Chapter 2 Prince Liang Xin
It has been a few days and ever since the day that the Prince's arrival was announced, everyone was on the look out for him. It seemed like he was not going to show up since it was taking almost a week. The anticipation among the Big Green members was fading.
First Squad was sent out to quiet down the mole rats and their Queen. They were pestering the humans again, and still refused to join. It would have to be a miracle for Big Green to convince these rodents. Arriving back from their mission feeling like it was successful yet a failure at the same time, they were told to come into the conference room once more.
"What is it this time?" Mighty Ray whined.
"Maybe it's something about the Prince!" Mystique Sonia answered, suddenly sparked up with anticipation.
"Yes!" Jumpy spoke and hopped towards the conference room as the other members followed.
When the heroes opened the door, there sat Apetrully, Mr. No Hands, a young boy in fine white, silk clothing. They slowly walked in watching the boy sip his tea with discipline and grace but what caught their attention the most was his beautiful jade colored eyes. The Prince arrived!
"Everyone, this is Prince Liang Xin." Apetrully introduced.
"Please." the Prince tried to say in a low voice as if trying to seem older, "Just call me Xin."
But, there was something strange about him. The way his face was shaped, and his delicate hands, he was very feminine for a young boy and Mighty Ray caught this.
"Wow, you look like a girl." he blurted out.
Mystique Sonia punched Ray using Yaksha's fists.
"Shut up, Banana Brain!" Mystique Sonia snarled at him, "He's the Prince!"
"P-please." Xin spoke out, "Please try not to call me 'Prince'. I want to be an equal to you all." He faced Mighty Ray, "Yes. I have been called feminine, but that is because I am only… 15 and I… have not yet reach my stage of manhood."
Lin Chung stared at Xin. Even he has to admit, the prince looked very feminine. The man can remember when he was Xin's age, he looked much more masculine than Xin does currently.
"Xin. I am Lin Chung." Lin Chung introduced himself and bowed.
"Char-… "He stopped himself, "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"I-I'm Mystique Sonia." she said as she bowed, "And this guy here is Yaksha." she pointed at her hat.
He grabbed her hand and kissed it, "Charmed to meet an enchanting lady." he smiled, then looked up to Yaksha, "Hello, Yaksha."
Mystique Sonia blushed and sat back down. Ray stood up, "I am Mighty Ray." he bowed, "And I'm sorry about what I said before. I can't control what I say anymore."
"It's okay." Xin smiled, "Truth is I get it a lot." he bowed again, "It's nice to meet you though, Mighty Ray."
"I'm Jumpy Ghostface!" the Rabbit King introduced and bowed like the others.
Xin expression quickly changed from smiling to disgust and hatred, but it was evanescent and he was smiling again, "Oh! You speak human language. Nice to meet you, Jumpy." he sternly bowed.
Lin Chung quickly noticed the sudden change of face and immediately realize that there is some inner hatred that the prince has towards the animals. Lin Chung promised himself that he will show the prince that animals are good.
"Well, that takes care of introductions." Apetrully smiled, "Since Xin showed an excellent performance of his fighting skills, he will join First Squad."
Ray was surprised that the girly boy could fight, "Wow, congrats, kid!" Mighty Ray smiled, "What style do you use?"
"When I was in a country called Korea, I studied kal choom, which literally means 'knife dance'." he explained, "It took a few years, but I feel like I have gotten the basics down and I can continue practicing here."
"Wow, where else did you visit?" Mystique Sonia asked.
"Well, let's see… I-" he stopped, "No. No. I don't want to brag about visiting other countries while all you heroes have been doing is being cooped up in here and protecting humans. I'll feel bad."
"No, please. Tell us of your journeys." Lin Chung prompt, "I would like to hear about these other countries."
Xin glanced at the Peacock Queen clock, "Another time." he spoke as he stood up, "I have to bid my bodyguard farewell. I won't be seeing him for a very long time. It's like saying good bye to an old friend you grew up with." he sighed.
"Take all the time you need, Pri- I mean Xin." Apetrully called out, still not use to not properly calling his name.
"Thank you. Thank you all." the prince bowed again and left the room.
When the door closed behind him, Jumpy looked up at Lin Chung, "The prince does not like me." he sighed, "He's full of hate."
"I know. He must still be upset that the animals along with High Roller overthrew his father and forced him and his family out of the castle." Lin Chung explained, "But don't worry, once he gets use to us, he'll be your best friend."
Jumpy perked up, "Yeah. I want to be his friend."
"It might also be because his father passed away this year." Mr. No Hands spoke.
"He did?" Ray asked.
"Yes, his father passed away this year and Xin wanted to join Big Green to avenge him." Commander Apetrully answered, "All I advise right now is to understand that he is going through a lot. There will be times when he is doing something he is not in control of, and your job is to make sure no one gets hurt." he faces Jumpy, "You will have the hardest time with him, Jumpy. Your specific job is to reintroduce that animals are good and kind and mean no harm to him."
"I understand." the Rabbit King nodded.
"And that's everything." the squad leader ended, "Be good to him."
The group left the room and Lin Chung decided to study the Prince just a bit more, so he knew what he was up against.
Lin Chung managed to spot the prince walking near the Big Green entrance where a large, hefty, bearded man in armor stood. That must be his bodyguard, the warrior thought.
"This is it, Guo Xu." Xin said with a heavy heart. Lin Chung noticed his voice changed and was much more higher pitched than he preformed in front of First Squad.
The bodyguard looked at the young boy with broken eyes and spoke, "Are you absolutely sure?"
"Yes." Xin nodded, taking off the royal clothing off and exposing that underneath the clothing was a Chinese warrior outfit. He then ruffled his hair and tied it.
He gave the bodyguard his royal clothes, and Xu spoke, "Prin-"
"Xin! I am just Xin!" the prince snapped.
"My apologies. Please forgive me." the guard bowed.
"Stop treating me like royalty!" Xin snarled, "I'm a warrior now!"
The guard flinched, "… Xin. I wish you the best of luck and give you all the support I can offer. Please be safe."
The prince softened up immensely, "Thank you, Guo Xu."
The guard turned and headed towards the door. He glanced back at Xin for about a couple of seconds and, with his head lowered, left Big Green. The ex-prince watched his guard leave, and decided to run after him for one more hug.
The boy followed his guard outside where a boat was readied for him. He gave his guard one more hug before finally letting go of him for good.
"Good-bye, Xu. I'll miss you." Xin hicced as tears streamed down his face.
"Good-bye… " the guard paused, "Prince." The guard dropped down on the boat and drifted away. The young boy stood there at the dock and watched him leave till there was no sign of him.
Lin Chung walked up behind him, "Xin. Will you be alright?"
The boy hicced again and wiped his face with his sleeve, "Yes. I'll… I'll be fine." More tears streamed down his cheeks.
"I'm not sure if this will ease your pain, but I painted you a gift." Lin Chung gave a small smile, hoping that this could cheer up the prince.
"A gift? For me?" the boy wiped his eyes.
"Yes. Please, follow me." Lin Chung said with thrill.
The prince glanced back at the waters then looked up to Lin Chung with a smile, "Thank you."
The young boy followed the man back in the base and after a short while, they arrived at Lin Chung's room. The skilled warrior opened the door and there was papers among papers of beautiful paintings. The prince glanced at Lin Chung's painting and eagerly awaited his gift.
Lin Chung pulled out a folder and in the folder he pulled out an amazing portrait of the late emperor.
"I understand that you miss your father." Lin Chung said, "I was hoping this painting caught his image and will make you feel a little less lonely." It was convenient. Lin Chung painted this not knowing that Xin's father passed away.
"It's amazing." Xin held the painting, "It's as if I'm looking into my father's face right now. Thank you…" his eyes watered, "Thank you so much." He hugged the painting feeling like he was hugging his father again.
"I would like to ask a favor from you." Lin Chung asked.
"Yes?" Xin replied his eyes gleaming with happiness.
"I would be honored to paint a portrait of you sometime soon. Your eyes are so magnificent like gems." Lin Chung smiled and stared into the boy's eyes.
Xin blushed, "R-Really? Of course you can."
Lin Chung grinned, "Thank you! The painting will be one of my masterpieces!"
Xin giggled and held onto his gift tightly, "No, thank you, Lin Chung."
Lin Chung walked the prince out of his room, and the prince scurried off back to his own room overjoyed by his gift. He skipped to his room and placed the portrait of his father up on his wall so he had someone to pray to. He clasped his hands together and bowed slightly, "Dear father, please give me your best wishes. I will regain the family throne and with your strength I can not lose."
That rabbit in your squad… I do not like him one bit…
"Me neither." Xin answered the voice, "I'll only attack it, if it attacks me."
The sudden sound of a blaring alarm rung the boy's ears startling him. He panicked and glanced around wondering if he was being under attacked.
Mighty Ray showed up by the doorway, "Xin, hurry up! There's a mission for us!"
Xin faced the stocky boy suddenly relaxed and calmed, "Yes! My first mission."