Hey there Running Man Fans! Bet you guys are wondering who Radiant Silver is since Charming Gold is suppose to be the last peacock in existence.
Or is he...?
All I can tell you right now, is that Radiant Silver is Charming Gold's queen, and his most powerful champion.
Have you even read the way she defeated the Running Men last chapter?
Anyway, enjoy this next one.
"Where is it? Where is it?!" Radiant Silver growled as she scrolled through videos and pictures of the opening ceremony of the 100th Annual Running Man Championship.
The peacock queen laid chest-down on the couch while being pampered by several droids. She scowls at another picture of her mate, proudly announcing the opening of the Championship.
She groans, "When I asked what happened during the opening ceremony, he flinched. He's hiding something from me. He knows I hate it when he hides something from me. Especially if it involves something that shatters his 'perfect' image."
Silver had watched the opening ceremony from outside the stadium in her White Crow disguise. The ceremony was going smoothly, but she couldn't see the rest of it because she had to hide from an incoming crowd of fans.
She did hear there was a scuffle between the contestants.
When she asked Gold about this, he flashed her a smile.
A smile which meant he was HIDING something from her.
There was something else that happened other than a scuffle. But what...?
Well...he can't hide it from her forever...
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Silver." The droid spoke, "Only Mr. Gold has authorization to the archive."
Silver narrows her eyes and brings out a dagger from her sleeve, "He's not the only one with authorization..."
Charming Gold smelled the rose, taking in its sweet scent.
Yet, it can't compare to the sweet, heavenly scent of his sweet, little Sil-!
"HA-HA-HAAAA!"
Charming almost broke the rose in half. He knew that familiar laugh. And why...
Keeping a calm face, he entered the room his queen was in, and found her pounding the couch in a fit of laughter.
In front of her was a droid. Even if it was impaled with a dagger, it was still able to give a clear video of what happened during the opening ceremony.
More specifically... a clip of Charming Gold in an awkward terrified position after Kuga punched the wall beside him.
Worst, opening ceremony, of, his, life!
He never wants to see that scene ever again!
More specifically... he never wants HER to see that scene, E-VER!
"Oh come on now, Goldy." Silver flashed her king a playful, "innocent" look, "You look cuter when you're flawed."
He hates it when he's flawed! He hates it whenever she teases him for being flawed!
He forces a smile and tickles her chin with one finger, "I'm glad my misery has brought a smile on my precious Silver's face."
As Silver relished in his touch, Gold placed the rose in her hair.
Then he banished the butler droid into the shadows so that his queen will never have to see that horrendous clip, EVER, AGAIN.
Not that it will help since she can...
Once the replacement droid arrived, it showed a holographic projection of the Running Men in Bug Village.
After their defeat, Charming Gold sent them to Bug Village where the next game of the Championship will take place.
Unknown to them and everyone else, when the game starts, everyone in Bug Village will be too busy watching the Running Men compete against each other to notice their ancient treasure replaced by a fake replica.
And once they have all ancient treasures of all 7 tribes...
Oh. It will be glorious...
"So, exactly what will happen if they succeed?" Silver asked as she got up and moved to give her king a place to sit.
Gold snaps his fingers to summon a shadow portal. Silver moves out of the way, but falls into a second one.
Gold sits down with his arms out-stretched and catches Silver after she falls from a shadow portal above.
"I'll have to send out my best soldier." He smiles at her, which she returns with a passionate embrace.
Gods. His mate drives him mad!
And yet... he loves her.
The moment they were sent to Bug Village, they knew Charming Gold was up to something, since this was the first time they competed outside the stadium.
After Liu won the game, the Running Men were suspicious that nothing else happened while they were competing. The same thing could be said when they were sent to two more villages.
But when they got to the Bars Village, they witnessed D.V 1 and D.V 4 sneaking around, and found them trying to steal the Bars Tribe's ancient treasure.
They managed to get the treasure back. Only to realize that the chest that was suppose to contain the treasure held White Crow's glove within instead of the real treasure.
They decided to keep an eye out for her or anything suspicious when they were sent to the Mong Village.
They sent Mr. Suitcase to watch over the Mong's ancient treasure. After the event, they were surprised to find out that noone came to steal the treasure.
They even personally went to the temple holding the treasure, and found the real one still in place and not replaced.
Confused yet relieved that the treasure was safe, they decided to enjoy the party the ninja monkeys were holding in their honor.
Instead of celebrating with his friends and family, Gai stood under a tall tree, deep in thought.
Charming Gold wanted the ancient treasures of all the tribes. That's why the games were held in different villages.
The games were just cover-ups. Everyone was too busy enjoying the show to notice their treasures being stolen and replaced.
But why didn't White Crow or any of his minions steal the Mong Tribe's ancient treasure this time? Or even try stealing?
"He's up to something else."
Gai shot his head in surprise at the source of the voice, and found Miyo standing behind him.
"Feeling suspicious too?" Gai asked.
"This just doesn't seem right." The cat voiced out her thoughts, "Why not steal your tribe's treasure?"
Gai scratches his head in confusion, "Beats me. They got away with Kuga's tribe. I'm surprise they skipped mine after...!"
That's when realization hit the ninja monkey.
After the game, Gai's master, and the leader of the tribe, approached the young monkey and congratulated him for a job well-done, even if he did lose. Not a single word of complaint escaped his mouth.
But there was suppose to. His master always tells to improve his skills after every training, even when he bested his fellow classmates. (Something the young student never understood.)
Plus, he didn't miss the look in his master's eyes; For as long as he could remember, his master's eyes were always filled with flames of will and determination.
But today, they looked... clouded...
Something was up. And he knew what.
After gathering his friends, they rushed to his master's treehouse.
Only to witness him handing the Mong Tribe's ancient treasure to White Crow.
White Crow grabbed the treasure, a long, wooden staff with painted golden designs, and fled out of the treehouse. Gai was quicker than his friends and went to pursue White Crow on his own.
"You should be happy, Monkey." White Crow twirled the staff between her fingers, "Your master finally paid his debt, your tribe is free, and you've been spared for turning your back on Charming Gold."
Gai kept his glare at White Crow. The reason why he was in the Championship was because Master said he had the potential and skills to win.
Under the orders of Charming Gold.
He only wanted to win and bring back honor to his tribe. He never wanted anyone else to get hurt.
He eyed the staff, wondering what his master was thinking handing their tribe's ancient treasure to someone who was twisted and corrupted. He wanted to free his people too, but will this actually guarantee their freedom?
And put others' lives in danger?
The peacock and the monkey fought fiercely. White Crow succeeded every time, which agitated Gai, reminding him the first time the white-hooded spy easily defeated him without giving him even the slightest of chances.
He was unprepared. Never saw it coming.
But that was no excuse.
White Crow managed to pin him against the tree with her daggers. As he struggles to break free, she whispered, "You know you don't have to fight anymore. You can let your friends handle everything and spare your tribe of any more burden."
The fight attracted the attention of every monkey in the village. Gai could see the fear and confusion in his tribe's eyes.
His master sacrificed their tribe's treasure in return for their peoples' safety.
And if he were to take it back...
Gai narrows his eyes... then tackled White Crow with so much force that her mask fell off, revealing the face of the peacock queen to everyone, much to the shock of the entire Mong Tribe.
Gai reclaimed his tribe's ancient treasure which fell during his attack, then used it to split White Crow's mask into two before pointing the staff at Radiant Silver.
"I don't know what Charming Gold promised you..." Gai spoke sternly, "But whatever he said, he never keeps. What do you even see in that creep anyway?"
Not only did Radiant Silver narrowed her eyes, they also turned dark...
Creep?...!
"You don't know him like I do. So don't you dare talk to me like that!"
Gai kept his cool, despite being a bit intimidated by the peacock's change in demeanor.
He doesn't understand why; Radiant Silver captured him. Then she freed him from the mind-controlling drug. She even saved him and his friends, and gave them a clue to Charming Gold's plans.
She then beated them up and stole the Bars Tribe's ancient treasure.
Why would she work for Charming Gold, and yet secretly help the Running Men behind his back?
Just whose side is Radiant Silver on?
The white peacock continued, "The only reason why you are loved and respected... was because you became the person they want you to be. All your greatest desires... your hopes... dreams... means NOTHING to them. You're just a hollow shell of what you never meant to be. That's all I ever was..."
Gai didn't want to hear any of that. Sure he was scolded many times by his master for goofing-off during training, even though he bested his classmates countless times, but never once did the older monkey forced his student to change.
The only time he had to... was during the Championship.
The white peacock's face softened, and she placed a hand over her heart, "But all he saw... was me. Up to this day... and forever... he will always see... the real me..."
Gai really wished he knew which side Radiant Silver really was. Charming Gold may seem trustworthy at first sight, but when you worked for him, he shows his true colors.
How can you easily tell that to someone who's... (shudder)... THAT devoted to him?
Silver's eyes darkened again as she brings out a sword, "And NEVER... will I ever let him down...!"
She brings down her blade at Gai... but her hand was hit by a shuriken, forcing her to let go of her weapon so that she can clutch her wounded hand.
Her sword was picked up, by the leader of the Mong Tribe, who points the tip at the white peacock, "Tell him... if he ever crosses paths with my people..."
Silver soon found herself being surrounded by monkeys and the Running Men, each giving the peacock a threatening gaze.
Realizing she is outnumbered, Radiant Silver is forced to retreat and disappear into the shadows. But not before giving Gai a threatening glare of her own.
"I'm sorry I had to push you through all that trouble." The leader of the Mong Tribe apologized to Gai as the elder monkey returned the tribe's ancient treasure back to its pedestal. He then turned to his student's friends, "And I'm sorry you had to get involved in all of this."
"We understand." Miyo assured, "You were only protecting your tribe."
For a while, the elder monkey looked down in silence, deep in thought. When he lifted his head, he looked at the Running Men with a serious look in his eyes, "After what you've done for my student... for my tribe... it seems fair to tell you what we know."
The Running Men were confused, but followed Gai's master to his treehouse.
Once everyone was seated, Gai's master began, "Even if we were forced to work for Charming Gold, that didn't stop us from wondering what his true intentions are involving the Championship. I sent a few of my warriors, and they made a shocking discovery about the Pikok Tribe."
"The tribe that guarded the Soul Tree since the beginning of time." Liu interrupted, "Then a disaster happened a thousand years ago. One that wiped the entire Pikok Tribe."
The elder monkey gave a grim nod, "And that disaster lived on up to this day. As the last of his kind."
The Running Men looked at the monkey with looks of disbelief.
Miyo was the first to break the silence, "Are you telling us... Charming Gold took out his own tribe? The entire Pikok Tribe?"
The elder nodded in confirmation.
Pala stuttered and panicked while the others couldn't believe what they just heard.
"But," Kuga realized, "that would mean, Charming Gold is-"
"A thousand years old?!" Popo finished.
"How is that even possible?!" Lonky exclaimed.
The elder wished he didn't ask.
They were told to gather enough information as they can.
They just wish they didn't have to see this...
The poor creature struggled to break free from his grip. But in the end, he lost the fight and laid on the floor, withered, and unmoving.
Never did they knew Charming Gold was capable of... eliminating his own tribe.
To think there was such a person with the power to take the life-force of others...
Then a thought came to Gai, "Hey wait. If Charming Gold has lived for a thousand years... and he was the last of his kind... then... what does that make Radiant Silver?"
The sooner he said that, everyone looked like they were wondering about the same thing.
The spies looked at each other, wordlessly wondering how to reply.
Then one of them spoke, "What we know about her, is what we just witnessed tonight."
"We never even saw her before." Another spy added.
"Nor were there any clues about her." Another spy spoke.
Gai can't blame them. During his time as the peacock's spy, he didn't even know he had a secret co-worker. Until she knocked him out.
He didn't even she was a she.
Or the fact that she and Charming Gold were-! (shudder)
Still... Charming Gold was the last peacock to ever live. Or so they thought, until they met Radiant Silver.
Charming Gold has lived for a thousand years draining innocent people of their life-force. And Radiant Silver...
Does she even have the same abilities as Charming Gold? Did she also live for a thousand years? How is it that they know each other? And why didn't anyone know there was another peacock other than Charming Gold?
Just who is Radiant Silver...?
He waited for the machine to open, releasing the red smoke.
The smoke cleared, revealing the sleeping face of Radiant Silver.
The moment Silver woke up, she found herself in the arms of her mate. She hides her face on his chest, the moment he looks down to check on her.
She failed him. Her.
That was inexcusable... Unacceptable...
Un...forgivable...
Defeated by that monkey... Failed to take the treasure... Forced to retreat...
She swore she wouldn't fail... and yet... she did...
All she could do now, was hide her face, not look her lover in the eye, and think about the disappointment written all over his face.
He knew she was blaming herself, hard.
He hates it when she's that upset.
He doesn't really blame her. The brats were already on to him.
And because of them, his Silver was despairing over her loss.
"I'm sorry..." He heard her silently muttering in sadness.
He really hated seeing her like this. It brought back memories of-!
Just remembering those moments... brought pain to his heart...
He gently settled her down on the bed. Her eyes were closed, but he knew she wasn't asleep.
He bends down to place a small peck on her lips. He pulls away and caresses her face before laying down beside her on the bed.
"There's always next time." He whispered as he held her close.
As the peacock king closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, Radiant Silver opened her eyes.
Which now had an eerie red glow...
