A/N: All right, you've waited long enough. This story is still in-progress, but might as well give you the first chapter of the final installment in my Kung Fu Troll trilogy.

Heavy violence and some implied content in this entire story!

Kung Fu Troll 3: The Hidden Benders

Prologue

The firework factory of Sunrise City was one of the largest buildings. It was also one of the oldest, made with very old materials that weren't replaced for a few decades. Ergo, it ironically caught fire easily. Had the owner of the factory thought to replace the flammable materials, maybe this would not have happened.

But the fire happened regardless. A fight had broken out, and the building went up in flames. There would be time to berate the factory owner later. Now, the citizens worked tirelessly to try and put out the flames.

Obviously, the building was checked for survivors. The firefighters apprehended the bandits responsible for the blaze, and the guardians of Sunrise City pulled their comrade from the burning building and essentially saved his life. However, in the bedlam, no one noticed another figure carrying a body from the flame. The shadowy figure ran off with the burned victim, disappearing into the night. The figure snuck to the river that ran through town, hopping onto a small boat and signaling for the poleman to push off.

The figure set the fire victim on one of the seats, and he brushed her bangs from her face. Her body had several large burns, including a few on her face. But she breathed, which meant she was all right.

"Move faster, General!" the figure snapped. "She needs a doctor. One who can keep a secret."

"I think I can arrange secrecy, Lord Artemis." The poleman assured.

"See that you do." Lord Artemis growled. "Failure will result in your immediate disposal, Malcolm."

"Understood, my liege." Malcolm nodded.

Malcolm pushed them out into open water, where they met with a tiny ship manned by some of Artemis's soldiers. They were brought aboard, with their precious burned cargo, and the ship slipped away into the darkness without anyone noticing. The boat docked at another harbor many miles away. Artemis, Malcolm, and a handful of guards went ashore, forcibly bringing a doctor to the ship to look after the woman. The doctor did his work and brought her to a stable condition. At Malcolm's suggestion, the doctor "generously" gave them the tools and medicine Artemis would need to help her heal.

Afterwards, Malcolm escorted the doctor home, where the general promptly killed him.

Then Artemis and his crew were off again, traveling another ten miles upriver and then going ashore to meet with the rest of Artemis's small army. Artemis's entire attention remained on the woman he saved. Though comatose, she stayed alive while he tended to her. Artemis kept the woman in his bedroom, the only room at their base that had a proper bed. The soldiers whispered to each other when Malcolm wasn't around, claiming the former lord was mad.

A week after the fire, the woman stirred. Artemis perked up excitedly. He gently patted her forehead with a cool, damp cloth. The woman's eyes fluttered open. She looked around groggily. Her eyes fell on Artemis.

"I'm glad to see you awake." Artemis said in relief.

The woman slowly pushed herself upright, wincing as her still-healing wounds flared with pain. Artemis gave her a cup of water, which she slowly sipped. She stared at him with a searching gaze. "Who are you?"

"I am Lord Artemis." Artemis introduced, a bit confused. "Do you not know me?"

The woman stared at her glass. "Are you good? Or evil?"

"Good!" Artemis assured hastily. "My dear, you have no reason to fear me."

The woman sighed. "I do have a reason to be fearful. I do not know you…..nor do I know myself….."

Artemis frowned in his befuddlement. "What do you mean?"

"I don't remember. I don't remember anything." The woman trembled a little. "I don't know who I am or who you are or where I am or how I got here or—"

Artemis shushed her gently. "There, there. It's all right." He encouraged her to drink more of the water. He searched her face and eyes for a moment, and then smiled in a pleased manner. "You will eventually remember who I am. For now, you can be confident in staying with me, for I am a very dear friend to you."

The woman stared at Artemis for a long moment. Then, she smiled a little. "That feels right. I cannot explain it, but I feel you are indeed a friend."

Artemis nodded affirmatively. "You were injured in a fire. I'm going to take care of you."

"You are so kind." The woman sighed. "Thank you."

Artemis still spent much of his time with the woman, helping her heal and catching her up on information she had forgotten. Steadily, the woman grew more and more comfortable around him.

One day, Malcolm managed to pull Artemis aside. "We spotted scouts in the forest. One of them had this on his sleeve." He held up a torn piece of fabric with a symbol on it that Artemis recognized.

"The Wu Clan. Nosy little Wu Sisters, always causing trouble." Artemis growled. "We have to move our base. We'll go to the mountains." He marched off to his room to begin packing. His friend sat at the window, writing in a journal he gave her. She had started keeping a diary in hopes her memory would return; and, also, in fear of losing the new memories she gained.

"Is something wrong?" she asked Artemis.

"A band of criminals are getting too close." Artemis explained. "We need to move quickly."

She looked a little nervous. "May I accompany you?"

Artemis smiled. "Of course. Why would you not?"

"I do not wish to be a burden." She said. "You've done so much for me already. But I don't think I am quite ready to leave a known friend."

Artemis nodded in agreement. "You will come with us. It's safer, that way."

"Then I shall help you pack." She started pulling clothes from the closet and folding them. "Oh, I wanted to ask you about this ring I'm wearing."

Artemis looked to her left hand, where a golden band encrusted with green gemstones hugged her finger. "Oh? What about it?"

"Well, I was just curious." She said. "It seems so much more important than a normal ring I would have bought for myself."

Artemis paused for a moment. "It was actually a gift from me. A token of love."

She blushed fiercely, folding the clothes with more vigor. But a smile tugged at her lips. "Oh?"

"I'm sorry, my dear. I did not wish to overwhelm you, what with your condition."

"No, no! It's quite all right. Thank you."

Artemis watched her for a moment. Her smile became more evident.

Malcolm and his entourage, the woman included, snuck away through the forests and avoided the major pathways of other travelers. They reached the mountains, fighting through snowstorms and icy patches of terrains. Eventually, after only losing one soldier to hypothermia and frostbite, the party reached an old army base that once belonged to the royal Sunrise City family, complete with fortified walls of metal and barracks inside. Of course, the wooden buildings needed repairs, and they would need more supplies from the villages (the closest being twenty miles away). It would take some elbow grease to get the base to working order.

Artemis's friend remained with them the entire time.

Over the months, she lent a hand in every aspect of rebuilding the base. She taught the soldiers how to make the most out of their limited provisions to create proper meals. She helped sew furs from hunted animals into coats for everyone. She even helped with rebuilding the barracks. Artemis told her time and time again that she shouldn't overexert herself. Even the soldiers agreed there was no need to worry. She brushed off their concerns. According to her, it was nice to do something that seemed familiar.

When Artemis wasn't overseeing reconstruction or organizing his plans to retake Sunrise City, he spent every waking hour with his friend. He asked about her memories, and they often reviewed what she did remember. She started regaining a few memories, namely two: dancing with a man she couldn't place, and the face of a woman she could clearly see in her mind's eye yet could not quite remember the name.

"Something with a 'row' sound." She murmured during dinner with Artemis. "Roma? Robin? Rosalia?"

"To be fair, Robin is a 'rah' sound." Artemis shrugged. "Sorry, that's not very helpful."

She giggled softly. "It's all right. At least I can clearly see this woman's face. I remember her. But that other memory, that man…..it's all just a blur, a shadow."

Artemis took her hand in his own. "I can only imagine how troubling this is."

"I only wish my memories would return faster."

"There must be something else you remember."

"Bits and pieces, from working on this base and talking with you. I'm most excited about this: I think I studied some form of martial arts."

"Oh?"

"I've noticed moments where I show quick reflexes. I even asked one of the soldiers to teach me self-defense techniques, and it felt as though I already knew them."

"Well, that's brilliant! We can certainly expand on this. I studied kung fu, and even looked into how to become a bender."

"Bending an element? That sounds amazing!"

"I will happily help you with remembering your training."

"We should both learn to bend an element. It could be fun!"

Artemis chuckled. "Yes, I agree." He realized he still held her hand, and she blushed a little.

"I think I'll go prepare for bed." She picked up her plate, but Artemis quickly took it and insisted on taking care of the dishes.

"Are your accommodations satisfactory?" Artemis asked.

"Yes, I am comfortable." She assured. "You ask me that often."

"I just want you to be in comfort. These are not the best living conditions."

"Imagine if I had been found by someone far crueler? Or if I had not been found at all? I am content."

Artemis thought for a moment. "My room has plenty of space. Not to be too upfront, I just want you to be happy."

She shyly tried to tuck her bangs behind her ear. "I am happy with you."

In a few short months, their bond grew closer. She began seeking Artemis more often, with the excuse of offering her help whenever he needed. He sometimes had to find things to do, or else just invite her to talk. They talked about what she could remember, and he told her stories of their past together whenever she requested. She trusted him wholeheartedly. Before anyone knew it, she began sharing his bed. They would spend their nights talking, oftentimes about nothing in particular. Not too many things happened on their rather lonely base, yet she treated each day like a new possibility for something great. When a pair of soldiers would go down to the nearby village for supplies, Artemis would order them to bring back something for his friend. She accepted the gifts with a hundred thanks, but she did express disappointment for not being able to get him anything. He reassured her every time.

One night, the two of them sat at a crow's nest and looked out over the moonlit land. Artemis looked to her, drinking in every part of her. In that moonlight, with the stars in her eyes, she was so beautiful, more so than usual. Overwhelmed with emotion, he surprised her with a kiss. She jolted a little, and then immersed herself in the kiss and returned his embrace and sensual touches. She ran her fingers through his hair, relishing his touch as he cupped her face in his hands. They paused for air, she giggling airily and he just staring at her.

"Marry me." He breathed.

She stopped giggling. "What?"

Artemis pulled out a ring he had gotten when he snuck down into the village. The most expensive band he could find, embedded with diamonds. "Marry me, please. You're all I ever wanted. You are so kind and strong and beautiful. Please, my love, marry me. Promise to be by my side forever. Once I reclaim my kingdom, you will be my queen. I will give you whatever you desire."

For a long moment, she only stared. It took a minute for her to find her voice. "I must confess that I had thought there might be another. I kept thinking there was someone else out there who loved me as you do. That figure I keep seeing in my dreams. But that can't be right, can it? It has always just been you."

"Always me." Artemis confirmed. "No one has ever loved you like I do. After all, I was the one who saved you; and I stood by you, and will continue to do so, after you lost your memories. I love you. I thought you felt the same."

Another moment later, she smiled. "I do. You must be him. You must be the one from my dreams. Who else could it be?"

"So, is that a yes?" Artemis asked, handing her the ring.

She slipped the emerald ring off her finger and replaced it with the one Artemis gave her. "Yes. Who else would I marry except you? But I have one condition." She handed the emerald ring to Artemis. "The next chance you get, sell this old trinket and buy something nice for yourself. You deserve it. A good king should look his best, no?"

Artemis laughed, kissing her again. "How right you are."

Over the years, Artemis established several secret bases where he and his allies could go should something go wrong while ascending the throne. After his banishment, Artemis made use of these bases until something happened to jeopardize their secrecy. He only had two more secret locations left: the base where they currently rebuilt their army, and an old royal family cabin that long since was abandoned. Artemis's parents decided the cabin was in a dangerous location, what with it snowing all the time so high up in the mountains. Artemis did not mind the constant snow, and even found watching ice storms a fun pastime.

Malcolm found a different village with a church. In that village, Artemis traded the emerald ring for an elegant black cape with silver embroidery and a silver pin to keep that cape around his shoulders. With Malcolm as witness, Artemis and his friend were married by a church monk who swore secrecy. After the newlyweds slipped away, Malcolm returned to the secret base to continue training the news guards they recruited. Artemis and his new wife went to the old family cabin, recently cleaned and repaired by Artemis's soldiers. The husband and wife solidified their marriage, and Artemis taught her everything she needed to know about living in secret in the mountains.

"I am going to be the king of Sunrise City someday." Artemis told her. "But my enemies will do everything in their power to stop me. I cannot lose you."

How blessed he was to have a wife who understood. She adhered to his safety precautions and found ways to make the cabin homey. When they were gifted a son a year later, she raised him well when Artemis had to return to the army base. Artemis decided to name their son Apollo, and she agreed it was a lovely name. Artemis's wife only had few memories from before the fire. Still, she was content creating new memories with her passionate husband and her adorable son.

Apollo understood early on that his life would be odd compared to the stories he heard of his mother growing up. They lived in isolation, for their own safety. He was a prince, and his father promised him a castle. Whenever Artemis left the cabin for royal business, Apollo would beg to tag along.

"I will prove myself!" Apollo insisted. "I'm ready to be a prince!"

Artemis chuckled, tousling his son's hair. "You already are a prince. But I must do what is necessary to keep you and your mother safe. I love you both so much. What if you got hurt doing something foolish? Now, I'm counting on you, Apollo. Prove you are the type of prince I expect from my son. Protect your mother and be the man of the house, all right?"

Apollo saluted to his father. "I will be the man of the house and protect my mother!"

Artemis's wife adored her little family. She was happy with Apollo's company and thankful for Artemis's protection of her. The passion between Artemis and his wife only cooled when their son was around, though they figured out ways to express those feelings after Apollo's bedtime.

Only a week after Apollo's tenth birthday, Artemis sat his wife down for a serious talk.

"It's time to make my move." Artemis showed her the golden, rose-shaped medallion now hanging around his neck. "My men and I will march on Sunrise City and I will be king at last. You will be my queen, and Apollo will learn everything he needs to know to take over when I am gone."

His wife nibbled on her lower lip. "What if this doesn't work?"

Artemis chuckled softly. "How dare you doubt me, my darling."

"I don't doubt you, Artemis, I'm afraid for you." His wife hugged him tightly, and he enveloped her in his arms. "You say how you can't lose me. What am I going to do if I lose you? You're the only one who knows who I was before…..before that day…..I still don't have all my memories, but the pain of knowing that hurts less when I'm with you….."

"I know, I know." Artemis sighed. "But how can I provide for you unless I claim my birthright?"

"We'll find a way."

"No, we won't. Frankly, I fear that we'll freeze to death if we spend too much time up here. I'm sick of it. So we're changing things and that's final."

"Fine. I know you've been working so hard for this. But promise me you will come back."

"As if anything could keep me from you."

They kissed, and she struggled to keep her tears at bay. "One more promise?" she requested. "One more night with you?"

"Of course, my love." Artemis agreed.

"Protect your mother and be the man of the house, all right?"

Apollo saluted to his father. "I will be the man of the house and protect my mother!"

Then Artemis was gone. He returned to his base, gathered his soldiers, and marched on Sunrise City. He told his wife that he would send a message to the cabin once it was safe, and he would return himself to escort them home. Artemis's wife could hide her fears from her son, but she did spend quite a bit of time staring out the window. Apollo went out every morning to create a perimeter and make sure their home was safe. About a month passed, with each day spent scanning the skies for a messenger hawk.

Such focus had never before been seen in a ten-year-old. Apollo dressed warmly each morning and marched out to walk the same path he always took, scanning the area for signs of any danger coming their way. He carried a thick stick for a weapon, just in case, and he made sure to take his time and analyze every part of their home's boundaries. Of course, after a month of doing so, Apollo began to think he and his mother really were isolated up here in the mountains.

Until he saw a yeti.

Now, in his dreams and during his imaginative playtime, Apollo saw himself as a great hero who demolished enemies. When the hulking creature stepped towards him, the child screamed, wildly threw his stick (which missed the creature entirely), and then slipped in the snow.

"Whoa, whoa!" the "yeti" suddenly spoke. "I'm not going to hurt you. Take it easy, kid."

Apollo watched, amazed, as a pair of mittens pulled down a hood. The "yeti" was actually a large, very tall troll wearing furs. The troll had his neon blue hair tied in a bun, and his skin was such a dark blue it was almost black. His blue-grey eyes had crow's feet. The troll smiled in a friendly manner.

"Hello…" Apollo whispered.

"Hi there, little one." The troll said. "Sorry for scaring you. I saw smoke while I was hiking. Didn't know anyone lived out here. Are you all alone?"

"I'm with my mother." Apollo said.

The troll looked up and saw the cabin. He smiled at the boy again. "Please, may I meet your mom?"

Apollo couldn't explain it. He trusted this troll he thought was a yeti. He led the troll to the house and knocked on the door. When Artemis's wife answered, she gasped at the sight of the tall troll. The troll's eyes widened.

"Impossible….." the troll breathed.

Artemis's wife pulled her son into the cabin. "What do you want?"

The troll's eyebrows furrowed. "Don't you remember me? I know it's been a while, but I thought we were at least on a first-name basis. I recognize you, even with those scars. Dear heavens, what happened to you?"

Artemis's wife wasn't sure she should reveal her amnesia. This giant of a troll could tear the door off its hinges. Where did Artemis leave the sword and shields?

"Never mind." The troll bowed. "My name is Kai."

"I'm Apollo." Apollo introduced.

Kai smiled. "Very nice to meet you. What are you and your mother doing out here?"

"We live here, waiting for my husband to return." Artemis's wife said simply. "And if anything happens to us, he will hunt you down and kill you."

"I don't doubt that." Kai chuckled. "My lady, I am sorry you do not remember me. But I mean you no harm. In fact, this place is more dangerous than I am."

"We've survived for ten years." Artemis's wife said. "With only the occasional avalanche and the annual snowstorms."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "How is that safe? Especially for a child?"

"Where else can we go that is safe?" Artemis's wife demanded. "My husband is in the middle of a serious operation and says our lives could be in danger as he is a very important person."

"Of course, of course." Kai said. "If safety is your concern, I am the leader of a village not too far from here. We have plenty of food, lots of space, and my friends are truly kind. My village is something of an oasis plopped down in the middle of the snowy mountains. You would be most welcome there."

"Your kindness is appreciated." Artemis's wife said sincerely. "But how will I receive word from my husband when he sends for us?"

"Messenger hawk?" Kai guessed. "I will send someone to return to this cabin and check for mail, and then I will personally escort you down the mountain to your husband. Please, I must insist you come to my village. It's safer there; and, by the looks of things, this place is one accident shy of totally collapsing."

Artemis's wife glanced to her son. She could not think of a legitimate reason to not go where she might be safer. The isolation began to worry her. What kind of life would Apollo have if he didn't make friends? She wanted friends, too. The only troll she remembered, she remembered it was a friend of hers. She wanted to go. It was the best choice for her and her family.

"Thank you, Kai." She said with a smile.

Kai looked relieved. "Pack your things. Let's move out!"

Kai helped Apollo and his mother hike through the snow for half a day. The first sign of life was from a scout who met them at the edge of their territory. Kai guided Artemis's wife and Apollo onto a wooden elevator, which took them up through some thick fog. Passing under a pretty stone and ice arch, the quartet stood at the edge of the short cliff and saw sunlight breaking through the clouds. Artemis's wife gasped in awe. Kai wasn't exaggerating when he described his village as an oasis. Even more astounding: everyone appeared to be a bender.

"Benders are uncommon." Kai said as he led them into the village. "Here, everyone is a bender. We live in peace and harmony, without fear of prejudice or persecution."

"I did not realize there was much discrimination against benders." Artemis's wife said.

"It happens. I have personal experience with such." Kai's eyes hardened, and he shook his head to refocus. Artemis's wife understood and did not probe him. Kai led Artemis's wife and Apollo to an empty house. "We started making a few more houses in anticipation for new members. You two may stay here until your husband sends for you. Will this work?"

Artemis's wife had to stand on her tiptoes to kiss Kai's cheek. "It's perfect. Thank you."

The villagers heard of the newcomer and welcomed Artemis's wife and Apollo with open arms. The children invited Apollo out to play games. It took a bit of coaxing before Apollo could let go of his apprehension and run around with the other children his age. Artemis's wife practiced martial arts with the other warriors, several of whom referred to themselves as Kai's Merry Men. She picked up sewing and got material from her neighbors to start making clothes, contributing to the village's needs. Every week, Kai sent a water-bending scout back to the cabin to check for any mail. Artemis's wife tried to not be disappointed when the scout returned empty-handed. This was a great way to spend her time until Artemis returned. Plus, there was the added bonus that Apollo finally made some friends. He changed practically overnight, becoming more relaxed and begging his mother to be allowed out to play.

A few months later, Artemis's wife felt like this had been her entire life. Her amnesia didn't bother her anymore. Everyone treated her so nicely, and Kai always checked in to make sure she had what she needed. She never met such kind-hearted people. If she had, she did not remember.

The water-bender scout returned from checking the cabin and sought out Kai. The bender passed him a tube with the Sunrise City crest stamped into the cap. Excited and fearful, Kai thanked the bender and hurried off to Artemis's wife's house. She sat on the porch, doing some sewing. She noticed the tube in his hands, and she dropped the dress she worked on to snatch the tube enthusiastically. Kai watched her pop off the cap and dump out the scroll inside. Her eyes darted back and forth as she read the letter. Her hopeful expression morphed to one of confusion, and then turned to fear, and she handed the letter to Kai. He skimmed it, and he groaned. He caught her as she collapsed into sobs. He let her cry because he knew this pain all too well.

Only after she calmed did he speak. "I have no right to ask this, but I will: stay here. You and your son can stay here as long as you wish."

"Will we be safe?" Her voice was soft.

"Yes. No one knows where we are, and the scouts are all trained benders who steer wayward travelers away." Kai affirmed. He could see the concern still in her eyes. "I'll teach you to be a bender."

She perked up at this. "You will?"

"You're already a strong fighter, very powerful." Kai said. "Your son shares that strength. I will teach you both to bend an element. In two months, you will unlock your element. In two years, you will be a master."

She stared at him, and she steeled herself. "Promise?"

"You have my word." Kai said.

She straightened, wiping the tears from her face. "Thank you. Please excuse me, I need a moment to collect myself before I tell my son."

"Of course." Kai watched her pick up her dress and disappear into the house. He reread the letter as he walked off. He was not surprised when his second-in-command snuck up on him.

"He's dead, isn't he?" she asked.

"Yes, Eclipse." Kai said. "If this letter is to be believed, Peppy is dead."

"Poor Joy." Eclipse glanced back to the house. "Do you suppose his father outlived him? Or maybe he has some students?"

"We've been up here twenty years. How would we know?" Kai shrugged.

Eclipse noticed Kai's strange look. "What's that look for?"

"This letter is throwing me off." Kai handed it to Eclipse to read.

Eclipse made a weird face. "'I could not reclaim my throne, and I fear my enemies will kill you, my queen'?" She made another weird face. "'Stay safe and do not reveal your status to anyone. When our son is older, he can claim his birthright'? What on earth is this?"

"I recall Apollo saying something about his father being a king." Kai said. "Clammed up pretty quickly."

"Peppy was a great master, but a king?" Eclipse asked.

"You see why I'm perplexed?" Kai said. "Something isn't adding up. Lies are being told, and the truth is getting buried. Joy's amnesia issues are the cherry on top. Then there's this kid. You've seen him, right?"

"Oh, he doesn't look at all like Peppy. No resemblance at all." Eclipse confirmed. "I thought that he might be adopted."

"Joy said she and her husband were staying at that cabin for several months. Their son was born there." Kai stroked the whiskers on his chin. "Something is amiss. I do not like this."

Eclipse hadn't seen Kai so focused since Rosiepuff died. This was truly troubling him. "What will you do?"

Kai sighed. "Joy's training will take two years, and then I'm going to find answers."