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Thank you to everyone who has favirouted, followed or reviewed this fic so far.
This chapter will begin wrapping up the Ionia/Noxus War arc, and will introduce several new champions, so hope all are excited.
Chapter 24- The Kinkou Order
Runeterra, Ionia, Placidium of Navori
The aftermath of the battle was intense. Udyr was using his incredible strength to pick up the corpses of fallen Noxian soldiers and put them all on a pile.
Irelia, Ahri and Sara were travelling across the battlefield, finding any wounded Noxians and getting them back to the Placidium, where Karma would help heal them.
Master Yi, Lillia and Lee Sin were coordinating search and rescue.
"Sara, are you okay?" Ahri asked in concern.
"I'll be fine, Ahri," Sara said. "My leg's just a bit sore, but I'll be fine."
Ahri sensed her emotions, and nodded.
Udyr clapped a hand on Sara's shoulder and smiled at his close friend.
"You fought with honor, Sara." Udyr said proudly. Sara smiled, flattered and hugged her friend.
Udyr returned the hug, while Ahri smirked.
The next day
Sara, Irelia, Ahri, Master Yi, Udyr, Lee Sin and Lillia stood together with Karma and a few other Ionian leaders in the temple.
"So the Noxians have been defeated and driven off." Irelia opened the discussion.
"But that obviously wont be the last we see of them," Sara said. "This was just one assault. They will return."
"They will," Lee Sin agreed. "Which is why we must be ready for more battles."
"Do we know where they will strike next?" Udyr asked.
"We do not." Karma replied regretfully.
"You will stay and fight, right?" Karma asked.
"I will. I won't let my friends down. I was not made that way." Udyr said firmly.
"I know, Udyr," Sara grinned. "You are made of protein shakes and steroids. No wonder you need to try herbal life."
Ahri understood that and burst into uncontrollable laughter, falling to her knees. Udyr and Lee Sin chuckled and shook their heads, while everyone else was confused, but ignored it.
"Then what?" Lillia asked.
"We must seek out the Kinkou Order for help." Karma said, raising her head.
"The who?" Sara asked, confused.
"You don't know who the Kinkou are?" Irelia asked, confused, though everyone else understood that Sara was not from Runeterra.
"I'm not exactly from around here, Irelia." Sara pointed out.
Irelia and the generals looked at her curiously, but Karma shot them all a warning look, so they backed off.
"The Kinkou Order is an ancient organization of Ionia which is dedicated in preserving a balance between the physical world and the Spirit Realm." Lee Sin explained.
"And they can help turn the tide?" Sara asked.
"Yes they can." Master Yi confirmed, knowing of them.
"All right, who's going to enlist a bunch of ninjas to help? And I never thought I'd ever say that." Sara said, chuckling.
"I will not remain here." Irelia said softly.
"Excuse me?" Ahri asked, as all looked at the Blade Dancer in confusion.
"I am not a fighter. I am a dancer," Irelia said. "This is not my calling. You must lead this Brotherhood into battle."
"Then I will go myself." Sara sighed.
"You will?" Master Yi asked incredulously.
"Guys, I can do this," Sara said confidently. "I just need a map. Besides, you guys are needed here more than me."
"No Sara, don't be ridiculous, you'll never survive out there." Udyr said firmly.
"Why not?" Sara raised an eyebrow.
"Because you have a broken leg," Ahri snapped. "People will see you coming, and kill you!"
"I can handle myself." The blonde woman said.
"No, it's out of the question. We won't allow it." Lee Sin crossed his arms.
"Look, guys, I'm not asking you to allow it," Sara said, gently but firmly, "Thanks, dads! I am a grown-up." She continued sarcastically.
Everyone traded shocked looks, though Ahri gave Sara a proud smile.
'That's my girl.' She thought to herself.
"All right…fine," Udyr grumbled, not liking it, but understanding that Sara needed to do this. "But Ahri goes with you."
"What?" Sara asked, her eyes widening.
"Damn right I'm going with you!" Ahri smirked. "And don't bother trying to turn into my mother. I'm a grown woman."
Sara grinned. "Touché."
Ahri beamed. "Wonderful. We leave in a few hours."
Sara strapped a brown shoulder sack containing some food, a bottle of water and a couple of bandages to her shoulder as Ahri stood outside with Udyr, Lee Sin, Master Yi and Lillia.
"Thank you guys." Sara said gratefully.
"It was no problem, Sara." Lee Sin replied. Sara stepped forward and wrapped her friend in a hug. He stood there like a statue. After a few moments, his arms started to move, and he returned the hug.
She shared a nod with Master Yi and held out her hand.
"Thank you, Yi." Sara smiled.
"It was an honor to fight alongside you." Master Yi grinned.
"Yeah it was."
She turned to face Lillia who shyly stepped forward and hugged Sara. The blonde woman grinned, hugging her back.
Sara finally turned to face Udyr and hugged him.
"Thank you, for giving me hope." She smiled.
"You are my faviroute American." Udyr grinned.
"I'm the only American you know." Sara deadpanned, though she couldn't stop grinning.
"Yes, but you're still my faviroute." Udyr chuckled.
Ahri chuckled and shook her head in amusement.
Together, she and Sara walked out of the temple and into the wilderness. Sara stopped one last time to look back.
"It never was a holy dove, and every breath we draw is Hallelujah." Sara said. Ahri sighed and nodded.
The two had made camp near a tree line, and Ahri was snuggled against Sara, using her shoulder as a pillow.
"This is nice." Ahri murmured.
"Yeah." Sara agreed. All this time they had spent fighting together and helping each other had brought them much closer. Even though Ahri had tried to steal Sara's soul, the two had strangely become best friends.
She really seemed to like the Vastayan woman, and she could tell that Ahri liked her as well.
Though Sara couldn't tell whether Ahri liked her as a friend, or in a romantic way. She was confusing.
Runeterra was a truly amazing world. There were a hundred thousand things to see. She was like a shooting star. She had come so far, she couldn't go back to how she used to be.
Sara slowly drifted off to sleep.
The next day
Sara looked at the map of Ionia.
"Where the fuck are we?" she asked.
"We've been travelling for a week now. We should reach the Kinkou Temple in a few days." Ahri said, looking over Sara's shoulder.
"Boy, I wish we had a plane right now." Sara groaned.
"The hell's a plane?" Ahri looked at her best friend in confusion.
"It is a machine that can fly and travel great distances." Sara said.
"Wait…those machines are planes?" Ahri asked, having seen strange machines in Sara's memories.
"Yeah." Sara nodded.
"You miss your home, don't you?" Ahri guessed, feeling some pain and sadness from Sara.
"Yeah, I do. I've been gone for almost 2 and half years now. I really miss my mom, and dad, and my two closest friends, Oliver and Clark." Sara said, sighing sadly.
"Was one of those friends a boyfriend?" Ahri asked teasingly.
"No!" Sara said, blushing red in embarrassment.
Ahri clasped a hand on Sara's shoulder and said. "Don't worry; I'll make sure you return to your world."
"Thank you Ahri," Sara said, tears in her eyes. "If more people like you existed, the world would be a merrier place."
Ahri smiled in respect. "Yeah that's true."
She then looked at Sara and said. "What song were you singing?"
"It's called Hallelujah. A famous song from my world. My faviroute verse is "Well there was a time when you let me know, what's really going on below, but now you never show that to me, do ya? But remember, when I moved in you, and the holy dove was moving too, and every breath we drew was Hallelujah.""
"Damn." Ahri said wistfully, somehow feeling at peace when she heard those lyrics.
"We should keep moving. We need to find a bunch of ninjas." Sara said.
Sara walked through the tall grass as the afternoon sun began to set.
"I just need to get home. Then all will be fine." Sara muttered to herself.
Ahri was practically bouncing around, her fox ears twitching excitedly.
"Calm down!" Sara said, though she couldn't stop giggling.
"I feel free!" Ahri exclaimed. Sara laughed and scratched Ahri behind the ears. The Vastayan woman purred like a cat, enjoying the feeling of being stroked by someone she considered a friend; something she never really had before.
"I regret telling you that was my soft spot." Ahri grumbled.
"That's horseshit. You like it." Sara chuckled.
Ahri gave her friend a mock glare, but then sighed. "Yeah, I do."
Sara continued walking, marveling at the Ionian landscape. For some reason, she felt at peace, here on Runeterra. When she was on Earth, she didn't.
Ahri gave her best friend a sad smile.
"According to the map here, we should be closing in on the Kinkou Temple." Sara said, looking at the map.
Ahri looked over and said. "Yeah, we should be."
She then perked up on hearing a whistling sound. Moving at superhuman speed, she threw her arm up and caught a dagger inches from her face.
"Scurry back to your shadows, ninja." Ahri called back. Sara looked around, slightly startled, but then her eyes narrowed.
Someone jumped out of a tree and landed on the ground. It was a young, beautiful Ionian woman. She wore olive green pants and a tank top, though a Dragon tattoo ran down her arm.
She wore a face mask, and carried two daggers in her hands.
"Who the hell are you?" Sara raised an eyebrow, unintimidated.
"I am the Fist of Shadow." The woman declared. Sara eyed her up and down. She didn't look that old, hell; she looked like she was Irelia's age.
"We're looking for the Kinkou Order. Are you in charge?" Sara asked.
The woman's eyes widened briefly, before she steeled herself.
"Why do you seek us out?"
"We're looking for the Order's help in fighting back the Noxians." Ahri intervened.
The woman's expression turned sorrowful. "Our Order is fractured. You will find any aid from here."
Sara frowned. "What happened? Can we help in any way?"
"Maybe you can. Maybe you cannot." The woman replied.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Sara asked.
"Wait…who are you?" the woman frowned.
"Sara Lance." She replied hesitantly.
"THE Sara Lance?!" the woman's eyes widened in shock.
"Uh, yeah." Sara said.
"I've heard stories about you. It's so nice to meet you at last!" the woman smiled brightly, holding out her hand.
After a moment, Sara shook it too.
"Looks like you're famous now." Ahri said as she and Sara shared a chuckle.
"Seems like it." Sara chuckled again.
"I am Akali, of the Kinkou Order." The woman introduced herself, removing her face mask.
"Why was the Kinkou Order fractured?" Sara asked.
Akali's face darkened. "A former master, Zed, decided to branch off, and unleashed a violent rebellion. Those of us who escaped have fled here into these temples."
"Where is Master Kusho?" Ahri asked.
"Dead." Akali lowered her head.
"Oh damn," Ahri winced. "Who's leading you lot then?"
"His son, Shen. Shen, myself and the Heart of the Tempest, Kennen, are leading what remains of our broken order." Akali said.
"So I take it asking them to help us against the Noxians is off the tables now?" Ahri guessed.
"Probably," Sara agreed. "Akali, do you need help?"
Akali looked at Sara in shock and said. "Yes. To make sure Zed's order does not reach us."
"We'll help." Sara said firmly. She couldn't explain the feeling; she just felt the need to help these people.
"We will?" Ahri asked, confused.
"Yes, we will," Sara said firmly. "I vowed to stand against all evil. But that evil does not only include the Noxians."
Ahri groaned and then sighed.
"Fine. You owe me big time though."
Sara chuckled, but understood. Human emotions were still alien to someone like Ahri, and she was just getting used to them.
She turned to face Akali. "So, where is this temple you're hiding in?"
"Close by. Follow me." Akali said.
Akali led the two women across a mountain top, where an old temple stood. The mountain range overlooked the plains and valleys of Ionia.
"Master Shen will speak to you." Akali said softly.
Sitting at the center of the courtyard, meditating, was a man who was garbed in a purple tunic, with a pair of swords strapped to his back.
He wore a mask that covered his entire face. His biceps were exposed, and he looked really fit and muscular.
But the most striking part about him was his eyes which were glowing purple.
"Master Shen, I-" Akali began, but he interrupted her.
"I know who they are. Leave us be, Fist of Shadow." Shen calmly raised a hand.
Akali bowed and turned to walk away, giving Ahri a playful wink, and she chuckled.
"Sara Lance of Earth-96. Ahri." Shen greeted.
Sara staggered back in shock. How the hell did he know?
As if sensing her thoughts, Shen said. "The spirits informed me of your arrival here in Ionia. The Eye of Twilight sees all."
"Look, Master Shen, we originally came here to enlist your help against Noxus, but Sara here decided to stay and help." Ahri said, raising her hands.
"And for that I am grateful, but there is not much you can do. My friend chose his path." Shen replied with a hard edge to his voice.
Sara looked down in thought and said. "Maybe I can talk to him. Where is he located?"
"Excuse me? But did you just say you wanted to talk to him?" Ahri asked, looking at him weirdly.
"Yeah. Sometimes violence isn't always the answer." Sara shrugged, though deep down, she had a feeling she needed to do this.
Shen looked at her with his piercing eyes and said. "He is located deep within the mountains on the other side. The Vastayan woman here can help you."
"Aw, for fuck's sake!" Ahri groaned.
"I will help you Shen." Sara said.
"Thank you, Lady Lance." Shen bowed.
A week later
"I regret everything now." Ahri said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sara asked, looking at her best friend with a raised eyebrow.
"We have travelling across Ionia for an entire week!" Ahri threw her hands into the air.
"Relax, you big baby, we'll see what we can do, and then we'll be off to kill Noxians again." Sara shrugged.
"Oh!" Ahri said.
"Modern problems require modern solutions." Sara smirked at her friend's dumbfounded expression.
"It's moments like these that make me question why exactly you're my best friend." Ahri muttered.
"Because you love me." Sara laughed.
Ahri was about to protest, and then shook her head. "Fair enough."
Sara and Ahri emerged from the dense woodland area into a courtyard, eerily resembling Shen's temple.
"Where the fuck is this guy?" Ahri asked, looking around.
"Right here, Vastaya." A deep voice echoed. Sara drew her sword, while Ahri's eyes glowed blue.
Sara was looking around, when a blade appeared out of nowhere and stabbed Sara in side.
She yelped in agony and staggered.
"Show yourself!" Ahri snapped.
Shadows materialized on the ground and a man garbed in black and grey armor emerged. He wore a face mask and had red glowing eyes.
A rope spear was in his left hand and he had arm blades. He radiated an aura of fear.
"You picked the wrong ninja, woman." Zed, the Master of Shadows, said in a deep voice.
"Zed, right?" Sara asked, ignoring the pain in her side.
"Yes. It is I." Zed smirked.
"You wield power from the Shadow Realm. Impossible." Ahri said in disbelief…and fear.
"Yes I do. I am not defeated easily," Zed declared. "You will die today."
With that, he split himself, his human form, and a form made purely out of shadows.
"These shadows will darken Noxus." He added.
Sara and Ahri got into fighting stances as Ahri materialized a ball of glowing energy in her hands.
After a few seconds, Ahri extinguished the energy orb and stepped forward.
"Leave Zed to me." She declared, as she and Zed faced each other.
"You are powerful, Vastayan filth. But not strong enough." Zed said.
"We'll see about that, ninja." Ahri said.
Ahri stepped forward and kept trying to kick, as Zed dodged all the blows. He tried to sweep her legs, but Ahri did a back-flip.
Zed lunged forward, raining blows upon Ahri, as she either blocked or flipped to avoid them.
Ahri tried to kick but Zed did a flip to avoid. Ahri moved like a blur, throwing a punch that Zed avoided. He tried to spin kick, but Ahri ducked.
Taking advantage of that, he spun and kicked Ahri in the face. Hot pain shot through her face as some blood escaped her lips.
"Come on, Ahri, you got this." Sara called out as she circled the area.
Ahri ducked to avoid a punch and kicked Zed in the ribs, though he ignored the attack.
"Bring it on, little fox." Zed rumbled.
He jumped and kicked but Ahri back-flipped to avoid the attack. Finally, she landed a hard blow to his face.
Pain stung as Zed's face whipped from the blow. Ahri was a lot stronger than she looked.
Zed kicked and Ahri deflected the blow before throwing a punch that he deflected too.
Sara continued circling, ready to intervene the moment it became clear Ahri couldn't handle herself.
Zed tried to sweep her legs, but Ahri jumped and kicked Zed in the face. This time, he didn't react to the blow.
Rolling back, he threw out his rope spear and roared. "COME HERE!"
It stabbed Ahri in the leg and she yelled in pain. Zed pulled hard and Ahri was yanked towards him, crashing to the ground.
Hot pain shot through her body as her lip was now split. Zed was about to stab Ahri but she flipped and kicked him.
"Enough!" Sara roared. "Zed, stop fighting. I came to talk."
"Talk?" Zed asked, sounding like he was about to start laughing. "What could you possibly say to me?"
"Why did you start the rebellion against the Kinkou?" Sara asked carefully.
Zed now glared in anger. "Those fools believe balance is the key to saving Ionia. But if we are going to defeat Noxus, we must act with force."
"But was creating a rebellion really the only option?" Sara asked, unimpressed, though she felt some sympathy for him. He sounded broken. Clearly, something bad had happened.
"Yes it was." Zed glared at her.
"Zed. I hate Noxians as much as you. But sometimes violence is not always the answer."
"She's right," Ahri spoke up. "The cycle must end."
"Those without the strength to do what's necessary are doomed to die." Zed snarled.
Sara shook her head. "Something isn't beautiful, because it lasts."
Ahri looked over at her friend, no, her best friend, with respect.
Zed slowly lowered his blade, bur refused to give up his fighting stance.
"Leave now, before I end your life." Zed growled.
Sara sighed. Maybe she couldn't get through to him.
"Fine. Be a bitter motherfucker for all I care." She snapped. Sara turned to walk away.
Ahri looked at him and said. "Maybe there's a God above, but all I've ever learnt from love was how to fight somebody who has outmaneuvered you."
With that, she walked away.
Zed slowly sat down, deep in contemplation.
Sara angrily punched a tree, ignoring the sharp pain in her wrist.
"Bah, this was useless!" she snarled.
"Sara, listen, I felt his emotions. He might change his ways in the future," Ahri said gently. "But he is traumatized from encountering a serial killer known as the Golden Demon."
"The who?" Sara asked.
Ahri now looked frightened as she said. "The Golden Demon was an infamous serial killer who plagued Ionia for many years. Eventually, the Kinkou captured him, and he was revealed to be a man named Khada Jhin."
"Khada Jhin." Sara said, rolling the name over her tongue.
"His killings are so brutal. But now in prison, from what I heard, he won't stop saying this one thing."
"What thing?" Sara asked.
"That one day, he would go a place called Earth-40. When he did that, he would find his bane, Michael Myers. And he would kill this Michael Myers." Ahri said.
"Michael Myers?" Sara jerked back, the blood leaving her face. He was a fictional character in her world. But if he was real…Oh God.
"Yes." Ahri sad softly.
Sara shook her head to get rid of that horrible thought.
"Where do we go, next?" she asked.
"There is a village of ancient swordsmen. They can help." Ahri sad.
"Then let's go." Sara said with a grimace on her face.
The Aspect of the Wanderer said inside her mind. 'Soon, Sara, you will have to decide where your heart lies. Where it truly lies. Maybe it lies with Jayce Giopara.'
And this is done too. Hope the interactions and the fight scene were all enjoyed. I kept Ahri around as I wanted to show the friendship turned sisterhood between Sara and Ahri.
So three new champions were briefly introduced, but they will appear again in the future.
The first is Akali aka The Rouge Assassin.
The second is Shen aka The Eye of Twilight.
And the third is Zed aka The Master of Shadows.
Lore wise, all three of them are a solid A tier. Their lores all great, though Zed is my faviroute out of all three. The comics really progressed his lore further and made him a lot more compelling.
The fight between Sara, Ahri and Zed was inspired by Scorpion and Sub-Zero vs Noob Saibot in Mortal Kombat 11.
On another note, the first 3 episodes of Arcane premier tomorrow. Holy shit, I am so excited for this! I have been waiting for an entire year for this! I hope it is damn good. And now, this is where the fun begins.
Now, we only have 2 to 3 chapters left in this arc, so hope all are excited.
Hope everyone enjoyed and see you all next time with another chapter.