Gacha Gacha Hero

“This is an exotic farmer’s market.” Ash whistled.

Ash, Luke, Tasha, and Eins stood at the edge of a huge marketplace. Tourists, citizens, and merchants mingled together in an orgy of overwhelming commerce.

“Kaseihgaeu isn’t only known for its incredible gambling halls, it's also a major summoning hub for the northern part of the Kingdom.” Tasha yawned. “You can find specialized summoners here from the ocean, the Wode, even as far away as Franz.”

*Sniff*Sniff*

Eins lifted its nose.

*Sniff*

The little dog started to wander away from the group.

“Let’s see what’s on the list here.” Ash held up the errand sheet. “Collect rice, spinach, barley, seaweed, oak firewood… This is all basic stuff. We could have found this anywhere. Why did Plinth send us all the way over here?” Ash slapped the sheet.

“Maybe he was trying to get rid of us?” Tasha said.

“That’s absurd. We’re delightful.” said Ash.

“Eins? Where did that dog run off to?” Luke looked around.

“Do you think that you two can handle this by yourselves? Because I…” Tasha started.

“There he is! Hold on. Eins is wandering off.” Luke pointed.

Eins was pacing in front of a corner shop at the end of the street. The corner shop was decorated with large glass windows and a wooden sign out front that depicted a triangular looking pastry. With a *Hop* Eins grabbed onto a windowsill with its front paws and tried to pull itself up. The dog’s nose smooshed against the glass frame.

Luke jogged over and picked Eins up in his arms. “Eins what are you doing? You’re going to get lost like that.”

“I smell cream cheese.” Eins wiggled in Luke’s arms.

“Well maybe we’ll get you a snack after we finish our chores.” said Luke.

“I don’t want to wait that long. I want it now.” Eins wilted in Luke’s arms.

The corner shop’s bell *Ding-a-linged* as the door opened.

Jack and Ted walked out of the store onto the sidewalk. They were both carrying crepes fresh from the oven rolled in wax paper.

“And the third reason I believe gambling should be illegal is that the odds are always stacked in favor of the house. If it’s not fair then it shouldn’t be legal.” said Jack. He peeled the wax paper down from his crepe.

“Hey Jack.” said Luke.

“Oh, hey Luke.” said Jack.

“Hey Ted.” said Luke.

“Nice to see you Luke.” Ted bit into his own crepe.

“Hey Jack.” said Ash.

“Hey to you to Ash.” Jack took a big bite from his crepe.

“Hnnsh!” Jack’s head snapped up. A piece of wax paper tore off in his mouth. “Whhht rre hou dunning hrrr!?” Jack tried to enunciate.

“Just doing some shopping. Picking up a few things. But it’s a little crowded over here. Maybe we should look at the other side of the market.” Ash took a single step back.

“Hhuurr nnhht…” Jack started to shout.

Jack took a deep breath. That was a mistake.

“Hhgguuhh!” Jack’s mouth twitched.

*Cough*Gah*Cough*

Jack pounded on his chest with his free hand.

Ted grabbed Jack’s shoulders. “Jack?”

Jack tried to cough again. He dropped his crepe.

“Is he turning blue?” asked Eins.

Jack stared at Eins. His neck and cheeks started to turn purple.

“Hhhuuu…” Jack wheezed. He pulled at his collar.

“Moons above! What do we do!” Ash panicked.

“Jack! Can you breathe?” Luke asked.

Jack shook his head.

“Hold on! I read about this in one of Belbuk’s textbooks.” Luke set Eins back on the ground. He jumped behind Jack and tilted him at the waist so that his head was angled towards the ground. Luke slapped him on the back five times between his shoulder blades with the flat of his hand.

*Whack*Whack*Whack*Whack*Whack*

Jack continued to wheeze.

Luke threw his arms around the other boy’s chest. Luke made a fist with one hand and put his thumb just above Jack’s navel. Grasping his fist with his other hand he pressed into Jack’s stomach with a quick upward thrust. Jack was jerked slightly off the ground. Luke repeated this action five times.

*Thrust*Thrust*Thrust*Thrust*Thrust*

When there was no change Luke moved back and repeated the five back slaps again.

*Whack*Whack*Whack*Whack*Whack*HEAVE*Splooot*

A clump of half masticated banana maple peanut butter crepe was ejected from Jack’s mouth. It landed on the cobblestones.

Jack took a shaking breath. He spit on the ground several times.

Luke rubbed Jack’s back in small circles. “There we go. Get it all out. Take it easy. Nice deep breaths.”

Several passing tourists *Clapped*.

Eins made sure no one was looking and slowly scooted towards the crepe.

“That was incredible Luke. You… you saved him.” Ted put a hand on Luke’s shoulder.

“Well done.” “Good job.” The tourists called out.

“It was nothing.” Luke held his hands up to the crowd. “It’s common first aid for someone who is choking. Remember, it’s five back slaps followed by five abdominal thrusts. Then repeat that until the blockage is removed.”

“What’s an abdominal thrust?” asked a Tourist.

“Come over here. I’ll demonstrate it for you. Ted help me won’t you.” Luke stepped behind Ted and began miming the movements. A group of tourists gathered around them. “Remember you can sign up for first aid classes with a local MD.”

#

Ash crouched down next to Jack. “Jack that was terrifying. Are you okay?”

“...uhh… gu…” Jack belched and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

“Are you trying to say something?”

Jack grabbed one of Ash’s sleeves. “...gu… gu… Guards!” he hoarsely shouted.

“What are you?” Ash jerked his arm back.

“Guards! Guards! Arrest this man!” Jack grabbed Ash’s arm and pulled him closer.

Ash yanked his arm back, knocking Jack off balance. The two boys fell into the street in a pile.

“Is this any way to thank the person that saved your life?” Ash shouted.

“You almost killed me!” Jack shouted back.

#

“Ted, do you hear the sound of a group of Guards running this way?” Luke looked up from the demonstration.

A group of Guards was running towards them. Or more accurately towards Ash and Jack as they wrestled on the ground.

Luke clenched his teeth. “That’s not good. Sorry everyone, that's all the time I have for a demonstration.” Luke ran over and scooped Eins up off the ground.

Ted followed him. “Did you get a new pet?”

“Yeah he’s our… dog.” Luke replied.

The Guards managed to haul Ash and Jack, kicking and flailing, up off the ground. They finally managed to separate the two boys.

“Are they being arrested?” Luke asked.

Ted put one hand over his eyes. “Mayor Letterman is not going to like this.”

Luke looked around for Tasha. “Tasha? There you are. Tasha take Eins. Finish the shopping. We’ll meet you back at the restaurant. Can you do that?” Luke handed Eins over to her.

Tasha held up her hand. “Actually I need to-”

“Great. I’m going to try and help Ash. See you later.” Luke ran to the end of the street.

Ted followed him.

“Eins, why are you covered in cream cheese?” Tasha turned around and walked off with the dog.

She was just a second too late to see a group of hooded figures leap onto Luke and Ted, throw them into burlap sacks, and drag them away into an alley.