This chapter pretty much wrote itself. I am hoping to have a lot of fun with the next ones. Then, the dread begins.
Shadowlands.
Yay.
Disclaimer: I did not create Naruto or World of Warcraft, both are under the rights of their respective owners.
Chapter 7: What is Done Cannot be Undone
"There," Hinata said while pointing to the small moon near the crescent chunk of stone. "The energy vessel is in there within a hidden temple."
A cold wind blew within the twilit false sun as they stood upon a levitating mass of broken rock.
"Let's get you in there so you can destroy it," Naruto said as he looked at her. "Come on."
He leapt up to another floating mass of stone, to hop to another. Hinata followed.
The temple entrance was surrounded by a courtyard where a path of stairs led into the sphere. Above the doors, carved into the stone, was an image of Hamura Otsutsuki. There were no constructs — for the moment they had not been found.
Staring into the temple with her Deadeyes active, Hinata shook her head.
"It's clear. There are no guards or hidden ones I can see, but there are orbs all along the walls." Releasing chi from her eyes she looked at Naruto. "I think they're sentries. Once we go in, Toneri will be alerted."
"I'll defend you while we're in there. You have my word."
Hinata nodded and said, "I trust you."
"Let's go," Naruto went in first.
She followed him as he ran. The orbs in the hall were clear to illuminate red as they passed. The hall ended where the energy vessel awaited. Golden beams encircled it, as the eye shimmered a soft gold. They hopped from one beam, to another, to then land on the closest beam to the energy vessel.
"How are you going to destroy that thing?" Naruto asked as he looked from it to Hinata.
"I plan to hit it very hard," Hinata clenched her hand at him, "With my fist."
Footsteps echoed from the hall.
"They're here," Naruto said as he shifted into a defensive pose and turned to the entry. Glowing eyes of the constructs raced through the red lit hall toward them. Within beats they were transcending the maze of beams.
"I got this," Naruto shouted as he brought his hands together, and made a cross hand seal with his index and middle fingers. "Multi-shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Clones of Naruto puffed into existence all around them as figures dressed in black swarmed into the chamber. The glow of golden chakra orbs illuminated the chamber as the battle began. Naruto was already in action, along with his clones. One near Hinata dispersed upon being hit with one of the chakra orbs.
We don't have much time . . . Hinata closed her eyes and inhaled. Shifting into a tiger stance she gathered her chi and focused her energy. Jade mist emitted from her to turn white as she set her eyes on the massive gold eye and exhaled. Focusing her chi to her right arm, Hinata darted to the energy vessel to roll when a construct tried to block her. It became snared in place as she rolled past. Once back on her feet she kept momentum and lept toward the massive glowing eye. Using her chi she walked on the wind and rose high enough to where she was over the golden sphere of energy.
Deep violet energy crackled around her. A construct jerked away from her, as another was slammed to the ground by a clone.
Focusing her chi to her hand, Hinata's entire arm became surrounded by a blazing white tiger with violet stripes.
"Xuen, Wild God of the North! Guide my fist!" Hinata shouted as her chi flared.
Pushing as much chi into her strike, Hinata's fist slammed down onto the massive gold eye. The tiger exploded with chi as the entire chamber shook when a bright bolt of purple lightning struck the eye and a roar vibrated the air. Violet energy mingled with bluish white shifted and raced along the Tenseigan.
Hinata landed on the beam as crackles of chi crept along the orb. Quickly she blocked the strike from a construct, to kick another construct away.
"How disappointing," Toneri said as he entered the chamber.
The constructs stopped their attacks and swarmed Naruto, dog piling on top of him. Clones dispersed, until there were no more left.
Hinata turned to Toneri, to gasp when she lost control of her body. Abruptly she lifted from the golden beam and levitated through the air to Toneri. His hand encircled her wrist as he held her, his iridescent eyes slowly swirling.
"Not only did you betray me, Hinata, you actually believed you could destroy the Tenseigan? How foolish of you."
"I didn't betray you, Toneri. I tricked you. There's a difference."
"No matter." Toneri sighed as he looked at her. "You will never do so again." He lifted his hand for a green ball of chakra to appear within his palm. "I will make you—"
"Do you value your life Toneri?" Hinata asked as her chi violently emitted from the energy vessel.
The stone chamber groaned. Pieces of stone with dust fell from above. The energy vessel dimmed before it dispersed into thousands of small orbs. A large white tiger — crackling and glowing with violet chi — leapt from where the energy vessel once was, to pounce on Toneri. His grip on her released and Hinata landed on her feet on the beam able to move freely of her own accord.
The energy tiger — an effigy of Xuen — roared as Toneri had lept back, his robes torn and blood staining the cloth. His eyes were wide as the massive tiger snarled and stood before Hinata.
Hundreds of white eyes floated within the darkness, appearing almost as stars around them.
Toneri gazed at the eyes and intoned, "The Otsutsuki treasure . . . My entire clan offered their eyes to empower it . . . What have you done?"
"What have I done?" Hinata questioned as she clenched her fist. "You are the delusional one who has twisted Hamura's true Celestial Decree, Toneri! Hamura never wanted the destruction of the Sage of Six Paths' world he built on the Earth."
Constructs wobbled before they crashed to the ground. The pile of them on Naruto blasted and flung away when the blond shinobi stood and focused on Toneri.
"Hamura's decree was for you all to safeguard and look after humanity, not destroy it!" Naruto stated.
"Stay out of this," Toneri said as he raised his hand and extended his fingers.
An invisible force knocked Naruto away, forcing him off the beam they stood on.
"How dare you," Toneri calmly said, returning his attention on Hinata as a teal glow encased his hands. "I will make sure that you never betray me agai—"
Hinata rushed him, jade mist encasing her as she used a flying serpent kick as the tiger dispersed. When her feet hit the beam, it quaked. Quickly she struck Toneri's throat with a spear hand strike, momentarily silencing him — the chakra faded from his hands. White chi sparked at her hands as she moved deftly and bombarded Toneri with fist of fury. Rapid strikes of her fist laced with chi pierced his pressure points. His body wavered, to go airborne with her rising sun kick. Jade mist crackled around Hinata as she struck him again with a whirling dragon punch.
Enraged, Toneri screamed, "Enough!"
He arched his arm at her. A gust of wind pushed her back. He snarled as he glared at her; his face abruptly contorted in pain when Naruto's kick to the back of his head connected. Toneri turned, blocked one of Naruto's punches; Toneri's head jerked back when Naruto's left fist connected. Toneri spun and landed hard on his hands and knees to the ground. He shouted in rage as he rushed to his feet, to yelp as he dropped to his knees and pressed his hands on his temples.
"No, no! Not now!" Toneri cried. He closed his eyes.
It's those eyes. They need to be removed.
With a roll, Hinata was back at Toneri. Violet spikes of energy materialized, to pierce into Toneri and keep him in place — paralysis. Hinata pulled the strap of leather from her face and looked down at him. She activated her Deadeyes.
"I'll ask again, Toneri. Do you value your life?"
"I will fulfil Hamura's Celestial Decree," Toneri stated as he defiantly raised his chin up at her. He shook his head, "And nothing can—"
"See, Toneri, for yourself, Hamura's true Celestial Decree," Hinata stated as she bore her eyes into him.
Transferring her chi into Toneri she showed him Hamura's true will. Hinata even felt Hamura's presence with her as she kept her Deadeyes on Toneri's stolen eyes. His lips curled into a sneer.
"No. These are lies. All lies!" he shouted.
His form erupted with chakra as he screamed. The spikes of violet energy shattered. Hinata placed her index and middle fingers onto Toneri's chest. A pulse of chi rushed through Toneri. He blinked at her and gasped. Black chi shimmered throughout and over his body as he instantly became still. The chakra faded as his breathing labored. Then his breathing evened out as he knelt there in a stupor.
Jade chi emitted from Hinata's fingers as she reached for his eyes. Toneri remained silent and still as she removed each one and rested them within a crystal vial. She backed away, and let her Deadeyes rest. Toneri didn't move.
Uncorking her gourd, Hinata took a long drink. Setting it back to her side, she then slid her hand into her pouch and retrieved her hearthstone. She turned the egg-shaped stone over in her hand. The spiral illuminated a soft blue. Looking at the small eyes that floated around them, Hinata grimaced.
All of these white-eyes together held so much power. Enough to create barriers and even pathways to other worlds . . . it couldn't have been this that separated me from here all those years ago. It had to have been something else.
"Why isn't Toneri moving?" Naruto asked.
Pocketing her hearthstone, Hinata walked past Naruto and said, "Because he didn't value his life."
Instantly, Naruto turned to her. "You killed him?"
Not answering, Hinata placed the leather strap back over her eyes. "With the energy vessel no longer empowering this place any longer or Toneri, we all need to leave before the bridges between the worlds collapse. It's time we leave here."
Leaving the temple, Hinata went out into the courtyard. The light that once surrounded the castle ruins was gone. The entire world was dark and life was fading.
"Hinata," Naruto shouted.
She glanced back at him, and sighed when she expected a lecture.
He stopped when he caught up to her and stared at her with a somber gaze. "I'm sorry."
Hinata tilted her head.
"You did what you had to. I get it. I just really thought he would—"
"See reason? Understand that he had been misled and lied to since his birth?" Hinata looked away from Naruto and frowned. "There are some who can see the errors of their ways. Then there are those who cannot."
The ground shifted. A chunk of stone crashed onto the temple, for another larger chunk to move into another in the distance.
"We need to hurry," Hinata stated.
She brought her hands before her and gathered her chi. Jade mist accumulated to her hands for it to erupt. A tiger with an orange coat that faded to white and glowing jade stripes manifested. It roared, exposing its saber toothed teeth. Bands were wrapped around its furred ankles, a large brown and gold helmet adorned its head. Red polished stones were lined from the helm to the saddle — equipped with kegs and gords — on its back.
"Why, hello Grandmaster," Ban-Lu said in the Pandaren language as he looked at her. "I see you have found yourself lost in the dark again."
Hinata stepped back and said in Pandaren, "Ban-Lu, I didn't summon you!"
Ban-Lu snorted in her face. "I felt your chi and forced you to summon me. What is a Grandmaster without their companion, hmm?" His tone became stoic, "Many things have happened since you have been missing." He glanced at Naruto and tilted his head. "Making new friends I see? A good thing, considering what has happened."
The floating island they were on abruptly jerked when it began to descend.
"Tell me later, Ban-Lu. We need to leave this place before the portals close," Hinata said as she pulled herself onto Ban-Lu's back. "Naruto is coming with us."
"Verywell, Grandmaster," Ban-Lu replied.
Hinata reached her hand out to Naruto and let the spell convert her words as she said, "Let's go."
Taking her hand and getting onto the celestial beast behind her, Naruto asked, "It talks? What did it say?"
"Just greeting me is all. His name is Ban-Lu, and he's more of a friend than an actual mount," Hinata said. "Hold on, Naruto. We're heading to the others."
Activating her Deadeyes, Hinata nudged Ban-Lu's side and the tiger rushed forward with a growl. Picking up speed the tiger ran into the air as Hinata guided him to Shikamaru's rendezvous location — that is if it was still floating.
Focusing her vision along the castle, she saw that the shinobi had reached their targets, and too were heading to the meeting location.
"They're on target," Hinata said to Naruto as she glanced back at him. "We'll have to keep moving when we catch up to them."
"Hmm," Ban-Lu said as he darted over and then under collapsing rocks. "Have you told your friend the tale of the hozen and the butter cream pie?"
Hinata let her Deadeyes rest as she said, "You haven't even told me the tale yet, Ban-Lu."
"Hmm, perhaps to be told another time," Ban-Lu replied as they descended to the land below.
Naruto leaned forward and said, "Hey, I understood him that time."
Scowling, Hinata glanced back at him. "You did?"
"I understand his tongue and can speak it as well." Ban-Lu chuckled, "I know many languages spanning throughout ages and worlds. I am a celestial being connected to the multi-universal collective, or have you forgotten, Grandmaster."
"I try not to think too hard about it," Hinata mumbled.
"You are still young," Ban-Lu replied as he abruptly dived.
Naruto's hands grasped Hinata's thighs as she felt him use chakra to stick to not only her, but the saddle as well. They twirled between falling islands, lunged over falling stones, for Ban-Lu to abruptly halt just before a column of rock broke away and crumbled beside them.
"Hah-hah, this is fun," Ban-Lu raced to the ground, to land hard next to Xi-Qi. Sai was startled. Kama gasped, to smile as she sat behind the shinobi.
"Grandmaster!" Kama shouted.
"Stay mounted," Hinata said in Common to the pandaren. She let her words be converted by the spell and said, "We have to traverse the portals before the energy fades and they close."
Neji asked, "What about Toneri?"
"He was dealt with. Hinata has Hanabi's eyes," Naruto said.
Sakura said, "Good. I have her sleeping until we can replace them."
"Move!" Shikamaru shouted.
The group scattered to the sky and watched as one of the smaller islands slammed into the ground. Smaller rocks and debris then rained along the ground. Overhead, the castle began to twist and break apart as the floating islands fell.
Hinata shook her head, "We need to find cover and leave this area." She overlooked the region and frowned. "We're not going to make it to the portals in time." Straining her vision, she focused her eyes where the exit to the middle of the moon resided. "They're already collapsing." Letting her Deadeyes rest, she said, "We find shelter, then regroup."
Sakura pointed to the ruins where the crypt resided, "The village we were at. It was a good distance from here. Let's go back there and figure this all out."
"I agree," Hinata said. Was I wrong to kill him? The last remaining descendant of this land . . . The one who was holding all of this together?
"Grandmaster," Ban-Lu said in Pandaren as the celestial tiger glanced back at her. "Now is not the time for doubts. What is done cannot be undone, and in the greater scheme what was meant to be done." Ban-Lu looked ahead and ran through the sky following the others. "Unless you are a bronze dragon."
Hinata sighed.
Firelight from the hearth illuminated the walls of the building. Outside, beyond the walls of the room the light was nothing but pure darkness. Without the energy vessel or Toneri to provide life to the area within the moon, it had become a cold and desolate region.
Sakura was performing surgery on Hanabi in a separate room of the building, replacing the young girl's eyes. Neji remained with them as Hinata kept away. Though she wanted to know the condition of Hanabi, she still felt like an outsider. Admittedly, unwelcome. Hinata watched as Kama helped board up a remaining window. With the world beyond the walls becoming colder, the group was prepping for the worst.
Looking at Ban-Lu, Hinata quietly asked in Kaldorei, "What news do you have for me?"
Ban-Lu's ear flicked. His eyes glanced at the room where Neji and Hanabi were, for the celestial cat to smile at Hinata. "It is nothing of great importance at this time. The hunt for Nathantos is over, as he was weakened by a raid of adventurers, and then slain by Tyrande Whisperwind herself."
"And Sylvanas?"
"She will answer for her crimes in time." Ban-Lu said. A gourd dropped to the floor when the saber tooth cat stood. "I am going to return now. Celestials watch over you, Grandmaster."
"Ban-Lu—"
The celestial cat dispersed into a fine jade mist.
Kama turned to Hinata and in Common asked, "He left? On his own accord? What do we do now, Grandmaster?"
Crossing her arms, Hinata replied in Common, "I want you to use your hearthstone and get out of her—"
"Not without you," Kama stated as she crossed her own arms.
"Let me finish," Hinata said as she uncrossed her arms. She went to her apprentice and rested her hands on her shoulders. "You are going to get us help."
Kama's eyes widened and she pointed to herself, "Me?"
"I can't leave them behind. So you will have to go to Dalaran. Find Archmage Khadgar. He may know a way to port us out of here, or can send you to someone who can. They'll need something of mine, something personal and that holds my chi."
Hinata slid her hands from Kama and stepped back. She moved the collar of her vest and pulled on a golden chain. Hinata pulled the necklace up and over her head, to then hold the round shimmering pendant in her hand as she looked at it.
"Take my Heart of Azeroth. Find Khadgar. See if he can lock onto my chi and open a port to get all of us out of here."
Kama reached for the necklace, and cupped it in her paws. Kama stared at it, before she placed it safely into her hip bag. Straightening, Kama bowed. "I will not let you down, Grandmaster!"
"Time is of the essence," Hinata said and then bowed. "White Tiger watch over you."
"Black Ox, protect you all," Kama replied.
Taking a step back, Kama retrieved her hearthstone. Holding it in her paws, she closed her eyes and drew on her chi. The stone began to glow, causing the others in the room to watch as green and blue energies emitted from the stone. Within seconds of casting, Kama vanished.
Shikamaru was up to his feet. "Where did the bear go?"
"Home," Hinata said, letting her words be converted to their language. She looked at Shikamaru and said, "She's going to get us out of here."
"How?" Sai asked from where he sat on a broken barrel.
"It will take time, as she will have to travel to the City of Dalaran and find Archmage Khadgar. I am confident he will be able to lock onto my chi with the pendant I gave her and open a portal so that we can leave this realm."
Naruto moved closer to her and asked, "To where?"
Pursing her lips, Hinata said, "Most likely to Dalaran."
Shikamaru said, "To Azeroth . . . To your world?"
"Where else would we go? I'm sure one of the Tidesages and mages on the ship at the port on earth has realized the barriers are no longer up. There will be a means to return to your world and people."
Turning away, Shikamaru ran his hands over his hair and grumbled, "This just keeps getting better and better."
"How long do you think it'll take?" Naruto asked.
"Honestly, I don't know. It all depends on how long it takes Kama to travel from Stormwind to Dalaran. The other problem is the Archmage. He is often in Dalaran, but Khadgar is also known to go to Karazhan, an abandoned and highly dangerous citadel, a place Kama is not strong enough to face alone."
Sai inquired, "If this place is so dangerous, why would this," he said the mage's name slowly, "Khadgar, go there?"
"Because Khadgar is the Guardian of Azeroth, and within Karazhan resides the archives of the Guardian. A vast library of knowledge and history." Frowning, Hinata sat down and picked up the gourd Ban-Lu left behind, "When the Burning Legion returned, Khadgar guided our efforts to defeat them. He went to Karazhan to find ways to destroy the demons once and for all. It was because of him the Alliance and Horde managed to work together. Though things were not always balanced and there was still distrust between the factions, the Alliance and Horde worked together to protect Azeroth. Together, we defeated the demons and those controlling them . . ." Hinata leaned back, resting her head against the wall. "But everything changed when Teldrassil burned . . . and the Fourth War began."
Hinata took her gourd, uncorked it and drank. Wiping her mouth, she set her eyes on Naruto. "And Khadgar wanted nothing to do with our faction war. Though the Fourth War is over, I have not seen Khadgar for a couple of years now."
"So, he might not be there?" Naruto asked as he knelt down.
"I can only hope he, or someone who can lock onto my chi is," Hinata replied.
"Surgery was successful," Sakura said as she wiped her hands with a cloth upon entering the room. "She'll be waking up soon."
Naruto stood and asked, "Her eyes are going to be fine then?"
Sakura nodded. "They were treated with care and well preserved. I reconnected everything, just as if they were never removed."
"That's great," Sai said to smile. "Never had a doubt, Sakura." Sai rested his arm on his knee as he said, "Might as well hunker down. We might be here for a while. Hinata sent her apprentice to get help, only the help might not be where Hinata sent her to."
Looking at Hinata, Sakura asked, "Where did you send her to? And, why alone?"
Hinata took a sip of her sake, to bolt upright when tingles of magic raced along her skin. Hinata's hairs stood on end as a faint glow emitted from her. She hopped up to her feet and corked her gourd.
She smiled, "We might not be here for long at all!"
Beneath her pale blue, pink, and purple light appeared, to race up in a horizontal line. Symbols and odd markings circled out from her feet, as a disembodied voice chuckled.
"Well, it seems I found you, champion," a man said, his words in Common. "If you could step back for a moment."
Hinata moved. The glowing line expanded into an oblong oval shape. On the other side of the portal, the image of an older man with silver hair waved, his blue eyes smiling.
"Khadgar," Hinata said, her shoulders slumped in relief.
The man stepped through the portal, his gray-blue robes shifting with his stride, and brown and silver armor illuminated by the light of the portal. A distinctive staff of brown wood was within his grip. One that had a carving of a raven atop, with a red cloth and decorative beads.
"Long time no see, kiddo," Khadgar said as he rested his hand on top of her head and shuffled her hair. "You were lucky your friend reached me in time. I was about to leave for Karazhan." He then crossed his arms. "What trouble has our young Grandmaster gotten herself into this time?"
"It is a rather compelling story, Archmage," Hinata said, her words Common. Hinata gestured to the shinobi in the room and said, "I have made friends here, and we all need a port to Dalaran."
Khadgar overlooked the lot, rubbing his chin as if in thought. "Intriguing."
Sakura shifted out of the doorway when Neji appeared. Hanabi, wearing a peach colored kimono and a bit confused, strode out behind him.
"What's going on?" Hanabi questioned in their native tongue.
Khadgar looked from the Hyuuga, to Hinata. "Their eyes are like yours."
Hinata nodded. "I never found my family on Azeroth, because they were never from Azeroth."
"Incredible," Khadgar turned and held his hand out to the portal. "I believe I may have to go to Karazhan another day." He glanced at Hinata. "Let's get moving. The magic of this place is fading quickly. It won't be much longer before it begins to drain away from all of you too."
"Thank you, Khadgar," Hinata said, bowing. She turned to the shinobi and let the spell convert her speech. "Everyone, this is Archmage Khadgar." She gestured to the portal and said, "You just walk through. It will feel odd at first due to the energy it is putting off, and it will feel like you are stepping through water—"
"That isn't water." Sai stood and went to the portal and pushed his hand through. "It's like the springs we went through, but thinner."
Without another word, Sai stepped in and beyond the barrier. Shikamaru had Sakura, then Hanabi go through next. Neji followed after, and Naruto. Shikamaru followed behind them, for Hinata. After Khadgar passed through the portal, it closed.
They were within a chamber beneath the city center, an enclosed room filled with books and shelves. It was where Khadgar would often frequent during the battle with the legion.
"You brought us here," Hinata mumbled as she looked around the room. When her eyes landed on Kama, the pandaren rushed her and wrapped her in a hug that lifted her off the ground.
"Grandmaster!" the pandaren cried as she twisted Hinata within her grip. "I was worried!"
Chuckling, Khadgar said, "I felt it would be the safest place to bring you and your new allies," He grabbed a floating book and returned it to the shelf. He pointed two fingers at another book and waved it to the shelf. "First things first." The book returned to its nook. "I was doing some research when your friend found me—"
"Hold on a minute," Shikamaru said as he stepped forward and gazed at Khadgar. "How am I understanding you all of a sudden?"
"Yeah, that is strange, ya know," Naruto said as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Kama released Hinata and giggled.
Khadgar grinned, and waved his hands before them as he seriously said, "Magic."
Naruto scowled, "Wait, that's not an explanation!"
"Magic explains it all." Khadgar turned and exited the room. "Come along, I will take you to the port that will return you back to Earth."
Walking a bit faster to keep up with the Archmage, Naruto asked, "One has already been opened?"
"As soon as the barrier that blocked those of Azeroth stranded there was removed, a portal was opened," Khadgar glanced at the shinobi. "News spread quickly about the Lofty Sea Dragon going missing. The news of a new world being discovered spread even quicker when a stable port was opened."
They transcended down a staircase, into the main chamber. Khadgar paused as he looked at Hinata.
"It's been years since you have been here, but nevertheless, it is the same," Khadgar said.
Sakura gazed about the chamber and asked, "What is this place?"
"This is the Chamber of the Guardian," Khadgar stated. He looked at Sakura and then the other shinobi and said, "It is one of the safest of places one can be within Dalaran." He gestured to the Pillars of Creation and said, "It has become in a sense, a place to store items of power . . . or what once held great power. What you see now are merely relics from a dark time. Hinata, along with the other leaders of the Class Halls were brave enough to obtain these Pillars so that we could end the Burning Legion once and for all." Khadgar frowned and looked at Hinata. He shook his head. "No child should have to see the horrors you have, let alone have to endure them."
Looking into the vibrant room, Hinata pursed her lips. It was the same as it was two, three years ago. Six pillars, where four of them held the Pillars of Creation. The Aegis of Aggramar — a shield of silver, illuminated with blue runes. The Hammer of Khaz'goroth — a large hammer of bronze and jade colored stone. The Tear of Elune — a simmering deep blue stone shaped like a teardrop. The Tidestone of Golganneth — a levitating mass of rune carved stones around a large pearl. Then there was the Eye of Aman'thul — a massive circular ring of dark purple color, ringed in gold with star patterns within, with golden circles and moons spread upon the floor.
"I haven't been a child since I joined the Alliance, Khadgar," Hinata stated. She looked at him. "I was adventuring Pandaria at the same age and time Anduin was."
"That is a wholly different matter," stated Khadgar with a cross of his arms. He sobered. "When was the last time you have seen or spoken with the King of Stormwind?"
"When he nearly knocked Wrathion's head off," Hinata replied.
"Oh, I see. Well, with the war at a close, perhaps it would be time to catch up with a friend? I heard the King is calling for those to act as diplomats since the portals have opened between worlds, even the Horde is seeking peace." Looking at Hinata, Khadgar said, "They no longer have a Warchief, but instead now have a council with each race now having a say. With you already having ties to the people of Earth, you would make an excellent candidate as a diplomat for the Alliance, Hinata."
"If the people here are already seeking diplomacy, that means the Kages are going to gather their own diplomats," Shikamaru said, to rub his face. "Troublesome . . ."
Khadgar pursed his lips. "You are all very young . . ."
"We begin our training as shinobi from a young age," Sai stated as he sketched in a pad, his eyes traveling from the paper to the chamber where the pillars stood.
"Oh, an artist." Khadgar grinned as he headed to the glowing teleporter. "You've seen nothing yet." Glancing at Hinata he said, "Have you warned them?"
"Warned us?" Shikamaru inquired, getting defensive.
Nodding, Khadgar said, "I'm not sure how your world is, but here on Azeroth, there is an abundance of magic, mystery, and people. We have more races than just humans here, and some of the other races — particularly those of the Horde — do not take kindly to humans." He smiled and stopped before the teleporter, "But no need to fret. Dalaran is a sanctuary city. There will be no fighting, no racism, and most importantly, no fighting. If you want to fight, take it to the sewers, though I will warn you, some go down and never make it back out."
Hinata scowled and said, "Archmage."
He shrugged. "Well it's true. Citizens become lost down there all the time," before stepping onto the teleportation beacon, and vanishing.
Rushing up the stairs, Hinata stepped onto the teleporter pad with Kama behind her. She paused before leaving the pad. Naruto was the first to appear, followed by Neji and Hanabi. Sakura, Sai, and lastly Shikamaru.
"Come on, let's stick together," Hinata said as she walked ahead. "This may be overwhelming at first, sort of like how your world is to me. There are differences."
Kama nodded. "No indoor plumbing, or magic hot showers."
"Wait," Naruto trotted next to Hinata and asked, "What kind of—" he paused mid-sentence as his eyes widened when a massive bronze dragon stretched its wings and shook its scales, "differences . . ."
The dragon's reins jangled, as its rider — a blue-skinned troll wearing mail armor, with a hammer on his hip and levitating shield on his back — was holding open a map. A long finger traced the map for the troll to look to the east and then the west. He looked at the map again, before closing it and nudging the dragon forward. The massive beast flapped its wings. Wind gushed, and the dragon raised into the air to then flap its leathery wings over the buildings.
A night elf and worgen wearing cloth robes walked by, giggling as they passed. Across the way an orc in heavy mail and a gun floating behind their back chuckled as his massive black wolf danced. The orc tossed a slab of meat at the wolf, for it to howl happily.
Khadgar chuckled, "If you all would like, you can explore this grand city. I will send word that you are all safe." Khadgar bowed, and said, "This is where we bid, ado. I am needed elsewhere for now." Looking at Hinata, Khadgar went to speak, then shook his head and smiled. "You should return with them, Hinata. Let someone else handle the woes of Azeroth for a while."
"We'll see," Hinata replied. She bowed, "Thank you again, Khadgar."
"Anytime, champion." He turned, to then quickly turn back to her and raised his hand with his index finger up. "Oh, before I forget." He held out the Heart of Azeroth. "This belongs to you. Clever to use it as an anchor for me to lock in on your chi. Your essence is deeply embedded into the Heart."
Hinata returned the necklace to its place on her neck. "White Tiger watch over you."
Khadgar raised his arm, to vanish in a swirl of arcane energies.
"Are you guys seeing this? It's like we're in a fantasy book," Hanabi said as she darted out into the street. She stopped in the center of the street and circled, gazing about the city. Clenching her fist before her she shouted, "This is awesome! Come on, Neji, let's go explore before we go home!"
Hanabi Hyuuga didn't wait for an answer as she ran, darting down the street, to then hop to the nearest rooftop and when she lept to the other side.
"Hanabi!" Neji shouted, reaching his hand out, only to sigh.
Hinata glanced at him. "You might want to keep an eye on her. Dalaran is a magical city, and it is not located on the ground."
"Not on the ground," Shikamaru inquired as he looked at her.
Shaking her head, Hinata said, "It's a floating city, and at this time it is floating over a dangerous region called the Broken Isles. Though the Burning Legion was defeated, remnants of demons and eredar still remain below, along with others who have not realized that war is long over."
"Damn it," Neji grumbled as he ran with his Byakugan active the way Hanabi went, leaping to the rooftop, to then leap down where Hanabi vanished.
Looking at the remaining shinobi, Hinata said, "You guys want a tour?"
Story Notes:
So, the fight with Toneri . . .
It's wouldn't play out the way it did in the movie, because they are going up to Toneri days ahead of time. His eyes are still adjusting, and though he has power, I really don't think Toneri knows what it feels like to be in a fight and seriously knocked around in one.
And yeah, I kept him in denial.
And I was sort of done writing this arc. I know, horrible of me, but more exiting and possibly more dramatic things are on the way.