Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“So we’ve only got a small window to pull this off.”</span> you said, turning your gaze on the small girl. <span class="mu-r">“Would you be willing to help us out? You’d be saving a lot of lives if you did.”</span>
She seemed to shrink back for a moment, both figuratively and literally, but she eventually hopped off of Pan’s shoulder and grew to a normal size.
<span class="mu-g">“I’ll do it.”</span> she declared, puffing her chest out in a show of bravery.
You nodded. <span class="mu-r">“Glad to hear it. Let’s get started.”</span>
—----------
You and the others worked quickly, searching yourselves for even a sliver of metal that might be significant enough for Tossa to detect. You left your weapons, utility belt and some other accessories with Cat and Prowler. Thieves they may be, you trusted them not to go rummaging through your things.
Once that was done, the two of them gave you and Callisto a general layout for the castle, as well as the route that you’d need to reach in order to reach Tossa’s living quarters. Peter Pan had proved useful in this regard, as he’d been inside the Black Castle more than a few times.
With everything in place, you all set out to find a good vantage point to begin your infiltration. Tiger Lily pointed out a nice high cliff for you to catapult yourself from, and Squirt seemed to brighten at the idea of getting to launch herself through the air like a cannonball. To you, it seemed less like bravery and more like boundless curiosity and child-like whimsy. You could see why she and Pan got along so well. She was another him.
—---
<span class="mu-r">“Ready?”</span> you asked, your arms and back pulling the web-sling until it was taut. Callisto was clinging to your with two of her tentacles, while she held Squirt with the rest, cradling her head and neck, and keeping her body secure like a full-body seatbelt.
<span class="mu-b">“Ready.”</span> Callisto confirmed.
<span class="mu-g">“Go, go, go!”</span> Squirt demanded.
<span class="mu-r">“Now!”</span> you shouted, releasing your grip and allowing the web-sling to fling you forward. At the same time, you could feel yourself getting smaller and smaller, your speed increasing as you flew through the air like a bullet. Within a few seconds, all three of you were only marginally larger than a tennis ball on your own. The shrinking part went off without a hitch, and no one had gotten whiplash from the initial launch.
<span class="mu-r">“So far, so good.”</span> you muttered to yourself, not at all bothered by the wind shear that resulted from high velocity travel.
Now let’s see if you can stick the landing!
As the castle grew bigger and bigger, you counted off in your head, praying that Prowler’s math had been right.
When you thought you were close enough, you stretched out a hand and fired a webline at a sturdy looking gray block. The sudden shift in momentum caused the three of you to swing up and around the pillar of stone, like a tetherball circling a pole. Callisto was clenching her teeth in anxious anticipation, and Squirt was laughing excitedly all the while.
