Greetings Summoners! Long time no see. Finals are over! Winter break! Oh-rah! Alright so here's what's up. I've been working on both these stories for sometime and I lack motivation to finish either. I will... At some point but I'm posting both in order to see which the people would prefer I finish first if any at all. So read this one, go read A New World, it's about Veigar and a completely new life for him, don't worry he's still an evil mastermind... Sorta and in the mean time while I write these I'll be writing one-shots on the side (Since I now have time to do that.) Go me. I love you! Please enjoy.
Autumn in Ionia was a time which every being in Valoran should experience once, mortal or immortal, landscapes became murals, boasting their colors to the world and bringing tears of pride to the artist. Rather than the beauty promised by reds or yellows, Ionia became infected with vibrant pinks, deep purples and majestic blues. The hills began the roll out greens of all manners, the skies became populated with the fluffiest clouds imaginable and the sunsets became brighter than ever before.
There was also the city state itself changing. With autumn also came the time of true feelings, also known as the time of courtship. The city and surrounding villages seem to grow brilliant lanterns of adoration, paper streamers and the most affectionate graffiti one could find. The most prosperous of marriages, the brightest eyed daughters and the most loving sons are born in this time and not a single so was ever unhappy.
"You both shall pay with your lives!" A high pitched Yordle cried out from a lonely dojo. It was located in the middle of a meadow, with constantly falling pedals to give the area a feeling of complete and serene mysticism. "There are strict rules for the game of tag and one of them is to inform all players of the game before beginning!"
Kennen sprinted through the meadow trees as the pedals danced around his speed. Wayward sparks of lightning shot from his feet and he moved faster and faster, examining each area for the slightest detail of where his comrades may have dashed too. It did not help that Akali could veil herself in smoke for long periods of time and Shen could literally teleport anywhere he could see. However, this was one of many games the Kinkou trio played with each other. Despite Shen's efforts to keep barriers up around himself, he had become rather close to his two comrades and Kennen was the happy heart that kept the order together and playful.
Out of the corner of his eye, Kennen spied a leaf branch, oh so slightly twitch the opposite direction of the wind. With a cocky smirk, Kennen changed his course and pursued whoever had made the slightest mistake. "Is that you Shen?" Kennen yelled up to the figure hiding within the trees. "Oh yeah, that's Shen"
It was a chase that would last the better part of half an hour, Kennen running on the ground and his prey above him through the leafs, only the opponents footsteps could be made out and when the timing was just about perfect, Kennen leaped. He soared through the air towards his target and latched onto what he thought would be Shen's powerful thigh and as soon as he made contact with flesh… "Tag! You're it!"
"Well done Kennen," Shen's voice came but from further above when Kennen was. With an uneasy glance, Kennen observed the space above him to see Shen, contently sitting in the higher branches. "You caught an ape." The Eye of Twilight mocked. Kennen observed his catch to see he was holding a rather large ape that did not look very pleased with the little Yordle at the moment. Kennen did not speak, only slowly let go of his catch and retreated from the tree. "Perhaps next time, you may catch a bear or even a small rabbit." Shen continued to laugh as he fell from the tree and gracefully landed on his toes.
"Or maybe even a boar," Akali's voice next as she approached her fellow ninja. Her veil covered her face, but if one looked close enough, there was indeed a smile hidden underneath it. Shen gracefully sat next to Kennen on the ground and quaintly Akali followed. The three sat in the grace that was the falling petals in complete silence from then on. Years of training together left the trio fairly comfortable with each other. Words were not ever needed to convey a point or a direction, to those unaware, it would seem the three have the same mind or are telepathically linked.
They sat in silence, without a word to one another and simply began their meditations after the brief game. It was a time to reflect on how peaceful this land truly was and the importance of the Kinkou in this society. There job was to make sure that such breezes always blew with balance and tempo. Any offset in this balance would be their charge to remove. They keep order where there is none and chaos to places without. They continued to sit until a swift wind blew past each of their faces and each rose from their position on the ground.
"We are summoned…" Shen ominously spoke to the others.
"By whom?" Akali answered him.
"It is Karma… I pray everything is in balance where she is. We move with the wind."
On the other side of the map, preparations were being made, the kind that one only makes for incredibly long journeys or a long visit with one's in laws.
In the great city state of Demacia, a caravan was being put together under the cover of night as to avoid the gaze of assassins and spies for Noxus, the state's sworn enemy. The rain had begun not so long ago and the furious paced packing was only lit by a single lantern. Amidst the darkened figures, three stood out as varying greatly in size and form.
"Are you positive this is what must be done?" The shortest of the group inquired.
"I believe it to be. Your service is truly legendary, young Poppy." The man covered in armor and a golden cloak assured.
"It is my father's wish to see Bandle City and Demacia become allies, it is my wish to see harmony in Valoran. I gladly go to my duty this day."
"Galio will guard you with his life."
"I know. There is none I would prefer to have by my side." Poppy looked up to the massive gargoyle, who was cloaked as well. "Shall we go on another adventure my friend?"
"It shall be the grandest yet." Galio agreed.
"Your service will not be forgotten. If Ionia is to forgive us for our tardiness during the Noxus invasion this is the only way, and we will be ever closer to an alliance that can stand up to the Noxus hoard. Remember, to take this caravan to the docks on the other side of Demacia, your ship is waiting for you there."
"I know Prince Jarvan." Poppy assured him. "I will do what I must." After a few short goodbyes, Poppy loaded onto the caravan and set off, with the stone form Galio resting in the rear. It was just the two of them and enough food for the journey. Both were incredibly capable warriors but that did not stop Jarvan from feeling a pang of fear, this was either the greatest move of political career or the worst.
"Karma." Shen spoke from the shadows. All the others currently in her war room were startled by this intrusion but Karma simply turned around without any surprise.
"Truly, you Kinkou really must learn to use a door." She mocked as Kennen and Akali joined their brother in the light. "Ah, good, you brought all of yourselves." She then turned to her generals and politicians and waved them outside with a kind smile.
"Why have you summoned us, Enlightened one?" Akali asked with a bow.
"Demacia." She cryptically responded. "They are sending an ambassador tonight who shall arrive in three days. I do not need to tell you how much unwanted attention this will bring but we need Demacian support if our enemies ever return from the cesspool they crawled out of."
"What's this got to do with us?" Kennen spoke up.
"Protection." She answered. "No doubt the ambassador will have a bodyguard but Ionia will look weak if we cannot protect our own. We must show that our people are in accord and our soldiers are strong. Despite the fact they are, we prove this to Demacia. The point is, I require your aid in protecting both our ambassador and the Demacian one."
"This does not pertain to balance." Shen coldly answered. "It is not a matter we may impose our will on."
"Oh come on Shen." Kennen retorted. "We have done nothing but train for the past eight months. The students need some experience! And we need something to do other than play tag all day…"
"He speaks the truth, the students could use a legitimate assignment, and we could use the time to sharpen our skills." Akali agreed. Very few people were aware of it, but Kennen knew, he knew Shen transformed into a mere child when Akali would ask anything of him. Despite his intense training to be heartless, when it came to Akali, his judgment would occasionally sway towards her side of thinking.
"Very well," Shen finally answered. "Karma, you will have your protectors. However if the ideals of balance dictate we leave for any reason-"
"You shall be gone. I understand." Karma finished for him. "You may take your leave Kinkou"
"Wait! Who are we protecting?" Kennen asked as Karma made her way to the door.
"I know not of whom Demacia is sending, but your Ionian charge is a young Yordle by the name of Rikuo."
"Another Yordle?" This intrigued Kennen.
"We shall go meet him then," Shen spoke and turned back to the shadows. "Come along Kennen."
"Thank you for your agreement" Akali seemed to whisper and Kennen could feel the man blush from where he was. In the next instant, all three had vanished from the room.