-Chapter 269-
The Problem with Pheasants
Dragon Kingdom
Seiko returned with the snacks she had gone to procure, passing them out to everyone present. As they all took part in the bounty of offerings, comments rose about the story told so far.
"Okay… Seriously!?" Knuckles demanded. "They just walked in, held you at swordpoint, and forced Bunker to go with them!?"
"Hey, that's life here," Kat said, munching on a rice cracker.
"Unfortunately," Hikari confirmed. "While the Dragon Kingdom has been taking strides to modernize, there are parts of Yurashia that are still deep in the times of the Feudal Era, Suzaku being one of the more extreme examples."
"They're so closed off that they refuse to recognize the Mobium," Kat added. "Everyone there still uses Ryo and Mon as currency."
Cinder pulled several coins from her pockets and put them on the table.
"Whoa…" Sonic let out, picking up one of the Mon coins. "Donut coins."
"This one looks like a biscuit," Antoine remarked, twirling a Ryo between his fingers.
"Either way, this shows just how out of touch the place is," Kat explained as Cinder recollected her money. "Still, if Eggman was attacking, it wasn't like we could just ignore them."
"Indeed we could not," Bunker agreed, "So, we set off for the village where the Suzaku samurai were waiting for me. I brought Kaitian with me, as requested, and I also brought Yukiko."
"I was still sick after all, and having my spiritual tutor with me was simply necessary," Kat added. "Of course, when the samurai saw Bunker being accompanied by not one, but two humans… well…"
Flashback
Village of Hinashinaruse (1)
The two samurai stared at Yukiko and Kat from where they stood on either side of Bunker, their disdain for the pair evident on their faces. The three had met the two pheasants outside of an inn, where both of them had been drinking tea and waiting for them.
"I thank you for your patience in allowing me time to secure my temple," Bunker greeted, bowing to the samurai as both Yukiko and Kat did the same. The samurai did not return the bow.
"The summons was for you and you alone, kame," one of them declared, glaring at the two humans. "Your… attendants will have to remain behind."
"I'm afraid that is simply impossible," Bunker replied with a cool, collected expression. "Wang Kaitian is currently in a rather delicate condition that requires my constant supervision, and Hidaka Yukiko here is the Head Priestess of the Border Shrine. She is a trusted companion and considering that His Imperial Highness has personally requested my assistance, I have decided to call on some aid to ensure that I am able to fully complete whatever request he has for me."
"You can't honestly expect-"
"If you are so against their attendance, then I will have to respectfully decline the invitation." Bunker's pleasant demeanor remained, but there was an air about her that was tense and unforgiving. "You are more than welcome to return to His Imperial Highness with my refusal. I am certain your replacements will be more accommodating."
Despite the tortoise never raising her voice, the look she gave the guards made them sweat.
"Th-That will not be necessary," one said. "Come along."
"Thank you very much."
With that, the trio followed after the guards.
"Shizun, you are terrifying," Kat remarked.
Bunker shrugged. "I was merely stating the facts."
"I know, but it was the way you said it."
"Let's just focus on the task at hand, my dear. We need to save our energy for our visit to the court."
"Gaia knows we'll need it," Yukiko chimed in.
Bunker grimaced. "Indeed."
"Yeah…" Kat rubbed her arms nervously. "I feel like I'm about to walk into a Devil Dog den with a steak tied around my neck."
"Oh no," Bunker corrected. "That's not until we reach Suzaku."
Kat gave her a blank look. "That's not very reassuring."
-X-
Suzaku
The samurai had brought a carriage with them when they traveled to the Shijin Temple, so the group was able to ride rather than walk. It took nearly a full day of travel, but they eventually reached the Kingdom of Suzaku. As the carriage rolled up to the palace steps, they could see a group of villagers had formed just in front of everything.
"What the…?" Kat let out, peeking through the bamboo curtains.
"This doesn't bode well," Yukiko mused, doing the same.
Carefully, the three visitors disembarked from the carriage, approaching the guards and overhearing them arguing with the villagers.
"Another person has gone missing!" one of the villagers protested. "That makes thirty-two. What the hell is Lord Flare doing in there!?"
"All of you, settle down!" a guard snapped. "His Lordship is looking into the matter! Return to your homes at once!"
"This must be the problem we were summoned to take care of," Yukiko realized.
"Missing people…" Kat perked. "They might be Eggman's victims. Cyberized soldiers…"
"He's been looking into things for two weeks now!" the villager shot back. "Our sons are being taken! How are we supposed to live like this?!"
"What, will Lord Flare only bother to do anything when Lady Cinder is taken?!" another shouted. "Is that what it will take?!"
"Silence, peasant!" the guard raised his weapon. Kat was about to act...when suddenly, a jet of flame struck the spear, reducing it to ash."
"Kaitian!" Bunker admonished.
"That wasn't me!" Kat objected, throwing her hands into the air. "I swear!"
"Raising your weapon against your people?" Everyone looked up to see Dulcy flying overhead. "It seems the warriors of Suzaku haven't changed at all in the last century."
The villagers all froze up in horror.
"It's a dragon!" one screamed. "Run for your lives!"
The villagers scattered as Dulcy landed, the guards scowling at her.
"What the hell do you think you're doing here, ryu ?" one demanded. "Your kind aren't welcome here."
"Perhaps, but we are apparently needed. Especially since Lord Flare seems to be doing little to protect the common folk from this threat."
"You..."
"Enough!"
The guards stiffened, everyone turning to see a blue pheasant step forward. He had orange eyes and a teal beak and talons and was clad in an elaborate, purple kimono and hakama, and a bright scarlet haori with flame-like designs. His head plumage had been tied into a samurai's ponytail, with his bangs parted so they almost covered his left eye. At his side were a set of daisho swords with obsidian grips and crossguards that resembled the kanji for fire. He had a haughty, imperious, and grim air about him like his mere presence was about to cause the surrounding area to burst into flames.
"F-Flare-dono!" the guards immediately bowed.
"What is going on here?" Flare demanded. "Who let these ryu into my kingdom?"
Kat perked. "Wait…. these ?" It was at that moment she noticed something red sticking out of some cloth on Dulcy's back. "Hold on… Kaen?"
Dulcy blinked. "I do not know what you speak of, Lord Flare...I-"
"Birdy!" Sure enough, Kaen's head popped out.
"Uh-oh…" Kat let out.
"Birdy! Bloo birdy!" Kaen jumped out, leaping for Flare, only to be snatched up by one of the guards.
"How dare you address Lord Flare in such a manner, you filthy ryu ?!"
Before Kat could react, they saw something glowing, turning to see Yukiko had nocked an arrow, the tip glowing blue with qi.
"So this is how Suzaku's finest reacts to innocent children?" the miko spat. "Disgraceful."
"Do you realize what you're-?!"
" Silence." Yukiko snapped, barely raising her voice. "Whatever you do to that dragon pup, I'll unleash on you tenfold. So, I suggest you let him go. NOW. "
They stared silently at one another before the guard released his grip on Kaen. Kat was quick to grab the small dragon and pull him close to her chest in a protective manner.
"Now, now," Bunker stepped between them, lowering Yukiko's bow. "No need for this to get bloody."
"What the..." the guard let out. "What do you think you're doing here, kame!?"
"I summoned her here." Flare stated. "Master Bunker, good of you to come."
"It is good to see you as well, Entei Flare." Bunker bowed to Flare reverently. "You've grown more...king-like since I last saw you."
"S… Shifu?" Dulcy stammered.
"You know this ryu , Bunker?" Flare questioned.
Bunker straightened up, nodding. "This is Dulcinea, one of my disciples."
Kat reacted with shock as Dulcy tensed.
"I brought her and a few other pupils with me to deal with this important matter."
"Priestess Yukiko of the Border Shrine I can understand, but bringing emissaries of Dragon's Nest?" Flare glowered at Kat. "And what is that ?"
Kat bowed as best she could while still holding onto Kaen. "Wang Kaitian of Shengchun, Your Highness. It is an honor to meet you."
Flare suddenly scowled, angry. "Keep your mouth shut before I have it sewn shut, you repulsive, gaijin mutt!"
Kat grimaced but bit her tongue.
"If you truly desire my help, Lord Flare, perhaps you should be more civil to my pupils," Bunker suggested calmly.
Flare scoffed. "She is a dirty, Western imperialist. Such beings are unworthy of civility."
"Regardless of her looks and heritage, Wang Kaitian is as much a child of Yurashia as you and I. Keep that in mind before you judge her too harshly. Now, with that in mind, what do you require my help with?"
Flare let out an annoyed grunt.
"Oniisama."
Flare turned to see another pheasant, this one female, arriving as well. Like Flare, she had blue feathers, a teal beak and talons, orange eyes, and a purple kimono, though her's was decorated with elaborate floral patterns in orange, pink, and red. Her head plumage was long and had been styled into an elaborate, flowing ponytail, and adorned with several kanzashi (2). Unlike Flare, she had a calm, soothing air about her, like a warm hearth.
"Ember-hime!" The guards kneeled again.
"Rise," Ember ordered.
"Ember, I thought I told you to wait in the castle," Flare not-so-subtly snapped.
"I did, and you did not return as you said you would. Thus, I deemed it necessary to check on you." She turned to Kat's group. "And these must be the warriors you summoned." She stepped forward, bowing. "I bid you welcome to our kingdom, brave ones. Thank you very much for answering our call for aid."
"Ember..." Flare let out.
"Brother, we are wasting time, and making a spectacle in front of our subjects," Ember reminded him. "Besides, if we continue to lose men to this threat, trades will be affected, and our entire economy will take a downturn. We cannot waste time on antiquated views." she gave her brother a serious look. "Or do you want something to happen to Cinder?"
Flare snapped to attention. "Yes, of course."
Ember nodded. "Please, come this way. We shall explain the situation in the castle."
Ember and Flare headed inside, though Flare cast one last glare at the group.
"Well, that could have been worse," Yukiko noted.
"Yeah, you said it," Kat agreed, holding Kaen like a stuffed animal.
"Aunt Kitty!" Kaen cheered as Yukiko turned to Dulcy with a smile.
"What's it been, Dulcinea?" she asked. "Five years?"
"Hold up," Kat cut in. "That reminds me. Dulcy is your student too, Shizun?"
"I was..." Dulcy grimaced, then shook her head. "A-Anyway, we should get moving. There are lives at stake."
The dragon walked off a little too fast.
"Dashi-senpai?" Kaen asked, confused.
"Hmmm..." Bunker just watched Dulcy go.
-X-
Later, the group gathered in the audience chamber.
"Over the past several weeks, numerous citizens have been kidnapped," Flare explained. "From their homes, their jobs... anywhere a shadow can conceal an assailant."
"That sounds like Eggman…" Kat shuddered.
Bunker put a hand on Kat's shoulder. "I see...do you have any idea who the one responsible for these acts is, Your Lordship?"
"I do. Which is why I summoned you in the first place. Shortly before the incidents began, my castle was attacked by shinobi of the Raiju Clan."
"The Raiju!?" Dulcy exclaimed in shock. Everyone else gasped, except for Kaen.
"Aunt Kitty, whassa Rachu?" he asked.
"I'm not sure, Kaen," Kat replied. "But it sounds bad."
"The worst," Yukiko confirmed. "The Raiju is one of the Four Noble Ninja Clans, and by far the most brutal. They value strength and power above all else and favor combat over diplomacy. Amidst the Raiju, might makes right. And love and emotion is a weakness to be stamped out."
Kat gulped. "That… is not ideal, at all."
"Why did they attack you?" Bunker asked.
"To assassinate my family and I. Suzaku is the last of the old kingdoms. Our demise would leave its wealth and bounty ripe for others to claim it. Such as the Dragon Kingdom...or the accursed United Federation."
"And you require my aid for this? It seems like a job better suited to the Shinobi or the Gossamer."
"I would sooner eat my own sword than turn to that lizard Ansa or that witch Himiko."
"Then why come to Shizun?" Kat asked.
Flare glared at her, getting a wince before he calmed down and answered the question. "As for why I have summoned you here… there are two reasons." he turned to his guards. "Bring the cadaver."
The guards bowed before running off, returning with a dead body covered with a sheet.
"Master Bunker, you are one of the most powerful warriors in all of Yurashia, and an expert on all matters related to qi and the spiritual," Flare said. "Tell me, what do you make of this?"
The guards removed the sheet, everyone gasping at the sight of the withered, desiccated husk beneath it.
"By Gaia's light…" Yukiko managed as Kat covered Kaen's eyes.
"What...What the hell is this?!" Dulcy demanded.
"It's..." Kat let out. "It's completely drained of qi…"
"This is… They've been used as a Cauldron…(3)" Bunker managed, unnerved. "What kind of monster is capable of such a thing!?"
"I don't know," Flare replied. "And more importantly, I don't care. Whatever caused this is a threat to my people and must be stopped."
"...you mentioned a second reason," Bunker piped up.
Flare nodded. "Yes. While the Raiju were unsuccessful in their assassination attempt, they did not leave empty-handed. They managed to abduct Cinder."
"Cinder?" Bunker asked.
"Mama!?" Kaen screamed fearfully.
"That's impossible!" Dulcy said. "I just spoke to Cinder three days ago!"
"I don't think she is referring to that Cinder, Dulcinea," Bunker soothed. "At least, I'm assuming this Cinder isn't a black dragon."
"Of course not," Flare stated.
"Cinder is our little sister. The youngest princess of Suzaku." Ember displayed a family portrait of the siblings, pointing to a third pheasant around Cream's age and size. "This is her."
"Pretty birdie…" Kaen remarked.
"She looks like she's about Cream's age," Kat mused.
Dulcy looked her over. "She's...orange. She looks like a little phoenix."
"She does," Ember agreed. "Cinder was born with incredibly strong Fire qi. She's only eight years old, but she's already capable of using advanced-level techniques. A power many would kill to get their hands on."
At the mention of that, Yukiko's fists clenched.
"I despise those who mistreat children," she spat. "Rest assured, Lord Flare, if they harm Lady Cinder in any way, I'll send the Raiju's souls straight to Naraka (4)."
Flashback Over
"Hold up, hold up," Sonic turned to Cinder. "Are they talking about you?"
"Yes, actually," Cinder confirmed.
"Y-you're a princess?!" Amy exclaimed.
Cinder fidgeted but nodded.
"We're getting there," Jian interjected, her tail wrapping around Cinder in a comforting manner.
"Right, sorry. Carry on."
"Now then, considering what was at stake, we agreed to take on the task," Bunker went on. "Flare and Ember informed us that Cinder's kidnapper had been hiding out in the nearby Bamboo Backwoods Zone. So, after making some preparations, we headed there."
Flashback
The four women met in the halls outside of the audience chamber, discussing what to do.
"Bunker-sama, I believe our first step should be research into whatever could have drained that man's qi," Yukiko decided. "We need to be sure of what we're dealing with here besides the Raiju."
"Indeed," Bunker agreed. "While there are techniques that drain one's qi, it would take something powerful to drain one completely. Perhaps it would be best for you to stay and check the royal library for anything of use."
"Here." Kat tossed Yukiko her cell phone. "Feel free to use this too."
"Technology…" Yukiko chuckled. "If it's not Internet searches, it's Mizuki's obsession with those newfangled trick arrows. Very well, you all should be careful."
"Keep Aunt Kitty safe!" Kaen promised.
-X-
Bamboo Backwoods Zone
After a short walk, Kat, Dulcy, and Bunker found themselves before a massive bamboo forest.
"Here we are, the Bamboo Backwoods Zone," Dulcy told them. "The largest bamboo forest in Yurashia."
"Makes me wanna grab some shoots to take back to Angel Island," Kat mused.
"Perhaps we should," Bunker said. "I haven't had a good Takemoko no Nimono (5) in ages. What do you think, Dulcinea?"
"I suppose," Dulcy remarked before walking off. "Come on, we have work to do."
"Dulcinea..." Bunker sighed, she and Kat watching her go.
"Aunt Kitty worried?" Kaen asked.
"More like confused," Kat clarified. "Why's she acting like that?"
"I wish I knew, Kaitian," Bunker replied. "Dulcinea was one of my favorite disciples. She was practically a daughter to me."
"Weird… she's never mentioned you."
Bunker sighed. "I suppose she just moved on and forgot about an old terrapin like me." she shook her head sadly. "It can't be helped, I suppose."
"I suppose, but this feels… different."
"Shifu! Kaitian!" Dulcy's voice came. "Over here!"
Everyone came rushing over, stopping short to find themselves on the remains of a battlefield, the area covered with dead Suzaku samurai.
By the Ancients… Kat gasped.
"Dulcinea, stand back." Bunker rushed over to examine one of the bodies. "Hmmm...strange."
"More victims?" Kat asked.
"No," Bunker shook her head. "Not of this qi thief, at least. These bodies still have traces of qi left."
"Then this is separate from the kidnappings," Kat deduced. "A completely different enemy."
"Frostbite," Dulcy suddenly said, getting their attention. "These soldiers...they all have frostbite."
Kat blinked. "But it's the middle of summer. How is that possible?"
"A qi user. One who specializes in water or metal techniques, possibly both."
"That makes sense," Bunker replied. "Water douses Fire, and Metal absorbs its heat."
Flashback End
"Hold it!" Sonic cut in. "That doesn't make any sense!"
Jian gave him a dirty look. "You know, hedgehog, every time you interrupt someone, your pingas (6) gets a little shorter."
"Ahem!" Bunker cut in.
"Sorry," Sonic and Jian both said, sitting back down.
"And actually, Sonic, it does make sense," Kat clarified. "That's how the elemental cycle works."
"But shouldn't fire melt metal?"
"Sonic…" Kat sighed. "May we continue the story without further interruption, please?"
"Right," Sonic motioned for her to continue. "Shutting up now."
"Thank you," Kat cleared her throat. "Now then…"
Flashback
"If the frostbite is this fresh, then this happened recently," Kat realized. "Meaning whoever did this is likely still nearby."
"An astute observation, ningen ."
Bunker perked. "Get down!"
They all ducked, narrowly missing several kunai, which hit the bamboo behind them.
"Whew…" Bunker sighed. "Is everyone all right?"
"Yeah, I'm good," Kat turned to Kaen. "Kaen?"
"I'm okay," he assured.
"Shifu, look!" Dulcy pointed. They looked to see the spots where the kunai hit freezing over.
"Looks like we found our attacker," Kat nodded.
"Indeed," Bunker rose to her feet. "Kaitian, protect Kaen."
"Yes, Shizun."
Bunker turned to the forest. "As one of my sillier pupils would say, this is usually the part in the story where the villain reveals themself and makes a big speech."
"This is no story." Something darted out of the bamboo.
"Shifu!" Dulcy intercepted the attacker, finding herself blocking the blade of a white tigress in a purple ninja gi. The ninja jumped back, landing a few feet away from the group.
" Kuso !" the tigress cursed. "You're fast. Not too bad for an oversized gecko with wings."
" Gecko!? " Dulcy growled.
"Calm yourself, Dulcinea." Bunker ordered.
"Shifu?!"
"Listen carefully, intruders," the tigress began. "You are trespassing in my territory. Leave now and do not return… or perish at the blade of Iron Tail Jian, ninja warrior." She whipped her tail for emphasis.
"A ninja!?" Kat perked. "She must be the Raiju who kidnapped Princess Cinder!"
Flashback Over
Jian was already covering her ears, bracing for the onslaught of shouts. She was not disappointed.
" You?! " Knuckles roared. "You killed those men?!"
"If you would please let us continue the story without constant interruptions..." Jian began.
"You're the one who kidnapped Cinder?!" Sonic added.
"NO!" Cinder shouted, standing up in her seat. "Stop yelling at Onee-chan! She didn't-!"
"I said…" Jian sprang to her feet. "STOP INTERRUPTING THE BLOODY STORY, YOU AO DО̄KESHI! (7)"
Bunker cleared her throat. "Jian, please calm yourself."
Jian took a deep breath. "Apologies, Bunker-roshi." She sat back down. "Now, where were we?"
Flashback
"So, you're the newest goons Flare sent to find me?" Jian asked. "An old turtle, a human brat, and two ryu . He must be getting desperate."
"Who are you?" Kat demanded.
"As I told you, I am Iron Tail Jian, and you all are trespassing in my territory. Are you deaf or are you stupid, child?"
Kat scowled. "Why don't you come over here and say that to my face, tabby!"
"Kaitian!" Bunker admonished before turning to Jian. "If you truly are a Raiju ninja, what are you doing here?"
"That is of no concern to you, kame. Now, take your disciples and begone, this is your final warning."
"Not a chance!" Dulcy snapped. "Now hand over Princess Cinder and surrender!"
Jian scoffed. "You're either crazy or stupid If you think I'm just going to hand Cinder over. Especially to someone like you."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Don't play stupid, ryu . It doesn't suit you. Dragon's Nest has taken an interest in the power of the Phoenix for generations."
Kat blinked. "They have? Dulcy, what's she talking about?"
Jian scoffed. "The ryu can't stand the thought of anyone being stronger than them. So, they take it upon themselves to 'protect' the rest of the world from those with power equal to them. Even if it means stealing that power for themselves."
"What!?" Kat demanded.
"Those are lofty claims," Bunker remarked.
"They're lies!" Dulcy shouted. "The Nest would never do such a thing!"
"Oh, wouldn't they?"
"Never!"
"I have to agree with Dulcy on this one," said Kat. "The dragons of Dragon's Nest have been nothing but helpful and kind."
"Helpful? Kind?" Jian snorted. "PLEASE! Dragons are nothing more than filthy, lying snakes! Toothless worms concerned only with their own power and status. Like you, Dulcinea ."
Dulcy roared and charged at Jian.
Flashback End
"They battled each other," Kat recalled, then seemed to reconsider her words. "Well... I call it a battle, but it was more like a teenage catfight."
Jian and Dulcy both looked away from one another, seemingly embarrassed at being called out like that.
"And while they fought, I took Kaen and booked it."
Flashback
Kat fled to a safe distance with Kaen in her arms.
"Alright, we should be safe here," she noted.
"Are they gonna be okay?" Kaen asked.
"I hope so. Jeez... what was that tiger going on about?" Kat rubbed her face. "As if the one taunting me in my head wasn't bad enough…"
At that moment, they perked, hearing a little girl crying.
"Oneechan!"
"Huh?" Kat looked around.
"Oneechan! Doko ni iru no?! (8)"
"Ryuese…" Kat thought back to her lessons, desperately trying to remember them. Hello? Are… you okay?
"Oneechan...Kowai... (9)"
Don't… scare… Kat sighed. "Ugh, c'mon, damn it…" Um… friend… safe. Where… are you?
Kat followed the voice, stumbling across the little pheasant in Ember and Flare's photo. She was clad in a dirty, purple kimono, and had her done in a small ponytail, similar to her older sister's. She yelped, backing away in fear.
" D-Dare?! (10)"
"It's alright." Kat knelt down, keeping her voice calm and holding her hands in a peaceful gesture. "I'm Wang Kaitian, and this is my little brother Kaen. We won't hurt you. Do you speak Common?"
"I…" the little bird nodded, speaking Common. "I can."
"That's great," Kat sighed in relief. "I'm Chun-ese. Ryuese is my third language, and I'm really rusty."
"I'm… Cinder."
"Hey Cinder," Kat smiled. "You were calling out for your sister, right? As it so happens, she sent us to look for you."
"Uh-huh!" Kaen nodded. "Help pretty bird!"
Cinder perked. "Y-you know Oneechan?"
"I do, yes." Kat held out her free hand. "I can take you to her."
"Y-You can?" Cinder smiled happily. "Oh! Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Kat scooped her up in her free arm, now holding both her and Kaen. "C'mon, let's get outta here."
Back in the grove, Jian clashed furiously with Dulcy and Bunker.
"What's the matter, ryu ?" Jian taunted. "Getting tired?"
"What about you, lǎohǔ biǎo zi (11)?" Dulcy shot back. "Did I mess up your fur?"
"Dulcy!" came Kat's voice. "Shifu!"
She came running in. "I found her! I found Princess Cinder!"
Cinder saw Jian and gasped, looking horrified.
"Whoa, whoa…" Kat soothed. "I've got you… you're safe."
"O-Oneechan…" Cinder let out, looking at Jian.
Kat blinked. "Say what now?"
Cinder's eyes glowed as she broke free from Kat's grasp. "What are you doing to Oneechan!?"
She slammed her hands on the ground, triggering several mini-volcano eruptions.
"Whoa!" Dulcy exclaimed.
"No!" Jian cried. "Cinder!"
Kat grabbed her and pulled her off the ground. Her feathers burned, but Kat gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain. "Kid, calm down! You're gonna burn the Zone down!"
"Put me down!" Cinder screamed. "They're hurting Oneechan!"
Jian attacked Kat, forcing her to release Cinder before snatching her up. Kat fell, clutching her now-bleeding arm as Bunker ran to her side. Jian took that as her chance to flee, pulling a smoke bomb from her shirt and throwing it to the ground.
"Take cover!" Bunker screamed as the bomb went off, releasing a cloud of smoke.
Dulcy flapped her wings, clearing the smoke. "Is everyone alright!?"
"Jeez, this arm never gets a break," Kat grumbled.
"Aunt Kitty..." Kaen pointed to the devastated area.
"By the Ancients… Kat let out. "And she's Cream's age…"
"A little girl possesses that kind of power?" Dulcy asked. "No wonder the Raiju were after her."
"I mean... it's not unheard of…" Kat got to her feet. "But... I think we have this situation way... way wrong
Dulcy blinked. "What are you-?"
"Cinder called that tiger her sister."
"Not just that," Bunker added. "Onee chan , not onee sama ."
"Does it matter?" Dulcy asked.
"Yes," Bunker confirmed.
"Sama is a regal honorific, but chan… that's familiar," Kat included. "And Jian immediately stopped fighting you when she saw Cinder. That girl was her number one priority."
Kat straightened up, looking in the direction the two had fled.
"We need to find them, now."
Author's Note:
(1): An actual village in the eastern corner of the Akita province
(2): Hair ornaments used in traditional Japanese styles
(3): A Wuxia term for someone who has been maliciously drained of all of their spiritual energy. The PG-13 version in this instance.
(4): Buddhist hell
(5): A Japanese dish consisting of simmered bamboo shoots with bonito flakes
(6): Yeah, same thing with why we say "Fugg" in this fic instead of the other word. Anyone who knows Sonic memes gets it.
(7): Blue buffoon in Japanese
(8): Where are you?
(9): I'm scared.
(10): Who?!
(11): Tiger bitch in Chinese.
It appears the situation wasn't as black and white as it seemed. What's going on?
Voice cast for this chapter:
* Flare - Clancy Brown
* Ember - Zelda Williams (Kuvira in The Legend of Korra, Mona Lisa in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012, Cassandra Jones in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Caitlin in Teen Wolf)
Please R&R. Until next time!