Morning approached and I woke up. I would have gotten up if it weren't for a certain snake on top of me. Her head had shifted back onto the bed. I couldn't bring myself to wake her up she looked so sweet. Instead, I kept my head down on the bed and waited for her to get up. Thankfully I didn't have long to wait as her head slowly rose and her eyes fluttered open.

"Morning". I greeted as she turned her head, realizing she wasn't in her own room back at the Jade palace. She turned to me and smiled.

"Morning".

I stroked Vipers head with my tail. Through the window, the sunlight bounced off of her scales, making her a sight to behold. I smirked.

"I know I've said this before but, you look beautiful". My comment earned me a smile.

"Thank you". She spoke and laid her head on top of me again, tightening around me as though she was just happy to see me okay. I responded in the same manner, careful not to do too much damage to my side which was still in a bit of pain but was much better than yesterday. I imagined that I would just need some fresh bandages, some molting and a little bit of time, I'll be as good as new.

"I guess we should find the doctor and see if I'm in a good enough condition to return back to the Jade palace".

"I'll go and find him. You just wait here". Viper spoke and slithered out of the bed to find the doctor.

I didn't have to wait as long as I thought as the pair returned in only three or so minutes. I waited as the doctor put on a fresh set of bandages, Viper turning round as he did out of privacy and respect until he was done. The second he was, he spoke.

"Well Master Mike, it seems that we have done all we can to help you out. You are free to return to the Jade palace whenever you see fit".

Finally. I nodded and thanked the doctor before he had to check on several other patients. I slowly got out of bed and slithered onto the floor. I felt a little light on my stomach as I haven't had the chance to do so for at least a whole day. After nearly falling over once or twice, I gained my balance and slowly made it out of the room, out of the hospital and through the town. At least I was now on the road to recovery.

Trying to travel up the Jade palace stairs would have been impossible if Viper hadn't been with me. I had to hold onto her as she had to drag my worthless butt up the stairs. I didn't feel too happy about putting Viper through all this just for my sake. I hope I would make it up to her eventually. I was about to turn into the barracks but Viper prevented me from doing so. She said that I was to get to the hall of heroes once I had been released from the hospital. I sighed and followed the order.

I walked inside and found everybody already inside waiting on me. They must have known that I was returning in the morning. I slithered over and greeted Shifu who stood at the front with Yinshen. Both of them looking quite serious. I had a bad feeling about this.

"A pleasure to have you back Master Mike". Shifu spoke as soon as I got in line with the rest. I bowed as carefully as I could without causing too much pain. Shifu continued, facing the whole group now.

"I believe there are some... secrets that have been kept from you. Secrets that have been kept from us by those closest to us. Yinshen has agreed to reveal hers so that she may come clean".

"That, and... I got my own demons to confront". Yinshen finished. I felt pity for her. I knew exactly what she was about to say. The panther stepped forward and sighed. She looked nervous but determined.

I just hoped that everybody else would be as understanding.

"I used to serve under Fennu's rule as a slave. For two years. And for three years before that"...

Yinshen revealed in her hand her locket and walked over to me before handing it over, placing it in my tail. I gave her a look of uncertainty. To determine whether this was what she really wanted. She smiled and nodded. It was.

Everybody crowded round me and I opened the locket. Inside was a picture of a younger version of herself standing side by side with a large rhino. But this wasn't just any rhino. This one had a large horn bigger than any other rhino I had seen. He wore a tunic covering him from his rough skinned neck to his feet. Also, held in his left hand was a massive hammer of some sort, bigger than the rhino himself, which had some sort of pattern carved into it. Multiple lines waving left and right simultaneously across all six surface areas of the stone block.

"This isn't"...? Monkey began, unsure if it was truly who he thought it was.

Yinshen filled them in.

"I... used to be a student of Master Thundering Rhino".

Everybody seemed to react to this in their own way. The only ones who weren't surprised at this incredible information was myself, Shifu and Crane seeing how I had already told him outside the training hall a few days ago.

"I understand this is... big. But there is something else I think you should know".

Yinshen ordered me to step, or slither in my case, forward. I handed the locket to Tigress and made my way over to her. Instead of being told anything, she took something out of her pocket. a certain red stone.

"No. No Yinshen. Not now"! I hissed dangerously to her.

"They need to know". Yinshen spoke in her same calm tone but with her eyes narrowed, showing how serious she was.

"Now".

I looked to her and then to the group in front. Viper gave me a sympathetic look but agreed with Yinshen that it was the right thing to do.

I sighed.

"Let's get this over with".

I stuck out my tail.

"Give me the damn shiftstone".

...

Bet you didn't see that coming. Anyway I figured that this chapter would also be a little too short and decided to get it up online now. I've been thinking a little lately after receiving a comment about future stories, because this story is coming closer near the end (not just yet) but even so I figured I'd take on a few suggestions for short stories seeing how college will be ending for me in a few weeks time. Just mainly to pass the time and for the sake of fun. Something maybe one or two chapters long but even so, suggestions are appreciated. But with that said and done, I hope you enjoyed this short chapter. Cheerio!