Disclaimer: I do not own anything Kung Fu Panda, at all, copyright to Dreamworks and the respective writers/directors.
Other: The other story I'm working on is still flailing around. Lack of muse, and real life responsibilities have seemed to be really delaying it, which I apologize for. School will soon be done, and I'll finally be able to concentrate on it! In the meantime, I've had random bursts of muse and a need to write something KFP related. This isn't a story, more like drabbles that will form a collection of sorts.
I hope you enjoy these, as they will be character-centered. I'll take one word suggestions if any of you reviewers feel up to it. For example, throwing out words like: pet, defiance, lust, or whatever, I'll pick one and write whatever my muse deems exciting *shrugs*, otherwise I'll have more bursts with their respective one-word titles either way. These are intended to be Shen-centered, but I might play around with some of the other characters in the KFP world. :)
~Cheers!
The sun had yet to rise. Into the far distance of the sky the moon shone brightly, pale and crisp edges. To the bottom of the valley every household remained still and quiet. Silence inhabited the landscape, except for the sharp winds winding through the mountain's claws and sheared edges.
Off a beaten path the sound of breath and movement resounded. Sharp steel, feathers, metals that went clack with each step.
He'd been practicing for two hours. The cold air made it hard to breathe at first. Quickly the heat generated in his body provided enough warmth as his movements flowed faster after the other. The white, former prince was trying to force the world away from himself with each step, thrust and slice of the Guan Dao in his grasp.
It was meditation in its most deadly form, a form trapped inside Shen's head that could never truly find balance with the ethereal beauty of the surrounding mountains. Especially during night, while the moon sat and watched above in the sky cold and emotionless. Instead of finding peace outside the confines of his brain, each stroke and parry twisted deep thoughts inside of him. He found meditation in his desire to want so badly, to need, to accomplish his goals that they reflected the perfection he sought in his martial practice.
He retracted himself like a spring coiling underneath pressure. The weapon held between both hands, and across the breadth of his chest, appeared soft for the second that it was cradled in his hands. It made its distinct cry once Shen launched it forwards, angled towards the sky as it cut through the air.
The moonlight made him ghostly, and his eyes reflected nothing but the demon inside.
After a moment of stillness, holding that same position, he relaxed. The shadows not far from him had morphed into a wolf, a wolf that remained still and quiet to his back with just as equally red eyes. This presence irritated him for a moment, but as he gathered his mind it passed quite quickly.
"Lord Shen." This phrase brought a dull ache to his head, a phrase that often accompanied the incompetence of his subordinates. While the heat rolled off his body and into a cool fog, he shifted his head enough so that he could capture the burly, spiked edges of Wolf Boss.
But when no other words followed through, Shen finally stepped around to scrutinize him face-to-face.
What had happened? Another explosion, rioting villagers, imperial spies?
"Well?"
"A messenger's appeared at the gates. Says he's from the Black Lotus syndicate, refusing to talk to anyone else but you, sir."
Shen's eyes narrowed.
"You're not actually considering it, are you?" This broke his concentration, scowling briefly as he held the weapon naturally by his side.
"A fool would pursue his goals blindly without resources. Ours are fairly temporary, if you haven't noticed." The bits of ire and sting flattened Wolf Boss' ears.
"Resources we can't trust."
"Resources I will manipulate. Is there a reason why you doubt me…?"
"I would never doubt you," he barked. Wolf Boss' eyes burned wildly at the accusation.
"Good. Now, if you haven't already made preparations for our guest have them made." Wolf Boss held his tongue, he knew better. Months had passed since Lord Shen's exile, and despite these months the Lord increasingly appeared insecure. He would never abandon him, Wolf Boss had engraved this into his psyche, yet the Lord continued to exhibit these suspicions regardless.
Lord Shen had always been incredibly meticulous about his appearance. Blessed by his royal heritage he grew up within the luxury of expensive clothing, and equally expensive customs propelled by royal expectations. Regardless of where he had settled for the time being, he had the means and vanity to supply himself with these similar, luxurious possessions.
This included the scarlet silk robe he was wearing, jet black embroidery on the ends and sleeves. He had washed himself of the grime from his previous activities, and wore a brisk and mild perfume. Patiently he sat as the servant applied kohl on the edges of his eyes.
By the time he was prepared the arrangements to the household had already been made, waiting on his command. The building itself represented a decent castle, although one not as large and aesthetically crafted as Gongmen's. Small in terms of other kingdoms and fiefs, however large enough to suit his needs in the far reaches of the mountains.
He entered one of the main chambers that had been prepared, where his guest had been sitting soundly at a table, cloaked. On his arrival the stranger stood up, and bowed before Shen. This gesture was unusual, given the fact that months had passed and only spiteful, fearful townsmen and women glared and stiffly bowed to him by force.
They both sat then, across the table from one another where food was starting to be served.
"You have given me the honor of speaking with you."
"As a vessel of the Black Lotus, there must be a reason why you have requested this audience."
The creature's face remained hidden by the hood, but in the good light of the room the large feline was revealed by its stripes and colors. Orange and black, gold eyes glinting with a very faint grin.
"We have considered your plans. Although to be fair you cannot expect us to comply with all of your demands."
"I find them reasonable," he said flatly.
"With all due respect, the council does not take orders. Especially from a youth such as yourself; you cannot expect them to value you, without having proven yourself." Shen hardened himself. Subconsciously his neck lengthened at this accusation, his head erect, crown and crest twitching with the urge to flare in response. With his hands intertwined within his robe, he briefly grazed one of his throwing knives.
The servants were ordered to leave the room.
He might have offered how far he would go to pursue his ends. But that subject was far too fresh and raw to touch on. Having felt justified for his actions, his was a mindset that told him he was vouching for the glory and future of prosperity and power. Shen could at least grasp, see how anyone, even the messenger could mistake his actions as juvenile and foolish. At least he could convey their narrow scope and dull perspectives, reassuring himself that one day he would broaden their limited capacities.
"Therefore, they are willing to negotiate. In other words, test you, Lord Shen."
"What are the arrangements?" His voice felt dry, the urge to pull out of the agreement and silencing the messenger for good tugged viciously inside.
"They are fair, let me assure you… We will provide the expertise to mine these mountains. You need sustainability, and in return you will share the progress of this new invention and its results." Shen's anger bristled into a calloused laugh.
"Far more than mining! Mining is it? I need chemicals, proper lab equipment and supplies for my army."
"Well of course, in due time."
"The weapon will only be available once I have taken Gongmen…" Shen's gaze and voice remained steady, while his heart pounded deep inside.
"And how then, do you suggest we can be guaranteed that your end sees through."
"I'll have reports available every two months or so. I believe correspondence through scientific progress will satisfy the raw results." Scientists, scholars, the council would have no problem finding. Replicating small scale experiments would at least satisfy this new knowledge for carnage.
"And an overseer," the feline chimed. Shen smiled sharply.
"Of course."
The messenger came bearing gifts before he left that very night. So far several negotiating factors had been left on the table as the stranger left, factors Lord Shen would mull over endlessly, among other things. These gifts were mostly forgotten for by the peacock, finding that by their presence he was now entering into a business deal that could either threaten or propel his work into motion. He would rather ignore such tribulations for the simple fact that he was tired now, emotionally drained and alone.
Though these moments of stillness proved far and in between. Wolf Boss eventually made his way through the castle, tentatively regarding Shen as he stared into the large, printed map of China.
"They think they can control everything," Shen said.
"See what they want, control fire." Everything was relative to Shen. As long as there was money to be had, or a method of demonstrating power, people would always be willing to listen. His parents respected the world for what they saw it to be, a balance of forces. Perhaps they saw the inconsistencies, but whatever they believed failed to recognize what the world really was, what he was. They could not contain what they sought to mold.
His stare had finally turned into a sharp glare, and failed to change once he brought his gaze to Wolf Boss.
"Ah… - fire?" The glare remained. Shen's eyes narrowed on the wolf, which only made him feel far more helpless than he already felt. Eventually Shen ignored the comment before he huffed quietly and said, "Why are you here?"
"Thought you wanted to know what the messenger left behind." He shrugged.
"Maybe tomorrow morning..."
"I ah- …" Wolf Boss remained apprehensive. Finding the right words appeared crucial, but as the pause lengthened he opted for an option most familiar to him. "Right, so I was thinking about the past few months… and where we are now. I also wanted to… just, talk."
"There's really no reason to."He didn't want to.
Perhaps Wolf Boss would have complied, but as Shen began moving past him his voice hoped to reconnect with his Lord, with his friend.
"Shen." A paw reached out for his shoulder and stopped him from leaving. "Don't think for a second that you carry this burden alone." Without any real cause Wolf Boss was overcoming his hesitancy for the better part of his anger. "You have us, you have me. We have all made sacrifices, we are the damned in their eyes but you give us reason to pursue a belief that will change the course of history." Subconsciously his grip had tightened. It was so much more than a single belief, it was an idea, an idea that had spread its roots and infected the minds of his soldiers, himself, Shen…
The pale creature remained mute, cut-off, estranged from the wolf as he shrugged Wolf Boss' hand away and disappeared beyond the doorway.
End Notes: Reviews and comments very much appreciated! x3