Thank you so much for your awesome reviews. :) That's so nice of you all and I was motivated to write the next chapter fast. :D
3. Alone is not enough
"Where do you want to go?" Monkey asked when he saw Po with a backpack on his back.
"Uh, I have to do a little journey."
"Without us?" Viper asked with surprise.
After Po explained what happened in Gongmen City, his friends were silent for a moment.
"We will come with you," Monkey said.
"No," Po said resolutely. "I have to go alone. This is between him and me. I want to talk with him alone, very alone."
"We could wait outside."
"Sorry, no, it's a single tour. I left my village alone and I want to face my fate alone."
Tigress wanted to say something, but Po looked at her so determined so that she nodded.
"Then go."
Po sighed with relief. "Thank you."
After a wave of "goodbye", Po left them and walked away.
His friends followed him with their eyes until he disappeared.
Po couldn't remember that the way to Gongmen City was so long. Maybe it was because that he walked alone, without to talk with someone. After a "long" while, it had been just few kilometers, he sat down with panting.
"Uh, what an effort."
His stomach growled.
"I'm hungry. I need some power." He put the backpack on the floor. "Power for the Dragon Warrior."
He opened the bag and get out a parcel. Suddenly...
"Ahhh!"
Po let fall the wrapped lunch when a green figure jumped away on a stone.
"Mantis!" Po scolded. "I said, I want to walk alone."
"Sorry, we can't let you go all alone for such a mission."
Po became angry. "I can do it alone."
Mantis shook his head. "Let me just accompany you to Gongmen City. I think you need someone to talk for the long way to cheat the time, don't you?"
Po relaxed his body before he was ready to fight against Mantis. He sighed deeply. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
"Alright. But remember..." He took his backpack. "It's my personal mission."
Mantis vibrated with his antennas thankfully. "Fine." Then he jumped at Po's head.
The prison was dark and cold, especially the cell in the backmost corner.
Shen took a deep breath through his hurting lungs. He wished to sleep and a place to lay down. But there was no chance. He clawed his metallless claws on the hard, stony floor. His knees trembled a little. Chains kept him up and stretched him out in an uncomfortable position. Chains were also around his chafe feet and prevented him walking.
He hissed annoyed. That cursed... He dragged on his hand chains.
"Mmpf!" He interrupted abruptly. It was impossible to come free without severe pain. These chains were a very special manufacture for animals which weren't easy to tether. The metal rings wrapped the middle of his wings, but these rings were connected with yarn which were sewn-in in his skin under his feathers like earrings. If he would try to break free, he would rip his skin very badly.
He moved his head. A leather gag had wrapped around his beak. Several times he had tried to take it off without success. The albino peacock sighed despondently. He felt like a caught attack dog.
What a shame. How did it happen? Everything had gone well, but then everything came different when the panda appeared.
He had cursed that white-black creature more than million times since he was captured here. But he had to admit that it was useless to curse.
He eyed his damaged robe, under it he saw dirty feathers and further down his stretched, galled feet.
The formerly lord felt more than humiliated, but he knew that it would be just the begin of his suffering.
He moaned deeply. He was so tired. That ruthless rhinos hadn't been very friendly when they brought him here. They gave him no time to relax. Without regard, they put him here in the hindmost cell, without water and food. Without warmth and comfort. It was a miracle that his heart was still beating.
He coughed through the nose. He moved his tongue in his blocked beak. His mouth was dry. Never in his life he was so thirsty for little drop of water.
He raised his head when he heard footsteps. He tensed his body and waited until a big guy opened the cell door.
A gigantic rhino came in and placed himself next to him. Shortly afterwards, Master Ox and Master Croc entered the room.
Shen narrowed his eyes to dangerous looking slits.
Master Ox nodded and the rhino removed the leather gag from the peacock's beak.
Shen moved his beak distastefully, happy to come free from that thing for a while.
"Are you satisfied to see me like this?" Shen spat testy. "Do you feel stronger now?"
Master Ox snorted. "You know very well why you are here."
Shen had hoped secretly that it wouldn't happen, but the day was come.
"I'm curious to hear." He laughed jerkingly, but suddenly he coughed badly. His lungs hurt after every breath for his voice.
"The law of Gongmen City condemn you to death by torture. And you know what you expected."
Shen's face was stony, then he smiled mockingly.
"Is that all?" He coughed again and cursed himself. He felt Master Ox's feeling of gratification. The atmosphere was more than dead in this room.
Master Ox didn't move a muscle. "But just because you are a part of the royal family, you have the right to get an analgesic. But just a very little."
Shen closed his finger feathers a little. Then he smiled spitefully.
"I need nothing from you fools," he said hoarsely.
"As you wish," Ox said disparagingly. He looked at the rhino. "Check him."
The guard came closer and controlled the face and body of the peacock. Shen made an ugly grimace on his face that a dirty guy touched him so impudent.
The peacock winced a little when he touched his shoulder. But the guard didn't pay attention and took a look into Shen's mouth and pulled down his eyelids.
Shen didn't resist although he wished he could give that bastard a hard push. But he didn't want to shame himself like an idiot in front of the Kung Fu Masters, who would be amused to see him like this. No, he wanted to go down with proud and dignity. Master Croc didn't say a word, and he looked like he would feel a little sorry for their prisoner.
"Just two days more and he will be ready," the rhino said and left the lord.
Shen hissed annoyed.
Master Ox nodded satisfied. "So, are you ready?"
Shen narrowed his eyes. Was that ox waiting for a plea for mercy? The Ox had still in his mind how Shen killed thundering rhino brutally cold. Shen looked away to the side at the wall and ignored him.
"Answer!"
But the peacock acted deaf and stood there like a stubborn child.
Master Ox shouted with rage and ran forwards, but Master Croc held him back.
"Calm down. He will be punished soon enough."
Master Ox snorted. He waved his hands in the air angrily. His glance still on the supercilious peacock. Then he turned around.
"We will see in few days on your punishment."
Shen snorted rebelliously. "It will be a pleasure for me."
The rhino wanted to gag him again but the peacock ducked.
"Don't dare!" He warned.
The rhino snarled and grabbed the lord's neck. Shen struggled.
"Are you so afraid of me that you take my voice?!"
These words were dedicated to the masters who already were gone. They turned around while Shen had effort to avoid the gag.
"How fussy of you...mpmff!" The rhino pressed the leather gag with all force against his beak.
Master Ox snorted. "Just to keep sure, that you can't wheedle someone with your inane thoughts."
The lord managed to come free for the last time.
"So you are afraid that I would come free, aren't yo..."
The rhino cut his word and bonded together the straps around Shen's head.
The lord looked at the two masters with red tired but jeeringly annoyed eyes. His eyes were redder than usual. He didn't sleep the last few days. But the will of that bird hadn't broken yet.
The fists of Master Ox became firmer. "Take off," he snorted.
The rhino snorted back and removed the gag again. Shen breathed heavily. A wave of relief came over him when the door cell was closed.
When they were gone, Shen waited few minutes longer until he was sure that nobody was in near anymore. He breathed out and hanged his head.
Why did the universe curse him with a painfuller death? He had been ready to die when the cannon felt down on him. Now his way of suffering became longer. He moved his wings. He pressed his eyes together and hissed. There was no way to come free. He had also no chance to kill himself before these bastards would take him his last breath in his blood.
At least he didn't have to see that panda.
It comes harder... I hope Lord Shen fans will not be afraid.