Sol Noxious

A Cautionary Tale on Corruption

I: Old Friends

A month has gone by and the damage caused by Tolkien has since been repaired. The three kingdoms have never been more united since, and time will only strengthen their ties.

Blaze-san was outside of her palace preparing a tanzaku before hanging it on the bamboo nearby. She turned to see her brother doing the same nearby. "Brother."

Cinder looks to her. "Did you make your wish?"

"Yes. You as well?"

"Of course." He looks at his tanzaku. "I just hope it will come true."

The feline walks over to him. "I'm certain it will, Cinder. Now, would you like to accompany me to the festival?"

Cinder was rather surprised by her request. "Why not Balam?"

"Balam is still in negotiations with the Northern Aquila Republic's prime minister following Tolkien's attempted nuclear strike."

"Hopefully she'll be back soon." The bengal tiger would then walk with her to the festival.

As they leave, a wolf was tailing behind them as he whispers into a wrist communicator. "Masked Marauder is heading for the festival."

A stag among the citizens at the festival responds. "Good. Is the princess with him?"

"Affirmative."

"For once you're of use to us, Francis."

The wolf sighs a bit as he then contacts someone else. "Gale, have you been able to track Marshall?"

Gale was positioned atop a nearby pagoda. "Sanders is on stage performing opposite a feline from the Aquila Republic."

Francis arrives seeing the stage. "Do not engage. He's a social service agent."

"How is a performing artist a service agent?"

"The Aquila Republic still maintains a mandatory conscription for their male citizens due to the ongoing conflict with the Northern territory. Anyone not fit for military service takes on an alternative service."

Gale then catches wind of someone. "A hydrokinetic." She looks among the crowd.

Marine was at the front of the stage as she sees Blaze and Cinder arrive. "Good, you two are here."

Cinder looks up at Marshall. "You're not watching the show?"

"I need to be on guard. That Francis could be planning something here."

Blaze kneels down to her. "Marine, I know you're worried, but Francis wouldn't act on his own."

The raccoon looks around. "Maybe, but he may not be alone. They said he had two accomplices."

The stag was nearing the three of them. "Target in sight. Keep your senses on me as I apprehend her for questioning."

Marshall looks at the crowd as he notices the stag. He then points him out. "Favre!"

Everyone in the crowd turned to him as they back away revealing him.

Favre puts his hands up as she looks up at the lion. "It's been a long time, Marshall. I see you let go of the gold locks and necklace."

Marine turns to Blaze. "That deer is one of Francis's accomplices."

Blaze approaches him. "Why are you here?"

The stag smiles at her. "My disciples and I are looking into some confidential information regarding one of your father's past projects."

Cinder attempted to draw his sword only for an arrow to strike just beside him.

"I wouldn't do that, Prince. Not while she has your scent."

Marshall looks to the pagoda. "Gale."

"As I said, we are inquiring about an old project. One called…Project Eternal."