I decided to try my hand at angst. I hope it is sufficient.
Red belongs to @theguardiansofredland . I’m planning on writing a shorter sequel to this that doesn’t have a bloody fight and this much angst.
Warning: There is a bloody fight scene in this fic. DO NOT READ IF BLOOD OR VIOLENCE IS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR YOU.
The day was bright as Red stepped out from the light blue and white swirling portal, staring into the communication device thoughtfully. It was a quarter to eight in the morning. She was an hour early, despite getting lost for most of her trip to Taiga Town. The road was directly in front of the fountain in the square, beyond which was the decently large castle.
Red read the map sent to her by Polonium, not watching her front. She only stopped walking when a large mass stopped her rather forcefully. She looked up in confusion, before she squeaked in fear.
The man was huge, easily the size of Endi plus a couple inches. His arms were thick, almost the size of her torso. He was built like an iron golem. He huffed as he breathed, as if his large muscles impeded his ability to do so. He looked at Red, one bushy eyebrow raised. “Leetle feesh boy, are you alrigh?” His thick accent was hard to understand for Red.
Red nodded vigorously. “Uh, y-yes sir, just looking for Taigan Castle, sir..” Red stuttered the words out, trying to avoid looking at him. She hid her fins behind her hair.
He thought for a moment, huffing out a breath. “Polo princess may be sleeping, so is a leetle hard to get in righ now. I work in guard, can help.” He extended a boulder sized hand out. “ Genral Firok, at service.” Firok grinned as Red gently shook his hand.
He led her to the gate, where two armored guards protected the door. They looked at Firok and instantly stood at attention. “Firok, sir! What brings you here on your day off?” The taller one squawked out.
Firok held a hand up, gesturing loosely to Red. “Leetle fish looks for Polo princess. Meeting is soon.”
The guard nodded, motioning for the gate to open. The large spruce and dark oak doors opened silently and smoothly. Red thanked Firok for his help before jogging into the castle grounds, looking for the path that led to Polo’s chambers.
Red didn’t notice the slim figure of someone watching from one of the taller spires, a small pair of binoculars pointed at their fins, a sickening smirk on their face.
Polo paced back and forth in her bedchamber, frost formations outlining her steps. Her head was hung in nervousness, her voice slightly shaky and quiet. He squire opened the door silently, letting themselves in.
“Princess Polonium? I’m so sorry to bother you when you’re brooding, but miss Red of the ocean kingdom is here.”
Polonium stopped, turning to face them. “It’s the Southern Ocean Monument, not a kingdom. Let them in, Squire.” She returned to pacing, rubbing the soft material of her sleeves. The nerves had been on edge since dawn, she had been awake even longer. The door was left ajar, letting Red quietly slip through.
“Polo! P-Lo!” Red called out happily, practically leaping into Polo’s back, and taking her down.
“Ah! Ugh, hello...” Polo groaned into the carpet, lifting her head up. “As energetic as ever...” she slowly lifted her body off the ground, Red giggling as she held onto the white vest. “Don’t get comfy, now. We still have your tour to do.”
“Speaking of, how much of the city will we see today?” Red asked as they climbed down. “It’s a huge city, and I’m sure one day isn’t enough!”
Polonium thought for a moment. “We can pace ourselves and do sections of the town. You get to choose the first part of the tour.” She grabbed the rolled map and unfurled it. “We are in the apex of town, and there are four other sections of the town. Do you want to save the castle for last?”
Red looked at the colorful map, and pointed at the blue section, which surrounded the castle walls and the river. “I like the idea of doing this part first!”
Polonium nodded, responding with a hum. “Solid Idea. We shall begin in a moment. I’m going to change into my common clothes, then we shall go.” She turned to face her rather small wardrobe, and picked out a black vest with a fur-lined hood, a grey undershirt, and basic jeans. She retreated to a screen for only a moment, and after some shuffling and annoyed growls, emerged from the screen in the same attire she had worn when she first met Red. “Let’s go before it gets too crowded, now. Lots of markets are in today, but it’s mostly Netherite and Ice Spike Kingdom wares. I think a Desert Kingdom ship will arrive later...”
The market street was just as busy as Polonium had thought: almost no room to walk and even move. She squeezed past all the larger stalls, Red in tow. She managed to get through most of the tour without an issue, but it didn’t last.
Red had ducked into a midroad, one connecting two districts between the houses. She stood against the brick, having lost Polonium in the crowd, and having her nerves act up. She sat against the wall rigidly, like a life-like statue.
The bustle of the crowd was already enough, losing Polonium in it was worse. The noise created a sort of cocoon, effectively trapping Red to the alleyway. She sighed, tucking a piece of hair behind her head fin. A sudden cough drew her attention to the front of the alley.
The person was silhouetted by the sun, only a dark shape forming their base. They looked rather bulky, however. “Good evening.” They bowed deeply.
Red swallowed their nerves and bowed back. “He..hello. Have you seen princess Polonium..?” She asked hopefully, only to have a sudden force knock the wind out of her.
“Apologies, fish, but you’re just a target. Best to stay quiet-“
“RED! There you-“ Polonium’s voice cut through the stranger’s words. She stopped short of them as she saw the stranger and a hunched over Red. “Oh, no...” the breath had been taken out of her lungs as she began to shake.
“You. What did you do.” She began to march forward, blue magic swirled around her for arms and eyes. “What. Did. You. DO?” She called to the now paralyzed form, anger and venom laced in her question.
“Ah, of course. Haha..” the form revealed a knife hidden in the folds of their cloak, grinning madly. “I’ll get top dollar for both Kipling meat AND a princess..Have at thee!” They lurched forward, only to be impeded by a large block of ice. “Grr...Fight me, weakling!” They growled, chipping away at the wall.
Polonium removed the wall, causing the figure to stumble, and threw a heavy hit to their cloak. Shattered glass shards fell out, along with a sickening green liquid. The stranger growled, and retaliated, swinging the knife around. The knife eventually struck its target, slicing Polonium on the arm and part of her elbow.
Polonium cried out in pain and anger. She hit again, making contact with the stranger’s face. The hood fell, revealing a disheveled individual. Polo faltered, but struck again, this time with the blade.
“Foolish magic wielder! You really think you’ll win?!” The stranger cackled, slicing up, then stabbing at Polonium. Polonium dodged, grabbed the foe’s wrist, and kicked them hard, sending them flying.
“I’m not trying to beat you, now..” Polonium advanced on them. “I’m trying to protect her from YOU, Jiroh.” She growled.
Jiroh looked up at Polonium, wild eyes staring at cold fury. “You remember me NOW, princess. Soon everyone will.” They advanced again, thrusted the knife, and trapped their arm again, this time in the wall.
Polonium threw a ball of ice magic, and began aiming for the knife, which had been trapped in a crack deep in the wall.
Jiroh cackled, advancing on Polonium and stabbed her in the shoulder. Polonium screamed as the knife tore through the muscle, red hot pain coursed through her. “You can’t beat me! YOU COULD NEVER BEAT ME!” Jiroh stabbed again, only for Polonium to dodge the attack, flinging another ice ball. The ball exploded against the wall, trapping Jiroh.
“I’m done...Playing your shitty game, Jiroh.” Polonium growled, clenching her jaw in pain. “I’m not...your live game. Neither is...Red.” Red looked up finally, holding her stomach. She shakily stood, walking towards Polonium slowly.
“Po-Po...please..you’re hurt..” Red sniffled.
Polonium looked at her apologetically, but stood firm. Blood dropped from the wounds, a deep crimson dying the shirt and vest. “Jiroh, you’re under arrest. It’s best for the kingdom to be safe from you.” Polonium whistled, and an echoing vwoop was heard mere seconds later.
Endi stood tall, ripping Jiroh from the ice and teleporting away. Polonium sighed and fell to her knees. Sobs echoed through her body, as did pain.
Red moved her to the clean wall, monitoring her wounded friend fearfully. “Are you dying, Po?” She asked nervously, voice thick in fear.
“No, Red....Just hurting.” Polo coughed, a bit of blood leaked out of her mouth. “Maybe I am. Endi will come for us soon.” She rested her head on the cool stone wall, frost formed on her cheek and near her wounds. “This heat is unbearable.” She groaned.
Red sniffled again, blood staining her unkempt hair and sleeve. “Please do...don’t die..” she hugged the battle-scarred princess, nuzzling against her undamaged shoulder. “I c...cant lose you, too..”
Polonium scoffed, looked at Red, and smiled. “I’m not dying on you, Red. But damn it hurts.” She looked towards the still loud, still bustling crowd. “I’d do this again if it meant stopping a chronic crime problem.”
Red sniffed, smearing blood on her cheek as she tried and failed to wipe her tears. “You coulda l..left me for dead, you know...why’d you fight for me..?” Tentative words left before Red could controls herself.
Polonium slowly turned her head, pain shooting through her dulled nerves. “You mean a lot to me. Of course I would.” She sighed, lungs surprisingly rigid. “You’re precious to me. Even with only a couple of months of friendship.”
That answer seemed to be acceptable for Red, since Red and Polo sat in silence until Endi arrived with a paramedic and Firok in tow, and removed the two friends from the scene of the bloody scuffle.
