Clouds spread around the Jade-Palace and the valley of peace as the alliance built their last encampment near the valley, in an empty village, busy with their preparations for the last fight.

Without knowing when the attack will come the Jade-Palace prepared their defences and evacuated their village. This time Huan did not even needed to warn anyone for anything.

With all secrets aside Shifu prepared everyone on his side to be ready to at least hold on until the reinforcements from Gongmen-City will arrive.

"Master Shifu, we received a message from every ally we still got out there. They are on their way here to support us.", Zeng reported.

"Excellent.", Shifu answered.

"All warriors were called back towards here, as you wanted."

"Excellent."

"Tigress and Viper are on their way back here."

"Excellent."

"Some random people stood at the Pool of Tears."

"Excellent… wait what?"

"Just a test."

"Zeng, please!"

"… Your students want to meet you. Excellent I know...", he said and went away.

All of Shifus students rallied themselves before him as he ordered them to. All six of them were here though there are no longer his real and official students.

"Now the time has come, my friends. The alliance is right before our surrounding. I know things did not come as we expected but now it's our time to do the best of what we have so far.

We have lost contact to the rest of the world now so we cannot know when the support actually will arrive here. Po, what about the scroll?"

"Well hidden, master.", Tigress answered dependably.

"Exce- Good. The civilians?"
"Evacuated. The whole city is empty now.", Crane answered.

"I don't understand this… are we not supposed to protect the village instead of evacuating it every time anyone is coming near by?", Mantis wondered.

"Not if we can't guarantee there will no harm to anyone.", Viper answered Mantis' question.

"Viper is right. The village is not what they want to destroy though we can't risk anyone got harmed. I still don't get why they are doing this just in order to destroy the knowledge of Chi.", Monkey wondered.

"Simple.", Shifu answered and too all attention with that answer. "Someone provoke them to attack and this person is still among them."

"Why should anyone do such thing?", Viper asked and immediately got an answer from Mantis: "Hey, it's not the first time someone do something crazy, right?"

"You are of course right Mantis.", Shifu talked on: "Though we defend the people, the Jade-Palace has many foes. Mostly they are just some simple outlaws and someone like Tong Fo sometimes even got pretty crazy ideas. But none of them was ever brilliant enough to do this. Nobody of them would ever dare to collect chieftains from the different provinces. S we don't have any simple outlaw."

"So we should figure out who it is, right?", Monkey asked.

"Easy! He means me, obviously. I am professional seeking for evil guys. It's my job to", Po said but Shifu shook his head, smiled and said:

"...protect the valley and fight for those who need you Po. And you five have to fight the army. Without you five there is a big hole in our lines and I won't dare to split you up again. You may had your disputes in the past but that was what made you a great team. No, I plan someone other to do this. And you, Po, you're… eh… the … the Dragon Warrior. Yes. You need to help everyone out with all that balance you have learned. I doubt the person who started this war will take action in this battle so you can all relax. I will join you of course."

"Who is now seeking for this person, if not one of us? Do you think Mei Ling is doing this?", Crane asked.

Shifu shook his head again and said: "No. It will be someone I still expect to come. This person will be perfect for this job."

"More secrets? Common, Shifu. Why do you think someone will still come? Everyone we know is here or removed out there. Who told you someone will come?", Mantis asked.

"It was of course… a call… from the universe.", he simply answered.
"Wow.", Po marvelled about statement while Tigress was silently sighing in the background. "I never had the chance yet to hear a call from the universe. Why does everybody else got them?"

"We all do, Po and they are leading us to where we are now and telling us where we have to go. You proved yourself often times to know what to do. Not always but often. Well: Sometimes."

"So are you telling us now who this person is you are expect to come?", Tigress asked.

As Jil and her class, connected with the forces of Quántóu and Panggui again, they made their way to the alliance's base the first place Shiren visited were the prisons from the inside with something to eat though he was the only one eating something after the breakfast since he did not fight at the bridges.

This was apparently the best proper house you could make a prison of with pretty well locked doors and no window to the outside.

Which was good because in cases of being prisoned or something Shiren preferred darkness. Darkness to hide in.

He was the only prisoner so far and he was told someone will have a talk with him later. It was not said who he is gonna talk to. Probably not Jil but also not Hao. Jil already tried to speak to him and Hao is no superior in the alliance in any way as far as he knew.

In a prison Shiren at least had much time to think but unfortunately there was nothing to think about currently. He felt a bit tired but that was all so he rested himself since he got nothing other to do right now.

Not much time passed as he saw the person he was meant to face: An owl.

An owl with blue kingly cloths. Shiren did not know him and he was not sure what they meant to discuss. He turned to his two antelope-guards which wore navy blue armour and grabbed their swords ready to act. Their faces were hid under their heads. "Make sure nobody is listening to us.", he said to them and they left without a word. After few seconds they left he turned to Shiren again with a very superior aura like an emperor is looking at his plebs.

"I guess you are Shiren?", he begun the conversation with a very calm voice. Shiren just nodded because he was not willing to speak if it is not necessary.

The owl run his wing over the cage. "I hear about your… little story out there. About one side… definitely betrayal and on the other hand… lack of experience. Two different perspectives I heard, both telling the same story. So I am willing to hear to a third one. I also recommend you to tell me what you really did. My time is short and I have many decisions to make. So, Shiren, tell me your story. Tell me, what you really did and who you really are. Neither a traitor or a fledgling I as I guess. And… before you ask, I prefer to tell you later who I am after you told me who you are."

Shiren hesitated a bit but this owl said his time is short and he did not seem to be someone playing around. Nearly as direct as Jil. Shiren did not know who this person was but he was at least a superior.

So Shiren started to tell his view of the story about the freeing of grandmaster Viper and this fight against his daughter Viper.

The owl listened carefully and asked about details, like what did the grandmaster actually say or how Viper reacted on him on which conditions.

Shiren did not feel under pressure or any other emotion. It was a completely sober conversation.

"So yeah, that happened and I swear it's the truth."

The owl nodded. "Oh yes, I totally believe you with that. If this would not the truth we will surely figure that out quickly. No pressure. You have sworn it's the truth so no reason to feel bad.

We will find out what we are going to do with you.", he answered, took a last look at Shiren for few more seconds and went out. Seems like he would make himself a picture of this story.

Whoever it was he did Shiren not feeling any better.

Just few minutes after he left Shiren heard an odd noise.

It sounded like a small thing getting thrown into this room and a scroll rolled trough the room to his cage. He followed the way of the scroll with his head interested and he hesitated as it stopped right in front of him. He was easily able to get it but he was not sure what was written in there. It may be a message. What else would do a scroll rolling in here? They don't have legs, as Shiren recalled correctly. Not that lags are important for movement or something but they don't even have muscles.

He took the scroll and opened it. The handwriting was not familiar to him but the words were friendly:

I know you are no traitor and I will help you proving it.
The alliance doesn't even know about the truth of the Chi. But if you want to know, meet me at this coordinants.
Time is short.

Now that sounded awkward. Someone knowing about the Chi and being inside of the alliance?

That must mean it's a real imposter or… someone who thinks the Chi is no danger at all.

Which made him very suspicious anyway.

But he said he wanted to prove Shiren was not a traitor and also telling him about it's truth.

Shiren wanted to do anything to make him trustful again though he did not want to leave his cage. It was an order of the bosses and if Shiren escaped it would be a point for a distrust.

But he had to find out about the truth and he specially would be willing to return to this house no matter what. He would be willing to.

Shiren waited until he was sure nobody was about entering this cage until Shiren opened the door. It was a really silly lock for him.

Now was Shiren's moment to shine with his stealth and refinement.

Shiren left his cage and tried to get out of the encampment unseen with his bag he found on his way out of the house.

Surprisingly there were no solders guarding his door out of this house.

But he had no time to worry about anything.

He feared to get spotted now but his most fear was to get founded by Quántóu.

From his experience about this guy he should be most pleasured to hunt Shiren when he founds him. It was at least his responsibility Shiren got arrested and if he would spot a traitor it would be very commendable. Now if his prisoner escapes he would surely do anything he needs to do to catch him back. Like specially aggressively and specially personal he assumed.

Shiren looked around. He would not have much time.

Easy… easy… nothing easier than leave the whole area unseen. As much as he could Shiren slithered in the dark. Luckily he just infiltrated a whole city...stronghold city one day ago so he had at least few experiences with doing this.

Silently and slowly he made his way around some tents, hid between grass and sludge. The whole city was very ordinary but luckily it was lunchtime so the solders weren't that active with walking around. Once someone wondered: "What was that?", as Shiren came too close one time.

Another solder asked: "What was what?"

"This noise… hey look, who's footmarks are that?", he asked and pointed at the ground.

"That are our footmark, you fool. And this wood over there is a chest. On top of it… nah, now go on eating and stop hallucinating. You don't get paid for this."

"You´re probably right."

"Probably?", the second asked suspiciously.

This was close…, Shiren thought. I have to be more careful.

He climbed up a house, tried to not be that strikingly and find his way out.

He suddenly saw Quántóu talking with someone on his way to the outside.

Everything he did then was having patience. He waited silently on the roof of the house until They would walk somewhere else. It was sadly the only way out since the rim of this city got some walls this day.

So he waited and disported with looking up to the sky, keeping an eye on movements at the ground, nearly took a nap and worried about everything he did right now.

After, estimated, 3 hours finally the the two people moved while Shiren was speculating about the origin of the clouds which he was looking at.

He immediately turned to them and saw them leaving and opening his path out.

Shiren was did not believe how easy this was. Weak lock on his cage, no guards at the prison, easy way out with nearly no trouble…

Better this way rather having trouble and loose more time than this. He was luckily an experienced sneaker.

As quick as he was on the outside he run to the location he was meant to go for.

He lost the message somewhere in the encampment which was very painful. When Shiren will meet his messenger he will immediately going for another place. He hoped to get a pardon from this.

Finding out something about the Chi was seriously valuable and he would going to tell everyone whatever he would find out.

The location was right near by sea in a forest.

Here and there were some tiny cliffs, like five or ten metres high. It was pretty cold, even if he weren't any more on a mountain but the sun were shining a little bit sometimes trough the clouds.

Not even a minute passed as Shiren heard a noise behind him. Someone was coming.

The person meeting with Shiren was a huge creature. At least bigger than Shiren himself.

As he recognised who it was he grew sceptical. "It can't be!", he said. "What are you doing here?", he asked as he went backwards to the sea until he reached it's rim.

His partner laughed. "Look who we got here!", Quántóu said.

He grinned: "If it isn't our inmate and he escaped. Are you waiting for someone randomly?", he asked.

"I don't have to tell you anything!", he answered steadfastly as he tried to talk like Jil.

"Surely not. But who ever you are waiting for won't come any more.", he said and took one step after another slowly like he enjoyed this moment very hard.

"You...", Shiren realized: "You sent the message, didn't you?"

Quántóu chuckled: "You really got something in your mind I must admit. But you were fool enough to come here. Did you not wonder why your escape was that easy? Do you really think… our security is that bad?", he asked while coming closer menacingly.

"What do you want of me? Why do you want me to come here?", Shiren asked and did no longer fall back.

"I mean...", he explained: "I already made alarm in the whole city you escaped. Everyone should searching now for you. Or at least some. But don't worry, they shouldn't meet you here that quickly. So you are a prisoner who is fleeing now officially." He made a point. Now Shiren is more suspicious than before. He wasn't aware this was a trap. All along. His escape? Planned. And Shiren thought he was just capable doing sneaking.

"And now since we both are already here...", he said while grabbing his sword. Shiren gasped on it's sight.

"What do you…? Wait! I will come with you! Just take me back and get all the honour! You can take away your sword now!", Shiren said in awe.

Quántóu chuckled creepily: "Sorry, little one. I just follow orders."

"What do you mean by that?", Shiren asked.

"Oh, that's easy: Deleting all knowledge of the Chi. You surely already know how to use it since you freed Grandmaster Viper and had a talk with his daughter.

"No! You… No I had not! I mean, yes but I don't know about anything of the Chi!", he yelled and made slowly his way to the side. He had to flee from him and since this is a crocodile he couldn't flee trough the water.

"Don't try to flee. You are surrounded. I sent my men around this area. I mean, I knew you would come here. I delayed your escape by blocking the way out so my men were able to take position.

Shiren grew panic-fuelled and tried to escape though he was surrounded. And truly some archers and swordsmen blocked his way and cornered him to a cliff. Everyone was wearing black based armour.

Shiren tried many ways but there were coming people form every direction he wanted to go.

Quántóu just went easily towards Shiren with a happy smile on his face.

"It's nothing personal.", he said: "It's just, you never should had take your head that deep into stuff you should not know. And nobody is here to save you now.", he swung his sword but obviously missed Shiren. He only got a piece of his bag. Shiren was way to much in panic as he could try to dodge meaningfully, he even could only delay what was supposed to happen. Quántóu slammed often times towards Shiren while he spoke:

"I saw up to this moment since I first arrested you! If I hate one thing more than Kung Fu warriors then it are traitors! Snakes! And this god dam Jade-Palace! I will enjoy watching it burn!"

"Please, Quántóu! Stop! Just stop! I am begging you! I will do everything you want but please stop this!", Shiren cried. He got some wounds on his body but Quántóu hesitated making deep wounds. But all of them hurt. "Let me go!", Shiren pleased while crying.

"Nah, I will pass. Do you think I would let you go now? I never could let you talk with another person once we are back. You have to die."

"PLEASE!", Shiren cried a last time. He had nothing more to say and was not able to fight him in this situation. But it was his own fault. He left his save cage. Entered a place without any checking for foes.

Quántóu sighed and rose his sword: "I can't hear this annoying voice any more."

Okay, now it was completely over for Shiren and he tried to make his last peace. He always wanted, if he had to die in a battle, to die without any repentance. But there was so much he regretted.

The most heaviest one: He made such a shame about himself and his family.

But somehow Quántóu hesitated to hit his victim who was breathing crazily and expecting his end.

A quick noise that sounded like an arrow made it's way here and struck on a leg of one of Quántóus men.

Then more and more arrows made their way to this meeting and made one person after another falling down and yelling. Shiren used his opportunity immediately and dodged Quántóu's hit by walking towards one of his men who was not any more able to grab Shiren. He was able to save his live and Shiren was about to take every opportunity to do so!

Even Quántóu had an arrow in one of his legs but he seemed not be interested in it.

He attacked Shiren again but Shiren with hectic made his way to make distance between him and Quántóu. Then Quántóu turned around and he as well as Shiren saw some people coming.

He recognised the owl and his guards. Many archers were coming with them as well. Everyone of those wore blue focussed armour and ordinarily they went towards Shiren and Quántóu.

"What is the meaning of this?", the owl asked in a raised voice.

Quántóu took his arrow out of his leg and his solders crawled away from him and Shiren.

"I am removing a traitor! He fled out of his cell and wanted to meet someone of the Jade-Palace!"

The owl answered: "Everything I see is you trying to kill one of my men instead bringing him back to our encampment and let the judgement to me! Guards!" Two of the antelopes started moving towards Quántóu.

"Wait!", he said: "I was-" But the owl interrupted him harshly:

"I did not allow you to speak up! You are a threat for our final attack if you going to kill your allies like this! You are banned from the rest of the war."

As the antelopes got him secured witch was no real problem for them the owl said: "Bring him to one of our best cells. I want to have a talk with him once we ended this war."

"I-… Yes Sire...", Quántóu realized he was defeated and Shiren took a deep breath. He was save. Now the owl could locked him away and did what he wanted but at least Shiren was save and alive.

"You there.", the owl turned to Shiren as the most part of his guards were escorting Quántóu and his solders. Shiren raised and looked the owl into his eyes.

The owl nodded: "Good job.", he said and came closer to Shiren. "According to all of your reports I always wanted to have Quántóu out of the field because of his aggressive strategies. And if you would not have dropped this scroll in the encampment we never would have found you.

Shiren took another deep breath and relaxed. The scroll. Yes! It was saving him!

"Also a big thanks to my new spy who found you that quickly.", he added.

"It was an honour, your highness.", a familiar voice answered.

"Huan?", Shiren asked.

"I'm so glad we managed to come just in time!", his friend said. Shiren did not notice him since now. He was now warring an ordinarily blue uniform of Lu Lan.

"I was never so thankful to see you…", Shiren said. He still could not believe he was alive after that.

"And I am not the only one. His highness wanted me to collect… them.", he said and gave Shiren vision to Jil and Shiren's classmates which were barely looking at this scene but talked with each other.. The owl slowly made his way towards them.

"Yes. I have to tell you something. All of you."