AUTHOR'S NOTE: I believe that an explanation is in order. Ever since the original release of this chapter I regretted it, for obvious reasons being Viper's involvement in the "Ladies of Shade" episode. It was a fault on my part and so in this revision much of the dialogue has changed. As such, I am also releasing a one shot within the next few days starring the leopardess herself in a short story explaining what this very chapter makes reference to.
Chapter 4: Every Song A Hit, Every Hit A Slap
The figure in the trees flung itself over a fallen tree trunk in this thickened forest. It's light yet heavily pounding feet treaded hastily, and they craved more ground. The face was muddled with dirt on the spotted cheeks though the gray fur behind the lifted earth still shined elegantly; it's forehead scraped by evidence of a rather protruding tree branch not a mile ago.
Cerulean eyes darted forward, then to the right, then the neck craned over this side to dart the eyes backward, then forward again. The nervous creature had right to be as such, but soon it would be safe; and with the one warrior it knew to be kind hearted and true. The one who lived in the very village this creature saw as it's frame finally met the end of the hellish forest at the top of the great hill sitting before the village not an acre of green away.
With Viper
Viper rushed into the village, not stopping for anything as her slick body swerved and slid past the streets teeming with crowds of shoppers and groups of sellers. Her ever quick thinking mind continuously revised and reassessed the lie on her way to her destination, yet not much would slow her down. She stopped only for a minute to pick up some coins for a villager that had just dropped his coin purse, but she immediately glided away with as much grace as the speed she carried before the goose could thank her.
As Viper turned the corner to the messenger's district of the town, she smacked her head into a furry leg; much too big to be a bunny's. Viper shook her head and looked up at the figure.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I was just in a bit of a hurry!" she couldn't see the creature's face because of the position of the sun, but as she squinted her eyes she could tell it was a feline. It was panting, it's breaths were uneven. It sounded scared. It wasn't until the feline bent down to apologize as well, causing it's face to be revealed, when the snake got into a defensive stance.
"Song!", hissed Viper, "May I ask what exactly are you doing in the Valley of Peace?"
The relatively short snow leopard wasn't looking too clean with her paws on her shaking knees. Her fur was matted all over from sweat and dirt, her usual metallic scarlet and ebony clothes were tattered, and she had sustained many small lacerations all over her arms and legs. Viper studied Song more closely and put down her defenses from the extent of her inspection.
"You've been running...running away...from someone..."she raised her defenses again, "From whom? Jail guards? Bounty hunters? Rival Thieves?"
Song was still breathing heavily as she leaned on her knees.
"Try...all...of the above..."
"Whahaa?", exclaimed Viper in a squeaky tone. She kind of hated to admit it, but her time spent with Po had made her mannerisms involuntarily goofier.
After Song had caught her breath she expressed a small chuckle and stood up straight.
"It's a long story. Can I explain when we get to the Jade Palace?", she started to move past Viper, but Viper swiftly, with one fluid motion, had bit into the corner of a wooden building, wrapped the end of her body around Song, and flung her into an alley like she did Po in Gongmen City, except she kept a hold on Song, letting go of the building and using the momentum to slide with her into the alley. At least some good came from her training with Po. He taught her how to use more momentum by shifting her weight.
"Ohohohoho no. I'm not letting you anywhere near the palace until you explain yourself, and I have some very important business to attend to, so spill!", she hissed, tightening her grip on Song's legs.
Song flinched and laid her large ears back as she sighed in defeat. Her eyes trailed to the ground, covered in regret of her last visit to the Valley of Peace; one that did not bode well for the feline's group nor her personal reputation.
"Okay, but you have to promise to take me back to the palace after I tell you."
"I know I will either way. You see, attempted theft alone earns you a room in the dungeon for a little while, and that stunt you and your pals pulled insured it.", normally the snake would have just agreed and be done with it, but with the mixture of guilt she had about Po and Tigress, her naturally devious mind crafting a plan to fix the problem, the adrenaline she had from slithering so fast, and the short amount of time she had before Master Shifu forced Po out of the Palace had made her anxious, aggravated, and impatient while having to deal with this criminal.
Her cold appearance softened a bit as Song began to quietly weep, causing Viper's natural nursing personality to make an appearance.
"I-I understand, but...nothing is seeming to go right for me, NOTHING!", she sobbed, hugging her legs and burying her face in her knees as Viper uncoiled her body and rubbed the snow leopard's shoulder.
"What do you mean? I know the life of a thief must be hard, but why can't you just try to turn over a new leaf?"
Song sniffled a bit and spoke a little muffled from her sobs and talking into her legs.
"Don't you understand? I tried! I tried to get the Ladies of Shade to turn their lives around, but they wouldn't have it. They all left me! I'd have thought it obvious after our last visit…"
"I suppose it makes sense, the Ladies weren't appearing too thrilled about your decision to return all the money Master Shifu provided…", just then it dawned on her as she remembered what she was doing. She looked at Song, her face riddled with anxiousness and impatience, but her aggravation was hidden if it even remained there at all, "Now Song, I can tell that you're hurting and you don't seem to have bad intent, so talk with me while I go about my business in the village.", she slithered to the end of the alleyway and looked back at the leopard, who was dusting herself off and wiping away her tears.
"O-okay.", she walked with Viper down the street and started talking in a faster rhythm, not wanting to test the snake's patience any more than she already had, "You see, after that little erm, escapade with the hawks, we decided to maybe sort of keep some of the spoils to ourselves an-", Viper cut in, glancing up at her as they kept to their path.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, you were skimming from the ransom money? Ooh that's low, Song, even for you. Master Shifu isn't going to be happy about hearing this. Then again, I don't think he will ever be happy again after this morning." her voice saddened during that last sentence as she stared ahead.
"What do you mean? What happened?"
"Your story first, sweetie." the snake successfully hid the tears that welled within her during present company.
"Uh huh. So anyways after that we felt really bad. So bad even that some of us took the money and donated it the poorest of villages we could find. After this we made ourselves vow that we would uphold the lesson Po had taught us previously. But soon the boredom of simply entertaining crowds wasn't enough for the other girls, and they abandoned me shortly after save for the twins who decided to find their own way. I myself traveled all over China trying to find a place to call home. I finally found it, but my current home is in trouble, and that's why I'm here."
"What makes you think it is in trouble?" Viper said as they arrived at the entrance to one of the many messenger's homes, though this one was somewhat famous for sending less than honorable messages...for the right price. Viper turned to Song at the door as she stopped and listened to the rest of her story.
"A massive army has threatened to destroy our city, and that's not even the worst of it. The army is led by a ruthless young woman, a scarlet lion. No one knows her true name, but everyone calls her 'The Demon of the Fountain'. It is said that she's really a ninety-year old woman, but she looks to be in her late twenties; apparently she has easy access to the Fountain of Youth. To make matters worse, everyone in her army is made up of people under the age of forty. Whenever one of her warriors turns forty, she takes them into her cabin, promising that she was going to give them a...'birthday present'. But the men that go in never come out. And her army is so massive; no one really notices the disappearances. You see in her mind, anyone older than forty is useless and should leave 'her world'. If she were just a spoiled brat with a few too many friends, then it wouldn't be such a problem. But people always underestimate her, and they always die. What she lacks in experience, she makes up for in tactitional brilliance a thousand times over. The King of my city was wise to recognize her as a threat and tried to send out messengers for help, but every time we sent any out, their bodies would be found lying up against the outer walls of the city the very next day. So, as a citizen of the city I now choose to call home, I made it my responsibility to send the message out myself. I've been traveling for weeks, running and hiding. But it will be worth it if the Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior can come help." she smiled hopefully to Viper, who gave her a disappointed frown.
"Oh Song, I'm so sorry that you had to come all the way here, but right now is a horrible time. The Furious Five may be able to come, but Po can't. You see, he-", she looked up at Song again, "Wait. You said something about your city being destroyed isn't the worst part?"
Song shook her head sadly. "No, it really isn't. You see, I live in the city of Kirokuyoru. It's a massive city, a wondrous place. But it holds a building, a very important building that the Fountain Demon wants to destroy-The Hall of Species. A gigantic library that holds information on every living person in China. And if she destroys it and conquers China, she will be able to mold her own history in her twisted mind. In generations to come, she will have everyone convinced that she is an immortal goddess who cannot be stopped, discouraging any resistance; and her reign would last forever."
Much to her surprise, Viper's saddened face suddenly perked up, her smile now wide as she gazed at Song like she was a crystal ball showing her future. Song was now officially uncomfortable, "What's uhhhh, what's wrong? Do I have something on my face?"
"I'll make a deal with you, Song.", she said as she coiled around the snow leopard's body to examine her, "I can get you two of our best warriors guaranteed along with your freedom, if you help me put on a little show for Master Shifu and the rest of the Furious Five.", the snake's mischievous smile had returned. And if anyone had just started listening in on this conversation, they would have sworn that Song was making a deal with the devil.
"Okayyyy. I guess that's a fair offer. So you want us to dance together? I'd have to find another parasol-", the snake shook her head viciously.
"No, it's nothing like that!", she looked around to make sure no one was listening and whispered, "We're just going to have your King tell a...a little white lie."
The snow leopard's face scrunched up in confusion, "Huh?"
Viper then told Song about all of the events that had happened yesterday and this morning, from beginning to end. She didn't even leave out the part about slipping in to find Po and Tigress kissing, not knowing Song and her emotions for Po. Song's heart must have broken and shattered into dust because by the time Viper finished her tale, Song was crying again.
"I know, I know. It's a very sad situation. But the good news is, you can make it right! Plus, you'll be getting two of the best warriors in China to help with your plight!", Viper smiled in an attempt to comfort Song, but Song just wiped her tears and nodded, her face still covered in pain as Viper wrote the fake letter, rolled up the scroll, handed it to Song, and traveled back to the Jade Palace with her.
She hated the fact that Po had moved on, that he had fallen in love with another woman. But she certainly couldn't blame him; she wasn't around to tell him how she really felt. And if Tigress made him happy, then she would do her best to stand aside and not interfere. But this was going to be the single most painful, most brutal thing she would ever have to accomplish. She would have to guide the two warriors, the two lovers, back to her city. It would take them a couple of weeks to travel there, and every day would be a living nightmare. But she had to admit. Po and Tigress were singlehandedly the two best fighters in China if not the world, and she wasn't about to weaken her home's defenses even more so because of her romantic indulgences.
Meanwhile with Tigress
Tigress was still fuming as she ran from the barracks towards the Hall of Heroes where her master would be sitting with his oh-so-wise-am-I walking stick, which in her current thinking would have been better off buried as a memorial to Oogway rather than wasted in the hands of the old bastard that was now in charge of the Jade Palace.
Apparently her thoughts were easy to read, for one of the males of the Five, with all three sitting in the Arena, had exclaimed an "Oh, snap!". Particularly a certain bug said this as a discussion continued on between the three about their panda friend's treasonous actions. The conversation went along the lines of:
"How could he? He's always been such an amazing guy!", asked a primate.
"Well if someone you love is around you long enough and you don't have the balls to admit your feelings, I guess this is what ends up happening.", stated the avian.
"Do you think that there's anything we can do to help? Should we ask him about it?", asked the bug.
"Nah, we'll have plenty of time while we're training him. Besides, Shifu's still pretty pissed. Anything we say now would just make him angrier.", said Crane.
"I wonder who'll get his room?", mumbled Monkey with the scratching of his chin.
"I call dibs!", yelled Mantis.
"You guys are morons..."
Tigress stopped at the doors to the Sacred Hall of Warriors, or as many called it the Hall of Heroes, and tried her best to calm herself before entering. She steadied her breath and made her face emotionless as she opened the massive doors, not bothering to close them. One of the first things she had learned from this...this...monster, was to always hide your thoughts from your opponent. Another was to do your best to confuse your enemy, thereby uprooting their defenses and leaving them vulnerable to attack. These strategies had worked well for her in the past in battle, they were going to work now in this emotional struggle. She stomped into the building towards Shifu, who was sitting on top of Oogway's staff and doing his best to meditate. Once the tiger came closer, Shifu opened his eyes. He turned his head to look at her and hopped off before smiling a little to his daughter.
"Hello Tigress, are you alright? I know this must be traum-"
"Hello, Master. I have some questions for you if you do not mind." she gave a halfhearted bow as she stood before him.
He blinked for a moment. Obviously she was in no mood to talk about herself, "Alright, Master Tigress. Ask your questions."
"Was all of that really necessary? He did not violate me, I am still a virgin and I am still pure. You were too harsh."
"Tigress I realize your feelings for him may conflict your judgment, but I stand by my decision."
"You banished him! Keeping us apart for six months, he will truly get over me with this in place." she had crossed her arms over her chest and lowered her eyes into slits.
Shifu's ear twitched at her obvious plan to show him disrespect, "Tigress. You are not thinking clearly, your emoti-"
"You are the one not thinking clearly, old man!" her body had tensed up as she clenched her fists and spoke the last two words with gritted and bared fangs.
"Tigress! You will address me as master! What has gotten into you!"
"What has gotten into me? What has gotten into you! You speak of my feelings for him; you obviously know of my love for him, so why?" her voice wavered as she held back tears. By now, their yelling had earned the audience of Crane, Mantis, and Monkey, who were just outside the door out of view as they listened worriedly, too scared to even think of interfering.
Shifu was taken aback for a moment before furrowing his brow, "I-I was just trying to be a good father!"
"YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN A DAMN ABOUT ME SINCE THE DAY I WAS ADOPTED, WHY START NOW?" Tigress' voice was cracked and by now she was crying freely.
Shifu gasped on the inside from her outburst, his heart wrenching from his chest to get out of the way from this barrage. He breathed heavily as his emotions were running rampant in his mind, but he did not speak.
"Have you even asked Master Oogway about your great judgment? I know that you have been able to speak with him in the past, so why did not you do it now?", asked the striped feline in a low growl.
The red panda was still silent, his head bowed. Tigress walked up to her former master, knelt down and grabbed him by the collar as she spoke through her fangs again; this time mustering up as much venom in her voice as she could. Her voice was now as cold as the gates of Chorrh Gohm Prison, "You will take my advice now. Tell Oogway what you have done. Then ask him what you should have done. Then ask him what to do now. Then do it. You have not come close to compare yourself to his wise mind and kind heart, so why should you trust your own judgment, and furthermore why should I?"
"I am finished with you. You are no longer my master. I am leaving with Po. Send me a letter when you have learnt to pass judgment after thinking more clearly." Tigress then released his collar, stood up, and marched out of the Hall of Heroes only to stop in the doorway and turn around to bask in the shadow she cast that covered Shifu in the golden floor reflecting off the day at hand.
"See you in hell, father."
