Blood.

It was the first scent that Master Storming Ox had scented as he stormed downstairs, steeling himself for the horrors to come. Master Croc raced with him down the steps, out the building, and into the open. They burst out into the open out of the Tower of Sacred Flames; the stewards of Gongmen had not expected the attackers of Gongmen City to be….

There has to be a mistake, thought Master Ox, This cannot be HAPPENING!

The attackers were none other than...the soldiers of the Son of Heaven himself, the emperor of China. The trademark symbol of the royal court adorned on their blood-stained armor, the soldiers attacked with brutal efficiency. As the antelope guards of the city fell beneath their military might, buildings were set on fire, and the air turned thick with the scent of blood. Master Ox and Master Croc could only stand and watch as their home engulfed in flames. Master Ox quickly regained his senses, or rather his fighting spirit, and charged recklessly a crowd of soldiers. Using his horns, he ran over a few of the Imperial soldiers and bellowed with rage, Master Croc just behind him. The two masters were no fools; no matter how much strength they had they would eventually get overrun.

"If I am to die, I might as well take the lot of you with me!" bellowed the mighty ox, getting into his defensive position.

"Preach to the choir, partner." said Master Croc with a sneer, readying his sword.

The two masters were turned back to back, and both turned their heads and met the otherʼs eyes. They said no more words; their eyes had said everything that has been needed to said. They waited for the attackers to bear down on them, to fight more savagely than they ever had before. Gongmen had been their home, and they would not fail for a second time in defending it; even if they were to pay the ultimate sacrifice. Master Oxʼs hotheadedness was getting the best of him and he charged into the mass of armor-clad soldiers.

But as he began to fight, what happened next he would have never expected. He felt a cold sharp pain in his back. The pain was miniscule, but his body suddenly gave way, and Master Ox collapsed on his knees. He looked down to find the weapon that had been in his comradeʼs hand a moment ago buried in his midsection. He had been run through by the sword of his comrade, his brother-at-arms, his fellow master. The pain had settled in, and grew more intense each passing second. His mind swirled as his body refused to obey his mind and subjected to the pain. He fell on his side, sword within him as Master Croc stepped in front of him. A soldier ran up to Master Croc and handed him a silver cape and armor, with the Imperial mark etched on. Croc fastened the cape upon his newly attained Imperial armor.

"Why…Xiōngměng….why did y-"

Master Oxʼs words were cut short with a brutal stomp to the face.

"You will not address the new Imperial general by name." Crocʼs eyes were distant and cold.

"We…swore to…each other…we were…xiōngdì…brothers…" Blood trickled down from Master Oxʼs face onto the ground.

"The only one I swear loyalty to is the Son of Heaven, His Imperial Majesty." General Croc turned, revealing the mark of his new alliance on his cape, his deadly tail rising above the earth.

"Goodbye, you foolish ox. Any last words?"

Master Storming Ox, conqueror of the seventy-two Wing Chon Province bandits, Steward of Gongmen City, Pupil of the benevolent leader of the Masterʼs Council, Maser Thundering Rhino, had set his gaze on his home for the last time. The beautiful buildings were up in flames, threatening to collapse. The banners of the proud independent city Gongmen were ripped apart, banners of the Imperial government replacing them. It had started to rain, almost as if the Heavens were feeling the sorrows of the pitiful Master bleeding upon the ground. Master Ox allowed himself to shed one tear, to allow himself one fleeting moment of weakness. His thoughts went back surprisingly to when he and General Croc had just met, united by Master Oogway to save China from the deadly Wu Sisters.

"Remember the path…brother."

Master Storming Ox closed his eyes as General Crocʼs tail delivered the final blow.

This was my first fanfiction ever- so the story might get a bit sloppy.I hope you guys liked that opening scene/prologue. Iʼll try to update more chapters soon. I think I did an okay job with this….If you thought it was shitty, constructive criticism would be awesome.

Reviews would be a god-send!

Till Next Time, Audience(If I have any lol)

This is not my story. this is a story made by Slow to Dream, but re-posted by me.