A spark of light, a witch of shadows, a prince gone rogue, a winged ex-agent of Sloth, a Moltaram arms maker, a child of ice, an orphan hated by most, and a robot who learned to care, what do they all have in common? That's what we'll figure out...
Keemiter
I shouted out their names, and heard no response. My heart beated so fast, racing while I scoured the palace in ruins, running through the endless labyrinth of rooms that made up its layout, ignoring the other Elephantes laying about, I needed to find them, I NEEDED to find them, I. NEEDED. TO. FIND. THEM. Everything had been broken, that witch knew no bounds, did she? The statues, the pedestals, the armor stands, toppled over and shattered by her minions, those shadows that followed her around, with no regard or respect to anything.
She had come here for a sole thing, and yet razed the castle and, from what I could see from the windows, the village around it. Probably trying to make a big impression, to intimidate. She probably had hoped that with a big show, no one would dare confront her, and would give her what she wants. She hoped wrong. No one goes down without a fight, at least not here! I see some more guards scattered around the ground, some of them beginning to move, but I have no time, I need to find them, I just keep on looking.
I hoped for the best, I really hoped to find them, safe and sound. that's all that I hoped. Curse these large halls and long hallways, I thought as I ran down them, looking around, they weren't far away, the throne room... Maybe the ballroom next to it? Nope, the garden, mayhaps? I don't even know how to call her, all I know is that my short-lived confrontation with her left me with one word only stuck in my head: monster. She was a monster, not Neopet, bringing upon nightmares and destruction. A true monster of tales, pure evil, shadows and darkness, she was one of them, and they were one with her, and she commanded them, and controlled them. She had a cape of the very void on her, alive with its forbidden magic, sprouting tendrils and misshapen shapes that she controlled at will, and her eyes glowed unnaturally yellow.. I shuddered at remembering her eyes, and then burned with righteous anger. That Kougra's punishment would come. I was sure of it.
Yet, she easily overpowered me, I couldn't defend my own castle, I couldn't do anything, she knocked me unconscious and left me behind. Weak, I am weak, I couldn't do anything! All I can do now is hope is that they are okay, since I couldn't make sure of it. I wish I was stronger! I wish I had the might to overtake a monster like that, to be strong enough to confront her, if I were my mother, she'd have done it. I am sure of it. She was a monster hunter before the royal duties, she took down multiple fearsome creatures of legend, her stories were told by all, all of the time... A heroine of the nation, she was unbeatable! That thought made me a bit more assured that maybe I had some chances... I searched some more rooms, and went out to the patio where the dovecot was located, and there I shouted and ran to them.
BABA! MAMA!
I approached, but my worst fear had come true, at least in part. My kneeling father looked up to me, completely desolated, and my heart sank. As I lost focus on everything altogether, in the back of my head a dark wish became a desperate goal, and all I could think of is that witch.
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Belladonna
While instructing my troop representatives about our presentation of the semestral report on the Eastern borders of the Empire on our way to the Palace, I had noticed someone headed the same direction as us, and so did the others in my troop, and my direct subordinate asked a question.
Hey, Donny, isn't that Elephante from that royal family from one of the small Eastern kingdoms? Asked the Mynci in border patrol outfit. I studied him quickly, trying to figure out what was going on. The young Elephante was wearing their traditional garnments, ornated with cultural and Elephante motifs, a turban with a long feather and a royal gem, and a heavy fur cape.... Those motifs... Hathidesa, was it? They were one of the few last subjugated kingdoms of the Empire that still resisted against the Shenkuuvian Empire, but most of their conflict is diplomatic, since their numbers were far too small to stand a chance against the Imperial Army. The Border Patrol had some squabbles with them every so often, nothing serious, but they were constantly complaining on how we restrained their free movement through the mountain range, and they felt like the Empire was trapping them in. I couldn't see any weapon on him, no bow nor quills, no sword, not even a cane, so I wondered what was his purpose in the Capital.
Huh, he is, but I see no weapons on him. Maybe it's peace negotiations? A Techo officer scoffed.
To finally end their four-hundred year "war" with the Shenkuuvian Empire? Thank Fyora, I had thought we would have to have more "battles" with them. He made quotation marks with his hand in mockery, and while the other guards chuckled, I noticed the Elephante prince glancing over resentfully at us before hurrying ahead of us, and decided to intervene.
Atsui, enough, we're not here to comment on diplomacy. If you want to dwell in political negotiations and not border patrol you can always take the literacy tests and get into the civil service. The Techo scowled, but didn't dare retort, I was his superior after all. Our group continued on, through the Imperial Gardens and past the buildings of different bureaucracy bodies of the Empire, towards the Imperial Palace, and we could still see the Elephante for a while, but he hurried ahead inside, while we went to another building beforehand to bring some paperwork over to the census bureau.
Later on, when we finally were going to present our report to the Emperor himself in our audience, we walked into the throne room of the Palace while the audience for the Hathidesan prince was still being held.
Yes, I know of her, the Altadorian Council had sent me a Yooyu with an urgent message years ago, about the daughter of some patricians who was missing for years and was found and brought back to Altador, but had gone missing once again after their unfortunate demise. The Altadorian King was searching for her whereabouts, if she was still alive. Unfortunately, the search efforts led to nowhere, and were even called off, we assumed the worst had happened. That is, until you came to me today.
The Elephante started off his reply almost too firmly, and I wondered had we missed. If that's her... She's not as gone as you had thought. She attacked my kingdom, and ransacked my castle. She- She- The young prince choked on his words, not being able to finish his accusation, and I could see his face welling up in tears. The Hathidesan glowed with shame and lowered his head, trying to hide his tears. The Emperor looked sadly at the Elephante, pitying him for his loss. I pitied him too, and so did most of the Neopets in that room.
The Gelert on the throne groomed his beard as he thought of the best way to respond to the emotional boy, and stood up from the throne to talk closer to the young Elephante, putting his Imperial hands on the prince's shoulders. I understand your feelings, my boy, I really do. But this path you want to take, it is not a healthy path. As a parent, I know that. I have two daughters, as you know, and I know that if anything ever happened to me, I know at least one of them, if not both of them, would think the same way as you, and would want to seek revenge against whoever got to me. The Emperor looked seriously worried, probably as he played out the hypothetical scenario on his head as he spoke.
But, as their father, I also know that this is not good for them, revenge ruins lives, and will not help you on the long run, even if you succeed, revenge comes at such high cost, you will be ruined on the end. That is why I teach them to be forgiving and tolerant, albeit fair and just. The Hathidesan prince wiped his tears on his robe. Think of the teachings of your wise Many Armed One, think of how your parents... Especially your mother... Have raised you to be. I have read much about Hathidesa, and I know that revenge goes against everything in your moral code, and you know that. The Elephante looked hesitant, and the Emperor looked hopeful that he had managed to convince the young prince from turning away from his idea, but he continued his firm, paternal tone, to completely convince the Hathidesan prince of his point. Also, think of how your father, the Raja, would be, if you were to simply go off on this hunt. He has already lost his wife to this Kougra, will he also have to lose his only son? I know you are not like that, you are just a kid who is hurting right now, you would never mean no harm to anyone, much less break your father's heart, and let down your nation. Go back to your castle, go be with your father, I command you, no, I beseech you. The young Elephante didn't speak anything, but kept his head lowered, avoiding eye contact with the Emperor, and the Gelert looked again with saddened eyes, before walking back to his throne.
About that Kougra, I will have search parties looking for her in the whole entire Eastern region of the Empire, besides that I will personally send a message to King Altador, notifying him about her attack on your kingdom. She will be judged and punished accordingly for her crimes, rest assured of that. Justice will be served to her, not out of vengeance, but out of righteousness. But I do not want you involved in the hunt, much less going off on your own to try and make justice by your own hands. This is an express order, understand? The young prince hesitated, but then just nodded slowly, and the Emperor just briefly sighed in relief. Alright... Well, then, go... Return to your father and your homeland, help them rebuild what has been destroyed by her attack, I will deal with this witch.
The Elephante prince bowed, mumbling a response, and headed out of the throne room.
Our group approached the Emperor, kneeling before him, but he raised his hand, requesting us to stop mid-salute, and said, Wait, let me just ask something first. He turned to the guards near him. I need to know if Prince Keemiter headed down the road that leads back to Hathidesa, or if he is going somewhere else. The guards bowed, and left. He then turned to us. I apologize, I am just deeply worried that boy has decided, despite all reasoning I gave to him, to continue on his pursuit of the witch who took the Rani's life. I nodded, understanding his fatherly worry. He squinted, trying to jog his memory. Belladonna, am I right? Head of the Eastern borders' Border Patrol troops, you are here for the periodical report about border flux, border conditions, troop conditions, and other topics regarding your jobs?
Yes, my Emperor.
I guess you must have guessed already that your troops, and the other sections of the Border Patrol will have one more job now, of keeping an eye out for this runaway Kougra with dark powers, her real name is Lady Roxanna Kekethos, although King Altador notified me that she also go by pseudonyms, specifically one of them being 'Colorful.' She is clearly dangerous and must be caught to be tried for her acts.
I bowed. Yes, my Emperor. At that moment, the Palace Guards returned with word about the prince.
Your Imperial Highness, the Elephante prince was just seen leaving the Imperial City on his Alabriss not through the eastern route, but instead through the southern route. The Gelert listened to the guards and then sighed, disappointed.
It was to be expected... Kids, they can be so stubborn... Altador, then I guess that is where he is heading. I will get to writing a letter to King Altador, and Raja Khalidasa, to notify him of his son's plans... He looked at our group. Well, then the Border Patrol will have two new jobs. I want all of the sections keeping an eye out for Prince Keemiter and Lady Roxanna. I do not want either of them slipping away from Shenkuu. I bowed again.
Yes, my Emperor.
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