A hooded figure strode with determined steps across the desolate sand desert, pulling a sled with a sturdy rope tied around its waist. The coat that swathed its entirely billowed in the wind, concealing any distinctive features beneath layers of thick fabric. Each step was heavy, yet it neither faltered nor slowed its pace. Its resolve seemed unshakable.
Finally, it reached what appeared to be the entrance of a cave. With precise movements, it untied the rope and removed the tarp covering the sled. Beneath it lay three figures: Alita, Ron, and Zor. The latter was bound hand and foot, a gag muffling his mouth.
The figure paused, pulling back its hood and mask to reveal its face. The dim light of the cave barely illuminated its profile, but its deep, authoritative voice resonated like an imposing echo.
It approached Zor slowly and, without ceremony, tore off its gag. "Speak," it commanded in a tone that brooked no defiance. "What were you doing to these youngsters alongside that foolish doctor who got crushed by part of the building?"
Zor swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the figure shining a small lantern on him. The light cast distorted shadows across its face, making it even more enigmatic. Though he tried to stay composed, his voice trembled as he replied. "You don't scare me." But even he knew it was a lie. The mere presence of this stranger paralyzed him; his voice, deep and menacing, turned every word into a reminder of his vulnerability.
"Talk now, or I can find a thousand ways to make you sing like a canary," the figure shot back, leaning closer with a gaze that seemed to pierce Zor's soul. Then, the figure pushed back his hood further, allowing Zor to make out its features. It was an elderly golden avocado, his face exuding both respect and terror. His eyes gleamed with an almost supernatural intensity.
Zor felt his life hanging by a thread. "M...my… my boss, the General of the Purple Shadows, wants information about two fugitives. And they might be traveling with a prince."
"A prince? What prince?" the figure asked, their tone now even more threatening, laced with a mix of curiosity and restrained fury.
"The… Prince Paltio," Zor stammered, his voice breaking under the weight of fear.
The golden avocado stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Interesting…" he murmured to himself before taking a step back. "Well, it's time for you to rest." Without warning, he extended his hand and struck Zor at the temple, rendering him unconscious instantly.
From the shadows, a new voice broke into the scene. "Wow, sir, you're both impressive and intimidating at the same time. I commend you."
The golden avocado turned his head toward the figure emerging from the darkness. It was a young humanoid with features resembling a tomato, dressed in a sort of makeshift tunic made of rags. He was missing an arm, but that didn't seem to slow him down.
"Chip," said the golden avocado, his tone relaxing slightly. "I see you're feeling better, lad."
"Thanks to you, Mr. Rodelos," Chip replied gratefully. "If you hadn't arrived when you did, I would've died there, impaled by that rusty rod. It was either leave my arm or lose my life. I didn't have many options."
Rodelos nodded solemnly. "Sometimes, the hardest decisions are the ones that save us. Now, tell me what you've found out while you were recovering."
"I'm telling you, sir, I'm eternally grateful," Chip said earnestly, bowing his head slightly toward Rodelos. The older avocado approached the dim lantern illuminating the cave, and with slow but steady movements, he removed his cloak and the remnants of his overcoat.
Now, under the flickering light, an elderly golden-skinned avocado was revealed—his appearance reminiscent of the nobility from Avocadolia. Despite his advanced age, his body remained firm, with well-defined muscles that spoke of years of training and discipline. He wore a fitted black vest, a pair of worn denim pants, and sturdy boots that looked like they'd traveled thousands of miles.
"I hope to get better soon, sir," Chip continued, glancing at his amputated arm with a mix of determination and sadness. "I want to return to my people and let them know I'm still alive. But I still feel pain... I think I shouldn't have been so reckless."
Rodelos let out a low chuckle, laced with wisdom and experience. "Bah, nonsense, boy. At your age, I was just as imprudent, always surrounded by danger and hasty decisions. What matters is that you're here now." He paused before adding, "By the way, thanks to your gadgets, we were able to coordinate the attack against the Purple Shadows and save these kids, along with a few others who are in the other part of the cave."
Just then, Chip looked up toward the cave entrance. "Look, sir, it seems the last two kids you brought are waking up."
Alita was the first to open her eyes, confused and disoriented. "Where are we?" she asked as she tried to sit up. Ron, beside her, pressed a hand on his head. "I'm never drinking again... Not that I drink, but this headache is unbearable," he muttered with a grimace.
Rodelos approached them with a calm stride, his tall figure casting imposing shadows on the cave walls. "Well, it seems you've finally woken up," he said in his deep, resonant voice. At the sight of him, both youngsters instinctively recoiled, intimidated by his presence.
"Easy now, children, you're safe," Rodelos assured them, his tone softening. His stern expression relaxed as he noticed the fear in their eyes.
"Are we really safe?" Alita asked, surprised. She glanced at Ron and then back at Rodelos. "The last thing I remember was some doctor named Ribeus injecting us with a strange liquid... But my head is spinning, everything's so confusing," Ron stammered, still disoriented.
Ron looked back at the elder, and after a few seconds of silence, his eyes widened. "Y-you're... you're..." he stuttered, unable to finish the sentence.
"You're Paltio's grandfather, Rodelos I," Alita interjected quickly, recognizing the legendary former king of Avocadolia.
"Yes, it's him," Ron confirmed, still awestruck.
"That's right, children, it's me, Rodelos, former king of Avocadolia," the elder said with a faint smile. Realizing who he was, the young ones bowed deeply in reverence.
"There's no need for that, kids," Rodelos replied with a chuckle, though his voice remained warm and authoritative.
"Hey, you never told me you were royalty," Chip interrupted, pretending to be offended. Rodelos laughed again. "Slipped my mind, lad," he admitted with a wink.
Turning back to Alita and Ron, he asked curiously, "So, what brings you so far from home?"
"Well... we were traveling with your grandson, searching for the pieces of the Scepter of Avocios," Alita explained, trying to gather her thoughts.
"And where is my grandson now?" Rodelos asked, his brow furrowing.
"Uh... well, we got separated. A guy named Zor captured us and took us away from him," Ron replied.
"You mean this fellow here?" Rodelos asked, gesturing casually toward the bound prisoner.
"Yeah, that damn coward," Ron growled, barely containing his anger.
"He won't harm you anymore, children," Rodelos assured them firmly. "Now, tell me everything. I need to understand the situation."
Alita and Ron were eager to spill everything at once, but they both started talking simultaneously, their enthusiastic voices overlapping in a chaotic jumble. Rodelos raised a hand to stop them. "One at a time, please," he said with a patient smile.
The youngsters quickly agreed on who would speak first and began recounting their entire journey to Rodelos. They spoke of how Tejod, the leader of the Red Shadows, had turned Rodelos' son—and the entire realm—into red jade. They explained that Paltio, his grandson, was searching for the pieces of the Scepter of Avocios to save them.
"Ah, I see," Rodelos murmured thoughtfully, listening intently. "My son and the realm are under the control of that cursed Tejod... And now my grandson is out there looking for the pieces of the scepter." A small smile formed on his face. "The good news is that he's with Mok. That eases my mind."
"Yes, and we also met other people along the way," Alita added, briefly interrupting the story. She was about to mention a name when Chip excitedly cut in: "You mean Paris?"
"Yes, that's her," Alita confirmed with a nod.
"Good. So she was freed," said Chip, visibly pleased. His eyes lit up with hope.
"Yes, that's her," Alita repeated with another nod. After a brief pause, she continued, "And they have the fox child with them too."
"That's good," Chip responded, clearly delighted. His gaze brightened with optimism. "Excellent. This is great news for the resistance," he added, sharing the excitement of the moment.
"Mr. Rodelos, we need to get back to Paltio," Ron interjected urgently. "He's heading to the realm of Reedalia, and he's going to need all the help he can get."
"I know, lad, you don't have to tell me," Rodelos replied calmly. "But in your current state, you won't be able to do much. The best thing is for you to rest."
"Hey, if you're talking about Paris, chances are that, with the explosions we organized together—thanks to Mr. Rodelos here—she probably went to our secret base thinking it was my group that rescued her," Chip chimed in, trying to be helpful.
"Chip, I have already told you not to be so formal. Just call me Rodelos," the elder said with a faint smile.
"Yes, sir, but now that I know you're royalty, that changes everything," Chip argued, attempting to justify himself.
Rodelos shot him a piercing glance that froze the young humanoid in place. Without another word, Chip quickly corrected himself: "Yes, Rodelos."
"Seriously though, we really need to go," Alita said, standing up abruptly. "Paltio might've gone there thinking we're still alive or something like that."
"Yeah, it's time for me to reunite with my friends and support them," Chip added resolutely.
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Ron exclaimed, brimming with energy.
"Hold on, kids," Rodelos stopped them firmly. "I can't let you leave like this. You're tired and weak. First, you need to eat something."
"But sir, there's no time to waste. We need to meet up with Paltio," Ron protested.
"I understand, but first, we eat. Then we'll set out at first light," Rodelos declared, crossing his arms. Before Ron could argue further, the rumble of their stomachs echoed through the cave, confirming the elder's words.
Once everyone had finished eating and preparing, they set off toward the secret location of the resistance.