So here is the first official chapter of the story. I am warning one more time that the chapters will have a minimum of one-thousand words, so don't expect long drawn out chapters.
Sorry if the prologue had made you uninterested in the story. It was mainly to summarize Mulan II, which is needed for this story. I plan to have this story done by the end of the month as there won't be that many chapters.
I promise this story gets better as it continues on.
Enjoy!
Jay knew something was terribly wrong with Lonnie when she arrived late at R.O.A.R practice with Li Shang Jr., her brother. Li Shang Jr. was the official coach of the school sport and only showed at practice when Lonnie couldn't make it. Lonnie was the captain of the R.O.A.R team and became such when Jay gave it to her. A simple loophole in the rule book made Lonnie the first female captain and player of the sport.
It was a couple of months after cotillion when Lonnie was late. This meant it had been month since the Auradon Warrior Challenge where Lonnie won the event. She proved her worthiness during the event and was granted her mother's legendary sword—the sword of Shan-Yu.
"Alright!" Li Shang Jr shouted over the noisy and restless team members. "I know there isn't much time left of today's training, so I'm going to make this simple and quick. For the next week, there will be no scheduled practices. Lonnie and I have a family . . . emergency that we need to take care of."
Jay raised his hand and after being called on, offered, "I could take charge of—"
"No!" The siblings shouted a little too quickly and eagerly, causing the team to jump back in surprise.
After the two shared a look, Li Shang Jr insisted, "It's better if there are no team practices. Think of this as a mini-vacation. You can still practice on your own if you want. I'll inform everyone when our next practice will be. You may leave."
All but two team members rushed out of the room, relieved at getting a break from the intense practices. Lonnie was about to leave with her brother, when Jay suddenly grabbed her arm, preventing her from moving.
"What's going on with you?" Jay prodded as Li Shang Jr silently left to give the two some privacy. "You are never late for R.O.A.R. practice and if you are, you send me a message to have everyone start their warm-ups. Why didn't you this time?"
"I lost track of time, okay." Lonnie snapped, which was completely unlike herself. "My brother and I had a video call with the Imperial Council and my parents. It was a small meeting about a family matter and the kingdom. That's literally all I can tell you without getting in trouble."
"I wouldn't call it 'small' since it took over two hours," Jay retorted, not quite believing she couldn't say more. "What happened during the meeting? It had to have been something bad if you're acting so unlike yourself."
"How about we have a quick spar instead?" She suggested, purposely changing the subject in an attempt to make him drop the matter altogether. "If I win, you have to do me an important favor. If you win, I will give you a special present."
Jay raised an eyebrow in inquiry and curiosity. "That doesn't sound like a fair deal."
"Trust me," Lonnie insisted as she unsheathed her ragged edge sword, "it is."
Lonnie completely through the match. She hardly attacked and never counter-attacked after blocking Jay's jabs. In the matter of seconds, Jay disarmed her, winning the rigged fight.
"What was that?" He interrogated, tossing Lonnie her sword in frustration. "Why did you let me win?"
"I lost fair and square," she argued stubbornly, though she didn't sound as upset as she would have been. "That means you get a present."
Rummaging through her pocket for few moments, Lonnie pulled out a necklace that had a black fish-like shaped charm with a white dot for an eye. Lonnie held it out to Jay as she explained, "It's a part of a set that my parents sent me about a week ago. I have the Yin half,"—she pulled out the white fish-like charm with a black eye that had been tucked under her shirt— "while you now have the Yang."
Jay gingerly took the necklace and noticed how worn out the charm was. There were indents in the wood and small chunks missing here and there. "Shouldn't you be giving this to your brother?" Jay questioned skeptically. "If it belonged to your parents, then—"
"He didn't want it," she interrupted snidely. Lonnie shrugged carelessly, tucking her charm back in its hiding place. "My parents said to give it to someone I care about, and that someone is you—as a friend, of course. You don't have to wear it, but please don't give it away or lose it. You may need it in the future. If you do decide to wear it, please hide it. I don't need the whole school knowing I gave you one of my parents' necklaces."
Jay pondered on the idea for a few moments until he placed the necklace around his neck. "I'll wear it," he decided as he tucked the charm under his shirt as well. "It's the only nice piece of jewelry that I own that isn't from the Isle."
Lonnie smiled as her old cheery personality was back for a few moments. "Great!" She exclaimed as her smile grew. "Thank you so much. I'll see you around."
She hurried out of the room, leaving behind a curious Jay. His question from before about the meeting didn't get answered. If Lonnie won't tell him anything, then he'll have to get it the hard way.
Even if it meant going behind his friend's back.
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