Makandi= Shadow beasts
Katu= King
Chapter 5
The rest of the night went off without a hitch. There were no attacks. Everyone could rest easy knowing that their festival went well. Now, it was time to get back to work. Mikey had woken up early and was getting ready to head out to Emall. By the time he gets there, the villagers would be up and ready to head out to hunt for food. He put his nunchaku in his belt, put his knife in a sheath on his thigh, and put his chaltiga on. Before he buttoned it up, he went over to his bed where his wife lay, still sleeping. Leaning over, he pressed a kiss to her cheek. She felt it and her eyes fluttered open. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you."
"Are you leaving?" she asked, sleepily.
"Yeah, I'll be back soon." he reassured her.
She sat up in bed, letting the blanket that was covering her, fall to her waist. She grasped hold of her husband's hand. "Be careful."
He pressed a kiss to her lips. "I will. Don't worry. It's me we're talking about."
"Yes, and that is what worries me." Avery shot back knowing him all to well by this point.
He chuckled. "Okay, fair enough. I will be okay though. I will come back to you alive." he buttoned up his chaltiga, gave her another kiss and headed out the door. He left their room and once outside, he stretched out his limbs and warmed up his body in preparation for the long walk ahead. The first rays of sunlight began to peek out from behind the palace. Max, who had just come from out of the forest, approached his companion with a yawn. "You look just as tired as me." he chuckled.
Max responded by giving an annoyed huff sound. "Yeah, I'm not much of an early bird either. I don't know why I volunteered to do this... oh well." he shrugged. "Let's get going."
They made their way through Parinan woods to the west, following the trail to Emall village.
By the time he got to Emall, the villagers were already up and about going through their daily routines. Mikey was approached by Tossen and Suvri, who, out of habit, bowed to him. "We're not training. You guys don't have to bow to me, remember."
Tossen straightened and spoke. "My apologies."
"Okay, so I'm going to head out and hopefully find out what's going on."
"Is it alright if I accompany you?" Suvri asked.
"Well... that depends on Tossen." Mikey said before turning his attention to Tossen. "Do you think you can watch over the people here while we're gone?"
Tossen and Suvri looked at each other. Suvri had this longing look in his pale yellow eyes. Like he was silently begging him to let him go. Mikey looked between them, noticing the looks. Tossen sighed and gave in. "Yes, it will be difficult," he side eyed his fellow vao. "but I can handle things here for a while. You can go."
"Thank you, Tossen." Suvri said to his friend.
"Okay, let's get going."
With Max, Suvri, and Suvri's Lakra, Kosa, Mikey headed out to the forest. The two vao walked together through the forest, keeping on the lookout for anything suspicious. "So, why did you decide to come with me?" Mikey asked.
"These attacks have become personal for me. One of the lakra attacked my sister while she was out here. I want to find whoever is doing this and take them in personally." Suvri looked over to Mikey. "I am sorry, I know this is a selfish thing to do, and I know that my main duty is to protect the people of my village, but..."
"It seems to me like you still are protecting them. Your sister is part of the village, so by wanting to find out what's happening you are protecting the people of the village and your sister." Mikey shrugged. "So, I guess it doesn't matter how you protect them, as long as you are."
"I did not think about it that way. Thank you for understanding."
"It's okay to be a little bit selfish just don't forget about what you have to do."
Suvri nodded his understanding as he continued following the orange banded turtle.
The two vao continued their walk through the forest until they made it around where there was an assortment of animals. Suvri noticed something or rather someone hidden in the branches of the trees. "Michelangelo, look." Mikey followed his gaze. He quickly hid among the denseness of the forest. Suvri followed suit, as did Max and Kosa. Up in the trees was a cloaked figure just standing there on one of the branches. They couldn't see their face as the hood of their cloak hid it. The only thing they could see was their green feet. "Do you think that is who we are looking for?"
"Only way to find out is to wait and see what they do." Mikey responded.
Mikey and Suvri hid further in the brush when the figure looked in their direction. The figure then decided to make their move, hopping down from the tree and taking off deeper into the forest. "Come on." Mikey led the way in following the mysterious figure through the forest. Being sure to stay far enough away so they wouldn't get caught. Where is this guy going? The person suddenly stopped and looked like he was observing something. He then hopped into a nearby tree.
Mikey and Suvri continued to hide out when a lakra appeared. It was just minding its own business. It looked perfectly fine. That's when the person revealed their hands from beneath the cloak. This person was holding onto what looked like a hollowed, wooden stick. Mikey paid close attention to what this person was doing. The person slipped something into the hollowed stick, aimed it at the unknowing lakra, and blew into one end of it. Whatever he slipped into it, fired toward the lakra, and hit it right in the side of its body. The lakra reacted to whatever hit it, shaking its head and wobbling on its legs for a second. When it regained its footing, it growled low.
"I think that's our guy." Mikey said. He looked over to Suvri, whose hands had tightened into fists. His eyes were focused on the figure staying in the branches. "Go get 'em. Stay out of sight. Just like we taught you." he told him.
Suvri rounded on the figure, keeping out of their line of sight. Meanwhile, on the ground, the lakra that was shot turned in Mikey's general direction. It spotted Mikey lurking and charged at him. "Max!" Max jumped into action, protecting his companion from the raging lakra by ramming into it with its horn. Kosa helped out as well, making it a two on one fight. With Max and Kosa dealing with it, Mikey could see that there was definitely something off. He could see it in the lakras eyes. Those were the same crazed eyes he saw when he was first attacked by a lakra two years ago. This lakra was unwell. He could still see the dart sticking out of its fur. Whatever was on that dart was hurting it. Which is why it was acting the way that it did.
The figure up in the tree must've decided that he would take the opportunity to affect the other two lakra that had shown up. They quickly loaded up their wooden blow gun with another dart and aimed at Max. "I don't think so." Mikey popped out of hiding and ran in as they fired another dart. Mikey snatched it out of the air before it hit either of the lakras. The figure, shocked at seeing a vao, tried to take off again. Unfortunately for him, Suvri was already there. Suvri grabbed onto their ankle, throwing them off balance. Instead of getting away, they fell out of the tree and landed on the forest floor hard.
During that time, both Max and Kosa managed to pin the enraged lakra down. It was still snapping and snarling, but Mikey could safely pull the dart out of its side without harming himself.
The figure was just now catching their breath after landing on the ground and was trying to make a getaway. Suvri landed right in front of them, stopping them in their tracks. They tried turning to run in the other direction only to run into Mikey. Mikey grabbed the figure's arm and pulled the hood down, revealing an older guy with green skin and striking blue eyes narrowed angrily at the turtle. "Who are you?" Mikey asked.
The guy didn't respond. He only stared angrily. "He asked you a question." Suvri said.
"I have no answer." the man responded with a sneer. "Not for the makandi of the false katu."
"Got it. You're one of them." Mikey said. "Suvri, tie him up."
Suvri pulled some rope out of his satchel and bound his arms and feet.
The enraged lakra ran off, not being able to withstand the bombardment from Max and Kosa.
"Kosa, come here." Suvri ordered.
Kosa approached them. "Up you go." Mikey hoisted the tied up man onto Kosa's back. "Let's get going." he told him.
"That was it?" Suvri said, almost disappointed that it was over already.
Mikey thought it over. This whole thing did seem a bit too easy. There had to have been more. The nameless man calling him and Suvri 'makandi of the false katu' basically confirmed that he was one of Kai's men. There had to be more to it. There had to be more of them. "Suvri, I need you to get our new friend here locked away. Can you do that?"
"Yes, but what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to do a little bit more investigating." he said. "Come on, Max."
Suvri headed back to the village with Kosa and the nameless man while Mikey and Max went further into the forest to hopefully find some clues. They continued to move through the forest, keeping as quiet as possible. One of the downsides of walking around during the day is there was no place to hide and be stealthy. And a ninja relies on darkness. Mikey would just have to make due. Luckily for him, he had a new ace up his sleeve if he needed it. Using the goddess' sight.
Following the trail deeper, they could hear the sound of running water. On the way toward the river, Mikey noticed something lying on the ground. It was a lakra and it looked like it was sleeping. Upon closer inspection, Mikey realized that it was the same lakra that was poisoned and attacked them. It was still breathing so he knew the poison didn't kill it. That was one good thing to come from all of this. The lakra suddenly woke up, startling both of them. Max stood in front of Mikey in case this lakra attacked again, but it didn't. Instead, it looked up at them, almost confused. It stood up, wobbled a bit and wandered off. Mikey and Max looked to each other, confused, but relieved that they wouldn't have to do anymore fighting for now. "Well, that looks like a good sign. Looks like the poison from the dart wears off after a while." Mikey said. He sighed before moving on. "Keep an eye out. There could be more of them." he told Max.
They eventually came up to the river, and Max took the opportunity to get a drink. While he did that, Mikey took a look around the area. Nothing really seemed out of place, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was just... wrong. Once Max was done with his drink, they continued to walk along upriver.
They stopped when something by the river caught his eye. Mikey picked it up. It was a curvy, blue and yellow fruit about the size of his palm. It was a weird, bitter tasting fruit that Mikey learned to avoid early when he and his brothers decided to move here. He also knew that lakras pretty much loved the stuff as a snack. Weird. Why is a kyona just sitting here on the riverbank? It's not like the tree grows anywhere nearby. He thought. What was even stranger was that there were quite a few of them along the river, almost like a trail.
He picked up the fruit off the ground before Max could get to it and put them in his bag. As he was collecting them, he noticed an odd layer of film on it. He couldn't see it, couldn't smell it, but he could feel it. Something was definitely up, and he didn't like it. As he was putting them away, Max began nudging him. Mostly biting at the bag he was carrying. Mikey gently pushed his muzzle away from the bag. "No." he gently scolded. Max whined. Mikey didn't want him eating something that made him uneasy.
Aside from that, there didn't seem to be anyone around, but he had to make sure. He stood still and closed his eyes, feeling the pulsations beneath him. Every pulse that passed by lit up all the living creatures that were nearby. Animals usually give off a white aura. So he'd have to be on the lookout for any different colored auras... which he didn't see any of.
He opened his eyes and sighed. "Well, I guess this is about all we can do for now." Mikey shrugged. "Think we should head back home?" he asked Max.
Max responded with another yawn and began bumping him with his horn, urging him to move forward. Mikey chuckled and began his trek home.
About halfway home, Mikey couldn't stop thinking about what he had seen. It was only one guy this time, but what if there were more next time. What was their plan here?
He decided to take a short break. He took off his bag and put it on the ground, taking out a cantine to fill with water from the stream near him. He took a sip just as Max started rummaging through the bag that was left behind. He managed to get a hold of two pieces of fruit before Mikey noticed. "Max!" Mikey said, raising his voice, making Max pull his muzzle out now covered in the red juices from the fruit.
Max knew he was in trouble so he looked to Mikey with puppy eyes, and Mikey couldn't help but give in. "Don't look at me like that. Do you feel okay? I don't know what was on those."
Max purred and nuzzled up against him, letting him know that he was fine. Mikey could breathe easy knowing that was the case. Maybe the fruit wasn't all that bad. Maybe he was worried for nothing. "Okay, good." Mikey pet him with a chuckle. He picked up his bag and they kept moving. "Come on."
It was only a little while after Max had scarfed down the fruits that he had started to act weird. He began to shake his head as if trying to shake off a fogginess. "Max, buddy, you okay?"
Max responded with a growl and a glare. "Max?"
Max only approached him, continuing his menacing growl. Mikey took a few steps away from him as he knew something was up. Max was never aggressive toward anybody. Especially not toward him. Mikey didn't have time to think anymore when Max suddenly pounced. Mikey dodged out of the way, but Max just kept coming at him. Swiping at him with his large paws and trying to take a bite out of him. Max got a couple lucky shots in, scratching him in the arm. He followed it up by ramming into him with his horn. Mikey's body slammed into a tree, his head hitting the unforgiving bark.
He was suddenly woozy as blood ran down the side of his head. He forced himself to move out of the way as Max charged again. The wooziness slowed him down, and he was charged into again, knocking the wind out of him. He forced himself up and stared at the lakra. "Max." Mikey coughed out. "Snap out of it, buddy."
Max stalked toward him, growling. The red juices stained his gray fur, looking like blood. Backing away from his lakra. His head was pounding, and his vision blurred, but he had to think of a way out of this. Max began dry heaving, probably trying to expunge what he just ate. That fruit he ate probably made him sick. I knew there was something up with it. While he was distracted, Mikey backed away until he felt something tickle his arm. Looking down, he saw what was called ipca berries. As soon as he saw them, he was reminded of a time a while ago when Avery had taken him out to collect things she needed for the infirmary.
Avery had taken Mikey out into Kyote forest to collect as many herbs and other essentials. As they were picking the things they need, Avery was explaining what everything was. He never really picked up on everything, but he did for some things. That was when Mikey first spotted the berries.
"Those are ipca berries." Avery explained as he watched him examine them.
"Oh! Berries!" he quickly picked one and popped one in his mouth.
"Wait, Michelangelo, don't!" she tried stopping him, but it was way too late.
"What's wrong?"
"Those are not for eating." she explained as he felt his stomach rumbling. "As a last resort, they are used to induce vomiting."
"Oh." was all he said before he ran to go puke behind some bushes.
Avery winced as she heard him vomit. "Perhaps, we should end this lesson early."
Mikey grabbed a whole stem, it was covered in sickly yellow, teardrop shaped berries. He stood up and Max charged toward him again, mouth wide open as an angered roar escaped him. That was the perfect opportunity. "Sorry about this, buddy, but it's for your own good." Mikey waited until he was just close enough before he moved out of the way of his gaping maw, stretching his arm with the berries out so he could chomp down on those instead.
Max chomped down on the berries, taking the whole stem with him. The effects were almost instant. He backed away and began gagging again, only this time, something actually came up. Mikey hated to see him suffer like this, but it was the only way to help him. As soon as he was done, he collapsed, exhausted. Mikey crawled over to him, feeling woozy. His vision getting dark as he felt his consciousness fading. "Max." was the last thing he said before passing out right next to him.
A little while later, the lakra began to stir. Max struggled to his feet, feeling exhausted. Looking down, he saw Mikey lying there, and he wasn't moving. Max leaned down and nudged him in an attempt to wake him up. He whined when he didn't. He knew he had to get him some help, so he crouched down low and forced himself underneath Mikey's body to get him on his back. He took off toward Ithri.
Welp, that happened.
