"Shifu, may it be possible to talk with you for a moment"?
After having a few choice words with both Crane and Mantis for listening in on what was meant to be a private, very serious conversation, my next step was to talk to Shifu. Even with the craziness of today, I still made it so that I could talk to him. Amusingly, I found him just outside the training hall in the courtyard, sitting down under one of the trees playing a tune on a wooden flute. Never really took Shifu for a musician. He seemed to be very good at it. Granted I didn't recognize the tune but it was slow and peaceful. The second I had made myself noticed, the song came to an end, getting quieter until I couldn't hear it any more. He put the flute down and looked over to me.
"Yes Python, what can I help you with"? He asked with one of his rare gentle smiles.
"I have something to ask about yesterday. It's something of a serious matter".
"Of course. What is it you find yourself in need of asking"?
"Before I woke up, I found myself surrounded by some sort of beams of light. They showed me some kind of... vision. Would you happen to know anything of this"?
I took note of Shifus frown.
"I am afraid I was not aware of it, no. Even my knowledge is scarce on supernatural abilities. I'm afraid I can be of little use".
I nodded.
"If I may ask, what was this vision you mentioned"?
"Well, all I saw was the image of a person. A old goat. I... don't know who she is or, even what she has to do with the Mèngyǎn, but... it has to mean something"...
Shifu nodded, hanging onto each word that sprouted out of my mouth.
"This goat you speak of, are there any characteristics you may remember about her"?
"Well... she seemed to be a little smaller than the height I'm at now... carries around a walking stick and her horns are rather large... she... was slightly hunched backed... that's all I can seem to remember".
Shifu nodded, satisfied with my information before pondering on his thoughts, probably thinking of who could fit the description. It didn't take long for him to come up with an answer. He turned back to me with his serious look returning once more.
"If I'm correct then that description fits only one that I know of. The soothsayer of Gongmen city".
Gongmen city? The place that Yinshen rules over? That seemed fishy.
"Permission to ask a question Master Shifu"?
"Granted".
"I don't know what this soothsayer has to do with anything, I'll admit that. But what I do know is that there's a chance it may lead to something we're unprepared for".
Shifu raised one of his furry eyebrows.
"... You are suggesting that we don't go"?
"No. Just you, Po and the five".
"I'm sorry"?
"Master Shifu, the events of yesterday proved that the demon would stop at nothing just to get to me. It dragged everyone I cared for into my mind and forced several of you to fight against something none of you were prepared for. The last thing I want is for anybody else to risk themselves over what is meant to be my fight".
Shifu sighed.
"Python, you have to understand that"-
"Master, I know that I'm asking for a lot, but I can't let something that's my fault effect everyone else around me. This... is really something that I need to see to. Whether anyone agrees or disagrees, it doesn't change the fact that we wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for me".
Shifu seemed surprised. I wasn't. Not many warriors would have interrupted their masters unless they absolutely needed to, so at least my reasons for doing so were the right ones. At least to me.
A moment passed between us before Shifu spoke once more.
"Python, may I ask you a question"?
I nodded.
"Of course Master Shifu".
"If I were to allow you to travel to Gongmen city by yourself, if you gained an audience with the soothsayer, what makes you believe it will make a difference"?
I lowered my head.
"I don't. As far as I know, it might not make any difference at all. But right now, I could be asking myself all sort of questions revolving around the matter. Is this all a trap? Am I sure I want to do this? Does it perhaps have something to even do with destiny? Yet no matter how many questions I ask, they all lead to the same answer. I don't know".
I looked back up to Shifu.
"That is all but one question. Would I be willing to keep my promises even when they are put to the test? It's the only question I can find myself finding a proper answer to. That answer is yes. But above all, one promise in particular stands among all the others. Can I really do what has been asked of me? To do everything within my power to protect her? Even against my own sins? I can certainly give it my all I will say that".
It was clear who "Her" was to Shifu. Not that it was all that hard to realise from the start. It wasn't enough to keep Shifu from speaking.
"Mike, I can admit without fault that you have potential for your goals, but to accomplish them will require more than a promise. I'm beginning to understand why you are fighting so hard for another, but... what makes you think that it is possible to complete such a task on your own"?
I gave my master a warm smile.
"Like I said master. Maybe destiny plays a part in all of this. It's like what Oogway said to me when I first met him, before I was sent here. He told me that within this world, I would achieve happiness. And his words held their own promise. And now that's it's being threatened, I realise that sometimes, happiness needs to be fought for. In a way, it's my purpose".
"Because of Master Viper"?
I nodded.
"Python, if you were to leave, she may not understand your reasons for doing so. You may end up damaging the bond that you two share".
Shifu was being deadly serious. And his words, as simple as they were, cut deep. As though a knife was being twisted into my heart. No, I did not see Viper being all too thrilled at me "abandoning" her.
"...I know"...
But I'd rather she hate me rather than have me hate myself when she's made a target again. I... just don't want her to be hurt. Again. Not just against the Mèngyǎn either. I could still remember the first moment I put her in danger. Those two gorilla sappers that attacked her. I had returned in time to see her holding off both of them at once. She failed and... God knows what could have happened if they hadn't run into me, their primary target. No. This was my own war. I would take only my own fate and place it within my grasp, just mine alone... No one elses...
"Python"...
I looked to Shifu. His face remained as hard as stone.
"...If you really truly believe that this is your path, then even as your master I have no right to stop you"...
My body straightened itself and I ended up giving him a thankful smile.
"... But if I were to make a request"?
"Of course Master Shifu"?
"Could you at the least stay for a few more days? Not just to think things over, but to prepare".
Despite my enthusiasm to just set off now, he was right. I had no idea exactly what I was getting myself into. The path was most likely going to be dangerous. I'd be a fool not to take heed.
"Of course Master Shifu. I understand". I bowed.
"Is there anything else you would like to discuss"?
"No thank you Master".
"Very well. You are free to go. I will speak to you in the morning".
I nodded. I had no worries. Shifu was honor bound, so he wouldn't have shared this crucial information with anyone else. Especially since I really do believe destiny played a part in it all. Whether it really does or not, I can't say. But right now, I needed to speak to one more person. Tigress. I think I recall seeing her walking in a different direction from the Jade palace. I suppose there's no harm in finding out what she's up to.
...
Hi guys. Well, this is it. The second act of the story will soon be coming to a close. Only a few more chapters to go before I'm done. Hopefully they'll be written and published all before Christmas. After that I'll be gone for almost a month, so I'll have plenty of time to think up some ideas for Act three. (Honestly, I don't know how many acts are actually going to be added to this story, but I hope to achieve as many as I can) So with that said, I hope you enjoy the last few chapters that will be spread out until the fifteenth of December, and thanks for the support guys. Cheerio!