"The Summer Festival. A crowded square. Perfect target. We need a portal. Now! Nix tore open the portal. The three detectives leaped through, bursting into the celebration, and were assaulted by sounds of laughter, music. There were thousands of people. Nix leaped to Rowan's shoulder, searching the crowd. There! Nix pointed a paw toward the stage. A hunched man attached a strange device to the rain machine. The detectives skirted around the crowd, racing toward the alchemist. He turned to stare at them, his expression manic. You can't stop it now! The alchemist laughed. Now! The yellow tabby launched himself at the alchemist. The man turned and ran. I got this. You go after them. Nix nodded once, then gave chase. Rowan tore at the machine as its countdown echoed louder. Three, two, one. The device came free. A heartbeat later, rainbow water showered the cheering crowd. Safe. Guards carried the alchemist away. The yellow tabby smiled for the first time. Thank you. Then, he slowly faded into nothing, as though he never existed."