Kung Fu Wolf: Rising of the Moon
Chapter 14: Moonless Night
A/N
Well people you wanted it, you begged for it WELL HERE IT IS! THE LONG AWAITED CHAPTER 14 OF KUNG FU WOLF: RISING OF THE MOON! READ AND ENJOY MY LOYAL AND PATIENT FANS!
Hiro's P.O.V.
The sun set almost an hour ago, and we of the Jade Palace, along with the masters of the Sapphire Palace, except for Kira Ni and Shu Lan, took a position just a little ways from the quarry (which was a massive cavern dug deep in the earth) and discussed our plan once more. Without any light to help us see the map that Mantis drew up earlier, I admit, it was a challenge to make the last minute changes to the plan. Before the sun had set, I had everyone memorize the map as much as they could while we still had the light. Watching them memorize the map was actually kind of funny; especially Chin. The guy looked like he was having a staring contest with a piece of paper.
"Alright, once Kira and Shu Lan get back we move out. Everyone remember the plan?" I asked.
"Rescue the hostages!" Crane whispered boldly.
"Take out the bandits!" Chin said softly with a slightly evil look on his face.
"And try not to get killed." Zoyo, who was practically invisible in the dark, said stoically.
I nodded. That was basically it… Here are the details.
We will be divided in three different teams, Kira Ni, Shu Lan and Marcus (the infiltration team) will sneak behind enemy lines to locate and secure the hostages, and make it easy for their escape.
Viper, Mantis, Crane, and Di Foon (the defense team) will join with the infiltration team and help to escort the hostages out of the danger zone safely.
The rest of us (the assault team) will take the bandit's head on. Once the infiltration and defence teams have completed their assignments, they will regroup with the assault team.
Nice plan, huh?
A soft rustling sound caught our attention, to the left of us both Shu Lan and Kira Ni came with a few bandits, unconscious, over their shoulders. Perfect, phase one of the plan is going smoothly. After the bandits were unceremoniously dropped to the ground Monkey and Chin began to remove their armor. Once the bandits had been stripped down to their skivvies (producing a few giggles from most of the girls) the infiltration team (Kira, Shu Lan and Marcus) began to put the armour on.
With the lack of visibility I figured the rest of the bandits wouldn't be able to tell the difference between our team and theirs. At least with Shu Lan anyway, though I must admit I was a little worried about the other two. As Marcus began to put the stolen armor on, slowly he began to look like a full blown member of the Bandit Brigade. Perhaps I had no reason to worry…
Then I looked over to Kira and almost facepalmed. The armor fit well enough for her in every area… except her chest.
While she struggled to get the breastplate on I began to consider switching her out with someone with the assault team. Movement out of the corner of my eye tore me from my thoughts; Tigress approached Kira with some additional armor and a couple of tunics she was cutting into long strips with her claws. "Hang on, Kira." Tigress then looked over in our direction. "Boys! Turn around!"
Some of us complied with the tiger master's command… some of us (Chin, Zoyo and myself) didn't. Chin looked like he didn't want to take any more orders, I was curious as to what was going on, Zoyo… I couldn't tell with that outfit of his.
Tigress looked back at us one more time. "Turn around, or I'm going to poke your eyes out!" She warned unsheathing a couple of her claws threateningly. The three of us exchanged a quick look and did as she said. Now I know with my Lunar Sphere, the chances of Tigress actually making contact with my eyes was kinda slim… but this was Tigress we were talking about; so I wasn't about to take any chances.
So while Chin, Zoyo and I were facing away from Tigress and Kira I heard a rattling sound, which could be Kira's armour being adjusted. At least that was what I thought until I heard something hit the ground, followed by a slightly panicked voice.
"Wait, you're doing this here?" Came the voice of Kira. Who sounded a little flustered.
"Would you relax? And keep an eye on the guys, if any of them turn around let me know. I'll pull their eyes out." I heard Tigress say, in her no-nonsense tone. I looked slightly… slightly mind you, to my left where Chin and Zoyo were standing. I gave them a questioning look to ask if they knew what was going on. Chin just quietly shook his head, indicating he was just as lost as I was. And Zoyo… no idea.
"Ok breath in." Tigress said. After that we heard the sound of someone taking a deep breath. After a few moments of silence I heard Tigress speak again. "Alright then, let's get this on."
After a couple minutes of silence Tigress could be heard once again.
"Alright. Finished."
We all turned around and saw that Tigress had gotten Kira's chest plate to fit perfectly. Well, color me impressed. I looked to either side of myself to see the guys reactions. Zoyo… eh, skip it. Chin's eyes were wide open and his jaw was almost to the ground. Can't really say I blame him though, seeing Kira Ni like… this… seems a little… off.
But honestly, Chin could have taken it better than this. "Kira! Where the hell are your-" Chin was almost yelling! So I put my arm around his neck, putting him in a headlock, and put my other hand over his mouth.
"Do you want to get us caught, you idiot!?" I hissed in his ear. We both looked around and saw no one else was happy with Chin's sudden outburst either. He quickly shook his head and I let him go. He rubbed his neck a little and walked over to the others, I however walked over to Kira and Tigress. "You ready for this, Kira?" I asked. The big polar bear put on a fearless smile, and put the helmet on her head, completing the ensemble.
"I was born ready." Now that's what I like to hear. I gave her a friendly pat on the arm and she walked over to the Infiltration Team. Once she was gone I turned my attention to Tigress.
"Ok, I have to ask: how did you manage that?" I asked pointing over at Kira with my thumb. The tiger master crossed her arms and gave me a small almost mischievous smile.
"Let's just say I have a little experience when it comes to things like this."
….
….
Am I to understand that Tigress's breasts are bigger than everyone thinks?
Tigress giggled a little and shook her head. "I'm gonna make sure the rest of the Assault Team is ready." She then walked past while playfully bumping into me.
I chuckled a little at her and decided to check on the Infiltration team. Kira Ni, Shu Lan and Marcus were gathered over on a hill surveying the area, and making an escape route. Good thinking guys. "So, you guys got a plan?" I asked.
Shu Lan the sloth gave me a rather confident smile and said in her usual dazed tone. "Yeah man, we're gonna tell the guards a bogus story that the people from the city are paying ransom for the hostages." She then gestures to the rest of her team. "And we are gonna be making the trade, dude."
Hmmm… that just might work.
I nodded. "Good plan. I'll be sure to let the Defence Team know about this."
Shu Lan gave me a thumbs up. "Cool man."
You know… I kinda like her laid back style. Kinda refreshing to see a master not so… by the book.
My eyes then landed on Marcus. Slowly walked over to him, a little concerned. This was more than just a mission to him. It was personal. The bandits down there had kidnapped his sister; the only family he had left. Can't even begin to understand what is going through his head, still I need to make sure he is gonna keep it together. "You alright there big guy?" I asked.
He said nothing… just nodded. I didn't like that. "Are you sure? I can always put you on another team if you want."
Marcus shook his head at my suggestion. "No, I have to do this. That's my sister down there." And now we get down to what I am worried about.
"I know that." I replied. "But there are also other people down there. I can't have your attention be solely focused on your sister, I'm sorry if I sound a little heartless here, but I'm going to need your help getting the rest of the hostages out of here if anything goes wrong."
The big panther nodded. "I know. I'm just a little worried. I mean I've been in battle before, but this is the first on where my little sister is involved." Once again, can't even imagine what that must be like. So I decided to make a deal with him.
"Tell you what, when we evacuate the hostages, we're gonna need someone to stay with them, just in case." He then turned to me with a slightly surprised look on his face. "You wanna volunteer?"
His look of surprise turned into a look of pure determination. "Don't you worry your purty little head Hiro." Purty? I swear his Chinese is almost like a different language. "I'll make sure all the hostages get back to the city safely." Now that's what I wanted to hear. I patted him on his shoulder.
"Good man. We're all counting on you." I then addressed the rest of the Infiltration Team. "Alright everyone… it's go time!" They all nodded and silently made their way to their positions.
Once they left I headed over to the Defence Team, Viper, Crane, Mantis and Di Foon were all huddled in a small circle going over the plan for the two hundred forty-eighth time. I snuck in their little circle and let them know about the slight change in the Infiltration plan.
So, here is the new Defence plan: The Defence Team will now stay on the perimeter of the quarry and keep an eye on the Infiltration Team from a reasonable distance. If the Infiltration Team gets the hostages out of harm's way without any problems the Defence Team will immediately join the Assault Team in taking out the Bandit Brigade. If something does go wrong the Defence Team will help the Infiltration team escort and protect the hostages, while the Assault Team takes on the main force of the bandits.
Thankfully there wasn't much changed with the original plan, so the Defence Team got everything down in an instant. In fact they actually liked this plan better. As we looked down at the quarry we, with a little bit of difficulty, saw the Infiltration team talk with the bandits who were guarding the hostages. "That's your cue. Good luck guys." I said to the Defence Team. They all nodded in response and quietly got to their positions.
Ok, so far so good.
I made my way over to the Assault team. Monkey was twirling around a staff he found in the city, looks like he's ready. Zoyo was standing silently a few feet away. You couldn't tell by looking, but I could almost sense he was ready. Don't ask how I knew, I just did. His hat tilted forward in my direction. A nod. Yep, he was ready.
I then turned to Tigress who, instead of having a look of determination, had a very concerned look on her face; her eyes locked onto me. That suddenly unsettled me. Next to me Tigress is the strongest warrior here, I can't have her distracted. "Is everything alright?" I asked.
The feline master looked me right in my eyes and opened her mouth to speak, but closed it and shook her head. "It's nothing." I don't really believe that. "Just… please be careful out there. Don't take any unnecessary risks." Risks? What she mean by that? Before I had a chance to ask her she and Monkey began making there way to the Assault Team's position.
What in the world was that about?
"Her concern is understandable." A voice came from behind me. Zoyo had tilted his hat up so I can see his face. The black fox's crimson eyes bore into my own. The markings on his face glowed the same sickly purple as it did the other night. I'm beginning to understand why he chooses to dress this way, if you saw it it too you'd find it a little unsettling. "You're going to have your work cut out for you tonight Hiro. Use extreme caution." Then he silently followed Monkey and Tigress.
I still didn't understand what he meant. Why were Tigress and Zoyo so worried about me? I then looked down… and got my answer… when I looked at my right arm.
The markings on my arm were not glowing.
I quickly turned my gaze to the sky… clouds.
Ok, now I get it. Without the moon I don't have my ability to heal.
And as if to make matters worse, an ominous rumbling could be heard high above me.
I shook my head and made my way to the Assault team.
Suddenly, I'm starting to feel a little nervous about all this.
We huddled down behind a large pile of stones, the defective kind you couldn't use for anything, and waited for something to happen. I got bored pretty fast, so I leaned over to Tigress and whispered in her ear. "So why'd they shut this place down anyway?" Not sure anyone knew this, but I really can't sit around and be patient while waiting for something big to happen. Maybe I should work on that when we get back to the Jade Palace.
"I heard that it was too unsafe. Too many people died in cave-ins and other accidents." Tigress whispered back, her breath on my ear sent shivers down my spine. "Some people were beginning to think the place was cursed."
"Talk like that gives people incentive to stay away; perfect place for the bandits to hide out." I leaned close and whispered in her ear again. She nodded in agreement.
I gazed over to the other side of the quarry and saw there were three caves dug into the side, that was most likely were the bandits were keeping the hostages. At each entrance there were two guards, one at either side, armed with spears and standing at attention. Ever since we got out of the Migong Canyon I had wondered how difficult this would be. We weren't dealing with your normal run-of -the-mill bandits, these were trained soldiers… battle hardened… disciplined. And after what we experienced at the last town… I think we really got our work cut out for us.
Three figures, of varying sizes, approached the guards; perfect! The Infiltration Team has begun to make the first move. It looks like Shu Lan is pitching her ransom story to the guards, hope they buy it.
"Hey Hiro." Monkey quietly called over.
"What's up? Don't tell me you have to use the bathroom now?" I responded, a little irritated. I swear if that is the case, I'm gonna kick his ass.
"No! I was going to ask if you could hear what they are saying from here?" Oh. Ok strike the last comment from the record.
"I don't know, I'll try." And with that I perked up my ears and listened.
Listening isn't really a hard thing to do. I mean anyone can "hear" something, but it takes a little more effort to "listen". It's a little hard to explain. I picked up on how to listen little by little during my travels all over China… but I'm getting off topic here.
After focusing for few seconds (yeah, I'm just that good) I began to hear the faint voices from the mouths of the caves….
…..
…..
"Ransom, huh? How much?" Must be one of the guards.
"Oh, a king's fortune man, there is a lot of people here that the mayor wants back." That laid back tone; definitely Shu Lan.
"Why would the mayor of Shanghai want these refugees anyway?" A fair question, I just Shu Lan has an answer.
"Who cares? They're paying us ain't they? Let's just trade them the prisoners and get the gold." Another voice, gruff but feminine… Kira?
"I guess you have a point there… What does the commander have to say about this?"
Ok here's another reason why these guys are more superior to the bandits you see between villages… these guys are smart! Show another bandit a gold coin and you could probably get him to dance for ya, not these guys though. I hope the Infiltration Team has a good response to this.
"Do we really need to bother him with something like this? C'mon man, let's just make the trade and call it a day." Marcus, no mistaking that strange accent.
There was silence after that. Where the guards onto them? I was about to give the signal to move in when…
"Unlock the doors, paydays come early boys!"
They did it!
Everything is going rather smoothly so far. Now for the next stage of the plan.
As the hostages were being filed out of the caves and led over in the direction of the city, I spoke. "Alright guys, get ready to kick some-"
"MARCUS!"
….
Oh…. crap.
I think I forgot how Marcus' sister would react when she saw her big brother!
I bolted up as all the bandits grabbed their weapons put my fingers in my mouth and let out an ear piercing (my ears mostly) whistle; the signal for the Defense Team to make their move.
"Let's go!" I shouted, pulling out my hanbo and running to intercept the bandits charging at the Infiltration and Defense teams. A few seconds was all I needed to reach the closest bandit and drive my hanbo filled fist into his jaw; knocking him out cold. Tigress did the same with a roundhouse kick, and Monkey with a flying dropkick.
The sudden appearance of the Assault team put the small army of bandits on guard. Some of them turned to answer our challenge, while the rest went to take on the Infiltration and Defense teams. The group that stayed to take on the Assault were a little on the cautious side, the already knew that they had lost a few of their number when they tried to make a grab for the Imperial jewels.
So this time, we took the offensive.
I charged forward and any of the bandits that got within my arms reach were knocked out with my hanbo or my bare hands, put into bone breaking holds and incapacitated, or thrown into their own fellow bandits or occasionally thrown at my comrades where they finished the job.
I looked over to where the Infiltration and Defence teams were holding their own against the bandits while escorting the hostages away from the quarry. Good. It doesn't look like they're going to need any back up. "But we are!" I thought as another wave of ex-soldiers came charging at me.
The first few of the former soldiers came at me with spears poised and ready to skewer me where I stood. I smirked to myself, as if I would let that happen. You see, the thing about spears is… they're easy enough to dodge if you know where they're going, and honestly for me it wasn't hard to figure out. One or two side steps and a flick of my wrist was all I needed to take away the advantage of their spears and get right in their faces. The swordsmen behind them, I assumed, were there to cover that weakness…. Kinda wished I had seen them sooner.
I swung both my hanbo at the heads of two of the spear men on either side of the one in the middle, knocking them out cold, and quickly performing a vicious roundhouse kick at the remaining soldier. Thankfully it was quick enough to where I was able to reposition myself to avoid the flurry of sword strikes that were swung at me.
Now I'm pretty sure some of you are wondering why I seem to be having a hard time here… well there's a simple explanation for that…
I'm… not really using the Lunar Sphere…
I know! I know! Not the smartest choice...but here's the thing, my Lunar Style is currently a ( for the most part anyways ) defensive style. The only time I can use it for offense is for counter attacks and such. Like I said earlier, my Kung Fu could use a lot of fine tuning.
All I could do for now was remember the basic training Shifu put be through and go back to the brawler I used to be before I arrived at the Jade Palace, it may not be perfect but I think it will do for now-
*slice*
Ah… It seem that I have spoken too soon. You see, while I was explaining this I was taking care of the swordsmen in front of me, I was able to take out most of them, but the last one was able to get a lucky hit in and give me a small cut on the side of my belly. Before he could get a little gloaty I cracked him upside his head with my hanbo.
Once the last swordsman was knocked unconscious I put my hand to where the enemy's sword had grazed me, as I pulled it back I could see in an instantaneous flash of lightning that the fur on the palm of my hand was stained red… but not by a whole lot, which was good; the cut wasn't deep. I shook my head, a little angry at myself for letting this happen. A rumble of thunder and a raindrop tapping on my head brought me back to reality. As I prepared to charge forward Tigress warning returned to my mind.
"Don't take any unnecessary risks."
I'll try not to Tigress….
But I make no promises.
Tigress's P.O.V.
I watched with a little concern as Hiro took down all the bandits who were foolish enough to try to confront him.
There was something different about the way he was fighting. Something a little less… "Hiro" and more…
"Inexperienced" I thought as he was attacked by a small group of spearmen, and then I noticed, this wasn't his Lunar Sphere style. Why? Sure he looked to be holding his own, but still this was way too risky. Right now all I wanted was to smack him in the head for his reckless behavior, but I'm going to have to wait till later for that. For one reason he was now taking on a small wave of swordsmen and because I had my own fight to consider.
I'll just keep an eye on him for now, if it looks like he is in over his head I'll jump in.
I just hope it doesn't come to that.
After he had taken care of the last bandit I saw him put his hand on his side and in the flash of lightning I saw… a little red.
It didn't look serious, but still... he was hurt! I told him to be careful!
Unfortunately I can't be worrying about this right now; I have a job to do.
A small group of five bandits tried to surround me, I chuckled a little to myself at their naivety… did they really think they could stand a chance against me with such measly numbers? You'd think they'd know better.
Just as I was getting myself prepared to combat the bandits that surrounded me… they all fell over, unconscious. I blinked once or twice, how in the world did that happen? I looked around myself again to see that instead of being surrounded by the bandit soldiers I was surrounded by the Defense Team!
"What are you doing wasting your time with these chumps?" I looked to my side and saw Viper grinning up at me. "Shouldn't you be going to help your future boyfriend?" My cheeks felt like they were on fire when she asked that.
"H-h-he's not my-" I started, a little flustered, when a thought came to me. "What about the hostages?" I asked.
"Don't worry." A voice, I recognized as Cranes, came from behind me. "The Infiltration Team is helping them the rest of the way. They'll be regrouping with us soon."
Well, that made me feel relieved… somewhat.
"So don't worry about all this." Mantis said from my shoulder, usually that would earn him a quick swat but this time I decided to forgive him. "We can handle these clowns, go help Hiro!"
I scanned the battlefield where I last seen my wolf friend… he wasn't there! Grrr… where was he? I kept looking around until I saw a white wolf fighting against another group of sword wielding bandits. How in the world did he get all the way over there!? Thankfully his white fur made it an easy task to find him in the dim lighting. After giving a quick nod to my friends I bolted as fast as I could to where Hiro was, punching out a few bandits as I went.
I was almost halfway to where Hiro was when… of course, there is a huge water buffalo with an eyepatch in my way. Wait, I've seen this bandit before… yeah at the last village! He was leading the small group of bandits trying to steal the imperial jewels! Only… he didn't have an eyepatch then.
I guess didn't take too kindly to his failings.
"Where do you think you're going, kitten?" He growled.
I hate being called that, almost as much as Hiro hates being called "wolf". The last person who called me kitten was severely maimed, but I have no time to tell that story.
The water buffalo lifted his giant battle axe and prepared to swing it down on my head. A little ways behind him I saw Hiro doing all he could against his opponents.
I got in my stance and focused on the enemy in front of me.
I need to finish this quick.
I need to get to Hiro.
Hiro's P.O.V.
My breathing became ragged as I continued to fight against the seemingly endless waves of ex-soldiers came one after another after another after another after another after…. well, you get the idea.
After I knocked out the last bandit in front of me, I managed to take a minute to catch my breath. While doing so I looked around to see how the rest of the team were doing; I saw Viper and the rest of the Defense team fighting so I guess they're job is done. Good. One less thing to worry about.
A little ways away from me I noticed Tigress burying her fist in the guts of a massive water buffalo with a battle axe and an eyepatch. For some reason the water buffalo looks a little familiar. Hmmm… nah, probably my imagination.
My thought were interrupted by a group of battle cries. I looked up to see another wave of ex-soldiers charging me. I groaned a bit to myself, starting to get a little fed up with this…
I got back into my improvised attack stance waiting for the first strike when…
They all fell unconscious at my feet.
I blinked… Did I do that?
"You're Kung Fu could use a little work." I heard a soft voice in front of me, I looked up to see a… shadow? No. Looking a bit more closely I could see a pair of red eyes and a sickly purple glow, not unlike the shimmer that comes from my arm on a moonlit night.
I smirked. "Is now the time to be giving lectures Zoyo?" I asked.
"'Tis not a lecture, Merely an observation. But I understand, using only the defensive half of the Lunar Wolf style that you have made your own will get you nowhere here. So you have to improvise."
Yeah well I'm pretty good at thinking on my feet, its it's a little tougher in this particular situation but…
Wait.
"Did you say defensive… half?" I asked… I know it's not the right time for this but…
"Yes, there is a offensive half to the Lunar Wolf style. But now is not the time to be halving this discussion." He turned his head, I followed his gaze to see Tigress having a little trouble with the water buffalo. "Go to her. We will handle this rabble."
Hey, no need to tell me twice.
I nodded my thanks to the bundled up fox and took off like a rocket to my feline friend.
While running to where Tigress was having her fight, I decided to survey the rest of the battlefield, just to see how we're doing… again.
Chin and Monkey were having fun playing whack-a-bandit with their staves. Nothing to worry about there.
The Defense Team were working together to quickly take out a large group of bandits who had them outnumbered two to one. Sounds like good odds to me.
The Infiltration Team finally regrouped with the rest of us, Kira and Shu Lan both swinging their arms around sending the bandits flying. And… A black panther with an unusually long sword cutting down bandits left and right.
Marcus… he decided to stick around. Let none say this guy doesn't have a good heart… even if his accent is still a little weird.
Alright everyone is present and accounted for, now all that's left is-
"Hello Dragon Warrior."
My instincts screamed for me to drop… so I did. I dropped and slid under a sword swung directly at my neck!
I got back to my feet… holy shit that was close! I turned around quickly and saw the swordsman who attempted to take my life.
A thin mountain cat wearing an imperial captain's uniform and holding a dao straight sword…
Zhou Feng Gu… the leader of the Bandit Brigade.
Well this is getting better and better I thought to myself as the rain started to really come down…
I did mention that before didn't I? If i didn't I'm sorry, I was distracted.
Anyways back with Zhou…
"You know, you've been causing me a few problem recently Dragon Warrior. First you thwarted my plans to steal the imperial jewels and now you've set my hostages free and are cutting down my army. I'm sure you can understand that I just can't have that."
He spoke to me as if we were having a civilized conversation and not in the middle of a battle. An officer and a gentleman indeed. But if I take out the leader… the rest of them should fall apart.
I breathed in… then out… then in… then out. A feeling of calm began to take hold of me, the same calm I felt when I fought Tai Lung. I just need a little more time for the feeling to take a complete hold over me, and there was only one way I knew to make that happen.
Talking.
"You know I'm probably gonna regret asking this but what do you need all the gold for? Putting a little extra in the old retirement fund? I'm pretty sure that being a criminal doesn't give any good retirement plans… unless you plan on walking off into the sunset… straight to prison."
He smiled. Huh, he almost seemed amused with my wisecracking almost makes me like this guy… almost.
"I'm sure you've already heard our story. We were cast aside by the man we swore to serve and protect… in exchange for our loyalty shouldn't we be entitled to some sort of protection from the emperor?"
Honestly I couldn't argue to with that. You give years of your life to someone… you fight for them… you bleed for them and the one moment you need them the most… they turn their back on you. I guess it's enough to make anyone a little bitter.
But…
"So instead of coming back to the imperial city a hero you choose the path of vengeance?" I asked.
He lifted his eyebrow at my question. "A hero? What makes you say that?"
Well think about it… the emperor assumed him and the rest of the regiment dead, so if they returned alive maybe they would be accommodated… maybe Zhou would be a general by now…
But now…
I shook my head. "It doesn't matter now." I said as I was completely enveloped by the calm. "You're no hero… just another criminal." I said getting into my stance, the defensive one I guess.
Zhou shook his head and chuckled darkly. "No my friend…" He said putting his sword at the ready. "I am the new emperor!" And rushed forward with mind numbing speed.
The invisible bubble started to ripple violently in several places, one after another. Gods above he's fast! I focused more on the Lunar Sphere, not letting that sword get within my sphere of protection. I had to stay on the defensive until I found an opening. There was no room for error here, one little mistake….
And it will be all over.
No One's P.O.V.
Bao Zhi, the water buffalo lieutenant was on his last legs against the Tiger master of the Jade Palace. His sloppiness in battle gave Tigress several opportunities to check on her canine companion. Her worry had reached new heights when she noticed Hiro facing the bandit leader one on one. While she had the most absolute faith in Hiro's ability it did not stop her from being worried about the one person she seemed to form an attachment to, though she wouldn't admit it outright.
After dodging another swing from Bao Zhi's axe and landing a few powerful strikes of her own, Tigress felt her worry diminish as she watched the bandit leaders sword continuously bounce off the impenetrable barrier that was being formed by Hiros hanbo. But her worry was increased tenfold as Hiro suddenly jumped back, his hanbo cut to pieces and fresh blood dripping from a newly made cut across his chest.
In her mind the tiger master cursed the weather, had the moon been out Hiro would have just healed from such a trivial wound. But Hiro's advantage had been lost to him this night, a fact that caused Tigress no end of concern.
Bao Zhi had stood and swung his axe Tigress once again, however she barely paid attention to the now nearly harmless water buffalo and kept most of her attention on the fight a couple dozen yards from her.
After staring at the now useless pieces of wood in his hands, he reluctantly cast them aside and bent over to pick up a discarded pair of butterfly swords. And almost instantly, the battle between the Dragon Warrior and the disgraced captain continued.
Tigress looked on amazed at the spectacle before her, when she didn't have her focus stolen by the water buffalos now feeble attempts to strike her down. Three more bone breaking strikes to the water buffalos head was all it took to defeat her opponent, now she was free to go and help her friend. But for some reason she was compelled to stay where she was. He can handle this she concluded, besides Tigress felt it would be rude if she were to interrupt.
Sparks flew as the swords of both warriors collided, lighting the area around them in flashes of white light. Zhou was beginning to get frustrated with the Dragon Warriors unbreakable defense and slowly, very slowly the bandit leader was beginning to lose form and attacking recklessly. Which is exactly what Hiro was waiting for.
Zhou's patience had reached its limit and without thinking, thrust his sword forward to pierce the wolf's heart, and giving Hiro the opening he had been waiting for. As the tip of the sword came close to Hiro he pivoted to the side, making the weapon move harmlessly passed him and putting himself right next to the bandit leader. The Dragon Warrior then dropped the butterfly swords that had replaced his former weapons of choice and with his now free hands added his weight to the sword strikes momentum, driving the sword into the ground. Wasting no time, Hiro swung his arm back, driving the back of his elbow into the enemy cats nose.
Zhou was thrown off guard and Hiro continued his assault with a powerful triple palm strike, the third strike lifting the former Captain off his feet. But Hiro didn't stop there, before the mountain cat flew off the wolf grabbed him by the ankle and swung him down and over causing Zhou to fly vertically. Hiro's mind raced with an idea to finish this now. As Zhou began to fall to the earth, the Dragon Warrior took more than a few steps back, counted to three and rushed forward to where Zhou would land. As the bandit leader got within five feet of the ground Hiro leapt forward and moved his body horizontally so both Hiro and Zhou were perpendicular with each other.
Both warriors eyes locked on the other and both knew that this was the deciding blow. Hiro placed one of his hands behind the other, fingers laced between each other. The same technique that helped him defeat Tai Lung, now the technique that would defeat the leader of the Bandit Brigade.
Putting all his power into a Power Palm Strike, Hiro drove the mountain cat into the ground. The wolf then stood… victorious.
A light laugh drew his attention to another point on the battlefield, Tigress was walking towards him, her face full of pride.
But that pride quickly turned to horror as a flash of lightning revealed Zhou getting to his feet, sword in hand.
Another flash of lightning revealed the tip of said sword…
Sticking through the wolf's chest.
Hiro's P.O.V.
You ever got a bad cut from one of those "out of nowhere" situations? It doesn't really hurt very much, it's mostly the shock of it that gets to you.
This was kinda similar.
My chest went numb almost immediately, but I still felt the blade being withdrawn from my body.
Next I felt cold… not like winter cold no, this was a different kind of cold… the kind you can't explain… your have to experience.
I turned my neck to see Zhou prepare to swing his blade again… aimed directly for my neck... then with a flash of orange he disappeared. In his place Tigress stood with her arm extended and her hand clenched in a fist.
A sickening crashing sound was heard not two seconds after. Wow he must've been sent flying. Heh heh…
Wow… even in situations like this… I can never be serious.
I lost feeling in my legs… I fell… Tigress caught me… I think… she had me on her lap... it felt soft… I saw her face… an expression… I've never seen on her before…
Terror? No that's not it… Rage…? Maybe…. Excitement…? Definitely not the good kind…. Sadness…?
….
….
Was she sad…. For me?
I saw her lips move…. She was frantic…. I couldn't hear her…. All I could hear was a rhythmic thumping sound….
My own heartbeat….
Thump-thump…. Thump-thump
Thump-thump…. Thump-thump
Thump-thump…. Thump-thump
Thump…. Thump
Thump…. Thump
Thump…. Thump
Thump….
Thump….
Thump….
Thump….
….
….
A/N
Well I got nothing to say after this.
But… you know what to do.
Later.
