Okay, so idk how many more chapter's there gonna be, since we're getting closer and closer to the end. I also think I'll introduce one of my OC's in it at the end, even though Owello comes along with the gang anyway:P
The Soothsayer tended to the small girl from the village. She was badly burned in various parts of her body, and whimpered when they were touched. Held tightly in her hand, was a tiny doll. Its yarn hair had been burnt and turned a messy black color. A button eye hung far below its face, supported only by a single thread. Though the Soothsayer never lost hope in anyone, she knew that the girl wouldn't have long. Smoke and other harmful gases had already settled into her lungs, slowly smothering her. The others slept peacefully and one had long passed. She hated to admit it, but she didn't want to help them...They were going to die, anyway. She did not want to give them false hope by trying to save them, when in reality she was only keeping them alive longer. Making them suffer longer.
The Soothsayer looked again into the girl's cool, blue eyes. She saw both fear and acceptance in them, no doubt she was a smart girl. The Soothsayer gave her a small smile, and took her hand, trying to give as well as gain comfort.
Po entered his room with a tired and worried expression, and Shen looked at him curiously as sat down next to him. Neither said a word to each other and the room was dead silent, though Po's thoughts were as loud as thunder.
How could Shifu even remotely think they're ready? They could never win a fight against the Wu sisters...
Po felt the odd need to cry. He didn't know why, but he had a great fear in his heart. He didn't quite understand why he was feeling all of this now. They all had already been through two past battles against two very dangerous people. One of them sitting only inches away from him. Po shifted his eyes toward the peacock, who in turn, spun his head around to look back at him. The two stayed quiet for a few moments, the awkward tension growing with each second, when Po cleared his throat,
"So...I-", he was cut off by the room's sliding door opening, revealing a serious looking Shifu. He looked at Po and then turned his attention to Shen.
"I would like to speak with you...", he said, calmly. Shen didn't bother hiding his surprise when he turned his head to look at Po. The panda gave him a slight nod.
The peacock looked suspiciously back over to Shifu, eyeing him as he got up to follow him out of the room. Po watched their backs and then felt lonely as the paer door slid shut. Now he was alone completely and he had half a mind to follow the two, when a strange noise came from outside...
Shen quietly followed behind Shifu, staring causiously at his back as they walked. What could he possibly want to talk to him about? Especially him...
Suddenly, Shifu sprung around, staff in hand, and landed a hard blow to the peacock's neck. Shen let out a surprised yelp, then looked at Shifu with a confused expression. Unfortunately, he didn't have long to look as Shifu swiftly turne the other way an attempted another strike, only to have it blocked and his staff gripped and pinned to the wooden planks below them by a pair of talons. Shen prepared himself for another attack, only to see Shifu's grip on his staff relax. He looked up to the panda's face, but before getting a good look, he was nearly tripped when Shifu strongly pulled his staff from th peacock's claws. Shen stood their staring at his back as he turned back around and continued walking, but after a moment, Shifu stopped to look back at him.
"Well? Are you coming?", expectancy gleamed in his cool, blue eyes.
"After whatever that was? I'm not sure.", Shen frowned as he heard the slightest chuckle come from the Master.
"That was nothing. I mere test of your reflexes.", he continued back around.
"What? Why would you need to test that?"
"Because", Shifu suddenly turned, capturing both of the bird's legs to the side of his staff, tripping him, and held its end to his throat, "Without good reflexes, you will most surely die in battle."
He receded back, a smirk upon his features, "But, this isn't what I wanted to see you about. Come with me."
From the ground, Shen wondered what he'd really gotten himself into with these people...
Po slowly opened the main door's to the Palace and took several small steps outside. All what quiet now, but he was sure he'd heard a few loud noises from out here...
He relaxed his fluffy shoulders and went to stand near the edge of the steps. It wasn't too hot out, but it was still partly morning. He let out a large sigh of boredom, and played with tiny pebbles in a way to distract himself from his stress. What should he do? What could he do? They were to leave at sundown. Now only mere hours away... Po couldn't help but think of the people they'd brought back with them. How were they? So many questions were rumbling in his mind when a loud screech pierced through the air and he saw a flash of white before the world went dark.
Shen felt a chill run up his spine as he followed Shifu into a large room, dozens of candles showing brightly and making the outside seem dark.
"Please sit.", Shifu gestured to a single spot on the ground
"I'll stand, thank you...", Shen heard Shifu chuckle at the response
"Wise choice.", he said.
Shen tried only the smallest amount to hide his glare as the red panda went to sit across from him. He didn't have time to play these stupid mind games.
"Tell me, Lord Shen...What is the meaning of 'peace'?", Shifu hid his hands in his sleeves
"Pardon me?"
"What is peace?"
"I don't...", Shen looked at the red panda as if he'd gone mad. Where was he going with this?
"No, you don't.", Shifu's soft tone suddenly became hard and accusing.
"You don't because you know nothing of peace, you know only chaos. As well as murder.", his glare burned into the peacock's soul, an Shen bowed his head to look away.
"The word Peace is sacred, and no matter how many times it is used, it is never stained.", Shifu continued
"It is what keeps the world in balance with itself, and it is what keeps this Valley safe.", his expression saddened, "But today, that peace was taken away. By those...she-devils. The people of the Valley no longer feel safe here, which is why I'm sending the Five to eliminate the cause."
"Also...I think that maybe it's best if you stay behind."
SCREW EVERYTHING, I'm updating again! It'll be a cold day in hell when I abandon you guys again! HOORAHHHHHH! Also. Sorry if this chap was lame.
