-Chapter 17-

Race Day

The following day...

"By the Walkers!" Wynmacher declared.

"My word…" Lara let out.

The creature stood in the darkness, golden eyes shimmering with a predatory gleam. Its great maw hung open hungrily; razor-sharp teeth displayed for all to see. The deep reds, vibrant oranges, and bright yellows of its scaly body seemed to light up the inky black chamber as if its entire body was made of flame. Truly, a beast worthy of the name dragon, child of fire.

"Lara, get behind me! It's about to strike!" Wynmacher shouted, putting himself between the dragon and his lover as he readied a powerful hook. "Stay back, fel beast, if you know what is best for you! Lest you wish to meet a grisly end at the fists of Wynmacher of the House of...!"

"Wyn, that's our boat," Kat cut in.

"Boat?" The Guardian blinked, allowing his still newly-opened eyes to adjust to the morning light. Upon opening the, the monstrous fiend and its dark lair had vanished, leaving behind a wooden boat in the middle of Kat's dimly lit boathouse.

"Oh…so it is," Wynmacher replied, earning exasperated sighs from the ladies. "Still, between the colors, the light, and my barely woken state, it looked like a dragon."

"Of course, it does. This is the Dragon Boat Festival," Kat pointed out. "But, yeah, I can see how you'd think that. Mama worked for days to get it right, and Dad and I painted it ourselves."

"Well, I would say your efforts paid off," Lara said with a smile.

"Indeed! The other boaters will cower in fear at the sight of us!"

"Heh, Just wait til you see the others." Kat walked over to the massive, water-side doors, glancing at the chain and lock holding them in place. Grabbing ahold of the lock, she squeezed it, crushing it to pieces and snapping the chain like a soda can.

"Was that necessary, dear?" Lara asked.

Kar shrugged. "I have no idea where the key is. 'Sides, I should probably look into replacing it anyway. I barely put any strength into it."

Wyn nodded sagely and grunted in affirmation.

"Well then, as soon as Locke arrives, we can all head out," Lara continued.

"Where is the Head Guardian, anyway?" Wyn asked.

"Probably checking on Knux." Kat's mood deflated slightly. "He... still isn't awake…"

"My poor boy…" Lara hung her head in sorrow as Wyn patted her shoulder in reassurance. "And you two were looking forward to this most of all."

"All the more reason for us to compete!" Wyn declared. "For Young Knuckles, we shall place as high as we can in the race!"

"No."

Just then, everyone turned toward the entrance as a new arrival came in.

"We will not just place high in the contest..." Locke said with a confident grin. "We are going to win!"

"Head Guardian!" Wyn cried out.

"Locke, where have you been?"

"Apologies."

"I had some... things to take care of before we left."

Kat's eyes narrowed, her sus meter going off. "What things?"

"Just going over the defense plan with Julie-Su and Jade." he adjusted his belt a bit. "They've agreed to keep watch over Knuckles and the house while Master Bunker and her disciples will be on patrol in the village, in the event the assassin returns."

Kat seemed to buy his answer, slowly relaxing. "Right, that makes sense."

"And this must be our craft." Locke stepped forward, looking over the dragon boat appraisingly; his face scrunched up in thought.

"Impressive, is it not, sir?" Wyn asked.

"It's… fiery," Locke replied. "Fiery and loud."

"Eh, I was 8," Kat chimed in casually. "Flames were cool."

"Yes." Locke took a moment to clear his throat. "But, enough talk! There is a race to be won!"

"Right!" The echidnas watched as Kat climbed aboard the boat and began rummaging through it. When she came out, she was carrying a small, wooden chest.

"Aha! Our boating robes!"

She opened up the chest, revealing several amber-colored shirts. They seemed to be made of silk with a yellow lining and her family's Snowdrop insignia embroidered on the back.

"Boating…robes?" Locke asked.

"Yep! They're like your team uniforms in the race. You wear them over your clothes…" She pulled one out and slid it on, letting it hang open like an unbuttoned jacket. "Like this. Here, try them out."

One by one, the echidnas each took out one of the robes and put them on… with varying degrees of success.

"Oh dear…" Lara said, her robe so big, it was dragging on the floor. "Kathryn, I think…"

"We have a problem…" Locke finished, his robes so big that he looked like a child attempting to wear his father's shirt.

"Ooooh…" Kat let out. "Right… I forgot about Mobian sizes."

"Come! On!" Wyn grunted as he attempted to get his arms into sleeves several sizes too small for him. "I will not lose to you, golden garment of reptile racing!"

"Okay, hold on a sec!" Kat ran about, snatching the robes they'd taken as she pulled out new ones. "Here, try these." She handed out the new robes; which, fortunately, fit much better.

"Heh, you guys look good," Kat commented, her eyes growing a little misty.

"Kathryn?" Lara asked worriedly, snapping Kat back to reality.

"S-Sorry, just… nostalgia," she replied as she shook it off, wiping the budding tears in her eyes. "We should get going."

"Indeed!" Wyn declared as he made for the boat. "The river calls! The race awaits!" He took Lara's hand. "Come, Dearest Lara, the glory of victory is...!"

"Hold it!"

Locke suddenly grabbed Wyn's hand, startling the others. "You will be sitting next to Kathryn, Wynmacher," he practically ordered. "I will be sitting with Lara."

"H-Head Guardian?"

"Locke! What are you…?"

"Actually, that's a good idea," Kat cut in, to everyone's surprise (especially Locke's). "Wyn is more on par with my strength level, meaning he can keep up with me more easily and put the same force into rowing as me."

"Keeping us more balanced and improving our speed!" Wyn finished, facepalming. "Of course! How could I miss that? Excellent thinking, Head Guardian!"

"Errr… Y-Yes! O-Of course!" Locke replied, clearing his throat.

"Focus!" he thought to himself. "You need to appear confident and in control! This is your moment. The Ancient Walkers declared it so. Just follow the plan and Lara will be yours again!"

"Locke?" Kat called out, bringing the Head Guardian back to reality.

"Coming!" he called out as he took his place with the others in the boat.

"Alright," Kat began. "You guys probably already know, but let's do a quick refresher on how to pilot the boat, alright?" She picked up one of the oars. "To go forward, row in the opposite direction you want to go and make sure you're going counterclockwise…or… wait, was it…?"

As Kat attempted to remember how things worked, Locke decided to try and strike up a conversation with Lara.

"You know what this reminds me of?" he began. "Our honeymoon. Remember? Right after the ceremony? When we went down the Azure River toward the lake?"

"I think so…" Lara replied, not even looking him in the eye. "That was when you slipped while getting out of the canoe, right?"

Locke blushed slightly at the memory. "I-Is that what happened?"

"You flailed your arms about and screamed that you were drowning."

"Ahhh…" Locke grimaced. "Yes, I remember now."

"And then, a huge school of fish tried to pull you underwater by your robe!" Lara burst into laughter.

"Alright, Lara, settle down, it wasn't that funny…"

"And when I tried to pull you out, you just slipped out and tumbled over into the ship, lying face down with your bottom hanging in the air!" She gasped for breath. "Oh Aurora… that was…"

"Blast it, Lara, would you cut that out!?" Locked snapped, startling her.

"Locke…I…"

"Clockwise!"

Kat's shout startled Locke, almost making him jump out of his seat.

"Now I remember! Gaia, three years away and I got this rusty?" Kat shook her head in embarrassment.

"Perhaps you should join me on the fishing canoes once in a while," Wyn offered. "It might help you resharpen your old skills."

"I might just take you up on that."

Wyn ruffled Kat's hair in an almost fatherly manner, eliciting a giggle from the human girl as she straightened her scarlet locks out. The sight made Locke glower furiously, his oar creaking in his trembling hands. He'd never seen Kathryn smile like that before, not even when she was with Knuckles or her friends. Damn that Wynmacher! He needed to win this race.

"Alright!" Kat declared. "Enough lollygagging! The starting line awaits!"

Together, they began to row down the river, passing Jade and Julie-Su along the way.

"Good luck out there!"

"Knock'em dead!"

"Thanks, guys!" Kat called out. "Keep an eye on everything!"

"We'll see you all later!" Lara waved.

"With glory!" Wynmacher added.

Jade and Julie watched as the boat sailed off, happily waving goodbye until it was not but a speck in the distance. Upon which…

"This is Dark Pink and Jade Empress to Blue Dragon and White Tiger," Julie-Su said into her wrist comm, her expression turning serious. "Come in, Blue Dragon. Over."

"H-Hey, is this thing working? I can't tell."

"Roger. You need to say 'Over' when you're done speaking, Dulcy. Over."

"Okay, good… Seriously, I am not good at using these high-tech gadgets you Westerners love."

"For once, we agree."

"Shut up, Jian. Over."

Jian sighed. "I am serious, though. These devices won't make much difference, especially against someone like Rantao. Are they really necessary? Over."

Julie-Su sighed. "White Tiger, I understand, especially with all you've been through, but this is easier to communicate with and we need an edge against the assassin. You understand that much, right? Over."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"One word. Tail. Over."

Jian went silent for a few seconds before clearing her throat. "...Well, if it keeps Rantao from taking more innocent lives, I will bear with it. Over."

"Tail?" Jade asked.

"Not important," Julie dismissed. "What is important is protecting Knuckles and the Winters Household. Speaking of, the dragon has left its den and is off to steal the princess. Over."

"Y'know, only Eurish dragons did that, right?"

"Dulcinea..."

"Sorry, Shifu. Over."

"Anyway...status update. Black Tortoise, has Puss In Boots come to town? Over."

"No sign of her yet, Dark Pink, but Red Phoenix and I will keep watching. Over."

"But Rantao doesn't wear boots. Over," Cinder chimed in.

"Remind me to see if I can get a copy of those Eurish fairy tales. Over," Bunker commented.

"Yeah... that's my fault," Julie sighed. "Anyway, Jade Empress and I are going to do a sweep of the cottage. Keep your eyes peeled. Keep in contact." She narrowed her eyes. "And for the love of Chaos, keep it together. Over."

"Right, if anything happens to my friend. I'm gonna…"

"Right, over and out!" And with that, Julie ended the call. "Haaaa… Good grief, how is the 300-year-old turtle hermit more techno-literate than those two?"

"Bunker-furen basically helped raise Kat since she was eight, she learned."

"Meanwhile, those two can't go a full minute without getting at each other's throats."

"Seriously, why do they keep putting them together? Can we really trust them to protect Kat?"

"Don't look at me, I'm not the one who picked the teams."

Jade leveled her with a look.

"I-I mean...! I'm sure they pull through in a pinch!"

"Right…" Jade replied, unconvinced.

Julie let out a sigh. "Sorry… Kinda new to this whole leader thing. Usually, Vector's the one calling the shots… or Knux."

"Oh great, not only is half our village team more likely to fight each other as much as Rantao but I got stuck with the useless one."

Julie grimaced. "Hey! I didn't see you jumping to be on the village teams."

"As if I'd leave my best friend's home in the hands of a half-dead, red rat."

"Hey! That half-dead, red rat is my boyfriend!"

"I was talking about you, mugou."

Julie's eyes narrowed. "Alright, I have no idea what you just said, but I'm guessing it's something insulting and R-rated."

Jade held up a hand. A finger was extended, but she wasn't pointing.

"I'm going to go keep watch now."

"Yes, you do that."

And with that, the two stomped off in opposite directions as they began their first patrol of the area; neither noticing a glare of light in the woods.

-X-

Meanwhile...

In the village, Dulcy and Jian were up on the rooftops, watching to see if Rantao was hiding among the many festivalgoers.

THUNK!

"Ahhhhh!"

SPLASH!

And watching the festival events, such as Fu Yao playing the role of dunking chump.

"Wow…" Dulcy let out. "He really did fix it up overnight. That is terrifying and impressive."

"If you have time to look at the sights, look for Rantao," Jian snapped. "She could show up at any time. If she hasn't already."

"I am looking."

"Right…"

Not wanting to get into an argument with Jian this early in the day, Dulcy merely sighed and resumed her vigil… for a little under a minute.

"Can I ask you something?" Dulcy asked.

This time, Jian sighed. "I doubt saying no will stop you from asking anyway." She shook her head in resigned annoyance. "So...what?"

"How well do you know Rantao?"

Jian froze, her fur tingling.

"You two were part of the Suzaku Assassination team. They wouldn't just send any random ninjas to go after such high-profile and well-protected targets, they'd want a team that they knew worked well together and got results. You two have a history."

Jian nodded. "You're right, Rantao and I often worked together. My ice techniques worked well with her weather techniques."

"Right, rain and ice," Dulcy noted. "But what about Rantao herself? A team is more than just what attacks work well together. If you two were paired up often enough, you must've been good..."

Dulcy stiffened as she felt the temperature drop so low, that she almost swore she was in the dunk tank again.

"Good what?" Jian asked, looking over her shoulder as she gave the coldest glare she had ever given the dragon… literally.

"Errr…" Dulcy swallowed nervously. "Good… friends?"

"We were never friends," she stated plainly. "There are no friends in the Raiju. Friendship is a weakness. All that matters is power, and those who lack it are either slaves or corpses."

"Right…" Dulcy took a breath as she tried to think of a new question. "So, if Rantao shows up…?"

"When she shows up," Jian corrected.

"Right, when, what's the plan?"

"Simple, I go after her and you make sure everyone else stays away."

"Wait, you're going to face her alone!?" Dulcy uttered in disbelief. "Are you insane!? She nearly burned us to a crisp last time!"

"Because you got in the way," Jian continued. "I had Rantao frozen in place. If you hadn't tried to 'help', I could've killed her right then and there."

"You mean killed her clone," Dulcy reminded. "Do you intend to face all four of them too?"

"No." Jian shook her head. "Rantao doesn't use the same tactic twice in a row against the same targets, especially if it fails."

"So, what's she going to do now?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know!?" Dulcy snapped, getting agitated. "You're seriously going to face Yurashia's greatest assassin on your own!? Do you have any idea how stupid that sounds? Seriously, just let me help, Jian! We're both Freedom Fighters, we…"

"I said, no!"

Dulcy nearly let out a girlish squeal as Jian instantly materialized in front of her, her jade eyes shimmering with the empty, life-draining cold of a frozen lake.

"Listen and listen carefully, Dulcinea," Jian began, practically spitting Dulcy's name. "Yamaneko Rantao is unlike any opponent you've ever faced. I am the only one who can keep up with her because I know how she fights and - more importantly - how she thinks. This. This is my fight. It has to be. So, get it through your thick, scaly skull and stay out of things that don't concern you! Understand!?"

Dulcy swallowed nervously, the tigress' frigid glare threatening to bore into her soul and freeze her alive. She was prepared to reply with a hasty, stammering "Yes" and drop the conversation, when she noticed something in her eyes that gave her pause… then calm… then determination.

"Just answer me one thing and I swear, I'll drop it."

"Fine."

"Who did she hurt and how bad?"

Jian's eyes widened as she bit into her lower lip. Her fists clenched. Her fur bristled. Her tail thrashed about as frost formed around where she was standing. Dulcy was shocked, it was the most emotion she'd seen from the former assassin since they first met in the Bamboo Backwoods. She looked like she was ready to claw her eyes out when the sound of loud pops and bangs filled the air.

"Kuso…" Jian cursed as she settled down. "The racers have arrived!" And with that, she took off.

"Jian!" Dulcy called out, but she was already more than halfway there. "Haaaa…dammit…"

-X-

Meanwhile, in the village streets…

"Eep! Samuiiiii…" Cinder let out as she shivered.

Bunker sighed. "It would seem Dulcinea and Jian are having another fight. Aiyah…"

"I wish they would just get along… we're supposed to be a team." Cinder curled up into a fetal position, both to keep warm and out of worry. "Instead, they're always arguing and yelling and fighting. It's just like things were…"

She stopped, shaking her head.

"Just like what?" Bunker asked.

"It's nothing, Sensei…"

"Cinder…"

Realizing Bunker wasn't going to let it go, the young pheasant sighed.

"It's just like how things were back at the castle… with Oniisama and Oneesama."

"Ah…" Bunker nodded in realization. "Your siblings."

"Anytime they had to be in the same room, everyone got really. The only time they talked was when they needed something, and it always sounded really scary. And sometimes, they'd just look at each other with these really mean faces, and everything just got really hot. And that was only when I was in the room with them. When I wasn't, they'd yell and scream at each other. Oneesama even told Oniisama she hoped that he'd fall down the well and die." She sniffled. "Now Oneechan and Dulcy are fighting, and they're gonna… they're gonna…"

Cinder let out a soft, squealing chirp as Bunker reached down and picked her up.

"It's alright, Cinder," she soothed. "I can assure you, your sister and Dulcy are nothing like Flare and Ember. They have their differences, but when it matters most, they always come through. They did back at Bamboo Backwoods and the Summit, remember?"

"But that was only because Kacchan was there," Cinder argued.

Bunker chuckled. "She did have little patience for their bickering. I believe their heads still have lumps from her 'corrections'."

Cinder giggled as she remembered the big, round, smoking bumps Kat had left on their noggins before they left for Boltscar Rock.

"But, you are right. If this team is ever going to work, they need to learn how to manage their differences and accept each other. Not to mention, Jian will need to overcome her own, personal demons."

Cinder perked. "Demons?"

"Indeed." Bunker nodded. "The parts of her past that haunt her. Her mistakes. Her regrets. Her failures."

"Oneechan's failures…"

Before they could dwell on the matter further, a series of loud pops and bangs filled the air.

"Ah, it seems the race is about to start," Bunker said.

"We should go cheer on Kacchan!" Cinder replied eagerly as she ran off. "C'mon, Sensei!"

"Hoho! Slow down, Cinder!"

Cinder sped down the streets, laughing happily, her arms stretched out like an airplane. For a brief moment, she'd forgotten all about Dulcy and Jian's fighting. Of Rantao's inevitable counterattack. And of the bad memories of her family back in Suzaku. But as she passed by the crowds of people, something caught her eye. A lone figure passed by her on the street, a tall gentleman in a long, jacket-like robe, and a wide-brimmed hat that obscured most of his facial features. All she could reliably make out was his hair, which had been done in a long ponytail—a ponytail made of blue feathers.

"N-Nani?"

"Cinder?" Bunker asked in concern, having finally caught up to her. "Cinder, what's wrong?"

"Sensei, that man in the robe," she said, pointing to where the man was… "He… huh?"

…only to find that he was no longer there.

"Wh-Where did he… Sensei, did you see him?"

Bunker shook her head. "I'm sorry, dear. There was no one there."

"But… I could've sworn I saw…" Before Cinder could dwell on the stranger further, more pops and bangs sounded out, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Ah! The race! We need to go!"

With that, Cinder resumed running, albeit with less energy than before.

"Cinder, slow down!" Bunker called out as she sprinted after her apprentice, neither noticing the contemptuous eyes glaring daggers the former's back.

"Kitanai kame…" Flare growled as he fingered his blade. "Once I take care of Winters… you're next."

-X-

Starting Line

The bang of firecrackers and the cheer of the crowd echoed throughout the village as everyone gathered at the riverside, packing in until they were practically pressing against the ropes set up to keep them from falling in.

"Ni hao and hello, Shengcun!" shouted a man with a paper megaphone from atop a wooden tower as a Chao with a small video camera recorded him. "I'm your MC and commentator Bao the Raccoon Dog! And if you couldn't tell from the fireworks or this massive crowd of people, it's time! It's here! It's now! It's the moment you've all been waiting for! It's the 33rd Annual! Jialong River! Dragon! Boat Raaaaaace!"

The cheering of the audience exploded into a deafening roar, banners and flags waving among the crowd with noisemakers and poppers going off as the cause of this jubilation revealed itself. A fleet of rowboats paraded down the river. Each one was carefully hand-carved from the finest wood in the visage of a mighty dragon and painted in bright, vivid colors; from fiery reds and oranges, to bright shimmering blues and yellows, to royal purples and luscious greens. Each was piloted by a team of four to five people with at least one adult and child. Families who had gathered for the big race.

The contestants had arrived.

"By Aurora…" Lara let out. "So many people…"

"Kathryn, when you said the entire village comes to see this, I thought it but an exaggeration," Wynmacher added.

"I told you, it's a really big deal here," Kat replied. "And it's not just our village, but many of our neighbors and those who live out in the isolated farms. Sometimes, we even get some visitors from the larger cities."

"All the better to make my victory the sweetest," Locke whispered eagerly.

"Sweetest?" Lara asked.

"Err… Kathryn!" Locke cried out. "Isn't Jialong the name of the dragon who you… claimed the sweetest victory over during your time away? Zan, was it?"

Kat nodded. "Yeah, good catch. A lot of Chun-nan used to be ruled by dragon clans in ancient times. This must've been his clan's territory back then." Her face turned in disgust as she realized what she'd just said. "Uuuugh… now I'm really glad I kicked his ass. He would have never let me live it down."

"I imagine he won't live it down either," Locke chuckled.

"Eh, I don't think he even remembers," Kat said.

"Perhaps you should remind him when next you face him."

Kat thought for a moment, her face becoming marred with concern. "As fun as that would be, the last thing I want is to give a Cyberized dragon any ideas about conquering my home. It's seen enough destruction and conquest to last a lifetime."

Locke winced. "Right…"

"If he tries, he will be met with the full force of Angel Island's Guardians!" Wynmacher declared. "Be it one village or a whole nation, the Land of Rice and Dragons belongs to no one! Not even dragons" He paused. "...or rice!"

Kat giggled at that, her earlier melancholy fading away. "Thanks, Wyn. But hopefully, it never comes to that."

Locke growled, his grip on his oar tightening.

"The rules are simple!" Bao shouted, grabbing everyone's attention. "Our racers will make their way down the river, passing through the Kirin Tail Rapids… then…"

Locke closed his eyes, drowning out the announcer's chatter. He didn't need to listen, he knew the course already. Better, even. Instead, his thoughts turned to the happy thoughts of what would happen after the race; exactly like how he'd imagined it the previous night. Through his brilliant leadership and planning, they would cross the finish line before any of the other teams, despite having never piloted a boat in his life, let alone on this land. Kathryn would congratulate him, scooping him up and throwing him into the air as everyone cheered. Wynmacher would break down and break up with Lara, "lamenting how he humiliated her and sullied her honor for failing in such a momentous fashion, and how she deserved better than a sad, pitiful excuse of a man such as he" (or whatever flowery gobbledygook he'd use). And Lara… Lara would finally see that he had changed for the better. That he was no longer the same foolish man he was before. That he was wiser, more capable. Someone she could depend upon. It would take time and they would have to explain things to Knuckles, but eventually, they could finally mend things over.

"Locke?"

The spark would rekindle…

"Locke!"

Things would go back to the way they were…

"Locke!?"

And the two of them would live happily ever…

"LOCKE!"

"Gah!" Locke shouted as he looked around rapidly until he found Kat looking right at him.

"By the Ancients. Will you quit zoning out?! It's getting really old and the race is about to start!"

"Wait, what!?"

"Ready, racers!?" Bao shouted, holding up a small, but colorful firecracker with the symbol for "Loud" on it, his finger in the loop of the pull-string. "San!"

"Oh crap!" Locke shouted as he fumbled about with his oar, his gaze steeling as he focused on the river.

"Er!"

Kat and Wyn grinned enthusiastically as they prepared to paddle.

"Ni!"

Lara regarded her former husband with a look of concern before turning her attention to the race as well.

"Qù!"

With a fierce tug, Bao pulled the string, causing the firecracker to burst with a loud bang and a cloud of confetti. In an instant, the boats all sailed out; rushing down the river as fast as the current and the rowing of their pilots would take them.

The race had begun.

Author's Note:

And so begins the beginning of the end...

For now, see you next time. Don't forget to R&R.