The wedding was a week away, and everyone could hardly wait. It was the talk of the town; after weeks of planning, Jade Tusk was marrying Huifang. The ceremony was set to take place in the village square, in front of the pedestal that had once held the giant peach statue. The very statue that actually held the Wellspring, the source of all the qi in the universe that had be guarded for several generations by the pandas of the village. The couple felt that it was only fitting to have the ceremony there, as it was the reason the Poison Clan became a part of the village in the first place.
The happy couple stood at the foot of the makeshift altar, one arm wrapped around the shoulder of the other as their free hands were clasped together. Jade was in deep thought, thinking of how her life was leading to this perfect moment, all while Huifang could hardly hold her excitement. Jade pulled herself from her thoughts as she glanced at the beaming doe beside her.
"It's going to be so perfect," Huifang stated excitedly, "The clothes, the ceremony, the food, which I am really looking forward too because, come on, it is the best I've ever had…" Jade could only smile at her future wife's bubbly personality, really not caring what she was saying, the doe only cared about being close to her lover. Noticing the loving look on her partners face, Huifang ceased her rambling and returned the gaze.
"But what really has me excited, is knowing I will spend the rest of my life with the doe I love." Huifang then leaned in to kiss her fiancé, who just loved that the doe who was normally so ditzy, could also be so wise and romantic. Jade let out a soft moan, totally enraptured by her partner's passion. The sweet scene earned a few smiles and sly glances from passersby, but unfortunately, the moment came to an end when an obnoxious voice broke the silence.
"Save it for the honeymoon, tooth rot." Groaning as she broke the kiss, the annoyed Jade turned to see the holder of White Tiger's qi, Jing, the panda who had caused her and sisters so much grief a year prior, walk toward them with a smug grin. While the two had become very good friends, they managed to keep their habits of pushing the others buttons. Composing herself before she could do something she would regret, Jade realized that Jing interrupting this moment could only mean there was something important that needed to be discussed.
"What is it now, ankle biter," Jade joked, smirking at the flustered face that adorned the panda's face soon after.
"Master Po got a message from the snow leopard village up the road, turns out some of your 'sisters' are still very Pro-Bird Brain." Jing explained, clearly not happy about the matter. Jade's heart skipped a beat, for the last thing she wanted was to fight water deer she had been through so much with. But, she knew that protecting the innocent from the ideology of a power mad dragon demanded her attention. Turning to her fiancé, who still needed to be fitted for her wedding attire, she was met with eyes full of understanding and compassion, as well as a caring and sweet smile.
"Go, I get it," Huifang reassured her fiancé. Returning the smile, the emerald tusked doe gave her lover's lips a quick peck before she went to change out of her jade green tunic into her traditional combat gear; her red training vest with violet trim and gold embroidery, as well as a pair of tan training pants. As she met Master Po and his students at the entrance of the village, Jade was stopped by Huifang, who held out something in her hands. Looking down, Jade saw a polished, pure white sea-shell that was attached to a piece of red, silk ribbon.
"Your lucky sea shell?" Jade inquired. Huifang nodded, before motioning Jade to turn around, allowing her to place the ribbon around her neck. Jade tenderly caressed the pendant, and looked back to see the smiling face of her fiancé, tears brimming in her eyes.
"That way I know you'll come back," explained Huifang. Using her hands to cup Huifang's face, Jade quickly brought her lover into a passionate kiss as tears streamed down their cheeks. Fan Tong, being as sensitive as he was, sniffed at the tender scene before him, as did Nu Hai, while Po simply smiled. Bao just proceeded to make gagging noises at the "mushy" sight. Jing just rolled her eyes, even though she was secretly happy for the two, though she would never admit it. Breaking the kiss, Jade, with her eyes still closed, brought her forehead to rest on Huifang's, the latter's eyes clenched shut. Both stood for a moment, clutching each other's hands. Before separating, Jade finally spoke.
"I will always come back to you, my love." Giving her fiancé one last kiss, Jade set off with the Dragon Master and his students, leaving Huifang with a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach; A feeling that she would never see Jade again. She decided to banish such thoughts from her head, as she had faith that her lover would keep her promise. Turning back toward the village, Huifang walked to the seamstress hut, unaware that both parties were being watched.
The smoke from the village was visible just as soon as the small rescue party had navigated the mountain pass, which was accompanied by the unmistakable smell of burning wood. As they approached the small settlement, the carnage became very apparent. Huts ablaze, debris strewn about the ground, and, even more disheartening, bodies of the native snow leopards, still warm, but unmoving, an indication that the carnage and subsequent slaughter was very recent.
Moving to the body of a young leopard, probably about the same age as the panda cubs, Jing attempted to use her healing qi to revive the cub. Sadly, the cub remained unmoving. Jade, who at first was very disturbed, noticed just ahead of her, there was a small doll that resembled a panda. Picking it up, Jade, ears dropping, fought back tears as she was overcome with a strong sense of mourning and, understandably so, rage. Whoever was responsible for this, Jade was going to make them pay. And she had a pretty good idea who.
"Alright Gang," Po bellowed, getting the group's attention, "I think the first thing we should do is try and find survivors." As soon as it was agreed upon, the five pandas and lone water deer began to search the area for any sign of life. The search went on for almost twenty minutes, each second bringing up no results. However, the group was met with the sound of falling debris in a house that had appeared to be virtually untouched. Slowly moving toward the dwelling, the group took notice of the body of a male leopard, clad in black pants and a green silk tunic, bound at the waist with a dark red sash. A thin line of blood ran from the right corner of his mouth, while his glossed over, amber eyes stared upwards toward the heavens. By his side was what appeared to be an axe, which the group guessed he probably used to try to fend off his attackers.
The rescue team's attention was soon brought back to the hut as they heard more rustling, this time accompanied by the unmistakable sound of an infant's cry. Cautiously moving into the dwelling, they were met with a startling sight; a female snow leopard, profusely bleeding from multiple abrasions on her body, clutching a small, bundled cub to her chest. Upon noticing the group, the mother began to panic when she saw the emerald toothed water deer with them. Calmly approaching the startled feline, Jade gently knelt to her level, offering a kind smile, which worked in assuring the mother that this doe was unlike the ones who attacked her home and killed her husband. The injured mother was then approached by Jing, who again attempted to use her qi to heal the dying leopard. As soon as the glow of her qi subsided, Jing turned to her friends with a grim expression, slowly shaking her head.
"The injuries are too severe," she explained, a tear falling from her eye, hitting the floor. Po placed a comforting paw on his student's shoulder.
"It's okay Jing," reassured Po. Upon returning her attention back to the snow leopard mother, Jade focused her attention on the cub in his mother's arms. Smiling gently, Jade carefully brought a hoof down to move the cloth that was covering the infants head. She was met with the face of a perfectly healthy baby boy, whose tear filled, green eyes reminded Jade of Huifang. The cub whimpered once, but soon calmed and relaxed itself when his gaze met Jade's amber eyes, curious of the cervine in front of him. Smiling a toothless smile, the cub giggled. Smiling gently, Jade caressed the cub's cheek.
"What is his name?" she asked the mother. As the mother began to speak, she began to couch and gag, bringing up a small amount of blood.
"Bai," the mother rasped out. Realizing the female leopard did not have much time, Jade decided to try and get as much information out of her as possible. As gently as she could, Jade began her inquiry.
"Can you tell us who did this?" she began. Taking a deep breath the snow leopard mustered as much strength as she could before she began to speak.
"Marauders," she gasped out, "water deer, who claimed to serve the 'One, True Dragon Master, Jindiao.'" Coughing slightly, the feline continued after catching her breath, "They demanded supplies for their quest to seek out and destroy their enemies; we refused, and you already have seen the outcome." Nodding slowly, Jade asked what she knew was the most important question.
"Did any of them mention their names, or could you catch any distinctive characteristics; voices, scars, anything?" As Jade theorized before, she had a fair idea of who would be capable of something like this, but she needed a witness to be sure of it. Her hopes rose as recollection crossed the spotted feline's features.
"The leader," she whispered, "she had a scar over her left eye." Upon hearing this, Jade began seething with anger and hatred; Shānghén lù (Scar Deer), the vilest member of the Poison Clan that Jindiao greatly favored due to her ruthless nature. There had been rumors that if Jade was unable to satisfy her masters demands, then Shang would take her place. Luckily, after Jindiao's fall, Jade banished Shang, along with other members of the clan who shared her vile personality.
Jade was soon brought out of her thoughts as she felt something being placed in her arms. Looking down, she saw the curious eyes of the leopard cub staring up at her. Looking back at the mother, she was met with pleading eyes. "Please," the mother begged, "watch over him." After a moment of hesitation, Jade, with a compassionate smile, nodded toward the dying leopardess. Just as she cast her eyes down at the young boy, she, along with the rest of the group, where informed of something that made all their hearts stop.
"she said something about pandas."
And with that the mother's eyes closed as she drew her last breath. After absorbing the shocking information, Jade released a panicked whisper.
"Huifang." Without missing a beat, the group, along with their young companion, who had been slung on Jade with a backpack, began sprinting toward their home, hoping they weren't too late. That hope was dashed as soon as they saw the smoke rising over the mountains.