Kung Fu Panda fanfic6

Conspiracy

Masquerade knelled within the circle of lit candles, made of some wax Master Kio claimed to help enlighten oneself, to allow them to see the truth of the world so that they could really find the real means to live. But she wasn't here to seek enlightenment, nor see the truth about the world again, for she felt herself wallowing in depression and sorrow, his face wet and ragged from the tears she had cried, and her palm red from the blood, her blood, she had allowed open freedom to, but it appeared to be taking advantage of her. There was no contest, however, because her tears flow faster than her bleeding.

Some people, even her new master Kio, would disagree with this method, saying it was rather unhealthy, she knew they would all give her those same words, but none of them had been in her life, her shoes, to give her realadvice. No one knew her that long or well to know what she had been through. Raised by her mother's enemy, left alone in Rome to do nothing but cause "mysterious disappearances" in local newspapers, she was only a killer at the time. And after taken under Kio's wing and training, assigned to an assassination mission, only to fail it, she had become only an inmate in prison. All he had said to her was that he had taught her her first lesson, "deception."

To this day, she still silently questions his teaching methods, seeing the only deception at the time was him leaving her to rot in prison, and truth be told, she didn't see him as much of a good teacher. But he could go about any lesson he wanted to educate her on, she would just listen and acknowledge it if it's useful. However, for years in her life she had bled herself, just to ignite the rush of adrenaline through her veins from the pain, to toughen and ready herself when she needed to leap into danger. Perhaps some would suggest other series of adrenaline she could use, such an injection of a drug or something, but she would refuse it forever, because she had bled herself forever, and she would keep bleeding herself to ease her pain until her last drop.

"I do not think that's an efficient method," mentioned the familiar, spidery-whispering voice of the devil himself. "If you wanted to kill yourself, there's always a suicide bomb. Of course, you'll have to put it to useful effect."

Masquerade wasn't sure if it was suppose to be funny or not, because she couldn't find the will to laugh, not like she could before. She arose, quickly wrapping a bandage around her bleeding palm before turning to meet faces with the komodo dragon. "Welcome, Master Kio," she greeted in respect.

"No need to greet me, this is my palace after all," he replied, grinning before frowning, "Or rather, it was. For you see, my child, we won't be staying here for long, in fact, we're moving to a bigger base of operations."

"We're all relocating?" She asked, reassuring herself, "Us, the mercenaries, the servants, the equipment, the doc..."

"Dr. Reinvar, actually, is now being transported to my superior and to his new work station, he should be arriving in time to see the last of his new laboratory being constructed." Kio exclaimed, "The rest of us, yes, are leaving, so pack up whatever you want to keep with you... We will be leaving soon."

"Where are we going?"

He extended his finger out to the north, "Out into the mountains, where the Great Gorilla Army resides. It is time to recruit some allies to our cause, and whom better to begin with than an old friend?"

"You've known the leader before?"

"Yes. You might say we were... shipmates..." he mentioned, making no attempts to hide his smile.

A black bird appeared by his side, a crow dressed in messenger clothing, and tapped Kio on the shoulder. The komodo dragon crouched down to listen as the crow whispered something in his ear, and when the avian had finished, his smile disappeared. Fading into a more disappointed expression.

"Thank you, Cho, that will be all," he replied, dismissing the messenger.

Masquerade watched as the crow flew away, probably off to deliver more messages and parcels, and then glanced at Kio, whom was tapping his chin with finger, hesitating. "What is it?"

"It would seem that the Lang Shadow Army has the same numbers and condition as us," he exclaimed, "they, too, are incapable of fighting in our war. So it looks like I'll be meeting the General in the mountains with Chief Huang," - he sighed - "to discuss a plan to recruit more numbers to our fraction."

He turned his back to her, his clawed hands held behind him, and started to leave. Before he met exit with the door, he stopped without turning to face her, "Another thing you must know, child, no one must know of your existence. I have made it clear with Dr. Reinvar notto mention you. But no one is to know... Not General Lang, nor Chief Huang, nor Lord Remnant... So it would be best if you didn't travel with me. Instead, you shall travel alone and meet me at the mountains. One last thing: only Messenger Cho and I shall be your witnesses, everyone else must be silenced."

Masquerade hesitated to answer, recalling a few witnesses that had known about the slaughter early this morning, obviously they would spread the word about a new killer among them, and she began to see a problem. She studied the komodo dragon, as he pointed a claw to the curtains across the corridor, where she spotted several silhouettes seated at a table, talking. She looked back at Kio, whose head nodded back.

"See to it that another word of you never escapes their lips again," he told her, before disappearing out the exit.

The cougar turned her head back to the curtains, with the silhouettes, obviously understanding this new assignment she had been instructed with. The guards who had came in after her slaughter, who had escorted the doc away, were in fact witnesses, and considering they were socializing and probably bringing the subject into a conversation, they were all targets.

She donned her mask and drew her sword, locking her sights with the targets just behind the curtains. It was take care of some unfinished business.

Meanwhile, back at the Jade Palace, Master Shifu assembled Po and the Furious Five all together in the Sacred Hall of Warriors. In front of the pool, where the golden dragon statue resided above, the Red Panda held the scroll in front of him, opened, as he read the message delivered to him by Zeng, from the Emperor of China. He read the scroll aloud:

"Grand Master Shifu of the Jade Palace, prior to the Valley of Peace, how are you? I am fine. Although, just recently delivered to me was news of a possible terrorist threat. Many of the Imperial council are short with confidence, and are suggesting unnecessary additions, such as military force additions. So I am asking you to accept an invitation to the Imperial Palace of China, the presence of your, as well as the Dragon Warrior and Furious Five, would very much aid us in reaching a conclusion to the current debate. I do apologize if you are receiving this message at a bad time, but I, as well as the entire Chinese Empire, needs you here to discuss with the other politicians.

"Sincerely, Emperor Yu of China."

After that last part of the scroll, the elderly kung fu master rolled up the scroll and turned his back to his students, massaging the temples of his forehead. Politics were his least favorite system of government, many of the politicians were too corrupted and consumed by money and power that they would abuse it all for the worst improvement ever made to a government. Another reason why he journeyed away from the urbanized areas of China, to abandon all the corruption he would never want to be apart of, which was why he preferred the original, traditional, and more honorable land of the Valley of Peace. However, he still lived to serve China, as did his students and his master before him, and if anyone, especially the Emperor of China, called for help, he had no choice but to come to that distress call.

"So, what now?"

"Isn't it obvious, Po?" Mantis asked, "We're going to the Imperial Palace to discuss politician crap!"

Crane glanced at the insect, "I don't really think it's all that necessary to call it that."

"No, he's right," Shifu replied, turning back to them, "It is all crap."

His agreeing with the praying mantis surprised everyone, especially Mantis himself. They all just stared at him with wide eyes.

"But no matter how much we like it, or dislike it, we have no choice but to attend. Pack your things, we're going to the Empire."

"Wait, wait..." the giant panda stepped forward.

"Something to say, Po?"

"Yeah, I don't think I can come," replied the Dragon Warrior, "I'm no politician, I don't know what to say, you're all better at being social than I am, I'll admit. And besides, I already made a promise to my dad I help him with the restaurant, there's a tough critic coming and I'd like my dad's shop to get a good review for it."

"I'm sorry Po, but the Emperor wants all of us to present, especially you. He needs you..."

"But my dad needs me more," Po exclaimed. They were silent for a minute, both hesitating on the current debate at hands, until the panda finally spoke again, "Okay, fine, I'll go. But you have to promise me that it won't take too long, and that I'll get to the noodle shop in time to my dad with the critic."

"I promise Po," the old master replied, "but I must assure you, I doubt we'll be here for any longer than two to three days. We'll be back before you begin to miss home."

The Giana panda smiled, "Great, I'm in, I'll go pack some snacks."

After reaching the final decision and storing everything of their persona in carry-on bags, Shifu, Po, and the Five exited the Jade Palace, stepped out of the courtyard, and were now right in front of the first step, of the thousands of following steps below.

"Alright," Po began, "Let's get going to the..." He stopped in midsentence, before he even took his first step onto the stair case.

"Po, what is wrong now?" Shifu asked, as the panda began to point.

"You see," he pointed on the first step, where a small pebble lied, "that little pebble right there? I swear it's out to get me."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's just that every time I start walking down these stairs, that little pebble is always getting in the way and tripping me, thereby causing me to tumble down the stairs. It's been a menace since the first time I got here."

"Po, this is not the time." Shifu told him, "the Emperor is waiting for our arrival and we must get there without delay."

"Oh... no. I'm not taking another step forward while that pebble's there," the panda explained, "because I know that pebble's probably planning and waiting for me to try and step around, but it's not getting me this time. In fact, I think it's just mocking me. F*&% you, tiny pebble!"

"Alright! Alright, just wait a minute," Mantis began, hopping off of Monkey's shoulder and crawling to the step. He picked up the pebble and hurled it away, now off the step. "There! The stupid pebble is gone. The coast is clear. Are ya happy now, Po?"

Relieved, the panda smiled, "Yeah. Yeah, I feel better now. Thanks," he replied, as he took his first step, not watching where he was stepping. For he placed his foot over Mantis.

"Wait, wait!" The insect shouted, catching the the panda's fat foot. Reluctantly, he was able to hold the heavy weight of the Dragon Warrior over his head with his well sharpened strength, unfortunately, due to the lack of balance he couldn't stabilize, he ended up falling back and dropping his foot on the next step below, effectively tripping him.

Po only had a small chance to yelp before he tripped over the bug, and began to tumble and bounce of the continuous steps that trailed all the way down to the village. Back at the top of the steps, everyone sent Mantis a death glare.

"M'bad..."

To Black Raider: You got it! And it's actually "Masquerade," but anyways, I will see to it.

To Spartan-Guy 88: No, I wasn't thinking of putting a love triangle in this, but that's an interesting idea. I will keep it in mind, but I have other plans, big plans, such as the Crossover Showdown.

To Kippis05: Well that maybe, but like I said before, I have no plans for a love triange. This isn't a romance story.