Hello once again FanFiction peoples. I do not own anything mentioned in this story except my OC's. Thanks for reading; also I am co-owner of a forum for Kung Fu Panda. OC's are encouraged, but you can claim a Canon. There really isn't any storyline as of late, here's the link if anyone is intrigued: forum/Kung-Fu-Panda-Academy-Role-Play/132329/
Sanjiang Wetland
Milato walked behind three of the crocodile bandits through the buggy swamp. His own boar warriors stood to either one of his sides looking nervous as they watched the reptiles rush here, and there. He didn't know why the boars had such a fear of these over-sized geckos; sure most of them were large in stature and very bulky, such as two members of their guide. "These hulking brutes don't know the first thing about fighting," Milato thought to himself with a wrinkled smirk. "I would never have been sent on one of these milkman missions back in Italy." He continued on thinking back to his time with the Italian gangs. They had run the streets, and Milato had been one of their finest hit-men... That was until he killed one of their own over a small spat, and fled to Mongolia. The rural had country seemed far enough away from the insanity of the world. Boy, was he wrong. Milato had only been there a couple of weeks before that lion had approached him, and made him an offer he couldn't refuse. "If Eyun wants to take this country he has to stop dealing with these miscreants, and go straight for the Emperor. The Furious Five, and their oh-so-special Dragon Warrior have nothing on that army coming up from Africa. Also with one member down..." The heavily scarred wolf continued his incessant inner ramblings as they approached a wooden shack; which happened to be guarded by 2 of the biggest crocs any of the mammals had ever seen, and dead-bolted with about 12 locks.
The lead croc held up a hand; gesturing for the group to stop. He was short, almost petite, and a pale lime-green color which set him apart from the others. This was the only crocodile that Milato found even remotely threatening. They had met back at the start of the sprawl of wooden platforms that made up the camp; the croc had projected an air of confidence, and cunning intelligence that was so lacking among these short-tempered creatures. "Ji." He remembered, "That's right his name is Ji." Milato pulled himself out of his semi-conscious state of mind; a flair in his instincts told him something was definitely off here. It took him a second before it dawned on him. The make-shift hut was newly built. The wood was still a healthy tan on the inside, and the nails not rusted which was a miracle in this muggy environment. Milato inquired about this oddity.
"Yes. We just constructed this prison." Ji hissed out, "There was an incident earlier this week that I would rather not like to repeat." The tone that emanated from the diminutive croc proclaimed that this was not a subject that was up for more discussion. Milato decided to not push his luck, and set his jaw firmly waiting for the guards to undo the latches that held the entrance shut. Once the door was ajar Milato, and Ji entered. Ji carried a torch that cast an oily light throughout the cell. A rusted iron cage hung 4 feet in the air with a small shadowy figure curled up inside it.
The wolf approached the stockade peering into it at the battered animal that lay inside, "Hello, Master Viper." Milato greeted huskily, "Me, and you are going to be seeing a lot of each other from now on." He said with a devilish grin as the snake began to stir.
Jade Palace: Medical Wing
"So, what you're telling me is that some ordinary crocodiles captured both of you? At once?" Brennan asked sounding as if he didn't believe a word that had been said earlier.
"Goddamn it Brennan! Yes!" Crane exclaimed, "That's what he's said twenty billion times now!" The bird looked around a bit sheepishly about his little outburst, but no one seemed to take notice. Mantis lay in a small cot looking very tired, and hurting. The rest of the Five, and the other warriors lay scattered about the room either laying on an open bed, or sitting in small, quite uncomfortable bamboo stools. Outside the Palace the light of the sun had faded hours earlier, and the villagers all gone to sleep... But not the students of the Jade Palace. They had remained awake hearing Mantis' tale, and formulating a plan to extract Viper from the enemy camp.
"Crane..." Shifu said in a patronizing yet calming voice. The red panda slowly got to his feet looking just as tired as the rest of them; except Tigress who just stood by Mantis' bed looking pissed the fuck off. He looked at the faces of his young students, and new arrivals. "Maybe it would be best if we all just went to sleep tonight." Shifu said conceding that pursuing the crocodiles tonight would be dangerous, if not suicidal. "We can reconvene in the morning to establish a plan of action." Everyone seemed to nod, and agree with this idea. They hauled themselves to their feet, and began walking towards the door as did Shifu.
"But Master!" Tigress suddenly interjected from Mantis' bedside. Shifu turned around cocking his head to the side in curiosity.
"Yes?" He asked. The others all held up to see what was going on.
"'We can't just-" She started trying to say something, "Those bandits deserve-... If we move toni-" Tigress couldn't just seem to piece the words together. The fur on the back of her neck was ruffled in a clear display of anger, and her words were accented with bitterness.
"Tigress. We are all tired. Including you. It seems much wiser to rest before this undertaking. Do you not agree?" Shifu asked with a level voice. When Tigress didn't answer he smiled at her taking it as a yes. "Good. Then, we should all be getting some rest."
Tigress stood there staring at the ground her chest heaving as she breathed. "No."
"What?" Shifu turned around to discuss her sudden statement.
"It would be smarter to just leave the new-comers here, and go after Viper tonight." She said lifting her vision from the ground to stare Shifu in the eyes.
"You know we can't neglect our guests." Shifu started to make an objection when Tigress cut him off again.
"Then, they can come with us. And if these so-called warriors can't hold their own then so be it." She said sounding exasperated, and cross.
"Tigress." Shifu was starting to sound angered, "You will do as I say. And that is final. Now, you should go get your rest. As should the rest of you." He said turning to the group who had frozen to watch the argument.
"Of course, Master." Tigress growled out slowly. She stormed past the group, "Fuck this." She hissed under her breath. Most of the warriors caught wind of her muttered remark, but decided it would be best to just not react. The furious tiger exited through the far door, and through the crack Lias could see her heading down the mountain towards... Well, he didn't exactly know, but it certainly wasn't the Barracks. The Travelers let out a breath they hadn't realized they had been holding once they reached their side of the Barracks.
"Damn that got... Really awkward." Xavier said breaking the silence with his quirky remark. The tension seemed to go out of the air as they all started to go to their rooms. Melissa cuddled up against Xavier, and kissed his cheek. She whispered something into his ear, and both went flying into her room. Xavier flashed Lias a big grin, and a thumbs up when Melissa opened the door.
Alina, and Brennan rolled their eyes, "God, she's going to end up pregnant." Alina joked.
"No kidding. I don't think they had condoms back in the Middle Ages." Brennan returned the banter.
"And just think if we get back, and the baby is still all... Furry." Alina said; her smile growing. Brennan, and Lias laughed as they tried to imagine what that would be like. After the joking was finished Alina turned to Lias, "Hey, you ready for bed?"
"Umm..."' Lias said thinking back to Tigress. Brennan raised an eyebrow at him implying that he may know something about it. "In a bit, baby." He said kissing her forehead, and giving her a firm hug. "I just have something I need to do real quick."
Alina broke the embrace, "Okay, just don't stay out to long." She said before walking into their room; blowing a kiss to Lias in a flirtatious motion. Brennan also walked towards his room. He opened his door, but stopped abruptly.
"You're playing with fire, bro." He said ominously. "And someone is going to get burned." The short panda then slumped into his room leaving Lias standing in the hallway. A sinking pit started to form in his stomach, but Lias started towards the exit anyways.
