The Arrival


Disclaimer: I don't own Neopets! Not a single one!

The road through the plains of Meridell was difficult and harsh for peasants who traveled on foot. Carriages would be raided and the wealthy nobles would be robbed clean of their money, clothes and dignity. A number of thieves had been attacking passer-bys, both big and small, plundering them empty of their pockets and listening to the melody of grief. However on this particular day, a twist of fate was about to take place as a band of Wocky robbers were waiting patiently in the bushes for the next carriage. The morning had been good for them as they stole a good deal of treasure and money from early victims.

Their leader peered icily at the road ahead. Not far was indeed another carriage coming their way. However, this carriage was not like any other four-wheeled wagon. Instead of being driven by Uni, the two-wheeled cart was being drawn by four Nimmo cart bearers, two holding each of its two wooden beams over their shoulders. Oddly enough were the clothes the Nimmo wore. They were not the clothing of medieval servants. Rather they wore robes and pants in an Eastern style and two-toothed wooden scandals clanking the ground. Walking along with spears sharp enough to pierce through flesh, three Bori guards protected the carriage honorably, wearing thick armor and clothing. The spear of the third Bori, standing behind the carriage, held a flag displaying the symbol of a kingdom far, far away: a crested flower.

The cunning leader spied through the carriage's window, where he spotted one of the passengers in rich gowns. A silk veil covered her face, hiding her identity well from the world. Only one thing caught his eyes: the burning sapphires on her furry ears.

He gave the signal. In a flash, the gang of thieves jumped out of their hiding place and scattered around the carriage.

The Nimmo gasped with fright but firmly held the carriage in place. If they let go of its beams, the two-wheeled carriage would tumble back and cause the passengers to stumble. The Bori guards hurried quickly to action, holding their spears at the gang of thieves.

"Stop!" one of the guards ordered. "Stand your grounds!"

The gang just snickered. The leader stood forth.

"Oh, really?" said the Wocky leader. The moment he spoke, the carriage's door gently flung open and a stranger stepped out.

"And who's gonna stop us?" the leader continued.

The gang slowly crept closer to the carriage, swinging their deadly weapons. The Bori guards scampered back, their spears shaking in their claws. There were more than twenty thieves and only three guards protecting the carriage. The numbers were against them.

The gang did not hear the quiet clanking of the stranger's slippers as he paced nearer. The Bori guards tried to gather all their courage but an assuring feathery hand stopped them in their tracks. The stranger continued to walk until he stopped, metres away from the gang.

The stranger was a bold and serene Red Eyrie, wearing a large-sleeved garment, pleated baggy trousers that had openings on the left and right sides and a woolen scarf round his mane. He also wore black socks and had bandages around his arms. He had a ponytail, which was of four long red feathers being tied with a string. Three more long feathers covered his right eye where a scar sealed his sight. Dangling at his side was a long thin sword in its scabbard. He chewed the end of a long piece of dry grass in his beak.

The thieves cautiously waved their daggers, expecting the stranger to seize his sword and fight. But the Red Eyrie did not budge.

Finally, he spoke, his eyes shut close. "Would you be so kind to move so that the Princess of the Imperial Family can be on her way to Meridell? She cannot delay an important diplomacy with the King."

"Princess, huh?" the Wocky leader scorned. "And what are you supposed to be? Her Knight?"

"Actually, in the Far East, swordsmen are called Samurai rather than Knights."

"Samurai?" One thief shouted and all laughed at hearing such a strange and unthreatening name.

"If you really are a swordsman, then draw your sword," the leader demanded. "You must be very confident to be carrying a sword like that."

"I assure you, this sword is not a symbol of power. It is for those who need to be protected," the Red Eyrie replied calmly.

"What big talk!" another thief muttered deeply. "Attack them!"

The Nimmo gasped, nearly letting go of the beams. The guards slightly trembled in their armoury as the gang of thieves cheered recklessly.

"Do not lay a single blade on any of these people or the Princess. This Samurai shall be your only opponent," said the Samurai. He opened his left eye, which gave a cold icy glare. A deadly glare that sent shivers down the thieves' spines. "I did not wish for violence or to waste my energy fighting you. However, you have given me no choice. You will regret the consequences."

This angered the thieves. The leader growled. "Get him!"

The first five charged towards the Red Eyrie, aiming their daggers readily to slash him to pieces. The Samurai heaved a deep sigh. He tossed the piece of dry grass from his beak into the air and swiftly grabbed the hilt in a split second. Before the thieves could take a step further, the Samurai suddenly dashed with quick lighting, nearly vanishing in a blink of an eye. If time could have been slowed, the samurai would pull out his sword unhesitatingly and the thieves would still be dashing in frozen time.

In a flash, his sword swung tremendously and the five thieves collapsed. The pupils of their eyes vanished like the ember of a candle flickering away. All who watched would call this sorcery. However, it was his speed and the fold of his wings to prevent air resistance that made it so astounding.

The Red Eyrie darted on and continued striking at the next wave of thieves. The leader' eyes were as big as dinner plates, shimmering with fear.

One thief stumbled back and snatched a dagger from his belt. He flung it in the air and between his fingers, ready to hurl the lethal blade at the distracted Eyrie. He did not spy a shady shadow scurry out of the carriage and in his direction.

"HIYAA!"

A foot knocked the front teeth from his mouth and the thief crumpled, the power banging him out of his boots. The sudden intruder used the face of a thief that stood behind the first as a footstool and leapt into the air. A ringing sound resounded from the intruder's weapon: two giant golden bells at the ends of a long piece of blue cloth. Unusual to others at first glance but perhaps it was not to its owner.

The owner was a Red Kougra with a long braid of dark brown hair. She wore a short robe over her oddly designed pants. Around her waist was a sash with a golden string tied round. She wore black shoes and white socks. Worn on her arms were cloth bands with flowing sleeves down to almost her ankles. Two gold rings and a pair of ear studs were pierced on her ears. The duo-bells looked too heavy to be carried but for the Kougra warrior, she carried them easy. She grinned widely, excited that a fight had now begun.

Once she landed on the ground, she then dashed towards the surprised bandits. In her sprint, she grabbed the cloth and swayed two-thirds of it ruthlessly round, swinging one of the bells in vertical circles. The Kougra Warrior launched the bell at one thief, smashing the bones in his nose into tiny pieces.

The leader watched his men fall mercilessly. Not one of them could do a single damage to the two brave fighters. The Samurai had taken down half of his gang in no more than a minute. The Kougra Warrior fought down a handful with rapid punches and powerful kicks, the bells aiding her fight. Even when a thief found a chance to slice her with his dagger, she'd use the cloth and wrap it round his arm quickly, stopping the assault. With that, she threw a swift kick at his chin. The Kougra then spun like a ballerina, knocking a couple off their feet with the whirling bells.

The leader fell to his knees and shook uncontrollably, unable to move away. The last of his band dropped. The fight was over when the piece of grass fluttered down by gravity. The Samurai gripped the drifting piece of grass lightly and put its end into his beak. His good eye closed again.

The leader immediately trembled when the fighters turned to him, the last one.

"Your Highness!" someone cried and with good reason.

They turned back to the carriage. The royalty had stepped out of it with a White Kyrii following in a panic. The White Kyrii was an elderly in robes, wearing a pair of sharp-rimmed spectacles above his nose. A book was in his hand, showing that his profession was a consultant for the royalty.

The Princess ignored the White Kyrii and asked the Samurai, "Did you hurt them badly, Dogan?"

"No, your Highness. I do not use the sharp edge against my enemies unless danger is at its worse," said the Samurai and placed the sword's dull edge onto his shoulder. Indeed the sharp blade remained clean and glistering silver. "I assure you they have only suffered a few broken bones."

"Pft! They're nothing but weaklings," the Red Kougra sniffed, looking disappointed. "We'd better be on our way. These thugs may have more friends."

The Princess however did not budge an inch back to the carriage. Instead she strolled onwards.

"O-Oi! Princess!" the feline warrior uttered. The White Kyrii called out as well in great concern of her safety.

The Princess ignored again and walked on, her hands in her long flowing sleeves. The leader stared in terror, wondering if she would pull a fight too, perhaps finish him off. He crouched back with shielding arms when she was close. A moment later, he opened his eyes. She stood there, looking down at him for a while. Then the Princess pulled her sapphire earrings from her ears. She clutched the leader's hand and gave the earrings upon his palm.

"Here. Your men will need the treatment," the Princess said and walked away. She then got into the carriage. The White Kyrii followed after pushing his sharp-rimmed glasses up. So did the Samurai and the Kougra. One of the Bori guards nodded his head to the four Nimmo and they soon marched on, wasting no time as they made their way towards the town called Meridell.

The leader, still trembling, slowly looked over his shoulder and watched the carriage disappearing down the road with a trail of dust flying behind.

"W-Who...w-who are those people?" he gapped. No one could answer him. Not even his fallen comrades could moan a reply.

Inside the carriage, the White Kyrii pulled out a water clock the size and shape of a small hourglass from his robe and looked at it. "If there won't be anymore disturbances, we can get to Meridell on time, your Highness. We don't want the King of Meridell to be upset for any lateness, now do we? Your father wouldn't want that."

"Hmph," the Kougra warrior mumbled. "I seriously think this is a waste of time for us to come here. I mean, we shouldn't go to places that ain't as superior as that of the Imperial City. Meridell is but a speck compared to all of the City's Provinces."

"Now see here!" the White Kyrii barked. "Meridell and Brightvale are two greatest castles of the West! Why, they even have a great system of sanitary than any other kingdom! You should know better than to speak rudely of their magnificence!"

"Rumour has it the King of Meridell is more of a glutton than a king when it comes to royal banquets," muttered the Kougra, her arms crossed.

"True," said the Red Eyrie. "But you must not judge the kingdoms. Meridell, Brightvale and the Imperial City have common traits that stand strong to their standard, such as the long histories of victory and celebrations, and the wellbeing of the people. All kingdoms must be respected with great deal. If not, commotion might happen and kingdoms could end in peril."

"And that is why this diplomacy must be made!" snarled the White Kyrii, hitting his book with a sharp fist. "To bring these kingdoms to a much closer and friendly term with each other! If this goes erroneous, it may lead to unspeakable wars! We must not allow that in the name of the Far East!"

The Princess stayed quiet, looking rather grim under the crowned veil. The passengers noticed this.

"Now Princess, I'm sure all will go well. Why, you might even have a wonderful time there," the White Kyrii spoke.

"Yes." She sighed deeply. "To be caged away behind stoned walls."

"I beg your pardon?"

"...It's nothing..." She gazed out of the window and watch a flock of Beekadoodles flew in the clear blue sky where freedom is but a yonder blessing to those on the ground.

------

Meanwhile, at Meridell, the citizens were informed of the arrival of a royalty from the Far East, a very unfamiliar part of the world that was beyond the ocean. Little is known about the country and the Imperial City that stood majestic over its provinces. Of course the Eastern inhabitants over there did not even know much of the West and its two Kingdoms. However, today was a day of union between the two faraway realms. An international relation was to be made in Neopia's history.

Within the walls of Meridell Castle, the servants were hastily preparing for the arrival, the chamberlain hurrying them on. The King of Meridell wanted everything to be prefect, mostly about the banquet to be ten times more fantastic than ever. In the courtyard, the Knights were either trying to win a Princess's heart or training near the stables. One knight was certainly training, striking a dummy with careful and pristine attacks and unaware of the upcoming event.

"Hyah!"

His sword sliced off the dummy's head and straws rained down onto the rich green grass. The Yellow Lupe wiped the sweat from his brow as the morning had been demanding for him. The hot sun had not been making things any easier for him under his suit of armor.

Once he was a Squire not long ago. Now he was a great Knight bearing a tale that would forever go down in history. Of course, he was aided with an ally in that tale. Months have gone by since the incident and the battle with the most terrifying Faerie of all. Since then, peace and harmony was returned back to the Western realm.

His name was Sir Tormund.

"Whoa," gasped someone. A Red Lupe by the name of Crawford was watching the fast and impressive moves Tormund performed. A week ago, Crawford had just become a Squire and would be a Knight in a few months' time.

"That's amazing!" Crawford uttered as Tormund returned his sword to the scabbard on his back. "Is it true you single-handedly fought the Darkest Faerie?"

Tormund gave out a grin. "Well, I wouldn't say single-handedly. Roberta mostly helped me fight her."

"Roberta...? You mean the niece of King Hagan? Whoa... But...she couldn't have done much. She's the King's niece!"

Tormund laughed. If the King's niece heard Crawford say that, she would blast him away with a flick of her wand to the far corners of the globe. For Roberta, even if she was the niece of the King of Brightvale - Meridell's neighbor – she also was a clever sorceress. "If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be able to get this far."

He then stared up, looking yonder the great walls of the castle. "Speaking of which, I wonder how she's doing back at Brightvale. Been months since I last saw her."

Calls of trumpets hollered royally and captured all who heard it. The trumpets only played in respond to an arrival of King Hagan or any other royalties in the West realm. Today of course, was the welcoming of the two-wheeled carriage into Meridell. The East had arrived to the West like the moon meeting the sun to form the eclipse in the sky.

"They're here!" a Green Lupe, named Grayson who had recently been promoted as a Knight, cried out as the trumpets blew a second time. "They're here!"

"Who's here?" Tormund asked, puzzled of what the commotion was. The other Knights, hearing the sound of the trumpets, darted towards the castle.

"Who? Who!" a Green Grarrl bellowed as he trotted past them. "The Princess of the Far East is on her way here! That's who! Now get moving!"

Tormund had forgotten that this day was the arrival of a Princess from a land he has never heard of. Of course, he had wanted to have the first spectacle of a foreigner that lived beyond the realm of the West. He was curious of what they looked like.

Grayson hurried to the small door that led into the castle, with Crawford following behind. Before the yellow Lupe scampered a few running steps, he uttered once realizing something amiss. "My shield!"

He looked back to see the shield nestling by a barrel. Before the practice rounds, he had taken it down. Tormund scurried back and took his shield, not aware that his elbow knocked the barrel. It tumbled and by the time he dashed towards the castle's door, it fell and banged against a wooden stand where most of everyone's swords were. Next to the stand was a loose pole of the tent the knights practiced under.

CRASH!

His ears perked up when they heard a loud crash, stopping him dead in his track. He clutched his teeth and dared not look back.

He looked back anyway.

There on the training grounds were the fallen tent and the swords in a messy pile. Water leaked out of the barrel, damping the tent.

This looked bad for Tormund.

The trumpets roared for a third time. There was not much time to clean the mess up. Tormund gave a couple of stares back and forth until he cried out a "Nyah!" and hurried to the door. After all, no one saw him accidentally knock the items down.

Arriving into the square of Meridell, the four Nimmo pulled the carriage off the dirt-covered path and halted onto the stone pavement, showing no sigh of fatigue. They could perhaps run for another mile or so. The townspeople went closer to the carriage, studying its brilliance in admiration as one of the Bori Guards marched to the door and opened it. He lifted up a claw and held the gentle hand of the Princess. She stepped out and gave a nod to him. The White Kyrii rushed towards the gates of the castle while the two loyal fighters treaded out of the carriage and took their defensive positions between the Princess.

The people around her welcomed with loud cheers and smiles. Even the little ones watched in wonder. One little Ashia in a sweet dress applauded loudly until a Gelert pushed her unexpectedly, making her drop a red bouncy ball from her paws.

The ball rolled to the Princess's feet, catching her attention. She picked it up and gazed at the little Ashia that scuttled to get her ball but stopped in shock and fear. Her ball was in the hands of a royalty. How would she ever get it back was the question that stormed in the child's mind.

The Princess smiled under her veil and handed the little Ashia her ball. The little Ashia returned a contented smile as a few more little ones joined the little Ashia: a Gelert boy, a little Scorchio and a Kau girl. The little children looked up, pleading her to play with them. The Princess could not help but smile with glee.

"Your Highness! There's no time to be playing with commoners! We have a peacekeeping to attend to!" the White Kyrii urged and marched on to the drawbridge.

Her smile quickly turned to a frown and followed, having no choice but to obey. She glanced over her shoulder. There the children gazed sadly, giving eyes that would have encouraged her to stay and play. The Princess sighed and looked away, walking on with a capsule of discontent. The Samurai trailed after the Princess faithfully at her left while the Kougra warrior tailed boldly at her right. One of the Bori Guards followed tail, holding the crested flag up high. The great doors opened at the command of the Draik guardsmen and let them in, exposing the royal red carpet and the great hallway of Meridell castle.

The Gelert chamberlain, Chamberlain Lazlo, who was waiting at the doors, gave a polite bow of a gentleman to the Princess.

"Your Highness," he greeted. "It is an honor to meet the daughter of the Emperor from the Far East. Please, follow me. The King is waiting for you in the throne room."

Chamberlain Lazlo led the way down a long hallway where another set of great doors to the throne room stood high and tall. They opened widely with a booming creak.

Still down a hallway that led from the castle courtyard and the Knights' quarterback, the young Yellow Lupe wheeled a sharp turn, nearly skidding across the carpet. Tormund took on the pace and scurried down the great hallway, just in time before the doors would close before him. When he reached the throne room, a crowd of Knights and associates of the household had already surrounded the King's throne. Before the King were the Princess and her company.

It was hard to see what the foreigners looked like for the Yellow Lupe. Many Neopians were blocking his view. He politely asked some to move but they did not listen, as they were overwhelmed to see foreigners for the first time. However, he spotted a space not far in the crowd. Tormund hurried and tried his best to peer above the crowd.

King Skarl sat up from his throne and with a huge toothy smile, he said in a loud thundering voice, "Welcome to the West realm and Meridell, Princess Etsuko of the East realm."

The Princess bowed down, her arms still in their flowing sleeves as her company bowed on their knees. "King Skarl of Meridell, it is a great honor to meet one of the greatest kings of the West realm."

"Ah, yes." King Skarl cleared his throat. "I hope your journey was not a difficult one."

"No, it was not. My bodyguards are present to protect me. And my mentor is here to guide me into this new world."

"Glad to hear nothing bad happened. If something did, the Emperor wouldn't be as happy as a Floud and a pile of carrots!" he chuckled with a burst of laughter, even though the foreigners didn't quite understand what he meant. The Kougra had lifted an eyebrow to the Eyrie but the noble Samurai replied a shrug of his shoulders.

"Pardon me for asking but why would the Emperor send his only daughter here and not come himself?" King Skarl asked. "It was short notice to hear he couldn't be coming."

The Princess looked at the White Kyrii and gave a nod. The Kyrii stepped forward.

"Your Majesty. I am Gakusha, Advisor of the Emperor and the Princess's mentor. The Emperor gives his sincere apology for not associating in this diplomacy as he had a great matter to attend to for his people. He also believed that the Princess could uphold these duties since she is to be the next Empress of the Far East when she is of age," Advisor Gakusha the White Kyrii explained. "Therefore, to show his act of contrition, the Emperor on his behalf presents you a gift."

Entering the throne room, the two Bori guards marched in, carrying three large porcelain vases balancing on the support of a thick bamboo. Painted on the vases in golden ink were of Eastern-drawn Draiks and dancing Flotsams. However, what really captured the eyes of the King and everyone else was the contents of the vases. Glittering like colourful stars were jewelry, gems, golden plates and bronze or ivory miniature statues of Neopets. The gemstones ranged from the rarest quartz to smooth pearls and amethyst, even to crystals that were never heard of in the West realm like copper bracelets embedded with maractite and charoite. The jewelry was crafted into elegant shapes of symbols, flowers and Petpets such as Soreens and Carmarillers. The smile on the Blue Skeith could not have sketched so vast at the sight of the exotic treasure.

"Please accept this gift my father has given. These three vases are from the depths of my family treasure vault," the Princess commented. "The greatest treasure of the Far East."

"Yes, of course!" mellowed King Skarl. "This is a wonderful gift! Of course I accept his apology. The Emperor can come anytime to Meridell. After all, the people are more important than his visit."

"Thank you, your Majesty," thanked Advisor Gakusha with a polite bow. "The Emperor will hear word of your generosity."

"Right then!" boomed the King. "Princess Etsuko of the Far East, tonight a banquet of the finest meals will be held in your honor."

"As long as you don't hog all the food-," the Kougra warrior mumbled but before she could finish, the Samurai spun his scabbard from its rope and smacked the end at her tail. She silenced her scream in her mouth, sealed by trembling lips. The pain was unbearable to a strong and ambitious warrior like herself. Tears almost fell but she kept it in as durable as her might, clutching her fists tightly.

"Do you have something to say?" the King barked, noticing the Kougra had mumbled something. Luckily for her, the treasure and royal conversation had distracted him from hearing her clearly.

"My apology, your Majesty but Suzu, the Princess's royal bodyguard has been homesick since we departed. I am sure she will enjoy the great feast you are about to give to us tonight," the Samurai said, fixing back his sword to its string.

"Bodyguard?" The King was surprised and let out a rumbling jolly laugh. "I didn't know they let ladies be bodyguards. The Far East has indeed great surprises up the sleeve! Well, then!

Let the celebration of your arrival begin!"

Everyone cheered joyously and clapped ecstatically while the only one who wasn't happy, the Kougra warrior, was gripping her batted tail and whimpering through her grounded teeth as quiet as a Miamouse. Tormund clapped merrily but soon stopped when he noticed the Princess's expression. He could not see her face under the veil. All he saw was her steady frown. He wondered why she was cheerless at this great moment.


A/N: Hope ya all will like the first chapter of this story. I added a bit of action to spice it up and show that it's gonna be humorous for Suzu the Kougra Warrior along the way so buckle up and sit tight! Cuz more chapters are on their way! XD

Next chapter: The Princess successfully gets out of the castle to do a little exploring of her own before sunset. Suzu the royal bodyguard must find her before Gakusha the mentor or King Skarl finds out of her absence (and have Suzu's head off). Or will Sir Tormund find her first?

P.S. Yeah, I know, I'm torturing Suzu but hey, it's fun to torture your own characters :D