(Unknown)
Heilang could be anything he wanted in the world at this moment and still not be a happy wolf. That's how angry he was. He expected many things to happen after massacring an entire Valley, but this was NOT one of them.
"That rotten little rat..." One of his fellow pack members handed him the latest scroll that was urgent enough to be sent to nearly everywhere in China thanks to the Kung Fu Express. He was able to read it because said wolf...'intercepted' one of the goats carrying the scrolls. Now that he's read it, he couldn't get more pissed. "First my traitorous nephew disappears, and now that rotten scumbag Shifu ratted us out! He actually sought the Kung Fu Express for help?! How determined is that stupid red panda to bring us down?"
"Pretty determined, if he's relinquishing his title to make it easier to find us." One of the other wolves noted, yawning. "Well the main point is that now everyone in China knows that it was us who took out the Valley of Peace. We'll probably be hunted down."
"We've been hunted down many times before, and we've always escaped. This will be no different." Heilang said confidently. "However...I will NOT be satisfied until something important is done."
"What's that?"
Heilang turned to his fellow wolves, a dark and vicious look in his eyes. "I want you to find Ànyǐng and bring him to me. So I can kill him myself." The stunned silence and simultaneous jaw drops from some wolves around him told him all he needed to know. "I know what you're thinking. He's my nephew, why would I want to kill my own family member? I'll tell you why. He deserted the pack. Not only that, but he helped our enemies. Indirectly or not, he assisted them. He's not only a deserter, he's a traitor as well. And neither of those crimes will be met with mercy. What he did was completely and utterly blasphemous in the name of the Lin Kuei. I'm not letting him get away with that."
When it came to wolves, pack loyalty was incredibly and fiercely enforced to the maximum. Any wolf who strays from the pack as a loner can never return unless the Alpha allows it. But Ànyǐng both deserted the pack and attacked a few of their members with extreme hostility. To a pack leader, this was the ultimate crime that cannot be forgiven with apologies or anything of the sort. What his nephew did cannot be reversed.
"Ànyǐng...for disobeying orders, attacking one of your own, deserting us, AND helping the enemy...you are no longer a family of mine. I never liked you anyway." He opened one of his paws, as his claws slowly came out and shined a bit from the little bit of sunlight reaching them in the darkness. "As a result, I will have no qualms with completely erasing you..."
(Jong Sung's Complex)
"Well well well...would you look at that." Jong was eying the scroll he had received from the Kung Fu Express. "I could have never expected Shifu to be so distraught that he'd drop his title. Suppose he was tough on the surface but crumbling within. That happens sometimes." He grinned putting the scroll to the side. "Well, I should have crushed the spirits of those who had the nerve to strike at one of my homes. It served you right for messing with me. No one crosses Jong and walks away unscathed. Have fun being an outcast, Shifu." He turned and walked back into his complex, smirking. "Wonder how my prisoner friend is doing inside? I'll go take a look to make sure."
No sooner did he fully step back inside did is overconfident grin turn into shock and slight anger. Many of his rhino guards were beaten severely, to the point of near death. They were also covered in bits of ice and snow. This could only mean one thing. "But how...? How could she have gotten out...?"
"You didn't expect me to actually get free, did you? You didn't take into account that the collar you out on me can be broken if enough Chi is forced into it and it breaks from the strain, did you?" His eyes widened as he sees Xuě come out of hiding, her body slightly emitting a bit of ice. "But I gotta admit, even I didn't expect to do something like that. I just gave it a shot just to see what could happen. But here I am. Out of my cage, standing just a few feet in front of you. With no one to protect your selfish cruel greedy ass."
Jong narrowed his eyes. "Did you kill my guards?"
"Course not. I just gave then such a beat down that they'll never forget it. And I'm about to administer a similar treatment to you."
"Just a beat down? What happened to the plan about killing me?"
"That's before I remembered that you had a son. I realized that I couldn't take a father away from his son like that. Even if he's just as much of an asshole as you are, it's only because he wants to copy your behavior because he thinks it's cool. Which it's NOT. Either way, there's no need for me to expose your son to stuff like that." Xuě continued to walk forward, her eyes a dangerous icy blue. "Now how shall I deal with you...?"
Jong was putting on a brave front, but in reality, he couldn't be more terrified. His guards were knocked out and his control over her was gone. His son was unharmed at the very least, but she's already stated that she wouldn't hurt him.
She smiled. "Hahaha...I know a way." She raised one of her hands, as a small ball of snow formed over her palm. She gently blew on the ball, and it floated forward away from her. Jong watched in confusion as the tiny snowflake made a descent and landed harmlessly on his leg...Then his leg became filled with intense pain as ice spikes just sprouts from all sides, looking as if a tiny explosion of ice went off from the inside. "Haha, there we go. I just seriously messed up your leg."
"You..." he groaned, unable to move due to his terribly maimed leg. "You think you can do this to me and get away with it?!"
"Yes I do. Because just try to do something to me afterwards. I'll maim your other leg with ice. Still not gonna kill you. That would be far too easy. Anyway, I'm through wasting time on you. I'm out." She stated as she placed her palm on the side of the wall, turning it into ice, kicking and breaking it down entirely. She then jumped gracefully out the hole.
Jong glared hatefully out the hole, as his complex lies in ruin and snow ans his leg now rendered useless. There was absolutely no way he would allow her to get away with this offense. But right now he couldn't anything but lie helplessly on the floor until he passes out from blood loss or someone comes for him.
Unfortunately for him, he was subjected to the former...
(Meanwhile)
"That took a lot of grit, Midget. Flat-Out giving up your title and telling it to China as a whole. Even I have to say that's pretty brave of you." Fenghuang stated the next day. Their run-in with Kweng started off antagonistic for a while, but ultimately they parted with one another on relatively good terms. The Kung Fu Express have successfully sent Shifu's word throughout China, which sealed the deal that he was really going through with this. He would never be able to take this back, and he accepted it fully.
"Though it might be a bit problematic for us, later on. Now that we're all a fully rogue party, the issue on trust may be repeatedly put to the test. None of us are very official, you know." Mr. Ping mentioned. "You've been in that room for a long time, Shifu. What are you doing in there?"
"Just taking on a slight change in wardrobe." He called from the room.
"How slight are we talking here?"
"Well, since I'm now finished, I'll just show you. "
Shifu stepped out of the room with a slight change. His was still wearing his usual robes, but now he donned a long blue cloak that was big enough to cover most of his body, along with a hood capable of covering most of his face, leaving only his eyes visible. Stepping outside, the cloak flowed slightly with the wind's breeze, as well as picking up a bit of dusts that harmlessly passed by him.
Seems he's going for the feels of being mysterious.
"Hm...looks like you're really taking this rogue business seriously, Shifu." Taotie nodded. "You're actually going to look the part? You know it isn't really necessary, right?"
"I might as well look the part, now that I've dropped my title." Shifu smiles. "Mrs. Yoon took the time to stitch this together. She's working on one for you, Fenghuang."
"It's already done!" Mrs. Yoon smiled as she handed the neatly folded cloak to the owl. She smirked and takes the cloak, now putting it on.
Her cloak also wrapped snuggly around her robe, it's color being pitch black. It was also very long with a hood attached to it. There was a depiction of the moon on the back of it, and the shadow of an owl spreading it's wings in front of said moon, with menacing purple eyes glaring outward as if it's inferior and helpless prey was right within it's sights.
It suited her nicely.
"Haha. I like this. It obscures me a bit yet it doesn't get in the way of my wings when I need to fly." Fenghuang clearly approved of this new change. "This kind of wardrobe suits me and Midget well. We both pretty much forfeited our Master titles. Even though my reasons were...less honest and more out of anger. You're doing it bcause you feel like a failure." Shifu sighed at her words, knowing they had truth to them. There are many things he could have prevented if he's taken a different course of action...but he didn't. The Valley's eradication was the final straw for him. The shame, guilt, and pain were too much during his times as a Master. He's chosen to drop the title to avoid insulted the name any longer. "There's no undoing this, Big Ears. You're following your own rules now. You sure you can handle that?"
"I won't know until I try, now will I?" Shifu shrugged.
"That's the spirit! My respect for you has grown, just a tiny bit." Fenghuang chuckled, patting his head with her wing. His deadpan expression told everyone that he wasn't amused by this like she clearly was. And aggravating Shifu was becoming one of her favorite pastimes. Not to worry about getting bored when one constantly quarrels with another.
"It's quite something, how intensely Tigress stood up for me, someone she hasn't known for very long. I was actually a bit speechless." Peng said as he and Lian were packing to leave their village.
"I'm not too surprised. Considering that she's pretty messed up by your uncle betraying her and Shifu, meeting you was a bit of a relief. I think meeting you was exactly what she needed. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if this was what Oogway wanted for you. Considering family didn't really come easy to you, either..." Lian said. "You've had this village taking care of you for a long time. Then you met me."
Peng smiled. "I'm now a Master Pottery Maker, a Kung Fu Prodigy, and most luckily...your boyfriend. That's three wins."
"Awww...you're adorable." Lian snickered. "I've always kept telling you that you'd have to leave this place eventually. Seems like this is a perfect time than any. Well, I wouldn't day perfect...it's good timing. I can only say that it's good timing."
Peng folded his arms. "You had no idea that this was gonna happen. How can you call it good timing?"
"Uh...how can I NOT call it good timing? HA! Ever think of that, Peng?" He kept staring at her with a blank look on his face. She sighed after a couple minutes. "Alright, this was completely unexpected! I'm just saying that just because it's unexpected doesn't mean it's not welcome. Just...came to a bit of a shock."
"Yeah...a pretty deep shock." He closed his back and slung it over his shoulder. "What do you think we'll encounter out there? China is pretty big, after all."
"I'd rather not think about it. I don't want to ruin the surprises." Lian answered simply as she got her own bag in order. "Alright, anything else we need to do before we go?"
Peng smiled. "No...I think we're done here. Time to meet up with the others and be on our way."
They stepped out of their house and walked up to others. Tigress folded her arms. "Did you pack everything you need? Did you wash up? Did you say goodbye to everyone? Did you properly organize your clothes? Did you properly groom your fur? Did you-"
"Tigress, slow down!" Viper hissed gently, snapping her out of her fast sentences. Good thing too, because Peng looked like he was getting a headache. "Sheesh, you know him as your nephew for one day and you're already beginning to smother him."
Tigress blushed slightly, rubbing her neck. "Sorry...I don't know what got over me.
"Don't force yourself, A-Aunt Tigress. It's good that we know each other an all...but I understand that you feel a bit awkward just to look at me." Peng sighed.
"No Peng...I'm fine. I really am happy that I've met you and get to travel with you." Tigress lightly tugged on her scarf. "It's just going to take a bit of time for me to emotionally adapt to this, that's all."
"That's understandable. It's been quite a flurry of emotions for her, and she's not very used to it." Mr. Ping said. "But she's a stroung young woman, so I'm not too worried about her. Shifu is a different story. Also understandable, being her father."
"Agreed." Zeng nodded. "I should know, I was there for her too."
"Hey! You guys!" Po waved to everyone. "You all set? If ya are, we should really be going!"
"Don't be a bunch of slowpokes! Come on!" Mantis said from atop the panda's head.
"Alright alright we're going. Don't rush us. We have plenty of time." Fung groaned at Mantis's impatience. "We don't have your kind of speed, Mantis."
"Whatever."
"Now now, boys. Let's not beat the crap out of one another before we head out. No, that wouldn't sit very well with anyone at all." Fenghuang said as if she we're speaking to children as she placed the hood from her cloak right over her head, and Shifu did the same with his own cloak. At times like this, silence and stealth were their best friends. "We're moving out, Shifu."
"Right." The red panda nods in agreement as they moved alongside everyone as they moved onward. Shifu knew he shouldn't be feeling this way...but he felt calm. Despite the uproar he might have caused throughout China with his choice of actions, he doesn't feel any regrets for what he's done. Only curiosity for what may or may not happen next. And at this very aware that nit everything can go their way.
For some reason, this excites him. He's facing what China has in store once again, with a lot of his restraints now gone. A lot of stress has been put off of his mind, if only slightly. Either way, he didn't feel as burdened as he did before. Honestly, he didn't think that he did anything that unbelievable. But considering that his fierce devotion to Kung Fu was very well-known by certain Kung Fu Masters, he can understand that many will be shocked. On the other hand...he's no longer that worried about what they might think of him at this point.
Tigress. Po. Mr. Ping and the others. Yes...even Fenghuang mattered more to him now. They're the ones that matter most right now. Everything else was of little consequence to him for the time being. But...that doesn't mean he would give up Oogway's cane. It was all he had left of him, so there was no way he was going to let everything happen to it.
Oogway...I hope that you don't mind the choices I've made so far. I'm carving out a path of my own, after so long. It was one of the hardest choices I've ever had to make. But there's no way I can turn back now. I have to see this through, no matter what...
"Alright...it begins." Shifu said quietly as he holds on closely to Oogway's staff and continues to move on in sync with everyone else. Mr. Ping eyed the staff from his position. That one staff may be the only thing Shifu himself has left of the Jade Palace aside from the small Peach Tree sapling in a pot that Taotie was holding onto. Losing either of them may be a pretty painful emotional blow for him. He knew he would protect what he had left of his old Master at all costs, while living his own life.
"Its a difficult, but welcome path you have chosen, Shifu..."
(Later)
"Alright, we're far enough. Time to choose yet another destination. Where might we be going, guys?" Mei Ling asked curiously, arms behind her neck. "That Kung Fu Express Headquarters heist was pretty brave of you, Crane."
"It was slightly against my will, Mei Ling...but thank you." Crane smiled.
"Bwah...I dunno what we'll be doing from here on out..." Fung yawned a bit. Song suddenly popped up next to him, wearing a cheerful smile.
"I'm sure we'll find something, Fung! Don't you worry!"
"U-Uh...okay..." Fung stuttered, blushing slightly. He regained his focus and krot his eyes on the path.
Song was smiling a bit as she walked beside everyone. However, as soon as she was out of sight, a frown took over her face. That old man...
(Kung Fu Headquarters: The Day Before)
"There we go, all messages sent. I just hope you know what you're doing with all of this mess you might cause, Shifu." Kweng said with a shrug. Most of his servants went out to deliver the message all over China. The remaining servants he had would manage the hideout for the time being.
"I assure you I know what I'm doing, Kweng. I thank you for your assistance. We'll be on our way now." Shifu bowed in respect, as he lead the others out of the Headquarters. Song was the last one to leave.
Master Kweng managed to sport a warm smile. "Ah...what a beautiful young lady we have here. You seem to be the adventurous type, in a way."
Song smiled back. "Yeah well, I've been to a lot of places before I joined them. It seems fun to travel with them for a while." She waved as she turned around. "Well, thanks for giving Peng a chance." She took one step out...Master Kweng's words stopped her in her tracks.
"You can't hide the fact that you're a part of the Ladies Of the Shade forever, you know."
There was a long drawn-out silence that took over the room they we're in. Everyone else had already left, so it was just the two of them.
Without warning, Song turned around and opened up her parasol as a blade appeared from the tip and pointed it directly between Kweng's eyes in an instant, as her eyes grew slitted and deadly serious.
The goat didn't show any reaction other than a yawn. "I don't know why you're so upset and why you're pointing a blade at me. All you have to do is tell them the truth. Why prolong it?"
"It's not that easy. I'm not ready to tell them about that. Everything is going very well so far, I can't ruin that progress by telling them something like that." Song stated quietly.
"You call these people your friends, and yet you can't tell them about this or what's bothering you. Now why does that sound wrong?" The feline visibly flinched and was about to answer, but he rose a palm to stop her. "Don't bother telling me. This is something you're choosing to do, I have no jurisdiction over that. However, I do suggest that you tread carefully if you continue your actions the way they are." He turned around, walking away from her. "These people can be trusted. They trust you, but you have to be able to trust them, if you truly want to call them your friends."
Song closed up her parasol as she watches him leave...then her own ears lowered in sadness.
"I wish I could..."
(Present)
Song was brought out of her thoughts as soon as Fung turned his head back to her. "You we're spacing out, Song. Are you feeling alright?"
"Fine. I'm fine, Fung. Nothing to worry about."
"Are you sure? You look like you're, I dunno, spooked by something. Or someone?" Bian Zao wondered.
Once again, Song denied their claims. And once again, Tigress had no choice but to wonder what may be going through her mind. The snow leopard was clearly bothered by something, but she's made it clear that they wouldn't be getting any straight answers from her. Still, that didn't mean she would drop her suspicions just yet.
"Okay. I might be able to figure out where we might be going next." Taotie said. "By our trusty map here, we'll be heading into some decently calm territory. Not much happens around here unless you purposely start a ruckus. So we shouldn't have too much to worry about."
"No trouble? That's a relief." Crane sighed. "I don't think I'd be able to manage more trouble than we already pulled off. I thought I was gonna have a heart attack when these two crashed the blimp without warning." He gestured to Po and Tigress.
They responded simultaneously: "It got the job done, didn't it?"
"How can you say that so calmly?!" He asked the both of them, though they pretended not to hear him. "Is this gonna be a thing for us? For all of us, but especially these two?"
"I might join in on the fun a little bit." Fung said.
"Yeah, me too." Monkey agreed.
"Recklessness, when used carefully, can result in a lot more excitement." Mantis said as if it were logical.
"THAT LAST ONE WAS JUST PLAIN STUPID!" Crane shouted in exasperation.
"Is it really that stupid, Crane? Or is it just too smart for you?"
"WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!"
"Alright, let's try not to give Crane a headache so early, okay?" Viper asked nicely. Both of the boys huffed and turned away from one another in annoyance. At the very least, they've already dropped the subject.
"Hm. Something about this area seems familiar." Shifu wondered. "Now if only my memory would just come back to me so that I can figure out WHY it's so familiar..."
"Welp, I'm gonna go explore a bit. Walking in one straight path can get boring after a while." Po yawned as he jumped up and swung over a tree branch and began leaping through the trees.
"Po! Don't just run off like that!" Mr. Ping called out worriedly. He sighed and turned to the others. "We're going to continue on our own route, can a few of you make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble." He says 'too much' trouble because of their track record of attracting it or being attracted to it. Sometimes it's a bit of both.
"Oh for the love of...fine. Viper, Peng, Lian...Song." Fung counted off, not knowing that he blushed after saying the last name. "Guess we're going after Po before he puts himself in a jam...or gets himself stuck in something." Fung mumbled.
"Welp, looks like we're following the Panda leader. Let's get going, Peng!" Lian smirked as she jumped up and leapt through the trees like Po was. Peng shook his head while smiling, and followed suit. Fung, Song, and Viper would stick to the ground while keeping up with them.
There was a small pause...
Fenghuang yawned. "Who wants to bet that we'll get involved in something ludicrous?" The rest of the males aside from Shifu raised their hands. "That's what I thought..."
(With Po)
"Gonna take a quick look around, because I wanna see what might be out here. It's not gonna hurt to do a little exploration. It is what we do, after all." Po said as he jumped across from tree to tree before stopping at one. "Whoo, I hope I don't get lost...that would really suck."
"That's why we usually stick together, moron." Fung mumbled as he and the rest caught up to him with time to spare.
Viper slithered up Po's arm, coiling around it slightly as her head met his. "You can't blame Po for wanting to explore. He has an adventurous side to him as well as his kindness. Isn't that right brother?"
Po smiled and ran a paw down her back. "Ah my serpentine sister...we haven't known each other long, yet we really understand each other pretty well. I'm pretty happy about that." He grinned. "Now...what do we check out around here...?"
"Po, aren't you worried that we'll get an earful from the others?" Song asked.
"It'll be fine, Song. We'll regroup with them before we know it. Nothing wrong with being a little spread out once in a while as long as you return together." He responded. After a moment, he smelled something in the air. Whatever it was...it smelled delicious. "What...is...that smell...?"
"I don't know...but I definitely want to find out." Viper mumbled. The other four could see both Po and Viper's mouth begin to water a bit at the mention of food being nearby. Even though they could always just turn back and eat with Mr. Ping, that'd be a bit too easy. Mr. Ping already knows that Po will always consider his cooking the best, that doesn't mean Po can't eat at other places. The stands back at Peng's village prove this.
"Wanna find out, let's go find out!" Po grinned as he jumped towards the source of the smell with Viper securely wrapped around his arm, while Fung couldn't help but agree to follow them. With his call, they began following Po and Viper to wherever they might be going. Though the call of good smelling food had made the two of them move much faster, much to the others exhaustion. Eventually they approached what appeared to be a decently large village, larger than Peng's at least. The smell of food was definitely strong here. Po and Viper's eagerness grew with each passing second. "That does smell really good...! Maybe if we go inside and ask them to share with us?"
"That'll be pretty nice, Po. Let's give it a try!" Viper smiled.
Peng gazed at the entrance in front of them, with his arms folded. "I feel as if we're supposed to know something extremely important about this place. But what was it again..." But it was already too late, Po pushed the doors open yearly with a cheery smile on his face.
"Hey guys! Ya got anything good to eat here?!"
You...dumbass. Fung mentally facepalmed.
"Well, it didn't look like they appreciate the loud welcome, Po." Lian said with a slight sweardrop as a couple water buffalos pointing their spears at them while surrounding him. "I know Po made a bit of a loud entrance...but I don't think it warrants this kind of response."
"It does for a situation like this." Song said as she gazed at them from under her parasol. "I think I know why Shifu found this place familiar. We wandered into territory we really shouldn't have crossed without proper preparations..."
"You know where we are, Song?" Fung asked while keeping an arm in front of her. She nodded quietly.
"I took a moment to examine the mark on the entrance. There's no doubt about it. We wandered into-"
"TRESPASSERS?! I can't even remember the last time we've had trespassers!"
Fung gaped slightly as he looked ahead at the sight before him. There we're plenty of Water Buffalos here, sure. But the one they see right now is twice as big as they were. Fung hadn't felt so small ever since he found out about Lidong's crazy growth spurt. He was getting a familiar feeling from this. As for Peng and Lian, they both stared up at the Water Buffalo before them. It wasn't too hard to figure out that he was their leader. Viper for one, jaw dropped as she knew all too well who this was. Her father mentioned him a couple times.
"You all are so small but that barely matters. All six of you are trespassing on our land, and we can't just let you go without proper judgement."
"Says who?" Lian placed her paws on her hips. Fung really wanted to reprimand her that now wasn't the time to be a tough girl.
"Mind your tone, child! You're speaking toTEMUTAI! QIDAN'S WARRIOR KING! And you six are in serious trouble if you fail to explain yourselves to me!" The now identified King of the Qidan Clan bellowed with a voice that symbolized power and authority. Fung, Song, and Viper we're now fully aware of what they we're dealing with, and we're trying very hard to think about their next course of action. Peng and Lian were now behinning to understand, but were ready to resist if it really came to it.
As for Po, he broke all of the tension with a simple statement from his point of view.
He had an adorable confused look on face as he scratched his belly, tilited his head to the side, and said with complete genuine honesty:
"I haven't heard of you."
WHAM!
Po was a bit startled as the water buffalos, including the Qidan King himself, fell over on their faces due to the shock of his statement. His confused look was still on his face as he had no idea what had just happened.
"Why are you guys on the ground?"
(A few moments before)
"So is there anything you can tell us about your younger days?" Monkey asked. He might as well, because Shifu might be getting used to this.
Shifu chuckled slightly. "Maybe later. Now's not really a good-"
"TEMUTAI! QIDAN'S WARRIOR KING!"
Shifu's eyes widened in realization before he facepalmed himself hard. NOW he remembered what was familiar about this area. "That oaf may be the only one who DIDN'T get the message...but why would he be calling out his name as if greeting..." Shifu paused again. "...Oh no, we crossed his territory a bit far back. Because he's going to make a serious argument if you go on for too long."
"Well, looks like we have no choice." Mr. Ping walked longside him.
"Indeed we don't. We should try to defuse the situation before it gets out of hand. Let's hope he doesn't think of Po badly. He could be crushed if they accidentally start a fight."
Suddenly Tigress found her pace picking up without realizing it.