A NEW ALLIED
Even if she was always sulky, in the end Rose, it is not known why, by divine miracle perhaps, she had left her rooms, returning to school from one day to the next! That girl would never stop surprising him! Sam was aware that their friendship, at the moment, was a severe test, but he continued to believe that in the end she would have confided as always and everything would be back in place! Another week passed and the boy counted with trepidation the days left until the end of the school. Having given up trying to make any contact with her friend, she headed for the training rooms knowing that her father was there because of a repair to be done. But as he turned the last corner that separated him from his destination, his eye caught a rapid movement. A black spot had jumped on a chandelier to disappear through the air ducts. Rose had explained to him that the mustelids used them to move freely around the palace during the month of the white peacock's stay, but now that, in theory, all the animals had been locked up in the reserve, it was strange to see one free to go around the castle! He didn't know why, but he headed at full speed towards Rose's rooms. He had overheard a conversation between his father and Derek and had thus become aware of strange movements made by animals. Her friend's father suspected that it was they who had turned the rooms upside down during the past winter, but no one had yet figured out what they were looking for! Before precipitating the situation, with hasty conclusions, Derek had decided to investigate the matter thoroughly to avoid breaking that peace with animals that had done nothing but benefit him so far.
Despite all the collector was firmly convinced that any attempt to escape by the animals was futile, because they were too stupid to devise a plan that could defeat his defenses, but Sam realized that perhaps it was not so. He wanted to see it clear. Also for Rose. She had felt used and betrayed, but perhaps it was just a misunderstanding. Furthermore, he still had guilt for what he had done, so trying to heal relationships between them would allow him to be forgiven by all animals. There was nothing he could do, once he met Rose's friends, even if little and bad, curiosity had consumed him and he could not wait to feel accepted! Before he considered them dangerous, he attacked them, and now he sought their company! He must have been mad! He smiled to himself: he and Rose looked very much alike! Maybe he could understand it now. His was not a whim, she really cared about those animals and Sam would do everything possible not to see her unhappy anymore. Fortunately the rooms were deserted, so, in a hurry, Sam took a friend's jacket plus a scarf to cover his face. It was hot, but it was worth sweating a little for the approval of a friendship. Fortunately the guards let him pass and it was not so difficult to force the lock on the main gate. Once inside the dense vegetation he took off his disguise realizing that he was soaking wet! Damn him for being warm! He tried to remember the way to the twins' house, but the haste to hide in order to be able to take off that stupid disguise had made him lose his orientation even before thinking clearly! The entire reserve was under video surveillance ... that is, only the houses, the access gates and some part of the boundary wall, but still had to pay attention! He had forgotten his watch, so he could not say exactly after how much he began to hear noises.
Taking a few steps, he lowered himself down to walk on all fours to a thick bush. The vegetation was dense but this did not seem to disturb the animals as they trained among themselves. In fact, it seemed more like a real fight! Not wanting to be a spy, he decided to reveal himself. Everyone stopped and stared at him. He also saw the white peacock he had met in the castle long ago ... Shen was his name. They all seemed to be in great shape and this made him happy. He saw with surprise that there was a large variety of animals: cattle, felines, a bat, a gorilla, a crocodile, snakes ... (the fear increased), lizard, mantis, deer, rabbit, fox .. ... and also birds between here eagle, hawk and many owls! Only one animal had no idea what it was! "Hello! I apologize if I show up here without any warning, but I need your help! "Sam explained briefly. A blue peacock with a white patch on its chest came forward over the others. It was Kang. Rose had practically raised her together with the other older peacocks in the reserve. The bird in question raised its crest and tilted its head to the side. Immediately afterwards he nodded with a wing that looked like a "sit down" or "continue". "Rose is in pieces! Feels betrayed. But ... you know I recently saw animals of our world that lived in freedom ... They were afraid of us humans and ... it was nice to see them live in the wild and ... . "A snarl made the boy freeze and in horror he saw that it came from a large panther. "I want to help you! ... to escape, I mean! In fact it was quite obvious, but you could have understood another thing ... maybe I wanted to help you re-establish relationships with Rose, even if it wouldn't be bad! Maybe convincing her ... "Sam was stopped again by a snarl, but this time he belonged to a tiger with a lighter coat than normal.
How was it possible that when he was nervous he started talking like an idiot? Eventually he decided to follow Kang and his partner when they led him to what was their home. He remembered her well from her first visit! A pinch of curiosity made him turn in the direction of the point where all the other animals had disappeared. Would they have civilly discussed what to do with him, or would they have slaughtered each other to grab their prey? Well, many were herbivores ... and also being anthropomorphic animals they were different from those he had seen ... but certain thoughts and some questions just couldn't help them!
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"We can't trust it!" Xu said resolutely. "He's right! Maybe Derek sent him as his spy! "Ji gave him a hand. Tay-Yang who until then believed in the peaceful relationship established with humans, expressed his doubts "If the collector finds out what we are plotting I believe that any possibility can be destroyed in half a second!". "Does anyone remember that he tried to take one of us out?" Mei asked as she was lying on a large branch showing relaxation in stark contrast to her inner mood. "Thanks Mei!" Replied the two wolves who had had to use all their self-control in order not to slaughter that worm when they realized that he had had the nerve to be seen again in the reserve! Meng, an albino vulture landed badly on the ground near the small group "The human is from Kang. In the meantime, Tai is gathering everyone in the square! "He informed them before taking off again. Without saying a word, each of those present went towards the meeting point. Gan the python together with Mu and Zhu approached Shen as soon as they saw him arrive. "We've heard a lot about your escape plan!" Gan said "What are you going to do with the spy now?" Zhu asked teasingly. Shen's crest twitched. He absolutely had to convince everyone to actively participate in the plan because humans would use any weakness to their advantage! "I will return this spy against the principal!" Shen replied confidently. "How?" Mu asked, more skeptical than curious. "I'll make sure to give him what he wants most, which Derek can't do, to get him to collaborate!" The peacock explained. "What?" Zhu asked curiously. "Peace between him and Rose," Shen replied.
"Oh yes? Could you do such a thing? "Gan asked, who was clearly holding back the laughter. "When we get out of here, the urge to laugh and doubt will pass!" Shen said in an icy voice before moving away from the reptiles that had lost the desire to laugh. Mei looked at those overgrown lizards as soon as his friend left. "They seem really shaken by Shen's sudden mood swings!" Lang Min observed. "I can't blame him!" Said the cat. "Shen can sometimes be extremely disturbing and intimidating!" He explained. "Maybe it's part of her charm!" Said the peacock before heading for the center of the square next to Xing. Mei was blown away by that comment. Charm? But what charm was only his damned character that ... wait! Stop everyone ! ... Lang Min had a crush on Shen? It was absurd both the thought and the fact itself! But that last sentence was very suspicious and the cat promised herself to verify her doubts later. "Friends, we gathered to decide what to do with the intruder. I know that many of you don't trust him because of his past, and I confess that I'm a little reluctant to trust him too, but Shen has a plan! "Tai said pointing to the young man next to him. The white peacock swallowed a bitter bite. Everything depended on that speech! He had to show himself strong and determined on what he intended to do in order to implement a plan that had a good success rate. "Like many of you I don't trust the boy. But Cheung has brought vital information since his last visit to the castle: Sam is the son of the one who designed the reserve! "He revealed without too many preambles.
A surprised murmur rose from the crowd and Shen waited for them to ask. Instead of exposing the plan right away, he would let their curiosity bring it to light slowly, so that it didn't seem like just an order to execute. A melanic rabbit came forward with respect to all. Seeing her, Shen remembered that he had exchanged three words with her during her year and a half. "You describe it as the main piece of the plan! If he betrays us, everything will irreparably collapse! "She said firmly and many statements supported what she had just said. "Sorry, but how can you trust him after he attacked you?" Wan asked a melanic fox. "I don't trust him!" Shen said "But if you rely on him to be able to escape you are hopelessly trusting him!" between him and Shu. "In life there are risks that we cannot afford to run and there are risks that we cannot afford not to run!" Said the Master approaching the white peacock. A general murmur followed that revelation. "The plan is risky, there is no doubt about this! If we don't accept this, let's first stay in here, locked up for life! "Shen exploded. With his breath and his ruffled feathers he lowered his head when Jingjing gave him a reproachful look. He absolutely had to exercise his patience! But it was too late now! But the opposite happened than he expected! That last sentence had not stifled the minds, on the contrary, it had set them on fire at the idea of staying forever in that place.
"What will we do once out?" Asked Huo, the albino eagle. "Fa has identified a thick forest at the foot of a mountain. We will hide there until we have completed the construction of a large boat that will allow us to leave these lands once and for all! "Shen said illustrating the plan. Mei approached her friend and after a knowing look spoke "Sam will help us to deceive the surveillance to allow us to escape. Now we have to decide whether to do it all together or divided into small groups! "Said the cat. "Divided?" Asked confused Ye, the albino crow "But so humans will notice that someone is missing and everyone else will be screwed!" Jiang protested. "He's right!" Xian said. "But wasn't it you who said that only by staying united would we have any chance?" Tong asked Chong's fiancée. "And now he says we have to split up!" Gan teased. "Inconsistency at the highest levels!" Mu said. A snarl silenced the snakes. Xu stood by Shen's side. "Every group that leaves will leave this place and go to hide in the place indicated. Those who remain will make sure that humans do not realize that our number is decreasing as we will be imprisoned in the castle! So to run the greatest risk will be only the last while for the rest the success rate will be remarkably high! "Explained the panther, nervous about the disrespectful behavior towards his friend. Shen raised his crest in surprise. A strong friendship had developed between him and the cats. He could not say if it was thanks to Mei that he could now fully count on them or just because of him, but he was sure that once at home, at least they would stay together.
"This is a good plan!" Tai said enthusiastically. After this affirmation, cries of assent rose from everyone, even from snakes and Shen understood that freedom was now at hand!
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Evening came. Sam had felt so happy few times in his life. At his parties, or during some school trips. He never would have believed it could be for such a thing! That is, until a few days before he feared them! Absurd and magnificent at the same time! Now she had to find a way to make them peace with Rose and it was done! Maybe he could even have visited their world! Her friend had often left with her father since she always acted as an interpreter. In fact, he wondered what Derek invented to be able to communicate with animals when he didn't take her with him !? A journey full of dangers and adventure was what he had always dreamed of and he had to admit that going to Los Angeles had been a deadly boredom. There wasn't much to see and having gone there to study he didn't have much freedom ... yes, if the opportunity arose he and Rose would leave with them! Kang's wife offered him dragon clouds and he ate trying to be as polite as possible. Each move was calculated to be able to receive more and more trust! Suddenly the twins entered who seemed to be in the full swing of an intense catch. They motioned for him to join them and Sam didn't let himself be prayed for long. Once outside he realized that more time had passed than he thought and the time had come to return. Unfortunately the two peacocks were already gone in the thick vegetation! "Now it's late! They lend it to me even if I stay another ten minutes! "The boy thought to start running immediately afterwards. But he had underestimated those birds! They were fast and agile despite the large queues they had to carry around! In a short time he found himself with his hands resting on his knees intent on catching his breath and the twins were gone again!
"How did Rose play with them?" He wondered. Also counting that her best friend had found herself since childhood in the company of peacocks! He was about to resume the race when he saw Shen in the distance, in the company of the she-wolf he had fought against. He completely ignored his conscience and headed for them. The core of the speech had yet to be established, but he absolutely wanted to talk to them, even though it would have been a one-way speech since he couldn't understand them!
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"So are you listing all the possible implications that the alliance with Sam could bring to be sure not to upset the plan? It's impossible you know! You can never hit them all! "Shu said not at all happy with the final decision. "We must be ready! If we act behind him, the possibilities increase! Sam will never have to tell him anything! "Shen replied speaking of their jailer. "Hurricane coming!" Said the wolf seeing Lang Min approaching. The conversations between them were mostly quarrels and even if they were extremely funny, he knew well that the most delicate phase for the escape plan was approaching: to ally with the boy and get his trust! "Shen, I have to talk to you!" Said the peacock approaching with a worried arai. Shen knew that an arrow was coming and decided to ignore it. He was far too stressed by the whole situation! He didn't feel like bickering for futile reasons! She got angry and grabbed him by the wing. The peacock did not have time to shout at her that he saw her fall on the ground, like a ripe fruit. "Lang Min ...?" He called to her, shaking her, suspecting it was a way to let him drop his guard and attack. They often fought and talked at the same time. Since the quarrels were at the height it was better to express all their strength not only in words! Luckily, Kung Fu did not foresee to hurt the opponent in any way! This saved them a lot of hassle! "What did you say to reduce her to this state?" Shu asked seeing that the peacockess made no sign of wanting to recover. "Absolutely nothing!" Shen replied, who was starting to worry "Then you have to teach me this" nothing "!" The wolf said waving her curious tail.
The peacock glared at her before returning attention to her friend. A yelp preceded the collapse of Shu and as soon as Shen saw her he understood: poachers! He felt a tingling on the right wing and had time to see a dart sticking out of it before the darkness enveloped him. "Guys! ..." Xian walked quickly looking for Syaoran's brother and friend who had been looking for her for quite some time. The peacock heard noises and walked towards them. He saw Shu, Shen and Lang Min lying on the ground. He approached them furiously "What unfortunate idea is this? Know that if it is a joke I ... "he could not finish the sentence that he saw a human being staring at him. He was not a guard, the clothes were different and his weapon was bizarre, exactly like the ones that poachers had! He was surrounded! There were many this time! He took a breath and paupulated as hard as possible. As expected, he was hit and passed out soon after.
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Sam couldn't believe it! He had heard of them, but being a few meters from those matriculated thieves was another matter! It was by pure luck that he had noticed a movement in a bush not far from the peacock and the wolf and had stopped. A peacockess had joined the duo and her doubts had been confirmed: there were intruders! Also this time the reason went to be blessed and following the instinct he decided to go after those bandits while dragging the unconscious animals in large steel nets. Once they reached the wall they approached a small gate and one of the guards made them pass as if nothing had happened. Fortunately he approached the gate alone, with his back to him. So it was easy for Sam to sneak out and hide behind a tree after crawling as quietly as possible. The guard and poachers turned their backs on them as they settled the unconscious animals in a large truck. But it wasn't just the three he had seen. Another white peacock had joined them and had been captured! Sam froze when he heard others coming. Peering he saw that they had also taken a snake, another peacock and ... a gorilla! It had to be heavy since there were five of them to drag the animal! All those present, after placing those poor beasts inside the truck, headed for the gate. As soon as they started talking about money Sam approached the vehicle. They had not yet closed the doors, one was wide open, while the other slightly closed. The boy hid behind the second and took a quick look inside.
There was an empty cage! Slowly he approached and as soon as one of those strangers raised his voice a little too much, he clicked the lock by opening the door of the cage and jumping in. It was not very big, it had to be completely bent, but fortunately there was straw to hide under. He gathered it up to form a large pile and slipped under it. Someone else would have rushed for help, or set off the alarm, but he wasn't someone else, it was Sam! And if there was a situation that you could only see in series like Gotham or Daredevil ... he certainly did not hold back!