The seed of treachery

The ceremony was in full swing.

Many guests from different provinces had gathered for the event declared by the Emperor himself.

Higher nobility had received an invitation to the party by the head of one of the strongest powers. Who in their right mind would reject such a one nice offer?

Banquet was held in the great hall of the Imperial Palace.

The gala reception, represents the similarity masquerade ball, is collected a great number of notable and influential people not only from China, but also the neighboring countries. This meeting was attended by many different species of animals. There were ducks, peacocks, swans, eagles, sheep, goats, rabbits, tigers, lions, some snakes and a few courtiers servants, such as rhinos, wolves and jackals, who are guards tonight. Servants bustled around the room, trying to serve and to please every guest. All present were dressed in various outfits, from luxury fashion to clown costumes, such as the rich kimonos, dresses and robes. Certainly everyone has masks. One had the usual white, gold or black masks, hiding their faces. Others had masks of different demonic beings or some monsters. The last one wore masks of different animals. Tables, filled with all sorts of different food and drinks, stood around the hall. Some guests were eating delicacies of imperial kitchen. Someone went and examined the decor of the palace. Many talked among themselves about the past days, about reception or discussed, existing at this moment, the political situation with groceries of wine.

At the end of the hall was a huge throne, from which one could see all. There sat the royal family. The Emperor himself talked about his affairs with approximate generals. Shen was standing near him. He was dressed in a white robe with a white mask made out of feathers and some kind of silks. His metal talons ones again hid his scars. The avian was deep in thought. Finally he achieved his dream. Despite this, he did not give rest to the thoughts about young peahen, who gave him the opportunity to achieve what he has always wanted.

It is a week since as the future heiress to the throne helped him.

A lot of things have happened lately.

One week ago...

In Gongmen City...

The new day has just begun.

It was morning so everyone just got up and started to do their things. Little by little, the city became filled with aura of happiness. A few people were on the street. Recently occurred woes were still fresh in their memory. However, many residents have tried to throw out the memories of those misfortunes that happened to them. Citizens tried not to think about the hardships they had to endure, not to think about the bandits that attacked them and not think of a peacock that has brought them so much grief, misery and suffering. They thought that all finally get better, that their suffering behind them, that they no longer have to suffer from the tyranny of peafowl and that they no longer see him.

How wrong they were...

Po and Furious Five just woke up and went to eat at the inn in which they were lodged by Master's Council.

Master Shifu went to deal with matters related to the recent events.

Warriors were going to leave and have already started to collect their belongings.

After all was ready, they were to await the return of their master at the entrance to the hotel.

"How long do we have to wait? I'm tired." Po said, referring to near standing.

"You just ate more than half of the food, provided to us, alone and you still have the audacity to complain about something." Tigress said grumpily.

"Oh well, the food was so little. I'm hungry again." Po continued to bother Tigress.

"It's not surprising that you have such a big belly, you can shove in as much food as a bottomless barrel." Monkey tried to joke.

"Hey!" Panda protested.

"He's right you really need to eat less." Mantis added.

"Don't listen to them. They are just jealous of your coolness." Viper got into a conversation, trying to help a friend with bullies.

"Yes I know. Anyone would be envy of my title of Dragon Warrior and my awesomeness." Po said proudly.

Others rolled their eyes.

"Do none of you have such a feeling that something bad is going to happen?" Crane asked casually.

"No, why? Is something wrong?" Tigress answered.

"Just asking." avian said.

"Listen if something bad happens, we'll deal with that as always. We will beat the bad guys and save the situation. We take them all together, and I have them, and then BAM, and I'll be just like WOW, and..." Po began to say.

"What is it?" Tigress interrupted Po, looking away.

The crowd suddenly began to move aside, as if to give a pass to someone important. And then appeared some soldiers dressed in silver samurai armor. They were also armed with samurai swords. Their faces were hidden by demonic masks. But you can immediately guess that they were wolves. Fighters prepared for battle and were on the alert. Suddenly, two falcons landed near them. Birds were dressed in red robes with gold emblem depicted on their backs. Almost all present immediately recognized emblem golden bird with two heads. It was the coat of arms of the Emperor. Furious Five relaxed, but Po just followed their example, not understanding what is happening.

Despite this, the royal guards didn't look friendly.

"Who are they?" Po whispered to Tigress.

It seemed that the wolves were carrying something like a marquee. It was a luxurious design, decorated with images of peacocks in the form of silver and gold. Imperial flag was waving on top of this construction. Someone was hiding behind a shed in the shade.

"They are the guards of the royal palace. But what are they doing here?" Feline also whispered.

Imperial Guard put a tent right in front of the Kung Fu fighters. Edge of someone's blue wing pushed the fabric of the tent, opening the view inside.

"Maybe they are our reinforcements or some help for the city." Po said.

"Then it seems that these guys weren't in a hurry to come here." Tiger said with some kind of disdain.

There were three figures inside the tent. One of them was a bird that pushed the curtain open to look outside. Two others were impossible to recognize, because of the darkness inside. Cloth fell back into place. For some time there was silence. Than the jackal clad in golden armor on his chest, waist, elbows and knees with red loincloth came to light from the tent. His muzzle was hidden by a gold mask, resembling a bird's beak. Then another one came out too. They stood on either side of the marquee. The bird came last. It was a simple peacock mostly blue in color with a fitting blue robe. The bird's name was Shenlong. He was one of the imperial generals and personal messenger of the Emperor. Peafowl had a scowl of disgust on his face, when he stepped out on the street. Inhabitants tensed seeing the avian as they didn't want to re-connect with peacocks ever again.

"What are we doing in this trash hole?" Shenlong muttered to himself, "Why me?"

In his wing was a scroll with a seal of the Emperor, which he opened and read. He looked at the warriors and then at the scroll again. Slowly he lifted his leg and snapped his talons.

In no time at all samurai soldiers surrounded Kung Fu masters, droving their katana and pointing at them.

Now again on the defense the masters were puzzled about this situation.

"What are you doing?" Tigress demanded.

"Masters of Jade Palace…" Peacock began to read the contents of the scroll "Master Shifu, Master Crane, Master Viper, Master Tigress, Master Mantis, Master Monkey and panda Po, bearing the title of Dragon Warrior of the Valley of Peace, you all are under arrest and charged with treason against your country. Come with us willingly otherwise we will be forced to take actions."

After these words everyone was in shock.

"WHAT!" shouted Po "It can't be right. Are you sure that you have read it right?"

Po began to take away the scroll from the peacock, for which, the jackal standing next to the bird, hit panda in the face with his forehead. He bounced back in surprise but his friends caught him in time before he could fall and hit the ground.

"Something is wrong. We always just try to help. Who in their right mind would accuse us of betraying? Before you have to respond the one who decided to make such a cruel joke." Tigress said.

"I don't think so. In the end I got the order personally from the Emperor himself." Shenlong said.

Five didn't know what to say to this. They were at a loss.

"You got it wrong. We are heroes and we help those who need our help. We saved this town from bandits and mad peacock not long ago." Po said.

During mention of the bird jackals and peacock exchanged glances, which were not unnoticed by Po.

"You know the white peacock that built cannon, which spitting metal, and wanted to conquer the whole China." In panda there was hope that the royal messenger finally realized that the masters were right.

"I…" peacock started, turning to the side of the tower of the Sacred Flame, which already started to rebuild, "…don't know what you are talking about." He smiled and went to the tower. Nearby jackal followed him while other remained standing where he was.

Hearing these words, panda lost hope that he has before. Speechless silence regained.

Continuing along the way, Shenlong said in calm, but loud enough voice so that it can be heard.

"Go."

After this one word all hell broke loose, when soldiers attacked six Kung Fu masters.

In Peking…

Shen has just awakened. His wounds were almost healed. But despite this, he still was a little hard to walk. With little effort, he tried to get out of bed. He had only stood on the floor as someone knocked on the door and then entered in the room. It was a goose.

"Good morning, Lord Shen. I see you're awake, yet I must say that you have to forgive me for disturbing you. You see, her Majesty wants to see you. Please put on new clothes and then I'll take you to her Royal Highness. By the way, my name is Delun. If you need anything, you can address me at any time." said young man, handing him a set of new clothes.

"Delun; what an appropriate name, signifying a virtuous order." thought Shen,"well…"

"Well… as you say, servant boy." said Shen, taking new clothes and began to consider it.

It was exactly the same white robe that he wore. Then he looked at the boy, who stared at him in returned without blinking. For some moments it was like that.

"Well…" Shen said at last.

Servant knew immediately what peacock wanted from him.

"Please forgive me, I bring my deepest apologies for the fact that my presence bother you." Delun said, turning and leaving the room, "I'll leave you alone and wait outside the door."

After the goose left Shen changed in clean clothes. Collected his thoughts, he, trying to ignore the slight pain, pranced toward the exit of the room. The goose stood in the hallway, waiting for him.

"Please follow me." said Delun, when he saw the bird opening the door.

Boy led him to some room and knocked at the door.

"Who is it?" said a soft and familiar voice.

"My noble lady, I brought him as you requested." answered servant.

"Oh good, let him come. You are free to go." said Lian's voice.

"Good day to you, Lady Lian, and you too, Lord Shen." said Delun and left.

Shen stood for a moment, looking at the door, and then entered.

A few moments earlier…

In Lian's room…

Lian woke up as soon as the sun has risen.

She can already see on the horizon appeared a red stripe. Already see the dawn began. The sun slowly rises over the tops of the trees.

Today she decided to wear a black robe with gold patterns. Firstly she ate quickly. Then she sent a servant to check their guest and to deal with other small things. Finished with that, she started to deal with her own affairs. Despite her young age, she had a lot of work to do. It could be said that she alone was engaged in nobility affairs, policy, military and a lot of other nonsense for royalty, from which she became dizzy. She sat down at the table, where there were a variety of papers among them the most distinguished were several piles of paper fastened together. It was dossiers on different people, collected by her spies. She took the first one.

"Hum... The Dragon Warrior" said Lian, reading the information. Yes, a big fat panda, which purely by chance became the Dragon Warrior. He defeated Tai Lung, not argue with that, but he still can't be threaten as the greatest Kung Fu warrior, but as a simple fatty panda. Well, think, defeated the snow leopard. Just think, before him bent almost all the Valley of Peace. He's just a panda, who loves to eat, sleep, and never thinks about nothing! And by the looks of things, he is very stupid... Just reading about him already pisses me off. And I doubt that my opinion on him ever changes.

Since childhood, her future as regent taught her almost everything that can be, including Kung Fu. It can't be said that she is perfect, but still she can punch quite well and even challenge the skills of a master.

She put the book back and took the next one.

"Viper…" She came to the Jade Palace with her father. Snake destroyed flocks of crocodiles and robbers. I wonder what might be lurking under the guise of a harmless innocent creature.

Next one was about insect.

"Mantis…" Mantis, though he is small, but strong. It hadn't been known how he got into the Jade Palace. Mantis is a secretive bug. He tells nothing or doesn't want to tell. I already know almost his entire life story, but don't know how he got into the Jade Palace. At first he can't be taken seriously, but bug proved fast, smart and strong. By the way, he was too strong, "I still didn't have enough passion to contact with small insects."

"Monkey…" Monkey to me looks like panda. The same naivety, the same fun, the same stupidity, "Another moron."

"Tigress…" She is strong, purposeful, pretending that she doesn't care, hiding her true feelings under cold stone mask, "It seems that our mutual friend is very attached to you."

"Master Shifu…" Lian became a little thoughtful, "Later, for now I have much important matters to attend to."

She fumbled a bit in the papers and took the necessary one.

"Ah, Master Crane…" Crane was able to effortlessly pass an obstacle course at the rhinos and bulls, which could not overcome any warrior. And then he came to Shifu to learn Kung Fu. He looks fragile and shy, but in truth he is much stronger than that. Moreover, it looks like he wrote letters to someone, "I wonder if the choice will appear in front of him whom he chooses: his girlfriend, who prompted him to implement his dreams or friends, with whom he fought side by side and who will not abandon him in his hour. You can be useful to us."

Putting aside the papers, she sighed and went to the balcony of her room to watch the calm sky and to gather her thoughts. A few minutes of tranquility helped her. It seems nothing can destroy this idyll.

Suddenly, there was a knock.

"Who is it?" Lian asked in calm voice.

"My noble lady, I brought him as you requested." answered the voice of her loyal servant.

"Oh good, let him come. You are free to go." She said.

"Good day to you, Lady Lian, and you too, Lord Shen." Delun said once again.

Moment early Shen came in.

"Hello Shen, you are already up. I wondered if you could give the lie for another day." said Lian in playful voice.

"Greeting you too… Lian." said Shen politely, pretending to be a proud nobleman. He will lie, if he says he doesn't feel some connection with a young peahen from yesterday, "I don't often say this but still thank you for helping me. I think I own you this one."

She arched an eyebrow questioningly. "Is that so? I did't expect to hear something like that from you. You seem in the mood to talk today, aren't you?"

"Don't get used to it." murmured Shen. "So why did you want to see me?"

Lian was looking at him for some time and then she said, "I must say you fascinate me in some way."

Their eyes met, when they look at each other.

"Come, I want to show you to my daddy." She said and then went past him.

Shen blinked a couple of times and then followed her.

"Am I in trouble?" asked Shen quietly.

"What? No, I just want to show my father that you're not as crazy as everyone saying. So behave yourself. You know how to behave with the royal family, aren't you?" Lian said jokingly.

"Of course, I am a part of royal family too. I am Lord of Gongmen City. Well formal Lord for now, but that will soon change. That's I promise." Shen's voice started to become a little darker.

"We of royal blood have cases with princes and princesses, kings and queens, and many other individuals from different titles. By the way, do you think the title of Baron above the title of Lord, hmm?"

Lian looked at Shen over her shoulder. He seems to be lost in thought and doesn't hear her question. She didn't want to disturb him and continued on their way. At the end, they came to their destination.

"So, we are here." she said, interrupting Shen's thoughts and opening the door to the dining room. "I am sure you are hungry so at the same time you can eat something."

In Gongmen City…

Fighters were struggling to cope with piles of enemies, attacking them. Surprisingly, the most difficult was the only one jackal that despite the fact that he mostly remained on the sidelines yet could easily be compared with the forces of masters and even suppressed them, when he interfered in the fight. They had no choice but to escape from the battlefield and from the city. So they fled in disgrace from government forces as if some criminals and they didn't see that one of them wasn't with them any longer.

Nearby in the alley, Master Crane lay on the ground unconscious. Two falcons were beside him. He wasn't injured seriously, but it looks like he fell from a great height. Birds began to shackle him in chains.

In the dining room…

The room was large. Long table stood in the middle of the room, at the end of which sat an old peacock in goodly apparel. On either side of him were plates of different food for someone, who hasn't come yet. Looks like it had been cooked for them and it was they, who were late. Lian went along one side of the table, while Shen went to the other. They sat down to their seats so that Shen was on the right wing of the Emperor and Lian on the left, facing each other.

"Good to see you in good health, father." said Lian, referring to the Emperor.

"Good to see you too, my dear." said Emperor Zengsheng (his name means "government may increase").

Then his eyes fall on Shen.

"Greetings to you, my Emperor. I also wish you good health and peaceful prosperity." said Shen firmly.

"I must say this is unexpected to hear such good-natured wishes of the one, who would like to see me dead." said Zengsheng, disapprovingly looking at the peacock.

"Father, don't say such horrible things. Shen wishes you no harm." got in conversation Lian, "Shen, this is my father, Emperor Zengsheng. Dad, this is Lord Shen of Gongmen City, the same peacock I tell you so much about."

"I think he wouldn't case us any trouble, would he?" asked Emperor.

"No, I wouldn't sir. You can be sure of it." Shen assured him.

"That's good to hear." said Lian's father.

"You see, Shen is our ally. He can even help us with our military, can't you, Lord Shen?" said Lian to Shen.

"Help your military? And what am I suppose to do?" asked Shen.

"It's very simple. I heard you have invented a miracle weapon during your travels in your exile. Why do you not go back to your hobby?" she said.

"So you want my cannons?" he asked, slightly displeased with the idea that someone wants to usurp his creations.

All this time, the Emperor looked at both of them, from his daughter to the defeated Lord and back again.

"Want, you say? No, I already have it. Just don't want such a talented person like you to spend your potential into empty air." she answered.

"And what am I benefit from this?" said white peafowl.

"You are a criminal. Where will you go? Everyone will hunt for you, but we offer you protection. Help us and you will not regret it." said young lady, "You can get what you always wanted and even more."

"Well I don't want to interrupt you, but I've got to do other very important things. See you around. Hopefully you don't mess things up, especially you, Shen." said old bird, standing and leaving the room.

"So why do you really need me?" said Shen, after elder peacock left.

In Gongmen City…

Peacock and jackal just came to the gate, leading to the tower, where they were stopped by antelope guards. Spears were pointed at them, when the guards saw unknown intruders approaching. But two kept going as if nothing had happened.

"Let us pass!" blue bird said with contempt, if they were trash not worthy of his attention.

He showed them a scroll with a seal of the Emperor. They were a little taken aback, but did not argue with someone with authority that was given by the Emperor himself, so they opened the gates and the two entered the courtyard of tower.

Three masters discussed the upcoming restoring of the city. Unexpectedly, gate opened and they turned to see two newcomers heading to them. The first one was a strange tall jackal in golden armor. The second one was a peacock with a sullen look on his face. Seeing peacock, masters narrowed their eyes. Recently they began to consider peafowl a bad sign, foreshadowing troubles. Masters Croc and Ox still haven't recovered from the death of their comrade and friend Master Thundering Rhino.

"Who are you?" demanded Master Storming Ox.

"Someone, whom you should have more respect, worm." said peacock in return.

Master Ox humped in anger, "Here don't honored peacocks, due to the recent events that took place here."

"It doesn't matter. You and the people now have a little to decide. From now on Master's Council is disbanded." said bird with smug smirk.

"What!" exclaimed Masters, "What are you saying? Who do you think you are?"

"I am Shenlong, personal messenger of the Emperor and one of his loyal generals. Master Storming Ox and Master Croc, you removed from this city management responsibility."

"Based on what exactly?" asked Croc.

"For two reasons…" said peafowl, lifting one of his wing's feathers, "Firstly, it's an order of the Emperor…" peacock lifted second feather of his wing, "…and secondly, Council shall consist of the three masters and I see only two, which is not acceptable."

"I am master too. Am I having no right in this matter?" said Shifu.

"Ah, I almost forgot that you and your students are under arrest, Master Shifu. Go with us willingly or we shall be compelled to use force. By the way, master, you are from Jade Palace and you should not concern yourself with this city." said Shenlong, as jackal stepped forward, "You will stand before the court of our noble ruler and as for the two of you…" peacock threw scroll to Master Ox "…you can appeal the decision from the Emperor himself."

Masters look uneasy, "Are you going to stay here?"

"Absolutely not! I and my troops are going to go back, after we finish our business."

"Then you will not mind if we join you, because you are still going to the Emperor, aren't you?" said Ox.

After that peacock and bull stared at each other for some time.

Finally Shenlong smiled, "Of course you can come, I do not mind. As we say, the more people the more fun, isn't it?"

"It's not necessarily, if it's required by the Emperor, I will come willingly." said Master Shifu, when Jackal began putting chains on him.

"Whatever you say." Shenlong waved his wing, making it clear for his accompanying that the shackles to be redundant, "Now for work…"

After these words, peacock gave a cry and group of eagles landed from the sky.

"Everyone has a job. You know what should be done so start!" ordered the leader of the eagles.

Birds scattered in different directions.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Come on…" said peacock, leaving and making all remaining follow him.

In Peking…

"Let's be truthful. I like you. My spies have found enough information about you. I know what your life was, and to some extent, it's very similar to mine." said Lian without her playfulness.

"Is that so?" Shen asked in mockery surprise.

"On the day, when your fate was decided, you committed genocide of an entire species. What drive you to this: your lust for power that you were afraid to lose or fear for your life inherent in every living being? By the look of things to me, it's the latter."

After some silence Shen said, "My childhood wasn't the most pleasant. I grew almost alone. Parents never pay attention to me, as if I didn't try to get it. And when I heard that I was going to lose everything, when I am already had nothing, I was frightened."

"I always got enough attention, because I was an only child in the family. I was taught throughout early childhood. I always get what I wanted, until behaved appropriately: silent, when to be silent and speak, when to speak. I didn't have any friends, except for my family. Despite that I had all I could only dream of, I was unhappy. I was locked up in four walls and all I always wanted was…" Lian trailed off in thoughts.

"Freedom?" Shen said deeply immersed in his own thoughts.

"Yes, I always wanted only freedom and that is what the bitter truth is."

"I always wanted freedom too. Parents never understand me. I was always forced to dance to their tune." He unexpectedly admitted.

"There is a saying that the two broken souls can mend each other. Maybe fate is finally going to smile upon us. Let us help each other. Father is old and wants to retire, handing all the power to the next heir to the throne. It means that all of this will be mine. You want to get the China, then the best way is to be closer to the Empress."

"Are you saying what I am thinking?"

"A wedding. If we get married, you will be my husband and you will share my power. But this will have to wait, so the question is timing. After that, you will become the Emperor of China."