Mad World - Chapter 5 - Harvest Moon Festival
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Barbie Wire sat in a booth at a club in Lust. She had volunteered to take Fizzarolli more since her talk with them. It took a few days to sink in before she took to Sallie May’s advice. Her and Fizzarolli had been through the same event, but he was different. Maybe she could learn from him like Sallie May had suggested. Though it was easier said than done.
Barbie Wire had watched Fizzarolli as often as she could, but it only deepened the confusion. She watched him go through every day with a smile and bounce in his step. She did see the childish behavior come out when he was acting silly, but was seeing more of a man than a kid. He understood the world around him, was cautious of danger, a touch defensive, but otherwise was open and kind. It made her happy, but also envious.
Barbie Wire stirred from her thoughts as Fizzarolli’s stage name was announced. She looked up to see him take center stage and put on a performance as he always did. She gave a small smile seeing the fun he had with every performance. There was so much love and professionalism he took in this work that rivaled his time as a clown for their circus. She loved it for him, but it deepened the envy.
Barbie Wire sighed and looked away as Fizzarolli left the stage. She didn’t understand how Fizzarolli could move on how he has. Despite watching him and seeing the joy he took in life, she didn’t know how to achieve it. She wanted to share in that happiness and live like him. She wanted to be free from her fight, but she didn’t know what the first step should be.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Fizzarolli asked.
Babrie Wire snapped from her thoughts and glanced over. Fizzarolli sat next to her dressed in regular clothes.
“Just… a lot of things. I’m not sure where to start,” Barbie Wire admitted.
“I might. If you’re open to suggestions,” Fizzarolli said.
“And what would that be?”
Fizzarolli held up an envelope with his tail. “Word around the pole is there’s a big competition going on at Ozzie’s. It is invite only, but guess who got an invite?”
“Wait, there’s more. Bam!”
Fizzarolli slapped the envelope on the table. Barbie Wire reached for it and found two separate envelopes.
“How do you-?” Barbie Wire started.
“Let’s just say the boss man wasn’t sure who else to give it to. He asks me and I might have let it slip that I know of another performer that’s just dying to get back onto the stage. So, if you’re up for it a little friendly competition,” Fizzarolli explained.
“I don’t know. You aren’t worried I might beat you?”
“If you think I’m going to let someone who hasn’t performed in fifteen years beat me, you have another thing coming.”
Barbie Wire laughed. “Well, we could compete against each other, or if you want, let this be our first real performance together.”
Fizzarolli’s eyes widened as his expression became unreadable.
“I mean, if you want to. I just… I know you used to perform with Blitzo a lot. I mean, you were both clowns, so it makes sense. And I was one of the acrobats, so I just thought it might be nice.”
Fizzarolli broke out in a big grin and nuzzled Barbie Wire. “Yes! That would be so much fun! Oh! We should do a song.”
“I got you, bitch. We have a few months before the big events, so we have time to prepare.”
“Then let’s talk on the way home.”
Fizzarolli jumped from the seat and gushed over ideas that spilled out from his mouth. Barbie Wire half-listened to them as they returned to the apartment. They stepped inside to find Sallie May standing by the couch with a big grin.
“What’s with that face, Sal?” Barbie Wire asked.
“Oh, no reason,” Sallie May said.
Barbie Wire opened her mouth when Striker jumped out and grabbed her and Fizzarolli. He tied them up together in rope.
“I got ‘em! You got the luggage?” Striker called.
Sallie May pulled up a pair of backpacks from the couch. “All packed, boss!”
“What’re we waiting for? To the Harvest Moon festival!”
Striker and Sallie May stole Barbie Wire and Fizzarolli away to Bombproof, Striker’s horse, that waited nearby. The group jumped onto Bombproof and rode off towards the outskirts of the Pride Ring. They took an old elevator down to the Wrath Ring. They rode through Wrath until they arrived at an abandoned mine shift that had been converted into a makeshift home. Striker grabbed Barbie Wire and Fizzarolli and let them down. He cut them loose while Sallie May tossed the pair the backpacks.
“Get changed. You’re meeting the rest of the family,” Sallie May ordered.
“I’m not changing into any hillbilly clothes with all that flannel and heavy denim,” Fizzarolli hissed.
“Not even with what I got ya?”
Fizzarolli flipped open the bag. He looked inside as his eyes widened. He slipped his tail through the straps and stood.
“These are sufficient,” Fizzarolli said.
“Will you hurry up and get changed already? You’re going more than meeting Sal’s family,” Striker hissed.
“The family, Striker. You’re part of it. According to the old man,” Sallie May corrected.
“Not now, Sal. We have business to conduct.”
“Business?” Barbie Wire asked.
“I’ll explain in a bit. Get changed first,” Striker ordered.
Fizzarolli trotted to a private place while Barbie Wire remained where she was. She opened the backpack and changed in front of Striker and Sallie May.
“Fuck’s sake, Barb. Can’t you pretend to be modest like the other one?” Striker hissed as he looked away.
“Grow a pair. What’s this business?” Barbie Wire demanded.
“Your bitch contacted me. She wants the imp sleeping with her cheating husband to die.”
“And you took the job? It’s one thing for me to be doing this, but you?”
“Look, it’s… look. We hurt one of those blue bloods where it counts. And, most of all, it’s a lot of money she’s offering. ‘Sides, what difference does it make? We kill imps, sharks, succubus, and everything else in between. At least this way we make powerful connections. Connections that could lead us to more of this work.”
Barbie Wire frowned, but didn’t argue. She couldn’t dispute Striker’s points. They didn’t ask questions about prior targets. For all they knew, some of the contracts could have been indirectly from more powerful people. And money was always a persuasive tool. Something the Goetia had more than they could ever spend.
Barbie Wire felt a new thought rise. Sallie May had once said they would need to make a choice between themselves and others. She didn’t like the idea of ruining more lives, but Sallie May’s words were sinking in. They kill this imp and devastate Prince Stolas, they would be living comfortably for a while. She could even help Fizz get the last of his cybernetic prosthetics. He could finally be whole again.
Barbie Wire finished changing. She looked down at the simple black, halter top dress, black cowboy boots, and jewelry belt. Sallie May grinned and clapped while Striker looked back at her. She took a step forward when the clink of spurs echoed in the cave. They all turned as Fizzarolli stepped out from behind a rock.
Barbie Wire and Striker’s jaws dropped seeing Fizzarolli dressed in a navy blue cowboy hat, navy blue leather vest, periwinkle halter crop top, black bikini bottom, black leather belt with a gold buckle, and navy blue chaps with periwinkle padding. The shirt and padding had golden embroidery while the vest, shirt, and chaps had neon green and turquoise fringe. Fizzarolli grinned and struck a pose.
“Howdy, partners!” Fizzarolli teased.
“Sal, what the fuck am I looking at?” Striker demanded.
“What? You said get clothes they’d wear. Fizz ain’t gonna wear plain, old, boring clothes. He needs some sparkle to them,” Sallie May said.
“He looks like a damn rodeo clown!”
“And? He’s clown. Or was. ‘Sides, he clearly likes it, right?”
“Even more knowing Striker hates it,” Fizzarolli remarked.
“Alright! Alright. Listen up. We’re heading to Sal family’s farm. We’re going to enjoy the day and company. Barb, if you’re interested, there’s a series of games at the festival you can compete in if you’re up for some friendly competition. Fizz too, I suppose,” Striker explained.
“Depends on the games,” Fizzarolli said.
“I wouldn’t if I were you. It involves a lot of wrestling, endurance, and what not,” Sallie May warned.
“Yeah, I’m passing on that.”
“Barb?” Sallie May asked.
“Eh, why not?” Barbie Wire said.
“Alright. Then you, me, and Sal are going to engage in the festivities. After all that, they’re going to have the ceremony where Prince Stolas curses the harvest with the glow of the harvest moon,” Striker continued.
“Yeah, how are we doing this?” Barbie Wire asked.
“We’re going to hurt the bird to smoke out the imp.”
“How? He’s demon royalty. Our weapons won’t work on him.”
Striker grinned and pulled out a large case. He opened it to reveal an angelic steel tipped Carmine rifle, pistol, and dagger.
“Holy shit! How’d you get these? They cost a fortune,” Barbie Wire remarked.
“And very illegal. Hellborn aren’t allowed to have these,” Fizzarolli added.
“I used that money you got from the bitch to pay for these,” Striker said.
“You what? We were supposed to split it!” Barbie Wire roared.
“Hold your horses, Barb. Look, consider this an investment in our future. We have the tools now for more high profile contracts. And like I said, this could establish connections with the powerful.”
“That doesn’t mean you can just steal from me!”
“Relax, Barb. You’ll get your share and more, alright? And all we need to do is kill some damn imp. And we’re wasting time running in circles.”
“Fucking finally. Alright, gang, pack up. You’re off to meet the family.”
Millie walked along the fence towards the house. She paused to look out towards town where the Harvest Moon festival would be. She looked forward to the festivities. It was a chance to escape the mundanity of farm life and feel something. She leaned on the fence and slipped into a fantasy of people knowing her name, being a trailblazer, and an inspiration for all imps.
“There you are, Mils!” Joe called.
Millie snapped out of her daydream as Joe joined her. “Oh, hey, Pa.”
“I saw that dreamy look in your eye. Thinking about Striker?”
“No, Pa. How many times do I got to tell you ain’t nothing ever gonna happen between me and Striker?”
“C’mon, now. He’s strong, hard-working, and dependable. What more could you want?”
“I’m not gonna deny that Striker is all those things, but I’m just not into him.”
“Give it time. You’ll see.”
Millie snarled. “Time won’t help when I want something more!”
Joe’s eyes widened. Millie tensed as she realized what she said.
“What’s going on, Mils? I thought we were past all this?”
“We are. I am! I don’t…!”
Millie stopped and sighed. She slid down to the crowd and stared at the ground. Joe frowned and sat beside her.
“You can talk to me, Mils. I ain’t gonna judge you,” Joe said.
“I know. It’s just… I’m trying. I’m trying so hard to just be ok with this life. I went out. I had my adventure, and it didn’t work out,” Millie explained.
“But you still want it, don’t ya?”
“It’s ok to try again. We don’t always succeed the first time.”
“But I don’t want to feel like that again. To just know you can be so much more than a farmer, or a low paid worker, or a mindless killer only to just… fail. It’s awful. To fight and fight and… I don’t want to do that again.”
“Maybe you don’t have to. Sal’s doing good working with Striker.”
“Striker has offered me a place among them.”
“Then take it. Try again.”
“I can’t. I don’t want to fall again.”
“Mils, life is all about falling. It hurts when you hit the ground, but only when you’re alone. Falling gets easier when you have people there to catch you. Now, you didn’t have anyone to catch you before, but you do now. If not Striker, then you have Sal. And you know she’d kill for you.”
Millie smiled then frowned. “Are you and Ma gonna be okay with this? Y’all would be down a pair of hands if I left.”
“We got the boys, and Striker. ‘Sides, between you and me, those boys need some extra discipline.”
“C’mon, Pa. Go easy on them. They’re doing fine.”
“Now, Mils, hard work makes a man. I ain’t gonna raise no pansies.”
Millie opened her mouth when she heard a horse whinny ring out. She grinned and jumped to her feet.
“I recognize that neigh. It’s Bombproof. Sal’s here!” Millie cheered.
Millie sprinted towards the stables as she ran into Bombproof. Millie jumped as Bombproof reared back with a whinny. Millie created space as Bombproof’s hooves hit the ground hard as she grunted and nickered. Millie looked around as Sallie May jumped from Bombproof’s back.
“Mils!” Sallie May cheered.
Millie and Sallie May hugged each other.
“You ready for-?” Millie started.
“Hold that thought, Mils. Where’s Ma and Pa? We got people for them to meet,” Sallie May asked.
“Right here,” Joe called.
Millie and Sallie May turned as Joe and Lin joined them. Sallie May gave them each a hug before she stood beside Bombproof.
“Y’all ready?” Sallie May asked.
“Of course, sweetie. Let’s see these new friends of yours,” Lin said.
“We’ll judge them appropriately,” Joe added.
“Then allow me to introduce the amazing, talented, clown about town, Fizzarolli!” Sallie May announced.
Fizzarolli stood and launched off Bombproof’s back. He twisted and turned in the air before he stuck the landing between Sallie May and Joe and Lin. He did a small bow and flashed a grin. Joe, Lin, and Millie’s eyes widened when they saw Fizzarolli.
“Please, please, hold your applause. The show has yet to begin. Isn’t that right, vagrant?” Fizzarolli joked as he glanced back at Striker.
Striker didn’t respond, but his tail rattled like a snake.
“Well, uh, it’s nice to meet you,” Lin said.
“Really, Striker? This is what counts as passable for an assassin?” Joe demanded.
“Assassin? Oh, no. I’m the token stripper, and the vagrant’s favorite,” Fizzarolli said.
Striker frowned and death gripped the reigns.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how do you strip with no arms?” Millie asked.
“Trust me, sister. Fifteen some years using only your tail, you perform feats beyond imagination. The vagrant can greatly attest to that. You should hear the way I make him howl.”
Millie smirked. “In pain, or with pleasure?”
Striker’s frown deepened as his tail lashed about and rattled. “Let’s get this finished up so we can get to the damn games.”
“Fine, fine. Spoil sport,” Millie teased.
“I’ll give you the tea later,” Fizzarolli said.
“Alright, alright. Lastly, but not least, the aerial beauty, the shadow stalker, Barbie Wire!”
Barbie Wire stood and leapt down from Bombproof. She approached Lin and Joe, holding out a hand.
“Pleasure to meet you both,” Barbie Wire said.
Lin shook Barbie Wire’s hand while Joe looked at it and snorted.
“You don’t look like much of a killer,” Joe remarked.
“Sir, are you going to shake my hand or not?” Barbie Wire asked.
Joe’s eyes widened as Barbie Wire turned and got back on Bombproof. Sallie May scooped up Fizzarolli and joined Barbie Wire and Striker. Millie moved to join them, but Lin stopped her.
“I don’t think so, young lady. You’re not participating this year,” Lin said.
“What? Why?” Millie demanded.
“Because you get so worked up every year. Last year alone ended in fifteen separate funerals.”
“I’m aware, but I only caused nine of them. ‘Sides, why does Sal get to compete and not me?”
“Your sister doesn’t have a neighborhood body count.”
“Doesn’t count if they don’t find the body,” Sallie May butted in.
Millie frowned and looked away.
“Still, you can-,” Lin started.
Bombproof’s neigh broke through the air. Bombproof reared back before tearing off. Striker and Sallie May leaned over with an extended arm towards Millie. Millie grinned and grabbed their arms. They pulled Millie onto Bombproof as they rode into town for the games.
Striker, Millie, Sallie May, Fizzarolli, and Barbie Wire arrived in time for the start of the games. They joined the crowd as an imp took the mic.
“Welcome, I say, welcome all to Wrath ring’s annual Harvest Moon festival. To kick things off, we have the great Prince Stolas here to usher in this here Pain Games,” the imp announced.
Stolas stood and took the mic from the imp. “How kind, Wackford. Greetings, tiny, Wrath ring imps. I hereby welcome you all to another year of celebrating the spoils of your labor that continue to feed the citizens of Hell. I’m happy to kick off the start of these games that will challenge the toughest of imps to show their skill and dominance. Good luck to you all.”
“Fucking pretentious blue blood,” Striker hissed.
“Save it. Fizz, find a place to watch. Preferably where you won’t get trampled,” Sallie May said.
Fizzarolli trotted off to the bleachers and sat with the rest of the onlookers. Striker, Sallie May, Barbie Wire, and Millie joined a crowd of imps at the starting line. Millie grinned as she looked on at the obstacle course ahead. Just past the obstacle course was a wrangling contest, tug o’war, and ending with mud wrestling. She was ready this year. She would be the one on top. She would prove she was worth more than a simple farmer.
A gunshot rang through the air. The crowd took off, but Millie watched as Striker and Barbie Wire outpaced the crowd. Her jaw dropped seeing Striker leap up to clear the first obstacle, a tall wall. Striker crawled over and jumped. Barbie Wire followed with an impressive leap and vaulted over with the grace and strength of an acrobat.
Millie cleared the first obstacle to see Barbie Wire keeping pace with Striker. The pair made it to the wrangling contest. Striker made it first and grabbed the lasso. He went for a quick, preemptive strike, but Barbie Wire dodged it and disarmed him. A fistfight ensued where he went for powerful attacks while Barbie Wire weaved in and out of them.
Fizzarolli’s voice rang out. “Striker! Don’t blow this like you blew your load into me last night!”
Striker frowned and glanced at the bleachers. He opened his mouth when Barbie Wire struck him in the groin. He toppled over as she grabbed the lasso and tied him up. He hissed and his tail rattled as he shot her a glare. She smirked and took off towards the tug o’war. He followed after untangling himself.
Striker and Barbie Wire each grabbed an end of the rope. She braced herself as the pair pulled. He grinned and yanked hard on the rope, pulling the tied ribbon onto his side. She yelped as she saved herself from toppling into the mud around them. She shot him a glare as he took off towards the wrestling ring. She followed hot on his tail and hopped into the ring with him.
Millie stole glances as she and Sallie May competed in the tug o’war. Barbie Wire and Striker carried on their dance from the wrangling event. He tried to brute force his way to a victory while she dodged each attack.
“C’mon, Barb! Take the man out to eat!” Fizzarolli yelled.
Millie raised an eyebrow as she was pulled over the line by Sallie May. Millie immediately turned to Striker and Barbie Wire. She watched Barbie Wire wrap her legs around Striker’s neck and took him down. She could see Striker’s legs flailing while Barbie Wire sat on him.
“How’s the food taste, Striker?” Fizzarolli mocked.
Striker didn’t respond while Barbie Wire leapt off him. She ran for the finish line with Striker behind her. He closed the gap and they crossed the line together. Fizzarolli ran up and nuzzled her while shooting a malicious look at Striker.
Millie sat and stared on while Sallie May moved her. She was lost in her thoughts as she lead to the bleachers and Barbie Wire and Striker were named the winners. She felt conflicted over what she saw. Striker would have won from strength alone, but Barbie Wire had help. Fizzarolli weaponized Striker’s aversion to sex to help Barbie Wire. It felt like cheating, but was it really? They used the knowledge they had on hand to overcome the obstacles ahead of them. Including Striker.
Millie frowned as a deeper, guttural feeling crept up. She believed she was one of the best of the best in this town. She was stronger, hardier, and more capable than a lot of imps here. She thought that alone made her special. Until she met Striker, but even then, she just thought he was one of the special ones like her. But seeing Barbie Wire brought something up.
Millie hugged herself as the realization she wasn’t as special as she thought she was. She may be exceptional amongst Wrath imps, but what of the Pride imps? What about the imps across the rings? How did she compare to them? She didn’t think she could if a city imp like Barbie Wire could keep pace with one of Wrath’s strongest imps.
“You alright, Mils?” Sallie May asked.
“I don’t know, Sal,” Millie answered.
“Do you… want to talk about it?”
Sallie May frowned, but didn’t press the matter.
Barbie Wire watched from a distance as Sallie May comforted Millie. She sighed and turned away to head to her position for the cursing of the harvest. She stopped when a shadow darted in the corner of her eye. She started after the shadow when she heard the clinking of spurs. She hastened her pace and found Fizzarolli looking around.
“Fizz? Are you ok?” Barbie Wire asked.
“I’m… I’m not sure. I was just about to head back to Sal’s parents’ place when I saw a shadow. And, it could be the sleep deprivation, but I thought it looked like-,” Fizzarolli explained.
Fizzarolli’s eyes widened. “You saw it too?”
“I saw a shadow, but when we were at LooLoo land, I thought I saw his shadow then.”
“You did? Or, you might have? We need to find him. If it’s him. If he’s alive-!”
“Split up. We’ll cover more ground.”
Fizzarolli nodded and headed in the direction he came.
Barbie Wire ran off in the opposite direction. She searched the immediate area as Stolas’ voice rang out.
“My dear commoners of the Ring of Wrath. I, Stolas of the Ars Goetia, hereby curse this year’s harvest with the glow of the true harvest moon!” Stolas announced.
Barbie Wire paused and looked back to see a portal open to reveal a large red orange moon. She caught herself staring in awe when a shot rang out. Startled gasps rang out followed by an eerie silence. She looked at the stage to see Stolas crumble to the floor. Black blood spilling out of the wound on his right side.
Barbie Wire watched the stage closely along the area immediately around Stolas. Their mark should appear. Striker was in position. She surveyed as a second shot rang out. Stolas cried out as his left shoulder was hit. Her eyes widened as a shadow darted past her. Her breath caught seeing a face almost identical to her own with horns she’d recognize anywhere. Her mouth opened and the words left her before she realized it.
“Blitzo!” Barbie Wire cried out.
Blitzo glanced back at Barbie Wire, but ran to the stage. Barbie Wire ran after Blitzo and stopped on stage. She stared at Blitzo, who shielded Stolas and held open Stolas’ grimoire. Her jaw dropped seeing the white patches on Blitzo’s skin like Fizzarolli’s skin. His right eye looked like it had been replaced, though she couldn’t say if the new eye was real or not.
Barbie Wire shook herself and reached out to Blitzo. He glared at her with a coldness as a portal opened to the Sloth ring. Blitzo scooped up Stolas and jumped through the portal.
“Wait! No! Please! I’m sorry, Bl-!” Barbie Wire cried.
Barbie Wire ran up to the portal as it vanished. She let out a guttural sob as she collapsed into Stolas’ blood. A tail and a pair of arms wrapped around her. She looked up to see Fizzarolli and Sallie May, each with disturbed looks on their faces.
Striker watched through the scope of the rifle as Sallie May and Fizzarolli led Barbie Wire away. He sat up, took off his hat, and ruffled his hair. The realization hit him as it did the others.
“Well, how about that,” Striker muttered.
Their hit was Barbie Wire’s twin brother, Blitzo.
