9 Years Ago
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Currently, it was the middle of the night and everyone was asleep.

Well, everyone but little miss (Y/n), at least.

Slowly opening her eyes, the said ravenette turned her head to face across her bedroom to see if her twin was actually asleep. And, thankfully, she was, making (Y/n) smile and quickly (but quietly) kick her blankets off and throw her legs over the side of her bed. Once her bare feet met the floorboards, she made sure to glance up at Yí one last time — just to make sure.

Yí yawned in her sleep and turned to her side; to where her back was facing (Y/n), who giggled when she heard a particularly loud snore leave Yí's lips.

But, (Y/n) was quick to put her giggling to a stop and continue her way towards the door. She couldn't waist time now; not when they were about to send them up into the air once again, just like they did every year.

The door to (Y/n)'s bedroom opened with an awfully loud creak, making (Y/n) cringe and pull her head back into her room. She needed to make sure she had a running start in case someone heard the commotion and decided to check it out.

After a moment of waiting, though, (Y/n) soon stuck her head out her door again and looked down the hall. She could still hear her father's snoring, as well as her Nai Nai's, and she most certainly couldn't hear any of her mother's movements to indicate that the woman had indeed woken up.

They were still asleep.

(Y/n) grinned and quickly stepped out of her room before silently closing her door again behind her. Thankfully, it made no creaking sound this time.

This is it, (Y/n) thought to herself with excitement as she quietly ran over to the window in the living room, her grin never leaving her face.

They'll be here soon!

Minutes that ran by agonizingly slow passed, and (Y/n) found herself still intensely staring up into the starry sky of the night; her cheek rested in the palm of her hand as she awaited for the lights that were yet to come.

And then, as if on cue, a single lantern suddenly rose up from behind one of the buildings ahead of the one the (L/n) family lived in, and (Y/n) let out a delighted gasp as she watched it rise higher and higher into the air.

It was finally starting.

One by one, beautiful lanterns with differnt and creative designs painted on them rose high above into the air, and (Y/n) could only watch them with amazement and wonder as they lit up the night sky.

But then, slowly, a single lantern began to descend downward, making (Y/n) gasp and watch it fall towards her with worry in her eyes.

"Oh, no...!" the little girl whispered, sticking her hands out and catching the lantern in them successfully before bringing it closer to her inside. "Are you lost?" she asked, gently running her fingers against the yellow — almost golden — paper the lantern was made out of.

Soon, though, the girl's hands stopped moving, and she released a quieter gasp when she saw the beautiful image of what looked to be a dragon painted on the lantern in black.

"Whoa..." Softly grazing her fingertips against the already dried up paint, she felt a warm smile graze her lips as she recalled what her father had told her and Yí a few nights ago; of the ancestors they had that rode dragons bigger than even a blue whale; of the heartbreaking wars they were forced to fight in because others couldn't accept those different from them; of the man — who was apparently a very great (both literally and physically) grandfather of hers — that changed the ways of his people with just a single touch.

"I'll fly like you too, someday," the girl said after a moment before sticking her body out of her window and slowly lifting the lantern back into the air.

"I just hope you'll wait for me."

And as the small girl watched the lantern fly up to join the others up in the sky with a hopeful look in her eyes, along with dreams flooding her mind, she spent that entire night not knowing that those lanterns weren't the only thing someone was admiring during that time.

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𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓

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When you said that you wanted to fly, this is definitely not what you meant. Like at all.

Screams erupted from yours and Yí's lips as Everest jumped from one building to the other; the light of a helicopter trailing after the three of you as you clutched onto the yeti's fur as if your life depended on it. Because it actually did.

"U-uh, Everest! Be careful!" Almost as soon as you said that, a dart suddenly flew past your face and impaled the roof of the ceiling Everest was currently running on, making you and Yí yelp as Everest whimpered and picked up his pace.

"Hurry!" Yí yelled, her voice being carried over the wind as it rushed past you and undid your hair, making you gasp. "Oh no!"

Grabbing your dark locks, you quickly pulled them closer to you with one arm whilst using your other hand to remain attached to Everest whilst Yí wrapped her arm around you as an extra precaution to keep you from falling, which you silently thanked her for because you did not want to fall.

"Whoa! W-whoa!" Screaming, you clung tighter to Everest as he jumped over a large gap between the building you were all once on to the building across from it. When his large hands and feet landed against the concrete of the other building, he instantly started running again, though you could tell he was beginning to run out of breath due to the loud panting escaping from him and how much he nearly stumbled and tripped over thin air.

"They're gaining on us!" you yelled, panic laced in your words as you and Yí looked over your shoulders to stare back at the helicopter chasing you before looking ahead once again, only to gasp in horror at the sight of three people standing at the edge of a building ahead of you; guns in their hands.

"Everest!" you called, catching the yeti's attention. "Down!"

Looking forward, the yeti let out his own gasp and quickly did as you told him to and jumped down in between the building your trio was on and the one that the people were standing atop of. After you did this, the sound of something cutting through the air was heard above you, followed by a body falling limply to the floor.

Yours and Yí's eyes went wide and you both looked up in shock before looking at eachother. "DID SOMEONE JUST DIE?!" you screeched, the color draining from your face.

Yí could only stare at you in response; stuck in a stunned silence.

Now landing on the pavement of the alleyway below, Everest ran across the busy streets of the city before climbing up yet another building and beginning to run ahead again. Not too long after that, what looked to be a construction sight was in view, and Everest suddenly jumped forward and grabbed ahold the hook of a crane. You all let out screams of your own as the yeti swung around, and that didn't stop when he let go and landed atop of a much taller building than before. However, due to the unfortunate circumstances that this buildings roof was made of glass, the yeti ended up sliding across it and nearly falling off. And due to this, Yí ended up losing her grip and nearly falling down herself.

Gasping loudly, you quickly let go of Everest to grab your sister's hand, but just as you did, you began to fall as well, but you were thankfully saved by Everest, who was quick to grab ahold of your leg when he had the chance.

"Whew," you couldn't help but let out a relieved sigh as you looked at the yeti from over your shoulder. "Thanks, Everest!"

The yeti only gave you a nod in acknowledgment before suddenly throwing you and Yí back onto his backside, making you both let out a small, surprised yelp and hurriedly grab ahold of his fur so that you wouldn't end up falling off of him again.

"I..." Yí took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "I think we lost them!" she told, looking around for any sign of the helicopter nervously when—

The sound of a ship's horn went off and filled the air, and your trio looked down to see exactly what you (well, specifically Everest, technically) would need:

"A ship!" you cried with relief, a smile making its way upon your face as Yí grinned and pointed to the vessel in order to direct Everest's attention to it.

"You see that? You have to get on it, understand? It's the only way you'll be able to get home!"

Everest stared at the ship with wide eyes before looking up at the two of you and releasing a worried grunt, clearly unsure.

"Don't worry, Everest," you patted his head and offered the yeti an encouraging grin.

"You can do it! I believe in yo—"

Before you could even finish your sentence, a familiar helicopter suddenly rose up before you; its bright lights causing you, Yí, and Everest to squint at how blinding they were.

"Ah! No!"

Groaning, Everest used his free arm to block the light from his eyes momentarily before beginning to climb up to the center of the buildings roof; his eyes leaving the helicopter for only a mere second to stay alert.

"Argh!" Huffing, anger began to boil up inside of you, and you sent a glare to whoever was steering the helicopter as it slowly flew closer to your trio.

"What do they want?!"

"I don't know! Everest, maybe?," Yí yelled with a hint of sarcasm in her voice before ducking down closer to Everest's backside for protection; you soon doing the same.

"We need a distraction," you said, leaning closer to your sister so that she'd be able to hear you. "Did you happen to bring anything with you or—"

As if on cue, you were cut off once again. Only this time, it was by the building itself and the lights that were now brightly illuminating from it. You and Yí gasped and looked at eachother, grins on your faces.

"The light show!" you both said in sync, nodding at one another before looking down at Everest.

"Everest! Now's our chance!" you said, Yí nodding along with your words. "Head to the docks! Quickly! It's going to be over soon!"

Whimpering, the yeti slowly nodded to the two of you and quickly jumped off of the building and began to quietly make his way over to the docks so that he wouldn't be noticed by the other people hunting him below. Once your trio finally made it to your destination, you and Yí jumped off of Everest and began to lead him down the docks and towards a ship, which looked to be leaving soon.

"Okay, Everest!" Panting, you leaned over and placed your hands on your knees as you and Yí came to a stop, which or course made Everest skid to a stop as well.

"You have to get on that boat," Yí began, gasping for breath. "And when that boat lands, don't stop! Don't stop until you reach your mountain! Don't stop—" she made a triangular shape with her arms "—Don't stop until you're home!"

Everest gave you and Yí a look that held both sadness and fear and groaned. "I know that it's scary, Everest," you said, holding the yeti's face in your hands and pressing your forehead against his.

"But you have to try, okay?"

Before the yeti could give you any sort of response, the ship's air horn suddenly sounded, and you and Yí both gasped and looked between both the boat and Everest; panicked expressions clear on your faces.

"You have to go!" you said, gesturing towards the boat. "Now!" Yí added, copying your actions.

Hurriedly, Everest ran to the edge of the dock you all stood upon and looked over his shoulder; meeting yours and Yí's eyes for supposedly the last time before jumping over the water and landing on the ship. When he did, he looked around nervously for a few moments before turning to you and Yí again; not knowing what to do.

You and Yí shared a look. Biting your bottom lip, you looked around the boat yourself before cupping your hands around your mouth and yelling, "Hide!"

Grunting frantically, Everest proceeded to run around the boat in a panic; looking for a hiding spot. However, all of his 'hiding spots' soon proved to be useless; even causing you and Yí to wince a couple of times—specifically when the poor yeti ended up making a stack of crates fall on top of him.

"Oh..."

"Yí! (Y/n)!"

Perking up at the sound of the familiar voice, you whirled around to see Jin sprinting towards you; his eyes specifically focused on you. "Are you guys okay?!"

Biting your lower lip, you shared a look with your sister and seemed to have a silent conversation with her, which soon ended with the two of you nodding to eachother in agreement before sparing a hesitant look back at Jin and Peng.

Almost immediately, Jin saw the look in your eyes, and his own eyes widened and he gasped; his pace seemingly quickening.

"Oh, no!" His eyes narrowed and he began to reach out for you as you and Yí turned around, staring at the boat with a determined look settled upon your faces.

"Oh, no, no, no, no, NO! Yí, (Y/n), don't you dare—"

Running forwards, you and Yí jumped over the water and held your breath until you felt yourselves and safely on the boat. You both grinned with relief and nearly stumbled forward, the moving vessel almost catching you off balance.

"Well..." Yí began, looking over to you and smiling as you chuckled and nodded, turning back to the yeti before you. "Looks like we're coming with you, Everest," you told, finishing your twins sentence for her as the two of you high fived.

"Yí?!"

Jumping, you and your twin turned around to see Jin staring at you both as if you had gone mad. "Yí, are you crazy?! You know, I'm getting kind of tired of you dragging (Y/n) along on these little 'adventures' of yours—"

"Wait for me!!"

With widening eyes, you gasped and quickly lunged forward and grabbed ahold of Peng after he jumped; keeping him from hitting the water. The younger boy giggled as if what had just happened was nothing, and you could only let out a tired sigh as you turned around and carefully set him down before flicking his forehead, making him wince and let out a whine whilst Yí laughed at your guys' interaction from the sidelines.

"Next time, think more carefully," you gave Peng a look, "Understand?"

Sighing, Peng nodded, but still managed to set a smile upon his face as he turned around to face Everest.

"Peng!" Jin yelled, drawing your attention back to him. You had to clamp a hand over your mouth to stifle a laugh when you saw the black-haired boy practically fuming where he stood.

"I'm responsible for you!" he added, huffing.

Peng ignored his cousin and laughed, continuing to play with Everest in the background as you giggled.

And, unbeknownst to you, Jin had somehow managed to hear this giggle of yours, and he looked over to see your smiling figure. His shoulders relaxed for a moment, but then soon returned to normal as he sighed and looked away for a second; holding his chin as he thought to himself.

Then, an aggravated groan suddenly left his lips, and before the boy knew it, he was running forward and jumping after the boat your small group was on.

"You guys are going to be the death of me," he said, catching your attention once again and making you let out a barely audible gasp when he landed next to you. "I swear—"

Just when he was about to step forward, Jin found himself slipping on some spilled oil beneath him and he let out a cry of surprise. Your eyes widened at this, and you quickly held your arm out in front of him and managed to catch him before he could fall.

"Be careful," you breathed out, helping him steady himself back onto his feet.

"U-uh, right." Looking towards you, you and Jin locked eyes for a moment before flushing and quickly stepping away from eachother awkwardly.

"T-thanks," he managed to muttered out, rubbing the nape of his neck while sending small glances in your direction.

"Um..." You cleared your throat and nodded, moving some of your hair out of your face.

"No problem."

And with that, your journey began.