The Adventures of Mighty Zander

"Hey there, big white lion," Zander said with a smirk.

The tiger's red eyes narrowed as it looked at him. "You... I know you."

"Me?" Zander raised an eyebrow.

"The... mountain... the apple," the tiger rasped.

Zander paused for a moment, then it clicked. "Oh, right! You're the lion who came down and tried to kill me, Mila, and Yí Yù. Man, that was years ago. Guess that's how life works, huh? But it seems like life's been treating you pretty rough."

"I'm not a... lion! Get me down!" the tiger growled.

"Why should I do that? Pretty sure that's against the law," Zander teased.

"They'll execute me in three days," the tiger snapped. "By sending a god to kill me."

"A god, huh? Which one?" Zander asked, intrigued.

"Aerolios, the god of the weather. He sends down three elements to do it."

Zander asked. "What elements?"

"First, his powerful fire... but it didn't kill me. The second will be his lightning, and if that fails, he'll try to drown me with his mighty water."

"Sounds painful," Zander said, turning away. "But I won’t release you. You tried to kill me, and I’ve got no business with the gods."

As Zander started to walk off, the tiger's voice stopped him. "Would you believe me if I said Mercury wants you dead?"

Zander turned back around, eyes narrowing at the tiger. "What are you talking about?"

"He sent me to kill you and your friends," the tiger growled.

"He did?" Zander said, summoning his sword and extending it to cut the tiger down from the pole. The tiger collapsed to the ground with a thud.

"Now," Zander demanded, pointing the sword at the tiger. "I want to know everything."

The tiger groaned as he stood, shaking off the pain. "I'll tell you, but I need my equipment first."

Zander raised an eyebrow. "What equipment?

"My armor and my sword," the tiger replied.

Zander frowned. "And where are they?"

The tiger pointed toward the large fortress beyond the wall. "They're with the king, in his chamber, where all the people's riches are stored."

Zander crossed his arms. "So, you want me to sneak into the king’s chambers to get them?"

"Fine," Zander said, narrowing his eyes. "But how do you know where the people's riches are kept?"

The tiger let out a low growl, shaking off the stiffness in his legs. "I was there, in the king's chamber, when they were bringing in all the wealth—jewels, gold and everything of value. I've seen it with my own eyes."

Zander, now transformed into one of the crimson soldiers, approached the gate with confidence.

"Open the gate," he commanded.

One of the guards looked at him, puzzled. "Oh, um... how did you get in?"

"I have my ways," Zander replied, brushing off the question. "Anyway, I'm heading to the king's fortress. Okay, now, bye!"

As he walked past, one guard muttered to the other, "He's weird."

Zander quietly entered the grand throne room, his eyes narrowing as he observed the scene before him. The king sat on an ornate throne, feasting and laughing with a smug expression.

“Oh, how great it is!” the king boasted, his voice echoing through the hall. “I have all the people’s wealth, and soon enough, she will be mine!”

A crimson soldier approached the king, bowing slightly before speaking. “Um, my king, who is ‘she’?”

The king grinned, setting down his goblet. “Who is she? Well, of course, the maiden herself—the Ruby Empress! She’s known to travel between kingdoms, seeking to marry the wealthiest ruler. And today, she comes here, to me! I’ll dazzle her with all the riches I’ve gathered, and soon enough, she’ll be mine.”

Zander couldn't help but chuckle quietly to himself. "Who would marry you? You look hideous!" He quickly stops his chuckles and moves on. As Zander passed by multiple crimson soldiers, he finally reached the chamber. His eyes widened at the sight of a massive steel box. Without hesitation, he summoned his sword and sliced it cleanly in half.

A cascade of gold coins and sparkling jewels erupted from the box, spilling onto the floor like a treasure trove. Zander decided he would return a portion of the wealth to the kingdom and take just enough for his bill. With that in mind, he summoned thousands of clones, each ready to assist. He commanded them to gather the gold and jewels.

He spotted a set of leather and iron armor alongside a massive sword. Recognizing the style, he assumed it belonged to the tiger. So he took the armor and sword.

After some time, the Ruby Empress arrived in a lavish cart, flanked by a squad of soldiers. The people of the kingdom gathered, their eyes wide with awe as she stepped out, radiating elegance and grace. Two crimson soldiers walked alongside her, ensuring her safe passage.

As the Ruby Empress entered the throne room, the king rushed down to greet her, his eyes sparkling with admiration. “Oh, Ruby Empress! I welcome you to my kingdom! My, you are stunning! Your hair is as red as roses—or ruby, you might say!”

Feeling a hint of discomfort at his flattery, The Ruby Empress replied, “Thank you. So, where are your riches?”

“Ah, they are waiting in my chamber. Come, come! Let us venture forth together, my queen.”

As they approached the chamber, The Ruby Empress inquired, “What is your name?”

With pride, the king answered, “I am King Vin, the wealthiest man on Earth!”

Upon entering the chamber, they were met with a stunning sight—the massive steel box holding all the riches had disappeared. King Vin, bewildered and in disbelief, frantically searched the chamber, but found nothing. The Ruby Empress, her ire rising, seized King Vin by the arm and shouted, “Where is it?! Don’t tell me I came all this way for nothing!”

"No. No, my queen," King Vin stammered, his voice trembling. "I know exactly where it is... Guards!"

"Um... King, you should come outside," a guard said.

"For what? Where are the riches? The gold and jewels?" King Vin demanded, his frustration rising.

"They're outside," the guard replied.

Outside, the Ruby Empress and King Vin stood in awe. Before their eyes, Zander himself and his clones were tossing all the riches back to the people of the kingdom, scattering gold and jewels into the hands of the cheering crowd.

“My necklace!” a woman exclaimed as she caught it from the air.

“My coins!” shouted another, clutching her reclaimed fortune.

“My ring!” said a man, holding it up with wide eyes, his voice full of amazement.

Fenn stood outside the diner, watching as the riches rained down over the people. Zander approached him with a huge bag in hand.

“This should be enough to cover the bill. Okay, seeya!” Zander said with a grin, tossing the bag to Fenn.

“Thank you,” Fenn replied, still in disbelief as Zander walked away, leaving behind the laughter and joy of the crowd.

Zander handed the armor to the tiger.

“Here’s your armor. Now, let’s go somewhere far away.”

The tiger suited up, donning the armor and gripping his sword. With a nod, they began to walk off together. But before they could get far, a shout echoed through the kingdom.

“Seize that scum!”