Heart of a Child

by Bowtie Lion

When Tai Lung wakes up, he is startled by a shocking discovery. Not that he's inside some hidden secret world or that he doesn't remember how he got there, or the strange people he meets, it's the fact that he's a four year old cub again.

21. Lion's Fury

Thank you to everyone who is devoted to my story and waiting patiently for every update, you make me feel like a total douche for not being able to post chapters as fast as possible! Don't worry, I'm not going to kill off any characters just because you didn't review, it was just a joke. It's that time of the year again, we're celebrating this story's third anniversary. Can't believe it's been that long! This chapter was hard to write so I hope that after my big absence you still put up with me and enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kung Fu Panda. I own The Underground, my OCs and the plot of the story.

Chapter 21: Lion's Fury

---

It was morning, so early that there wasn't sight of any villager anywhere in the quiet streets. The only sign of life was the two felines walking alongside one another but the smaller cat was feeling uneasy and it was because of Arc.

There was sadness and shame written all over his features and Tai Lung was positive that the lion's depressive mood had to do with what happened the other day in Naki's room.

They were on their way to meet up with the Workshop at the abandoned farmhouse Tai Lung informed them about the night before and boy did many things occurred last night.

The other night the snow leopard didn't bother going to dinner with the rest of the Jade Palace students, its master and not even with Arc, no, he was too busy putting a few things together down at Mr. Ping's noodle shop. There wasn't a better place to escape than in that restaurant and the goose always seemed to put him in a good mood with his usual upbeat demeanor and his noodle references. Tai Lung was surprised to have been joined by Jagter, of all people, who all of a sudden took an interest in him.

The lion asked him question as if trying to get to know him but the snow leopard could feel that there was a second purpose behind those queries. But what?

Things became more uncomfortable when a certain panda sat next to both felines.

"How's it going with you two?" Po had asked as he set a sack full of seeds on the table. The panda sure was tired after planting arils all day long and hoped to join the conversation between the two cats. However, Tai Lung was just shooting daggers with his eyes at the panda but Jagter, though always carrying that stern poker face on, spoke to him cordially like the well manner person he was.

"I was just getting to know Zai a little better, that's all."

Po smiled at the two felines and placed a hand on their shoulders, "Well that's good. You two are the least people who open up to others. At least now you're becoming friends, huh?"

Tai Lung swatted his hand off his shoulder and spoke in a disdainful tone but avoided his gaze, "Go bother someone else, fat-ass. I'm not in the mood."

Po huffed crossed his arms at the boy's retort, "You're never in the mood for anything." He had tried many times to win over the child's good affections but the young cat simply wanted nothing from him, "Why?"

This time the snow leopard turned around and looked at the giant panda in his eyes. The child displayed such a threatening expression on his face that hatred didn't seem fit to describe it, "Because you wake up alive every single day, that's why!" Tai Lung allowed that to sink in before turning around and spoke with a certain threat yet joyful tone, "And if you don't fuck off I will tell everyone in this entire valley all about you wearing a dress."

There was silence for a few second, mostly because Po was shocked by what he had just heard, hence the furious blush on his face, "What the- how did, that was, I was just stretching it out for a friend of my dad's!" Did Tigress tell everyone?!

Tai Lung simply smirked devilishly, "Try explaining that to the public, cross-dresser!"

He'd had it with the boy's constant bad attitude towards him and everyone else and Po was going to give him a piece of his mind as his anger grew in loads as seconds went by. The panda gripped his fists in frustration looking at the rebellious child shooting threats with his stare back at him. He didn't care if this would cause a scene or that people might think of him differently. But before he could let a single word escape his maw, his father appeared by his side, making the hot air in him blow out of his lips like a balloon, especially after looking at the goose's distressed face.

"Oh, Po, I'm so glad you're here! I need your help with a huge emergency!"

"What is it dad? Bandits? A fire? Little Jing's trapped down a well?"

"Uh, no, I just need you to help me during the dinner service."

Po just sighed deeply, slumped his shoulders and spun towards the kitchen where his father awaited, "Coming, dad."

Tai Lung then returned his attention back to the lion who hearkened everything that just happened and patiently waited for the cub to finish his ranting with the panda. He never knew what ran through his mind but the fact that he was asking questions to him, made Tai Lung realize that Jagter might be onto him. The teenager never bothered to walk up to anyone and get to know them, unless it was necessary like when he talked to Arc but know the snow leopard assumed the lion was getting suspicious.

His face displaying no emotion whatsoever, Tai Lung continued his previous conversation with the older feline, "Is there anything else you want to know about me, Jagter?"

The lion sensed that the cub was catching on with what he was doing and figured that there was no reason for him to be so secretive about it anymore, "Yes, and this is something I've been meaning to ask you for a while. Is your name Tai or Xue Zai?"

Tai Lung just stared at the lion, both of them carrying a no nonsense face and never avoiding each other's eyes, for this moment was crucial and they both knew it. If the snow leopard made it seem like he was indeed hiding something, surely, a smart predator like Jagter could pick up the scent and could spoil everything the smaller feline had been working on.

Thankfully the lion turned his attention to the crowd of people that entered the noodle shop courtyard. It was the Workshop children, the Furious Five, Shifu and, what Tai Lung presumed to be the reason of Jagter's attention, Arc and Naki, the former holding her from the back with his arms wrapped around her and nuzzling her neck affectionately.

Something bothered him, obviously, but Tai Lung was graceful for it because it made Jagter drop the concept and focused on his sister and the other male lion.

The snow leopard let out a deep breath feeling he was in the clear once again but he knew Arc was now being targeted by an older and very intimidating lion so there wasn't really time to drop his guard, not when his friend was going to be spied upon by Jagter.

Then Arc sat next to Tai Lung with that jolly grin on his face the snow leopard had gotten used to. "What have you been up to this whole time, Snow Cub?"

Just as the cub was going to answer Shifu took a seat near him and he thought it was a good time to mess with him a bit. "Oh nothing just getting food that my so called father wouldn't feed me!" Tai Lung said as loudly and casual as he could.

The red panda remembered what he had told the boy earlier that day for misbehaving. He had said that the boy was getting no supper for the day. It hadn't crossed his mind that Zai would use that against him, especially now that people were staring at him giving him disapproving looks. Shifu had to admit, to himself at least, he was starting to regret adopting the boy. He regretted letting that certain thought cross his mind just now. Maybe it was just his emotions getting in the way of his judgment like most of the time, he thought.

The old man simply waved off the child's attitude and the reactions of people and focused on satisfying his hunger. He looked around the restaurant's courtyard for any sign of Mr. Ping to take his order.

The Workshop members sat next to Arc, who was saving a seat next to him specifically for his lady love but once the male lion saw her over his shoulder, talking to Viper then noticing him and returned a flirty stare, he turned around and removed his paw from the seat next to him.

It's as if the archeologist realized something and he didn't want her, the girl of his dreams, to be anywhere near, if his worried expression was any indication.

Then everything disappeared as the gong rang.

Tai Lung snapped out of his reverie and returned to the present as the loud noise of morning gong woke him from his thoughts. He noticed that people began to open window shutters, doors and businesses and begin their daily routines simultaneously. All that's needed is an alarm for them to move?

He then turned his attention to the lion beside him who seemed not to be aware of his surrounding or anything else and the snow leopard was certain what the cause of it was.

Arc had gone to speak with Naki the other day, just like the snow leopard had told him, but what happened in that moment, when the archeologist revealed his arms, shocked both the lioness and the cub as well. Naki's surprise quickly turned to adoration for the male teenager, but Tai Lung only felt discomfort in him. How much has Arc lied to him and everyone else?

They were both quiet, not saying a word, just walking alongside each other, not even looking at the one another. They passed by houses, stores, still closed stalls, Alvar's mural of Tigress, the noodle shop, and to their surprise it wasn't even opened yet, and they kept walking without speaking to each other as if they both knew what the other cat beside them knew what the other was thinking about.

Once they had crossed the very last house and into the open fields of the farmlands, the snow leopard let out a sigh and spoke to the feline next to him, "Arc, about what I saw on your arms yesterday and what I saw later when you spoke to Naki."

"I know you were there." Arc said still avoiding the child's gaze. Of course he knew Tai was spying on him, he was able to sense his weight on the floor by the doorway.

Tai Lung continued to speak, "And when I said 'go talk to her' I didn't mean for you to take off your armor and lie to her. You could have just enjoyed each other's company, you know, what teenagers do, I think."

This time Arc turned to look at the boy, a worried look on his features, "I had to do it. It's only a matter of time before everyone figured out my secret just like you did and if she found out she would have turned away from me!"

"How would you know, you didn't tell her the truth?!" The cub snapped back, "When she does find out the truth, she just might turn away from you!"

Tai Lung waited for the lion to answer but the bigger feline simply hung his head in silence. The snow leopard remembered in that instant how he used to be like around Shifu. The way he felt whenever his master commended him or that one day when he confused the meaning of love and displayed it in a way that even today, now that he understands perfectly, he couldn't imagine that, when he was a teenager, he actually had dreamt an entire scenario of him kissing the old man bathing together. Yes, it was just a dream and Tai Lung remembered that memory better now, instead of compress it, and he remembered waking up in a heap of sweat as he gasped loudly for breath after dreaming about doing inappropriate things to his master. What's even worse was that maybe he indeed viewed Shifu in that loving matter but why? He had hated the red panda for so long and still there were these sick feelings for him and all about this one absurd wet dream. Tai Lung just had to ignore his troubled thoughts and focus on his friend.

He sighed and spoke, "Listen, I know how it feels to love someone and I know from experience that it can become an unhealthy obsession…"

Maybe that was just it. An obsession.

Arc spoke looking into the horizon, walking forward, his voice leveled, "Loving someone so much that it developed into something that it shouldn't. I've seen that happen a lot. It's Shifu, right?"

Tai Lung didn't answer; he just started back at the lion with a stricken look.

The lion turned to look at the cub, his face blank but not clueless, "I had wondered why you all of a sudden wanted to stay with him after he abandoned you, but after analyzing it carefully I think I know the reason why you decided to stay with him."

There was no doubt now, Arc truly was the person he should have kept a closer eye on if not, at least, being more careful around. But maybe the lion knew nothing and he was worrying too much. Yeah, that had to be it!

"You want to get revenge, don't you?" Arc added to Tai Lung's shock. To say the snow leopard was terrified was the least of his worries at the moment as he tried to process everything.

Seriously, how much exactly does Arc know about him that the lion is hiding? He had figured the snow leopard's plan but maybe he still had no idea of his real identity. The cub had underestimated the archeologist on more than one occasion and now he had to be extra careful around him.

The mood between them was still like earlier only this time there seemed to be some tension building up as they kept on walking forward. However, despite the thoughts coursing through Tai Lung, Arc quirked a smirked, looked at the cub and spoke in his usual cheerful tone.

"You know, for someone who is on a vendetta against an unsuspecting person, you sure did a terrible job at getting your vengeance!"

"How come?" Tai Lung asked but quickly bit down hard, regretting it, because with that follow-up question of his he had confirmed the lion's claims about him.

The snow leopard stared at the cat next to him as they both continued moving forward, waiting for him to speak and when he did it wasn't what the cub expected.

The bigger cat just smiled back at the boy, "If I were you, I would have been done with it months ago." There seemed to be this sudden upbeat pace in the lion's steps, "We better hurry up before Gongju and the others think we're not going. Come on, Tai Lung!" It was all Arc said before he suddenly sprinted off.

The snow leopard just stared at the lion running up a hill and stopped at the very top to look and turned back to the cub holding out his paw for the child to take.

Somehow, Arc always brought a smile to his face. Despite how moody Tai Lung could be, the lion seemed to bring the best out of him. But still, the fact that the other cat may know far more than he felt comfortable with made Tai Lung wonder what exactly does his fellow feline know about him. Does Arc know his secret?

Okay, that's a scary thought!

Or maybe Arc didn't know anything and the snow leopard was just being paranoid at fear of being discovered. Was his mind playing tricks on him? But he knew he could trust the archeologist, after all, no other person has ever been this kind and patient towards him. If the spotted feline wanted the lion to know his secret he had to make sure to make it go smoothly, patiently and drop a few hints here and there so that when the time comes at least it is not a big surprise to Arc.

He had been so caught up with the Patient One that he had barely noticed everything that had been going on around him. He had gotten to know Gongju better, even if it's just a bit, but none of his friends, though after hearing the story about their heist years ago had given him an idea of just the kind of people they are. Tai Lung felt rather guilty for not taking the time to know them better, especially seeing how happy Arc way to be reunited with them after so long. Hell, he hadn't even helped Arc try to romance Naki, even though he said he'll do it. The lion won his girl's heart all by himself without anyone aiding him.

He then looked at the lion, who still had his paw extended for the cub to take, and, just as he reached for the cat's hand, noticed the poorly stitched-on sleeves on the bigger feline's shirt. He felt bad for tearing his friend's clothing, especially since it seemed the archeologist didn't own a second change of clothes. "Sorry about your shirt." Tai Lung said as he accepted to hold hands.

"It's okay, I fixed it. See!" Arc pointed at the stitching on the sleeve.

Tai Lung smirked at the mediocre job the lion did on the stitching, "I guess you won't have to go back all the way to France to get a new one just like that!"

"Actually, I gave the fabric to Tia Ra, she was there, and she made it for me." The lion added.

"Wait, she made this shirt for you and she was in France at the same time?"

"Mhm, I went there right after Gongju and the others bid our farewells and I ran into her, she saw the fabric and tailored it into this new European style. She said she wanted to try out something new. She also said that I shouldn't be traveling the world without a shirt on, that's why she made it."

That was kind of her but then again she did provide Tai Lung clothing when his had disappeared and had to wear Arc's shirt.

The lion continued informing the cub, "That was when I met Frankie for the first time."

He remembered going to the rabbit's family restaurant, which she inherited once she was old enough to run the family business, and tasting the delicious whipped cream covered desserts with gusto. He got to know the rabbit simply out of interest and curiosity after seeing the young chef pull herself out of a hat. His sudden interest in the multi-talented rabbit led to him founding out about her dark secret with food, thanks to his sharp senses.

"Was that the first time you met Tia as well?" Tai Lung asked.

"No, I met her years before that, during this festive event, and she had Naki with her. I saw her bored and all alone so I approached her and we played tag all day long!" There was a quick silent moment as Arc joyfully recalled the events of that day in his head, "It wasn't long after until I realized I had a crush on her."

"How old were the two of you when you first met?"

"I was five and she was four." Arc responded without having to go through memory lane to remember specifics about his relationship with the lioness.

Tai Lung was able to see just how much the male teenager cared for his crush ever since he learned of who Naki is so it was no surprise to know that Arc could recall such little details about her.

"What event was this?" The snow leopard asked feeling as if that was important to know.

"I think it was fashion week and Tia showed one of her first collections ever on a runway after retiring from modeling. She was too busy with everything that Naki was left in a corner all by herself."

Arc smiled as memories flooded his head from back when both he and Naki were both very young cubs, playing games all day long with her trying to keep up with the energy-filled boy and him trying to keep his dou-li from falling to prevent revealing his maneless head. Yeah, just my maneless head…

There was a quick silent pause from the lion but nevertheless he continued to speak.

"We became friends after that day. In fact, we kept crossing paths many times as we both traveled. Eventually, I just visited her and her family."

There always seemed to be this inner joy whenever Arc spoke of the teenage girl he had fallen for, something which would make anyone smile upon hearing the male lion's happy tone and mood. But Tai Lung knew that that, for the time being, was a front and he knew that his friend was trying to hide it.

"I guess you're regretting revealing yourself to her last night, aren't you?" The snow leopard said.

Arc remembered what the lioness told him right before he left her room the other day as she looked at him completely enamored to him, with eyes that shined and a warm smile that made his heartbeats go faster, Naki had said the one thing he had always wanted her to reveal to him: "I love you, Arc!"

And somehow, the male lion only felt the guilt of it all. What if she wanted to see his arms again or expected him not to wear them in her company at all? "She's never going to trust me ever again."

That sad face displayed on the lion sure hit a tender nerve because Tai Lung just couldn't bear to see his friend like that. "Arc, I know how it feels to love someone more than you should." He recalled the memory of the dream he had as a teenager once again, "When I was…" I can't let him know my real age! "uh, younger, I had an addiction to Shifu." Then the image of him kissing the red panda appeared in his head and shivered in disgust, "Am I glad that's over!"

Arc gave a small smirk but no from bemusement it was more as if he knew something, almost as if he could see through the cub's words and see the truth.

"You and I are more alike than you think, Tai." That was all the lion said but the snow leopard wondered the reason for Arc to say that and after analyzing it, he could agree that his friend was right in some degree. They are both orphans in search of a purpose and approval, though, in a different matter for each.

Rays of warm light, from the rising morning sun, suddenly got in the way of the snow leopard's eyes. Tai Lung put his paw up in the air to block the bright emissions but it was still too strong so he turned his face away, towards the direction of the Jade Mountain. He looked up at the palace sitting on top of it and something dawned in his mind. At first he thought it would be ridiculous to ask the lion but as time went by it just kept getting more tempting.

"Arc, is Naki aware that you are leaving for a long journey?"

The lion jumped in surprise by the question and kept silent, trying to walk casually but his limbs were stiff as boards and his eyes wide as dinner plates. That was all Tai Lung needed to see to know the answer.

"You are leaving without her knowing about it!

Arc lifted a finger defended himself, "No, I left a note."

Tai Lung just sighed and shook his head, "You'll just have to learn the hard way: never make someone wait without an explanation." Trust me, I know all about that topic!

Arc stayed quiet, a gloomy silence had settled around both felines as if what the lion felt could be sensed in the air.

Nevertheless, they continued their way to the old farmhouse, now visible within their view, and Arc noticed something as he stepped closer to the homestead, "Three of my friends are just up ahead."

And the lion was right. Only three members of the Workshop were waiting for them in front of the old abandoned farmhouse with the secret entrance to The Underground.

Tai Lung noticed a wooden pole, about ten feet high, buried and sticking out of the ground a few yards away from the farmhouse. Was that there before?

Taking his attention away from the beam and onto the two foxes, waiting under the farmhouse's porch, and cougar, playing a whimsical tune with his flute sitting cross legged on the steps of the terrace, Tai Lung asked the obvious question.

"Where's Gongju?"

Ralix was the one to answer as he sat leaning against the entrance door, "Penpal said he had to take care of something before we left. Speak with Shifu about something?"

Then the music stopped playing, "No, that's not what I said," Penpal said as he laid his flute on his lap "I said that he was going to meet Master Shifu because he had invited him to a morning meditation."

Tai Lung quirked a brow, "And how do you know that?"

"Master Shifu had asked me last night if I could play him a song during his morning meditation and I did." The cougar explained right before placing his flute on his lips and began playing the whimsical tune once more.

The snow leopard wasn't going to leave without Gongju, this was his last chance to find out the truth about the other snow leopard's past, and what worried him the most is that Shifu wanted to keep the leader of the Workshop for himself. Who knows what dangerous things the red panda will make the paraplegic feline do if he starts training in kung fu?

Tai Lung turned to Arc, "Maybe we should go make sure he can go up and down those stairs without harm."

To Arc it made no difference so he turned around without the snow leopard telling him to follow but Tai Lung felt that something was up, after all, since when does Arc does something with his friends around and doesn't say anything? And was he gripping his fists?

"We'll be here waiting." Wen said as she shined an apple against her clothes right before taking a bite.

Tai Lung scoffed at them, "None of you are concerned about his well-being? What if he trips and falls down the stairs?"

The vixen spoke, "Gongju always has a back-up plan and if he says that he's going all by himself, we all know that he can do it with no help from anyone and it's important to follow his orders when he gives them."

He might be a brilliant mind but Tai Lung wasn't going to take any chances, "Still, I think I should help." And now I'm going to have to climb up those stairs again just so I can go down them… again!

The two felines turned around to head back to the Jade Palace and on their way the snow leopard was able to sense something different in the mood that surrounded them.

Tai Lung looked at Arc who had a blank expression on his face but, unlike the ones he always featured, this time there was a certain focus in his stare, determination. But what was it? It couldn't be about what him taking off his armor, could it? Something definitely was up with the lion and it worried the snow leopard, especially when the taller feline turned his hands into fists and cracked his knuckles.

The cub visibly gulped. This was something he had never seen before. Arc was angry. Who the hell pissed him off?

---

The Hall of Heroes was as serene and silent as it always has been, at least when its rowdiest students aren't in it. But during that quiet morning the only ones who had been in it were none other than Master Shifu himself and Gongju. The latter had woken very early so as to join the old master in a meditation session.

The other night at Mr. Ping's restaurant the red panda had spent most of his time with the snow leopard, fascinated by him in many ways. The boy certainly showed skills and knowledge that were more than necessary for a kung fu master and he seemed to like the old master's company so the other night he had tried to make sure that the boy returned from his trip back to the Valley of Peace.

During dinner, while everyone ate, Shifu was getting to know more the crippled snow leopard, in a conversation about leadership, in the hopes that the boy would grow fond of him using his own method: comparing himself to Gongju.

He was surprised by how well it went that the child had opened up to the red panda and had gotten to know plenty about him. Shifu had no idea that a child could enjoy deep meditations and the study of Zen or the fact that someone so young could be a Zen master but the boy had proven he had what it takes to be just that.

The cougar boy had filled the room with grace from his flute earlier that morning. Shifu certainly hoped that boy, who was so kind to everyone, yet so timid about everything, would return one day to the valley, along with Gongju, of course.

And now he was sharing this quiet moment with someone who he could compare to, someone he felt he needed in his life and now was with him. Somehow, meditating in silence seemed to connect him with the child who had appeared in his life a few months ago, almost at the same time Zai did…

The silence grew around him.

Did he made the wrong choice?

But after a while of listening nothing but the universe around them, the red panda broke the serene silence between them.

"Master Gongju, will you ever come back to the Valley of Peace after this pilgrimage you are joining?"

The new tittle threw the boy off a bit but he answered nevertheless, "I'd been thinking about it and I think I will come back. You have been very nice to me since we've met."

Maybe I should try this comparing technique on Xue Zai. Shifu thought.

He had heard from the story Arc had told Zai enough information about the crippled feline but the red panda acted as if he knew nothing at all, "Do you have a home to go to?"

He was hoping that this would lead to a situation that the boy says he wishes he had a place to stay and Shifu would offer him to stay at the Jade Palace. But the boy didn't give him an answer he was expecting or one that would follow up accordingly to his planned conversation.

"My friends are my home." Gongju said, plain and simple, without opening his eyes and without any doubt in his voice.

The red panda huffed in bemusement to the boy's words. "A roof over your head is a home. Friends may give you company but that is all they can ever be."

Yet, the child still sat there in complete serenity and answered, "Family is where your home is, Master Shifu, and my friends are my family."

The boy was too wise for the red panda to outsmart with words, he knew that, but he still wished to convince him to return. Might as well be blunt about it!

"I suppose you're right. Anyway, feel free to come back to the Valley of Peace when you and your friends are done with your little adventure."

Gongju smiled and nodded, "Ok."

That was easier than what I thought! But Shifu wasn't done trying to convince the boy. "Gongju," he waited until the boy answered with a 'hm?', "would you ever be interested in learning kung fu?"

The boy hearkened quietly everything the old man had said to him that morning but now his silence felt different, like if there was discomfort in his perpetual calm demeanor, "I have considered it but I can't stay put for long."

To that Shifu felt confused, "How come?"

The boy answered without having to think it over, "People out there need my help and if I decide to stay in one place someone might not get the aid he, or she, needs."

Could there truly be someone so humble and good? Still, the old man smiled at the boy's words, for certainly, he spoke the truth and Shifu couldn't be more proud of him, "If you ever need a place to stay, the Jade Palace will always have its doors open for you."

"You're awfully very kind to me, Master Shifu, why is that?"

He had been too obvious, hasn't he? "Um, I," Come on, don't come off as a creepy old coot. "I guess I like your company."

The boy, still in his meditation position, quirked a small smile, "I'll see if I can make the trip as fast as possible."

"Be careful, The Underground can be very dangerous."

Gongju's expression changed to one of either confusion or curiosity, "I never said where my friends and I were going."

Shifu bit down his jaw hard as he regretted what he just said. Surely, an intelligent person like the snow leopard could figure out how the red panda came to know where he was going. He had been spying on him and his friends, after all.

Finally, the feline got out of his peaceful formation and got up, feeling like he had overstayed his welcome, especially, after Shifu had revealed the knowledge of where he and his friends were going in the pilgrimage.

"I think it's time for me to get going." Gongju bowed to the old master, "Thank you for your hospitality, Master Shifu."

The boy unfolded his wheelchair from its backpack form and rested himself on it but just as he turned to leave, the red panda grabbed a hold on the chair, stopping the child on his tracks.

"Wait. Before you go, I would like to give you something for your services to the Valley of Peace."

The red panda then pulled out of a wooden box, which was behind the Moon Pool, and opened it, revealing a green shirt with gold embroidery around the collar and the sleeves' cuffs.

Gongju was left speechless by the offering. He didn't know whether to accept it or refuse taking it, "It's beautiful, Master Shifu, but I can't accept it."

"Why not?"

That shirt could only belong to someone else and that was the Zai, "Because it's not mine."

Shifu understood what the boy meant by that. "It used to belong to someone else but it is not Xue Zai."

The snow leopard gave it a closer look and realized that it was about his size so surely it wouldn't fit the four year old.

"Are you sure he won't mind?"

"I'm sure of it."

Master Shifu could sense the uneasy feeling inside of the boy. Maybe the boy is that humble that he doesn't accept gifts. Then again, he's wearing Tai Lung's old pants when he was that age, he won't mind wearing this shirt.

The boy, reluctantly, accepted the gift, got up from his chair and tried it on. The old man watched as the child robed himself as the image of Tai Lung accepting the gift and happily putting it on filled his head and made his eyes swell a bit.

"It fits like a charm." Shifu said as he examined the boy wearing his new piece of attire as things became clear to him. There was no doubt about it anymore. Gongju was the spitting image of Tai Lung at that age.

The snow leopard smiled, feeling very comfortable in the shirt but also because he had never owned anything so luxurious. But he remembered that he had an attending matter to take care of and bowed once more to the red panda. "My friends must be tired of waiting for me. Thank you for the gift, Master Shifu."

Rights as the snow leopard rested his body on his chair, two black silhouettes appeared by the entrance, their bodies being obscured by the opposing sun, but both red panda and snow leopard could tell who they were.

The old master's expression hardened and he straightened his stature, "Xue Zai, Arc, shouldn't you two be waiting in the barracks with the rest of the students?" Shifu said with authority, directing a disapproving look at the two young felines. Those two had misbehaved since the day he took them in and now they were showing their undisciplined actions in front of a guest. He was not going to let them ruin the Jade Palace's name and surely there would be a punishment for both of them but now was the time for scolding. "Why do you two choose to be an inconvenience to others? Honestly, I can't tell which one of you is the bad influence because both of you are just as-"

"Shut up!"

There was nothing but silence except for the echoes of the shout.

The room was still silent after those words were roared by the angry cat standing in the doorway but what surprised everyone was that it came from Arc, of all people.

The lion strode forward, shoulders straight, with something that Tai Lung and probably no one else has ever seen on his face: a serious expression with his eyes blazing with determination directed at the red panda, and yet the feline sported a blank expression. Truly, the most intimidating image Tai Lung had ever witnessed.

Arc, without moving his gaze from the red panda, spoke, "Gongju, please exit the Hall. You too, Snow Cub. Shifu and I have important matters to take care of."

"And what would that be, Arc?" For some odd reason, the old master dreaded hearing the lion's answer.

"The very same reason why I came to this place a few months ago."

The old man could feel the tension in the air, especially because it was rising quickly.

"And that is?"

"To teach you a lesson." Arc said, pointing an accusing finger at the diminutive man.

Shifu could feel tension building up inside the lion and he braced himself for whatever the teenager was up to. "Shouldn't that be the other way around?" The red panda responded. He then noticed the smaller snow leopard carrying a rucksack on his back, "Xue Zai, you're going somewhere?"

"This is between you and me." The lion said, almost a whisper, but audible for everyone to hear, so as to force the old man's attention to him.

Shifu raised an eyebrow in utter confusion. The lion seemed perfectly normal (normal enough) last night. "What has gotten into you? Why all of a sudden do you find me so displeasing?"

Arc stayed quiet for a moment but nevertheless he spoke, but not to Shifu, to the snow leopard in the wheelchair, "Gongju, please take Snow Cub outside."

Both snow leopards just stared at the lion and after a while of nothing, just silence as Arc stood there, never letting his eyes escape from Shifu's form, and no one else moved out of confusion of the current situation, the archeologist spoke once more.

"Suit yourself."

With that said, the red panda scowled at the teenager. Not only was Arc disrespecting him, the lion's master, but Gongju, his guest. Of course, the old man straighten his posture placed his hands behind his back and cleared his throat.

"If you wish to leave on a journey that's fine but Xue Zai stays here, with me." Shifu said with a calm demeanor but the harshness in his voice was evident.

Arc, who had not moved his eyes from the red panda's gaze, nor did he blink once, pointed a finger towards the old man. "You think he's safer here with you!"

There was a hint of mockery in the lion's angry voice and Shifu was concerned about it. Never had the lion spoken in such a manner to someone. But, he still responded, clarifying certain things for the obviously confused feline, "And why shouldn't he be safe with me? A warm, safe home in which he is protected by masters of kung fu and where he can learn everything he needs for when he grows older?"

Arc said nothing. His face still expressionless but his eyes seemed to grow angrier. Once again, he lifted his finger to point at the old master and spoke with a cold unbiased tone, "You live here. That's not exactly what I consider 'safe'."

This conversation could go on forever but Shifu wasn't going to let one bad seed spoil the rest, especially his recently adopted son. He was going to be a better role model and prove that he could be great teacher overall. The red panda now stepped forward, towards the lion, and spoke in a way intended to scold the feline, "You are a bad influence on him and probably on every other person you have ever come in contact with."

Arc snapped and held two fingers in the air, "Two things: first: you're a bigger one, and second: at least my nose doesn't resemble a pointy nipple!"

What? He blushed as he inspected his nose as a reflex. That sudden statement threw him off but soon regained enough composure to speak to the lion but it came as shouting, "What exactly have I done to be a bad influence on society? I don't walk around in the nude, parading myself for everyone to see, never caring about if others are disturbed by my selfish actions!"

The lion used the fingers of his right hand to count of everything he could remember, "Does doing drugs, drinking barrel loads of liquor, posing naked and being fucked by strangers to avoid reality count? Oh and you allowed that to be paraded all over the valley too!"

Shifu had no response to that. None whatsoever. "That's behind me… I'm a better person now because of it."

"Are you a better person?" The lion pressed on as he slowly stepped towards the small man, "You run away from your problems to the point that it affects everyone around you!" Arc stopped right in front of the red panda and leaned his head down so as to not only look at the old man in the eyes but look down on him, "You actually have the arrogance, the nerve, to call out others for their flaws, their shortcomings and their mistakes when you can't even face reality! You can't even make your own children love you!" He shouted that last part.

"You insolent brat!" The red panda spat out instantly. He let go of his composure and looked angrier than anyone had ever seen him as he strode towards the teenager in front of him. He was going to make him clean every inch of the Jade Mountain. He jumped on the feline's shoulder and was grasped a tuft of hair from his mane but to his shock Arc grabbed his wrist hard, twisting it and pressing his fingertips on the flesh, and held the diminutive man in midair so as to look at him in the eyes.

"First time I can forget about but a second time is unforgivable!" The archeologist said as he fluffed the area Shifu had touched of his mane, "Never touch my mane again! A lion's mane is a lion's greatest asset. It's like a unicorn's horn or boobs on a cheerleader!"

The old master, still held by the cat only closed his eyes and shook his head in disappointment, despite that his wrist hurt. "I had seen great potential in you, Arc," he opened his eyes and avoids the lion's gaze, "but I can see you choose to follow the wrong path, the path in which honor does not exist."

Shifu bit down on his teeth hard as Arc gripped his wrist even harder

"What wrong path? Living my life the way I want and not devote myself into something which I consider a waste of time and carelessly forcing it down people's throats? That's the wrong path in life?"

Shifu gripped his fists in frustration. The lion was now insulting him in a deeper level.

"This is not what Master Oogway-"

The lion didn't let him finish his statement. In fact, Arc made sure the red panda lost his composure after what he shouted next, "If your master was still alive, you'd be doing what you always did: you'd be on your knees licking his balls like the hopeless whore that you are!" It worked. Shifu's gaze and scowl had grown colder, meaning the teenager had crossed the line but the feline wasn't done speaking, "I'm taking Snow Cub with me, away from you!"

Tai Lung couldn't imagine what he had just heard the lion say. Surely, this wasn't going to end up in a peaceful matter now. Gongju, on the other hand, knew from the start that this was going to escalate into a fight just as soon as he saw Arc angry, walking towards the red panda.

The lion then released the old master's wrist free and the small man landed swiftly on his feet. Shifu readied himself, for he knew that the lion wasn't going to reason with him peacefully. He took a stance, gesturing the feline to do so as well.

"I promise I'll make this quick." Was all the red panda said, his stare as cold as ice.

"I can't make that promise to you." Arc responded with complete disinterest but he did raise his knee to chest height and stood on one leg.

Shifu could tell what he was doing: distracting him so as not to notice the feline's arms when he attacks. What came next was the last thing that crossed the red panda's thoughts. Arc stretched out his leg with incredible speed, one that caught the old man by surprise, but the lion stopped his foot from harming the old man, resting his foot against Shifu's face.

The red panda simply stared at the lion's joyful face past his outstretched toes, his nose was between two of them, as the teenager wiggled his foot digits.

"Toes on your face!"

One thing was for certain for Shifu, if Arc had gone through with the attack, he could have been finished off in one move with a powerful kick. Still, the red panda didn't waver as he spoke to the feline with his foot on his face with an unenthusiastic tone.

Was Arc even trying to fight him or was he being his usual abnormal self? As Shifu figured the lion was posing no threat to him, he lowered his guard, "I thought you were going to fight me." I guess I was just overthinking it. Assuming my student would harm me just because he's angry at me.

But the little relief Shifu had obtained was cut short when Arc replied, "I wanted to do that."

In that instant the lion tightened his toes around the red panda's snout and lifted the old man as he gripped on his face with his foot and without hesitation and with incredible speed and strength, Arc slammed him against the floor.

Shifu had no time react to the lion's attack because like always he didn't take him seriously but there was another reason: his body didn't respond him properly. As he laid beneath the teenager's foot and tried to budge out of the boy's weight but the feline, still gripping tight the old man's snout, kicked forward, releasing the red panda once the momentum was perfect for the old man to fly off to against the wall holding the One Thousand Scrolls of Kung Fu, which by impact made them either rumble or fall down from their cubbyholes.

The lion had always been an unusual person and what the red panda had just witnessed and suffered was proof of it. Arc had done the exact opposite of what Shifu thought; he showed him the attack he was going to do to distract his enemy. This might be more difficult than what he anticipated, especially since as he tried to get up, he found it difficult to move as easily as he always did and it wasn't because of being hurled against the wall.

Arc just kept walking slowly towards his collapsed form of the red panda. Tai Lung, who was watching the whole dispute between lion and master, stared completely still. He had no idea what had caused this friend's reaction. Since when does Arc get angry?! He's never been truly pissed before. What caused this?

On the other hand, the red panda was experiencing something different. What was wrong with his body? Shifu couldn't contemplate what could have happened to make his being work inappropriately, if only his arm would stop stinging him. And that's when it hit him. The spot where Arc had grabbed on the old man's arm was swollen and throbbing. Just what on the Heavens did he do?

The teenager gave a toothy smile, "I guess you've noticed that your body isn't following your every command!"

Shifu looked up to the lion with a worrisome look, "What did you…?"

"Forbidden Chi-block Technique, invented by masters of kung fu during the Shang Dynasty." Arc explained.

Silence followed after the lion's statement. Gongju looked between the startled red panda and just as surprised Zai, thinking what exactly did Arc say that was so surprising. Surely there must be scrolls from that time and era in this place.

Shifu and Tai Lung both stared at the teenager with a stricken look. The red panda closed his hanging jaw but opened it once more to speak, "How could that be? That technique was lost centuries ago!"

"I found the how-to scroll in the remains of a monastery, it was buried beneath about a mile beneath the earth."

"Why didn't you ever tell anyone you knew so much of kung fu?"The red panda asked sounding completely dumbfounded, though he was.

Arc just stared with a blank face, "You never asked."

What other things could Arc know? Seriously, Shifu was starting to regret not getting to know the lion better he could have learned lost kung fu techniques.

Arc simply took a stance and gestured the red panda to attack.

"What is the importance of hurting me?" Shifu asked as he rubbed his wrist.

"Just consider this late justice!" Arc responded holding his stance.

Shifu had to think how to put an end to this dispute as fast as possible. He took a closer look at the lion but wasn't able to see a clear weak point and his wrist was starting to sting like a fresh burn mark and it visibly throbbed along with his heartbeat.

Arc noticed the old man's discomfort, "Right now, you can feel the chi-block growing gradually, as it is supposed to do, can't you?" There was disdain in the teenager's voice.

The red panda just looked back at the feline, with a very well-disguised hurt look, "What did I ever do to make you attack me?"

Arc tilted his head to the side but his stare intensified as the words left his mouth, "Does Da Xia ring a bell?"

Shifu's eyes shot wide open and his pupils contracted to a barely visible dot. His jaw quivered. How could anyone know about his connection to her?

In a desperate attempt, Shifu jumped away and climbed up the nearest pillar.

The teenager knew what the red panda was up to and he wasn't going to let him hide and regain strength. Arc smirked as he looked around the Hall of Heroes "You can't hide from me."

Arc then stretches his toes, sinking his nails in the hard floor, and firmly presses against the ground he stands. His breathing leveled and his ears picking up the sounds of his surroundings, the lion didn't move from his spot as he centered his vision to a specific target.

"Peek a boo, Shifu!"

The lion then positioned himself and made a fighting stance, his fist ready to fight, and yet the old master wasn't anywhere visible or in any of the feline's range.

Tai Lung wondered what Arc intended to do but just as he questioned that, the lion made his move. The teenager gave a punch to the air, angled directly pointing at one of the pillars and before the snow leopard could even question the reason for this, because right after the lion had thrown his fist to the air, Master Shifu had flown off the opposite side of the pillar and hit the wall as if Arc's attack had flown, went through the pillar and made physical contact with the red panda or maybe that is what just happen.

"How did he…?" The Aura Force! Tai Lung thought; it was the only possible solution. He had no idea it could be used in such a way. Hitting opponent from a distance, now that's quite an advantage.

Master Shifu slipped down the wall and landed on the ground with a sick thud and a moan of pain as he placed his hand against his back, trying to numb the pain away. As long as that chi-block remained, there was no chance that he would be able to fight.

Arc just stared at the old man lying on the floor. His face carried that blank expression that he is well known for and his pace towards the red panda was slow and calm, not menacing in the least and yet, to Tai Lung, that was the most terrifying thing he had seen in his life.

The lion stood a few feet away from the old master struggling to get on his feet. Shifu reached for his deceased master's staff and used it to hoist himself up. Arc then, without thought, kicked the stick away, making the red panda fall on his knees, holding himself up by placing his hands forward.

The teenager just looked down on the old man, gasping for air, with a cold stare, "Snow Cub is coming with me, Shifu."

Shifu, on the other, rouse to his feet, though groggily, and shot back the cold hard stare the lion was giving him as he tried to control his breaths, "You- you have disgraced kung fu, Arc. I thought there was potential for you. That all you needed was the proper guidance, a good role model, to become a model citizen…" He closed his eyes and shook his head in disappointment, "I was wrong." He then opened his eyes once more and took a step forward, despite the pain provided by the chi-block, "You are not taking my son away with you and I will not let that happen!"

Arc, now visibly angry, strode forward pointing a finger to the old master and shouted what had been eating him this whole all time, "You want to keep him here, locked away from what he wants and now you want to do the same to Gongju!"

Arc then prepared to launch another attack but Shifu, being the fast person that he is moved out of the lion's sight, this time making sure to keep himself in movement by jumping from pillar to pillar, avoiding the lion's keen senses and attacks.

"It wasn't bad enough that you harmed and ruined the lives of every child you ever decided to call your own. Now you want to do the same to Gongju!"

The lion on the other hand just throwing punches, using the Aura Force, in the air, aimed at random pillars, hitting nothing in the end. He knew that if he was going to take down the red panda, he needed to keep up, especially before the chi-block's effects wear off.

Shifu, on the other hand, felt that if he kept this up, the lion would surely grow tired of attacking though what the feline had done to his wrist truly was making him feel heavier, slower and somehow that certain spot shot out a stinging sensation to the rest of his body. He dared to stay in one place, gather his strength and peek at the teenager and was surprised to see that the feline wasn't doing anything, just squatting down in a horse stance with both fist by his sides and both eyes closed tightly, as if trying to gain power. Whatever he was up to, Shifu suspected it would mean trouble if he expected to take down the angered feline later on and now seemed like a good chance to strike and put an end to the lion's tantrum.

He hopped down from his hiding place and sprinted toward the feline, preparing himself to do a finishing blow but just as he was about to attack his opponent, the lion kicked forward and gripped on the red panda's snout once again with his toes and lifted the old man from the floor, drew him closer to his body, whispered: 'toes on your face!' and then stretched out his leg forward, releasing Shifu, sending the old master flying across the hall.

Unlike the first time, Arc didn't mean to injure the red panda this time around, just keep him at bay. Shifu regained his composure, feeling the chi-block losing its effect on his body. Now he knew he could take down the lion easily, after all, none of the Furious Five were able to keep up with even when they all worked together.

Once again, he sprinted towards the lion, this time, however, a bit more cautious then before but once he was close enough to attack the feline, the red panda was surprised that Arc had vanished in thin air.

Both Gongju and Tai Lung stared in awe at what they had just witnessed. Sure, the situation between Shifu and Arc was worthy of such a reaction but when the lion had disappeared in a blur, it made both snow leopard's eyes widen in amazement. Arc didn't vanish, he just moved out of the way of the red panda very fast. Even the old master was astonished by this feat.

The red panda asked once he got a better look at the lion. The teenager's pupils were contracted, every muscle in his body seemed tense and his breathing had become louder and deeper. "What technique is this?" Shifu asked.

"Based on the ancient techniques of slowing down or making your blood flow faster," The lion explained but then he added an extra piece of information, "I call it the Lion's Fury."

He had read of those old techniques in ancient scrolls but, like the Chi-block performed earlier, it has been lost to the world for centuries. Master Shifu only stood amazed once more, if the lion had mastered such a technique then his chances in winning this fight were slim but also because he knew the price one would pay for performing the ancient move.

"You realize that by making your heart beat faster as well as making your metabolic processes do the same, you shorten your life's span." The red panda said as he stared in astonishment at the lion.

Arc got out of his stance and positioned himself to attack, "Of course I do. I'm not an idiot!"

Shifu hated to admit it, to himself, but Arc truly was starting to worry him. The feline was far more advanced than any teenage kung fu practitioner should be, like Tai Lung at that age, and he knew secrets of martial arts that probably no one else knew about. Then the feline vanished once more and Shifu couldn't even pick up his location, not even with his sharp hearing. He was only able to sometimes hear faint steps but couldn't tell where they came from until it was too late.

Arc appeared out of nowhere and swiped at the red panda's feet, toppling him over and aimed another fist down on his collapsed opponent, to which Shifu evaded, barely, as the red panda witnessed the lion's knuckles make contact with the floor, resonating the impact like a wave across the entire chamber, where he was not less than a second ago.

But just as the lion retracted his fist, he vanished in a blur and Shifu wasn't able to react quickly to the assault of attack he received even though Arc wasn't even hitting him, running around the small man in circles while throwing punches from remoteness.

Tai Lung saw how the old master was being beaten by an invisible force and he knew what that was as soon as he noticed Arc sending punches flying directed straight for Shifu as the archeologist stood many feet away, as if the wind created by the punches were are actually harming the opponent. The snow leopard was amazed by the attack, he had no idea the lion knew about it or that it could be used in such a way. Hitting opponents from a distance… the possibilities!

The array of attacks suddenly stopped, making Shifu fall on his knees and gasp for air. Arc simply stared at the beaten old man with a blank stare. His breathing seemed to return to normal and his muscles relaxed, indicating the Lion's Fury to be over and that Arc had won the battle.

That reminds me: I should never piss him off. EVER! Tai Lung thought.

But just as those thoughts passed through the snow leopard's head, Arc collapsed on his knees, drained from energy by the technique that had provided him with an edge in the battle. Apparently, there was a price to pay for using such a powerful attack.

"If you still think I'm done, think again, Shifu!" Arc shouted at the old man trying to get a hold of himself after the beating he received. The lion then cracked his knuckles, "I'm here to deliver your long due meeting with justice!"

Master Shifu had regained himself and stood up, groggily, but never the less, made a stance and charged at the kneeling lion with great speed, planning to end this dispute in one blow.

Tai Lung ran towards Arc, hoping to stop whatever attack the red panda was going to deliver but was held back by Gongju as the older snow leopard wrapped his arms around the boy's body.

"Stop, don't get involved!"

"This fight is about me. I'll put an end to it!" Tai Lung responded.

Then they both turned their attention to where the lion was kneeling after they both heard a loud smack echo through the entire room.

To their amazement, Arc had caught the red panda by both his fists. Shifu tried to break free but it was futile. He had no idea how physically strong the teenager truly was until now, as he struggled to break free but the feline's grip didn't even slip a little. He knew that he had fallen directly into the lion's trap once he saw the smirk on Arc's face.

The lion gripped harder the red panda's wrists, performing the Chi-block technique on both arms. Once again, Shifu was helpless to Arc's attacks. The old man felt the stinging sensation getting more and more unbearable as the teenager executed the attack. Just like that, he was once again vulnerable to pretty much any strike sent his way. The feline then leaned closer to now worried master, his face serious, not blank.

"Don't ever get near Snow Cub ever again!"

Then with all his strength, Arc brought his fist hard against Shifu's abdomen. The air was knocked out of his opponent as his eyes grew wider as the seconds passed. The lion let go of the old man and allowed him to crumple on the floor, motionless from the chi-block but mostly because of the punch to the gut.

Arc turned to the two snow leopards and was all smiles like he always is, "Ready to go!" The lion then turned to the cat on the wheelchair, "You too, Gongju! Hope you packed everything you need!" The lion grabbed his backpack and gestured the two to follow, "It's going to be a long trip!"

"Stop!"

Everyone turned around to Shifu, struggling to his feet. Even after Arc had given him a double dose of the chi-block attack, he was still fighting except this time he won't last long.

"Why…?" The red panda asked. His head staring at the ground, "Why do you wish to go on this trip? Aren't you happy here, Xue Zai?

After hearing the words, Tai Lung walked to his adopted father's side and waited for the master to look up. When Shifu did in fact lifted his head, and saw the boy looking at him with big, sad eyes, the young snow leopard answered his question with a barely audible voice.

"I- I have to." The boy said and paused to swallow and take inhale, "My family…"

Tai Lung wasn't even able to finish what he wanted to say. It was difficult of him to talk about it, especially since he has never spoken to anyone about that situation. However, the red panda understood once the boy had mentioned the word 'family' and gave a small smile with a nod to his son. The boy needed this, he needed to find peace of mind and somehow this journey he'll embark on was the key to that.

Arc walked to Tai Lung's side but made sure not to look at the old master's gaze, "I'll take care of him so don't worry about his safety. I promise."

The master heard the lion spoke the truth, the cat's voice showed determination and honesty, and nodded in return. Finding it difficult to speak, thanks to the chi-block, and he slowly rested his body on the floor and dozed off, knowing he will certainly feel even more pain when he wakes up. Why do I have to be such a downer?

The lion then stared at the oldest snow leopard, his face blank as his eyes showed the curious clueless expression the lion was known for, "Gongju, Snow Cub and I are ready to leave, are you?"

"I am." His friend responded. He still felt rather shocked by what had just occurred in front of him, especially seeing Shifu's battered form lying on the floor.

Arc noticed his friend's discomfort, as well as Tai's, so he smiled at them, knowing there was no better cure for glumness, "Lead the way, then." The lion gestured the exit and allowed the older snow leopard to turn his chair around and move towards the entrance.

As the two oldest felines exited the hall, Tai Lung just stayed put staring at the collapsed form of the red panda and slowly strode to him. Was he really alright? Did Arc overdo it? And why was he worried about him at all? Wasn't him the one who had caused him pain?

He slowly stepped towards the red panda, whose breaths were uneven, but stopped moving forward just when the old man laid in front of him. He stared at him, feeling somewhat guilty for what just happened, even though it was Arc who did it. He was about to place a paw on the old man but he stopped as Tai Lung heard the master moan loudly.

"Go, Xue Zai…" Shifu said in a barely audible whisper. He didn't move nor did he attempt to do so but the old master continued to speak to his son, as much as his injured body allowed, "There are things far more important in life…" He paused to take deep breaths but nevertheless sustained, "family is a virtue and if you going on this journey will bring you peace then I cannot come between you and that." This time he lifted his head and looked straight at the boy and offered a reassuring smile, "Good luck and be safe, my son."

With no more strength left in him, the red panda collapsed once more, this time dozing off in the process.

Tai Lung left the master's sleeping form and followed after the lion, who was waiting for the boy to join him by the door.

Arc looked at him with a serious face, that rare expression, "You sure you are ready?"

Tai Lung nodded. "I am." This journey was important. If what the lion told him was true there might be clues in The Underground about the Patient One.

The teenager then turned to the direction of the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom, "Gongju said to meet him by the peach tree."

"Why?" Tai Lung asked and with good reason, after all, they are supposed to go to down the steps to reach the farm.

"He wouldn't have told us to go there if it weren't necessary."

They walked to the tree and Tai Lung noticed that Arc had absolutely no sign of battle damage on him. Not even exhaustion; in fact, it's as if the battle which just took place didn't even happen. The lion merrily strode as he usually does. What happened to the pissed off beast that mercilessly kicked Shifu's ass without regret? Maybe it's better not knowing that.

By the peach tree, the older snow leopard child was pointing his crossbow to the distant sky as he measured a rope that was tied around the tree itself and the other end was knotted at the opposite end of an arrow, which the crippled feline placed in his weapon.

Tai Lung had no idea why they were there and the purpose of the other snow leopard to be doing whatever that he was doing. This was just time consuming; they could have been almost halfway down the steps by now, "Gongju, what exactly are you aiming at?"

The older snow leopard didn't answer but he did shoot the arrow to the skies above and it soared above the entire valley until finally landing somewhere not visible in plain eyesight.

Somehow, Arc did know where it landed and it made him excited knowing what was coming next, "Ooh, I see what you did!

"Then would you like to do the honors?" Gongju said as he handed over his crossbow to the lion.

"Would I!"

The lion took the crossbow and placed Gongju on his shoulder. "You too, Snow Cub."

Without giving the boy an explanation as to what he was going to do, Arc grabbed the younger snow leopard and placed him on his other shoulder. "You two ready?"

"Ready." Gongju said as he covered his eyes with goggles, a leather strap around his head with glass cylinders for protection.

Tai Lung saw the precaution the other snow leopard took and looked worried as he answered, "Um, ready?"

The lion then took a big inhale and ran towards the ledge. "Hold on tight." Arc said right before he jumped off, both snow leopards holding firmly of whatever part of the lion they could. The three felines flew through the air, zipping down the rope, high above the entire valley.

Tai Lung stared at the amazing view with wide eyes filled with astonishment. He had never wondered something he had seen for most of his life could be seen in such a different way from a different angle. It was beautiful.

The nice breeze from the fast speed they were zipping down sure felt nice. Especially for both snow leopards since their pelts were very thick. Tai Lung had stared in amazement at everything: the village, the citizens, the mountains in the distance and the sky, because, to him, it was the closest he had ever felt to it.

And then the ground came closer and closer and that's when the ride came to an abrupt end as Arc's feet made contact with a wooden post. Both the snow leopards tilted forwards but didn't fly off from the lion as the two of them held tightly to the taller cat. Tai Lung realized where they had landed and looked around to see if it were true and it was.

They were right in front of the farmhouse and the three remaining members of the Workshop stood up from their respective spots but it was Ralix who ran straight to the three felines.

"Hey what took ya'll so long?" The male red fox said. A bemused smile forming on his face seeing the two snow leopards hanging on to the lion by his shirt sleeves.

"I had to take care of something first, no biggie!" Arc responded casually.

Then, something clicked in Tai Lung's head. Gongju had placed the log there in order to zip down a rope he was going to shoot from the Jade Palace so as not having to walk down the steps and the journey to the farmhouse. He thought about all of that ahead of time. They were right. He truly does think of everything!

Gongju hopped down from the lion and landed on his unfolded wheelchair, "I hope I didn't keep you guys waiting for too long?"

Wen waved it off, "Don't worry about it. That idiot panther kept us entertained."

"Panther?" Both snow leopards asked in unison.

They got their answer as Alvar helped Tai Lung off of the teenager, "Little boy who curses a lot, Arc, you two are going on a trip too?"

Great, now we have to deal with him on this journey? Tai Lung grumbled to himself.

Arc responded the panther's question, "Yup and if that pack you are carrying is any indication, you too are going on a trip a well."

"You bet we are! Xovius and I are going to visit a matchmaker named Xinla."

"I think I've heard of her?" The vixen added with a hint of uncertainty in her tone. And that's when it hit her: Xinla was the person she thought about when the panther crashed through Tigress' ceiling, in an attempt to seduce her, but she forgot after all the events that took afterward.

However, it was Xovius who continued to speak for Alvar, "She lives in Shenzhu City and Alvar heard that you guys were going to The Underground." The panther then looked at the red fox, who tried to hide from everyone. His sister then eyed him with her arms crossed. A look that said: 'you have some explaining to do'.

The red fox gave in easily, "Okay, I told him last night! He was at the noodle shop."

Everyone then turned to the person nearest to them and blinked in utter confusion.

Last night the panther had been trying to get the attention of the striped feline who had captured his heart simply to say his farewells for the time being until, of course, he returned… to seduce her. That was when Ralix stood in his way, trying to stop another fit from Tigress and wrecking Ping's shop. That was how the boy slipped the whole details of the trip he and his friends were going to take.

Gongju smiled fondly at the fox, "Good, it will be like our first heist. Alvar could come in useful." Despite being allowed to go with the group, the panther still seemed unsure of something, "What about Xovius, can't he come?"

"Yes."

"Good, now I won't have to worry about you having no one to talk to!" The unaccented voiced cat said but soon after saying that, he turned his head to the opposite direction and his voice gained the accent that Xovius is so well known for, "I've got posse of cheating housewives, I would've been perfectly fine here but you're hopeless without me, Alvar."

The silver vixen then grabbed her brother by the ear and pulled him aside.

"Sorry sis, I didn't mean to make a pervert join us!" Railx cried out as he flailed his arms.

"You're lucky he's going to carry the heavy bags!" Wen replied and eyed the panther, who saw her expression and picked up all the luggage in a flash and smiled cheekily in return.

Being a bossy boots has its benefits! The vixen thought with a devious smile curling her lips.

Arc retracted the crossbow from the rope and handed it to its owner, "Well, what are waiting for? Let's go, everyone! Gongju, did you build the thing that I told you to build?"

The snow leopard nodded, "It's here but what exactly do you want with this thing?"

At the farmhouse's porch, the vixen unveiled a machine about the size of the four year old feline. That caught the eye of that very same cat.

Tai Lung took a closer look at the contraption both Arc and Gongju were talking about. From a first glance he can say he has no idea what it is but once he eyed it closer the snow leopard was at least able to identify possible uses, after all, it had a drill on one end, two handles on the sides and at the other end there was a metallic cube with a key sticking out on top of it, probably for the gears and bolts that made the machine work.

Then the leader of the Workshop strolled to the porch and turned around so as to see his team members, "Let's get going, everyone! We have a long journey ahead of us!"

The two foxes, cougar and lion nodded and followed the snow leopard, Arc even helping him up the porch's steps. Alvar followed after them as he inspected his provisions for the trip before entering the house. And now Tai Lung was all alone, outside as he second guessed himself about this journey. He could start a new life as a new person here but there was that sensation in him of wanting to know the truth, to uncover if that ghost child truly was Lei, or any other one of the children…

"Snow Cub, come on or you'll fall behind!" Arc called out from inside the house.

Tai Lung forced a smiled and ran inside.

---

It was such a wonderful morning. Training was never as difficult as being surrounded by a bunch of brothers and now she laid in her bed after completing her daybreak lesson, instructed by Master Viper, though, she noticed that a certain lion wasn't there, including Tai. She didn't care. She only wanted to spend more time with Arc soon, after the male cat was done doing whatever he was up to.

Somehow, the image of the archeologist completely bare from the waist up, revealing his arms to her, was the most attractive image she had ever seen, though if he would have been bare from the waist down as well it would have been nice too. Then he had embraced her and she could feel his strong arms encircling around her as she rested her head on his shoulder. It felt like ours as the two hugged right before she whispered in his ear "I love you!" and kissed him on the side of his head.

Why did she say that? Sure, she felt that way about him but she couldn't explain why she would confess something so personal, especially since they had just become a couple not long ago. She turned in her bed as she tried to drive her thoughts to more pleasant matters like: Arc flexing his bare arms for her the other day. She blushed at the thought.

"A little bit overdressed, don't you think?" Or underdressed. Jagter thought as soon as he saw the short length of the dress.

His sister was wearing a short, sleeveless purple dress that hung in its place thanks to a wooden ring, located in the center of her chest above her breasts, the fabric that covered them had a pair of straps made of the same cloth and tied itself around the circular rustic structure and another strap around the back of her neck and tied itself to the top of the timber circle. Around her waist was a loosely placed belt made of gold hoops that linked together by small golden studs, she sported sandals that tied around her legs, almost up to her knees, and around her wrist she wore the bracelet made of diamonds her beloved lion had presented to his sweetheart some time ago.

How he wished his sister covered herself more properly around boys, especially one that was infatuated with her. At least this dress covered her lady parts, unlike Arc who exposes his boy parts all the time. He feared that Naki would grow as shameless as her boyfriend.

Nakira, on the other hand, was thrilled about her special someone, "I just want to see his face when he sees me all dolled up!" She notices her brother's scowl, "There's absolutely nothing wrong with what I'm doing."

He sighed and inhaled, preparing himself for what he was going to say because this truly was something that could affect her greatly, "Naki, I have to tell you something and I don't think you will like it."

She crossed her arms and returned a scowl of her own, "Is it about Arc?"

"Yes."

Her stare hardened a bit, "Whether I date him or not is none of your concern, Jagter. Arc and I have something very special going on and I am not going to let you ruin that just because you believe him unfit of being my boyfriend."

"He left."

A few seconds of silence before it dawned on her.

"What?" the words quivered in disbelief as they left her mouth.

Jagter closed his eyes and sighed, "He left with Tai on a trip this morning. It says so in this note I found in his room."

He handed the piece of paper to his sister and she slumped on her bed as she read the other male lion's message. Once confirmed that her special someone was indeed gone, out on an adventure with his little friend, she simply stared at the floor as if searching for more answers.

Seeing his younger sibling like that made him wish he could do some serious damage to Arc but could only offer a sincere apologetic look, "Naki, I'm sorry this happened to you but you have to admit that Arc is not exactly a stable person, he doesn't stay in a place for long since he's always traveling. This is exactly what your relationship with him would and will be if the two of you continued being together." He paused and walked by the room's window to breath in the fresh air from the sunny day outside. He inhaled once more to continue speaking as he began to turn around and face his sister, "I know it hurts but…" She was no sign of her in the room. "Naki?"

He noticed that the flower print rucksack, which she kept by the side of her bed, was also missing. That could only mean one thing.

Jagter ran out to the hallway and was able to spot his sister's silhouette as she exited the barracks. Naki was still trying to make pieces of clothing fit in her rucksack by the entrance steps.

"You can't be serious! You're really going to chase after Arc?"

"Yeah; yesterday he seemed interested in copping a feel." She responded with no sign of shame anywhere.

Jagter on the other hand, was aghast by what she just said as his jaw fell open. "When did you become such a hussy?"

She straightened herself, scowled at him and positioned her arms akimbo. "I'm telling mom you called me that!"

"Mother and father will be here any day now and you are just leaving without them knowing about it for some guy!" He reasoned.

"Mom always said to follow your heart."

"Yes, but…" He stopped himself before speaking any further after realizing what Naki meant. After all, it was something he believes in too.

"If it weren't for that belief, she and dad would have never been married. Remember?" She pressed on, though, not forcefully.

He remembered very well the tale of how his parents met and how they fell in love. He sighed in defeat, "Fine, we'll go after Arc but you will have to stay as close to me as possible. No alone time with Arc whatsoever, unless I'm seating between the two of you. Understand?"

She rolled her eyes as she displayed a bemused smile, "Whatever you say, big brother!"

He lifted a finger, "And another thing: if I see that you can't handle this journey, we will turn around and come back." He added and almost forgot another important detail concerning his parents, "We'll also need to find a way to inform mother and father once they arrive about our whereabouts."

Naki handed her rucksack to Jagter and entered the barracks, "Leave that to me." She said as she searched for a piece of paper and follow Arc's example. Hopefully, her parents won't be too mad.

The male lion waiting for his sister only felt dumb for letting her give him the backpack because now that he was holding, Naki will expect him to carry it for her all the time.

What have I gotten myself into?

---

Mantis couldn't stop snickering at his avian friend. The insect had recalled the story that a certain raccoon reporter had unveiled to them about Crane's time as a rookie kung fu practitioner. "Again? Why did you bang a watermelon?" He insisted wanting more details and answers.

Crane grumbled loudly as he tried his best to keep his composure, especially the redness from his face. "It was when I was in the Li Dai Academy and a few of the cool guys wanted me to be one of them and I had to pass a series of tests!"

"And poking a hole in a watermelon, heating it and then boning it was one of those tests?" Po asked, feeling a bit intrigued by the anecdote, even if he too was red-faced.

"Yeah." Crane answered. His voice was flat and his gaze was on the ground.

"Did you become one of the cool guys, at least?" Monkey asked. Not even he could resist finding out more about this embarrassing secret the avian had kept to himself.

Again, Crane sighed loudly, "No, they were just picking on me."

"That sucks." Viper added feeling the bird's embarrassment.

Po and the four members of the Furious Five made their way to Hall of Warriors after an entire training session in the training hall without their master supervising them or keeping a watchful eye on their performances. Surely, something must be going on, something important, to keep him away from teaching.

"He did mention something last night about meditating with that Gongju kid in the morning. Maybe he forgot about time and is still there." Mantis added.

"Hardly, he is never tardy for the morning gong ever since he became a student." Crane replied with confirmation.

Despite wanting to know why their master hadn't been with them the whole morning, there was something else that was bothering them and wanted to find out as soon as possible.

They reached the entrance of the Hall of Warriors. It looked like it always does: clean and spiffy, everything in place, the sense of grandeur everywhere, an unconscious Shifu on the floor and of course…

"Master!" The five students cried out at the same time, alerted and startled.

"Master, are you alright?" Po said as he took the old man's head into his palm.

Master Shifu opened his eyes and groaned a bit, "Yes, yes, I'm fine. I was just resting."

No one believed that lie but nevertheless they didn't stop being worried.

Mantis inspected the old man for any sign of injuries and boy was he surprised to find so many bruises in various places.

"What happened to you, Master? You look like someone smashed you repeatedly against concrete!"

"That's…" the pain was unbearable, "that's not important. Just let me rest." He closed his eyes for a few seconds as his students still lingered there, staring at him. He then opened his eyes once again and held a finger, "But take me to my bed first. It is probably better for my back."

The giant panda carefully lifted the small man and the rest of his fellow students followed after him. Po looked down on his injured teacher and wondered who could have done this to his master, the best kung fu teacher in all of China, but then he remembered the other thing that was on everyone's mind during their training session, "Uh, Master, we were wondering if you knew where Tigress is; we haven't seen her since last night."

---

"Just a little bit further." Arc said as he pressed his ear against a wall as everyone else stood around, waiting for him to move again, in order to follow him down the stairs.

Ralix, holding an oil lantern, the only source of light they had, stayed closed to the lion so as to provide him with the necessary illumination the feline needed. "Ya sure about this? Ya do know what the penalty is for tunneling through any wall of Dynophyta's Pillar, right?"

"Yes!" The lion responded with multiple nods and then proceeded to tap the wall of rock, which lead to him descending more into the depths of the stairwell that connected the farmhouse's basement to the temple of Terkhonazya.

Gongju, Tai Lung, Wen, Penpa, Ralix and Alvar were tailing the archeologist, some patiently while others were starting to get annoyed by the slow pace, especially since they've been waiting for any particular sign from Arc for two hours ago and the feline was still examining the walls. The lion had even begun this important procedure of his by descending the steps until they were halfway down the whole flight of stairs, of course, the lion made them all run to shorten the time it would normally take but now most of them were tired, even Gongju who had to do an extra effort to keep himself from strolling down the stairs and stopping his chair from moving forward with his bare hands.

Tai Lung remembered very well how long it took him and Arc to go up these stairs, about two hours without breaks, and he was beginning to wonder if there could be a faster way to go up and down this stairwell. The Workshop most notably, Gongju, are able to build machines and contraptions at a fast pace, maybe they could build a contraption so as to avoid having to use the stairs. Po would be delighted to know about such a machine!

Onto more important matters, Arc had begun to place his outstretched palms on the walls, sometimes sinking his claws in, and knocking on it, feeling vibrations from it, as the group descended until the lion stopped in one specific spot and asked for the machine from earlier. Everyone seemed relieved to know that this claustrophobia inducing experience would soon be over.

As it turned out, the contraption was a drill and Arc took it upon himself to use it so as to not damage more than was necessary, and coming from the lion that truly threw everyone for a loop.

"This could take hours or days." Tai Lung complained and crossed his arms.

Then the panther stepped in shoving Arc out of the way, "We don't need that drill; I can punch my way through that wall!" He then began to punch the rock wall to no effect whatsoever. He stopped once he grew exhausted and his knuckled hurt and looked at everyone with a confused expression, "I don't get it; when Tigress threw me I was able to break walls!"

The four year old snow leopard grumbled at the panther's stupidity. "There must be a faster way to reach the other side."

The lion, still examining the contraption, answered him, "There is, I'm just drilling a hole for the next step!"

"What next step?" Tai Lung asked with a hint of worry in his voice. Whatever Arc was planning to do next could result in someone being injured. Thankfully, the other snow leopard was aware of this second phase and informed him about it.

"We're going to melt an entrance to the civilization in the Dynophyta's Pillar and thanks to my geographical knowledge I'll know where we'll be once we get through!"

"Wait, how are you going to melt a tunnel?" This came from Wen. Not even she knew of this step in the plan.

Gongju answered everyone's doubts, "Arc had informed me about the walls of this very temple, they contain high levels of Indium, and asked me if I could find a better way to open an entrance than by blowing this place up."

What's Indium? And did Arc know about that little fun fact since the first time he and I went up these stairs? Well, he is an archeologist. It shouldn't really surprise me if he found that out just by examining the walls when we first went through here. Tai Lung drove all of those questions aside and asked the most important matter at the moment, "How are the walls going to be melted, again?"

Again, Gongju was more than happy to ease everyone's doubts, "Arc asked me to build the drill with an additional purpose other than making a hole; it also shoots the borer, like a firework, in a powerful straight line to shorten the process. You see, once there is an open point from here to the other side, then it will be the right moment to make the chemical reaction happen." He paused and noticed that there were still faces with concern in them, "Don't worry, the most crucial parts can only be done by me. I'm the only who knows how to operate it."

Tai Lung looked impressed and nodded at the other snow leopard, "Ah, you made it Arc-proof!" He really does think ahead of time!

"Mhm!" Gongju responded as he nodded in complete smugness with his fists placed on his hips.

Arc then leaned down, so as to be at the same height level with his crippled friend, "The drill is in position. So yeah, it's ready to shoot." He then raised his palm and wiggled his fingers, "If my tactile senses are correct, civilization is beyond this wall." He finished by pointing at where he had been perforating small holes earlier, "Now, how the drill thing does the shooting thing?"

Gongju turned his chair around and appointed the lion to do as instructed, "First, spin the crank until it cannot go any further. When the drill stops, just repeat the process." The archeologist happily did as instructed and witnessed the drill in action, almost poking his eye out, but nevertheless began to practice using it. Gongju, on the other hand, opened the large carrying bag that Alvar had placed on the ground and looked inside, searching around the hollow bag full of necessities, "Now where did I left…"

Tai Lung turned to the silver vixen, "What is he looking for?"

"The tools he need to carry out the second phase." Penpal answered. The cougar was sitting crossed legged wiping a piece of cloth against his flute, making sure that it never loses its keen shine.

He then turned to look at Gongju again and was startled to see that the other snow leopard had made an open fire, where he placed a pan and was pouring more water into it as it already was hot and bubbling.

"You really do work fast!" Tai Lung said. His eyes were wide with astonishment. How did he make the water boil so fast?

Gongju returned a modest face, "Thank you!"

Clearly, he was proud of his fast pace when it came to work.

Tai Lung then looked at Arc who was drilling a small hole to what little potency the wind up of the crank gave it. He then raised a brow in confusion and turned once more to Gongju, "Again, since that machine can shoot a straight hole all the way to the other side, why is Arc drilling a hole manually?"

"If he's content and distracted there's no way he can mess anything up, now can he?"

Tai Lung truly was impressed, nodding to the boy's brilliance, "Makes perfect sense to me!"

Then the older snow leopard took hold of the pan's handle and strolled to where Arc was standing, holding the machine in position. Such a determined person, is he not? However, Gongju couldn't reach the machine because of it.

"Alvar, could you please lift me up?" Gongju said over his shoulder.

However, it was Xovius who answered, "Alvar said he had to take a piss but I'll do it."

"See, he came in handy!" Ralix proudly exclaimed while Wen simply rolled her eyes.

The panther grabbed the boy by the sides of his torso and elevated him. Once high enough to reach, Gongju began to wiggle a hinge on the side of the machine which opened the top of the cube like a lid and pulled out a rubber tube with a small funnel at the end. He ordered the panther to carefully empty the pan of boiling water into the conical structure. Xovius did so and once every drop had gone down the conduit the snow leopard placed the funnel back inside of the box and closed it.

"There, that should do it." Gongju informed ignoring the wailing curses from the panther after touching the burning hot pan with his bare fingers.

With that said, the lion began to spin the key. The sound of bolts being cranked echoed in the stairwell and resonated. There was no doubt that it could be heard even in the inner depths.

"I recommend everyone to back away and shield yourselves, just in case." Said the snow leopard in the wheelchair.

The panther simply took his metallic hat and placed in front of his face, while everyone else, except Arc, hid behind him for protection.

Wen turned to her brother, who was hiding behind Alvar's leg, "You were right, Ral, he did come in useful!"

Arc was still in position with the machine ready to carry out its purpose, "How do I make it shoot?"

Gongju peeked his head out of the safety of the panther backside and informed the lion, "Spin the key till it can no more, make sure your feet are firmly planted and, this is it, remove the key from its socket."

Alvar did as the snow leopard said, spread his toes apart and planted them strongly on the steps he stood, and when the key wouldn't spin anymore the archeologist took a big breath to ready himself, "Alright, here we go!"

---

Both siblings were standing right in front of the door that led to The Underground. Naki was still determined to find Arc and she knew he must have taken this route, after all, this is the path he took to get to the Valley of peace months ago and it was the very same she took when her mother brought her and Jagter to the valley.

Going through an abandoned temple was a new experience for her but she didn't realize that they would have to walk up a long spiral staircase that was miles long and that truly was exhausting but, in the end, she would be with Arc once she reached the surface. Her excitement kept her from collapsing from exhaustion and it numbed the pain in her legs away.

Now, in the present, she was still just as determined to be with Arc and she would go up those stairs again if she had to, fortunately, this time she had to go down them.

She knew this was the fastest way to reach The Underground so of course, Arc should still be somewhere going down these stairs.

"Naki, are you still sure about this?" Her brother asked, clearly wanting his sister to give up in this wild goose chase.

The female lion lit a candle stepped forward, determination blazing in her gaze, "Yes, now come on. We can still catch up to them."

Just as soon as the lioness opened the door, they were both startled by the sound of an explosion echo loudly all the way to the top of the stairwell.

Jagter stared at the endless darkness inside the tunnel up ahead and then stared at his sister, "Something tells me that Arc did that. I just know it."

---

A/N: Took me a while but I finished this difficult chapter and I still hope all of you are eager to keep on reading my story. Just so all of you are aware, Indium is an element that can be found in the Periodic Table. What made this chapter so hard to write, I must say is trying to make sense out of everything I come up with, which is hard since I'm an overly imaginative person. Do you think Arc was a bit harsh on Shifu? Or was he simply long awaited karma being delivered?

Next chapter I want to focus on characters I haven't given much time. So until next time.

Please, read and review! Any suggestions and feedback would be appreciated!