Story: The Ninja of Health, XXXIII

( Part XXXII , XXXIV )

Right. This is what I've been aiming for since the brainwave. We're good to go.

~~~
The sky was half full of white clouds, on an otherwise blue and sunny day. The clouds were still congregating chaotically over their antagonist's supposed lair, but that was to be expected. They hadn't actually begun yet.

Their balloon slowly rose into the sky, tethered by cable to a sturdy link in the chapel grounds. From time to time, the burner triggered, on a repeating timer. They wouldn't have to come down until they chose to or they ran out of fuel.

"It's a nice day", the Man observed, looking out over the town.

"It looks a lot like home," agreed Ken, the Guru.

"Do you think this is going to work?"

"There's only one way to find out." Ken looked out at the surrounding air, then up at the cloud. "We still need to go a little higher."

"I know. We're getting there, though."

"Be ready to adjust the tether once we break the cloud layer."

"Of course."

---

Below, the amnesiac Oracle and the Lady were watching, and keeping an eye on the clock and weather readings from their tiny weather station.

"They look as if they're almost there." Observed the Oracle, briefed on the events since his memory had been erased.

"Yes. Keep your eyes open."

"I'm not sure quite what to expect."

"Pink elephants and green hyenas, I hope..." The Lady was looking tensely at the wind measurements. "It's perfect."

---

Ken throw down the signal. A red ribbon on a ring, that ran down the tether cable. Then, in the cloud bank, he and the Man began their relaxation routine, and the Pattern began to form around them.

---

"Well, who would have thought it!" The Oracle was stunned at the skyscape forming above them. "That ball pool was already bizarre enough!"

"The ball pool was only the beginning. However, we may need to back them up." The Woman turned to lead her friend into the chapel. However, the look on his face was not reassuring. "What's wrong?"

The great Pattern was unfolding above them, and beginning to clash with the chaos to the East. The Oracle was shaking and trembling violently. Invisible fingers were clutching at his arms. An interference pattern began to form in the clouds directly above them, with all it's implications...

A voice was heard. "It's not over yet."

To be concluded.