If there was one thing that would describe Wu Kong's mood right now, it'd be disappointment. Both in his current situation, and how he got in it in the first place. Because quite honestly, in hindsight...it's rather pathetic how he let this happen to him.
He was so proud of not getting caught for such extended periods of time, and the closest anyone got to actually doing so was nothing but a close call. He was sneaky like that, tricky like that, guile like that. But now here he was, sitting in some dark, dirty cell, awaiting for what is said to be an execution.
He wasn't entirely sure if they were allowed to do something like that or not, though he found it much better to simply not push about it when he was already hanging from the edge. That did make things exciting and challenging for him, but his number one priority has always been to get out alove and mostly unscathed, and make off with the loot he 'appropriates'.
Unfortunately his instinct failed him the second he shook paws with someone he really shouldn't have shook hands with, and now he was paying the ultimate price from the fallout of such a blatant betrayal. And the worst part about this was that he couldn't think of too many good reasons for why he didn't deserve this fate, and a few good and VERY potent reasons for why he did deserve it.
Well for one, his theiving habits usually got he and his brother in trouble when they were kids.
Two, his thieving habits indirectly got their mother killed.
Three, he thought it would be best if he left is lonely and scared brother behind so he wouldn't be hurt by his way of life anymore. He had hoped that Monkey would make a better name for himself than Wu Kong ever did. Live out the rest of his life in peace.
Nope. Instead his brother was declared a member of the new generation Furious Five, and has been hanging around with a so-called 'Dragon Warrior' for a very long time doing all kinds of dangerous things. So much for living his life in peace. But at the very least, he could take solace in the fact that Monkey found family and friends who would always have his back. That made his upcoming execution that much easier to deal with.
...He'd rather not deal with it at all, but he'd like to think that the thought counts.
Well, he might as well take a look around while he waits for death, which simply didn't sound very fun in the slightest.
He would lightly lift his head and look around towards numerous other cells housing many other criminals. Some of them were looking rather gruff and vicious, quite a few of them agitated by his smug smile despite the fact that it's likely HE who would be dying before all of them. That didn't mean he could stop enjoying pissing people off. That just wouldn't get old even if his death would be approaching soon.
Though despite his attempts purely being to tick the other inmates off, he DID manage to find a few to catch his eye, and thus his brief interest.
In one cell, there seemed to be a crocodile grumpily messing with his helmet before setting it back on his head and sighing...before getting back up and throwing it back down to the ground and shouting 'Darn It!'. He seemed to have...anger issues.
Next was another cell, which seemed to belong to an elderly red panda of sorts. He seemed to be mostly relaxed for the most part, content. That expression made Wu Kong feel jealous, because he wasn't going to be feeling that content anytime soon. Or if things seriously go south, ever.
Another inmate in a cell in front of him was...a pig. A pig not even taller than himself, calmly drinking away.
...Yet...for some reason, Wukong had intense chills just by looking at him. Something about him...simply wasn't right. He couldn't really place his finger on it, but SOMETHING about this pig reeked of malevolence, heavy amounts of it. There was no way to tell for sure, but Wu Kong was sure that this pig was not someone to he trifled with. Looks can be deceiving after all, and he used that as a weapon many times to give pursuers the slip.
So what's this pig's deal?
"...So young...so vibrant...how unfortunate that the powers that be decided that a youth like yourself must be snuffed out." The pig hummed calmly. That was another thing that bothered Wu Kong. With the elderly red panda didn't care about his situation because he knew he coule eventually get out of it, this pig regarded his situation as...miniscule. Almost completely irrelevant. A waste of time even. Or most unsettlingly...a part of a plan. "Your name is Wu Kong, correct?"
"Yeah...?"
"Ah. How interesting. Someone named you after a very influential novel, it seems. And judging by the amount of trouble you find yourself in, you at least live up to the name on some front." The pig hummed, sipping some tea within his cup that the guards handed him. He sets it down and huffed. "Pah. They couldn't have made better tasting tea than this drivel? Still, you can't argue with thirst, I suppose."
"Uh...can I help you, old timer?"
"Help me? Oh no no no, my young simian friend. You don't need to help me. If anything, I'd like to help you."
"Me?"
"Yes." The pig nodded. "I don't wish to rot in here, as there's something VERY important that I need to do. And you clearly don't wish to be executed. I'd say that's some pretty solid ground for cooperation, is it not?"
Wu Kong narrowed his eyes. "What's the catch...?" There's no way it could be that easy. The vibe this pig was putting off was too immense and dark to believe what he says at face value. He wanted something besides his liberation, yet didn't voice it aloud.
"No catch, my dear boy. All we need to do is help free each other. I simply need you to spot an opportunity, so that we may both make haste to claim it, and make our escape." The pig hummed, sipping more tea from his rugged cup. "We don't even need to stick together afterwards. Once our objectives are complete, we can go our separate ways and mind our own business. Certainly that sounds enticing to you?" He lowered his eyes in a deceivingly concerned manner. "In the midst of your occasional slumber, you'd tearfully murmur about your deceased mother, and baby brother. Do you truly wish to have him happen upon your corpse, after already losing the former? It'd be much better for you to be an escaped convict for him to clash with later, than a dead one he'll have to mourn over, right?"
Something about the pig's words really didn't sit well with him, and that didn't just include the mentions about his mutterings over his shattered family. With that in mind, Wu Kong made his decision. He didn't see any way ojt of his situation, not without help.
"Alright, I'm in..."
"Excellent!" The pig beamed while lightly lifting his cup. "Now, we have little time, yet at the same time, plenty. A week. There's a few things we need and a few people we need. Bing and his Terracotta Warriors. Shirong's conning expertise. My own abilities paired with your thieving skills, all of the other, chaotic inmates...and most crucial of all...that golden opportunity."
"Golden opportunity...I'm all about those!" Wu Kong nodded strongly. "...Hey. What's your name, old-timer?"
"Ah. My name." The pig nodded while sipping his tea. "You see, my parents weren't particularly caring about the implications that my name would have. Not a care in the world. They had the audacity to name me after a demon that Master Oogway conquered years ago, in his prime. A Ruler of the Underworld. They named me after the Demonic Dragon King: Ke-Pa."
"Woah, your parents named you after someone like THAT? They really mustn't have given your name much thought..."
"No...I suppose they didn't, did they?~" The pig grinned. Wu Kong noticed it again; he couldn't help but notice the look in the pig's orange eyes...they were starved of a desire, a craving, for absolute chaos. It was strange, but he couldn't completely brush it away. And if he had been proficient in chi sensory, he would have noticed that the pig's shadow had suddenly appeared darkly draconic...
Why did he feel like the deal he just made would have far-reaching, devastating consequences later...?
Monkey was in a bit of a mental still for several moments. Though that clearly did not last long. Fung could tell what was on his mind before he could properly voice those thoughts vocally, and Fung being Fung, responded like any sane crocodile would.
"No. No. No. NO. NO NO NO NO NNNNNOOOOO!" Fung stomped around a bit before jumping in front of Monkey and grabbing his shoulders. "Monkey, I know what's on gour mind, and I'm telling you right now; don't even think about it!"
"My brother is in trouble..." Monkey mutteree, before looking up at Fung with steeled eyes. "I gotta save him."
"WHAT DID I JUST SAY?!" Fung shouted with comically razor teeth.
Po blinked and rubbed his chin with a thoughtful look. "To be honest...he technically didn't really think about it...he just came right out and said it."
"Po. I don't want you of all people trying to help this situation. PLEASE don't." Fung muttered. "Regardless, there's absolutely no way, NO WAY we're going to Jinzhou! It is beyond chaotic up there! Too much of it and not enough order!"
"Hence why we like the place so much." Su Wu smirked.
"I DEFINITELY don't want YOU of all prople helping! You're even worse than Po is, because you're actually revel in your chaos! We do NOT need that right now!"
"I dunno. I'm feeling up for it." Mei Ling hummed while punching the air a bit. "That's a challenge I'm more than interested in partaking in!~"
"Mei Ling, No! Don't get pumped! Be the opposite of that! The opposite!" Crane cawed while flapping his wings a bit. "We'd seriously be going into super chaotic territory! I mean, isn't that place within proximity of Hubei Volcano!? That sounds unreasonably more unsafe than the other things we've had to deal with!"
"Sounds like a worthy challenge!"
"MEI LING PLEASE STOP!"
Tigress weighed the options, folding her arms and closing her eyes. A moments thought passed slowly, before she reopened her eyes and nodded. "I say we proceed with this and rescue Wu Kong."
"Tigress. What. The. Hell." Fung mouthed in emphasis.
"Fung, nothing Jinzhou has prepared is going to be enough to stop us from trying. And besides, we have an obligation to do this for Monkey's sake." Tigress ssid seriously. "Regardless or how the rest of us may feel about him, Monkey clearly doesn't want him to die. That his reason enough to go out there and stop that execution."
"I'm with Tigress on this." Viper lifted her head. "We can't let this happen, Fung. Wu Kong is Mo key's sibling, the only blood family he has left in this world. And he doesn't hate him enough to want him to die in such a cold and lonely way. We have to do it for him."
Mantis looked between everyone, before hopping on Monkey's shoulder snd turning towards everyone. "What the hell, I'm in. It ain't like we're gonna be able to persuade the most stubborn members of our little group to walk away from this. We know Monkey will do this alone if he has to...and that just isn't our style, ya know?"
"I seriously cannot believe this..." Fung groaned while rubbing his paws over his face. It was then that Song would gently tap Fung's shoulder, having him turn towards her.
"Fung. When I was growing up and training with the Ladies of the Shade, regardless of how we felt towards one another, we always treated each other like sisters. And we looked after one another like sisters. When one of us was in trouble, everyone else pitches in to help the best way we could." Song said slowly. "Monkey and Wu Kong, no matter their history, are siblings. And I highly doubt that Wu Kong is bad enough a person for Monkey to just let him die. And even then, Monkey would still at least try. He means far too much to Monkey to let something like this happen. And Monkey means far too much to us to let him be devastated by the chance of failing to save him. He's our friend. And we have to help our friends through anything...right?"
"...Graaaaaaaagh!" Fung snarled as he snatched his helmet from his head and threw it on the ground. "Darn it, darn it, DARN! IT!"
"You seem rather frustrated about this turn of events, Fung. You seem to actually be considering going through with this." Master Croc questioned while placing a paw on his shoulder. "Will you truly be alright with going through with this?"
"...I really don't have a choice but to go." Fung groaned while shaking his head. "Because if I DON'T, there's a pretty decent chance that these maniacs are gonna get themselves in more trouble thsn they seriously should be. Hence why despite my personal feelings on the matter...I'm gonna help however I can."
"Annnnd there you have it! We've got ourselves a new mission!" Po said with a pump of his fist. "Alright everyone! Let's get out there and save Monkey's older bro...then punch him for leaving his sibling alone all these years!"
"Isn't that the same thing that Tai Lung did to Tigress?" Viper curiously patted her lip. "Then again...she headbutted the heck out of him, so I don't think he got away with that completely unscathed. I...suppose that counts...?"
"That seems perfectly reasonable." Mei Ling nodded twice.
"There's one thing I do need to make clear." Tigress said while turning to Peng, Lian, and Bian Zao. "You three won't be coming along on this mission."
"Aunt Tigress...?'
"What?!"
"Fine by me-ow." Bian Zao began, then nonchalantly winced when Lian punched his shoulder quite hard.
"Don't think of it as leaving you behind because it's too dangerous. I have an important objective for you three." Tigress said while kneeling close to Peng's level and patting his shoulder. "I need you to keep an eye on your uncle." Peng blinked owlishly at this. "After everything we've been through, and our latest clash, he's far too ashamed to speak to Shifu or myself...but maybe he'll open up to you. Lian and Bian Zao can be your support. And if you need even more help, consult Master Yao. He knows what he's talking about...most of the time."
Now understanding the seriousness of their upcoming separation, the trio nodded to Tigress as Bian Zao patted Peng's shoulder and Lian tenderly locked paws with his. Peng looked towards Tigress and nodded. "Okay, Aunt Tigress. Count on us."
"I know I can." Tigress nodded while leaning up to kiss his forehead, then stands up and cracked her knuckles. "Alright. We have a week. We head out as soon as we possibly can."
"Right! Mission Rescue Monkey's Big Bro is ago!" Po said with a strong nod. "We've got a serious location with serious obstacles up ahead, so we gotta do what we can to power through and save him!" Po lifted his head up and tilted it. "We're gonna have to prepare a few lunches before we go..."
"Better not eat it all, jerk. I gotta keep my stamina up if I'm gonna save my brother. We're gonna be in serious trouble if you munch it all before I have a chance to." Monkey grumbled while balancing on his tail. Though the feeling he had within his chest was filled with nothing but gratitude at the moment for having such supportive friends.
"Ugh...here we go again, off to do something crazy..." Crane sighed, before slapping his cheeks with his wings and shaking his head. "Bah! Whatever! I'm a man that the others can rely on! I'm not gonna flinch away from something like this!"
"Those legs have to stop shaking at some point, Crane.~" Mantis chuckled.
"Do NOT! Test me." Crane glared at Mantis. "I am not restrained enough to not kick you across the street...and through the buildings."
"Why don't you go ahead and try right now?" Mantis glared right back.
"This is gonna be such an intense mission..." Viper hissed while wigglng about a bit. "Best be careful, everyone. This is very, very serious, because Monkey's brother's life is on the line. We can't let anything stop us."
"You won't be failing, because WE'LL be there to help you!" Wan Wu beamed.
"You're welcome." Wing Wu smirked.
Master Ox grumbled while turning to Master Rhino. "We should accompany them as well. Just to make sure they don't do anything particularly destructive."
"To be quite honest...it might end up that way no matter what." Master Rhino shrugged. "The best we can do is make it somewhat productive...hopefully."
Ox could only gaze at his longlife comrade in bafflement...
"Uuuggghhh..." Mei Mei groaned while rolling her head a bit and sighing softly. "I. Am. So. Booorrreeeed!"
Li Shan sighed. "Mei Mei-"
"Boooooooooooorrrrrrrrreeeeeeed!"
"M-"
"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!"
"..."
"...Bored."
"Are you quite finished?"
"Yes. Yes I am." Mei Mei sighed while slumping forward. "This is SUCH a drag! There's no way someone as beautiful as me should have to travel THIS far to reach a certain location! At least not on foot!"
"Ah, indeed. But wouldn't it show the strength of your 'inner girl power' if you can persevere through all of this and make it with pride in yourself and your endurance?" Li Shan smiled.
"...No fair. You can't use that against me." Mei Mei pouted. "Fine, I suppose I can suck it up for a little bit longer. Only because the reason for our doing this is far more important than the pains of traveling on foot. I just REALLY want there to be a faster way to cut this down without wasting our chi! I mean we-" Mei Mei blinked as she saw something running quickly in their direction. An idea popped in her head as she jumped and waved her arms "Heeey! Hey there! Yooohooo!~"
The figure in question stopped in theor tracks. Upon closer observation, Li Shan could see that it was two big and strong horses, who appeared to be pulling a large wagon. Li Shan could see what Mei Mei was getting at, and could only sigh while shaking his head. Well...inner girl power said nothing about playing things with guile. I guess this is fair game...?
"Hey there, thank you for stopping!" Mei Mei beamed while clapping her paws. "You see, me and my uncle are currently on a very strenuous journey to the Imperial City, and we're just so tired and exhausted...would you two big strong men be kind enough to give us both a ride in your wagon?~"
The two horses looked at each other briefly, then back at Mei Mei with conflicted looks. "You see...we would like to help..."
"But Chairman Qing was explicit in not giving anyone rides in our wagons...people do that to smuggle into places they shouldn't be...and he hates that."
"D'aawww...that's too bad." Mei Mei pouted with puffed cheeks.
"In any case, we have to get these supplies to Jinzhou. They have to get there as soon as possible."
"Oh?~" Mei Mei lowered her eyes. "That sounds like a decent enough shortcut. Are you sure that we can't hitch a ride?"
"Sorry..."
"Boo." Mei Mei turned towards Li Shan and nodded. "That's really too bad. Because there's another reason why we're in need of a ride as soon as possible. Uncle?~"
Li Shan sighed, before he reached into his pack and pulled out a certain little panda who was waking up from her latest nap. Lei Lei slowly blinked her eyes open before smiling and politely waving to the two horses. "Hello!~"
"Awwwwwww!" Both horses immediately dropped what they were carrying and closed in on the panda girl. "What a cute little girl!"
"OOOOH she's so cute!"
"Indeed she is!" Mei Mei beamed while holding the girl in her arms. "She's mighty fired from all the traveling as well, which is why she's always napping. We want to get her somewhere with plenty of food and water as soon as we can. A reliable plsce where we can rest a bit in a large and relatively fitting area where we can stretch and regain our bearings." Mei Mei pouted while squishing her cheek to Lei Lei's, who simply giggled. "You don't want this poor baby to suffer exhaustion longer than she needs to, do you?"
The two horses took a deep, contemplating breath, before they turned around and immediately began removing the luggage from the wagon. Mei Mei handed Lei Lei back to Li Shan whike smiling in triumph. Li Shan rolled his eyes.
"That was playing a little bit dirty, isn't it?"
"All that happened here is a fellow girl using her girl power to help another girl out. Besides, we've got a ride to this 'Jinzhou' place. Can't be that bad a shortcut, right?" She said while sweetly kissing Lei Lei's cheek, causing another giggle fit from her. "Anyway, let's ride away, Li Shan! Next stop, Jinzhou!"
Li Shan smiled tiredly before nodding and following the two girls on the wagon. None of them would know until they get there, but fates would be crossing at the city of Jinzhou...