Kyngdom Survival Guide
*TALE: TWO KYNGDOMS
Chatterbox: KYNGDOM™ Power of Hoof
*TALE: TWO KYNGDOMS
*TALE: TWO KYNGDOMS
A Tale of Two Kyngdoms, Part One
By Zephyra
It was the worst of times. That much was obvious. Chaos everywhere. Claaws was dead. Jaaws roamed our land, jaws dripping with Brazen Goo. Catastrophe was always lurking, ready to fight anyone at the slightest provocation. I heard whispers of a “Mutant Army.” And B.I.G. crept ever closer to finding and activating all four of the Powers, which would lead to--what? Utter global destruction? To be honest, I was finding it harder and harder to go to sleep. Dark thoughts swirled through my brain at all hours of the night.
On one particularly hopeless mornings, as I was drooping over a mug of oak root coffee at the Bog & Burrow, I received word from my faithful network of spies that Dr. Cornelia Hornshaw was heading north, toward the Decoy Forest. My go-to tech wiz, Techibeetle, quickly tapped her phone and, after listening to a very disgruntled conversation she was having with one of her chief scientists, we learned that she believed the fourth Power--the Power of Hoof--was located there. In the forest.
Now, this was a little too close for comfort for me, my fellow spies, and the other Guardians. Because we knew that while the fourth Power wasn’t actually in the forest, it was nearby--very nearby, on the hoof of Regina the Silver Reindeer herself. I sent a message to Regina begging her to retreat to her mansion, and then I began planning my trip to the north.
(Another complication: I was supposed to be planning my nephew Little Crow’s Naming Ceremony. It was time. He was of age. But the party would just have to wait--and I felt terrible about it.)
After another mug of oak root coffee, I hit upon a plan that was simple, but so daring that it made me nauseous. I was going to do the unthinkable. I would try to intercept Cornelia before she went into the Decoy Forest, and I would…talk with her.
Yes, talk. A dialogue. I figured that I could use B.I.G.’s technology to make Cornelia understand what I was saying, and then I could explain how dangerous her behavior was. How it would put us all at risk--animals and humans. Naïve? Maybe. But sometimes the best route is the most direct, no? There’s a reason for the phrase “as the crow flies.”
Of course it was a terrible shock when, while flying over the Labyrinth, I heard something rustling about in the suitcase that was strapped to my back--and out popped Little Crow, squawking that he couldn’t let me go alone and he was practically an adult and why did I get to do all the fun stuff? I was furious that he’d snuck along, but it was too late to turn back. Cornelia’s train was literally zooming below us as we flew. Besides, I’ll admit it: sometimes it’s nice to have a sidekick.
When we arrived at Jökull, the mansion of the Silver Reindeer, Regina greeted us joyfully and gave us each a huge, steaming mug of Black Winter Cherry cider. Little Crow was shivering. I was exhausted.
“She’s coming,” said Regina, giving me a meaningful look.
“I loathe Cornelia Hornshaw,” spat Little Crow.
“Little! She’s done some terrible things, but she is a very lost, very confused woman,” I said.
“She thinks we’re stupid. She doesn’t respect the world we’ve built. Why do I have to like her?” said Little Crow.
I was flustered, jet-lagged, but Regina jumped in with grace. “You don’t have to like her, Little Crow,” she said, her mother-of-pearl horseshoes twinkling. “But what Cornelia Hornshaw lacks is empathy. She can’t put herself in our horseshoes, so to speak. So she’ll never truly understand us--or anything about the world, really. Zephyra is saying that if you try to empathize a little with her, no matter how much it angers you, then you will have already won part of the battle.
“And for the other parts--if empathy and reason fail, at least you have an entire network of spies and warriors on your side,” I added.
Little Crow’s eyes were drooping.
“Let’s go to bed,” I said. “Cornelia is probably staying at that human eyesore, the Wayward Villa, tonight, and won’t be striking off toward the Decoy Forest until morning.”
After Little Crow went to sleep, I turned to Regina.
“I’m worried,” I said. “The Decoy Forest never shows travelers the truth. But who knows what she’ll see there? Sometimes half-truths and white lies can lead to the real thing.”
Regina looked down at her fourth horseshoe--the one that was old, rusty, nondescript.
“I am prepared to fight,” she said, simply.
submitted by Zephyra, Decoy Forest
(January 4, 2017 - 1:39 pm)
(January 4, 2017 - 1:39 pm)
Cendaren~
Cendaren appeared for the next round of training, although it was not specifically his job to be there again. He felt an unusually strong desire--impulse--no, a need--for control over these new recruits. He didn't know why yet. He only understood that making an impression on them was far more important than protecting his dignity from Grimm's obdurate, obnoxious personality.
Cendaren spoke to the recruits as a whole for the first time, once again on the training ground.
"Line up!"
The recruits, who were already in a line, regarded him confusedly.
Cendaren stepped forwards coldly. "You call that a line? I'm not as lenient as General Grimm. Straighten yourselves out, or I'll do it for you."
They pressed together tightly and stood up straighter. Those who stood too far back or too far forwards either had their feet kicked or stomped on.
"This day is only a taste of what's to come, and I will admit, it's been a pretty poor taste indeed. As we assess and refine your abilities, only a few of you will make it into our special unit. Consider this the highest honor. Those of you who do not qualify will be sent to be soldiers of the lowest rank. Consider this the highest shame. Greatness is within your reach. Do not throw it away.
"Your training is your life. This army is your life. You will operate for the unit and not yourself. We do not have time for slackers or insubordinates. Discipline is swift and will be dealt accordingly.
"Over the next few weeks you will be assessed as you train. You will soon be divided into smaller units under Grimm, me, or some of the lieutenants."
Grimm took over the instruction. Cendaren stepped back to make way for the lizard anthro's scaly bulk. Once Grimm explained their expectations for the recruits, they would go on to their next task: Obedience training.
(January 3, 2019 - 8:56 am)
Tsuki~~
Caligo's words leave a mark on me. The generals--they really are serious about this. I wasn't sure about trying to be a part of the special unit, but since the other choice is being a soldier of the lowest rank, I think being an elite soldier isn't such a bad choice.
As we march down the hallway, I become very glad I used to be a member of the Sapphire Cove Marching Band. Most of the recruits trip and stumble. Some even fall down. But as for me? I manage to march perfectly.
Ashzan marches fairly well, too. Not perfect, but much better than the other recruits. I hope that she and I will get assigned to the same group. Personally, I'd like to train under General Caligo. He seems less likely to resort to physical forms of discipline than Grimm. I feel like he prefers to use words.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see a Homo Avian purposely marching wrong. A mischievous grin wraps around his face as he stomps on others feet. He has to be the youngest here. He looks to be ten or eleven, younger than even me.
Grimm shouts at the Homo Avian, who squeaks and hops back into line. The lizard anthro relaxes slightly, but anger is still scribbled all over his face.
Ashzan looks at me, with an annoyed expression. I try to show that I feel the same as her with my face, but I'm not quite sure if it works.
~~~
(January 5, 2019 - 9:21 am)
Ashzan~
I've literally never marched before. Tsuki seems to know what she's doing, so I try to match her pace and form. Not perfect, but I'm getting better by the second. The Generals seem preoccupied with the candidates who are stumbling and goofing off. We come upon a large field, completely barren of any trees and overgrown with tall grass.
"Get to the other side without being spotted, but first get over to the main platform to recieve your numbered vests." Grimm bellows. Caligo winces. Hm. He doesn't like loud noises. All of the more determined recruits, incuding Tsuki and I, race to the platform. There, we are given black vests with white numbers on the back. I'm number 011, Tsuki's 012. Then, we line up along one side of the field. "Do NOT let any General see your number. If your number is seen we will call you out and you will most likely be immediately disqualified for elite training." Shouldn't be too hard. I lean over to Tsuki.
"Crawl on your belly. Stay close to the ground and towards the middle of the field. The Generals are on the sides, see? If you're low enough and towards the middle enough, they won't be able to see you." She nods. One General raises his gun and fires it into the air. It has begun.
~~
(January 5, 2019 - 5:48 pm)
Tsuki~~
The gunshot rings out across the field.
Ashzan and I instantly drop to the ground. The snow seeps into my vest and uniform, and turns to water. The water helps, since I'm a Homo Aquarius. It propels me forwards.
We crawl towards the center quickly, pushing grass out of our way. The entire time, the lieutenants and generals shout out numbers.
"001!"
" 015! "
"007!"
Ashzan and I push forwards. We're halfway across the field.
In front of us is a Dolor Felis. Her brown tail swishes across the snow. Her vest says 008.
We're almost there. So close...
The Dolor Felis reaches the wooden platform before us.
I try to climb up, but the sides are icy and I slip. Ashzan catches me. The second time I climb up, I am surprised to feel paws helping me up. Ashzan climbw up behind me, and I look at my helper.
"Thanks," I tell the Dolor Felis .
"No problem. You two are probably the only other recruits with even a slight chance of getting into the special unit. The name's Deeja." The Dolor Felis says.
"My name's Ashzan, and the Homo Aquarius is Tsuki."
The Dolor Felis shakes our hands. General Caligo walks up to us.
"Well done," He says. " I didn't expect anybody to reach the platform before time was up. "
"Thank you, sir," Deeja says smoothly . The General nods. "I'll be making a note to consider you three for the special unit."
Grimm fires the gun signaling time is up. We werw the only three to make it to the platform.
~~~
(January 6, 2019 - 9:27 am)
Cendaren~
The recruits, having finished their weak display of stealth and speed, are marched back up to the training field, which sits in sight of Jokull.
"Well, congratulations to our three soldiers who actually managed to follow our instructions," Cendaren announced to the line. "Moksovinan, Natsu, and Sagestone. Due to your skillful display, you will be permitted to the cafeteria first. As for the rest of you, Grimm has one more activity planned."
Cendaren motioned for the three recruits to come with him, and they marched into Jokull and to the main cafeteria.
(January 7, 2019 - 6:12 pm)
Ashzan~
As we enter the cafeteria I look back at the sky above. Just as I focus my eyes far something plummets to the ground just out of sight, about a half-mile away.
"General?" I call over my shoulder. Caligo turns.
"What, Moksovinan?"
"I think something just fell out of the sky. I don't know what it is, but it may be important." Caligo nods.
"Describe it."
"Cubic, large, possibly with some sort of straps or something, but I couldn't see it very well."
"Hm. Well, I'll notify the other Generals that I'm taking a few recruits to investigate. This is good, we can use it your acceptance test." Caligo states, looking at the three of us, then pulls out a piece of paper and a pen. Scribbling a message on it, he sticks it onto the door of the cafeteria. "Let's go." Without hesitation, he grabs four nearby guns, hands one to each of us, then motions us to follow him. We nod, and proceed to follow him at a run through the snow. It's not far to the line of a large clump of pine trees with realtively low branches. None of us need a boost up, and we make our way from tree to tree on the close-knit branches.
~~
(January 8, 2019 - 6:22 pm)
Tsuki~~
We climb through the branches of the large pine trees. My tail helps me balance. As we get closer, I try to figure out what the strange crashed thing is.
We get close enough to see the wreckage. It looks like it might've been a carriage once. The front end is smashed into a million little splinters. Some of it is strewn throughout the surrounding trees.
In the sky, two huge Thunderbirds fly away.
Deeja and Ashzan are right next to me, crouched in the branches. Caligo is higher up in the trees, watching from above.
There is a noise from the wreck. I turn to look down at it. Coughing comes from beneath the wood.
"Kimi," I hear an angry sounding voice say, " Please tell me the drum isn't broken. "
"It's okay. And thanks for asking if I was alright," another voice replies. This voice sounds a bit friendlier , less grumpy.
"Oh, you'll be fine. You're alive, aren't you?"
"Hmmph. Where are we?"
Two sets of arms--one furry racoon paws, the other dark skinned human hands--lift the boards up. Two women stand up. One is an almost seven foot girl, with dark braided hair and a leather jacket . She looks like she might be from Sanukaville. The other is a raccoon anthro, with a mischievous grin and dark traveling clothes. I have no idea where she is from.
~~~
(January 9, 2019 - 3:42 pm)
Ashzan~
Caligo drops down from the trees as soon as the two strangers are out of the wreck.
"You're in Jokull." He states, snarling and brandishing his gun. "Put your arms up and follow me. My associates will make sure you don't get away." The two look astonished as the rest of us jump down from the low branches. Deeja and Tsuki wince slightly when their feet, unprepared with the jarring shock of hitting the ground from a branch's height, connect with the cold, hard, and unforgiving soil. The anthro and the girl put their arms up, look at each other, and follow Caligo as he begins walking back towards the training area. As they pass us, I pick up a whisper from the girl to the raccoon.
"As soon as we get a chance, you go left, I go right." I glance at Deeja and Tsuki.
"Prepare for a chase to the right." I whisper significantly closer to my companions' ears than the girl did to hers. "I'll take the left." They nod, we trudge with hawk eyes locked onto the two in front of us.
~~
(January 9, 2019 - 6:01 pm)
From the trees bordering the forest, a pair of violet eyes watched the scene. Months of traveling and following loose romurs have finally led to the wrecked carriage. And possibly the drum.
She drew her shawl together and pursed he lips. She realized that she had seen Tuski, an old friend who had once asked for armor from her forge. As to what she was doing here, Raven had no clue. She needed more information before she made her next step.
Raven turned back to the forest, her wings lifting her up out of the trees and into the night.
--
I hope this is okay. I don't want to make a sudden appearance and alter the story too much.
(January 10, 2019 - 1:19 am)
Oh, I really like the idea of Raven and Tsuki knowing each other!!
(January 10, 2019 - 3:28 pm)
Um Can I have a new charecter that I made kind of jump in? She is a Thief and will probably steal from anyone This is her Sheet:
Name: Skylar
Age: 17
Species: Human
Job/Title: magic Thief
Appearence: A long black scar over one eye, her eyes are a dark blue practically black, black cloak with hood up, tan skin, long straight brown hair, lots and lots of hidden daggars, and a black pendant
Personality: hostile, silent, observant, stealthy, speaks the bare minimum.
Home: Nowhere
Most often seen at: Nowhere
Friend or Mentor: None
Enemy or Rival: Resistance
Favorite Possesion or object: her black pendant
Motto or Favorite Saying: There is no light
Stregths: stealth, silence, dark magic, darkness
Weakness: suprise, light
Backround: she was born and left in the woods where she began to steal to live. She has a black pendant that she was left with and she has never taken it off. She learned magic and can use it do help her steal like make illusions, enlarge shadows, have the shadows hide her, and small attacks. she is best at throwing daggars though. She has heard of Catastrophe and the Resistance. The Resistance left her and has attacked her before. They gave her the scar.
I was thinking that she could try and steal the drum but is caught by someone and we'll build from there. It's okay if it doesn't work though.
(January 10, 2019 - 6:38 pm)
Ooh, she seems really cool!!
Davina Starr~~
The General is distracted for a moment by rustling in a bush. I nod to Kimi, and we split up, running in opposite directions. However, the recruits blocked us off. They had their guns raised.
"Wait!" Kimi says. " Don't capture us! "
"And why shouldn't we?" The General challenged.
"Because," Kimi said, pulling out the drum with a flourish . "We have the Power of Hoof, and we'll give it to you if you let us go."
" how about, " The Dolor Felis says, "We take the Power and you?" Suddenly , Kimi is laying on the ground unconscious, and the Dolor Felis has the drum. Well, at least it's a fake.
I step forwards, and the Homo Aquarius shoves her gun into my head. I wince. We really are trapped.
The General takes the drum. "We thank you for your generosity. Now, we'll be taking you and your raccoon friend into our prisons and then we'll interrogate you on exactly how you got the Power of Hoof."
"So much theatrics," I mutter under my breath. The forest elf glares at me. I feel like she's trying to kill me with her eyeballs.
I look at the forest elf. "You do realize that glaring doesn't actually inflict damage on people, right?"
"You do realize that I have a gun I could shoot you with right now, correct?" The elf replies. I shut my mouth.
" Sagestone, get the anthro. Moksovinan and Natsu, keep your guns trained on her. " He nods at me. I bite my tongue to keep myself from insulting him.
The Dolor Felis grabs Kimi roughlu. "Don't hurt her!" I snap .
The Dolor Felis laughs. "I see your weakness now. Ha, we'll make sure to use that against you during your interrogation."
I glare at all of them.
~~~
(January 10, 2019 - 8:55 pm)
Ahh, I've just been going through the old RPs...*sighs* Ah, nostalgia. I'm sad I missed out on most of them. But, I'm glad I've been able to get active again.
Kimi Flammori~ (and also Cendaren, but from Kimi's POV ;)
We've crash landed. For a minute I don't know where we are--it's just cold and snowy and quiet and empty--but then a tall figure with pointed ears and red hair drops from the trees and he snarls at us. As I take in his uniform, I feel a bleak sense of hopelessness sink in: That's Catastrophe's signa.
"You're at Jokull. Now put your hands up. My associates will make sure you don't get away."
No, no, not this place again! The first time I was here I had no idea what I was doing. I'd never left the Decoy Forest before--and I was glad to be in prison! It was something new and exciting.
Then I'd been rescued by Sprocket and some other Resistance members. Alex had been my first friend--and then the Resistance had moved bases, and I'd wandered around on my own for weeks and weeks, where I'd learned a lot about feelings.
I'm not facing the prospect of prison with interest this time.
Nope, I'd learned to feel emotions alright, and now--now I feel fear.
All the fun of the moment drains away as the soldiers surround us and begin to escort us out of the woods. The soldier in the front speaks into his walkie talkie:
"Sanders, this is Caligo; we have a situation in the east woods. Your men should see a pair of thunderbirds coming your way. Take them alive, if you can, or if not shoot them down for food. As for the falling carriage, the situation is stable for now, but backup would be nice. I'm with the rookies, heading towards the mansion."
I pace by Davina's side, seeking comfort from her tall frame. The drum swings to and fro in her clutches, rattling softly over the sounds of feet padding on snow. She stares straight ahead, but I can see that she's working something out in her mind.
We need to get away from here before...before we can't anymore.
As if she's read my mind, Davina leans in towards me and hisses out a few quiet syllables. "When we get a chance...you go left, I go right."
I nod and flick my ears back to show that I've heard.
The soldiers march us onwards through the snow. We travel among the snow-laden pines, and soon enough I can see a clearing up ahead. Beyond that--Jokull.
"I want to know who you are and what you're doing here," demands Caligo from in front of us.
I glance towards Davina, wondering if we should escape while he's talking, but he then glances back and his eyes lock onto the drum. "And I want to know exactly what you're doing with that."
He turns back to face the front, and at that moment a message comes through his radio.
The clearing is coming up fast. This is going to be our only hope of escape.
We glance at each other and nod. This is it.
(January 10, 2019 - 9:12 pm)
So you know how I said I was thinking of a new character? Well now seems like as good of a time as any!
Here we go!
--
Saoirse
I tapped my foot impatiently as the people in uniforms surround me. One of them was talking on a walkie talkie to someone, presumably a higher up. I decided to try one more time.
"See, guys, I'm totally safe to let in! I'm telling you that I'm friends with a friend who's friends with a friend who's a top recruit! And are the weapons really necessary?" I shifted my stance and the vials that rested against my chest clinked together. Behind me, the trees ruslted, and in the back of my mind I prayed that Granite and Raven stayed out of sight. A girl in pigtails and a yellow raincoat and umbrella with a few inconspicuous chemical (and a few not chemical) solutions in vials can in theory get away with more than a girl with black wings and a sword and a girl in pigtails riding ontop of a giant stone gargoyle. Luckily, Granite remained hidden.
The walkie talkie crackled to life again. "Sanders, what did you say?"
Sanders (I guess that was his name) repeated, "I said we were looking for the birds when a girl with an umbrella emerged from the forest and wants to be let into the encampment to talk to a recruit. Should we let her in?"
The walkie talkie paused and I let my head shift upwards to look at the sky. Raven said she had seen the drum and one of her old friends from when she ran her armory way back when before she ran into me and Granite. We had been booking it from our previous town where I had accidentally set off a reaction that kinda maybe turned a field of corn into stone when I found new materials to test in my alchemy study. I blinked when I realized that I had zoned out, and snapped my head back to the people that still (still!) had their weapons trianed on me.
Seriously had I not proven that I was a lovable and innocent little girl who just wanted to meet a friend of a friend yet?
A crackling sound was heard. "Keep her there. The recruits and I are heading over."
(January 10, 2019 - 10:34 pm)
Tsuki~~
We are almost at the clearing. The raccoon girl is back on her feet. Ashzan and I walk side by side, watching the prisoners. Meanwhile, Deeja walks next to Caligo.
Suddenly, the two split up again and run. Caligo barks out a singular order. "Fire!"
My mind and my morality say no. You didn't want to be a part of this army anyways, they chant.
My finger has a mind of its own. A twitch was all it took. A tiny little twitch, and there was a shot.
The tall human turned to face me. Then there was suddenly a great red rose growing on her chest. Her blood dripped onto the ground. Her eyes widened. She staggered backwards. Her mouth was moving. So was her racoon friend's mouth. But I didn't hear anything.
Then suddenly, noise piled onto me. Caligo congratulating me, Deeja commenting me, Ashzan asking why, I thought you had more morality than that, and the two prisoners screaming.
I fell onto my knees. My throat was raw from screaming. Was I screaming? Sound had vanished again.
I was half aware that I was glowing with a blinding light. That streams were flowing from my eyes. Thqt the tall girl's wound was sewing itself back up.
The glowing stopped and suddenly the girl was no longer injured. Had I... There was no question. I had healed her. But at a price.
"Oh, Claaws..."
The bullet wound had transferred to my own chest.
~~~
(January 11, 2019 - 1:00 pm)