Advent Of A Gunslinger

Meanwhile, in the Far East…

Our intrepid heroes managed to capture, and imprison Kai for his actions once they finally got off the train. It set them back for a bit, but they were able to make up for lost time given that they had the crown prince on their side.

Chang was given express clearance to interrogate the jailed primate.

The cell block was actually rather empty--which only showcased just how clean the streets of Wukong were--at least to the perspective of an outsider.

“Rise, Fang. I’d like to have a word with you.”

The monkey man behind the bars was now adorned in an orange jumpsuit, befitting the look of a prisoner. “Meh. Do whatever you want to me. Sunny is likely gonna kill me for failing anyways.”

“Sun Gao...also known as ‘Sunny Gal,’ and the leader of the Death’s Angels,” Chang folded his arms, “I know who she is. And how dangerous she can be. So I ask that you please consider not only yourself, but others who can potentially suffer from her wrath. Please: Tell me everything that you know.”

“Alright, listen man. There ain’t much time,” Kai walked up to the bars, “There’s gonna be an assassination attempt on Empress Su during the Wushi Parade. A bounty’s been put on her head for some secret stuff she did--o-okay to be honest, I don’t have all the details, but...”

“...What could mother possibly do to warrant monetary value on her head? And at the Lion Dance Parade? Of course...just my luck to arrive back home for celebration just to fight more.” Chang thought to himself. Of course, Kai was left ignorant of this fact for both of their safety, and the primate doctor continued to speak as if he was a roaming medical professional. “I see. And which one of your gang members will be there?”

“Hao Deng I believe,” Kai went on as he leaned against the bars in a casual manner as if talking to a friend, “The one who likes to stay hidden. Ironic that a sniper would have a fear of heights, but I digress. That’s all I know.” He then went and sat back down on the cell bed with one leg crossed over the other. “And with that...I’ve just signed my death warrant.”

Chang shook his head, and stepped up to the bars. “You will have a fair trial and endure the proper consequences. Then we shall work on getting you out of that situation.”

“Pfff, yeah right,” he said with a scoff, “You’re just some doctor. A doctor working alongside the last-known Remington which is pretty jīngrén de if you ask me. But do you really have the power to grant me a pardon?”

“Not a pardon,” the doctor corrected him, “A chance to redeem yourself. But we’ll have to see about that. For now, stay out of trouble, yes? I will see you later, friend…”

Kai rolled onto his side and scratched behind his ears. “Yeah...not like I’m going anywhere.”

Chang exited the police station, and walked out to a building that was across the street. A cafe that also doubled as a bakery.

The capital city of Hong Wukong was a bustling Eastern town inhabited by monkey-folk just like Chang. Every building had a traditional Eastern architectural style, and its residents all wore traditional robes--save for the field workers who were shirtless, and guards who wore uniforms.

But yes, for the most part, it was a very lively series of villages and buildings all neatly woven into the rocky structures of their surrounding landscape with trees all around--even a few vines that acted as a transportation system!

At the cafe, Axel, Kora, and Vido were all awaiting Chang’s return since they were instructed to stay there as he went into the police station. When he came back, he explained the situation to them.

“Alright, my friends. We have struck bounty,” he said with a triumphant grin on his face.

“Really?” Axel asked, “And just what’re we dealin’ with here?”

Chang sat upright, and made sure that no one was around to listen. Then he leaned forward so only everyone at the table could hear. “...The Wushi Festival is today. My mother will be in attendance, and we need to stop someone from taking her out. If we do that, we can find our way to the Death’s Angels.”

Kora purred with excitement. “Very intriguing. And will this lead us to the abyssinians that have allied themselves with those Triads?”

“It will,” Chang responded, “I’m certain of it.”

“Ay, then this will be our biggest operation yet. Once we’re done here, we can get that new airship…” Vido proclaimed, but then lamented slowly realized what would come after, “...And depart away from you all.”

Axel would try to keep his spirits up. “Hey now. Don’t worry yerself about that. We’ll get’ta visit ‘em sometime I’m sure. But right now, we need’ta focus, ya’ll. Don’t want no world leader dead--that’ll just make everythin’ more complicated.” He looked over at Chang. “Since this is your home, we’ll follow ya. What’s the plan?”

To be frank, Chang was also upset that he would eventually have to say goodbye to his newfound set of friends. The ones abroad Celaeno’s ship were nice, but there was something about this group…

But there was no time to focus on that. The primate prince needed to come up with a plan.

“Alright, everyone follow me,” Chang got up from his seat, “I know where my moth--er, Empress Su goes right before she gets ready for any event.”

With that, the others all got up with him, and began to follow at his discretion…

Chang would lead them through the city all the way to a small, private temple up on a hill and away from most of the city. They had to walk through a trail that was flanked by a massive bamboo field on both sides. The large, overarching gate was hard to miss with its red bars and curved, horn-like edges. And standing at that gate were two stalwart monkey guards who glared daggers into the eyes of the 4-person group.

“Nǐ shì shéi?” one of the guards called out in her native language, and spoke to them in the universal language with a thick Eastern accent, “Stata your business.”

Naturally, since Chang spoke the language, he would respond. “We are here to see Lady Su--”

The other guard, a male, cut him off, “Not happeeneeng. She ees busy getting ready.”

“...I didn’t want to do this, but you leave me no choice.” Chang lifted his opaque glasses, and the guards could see his eyes--a brilliant jade that only one set of monkeys possessed.

“EEK!”

Both guards squealed when they say his eyes, and immediately bowed down on their hands and knees.

“The legendary Imperia Seao!” the female guard cried out, “I am so sorry, my liege. Your mother is up ahead.”

The male guard looked up at the hippogriff, abyssinian, and griffon. “Are these friends of yours?”

Axel maintained eye contact, wary of how they would act. “...”

Kora tried to maintain a friendly expression, offering a smile and a wave. “H-hello…”

Vido wasn’t making eye contact at all, and was instead focused on the bamboo field and the temple beyond the guards. “Que pelos…”

“They are,” Chang confirmed as he stepped forward, and beckoned the party to follow further. “Come along. She’ll be just ahead.”

Everyone snapped back into focus and started to follow him once more.

Kora in particular would speak her mind. “I know you’re the prince, but what’s with those eyes of yours? Do they hold a special power?”

“I heard one of ‘em said seal,” Axel added, “But how can yer peepers be a…?”

“...The Imperial Wukong Seal is passed through blood,” Chang explained, “It designates who is next in line to inherit the Emperor’s throne. As the only son of Wukong, I carry the seal within my eyes, and that is exactly how you would identify me.”

Vido would then jump in the conversation as he took notes of his surroundings. “Ay--that’s why you wear glasses that can’t be seen through, yes? So no one can tell?”

“That is correct, Vido,” the prince replied as he placed his glasses back over his eyes to conceal them, “But we have to make haste. Mother should be nearby.”

Thankfully, they wouldn’t have to travel far. Once they traveled up the steps to the temple, they would all see a voluptuous, well-endowed monkey woman sitting in a luxurious swivel chair as another monkey woman applied makeup to her face.

The Prideful

This was Chang’s mother--the Empress herself: Su--or Sue for those living outside of the continent. She wore the finest red and gold silk robes and sat elegantly like an esteemed ruler should--eyes shut, one leg crossed over the other, and her hands neatly resting below her abdomen with her fingers interlocked.

But as soon as she heard Chang’s voice…

“Empress Su. Please grant us an audience.”

Her eyes shot open, and the makeup artist stopped on a dime.

“...Seems I have visitors, hm?” the Empress spoke coldly as she glared at her son, and then the the individuals he had been travelling with. “...And just who is this filth?” As it turns out, she didn’t recognize her son’s voice at all, and simply thought that the monkey in a doctor’s labcoat was a personal visitor.

And that his three friends were nothing more than slaves…

“I am here to warn you of an impending attack,” Chang continued, “There is a chance that you--”

She cut him off with a scornful tone, and a haughty expression. “Save your breath, peasant. Filthy westerners are not welcome here. Leave immediately.”