My first story!!! =D ok, so this chapter is mainly focused around my oc, Krys. This being my first story, I'd like some critisism. Please read on!
Ah. Summer. Is there anything more beautiful in the world? That was the only thought in Krys's head as the beat up school bus turned off of the road and headed into a neighborhood. Her neighborhood.
She rose out of her seat as the bus came to a jerky stop. The wind picked up as she stepped off of the bus, causing her short spiky blonde hair to sway in the wind. She brushed some hair out of her face as her friends exited the bus behind her.
"See ya, Krys!" "Bye!" "See you after break!" Krys waved to her friends as they shouted their goodbyes.
"I'll text you guys everyday, okay?" she called as they turned the corner behind her. She began walking down the tree-lined street to her house, her blue and white DC sneakers making almost no sound as they rhythmically thudded on the pavement.
It was the beginning of summer, and that meant no school, no responsibilities, and lying on the couch playing video games all day.
Krys undid the zipper on her gray jacket and pulled it off, revealing a green tank top. Even though the sleeves on the jacket only went to her elbows, it was still pretty warm with it on. Since there was no more dress code because school was out, it was okay to wear what ever she wanted.
"Do Chinese schools have dress codes too?" Krys wondered aloud as she turned onto her street. She had been curious about China ever since her mom had told her that they were going to take a family trip there during the summer.
"It is so cool that I actually had an uncle who lived in China!" she exclaimed as she unlocked her front door and walked in the house.
"Krysten, is that you, Hun?" her mother called from her parent's room.
Krys winced at her full name. "Yeah, Mom. It's me." She had never liked the way Krysten sounded, so she had shortened it to Krys. Everyone called her that, even her teachers did. The only ones who didn't were…
"Krysten, c'mon. We've got to finish packing. Our flight leaves tomorrow early!" her mother called to her as she stepped out of her room. "You know your father's going to want to leave extra early tomorrow morning, so you have to be packed tonight!"
Krys sighed. "I know, Mom. I'm already packed. I have everything I could possibly need in China." Her mother nodded as she walked into the kitchen. Krys sighed again as she stepped into her room, her black and white cat, Shadow, following her. Shadow jumped up onto Krys's bed as she set her bag down. "Hey, Shadow. Are you gonna be good for the sitter?" she asked as she scratched his ears, causing him to purr.
"I thought so." Krys got up and walked over to her suitcases, checking to see that she had everything. Just think, she thought. I'm going to China! This is one life changing event! Little did Krys know just how life changing this one trip would be.
~ * ~ * ~
Krys had no idea where she was. Everything around her was white, probably because of the dense white mist surrounding everything. "Krys…" a voice called from somewhere. Krys whirled around, straining to locate whatever had said her name.
"H-hello?" Krys called. This was really starting to freak her out!
"Krys," The voice called again, this time from a different direction. Krys spun around again, this time able to catch a figure in the mist. It looked a bit taller than she was, and was walking right towards her.
"Are you the one that was calling me?" she asked the shape. At that moment, it stepped through the wall of mist and Krys was able to see who it was. Or, he was, apparently. He had green armor, amber eyes, and dark, flowing hair. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice clouded with wonder. But before he could answer, everything started to fade into the mist again. "N-no! Please! Don't leave!" she shouted into the mist. But he had already gone.
"Krys!"
Krys jerked awake at the sound of her name. She whipped her head to the left where her younger brother was sitting. "Could you not squirm around when you sleep? It's crowded enough on this plane already!" he complained.
"Sorry, Joe," Krys grinned. "No can do!" Joe huffed and slouched back in the airplane seat. His full name was Joseph, but, like herself, he wasn't too fond of his name. So, instead of Joseph and Krysten, they became Joe and Krys. "How long was I out?" she asked.
"I think we're gonna land soon," he replied, looking past her and out the window. Krys turned and looked out the window as well. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before. There were trees, grassland, and unusual looking houses. Krys heard the intercom ding as the captain came on.
"Good day ladies and gentlemen," he started.
"And Krys," Joe murmured under his breath. Krys glared at him and playfully shoved him.
"We will be landing shortly. Please clear all trash and return the tray tables to their upright position." With a second of static, the intercom shut off.
~ * ~ * ~
"I can't believe we're actually in China!" Krys's mom squealed as the rental car bounced along the bumpy dirt road.
Krys's dad chuckled. "Calm down, Julie," he soothed. "China's not going anywhere."
"But Robert!" she continued. "It's China! So beautiful, so different…" she drifted off.
"Do they just call Chinese food 'food' here?" Joe asked. Krys snorted.
"Probably. They probably also call our food 'American food'." Both of them started cracking up in the back seat.
"They only call French fries 'fries' in France I bet!" Joe laughed.
"If that's true," Krys pointed out. "How would they differentiate between French toast and regular toast if they couldn't use the 'French'?" This only made them laugh harder.
"Oh, honestly!" their mom huffed. "Would you two knock it off? You should be more interested in the natural beauty of China!"
"What landscape?" Krys asked. "It's just a dirt road."
"Maybe…" her dad pointed out. "But it leads to where you both'll be staying for a few days."
"Really?!" Joe asked, suddenly exited. "Where?"
"It's called the Xiaolin Temple," their mom answered. "We found out that your uncle stayed here while he lived in China. And it looks like we're here!" she called out excitedly as the car pulled up to a stone wall with a doorway in the middle. Krys and Joe were out of the car before the engine had even been cut. They ran around to the doorway in the wall and didn't hesitate to walk in.
And it was amazing! It was a court yard with a fountain in the middle and what looked like buildings spread around. Joe ran around excitedly, while Krys took a moment to take everything in. "It's incredible!" she breathed as she walked over to the fountain.
She saw that there were fish swimming around in it. Joe had noticed it as well. "Cool!" he exclaimed. "Gold fish in a fountain!"
Krys laughed. She wasn't surprised her 8 year old brother didn't know what they were. "They're not gold fish…" she corrected. "They're koi fish!"
"That is correct," a voice answered approvingly. Both kids spun around as an old man stopped right behind them. "And may I draw the conclusion that you are our two guests?" he asked.
"Uh…y-yeah," Krys stuttered. "That's us. Um, who are you?"
The man merely chuckled. "You may call me Master Fung," he replied as Krys's parents came through the door. Their mom glared at the two of them angrily.
"You two shouldn't just barge in here like that!" she scolded. She turned to Master Fung. "I'm sorry. They're a little exited."
Master Fung laughed. "It is to be expected. Now, would you like a tour?" he asked as he swept his hand around. All four of them nodded. "Follow me then." He turned and started walking towards some of the buildings. He was explaining what they were and what they were used for, but Krys barely heard any of it. She was too busy looking around. Suddenly, she realized it was too quiet. She snapped back into reality to see that everyone was gone.
Uh-oh she thought as she glanced around. She had no idea where she was. Then she heard noise. She listened carefully. It sounded like two people fighting. Krys followed the sound to an open grassy area where two people were exchanging blows. One was small and looked to be of Asian decent. The other was tall with messy brunette hair. They appeared to be in the middle of sparing. Enticed, Krys decided to come a few steps closer and watch.
The small kid jumped up and tried an aerial attack, but the older-looking kid stepped out of the way and did s swinging kick. The smaller boy duck and easily dodged. Krys's inner sports fan took over as she let out a loud cheer. "Woo! Go short kid!" As soon as the caught herself, Krys's eyes widened and she clasped her hands over her mouth.
The taller kids whipped his head around to stare at her, but the smaller boy gave a powerful kick to his chest, causing him to fall backwards. "Ha!" he cheered triumphantly. "You should not have let your guard over!"
"It's 'down', Omi," he corrected as he stood up, brushing grass off of his pants. "And who are you?!" he questioned, pointing a finger at Krys. Omi's head turned as he saw the intruder for the first time.
"Oh, hello!" Omi called. But Krys didn't her him. She was backing away.
"Sorry," she called as the both walked up to her. She put her hands up in defense. "I didn't mean to distract you. I just…"
"You what?" the older boy questioned, now right in her face. "And who are you, anyways?"
Krys opened her mouth to answer, but someone beat her to the punch. "You're Krys, right?" Krys spun around and her face immediately hit something hard and fuzzy. She staggered back a step and looked up. The newcomer was big and not just tall big. He was big big! The first boy scoffed.
"Clay!" he yelled. But the newcomer, Clay, it seemed to be, paid no mind.
"We heard you were comin' to the temple. Nice to meet ya." He tipped his hat.
"Nice to meet you too, Clay," Krys said as she spun around to Omi. "It's nice to meet you too!" She smiled at him. Omi's smile got bigger, if that was possible.
"It is so good to meet a new friend!" he exclaimed as he scurried around to hug her. "We are glad you are here!" He let go of her. "Even Raimmundo, though he might not show it off."
"There you are, Krysten," a voice spoke from behind them. Krys recognized who it was as Master Fung approched. "I thought I might find you here. And it seems that you have meet three of the young monks. Your parents were woried."
Krys sighed. "Oh yeah. Mom and Dad..." Then something in her mind triggered. "Wait. Three of? How many are there?" she asked. Master Fung smiled.
"Four. Now come along so you may calm your parents." And with that, he turned and walked off.
"Come on," Raimundo called as he followed his master. "You'll probably like Kimiko. She's the only other girl here."
"Finally!" Krys cried as she followed him, Omi and Clay close behind. "Another girl!" Exited by the day's events, she sprinted forward, passing Raimundo. "Race ya!" she screamed as she rounded the corner.
"Uh...Krys?" a voice called after her. Krys skidded to a halt and turned to see the three guys running in the other direction. "It's this way!" Raimundo called as he started in the other direction.
"I knew that!" Krys kicked it into high gear as she sped up, trying to catch the three boys.
End of Chapter One! I know it's long. Sue me. Originally, it was too short. So i merged part of chapter two in with it. I hope you enjoyed! Please R&R!