[41] - Revenge of the Manticore

                                    

                                          



Akiri rested a hand along Bee's back as they walked through the frantic city streets.
It had been twelve hours since the ninja and vigilante teams set out to gather their allies. Fortunately, each retrieval was a success; Akiri just hoped that the same would apply to their evacuations.
The Shintaro Kingdom, Merlopians, Keepers, and allied elemental masters were assisting Ninjago's scattered villages and smaller cities. Each ally was equipped with vehicles and other devices to aid in the translocation. When every site was clear, the locals would be brought to their allies' respective homes for safe keeping.
The same applied to Ninjago City's residents, who would be moving to the Serpentine Burrows. It was the only area large enough to contain the city's immense population-- thankfully, the serpents themselves didn't protest in the suggestion. After Yuri's battle in the Slither Pit, the Serpentine became much more accepting of their alliance.
Now, the ninja, vigilantes, Serpentine, and even the city police force were working together to clear Ninjago City. The city's streets were buzzing with more activity than ever, crawling with locals stuffing some belongings into their vehicles. Those without a means of transportation were either offered a ride with the police, kindhearted neighbors, or on the Bounty.
It had been an hour into their mission, and almost half of the city had begun their journey to the Sea of Sand. Akiri estimated that they'd be done by the next hour, yet even that wasn't enough to quell her nerves. Hikaru could appear at any moment-- Akiri just hoped that they'd be ready for him if and when the time came.
Akiri didn't have long to linger on the thought, however. She spotted a younger child struggling to carry a box larger than himself, and she rushed over to help before he toppled over onto the concrete.
"Careful there, buddy!" She remarked, hoisting the container out of his hands. "Don't want you to fall."
"Woah." The boy gawked at her vigilante gear. "Thank you, ninja!!"
Akiri chuckled beneath her mask, yet she didn't have it in her to correct him.
"No need to thank me." She laughed as Bee joined them on the sidewalk, and the big cat meowed a greeting. The little boy gasped, hugging onto the manticore's neck while whispering an excited "kitty."
"Come on, bud," Akiri grinned as the boy began to pet Bee's head. "You still have some packing to do."
"M'kay." The little boy gave Bee one last hug before skipping off towards a red car. "This is our car!!" He cheered.
"Very cool." Akiri praised as she slid the box into the car's open trunk. "Do your parents need any help?"
"No, I don't think." The boy admitted, leaning against the side of the vehicle. "They said this was the last box."
"Perfect." Akiri nodded, crouching to the boy's eye level. "You get back inside and help your family, okay?"
"Okay!!" The little boy squeaked, wrapping his arms around Bee's neck one final time. The manticore purred at the interaction, fluttering her wings.
"Bye Miss Ninja!" The boy waved a hand, smiling ear to ear. Akiri waved back as the boy ran through the crowds, intent on helping his parents after her encouragement.
"So, Miss Ninja, huh?" A familiar voice spoke over her new communicator.
"Shut up, Kai." Akiri rolled her eyes playfully as she and Bee resumed their trek through the block.
While Akiri and the others had retrieved their faraway allies for the evacuation, Lloyd and Pixal (who had joined them a bit after their leaving) set to work on new communication devices. Now, Akiri had access to multiple different people outside of her own team, including the ninja force, Serpentine Generals, Chief Mammatus, Queen Vania, King Benthomaar, the allied elemental masters, and a few other allies that Akiri hadn't met.