The Jesters tricks

The fox ran through the murky woods. It was ten times its normal size now, so every step came with a loud thud. It drove the bird away and scared other predators. 

As the sun began to set, Asher could feel his energy returning as the effect of Lionor's spell had started to wear off. But he still couldn't tell where he was, he wasn't conscious enough yet. 

He felt the fur on his face and body and saw the trees flash by in a haze, he felt the rocking motion of every step the fox took.

Baxter had been running around the wood looking for any sign of the joker, any clues that would lead him to where Lionor had hide it, 

He even searched through the marsh lands and he did so thoroughly. Soon enough he has grown tired of searching but he knew Allison wouldn't take it well if he returned with nothing. 

He eventually decided to continue his search. He decided to broaden his view. So he climbed on top of the tallest tree he could find.

He look around, searching for abnormalities, searching as far as the horizon. Soon he saw birds scattering from a point in the forest.

He had a hunch to check it out. He hopped from treetops to tree tops chasing after whatever might be causing the birds to scatter. 

It could be a boar, an ogre, why do I have to spend my time on this thing? We could ring the information out of him or probe his mind. 

Steven was nearing the end of the woods when he felt a deadly presence, with the powers Lionor had given him, he could not only grow in strength and speed but also sense his enemies too. 

And he felt a heavy sting on his nape. He could sense how far the assailant was. He looked around for where to hide,and since the sun was coming down some part of the forest had already gone dark. 

Steven quickly ran into the shadows, thus giving Asher a huge boost; what was mostly keeping him down was what Lionor had done to him earlier. 

He had regained his energy but his control of his body was still not at a hundred percent. 

So he kept fading in and out of consciousness. 

Hey boss!… 

A voice spoke in Asher's Mind 

Who's there 

It's nice to meet 

Who's that? Who's there? 

Look up, look up, I'm over here. 

Asher slowly raised his head from his from the foxes back. Steven was still running in the dark but when he looked up he could clearly see the image of a jester. A jester completely draped in black and white

I'm so out of it in hallucinating clown,

Asher dropped his head back on Steven's back. 

Where are we going Steven? 

He said in a shaky voice. Steven barks din response 

Can't you sense that? 

The voice said. 

Sense what? 

what's after you 

what's that? 

He sounded confused and delirious all at once. The jester slapped his on the face 

 you're really lightweight. 

What was Ace thinking giving me to this dope, I mean just look at him. At this rate he is not going to survive Baxter let alone Allison. 

The fox barked

He's so close. You have to do something Asher. 

What should I do?... Wait who's coming. 

Damn…. Asher listen to me

Yes?... Who are you? 

I need you to me permission, 

Mine? What for? 

So i can do a trick 

Is it like a magic trick.. I like magic tricks

Yeah something like that, only I'll make us disappear 

Disappear? woah… Is it any good? 

It's really good, Asher my boy 

Alright, I give you permission.. Make me disappear. 

Asher's head fell back on Steven's fur as he fell unconscious. 

Shesh… It's a good thing I can operate with him unconscious or else we'd be toast by right now. 

He doesn't stand a chance with that shadow body of his, people with flesh and blood could barely handle my pressure, he'll burn out in a day or two. 

Maybe before that I could get him to free me….. Yes, I could do that but for now I just have to keep Allison from getting me. 

With your permission I'll….. 

He flip his hands and pull a card of nowhere 

…. Create a diversion!

The card held the image of two jesters interspersed on each other, symbolizing a diversion by duality, an illusion using doubles. 

The card turned black and faded into nothing and in the distance a few feet from their left side, formed a perfect replica of the fox but this one didn't have a shadow on its back. 

The jester flipped his hand again and pulled out another card. This one bore an image of a jester but the image was only outlined with no colour or details. 

With your permission, I make you invisible

The card turned white and faded into nothing. Then a light appeared at the tip of Steven's snout. 

He didn't panic because he could not see it, only the jester could see the light. It moved around and with every part it moved to the previous part faded away and soon the fox's head was gone only the body was left running. 

Soon it's upper body was gonna, then the rest of it too and even Asher as well. 

As Baxter got closer to the disturbance in the woods he was tracking. He saw it change its direction quickly. 

That's strange, could it tell I'm after it? What could that be….. If it's a boar I'll just kill it and drink its blood….ive lost alot of energy hunting down Lionor . 

As he closed in on it, to his surprise he heard another disturbance coming a few feet from the one he was trailing. 

What is this? There's two of them now?

I've got to get down there

He went down into the woods, he jumped off the tree tops to the ground. 

He ran after the first disturbance he had been on and when he got there he saw nothing. 

What's this? there's nothing here! 

He looked around and a few leagues away he saw the double of Steven that the jester had created. 

A wolf? I've been chasing after a wolf! 

Baxter stopped running. He just stood still silently fuming with rage. 

Looks like we succeeded, Asher. 

The jester said

He's not after us anymore. 

He laughed 

I've made a fool of Allison again, that makes the score three to nothing.