Chapter 3 Mouse Castle
"It's been like ten minutes and Apetrully is already in trouble." Mystique Sonia groaned.
"Eh, whatever. Mouse Castle shouldn't be hard." Mighty Ray said smugly.
"First Squad! Deploy!" Mr. No Hands exclaimed.
Each member of First Squad jumped down a hatch which led down tubes that twisted and turned all the way down to the turtle launching room. Xin had no idea this was how First Squad deploy and acted like a child riding his first rollercoaster: screaming his lungs out in absolute terror. The terrifying tube trip ended when each of the heroes landed on a turtle tank. The prince did not even notice that it was a turtle till it was launched off and running. He held onto dear life, almost clawing into the turtle shell.
What abomination is this?… Turtles are suppose to be slow!…
"I don't know!" Xin screamed in his thoughts, "I hope this tunnel doesn't last lo-OOOOOOOOOOOONG!" he shot out of Big Green and splashed into the waters. Soaked from head to toe he glanced at the other members, who were dry, "Wow, you guys must practice a lot." he spoke.
"Ha! Newbie's all wet!" Mighty Ray laughed.
Lin Chung guided his turtle to swim next to the prince, "You should trust your turtle. He will not let you get hurt."
Xin scowled, and looked away. Trusting animals is like befriending High Roller, he thought.
That man is an idiot… So far Big Green has proven to be nothing but ignorant…
"You said it." Xin whispered.
The turtles swam through the water surrounding Big Green and made it on land where they treaded through the woods. Conveniently, Mouse Castle was not too far away. First Squad arrived at the castle in about ten minutes tops and slowly treaded up to the gates. They got off their turtle tanks and began walking into the castle. Xin, with blades on his back, readied his hands for any kind of combat. The heroes, however, seen it all and just lazily walked into the castle.
Xin analyzed the castle: it had an odd amount of tight ropes. He could hear the mice's tiny footsteps traveling over them, but none where coming down to fight them. Then squeaks and chattering were heard, and then a snap. A large rock was falling on First Squad. Lin Chung, having the quickest reflex, pulled everyone out of the way.
"All these ropes are traps!" the warrior exclaimed.
Two more rope snaps were heard. Might Ray and Mystique Sonia where hoisted all the way up to the top of Mouse Castle from the snares.
"I got them!" Xin exclaimed and dashed up the wall, with his blades out. He quickly cut through the ropes that trapped the two, saving them both.
"Not bad, kid." Mighty Ray grinned.
Another snap was heard, and a large rock was about to be fallen on Xin. Unlike Lin Chung, Xin's reflexes could not help him get out of the way quick enough, but Mighty Ray stood near the boy and held up his hands to catch the rock. With a tiny recoil, the man caught the rock and tossed it aside.
"Now we're even." he grinned.
"Thanks, Mighty Ray." Xin bowed.
More snaps were heard, and rock below Jumpy and Mystique Sonia was about to smash them to an adjacent wall. Lin Chung shot out bamboo shoots from his sniper pole to shatter the rock before his comrades were smashed.
Snap after snap, each hero managed to dodge every single one of it barely since they were all working together and keeping each other safe. The mice realizing their traps are useless, exposed themselves. Mouse King was the last mouse to appear. He was slightly larger than the other mice and had a blue back with a yellow ring around it contrasting his brown fur. The heroes could see Apetrully being lowered by a rope that was tied to his ankle.
"The blood from my body is being rushed to my head!" Apetrully exclaimed.
The Mouse King squeaked angrily.
"Mouse King said, that you may have been able to dodge his traps, but he still finds you pathetic and weak." Apetrully translated.
Big words for a small and feeble animal…
"He will only admit defeat if you beat him in a competition." Apetrully added.
Xin was baffled, "A competition?" he saw this as a mockery.
"Just go along with it." Mystique Sonia whispered, "The competitions are really easy and it's a nice peaceful way on getting the animals to join us."
Xin scowled, "This is ridiculous." he thought.
Six donut-shaped wheels were lowered into the room, "The competition is wheel running. Whoever lasts the longest on their wheel wins."
Each hero and the Mouse King readied themselves on a wheel, then the wheel started to turn on it own, getting faster and faster by the second. Mouse King was having no trouble whatsoever, and the others were hardly breaking a sweat.
But since the wheels kept turning faster, it was getting even harder to keep up. Mighty Ray trips on his own feet and flies off the wheel. Seconds later, Yaksha's arms tangle up sending him and Mystique Sonia off flying. Xin was getting exhausted, and his legs were started to become numb. With the loss of feeling in his leg he flew off the wheel and landed with the others. All that was left on Big Green's side was Lin Chung and Jumpy Ghostface. Lin Chung seemed to be completely focused on winning this competition, but Jumpy was in his own world giggling and laughing as he ran. Eventually, even Lin Chung was exhausting his energy and falls off the wheel, and all that was left was the weary Mouse King and the giggling Rabbit King.
At the highest speed the wheel has ever gotten, Mouse King slips and flies out of his wheel naming Jumpy Ghostface as the winner of this competition. Xin scowled, Jumpy had more endurance than Lin Chung.
Of course, only rodents can have that kind of endurance on a wheel…
"Mouse King says he is impressed with your wheel running skills." Apetrully translated with glee, as he was being helped down by the mice, "He would gladly join Big Green to be along side such skilled humans and animals."
"Well, what can he do?" Mighty Ray asked.
"His traps are simple yet effective." Lin Chung explained, "We are able to dodge these traps, but I bet High Roller and his army can't."
"Then, it's settled! Mouse King will be in charge of setting up defense systems in case of enemy infiltration!" Apetrully grinned.
Xin watched with his arms crossed the whole time. He expected Big Green to be much more, adventurous and action-packed than this. He wanted to do battle, not participate in a game.
"What did I get myself into, Sima Cao?" Xin asked.
Maybe, it is not always like this… The Mouse King is small and harmless after all… maybe when you and First Squad confront larger and more vicious animals, then you can battle with them…
"I hope you're right." Xin sighed in disappointment.
Evening fell as they returned back to Big Green with the Mouse King, and immediately First Squad disbanded to do their own thing. Xin noticed and wondered if they ever spent time together throughout the years.
"Commander, are the members of First Squad always like this?" Xin asked.
"Well, Xin, First Squad spent many years fighting High Roller and his army. I guess they've grown so bored of the stalemate, that they see fighting High Roller as a chore than a duty." Apetrully explained, "They started off as a child like you Xin, but age can really change a person. They've grown bitter and pessimistic. Maybe you can do something to change that."
"Maybe." Xin glanced at the others that were walking away, "Or maybe they just need a break from on another. They're been cooped up in here for a very long time."
"It's been like this for the past two years now." the commander sighed, "If this keeps up, there won't be a First Squad anymore. Each member will be off on his or her own."
"I'll think of something." Xin told Apetrully, "It'll be a shame to see a team break apart."
Apetrully nodded, "Well, good night, Xin. I hope you can rekindle the friendship between the members of First Squad."
Xin smiled, and bowed to the commander. As the commander left to his quarters, Xin glanced around to see which member of First Squad was the closest. He saw Mystique Sonia off in the distant painting her nails. Xin walked up to her and sat next to her.
"Hello, Mystique Sonia." Xin smiled at her.
She noticed him and greeted back, "Hello. Is there something you need?" she asked.
"I was just wondering. Why don't you and the guys hang out?" Xin asked.
"We've been working together for well over six years. I say we're pretty sick of each other." she explained.
"Do you hate them?" Xin asked.
"Hate isn't the word." but it made her think, "You know, Xin, I don't hate them at all. Not even Banana Brain, which is Mighty Ray by the way." she noticed it rhymed and giggled, "Anyway, maybe you should talk to the guys and ask if they're sick of each other, cause honestly, I'm not."
"Why don't we both go talk to Mighty Ray and Lin Chung." Xin asked, "They're you're teammates, too."
Mystique Sonia became a bit bothered, "It's awkward for me. We haven't had a solid conversation in two years. We don't even eat in the same room anymore."
"Come on." Xin smiled, "It'll really break the ice."
"I don't know." She sighed.
Xin thought for a second then remembered something, "You know, when my sisters are fighting and none of them want to speak with each other, I hold one of their hands and take them to my other sisters and we hold hands with her. Then eventually we make the Chain of Friendship, and my sisters are all friends again." he reached out his hand to grab hers.
She blushed, but Yaksha grew jealous and smacked Xin's hand away.
"Ah!" Xin was startled.
"Yaksha!" Mystique Sonia scolded, "Bad, Yaksha!"
"It's alright." Xin laughed, "He loves you a lot." he held her hand again, and Yaksha still became jealous.
"It's alright, Yaksha. You can hold my other hand." she smiled and hand his hand.
"Awesome!" Xin smiled, "Let's go find Mighty Ray."
Mystique Sonia was still a bit nervous, but there was nothing for her to lose, "Okay. Let's go." she smiled and they both walked out hand in hand.
As they searched for him, Mystique Sonia mentioned that Mighty Ray was really focused on being better than Lin Chung, so he should be in one of Big Green's training grounds. Jumpy noticed the three holding hands and walking around as if they were looking for something. He was puzzled at that image.
"What's going on?" Jumpy asked.
"We're making a friendship chain." Mystique Sonia giggled, "Be a part of it."
Jumpy did realize that the team has drifted apart, plus this was a good opportunity to win Xin's friendship. He held out his hand for Xin to grab, and the prince was reluctant at first, but he grabbed his hand anyway because he wanted First Squad to be a team again.
Jumpy suddenly felt connected to his team, "I'm sorry if I haven't been around much." he said to Mystique Sonia.
"Oh, Jumpy. It's okay." she smiled, "Let's go get Mighty Dork."
The four walked around the base, still holding onto each others hands tightly and checking each training ground for the stocky man. As they spent time looking, Mystique Sonia and Jumpy were talking to one another, catching up on lost times. Eventually, they found Mighty Ray coming out of one of the gyms, with a towel around his neck.
"Banana Brain!" Mystique Sonia called out.
"Come join the chain of friendship!" Jumpy smiled.
The man stared at the four holding hands, "That's kinda gay."
"Are you that sick of us, Mighty Ray?" the pale woman asked.
"No! That's not true!" the stocky man became defensive, "I always thought you guys were sick of my and my Mr. Comedy routines. So, I just pretty much wanted to leave you guys alone so I won't bother you anymore."
"Oh, Mighty Ray." Mystique Sonia broke the chain for a second to give him a hug. Jumpy also left the chain to give the man a hug.
"Come on." Xin grinned, "Let's chain up and go get Lin Chung. Then we can all sit down and talk."
The others complied. The chain began with Mighty Ray holding Mystique Sonia's hand who held Xin's hand who held Jumpy's paw.
"Lin Chung is always in his room, painting. Let's go get him!" the man in red grinned and they raced over to Lin Chung's room.
The stocky man opened the door and saw Lin Chung sketching a picture of the prince, which was flattering to Xin but also kind of creepy.
The warrior glanced back at his comrades confused, "What's going on?"
"Be part of the chain, Lin Chung!" Mighty Ray grinned, "C'mon!"
"I can't, I'm busy right now." Lin Chung shook his head.
"You care more about your drawings than our friendship?" Jumpy asked.
"That's not true." the warrior became defensive, "I just…" he paused, there really was no reason. He put the sketch away and came to join the chain by holding onto Jumpy's hand, "I guess since everyone has been off doing their own thing, I felt like it was best if I just practice my artistic skills." he sighed, "I never noticed our friendship was dieing."
"It's okay." the rabbit king grinned.
"Tonight we'll fix that tear in our friendship." the woman smiled.
"It'll just be like old times." the short man said with enthusiasm.
The whole team walked to the room where they deploy for missions and Mr. No Hands was there soaking his feet in hot water.
"First Squad? What's going on?" he asked.
"We haven't been as close as we once were." Lin Chung explained, "Xin, here, realized that and brought us all back together again."
The captain noticed that they were drifting apart, but never saw it as such a big deal till now. He smiled and said, "Gather around troops. It's time to catch up."
They all sat around their table still holding hands and ever Mr. No Hands joined in the chain. Everyone began to talk as if they never drifted apart. The emotion they expressed was much happier too, and Xin noticed. When he first met them, they were dull and a bit bitter, but now, they were happy and lively. After sharing experiences and laughs, they all thanked Xin for reminding them that they were a team.
"I feel young again." Mr. No Hands grinned.
"It's all thanks to Xin." Mystique Sonia smiled, "Thank you."
"I always hear about you guys being an unstoppable team and always foiling High Roller's plans." Xin smiled, "I want to be in that team. I'm glad I could help."
The relationship among First Squad was even stronger than ever and new found love and respect for Xin grew among each member. The team talked and laughed almost all night because they now could not get enough of each other. Thanks to one child, a powerful team was made even more powerful.