Chapter 9 Damsel in Distress
She continued screaming, "Not there!"
High Roller laughed evilly, "No one can hear you this time, Qiao."
Suddenly, there were explosions and roars coming from outside with window. High Roller retracted his hand from the shock and glanced outside.
"What's going on now?" he shouted, getting off the princess and glancing outside. He saw First Squad riding Wolf King towards his castle, "It's First Squad!" he growled then faced the bound Qiao, "You got lucky this time, but once this is all over…" his scowl turned into an evil grin, "You'll be all mine!" High Roller bolted out of his room and shutting the door behind him, "Zebras!" he shouted and the twins rolled in, "Make sure Qiao doesn't escape through this door!"
"Don't worry, Master High Roller, I'll make sure Sparky White doesn't mess up." Sparky Black spoke up.
"I'll mess up? I should be making sure you don't mess up!" Sparky White shoved his brother.
The two bickered again and started slapping each other. High Roller tugged on his faced in frustration.
"ENOUGH!" he screamed, "Stay focus, because if the Princess escapes, Bear Stomp will have you two for breakfast!"
The two gulped, "Yes, sir!"
Qiao overheard them and learned that the door will lead her nowhere.
Use the window to escape… but first you must break free from father's bed…
She did not want to damage her father's bed, but had no choice. With all the hatred she had towards the jester, she tugged as hard as she could against the wooden post. It took a large amount of strength and effort, but she managed to break through the wood and hop out of bed, still shackled. She looked out the window and glanced down at the battle. Lin Chung, Mighty Ray, Mystique Sonia, Jumpy Ghostface, and the Wolf King were all fighting to break into the castle.
"GUYS!" she screamed, and only Jumpy looked up being the only one that can hear her through all this ruckus.
He caught a glimpse of her, "Xin's up there!" he pointed at the red figure at the top floor.
"Wolf King, can you ride fast enough to drive on walls?" Lin Chung asked.
The Wolf King nodded and already knew what he had to do. He ran up the building trying to save Qiao. High Roller saw the Wolf running up his castle wall and heading towards the top floor.
"No!" High Roller screamed, and pulled onto his face, "STOP. THAT. WOLF!" He then noticed the princess about to leap from the window, "Qiao!" he quickly bolted back upstairs to his room.
Bears popped out of the windows and threw down cannon balls at the wolf. The Wolf King can dodge it but not for long, that gave Qiao the cue to leap out of the window. As she was about to jump, High Roller busted through the door with Bear Stomp.
Do not leave just yet!… The bear!… ATTACK THE BEAR!…
"STOP HER!" he screamed and Bear Stomp shot out his mechanical claw towards her to pull her back, but she thought quickly and immediately jumped making the clamp miss her, "NO!" High Roller screamed again as he watched her plummet.
"Next time, Sima Cao." she spoke, "I'll fight him next time."
The Wolf King saw her falling and leaped from the wall. It was almost in slow motion, as the heroes stop battling to see if the Wolf King can catch her. Even the animals that were fighting First Squad stopped to watch.
She landed safely on the Wolf king's back and he dropped to the ground with no injuries.
"Yeah!" Mighty Ray grinned, "You did it, Wolf King!" Even their enemies were impressed by the catch.
"Don't let them escape!" High Roller shouted as his army stopped cheering and started firing more cannon balls at them.
The Wolf King lifted the rest of the heroes began making their escape with Qiao.
"Close the gate! CLOSE IT!" the jester shouted stomping on the ground.
The bears were closing the gate and the Wolf King can't make it in time to zip through the gate.
"You have to jump!" Qiao told him.
The King nodded and leaped on the walls of the gate and hopped over the wall. He landed in the water that surrounded the East Citadel, but instead of sinking, he raced off back to Big Green.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" High Roller screamed and pulled on his face.
"Yeah! We did it!" the heroes cheered.
"Thank you, Wolf King." Qiao hugged him.
The King smiled and howled.
You have done well, Qiao… Father would be proud…
"Thanks, Sima." she smiled.
The heroes finally arrived at Big Green exhausted from the rescue.
"Princess Qiao!" Apetrully greeted, "You are safe!"
Apetrully and Mr. No Hands were walking towards First Squad who successfully retrieved the captured Princess. Lin Chung noticed she was still shackled and helped remove it from her wrists and ankles.
"Thank you, Lin Chung." She faced Apetrully and took a deep breath, "Yes. My promise has been kept." She glanced back at the others also breathing deeply.
"Good job, First Squad!" Mr. No Hands smiled, "I knew I could count on you four."
Mystique Sonia, Mighty Ray, and Jumpy jumped up towards Qiao hugging her tightly.
"We thought that nasty, High Roller was going to get away with you!" Mystique Sonia smiled.
"That was awesome! Jumping out the window and the Wolf King catching you!" Mighty Ray grinned, hugging her even tighter.
"I'm glad you're safe!" the Rabbit King nuzzled her.
Lin Chung walked up to her and ruffled her head, "What you and the Wolf King did was pure trust. I'm proud of you."
She blushed, "Thank you. Thank you all for helping me escape." She smiled, giving Mystique Sonia a huge hug, Jumpy kiss on the nose making him blush, and Mighty Ray a kiss on the cheek making him blush. She then bowed to Lin Chung, giving him the most respect.
Apetrully walked up to Qiao, "Since High Roller knew who you were this whole time, it has become too dangerous for you to be around here. I highly suggest that you return to your family, Princess."
"What?" Mystique Sonia questioned, "No!"
"He-She can't leave! We can fight him off! It'll be a walk in the park!" Mighty Ray disagreed.
"Xin must stay!" Jumpy added.
Lin Chung saw the sadness in the others, but knew Apetrully was right, "Even though I am inspired to paint you as a Princess, I cannot have you be in danger. I think it's best that we return you safely back to your family, Xi-Princess."
She looked upset, "I've only been here for such a short time." she faced Apetrully, "I'm willing to put up with the danger! I want to be part of an organization that will bring peace again. Please don't make me leave, Commander."
"I can't make you leave, Princess. " Apetrully replied, "I just don't want you to be in danger, but if you insist that you can handle the new danger then I trust you." he smiled.
Mystique Sonia, Mighty Ray and Jumpy leaped and cheered.
She smiled warmly, "Thank you, Commander." she bowed.
Lin Chung looked worried, "Are you sure?"
She faced him, "Positive."
"Well, then I'll leave you, First Squad, to do what you wish." Apetrully bowed, "Now that I know Princess Qiao is safe, I can finally sleep."
"Good-night, Commander." Mr. No Hands said, "I might as well turn in, too. First Squad, disband."
Mighty Ray yawned, "All this action got me all tired. Night guys." he retreated to his room.
"Same. I'm exhausted." Mystique Sonia stretched, "I'll see you all tomorrow." She skipped off to her room.
Jumpy gave one more hug to Qiao, "Good night." he smiled and hopped off.
Qiao bid them all farewell, and decided that it was time to turn in as well. She faced Lin Chung and bowed, "Good night." She started to walk back to her room.
"Xin." he called out and she looked back, "Let me escort you to your room."
Qiao got a bit offended, "I-I don't need an escort." She really wished people still thought of her as a prince, "I'll be fine."
"I'm sorry that I'm making you feel like royalty, when I know that you don't want me to, but I feel that I must protect you." Lin Chung explained.
"Don't." Qiao said sternly, "Just don't." She shook her head, "We're friends, Lin Chung. Trust me, I'll be okay." She then smiled.
Lin Chung looked uncomfortable, "I-"
"Stop." she interrupted.
He looked defeated. She then started to walk towards the hall where the rooms were at. Lin Chung followed her regardless of what she said. She looked back and scowled.
"M-My room is that way too." Lin Chung reasoned.
He got her there, so they proceed walking. Lin Chung was standing close behind her and had his sketch book out and sketched her. He sketched her curves and her long black hair that almost touched the floor. They arrived at her room and she opened the door about ready to enter.
"You can leave now." she shooed.
"Almost done…" he sketched a bit more, "and there. Perfect!"
She chuckled, "Good-night, Lin Chung."
"Good-night, Xin." he bowed.
She closed the door, but Lin Chung remained in that spot for a few seconds thinking that he forgot something. Then he remembered, he completely forgotten to tell her about the exorcist he found. He promised to tell her tomorrow, and walked away to his room.