This was my gift to nascens on Tumblr for the UsukSummerFestival2015! It is a mash up of avatar and cardverse au. Check out my tumblr for more details!
Chapter 1: In which the Queen is Signed, and gets in trouble.
The empty corridor echoed the hurried footsteps of Jack Wang as he hurried by, ignoring the maids and servants of the castle who had stopped to bow at him. He was a mall and slender man, with hair as black coal and face as smooth as silk, but he carried an air of superiority, with his back straight and eyes filled with wisdom. Wearing a blue and purple hanfu with the spades symbol embedded at the edge of the hanfu and his sleeves, together with a scroll on his hand, he glided along the corridor effortlessly and elegantly.
As he reached to his destination he could see King Alfred pacing back and forth outside the door face creased in worry and anxiousness. When the King had spotted his Jack he broke into a relieved smile.
"Oh thank Hand you are here Yao! I have no idea how to-"
"I think it's best we head in now Your Majesty, let's not stall the guests." The Jack interrupted."
"Yes, yes alright, erm… would you?" the King asked, pointing towards the door. "I still can't…"
Yao nodded, and then proceeded to bend water from the small basin beside the door, using it to unlock the heavy wooden door.
The door swung open slowly as both royals were greeted with an atmosphere thick with tension. All eyes were upon them. Yao heard the young King Alfred gulped. "Apologies, the Jack and I had to attend some duties." The King greeted as they made their way to their seats. Yao could feel their gazes burn on him. Looking around, he noted everyone was present. All except one. Their missing card, their solution to their never-ending problems.
The Queen of Spades.
""Well then, shall we start?" the King asked, breaking the silent spell. Everyone nodded and Five Vladimir stood, holding a report.
"The crops have not been growing well in the South region of Spadian America. The area is to be expect to have shortage of food, we might need to get some food from the Clubs Kingdom seeing their Earthbenders are successful in growing sufficient food for their country." With that he sat down.
Yao could see his King tense up at the mention of his hometown.
"Continue" He stated, voice strained.
Eight Leon stood up, holing his own scroll the same manner " It has been getting abnormally cold in Spadian Mongolia, the inhabitants require more heating fires from the Firebenders of the Hearts Kingdom."
The king nodded in acknowledgement and Eight Leon sat down. Next, Two Michelle stood and proceeded to report " There has been unrest in Spadian England, bandits are going around villages to raid their supplies." And sat down eyebrows furrowed in worry.
The King let out an exasperated sigh "Is there not one good news at all?" he inquired desperately.
King Alfred was answered in silence, everyone suddenly finding interest of the table.
"With all due respect your highness, is there any news about the Queen? At all?" Three Wynonna asked, bring the silence and having everyone's head to snap up and look at the King's direction with a glimmer of hope.
The King sighed and slumped down his seat. "If only" he answered and everyone deflated in resignation.
"But it has already been five year! We can't rule without a full deck for that long! Surely-" Nine Yong Soo begged only to be cut off the King.
"Don't you think I don't know!? We've been scouring the books finding for a solution, sending soldiers to comb the Kingdom and other Kingdoms for a solution! An explanation! But nothing! This has never happened before! The Hand has never Signed anyone yet nor so late!" the King snapped, and then caught himself. "Sorry!" he mumbled. "You are dismissed" He waved his gloved hand at them and one by one they left the room, leaving the Jack and King Alfred alone in the room.
When everyone had left, the Kinglet out a huge groan " What are we going to do Yao!? What are we going to do? If this goes on the Kingdom is going to crumble!" he exclaimed, burying his face in his hands.
Yao said nothing as he bended some coffee into a cup and handed it to Alfred. "I don't know. Maybe the Hand will tell us soon. Please do not give up… Alfred." Yao was still not used to saying the King's name and he felt a little awkward.
Alfred raised his head and accepted the coffee, not bothered of how Yao had just said his name. " Thanks Yao, but really how-" Alfred froze in his seat, raising his hand to his heart.
Yao felt his heart quicken as he was washed over by a familiar sensation. His eyes widened in realization and turned to stare at Alfred.
"Check your hands Yao! Quickly!" Alfred ordered and Yao pulled up his long sleeves to show his hands.
The tattoos on the back of his hand were glowing in a soft blue colour.
This was it.
The Queen has been signed.
At last, their problems could be solved with a full deck! The final card has been signed! Oh Yao barely restrained to cry with joy, the King broke into a huge grin and gave a bear hug to Yao, lifting him up.
"Finally! Haha! Finally we get our Queen! He cried with joy. Only to stop again, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"Your Majesty?' Yao asked hesitantly.
"Did you hear that?" Alfred asked.
"Hear what?"
"It was like someone screamed 'Leave us alone.' Didn't you hear it?" Alfred said in confusion.
Yao was going to respond when he noticed the light glow emitting under Alfred's clothes right on his heart. Alfred noticed the glow too and quickly took out his pocket watch. The hands of the pocket watch were spinning around madly, as if it had gone haywire.
Yao felt his blood freeze as he put two and two together.
"Emergency Call." He whispered.
"What?" Alfred asked.
" Quick! The Queen is in danger!" Yao pushed Alfred out. "We must get to them quickly!"
"WHAT?" Alfred exclaimed in panic. " But we don't-"
"Think Alfred! You would know! You have already established telepathic link with your Queen!" Yao exclaimed, running towards the stables while barking order for the soldiers to assemble.
Alfred closed his eyes in concentration, and almost immediately snapped them back open " Spadian England! At the coast of the channel!" he said, surprised at his own words.
Yao nodded and barked more orders at the soldiers. He mounted his polar bear dog as Alfred did the same, and with that they both set off.
They will not lose their Queen just as they had found them.
You would have noticed Arthur hasn't appeared yet, but he will in the next chapter! And I have mixed the concept of Avatar and cardverse together, that being the Spadian people as water benders, Hearts as Fire benders, diamonds as Air benders and Clubs as Earthbenders.
Please read and review!