Welcome back everyone! Sorry for the delay, I was on vacation and now have the time to write before I have to go back to school.

It feels like summer vacation is already gone!

Notes:

● The time between chapters being updated/uploaded will increase significantly once summer is over, I'm sorry. (It will take more time to upload more chapters).

Let's continue on, shall we?

Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Dreamworks or Kung Fu Panda.

Chapter 25

The Mission

~~(Nikolai's POV)~~

I swear the earth beneath my feet shook unusually this morning, it felt light, but unique and discomforting. No matter, it was only on my mind since then.

I have told Alina goodbye, and some of the other trainers before I left the camp. I also can't forget the trainees as well.

I better start jogging lightly so it won't take too long, I must remember the new assignment, I must understand why I'm doing this assignment...wait...scratch that.

The stone road was coated with ice and snow. The buildings of Novgorod could be seen from my position, not to mention the torch light.

Anyway, my initial arrival time to northern China could be a week or more. I have only my legs at my disposal to carry me a thousand miles to my destination. I'm still not even sure where my exact path is.

I'll stop in Moscow first thing, just to get some refreshments and some food that's all, it wouldn't hurt to get something to drink for a thousand-mile journey.

Be that as it may, I started to jog more slightly, the path would only be frozen for miles to Moscow, then I increase my speed. My feet tended to be chilled from the cold snow beneath me, and the wind only howled into my face, and the snowflakes of course.

I trotted pass the trees controllably and adequately, enough to make sure I can get to Moscow without passing out. The morning skies were erupting, it seemed the skylights were above me behind the clouds last night as well.

It's a unique and fascinating sight, the Northern Lights, or some people call them the skylights. It doesn't matter, they thrive in different colors.

With my head pointed towards the sky, and my eyes inspecting for the remains of the skylights, I began my journey to China - one step at a time.

~~(Alina's POV)~~

He wasn't very specific on the location of our meeting, however I know he's known for choices of his amusement. Of course, I can't argue against him since it never ends in failure.

The Cathedral of St. Sophia was one of Novgorod's oldest, but finest landmarks in the entire area. Since we're discussing with delicate information, it seems that being near an quite exquisite sight wouldn't be recommended.

No matter, Arseni knows what he's doing. He always does, he'll probably have a pun to go with it all as well, he usually does.

I head across the street, with the cathedral to my right. The freezing air wasn't comfortable, but it wouldn't be a concern in a minute.

I look around, swinging my head to see if there's anyone nearby. Well, there was a few citizens around. I noticed a wolf couple, they seemed to have been in a hurry, they walked pass me, but that's really it.

I also noticed someone walking across the bridge, the figure I tried to squeeze my eyes so I could get a good view was dressed in black, wearing a brown hood. I couldn't see its face from my position.

I stood there staring at the figure, not caring about anything else around me. It wasn't long until the person came close enough to describe more characteristics, it was a wolf since I noticed its tail.

The wolf came so close, walking one step at a time, that I could read its face. As I expected, it was my associate.

"Why, good morning," he greeted.

I rolled my eyes. "You could've chosen a better location, you know..." I commented.

Arseni pulled back his hood, indeed it was him. I've known him for so long to know his appearance completely.

"Yeah...sorry about that. I'm assuming you're worried about other matters aren't you?" he chuckled.

"I suppose." I replied, tilting my head slightly.

"Well, everything is going pretty well. Nikolai is on his way as we speak." he said.

I shifted my head to the cathedral, still listening to him. "He'll be in Moscow in a few hours," he added.

"I hope so. It could take him nearly a week to finally arrive." I asserted.

He scratched the back of his head. "The others are very tempted to hear more of our operation," he said.

I shifted my attention back to Arseni. "They'll have to wait, but it wouldn't hurt to offer a few samples of intel...I guess." I shrugged.

"You're telling me," he laughed, "Well, they're doing fine, but I'm not sure if Nikolai can really handle this situation."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Eh, you know. Kinda...well...not as strong? Perhaps?"

I frowned. "So?"

"Nevermind."

"Nikolai can carry this out, I hope." I stated.

"I guess so. Oh! Did you ever get any intel on the Emperor?" he wondered.

"Which one?"

"Ha! I get it, but I mean Ivan!"

"Ssshh!" I awoke ever so quickly with fear that someone could be eavesdropping us. It seemed that it could've been possible.

"Yes, just remember who you're talking about!" I whispered.

"I know, I know," he whispered teasingly.

"I'll give you some documents once I get back to the veche. I can't tell you much more out here. It's too risky." I told him.

He nodded and looked at the cathedral for a few moments. "I suppose it's time to leave, I can't be here with such a high bounty remember?" he said.

I nearly face-palmed, but I decided to leave it be without any dramatic manner. Plus, I didn't need to offend him anyway.

"Agree. When will we meet again?" I asked curiously.

"I don't know, Alina." he replied.

I only turned around, putting my back towards him. "There is only so much we can do." I concluded.

Well! Thank you for reading this chapter!

Sorry it took so long, I just got back from vacation so I couldn't write while I was at it.

Anyway, I'll see if I can pull another chapter off before summer ends, It feels like it went by too quickly, eh?

Take Care!