Hello!
First League story I've ever written. Many more chapters to come in the future! Feel free to leave a review. Feedback is always appreciated! :)
It would be nightfall soon.
Though he knew the great green expanse of the Kumungu Jungles like the back of his hand, Teemo did not care to learn whatever harsh lessons it had to offer after dusk. Even a mere mile away from the sanctuary of the Sablestone Mountains, the jungle was a treacherous realm of dangerous flora and ferocious fauna.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, the slightest rustling could be heard in a nearby thicket. The scout froze in his tracks and readied his signature blowdart before setting his sights on the source of the noise-only to see a hare hop from a nearby bush. The yordle relaxed his grip and couldn't help but chuckle at his own nervousness. He was more on edge than usual lately, though it wasn't the dangers of the jungle which gripped him. It was in fact recent news of an envoy coming to visit Bandle City. An Ionian envoy. Normally such an event would be cause for excitement among most of the yordles of Bandle City and in this case, it still was. However, this was no ordinary envoy. It was none other than the Triumvirate of the Kinkou Order.
Teemo was still confused about the reasons for such a meeting. A diplomatic summit between nations usually involved just that-a diplomat. Not an elite fighting-trio! The Kinkou no less! Perhaps one of the most formidable fighting forces on Runeterra! Was this more than simply a run of the mill diplomacy meet and greet? He was to be in attendance at the summit after all, so why shouldn't he ponder the reasons behind it?
Though the presence of the Kinkou was certainly odd, it was one individual among the three that kept Teemo's thoughts in a restless state.
"Kennen.." The scout muttered to himself. He couldn't help but feel a heavy weight in the pit of his stomach. A childhood friend to Teemo and the only yordle to ever hold a place within the Kinkou, Kennen commanded incredible powers, a product of his boundless energy, tempered and honed by the teachings of the Kinkou Order. That energy is how he and Teemo came to be friends in the first place. Memories of such times rushed through his head as he effortlessly leapt over tree roots and boulders…
"YOU GET BACK HERE YOU…YOU THIEF!"
A young Teemo was among the many that perked their ears at the voice calling frantically from the local bakery. It sounded like it had come from the owner of the bakery-Mrs. Battersby.
As the young yordle turned his head, he saw it—a small auburn blur at the corner of his eye, darting down the avenue at a blinding speed with the delicious scent of sweet rolls trailing behind it.
Curiosity overtook the young yordle as he dashed after the pastry-thief. He tracked the scent of the scrumptious sweet rolls to a small clearing in a nearby patch of woods. From there, he could hear giggling mixed with the distinct sound of chewing. Teemo gave a wicked grin as he silently crept toward the yordle, oblivious to his presence.
"Boo!" Teemo cried, jumping out infront of the theif, an auburn-haired male yordle that couldn't have been but a year younger
The yordle let out a yelp and fell to the ground in surprise.
"Wha-..What's the big idea sneaking up on me like that?!" The yordle cried, his pastry-plunder now spilled out across the ground.
"Why did you steal that? Mrs. Battersby spends all day making those, you know." Teemo said, crossing his arms.
"Well..I..It was just a joke! These were just for display anyway! They were going to go bad sitting out in the sun!" The yordle said in defense. "Look, I'm sorry! I was gonna give the basket back!"
Teemo tilted his head. This yordle sounded genuine enough, he thought to himself. He held out a hand and helped him to his feet. "Then let's get to it! Come on! Hut, two, three, four!" Teemo began to march his way back into town.
The yordle eyed the young stranger before grabbing the basket and running after him. "You don't think she'll be mad, do you? What am I saying, of course she'll be mad."
"Maybe. At least she'll be glad that you brought her basket back." Teemo chimed, still marching about as if he was one of the Scouts of the Mothership.
"I don't know about this…" The yordle muttered. His heart sank as they approached the bakery.
Both froze as they heard an ornery voice call out to them.
"Well if it isn't the no good thief, returning to the scene of the crime!" Mrs. Battersby yelled before barging out of the door to 'greet' the two. The older woman had a broad, intimidating frame by yordle standards and was carrying a rolling pin.
"Here! Here! Your basket! Please don't hit me Mrs. Battersby! It was just a prank! I'm sorry!" The yordle cried, flinching slightly as he held the basket out.
The old yordle snatched the basket from his hand and pointed a finger at him." I have half a mind to call for the authorities' young man!"
Teemo, feeling a pang of remorse for the would-be thief, spoke up. "It wasn't his fault Mrs. Battersby…I put him up to it!"
The old yordle gave a disappointed grunt. "Is that so…I would have expected more from the son of a Scout, Teemo."
Teemo blinked.
"Oh yes, don't think I don't know BOTH of your parents too! Kennen!" She pointed the rolling pin at the other yordle. "You can bet your mothers will be hearing about this! Now go on and get!"Mrs. Battersby grumbled before stepping back into the bakery.
With his head hung low, Teemo began to walk away, no longer marching to a scout's beat.
"Hey, wait! Teemo, yeah?" The young yordle ran up, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for...that. You didn't have to. I'm sorry for getting you into trouble…Oh! Here!" He removed his hand from his back, revealing an untarnished sweet roll. He handed it to Teemo with a wide smile.
Teemo eyed the pastry, wondering how he was able to keep it hidden this whole time. Taking the roll, he took a bite before returning the smile. "Thanks…Kennen, right?"
Kennen nodded." That's right..and don't mention it. After all, what are friends for?"
Teemo beamed at the word. "Friends?"
Kennen nodded. "Friends."
With that, the two yordles parted ways to meet whatever fate awaited them at home.
Teemo snickered at the memory before stopping in his tracks. He had been so busy with his own thoughts that he nearly missed a crucial turn on his route. For a few hill's climb away was a small scouting outpost which would serve as his place of rest for the night, and has served as a waypoint for Teemo in the past, especially during long treks to the jungles to collect reagents for his poison.
As he approached the outpost, little more than a small building with a wooden watch tower, a feminine voice called out from the darkness.
"Who goes there?" The voice demanded.
"Captain Teemo, reporting in. At ease, Corporal Linsey" Teemo called out to his fellow scout.
"Evening Captain, if I'd have known you would be gracing us with your presence I would have had the boys on post." The female yordle stated before giving three firm knocks on the door of the building. Rustling and the sound of bottles being moved could be heard.
Teemo smirked. "Aren't they always supposed to be on post, Corporal?" Teemo chided before giving a lighthearted laugh.
The two walked in to see three other male yordles indulging in drinks and a game of cards. They gave their salutes to Teemo, who joined them in a quick game before retiring to one of the cots.
He awoke early the next morning, bid his goodbyes, and set out for Ruddynip Valley.
The rest of the journey proved to be uneventful and Teemo managed to arrive in Bandle City by high noon, just in time to meet the Ionian liaison at City Hall, the heart of politics in Bandle City and the headquarters of its military elite.
As Teemo entered the main offices of City Hall, he was greeted by none other than the Mayor of Bandle City, Dennison Jadefellow. An old and rather stout yordle, he was among the most well respected in all of Yordle Land, and rightfully so. Through his political platforms and aggressive diplomacy, he has managed to preserve a peace in Bandle City that has lasted for generations.
"Ah, Captain Teemo, punctual as always! It eases my nerves having a young, competent yordle at my side during these foreign diplomacy meetings." Mayor Dennison exclaimed from his seat.
Teemo gave Mayor Dennison a strong salute. "An honor, as always Mayor Jadefellow!" Teemo stated.
"Please dear boy, Dennison will suffice. Come in, come in. They should be making their arrival at any moment- Ah!" The Mayor clapped his hands together as a female yordle walked into the room, seeming to direct something much taller than her to follow suit. Luckily most of City Hall was designed with both human and yordle compatibility in mind, or else the stature of the humans would have proven problematic.
The Kinkou arrived with surprisingly minimal ceremony. Teemo retained his military composure as the Triumvirate entered the room, one after the other, all wearing their traditional Ionian ninja garb.
The first to enter was Shen, known in his order as the Eye of Twilight. The man was an imposing sight, to be sure, wearing an assembly of black and blue armor, and wielding two vicious looking blades.
The second to enter was Akali, the Fist of Shadow. Adorned in a set of form-fitting green armor and wielding twin kamas, she was certainly not one to be taken lightly.
The last to enter was none other than Kennen himself, who was also known in the Kinkou Order as the Heart of the Tempest. A fitting title when one considers the power he wielded. The yordle was dressed in a set of baggy purple garments, laced with gold.
Teemo held his breath as Kennen entered.
There he was, in the flesh. Teemo's mind raced, thinking of ways to approach his 'long lost' friend, but opted to keep his post next to Mayor Dennison.
Then it hit him.
"Would Kennen even recognize me?" Teemo thought to himself. Decades have passed since they last saw each other. Would he even remember him? "He isn't looking back. He's not even acknowledging me! Maybe he has forgotten about me!" Teemo's brows furrowed at the thought.
The mayor cleared his throat and spoke, bringing Teemo back to reality.
"It is to my knowledge that you've requested this meeting under…dire circumstances." Teemo suddenly looked to Mayor Dennison, quite surprised. Dire? What was that supposed to mean?
Shen shook his head "The consequences would be dire, if precautions are not made, Mayor. You know as well as I that Noxus, Zaun, and Bilgewater have recently signed a declaration of fellowship. Should they be poised for war, it would mean great discord and eventual turmoil for Ionia, Demacia, Piltover, and the Yordle Lands. Our cause is to preserve the balance of Valoran and if such a thing comes to pass, our hand must be forced. Bandle City has always been an ally to Ionia and we shall not dishonor that friendship now. We have come to ask if the yordles of Bandle City would be willing to sign a similar treaty. Piltover and Demacia have already made their choices clear and are making preparations. What say you, Mayor?
Mayor Dennison removes his spectacles and shifted in his seat and spoke with an authority that was rare among most yordles. "Yordle Lands have seen peace for many generations. We have deterred would-be Noxian invaders countless times. Though Bilgewater raiders have been a problem in the past…it is nothing we yordles can't handle. I will not thrust my people into a war of such magnitude." The Mayor paused and massaged his temple. "Though, who am I to deny the aid my people deserve? Captain Teemo!"
Teemo perked and gave a firm salute. "Yes sir?"
Kennen, who had been keeping a silent vigil over the meeting suddenly turned to the yordle in question, his eyes widening some. Teemo caught his gaze for but a moment, still trying his best to keep a respectable composure.
"You recently sent a reconnaissance squadron to observe the northern reaches of the Sablestones after one of your scouts reported a Noxian Warband making its way south. Do you have a report ready for me?" The Mayor inquired, swiveling his chair to face the Scout.
"No sir, I suspect they'll be making their return sometime tomorrow." Teemo said firmly.
Mayor Dennison gave another sigh before turning his attention back to the three Ionians. "You ask a great deal of Bandle City. We respect our allies as well, Shen of the Kinkou. But I am weary to sign what could potentially become a treaty of war. I must think deeply on this matter."
Shen bowed his head respectfully. "We understand. This is a great undertaking for all nations involved…Though I must stress that time is of the essence."
Mayor Dennison nodded. "I will have an answer for you by tomorrow. You have my word. Until then, please make yourselves at home here in Bandle City. You will be happy to know that we have living quarters made just for humans right here in our City Hall."
The three bowed. "You have our thanks Mayor Jadefellow." Shen said.
"You are dismissed, Captain Teemo. I look forward to hearing that report." Mayor Dennison chimed, glancing over to the scout.
"Sir, yes sir!" Teemo exclaimed before giving a final salute. The scout quickly marched toward the large doors of the office before exiting the room with haste, not bothering to look back.
Shen turned to his companions and spoke with a quieter tongue. "Akali, I wish to speak with you in private. Kennen, we both understand your eagerness in being back in Bandle City. You are dismissed, please return by sun down, as we have much to discuss."
The purple-clad yordle gave a low bow before dashing his way toward the door, determined to catch up with the friend he had missed for so long. Why had he left in such a hurry? Had he forgotten who he was? Did Teemo even care to talk to him after all of these years?
Kennen nimbly maneuvered his way through the halls of the building, trying to find an exit. He wouldn't let this opportunity slide.
I'll hopefully have the next chapter up in a few days at the least and a week at the most!