-1Fipp: Since no one came up for a final idea, I came up with one myself! And I got it in all before year's end.

Staring Riku and co-staring Tom

Run

Today was not a good day for Riku, and it would not be for anyone in situation.

The silver-haired boy jumped behind a bench and hid.

"I hope I make it in time." he said to himself.

"Made what in time?" said a voice next to him. Riku turned to see Tom sitting right next to him.

"WHAA!" Riku yelled as he fell over.

"Why so jumpy Riku?" Tom asked.

"Where did you come from?" Riku yelled.

"Around, but to be more specific, I saw you from the upper level and decided to pop right in, and so 'ere I am!" Tom said in a somewhat dulled tone of voice.

"Could you please leave me alone?"

"Why would you want that? Most people say they can't get enough of me." this voice was said in it's normal sarcastic tone.

Riku heavily sighed "Actually, stay, I need help with something."

"And what would that be, and should I care?"

"Because we're friends?" Riku asked hopefully.

"Your point Riku?"

"Trust me please, I really need help." Riku said.

"Well, since you said please. . ." Tom put his chin in his hand, as if appearing to think .

"I'll pay you. Fifty munny."

"What is it that you need 'elp with?"

"I can't explain much, but-"

"Can't explain much, why?"

"I just can't."

"If you're not going to tell me, then what," he scoffed "I've only seen you this nervous when Tanith wants to shorten your lifespan to a few moments." realization hit Tom. "You pissed 'er off, didn't you?"

"No, this has nothing to do with Tanith." Riku said defensively.

"Well then, what are you running from?" Tom was starting to get agitated.

"Fine, we-" Riku was interrupted "we have to leave!" he then grabbed Tom's arm, "get us out of here! But still within the mall!"

"Why-"

"Do it!"

"Fine, ye don't 'ave to yell." They vanished from where they sat.

A few seconds after the teleported away, a shadow lingered over where they were.

"So close," the shadow's voice said "yet so far. I will find you Riku." the person then let out a dark laughter.

"Where are we?" Riku asked as he stared up at the mall ceiling, which appeared to be getting closer.

"Atop the elevator." Tom said nonchalantly.

"What!" Riku sat up his head almost hitting the ceiling. "What are we doing up here?"

"Well, you wanted to run away from what ever it is that is 'unting you down like the mangy mutt ye are, so I came here. Now, be nice or I'll leave you here."

Just then, there was a loud banging on the metal roof they were sitting on.

"How was I found so fast?" Riku asked.

"What?"

"Tom! We have to get out of here!"

"No, I'm not teleporting until-" then Tom, to his surprise, was pushed off the elevator top, and Riku jumped behind him.

Tom, admitting that this was a pretty clever way or forcing him to teleport, grabbed hold of Riku and vanished from sight.

"Hmm," the figure said "that cursed boy keeps ruining my game, how will I get Riku if keeps around."

Tom and Riku appeared in the food court.

"Riku, just what in the worlds are we running from?" the boy in green asked the one in yellow. "Tell me, or I'm going to knock you out right now and take me munny and be on me merry way." Riku only looked around. "Well?"

"Fine," Riku sighed "It all started this morning, I said I'd do something and now I'm being hunted down."

"Really? Good enough for me." Riku saw a sliver of metal peek from the inside of Tom's coat sleeves. "Do we need to do any fighting?"

"No, at least I don't hope so." Riku looked down, "But right now we just have to run as long as possible."

There was a moment of silence.

"Does the parking garage count as part of the mall?" Tom asked while giving a smirk.

The two teens appeared in one of the middle levels of the parking complex.

"Where to now?" Tom asked.

There was then a clatter.

"We were found." Riku said in shock. "How is this possible. I need to get out of here, I just need to last fifteen minutes."

"Riku, I may 'ave no idea what you're talking about, but at least me day ain't boring. So go, I'll 'old this sorry sod off." Riku nodded and ran off. Tom walked forward a bit. "Oi! You! Where ever you are! You don't frighten me! So come out and fight like a man!" Tom then got in a battle stance.

He looked around, he saw nothing but cars, but experience told him that was not enough to go by.

This theory was proven right when he heard a villainous giggle.

"You will fall!" Tom nearly dodged to large projectile that was thrown at him from his backside. He then brought out his blades and spun around, deflecting each of the smaller, streamlined projectiles that were flying at him from seemingly all directions.

"Is that all you got? Because you'd think that something that got Riku spooked be tougher then that." Tom teased the unknown force.

Tom's cockiness was one of his weakness, he was struck in the chest with one of the smaller projectiles, then hit in the head with one of the larger ones. He fell back in what felt like slow motion.

'Ope this was enough time for Riku to get away. So long, farewell, avidea za adue. Tom thought as he crashed to the ground.

Liquid spilled on the ground.

He saw the person run towards where Riku ran.

What the 'ell?

Riku fell down. He knew it. He was done.

"Are you tired of running?" he was asked. Riku, never one to admit defeat, did not answer that question.

"You got past Tom?"

"He was no challenge." Riku then rolled onto his side to meet the one to fell him.

"TAG!" Amika cheered as she poked his nose "Your it! Now! You have an hour to find me!" Riku reached up and ruffled her hair, Amika then ran, with mad laughter, into the mall.

Riku smiled, "Okay, but you'd better watch out!" he called out to the younger girl.

"TAG!" called another, more angry voice. "YOU MEAN YOU WERE PLAYING TAG!!!"

Riku looked over to see Tom, who was soaking wet, thanks to Amika's water balloons, with a nerf dart stuck to his chest.

Even though Riku was the one chasing Amika, he would still have to run from Tom.

Now that was anticlimactic, huh?

And so ends this story! Right before the new year too! Double bonus points!

Please review and be well

Mrfipp