“Carpet Ride to the Capital”

In the whimsical village of Noddington, Tien's mother, a woman of explosive temperament and a voice that could wake the dead, had just detonated her morning fury. "Wake up, you fool!" she bellowed, causing Tien to leap from his bed like a startled cat.

"Why are you still here? Aren't you supposed to be gallivanting with Aqua?" Sherry inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, that… Yeah, he told me to guard the fort!" Tien fibbed, avoiding eye contact.

"Are you a fool or what? I can't believe I raised a fool!" Sherry's voice sharpened like a knife, slicing through Tien's excuses. "Listen, Tien, Aqua fell from the sky just a few days ago, and he knows zilch about our world. Yet, he's out there, ready to play hero. Isn't it your duty to help him?" she lectured, her gaze drilling into Tien's soul.

In a moment of self-realization, Tien slapped himself—once, twice, thrice! "Slap! Slap! Slap!"

"What in the world are you doing?" Sherry gasped, witnessing the self-inflicted slappery.

"Mom, you're right. I must help him. Thank you!" Tien exclaimed, his face now a rosy shade of determination.

"Here, take your bag. I've packed your superhero cape and snacks. He left just 10 minutes ago, so run like the wind!" Sherry said, her smile beaming like a lighthouse of maternal pride.

"Thanks, Mom!" Tien bolted out the door, his legs churning like a pair of wind-up toy soldiers.

"Oyee, Aqua! Where are you?" Tien ran and shouted, his voice echoing through the village like a lost duckling.

Meanwhile, at a distance…

"Master, that skinny squirt is coming for you. I can hear his panting from here," Night, the ever-so-dramatic sidekick, informed Aqua.

"Huh? Tien? Why is he coming?" Aqua pondered, scratching his head as he waited for Tien's arrival.

"Aquaaa!" Tien's voice cracked as he spotted Aqua standing there. He dashed toward him, his breaths heavy and ragged.

"I guessed the direction right! Thank goodness I found you," Tien panted, relieved.

Aqua, with a twinkle in his eye, offered him a bottle of water.

"Ah, thanks. Needed that," Tien gulped down the water, his thirst quenched.

"Now, care to explain why you're chasing after me? Yesterday, I told you to babysit Sherry and stay in the village," Aqua teased.

"I'm sorry for not obeying your order, but please let me help you. Not as a villager, but as a friend. I know I'm not Hercules, but I can carry your water bottle! Let me walk behind you; I promise I won't be a bother," Tien pleaded, his eyes wide with earnestness.

"Oh, stop it, you're making me cry, you big baby. It's embarrassing. What do you say, Night? Should we bring him along?" Aqua asked, wiping away a mock tear.

"Hmm, Master, yes, we should bring him. He can be our emergency snack," Night said, licking his lips with a mischievous grin.

"Emergency snack? Brilliant idea, Night!" Aqua chuckled.

"Huh? What? Emergency snack?" Tien's eyes bulged in shock.

Both Aqua and Night burst into laughter, their chuckles mingling with the morning breeze. "Hahahahahaha!"

As the dynamic duo and their furry companion embarked on their epic quest, Tien's curiosity bubbled over like a potion in a wizard's cauldron.

"So, where are we heading?" Tien inquired, his voice tinged with the excitement of the unknown.

"We're off to the capital, my dear Watson," Aqua replied, his steps steady and purposeful.

"The capital? But why?" Tien's brow furrowed in confusion.

"Elementary, my dear Tien. If we're to fill our pockets with gold, we must seek those who have it in spades. You wouldn't ask a fish for flying lessons, now would you?" Aqua quipped, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"Ah, the capital, of course! But by foot, it's a four-day trek. Shouldn't we have commandeered a cart or something?" Tien pondered aloud.

"Nah, that would cost a king's ransom, and our coffers are as empty as a politician's promises. I don't have a penny to my name," Aqua lamented, patting his pockets for emphasis.

"So, we're to walk all the way to the capital?" Tien gasped, his face a picture of shock.

"Nope, that would cost us something far more precious than coins," Aqua said, his smirk now a full-fledged grin.

"More precious than money? Is it a jewel?" Tien's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"Nope, it's time, you nincompoop. In my world, time is the currency of the rich, the most valuable of assets," Aqua explained, his smirk now a wise teacher's smile.

"But how will we reach the capital then?" Tien asked, his annoyance giving way to intrigue.

"Just wait and watch," Aqua said, opening his diary and scribbling something mysterious.

"What's this?" Tien's jaw dropped as he beheld the sight before him.

"This, my friend, is a flying carpet. We'll soar to the capital in mere hours," Aqua declared, his voice filled with the confidence of a seasoned sorcerer.

Tien, still in disbelief, watched as Night and Aqua hopped onto the carpet with the ease of seasoned travelers.

"What are you waiting for? Come join us, or I'll leave you to become a hermit," Aqua teased.

"Oh no, it's just… Is it safe?" Tien hesitated, his voice quivering like a leaf in the wind.

"Don't worry, it's as safe as a dragon's hug. Though, I must confess, it's my maiden voyage too," Aqua chuckled, his laughter echoing through the air.

"This guy is a daredevil," Tien thought, but with a leap of faith, he jumped onto the carpet.

"Alright, to the capital!" Aqua commanded the carpet.

"Woof!" Night concurred.

With a sudden burst of speed, the carpet took off, soaring through the sky like a majestic eagle.

"Ah, please slow down a bit! I might fall!" Tien shouted, clinging to the carpet for dear life.

"Don't worry, you won't fall. But if you do, try to land on your feet!" Aqua chuckled, the thrill of adventure sparkling in his eyes. 🤣