Chapter 6 Forgiveness

The next morning around four, Lin Chung was the earliest to wake up. When he left his room, he noticed that Xin and Jumpy's door were open. He checked both room and saw that both were gone. Normally, he was the only one who would wake up this early, so he felt that something was wrong.

Before waking up the others, he dashed around looking for any signs of them but they were no where inside Big Green. The only place to look was outside, and to his relief, he found them on the boat sleeping together. Both were curled up to each other and sleeping soundly, but Lin Chung wondered, why were they sleeping on this boat? He also wondered, why was Xin wearing a Soldier of Darkness uniform?

The fact that they are so close together in this boat made Lin Chung realize that Xin's hatred towards the animals was gone. The boy even had his arm around the rabbit king and the king had an ear around the boy.

The warrior smiled at the two, "Finally, he sees it." He quietly climbed down to boat and lifted the two sleeping bodies.

Once he walked back inside Big Green, Apetrully was on his way out and noticed Lin Chung holding the two.

"Lin Chung, what is going on here?" the commander asked.

"I believe the prince has made peace with the animals. I found these two sleeping on a boat together. I think he's finally able to trust the animals again. He won't have to be sent back." Lin Chung smiled, "Now all we have to do is make amends with the Wolf King."

"Oh, such wonderful news!" the commander said in glee, "Finally, we are all on the right path on bringing peace between the humans and animals."

The prince stirred and fluttered his eyes open. He noticed he was being held and looked up to see who was holding him. Being actually a girl, he could not help but blush at the fact that it was the kind hearted, Lin Chung, carrying him.

"Y-You can put me down now." Xin stuttered as he tried climbing off Lin Chung.

Jumpy awakened as well and hopped off Lin Chung, "Xin and I are friends now."

"Yes." Xin smiled, "I realized that I was being too harsh towards the animals. I have learned to trust them once again and this time I will never ever hurt another animal ever again."

"Good, we should return to Wolf Castle and ask for Wolf King's forgiveness." Lin Chung smiled placing a hand on Xin's shoulders.

"I don't deserve his forgiveness, but he must know how truly sorry I am for harming his people." Xin replied feeling horrible for what he did.

"As soon as possible, we will set off for Wolf Castle." Apetrully announced.

"Yes." Xin smiled and nodded, he looked at the bag he had, "I better put this back."

"Alright, Xin. The mission will start once everyone is awake." Apetrully responded.

"I'll be ready!" Xin smiled and ran into his room to unpack.

He placed his clothes back in his drawers and changed his clothes back into his usual yi fu. He looked up at the mirror and suddenly his reflection changed and shifted into his inner voice, Sima Cao.

Qiao… You are going to go beg the Wolf King for forgiveness when HE was part of those who killed father?… Cease your nonsense!

"Quiet. An animal saved my life. I owe my life to them now." Xin argued with Sima.

Avenging Father's death is much more important than bringing peace between the humans and animals!… Begging the wolves for forgiveness is treason!… YOU WILL BE A TRAITOR!…

"SHUT UP!" he screamed throwing a chair at the mirror, "YOU BEAST, I AM NOT A TRAITOR!"

Xin felt a sharp stinging pain on his cheek like a slap. He yelped and fell to the ground, his cheek swollen red. Sima Cao has hit him for the very first time.

Oh my god… Qiao, I am so sorry…

Mystique Sonia, in her pink gown, busted into his room noticing the mirror smashed and the boy on the ground holding his swollen red cheek. She gently held the boy in her arms and hushed him. Yaksha even took the liberty to hug the boy as well.

"It's okay, Xin." she said in a calm voice, "Calm down."

"I am not betraying my father…" he sobbed, "I'm sure he would want peace among the humans and animals, too."

"Of course." Mystique Sonia hugged tighter, while Yaksha caressed the boy's head, "Of course, he would."

"Is everything okay, here?" Mighty Ray asked as he yawned, "Man, what a wake up call."

"Oh good, everyone is awake." Apetrully smiled, then caught a glimpse of Xin's room, "Oh dear! What happened?"

"Sima Cao…" the boy hicced, " s-said I was turning my back on my father, and then he hit me." he showed his cheek.

"Holy crap, that's gotta hurt. Where's this Sima Cao guy? I'll kick his ass." Ray snarled and pounded his fist to his palm.

Forgive me… I will never raise my hand at you again…

Xin smiled on the inside, "It's okay…" then aloud he said, "It's just a small fight, besides he apologized."

Jumpy scratched his head absolutely confused, "So who's Sima Cao?"

"You all would think I'm crazy…" he hicced.

Mystique Sonia hugged him tighter, "I wouldn't think of you any different."

Xin was still hesitant, "He's a person in my head. He's the one that told me to hurt that wolf."

The others looked at each other puzzled and disturbed.

"Oh dear, we better take Xin to Woo the Wise. Maybe, he might know what's wrong with him." Apetrully suggested.

Mystique Sonia helped Xin back on his feet and walked him towards Woo's quarters. They found Woo organizing the books that have fallen out of one of the shelves. Woo notice Apetrully, First Squad, and the prince walking in.

"Oh! Hello. Can I help you?" Woo greeted.

"This is Xin, and there's something wrong with him." Mystique Sonia explained.

"Yes, yes. We have met before." Woo smiled, stroked his mustache, and then walked up to the prince, "Well, what seems to be the problem?"

"Tell him, Xin." Mighty Ray insisted.

"Sima Cao…" he began, "He's a voice in my head. We had a fight. I can only see him when I'm sleeping or when I'm looking through the mirror. But he talks to me whenever."

"Sima Cao… why does that sound familiar?" Woo thought to himself, then said aloud, "Don't worry, I know exactly what it is!" then in his subconscious he screamed, "I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS! IT COULD BE ANYTHING!" he then spoke aloud. "I just have to check in one of my psychology books and make sure I am correct."

First Squad seemed to be in relief. Woo pulled out books upon books of psychological diagnoses. He searched through the pages and landed on what he thought to be the cause of his delusion.

Woo gave a disgusted face, "Possession?" he closed the book, "The book says Xin is being possessed by an evil spirit, formed by his hate towards the animals. I am a man of science; I do not believe in evil spirits nor possession."

Ha! Really?

"Then what do we do?" Jumpy asked.

"I'd run my own diagnoses, but I'm currently busy." Woo shrugged, "I'd try finding an exorcist, even though I don't believe in that they do. If that doesn't work then come right back to me, I should be done with a few of my inventions by then and probably find a better diagnosis."

"We'll find one!" Mystique Sonia grinned.

They can not get rid of me… I am a part of you, Qiao… Flesh and blood…

"That's not necessary." Xin spoke, "He's not a big threat."

"Anyone that wants to hurt something that is good is a threat." Mighty Ray responded, "We gotta get that guy out of you."

"After we settle with Wolf King." Lin Chung added, "I think the best start to the road of recovery is to make amends with everyone you hurt."

"Yes." Xin nodded.

"Good luck, Xin." Woo smiled, then his tunic flew up and he pushed it back down as if nothing happened.

"Are you going to be alright, Xin?" the commander asked as he walked up to the boy. The boy nodded. "Are you ready to apologize to the Wolf King?"

"Yes. I must, as soon as possible." Xin stood up wiping his tears, "I'm ready."

"Good. Then quickly, everyone, we have to head back to Wolf Castle!" the commander announced.

He and the heroes head towards Big Green's helicopter then soared towards Wolf Castle. The prince noticed a first aid kit in the chopper and grabbed it. If he was forgiven, he could help heal the wolf he injured.

Once arriving, the prince was the first to set foot at Wolf Gate. Two wolves immediately remembered him and snarled at the boy. The boy stood still and bowed.

"I must speak with the Wolf King." he spoke to them, "Please let me talk to him." The King appeared behind a window and Xin saw him. Xin bowed again, "Wolf King, I was a fool, and I am deeply sorry for what I have done to one of your wolves." The Wolf King dropped down and snarled at the boy.

"The Wolf King does not believe in your apology." Apetrully translated.

The boy looked in the Wolf King's eyes. He calmly dropped to his knees and bowed towards the ground to the point where his forehead touched the ground. He stood back up and bowed to the ground two more times. The Wolf King watched the boy, puzzled. A prince was bowing down to him like a peasant. Even the other members of first squad were shocked.

On the third time, he stayed in the position of his forehead touching the ground, "I do not expect you to forgive me, Wolf King." he spoke, "But please, don't take my action and believe that all humans will hurt animals. That is completely false." He looked up, tears streaming down, "Please forgive the humans."

The Wolf King and his pack ceased their snarling and walked up to the boy. The king gave a small smile to the boy nuzzled him.

"The Wolf King sees that you are truly sorry since you took the liberty to humbly bow to him like so." Apetrully translated, "He also says that he sees that if humans are this humble, then he sees no reason to harm them. He will join Big Green!"

"Yeah!" Mighty Ray exclaimed, "You did it, kid!"

"Good job, Xin!" Mystique Sonia smiled.

Xin smiled at his friends and then looked back at the Wolf King, "Wolf King, I brought these supplies to heal your injured wolf. May I?"

The King stepped aside, allowing the boy to enter the castle and led him towards the injured wolf. The others followed, making sure this is exactly what it seems. Xin walked up to the wolf and cleaned it's wounds and then bandaged it.

"I'm sorry, friend." Xin said sadly, petting the wolf, "I was listening to the wrong person."

Maybe you are right… Animals are not all monsters…

"But never again. I will never hurt another animal ever again." he caressed the wolf's sleeping face.

But, I am still skeptical…

"I'll come visit again, and by then, I hope you're all better." he smiled then got up.

The Wolf King hiked up the boy on his back. Being so large, he was able to lift the boy with ease.

"Lucky." Mighty Ray pouted, "That looks fun."

The wolf soldiers lifted up Mighty Ray on their back, and then Mystique Sonia, Lin Chung, Jumpy, and the commander were offered a ride.

The King howled, and Apetrully translated, "Wolf King says that he can act as a mount for Big Green. He can hold up to five people and can ride very fast to take you from one place to another."

"Thank you, Wolf King." the boy pet the wolf.

Even though the wolves carried the heroes for a short distance, they wanted to show them what they were capable of. The wolves dropped off the heroes at their helicopter and the heroes and the Wolf King entered their vehicle. As they took off, Xin snuggled close against the Wolf King and returned to Big Green knowing that he made a new friend.

However, no one noticed the Zebra Brothers eavesdropping again. They took the information they learned and rolled their way back to High Roller's citadel.

They busted into High Roller's throne room. "Master High Roller!" One of the zebra brothers exclaimed.

"What is it, you worthless numskulls?" High Roller scowled, still upset at the fact that the Zebra twins still have not brought the princess. He was sitting on his throne staring out the window.

"The Wolf King, he joined Big Green!" the other brother answered.

"WHAT?" High Roller screamed, "You dare tell me of Big Green's success? I'll have you two severely punished for that!"

"But, Master, it was the princess who brought peace to them!" Sparky Black tried explaining.

"She kept bowing and stuff." the other added, "I guess it was respectful or humble or whatever."

"Well, I guess that's one good thing." High Roller huffed, "At least, she doesn't hate animals anymore, which means she won't kill you if you confront her again."

"But, Big Green-" Sparky White whined.

"I KNOW ALREADY!" High Roller spat, "Big Green is in the way." He tried to devise a plan, "If only there was a way for Big Green to give her up…" then it hit him, "I've got it!"

"What is it, Master High Roller?" the brothers asked.

High Roller walked towards the brothers and whispered the plan into their ears. Then all three snickered and laughed evilly together at the wicked plan the trickster came up with.