Chapter 12: Meeting Two New Animals
This afternoon, the boat has finally reached the desert and our heroes got off of it to find that there is nothing in the desert. Nothing but dried up water, skeletons, and white painted directions. "We're only a few miles away to find the legendary kung fu warriors", said Zhong, "Let's get a move on." "We have to be careful", said Mei Ling, "There could be something dangerous in this desert.". When our heroes started to walk about 40-60 miles northeast, they begin to feel unaware that there's something slithering not too far behind them. She turns around to see nothing. "Guys", said Mei Ling, "I have a feeling there's something behind us." "Don't be silly, Mei Ling", said Jyan, "It's just the wind." "No, it's not the wind", said Mei Ling, "There's something else. Look.". They turned around to see a cobra with a white uniform before it hisses so loudly, causing our heroes to run for their lives with the cobra in pursuit. As they come to a dead end in a canyon in the desert, the cobra then spoke. "Wait", said the cobra, "I didn't mean to scare you like that." "Did you just... spoke?", asked Mei Ling and turns to the talking cobra. "Yes, I can talk", said the cobra, "Tell me. Who are you three? Don't worry. I'm not planning on eating you or anything." "I'm Zhong", said Zhong, "And this is Mei Ling, my wife, and Jyan, a warrior from the Valley of Yearning." "Wife?", said the cobra, "How romantic. Looks like you two are married. I'm Yuziki. It's a pleasure to meet you three. Where you're from?". "Me and Zhong are from the Valley of Peace before we came here", said Mei Ling, "Oh, and before we met Jyan here.". "Yeah, I know a little bit about this guy before", said Yuziki, "He was the only who defeated that rat. What was his name? Um..." "Yuang", said Zhong. "That's right", said Yuziki, "Anyway, why are you three here?". "We're on our way to mountain peak", said Mei Ling, "We're going to find the legendary kung fu masters.". "Amazing", said Yuziki, "but you can't go on without a guide to help." "You?", asked Jyan. "Nope", said Yuziki, "My friend's the guide. Come with me. I'll bring you to him."
Yuziki brings our three heroes to his larger house where we see his friend, a badger, making some hot grilled teriyaki beef. "I want you to meet my friend, Jen", said Yuziki, "Hey, Jen! I found some visitors in the desert! I want you to meet them!". "Visitors?", said Jen and walks towards Yuziki and the others before looking up at the three animals, "Wow. A mountain cat, a wolf, and a mouse. How come you didn't eat the one who has a long tail, Yuziki? I thought you like eating mice and rats.". "I don't eat them because they turn out to be friendlier than I imagine", said Yuziki. "I'm Mei Ling", said, "and these are the other two. Zhong and Jyan. Zhong's my husband and Jyan is-". "Allow me, young lady", said Jyan, "I'm a warrior, if you could guess, badger." "And you have a husband?", asked Jen, "Amazing. I always adore couples especially when they're married. What brings you three here anyway?". Mei Ling and Zhong explained everything why they came here, the part where he and Mei Ling got to meet her parents before he and them got captured by Yuang and his rat guards, Mei Ling's father telling him information about the legendary kung fu masters before their escape, and their first meeting with Jyan. "Amazing", said Jen, "and that's why you're being chased by him?". "Not only that", said Mei Ling, "He wants me to battle him. He said if I'd win, he would let me and the others go, but If I don't, he would kill me.". Then, she becomes depressed and worried. "That's terrible", said Yuziki, "We can't let him do that. Why, If I see him, I would tear him from limb to limb until his bones crack.". "You can't beat him", said Zhong and goes to comfort Mei Ling, "He wanted you to battle him and I think that you should.". "But, Zhong, I-", said Mei Ling, but is interrupted. "No buts", said Zhong, "Once we get to the masters, one of them will train you as the other will train me. I believe in you, Mei Ling. You know I do.". Then, he kissed her in the cheek, cheering her up. "Thanks, Zhong", said Mei Ling and she and Zhong kissed each other for ten seconds. "Well, if what you're saying is true", said Jen, "Then, it's settled. We leave tomorrow together. Looks like it would be an adventure we will never forget.". Later that night, we see our heroes sleeping while Mei Ling and Zhong cuddled next to each other, now glad that they have made new friends on their journey.
Chapter 13 will continue the story. Stay tuned, fans.