Foretold in Myth, this demon is said to once rule avalice and its inhabitants but was overthrown by the great Dragon. The Mighty best then created the Kingdom stone as a key to seal away this demon and created the three kingdom as we know today.
For Centuries we have depended on the Kingdom Stone but its strength is fading it could not keep up with the Demand for energy.
The Prince of Shuigang poison with madness over the death of his father, spread Machines across the land. Tensions are growing and I fear war is inviable.
In this beautiful capital city of Shang Mu; bright neon and electronic billboards that brighten the night sky so not even a twinkling of a star can show its light, a limo, along with other cars drive through the traffic of this beautiful city.
The limo in question is heading toward its destitution, Shang Mu city hall, inside the limousine, Milla Basset sat on the sofa stared at various of people who are walking on the sidewalk through the windshield.
"Such a wonderful city don't you agree?" The Famous Panda actress ask and move the bridge of her white hair.
"Yes, it is Shang Mu is amazing and this car is like a mini treehouse form the inside, but more fancy and the red lanterns are so pretty!" Milla replied.
"Thank you this limousine is heavily inspired by Shang Mu's-"
~Ring~ ~Ring~
"Excuse for a moment, it must be my producer" Ming said sweetly and brought up her phone.
"Okay."
Shang Mu Royal Palace
"Don't worry about taking turns! I'm sure you must be hungry, so have at it!" said the Mayor Zoe of Shang Mu who is cheerful.
A robocarts pass the plats to their guess.
"Shushi!" Lilac and Carol squealed and dig in.
"So what is that giant head on the wall over there?" Torque said pointed over the statue of a creature.
"That's the pride of my collection! An ancient statue modeled after the dragons of the before time."
"What's special about them compared to, y'know, someone like Lilac?" ask Torque.
"Not special? Hah! Did you come from another planet or something?"
Lilac cough, "Sorry."
"Long ago, a magnificent creature soared across Avalice in a ball of fire. When it landed our ancestors were so captivated by its power and beauty that built three kingdoms in its honor."
"Shang Mu, Shang Tu and Shuigang?" Torque ask.
"Bingo! And when the cities were built, the dragon transformed into the legendary Kingdom Stone we know and love today. "The Red Panda mayor said cheerfully, then his expression turned in to a frown and stood up from his seat. "The same stone that was heartlessly yanked away from me!"
"You took it firs."
"Carol! Manners."
"Sorry..."
"Why did you take it? Why now?" Lilac inquired.
"Shang Mu is on the brink of an energy crisis. With the Stone in our hands we could have solved in this year's Autumn Festival!" Zao replied worried.
"Shang Mu has an Autumn Festival? Well that worked out well..."
Zao narrowed his eyes at the green wailed cat girl's response.
I don't think this 'energy crisis' of yours is an accident. I think it's deliberate, and I think we know who is responsible." Torque Spoke up.
Main hall of Shang Mu Palace
Milla Basset walk with the actress. The actress in question was explaining to her guess on how the royal palace was constructed and marveling at the fine aractecher.
Milla was more interested in the smell of salt water. Is that a swimming pool inside the palace, she tracked the sent away from Ming and her royal guard.
"So what do you think of this fine architecture of ours?" she turned towards her 'guests'. "What the - where is she? She's gone!"
"Cannon ball!" Milla cheered as she jumped in the pool. She was swimming still in her clothes, making some splashing noses and hopped on an inflatable red dragon.
"W-WHa what do you think you're doing!? Y-you're contaminating my-" Ming Zu walked in with her guard.
"Oh, hey I didn't know you had a pool indoors and I've only seen it on T.V!" Milla said wail splashing around the swimming pool.
Ming only replied was a horrified expression then turn into a nasty scow. The royal guard saw the look at his mistress face and took three steps backwards.
"GET OUT OF MY POOL!"
Lilac and the other jumped at sound across the dinner table.
"Heheheh, that must be my dear Ming, she's here." Mayor Zoe said nervously and took off in a hurry. Lilac and friends followed the Mayor.
"Hey Milla!" Lilac and Carol greeted their friend.
"Hi guys," Milla jumped out to the pool with her clothes all wet, Milla shook herself to dry near her friends and a certain unhappy Panda actress.
"Have you ever thought about bringing a bathing suit?" Carol.
"This is sooo cool I didn't know that they had a swimming pool inside. This place is so wonderful!" Milla said cheerfully.
Ming hate it when she was being ignored. She the most famous and richness actress in all of Shang Mu for Spirits sake.
"Um, excuse me miss but why you're yelling at my one of my friends?" Lilac inquired to the Panda Women, Carol, Milla and Torque look at her as well.
Ming in response brush it off by turning her annoyed expression into a happier one, "My humble apologies, I should never yell at our guess and to you Mr. Shelduck."
"And you are?" Lilac ask.
Ming fell on the floor after hearing that.
"Ming daring are you okay?" Mayor Zoe of Shang Mu ask.
The Panda women instantly got up "I'm fine, really."
Mayor Zao cough in one hand, "Moving right along, I would like to introduce to you Ming Zu top girl actress and soon to be future wife."
"It's is an honor to meet the heroes of Shang Mu." Ming said and bowed.
Back on Shuigang Place.
"Don't bore me with your lectures. I've Heard them a thousand time from a thousand self-righteous warriors. Unless you have something useful to say, the only thing that matters to me is how quickly I can cast you aside. I really have a lot of work to do." the Alien War Lord said to the defeated warrior.
"You'll fail. Men like you always fail."
Brevon brought out his dagger and took out the warrior.
"Interesting theory." he smirked.
Then suddenly, the Palace doors burst open, the sounds of raging thunder and rain revealed a person in a red crimson cloak.
"And here I thought I killed the last warrior..." he sighed and looked at the intruder.
The cloke Person did not speak and presided to walk inside the throne room, pass Brevon to his surprised. The Figure walked up the stairway and to the throne and sat on it.
"State your business, Now." demanded Brevon. Once again, no response.
"Very well," Brevon summons his shan troopers, they rush in the throne room and pointed their guns at the intruder.
The Cloke Figure raise her thin hand upward a bolt of lightning broke through the ceiling and struck her palm. She derailed the bolt at the Shan troopers and electrocuting them until they were destroyed at the room.
The cloke figure then spoke "This very seat use to belong to me. Worry not I am here for you."
"Really?" Brevon said crossing his arms.
The cloke figure held out her hand to summon a crimson red jewel which is identical to the Kingdom Stone.
"It must be-?"
"No is not, but this jewel has enough power for your carriage much like the real and currently missing one, the Kingdom Stone"
"I'll be the judge of that. SYNTAX, scan it."
The squid like bot appeared and did what her master told and scan the red floating jewel.
"It appears to be green sir."
"What!? Impossible. How could it be similar to the real power source that I am looking for?"
The cloaked figure lips curled into a smile, "I will grant you its powers only if you agree to serve me for this one or two assignment and I may need your protection."
Brevon raised his eyebrow, as the cloke figure continued to speak.
"After you completed my tasked you are free to leave my world."
Lord Brevon narrowed his eyes, "Very well, as long if your assignment does not interfere with my true goal of getting off this rock."
"Worry not, as this task wouldn't be any simpler," She smiled.
Shang Mu Shopping district.
Ting and Chufai walked into the noisy noodle house. The place seemed to be packed and there was no place for the girls to sit, until Chufai spotted a couple leaving from a corner table. It was a good timing, they were quite hungry after the event. As they sat down, a bird waiter cleared their table and took their orders. Ting had a hard time deciding since everything seemed so delicious on the menu, after a recommendation by Chufai, she made up her mind. The bird waiter then poured some tea before leaving.
"I'm so hungry I don't think I'll be able to wait for the food to arrive… and this tea is kind of a good appetizer." Ting patted her
tummy.
"Why don't find something to talk about, perhaps which will make you forget about your hunger for a while." Suggested Chufai.
Ting thought for a while… "What should we talk about? I don't really have any ideas for a conversation with my hunger."
"Hmm, I know, what sort of places have you gone to? What do you do?"
"Well… I used to be an Imperial Dancer in Shuigang…" Ting started, but was cut off by Chufai with a lit up expression.
"You were an Imperial Dancer?! At Shuigang!? Wow, I never thought I'd be able to meet someone like that, I mean, I'm taking a course about dancing at Li Dian academy, so... meeting a someone who's a Imperial Dancer, I could learn a lot!" Chufai excitedly went on.
Ting smiled and let her continued.
"There's so many things I want to ask you about though, like what was Shuigang like before the King was killed and Prince Dail took over, I've never been there myself, so I don't really know what's Shuigang is like."
Ting's smile died, "Wait, the King was killed?" "Yeah, huh, you didn't know?" Chufai seemed puzzled, she was sure someone who used to work there would have known this news.
"No… I did not know the King as killed...' Ting's words were soft.
'Yikes, maybe I've said too much' Chufai thought, she should probably not pressed any further into this issue.
"Um... look, I'm sorry, maybe I was too insensitive there. It's okay if you don't want to talk about it… we could change the topic to something else, hehe."
"Umm, it's nothing really, don't worry about." Ting seemed to force herself to smile.
It was an awkward moment for the two, until the waiter arrive with the noodles and dumplings. Chufai lit up again at the sight of the food, so did Ting, being reminded of how hungry she was from the scent of the food. They both thanked the bird waiter who simply went 'Whee'
Shang Mu Shopping district
The crowded streets of Shang Mu were packed as usual, with even more people on the streets in the nightlife. Spade rested himself on a bench in the bustling Shopping District. Much was on his mind, thanks to his last encounter with Sash Lilac, and what she said about his father bothered him the most.
He could not dismiss his encounter with a mysterious girl after his heist on the Kingdom Stone either. He rescued her from a lake in Jade Creek thinking she was just a helpless victim, but her bubbly personality made it hard to forget her. Along with her claiming that she's from Shuigang as well.
It was no use pondering about all these now, if he wanted answers, especially from Lilac, he would need to go to her himself. He stood up to leave.
"Hey, street rat." A rude voice yelled from behind him. He turned and met with a snake with what seems to be robotic arms. "Tell me, where is the Kingdom Stone." The reptile hissed.
"Why should I?" Spade crossed his arms in defiance.
"If you value your life, you will tell me, street rat!" Serpentine did not seemed he would take no for an answer, and while he was wasting his time here trying to deal with this eel.
"Sorry, but I have no clue where it is. I did the job, delivered the item, and that's it." Spade continued to leave.
"Oh no, you don't. You really think I'm that dumb?" Serpentine whipped out his blaster.
'Oh great, he's gonna try and fight me here with all these people around.' Spade knew this was going to be troublesome.
Shang Mu Palce
The gang enjoyed their meal with Zao, though accompanied by Ming as well, who seemed unimpressed with the lot. Thanks to Lilac and her friend's persuasion, Zao had agree to send them back to Shang Tu to request a truce. As they proceeded down the hallway, Torque was thinking about what Milla had told them. According to how Milla described Pliny, she was quite different from how she acted. Was it due to some personal experience of hers? Or was it due to influence by a certain individual?
He had seen and heard similar cases in his experience, if the cause of this was similar, he had to do something about it.
'Um, before we leave, could I ask we visit Pliny at the hospital?' Torque spoke up. Everyone except for Milla seemed surprised.
"Whatever for? Haven't she done enough to Milla?" Lilac asked.
"There's something I need to confirm, and Pliny could give us a clue to Brevon." Torque explained.
"Very well, if you're that sure of it." Mayor Zao handed the address over to Torque. "I've situated guards around the hospital, in case she tries anything funny again, but be careful."
"Is she going to be in trouble?" Milla asked meekly.
"OF COURSE YOU BET SHE IS, AFTER WHAT SHE DID TO ME!" The outburst came from Ming, who was walking along behind them. Milla jumped behind Torque, startled and frightened by her.
"Now, now, calm down darling, she will get what's coming to her. Unless someone magically proves she's innocent, which I'd say is quite impossible." Mayor Zao attempted to calm her. "Now, in the meantime, you kids might want to be quick about this, we will wait here till you get back."
Torque and the gang left for the hospital, unprepared for what may lie ahead.
Shang Mu Shopping district
Street lamps exploded as Spade hopped off each of them. Serpentine was being haphazard with his aim, spraying his shots wherever Spade ran to. He continued bouncing off street lamps as Serpentine chased from below, blasting non-stop. It was not in his favor to battle in the crowded Shopping District, civilian casualties might not mean a thing to Serpentine, but an incident here would mean more bad reputation for the Red Scarves, especially if it involved innocent bystanders. If authorities of Shang Mu went all out against them, missions and jobs would become more difficult.
"Don't think you're gonna get away that easily!" Serpentine chased as he continued his pursuit. However Spade was nearing the exit of the Shopping District, the snake will regret it when he fights back.
Ting and Chufai sat satisfied, with their noodle bowls licked clean. Chufai was about to suggest where they should go next, but loud screams followed sound of shattering glass from outside caught their attention.
"Whats happening?" Ting exclaimed, this sound like another event or celebration. Chufai could only shook her head, unknown of whats happening as well.
The Kylin dashed out, Chufai followed closely, with the rest of the people in restaurant behind them.
Serpentine was growing weary of the chase, if the street rat was keen on escaping, he would have to make sure he had no chance to do that. He flipped out a remote and pressed the switch.
Nothing seemed to happened, the chase continued. But soon, Spade heard a rumbling noise from above. He stoped and saw a golden lion head was floating above them, with what seems to be detached hands and feet.
"Now you'll get whats coming! Attack!" Commanded Serpentine, and instantly the lion head gave a roar, revealing a green gem inside its mouth. One of the detached-hands flew towards Spade.
He quickly flipped to the side to avoid it, the hand missed and crashed onto the floor, causing concrete dust to fly up. 'Using something that destructive here, seems like I've got no choice but to take it down here' Spade thought. People were running from the scene anyway, after that display, if he kept the battleground fixed, he could take the robot and Serpentine down without worry.
He took out some cards, while Serpentine laughed. "Playing cards? You really are underestimating me, aren't you?!" The robot continued its attacks, launching another punch while opening its mouth and firing a laser at Spade. Again, he dodged both of them effortlessly, as a Red Scarves member, he was not to be outmatched in speed.
Spade immediately chucked a few of his cards into the Lion's mouth after it fired. The robot seemed to stagger upon it. "Your weak points are obvious." Spade chuckled as he continued avoiding the fists and lasers flying at him, all while taking the opportunities to return his attacks into the Lion's mouth.
Soon, the robot collapse onto the floor along with its detached parts, with sparks flying out of it.
"What now, snake-head?" Spade victoriously strutted towards Serpentine, with cards still in his hands. "Don't get cocky! The real fight's just getting started!" Serpentine prepared his blaster, annoyed even more.
"Wait, are you... Spade!?" A familiar voice called him out from behind. He turned around, surprised to see Ting, "You again?! This place is dangerous, get ou..."*TWACK*
Serpentine took the opportunity and tail-slammed Spade, which sent him flying towards a wall while knocking him unconscious. "Well then, what do we have here? Another brat which can't seem to keep her nose out of others' business?" Serpentine turned his attention to a shocked Ting White.
...
The darkness was silent, yet familiar. However that silence was soon replaced with murmurs, as they got louder and louder, light slowly invaded the darkness as well.
Spade awoke. He was still in the Shopping District. Still lying on his back, he took a look around. A crowd had form around him, debris from the fight still lay around as well, but he could not see Pliny and Serpentine anywhere.
*SPLASH*
"What the-"
As was about to get up, his face met a bucket of water. Still dripping wet, he looked up to see the culprit. A Panda School-girl stared back at him curiously.
"Are you a moron? I was already up!" Spade helped himself up, and attempted twist dry his fur and clothes.
"Pfft.. well, you're welcome." sneered Chufai.
"Have you seen a snake with robot arms around here? Or a Kylin girl?" Spade asked, still getting the water off him.
"Oh, you mean Ting?! Yeah, some snake made off with her after I got here! I don't know whats going on, but I heard him saying he was going to the Shang Mu Harobr. I'm going after him but he seemed strong, so I thought I needed some help, and from the looks of things around here, you were fighting with him, right? So I thought you could- Hey, wait up!"
Spade dashed off into the crowd before she could finish, and Chufai wasted no time running after him.
The crowd watch as the 2 left, people murmuring and gossiping among themselves about what had happened... And behind them stood the waiter of the restaurant, who had witness everything as well.
He opened his beak to make a comment ; "Whee."
...
Spade arrived at the harbor, and found only a single boat, with no one else in sight. As he slowed down to survey the area before making any move, he noticed the Panda girl stopped behind him, perspiring.
*Pant*"You could have.."*Pant*"..waited for me too, ya know?"*Pant* Chufai was puffing from all the running, and catching up to Spade's speed was no easy task.
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be in school or something?" Spade retorted.
"Ting's my friend, if she's in danger, I gotta help her!" Chufai announced, pounding her fist on her chest. Spade rolled his eyes, another girl getting in his way was all he needed. "Wait, its Ting! She's up there!" Chufai had caught a glimpse of Ting, who was tide to the sale pole on the deck of the boat. She rushed up anxiously to save her friend.
"Wait, it could be a trap!" Spade tried to stop her, but she was already on top of the deck. Spade quickly followed as well, if anything happened, he needed to be close by to protect both the Panda and Ting.
"Are you okay, Ting? Did that snake try anything?" Chufai pawed at the ropes.
"Stop! Chufai, Spade! Its dangerous here!" Ting mustered as Chufai started to untie the ropes. As Spade reached them, purple walls formed around the Trio. Spade threw a card at it, but it bounce off.
'A force-field' Spade thought, they had been caught.
"Shaaahahahaha!" A annoying laugh came from the pier. Serpentine stood victorious, having trapped all 3 of them. "I would like to force it out of you, but Lord Brevon wishes to see you, regarding the whereabouts of the stolen Kingdom Stone."
Ting and Chufai gasped upon hearing about the 'Stolen' Kingdom Stone. "Spade, what's he talking about?" Ting anxiously asked, as the ropes fell off her, with the help of Chufai, who was looking at him intently as well.
"I don't know where it is! I DID steal it, and delivered it to Mayor Zao, but apparently it was stolen from Zao again recently! I didn't had anything to do with it after that! And I don't know why this snake is asking me about it now!" Spade spat.
"AND SOMEONE STOLE IT FROM US!" Serpentine announced, slithering towards the trapped trio. "NO USE PLAYING DUMB!"
"Pfff… Look who talking." Chufai sticks her toung at the snake.
"Shhhaaa! I have no time for this!" with that Serpentine slithered back to the control deck.
Shang Mu Jade hospital
Torque and the gang arrived outside the hospital. They were ment with guards, with armored trucks and a tank.
"You must be the Shell-Duck and his companions. I'm Lieutenant Ty Lang of Shang Mu's National Security Burro." The gray Wolf Man officer walk up to the group and interdosed. "Mayor Zao contacted me that you seek an audience with Pliny Yun, if I'm not mistaken."
Torque bowed, "thousands getting to you sir and yes that is correct. How is her current condition?"
"She is fully stable but she seems to have no interest in walking out of this hospital. I guess that she was well informed that you will be taking her under your custody?" Informed Ty Lang.
Torque quark an eyebrow. "Do forgive me but are we supposed to take her with us to Shang Tu?"
"Yes, due to the magic user unstable behavior at Bamboo Casino Plaza, she is sentenced to exile, under your custody."
"What? Zao never told us about this..." Lilac said.
"This was made shortly after your dapartchter to this hospital and the Yun Family now have forsaken her due to her actions."
Lilac, Carol and Milla felt sad by the news about the magician's family.
"What about Pliny's secret admirer?" Carol asks. She recalled to how she heard rumors about it on Shang Mu pop culture channel on TV.
The officer dismissed the cat girl's question "We have not heard back for her supposed Love interest but even that will not make a difference to her sentence."
"I see. Thank you anyway Officer we will be making our business quickly then." Torque said.
The wolf lieutenant nodded and signaled the guards to let them through.
The hospital room was dark only an open window and a glittering city that light the room and medical equipment, Pliny lay apon a bed she stared blankly at the ceiling, she closed her eyes she turned her attention to the window. The city was big and beautiful, Shang Mu was beautiful, and it is the place where all your dream will come true, or so they say.
Pff.. she rolled her eyes.
-FlashBack-
The world seem to go on so slowly, so coldly, everything seemed to be in black and white. Each step Pliny took, her grief seem to increase. She had worked so hard, why was she rejected? Where had she gone wrong? Questions flowed through her mind, she had not even noticed she was already standing in-front of her home.
Somewhere though, a little hope still shone in her heart. The little hope she still clung onto. Pliny tried to convince herself, maybe the producers will realize their mistake and call her back... Perhaps she would still had a chance in the future...
With that, she reached for her keys and inserted them into the door knob.
The sound of the creaking door could be heard throughout the empty silent house.
Her steps echoed along with it as she proceeded to her favorite seat. The familiar comfort of the cushions seems to make her troubles sink away. She reached for the remote and turned on the television. Perhaps some distraction from her mind could make her feel better.
"And for now for today's biggest news, we go to our reporter, Penny 'live' on the scene."
'Penny: Thanks Jacob, I'm standing here, in front of the palace, where Mayor Zao and the famous actress Ming Zu, who have been dating for months, has finally announced their engagement.'
Pliny gave a groan, she scrolled through the channels, looking for something more interesting. Political news in this kingdom was one of the most boring things to watch, with repeated propaganda by the Mayor and such.
~DING-DONG~
The echoing sound of the doorbell gave her a jump. She unwillingly dragged herself off the seat and lazily shuffled herself towards the door. 'Who could it be at this hour...?' She thought as she looked through the peephole of the door.
No one was there.
Even along the walkway, she could not see anyone leaving, whoever who pressed it must've left in a hurry. Or was it one of those kids in the neighborhood playing a prank at this hour? Especially at this hour, the dimly lit hallway seemed creepy, could it be ghosts? Pliny gulped.
No, she was a Magician, and a quite a skilled one especially, in her own opinion. She was not going to be in fear of anything 'unnatural' or 'mysterious', it was HER area of expertise. She regained her composure and open the door.
Indeed there was no one else in the doorway, except a parcel and a letter. A delivery? At this hour? As she picked it up, Pliny gave another look around to ensure she has not miss anything. She returned inside and laid the items on the table. The items seemed suspicious, item deliveries usually come in the morning. And whoever delivered this left in a hurry as well, perhaps she should be cautious about this.
Or it could be a present, from one of her fans who was too shy to show themselves. Pliny giggled with excitement at the thought of this, forgetting her previous suspicions as she tore open the letter.
As she slipped out the content, she was surprise to find only a green-circle the sheet.
She flipped between the 2 sides, they were similar, a single green-circle printed on if side.
A sudden flash came from the image on the paper, startling Pliny and causing her to drop in on the table.
A single ray of green light followed the flash, and shone on Pliny's face.
"Facial recognition confirmed." A female voice emitted.
Pliny continued staring at the letter, loss for words, as a hologram of a strange machine with 2 tentacles appeared above it. "Greetings, you have been specially selected and granted audience with Lord Brevon."
"Selected?" Pliny did not understand, before she could ask her question, the machine disappeared, and was replaced with another humanoid being, a creature which she had never seen before.
"Hello there." It said a rasping voice.
"I know you must be surprised, but first allow me to introduce myself, my name is Brevon. I am the head of a new and upcoming company that specializes in advance technological products."
"And what would you want with a magician such as me? Magic and Technology does not bode well." Pliny finally managed.
"Ah, that is where you might be wrong, my dear. You see, my company has made some... advancements. We've succeeded in combining both elements, creating technology which supports magic, and we hope you would be willing to help us on testing and fool-proving it. Of course, you would be rewarded greatly for your contribution. One example of our product is in the package, along with the instructions."
Magic and technology together? It seemed like an interesting proposal, and a magician like Pliny always loved learning new tricks. She proceeded to open the package, revealing a majestic tiara, which instantly capture her heart.
"I look forward to working with you." Pliny said.
-FlashBack-
"This is so stupid…" she muttered in the dark.
Then someone open the door and turned on the lights, a Cat Nurse lady walk in to her room and she bowed.
"You have visitors." the nurse said sidestepped away from the entrance. Pliny glance at the door entrance, Milla shyly but slowly took a sneak peak at the door entrance waved Pliny a hello.
Pliny felt surprised, "It's you, what are you doing here?"
Milla walked inside as well other people, "Pliny, I-I just want to say that I'm sorry and I really don't want to do anything that will ruin your career."
"You don't have to worry about it, I didn't get it though my own talents anyway." Pliny said with a sigh.
"Yeah, because you are cheating this whole time," Carol said bluntly and grin.
Lilac sighed "Carol…"
The wild cat look at her friend "What, its true isn't it? But that okay, Miss Show girl just got trick by Aliens, that's all."
Lilac rolled her eyes in response, she turned her attention at the magician "Don't mind my friend, Carol, I'm Lilac, this is Torque," She pointed at the shell duck. "And you already meant Milla of course."
"It's an honor to meet you all… especially you Milla, if you haven't saved me then I would of hurt more innocent people. Thank you Milla." Pliny said sadly. Milla looked away blushing in response. "I-Its nothing really I do want to protect what matters, you are my idol after all."
Pliny's face brighten in response to Milla kind words. The last few days behind the curtain have been truly terrible for her-
"Excuse me ma'am but Milla told us about you meeting a warlord name of Brevon? He's from another world." The shell duck spoke.
"Y-yeah, that's right."
"Mind if you tell us about your experience?"
"Okay"
Pliny explained to everyone in the room on what happen to her before she went berserk at the casino and how she how she was in contact with aliens for another planet.
"Right now, all I can think about is getting back at those scummy aliens for making me do all those things." Pliny clench her fist.
"I see," Torque said.
"I'm already healed, but that not going to matter because I'll porbluy have to go to jail after this…"
"Well I did spoke to the Mayor it's possible to take you under our custody while we take back the Kingdom Stone," Torque replied.
"The Kingdom Stone?" Pliny was puzzled by this.
"The prince of Shuigang took it, but we are going to get it back." Lilac spoke up. "And we can help you find those aliens. You'll see that are adventure consist in kicking some alien's butts too!"
"Well then, I'm in,"
"Really you're going hang out with us?" Milla ask.
Pliny got out her bed, she happily nodded. Pliny was then met with a hug the hound girl, to her surprise.
Milla quickly back away, feeling awkward "Sorry…"
It's okay, it's just a one hug really," Pliny laugh.
"Yeah… but its still feels kind of awkward," Milla began to laugh too.
Outside of Shang Mu Palace
The group followed Mayor Zao out onto the roof garden of the palace. The night life of the city created a sea of light, the view was spectacular. But what was more spectacular, was the giant air-ship that rose from beneath and docked on the center of the roof.
Everyone gasped in amazement.
"We.. get to ride... in THAT!? Ohmygushyes." Carol's shuddered with excitement, behind her, Milla's eyes opened wide.
"But ff course, its equipped with everything you'll need for your trip, including your luxurious living quarters." Zao presented, with Ming at his side.
Sounds of chains could be heard from behind them, the gang turned around and saw Pliny being escorted by guards. Still with her hands cuffed, she held onto her luggage.
Ming jumped behind of the guards, cowering at the sight of Pliny.
Lilac approached them. "Carol and I will take it from here." Lilac said, and the guards handed over the keys to Pliny's cuffs. She turned back at Zao, "Don't worry Mayor, we'll keep an eye on her. And thank you for the hospitality you've shown us."
The Mayor blushed, but attempted to look proud.
"All right, you, let's get a move on." Carol held Pliny by her arms and escorted her up the ship with the rest.
As the gang boarded, the air-ship rumbled and began to take off. Zao and Ming watched as it slowly flew off into the night sky. With the ship gone, the two prepared to return into the palace, while they were suddenly greeted by a anxious guard.
The guard bowed, "Your honor, the Imperial Kyrin Princess has been captured, by Prince Dail's men. Our scouts witnessed the events at the Harbor!"
The guard kept his position, afraid and prepared for an angry outburst from the Mayor, but nothing came.
He slowly looked up, and saw the stunned expression on Zao's face. "Mayor?" The guard inquired.
Zao then suddenly started laughing, which startled both Ming and the guard. "Oh, you must be joking, she's in her private quarters. There's no way she could have sneaked out, and not be seen by any of the guards.." A cold sweat rolled down his face. Was he trying to convince them? Or himself?
"You're letting profit walk the door Mayor!" scowled Ming. "That horrid prince.. who knows what he will do to her.."
"Don't worry dear, I'm sure she's still inside the palace.." Zao laughed nervously "I guess it wouldn't hurt to check up on her, my dear Ming."
Ming Zu glared at the Mayor her hands on her hips and taped her feet.
'She's still here... right?' Zao thought to himself.
Credits:
Original fanfic arthurs: Spine09(aka LionsFang51), Co-written by Crow from the Freedom Planet Forum.
Freedom Planet (c) GalaxyTrail Games
OC's belong to their creators.