24 Shallow Water

24 Shallow Water Peanut was the last to land, her descent having taken longer because of the skywriting. Once safely on the ground, she looked up and was pleased to see that she'd left the words 'I CHROMA' hanging elegantly in the air behind her. It felt like an appropriately arty contribution to the festivities. Peanut removed her illustrated harness and started to gather up her ink-rolled wing. Once done, she took a moment to take in the scene that was unfolding around her. The Resistance operatives, many of whom she had fought beside, were buzzing with excitement and getting ready for the celebrations. But what really blew her mind was the physical transformation of the area that had taken

place since she'd last stood on this spot. It was truly remarkable. The entire crayon fence, whitewashed all those years ago on the orders of Mr White, had been restored to its former glory. It was now resplendent in reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, greens, purples and blues. The watchtowers that housed the RAZER guards had all been removed (except for one that was rigged with an enormous sound system made up of several very large speakers) and a huge opening had been cut into the fence between two of the drawbridges opposite Die Brücke— one of the city's most picturesque districts. This opening somehow made the fence feel less like a security barrier and more like a picture frame, put there to complement the dazzling view. The drawbridges on either side of the opening had been lowered to cross the lake and were already lined with crowds of cheering citizens and Resistance operatives, all eager for the refilling ceremony to begin. And then there was the breathtaking sight of the Spire itself. From Peanut's vantage point, it looked like the tower had exploded from the ground, blasting straight into the sky before shooting out of the earth's atmosphere and into the far reaches of space. It seemed to go on forever. But, having just jumped out of an opening she'd made in a wall in the Spire a few hundred metres above where she stood now, Peanut knew that there was a pointed tippy-top up there somewhere.

The tower was still mostly white, but it wore with style the splatters of colour sustained during The Battle for The Spire. She couldn't help but wonder how magnificent it must have looked when it was first built. The smatterings of paint were likely nothing compared to its original kaleidoscopic splendour. Peanut walked towards 'the opening in the crayon fence to join the others at the water's edge. ' Darling, paragliding was AMAZING!' said Mum when she saw her eldest daughter. Her face was flushed with both adrenaline and happiness. 'I never thought I'd be able to do something like that!' It really was fun!' said Leo. ' Thanks, Peanut. This is already shaping up to be the best birthday ever. Little-Bit, meanwhile, was standing at the water's edge next to Mrs Markmaker and a bemused-looking Nerys. 'I can't believe it,' the little girl said, loudly. 'Where has the water all gone? It was at least three-quarters full when we last saw it. Now it's virtually empty!' 'Well, as you know, White redirected some of it up to the pool at the top of the Spire,' said Mrs M. ' But it turns out that most of the water has been stagnating in the disused cleaning channels underneath the city. Don't worry, though. With some guidance from your father, people have been working through the night to get the channels fully operational again.

I've just been told that the water is already approaching 80 per cent effectiveness and will definitely be ready for the refilling ceremony. ' Well, that's great news, Mrs—' Suddenly, Little-Bit stopped talking. She lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the sunlight and stared out over the lake. ' Peanut,' she said quietly. 'Can you see that? Over there.' She pointed towards something silver and shiny lying on the lake's bed, near the opposite bank. 'I can. Hang on... is that...?' Peanut gasped. 'Yes,' said Little-Bit, sadly. 'I think it's 72.'