The digital sunlight was the first thing to wake up Ragatha. Sitting up with a yawn, a maid NPC had walked in. She was the same cat NPC from Caine's murder mystery.
"Morning Meow-stress. The king and queen are waiting for you for breakfast"
"Oh, um. Thank you"
The maid bowed with a quiet "nya" before leaving.
Ragatha tried to make sense of it all. The sudden appearance of parents made her freeze up, it was terrible. Collecting all of her strength to get up and walk down the stone halls. Outside the sun was bright, helping to cast shadows of birds outside; though there wasn't actually any. Opening the large doors was a long wooden table. At the head was the king, and beside him the queen.
"Ah, you're awake. Come, sit darling." The king offered the open seat to his left, and Ragatha quietly obeyed.
"Honey? Are you feeling any better?" The queen's gentle voice made Ragatha flinch back, before relaxing again in a slumped position.
"Yes Mother, I feel much better" Ragatha looked down at her digital breakfast. For digital food, it wasnt half bad looking. Freshly sliced fruit with something that reminded her of oatmeal, its faint smell helped calm the doll down even more.
"Now that you're feeling better dear, we want to talk to you about an alliance. Our neighbor has sent an offer, and we think you should consider it." The king leaned forward as he spoke, his doll hand sliding across the table to push a letter toward Ragatha.
----------------------------------------------------
In the desert kingdom, Jax sat at the head of a round table. Three NPC manikins dressed in cream silks sat, and listened. A map of the five kingdoms sat in the middle of the table. Jax used a stick to point and push small figures around; he was planning an attack.
" And just like that, we'll take over the Jungle kingdom! Haha!" The NPCs look at each other, even without expressions the room felt uneasy.
"Sire, we mean no disrespect." One NPC spoke up.
"But, what about the spotting of possible spys near our boards as well as close to the castle? We dont know if now is the best time for war." A second stated.
"For now the others dont seem hostile. Perhaps an alliance would be better for our people-" the third started, but was interrupted by Jax as he scoffed.
"Please, I think i know what I'm doing." Jax shook his head as he laughed. With heavy sighs, the NPCs left to follow out their orders. Around the corner, the King's grip on his staff tighted; his wife worried.
"Darling..are we sure-.." The king held up a hand.
"Let him dig his own grave. If we must burry him in it, we shall. For the good of the kingdom"
----------------------------------------------------
Inside the wooden cabin, Gangle hummed over the stove. Hot popcorn popped loudly, drowing out most of the dialog coming from the TV.
"Hey Gangle! Anything cool happen yet?" Zooble called out from the bathroom, the steam from the shower creeped into the hallway.
"Hm? Oh! Nothing much! Just Jax planning on attacking Ragatha." Gangle called back as she blew steam away from the fresh popcorn.
"Ah, it took a little longer than I guessed huh?" Zooble chuckled as the exited the bathroom. A soft, cotton robe draped over their wonky body. Slumping into the sofa, Gangle nestled the bowl of hot popcorn between them.
"Oh, do you think we'll see more of Jax and Twinkle?" Gangle's masks practically sparkled with anticipation.
"I'm not sure. Im surprised Jax is capable of the feelings we've seen so far. I bet they dont even know we're watching." Zooble shrugged and they popped the snack in- well in the direction of where a mouth should be.
----------------------------------------------------
The sun started to set over the kingdoms, and in the mountains that ment colder nights. Twinkle sat alone at a round table, looking at maps and papers. Her tail slowly swayed behind her as her thoughts focused. Even with her furr, Twinkle started to get chilly. The maids happily brought her the cost she spawned in with, as well as a soft, cotton scarf. She was so focused that the sound of footsteps didn't register.
"Dear?"
"AH! [beep]!" Twinkle quickly turned and saw her mother. It took an extra few seconds for her brain to register and calm down.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. But, your father and I were hoping you'd join us for dinner." The queen's smiled softly, her tail matching the rhythm of Twinkle's.
"Dinner, yes. Yes thats right. Lets go" Twinkle slid off her chair, and the girls started walking the halls.
"Something bothering you darling?"
"Hm? Oh, well." Twinkle sighed. "I received a letter from the Jungle kingdom. The forest and Jungle are now in an alliance. And a few scots say that the desert seems to be preparing for war."
"And this bothers you?" The queen slowed to a stop, Twinkle copied.
"Yes..I know the Desert will go for the Jungle..and if they do, they'll be crushed by the alliance."
"Really dear?" The queen's chuckled. "That has you upset, why? One more kingdom taken down is nothing to be worried. We have the advantages with our territory as well."
"But, then prince Jax will be taken prisoner or worse." Though as the thought left her lips, Twinkle doubted either of the girls would actually harm Jax. This, just made the queen's gaze harden.
"Why be worried about him? That joke of a prince isnt worth being a royal pet, let alone royalties or in charge of a kingdom. It would be in your best interest if you stay away" Twinkle was about to speak, but the queen turned away. After hesitation, Twinkle joined her mother as they arrived at the dinning room.
----------------------------------------------------
Twinkle was more than correct. The desert army weren't really given a plan of attack. It barely took two days for both Forest and Jungle armies were quickly closing in on the castle. Zooble and Gangle quickly turned up the volume as the camera cut to Jax and his parents.
"How could you he so RECKLESS?!" The king yelled, his large oval teeth almost intimidating in his snarl.
"How was i supposed to know they were allianced?!" Jax snapped back, his patience was a hair away from breaking.
"Don't you dare raise your voice at your father!" The queen pointed an accusing finger.
"We gave you a chance, and you've proved you aren't ready." Jax's eyes sharpen at the King.
"Well I think this whole place is stupid! And I'm sick of it!" Jax grabbed at his large golden necklace. Pulling it off sent pieces flying as he threw it to the ground.
"That is IT Jax!" The king yelled as he pulled his queen closer.
"Oh what you gonna do huh old man? Kick me out?" Jax smirked, his hands behind his back.
"Great idea." Jax froze, his eyes slowly looking at the two rabbits.
"What?.."
"You heard your father, get out." The queen pointed towards the door.
"Heh..haha.." Jax slowly started laughing before flipping off the NPCs.
"How DARE you!" The queen's voice shreaked.
"Thats it! You've gone to far! Guards! Seize this rabbit!" The king pointed his paw at Jax. Immediately four NPCs with spears bursted in. Looking around for an escape, Jax quickly ran across the room. Grabbing the curtain, he jumped out the window.
"AFTER HIM!" Was all Jax heard the king yell as he slid. Jax tried to grab onto the plants that grew up the sandstone walls, but he was only half way down when he lost his grip. The sand made a cloud around him as he slammed to the ground.
"Uggh..f[beep].." Jax could only take a few moments to recover before he heard footsteps. Quickly, he ran. Grabbing dead bushes and rocks along the way, Jax rushed toward the river side. In the digital circus, it wasn't a thing to get tired. But as Jax ran, his breath picked up. He could feel his hand shaking as they pumped in the air.
The rabbit practically slid across the sand on his knees, once he came up to the half frozen river. Collecting his dead bushes and grabbing some of the dried plants, he got to work. He crashed and slid two rocks together, trying to get it to light. His breathing hitched as he heard more footsteps shake the ground under him. Jax slipped, and the rocks fell out of his hands. A small spark flew from the stones, and very slowly his dried pile caught. At first Jax was relieved, but the fire was to small. Looking back, he could see the NPCs getting closer; he had no choice.
Jax took to running, jumping over the river the white snow quickly clung to his skin. The further he got from the boarder, the safe he was; but the colder it got. Jax eventually tripped, a large rock being his downfall. The purple rabbit face planted in the blanket of pure white.
"Why- why the f[beep] is it so cold?" Jax complained under his breath. He tried to push himself up, but his arms gave out. The running, snow and stress had finally caught up to him. Gangle and Zooble watched with open mouths as Jax slowly curled into a ball; letting the snow slowly cover him.
"No way" Zooble mumbled.
"Quick! Switch to Twinkle!" Gangle shook Zooble by the shoulders.
"Ah ok ok!" Zooble fumbled with the remote before finally skipping to Twinkle.
The fox had returned to her own room, still studying a paper when her eyes looked up. Out her window, she saw the faint red. The small fire Jax made danced in the distance, and the fox quickly stood. Like the last time, Twinkle jumped out the window. Using her pointed paws she slid down the stone easily. Twinkle didn't waste time; she bounced through the snow on all fours like a real fox. But as she got closer to the fire, she stopped, seeing no one. Her eyes narrowed at the muiltple footprints in the sand, and turned back around.
The snow had slowly covered his tracks, but Twinkle still followed very little clue she could.
"Help..." was all she needed to hear. The small, groan like call that turned Twinkle's ears toward Jax.
"Jax? Jax! Hey come on, make more noise. I cant see you" Twinkle bounced around. Her ears twitching and twisting to anything and everything around her. Then, her eyes narrowed. A small patch of pink with a little purple tail, poking out of the snow. Quickly, Twinkle dug out the snow.
Jax was a darker shade of purple, his body shaking uncontrollably. Weakly he held onto Twinkle as she pulled him out, scared she'd dissappear if he let go.
"Hey, it's ok. I saw your fire, I'm sorry I'm late." Twinkle quickly took off her scard, wrapping it around Jax. Using her tail, she wrapped the rest of the rabbit it. Even using it as a seat belt, moving the rabbit on her back.
"If you t-ell any-nyone about th-this Twilight Sh[beep], I'm denying i-it" Jax weakly wrapped his arms around Twinkle's neck, his body craving the warmth of her fur.
"Deal" Twinkle giggled out before leaving through the snow again.
It was harder to climb the stone walls with extra weight, but thankfully Twinkle could secure Jax with her tail. The temperature change from outside to her room was enough to make Jax spasm a bit. His long legs finally uncurling.
"There were go, come on" Twinkle lead Jax closer to the fire place. The digital wood crackled and popped in a loop of sound.
"Th-anks..for keeping y-our word." Jax mumbled. If it wasn't for her hearing, she would've missed it entirely.
"Yea, no problem man." Was all she said back.
The two sat silently. The blowing winds outside made the silence less awkward. Twinkle's tail was still wrapped around Jax; he was using it as a blanket now. His fingers slowly traced the edges of the scarf. In the digital world, barely anything had a scent. And yet, the scarf slowly let off a smell. He couldn't tell if the scarf of the fire gave off the smokey smell, but the rest was definitely the scarf. Soft lavender and mint, with just a small sweetness that could almost be tasted. It was enough to let his eyes close, and sleep.