For many days afterwards, both the Emperor and the princess seemed to become more and more withdrawn. Soon, the Emperor refused to allow others to come in, only having his staff manage the palace and his advisors manage the kingdom. The princess became wild, her emotions flipping from cold numbness to burning rage; no adult could calm her...

Now given more power than most of their rank had before, the advisors used their positions for both good and bad, both helping and harming the kingdom in many ways. Some embezzled money from the kingdom's royal funds, spending it ludicrously. Others tried to heal the severed ties with other kingdoms, creating trade and boosting the economy.

It return, it had created a golden age, to fill the empty void of loss...

Woo stared at the shelf, examining the order of his books with absolute scrutiny. He couldn't even begin to count the number of times he'd reorganize them, sorting them by date, name, color, genre; it was endless. And seeing as everyone else was busy rebuilding, and he'd already done all that he could; it would be another day of rearranging books. The sound of hammers and saws easily slipped through the flimsy material of the tents, making the perfect white noise for his task.

"Maybe I should have put these in storage." Woo sighed to himself, grabbing a few books out of the shelves and setting them aside. " No one else seems to read them any- huh?"

Suddenly, he stopped, seeing something catch the corner of his eye. One of the books, looking as if it had been hastily shoved into the shelf, was clearly misplaced. He had organized them by genre last, and this book was with all the Non-fiction. The book, as he noticed by its spine and golden font, was fiction. As he reached for the book, the front flap of his tent was lifted open, and none other than Mystique Sonia entered.

With Yaksha pulled tightly down over her head like a helmet, she rushed over to the famous tactician. She'd looked ready to cry.

"Woo! I need your help, it's an emergency!"

"Settle down, settle down!" Woo turned away from the shelf and quickly tried to calm the fighter down. He had learned rather quickly that unless it was Lin Chung or Commander Ape Trully, then the "emergencies" were normally personal ones. "What's the matter?"

"My hair!" Sonia whimpered, gently lifting Yaksha off of her head and revealing h-

Oh wow...

"Oh my...that is a pretty bad case of bed head…" Woo muttered. True to his word, Sonia's hair looked almost as if it had been struck by lightning, shooting out in odd directions and sharp curls. "How did this happen?"

"I don't know! I just woke up and it was like this! I've tried everything, but nothing works!" Sonia cried, taking a seat on a nearby floor cushion and hugging Yaksha tightly to her chest. "I can't go out like this! If anyone sees me, i'll be the laughing stock of Big Green! You gotta help me!"

Woo nodded sagely, knowing that even though Sonia was over reacting, there would be some members that would take a jab at her for this. They'd just gotten the rivalry between Mighty Ray and Sonia to simmer down, an argument could reignite it with a burning , this isn't the first time this happened.

"Don't worry, I have just the thing!" He said proudly, turning to one of his many boxes of inventions and rummaging around them. "Now if i can just find it…"

"What's it look like, maybe yaksha and I could help?" She asked, making her way over.

"No need! Its right here!" Woo said proudly, pulling a small container out of the box and holding it out to the hero. "I call it styling gel. I've never really had a need for it, seeing as i've always worn my hat, but perhaps it can be some use to you. Just take a small scoop into your hands and work it into your hair. Then just do as you would normally and-"

"Oh my gosh, You're a lifesaver Woo!" Sonia said as she wrapped her arms around the Big Green Inventor, nearly squeezing the life out of him in her hug. Just as quickly as she'd done this, she swiped the product and quickly left, securing Yaksha on her head and waving good bye. "I owe you one!"

"Don't worry about it!" Woo called out, just glad he could be of use. Once he was certain she was gone, he turned back to the shelf and reached for the book.

It was a rather old book, having been in Woo's position for years, and one he normally wouldn't have read. It was a book of folktales, given to him as a gift from an old friend. And upon pulling it out even further, he noticed that someone had placed a leaf inside, almost as a bookmark.

"Now I wonder who's been reading this old thing…" he muttered, flipping the book open to the page marker. It seemed whoever had been reading it had been half way through the tale of the crane wife. "Interesting…"

Normally people would ask him if they wanted to borrow a book. It's this was common knowledge that, despite his scholarly nature, Woo did enjoy a good fiction novel every now and then. But this was more of a children's book, and the turtles always asked Woo if they wished to borrow a book to read to their hatchlings.

As he continued to read the story, he began to notice other details. Claw marks, faint but noticeable, seemed to litter the edges of the pages. Yet, as he continued to read, he became distracted by what stories were actually about verses the state of the book. Certainly he wasn't enjoying reading these children's tales…

That was a lie, he was actually somewhat enjoying these. Each page turned and word read seemed to spark up a childhood memory, and it was rather nice...

Yet, once he finished the book, he realized he hadn't read it since he'd-

"Woo, may I come in?"

Woo sighed and shut the book, turning to the tent flap with an annoyed but understanding look. "Yes, yes, come in!"

Commander Ape Trully shuffled in with two plates, both holding a pile of rice on them as well as chopsticks. "My friend, did you forget what time it was?"

"No, no, i've just been distracted is all…" Woo waved his hand absentmindedly as motioned for Trully to sit by the small table he'd set up, eager to get some food. He was lying, he had been distracted, so distracted that he'd forgotten to grab breakfast. And normally the Commander only came in with food when it was lunch. Had the time really flown that fast? "Has anything happened during construction?"

"No, everything is running quite smoothly. If anything, it should be complete by the end of the week!" Trully said with an unseen smile, passing Woo his plate of rice before beginning on his own.

Now, it was no secret between the two that Trully wasn't human. Woo didn't know exactly what Trully was, though, but didn't mind not knowing. He knew he could trust Trully just as Trully did him, and that's all that mattered. So Woo didn't even bat an eye when Trully lifted half of his mask and revealed his odd muzzle, processing to eat his own meal.

"That's terrific news!" Woo exclaimed, beginning on his food. "Honestly, living in these tents have gotten a bit old."

"Oh, tell me about it!" Trully chuckled, and they both seemed to shuffle into a silence. It was peaceful, this silence; the calm of two people just enjoying each other company-

"Woo, do you think the humans need a new ruler?"

Woo's eyes widen as he nearly choked on his food, surprised by the question. Coughing and sputtering, he looked up at the concerned Commander, looking ready to come across the table and stop him from choking.

"D-don't worry!" Woo wheezed, gaining his voice quickly. "I-i'm fine, just s-startled is all. What brought this up?"

"It's just that I've realized something we've neglected to talk about; what form of government will take shape when we win the war?" Trully sighed, slipping his helmet back on. "In truth, are we going to let the villages remain city states, or should we have an emperor or empress take control? Would a council be better? And exactly who would be fit to lead? We can't just leave a vacuum, then the war would just reignite again."

Woo nodded sagely, stroking his fake mustache while fighting the upcoming dread from within. They hadn't thought of that?! What rebellion doesn't think of a government, how could they have been so foolish?!

"Well," Woo began, his calm voice hiding his extreme internal panic. "What are our options?"

"Not many," Truly sighed, leaning his head into one of his hands. "We ether need to set up a council, find a suitable emperor or empress, or make contact with the Northern Kingdom to retrieve the Princess."

The silence that followed afterwards was far harsher than before. It was clear both were deep in thought, thinking how each route would work out and which could cause ruin. Woo's mind was racing with the possibilities of success and failure, and from that, to his father. Woo's father had his successes and struggles with his fellow councilmen, both when trying to uproot the corruption, and from helping the people. That wasn't to say that the man was a saint, but he wasn't the most rotten of the bunch…

Still...

"Well," Woo began, deciding to break the uneasy silence that was between them. "I, for one, suggest we don't go with a council. At least not for the main government. We can pick up the previous form of government, make a few amendments here and there, but I believe it can still work."

"...Alright," Truly nodded, accepting the idea. He only knew so much about how the human's government worked back then, so Woo's advice was greatly appreciated. "But if that's the case, then you're suggesting an emperor or empress take charge as well. So the question on the table is do we chose a new one, or risk retrieving the previous Princess…"

At that, Woo looked down at his food. They both knew the princess had not responded to their letters, whether it was for concern or for her aid in the war. Her connection to the Northern kingdom had been through marriage, the arrangement made to keep the hidden kingdom out of an upcoming war. At least, that's what the corrupted council had explained, only after she tried to rule the kingdom without their guidance.

Woo remember the day well, remembered the hidden look of pain on her face as she sealed her life away. He remembered how she wore a smile as she accepted the proposal, how she hugged him and Xao tightly that night, letting her tears stain their clothes as they packed all of hers away. Letting the rain fall as they watched her leave…

He remembered much more about her, but he had pushed those memories away when the war began…

He had wanted to send someone to fetch her, but with the little resources they had then, it would have been a suicide mission…

But now?

"We should have a vote."

Woo looked up, surprised by Truly's suggestion.

"A vote?" He asked. "But who will be voting? Asking the entire kingdom would take weeks, and allow High Roller to botch the-"

"Not everyone," Trully began, lifting his helmet again to continue to eat his food. "We'll start out with the humans fighting this war, the members of Big green. If anyone deserves a decision in who leads, it's them. That way, we can retrieve the princess on short notices, and from there-"

"We can see if the rest of the kingdom wants her to lead them!" Woo smiled, quickly realizing the situation that was being set up. "It's brilliant! And at the very least, she'll be here."

"Exactly!" Truly smiled as well, but in a second it faulted. "But I worry…"

Woo paused as well, trying to mask his concern. No, he wouldn't let this opportunity to save her be ruined by worry. His heart wouldn't be able to take it...

"About what?"

"If she hasn't replied to our letters, perhaps she does not wish to rule the kingdom...if we sent a group all that way for nothing, it might crush Big Green's resolve to win the war."

Woo nodded sagely once more, finishing up his rice and such. The commanders worries we're well thought, seeing as he could only know her as a stranger did. But Woo knew her far much better then that...

After a few moments he looked back at Truly.

"Commander," he questioned, a small smirk on his face. "Pardon me for asking this, but have you ever met the Princess?"

"...Once, back when we were children." Truly replied honestly, and Woo did his best to hide his shock. "It was before the illness had taken hold, when the Emperor allowed all to enter and leave his palace. But, had it not been for her marriage to the Northern kingdom, I would have known her as you did, Woo."

"Well then," Woo's smile only grew wider. "I can assure you that the Princess would be more then willing to take her place back on the throne. But I suggest we get this voting done once Big green is built."

Truly nodded in agreement, his faith restored. The duo continued to finish their lunch, and shifted their topics to more friendlier ones. They were so engrossed in their conversations, that Woo didn't notice his folktales book was gone until later that night.

In it's place, remained a single leaf, just like the bookmark.

Alpha girl grinned wickedly as she bashed another training dummy, watching the hay filled opponent explode from the impact. Her weapon, her spiked bat, fit into her hands like an extended arm, allowing her to deal just the right amount of damage to relieve her stress. Not to far away, Husky was letting out some of his own anger as well.

"I can't believe I lost to Mighty ray!" He roared, and Alpha girl heard the telltale sign of a tree snapping. "Of all the-"

"Catch!" Alpha girl yelled, tossing a dummy behind her. She smirked as she heard Husky burn the dummy to ash, knowing fully well that he needed to calm down before he could be consulted.

"We're better than first squad in every way! How could I lose!?"

Another dummy, another breath of fire. Alpha girl turned around and batted two more dummies Husky's way, watching as they shattered in his mighty claws. She honestly did wonder how someone as powerful as Husky could lose to someone as annoying as Mighty Ray. It wasn't fair, not to him or them. But it happened, and they needed to focus on getting better.

When Husky noticed all the dummies had been shattered, he flopped onto the ground of the training area with an unsatisfied huff, smoke still bellowing out of his nose.

"You feeling better buddy?" Alpha girl asked, making her way over to her teammate.

"A little..." Husky pouted, crossing his arms and he regained his breath. He paid no mind as Alpha girl flopped down next to him, and the duo kept their gazes at the sky. They watched the sun set, and the sky go from pink to orange, and finally purple.

"Thanks, Alpha girl. This was a good idea…"

"Don't sweat it."

Alpha girl had always been their for her members, whether it was to pump them up or calm them down. She prided herself on being their for them, and like hell was she going to let one of them bottle their anger up. Especially when they're part of the rebuilding crew.

"Hey, Alpha girl?"

"Yeah?"

"You're gonna visit me at Liger Castle when the war's over, right?"

Alpha girl raised an eyebrow, turing her head and looking at Husky with a curious look. "Of course I am! That's where you're going to live, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, sorry, I just…" he drifted off, his voice growing softer. "I'm just glad I met you guys, s'all. And it'd be a shame if once this was all over, we'd…"

"Hey, hey, " Alpha girl said, reaching over and petting Husky's head, just how he liked it. "Listen, there's no way second squad isn't going to stick together, especially after the war. Sure, once this is all over, Big green'll probably disband, but we're still gonna be friends. And me and the guy will still visit you at your place! We're just going be doing something else other then kicking some scummy jester's butt is all. "

"Right…" Husky nodded, starting to purr as he slowly closed his eyes.

"What gave you the idea that we wouldn't hang out with you?" Alpha Girl asked, curious to her friend's question. "Was it Mighty Wrong? If it was i'll pummel the-"

"No, no. It was...it was someone else…" Husky began, his purring stopped as he kept his gaze to the sky. "When I was getting wood for the base, I...I saw someone in the woods. They weren't spying or anythin', they were just fishing. But we got to talkin and… Well, they asked why We animals had so much faith in Humans."

"So they were one of High Roller's Goons?" Alpha girl asked, quickly sitting up. "Why didn't-"

"No, they weren't. They weren't from here…" Husky said, sitting up as well, he quickly began to draw something, no, someone in the dirt. He continued to talk as he drew. "They smelled different, like iron and booze, but they weren't drunk at all. It was faint when I was talking to them, But it got stronger when they finally left. But that's not the point, the point was they asked me what I was gonna do after the war, and then they asked if I'd known what you guys were gonna do and I-I realized I didn't. And I just...I…"

"Hey, hey, calm down." Alpha girl reached over, pulling her furry friend into a hug. "As your squad leader, i swear that we're not going to stop being your friends after this war. We're like tar, we're like hell to get out of your fur."

"Thanks, Alpha Girl." Husky purred, wrapping his arms around her and just allowing himself to be held. It was silently agreed on that neither would ever mention this to anyone else, knowing fully well that they would take this to their graves. It was rare to see a warriors soft sight, and rivals as well as enemies could take advantage of that…

Still, Alpha Girl's gaze hardened at the crude drawing in the sand. Whoever this person was, Alpha Girl would find them and punch their face into nonexistence. How dare they make her friend panic like this...

Jumpy smiled as he hopped around the nearly finished insides of the new Big green. All that needed to be done was seal the top, and their base would be as good as gold! Just thinking about it made him excited, seeing as he'd finally have a room to sleep in. It wasn't that the tents were bad, per say, he just missed the comfort of a nest that wasn't sheltered by a piece of tarp. Plus you can't store too much in them, unless you want to be stuck in nothing but stuff.

So yes, the base being completed was one of the biggest things Jumpy was looking forward to this week. Well, that and his trip back to his kingdom.

He was thankful that the rabbit kingdom had been spared by the Twin Master's attack. Sure, they had lost a few carrots, but all and all no one was injured greatly. He wish he could have said the same for the other kingdoms, but he and his people were glad to help their neighbors rebuild and repair what had been destroyed.

Jumpy stopped jumping once he'd gotten to his room, having bypassed other animals and humans who were finishing up their work for the day. Night was upon them, which meant that dinner would be ready shortly. But Jumpy wanted to make sure that 1st squad's meeting room was ready, more so because he wanted to see how it looked.

Much hadn't changed from before, with the exception of more room begging added and walls bare of posters. They even managed to salvage the Commander's help beacon and wired it to the middle of the table. Jumpy chuckled at the silly display, but if it worked it worked.

But other then that, everything seemed to be in order. Jumpy turned around to leave, but stopped when he saw that Lin Chung was there in the doorway, carrying an unfinished painting.

Which was rather odd, because Jumpy hadn't heard anyone make their way down the hallway. Not even a footstep…

"Ah, hello Jumpy." Lin Chung said with his relaxed, welcoming smile. "Sorry to disturb you, I merely came to set this up upon the wall."

"You're fine." Jump said, quickly shaking off his small bit of curiosity. It was Lin Chung, he was always mysterious. "But painting...isn't done, yes?"

"No, not yet. I simply wished to add something to the walls." Lin Chung stated a he walked in, examine where to place the painting. "Seeing them so barren, I feel that adding this will give the room some color…"

Jumpy simply nodded, because he wasn't much of the artist. Maybe it was symbolic to how Big green wasn't finished yet, or something. But still, Jumpy couldn't shake the feeling that something was off…

Wait, where was his staff?

"It looks good!" Jumpy said, following Lin Chung as he sat the painting down near the rightmost wall. He did in fact notice that his friend's signature weapon was no where on him. "But how will you hang painting?"

"That is where I require your assistance," Lin turned to Jumpy, gently holding the painting up with one hand. "May I borrow a Carrot?"

"Sure." Jumpy nodded, pulling out a carrot and handing it to Lin Chung. He watched with precise eyes as the skilled leader quickly drove the carrot into the wood, effortlessly, and quickly hung the painting.

"Ah, many thanks." Lin Chung said with a smile, taking a few steps back to examine his work. It was just enough time for Jumpy to accidentally get a whiff of his scent.

Yes, having worked with Lin Chung for so long had gotten the Rabbit king used to the smell of earth and bamboo shoots, of paint and paper. But this Lin Chung did not smell like that, no...

This person smelled faintly of steal, booze, and….

And blood.

And this person seemed to notice.

They locked eyes for a moment, maybe two, before the fake Lin Chung smiled a wicked smile, their eyes glowing yellow...

And then they ran.

"Man, I can't wait for some grub!"

The smell of cooked food filled the campsite as warriors lined up to grab their fill. People, tall and small, gathered shoulder to shoulder with empty plates, waiting eagerly as they made their ways down the buffet.

"Jeez Mighty Ray, do you ever think about is anything but your gut," Mystic Sonia muttered, sending the smaller warrior a glare as he reached over her arm to get some dumplings.

"Of course I do, like my awesome moves," Ray grinned as he poured a ladle of noodles onto his plate. "Do you ever think about anything other than your hair?"

The two shared a look, before they cracked a smile.

"Just ask next time you want something, Banana brain." Sonia stated affectionately, pouring some rice onto her plate. Yaksha seemed to relax once he noticed they wouldn't be fighting.

"Right, right, my bad. I'm just starved!" Ray exclaimed, continuing to pile his plate high with food.

"Yeah, yeah." Sonia rolled her eyes and pulled away from the line, making her way to the table where first squad normally sat for dinner. She spotted Lin Chung and Mr. No Hands, but Jumpy couldn't be seen. "Is Jumpy still inside the base? I'd thought he'd be out by now."

"You know how he can get," No Hands said, using his foot to maneuver his chopsticks. "He's probably daydreaming in the hallway again. Just give him a moment or two, and he'll be in the line when he smells the food."

"I don't know, normally Jumpy is out by this time..." Lin Chung said, gazing at the unfinished base with concern. "I'll go and see if he's-"

"Wait, I see him coming down the path." Sonia stated, squinting her eyes at the dirt path that led from the campsite to the base. "It looks like he's carrying some-"

"My painting?" Lin Chung questioned, before quickly getting up and making his way towards his furry friend.

Jumpy, with a smile on his face and his jump roped wrapped around his shoulder, was hoping down the path, painting held in between his ears.

"Lin Chung!" Jumpy cried out, hoping close. "Jumpy found painting!"

"My friend, where on earth did you find it?" Lin Chung asked, taking it gently as he finally met Jumpy on the road. He examined it closely, and found that it had thankfully remained intact. He turned to Jumpy with the urge to thank him, but the complement got stuck in his throat…

Something didn't seem right…

"In base." Jumpy stated, nodding along as he jumped past Lin Chung. "Someone took it, hid it. Don't know who."

"...well, it's alright." Lin Chung stated, trying to shake the awkward feeling he was getting from his friend. "I'm just glad it isn't ruined. Come, supper's just started."

Lin Chung watched as Jumpy made his way past the table, waving hi to people that he knew of course, before grabbing his plate and getting in line. In all fairness, everything seemed right. But it just didn't feel right…

"Oh hey, Jumpy found your painting!" Mighty Ray exclaimed, having already sat down and started on his meal. "Did he beat the creep who stole it?"

"No…" Lin Chung took another look at the painting, before deciding he'd wait and see if anything else tipped him off. He turned his attention back to his humble plate of rice. "Apparently he found it inside. Perhaps the person realized their error but wished to not face the consequences."

"But why go through all the trouble of stealing an unfinished painting?" Sonia asked, smiling as Jumpy made his way over to them with a plate stacked with cooked carrots.

"Why steal a painting in the first place," Mighty Ray asked, taking another bite of his food. "Someone would recognize it once they saw it."

Lin Chung simply ate his food, allowing the conversation to exclude him as he listened. Mostly to what Jumpy would say. But Jumpy didn't say anything, he just proceeded to nibble on his carrots.

"I dunno, maybe they didn't realize it was unfinished." Sonia stated, before quickly scowling. "No, that's a dumb idea…"

"Maybe they were jealous of Lin Chung's skill?" Mr. No Hands weighed in, pausing from his food to add his opinion. "Perhaps they'd realized that the only way they'd improve would be through practice, so in a way of making peace, they returned the painting in a place he'd find it."

"Oh, good one!"

And the rest of the dinner went on like that, with Sonia, Ray, and No Hands coming up theories as to who stole the painting and why. And Lin Chung noticing just how quiet his friend was…

No one said anything when Jumpy excused himself to get an early start on bed…

It would only be later that night, when Lin Chung would go to check on his friend, that they would find that Jumpy had vanished. And all that remained in his bed would remain a single leaf...

He awoke to the sound of thunder echoing from the outside, his hands gripping his bed sheets tightly as he trembled in a cold sweat. He hadn't be able to get a good nights rest since the Twin Master's betrayal. His mind wandered to everything he did wrong, to everything he couldn't control. Yes, control, with them out of the way, he was back in control now, but how long would that be? How long until his next weapon would betray him, how long until his forces lost another valuable member, they were already tight on warriors and animal royalty as it was...

High Roller sighed as he rose from his bed, and made his way to the balcony.

He gazed upon the eastern Citadel with an empty mind, too tired to think of pride or smugness. Very few animals were up this late, not here...

He saw lighting flicker in the distance, and a few moments later, thunder echoed in its absence.

He recalled a memory, of rain and tears and goodbyes; and quickly smothered it before it could hit him. That weakling, that person who used to hold those memories like precious gems, had died a long time ago...

He left his bedroom to get something to drink.

As he walked to the kitchen, he noticed how the growls and snorts of bears and chameleons echoed throughout the palace, their sleep blissfully unawakened by the storm. He was jealous, angry that they could sleep peacefully while he was plagued by the noise, but too tired to ruin their nights. No, he'd allow them this peaceful sleep, if only because of his laziness…

He turned a right, down the hallway and towards his throne room. He noticed that two of his most loyal, and idiotic, followers had fallen asleep on his throne, even bickering over the spot as they slept. He had half a thought to tell them to sleep in their own beds, but once again he was too tired to. Besides, ever since they'd found that room, they'd avoided him like the plague. If he woke them up, they'd scream and wake everyone else.

A flash of light filled the room, casting shadows along the huge walls. He paid no mind, passing the throne on his way to the kitchen.

No, lighting was far less scary after you'd be struck by it. There were many, many more things to be worried about then silly lighting...

Thunder echoed in his footsteps, as well as the growl of his stomach. Perhaps he'd make a midnight snack too, there most likely was some candy or ice scream hidden away in there, something to calm his sweet tooth and maybe give him sweet dreams. Perhaps to sooth him, just this once.

As High Roller walked into the kitchen, he frowned even more at the darkness of the room. The lanterns had been blown out, and with very little windows, it was like a maze to navigate around. But he'd known this place rather well, and as long as those idiots handn't-

"Oof!"

High Roller stood corrected, those idiots had reorganized where the counters and tables were, creating a completely different kitchen then he remembered. He'd quickly tripped over the foot of a table or something, tumbling to the floor and hitting his head on a nearby thing. It was far too dark to tell what he'd bumped into and what he hit, but sleepers be damned he wasn't going to suffer in silence.

"Uragh! Oh all the loosey- when i get my hands on the idiot who redesigned the kitchen, I'll wring his scrawny neck!" He cursed, rubbing the back of his head as he griped and grumbled about his latest injury.

Then he felt a hand reach out, as if making sure he was ok. Good, he woke someone up! Now he had someone to take his anger out on.

"You! Don't just stand there, help me up!" He ordered, grabbing their hand quickly and tugging on it, trying to get up off the ground. It felt smooth, almost like it wasn't animal at all, but he was too engrossed in his fit to care. "And tell me who had this kitchen made! I don't care who they are, they're banished from the palace- no, banished from the whole Citadel for as long as they live!"

The servant didn't say a word, and if it wasn't for the fact they were still holding his hand, he would had thought they'd run off by then.

"Well?!" High Roller questioned, his anger rising. "Are you stupid or something?! Who made this-"

He was cut off by a bolt of lightning striking, illuminating the room for just a second. The kitchen had in fact changed, but that wasn't what made High roller stop dead in his tracts. No…

It had be who…

And even as the light faded, and the echo of thunder filled its absence, the figure seemed to stay illuminated, staring at him with an unforgiving, numb gaze…

Suddenly, she reached out, grabbing him by his neck and pushing him against the wall, slowly lifting him up as she moved closer and closer to his face. He gasped, choked as he felt like his neck was being clawed, and tried to kick and fight. What was happening, why was this happening, this shouldn't be happening-

"Xao…" She whispered, inches away from his face. Her eyes didn't look alive at all, but she was dressed in the same attire he watched her leave in…

"P-princess?"

"Why did you abandon me?"

"W-what?" He asked, confused and scared. "P-princess i assure you i-i-i-"

"Tch, Excuses…If you were half a decent ruler, you'd have saved me by now..."

And then she snapped his neck.

High roller awoke from the dream, screaming for forgiveness.

The zebra brother screamed as well, but not because they had been having a bad dream ether. No, they were screaming because they had been trying to sneak some of High roller's secret candy out of his hidden bedroom stash, and of course going from silence to screaming had be a startling thing.

It would take a solid minute of screaming until everyone in the room calmed down. The full moon shone in, allowing the ample lighting for the confusing situation.

"S-sparky Black? Sparky White?" High roller panted, his body drenched in a cold sweat. He was still shaking, the dream haunting him in the waking world, but the more pressing matter was at hand. "What are you two idiots doing in my room?"

"Uh…" Sparky white scrambled for an excuse, hiding the lollipops behind his back. High roller was too shaken to notice. "W-we just wanted to make sure you were ok, Master High Roller!"

"Uh, yeah!" Sparky Black nodded along, staching his suckers behind him as well. "Everyone could hear you from down the hall, we just wanted to make sure you weren't, uh, under attack or anything! Never know when those pesky Heroes would try and plan a dirty trick, right?"

High roller stared at them for a few moments, before sighing and getting up. He didn't have the patience or the energy to deal with them, not beat them into an understanding. "Come into my room again and I'll have Bear Stomp stomp you two Into the ocean, understood?"

"Yes Master High roller, it won't happen again!" The duo quickly saluted, before hastily making their way to the door. They'd barely left before High Roller called out to them.

"Get me a glass of warm milk while you're up! That's an order!" He Called into the hallway, smirking as the duo groaned in annoyance. Making his way back to the balcony, he gazed up at the full moon with tired, nervous eyes. Finding that picture just made him nervous is all, digging up things that should have been forgotten and such. He was High Roller, hero of animals and bane to humanity! Emperor of the Hidden Kingdom! Why would he ever be afraid?

Still, when his hand wandered to his throat, he felt his breath hitch as his finger grazed over fresh scratch marks…

He made a mental note to have security tightened in the morning.

...what, why are you looking at me like that? If you hadn't chased after me, you'd still be at your base with your friends….

Don't give me that look, I was only trying to help your leader get his drawing back. I'm not the bad guy here, if anything it's you…

What, this book? It's something I snagged while I was listening to your commander and your tactician today, I've been reading it as a pastime. It's honestly quiet charming…

What?! Hypocritical?! No, the difference between my brother and I is that I take what won't be missed. He takes whatever he wants. There's a difference…

Here, I managed to grab you dinner, seeing as I kept you from it. If you don't want to eat, that's fine, but I recommend you do. I want you to be at full strength when we go Toe to Toe…

Why am I doing this?

…

I'm doing this because I need to know if you're ready to save her…

If you can't defeat me, then you're worthless.