A/N: Here's chapter 10! :D It's not as long as the last chapter but I hope you enjoy. :)

Chapter 10 – Explanations, another blow

Rudolph has been able to sneak back to the Palace with Meili in tow, he kept a close eye on the guards, making sure they didn't find them, Rudolph found a ladder and he used it to get Meili back up to a roof 10 feet off the ground. Meili's shaking, for she's never been so scared in her life, Rudolph held her close as he tried to find another way up.

"How'd you get from the room down to the castle grounds?" Meili asked. Rudolph looked at her and said, "I climbed down that after I jumped from the balcony." Meili gasped, she looked up to see how high up the balcony was, her eyes widened, she looked at the pillar which had sections of roof reaching to the roof up top. Meili looked at Rudolph with wide eyes, "How...did you do that before?!"

"Uh...no..." Rudolph answered her, Meili's eyes widened again, then Rudolph said, "Let's deal about that later, I'll find another way in." Meili grabbed his arm, "This way." She lead Rudolph a little ways before they came to a door, they couldn't open it. "Hold on." Then Meili pushed the door knob, causing the door to force open, they slipped in before Meili closed it behind her. They went up a stairway, Meili led the way back to the room, making sure they didn't draw attention.

"So...Rudolph...you...you're one of Santa's..." Meili asked, Rudolph held up his hand and said, "Yes. I've been sent on a mission, and...I had complications and had to travel with you guys..."

"What mission?" Meili asked curiously, Rudolph looked at her and said, "Let's talk about it in the morning, I can't let anyone in this Palace know that I've been...there...or find you." Meili nodded and asked, "Where will I sleep?" Rudolph began thinking, and then he said, "Sleep under Viper's bed, it may not be comfy, but I have to hide you." Meili nodded, for it's the only way she can have some time to hide away from King Bao. They came upon the room, Rudolph held up the 'quiet' sign and then he slowly opened the white doors. They entered the room to see the sleeping warriors, Rudolph snuck in with Meili and closed the door behind himself.

"We'll inform each other in the morning, I think your mind needs to clear up, right?" Rudolph whispered.

"Yes," Meili whispered, "I'll try to sleep." Rudolph nodded and said, "And I need to clean myself up a bit." Meili put her hand on Rudolph's shoulder and said, "Thank you for saving me, Rudolph." Then she kissed his cheek, shocking him, she went into Viper's room and whispered "Good night" as Rudolph touched the cheek Meili kissed. After standing there in shock for a minute, he went to the sink and washed himself clean of any dirt, he slipped out of the Shengda outfit, slid it under his bed, he took off his red shirt and blue pants and put on a yellow shirt with blue pants, he got in bed in a hurry so no one will suspect he was one of the culprits in the restricted area. He fell asleep almost right away, for he's exhausted, Meili is so grateful Rudolph was able to rescue her, she'll never forget that.


The next morning, the sun shone into the Palace, the guys, all but Po and Rudolph woke up when the sun began shining, they all left to go get some breakfast, Viper got up, yawning and she slithered out to get some breakfast as well. She didn't notice the sleeping Meili underneath her bed, Meili had a hard night after what had happened, and sleeping on a hard, cold marble floor wasn't comfy at all, but it was worth it to be hidden from any kind of danger. The guards are out doing their morning routine, one tiger guard looked into the guest room where Po and Rudolph are still sleeping. He didn't see Rudolph as one of the culprits and he didn't see Meili, so he left.

With the three guys and Viper, they all got a serving of hot noodles, dumplings and tea, they began eating without saying a word, for they're worried about Tigress. Viper seems to be the most concerned, hearing and seeing Bojing having his hands on her sister like that. And Bojing insulting her, Viper sees Bojing as a big jerk, why can't they decide another way to end the war? Concerned, Viper ate a few more dumplings before she left the dining room. The guys looked at one another, they ate a few more and then they left as well. So, the three guys along with Viper are walking down the hall, concerned for Tigress, Viper looked up at them.

"You guys are concerned too?" she asked, Crane nodded and said, "Yeah, I can't eat with her with that prince." Monkey agreed and said, "I totally don't like that prince." Viper agreed, neither one of them liked him.

"He's a totally big jerk bag," Mantis said, crossing his thingies. Duyi showed up and said, "Say one more thing about our Prince and you'll be cast out of this castle!"

"Sorry," they all said in unison. Viper's head perked up and she asked, "Where's Tigress? We want to speak with her." Duyi scoffed and said, "She's not here. She's at the Grand Palace with Bojing getting the preparations ready, and for Guang who arrived last night."

"Where's the Grand Palace?" Monkey asked. Duyi grunted and said, "I'm not telling you, you stay away from the soon to be princess." Duyi left with a huff, the warriors looked at each other. Then Crane asked, "Should we go exploring, or should we go back in the room?" After a moment of silence, Mantis said, "Uh...I think...we should go back to the room with Po..."

"Yeah," said Viper, "I'd explore the village, but I'm wanting to be there for Po." Then Monkey said, "Then...let's go back to the room." With that, they decided to head back to the room.


Back in the room, Rudolph woke up, he slowly lifted his head as he slipped out of bed, he stood up and cracked his back, he walked over to the bathroom and put on his deodorant and combed his hair. Once that was done, he ate a chocolate bar from his backpack and brushed his teeth, he has to find out who the prisoners, and find the Ice Crystal before it's too late. Rudolph put the Shengda Clan outfit in his backpack, once he was done, Po woke up with droopy eyes. Rudolph saw him opening his eyes, the panda slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes. Rudolph went over to him, put his hand on him, the panda looked at him, and the reindeer smirked.

"How...how did you sleep?" Rudolph asked. Po sighed heavily, "Not good, Rudy...I just...wish there could be another way to..." He trailed off, he rubbed his head in sadness, Rudolph wrapped an arm around him as the others opened the door and entered.

"Hey guys," Rudolph said, smirking.

"Hey Rudolph," Monkey said, "Decide to get up?"

"Yeah, I had a...rough night last night..." Rudolph said.

"Sorry to hear that," Monkey said, getting on Po's bed and patting the panda's back, "How're you doing, Po?" Po shook his head and said, "Not so good..." The Four of the Five frowned, feeling sorry for their panda, he was once a bumbling fat panda in the village, but now he's being cared for by famous kung fu warriors and a legendary reindeer. Rudolph pulled back from Po and said, "Guys, when I went out last night, I found the...restricted area..." The warriors looked at Rudolph with slightly wide eyes.

"You did?" Monkey asked, "Did you find anything?"

"I found something big...the Shengda Clan's planning something and...I found...Meili down there too..." Rudolph explained.

"What?! Is she in on it?" Crane asked. Rudolph closed his beak and said, "Shh! Not so loud! No, Meili's not in on it...I'll prove it to you..." He opened the door to Viper's room, Meili emerged from under Viper's bed, the warriors slightly gasped when they saw her black eye, it didn't look as bad as it did last night, Meili slightly limped over and sat between two beds, not visible when someone enters the room.

"Meili..." Viper said, concerned for the jaguar, "What happened to you?" Meili shook her head and said, "I...I was beaten by those freaks..."

"And guys," Rudolph said, "The Shengda Clan's building robots and I overheard King Bao planning to overtake China..."

"What?!" Po shouted, Rudolph covered his mouth and said in a hushed tone, "If you guys keep screaming, they'll find me and Meili out! So keep...the mouths...shut!" He looked at all of the warriors with a serious look, immediately they all shut up, the reindeer sighed and said, "They've been doing it in the dead of night and I think after the wedding...they're gonna overrun China..."

"But I thought they wanted peace in China," Viper whispered.

"Maybe under their rule...they want to wait until the time's just right..." Rudolph whispered, "I don't know if Bojing knows about it, I didn't see him...but we must stop the wedding before it begins." The warriors agreed.

"I won't have Tigress marry that...prince!" Po whispered with a serious look, Rudolph nodded and said, "This is all a lie to overrun the Qianglie Clan when it's time, the Shengda Clan's breaking their deal."

"Well, why don't we go down and stop the operation now?" Crane said, Rudolph shook his head and said, "No, it's a highly secure area, and I barely made it out with Meili, even all of us can't get there undetected and there's only one entrance and exit. It's suicide."

"Oh, okay, so what should we do?" Monkey asked, Rudolph shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know. Any bright ideas?" The warriors shrugged, they began thinking on what they should do to expose the Shengda Clan's plans.

"Oh, I think we can bring back something from the operation and show it to the Qianglie Clan," Po suggested.

"Good idea!" said Monkey, "But what would we show?" Rudolph snapped his hoof and said, "The Ice Crystal. The Shengda Clan stole the Ice Crystal and I need to show it off."

"Ice Crystal?" Meili asked. Rudolph looked at her and said, "Yes. Stormella's Ice Crystal was stolen from her while a polar bear from the Shengda Clan attacked Santa's house. I was there to defend him and the others."

"What?!" Po said, shocked, "You...Santa's house was attacked?" Then Meili asked, "A polar bear? I don't recall seeing a polar bear in the Shengda Clan."

"Maybe a recruit or you didn't know about him?" Monkey suggested. Meili shrugged, then Rudolph said, "It's time I told you about why I came...and why I crashed..." So Rudolph told them what had happened, the polar bear attack, how he defended Santa, friends, and family, Stormella coming and telling them about the Ice Crystal being stolen, going to the Valley, fighting bandits and crashing.

"And that's how I ended up with y'all," Rudolph said, "I didn't tell you this before, because I thought Meili would be in on it." Meili shook her head and said, "I didn't even know a thing about that operation...they drug me in and..." She stopped, a pain came to her head and she began rubbing it.

"And what?" Po asked. Meili looked at Po and said, "I...I just remembered what had happened last night...I'll tell you..."


Flashback – Last night

In the royal hallways, Meili walks down the halls, feeling sad for Po and Tigress, she feels sad for their friends as well. Why does the Shengda Clan have to put them through this? They're China's warriors who protect and serve the country! Meili grew a look of determination, she wants to talk with the king right now! She began tromping down the hallways, a determined look on her face. She came upon some red and golden doors, then two rhino guards came out.

"What do you want?" one rhino asked. Meili stood up straight, she bowed and said, "I'd like to speak with the Royal Highness." The two rhinos formed glares at her, then one said, "The king's busy right now, he's not to be disturbed." Meili glared back at the guards, "That's what you always say on every night! He's been 'busy' for about a year now! He's gotta catch a break!"

"The king is a very busy man, always running a kingdom," one rhino said, glaring at her.

"But it's the middle of the night!" Meili said. The rhinos shoved her away and one said, "He's not to be bothered! Begone!" Meili growled and then she shoved her way past the guards, she began running.

"Seize her! Intruder in the king's quarters!" one rhino shouted. Meili began running faster than she had in her life at the time, she dodges another rhino guard and slides between the legs of one tiger guard. She came upon where the king would normally be at this time of night, having a drink of warm milk to help him sleep. She dodged another guard and opened the door shouting "Your Majesty!" To her shock and horror, the king wasn't where he normally is at this time of night. She decided to head to his bedroom but then one guard punched her out cold.

"I don't know how long I was out," the present Meili narrated, "But it felt like eternity before I woke up again...this time...I woke up in a dungeon..."

Meili wakes up in the dungeon, her wrists and legs are chained to the wall, she has a black eye where the guard punched her. She looked around to see the dark dungeon, she's just surrounded by cold hard bricks. Groaning in pain, she cracks her neck, trying to recover from her wound, she shivers in the cold dungeon.

"H-Hello?" said a weak female voice. Meili's ears perked up, she looked around and saw nothing but blackness.

"Hello, is someone there?" Meili asked.

"Y-Yes...I...I've been in here for...a while...who are you?" the voice asked. Meili cleared her throat and said, "I...I'm Meili...and...you are?" Before the voice could answer, one rhino guard came in, he glared right at Meili. Then he said, "The king wants a word with you." Meili took a sigh of relief, she finally gets a word with the king.

"My...name is Zo..." the voice said but then the rhino snapped, "Zip it!" He went to Meili and undid her chains, when they were undone, Meili rubbed her wrists for the chains hurt them a bit. The guard led her out and the voice said, "Find Rudo..." Before the door slammed shut.

"They drug me from that dungeon, I caught glimpses of hundreds of prisoners as they drug me...I was so scared for my life," the present Meili narrated.

The guards shoved Meili to the ground, she fell onto her knees, she winced in pain. Looking up, she sees King Bao looking down right at her with his hands on his hips, he didn't look happy.

"Your Excellency, I meant to have a word, but those stupid guard wouldn't let me," Meili said trying to conceal her frustration and fear. King Bao bent down towards her, "I know you did, my dear. And you're seeing me right now. What did you want from me?"

Meili sighed, "Your Excellency, the lost child was getting engaged to the Dragon Warrior, and they're torn apart. With all due respect, sir, they're both respected warriors for this country. Can't we find another way to end this war?"

King Bao laughed, "Oh, it's their loss since Tigress is the lost child! This arrangement was made 26 years ago, and ending the war is more important than Tigress marrying that panda!" Meili's eyes widened in shock, then she said, "But Your Grace, you're a respectful ruler! You're wise!"

"And I'm wise for this country! We're continuing with the wedding!" Bao said. Meili didn't like this, she hates broken hearts, Bao leaned forward and said, "I'd have you beaten, but since I'm so nice, I'll let you out." He looked at the guards, "Escort her out with a bag on her head." Meili gasped, "No! No bag!" She broke free and stumbled back into the dungeon.

"Beat her to death!" Bao shouted before he left. Meili gasped and began running.

End of flashback


The warriors and Rudolph listen intently to Meili's story, they're also wide eyed. Meili then continued, "I began running for my life, I stumbled into the cells and I saw...hundreds of prisoners...I continued to run up to a higher level, but then they seized me...began beating me, and then...Rudolph came in and rescued me...we managed to get out as you can see..."

"Why'd you break free of their grasps?" Monkey asked. Meili shrugged and said, "I didn't know where I was...I thought I was in the castle dungeon and I could just walk out...I didn't know where I was until Rudolph came..." The warriors are astounded by Meili's story, yet, they're relieved she's okay, Po put an arm around her, bringing her close.

"Meili, thank you for looking out for Tigress and I...that...that means a lot..." he said softly. Meili smiled, "Thanks Po...I...I wanted to see why, but they wouldn't answer..."

"Meili," said Rudolph, "You said that the voice...in the dungeon tried to say her name...who was it?" Meili shrugged, Rudolph ran his hoof down his face and asked, "And who were the hundreds of prisoners they had?" Meili began thinking, she rubbed her head.

"I...I saw some deer-like species and smaller things with pointy hats and ears..." Meili answered, Rudolph's eyes widened in shock, then he asked, "What else?!"

"I..." Meili said, startled by the change of tone in his voice, "I...saw a large figure with a big beard of some kind...and..." Rudolph gasped as he stood up, then Meili finished, "And...the only name I can think of the voice tried to say was...Zo...Zoey..." Rudolph froze right on the spot, his eyes are wide as his ears are up, you couldn't tell what he was thinking, other than he was just frozen in pure shock.

"Are you...saying that elves and reindeer and...Santa are in the prison?" Monkey asked, Meili shrugged, "If that's what you call them." Rudolph closed his eyes in pain, then he clichéd his hands into fists. Fighting back tears, he's just devastated, Po and the others looked up at him.

"Rudolph?" Po asked softly. Rudolph curled his lips up, showing his teeth, then Monkey said, "Oh no..." Then Rudolph screamed "AAAAAAAHHHHHH!" He got so mad that he overturned one bed onto another and kicked down a dresser. The warriors watched in shock and horror. Rudolph let out another shout, he stomped his foot hard on the marble floor.

"Rudolph!" Po said with a shocked look. Rudolph glared at the warriors with a deep glare, the look penetrated into their souls.

"Leave me alone!" Rudolph shouted. Monkey began going over and Rudolph shouted "Leave me ALONE! I'M OUTTA HERE!" He left the room in a huff, slamming the door hard behind him! The warriors just looked on in shock, Po's never seen Rudolph that angry and upset, well, neither of them have. Meili felt terrible, she looked at Po and said, "I'm sorry if I said anything..."

Po looked at her, "It's not your fault, Meili...you told us what you saw..." Meili sighed and said, "Yet...I feel so terrible..." Po pulled her in for a hug while Monkey and Crane straightened up the room.


With Rudolph, he's huffing as he stomps through the hall, he has a deep glare on his face, his chest is moving up and down harshly, he's never been so upset before. As he went around a corner, his glare softened, he formed a sad look, collapsed onto his knees and began sobbing. He knelt crouched down close to the ground, burying his face into his hands. His friends, his family, Santa, and most importantly Zoey have been kidnapped by the Shengda Clan! Rudolph could do nothing but sob.

All of Christmas is ruined! We won't be able to make enough presents in time for it! All of the children! Everything's ruined! And to make matters worse... Rudolph thought, but then he stopped himself, he began sobbing a bit harder, not wanting to think of that at the time. First Po and Tigress have been devastated, and now Rudolph himself is devastated! The thought of Zoey being in a dungeon tormented Rudolph, the thought of his mother, his father, Santa...oh the horror! Duyi stood in the corner of the hall to see the sobbing reindeer, he smirked before he left.


With Tigress, she's outside the Grand Palace, a Palace much larger than the Shengda Clan's Palace, it has red roofs with golden sides, jade dragons, and fancy wooden doors, a moat surrounds the Palace and it has four towers on each corner surrounding the main building, two had the Qianglie Clan's flag and the other two had the Shengda Clan's flag. She's still wearing the red dress she was given yesterday and is learning from Bojing how to walk like a princess. Right now, he's giving her a royal tour.

"As you can see my beautiful sexy Tigress," Bojing said motioning to the roof of the Palace, "Two flags of the Shengda and Qianglie Clan are on the pillars, and once we're both married, a flag will rise up in the middle of the main roof and it will show the Clans are reunited." Tigress snorted, she's not very interested. The prince sighed as he slid his arm around her waist, she broke free but Bojing pulled her back.

"Keep your hands to yourself!" Tigress snapped, Bojing sighed as he moved his head closer, Tigress stiffened as her eyes widened in anger, he breathed deeply onto her neck, Tigress snarled and broke away. The guards moved, but Bojing held his hand up, making them stop. Tigress began stomping away, furious at Bojing. She stomps into the Grand Palace with Bojing behind her.

"Now, Tigress, you're my betrothed and..." Bojing started, then Tigress snapped, "Just because we're not married and never will be, doesn't mean you should have your hands all over me!" Bojing grabbed her arm and pinned her to the marble wall.

"You and I will marry, and we will bring peace to China," Bojing said. Tigress pushed him away and said, "I do NOT like you, Bojing! You're just a piece of trash and have no respect for women!"

"Such a nice mouth," Bojing said with a smile, "But you forget that if..."

"Forget WHAT?!" Tigress screamed, "I'd rather be with my other man than be with you!"

"If you're going to go back to that panda, I'm gonna have them exiled or executed!" Bojing snapped. Tigress roared and shoved Bojing to the ground, Bojing knocked her off her feet and stuck a sword right in front of her face.

"Listen to me, my sexy one," Bojing said in a seductive tone, "This marriage is critical! And not just your Palace would lose itself, or your friends losing their heads! But the war would spread beyond China into the rest of Asia! Lots will be lost! A fool would want to stop this wedding!" Tigress gave Bojing a strong look, she does not like him at all. Bojing put his sword away and said, "Time for you to get another fitting into your dress." He pulled her up all of a sudden and then planted a firm kiss on her mouth. Tigress froze, it felt cold and icy instead of warm like Po's. She punched him away, she snarled at him and stomped away to get into her wedding dress for yet another fitting.

"Prince Bojing," said a voice, Bojing turned around and before him stood an antelope, "The Emperor will be arriving tomorrow morning, he wants to marry you and Tigress."

Bojing smiled, "Very good." Then the antelope noticed a bruise on Bojing's cheek, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Prince Bojing, what happened to you?" Bojing chuckled and said, "I just ran into something by mistake. I'm okay. You're dismissed." The antelope bowed and then he left, Bojing rubbed his cheek, man Tigress can pack a punch.

"Oh, and one more thing, sire," the antelope said, looking back, "Someone wants to see you." Bojing nodded and said, "Bring him in." The antelope nodded while Bojing waited to see whoever wanted to see him.


About five hours later, Rudolph sits out on a balcony. He's still very upset on what's happened, he's isolated himself from the warriors, they grew worried about him, every time they'd see him, he'd just leave in sadness and anger. The reindeer knows something, something that would devastate the warriors, but most of all Po if he told them. A tear trickles down his face, he wants to rescue his friends and family, but it's so highly secure and there're hundreds of elves and reindeer along with Santa and perhaps Mrs. Clause. It's the most devastating thing ever to happen in the history of Santa's village and Santa himself. He ran his hoof down his face. He would normally talk to Po about this, but for some reason that's not happened. Rudolph choked back a sob as he stood up, breathing in deeply he decides he needs something to eat, he's not eaten breakfast or lunch on all that's happened. Walking down the hallway, he's just in emotional turmoil like Po is. As he's walking down the hallway, some guards began heading towards him, Rudolph froze when he saw them, and even more when King Bao showed up. Bao smiled warmly at Rudolph as he walked to them. Rudolph began to act normal, he bowed before the king.

"Hey Qing," he said smiling, "I've noticed you've been a bit down. Everything okay?" Rudolph sighed and said, "I...I just miss my family's all."

"Oh, you do don't you Rudolph?" Bao asked.

"Yes. Wait, my name's Qing!" Rudolph said. Bao smirked evilly and said, "Oh, are you, Rudolph? Are you the red-nosed reindeer who pulls Santa's sleigh every Christmas Eve?" Rudolph shook his head. King Bao chuckled and said, "You're a bad liar. I can see that your nose is red even when it's not glowing. I know who you are, Rudolph." Rudolph didn't say anything, he couldn't.

"How about a spot of tea?" Bao asked. Rudolph shook his head, "No thanks. I'm good."

"That wasn't a suggestion," Bao said. Then one guard threw a shield at Rudolph, knocking him out, "I've wondered where my last target went!" He looked at the guards and said, "Take him away. Don't let the warriors know about this. Tell them he's left."

"They're really not liking Bojing from what I hear," said a guard.

"Maybe we could come up with something," said a voice. The guards and Bao looked to see Duyi leaning up against the wall and smirking, "I think I know a solution to end this once and for all. We do want China at peace right?" Bao nodded and said, "And it shall be...once we take over the reunited Clans. And find Meili and her assistant. We can't let the plan be exposed!" The guards began dragging Rudolph off while Bao and Duyi discussed a plan.

A/N: It seems things are going from bad to worse! Man is Bojing a jerk and Bao has kidnapped Rudolph, oblivious he's the one who broke into the restricted area. Please REVIEW! :D