I woke up and found myself staring at a dark ceiling with little to no light shining through the bars. Just like I predicted, I've been arrested. I hate it when I'm right.
I don't know why but I couldn't shake the fact that I was underground. Maybe because it was so dark or because of how moist it was, either way it didn't matter. What did matter was that I'm now locked up and probably sentenced ten years in the slammer for assault and attempted murder.
I then heard footsteps approach. My first thought was a guard but I could hear multiple voices. One of them sounded like... the panda? well eff me.
I slithered over to the floor and curled up, pretending to be asleep. Maybe they'll leave me alone. But right now, all I could do right now was wait and listen. The footsteps got closer and closer, then they stopped outside my cell judging by how close they sounded. Somebody else spoke. This voice was unknown to me.
"And you are certain that is what happened panda"?
"Yeah, I saw him stand up to Hundun. He was all like *You do your own job Hundun, you jerk*! And Hundun tried to knock his fangs out if Crane and Mantis hadn't shown up".
Despite all that I've been through so far, the panda's impression of myself was humorous. Still, it sounded as though they were discussing whether or not I was innocent. My humorous thoughts would be short lived.
"Perhaps we should ask him ourselves. Mantis, wake him up".
A second later, I felt something small and prickly jump onto my back and crawled up to my head. I kept my eyes closed and tried not to panic in case they knew that I was already awake. The mantis jumped off of my back and landed in front of me. The next thing I knew...
"WAKE UP"!
I felt something small but light slap me hard across the face, startling me enough to flinch and open my eyes. I immediately jerked my spine upwards, lifting my head into the air. I looked down and saw the mantis smirking at me, somewhat finding it funny that he just slapped me.
"Okay, Sleeping beauty's awake Master Shifu". He hopped out of my line of sight and saw the Panda, the monkey, the mantis that just slapped me, and... some kind of raccoon like animal wearing orange robes. They were all looking at me with serious looks. Apart from the panda who looked curious, much like a small child would when seeing something new or strange.
The raccoon thing spoke.
"Greetings. I am master Shifu".
He then bowed in front of me, probably as a sign of respect. The last thing I wanted was to get into more trouble so I tilted my head forwards, returning the bow.
"Mike". I replied quickly.
He stared into my eyes. I felt a little creeped out by his own.
"Well then, Mike, would you be kind to explain why you were working partner with a dangerous criminal"?
Seems I was right. Hundun was a criminal.
"I wasn't exactly a partner. More along the lines of slave".
"Explain".
I began my story from meeting Hudun up to this point in time. I explained how he forced me into helping him, how he treated me, standing up to him when ordered to kill the panda. Everything else they already knew. The raccoon sighed and looked away.
"If this is true, then this complicates matters. Very well, we'll return when we've discussed the next step for you".
As Shifu left, the monkey and mantis followed him. The panda stayed however. I just ignored him and slithered into one of the back corners.
"Nice to meet you...Mike. I'm Po".
I felt touched that the panda now known as Po, nice name by the way, was at least trying to treat me like a normal person as though I wasn't behind bars. However I chose to keep to myself. I watched as Po began waving his arms back and forth. I guessed that he was trying to think of something else to say.
"So... A python huh? Never seen one of you guys before in the valley of peace before".
I kept silent.
"Can I ask why you didn't try to... you know... kill me when you had the chance"?
This time I replied.
"I may be many things but I would never kill or hurt someone". I said without looking at him.
"...Thanks anyway. I owe you one". He said, giving a cheerful smile. He then left. I had the place to myself again. Seeing how I had nothing better to do, I tried to sleep the time away.
THIRTY MINUTES LATER.
At least half an hour had passed and I still haven't fallen asleep. Damn it I can never fall asleep when I want to! I then heard footsteps approach once more. I got up and faced the bars to see Shifu, Po, and the monkey walk up to my cell. I felt my heart racing. I was going to be sent to prison I just know it!
"After careful consideration, I have decided"...
I held my breath.
"That you are free to go".
I sighed in relief. I felt like I had won a car I was that happy.
"Thank you". I said happily.
"However". He continued.
Oh boy, that was never a good sign.
"I insist that you pay for the damage you have done to the valley of peace and it's citizens".
Pay for damage? What damage? The only damage I've done is to myself!
"And that would be"?
The raccoon walked closer to the cell door and unlocked it. He gestured for me to follow him. I did what he wanted while the monkey and Po stood on either side of me like police escorting a dangerous criminal. I looked at Po who shrugged, not knowing what was in store for me.
I followed Shifu down the hallway, up stairs, through some thin corridors, some more stairs and then through a circular wooden door and into a green hallway filled with weapons, armor and God knows what else.
I heard some heavy breathing to my right and looked. Po was exhausted, which was strange because we weren't even walking for long.
"Just gimme a second... to catch my breath... uhh...whew. Okay, I'm good".
I looked at him oddly.
"What? That was a lot of stairs okay"?
I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Shifu.
"Do you know where we are"?
I shook my head.
"This is the Jade Palace, home to the Furious five and built on honor and respect".
"Ahem". Shifu and I turned our heads to Po who pointed to himself.
Shifu let out an annoyed sigh and I turned back round to him.
"And is home to the Dragon warrior".
"The most bodaciously awesome warrior in the land"! Po yelled dramatically, causing me to flinch. I also took note that one of Shifu's big ears twitched.
"Yeah, honor. Got it". That earned me a harsh glare from Shifu. I looked down as to say sorry. The monkey laughed behind me. Glad to hear that someone's having a good time.
"As I was saying, your punishment. Before I explain what you will be doing, know that this punishment is optional".
An optional punishment? who gives an optional punishment? That like killing someone and then asking the murderer if they would like to go to prison.
"Okay... And my punishment is"?
"To train here, at the jade palace".
... That's the punishment? seriously? I was expecting to be thrown in stocks and get pelted with rotten fruit, but this? How is that even a punishment?!
"Why would you ask me to train here"? I needed to ask.
"After hearing your story, I could tell that there is good in you. You stood up for the dragon warrior at the risk of your own life. I obviously misjudged you. You have potential which if given true meaning, could change your life and the valley of peace for the better future".
Oogway's final few words popped into my head as soon as I heard the words "Better future". Maybe that was what he meant by bringing happiness to myself and others.
"So, what is your choice"?
Me training to become a warrior? That may take some time. I tried thai boxing once and ended up nearly breaking my hand. Although I no longer have hands. Or feet. That will take some time to get used to itself. But then again, if I said no then what would I have left in this world? I don't know where I even am and I doubt I wont come across another generous offer like this. Hmmm...
"Python, what is your decision"?
I snapped out of my train of thought and focused back to Shifu. I gave my answer with no hesitation.
"I accept your... punishment". Still finding it hard to see it as a punishment. Shifu gave a small smile towards me.
"Excellent. You'll begin tomorrow. In the mean time, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the others training here. You already know Po". He then gestured his skinny hand over to Po. I looked and saw him smiling and waving one of his hands at me as to say hello. I waved my tail back at him in response before turning to Shifu, who was now gone. How he did that, I don't know but at this point, I've given up trying to work things out for myself. I just went with it.
"If you don't mind, I think I'll just take a walk for the time being". I said.
"You sure you want to do that"? The monkey spoke calmly. First time I've heard him talk, he sounded much like someone I knew.
"Yeah, I have somethings to think about".
And with that, I slithered out of the huge wooden doors, through the entrance and found myself in front of more stairs. I slithered down them quickly and eventually reached the bottom. I looked round from where I stood. There were more stairways leading off in different directions. I then looked in front of me and admired the view. I could see the village at the bottom, mountains to the far north and the bamboo forest where I had first arrived.
I stopped my sightseeing and ascended up the stairway to my right. These stairs didn't take as long as the other one and soon enough I found myself coming up to a long rectangular hut and opened the front entrance. I found a long thin hallway with several doors on either side. The first door on the left was double wide unlike all the others. I checked the first room, the one with the double doorway. It looked a lot like a kitchen. I also found the bird with the straw hat from the village as well as a green snake inside cooking. What kind of snake, I didn't know. I barely figured out what kind I was, thanks to Hundun.
I decided to slither past before they noticed me. I know that Shifu said to familiarize myself with others, but that would come later. Right now I just wanted to look round and explore the sights for myself while I could.
I traveled to the end of the rather thin hallway and check the door on my right. I opened it and found a small square room with a bed made out of bamboo and wool. I guessed that I was in the barracks, where soldiers live. It reminded me of that one time I tried work experience with the army for a week, just that here, it was cleaner.
I turned round to take my leave, but heard the two in the kitchen speak. I barely heard the word "python" so I guessed that they were talking about me. I slithered over to the side of the door and listened.
"Yeah, one minute he was there, the next he took off into the alleyway! I'm telling you viper, guilty people don't run".
"Still, I'd prefer to hear what Shifu has to say. But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on him".
"I'll try and see if I can get anything from him. Just in case. Remember what happened with those dancing umbrella ladies".
Sounded like they didn't trust me. Maybe the snake but even that was a long shot. I sneaked out the front door the moment they weren't looking. I took one look at the door. Obviously I have a lot of animals to trust me if I wanted to stay here. I could only imagine how friendly everybody else was. I soon found out not very much so once I found a tiger in front of me the moment I turned back round, making me jump. I swear, everybody is trying to scare me to death!
The tiger looked me up and down. The look on her face seemed to say "I don't like you one bit". It didn't stop me from speaking first though.
"...Hi"? Smooth.
"You do realize you don't belong here"? She spoke with no sweetness in her voice. If only she knew how right her words were.
"Shifu seems to say otherwise". I replied. After what I had to put up with Hundun, this tiger girl wasn't as bad. Least she didn't seem like it.
"Regardless, the jade palace is for warriors. The best of the best. Not for someone like you".
"Maybe not. But that doesn't mean to say that a python can't change for the better". I argued calmly while giving her my own look which meant to say. "I'm not in the mood for this". She just narrowed her eyes.
"We'll see".
She then walked past me, nearly bumping into me, and into the barracks. Yeah, real friendly bunch of people here. I then left the barracks behind me and decided that enough was enough. No more sight seeing. If everyone had something to say about me I might as well get it out of the way with. I went to see Po and the monkey.
I headed back up through the huge stairway, back to the artifact room or whatever the place was called, and through the front doors. While I did, I sung a song in my head. "Lose yourself to dance" which was, yeah, fitting for a place that looked like it belonged to the dark ages but I'd rather hang onto some sort of memory while here to keep me sane.
I noticed that Po was still in the room. He then waddled over to me, somewhat excited. At least he was trying to make an effort with me. Something I appreciated. He walked with me at my side. I didn't see the monkey anywhere in sight. He must have already left.
"So, how'd it go"?
What was he- oh right. The little "get along with everyone" routine Shifu has me on.
"It was interesting. The only one I officially met was a tiger with an attitude problem". To my surprise, Po gave a chuckle at this.
"Yeah, that's Tigress for you. Don't worry she'll warm up to you... Maybe". That maybe didn't sound too promising. Oh well. Let her be I suppose. It's not like I have to be friends with everyone.
"Yeah maybe". I said sarcastically.
"Thats the spirit"! Po said happily, not catching my sarcasm. I continued.
"I also came across a bird and a snake. I didn't exactly say hello. They didn't even know I was there. I just listened in to what they had to say about me".
"Anything good"?
"Nope". I said flatly. "At least you're trying to get along with me so that's a good start". I then gave him a friendly smile. The only one I've offered to anybody, except maybe Oogway. Then a thought came into my head.
"Thanks Bud. Say, I've been hoping to ask lately. What happened to Hundun"?
Po frowned. That wasn't a good sign.
"He managed to escape". I hoped that he wouldn't be returning anytime soon but I did feel worried upon hearing that response.
"...That sucks".
"Yeah it does".
Before I could say anything else. We saw somebody enter the hallway. It was the bird in the hat. Shit, I hope he didn't work out that I was listening in on his conversation earlier. If he already knew, he did well to hide any anger. Also, if he was here already then he must have left the barracks shortly after myself.
"Hey Po".
"Hey Craniac".
"Can I talk with your friend a second"?
"Yeah sure". Po said uncertainly.
I didn't like where this was going but complied and slithered over to him, keeping my eyes on him as he did with me. I decided to get straight to the point.
"Can I help you"? I accidentally made myself sound hostile towards him. Plus I think I also just hissed. Weird.
He opened his beak, but shut it upon noticing that Po was right in front of us, listening in.
"Po, I meant in private".
"Don't worry Crane. I'll make sure no one listens in". I smirked at Po's obvious attempt to hear what Crane had to say.
"Po, just leave us".
"Oh, alright then. Geez so serious".
As he left, I heard Po mutter to himself before becoming too distant for us to hear him and finally left.
I turned my attention back to Crane and gestured for him to speak.
"Look, I need to ask. Why were you with Hundun when we found you"? Like Shifu, Crane was poking around for answers as well as I heard him tell the snake earlier. I didn't have time for this.
"Shifu knows everything already. Would it not be easier asking someone you can trust"? I turned round to leave. The second I tried, Crane was blocking my way. He continued.
"I'm not trying to interrogate you if that's what you think, I would just feel better if I knew. That's it. Once you answer I'll leave you alone".
I sighed. Seemed that I would need to explain the story... again.
So once I finished telling the story for the second time, yada yada yada, Crane looked me in the eye. He was doing that throughout the whole explanation and it wasn't making it any easier on me. A few seconds of awkward silence passed, well awkward to me at least, and he spoke again, not as tense as he was before.
"Alright. I believe you".
"Okay, I underst- wait. You believe me? Just like that"? I must say, I didn't expect him to believe me at all.
"Just like that. I can tell when someone is lying and you weren't".
That must have been why he was looking at my eyes the whole time, looking for any twitch or movement that would have made it seem like I was lying. Clever.
"Well for what it was worth, glad to have helped ease the tension".
"Yeah, thanks...". I think he was hanging on to hear my name.
"Mike".
"Thanks Mike. I'd better let the others know your story. Guess I'll see you tomorrow".
And just like that, he flew out through one of the side entrances at the end of the hall. Guess I shouldn't have judged a book by its cover. Of course I can't say the same for everybody else just yet. Still, with Crane carrying the story on, there would be no need to repeat myself a third time.
I left back to the barracks. The sun was setting. I wasn't even sure how long I had been knocked out for before, it could have been hours until I woke up. Pushing the thought from my head, a new one replaced it. Where would I be sleeping? Shit, I should have asked that when I had the chance. I suppose I could check if there was an empty room in the barracks. Hopefully they wouldn't mind too much if I am now meant to be training here.
About ten minutes passed before I reached the barracks once more. The sun had nearly disappeared past the mountains. I opened the door and slithered to the very end of the hallway and checked the doorway on the right, the same I looked at earlier on when snooping around. It would do for tonight. I rested on top of the bed and closed my eyes. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.
That's another chapter finished. Next time, first day of training. Which brings me to another point. I'll be submitting my chapters on the weekends because I'll be too busy with college midweek. However It may mean that I will be able to write longer chapters so think of it as a bonus. Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.
P.S. I know that Shifu is actually a red panda, but Mike doesn't know that just yet ;)