Meanwhile in the Citadel village hall was a confrontation approaching.
"Governor Adama, you have the honor of declaring the Citadel to Battle Lord Predator and the Battle Bird Armada." A bearded vulture menacingly paced around a rhino, who was the aforementioned governor of the Citadel.
"Sgt. Kibirige, your army was fortunate to penetrate our walls. But once we drive your army out, well, if there will be an army by the time the G.U.N. comes, Mazuri will be free." Governor Adama huffed, slamming his hands on the table.
"Don't be too confident in G.U.N. 's ability, Adama. They have… more pressing issues to worry about. Let's say Mazuri is not on their priority list, for now." Kibirige gave a smug grin.
Adama growled. "Fine. Whatever G.U.N. help or not, we will drive you and your gang of thugs out in due time."
"Whatever you say, governor. Anyway, you will give your blessing to our new Battle Lord."
"New Battle Lord? What happened to the last one?" Amada raised an eyebrow.
"Let's say he is getting a demotion." Kibirige winked.
"Wake up to your first day as a servant boy." Speedy stirred to a mocking voice as he stirred up. He saw a falcon guard at the front of his cell.
"Since you are not the Battle Lord anymore, you will address me as your Superior Lieutenant Torikawa. Battle Lord Predator has commanded me to escort you to Mazuri as you will be deployed there for your… heh, demotion." Torikawa sneered as Speedy struggled to get up groggily.
Demotion in Mazuri? Speedy raised an eyebrow. What was Sky's intention?
As he was escorted off the ship by Torikawa who was pulling him by a rope tied around his hands, he became introspective on what had happened. His father dying, a mission to survey more of the Efrikan continent leading to his crew members being murdered by Sky, Sky returning to the Armada and Fukurokov betraying him, that felt it went too fast.
And now, he was being sent to the very country that he dubbed, "a trash place that will be renovated by the Armada." Perhaps Sky received word of his disdain of Mazuri. Hopefully it will stay within the battleship.
The ride down to Mazuri was relatively quick. He was forced to put on a Mazurian outfit and brown sandals. The warm grass of the savannah that kissed his legs and feet contrasted with the cold metallic floors of the Armadian airships.
"Heh, this place will be torture to you. Don't be deceived by the atmosphere. The real hell begins when we meet your master and learn the details for your punishment." Torikawa chuckled menacingly, as he tugged Speedy along to follow him.
Speedy felt like his heart was about to explode out of his chest as he edged closer to the destination.
They passed by nearby villagers, who moved away in fear. Some looked in awe, while others looked in disgust.
Speedy laid his head down in shame. Yesterday he was the Battle Lord, but now he is a prisoner of war. What a demotion and fall.
Speedy gritted his teeth as he began digging grave holes for his fallen comrades.
How sadistic! His grip on the shovel began to tighten. Sky was playing mind games with him.
"Um, excuse me?" Speedy looked to see a blue lovebird who seemed like her mauve sister.
"What do you all want? Here to mock me as I labor in defeat?" Speedy snarled.
"N-no, I just want to introduce myself. I am Papaya, and this is my cousin Malapzi." Papaya spoke up as she introduced herself and Malapzi.
"We wanted to thank you for destroying the tree." Malapzi gave a sly grin.
"M-malapzi!" Papaya protested as she chastened the younger lovebird. "Anyway, I personally wanted to ask a question." Papaya anxiously rubbed her hands together. "Why did you destroy the Tree of Love?"
"What, is this good cop or bad cop?" Speedy raised his eyebrow. "I am too busy as you can see. Go away." Speedy spat as he turned his face to dig the graves.
"No, we are not leaving until you give us answers. Tobias did give us permission to talk with you." Papaya's face began to become firm.
"Oh, how surprising. He probably brought you two here to torture me." Speedy rolled his eyes.
"Why are you so… h-heartless?" Papaya stammered.
"That's the nature of the evil Kukku." Speedy grumbled as he continued to dig. "If the Tree was so precious to you, I am sorry. I am not the Battle Lord anymore, so submit your complaint to someone else."
Papaya paused, as Malapzi butted in again, "You should come to our village and apologize. I hated the Tree too, but at least ask for forgiveness if you are sticking around here."
Speedy feels his nerves getting grated.
Why are they so stubborn?! The thought raced through his head as he stayed silent.
Malapzi stuck her tongue in disgust. "Giving us the cold shoulder? Fine, I can tell Tobias how rude you are being to us. Let's go, Papaya."
Speedy paused his digging for a bit, setting his shovel aside. "Go right ahead and leave. See how much he cares." Speedy spat, his voice cracking.
Papaya's countenance lowered as she grabbed her little cousin's shoulder, "You are right Malapzi, let's go." Both lovebirds departed, leaving Speedy alone to finish his task.
It was nighttime when Speedy finished his second grave. He could barely lift up his arms.
"Tired? Seems like you have more to do tomorrow." A mocking voice startled the Kukku, leading him to look back to see Tobias, his new 'master' with a smug smile.
Speedy fumed, knowing that Tobias never lifted a finger to help him.
"Whatever. I am heading back to the funeral home. I am going to sleep." Speedy stormed past Tobias.
"Have a good night. Don't let the dead bodies bite." Tobias' laugh echoed throughout the forest as Speedy paced back to the funeral home.
As Speedy went back to the funeral home where he was staying at, he was cursing to himself under his breath.
I am a failure. Father would be so ashamed of me if he was still alive. I might as well have died with the others.
But as if someone was hearing his words, a voice as soft as the wind blowing tickled his ear. "I get it."
Speedy froze.
"Who is there?!" Speedy yelled.
"Relax. Up here." Speedy looked up to see Papaya from earlier sitting on a small baobab tree branch.
Speedy rolled his eyes, "You again? What do you want? Aren't you supposed to be mourning your Tree?"
Papaya, as if ignoring his sarcastic remark, said, "Look, I just want to talk to you one on one without my cousin."
Speedy huffed, but stayed silent.
The lovebird said, "Look, it may be a surprise, but I… don't care about the Tree, like my cousin. Maybe the Tree being destroyed is a blessing in disguise. If it didn't happen, perhaps you wouldn't be here. I would rather you be here than the Tree being there." Papaya rubbed the top of her hand.
Speedy felt his stone-cold heart melt, but he tried to harden his heart and insulate himself against any vulnerable emotion.
"I hope you are not trying to flatter me." Speedy said, somewhat in an awkward manner.
"Of course I am not. Why would I? I try to see the good in everyone."
"Oh great, you are one of those naive people who sees that everyone is good and kind-hearted inside. But I am not one of those people. The Kukku is a strong and conquering race of warmongers who have lasted generations."
"Warmongers? Oh my. So I see that the Kukku warrior gene has not passed to you like the lovebird dancing gene has not passed down to me." Papaya snickered, her hand covering her chuckle.
"Shut up!" Speedy barked, his beak growing red. "Mocking my demotion? Fine, once I become Battle Lord again and restore my honor, I will burn this village to the ground like I should have done before." Speedy clenched in his fist.
"Stop! I was just kidding! Please!" Papaya gave a pleading glance, her hands gesturing in protest. "Just forgive me. I am not a good dancer either. Maybe we have some in common."
"The only thing we have in common is that we are birds. Nothing else." Speedy turned his face away.
"Look, I know you lost your father not too long ago. I lost my grandparents when I was young. So… I get it. I know we are supposed to be enemies, but if we find common ground, we can maybe be friends."
As if he swallowed a wisp, Speedy frowned in disgust. "Be friends? With you? Never!"
"Well, for some reason Tobias sees me in high regard. I don't want him punishing you and pushing you too hard because you declined my friendship."
"Like I told your cousin, I DON'T CARE! Friends pretend to care about your problems so THEY can feel better about themselves. But once they feel like you are no use to them, they stab you in the back! You think because I am not the Battle Lord anymore that I am no one to fear? Nonsense. You think you can conform me into some cookie cutter white knight? Not a chance! I sure do not need to prove myself to you or anyone." Speedy's face turned red in fury.
"That is the thing: you don't need to prove yourself to anyone! I-I can't make you to be something you are not. I can understand the pressure you had! You were forced to be Battle Lord when your father died. You feel that your comrades' death was your fault. I mean, look, I don't like how you and your army conquered our land and destroyed our Tree, but I feel your punishment is too harsh." Papaya pleaded.
Speedy stayed silent, feeling defeated.
"This war makes me feel miserable and sad, but I try to keep a smile on my face. I can't be anybody's friend. There is an Efrikan proverb: The child not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth. I don't want to reject you because of your background. I… don't want you feeling like it is better dying than staying alive. You may think I am just some naive lovebird but I feel since I am not as good of a dancer as my other family, that I feel like I am worthless and better off dead. But meeting you taught me that maybe I have a purpose. Heck, I may have more in common with you than I have with my own family. You can be the hope of our village. I believe there is a divine reason you are here. How ironic that the one who destroyed our Tree may be possibly the one who continues its legacy." Papaya gave a small smile as she climbed down. "Maybe you don't know it yet."
Speedy became flustered and confused as Papaya finished descending down the tree. "W-what are you talking about? If you didn't care about the Tree, why are you mentioning me carrying its legacy? I am confused."
"Oh, I assumed Tobias never told you? I guess I will leave it up to him to give you the details. Maybe he will reveal it in due time." Papaya smiled, causing Speedy to back away in fear. "Stay safe and take care of yourself. Bye now." Papaya said as she departed from a very confused Speedy.