Chapter nine. Doing fine. I think.
This wasn't requested. I've had this idea for awhile, and just now decided to use it.
This is a Mandarin/Velina thing. Not romance, more like…the title, I guess.
Takes place shortly after Captain Shuggazoom gets pwnd in Fire of Hate
Hope you like it!
Respect
Why? Why had he saved me? He could have been free, and yet he saved me. Why?
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Two lone figures marched across the frozen tundra in complete silence. An undead monkey was in the lead, followed closely by a tall, Gothic woman. This woman seemed deep in thought, and soon called out to the monkey in front of her.
"Demon monkey, come to me." Mandarin snarled, whipping around to face the source of the voice. It was Valina, the skull sorceress. The Gothic witch towered over the smaller simian, as she was at least twice his height. Yet Mandarin somehow found a way to look down on her, the purest form of loathing evident in the skeletal monkey's voice as he replied.
"What is it now, she-witch? I am not one for idle conversation, especially when it is you I am talking to." Valina stared back at Mandarin with an equal amount of hatred, although if one had to judge, Mandarin would have won.
"I would rather not speak with you either, vile creature. Your voice is as repugnant as your appearance, and twice as degrading." Mandarin scoffed, curling his upper lip as he replied.
"You are one to talk, sorceress. A look in the mirror would tell you exactly why the Skeleton King granted you the realm you once ruled. It was quite an ingenious way to get such a revolting creature away from his sight." Valina screeched in rage, shooting a purple energy blast at Mandarin. The blast stuck Mandarin squarely in the chest, causing the undead monkey to scream in pain. Purple light danced along Mandarin's body; there was a faint crackle of electricity. The once orange monkey clutched the ground, gasping hard. After a few moments, Mandarin worked up enough strength to lift his head and look at Valina. His dark eyes were filled with defiance.
"Do your worst, witch. As I have told you before, pain and I are old friends." Valina looked as if she was seriously considering putting the skeletal monkey's words to the test, but decided against it. The sorceress grabbed Mandarin by his tail, roughly yanking him up. "Yowch! Have some decency, woman. You don't touch a monkey's tail in such a manner." Valina waved this away.
"Don't even attempt to preach to me, hell spawn. You're rotten to the core, and wouldn't know decency if it yanked on your tail." Mandarin snarled, but did not argue the point, as it was true.
"Why did you call me, witch? Surely you have some purpose for wasting my time." Valina was taken aback by the question. She had almost forgotten her original purpose for talking to Mandarin; their argument had been so intense and involving.
"Yes, I do desire to speak with you on a certain matter, monkey." Mandarin cocked an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"What is this matter, witch? Is it something to do with the Skeleton King's resurrection?" Valina shook her head.
"No, not really." Mandarin snarled at this.
"Then why do you bother me? I care not for your petty and pointless thoughts." Valina replied before she could think.
"Why did you save me?" Mandarin stared back blankly.
"What?" Valina repeated her question, the slightest hint of anger entering her voice.
"Back at the Skeletal Circle, you saved me. Why?" Mandarin waved this away.
"I already told you, witch. You know more of the skull's power than I, so I therefore require your assistance." Valina shook her head.
"As much as I wish to believe that is the only reason, I sense that there is something more to it." Mandarin betrayed the slightest bit of discomfort when he answered back.
"Impossible. What other reason could I possibly have to save a worthless being such as you?" Valina smiled wickedly.
"I will soon find out." A purple energy blast shot from the witch's hand.
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"Enough! I will talk!" Valina lowered her hand, freeing Mandarin from his unending torment. The undead monkey fell to his knees, breathing hard and shaking all over from pain-induced spasms. Valina stared down at the orange creature in disgust.
"Then talk, my malevolent monkey. I shall not hold my hand long." Mandarin looked up at Valina, dark red eyes meeting purple ones.
"Yes, there is another reason I saved you, though I did not realize it until recently." Valina kicked out with her foot, catching the monkey neatly in his ribs. Mandarin winced.
"What is it, monkey. Tell me!" Mandarin looked up at Valina again, uttering only one word.
"Respect." Valina took a step backwards.
"Respect? Of me?" Mandarin stood up weakly, swaying slightly but managing to stay upright.
"Yes, witch, respect. You should learn to show me some." Valina was still reeling.
"You...respect me?" Mandarin shook his head.
"No, witch, I don't respect you. I don't even like you. I loathe every fiber of your being. What I respect is your power, and what you do with it. You use it to accomplish your own goals, while still remaining loyal to your leader. That is something my brothers never did for me." Valina simply stared at the skeletal simian, not really sure what to do or say.
"I, well..." Mandarin raised his non-clawed hand, cutting her off.
"Do not speak, sorceress. We have a job to do." Mandarin continued walking along the frozen landscape, heading towards the Ice Demon's cave. Valina stood rooted to the spot for a few seconds, but soon recovered. She followed closely behind the undead monkey, a wicked smile spreading across her face.
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They say it is better to be loved by your followers than feared by them. But respect is an even greater tool for ensuring loyalty.
Hm…That was dark, and maybe a little rushed. Oh well.
Hope you guys liked it!
Please review and request!
Next chapter will be an Ottova. I think.
Bow Chicka Bow Wow:
SAVE SEASON 5!
