I woke up. Everything was blurry. All I could tell was that it was now night. Either that or I've gone blind again. I waited for my eyes to focus and I looked around. We were back in the rocky area, as obviously the soft grass wouldn't be more comfortable! I looked to see Tigress with her back to me a few meters away. Sitting round a fresh lit fire. Crane and Viper were next to her. I decided to get away before they realized I was awake. I lifted my head and tried to move. I fell over. Of course, they tied me up. Where did they get the rope from by the way?
I felt that my left eye hurt. Why did- oh, right. Tigress punched me in the face, that's what happened. It must have left me with a black eye. This was great. As soon as morning arrives, I'll be taken back to the Jade Palace. What happens after that, I don't know. Prison I bet. Being tied with rope started to hurt my scaly skin. I tried to pull myself free, didn't work. I tried biting the rope with my fangs, didn't work. I even tried rubbing the rope on some jagged rocks nearby. Guess what? Also didn't work.
I heard someone behind me. I sighed and turned round. Viper had left the others. She had a small jug of water. My small jug of water. I turned back round, not caring that she was there. She just put the jug in reach of my tail and left. I was sure she was going to say something along the lines of "You should know better" or "This is the worst thing you've ever done". But it never came. I turned back round and saw that she had rejoined the others. I didn't bother to drink the water. I wasn't thirsty to begin with anyway. One thing about the night I liked was that things got colder so There was no need to waste water.
I looked up to the sky. I could see many stars. They were all in the same locations as the ones were back where I came from. I could make out the Ladle, the Ursa minor and the Ursa major. The only difference was that the moon was at least twice as big. Either that or it's closer than it looks. It was a good night to star gaze, because I could see Jupiter. The white star that was slightly larger than all the other ones, that was it. I remember my father pointing it out to me one clear night when I was at a young age. You never forget things like that. Now that I'm here, I can't help but try to remember everything from my original life. I know I said I didn't have many good memories from my past but there were still some that made me smile, cry and make me cheer. Those were the good moments. I can just see them happening before my eye.
"You know, you should keep your strength up".
Aaaaaand they're gone. I looked round to see viper again. She pushed the jug slightly closer to me.
"I'm not thirsty". I said flatly.
"It doesn't matter if you are or not. You still need it".
I kept silent and turned round, trying to focus on whatever I was doing before being interrupted. She then sighed and slithered up to my face.
"This isn't just about you, you know".
I turned round, trying to get her out of my face. No matter where I turned, she kept appearing. I'd probably still just hear her if I tried burying my head in the rocks so that option was out.
"It affects Crane Tigress and myself as well okay? You made friends with... everyone except Tigress. And then before the day is out, you try to leave us. Why"?
"It doesn't matter". I repeated myself. "You should have just left me to fend for myself. I never asked for anyone to come and find me. I was actually happy until you found me again".
I felt like Viper was going to slap me like last time. Luckily, it didn't happen.
"I don't know why you try to run away from us, but just know that we still consider you our friend. A lot of people don't usually get to. Especially when it comes to me".
I was going to ask what she meant by that until she left again. Her face showed signs of pain just before she turned round. I didn't seem to care. And if they did care about me, they would let me go and let me find my own way in the world. I looked at the jug of water. I sighed. Damn this guilt. I took the stupid jug and drunk a quarter of it before putting it gently to the side. I looked back up to the sky. Several clouds had floated by, ruining the lovely view. Guess star gazing can be struck off the "Fun things to do while tied up" list I had in my head. No way I was talking to any of those over at the fire.
Time went on. Why does it take me so effing long to fall asleep. I've been lying down for at least an hour with my eyes shut! I swear, this couldn't get any worse.
It started to rain.
...Seriously?
Yep, no doubt about it folks, it begun to rain the moment I thought it couldn't get any worse. And guess what? IT GOT BLOODY WORSE! Screw you irony. Everybody else seemed unfazed by it and watched as the fire died down. I just sat on my own, refusing to get to the fire despite slightly shivering. I just watched the fire die down. I turned my back, thinking everyone else would just go to sleep. Nope, they started to talk to each other. *Sigh* I hate my second life. So much right now.
It took ten minutes before they finally shut up. Maybe if I'm lucky, I can get some sleep within the next six hours! I shut my eyes and just waited. Waited to fall asleep or die. I don't care which comes first. Before I could do either, I felt myself being dragged towards the burned out campfire. I was going to tell them to cut it out, whoever was doing it, but I was too tired to care. I soon found myself in front of burned soggy firewood. I pretended to be asleep so that I wouldn't be disturbed.
"I know you're awake".
So much for that idea. I rose my head up and saw Viper. Smirking?
"Why drag me over here"?
"Because it's better to sit in a group so bandits don't pick you off".
Yeah because that would be a real shame.
"How touching of you". I mocked.
She just smiled. The sudden change in attitude was a little unsettling. What exactly were they talking about that made her oh so happy?

"What are friends for"?
Viper then curled up and... rested her head on me.
"Ummm, You're on me". I said flatly. She just mumbled and then spoke.
"I know. You make a good pillow".
Nice compliment. I think. I just let her sleep and tried to get some myself. I'm gonna have a hell of a lot to deal with when I wake up tomorrow.
MORNING
Finally morning was here. I woke up and found Viper no longer resting her head on my back. Matter of fact, I couldn't see her anywhere. I was still tied up and Crane and Tigress were asleep. I then yawned, nearly waking them up with it. I waited another five minutes until Viper came back with a few apples in a bag. Or rather my bundle. She then placed one in front of everybody, then me. She then released the rope that bound me together. I would be an idiot to run, I guess she knew that too otherwise she wouldn't have done it. I grabbed it and began to eat it. The apple tasted much better than any other I've ever eaten back home. My real home I mean. I finished the fruit in under a minute and put the core to the side. I then looked at the others. They were still asleep. Viper was still eating her apple so I guess the only thing I could do at the moment was close my eyes and just rest.
"Can I ask you something"?
Amazing how I'm always interrupted when I try to get some rest. I swear they're doing it on purpose.
"Sure". Why not? It wasn't as though I was doing anything else.
"What made you leave the Jade Palace in the first place, and please don't lie about it"?
I didn't want to tell them the truth about me being from another dimension and being a different species. I can imagine how that would go over even if they believed me.
"I just want things to be the way they used to be for me". I swear I was going to break down again just thinking about my life. Viper put her tail around where my shoulder would be. If I still had any.
"I can't say I know what you've been through...".
That's the understatement of the year.
"... But it doesn't have to continue. You still have the chance to change things around for the better".
"And how do I do that"?
"By accepting help when it's given to you".
There was nothing else I could say. I just nodded showing that I understood what she meant. Now it was my turn to ask the questions.
"Viper"?
"Yes"?
"Last night. You said you don't consider many people to be your friend. Why is that"?
Viper frowned at my question and looked away for a second before giving me an answer.
"The reason is because many people don't give me a chance because I'm a snake. Just because I have fangs, shed my skin and don't have limbs doesn't make me any different from anybody else"!
I wanted to try to talk to her to make her feel better. However she continued before I had the chance.
"A couple of weeks ago. Lord Fu Xi, one of the greatest snakes who ever lived, tried to poison the valley of peace. We stopped him but before we even knew what he was up to, the whole town looked at me as though I was a monster. Not the kind soul who has protected them for years".
I saw Viper close her eyes, trying to block out the memory. Now it was my turn to feel sorry for someone else.
"Viper".
I used my tail to lift her face up so that she was facing me. I even wiped a tear away from her eye before it rolled down her cheek.
"You had nothing to do with the villagers. This Lord Fu Xi was the one who struck fear in the villagers, not you".
"And they still saw me as something I wasn't". She pushed my tail from her gently and turned away from me. I continued.
"Then tell me. What when you stopped Lord Fu Xi. What then did the villagers think of you"?
"The villagers didn't see me as a monster. But as the kind snake I was".
"And what before Lord Fu Xi scared them? You're a warrior Viper, I'm not. They know you would never turn on them. Did they ever do anything as to say thank you"?
Viper thought about what I had said, remembering before the Fu Xi incident.
"They... they did build a well and named it after me"...
"Exactly! I would feel much appreciated if something like that happened to me. It's just like what my parents told me. Look at life on the positive side and you'll go on to do great things in life. Focus on nothing but the negative, it will drag you down".
Viper looked back at me and smiled once again. However I could still tell that she was upset on the inside.
"Thanks Mike. I guess you do understand what I've been through".
I gave a nod and patted her on the back. Once I removed my tail, she slithered away, leaving me to myself again. I guess that-
"Why is his binds released"?
Shit. Tigress was awake. I looked round to see Tigress grab to rope that once held me. She had no hesitation to tie them back on, quite tight too. I hissed in pain but did nothing else. I didn't want my other eye punched so I decided not to say anything to her.
"We need to move".
And so the journey continued.
THREE HOURS LATER
The rest of the journey was... bad, Painful, Not good at all. Tigress carried me the rest of the way. Her grip on me was strong. The rope wasn't helping either. I'm sure that a lot of my skin was grazed by now. We didn't even stop for another rest and I was starving. At least I had time to think. I thought back to what Viper said about what it was like being alone. I knew how that felt and it's made me push everyone away from me. Perhaps I should... give them a chance, and maybe things will get better. I hope. Even though that may take some time. Especially with Tigress.

When we finally did arrive at the Jade palace, Shifu was already outside awaiting our arrival. Tigress dropped me to the ground, winding me. Shifu looked at me and glared at me. Although I think he was more concerned on my bad eye. I watched him look back up to the three masters.
"Is there a reason why our student is tied up like this"? His voice sounded angry. Tigress stepped forward, her face no longer seeping with anger, instead she was calm. I guess she had to be when it came to addressing your angry master.
"Master Shifu. I"-
"I will speak to you about your actions later Tigress! I'm disappointed that you would even think to do something like this"!
Tigress bowed and stepped back. I could sense her worry. I looked back at Shifu. He now faced me.
"However, I will need to deal with you first Python". Shifu took a dagger from his robe. Wait, WHAT? Given the circumstances, I tried to escape but the rope was too tight! I watched helplessly as Shifu pulled the dagger back like he was about to throw it. He then threw it right at me! I was too scared to blink! However, the daggers blade didn't touch me. I looked back to see if I had been cut or wounded. The only thing I saw that was cut was the rope around me. Wow, that was intense. I was glad to still be breathing but still, Jesus! Not cool!
"Come with me".
I followed Shifu inside, leaving the others outside. Once the doors were closed and no one else was in the hallway, Shifu turned back round to me and sighed.
"First thing first, I apologies for my students rash behavior. I told them to convince you to return, though this wasn't what I meant".
Shifu bowed as a sign of apology. I returned it.
"I understand. I think she was just doing what is best".
"And what do you choose to do now"?
I sighed. England was still on my mind, and I would try again, most definitely. But... perhaps I should wait a little longer. After all, Viper was right. I have a good chance of living here, I shouldn't take it for granted. Especially since they took me in".
"I... I still wish to go back home to where I belong. But after today, I realized that it would be best to stay here where I am both wanted and needed. Until my training is complete... That is if you'll still have me as your student".
I saw Shifu look me over for a few seconds. He began to smile. Only a little.
"I'm glad to hear that Python. Now then, onto more important matters". There's more important matters than what just happened? Shifu looked into my eyes for a second before walking over to the side of the room to pick up... isn't that Oogways staff? Sure enough it was! Shifu walked back up to me.
"Tell me, what do you know of Master Oogway"?

...

Well another chapter done. Holidays are next week so I will have the time to write longer chapters for next week :D

For those who are new to reading this fic, no there will not be any romance between anyone including Mike and Viper. I know that this chapter may seem like it suggests it but trust me. It isn't meant to.

Also, I've tried to slow down on my writing. I hope that the speed of this chapter is more of an improvement. If not, please tell me and I'll do what I can to change it. Any criticism helps as long as it isn't written harshly, such as swearing and so forth. Other than that, please type away. With that all said, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Cheerio.