Welcome! Welcome! I've noticed that the amount of fics in the Jing section is lacking, so I've decided to contribute to a worthy cause and start on this story. This story has a lot of mindscrewing in it, especially late in the story. You have been warned.

Now, this is an AU fic. One reason why this is so is that Jing is bilingual. What language does he speak ?It's something me and a friend have been working on: Chesirian. Translations for when Jing uses these words will be present in the upper Author notes, so you don't stroll down and find out about something ahead of time. I'm not sure just how big a factor this will be, but it will be present from time to time.

Pairings are up in the air. It can be either JingStir, JingCassis, or JingOC if I can do it right. I don't know much about Cassis so far, except that's she's a popular match for Jing. Once I read enough about her, I'll decide whether she's worthy of Jing or not XP. Stir is already present in the story, though you won't be seeing her for a while now.

Oh yeah, DON'T GIVE ME SPOILERS. I've read 1-4 of the original manga, watched the whole anime series, and have read only volume 6 of Twilight Tales .I like to discover plot twists myself.

Like many of my fics, especially AU ones, some characters will have odd OOC moments. I'll try to keep the characters IC most of the time, but there will be times where the plot calls for otherwise.

Your Chesirian vocab for today...

Mah de may (mah dey may)- Five more minutes

Kokukon (koh-koo-kahn)- Go away

Quaoku (quai-oh-koo)- exclaimation, literally meaning "surehuh!"

Disclaimer: If I owned the Jing stories, I'd constantly have my stuff stolen XP.

Introduction

Welcome to the world of Jing, where outstanding treasures abound, races of all kinds live among one another, and where everything is just plain…strange.

Do not be surprised if you come across cute but highly flammable creatures, or pass through a town where almost everyone wears a mask, or even cross the path of a girl who has a painting permanently imprinted across her skin. Such is this world, and it only gets stranger as you travel through it.

But what's this? You don't know who Jing is! Why, he's the Bandit King, the greatest thief alive. It is said that he could steal the stars right out of the sky if he wanted to. You say that's absurd? Nothing is absurd here. The only thing that would ever be absurd here is being normal.

But onto the Bandit King. He has a companion that helps him on heists, a black albatross called Kir. Whenever needed, he can attach himself to Jing's arm, becoming a biological gun of sorts. It's when he's in this state that he can perform the Kir Royale, a green-colored energy blast that can wipe out almost anything. You'll know when they're about to fire this attack: both will shine a bright green before the energy is released.

But you won't need to worry about that. I am your guide, and we will be following this young lad on his journey. Where will we end up? Not even the Bandit King knows that. Do I know where we will go, and what will become of this boy?

Perhaps.

Ah yes, there is something else you should know. This boy, Jing, is a Chesirian. What is that? It's a race on another continent, far from where he is now. They are quite musical, and are practically immune to alcohol. Their country, Cheshire, is known to be quite a sunny place, and therefore most Chesirians are tanned. Why isn't Jing tanned then? Well, he hasn't been there for quite some time now…

Ah, but the most important thing about this is that Chesirians have their own language. While Jing is quite fluent in our language, he still speaks his native tongue from time to time, especially when conversing with another Chesirian. But do not worry, I am also quite talented in this language, and will offer translations.

But what does this boy wander so much for? Is he that driven to steal? Is he trying to satisfy his curiosity about the world and its wonders? Is he traveling so that he can help as many as possible?

Some say he's a kind hero. Others say he's a smug scamp. Which is he then?

But you should know better. Nothing is nearly as perfect and clean cut as it seems.

1st Shot: The Gray-Eyed Boy of Destiny

Your Chesirian Vocab:

Mah de may (mah-day-may)- Five more minutes

Kokukon (koh-koo-kahn)- Go away

Quaoku (quai- oh-koo)- exclamation literally meaning "surehuh!"

"Hey kid! Time to scram!" the innkeeper barked. He was a chubby man, about forty or so, with less hair on his head than he would've liked. His apron, ever so manly, was covered with food stains, old and new, an old companion of his in the kitchen. "Well!"

The grouchy innkeeper was currently snarling at a splotch of eye-searing orange lying in the middle of a dull, disorganized pile of hay. If it wasn't for the snoring, there would have been no sign of life from the splotch whatsoever.

The man's gruff voice failed to summon the splotch from its slumber, but it did stir something higher up in the barn. In a few moments, a black-colored bird with a crimson bandana descended from the rafters, a sleepy, cranky look on his face. Its gray eyes first laid themselves on the overweight innkeeper, then drifted over to the orange blotch snoring defiantly. The splotch moaned and turned over as some outside sunlight got too close for comfort.

The balding man finally noticing the dark avian hovering over his head.

"Hey crow," he ordered. "Go get your master up."

"I'm no crow! I'm an albatross!" the bird spat back. "And me and Jing are partners, got it?"

"Whatever," the chubby man in the apron growled. "Just get the stupid kid outta here."

"Stupid kid!" the dark albatross barked. "Look here, Jing is the-"

"I don't care if your friend is the king of Zaza," hissed the man, crossing his arms and giving the bird a thoroughly annoyed look. "If you guys don't get outta here in five minutes I'm charging you 40 extra."

Grumbling the black avian glided over to the orange splotch that he was apparently acquainted with.

"Hey Jing! Time to get up!"

"Mah de may..." groaned the splotch, shifting slightly.

"C'mon, we gotta get moving!" insisted the albatross.

The splotch buried itself deeper into the hay.

The black bird growled.

"C'mon, I know you only got a few hours of sleep, but if we don't get our tails outta here, then our rent cost is gonna go through the roof!" the avian stated, trying to shake the sleep out of the splotch.

The splotch named Jing continued to ignore the cries of his self-proclaimed partner.

"Jing!"

"Kokukon Kir..." the splotch mumbled, summoning an arm to shoo the dark bird away. Soon after the arm flopped down onto the hay lifelessly, and the snoring resumed.

The albatross called Kir let a frustrated sigh escape from his gray beak. It never failed to amaze him just how impossible it could be to wake up his human partner sometimes.

Kir flew over to an empty, rusty bucket hanging from an equally rusty nail jutting out of the wall. He seized the pail's old handle, and lifted it up with surprising ease for a bird his size. The albatross with the crimson bandana then dipped it into a nearby watering tray, glided back over with a little difficulty, and carefully positioned himself above his partner.

Yep, he was definitely gonna hate him for this.

A splashing sound was soon heard throughout the barn.

"WAH!" Kir's partner exclaimed, erupting from the hay, whipping his head around. "Quaoku! Quaoku!"

Having surfaced from the straw, it could now be seen that this Jing was a boy who looked no more than 14. The blinding orange that had hidden him from view was his long, beat-up orange coat, which he had been using as a blanket. His spiky hair was onyx black in hue, drooping slightly from the weight of the water poured on him. His dark grey top, currently soaked at the back, had thin straps instead of sleeves. The somewhat baggy pants he wore matched the shirt.

But the most striking feature Jing had were his eyes. Cool gray in shade, they seemed to pierce anything they laid themselves upon. It was odd, that such a common trait stood out so much from a child, but no one could question the power contained by that boy's gaze.

Right then those steel-hued eyes had latched themselves onto Kir, overflowing with irritation and grogginess.

"...What, Kir?"

"Jing, we gotta-"

"Allright, I'm giving you 10 seconds to get your butts outta here," the overweight innkeeper growled, towering over them.

He took out an antique watch, made of silver and laced with intricate golden designs, and opened it up. "One..."

"Allright, allright, we're going," Jing responded casually, getting up and shaking some of the straw out of his hair and coat.

"Bout time,' the man hissed, putting his watch back inside his jacket pocket. "Now get moving."

"Fine," Jing answered, as he slipped on his blazing orange coat. "C'mon Kir."

The black haired boy stretched out his arm, letting the dark albatross settle on his shoulder. Kir now being comfortable, Jing lowered his arm back to his side and passed by the chubby innkeeper.

As the gray-eyed boy and his bird companion slipped outside into the blinding sunshine, the man shook his head and sighed. He strolled over to where the boy slept and rearranged the pile of hay back to the way it was supposed to be. He muttered about how that stupid bird had ruined so much good hay when he had poured that water over his master or partner or whatever. The middle-aged innkeeper then checked the horses and other various livestock being housed here, making sure all of them were present. All of them were, and he blew a sigh of relief. If that boy had tried to take anything, the little tramp wouldn't have lived much longer.

This was a time of year that had an unusual amount of business, something he badly needed. He'd been completely booked the past few days, and found himself turning away many customers simply because there was no more room. Sure, he could've let them use the barn, but most people were too proud to sleep with their horses. Besides, he didn't trust strangers with other people's livestock. Losing animals that weren't his wasn't a good policy for any inn.

But winter was coming, and the days were only becoming colder and colder. So when this tramp showed up outside his inn, that black bird leaning against the side of his companion's head sleepily, he decided to make an exception. After all, how could he turn a mere child onto the street when frost and ice prowled for prey outside?

It seemed that his conscience had been right to let that boy stay. All that tramp had wanted was a place to sleep, and he gave it to him. He had even paid him in full.

"Yep, maybe the world isn't so bad after all," he said to a chestnut-colored horse nearby, patting him on the back on the neck. He reached into his pocket to see what time it was.

He felt no silver pocket watch in his jacket.

Eyes widening, his hands frantically patted against the pocket that should've contained his watch.

"That damn brat!" he exclaimed, rushing outside to capture the boy.

But, of course, no such boy was in sight.

2nd Shot: An Offer Too Good to Refuse

"Hey, have you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"The Bandit King's in town!"

"What! Are you serious?"

The gray-eyed boy nonchalantly listened to the wispy chatter of the people on the streets of the shopping market. It was just the time of day for this small town's marketplace to start getting crowded with customers. He casually tossed the silver and gold watch up and down like some child's toy.

"Man, what a sucker!" Kir gloated, flying alongside Jing. "I bet that guy still doesn't know you took his watch. Let's hurry up and sell the thing so we can get something to eat! It's been so long since I've eaten I've forgotten what food tastes like."

"Tell me about it," Jing replied, putting away the prize he'd snatched in his pocket and putting his hands behind his head. He heard a few more words from the local folk as he studied his surroundings

"Oh! Now that I think of it, I heard that the Dame of Heavens was stolen last night!"

"Really!"

"Looks like the Bandit King's already struck."

Jing smirked at these words.

Most would take him for nothing more than a reckless teen with a strange taste in coats and hairstyles with a chatty pet bird. Just some kid drifting on through. With all the nasty-looking crooks out there, what trouble could he be...?

Oh, he could be plenty of trouble.

"Of course, we could've had some food earlier if you just sold one of those many treasures you already got!" Kir growled, flying up in the black-haired boy's face.

"Forget it," Jing replied flatly, maneuvering around the black albatross. "They're our trophies."

"But can't we sell just one of them?" Kir pleaded. "Any of them could fetch us millions! We'd never be hungry again!"

As the bird spoke, he tried to pull out a small golden statue of a maiden from Jing's pocket. Her forehead that three emeralds embedded in it, and sapphires lacing the bottom of her sculpted dress. Below her eyes were several small rubies, in the pattern of tears. But despite this, a content smile was worn on her beautiful face. Then again, being a statue, it wasn't like she could change her expression anyway.

Jing hastily yanked the statue away from Kir and stuffed it back into his pocket. He glared at the dark avian.

"No."

"Why not?"

"I already told you why not."

"C'mon!" Kir whined.

"I've told you, I'm saving them to show Mom, when we find her," the gray-eyed boy reminded him.

"Oh yeah, that," the black bird grumbled.

Before either one could annoy each other any more, a deep voice boomed throughout the shopping area.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, come come!" bellowed a middle-aged man standing behind an oak counter. This man had a thick brown beard and was dressed in a yellow-and-white that was glittering in the strengthening sunshine. His wide, toothy grin was almost glowing with friendliness as he waved his arms around in the air. Golden bracelets clung to his wrists, and his fingers were covered with shining rings. A gaudy necklace with a golden spider hung from his neck.

Upon that oak counter was a vast wealth of treasures beamed proudly at passersby. There was everything from bejeweled crowns, to emerald-studded necklaces, to scepters decorated with rubies and sapphires. Underneath all that treasure was a white, silken blanket with intricate purple stitching.

"Jing, look at all that," Kir whispered, his eyes captivated by the continuous gleam of the rarities. "That's gotta be worth at least a hundred thousand gold coins!"

Jing remained silent, and his expression remained unmoved, but his gray eyes danced with excitement as they studied all those treasures so carelessly laid out upon that counter.

"All of this, all of this, as long as you can fulfill my request!" the golden-robed man announced to all that cared to listen.

Smiling slightly, the black-haired boy and the dark albatross casually approached the man and his treasure.

"Hey there," Jing spoke, locking eyes with the man. "You say something about a job you need done?"

"Why yes," the golden-robed man replied, his smile never fading. "Are you interested, young man?"

"Yep," the gray-eyed boy answered. "So, what's this job all about?"

"Oh, it's quite simple really," replied the golden-robed man. "You see, I'm a collector of Greek treasures and artifacts. It's my obsession, you see. I've traveled the far and wide gathering these valuable items, often paying outrageous prices for them. But it doesn't matter to me; I've got plenty of money to throw around."

The gray-eyed boy and the black avian listened with great interest, occasionally eyeing the treasures lying right in front of them.

"But there have been three treasures that have been especially elusive to me," the man continued. "They are the golden apple, the grapevine of Dionysius, and the necklace of Harmonia."

"I see," Jing responded, a smirk creeping up his face.

"If you can bring those three treasures to me," the gold-robed man began. "Then all of this, and more, will be yours. But I will not accept them until you possess all three."

"Sounds fair enough."

'So do we have a deal?" the golden-robed man asked

The gray-eyed boy looked up at him.

"I don't see why not."

"Excellent! Excellent!" the man exclaimed. "It's settled then!"

"So what's your name, and where should I drop off the treasures once I've gotten them?" Jing asked.

"Oh, but of course," the golden-robed man replied. "I'm known as Pharos, and you can meet me and this very same spot. Does that suit your taste?"

The black-haired boy shrugged.

"Allright," he responded, beginning to leave.

"Oh, and one more thing."

"Hmm?"

"There is no payment in advance," the golden-robed man known as Pharos stated, still smiling. "Now put it back."

Jing stood there for a few moments, then walked back, dug into his coat pocket, and placed a couple of studded necklaces on the table.

"All of it."

A few more moments, then out came a large sapphire, three gold rings, a string of emeralds, a silver panther statue, and a roll of red silk.

The eyes of Pharos remained locked on the boy.

Two more sapphires and one diamond bracelet were returned to the table.

"Thank you!"

Jing just shrugged and continued on his way.

3rd Shot: Outside Looking In

"Mmm...yeah, that was good!" Kir chirped, patting his slightly rotund belly.

"And we've still got enough money for a few more day's meals," stated Jing, looking over the remaining cash that was resting in his hand. "That should last us for the rest of the week."

"So where should we start first Jing?"

"Well, we might as well start at the top of the list," replied the gray-eyed boy, pocketing the leftover money. "So, what have we heard about the golden apple?"

"Well-"

Just then a motorcycle came into view, its rider's face partially concealed by his helmet and goggles. Wearing brown leather, he may have been around his mid-twenties. Slung on his back was a bag full of envelopes and brown packages.

The hog rider didn't go unnoticed by the boy with the bright orange coat or his black albatross.

"Yo, Postino!" called out Jing, waving to him.

"Hello Jing," the motorcyclist greeted, cruising over to Jing and Kir. "Been a while."

"Sure has," Kir answered, flying over to Postino. "Say, you haven't happened to have heard anything about golden apples lately, have you?"

"Well, now that you mention it," began Postino. "Rumor has it that there's a large batch of them being grown not so far off at Phrenetikos. Although I can't imagine that apples of pure gold would be that tasty."

He started to take off, but paused. "Hey, Jing?"

"Yeah?"

"...Any luck?"

The black-haired boy shook his head. "No. But don't worry, I'll find her soon enough."

"...If you say so," replied Postino.

Afterwards he got his bike into gear and zoomed off into the distance.

"Well, you heard him,' stated Jing, turning towards his avian partner. "Tomorrow. we're setting off to Phrenetikos."

As the boy and his bird walked off, a certain motorist was watching them leave from the top of a hill.

"Just how long is this going to go on...?"