More Secrets in the Night
A week passed as Viper sadly slithered to the Training Hall. Right up the stairs, she ran into Crane. "Oh, Crane. What are you doing here?"
"I was actually uh... doing some aerial exercises. But I saw you. What's the matter? I could see your frown a mile away."
"Hehe, it must be a big frown," Viper joked. The bird didn't laugh. Her smile disappeared under her sigh.
"The wolf?" Crane guessed. Viper nodded. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be fine."
"Those guards were very close to him, Crane. Imagine if you lost someone close to you." Crane stared at her and took a long breath. Now, now more than ever, he knew her worry and pain.
"Yeah... I think I can relate."
"Oh, Crane. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel-"
"No, It's just..." His eyes looked long at Viper and whispered, "I was imagining losing someone close to me. It does hurt."
"I'm sorry, Crane. I didn't mean to depress you."
"It's alright. I'll get over it." Though the words came out of his mouth, Crane couldn't handle the thought of actually going through the situation Wolf was going through. To lose someone you loved? Was it even safe to start a relationship with people, then? A waste of time. Tigress's words rang in his mind and pulled at his frown.
"Do you think Wolf is innocent?" Viper asked, desperate to change topics. Crane made a loud sigh, resting against the wooden wall of the Training Hall door.
"I... I think he is, but I'm not sure. Shifu's been going crazy about hearing small laughs and hum at every corner of that dungeon. Even Mantis is a little edgy. Well, Mantis's edginess isn't really news. But something is going on involving the wolf."
"Yes, but what?" Viper asked. Neither of them could answer the question. Meanwhile, in the dark airy dungeon where the criminal lived, Shifu stood watch over the canine who sadly looked through the guarded window. Wolf was always on the small stool looking out the window, but Shifu's patience was thin, and not because of his captive's window watching. The red panda sighed loudly.
"Eat." A plate of food had been placed in front of Wolf an hour ago, but he left it there cold and forgotten. "Do I need to get Tigress or Po?" The wolf glanced at the red panda, frowning.
"Hrm."
"You must eat. I promised Platon that we would take care of you," Shifu muttered. The very mention of the lion's name made Wolf growl. "So if I have to use shrewd tactics to ensure your health, I will." The wolf huffed. He grabbed the plate of food and slowly munched it down, still looking out the window. Shifu sat, watching him; his arms were crossed, and his brushy eyebrows netted together. His mind toiled a few things.
1. The wolf hadn't tried to escape at all in his six-month stay.
2. He cares about people.
3. He likes doing menial labor.
4. He doesn't seem to be interested in killing or hurting anyone.
5. Po hasn't made any effort to vouch for his innocence, yet the Furious Five and Tigress had come to the conclusion that this wolf was innocent WITHOUT Po's interference or influence.
6. And he cared deeply about the people around him. A bunny child, a servant duck, and two guards that were as close as brothers to him.
"Hmmm," Shifu mumbled as the wolf finished his plate. Things weren't adding up. First, Po showed no interest in proving the wolf's innocence. In fact, he acted as if he wasn't important. Po knew something about the wolf that the others didn't know, but what was it? Shifu had no idea. There had to be a reason why Po hadn't bothered about the wolf, and why the wolf seemed to never mind.
"HMMmmmm!" A high-pitched hum made Shifu jump and ready his fighting stance. But he saw nothing.
"Uugggh," Shifu grumbled. "This is ridiculous. Either it's the walls making noise or-" He looked at the wolf gazing out the window; the sun moved across the sky. "Or someone who's here that's not supposed to be." Wolf turned to him, slightly raising his eyelids. The shackles around his waist rattled a bit as he moved. Shifu took a deep breath. "As long as you are here, we will... no longer treat you... like this... I... I am sorry... for everything." The wolf blinked, several times over, but a small smile finally graced his face. He stood up and bowed, showing his gratitude... and possibly his forgiveness.
People say innocence and goodness prevail in the end. I guess people just get discouraged about how long it takes.
As the time waxed on and the sun entered the gate of its setting, shouts of sparring shot through the air in the Training Hall. Tigress leaped at Po who ducked and rolled left. The panda stumbled up and found her in the air. He caught her extended foot and tossed her aside. Tigress flipped backward twice before coming to a stop. She barely had time to think as Po's fist whizzed past her face. She stopped his other fist from clobbering her side and threw her other hand. Po blocked it. The two locked eye to eye in a strength test, one straining to push the other down. They smirked. They hadn't done this before. Po had to admit it was fun. Tigress snarled and grinned, suddenly ducking right. Po stumbled forward but jumped forward, dodging the tiger's rear attack. Jumping into the air, the panda rammed his fist right into Tigress's hand. The tiger slid back several feet but caught the blow. "Well done," Tigress grunted, holding her wrist. "Well done. You're really getting stronger, Po."
"Thanks," The panda panted, resting his hands on his knees. "Whew, that was intense."
"I know. You're able to counter my full strength. It takes a lot to do that." Though her small smile widened, Po couldn't help feeling a tinge of envy from her crossed arms.
The panda huffed a bit as he stumbled back to his feet, "It wouldn't be that way if you didn't hold back."
"Excuse me?"
"Tigress, do you... hold your strength back? I mean, I feel like you're stronger than this. A lot stronger."
Tigress rose her eyebrow. A glower of anger slightly twisted her face. "I didn't know you weren't... challenged by me."
"I didn't mean that. I'm just saying that you seem like you have the ability to-"
"I told you. I'm not holding back," Tigress sighed. "Don't discount your progress, Po. You've done a lot of work and the results show."
"I guess." Though he couldn't put it into words, Po looked at the tiger doubtfully. "Tigress... what do you think control is?"
"Why?"
"Just asking."
A moment of silence passed before the tiger spoke, "It's restraining the natural instincts and urges that one has."
"Oh... I see." Tigress studied the panda's face, but she could discern no visible emotion. "Well, thank you for the workout. I had fun. I'm gonna get some food and go to sleep."
"Very well," Tigress bowed. "Have a good night, Po." The panda gave a short nod and swiftly strolled out of the hall. A sad frown quickly formed on his face. His fight with Tigress told him a lot and her answer only sent Po's head-scratching for more answers.
"This is bad," Po muttered to himself, passing the floor of the barracks. "Either she's hiding to make sure that she doesn't hurt me...Or." Po stopped and gritted his teeth. Could the answer be that obvious? There was only one other option. "She doesn't know her own strength. Aaah, Dang it. Why am I figuring this out now?! If she doesn't know her own strength, she won't use it and I'll never get stronger! Wait, that also means she could help us with Sho, but... she can't if she doesn't know her own strength, DAH!" After pulling at his head fur, the panda slowly calmed down. "Alright, I can't really do anything but get stronger. Maybe if... Wait! The scroll. I forgot about it." He charged into his room, snatching the small scroll Wolf wrote. "Alright. Let's see what the wolf said."
As he unfurled the scroll, the panda slightly jerked his head back. He wasn't expecting the handwriting to be so... neat. "Okay, focus." Po cleared his throat and read aloud, "Here is the history of the Jai-Yin."
Here is the history of the Jai-Yin. A people so different, so few, so strong. The Jai-Yin were a noble warrior-clan, accepting any and every person seeking a home. Up on the snowy rock of Mount Jai-Yin, the clan danced among the clouds, pitting contests with each other to see who was strongest. We were all strong. Because we all had each other. When the village and farmlands below were overrun with wild bandits, the Jai-Yin fought back. They fought for the villagers below. Never tiring, never stopping. The Jai-Yin's strength was known in the region. Daily, they would traverse up and down the mighty mountain, to protect and love the villagers, and supply their own families. The farmers grew to love the Jai-Yin and considered them as family guardians upon the high mountain.
The clan had many warriors of many species, but four were highly respected. Leaders of the clan through generations of Jai-Yin history, always the same species, always the same family. The Bear, the Lion, the Wolf, and The Tiger. Though many would contest for these high titles, the order was normally done between species, usually family generations. Other bears, for example, could contest for the Bear title though the Lion and Tiger were limited. Everything was in harmony, peace, and happiness.
The end of the Jai-Yin began when the villagers disappeared, one by one. They vanished because coin is quick to flee. And-
"Po? Po?"
"Darn it. Coming Master Shifu!" Po stuffed the scroll back under his bed and ran out of his room. His mind buzzed like a beehive. What did the wolf mean by the villagers vanishing? Was the wolf a part of the clan? Was he one of the leaders? Was that why Sho attacked him? Was Sho a part of this clan? And what about the other titles, The Tiger and The Lion? Who had them?
"Po?"
"Huh? Oh, Master Shifu. I didn't see you there," Po said. He blinked several times, letting his eyes adjust to the dim light. Though the red panda held a lantern, the thick blackness of night hung like a funeral mask. Shifu's eyes darted around the barrack hallway. "Master Shifu?"
"Sorry, I... I still hear noises from time to time," He cleared his throat, "The Emperor's son has requested that you accompany him back home to his palace."
"Yueding?"
Shifu rose an eyebrow. "You know him personally?"
"Hehe, it's a long story. You see, he lost his guards and I helped him find them and... actually it's not that long of a story."
"In any case," Shifu said, "He wants to see you. Under the cover of night, you should be able to have a discreet meeting. And Po, please none of your antics. This is THE Emperor's son. The stakes couldn't be higher."
"Wait, he wanted me to escort him? Why?"
"He didn't say. The messenger just said it was important that you guide his way home from his father at Jai-Yin mountain."
"Jai..." Po's eyes widened as he quickly asked. "Where is he?"
"They're camped near the outskirts of the village."
"Thanks," Po darted down the mountain.
"Be careful Po!" Shifu called out, but the panda was already halfway down the steps. "Impressive. He's gotten much faster. His training is working."
Po ran faster and faster until he got to the edge of the village, where a small red tent and a campfire stood. A young deer draped in a cloak sat by the fire. "Yueding?" The deer whipped his head around.
"Po. It's so good to see you," Yueding said, bowing to him. "I'm glad you're here."
"I heard you came from... from Jai-Yin mountain," Po whispered. "Is that true?" Yueding nodded with a frown. "Is something wrong?"
"I... I don't know." He looked over to his gorilla guards sleeping nearby. The deer and bear walked a little bit away from them. "I believe my father is planning to do something horrible, and I need your help."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"I can't tell you yet."
"Ugh!" Po exclaimed, "Again with the secrets. Fine. I get it this time, but I'm trusting you."
"I know," Yueding sighed. "Why did you ask about Jai-Yin mountain?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Yes." Po looked around and whispered.
"You said your dad was at Jai-Yin mountain, right? Has your dad been staying there lately?" Yueding nodded. "I think I figured out why your dad's so obsessed with that place, but I need more info."
The young deer thought for a moment. "We could look in the Emperor's Records room. We could both find what we need. I'm intrigued about the history of that mountain too, but we'll have to be discreet."
"Why?"
"I don't want my da- my father knowing about this. If this whole thing is as what he says," Yueding paused, "Then all of China is in danger."
Snap!
They both whipped their heads at the noise. It was only a branch falling off a tree, but it didn't ease their minds. "We'll leave at the first sign of light," Yueding said. Po quietly agreed.
Continued...
