: This is our second time coming! Do you expect us to know who's who, what's what, and wheres where in about A DAY?!

Slash: ARE YOU TALKING BACK AT ME?!

Midnight: Well, yeah! That's how communication works!

Slash: Don't answer back, boy! You will train FOR AN HOUR longer than yesterday as punishment!

Captain Slash whistled and Melody came flying over and saluted to him. Captain Slash stormed off to see to something else.

Melody: What was that all about?

Ruby: Being a little late. We had to report something to the Vampire Lord, so we couldn't get here at lightning speed.

Melody: You got to see the Vampire Lord? And TALK with him?

Ruby: Yeah. Were both on a mission for him, so it's only right for us to report to him after we come back from spying!

Melody: You are so lucky! I tried to get into a mission, but I have a overprotective Father AND a younger sister stopping me from doing so. Do you guys have any siblings?

Ruby: Older twin brothers.

Midnight: Can we stop talking and start training?

Melody: Sorry if I'm just a curious bird - can't be helped!

Ruby: You seem a bit on edge Midnight. What's wrong with you?

Midnight: How do you know if I seem a bit on edge? I'M PERFECTLY NORMAL.

Ruby: Something tells me you don't always act like that.

Midnight: Can we PLEASE start training?

Melody: Come this way! I need to show you a some sword fighting techniques!

Ruby and Midnight follow Melody.

Ch.10. The Letter - part.4

After the last class was over, Ruby and Fang meet Midnight on the way to Grandma's house.

Ruby: Midnight... What did you do?

Midnight: What do you mean?

Ruby: Don't act the fool with me! You did something, so tell me what it is that you did!

Midnight: ... Well, you know the pink leopard you told me about yesterday?

Ruby: Yeah...What about her?

Midnight: She insulted me...

Ruby: ... Go on?

Midnight: She said I was a walking disaster - master of chaos and things like that.

Ruby: Shouldn't that be a compliment? Seeing that your a thief and all.

Midnight: Then she said I needed to take a bath.

Ruby: Ok, that makes all the difference.

Midnight: I HAVEN'T WASHED IN ABOUT A YEAR, AND I WEAR THAT AS A BADGE OF PRIDE!!!

Ruby: So you robbed from her?

Midnight: No... I robbed from her and all the other girls that agreed with her!

Ruby: You WILL give them back their things tomorrow, wont you?

Midnight: Who said ANYTHING about THAT?

Ruby: I did. If you don't give them their stuff back, this whole mission might fall down on top of us! We will NOT risk something like that JUST BECAUSE someone insulted you!

Midnight: But the M.O.S.T. Guild rules say that if you steal something you never give it back!

Fang pops out of Ruby's Backpack at that moment.

Fang: What's M.O.S.T.?

Midnight: Masters Of Silent Theft.

Ruby: Never heard of it before.

Midnight: Its a secret club for thieves. Don't tell ANYONE about it, ok?

Ruby: Cross my heart and hope to turn into a UnMythic.

Fang: Cross my heart and hope to diet!

Midnight: Good enough.

They arrive at Grandma's house a few minutes later. After a snack, they started talking.

Ruby: What's that letter you got there?

Midnight: Don't know. Sapphire gave it to me, so I didn't ask any questions!

Ruby: Read it aloud.

Midnight: "Mayor Irontail. We had a break in a few days ago, and it seems that something of importance has been taken! The plan will have to be delayed for a few days, but soon the Vampires will feel your rage and they will be driven out like the rest of the creatures! Eventually our scientists and researchers will find a way to decrypt the ancient language that the Dragons spoke. If we"...

Ruby: ... Is there more?

Midnight: There's nothing else written here!

Grandma walked in at that moment.

Grandma: Irontail... I believe that was the name of the captain in the War Journal you found!

Ruby: Maybe... But whoever this is, he or she could be dangerous to us.

Grandma: Meanwhile, you should probably give that to the Vampire Lord. I'm sure he'll want to know about that!

Ruby, Fang and Midnight headed onwards to the Vampire Lord's Mansion.