Soul Link Intermediate

Timothy sat inside the interrogation room, tied up next to Nantes. He was ready to be interrogated by the chief of police and seemed unsure of what would happen.

"What's your name?" The man questioned, holding a notebook. "Um... Timothy," he looked at his wrists which were chained, "So... how long do you intend to keep me in this room?"

The officer grabbed a pencil, leaned back on the chair, and proceeded, "For as long as I must. You were seen riding this rabbit. Civilians spotted you holding onto his ears, and you also destroyed one of the police cars." The officer explained, holding an intimidating look.

Timothy showed no signs of worry or stress and acted like a casual citizen, "I was trying to stop the rabbit. Y'know, helping your people." The officer continued, "That isn't a good excuse about the vehicle you destroyed. You've messed with the police equipment, which is an illegal activity."

Timothy contemplated, "It was 'one' car. You can afford or make new ones. Now can you let me go?" The officer smashed the table in front of him and pointed with the pencil at the plushie, "Answer my questions, and maybe you'll be free. Are you and that toy in any relation? Are you friends?" The officer seemed somewhat grave in his comments.

"If I was 'friends' with this toy," he hinted at Nantes with his head, "I would've left you to deal with him on your own. Wouldn't that make sense?" Timothy inquired, only to receive a disappointing answer, "You could have simply wanted to get the rabbit out of trouble, despite being allied with him." Explained the officer. "You do know you're talking to a plushie, right?"

Timothy's response annoyed the police, "And you are sitting inside an interrogation room, moments away from being imprisoned." Timothy's eyes became unamused, "I've dealt with the world government, and now I'm dealing with its police. And you don't seem any better than the marines." He sighed.

"The law in the east differs from the one in the west, young man. The eastern forces of the world government are allied with our police forces. We take care of things on the surface, while the marines take care of things on the waters. If you're arrested on the waters and on the surface, you will be transferred to the la Isleta Cortada's prison. So, explain why I should set you free?" The officer wondered, "Well... some of your troops set me free..." He whispered, enough for the chief not to hear him, "Excuse me?"

Timothy flinched, "Nothing... I was just complaining about arresting my innocence. Now let me go." Timothy looked at the officer with an ugly expression, "You are avoiding communicating with the police. That is another unacceptable activity that points you in the prison's direction. Now answer my questions..." Before the officer could continue, a woman opened the door, "Chief Maple. The law director Forest came to visit." The woman explained.

The officer sighed, crossing his arms, "Let him in." Upon responding, Mathew walked forward, "Hellooo, chief Map- Ow!" Before Mathew could proceed, he bonked his head at the top of the doorframe.

He grabbed his forehead, ducked, and entered the interrogation room. "Can't the police department construct bigger doors?" Mathew complained, scratching his bump. "I'm afraid not. So, why have you and your daughter arrived, director Forest?" inquired Maple and stood up.

"Ah, yes, yes, yes. Of course. Chief Maple, you're looking as stunning as always. I must say, those police uniforms look great on you. If you would be so kind as to drop the charges against my daughter's toy and this young man, I will take full responsibility for today's regrettable events and cover all the damages." Explained Mathew as Timothy gave him a side stare.

"Forest? Are you the administrator Kheer mentioned I should visit with Chiaki? Because... You don't look anything like what I imagined." Timothy answered, "Ah... So you've met Kheer. That's a good sign! I can tell we're going to get along just well!" Mathew smacked the back of Timothy's back, "Aah!" and accidentally slammed him against the floor. "Oh... Uhm... My bad! Let me help!" He placed his hands on Timothy's shoulder and tried to help him, but instead of being efficient, he started cracking Timothy's bones.

"H-Hey! S-Stop! You're going to break me!" Timothy screamed, terrifying Mathew, who instantly let him go, "S-Sorry! I'll be more gentle." Before Mathew could reach out to Timothy and help him, Timothy suddenly jumped, "No! I-I can get up myself!" Mathew backed away, "I-I understand," Seeing Timothy sitting back on his chair.

"Could you just get me out of here? I hate getting stuck in small rooms." Timothy questioned, sighing in terms of Mathew's arrival. "Of course. So, chief Maple. I will take full responsibility... as I mentioned. Set them free." Maple crossed his arms, "Urgh... Fine. But I better not see these two running around the city, wreaking havoc again."

"I will make sure they don't." Smiled Mathew, "Come... We may leave now. Let me just take those-" However, Timothy released blue flames and melted the chains, "No... I can do it myself." Maple and Mathew observed, "Next time... Use the Sea Chains. You know, those that can actually keep me from using my ability. I was sitting still, not to have other problems." He wiped his palms and stretched as Maple became unimpressed.

"Now... if you'll excuse me. I'm gonna go out of here and grab some food, chief of the police." Timothy showed him tongue and exited the interrogation room behind Mathew while Poker reunited with her plushie Nantes, spun around, and danced outside in happiness.

Aurora instantly stepped in front of Timothy and pressed her fingertip onto his chest in anger as they walked downstairs, "Don't ever do that again! Next time, I'm not gonna call the administrator for help if you can't listen to what I told you!" She argued.

"Hiya, Timmy! How have you been? Was it nice?" Cassidy questioned, waving at him. He looked away, "Hmph... How was I supposed to know I'd get arrested for helping the police?"

Cassidy only chuckled in the distance, Trinity silently smiling. "Now then... I heard from Aurora you had something to talk to me about. Speak up." Added Mathew, looking at Timothy, "Let me explain," Chiaki interrupted, leaning her palm onto her chest, "I'm Chiaki, the final daughter of the Yasuda family. I possess soul-linking abilities, and Tim is the heart I am able to connect to without damaging myself or him." She explained.

"But I can't properly utilize those powers without proper training. We were told you could help us, to teach me how to reach further limits of soul-linking abilities. If you would be so kind, we'd appreciate your help. Oh, and I would also like to learn how to fight more effectively." Chiaki finished as Cassidy and Trinity looked at each other.

"Tim. You crossed a link? I thought those were long gone." Trinity believed with a soft, gentle, and calm voice, "I guess... But how do you know about links and linking? I learned this not long ago." Timothy wondered, amazed and bewildered. "We didn't know until a few days ago. There was news about you and your friends confronting the world government's agents at la Cadena de Narón in the west. We've read every detail about what transpired, but they never mentioned a link joining you." Trinity explained.

"We expected you to come to Acropolis, but we thought you'd come here on your own. But you were accompanied by Chiaki and the other girl. Speaking about the girl... where is she?" Cassidy questioned, looking left and right.

"Alpha? She went with Kheer. I'm not sure where they are currently. A-Anyway, I'm sure they're fine on their own." Timothy added, "So, would it be possible to teach us more about soul-linking, administrator Forest?" Chiaki inquired.

"I, personally... no. But I do know a guy who's a professional in those sorts of stuff in Hailstone Lands. He's an old friend of mine who studied everything about soul-linking." Explained Mathew, "W-Wait... administrator. Are you talking about my uncle? I mean... I heard he studied soul-linking phenomenon, but I never believed he knew how to teach others about it." Aurora added, surprised.

"Your uncle Glaze invented a specific device that can attach the link's memories after his friend Haruko passed away. He has the knowledge because of him." Chiaki became a bit surprised, "Haruko? Are you talking about my mother's brother?" Chiaki wondered, uncertain.

"I'm not very familiar with the Yasuda family's heritage, but I do know Glaze mentioned a woman named Mia. If she was your mother, then yes, your mother's brother was friends with Aurora's uncle." Chiaki seemed amazed with Aurora, while Timothy, Trinity, and Cassidy listened in the background with unamused faces.

"So..." Cassidy wondered, looking at Timothy, "Should we come with?" Trinity wondered, causing Timothy to rotate his attention to her, "We haven't even decided if we'll go there." He sighed, "True, but let's be honest. You're not just gonna stay behind without Chiaki mastering soul-linking. You came here for a reason. I don't expect you to give up." Cassidy answered.

"Besides... You'll get into trouble, so we'll be there to clean up the mess while Chiaki studies." Laughed Cassidy and caused Timothy to become annoyed, "Did I ever tell you you were nicer when you two were 12? Because if I didn't, then here... I told you now." He crossed his arms and grunted, "C'mon..." Trinity pounded Timothy's shoulder, "We haven't seen each other for a while. Some time to chat would be cute." Trinity called, "I... I don't need your emotional support, but you're right. Some time to catch up on what happened could be fun."

Trinity and Cassidy suddenly leaned their arms onto Timothy's back and rubbed to top of his head, "You sure got that right, Timmy!" Cassidy laughed, seeing Timothy dangling his arms in front of his legs with an unimpressed look. "I can already tell I'll regret this."

Aurora looked at the floor, "Do you mind if I come with you? I haven't seen my uncle for a while. And I didn't have a chance to visit him due to schoolwork." Aurora answered, hoping they would let her come.

"Sure..." Timothy claimed, scratching the back of his head, "Thanks a bunch. But please, grab some warm clothes before we go to Hailstone Lands. It's very cold and many breaking pieces of ice. You don't want to end up in freezing water half-naked." Aurora explained. "Thanks for the heads-up. But when does the ship sail there?"

Mathew answered, "It should sail at around 8 'o clock in the evening. It'll take you 24 hours to get to Hailstone. And I'll make sure to tell Kheer and your friend about your whereabouts. Unless you wish to meet with them at the Friendly Bear Restaurant. If you do, make sure to go to port a few minutes sooner before the cruise." He explained, Timothy smiling with a nod.

"Thanks. I think I'll take you up on that offer. I've been starving and want to have a stuffed tummy before heading to Hailstone." Timothy responded. "I'll take you there. I'll pay for the food if you'd like." Aurora explained with a polite chuckle, "Fine by me! I barely got any money on me anyway! Everything's pretty much on the ship or with Ayuka."

Cassidy and Trinity crossed their arms behind their back and leaned in front of Timothy's chest, "Ooh, Ayuka, you say? I'm sure she'd love to have your company right about now." Trinity claimed, raising an eyebrow.

"Okay! You had your fun!" He pressed his palms into their foreheads and gently pushed them away, "Hey!" they called, "We're going to the restaurant, and Aurora's paying for it! As for the two of you. You can wait outside and starve." Timothy trooped forward, his sisters running behind him, "Hey! That's not fair! We're hungry too, y'know!" Cassidy angrily shouted, following him outdoors.

"Shall we go, Chiaki?" Aurora questioned, "Yes, let's go. Thanks for everything, administrator Forest." They walked after Timothy and his sisters, "No problem! If ya ever need busting out of a jail or anything else! I gotcha covered!" He called, the two girls waving at him.

"Now... where did I put my money?" He looked around and spotted Poker holding it in her hands, "No! W-Wait! Poker! Don't you dare! Come back here you little bubba!" He ran after her with arms stretched in front of him.

To be continued...