Greetings my faithful reader, I hope you enjoyed the last chapter because this is far from over.
(Forgot to mention this in the previous chapter but I don't own anything that is Kung Fu Panda related but all OC's are mind. This applies to every chapter)
Jade Place Night time
Po ran back to the kitchen to find that Mei Ling was still unconscious with Crane looking over her. Tigress was in one corner of the room glaring at the snow leopard that's at the other corner leaning against the wall with eyes close. Wow, either the guy's really brave to let his guard down or he's just don't know Tigress. Po thought as Tigress continues to stare at the leopard to see his next move.
"Alright got my kit Tigress, where should I start?" Mantis asked as he jumped on to the table next to Mei Ling. "I need you to wait a bite for the healer to arrive once he has a quick look over Mei Ling we can start on pain relief. While we wait for the healer though I need you, Po, to start cleaning her wounds. Crane you can help, the healer needs to see what's happened and how bad is it. He can't do that with all that…in her current state." Po nodded and went over with the tub of warm water and rags, handing Crane one of the cloths they began to clean her wounds. Even though they cleaned most of the wounds Mei Ling was still bleeding and from they saw she has lost much blood.
"Hello, my name is Hans, I'm the current Palace healer." A small rabbit walked up to the table and brought a stepladder to view the patient. "My word, how long has she been injured like this?" asked Hans as all eyes went to the Leopard. "She has been in this state for the past day." The leopard began to walk forward towards the table only to earn a low growl from tigress and a glare from Crane. "If you know what's good for you I suggest you go back to your corner." Tigress was still staring at the leopard unflinching as her threat was made. Giving a sigh he turned back.
"Hey, that's not nice. I mean this guy can't be that bad since he did brought Mei Ling to us for help and he has yet to attack us, right?...your not planning on attack us right Mr.….?" Po stood by the leopard side. "I'm sorry, my name is Natani Grey, I have been…looking for someone…during my search I found an academy with only her as the survivor. There were still some left but unfortunately they could not be saved in their state." Natani lowered his gaze in shame as he thought back to why he was there. "And how do we know that you were not the one that inflicted these wounds, these wounds are that of a sword like yours and you are covered in the smell of not only her blood but of many others." Tigress countered as she approach Natani with a menacing glare.
"Believe what you want but I'm only here to bring her to you as her wish. I would like to avoid any confrontation Master Tigress." Natani stood his ground while still refusing to draw or even tough his katana. "Then you won't mind staying for a bit to clarify some hole in news I had just received then Mr. Grey?" every one turned to find Master Shifu at the door. "Unfortunately sir, I do have to leave, I wish the best of luck to you and your friend there." Natani gestured towards Mei as he left, just as he turned the corner of the door then Tigress bolted after him.
"Get back here!" Tigress screamed only to find no one in the hallway. Dashing towards the front gate in hopes of catching him Tigress saw him slowly make his way out. Without even thinking she jumped in the air ready to side kick his head. Natani, not even looking back leaned to the side avoiding the kick entirely. The Rest of the five came in and joined the fight. It was almost like a dance, Tigress and viper would try to make a combo and Natani would either divert Viper's blow while dodging a blow from tigress, when Monkey and mantis tried to attack, Natani would redirect mantis attacks against Monkey resulting in them both rolling on the ground.
Crane was observing the fight high in the sky, seeing his opportunity, Crane dropped down and tried to grab him but just as his talons could make contact the leopard leaped up. Fearing that Natani might drop kick him Crane waited for the attack only to see that Natani had jumped towards the stairs with only Po to stop him.
"Please let me past I have important matters to attend to." Begged Natani, as he didn't want to fight anymore. "I know, and truth be told I don't want to fight either. But just stay and explain to us what happened at the academy we could all talk it over dinner. You said that Mei Ling was injured about a day ago and the academy is quiet a distant away, which means you traveled without rest or food." Po reason, Natani's tail swept from side to side debating the situation, "I accept but please listen to every detail before you judge my character." Nodding his head with a smile Po began to walk past Natani back to the palace. Natani looked at the stairs then began to follow Po.
Back in the Palace Mei Ling was relocated to a patient's room so the kitchen could be cleared. As Po began to make his soup and some bean buns the five was staring intently at the leopard. Noticing the thick atmosphere Po tried to start a conversation. "So Natani, tell me do you like soup?" Po asked without turning his back. "Yes, I do enjoy them very much." Natani smiled back in response. "I would enjoy giving you a knuckle sandwich…" Tigress grumbled underneath her breath. "Please I bare no ill will against any of you, so explain to me why you are all looking angrily at me?" Natani wasn't trying to e mean but he was still confused as to why the five was mad at him.
"You snuck into the Palace without any of us noticing, carrying a severely injure friend of ours and you bare a weapon that reeks with many blood. Something tells me not to trust you." Shot Tigress not once removing her glare from Natani. "True and I will keep to my words as to explain my self, but you must promise me that once I explain myself, you will let me go." Master Shifu pondered this for a second before nodding his head in agreement. "Please do explain." Master Shifu motioned for him to start.
Flashback 15 years ago in a remote village called Dāopiàn
I was 9 years old at that time and lived in a village high up in the cold mountains that was rich in resources, so our trade was healthy. Our main products were metal weapons swords, knifes, wristbands you name it. It was quiet a peaceful village for the most part and most of our trading was done outside the village since my father, the chief, was afraid that someone might come a raid our home. I lived with my father, my older brother Shēnghuó and our mother Wēnhé. During that time I was called Zhēnxiàng. My brother and I loved the art of forging katanas. Our father Qiángliè saw our interest and began to teach us how we can make our own swords.
One day our village was attacked, not by a large group but they were strong. We tried to fend off some of the attackers, but the village guards that were posted here left without a word. Our father rushed out to help defend the people leaving only Zhēnxiàng, our mother and I stayed in the house. A few minutes later we could hear someone banging on our door, our mother pulled up some loose floorboards and pushed me and my brother down and putting back the floorboard.
"Listen to mommy kids, I have to go somewhere really quick and no matter what do not leave here until you father comes back." I saw my mother stood up and rushed to the door only to hear it opened and a sick sound of metal cutting through flesh. Both my brother and I knew our mother was attacked. The only question we both had was 'where are the protectors of the village where were they!?' We continued to listen to the screams and cried of our people being cut down. A few minutes later there was silence. We then heard footsteps and soon we could see our father with a pained expression. "Zhēnxiàng…Shēnghuó where are you?!" our father yelled, "Under the floor!" Shēnghuó yelled. Our father began to tear the floor apart and embraced us. As we looked at the doorway we saw our mother beaten down and motionless on the ground. Shēnghuó broke away from our father with tears streaming down his face, "How come you weren't there to help mom!?" Shēnghuó yelled and he pointed towards our mother. "Shēnghuó I tried but the bandits were strong please understand that protectors and guards cannot always be here and that's why the bandits attacked tonight, they must have known." Our father was looking depressed as he glanced over to our mother's corpse.
"You couldn't protect mom, the guards are away. If there were no guards then we would have to learn how to defend ourselves. Our dependence on the 'guards' has leaded us to let our guard down. Now look at what has happened. I HATE YOU, EVERYONE OF YOU!" Shēnghuó stormed out of our home. Our father tried to rush after him, in an hour he came back a solemn look on his face, Shēnghuó was gone. After a year since the attack and Shēnghuó disappearance my father became gravely ill.
Some of the villagers have begun to question my father's ability to look out for our village. One day on a night of a new moon I woke to the sound of screams and cries of pain. I ran outside to find wolf killing of my people, I watched as I saw them butchered women and children laughing as they did so like it was some game to them. I closed the door shut and ran for father's room only to find it empty. Fearing that my father was one of the one's being attacked I ran back outside to look for him. I tried to ignore the bloodstains on the snow as I stumbled over and over trying to avoid any attacks that neared me. That was when I saw my brother again but something was different this time about him. His eyes they looked evil as though someone has sucked out his soul and replaced it with a demon.
I ran over to him to see what's wrong only to find him gripping father collar dragging his dead corpse. "Who did this?!" I yelled at him, but I already knew the answer since Shēnghuó was carrying a katana covered in blood. "Did you know that our blood is also rich in materials that could strength a blade during forgery?" Shēnghuó was now making his way over to me as I could only stand and watch; the slaughter around me seems like a distant world. "When we made our swords me dip the hot metal into water to harden but as the blade only has water to absorb there is little that water can offer, blood on the other hand…. hahahaha…. Has many properties including toughening and strengthen a sword to it's best." Shēnghuó was now only a few feet away from me and yet I could not move a muscle. "Why…why do all this? Why kill father only to make a sword? Why HIS blood?!" My blood was now boiling as I realize that Shēnghuó was planning on using our father's blood and the blood of our people to create his sick weapons.
"Because father was not there to help our mother, even now there are few protectors to help this village. I shall burn it down and create a place were there are no criminals or bandits. A place where there are no one will lose another loved one ever again!" I could sense his anger but at the same time I could feel his sadness. "Shēnghuó please stop this madness you and I both knew father tried his best he-"
"He left the house to protect other's and left us alone to fend for ourselves, if depending on others to protect us results in this then there should be no protectors at all! I then meet an ally, an avian by the name of Shen. We both shared hatred though it was for different people. I showed him how to forge metal so he can produce his weapons and he gave me access to his forgery to do as I please. We both can build a place where there shall be peace from the ashes of the old there shall arise a new world" Shēnghuó dropped father and jumped on me with his sword at my neck.
"Zhēnxiàng you die today, I always had to compete with you for father's attention. You were always better than me, but if you died then there is no one to compete with." Fear engulfed me as I did the only thing that came to mind and that was to fight him off. I kicked him off and ran for the nearest weapon I was not thinking clearly and charged at him with one of the villagers shovel. Shēnghuó had easily cut the wooden shaft and in turn cut me on the right side of my face. I fell back in pain and my vision was blurring I was only able to make out Shēnghuó towering over me with blade in hand.
"Zhēnxiàng you are going to die now and I shall use the blood of this village to make the greatest katana. Using their blood I shall make a sword like no other." Shēnghuó raise his sword high up ready to stab me. "Shēnghuó father always loved mother and you, he loved you greatly, why dishonor that love now, Shēnghuó you-"
"Silence! I'm no longer Shēnghuó, Lord Shen has given me a new life and a new name and with this new life I stand by that name. I'm Sǐwáng and now you shall die." With that Shēnghuó…no … Sǐwáng brought the sword down and stabbed me leaving his blade buried both in the snow and me. I was only able to see him walk off with the wolf as they dragged countless bodies for their blood. Then my world went black.
"Wait hold up you got stabbed and died so why are you here? …Wait…are you…A GHOST! AAHHHHH!" Mantis jumped from the table behind monkey who gave an irritated glace and the bug. Natani glance over at Mantis, "Please let me finish before anything, like I said…"
My vision began to clear, first thing that I noticed was that I was no longer in the high mountains. I was in a hut next to a fire, as I tried to sit up I felt a huge wave of pain in my midsection, the memories of recent event began to come back. I remembered my father's passing and the burning of my village and Sǐwáng. I wanted to cry, I really did but the tears never came. I only lay there staring at the fire, "So, your awake I see," an old voice called out from behind me. I struggle to turn over to see who it was; when I did I was shocked to find a Bobcat of all things.
"You are very fortunate that the criminal that attacked you left these in your gut, otherwise you would have certainly bleed to death." The feline brought forth a blacked sword with blood covering it. Our people's blood, "I'm Pínghéng, but my true name is , I trade with your village's metal, when I arrive to gather supplies I was shocked to find that everyone died. I spent hours searching for any survivors but they were all dead. All but you faith must have something in store for you young one. Speaking of which what is you name?" the feline place the sword back down and stared at me for a while.
"I'm Zhēnxiàng," I tried to sit up again and was successful this time. "You said you come to our village to trade resources so does that mean you a blacksmith. "Indeed I'm, back in my home country I was the best there was." Pínghéng seemed to have lightened up rather quickly but that help me also from the loose recently. I kneeled and bowed before, shocking him with both action and word. "Please take me on as you apprentice, I'm willing to do anything you say." It was as though time stood still for the both of us, I dared not look up and remain that way waiting for an answer. "You want revenge don't you? You know there is story about that in my village…back home. A family had a two sons one of the son was great at creating the best swords. But the father told the son that sword making is not about how sharp the sword is or how beautiful it is either. Sword making is from the soul; our soul is poured into each sword we make. The son angry at the father for rejecting his work left the village and never came back."
"I tell you this because I was that son, ever since I fear returning home to face my father. I shall not take you one if you just want revenge for the bandits. Tell me why do you want to become my apprentice?" Pínghéng was not staring at the fire as I continued to bow, truth be told I was in much pain. "I want to become the best swordsmen and blacksmith so no one will suffer the same faith as my village again." I answered there was a long pause until, "haha…hahahaha…HAHAHAHAHA! You know what you remind me of some one I once knew. Find you can become my apprentice but Zhēnxiàng is dead. I shall give you the name of my master; say it with respect, Natani. This marks a new life for you so cherish every moment." I raised my head tears threatening to flow once more. "Yes, thank you. I shall not disappoint you." I said with great gratitude.
Pínghéng carried me back to his hut and there I learn how to wield a sword and to make one. There was only one lesson tat needed to be taught and that is every weapon, be it sword or armor, we must make it from the heart. That is where true strength is. After ten years my master passed on due to an incurable sickness but he named me the new master just before his death, telling me to follow my intention when he first took me in. I promised and since then I traveled the country searching for my brother. Sǐwáng has amassed an army to do what he intents with this country and I have been stopping them wherever I can.
Present Time Jade Palace
"You mean to tell me your brother is Sǐwáng, who for the past ten years has made a name of himself as one of China's most wanted and dangerous criminal?" Master Shifu confirmed. "Yes now, please let me continue on my journey, I cannot wait any longer, Sǐwáng is still gathering followers as we speak and making weapons from the blood of the one's he's killed." Po was silent throughout the entire conversation, not touching his food even, "Please excuse me." With that the panda left. "Natani, do you know where you brother and his army is?" Viper asked, Natani gave an odd look before nodding his head. "Then is it possible that we travel with you to help, we are protectors of china ourselves and we cannot stand by to let someone stop this threat alone." Master Shifu claimed. Natani was speechless, he has shock that these people who he barely knew was willing to risk their lives to help his journey and protect those they don't even know.
"Yes…yes you may and thank you." Natani said and bowed to Shifu. "Think nothing of it, I have great respect for those that wish to protect others. Anyways Tigress will show you at our guest room where you can stay." Tigress nodded and went out the kitchen with Natani behind. Once they had arrive at the dorm tigress showed Natani to his room but not before a few words. "Listen and listen good leopard. I don't trust you, I know you are still hiding something about you past and your true goals, but my master believes you and I shall believe in my master. If you give me any reason I shall claw you face off. And don't you dare mention anything about Shen near Po the Dragon Warrior, if you do I will personally take you down." Even though Natani was slight taller than Tigress, she was still fearsome to Natani. "You are correct there young master but I must say that my intentions are true so worry not about that. Have a good night's rest young Master." With a bow Natani closed the door in front of Tigress.
Now fuming she stormed off to the only place she can relax, the training hall.
Zhēnxiàng - Truth
Shēnghuó – Life
Dāopiàn – Blade
Qiángliè - strong
Wēnhé – gentle
Pínghéng – Balance
My dear readers, here is the second chapter as promised. I have rather unfortunate news though. College life is hard and Finals are here. This week update might be slow but fret not I will do my best in my spare time. But for now enjoy the chapter.
