Okay! Chapter 10 is all done...finally...sorry I didn't update the story yesterday, but as I warned you all on Wednesday, I didn't think I would be able to post it yesterday. Getting really busy here with summer coming to a close. Sorry but that's how it is. I was looking through the reviews today and somehow I missed one from potigress4ever early on in the story. You had asked me what my real name is...unfortunately I will not give that out openly. So for now Pandafan91 is what I'm going by.

Anyway, Enjoy the read!

Chapter 10

The Final Pieces to the Picture

Meanwhile, A few hours South of Gongmen City…

Po was walking through the thick forest as he was trying to make heads or tails of his map. It had been four days since Po had set out from the Village and the sun was just beginning to rise over the mountains. But Po could easily make out some storm clouds making their way towards him from the west, and judging by the color of the clouds, it was definitely going to pour at some point. Po was able to start out well enough on his own but on the second day into his journey, he began to get lost. Fortunately though he met a family traveling from the opposite direction he was going in, and they were able to point him in the right direction once again. After that, Po mainly stuck close to the main roads, but he never walked on them directly. Remembering how Brycen had always kept his identity hidden because of certain people finding out about him, now he knew those CERTAIN people, were the ones who worked for Shen…and Po didn't want Shen to know he was coming for the Peacock which is why Po never once took off his cloak save for washing near a stream, and only once he checked the area carefully to make sure no one was around.

As Po was making his way alongside a slope, his eyes still glued to his map, he wasn't paying any attention to where he was walking, and as a result, he slipped on a slick patch of mud "WHA!?" which ended up forcing him to fall down, and begin to roll down the steep slope through a lot of brush and such. Eventually he did stop though, as soon as he rolled right into a tree head first. Po tried to get up, but his world was spinning "Oh man…this…this is…not…okay." and before Po knew it, the ground was rushing up to meet him.

Hours passed and eventually Po began to wake up. As his eyes opened, he discovered that it had been raining on him while he was out cold, and his cloak was drenched. Upon closer inspection, Po realized that not only was his cloak drenched, but it was also torn to shreds from rolling through all the brush. "Great…just great…" Po grumbled as he sat there for a minute. Then Po realized he had lost his map "oh man!" Po screamed as he frantically searched the ground nearby for his map. But it was no use, the map was gone, probably either torn to shreds, or flew off in the wind to who knows where. As Po made his way back over to the tree where his pack was he slowly took off his torn cloak and dropped it to the ground. "Not much use in keeping you around." Po said to…well…no one really, as he also took off his drenched Black Tunic.

As he removed his tunic, Po's Amulet dropped down around his neck, and Po stopped to hold it up. As he gazed upon the amulet, his mind went straight to Tigress. She had told him that she loved him…just before running off on a mission to stop a madman…and not just any madman…but the same Man who made Po the last living Panda. As Po thought about the peacock his blood began to boil. Why did he do it!? Why kill all of the Pandas like that? Oogway had said there was some sort of Prophecy involved, but was that really the only reason? Some random words? That was why Po set out for the City…not just because he didn't like the idea of his friends taking on Shen alone…But because he needed answers…answers that only the white peacock could give him… As Po let the amulet drop he realized that he had another problem. Tigress had left the Village in the protection of the Dragon Warrior…He had told her he would watch over it and not two hours later, he was heading to Gongmen City…What would he do if he ran into Tigress or the Five? Tigress would definitely never forgive the Dragon Warrior for sure…after all…she said it herself. She wouldn't leave the village to just anyone. But Po needed answers…he had to Find Shen…and one way or another…Po would make Shen give him his answers.

As Po rung out his black tunic, he placed it back into his pack. But not before taking out his Dragon Tunic first. One, it was the only dry clothes he had, and two, with his cloak in shreds; it was the only thing he had to cover his head with. So after putting it on and pulling up his hood, Po stood up with his pack over his shoulder as he began to try and figure out where exactly he was. With the clouds blocking the sun, it was impossible for Po to figure out which way was what, but after looking around for a little bit, Po noticed some smoke climbing above the trees. "Looks like someone has a fire going…maybe if I go that way, someone can give me directions." And so Po set off in the direction of the rising smoke unaware of where he was going, or who he might run into.

After wandering the woods for a while, Po eventually came to a clearing. Just in front of him was a tall hill and beyond that, the smoke was still rising as Po said to himself. "Almost there." as Po made his way up the hill. The rain had slowed to a light drizzle now, and his tunic was doing a great job at keeping him warm. Once he reached the top though, Po stopped and looked around. "What in the world?" as Po looked down the hillside, he saw the remains of an old village. For the most part, all of the buildings were burnt down, with only a few chard walls or floors still remaining. Towards the center of the village though, Po could see a mostly still standing house that the smoke was coming from. Someone had lit a fire inside the house, and the smoke was coming through a rather large hole in the roof. Po slowly began to make his way down the hill as he began to get a very ominous feeling. "It feels like I'm walking through a graveyard…I wonder what happened here."

As Po made it to the village, he began to look around. There were some rusty farm tools lying around here and there, as well as the remains of a wagon that was missing a wheel. The place was completely deserted, like the village hadn't been inhabited for years…but then who built the fire? While Po continued to walk through the ghost town, flashes of his nightmares began to enter his mind. "It's strange…it almost feels like it could be the same place." Po thought to himself, as he felt his foot brush over something. As he looked down, he noticed it was a doll. A little girl panda doll, wearing a tan dress, with a little flower in its ear. As Po picked it up, the image of a wolf running a little Panda girl through with its sword plagued his mind, as the agonizing screams of a woman pierced his ears. "NOT MY BABY! YOU MONSTERS!" as Po watched the little girl drop the doll onto the ground in slow motion. Po gasped as he dropped the doll instantly and began to back away from it. "It…it can't be…this…this can't be…am I?" but as Po was still trying to convince himself he was imagining things, a somewhat familiar voice called out from behind him. "I'm afraid so Child…at one time…this was what you would have called your home." Po whirled around and entered a fighting stance, only to see none other than and old goat lady in a red robe, with a wooden stick cane, as she began to adjust her glasses. Po's eyes widened in surprise the old goat smiled as she greeted him. "It has been a while young Panda…I have been expecting you."

Po was at a loss for words as he continued to stare at the Soothsayer. After a moment Po asked as he brought down his hood, "How did you know it was me?" as the Soothsayer walked past him towards the still standing house, "Child, there are very few things that are unknown to me, and fewer still that I cannot learn…for instance, I saw you standing in that very spot in a vision of mine not three days ago." Po merely watched her as she continued to walk towards the house. Once she realized he wasn't following her she turned and raised an eyebrow saying. "Well don't just stand there Child…aren't you going to help an old woman with her firewood?" as the soothsayer pointed to a pile of sticks that were behind Po. Strange, he didn't notice them before. Po sighed as he lifted the pile of wood in his arms as he began to follow the Soothsayer to the old house. Once inside the building, the soothsayer made her way to the main room where the fire was still burning strong as Po set the wood down in a corner and brought a few sticks over near the flames to dry.

Once that was done Po began to look around the house. There wasn't much around. A lot of the walls were chard and any furniture there was lying around was broken and useless. As Po was looking out the window the Soothsayer was watching him closely. "5 Yuan for your thoughts Panda…" Po shook his head no saying "It's nothing…" the Soothsayer made a grunt of disbelief, making Po turn around. "What?" Po asked as the Soothsayer motioned for him to come forward. "Tell me Child…why are you out here?" Po merely stared at her for a moment as the Soothsayer noted the Panda's eyes. When she had last seen the Panda, he was borderline hysterical, his eyes full of fear from his nightmares and he had many bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. But now…there wasn't fear in his eyes…it was unmistakable…anger. "I'm looking for someone…and I got lost…" the Soothsayer merely nodded as she said "Or perhaps…you were merely led here for a reason other than to find Shen?" Again Po's eyes widened in shock as he asked "How-" "-I told you Child…there is very little that is not known to me…Tell me…Do you remember what I said to you about seeing the complete picture regarding your dreams?" As Po recalled the day he had last seen the goat in the mountains, he remembered her saying something along those lines. "These dreams you are having child…they appear to be mere pieces of something more…you have still yet to see the entire picture it would seem." Po then said his eyes never leaving the Soothsayer "…Yes…I remember…and something tells me you always knew exactly what those dreams really are." the Soothsayer then looked up at the Panda as she asked "Perhaps…Tell me, have you finally seen the entire picture?...Or are you perhaps still missing a few pieces?"

Again Po was silent as he pondered her question. "Actually…there is one thing I can't seem to remember…I've seen this Panda before…only once…but it was when I was in a burning building back in the mountains…But…I haven't been able to see him again since then …I even stopped taking those seeds, hoping I might dream it up again, but I've had no luck. I keep wondering…just who he might be." the Soothsayer was silent as she listened to the pandas words. After a moment she walked over to a bag in the corner and brought it closer to the fire ring as she motioned to the panda to sit down. "And would you like my help in trying to finish what we started back in the mountains?" Po was silent as she watched him. "If anyone's going to be able to help me remember…I guess she would be able to." Po thought to himself, as he nodded his head and took a seat across the fire from her as she brought forth a jar filled with a crushed powder.

"I must warn you Child…once we begin…you must see this through…Master Brycen is not here to pull you back this time…are you sure you are up to this?" Po nodded his head as he got comfortable saying with his face full of determination "I am." Po needed to know…was the Panda from his dreams his real father? And…what happened to him? the Soothsayer watched the panda's face for a moment as she thought to herself "This child has changed so much in such a short time…no doubt a result from learning about the man who murdered his kin…" the Soothsayer then nodded her head as she said "So you are…remember to breathe in deep…and listen to my voice very carefully…understand?" Po nodded his head as the Soothsayer grabbed a hand full of the powder as she said "Very well Panda…let us begin…" As the Soothsayer threw the powder into the fire, and a blue puff of smoke appeared as Po closed his eyes and the Soothsayer said "Now breathe in…and out…" Just like before, Po almost gagged on the smell of the odor but once he got used to it, he continued to breathe in the fumes, as he began to slip into an almost sleep state, as the Soothsayer instructed him "Breathe in…and out…breathe in…and out." and pretty soon, Po's head slumped forward as the Soothsayer said "Now panda…The Village is in flames…Shen has just spotted you, and his men are coming for you…Tell me… what you see?"

Po's dreamscape…

Po opened his eyes and once again he was standing in the center of the burning village in his Dragon Tunic and his blue pants, as he saw that it was indeed the same village as the one he was sitting in just moments ago. In fact, just to the left he could see the same building he and the soothsayer were sitting in at that very moment. But his attention was drawn though, as he heard snarls coming his way as Po turned to see the wolf with the eye patch and two others were rushing towards him. Po was right…that wolf that led the attack on the village was the same one from his memories! As Po growled at the wolf, the wolf leaped into the air and was nearly upon him; Po heard that same deep, powerful voice from behind him that he recognized immediately. "GET AWAY FROM MY SON!"

Po then turned to see the Giant Panda rush past him as the Panda began to twirl his massive hammer at the thee wolves knocking them back a ways. As the Figure stood before Po, Po got a good look at the Panda as he noted that he came up to about the base of the panda's neck and although the Panda had some muscle, he too had a rather round stomach. Po also took note of the massive hammer the Panda wielded as he counted several Yin-Yang symbols on it as well as the staff like handle. "I see him…it's the Panda…he's fighting off three wolves just like before." Po then saw off to the Panda's left that a wolf was going for his leg as Po called out "Look out!" but the Soothsayer called out to him "He cannot hear you child…you are only seeing things that already have come to pass." As Po watched the Panda cry out in pain "GYAHH!?" he then saw the Panda bring the hammer down upon the wolf's head, killing the wolf instantly. The Panda then turned around and smiled weakly at Po just then as his face was thriving in pain as he said "Don't worry son…Daddy's gonna protect you!"

Po's heart skipped a beat just then. "I was right…he was looking right at me…" Just then the Soothsayer's voice rang through the skies as she said "Look around you child…" Po looked around but it was his ears that picked up the sound…someone was crying…a baby was crying…right behind him…As Po whirled around his eyes widened in shock as he saw the baby panda cub sitting on the ground crying its heart out as the flames continued to scare the child. As Po looked at it though the cubs eyes opened up at the words of the Giant Panda and Po gasped. Staring right back at him was a pair of tiny Jade green eyes. The same eyes Po looked at every day in his mirror for years back in the village. But these eyes were full of fear and confusion. "There's…a baby panda…" Po whispered. The Soothsayer then said "Look closely Child. That is not just any Panda… Child…that is you…that is the you, that witnessed that horrible event 16 years ago." Po didn't want to believe it but he knew it was true. And if this Cub was the Po of 16 years ago…then that meant…As Po tuned around to face the Man who Protected him as the continued to spin his hammer around attacking the two remaining wolves, while keeping most of his weight on his right leg. "Then that means…that if he's me…then that bigger Panda…is…He's… My Father."

As Po came to the realization, he noticed Shen was making his way over to the Panda as the massive warrior brought his hammer around in a wide swing and knocked the wolves back away from him as the Panda began to slowly make his way back to where Po stood, his back to the young cub. Finally, Po's father then shouted at the white demon, "Why Shen!? Why would you do this!? My people have done nothing to deserve this! What reason could you possibly have for all of this MADDNESS!?" Shen then brought forth his Guan Dao as he spat right back at the Panda "I do this, you miserable Panda, to ensure the future of Gongmen City! By wiping all of you from the face of this earth, Gongmen's rightful ruler will still one day rule! Gongmen's future will be ensured. Now… Somebody, Kill those Pandas!" as Shen pointed his weapon towards Po and his Father. Just then there was a voice from behind Po, "CHIEF!" suddenly two male Pandas with farm tools rushed forward as then fended off Shen's wolves while Po's Father called out to them "You fools! Get out of here while you still can!" But before Po's father could say another word one of the Pandas had its throat ripped out by the Wolf with the eye patch while the other one cried out "BROTHER! YOU MONSTER! YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" as he began to swing his shovel around furiously in a fit of Rage.

While the last Panda man was fending off the wolves, Po's Father was making his way over to Po's infant counterpart, as he lifted the cub up in his arms, Po watched as the Cub began to scream. "There there…You'll be safe Soon enough son…" Po's Father said as another new voice was heard, "There you are! Oh thank the Gods you both are okay!" Suddenly a woman had rushed up to The Large Panda and Po could have sworn she seemed familiar. Po's Father said "Our son is safe, but you must take him and run! I will stay back and give you as much time to get away as I can." Po's world just stopped then as he repeated the words "Our…Son?" Po then looked to the woman as she was shushing the baby panda, she was just a little bit shorter than Po, in fact, she would have come up to his nose really, and the back of her hair was wrapped up in a bun, she wore a tan dress, but the thing that Po noticed the most…was that she had the same colored eyes as he did. "…M-Mom!?" Po asked no one in particular as he watched the two continue to speak, while the other Panda Man was quickly being overwhelmed.

"Come with us!" Po's mother pleaded while his Father only gave her a saddened look, "Nothing would make me happier than to be able to see my son grow up to be big, strong,and happy…But I need to stay…I need to give you two as much time to get away as possible. You must go…Take our son, and runaway!" Po's father then turned and began walking towards the other Panda. Po watched as tears began to flow from his mother's eyes as she held the cub closer to her chest. Realizing she could not sway her husband, she finally called out to his father "…I love you!" as Po's father turned and gave her a soft smile "I love you too…both of you, very much…which is why I'm Proud to die protecting you two…my only regret is that I will never get to see my son grow up…But at least this way…he has a chance TO grow up…Now…RUN!"

And with one last tearful look at her husband Po's Mother took the baby away and began to dash into the woods, all the while, baby Po was looking over her shoulder screaming as Po stood by his father's side and watched him rush off to meet the wolves, forgetting the pain in his leg. The last Panda man had fallen and Shen had cried out to the two wolves "AFTER THEM, DO NOT LET THEM ESCAPE!" But Po's father roared "YOU STAY AWAY FROM MY FAMILY!" But as he charged the wolves the one with the eye patch went around him as the wolf darted for the two fleeing Pandas. Po saw they were almost to the tree line as he turned to see his Father kill the second wolf as Shen had rushed up and started swinging his Guan Dao at his father "NO!" Po cried as he watched his father get cut to ribbons by Shen's quickness. Po's father was strong, but Shen was just too quick. As Po's father dropped to his knees he looked down into the peacock's eyes as he muttered "One way, or another Shen…you will Pay…for what you have done this day." Shen merely gave Po's Father an evil smile as he whispered "I think not, PANDA." And with that, Shen delivered a Powerful diagonal slash across Po's father's front, as the Panda gasped and he dropped the Yin-Yang hammer. "Father…" Po whispered as he watched the Panda Fall and Shen stand triumphantly, as he called out "AFTER THOSE PANDAS!" Po turned to only just see his mother disappear into the Tree line with the wolf with the eye patch hot on her trail.

Suddenly Po was in a forest as he asked himself "What the…how did I end up here?" The Soothsayer then called out "You can only see what you have already seen. If the you of the Past is not present, then you cannot see what you haven't seen. Po then thought about how he and his mother had just raced through the tree line moments ago, cutting off his vision from his father…his father…died…protecting them…Protecting…HIM… Suddenly, Po's Mother raced past him and Po saw them running down a path, trying to elude the wolves. Po immediately raced after her. Once Po was running alongside her, baby Po began to cry as Po shushed at him saying, "Quiet! They'll hear you if you keep screaming like that!" But the cub apparently didn't hear him, and neither could his Mother. "Right…this isn't real." Po said to himself as the three continued to run, all the while Po kept looking over his shoulder as he could hear the wolves closing in. "We have to move faster! They'll catch you if you…Wait, what are you doing!?" Po called out, as his Mother had turned down a slope and was doing her best not to drop her screaming child.

Po then followed her and once she came to a stop, Po was behind her saying "What are you doing!? Mom, if you don't go they'll find us!" But again, his cries were useless, as the Soothsayer reminded him "She cannot hear you child…you cannot change what has already happened." Po was cursing himself as he stared at the cub who was still crying. And then he noticed they came upon a load of radish crates…"Wait…Radish Crates?" as Po remembered Brycen had told Po had been found in a radish crate. As Po's mother knelt down she placed the baby panda in the crate as he continued to scream. Po turned to hear the wolves were getting closer as he said "They're coming…Please mom…please go!" but as his mother took a deep breath, she closed her eyes and whispered "Hush now my child…Everything will be alright." And then, as Po was looking up over the slope, waiting for the wolves, he heard something…Someone was singing…singing…the same exact melody from his dreams…As Po slowly turned he saw his mother was on her knees smiling at the cub as she continued to sing quietly, her voice seeming almost magical, as the Cub began to calm down, his sobbing ceasing and slowly he began to smile as he giggled at her music.
Po was dumbfounded, this voice…he had heard it only twice before…once in a nightmare…and once when he was in the burning fire and he could have sworn he heard it in the back of his mind…it was his Mother's Voice… this…this was HER song… "Mom…" Po said as she continued to sing. For a minute, there was nothing else, just both Po's and his mother singing. "That's where I've heard that song…Mom…she used to sing it to me…I think." Po thought to himself as his mother finished the melody. Baby Po was giggling as he muttered one word…his first word…"Mam…Mama! Heh heh!" as Po's Mother smiled at her baby as a tear fell down her face. She turned to hear the wolves were closing in, and so she kissed her baby on the forehead as she whispered "I love you so much, my sweet, sweet child…Please…if by some miracle you remember just one thing…know that you have parents that love you very much…and that we are so sorry." as baby Po continued to smile at his mother, she slowly released him and began to back away slowly.

Po was watching his mother in horror, "No…No mom, please…Please don't leave me! Stay with him! Don't leave me all alone like this!" But no matter how much Po screamed, his mother couldn't hear him…none of this was real. Po then shouted "Mom Please! Don't go! If you go they'll…Mom Stop!" But by now his mother was at the top of the slope, and as Po tried to race after her, something kept him rooted to the ground "I have to stop her!" Po roared as the Soothsayer spoke once more saying in a sad voice "I am sorry child…but you cannot change anything and you can only stay where the past you is." Po then called out to the woman, "MOM! Don't leave me!" but now his mother was racing through the trees as Po could just make out a Wolf chasing her, shouting behind him "I see her! This way!" and then Po saw the tips of some tail feathers as he roared "STAY AWAY FROM HER SHEN!" But a minute later…Po heard the most heart wrenching scream he had ever heard in his entire life, echoing through the trees, "AAAAIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE!" And Po knew…his mother was now dead…

Po dropped to his knees as he began to sob. "*Sob* Why!? Why did this have to happen!? WHY!? Mom…Dad…Why?" as Po continued to cry he heard his baby counterpart also begin to cry as the Panda cub was beginning to get cold, and wanted his mother. Po whimpered at the cub "I know exactly how you feel." Suddenly, the light was beginning to change, almost as if time was moving quicker, and night was becoming early morning. Then Po heard a far off voice above the slope "I'd know that cry anywhere!!" Po turned to see where the voice was coming from and he could just make out a cloaked figure up on top of the slope. As the figure spotted the cub, he called down, "Thank the Gods, You're okay!" As the figure rushed down the slope he knelt down in front of the radish crate and removed his hood, making Po gasp in utter shock. Kneeling in front of the radish crate, even though he was significantly younger was none other than Master Brycen. "C-Coach!? What is he doing here!? " As Brycen lifted the screaming panda cub up under his cloak, shielding it from the wind, he began shushing the cub, trying to calm it down. "Shhh It's okay little one…your safe now …I got you Boy…your safe." As a new voice was now coming from beyond the slope, Po's vision began to blur, as he could just make out the panda cub starting to drift off to sleep against the warmth of his future Master's fur. And the moment his eyes closed, Po's world became dark.

Back in the Real World…

Po's eyes opened slowly as his breathing began to return to normal, his eyes flowing with tears as he tried to wipe them with his red sleeve. For a long while, neither Po nor the Soothsayer said a word as the only sounds were the crackle of the flames. Finally Po spoke "They…they never just left me in that radish crate…they didn't just abandon me…they…they both…saved me…Mom…Dad…" as Po continued to stare at the flames, the Soothsayer brought forth a canteen of water which Po drank gratefully. Once he was finished the Soothsayer then said "Yes…because of their Sacrifice, you were able to survive that horrible night…you and you alone." Po then said as he continued to stare into the flames. "But why…why was Master there? How is he connected to all of this?" as Po looked over to the Soothsayer she merely shook her head saying "All I know is that Master Brycen was a member of the patrol, the Emperor sent out to search for survivors. And that he was the one who brought you back to the City Palace.

Upon mentioning of the City, Po's mind went straight to Shen, as his fists clenched. "Why did he do it? Why kill all of the Pandas over some stupid prophecy that may or may not have come true!?" The Soothsayer then answered "I believe…it would have been out of fear…fear…that a Panda, would keep him from ruling over Gongmen city…" Po then stood up, and walked over to the broken window. The sun was setting as Po peered through the window into the remains of his birthplace. Finally after a long Silence, Po stated "I need to find him…I need to find Shen…and ask him myself." Po began to head for the door when the Soothsayer stopped him saying "And what will you do once you have your answer? What will you do then?" Po merely stared at the Soothsayer, his expression hard; as he muttered "Don't you already know?" But as the Soothsayer looked away she said "Actually…it is the one thing I cannot see lately…so tell me…what is it you plan on doing once you find the peacock?" Again Po was silent as he made his way to the door. Before opening it though, Po said over his shoulder "…I don't know…I guess I'll see once I meet him…Can you tell me which way it is to the city?"

For a while the Soothsayer said nothing, and Po thought she wouldn't tell him which way to go. But she then said "Go to the edge of the Village, and you will find an overgrown path…follow that path…and it should only be a few hours until you reach the city." Po nodded his head in thanks as he pulled his hood up over his head, grabbed his pack, and began to make his way out of the Village. Once he was gone, the Soothsayer then said to herself. "May the spirits watch over you young Panda…and may you not lose yourself to the Darkness in your heart…"

As Po made his way out of the village he was able to find the path easily enough. As he looked down the path towards the city, he was able to make out the lights of Gongmen City into the distance. "There it is…Gongmen City…I hope you're ready Shen…because I'm coming for YOU!" and with that Po began to run down the path towards the great city…towards the one man who was linked to Po's Past…present…and future…towards the man, who murdered his people…and his parents!

Meanwhile…at the City Palace…

Shen was standing out on the balcony outside the throne room as he continued to gaze out into the magnificent city. "After all these years…Gongmen city is finally mine…and soon…all of China shall belong to me as well!" Suddenly there was a sound behind him as Shen removed a dagger from his sleeve as he whirled around bringing it close to strangers throat, until he realized it was his General. Wolfang then stuttered as he held up his hands "F-forgive my Master…but…I thought you should know…we near completion on the final cannons! We can begin loading them into the ships in a few hours' time." Shen then removed his weapon from his general as he grew an evil grin, "Excellent General Wolfang…Excellent…You know…I believe I shall head over there to see for myself…Bring those five Kung Fu Brats to the factory…I believe I want to show them just what beauty will be used to incinerate all of China!" Wolfang then bowed and said as you wish sir…also…the men are ready to march on the Valley as soon as the sun rises."

Shen then nodded his head saying "Excellent…you have done well my friend…now go! You have your assignment!" with a final bow, Wolfang turned and headed off to complete his task. All the while Shen turned to face the direction of where at one time that Panda Village had once stood. "Soon…After 16 years…I shall finally be rid of those miserable Pandas! Hehe… heh heh heh…. Heh heh, ha haha hahaha AH HA HA HAHAHA HA!" and with that, Shen leaped off the balcony and glided over to the one time firework factory, to gaze upon his almost finished work.

In Gongmen Jail…

Tigress was sitting in the cell with her comrades in silence as they continued to wait for…well…anything really. Each member of the Five was keeping to themselves, and even the Council had begun some evening meditation. Tigress looked out her cell window as she was just able to make out the rising moon. As she continued to stare at the moon she began to picture Po's face staring back at her, with his goofy smile, and his Jade green eyes staring back at her. Tigress then thought to herself, "Oh Po…it looks like we might not be making it out of here after all…I wonder if you ever got my letter…I'm sure you did. And if I die here inside this cell, my biggest regret will have been, never being able to tell you to your face…Listen to me…here I am in a cell for a day and Ii already sound like I've given up! Po wouldn't want us to give up! And I can't let those animals get near him! I have to think of a plan…but what?"

Just then a door opened from down the hall, and a group of wolves along with two gorillas walked down the hall and in front of the Five's cell. The Gorilla that held Tigress down before stated "Lord Shen is ready for the five of you now." Tigress then snapped "Well you can just tell Shen to kiss my sorry- *Slap* "The gorilla guard had just struck Tigress across the face as he bellowed "Do NOT Disrespect Lord Shen like that ever again!" Tigress looked up however and just asked with a smirk "Or what? He's gonna kill me? Tell me, why should that matter to me right now?" the Gorilla then hauled Tigress to her feet and said "I won't…because the five of you, are about to be Lord Shen's first volunteers, to test the accuracy of his latest weapons!" as the guards all began to laugh, Tigress and the Five, were lead out of the prison, and towards the Firework Factory, all the while Tigress never gave up hope. "There just has to be a way out of this…there has to!"

Also a few hours outside the City to the east…

Shifu had just gotten to his feet, as Brycen had finished putting out the fire. As the Black Bear lifted his hammer he stated "We've wasted enough time resting, we have to get to Gongmen fast!" Shifu nodded his head as he picked up his master's staff saying "Agreed…how much farther to the city?" Brycen then adjusted his vest once more saying "Just a couple of hours…if we hurry, we can make it in two." Shifu nodded his head saying "Very well…lead the way Master Brycen." and so the two Masters once again began to sprint through the trees. As they ran Brycen had just one thought racing through his head "I'm coming Po…one way or another I will find you and I will bring you home safe and sound…Just wait for me to get there Po…please."

Po has remembered his past, Shen is close to beginning the final steps of his plans, He's bringing the five to destroy them, and Brycen and Shifu are closing in on their students. I'll put up the next chapter as soon as I can. I Promise...Like Po...I try to keep a promise!

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